[PbtA] MoldyNolds' Duskwall Rising

[cottontailwind]

Mister Fortune’s app is reeeally completed now. Gave him the beginnings of some paunch and changed his stage title. Pretty critical details, just sayin’. I didn’t want to be left out of the “app completed” club in the applicant tracker…

[Niyaga]

KINK - HOUND NAME: SARSUS CLAID ALIAS: KINK PLAYBOOK: HOUND (OR LURK OR CUTTER) LOOK: DARK, COWLED, THREATENING, EXOTIC, SALTY, STILL, WATCHFUL. KINK IS TALL AND LEAN, I used Dr. Facilier as an element for inspiration TENDING TOWARD GANGLY WITH STRONG FEATURES AND AN UNKEMPT BEARD. WHEN AMONG STRANGERS, HE COVERS HIS FACE, AS, HAILING FROM THE DAGGER ISLES, HIS FEATURES ARE UNUSUAL IN DUSKWALL. HE WEARS CLOTHES OF A STYLE THAT MIGHT HELP HIM FIT IN, TENDING TOWARDS FABRICS WITH BOLD GEOMETRIC PATTERNS. PERSONALITY: KINK HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING CALM UNDER PRESSURE ALTHOUGH IT’S JUST A FACADE. UNDERNEATH HE STRESSES A LOT ABOUT HOW PEOPLE SEE HIM AND ABOUT THE MALEVOLENT GHOST TRACKING HIM. TO COMPENSATE FOR HIS STRESS HE LIKES TO DRINK AND TAKE DRUGS, AND JUST FORGET ABOUT HIS WORRIES. SOME PEOPLE FEEL THAT THIS CALM IS UNSETTLING. HE TAKES A LONG PAUSE TO CONSIDER DIRECT QUESTIONS. IF HE DISLIKES SOMEONE HE MIGHT PAUSE LONGER THAN IS SOCIALLY APPROPRIATE, WHILE WATCHING THEM INTENTLY. KINK ADOPTED HIS MOTHER AND FATHER’S ASSERTIVENESS THAT CAME FROM MANAGING THE STAFF OF THE CLAID MERCHANT BUSINESS. WHEN KINK IS FEELING CONFIDENT, OR AFTER A FEW RUMS, HE MIGHT USE HIS DEEP BOOMING VOICE TO MAKE SURE GETS WHAT HE WANTS. BUT ONLY IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO COCKY DAGGER ISLANDERS IN DOSKVOL… KINK HAS A CRUEL SENSE OF HUMOUR AND LIKES TO PLAY TRICKS AND BULLY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HE PERCEIVES ARE NO MATCH FOR HIM. HE MIGHT TELL SOMEONE THE BLUECOATS ARE COMING FOR THEM, AND WHEN THEY SPRING FROM THEIR CHAIR, LAUGH AND TELL THEM HE WAS JUST KIDDING. "NO, SERIOUSLY. THEY’RE NOT COMING FOR YOU. ALTHOUGH I HEARD THEY WANTED YOU OVER THE SIX TOWERS JOB…" -LAUGHS- "THAT WASN’T YOU RIGHT?" AND ON AND ON, SOMETIMES UNTIL SOMETHING BREAKS. HAVING HAD NO FIRM ALLIES SINCE HIS PARENTS UNTIL ARRIVING IN DUSKWALL, HE’S TRANSFERRED HIS FIERCE LOYALTY TO THEM. HE’D RATHER SUFFER PAIN AND HUMILIATION THAN GIVE HIS FRIENDS UP. THEY’RE HIS FAMILY NOW (ALTHOUGH HE’S NOT ABOVE TEASING THEM TOO). MOTIVATION: KINK IS A BOUNTY-HUNTER, AND HAS MOVED FROM ONE BOUNTY TO THE NEXT, FOREVER ON THE RUN FROM THE DEMON THAT HUNTS TO END HIS BLOODLINE. HE HOPES TO MAKE ALLIES IN THE CITY THAT CAN HELP KEEP HIM SAFE. IF HE HAD A HOPE, IT WOULD BE THAT HE'D BE PROSPEROUS AS HIS PARENTS WERE BEFORE. HOW DID YOU BECOME A SCOUNDREL? A FURIOUS GHOST INFLICTED ITS HATRED UPON HIS FAMILY, POSSESSING HIS MOTHER AND KILLING HIS FATHER. A MUCH YOUNGER KINK WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE WITH HIS LIFE. MEETING WITH AN