[WoD] Emperor of the Fading Suns: Cloak & Dagger

[Roastbeef]

Alright people, looks like we're almost ready to board the train. Everyone here has the bulk of their work already done. I'm thinking that I will be able to fire off the opening post of the game sometime this upcoming weekend.

The following players and characters are on the list:

Scarabus / Eleazar *You just need to allot the extra points to your character sheet.
sagheart / Garrett Luxonburg
Xildur / Thereux (Dandy) La Verne
The Rogue Trader / Farid Mahdin al-Malik
Beez / Solomon Brand

* The rest of you all have minor things to do with regards to your characters (flesh them out more etc).

Emperor of the Fading Suns: Cloak & Dagger (Game Board) link:
https://www.rpgcrossing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13487

In the meantime, feel free to post some of the surface / general information with regards to your characters in the PC thread. You can always add a picture or two to give everyone else a better visual perspective of your character (that is optional of course)... remember to keep details very much general: physical appearance, quirks, personality, perhaps bits and pieces of their history if people might of heard of them off planet etc.

We also have a few characters that hail from the same planet (The al-Malik world of Criticorum). Two of you even hail from a fairly prestigious institution that serves House al-Malik directly. I will put the two of you in contact, it only makes sense that you would know of each other because you share positions in this organization.

Also, most of you have chosen to play characters that are already well established in the social fabric and have reputations that precede them (recognized academics, Church members, Nobles etc). If this is the case, there is no need to come up with a fake identity and you can operate under your own identity.

Looking forward to having a blast with all of you!

[Roastbeef]

Secret text for two players:

[Sageheart]

Does this mean I'm in?
Thanks, excited to play!

[Scarabus]

Thanks, looking forward to it.

My character should have all his points spent. The only thing I didn't do is virtues since I was using the mage mechanic rather than the vampire one.

[The Rogue Trader]

Hi all fellow players, I'm really eager and curious to play in this setting
I hope that between this evening and tomorrow I'll have sorted the RL things that still need to be sorted, so I'll be able to bring this character to life and start weaving interactions with the other players.
One small thing: I changed my char's name to Suleyman.
See you all in the game threads!

[Roastbeef]

Yesiree folks, everyone in the bold black text on that list in post #106 is in the game. It's a done deal.

Scarabus: I have just updated your character sheet in my own files. I got your new updated stats (with the new point spread) in your old post that you edited. Don't worry, you are good to go on that side of things.

You can forget about the virtues section of your character sheet.

For all players: I think that I will be abandoning the whole virtues aspect of your character sheets. Really, I don't see the point in terms of game mechanics / rules of keeping the virtues around. They make sense in the usual horror vampire setting whereas your last shreds of humanity are always battling against the ever present beast... however, when playing humans in a different setting I can't find anything useful for them to actually cover. I was reading some of the older posts in this thread and my validation for having them around (i.e others being able to sense how virtuous your character is, humanity rating, adding to certain social / mental rolls) seems pretty thin after another revision. So, consider them gone and of no consequence for this game.

The Rogue Trader: Gotcha. I have made the name change... this is what happens when I start back sifting through a hundred or so posts to pick up and copy the information I need for my own files. Sorry about that. Just so that we are crystal clear: Suleyman is his first name? He will still hail from the al-Malik royal family, yes?

I have been getting a lot of pings, PMs and secret text on who exactly will be getting the junior intelligence officer position. Seems to me that we got a few ambitious folks in our group. Since I'm a cold hearted mother who likes to keep players and their characters in the dark as much as possible (I'm all about the suspense!), you will only find out during that first opening game post. The chosen character will know soon enough...

As usual, if you need any last minute questions / issues cleared up, go for it!

I'm aiming to have that first opening game post done by this weekend at the latest. If I find that I have a lot of free time on my hands, I might just throw it up on Friday.

[Roastbeef]

Alright gents, the game thread is up and ready. Check it out and may the games begin!

https://www.rpgcrossing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13487

[The Rogue Trader]

Sorry, I've been hit by a nasty writer block these days (both in my language and in English).
I managed to put together a couple of the thinghs I needed for my character (allies, contacts) but there's still some fleshing out to do.
A short presentation of my character is at the top of my "to do" list, but I don't know if tomorrow I'll have it ready.

