Urban Fantasy Setting: Here There Be Monsters

[Manic Typist]

I'm giving Joseph Blanc a try...

Should he have a Hermetic Pool (VPP) in addition to his MP wand, his VPP wand, and his VPP/MP staff?

[The Rose]

Okay, I'm now trying to write up "Doc Jones." Supernatural resistance sounds interesting and I'll see where I can take it.

La Rose

[Killer Shrike]

Okay, I'm now trying to write up "Doc Jones." Supernatural resistance sounds interesting and I'll see where I can take it.

La Rose

Actually, at this point, a couple of characters have Supernatural Resistance; feel free to ignore that requirement; I'll just change the example character name to be one of the existing ones.

[Manic Typist]

It seems like your example for END Reserves and Hermetic Wizardry is using 5th edition rules. You might reconsider your current cap considering this, as a 5 character point END Reserve doesn't amount to much.

Also, at least once you change the spelling between Hermetic and Hermatic.

Blanc is coming along... he's been tougher to build than I thought, mostly because his description on the site notes multiple VPP and I'm trying to avoid redundancy.

[The Rose]

Actually, at this point, a couple of characters have Supernatural Resistance; feel free to ignore that requirement; I'll just change the example character name to be one of the existing ones.

Fair Enough. I still went ahead and produced a character that used Supernatural Resistance, and in a way that others haven't (iirc).

Spoilered below if my version of a "believer" with Sn. R.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

Player: Priest 

Val	Char	Cost
10	STR	0
10	DEX	0
13	CON	3
10	BODY	0
14	INT	4
15	EGO	5
17	PRE	7


2/6	PD	0
2/6	ED	0
3	SPD	10
4	REC	0
20	END	0
20	STUN	0

12m	RUN	0
4m	SWIM	0
4m	LEAP	0
Characteristics Cost: 32

Cost	Power
12	Grace of God: Super Natural Resistance (5pts), Usable Nearby (+1); OAF (Bible; -1), Incantations (Requires Incantations throughout; -1/2)
6	Holy Light - Blinding: Darkness to Sight and Mental Groups 3m radius, Costs Endurance Only To Activate (+1/4); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Does not work vs Humans; -1), OAF (Bible; -1), No Range (-1/2), Incantations (Requires Incantations throughout; -1/2)
9	Guardian Angel: Resistant Protection (4 PD/4 ED), Usable Nearby (+1); OAF (-1), Incantations (Requires Incantations throughout; -1/2), Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4)
Powers Cost: 27


Cost	Skill
3	Conversation 12-
3	Linguist
0	1)  Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
0	2)  Language:  German (basic conversation; literate)
1	3)  Language:  Greek (Byzantine) (fluent conversation; literate)
2	4)  Language:  Greek (Koine) (completely fluent; literate)
1	5)  Language:  Hebrew (Classical) (fluent conversation; literate)
1	6)  Language:  Latin (completely fluent; literate)
3	Scholar
2	1)  KS: Biblical Text 12-
2	2)  KS: Chritian History 12-
1	3)  KS: Monsters 11-
2	AK: Campaign area 11-
3	PS: Priest 12-
3	CuK: Clergy 12-
1	Cryptography 8-
3	Oratory 12-
1	Paramedics 8-
3	PS: Researcher 12-
Skills Cost: 35

Cost	Perk
4	Fringe Benefit:  Priest, Right to Marry:  Can perform the marriage ceremony
Perks Cost: 4


Total Character Cost: 98

Base Points: 125
Experience Required: 0
Total Experience Available: 0
Experience Unspent: 0

The idea here is a Catholic Priest that is a true believer in the Lord Almighty. His faith is so strong that he can call upon the Lord's protection via scripture recitation. Each of this three powers are area of effects (either naturally or via Usable by Nearby).

God's Grace protects those near him from supernatural harm. Holy Light shields the Priest and his follows from the eyes and minds of evil (namely Monsters in general). Guardian Angel(s) come forth and provide a cloak of protection to the priest and his fellows.

One thing I wasn't sure about for your game world was how much "access" to the Vatican and its library would be worth.

I still need to finish this character but I thought I'd post the prelim.

La Rose.

[Killer Shrike]

Attached it the Updated version of Darren Walters, the Dark Doc.

[spoiler]
The Dark Doc
Darren Walters

La Rose.

Franken-Doc

[The Rose]

Franken-Doc

Very Nice, Killer Shrike. I really like the changes to the Complications and editing of the Back Story. Definitely two !

La Rose.

[Killer Shrike]

It seems like your example for END Reserves and Hermetic Wizardry is using 5th edition rules. You might reconsider your current cap considering this, as a 5 character point END Reserve doesn't amount to much.

Also, at least once you chance the spelling between Hermetic and Hermatic.

