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[LuckyDee]

Great, looking good so far. Mr. Zicher?

[ZicherCZ]

Well, Jezalane's concept is quite similar to what is going through my mind here - a good friend of mine is currently writing a novel about a man who has found a way into other dimensions. The author draws inspiration from HPL, but instead of Cthulhu Mythos, the inspiration comes from HPL's Dream Cycle (The Silver Key, or Dream-Quest to Unknown Kadath).

The protagonist, by the name of Logan Douglas, is also a veteran of the Great War, which is also where he learned about his ability to visit these other worlds, and after the war he teaches law at the Miskatonic University. As such, he is skilled with pistols and has a fairly deep knowledge of history and law. As he sold his share in a trading company, founded by his father, he can lead a comfortable life without caring too much for money. However, the knowledge of travelling to other dimensions is quite a bit of a secret - he can't just openly admit his travels. But he still catches interest of US secret services, and his meddling in affairs of other dimensions brings forth a number of adventures.

I don't know how the novel will end (and neither does the author), but I think Logan could be a suitable character.

[LuckyDee]

Thanks for your input. I see no problem two similar characters - you might even build up a shared background. Two distinctly different personalities would be more or less mandatory, though. Alternatively, you could have a duo of researchers where one does the fieldwork and the other the desk research. Feel free to concoct something.

I'll hand out some basic character building info this evening.

[LuckyDee]

Right, as promised:

I've been toying around with ideas for a mechanic for a while, and some playtesting is in order. The main goal: simplicity. I intend to use only six sided dice for the basic tests, and not too many at that. To each relevant test a Trait and a Skill are applied: you roll x(D6+y) where x is your Trait level and y your Skill level. Only one success is necessary, but a success means scoring a 5 or 6 (after modification) on a single die.

On the same lean vein, the number and levels of Traits and Skills are limited. Every character gets 4 Traits, being Ruthless, Cunning, Nimble and Slick. Each character starts out with a score of 1 on every trait, but at character creation you are all allowed to increase 2 Traits by +1 (a +2 on a single Trait instead is also negotiable, but would have to come with a good story behind it).

Additionally, you all start with 5 Skill points. I'm not going to give a list, simply because I don't have one. I have some ideas, but I'd rather see what you come up with unguided. Bear in mind that skills are intended to be broad areas of knowledge or practice. Max Skill level is set to 2 (for now), but again raising a Skill higher than 1 would require some explaining on your part. To ease up things a bit, please leave all combat-related Skills out of consideration. Should you really feel the urge to punch someone during the course of the game, we can probably come to an understanding.

So, for homework, I want to see:
- Name
- Short backstory
- Traits
- Skills

Any questions?

[ZicherCZ]

Any questions?

* ZicherCZ raises hand

OK, let me see. I'm not certain that I fully understand what I can find behind those four traits, Ruthless, Cunning, Nimble and Slick. I sense a parallel to Fallen London's Dangerous, Watchful, Shadowy and Persuasive, but still, care to give a bit of an explanation?
What I seem to understand - a trait of level 1 should be human average (or slightly above - we're heroes of a sort, right?), at level 2 it's quite above average and at level 3 it's exceptional to the point of being world-class. Right?

And about skills - just how broad should the area covered by each skill be? To give a comparison, let's imagine we have a list of skills from Fallout 1 or 2 to pick five from. Is a list of skills like that (minus combat skills, as you mentioned) appropriate in terms of breadth and depth?

[LuckyDee]

I deliberately left things a little vague. The Traits are indeed inspired by Fallen London. I specifically wanted something other than the standard STR-DEX-etc. I'll just let the titles speak for themselves, they should give you enough to go on.

For Skills, if you feel comfortable with the Fallout set, by all means. Like I said, I'd like you to have a go at these without any bias on my part. There probably are right and wrong choices, but for now, that doesn't matter. Besides, I believe all three of you capable enough not to make any outright stupid choices.

As for the scale in comparison to human ability, you're a step ahead of me here. I've crunched some numbers on the system I'm proposing, but this is the first time it'll actually be put into practice. There will be guidelines like you suggest in the future, but it's too early to say right now.

[Thiebs]

Tommy Jenkins
Tommy was an orphan: he never knew his parents, but was told his mum was a 'courtesan', and his pop a client. He grew up on the streets, never interested in staying in an orphanage. Tommy always figured he was too clever to get stuck in the system. He survived by being quick-fingered, silver-tongued, and ready for anything, or at least he liked to think he was. But people give kids some slack, and Tommy was starting to realize he wasn't really much of a kid anymore- if his count was right, he must be at least 15 years old by now. People were starting to take him seriously, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that.

Traits:
Ruthless 1
Cunning 1
Nimble 2
Slick 2

Skills:
Stealth 1
Sleight of Hand 1
Lying 1
Persuasion 1
Athletics 1

(I'm really not sure what the differences between the traits are. I was going for less mean-spirited, so ruthless seemed less important, but if that's more of a mechanical thing than a reflection of the character's personality, I suppose it could apply. Also unsure if cunning or slick was the way to go, but I'm sure it'll be fine anyway. Hope this is enough to get started, lemme know if I missed anything.)

[LuckyDee]

Looking good! Judging by your story, an increase in Nimble and Slick seem the best way to go. As for Skills, time will tell. Your choices are clear enough though.

[Jezalane]

Just for clarity's sake, can you define the traits.   I'd hate to create a character based on assumptions only to find out later that I had misunderstood.

[Jezalane]

ZicherCZ,  I sent you and LuckyDee a PM about doing a crossover between our character's backgrounds.  I checked for a copy to go into my inbox but that didn't happen so I want to make sure you received the message.  I'm not pushing but I've had a number of difficulties with this site so I just double checking.

Wm   

[LuckyDee]

Message received. You two see what you can strike up.

As to the traits, all the clarity I can offer you would result in only a minimal improvement on your current situation. They aren't as fixed as in other games, although I think when to use which one will be apparent in any given case. Draw up your character, pick the two that sound best and I'll see how they compare with my interpretation of both. I don't think you can go wrong, though.

[ZicherCZ]

Hey Jezalane,

I did receive your message and read it just now (I had no internet connection throughout this prolonged weekend). I'll come up with some meaningful response in the evening.

[LuckyDee]

I'll come up with some meaningful response in the evening.

Bad night for meaningfulness? ;) Curious as to what you come up with...

Thiebs, I take it young master Jenkins doesn't trust too many people. Can you come up with about three NPCs he does trust?