EDIT
In my opinion virtues can be very useful in Fading Suns. After all it has been written by the same authors, so similar concepts abound.
Self-Control and Conscience can be used to fight the bad effects of psi (Dark Self) and Theurgy (Hubris). Maybe roll on the relevant virtue if one gets a critical failure.
Humanity may be used to fight off bad effects of cybernetics (glitches).
Courage... Well, I see it used a lot:
DM: A large, enraged, Vorox is charging at you brandishing two huge greataxes... Roll on your Courage to keep your ground.

[Roastbeef]

In case players are still unaware, the first post is up in the first gaming thread.

The Rogue Trader: I had no idea that your first language was not English. You sound (when I read your words) perfect to me. Writer's block is always a problem for everyone on this site.

The Composure attribute (measures a character's ability to keep their game face on... I took this attribute from the NWOD as I do believe it is fitting) and the Willpower trait can both be used for actions requiring someone to reign in their nerves or marshaling one's courage. I can see your point on the Dark Self / Hubris, but not every character uses Psi or Theurgy. Besides fighting the bad effects, what else can these virtues be used for? Perhaps defending against negative effects from others trying to use Psi or powers on your own character? Again though, the Willpower trait can be used in these cases as well.

Humanity seems pretty useless when we have purely human characters in this story. Having a low humanity does not do much as it does to vampires.. (the character acquires a more morbid / bestial appearance and cannot control the beast as well). Perhaps having a low humanity can bar you from some Church theurgy, or tell others as to your low morality, but what else? Doesn't seem warranted to have around.

Humanity doesn't and shouldn't interfere with your cybernetics / bioware. True, the Church and many of the masses believe that cybernetics slowly kills the soul of living beings, but this is a theological theory rather than a genuine game mechanic. It could be true or not, all depending on the GM of the moment. Personally, I would rather that this subject (someone losing their humanity / soul through serious cybernetics) play out in the story as opposed to having to roll every time someone uses or installs something into their body. It's one of those things that adds flavor to the game as opposed to being a necessity... it should be something to dwell upon philosophically (if a character replaced his body / mind with robotics, is he still human? Are AIs and androids human?). Since cybernetics, advanced androids and AIs are not frequent or even a central theme in this game (humanity is nowhere near the tech levels that they had in the 1st and 2nd Republic eras), these questions are not as paramount in this setting as in more cyberpunk'ish settings.

After all, the EFS setting takes place in a setting where humanity is living in the left overs of a forgotten age. We are living in the shadows where it is clear to most that our best years are behind us.

Perhaps in the future if I ever try this out again I will give more thought on this subject, but for now I do believe that I will be keeping the virtues gone.

[Roastbeef]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am currently looking for two new players to replace recently MIA players who have disappeared over the course of this game. You can read the first few posts of this thread to get the flavor of the game, some setting information and to familiarize yourselves with what I am looking for in terms of characters.

For those of you who are interested to see what is going on so far, here is the entire active game thread:

https://www.rpgcrossing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13487

Newly minted PC characters will be slotted to join the group as they eventually hit down on the Decados world of Pandemonium. As of right now, the PC group is on a Charioteer Guild freighter star ship (Named: Wanderlust) that has been chartered by House Decados for the transportation of it's military forces in order to beef up their martial presence on their planet. The group has been posing as an archeological team that is heading to Pandemonium in order to discover 2nd Republic technology. Once on a Pandemonium (more precisely, the capital city of "The Hub"), they will make contact with the local Imperial Eye station there and the adventure will continue...

The ship is slowly making it's way to Pandemonium with a few problems that have erupted on board during the trip.

If this game seems like something that tickles your fancy, by all means let me know!

I am available for questions.

Remember, your characters will not be participating until the group lands on that Decados world. Right now, the first opening act is wrapping up (events on the Wanderlust) so, this gives any interested parties some time to create a character and be ready to hop into the action as the original players make planet fall.

[Sageheart]

I recommend fully!

Its been a lot of fun so far, Roastbeef is doin a stellar time DMin.
New world, but isnt too difficult to become a part of, and te system which new for me, Roastbeef teaches well!