I updated the VPP guidelines to include both 5e and 6e mechanics earlier today. I was unaware that Endurance Reserve had changed...reading the changes I'm not pleased with them, but nonetheless I just added a 6e limit and example. I also fixed the typo.

Blanc is coming along... he's been tougher to build than I thought, mostly because his description on the site notes multiple VPP and I'm trying to avoid redundancy.

Do your best. The reason the example cites two VPP's is to make it clear that the character can't take one big VPP with an either or foci lim. They don't have to be big VPP's. However if its simply unworkable feel free to cut something.

[Killer Shrike]

Very Nice, Killer Shrike. I like the changes to the Complications and editing of the Back Story. Definitely two !

La Rose.

Glad you like. He wins the award for hardest to get a pic for thus far. I had to blunder together a photomanip; it turned out ok I suppose. Getting pics for more extreme characters is going to be a pain methinks.

[Killer Shrike]

The Believer doc is populated.

[Manic Typist]

Whew! Just finished the first draft of JB. This is my first time really diving into VPPs and MPs, and thus I am entirely unsure as to whether I've built something good or not. I still think he needs a bit of work (i.e. the Skills section), but I figured it'd be helpful to get feedback on his Powers and then I can make the appropriate changes.

I decided to make both his wands MPs, but I struggled with that. I really did want it to match the website but I just kept hitting a wall figuring out how to make multiple VPPs mesh together in a unique and meaningful way. Again, I have very little experience using these.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

JOSEPH BLANC

Val Char Cost Roll Notes
10 STR 0 11- Lift 100.0kg; 2d6
13 DEX 6 12- OCV: 4/DCV: 4
13 CON 3 12-
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
18 EGO 8 13- ECV: 3 - 3
15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6

4 OCV 5
4 DCV 5
3 OMCV 0
3 DMCV 0
3 SPD 10 Phases: 4, 8, 12

3 PD 1 Total: 3 PD (0 rPD)
4 ED 2 Total: 4 ED (0 rED)
4 REC 0
30 END 2
11 BODY 1
30 STUN 5 Total Characteristic Cost: 56

Movement: Running: 12m/24m
Leaping: 4m/8m
Swimming: 4m/8m

Cost Powers END
30 Hermetic Wizard Rote Magic: Variable Power Pool (Magic Pool), 20 base + 40 control cost, (40 Active Points); all slots Variable Limitations (requires -1 worth of Limitations; Extra Time, Concentration, Ritual, Window Of Opportunity, Incantations, Increased END Cost, Side Effects, Gestures, Requires a Hermetic Magic Roll; -½), Hermetic Wizardry Rote Spells Only (-½)

13 Ivory wand: Multipower, 30-point reserve, (30 Active Points); all slots OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼)
1f 1) Take that!: Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6 (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 2) Get back!: Blast 4d6, Double Knockback (+½) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 3) Didn't expect that, did you?: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, Affects Desolidified Any form of Desolidification (+½) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 4) Behold!: Sight and Hearing Groups Flash 5d6 (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3

13 Ebony wand: Multipower, 30-point reserve, (30 Active Points); all slots OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼)
1f 1) Get thee behind me! No, seriously, they're coming!: Barrier 6 PD/6 ED, 3 BODY (up to 4m long, 4m tall, and ½m thick) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 2) Whoa, down boy!: Drain STR 3d6 (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 3) Alright, enough of that!: Dispel 6d6, Magic (+½) (27 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3
1f 4) Don't worry, there's plenty of me to go around!: Sight Group and Normal Hearing Images, +/-5 to PER Rolls (28 Active Points); OAF (-1), Gestures (Pointing or flicking the wand; -¼) 3

Boomstick
13 Variable Power Pool (Magic Pool), 10 base + 34 control cost, (27 Active Points); all slots 1 Charge (-2), OAF (-1), Gestures (Requires both hands; -½), Incantations (-¼)

Perks
1 Fringe Benefit: Supernatural Hunter License
Notes: Joseph would refer to this as his "license to be a BADASS!"

Talents
10 Alert: PER roll to avoid being Surprised, even if a PER roll has already failed. Cannot be reduced to less than 10-

Skills
0 Everyman
0 1) Acting 8-
0 2) Climbing 8-
0 3) Concealment 8-
0 4) Conversation 8-
0 5) Deduction 8-
0 6) Language: English (idiomatic; literate) (5 Active Points)
0 7) Paramedics 8-
0 8) Stealth 8-
0 9) Shadowing 8-
0 10) TF: Small Motorized Ground Vehicles
0 11) AK: Home country, region, or city 8-
0 12) Bring it on: PS: Monster Hunter 11-

