Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

[gewing]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

LEROY BROWN

 

snip

with Skill Levels, more Skills, Followers, and Contacts.

 

(Leroy Brown created by Jim Croce, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

 

 

I came to the conclusion he had done the old trick of mounting a razor blade in the toe of his shoe for kicking.

 

Though a straight razor tucked away would be nasty too.

[gewing]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Grrr... had a big post eaten by a bunch of popups locking up my computer.

 

To summarize. I generaly agree with avoiding "real" people for this one.

I had thought of a bunch of possible additional folk, but the "real Folk from song & story" might make for a different thread.

Jack Duggan, "The Wild Colonial Boy"

Willie Brennan, of "Brennan on the Moor" fame.

Jim Bridger, the famous mountain man and teller of tall tales himself.

Aiken Drum, scottish folk hero

 

Some interesting possbile additional characters

The Highwayman, of the Alfred Noyes poem and Lorenna McKennits song, possibly in ghost form

John "Johnny/Jock" O'Braidislee, a Scots Border "robin hood"-ish poacher who is a stone cold badass.

Yukon Pete... tho he's not likely to be board safe

 

 

Sam McCord, the main miner in "North to Alaska?"

 

I'll try to think of more tomorrow. Gotta go sleep now!

[Vestnik]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Here's an obvious one:

 

Mack the Knife (English version much worse than the German)

 

 

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear

[Vestnik]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Whoops, here it is (Sinatra version):

 

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth dear

And he shows em, pearly white

Just a jack knife has macheath dear

And he keeps it way out of sight

 

When that shark bites with his teeth, dear

Scarlet billows begin to spread

Fancy gloves though has macheath dear

So theres never, never a trace of red

 

On the sidewalk, one sunday morning

Lies a body, oozin life

Someones sneaking round the corner

Could that someone be mack the knife

 

From a tugboat, on the river going slow

A cement bag is dropping on down

You know that cement is for the weight dear

You can make a large bet mackies back in town

 

My man louis miller, he split the scene babe

After drawing out all the bread from his stash

Now macheath spends like a sailor

Do you suppose our boy, hes done something rash

 

Old satchmo, louis armstrong, bobby darrin

Did this song nice, lady ella too

They all sang it, with so much feeling

That old blue eyes, he aint gonna add nothing new

 

But with this big band, jumping behind me

Swinging hard, jack, I now I cant lose

When I tell you, all about mack the knife babe

Its an offer, you can never refuse

 

We got patrick williams, bill miller playing that piano

And this great big band, bringing up the rear

All the band cats, in this band now

They make the greatest sounds, youre ever gonna hear

 

Oh sookie taudry, jenny diver, polly peachum, old miss lulu brown

 

Hey the line forms, on the right dear

Now that macheaths back in town

Youd better lock your doors, and call the law

Because macheaths back in town

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Here's an obvious one:

 

Mack the Knife (English version much worse than the German)

 

 

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear

 

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptationsmusic/macheath.html

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I came to the conclusion he had done the old trick of mounting a razor blade in the toe of his shoe for kicking.

 

Though a straight razor tucked away would be nasty too.

 

It wasn't until MCCoy did the razor write-up that I thought of that. I used to think it was a straight razor as well.

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

hmmm...

 

no stats for wildwood weed?

 

I would suggest Deadeye Dick and Mexico Pete along with Eskimo Nell, but those wouldnt be even remotely board safe, or Abdul El Bulbul Emir for that matter, although theres a clean version of the latter

 

 

For a Magic character... lets not forget Marie Laveau, although she might have been based on a real person, I have the Bobby Bare version

 

3 kenny rogers songs bring characters to mine, Lucille and the Gambler

and then the Coward of County, although Stan Rogers does a much better song about a sorta similar concept, called Harris and the Mare

 

for another magic character I look to Stan Rogers and his classic Witch of the Westmereland, which was written by Archie Fisher, and the infamous Barrett and his ill fated privateer, The Antelope

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Send me the lyrics, I'll see what I can do.

[Vestnik]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptationsmusic/macheath.html

 

You rock!

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Witch of the Westmereland

 

Pale was the wounded knight, that bore the rowan shield

Loud and cruel were the raven's cries that feasted on the field

Saying "Beck water cold and clear will never clean your wound

There's none but the witch of the Westmoreland can make thee hale and soond"

 

So turn, turn your stallion's head 'til his red mane flies in the wind

And the rider of the moon goes by and the bright star falls behind

And clear was the paley moon when his shadow passed him by

below the hills were the brightest stars when he heard the owlet cry

 

Saying "Why do you ride this way, and wherefore came you here?"