[Xildur]

 

We need you

[Sarge67]

Ok, I keep coming back to this thread. I'll be your Huckleberry.

NOTE: I wasn't sure if we received the free dot in each attribute, so I did NOT include it.

Name: Rolf Lancaster of the House of Hawkwood

Physical Appearance: Although Rolf is born from the Lancasters of Hawkwood, it is clear that he has lineage from the Vuldrok. He stands 7' tall with a barrel chest and lumberjack arms. This warrior has blonde hair with a full beard which conceals bear claw scars along the left side of his face. He wears a set of heavy armor with the symbol of Lancaster on the chest, with a black bear cloak flowing behind him. His steel blue eyes are piercing and cold though his actions are always intended to be honorable.

[Roastbeef]

Thank you Xildur and sageheart for the props and bumping up the thread. I was just about to do so myself right now... imagine my surprise when I saw this old thread right at the top of the mountain! Thanks guys!

Greetings Sarge6!

Thank you for the interest! Thank you also for making your interest concrete!

I'll get right down to business and start answering your earlier queries:

1. The game doesn't operate along the same lines as D&D. You don't necessarily need to fit your character into a tactical slot to make the group stronger. This game (and most WOD games in general) focuses more on storytelling / characterization / choices as opposed to sheer combat. There will be much in the way of politics, backroom deals, back stabbing and influence later on the game. Players will often have control over how they approach tasks put to them by the Imperial Eye (kidnapping someone, hitting a suspected terrorist base of operations etc). The group will not necessarily be forced down paths that put you into fights.

The group will also be able to call in Imperial Eye assets (tactical teams, surveillance personnel etc) to help them with their endeavors or if the need arises. However, if the group squanders them uselessly, the higher ups may restrict their usage.

So, yeah, you can doodle and diddle with whatever concept you want... you can make him a straight up grunt, a smooth talker, the quiet dangerous guy in the corner or anything else that you might fancy. I'm open to exotic, off the wall concepts as well (try me!).

However, since you did ask, the group is low on the muscle. One of our characters excels primarily in social abilities and the others have skills / abilities that lay in different areas as well (One of our characters has a military background, but he is not a purely infantry / combat / special forces based concept). So, if you like the more direct approach to things, well you can certainly go that route too.

2. The culture and ethnicity of your character is totally up to you. Sure, the game takes place on the Decados world of Pandemonium, but it would make sense that Imperial Eye agents would be transferred from others areas to beef up their numbers on that planet. Your character does not have to be a native to the world (or he can be as well if you so wish it). Imperial Eye covert agents can run the gamut of backgrounds and cultures. It would make sense that an intelligence agency would want some variety in their personnel--especially for covert operations.

The only restriction is that your character must be human. None of the alien races are allowed (Vorox, ur-Ukar, ur-Obun etc). Racism is a strong theme in the EFS setting and it is doubtful if the Imperial Eye would actually allow non-humans to be intimately associated with their operations. Sure, they have some aliens on the pay roll as informants and hired muscle, but not as actual card carrying members.

3. The Emperor of the Fading Suns is set in a dark future where humanity has fallen back on feudalism and close mindedness. It's science fiction--albeit humanity is living in the trash and remnants of earlier ages where technology was waaaay more advanced (1st and 2nd Republics). Much effort is put into finding the gadgets and stuff of the past. Salvaged 2nd Republic technology is priceless.

I invite you to peruse the following EFS wikia link:

http://fadingsuns.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

You can find the general specifics about the setting there. If you have more precise questions, let me know.

[Sarge67]

I wasn't sure whether to make a Ninja based character or a heavy fighter based. I chose heavy fighter for now unless you think it would be better to make a more covert based character.

I've played OWoD many many moons ago. I had a Brujah and caused so much hell for the haughty Ventrue that thought he was in charge.

We had a Tremere that found a wand of some sort, it took several months until he came across an NPC Mage and they actually spoke to each other. The Tremere handed the wand to the mage to find out what it was and the mage responded "Get rid of that thing or it will be the death of you all!!!" Right as the comment finished real life took over as we survived an 8.7 earthquake. The players stayed away from the game for a few weeks after that one. Almost broke the host's Elvis plates.