0 Six Spell Samurai
3 1) KS: Heremetic wizardry 12-
3 2) Streetwise 12-

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 94
Total Cost: 150

125+ Matching Complications
10 Hunted: Supernatural Beings Infrequently (As Pow; Harshly Punish)
10 Hunted: Authorities Infrequently (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)
10 Dependent NPC (Girlfriend): Cody Carpenter Infrequently (Normal)
10 Psychological Complication: Cocky and carefree (Common; Moderate)
10 Psychological Complication: Thrillseeker (Common; Moderate)
25 Experience Points

Total Complications Points: 150

EQUIPMENT CARRIED

Equipment END
Mystic Pool: (25 Active Points) 0

Background/History: Joseph Blanc is a young man, early to mid-twenties, and if you were to ask him he'd probably tell you that's how old he's always been. He doesn't talk about his past much, and says he prefers to live "in the very now."

He started out doing odd jobs, amateur detective work and improvised "troubleshooting" for people who came to him with a lot of need but only a little cash. Case in point: Joseph met Cody on the job by saving her from a vampire who was about to feast on her (she was in a "vampire groupie" phase, but quickly got over that when she found out they were real and not at all romantic). She was panicking, the vampire was gloating, and Joseph was annoyed at having to take so many stairs. He blasted it off the skyscraper rooftop (it was a TALL building), and then he checked on Cody: it was love at first sight.

Taking out a major preternatural (or "preet" as Joseph calls them, much to the annoyance of his fellow hunters) in such a spectacular fashion caught the attention of some people "In the Know," and they helped Joseph become aware of and integrate with the hunter community. He even got a license, though he claims that it says that they put "supernatural" on it to describe him and not his job.

Personality/Motivation: Joseph Blanc (or JB as he prefers to be called) loves danger, adventure, and living every moment to its fullest. Stumbling into the world of magic and subsequently monster hunting was a windfall in Joseph's life, and he's never looked back. Why should he? Now he's making bank, dating an amazing girl, and is constantly testing himself and proving that he has what it takes to take on whatever challenges the supernatural world can throw at him. Money's never been a huge concern to Joseph; rather the thrill of the hunt has always been the real reward. For Joseph, life is one adventure after another and he is the modern, alt-rock knight in shining armor.

Joseph Blanc likes rock shows, indie clothes, slinging spells, impressing people and spending time with his girlfriend. He has a cocky, flashy manner to him that puts of a lot of more experienced or disciplined hunters. Once they take time to get to know him, however, they discover that he's genuniely a good person who cares about the people around him...and that he's NOT stupid. He has a lot going for him in this business: a knack for dodging traps or ambushes, creativity, and a powerful and diverse set of spells that he can draw upon.

He's generally pretty easy going (if loud, both visually and audibly) and irreverent, but that is likely a mask for some personal issues. Cody is the only person who seems to regularly have any affect on his behavior: he dotes on her completely and can practically never tell her no. He even (once) actually answered her when she asked him about his past (he usually brushes those questions off with a joke). He said that he spent some time in an orphanage, that he was adopted, and then he spent some time on the streets.

Quote: Alright, let's DO this!

Powers/Tactics: If Joseph Blanc were in the military, he'd be a fighter pilot. He likes being a part of a team but still retaining a strong sense of individual style and autonomy. He usually dual wields his wands: he uses the ivory wand for a loud, obvious offense (he's never explained where it came from), and his ebony wand (the shaft of a painting brush that Cody gave him) to provide direct defense or counter the bad guys in unexpected ways. When he knows what he's up against and has time to prepare, he charges his staff with one powerful spell that he can unleash at the right moment for maximum damage (for example, a suped up Create Sun spell if going up against vampires, or a massive AoE Dispel if there's a ritual to be interrupted, etc). He tends to rely on his magical muscle and good fortune to see him through to the end of the day (which worries Cody to no end). He prefers to plan by prepping magical items for various contigencies, because once he has a definite target he tends to eschew heay planning for fairly direct approaches, but he'll gladly listen to someone he respects if he or she asks him to hold off.

Campaign Use: JB has a lot of potential as a hunter and a person, but his vulnerabilities are very real. Without a trustworthy group of people to look after him and restrain his impulsive tendencies, it'd just be a matter of time until he bit off more than he could chew.

Appearance: Young white male, early twenties, alt-rock/indie/hipster clothing style. Likes sunglasses or anything else that makes him look "cool."

Oh, I have some pictures I found online as suggestions/starters if you'd like. Also, I need to go back and add in a detail or two hinting at his need for a mentor/paternal figure in his life.

But, it's almost 4 in the morning, and my teeth feel fuzzy.