"I seek the Witch of the Westmorland that dwells by the winding mere"

And it's weary by the Ullswater and the misty brake fern way

Til throught the cleft in the Kirkstane Pass the winding water lay

 

He said "Lie down, by brindled hound and rest ye, my good grey hawk

And thee, my steed may graze thy fill for I must dismount and walk,

But come when you hear my horn and answer swift the call

For I fear ere the sun will rise this morn ye will serve me best of all"

 

And it's down to the water's brim he's born the rowan shield

And the goldenrod he has cast in to see what the lake might yield

And wet she rose from the lake, and fast and fleet went she

One half the form of a maiden fair with a jet black mare's body

 

And loud, long and shrill he blew til his steed was by his side

High overhead the grey hawk flew and swiftly did he ride

Saying "Course well, my brindled hound, and fetch me the jet black mare

Stoop and strike, my good grey hawk, and bring me the maiden fair"

 

She said "Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword. Lay down thy rown shield

For I see by the briny blood that flows you've been wounded in the field"

And she stood in a gown of the velvet blue, bound round withh a silver chain

And she's kissed his pale lips once and twice and three times round again

 

And she's bound his wounds with the goldenrod, full fast in her arms he lay

And he has risen hale and sound with the sun high in the day

She said "Ride with your brindled hound at heel, and your good grey hawk in hand

There's none can harm the knight who's lain with the Witch of the Westmorland."

 

I have versions by Stan Rogers, Archie Fisher, and Heather Alexander, I like stans best.

 

it was written by Archie Fisher

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

this one is more about an ill fated ship and her crew, but I'm betting we could get some mileage out of it

 

its also a personal favorite of mine, written and performed by a man who died long before his time

 

I also just thought of the fact there is a bit of cussing, but if its suitable for uncensored airplay on NPR, its probably safe to post here.

 

Oh, the year was 1778, HOW I WISH I WAS IN SHERBROOKE NOW!

A letter of marque come from the king,

To the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen,

 

CHORUS:

God damn them all!

I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold

We'd fire no guns-shed no tears

Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier

The last of Barrett's Privateers.

 

Oh, Elcid Barrett cried the town, HOW I WISH I WAS . . .

For twenty brave men all fishermen who

would make for him the Antelope's crew

(chorus)

 

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight,

She'd a list to the port and and her sails in rags

And the cook in scuppers with the staggers and the jags

(chorus)

 

On the King's birthday we put to sea,

We were 91 days to Montego Bay

Pumping like madmen all the way

(chorus)

 

On the 96th day we sailed again,

When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight

With our cracked four pounders we made to fight

(chorus)

 

The Yankee lay low down with gold,

She was broad and fat and loose in the stays

But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

(chorus)

 

Then at length we stood two cables away,

Our cracked four pounders made an awful din

But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

(chorus)

 

The Antelope shook and pitched on her side,

Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs

And the Maintruck carried off both me legs

(chorus)

 

So here I lay in my 23rd year,

It's been 6 years since we sailed away

And I just made Halifax yesterday

(chorus)

[mojo_bones]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

How about Demolition Man by The Police?

 

Tied to the tracks and the train's just coming

Strapped to the wing with the engine running

You say that this wasn't in your plan

And don't mess around with the demolition man

 

Tied to a chair, (and) the bomb is ticking

This situation was not of your picking

You say that this wasn't in your plan

And don't mess around with the demolition man

 

I'm a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom

I kill conversation as I walk into the room

I'm a three line whip

I'm the sort of thing they ban

I'm a walking disaster

I'm a demolition man

 

You come to me like a moth to the flame

It's love you need but I don't play that game

'Cos you could be my greatest fan

But I'm nobody's friend

I'm a demolition man

 

I'm a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom

I kill conversation as I walk into the room

I'm a three line whip

I'm the sort of thing they ban

I'm a walking disaster

I'm a demolition man

[oroborous]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I made a prefab package based on the lyrics of Rob Zombie's More Human Than Human

 

Skills:

A demolition style hell american freak: Demolitions 14-

I am the jigsaw man: Contortionist 14-

Read the f**ker lies: Conversation 14- I interpret this line to mean that he can discern the lies of others through conversation.