ELDER, HE LEARNED THAT THE GHOST YEARNED FOR HIS YOUNG HEART, AND WAS PURSUING HIM. KINK HAS BEEN ON THE RUN EVER SINCE. WHEN HE ARRIVED BEHIND THE LIGHTNING WALLS OF DOSKVOL, HE THOUGHT HE’D BE SAFER. HE ALSO LOST HIMSELF IN THE THRONG AND FOUND A HIDEOUT WITH HIS NEW FRIENDS. HE HOPED TO MAKE A SUCCESS HERE; HE NEEDED COIN FOR HIS VICE, BUT HE ALSO ENVISAGED A FREE FUTURE WHERE HE NEEDN’T FEAR THE GHOST, AND HE COULD OPERATE SOME KIND OF SUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOUR AS HIS PARENTS HAD. IN THE MEAN-TIME, HE’D DONE A LOT OF THINGS HE’D RATHER FORGET. ABUSE, TORTURE, BETRAYAL, MURDER. ANYTHING TO GET BY, SURVIVE AND EARN THE PRECIOUS COIN THAT WOULD KEEP HIM SAFE AND SATIATED. HERITAGE/BACKGROUND: KINK CAME FROM Taking inspiration here from Caribbean and Islander traditions, as per the imagesTHE DAGGER ISLES, BORN TO A MERCHANT FAMILY. HE KNEW THE MOUNTAINS, JUNGLE, SWAMP, BEACH, OCEAN AND WATERCRAFT OF MISTPORT. HIS FAMILY WERE NATURE LOVERS AND ARCANISTS, IN TOUCH WITH THE NATURAL AND SPIRIT WORLD. HIS MOTHER AND FATHER BOTH KNEW THE POWER OF GHOSTS AND DEMONS, AND THE RITES AND OBSERVANCES TO KEEP THEM AND THEIR CREW SAFE. VICE/PURVEYOR: Kink's vices: I think in-game I wouldn't need to say much more than, "He went out and did some strange and kinky stuff while he was really stoned!" No need for further details!PLEASURE. PROPRIETOR AND MADAM REMORA, OF THE DOUGHTY GINGER IN THE DOCKS, PROVIDED ALL THAT KINK MIGHT WANT. HE ENJOYED ALL MANNER OF VICES IN UNISON: SEXUAL PARTNERS, DREAM SMOKE, BLACK LOTUS AND DRINK IN EQUAL HEADY VOLUME. THE DOUGHTY GINGER WAS RUMOURED TO HAVE BEEN NAMED AFTER A BOUNCER AND SEX WORKER WHO WAS LARGE, STRONG, ORANGE-HAIRED AND VIGOROUSLY REFUSED ILL TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF ONE OF THEIR CLIENTS. THE ESTABLISHMENT NOW HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT ENGAGE IN VIOLENCE AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYEES. DANGEROUS FRIENDS: CASTA, A RIVAL BOUNTY-HUNTER OPERATING IN THE CITY.THEY CROSSED PATHS ON A BOUNTY AND NEITHER WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE SCORE DUE TO THE COMPETITION. THE BLUECOATS BECAME INVOLVED AND BOTH CURSED EACH OTHER AS THEY WERE FORCED TO SUSPEND THEIR OPERATIONS FOR A TIME UNDER A CLOUD OF INVESTIGATION. STAZIA, AN APOTHECARY, ACKNOWLEDGES KINK’S HERITAGE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPIRIT WORLD. THEY SEE IN EACH OTHER A KINDRED SPIRIT, NOT WHISPERS AS SUCH, BUT DEEPLY ATTUNED TO THE SPIRIT-WORLD. HUNTING PET: KINK'S CONSTANT COMPANION IN HIS TRAVELS HAS BEEN Think "My Teacher the Octopus" mutated, murderous and enlargedA GIANT CEPHALOPOD HE AFFECTIONATELY CALLS DAMBALLA. DAMBALLA'S TENTACLES, MUTABLE FORM AND CAMAFLOUGE MAKE HER THE PERFECT SPY AND SCOUT. SHE'S ALSO STRONG ENOUGH TO DRAG A VICTIM INTO THE WATER AND DROWN THEM. WHEN EXCITED, SHE PULSES VIVID BANDS OF BRIGHT BLUE, PURPLE AND RED.