[The Rose]

Okay, this is my submission version of "Father Jacob," The believer. By the Website's standards, he best fits as a blend of Consecrator and Blessed. He makes use of the Supernatural Resistance (5pts) among other things to protect himself and fellow travelers.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

Father Jacob

Player: The Rose / Dillon

Val Char Cost
10 STR 0
10 DEX 0
10 CON 0
10 BODY 0
14 INT 4
15 EGO 5
18 PRE 8


3/15 PD 1
3/15 ED 1
3 SPD 10
4 REC 0
30 END 2
20 STUN 0

12m RUN 0
4m SWIM 0
4m LEAP 0
Characteristics Cost: 37



Cost Skill
2 AK: Campaign area 11-
3 Conversation 13-
1 Cryptography 8-
3 Linguist
0 1) Language: English (idiomatic; literate)
1 2) Language: German (basic conversation; literate)
1 3) Language: Greek (Byzantine) (fluent conversation; literate)
2 4) Language: Greek (Koine) (completely fluent; literate)
1 5) Language: Hebrew (Classical) (fluent conversation; literate)
1 6) Language: Latin (completely fluent; literate)
1 Priestly Training
2 1) CK: Vatican City 12-
2 2) PS: Priest 13-
2 3) Oratory 13-
2 4) CuK: Clergy 12-
1 5) PS: Researcher 10-
1 PS: Hunter 8-
1 Deduction 8-
1 Paramedics 8-
3 Scholar
2 1) KS: Biblical Text 12-
2 2) KS: Chritian History 12-
2 3) KS: Supernatural world 12-
2 4) KS: Theology 12-
Skills Cost: 39

Cost Perk
4 Fringe Benefit: Priest, Right to Marry:
3 Access
28 Resource Pool
Perks Cost: 35

Cost Talent
12 Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED)
Talents Cost: 12

Cost Believer's Faith
1) Holy Light - Blinding: Darkness to Sight and Mental Groups 3m radius, Costs Endurance Only To Activate (+1/4); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Does not work vs Humans; -1), OAF (Bible; -1), No Range (-1/2), Limited Power (Only While In Good Standing With Faith; -1/4), Unified Power (Believer's Faith; -1/4) [Notes: Real Cost: 6pts]

2) Grace of God: Super Natural Resistance (5pts), Usable Nearby (+1); OAF (Bible; -1), Limited Power (Only While In Good Standing With Faith; -1/4), Unified Power (Believer's Faith; -1/4) [Notes: Real Cost: 12pts]

3) Guardian Angel: Resistant Protection (6 PD/6 ED/2 Mental Defense), Usable Nearby (+1); OAF (-1), Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4), Limited Power (Only While In Good Standing With Faith; -1/4), Unified Power (-1/4) [Notes: Real Cost: 15pts]

4) Binding Light: Entangle 2d6, 2 PD/2 ED, Alternate Combat Value (uses OMCV against DMCV; +1/4), Works Against EGO, Not STR (+1/4), LOS (+1/2), Takes No Damage From Attacks All Attacks (+1/2); OAF (Bible; -1), Limited Power (Only While In Good Standing With Faith; -1/4), Unified Power (Believer's Faith; -1/4) [Notes: Real Cost: 20pts]

Total Character Cost: 123

Pts. Disadvantage
10 Hunted: Vatican Frequently (Less Pow; NCI; PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find; Watching)
15 Social Complication: Subject to Orders (vatican) Frequently, Major
10 Distinctive Features: Guardian Angel (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable Only By Technology Or Major Effort)
15 Psychological Complication: A Christian life (code of conduct) (Common; Strong)

Disadvantage Points: 50
Base Points: 125
Experience Required: 0
Total Experience Available: 0
Experience Unspent: 0

Attached is the HD file. I even found a Picture that resembled what I was going for.

Enjoy,

La Rose.

[Killer Shrike]

Im going to be out and about most of the day, but keep stuff coming and I'll look at it tonight.

[Panpiper]

I'd like to see someone take a stab at Leo Gattling - Professional with 2d6 Lucky Damage Dice. My attempt keeps looking way too much like Killroy's brother. I also assume that the last name of Gattling is indicative of his having a love for machineguns. My version has him toting a Steyr AUG HBAR, a heavy barreled variant of the regular assault rifle, designed to tolerate sustained autofire, yet it still weighs in at less than 9 pounds and is only 31 inches long due to it's 'bullpup' configuration. It is a full up Nato 5.56 assault rifle/squad support machinegun however.

[The Rose]

So, Leo Gattling is a Professional with 2d6 of lucky damage dice. Hmm. Why not build something similar to "the Professional" with Jean Reno. But also have him pay straight points for a lucky amulet (or other such thing) that is passed down. It grants a basic array of Luck to the holder: Lucky Damage, bonus to OCV and DCV, combat luck, and maybe even a die of normal luck. Other than that, build him as a normal professional with some kind of expertise (combat, hunting, interpersonal, etc).

La Rose.