 

Talents

Latent Psionic

 

Powers:

45 Scratch off the broken skin: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 2d6 (2d6+1 w/STR), Penetrating (+1/2) (45 Active Points) END=4

 

23 A phantom in a box, shadow in your head: Desolidification (40 Active Points); Activation Roll 14- (-1/2), Visible (-1/4) END=4

 

17 Astro Creep: Life Support (Safe Environment: Zero Gravity; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing)

 

9 Acid suicide: Energy Blast 6d6, Explosion (+1/2), Selective Target (+1/4) (52 Active Points); 1 Charge which Never Recovers (-4), Centered on Own Hex (-1) [1 nr]

 

1 I want more life, F**ker I aint done: Life Support (Longevity: 200 Years)

 

Disadvantages:

25 Psychological Limitation: American Patriot (Very Common, Total)

 

20 NCM

 

20 Distinctive Features: Skeleton Hand (Concealable; Extreme Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

 

25 Distinctive Features: Electric Head (Not Concealable; Extreme Reaction; Detectable By Virtually Everyone)

 

15 Psychological Limitation: Cannibal (Common, Strong)

 

15 Psychological Limitation: I am the ripper man (Compulsion to kill) (Common, Strong)

[gewing]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

As I drove home last night, one occurred to me.

 

Camou:thumbup: flage, by Stan Ridgeway.

 

http://www.songlyrics.com/song-lyrics/Ridgway_Stan/Songs_Than_Made_This_Country_Great/Camouflage/87940.html

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I am almost surprised nobody has suggested a couple of shapeshifter/shaman characters from the Beatles

 

 

Boris the Spider

I am the Walrus

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I am almost surprised nobody has suggested a couple of shapeshifter/shaman characters from the Beatles

 

 

Boris the Spider

I am the Walrus

 

Boris is a song by The Who, and has nothing to do with a shape shifter. As for I am the Walrus, I'm not sure if you can do anything with that.

[DavidV]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

this one is more about an ill fated ship and her crew, but I'm betting we could get some mileage out of it

 

its also a personal favorite of mine, written and performed by a man who died long before his time

 

I also just thought of the fact there is a bit of cussing, but if its suitable for uncensored airplay on NPR, its probably safe to post here.

 

Ah, Stan Rogers. Glad to hear he's known "down there". I've always had the impression he was more of a Canadian thing. It's hard to say that a folkie like him rocked, but he did.

 

As for Barret's Privateers, you've probably got a whole campaign there in that song. A bunch of 18th century sailor types from Nova Scotia in a rundown schooner taking on the Yankees. Regency Hero? Pirate Hero? What would cover the War of Independence anyhow?

 

Of course, you could always "update" it, by having space privateers or something like that.

 

David

[DavidV]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Boris is a song by The Who' date=' and has nothing to do with a shape shifter. As for [i']I am the Walrus[/i], I'm not sure if you can do anything with that.

 

Seconded.

 

Wouldn't touch the Walrus with a 10' pole unless you want to stat up John Lennon for some reason.

 

As for Boris, surely that are stats for spiders in the Bestiary or something that would cover it.

 

David

[DavidV]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

If I have time, I may take a swing at Tom Sawyer by Rush ("Today's Tom Sawyer/Mean mean guy") or maybe the Eurythmics Missionary Man ("Don't mess with a Missionary Man"). I don't actively game, so my Hero fun mostly comes from messing with characters in my head.

 

David

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I first learned of Stans music at an SCA event in the late seventies actually, hes well known through the SCA, and SF/Fantasy fandom at the very least down here. Barretts is great for bardic circles and such, since its often sung acapella, and has an easy chorus, great for getting everybody to sing along.

 

Stan wrote and sang such great music, Northwest Passage, Barretts Privateers, White Collar Holler... which was probably one of the first computer songs.

 

hmmm... not sure you could really do anything with the captain of the Nightingale from "Flowers of Bermuda"

 

does Morris Dancing count as a dance form or a martial art?

 

theres also the story from Home in Halifax about driving a herd of rustled cattle through downtown calgary disguised as a shriners convention.