RP Samples An exchange between NPCs Ambassasor Oristina, his daughter Kasula, and PC Rakhar.   Originally Posted by Niyaga "I was wondering when our paths would cross on this ship. Qamara has told me all about you. I do not know your mother well, but I knew your great-great-grandmother on your father's side, briefly. Come over here and introduce yourself and let me introduce my family." "Out of the question, ambassador," Rakhar snapped, "you going ashore is an unwarranted risk. There is nothing to be gained by risking your personage, and nothing to be lost by having you wait until the path is shown to be safe." "Ah Rakhar… the Ambassador’s very purpose is to entreat with the folk we find. I understand that he places himself in danger by going ashore but he is a decorated soldier. As you are." Although the Dragonborn scared the young performer he politely pushed through. "You’re very gracious Ambassador." Eilren bowed before the trio and then relaxed smiling at them. He thought for a moment trying to remember his past mares. "So you knew Releina Eidren? Obviously she passed long before my birth, but I’ve heard the stories. She was quite feisty! Is that true? I’d heard she drank too much at a Council Ball and danced atop the table! Well… the present day Eidrens are more staid!" The finale of a very long game of LMoP run by Chocoladevla   Uludain Pyrite Nezznar, the Black Spider, had fallen. From their beginning as a group and hints at a diabolical mastermind pursuing the clues unearthed by Gundren, they had tracked, followed and vanquished their great enemy, who had threatened the balance of the realms. Uludain, exhausted physically and emotionally, looked around at the charred remains and scorched battlefield. His shoulders slumped and hammerhead resting on the floor he took all in in a daze. Torinn... The Dragonborn had fallen in one last smashing assault, fighting their nemesis. Moradin had chosen not to return him to the living. Uludain imagined a vision where the Dwarfsire had met Bahamut and conversed over the Paladin's fate. In the brief intuit, Uludain saw Moradin acquiesce to the God of Good Dragons. And rightly so it seemed; Moradin would not welcome a scaled one to Dwarfhome! A tired and bittersweet smile formed on the cleric's lips. He turned his fatigued head to look around at the survivors. Malaki. He'd stood side-by-side with this warrior for many days now. They knew each other like brothers and Uludain would always remember his valiant charges and vicious swordplay! He'd survived and would go on to great things. Perhaps he'd establish his own company and continue to travel to right the wrongs of the realms? Ivor. The elder rogue had been a surprise package from the start; a brilliant archer and not the average thief. He'd often shown that he was a reluctant hero but without him they could not have hoped to succeed in their endeavours. His nature had brought much needed morale in their battles, as much as his prowess! Where would Ivor go? Then and there Uludain simply decided that, after all was complete, he'd return to Mithral Hall. He'd embarked on a grand journey and had become so much more than he was. He had shown that even a dwarf such as him, from a low caste and cursed with his poor family's name, could succeed on great quests! He owed it to his folk and kin to share his adventures and to encourage young dwarves to strive to be their best. Also, there were some of his childhood bullies to set right, he thought with a wry grin. 'I'll show them what a Pyrite can do.' Gerbo had rushed past and Uludain shook himself from tired reveries. There was coin, and gems! His greedy eyes lit up as he stood at Gerbo's side! "Look! There's Dumathoin, the Dwarven God of Mining." His hand reached out to take the mug, imagining filling it with good ale... or Dwarvish cider!