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

SUE

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
15	STR	5	12-	Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage [3]
16	DEX	18	12-	OCV:  5/DCV:  5
14	CON	8	12-
11	BODY	2	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 13-
10	EGO	0	11-	ECV:  3
15	PRE	5	12-	PRE Attack:  3d6
10	COM	0	11-

6	PD	3		Total:  6 PD (0 rPD)
5	ED	2		Total:  5 ED (0 rED)
3	SPD	4		Phases:  4, 8, 12
6	REC	0
28	END	0
26	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristic Cost:  50

Movement:[/b]	Running:	6"/12"
Leaping:	3"/6"
Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Kicking And A' Gouging[/i]
[b]Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage[/b]
4	Block	+2	+2	Block, Abort
3	"I Hit Him Hard"	+1	+0	5d6 Strike
4	"Gouging"	+0	+0	7d6 Crush, Must Follow Grab
3	Grapple	-1	-1	Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR for holding on
5	"Kicking"	-2	+1	7d6 Strike
3	"We Crashed Through The Wall"
	+0	-1	3d6 +v/5 Strike; You Fall, Target Falls; FMove
1	Weapon Element:  Clubs (chairs, pool cues, and so on)

5	[b]"My Fist Got Hard":[/b]  HA +1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); Hand-To-Hand 
Attack (-1/2)
6	[b]"Gravel In Ya Guts":[/b]  Physical Damage Reduction, 25%; STUN Only (-1/2), Must Be 
Aware Of Attack (-1/4)
3	[b]"My Wits Got Keen":[/b]  +1 PER with all Sense Groups

[b]Skills[/b]
6	[b]"Fought One Hell Of A Fight":[/b]  +2 with Kicking And A' Gouging

2	[b]"It Was Gatlinburg":[/b]  CK: Gatlinburg 11-
0	Climbing 8-
0	Concealment 8-
0	Conversation 8-
0	Deduction 8-
3	[b]"I Pulled Mine First":[/b]  Fast Draw (pistols) 12-
2	[b]"Dealing Stud":[/b]  Gambling (Poker) 12-
0	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
0	Paramedics 8-
3	[b]"Just This Old Guitar":[/b]  PS: Play Guitar 12-
0	Shadowing 8-
0	Stealth 8-
3	[b]"I'd Search The Honky-Tonks And Bars":[/b]  Streetwise 12-
2	[b]"I'd Roam From Town To Town":[/b]  Survival (Urban) 12-
0	TF:  Small Motorized Ground Vehicles
1	[b]"I Threw Down My Gun":[/b]  WF:  Handguns
[b]59	Total Powers & Skills Cost
109	Total Character Cost

75+	Disadvantages[/b]
25	Enraged:  if taunted about his name (Common), go 14-, recover 11-
5	Money:  Poor
15	Psychological Limitation:  "I Grew Up Mean" (Common, Strong)
10	Psychological Limitation:  "I Made Me A Vow To The Moon And Stars... I'd... Kill That 
Man" (Uncommon, Strong)
[b]130	Total Disadvantage Points[/b]

 

Description:

Sue's father left him and his mother when he was only three year old, leaving behind only an old guitar and an empty bottle of liquor. As Sue grew up, his name gave him nothing but trouble, resulting in Sue getting into constant fights with anyone who so much as chuckled or smirked at his name. In his own words, Sue "...grew up quick and I grew up mean," and ended up roaming from town to town, looking for his father -- so he could kill the man.

 

Sue eventually did find his dad in a saloon in Gatlinburg. Astonished to see the man (whom he recognized from an old photograph his mother had), Sue walked up and stated "My name is 'Sue!' How do you do! Now you gonna die!" The resulting fight saw Sue get part of his ear cut away and ended up with both men in the street, tussling in the mud. The fight ended when Sue's father went for his gun and Sue drew his first. Sue's father then admitted he'd done his son wrong by naming him Sue, but also stated it was made Sue strong. Sue then relented on his vow and made amends with his father and decided, that when he had a boy, he'd name him "Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!"

 

Sue is found in Johnny Cash's comical song A Boy Named Sue. Sue is probably more of a Pulp Hero character than anything else. He's a drifter, wandering from town to town, and should have a number of Area Knowledges and Professional Skills to round him out (he does have 21 points to spend). You could even give him Jack Of All Trades and Traveler to represent him wide range of experiences.

 

(Sue created by Johnny Cash, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

TANGLED UP IN BLUE

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
12	STR	2	11-	Lift 132 kg; 2d6 HTH Damage [2]
10	DEX	0	11-	OCV:  3/DCV:  3
11	CON	2	11-
10	BODY	0	11-
10	INT	0	11-	PER Roll 11-
11	EGO	2	11-	ECV:  4
11	PRE	1	11-	PRE Attack:  2d6
10	COM	0	11-

3	PD	1		Total:  3 PD (0 rPD)
3	ED	1		Total:  3 ED (0 rED)
2	SPD	0		Phases:  6, 12
4	REC	0
22	END	0
22	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristic Cost:  9