Experience Have I played BitD before? I've only played a one-on-one which I ran. It helped me to learn the rules but did not satisfy like an ongoing game might! I've had the book for a couple years and have read it several times, marvelling over the great world and deriving ideas from each tantalising snippet of script. The setting is rife and ripe with potential!

[Niyaga]

I added some extra touches over the last 12 hours. Let me know what you think

[Hotshot lasgun]

you need one friend and one rival fyi

[Niyaga]

Casta & Stazia

Originally Posted by Hotshot lasgun

you need one friend and one rival fyi

[MoldyNolds]

Welcome Niyaga! Good to see you, and I'm excited to see our first Hound! Some feedback below. I left Kink's status as "Reviewed", just let me know if/when he's 100% complete and I'll mark him as such.

Also, since it's come up twice now I've invented and added a new question to the FAQ. I didn't realize it until recently as I was reading through the different factions, but there is a blip on the difference between demons and spirits, and I've expanded that into actual canon for my interpretation of Duskwall. Check it out!

[Niyaga]

Thanks Moldy! I've added a bit on personality which was a helpful prompt thank you as I'd thought rather than written what he was like. To be fair he's a bit of a bully although he's not without empathy. It's just that Mummy and Daddy were Big Merchants and he feels entitled to respect. Even though now he's just a lowly member of the Or whatever you want to call the Gang Grift Urchins.

I'll change the detail that Momma Claid was possessed by an evil spirit rather than demon

On that note I think Kink is Complete unless I hear morestraight.

[MoldyNolds]

Attention!!

We are now two weeks away from the deadline to submit an application. Anyone who still intends to submit an application or make changes to their existing application, you have until 11:59am WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5TH (EST/GMT-5).

We have a bunch of great applications already. I'm soooo excited to hit the ground running, I hope y'all are too!

[HotsuSama]

I've started tinkering with Ky and adding a little extra detail. Nothing major, but I'll probably be doing some gradual massaging over the next day or two. Excited to see the recruitment result!

[MoldyNolds]

Originally Posted by HotsuSama

I've started tinkering with Ky and adding a little extra detail. Nothing major, but I'll probably be doing some gradual massaging over the next day or two. Excited to see the recruitment result!

Awesome! I'll be sure to look at her with fresh eyes when it comes time.

We're 1 week away, not far now!!

[MoldyNolds]

Alright everyone, we technically have about 6 hours left and I'm not anticipating anything else momentous happening in that time. Without further ado the moment has finally arrived! Here's our crew:

Player	Alias	1st Choice	Status
cottontailwind	Mister Fortune	Whisper	Complete
HotsuSama	Clear Ky	Lurk	Reviewed
Solitaire64	Khunbish	Leech	Complete
Chylopan	Beau	Slide	Complete
Niyaga	Kink	Hound	Complete

Invites to the game thread and the discord server have been sent out, see y'all there!

Thank you to each and every applicant who applied, I'm truly grateful for your interest and I hope to see you around the site again!

[Humble Hero]

Hope you all have a good game, thanks for the opportunity to be involved. Maybe next time!

[MoldyNolds]

Greetings potential criminals! The Moonrakers are looking for ONE more Scoundrel to join in their escapades. We've had several players swap out Scoundrels every once in awhile as their primaries get lost in Vice or exhausted, so they're always taking novices under their wings! We've just started our third Score and would be looking to bring someone in afterwards to join in starting with the fourth which would be at least several weeks away, and quite possibly a bit longer than that.

Please refer to the original advert at the beginning of this thread for application parameters. Blades in the Dark familiarity and/or experience is preferred, but not required! What is required are full-bodied narrative posts with formatting conforming to the style we've engendered, a willingness to engage other PCs, and initiative in breathing life into the game world.

I'm happy to discuss potential character concepts or rules questions. Previous applicants are welcome to re-submit their PCs or come up with new ones! No deadlines, The first application that wows myself and the other players will get accepted!