Movement:[/b]	Running:	6"/12"
Leaping:	2"/4"
Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Skills[/b]
0	Climbing 8-
0	Concealment 8-
0	Conversation 8-
0	Deduction 8-
1	[b]"A Book Of Poems":[/b]  KS: Poetry 8-
0	[b]"I Muttered Somethin'":[/b]  Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
0	Paramedics 8-
0	Shadowing 8-
0	Stealth 8-
3	[b]"Headin' For Another Joint":[/b]  Streetwise 11-
2	[b]"I'm Still On The Road":[/b]  Survival (Urban) 11-
2	[b]"Drove That Car":[/b]  TF:  Common Motorized Ground Vehicles
1	[b]"Workin'... On A Fishin' Boat":[/b]  TF:  Small Motorized Boats
2	[b]"Used A Little Too Much Force":[/b]  WF:  Small Arms
3	Jack of All Trades
1	1)  [b]"Working As A Cook":[/b]  PS: Cooking 11-
1	2)  [b]"Workin' For A While On A Fishin' Boat":[/b]  PS: Fisherman 11-
3	Traveler
1	1)  [b]"Heading Out For The East Coast":[/b]  AK: The East Coast 11-
1	2)  [b]"In The Great North Woods":[/b]  AK: The Great North Woods 11-
1	3)  [b]"Lived With Them On Montague Street":[/b]  AK: Montague Street 11-
1	4)  [b]"Right Outside Of Delacroix":[/b]  CK: Delacroix 11-
1	5)  [b]"Drifted Down To New Orleans":[/b]  CK: New Orleans 11-
[b]24	Total Powers & Skills Cost
33	Total Character Cost

25+	Disadvantages[/b]
5	Money:  Poor
15	Psychological Limitation:  "I Got To Get To Her [his red-haired love] Somehow" 
(Common, Strong)
5	Social Limitation:  "I Used A Little Too Much Force" (possibly wanted by the police) 
(Occasionally, Minor)
5	Unluck: 1d6
[b]55	Total Disadvantage Points[/b]

 

Description:

We know very little about the protagonist of the song Tangled Up In Blue, by Bob Dylan. in fact, we're not even sure of the time period, as mention is made early on of a trip by car, but then, later on an unnamed character starts to deal in slaves, which is impossible. Dylan has explained the song has "no sense of time. ... You've got yesterday, today and tomorrow all in the same room." He's also altered the lyrics over time, with a live version being radically different than the original studio version. In this character sheet, I've pulled the most compatible elements out to create a character suitable as a plot hook for either Dark Champions or Pulp Hero games (or even Fantasy Hero if you edit certain elements). The hook is simple, the character wants to find the red-haired love of his life and needs the PCs help to do it.

 

As Tangled has 22 points to spend, I recommend giving him some additional Area Knowledges and Professional Skills. I keep his Characteristics fairly human normal, trying only to account for some of his jobs (working as fisherman is going to increase your STR for example), but you might want to up his DEX, his SPD, and possible give him some combat skill to explain his "Used a little to much force" line.

 

(Tangled Up In Blue created/written by Bob Dylan, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

A Boy named sue was made famous by Johnnie Cash, but according to the IMDB, it was written by Shel Silverstein.

 

Shel wrote lots of fun stuff, Cover of the Rolling Stone for Dr Hook, the Unicorn for the Irish Rovers. just to name a couple, and some great childrens books too

[Lucius]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Hm, speaking of the brilliant Silverstein, how about a write-up for the three legged man, the two legged woman, and the one legged fool chasing them across the country?

 

Lucius Alexander

 

The palindromedary acknowledges the song is funny, but asks Lucius if there's really enough information in it to build a character on...

[gewing]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I first learned of Stans music at an SCA event in the late seventies actually, hes well known through the SCA, and SF/Fantasy fandom at the very least down here. Barretts is great for bardic circles and such, since its often sung acapella, and has an easy chorus, great for getting everybody to sing along.

 

Stan wrote and sang such great music, Northwest Passage, Barretts Privateers, White Collar Holler... which was probably one of the first computer songs.

 

hmmm... not sure you could really do anything with the captain of the Nightingale from "Flowers of Bermuda"

 

does Morris Dancing count as a dance form or a martial art?

 

theres also the story from Home in Halifax about driving a herd of rustled cattle through downtown calgary disguised as a shriners convention.

 

 

As to Morris Dancing, have you read Terry Pratchett? I think it was in "Lords and Ladies":eg: