[Burning Zethuar] Character Creation thread

[jc_madden]

I could have sworn I made this before but oh well here it is now. Those of you who are planning on joining the BZ PbP game it is going to be primarily an intrigue city politics game set in Zethuar (see the sticky above for more info on the setting).

Start discussing your character concepts and beliefs here. All characters concepts and beliefs must be fully fleshed out and woven together HERE before you even pick a single life path, this is mandatory.

[Tobias]

Verrrry well!

Concept: loyal sho, but non-sho deserve no loyalty.

Rough description: An older man. Small, thin, dressed in sho-robes to the ground, long gray goatee, old, non-threatening, but healthy. He's an official emmisary from the Sho empire, assisting/advising all interested parties in flower growth and dye manufacture.

He has several 'testfields' in which previously unknown poppies grow (amongst others). Several 'tea and coffee shops' (hey, I'm from the Netherlands) have sprung up.

He's not in it for the money (although the money's good). He's not in it for power over the rabble, or the occult. He's in it for the political power he can gain from stringing out the high and mighty.

He's pleasant, witty, a good talker, not stingy (but there are few free lunches).

All for the Sho.

[Verrain]

My guy still needs some fleshing out but I already see great potential with your guy, Tobias.

My guy is the youngest son of one of the branches of the Peshwari family tree. His older brothers get to go out on grand trading missions or off to war or to hobnob with the rich and powerful. Akram got packed off to tutors in the city and then was made to mind the family store. It was a post of importance in theory since it was the main public face of the Peshwari trade empire. That didn't change the fact he was a glorified shopkeep though and that it was boring.

Then one of his older brothers dies under mysterious circumstances, and Akram is catapulted into his place in the staff of Peshwar's member of the merchant council.

You see Tobias, the Peshwar made a deal with the Sho many years back for rare flowers and dye making and they used it to make several deals of exclusivity for dyes that led to their wealth and power.

So if your guy is here to freely share such secrets with everybody, we've got a definite love/hate relationship shaping up here. Cool. :)

So lets see. Some beliefs to spice things up.

Beliefs:
- I will earn my family's respect by rising to Peshwar's place on the Merchant Council.
- The strength of House Peshwar must be preserved.
- My brother's death will be avenged.

Instincts:
- Always dress in my finest for the situation
- Always grab a stout, stylish cane before going out and about.
- Always bring an appropriate gift when calling on people.

[Tobias]

Oh, my guy's no accident. I read the info I could find.

"Freely" wouldn't be the term, but I'm sure love/hate can be arranged!

[viktor_haag]

Hey JC -- is it OK if I join in here too? I was thinking of starting a burning wheel PBEM myself, but I'd prefer to play in one first to get my feet wet...

--
Viktor

[DaGreatJL]

The character I wish to play is a noble who was born the third or fourth son of his family, meaning he didn't have to worry about inheritance or being given to the church. He excelled in his studies, and was sent into the care of an uncle in a distant city.
Unknown to the rest of his family, his uncle was a member of a secret cabal of sorcerers who practiced the Dark Path. His uncle saw that the child had the Gift, and inducted him into the cabal's ways.
Now, the noble has returned home to assist in the family business, an educated courtier... who harbors a secret power within him. He doesn't want to rise to rule; however, whoever ends up ruling, he wants to sit at their right hand, whispering into their ear.

[jc_madden]

Absolutely. We're just entering into the discussion phase of character creation waiting for everyone to get their revised copies.

[Mickeroo]

I would like my character, yet unnamed, to be a Numari sorcerer from the Air tradition. He's not a noble, but desperatly wants to be. In fact, he wants a magocracy, with of course, himself at the helm. But he realizes that this is far off in the future, and that the first step of a journey must be taken before the last. He's currently looking for anyway to gain a substantial amount of land.

Beliefs:
Magic is superior to all else: wealth, strength, these are nothing.
I will rule this land one day and make it prosper.
An enemy of mages is an enemy of mine

Instincts:
Avoid the mundane world (Do something magically if possible)
Never hide my skills
Never trust a noble

These are of course open to change, just a rough draft of someone whos fed up with being tied down.

[viktor_haag]

Absolutely. We're just entering into the discussion phase of character creation waiting for everyone to get their revised copies.

Great! Thanks!

I will read over the background info more carefully now, and contribute some character notes tomorrow.

--
Viktor

[MadJay]

My first strike at this!!

Maq 'The Knife', 'The Halffer', 'The Mutt'.
Half Yeksh and raised amoung the Yeksh.
Maqugh, or simply Maq has been making a living at murder-for-hire.
Operating out of the back-alleys and dives of the city, wielding his knife across the fat throats of Nobles, Merchants, and the wealthy - for coin.
Coin to finance his main purpose here...to find his rich and cowardly Merchant Father. And kill the dung-spider for abandoning his mother to Yeksh raiders to save his (father's) own spineless hide and his trader's wagon.

Beliefs.
-The Rich are weak, decadant and depraved, their tongues forked and bellies soft.
-I am my father's bane, the consequence made flesh of his cowardly act.
-keep sacred my spiritual teachings - they are my salvation.

Instinct:
-Never trust the Rich (see Belief #1)
-Always hide a sharp blade on me, or very close by.
-Never Surrender. Death is preferable to capture.

[Tobias]

Okay, BI's

Beliefs
1. Everyone should honor their betters - and Sho are the best people
2. Everyone's got their price, and opium's an universal coin
3. Once this city is mine, my my rivals back home will become as dust

Instincts
1. When threatened, get something between me and the threat
2. Always bring a servant or bodyguard
3. Never take a drug

[Verrain]

Though I am sure JC will get to this I thought I would bring it up. A few of the instincts I am reading sound more like beliefs. Its supposed to be a "When X happens, I do Y." construction. For example:

* Never trust a noble
* Never trust the rich

Well what is it he does in Noble(Rich) company to show that distrust?

When in Noble company, I always assess for the nearest exit.
When speaking with nobles, I always Assess for untruth in their speech.
When meeting with Nobles, I always have a concealed blade.

Just something to consider.

[MadJay]

Thanks Verrain -
I'll take another crack at it!

Beliefs.
-The Rich are weak, decadant and depraved, their tongues forked and bellies soft.
-I am my father's bane, the consequence made flesh of his cowardly act.
-Strike not with your arm but your heart. The Spirit drives the Mind to use the tool that is the Body.

Instinct:
-Looks/Assess the untruth when dealing with the rich.
-Always hide a sharp blade on me, or very close by.
-Pay homage to my spiritual totems, thrice daily.

[viktor_haag]

For many years, the members of the Levantou clan have provided "security services" to the merchant houses of the Peshwari. In return, they have been rewarded with a small, but respectable, amount of property in the foothills near the citadel of Zethuar. Here, they maintain a small, well-tended, and easily defendable clan-house complete with training hall.

The current leader of daily operations is Selvagem, the eldest daughter of the clanhead; although she defers to the clan elders when it comes to strategic decisions, it is Selvagem who makes the day-to-day tactical decisions: who to assign to which jobs; which jobs she, herself, should personally oversee; which small jobs the clan should accept, and which they should not; which jobs are "large jobs" which must be presented to the elders for consideration.

Selvagem herself is of medium height, medium build, and medium appearance; however, these nondescript "first glance" assessments are all slightly off-kilter. In reality, Selvagem always seems to be a half inch taller than those she must lead, and a half inch shorter than those to whom she must defer; in reality, Selvagem's frame hides thick strong joints and hosts tough whip-cords of muscle; in reality, Selvagem "cleans up real well", but mostly she has a need for sensible, sturdy apparel, as those in her business do. Should Selvagem ever need to (and it has been useful in the past), it is not hard for her to pass as a man.

Beliefs
• When the chill descends, everyone seeks the warmth of a hearth.
• My elders care for me, as do I for those younger; eventually, I shall care for my elders, and those younger shall care for me.
• Frippery, frivolity, and capriciousness are signs of pride; pride is no match for a good, stout length of timber.

Instincts
• Those who treat my grandmother with genuine kindness receive my affection.
• Those who mistreat the weak and defenseless receive my scorn.
• When I perceive the possibility for danger, I pause to consider the safest way to proceed.

[Mickeroo]

Ok, so how about:
If magic can be used, use it.
Always use conspicuous (or something similar)
ALways cast s=non-combat spells as carefully and patiently as possible (So as to prove the might of magic)

[Tobias]

Selvagem <-> Sho-man would work well

Killer McSlaughter <-> Sho-man would also be interesting, both as a client - or a client - if you know what I mean.

[viktor_haag]

Selvagem <-> Sho-man would work well


I agree, although she's not going to be very happy at all when she discovers what it is he does for a living... 8)

--
Viktor

[DaGreatJL]

Beliefs:
The Dark Path is the legacy of my people and superior to other forms of magic.
I will sit at the right hand of the next Lord of the House.
Protect the secret of the cabal at all costs.

Instincts:
Cast/Abstract Arcane Kindness when I have to meet with potential successors to my House.
Bring an appropriate gift when meeting with people outside my House.
Cast Carefully and Patiently when alone.

[MadJay]

hmmm - it occurred to me I have a flaw in my story...

Maq 'The Knife', 'The Halffer', 'The Mutt'.
Half Yeksh and raised amoung the Yeksh.

Maqugh, or simply Maq has been making a living at murder-for-hire.
Operating out of the back-alleys and dives of the city, wielding his knife across the fat throats of Nobles, Merchants, and the wealthy - for coin.
Coin to finance his main purpose here...to find and kill the rich and cowardly merchant that abandoned his mother to the Yeksh raiders.
By his mom's accounts the dung-spider (the merchant) was her husband and fled to save his own spineless hide and his trader's wagon, leaving her to fend for herself.

Beliefs.
-The Rich are weak, decadant and depraved, their tongues forked and bellies soft.
-I am my father's bane, the consequence made flesh of his cowardly act.
-Strike not with your arm but your heart. The Spirit drives the Mind to use the tool that is the Body.

Instinct:
-Looks/Assess the untruth when dealing with the rich.
-Always hide a sharp blade on me, or very close by.
-Pay homage to my spiritual totems, thrice daily.

[viktor_haag]

hmmm - it occurred to me I have a flaw in my story...

...

-I am my father's bane, the consequence made flesh of his cowardly act.


I wondered about that -- but which "father" do you refer to in your belief section? 8)


--
Viktor

[MadJay]

Beliefs.
-The Rich are weak, decadant and depraved, their tongues forked and bellies soft.
-I am the bane of a cowardly sot , the consequence made flesh of his cowardly act. (The Merchant Husband of my mother)
-Strike not with your arm but your heart. The Spirit drives the Mind to use the tool that is the Body.

Instinct:
-Looks/Assess the untruth when dealing with the rich.
-When dealing with strangers, especially the rich -Always hide a sharp blade on me, or very close by.
-Pay homage to my spiritual totems, thrice daily.

[Mickeroo]

So when do we get permision/ guidelines for burning these guys?

[jc_madden]

I'm not sure if the original thread was lost to the anals of time but I'm too sick and lazy to go looking for it right now. But basically the gist of it was deciding what sort of game this was going to be. The vote was for urban political. As such characters focusing on violence just won't fit in with the intended theme of the game, thus far we've got 3 concepts that are more political-centric and 2 that are not. If we want to rethink the campaigns premise that's fine but otherwise the two characters that are more stabby-stabby oriented than talky-talky will have to take a walky-walky and come up with something that fits a little better. Also not to nit-pick but A) the yeksh would never cross breed with anyone and if it DID happen the baby would be strangled at birth. B) If by some miracle a half Yeksh did make it past year 1 then they would NEVER be allowed in human lands, the Yeksh have plagued the Zeth for far too long to ever be seen as anything other than savages. C) The "security" clan was a neat idea however the delicate balance of power in Zeth would mean that they would probably never pay a non-noble in land because once landed they would become a noble house and the other houses would resent the upstart house and the house that created them. that's not to say that it would never happen but it would cause an uproar (which could be fine in our game) but again the character would have to be revised to be less of a combat oriented character.

Mikeroo: We're almost there buddy, patience. Especially for a PbP game you have got to have patience.

[Mickeroo]

Allright, I was just looking in the wheel of life and saw some chracters from Zeth and thought maybe I was a little behind. But then again, those posts are form 2 months ago, so I'm not sure what's going on.

As for patientce,yeah, I have a LOT of free time and the bored trait.

[MadJay]

Well I'm a bit put off ... Talky-Talky vs Stabby-Stabby, it's cute, funny, and I get it while enjoying the lightness of it.

The strong tones explaining away of Half-Yeksh - wasn't required, How was I to know this about Yeksh??

So I will bow out - appears like there's a history happening here I am unawares of, outside of the [Burning Zethuar]Campaign Information thread.
Never had an inkling Yeksh were not a playable option, they look as viable as the Zeth or Numari from your write up.

[Leningrad]

I really do want to play, but I feel totally lost without the rules. When, O when will they finally arrive!? ARGH.

[jc_madden]

Hex, no one expects you to know EVERYTHING; that's the point of this topic is for us to discuss what is and is not acceptable. If you were put off I'm sorry I really was trying to keep it light hearted. If my description of the unlikelyhood of a half-yeksh seemed harshish, good that was my point. The cultures you're dealing with would be worse, and so that came across in the telling I'm glad. If you still want to bow out that's your right and I won't fault you for it but I wouldn't expect someone to throw in the towel at the first roadblock but if you feel that portents things to come I understand but keep this in mind: the game give out what you put into it, if you react this negatively to a hurtle then maybe it's not for you. Sorry.

Mike, I'm thinking 4-5 lifepaths, I haven't heard from everyone about concepts and I think you all should think about focusing on concepts and then afterwords work out the beliefs to reflect the interaction between you all.

[Mickeroo]

So is this still a political game? I need to know before I elaborate on my character concept.

[jc_madden]

Like I was saying it is a polical intrigue game until a majority says otherwise as of now I think we have 4 players with politico concepts, so yes.

[Tobias]

On the stabbity-vs-talky bit,

there may be some merit to being a hammer in a game of lightbulbs. Just be aware the story's about primarily about objects emitting light. So don't complain, once you've decided to enter a hammer, about the story object.

JC is master of his intended game, but a stabbity guy gone novice politico (the new head of the thieves' guild, anyone?) might be an option.

Still, hurdles will happen. In fact, I'm counting on it!

[Mickeroo]

Allright, so these are ways that my character can get a long with the others.

1) He wants power, and he's willing to work with people to get it.
2) He wants who's in power out, even if goal 1 isn't accomplished.
3) He wants to see a rise in magic, regardless of goals 1 and 2's success.
4) He wants land and/or noble status
5) He wants to unite the Traditions.

He doesn't actually have to want to do any of these things, but they're possibilities/liklihoods for interaction with other players.

[jc_madden]

Tobias- couldn't have said it better myself!

Mike- you don't have to get along with everyone in fact I recommend against it :twisted: your beliefs and instincts just have to tie into one another for good or ill. feel free to pick sides make alliances or make life long enemies based on your backgrounds and beliefs.

[Mickeroo]

So would now be a good time to burn him and put him up for the Wheel of Life?

[jc_madden]

Probably not, you guys need to be discussing your beliefs and concepts a little more. I really want to see some conflicts/alliances forming from the get-go. Know what I mean?

[Mickeroo]

I'm thinking that DagreatJL and I could be in cohoots, since we both want to see a rise in magic, although he's the more evil side, I'll be willing to cooperate for a while.
Hex, if you're still playing, I don't think I'd be beyond using your services, and may have in the past. In fact, I may be secretly teaching you magic to make you a more powerful assassin.
Tobias, even if you aren't loyal to me( which my charcater may not know) we can still work together to achieve a common goal for now and then quarrel later. And by quarrel I mean...well, refer to my proposed situation with Hex. :twisted:
Verrain, I can help you to avenge your brothers death and preserve the strength of your house. Also, I wouldn't put you behind if I gained power, meaning, you could go out and do as your older brothers did. I wouldn't treat you like a child. They always treat you like a child, don't they? (Hehe, so said the senator to the young jedi.)
And Viktor, I love elders. They are the wisest amoing the wise, with so much to learn from. Also, any rising leader needs a body guard, and one that will be handsomly rewarded.

Alliances anyone?

[Mickeroo]

I could suggest ways I could hate you too, if that would help...

Sorry if I'm a little impatient. I'd call it more, excited than eanything else.

[Tobias]

Eventually, sho-man (anyone got a good Zethauri name suggestion?) will want to return home - and he needs someone to overwatch his operations here, an 'inside man'. He's looking out for someone to fit that bill, and it wouldn't be bad to have a powerful Zethauri person travel along with him to his homeland - always good to have a wildcard handy.

So there's definate interest in anyone of power with a willingness to travel. :)

Muscle is always good. Remember the Instinct: 'Always bring a servant/bodyguard' - it's there for a reason!

[Tobias]

I'll tune my beliefs a bit more to allow the GM to screw me more actively... ermm... involve me in play - that's it.

Beliefs
1. This city will be mine - before long, it will need me.
2. Everyone's got their price, I will find it, and opium's an universal coin
3. Once this city is mine, my rivals back home will become as dust

Instincts
1. When threatened, get something between me and the threat
2. Always bring a servant or bodyguard
3. Never take a drug (includes alcohol)

The first instinct would also work in duels of wits - setting up straw men, etc.

[Verrain]

It sounds more and more like Sho-man and Akram are going to be at odds with each other. Cool. :) I imagine they've had many trade dealings over the years and such like.

As for some of the rest, I recall in earlier discussion that we were going to have DaGreatJL's character come from a branch of House Peshwar and moreover than we might have had the same tutor growing up and so vaguely know of each other.

Then we have DaGreatJL's guy trained in Numari magic. So why not have him and Mickeroo's guy have met through the magic circles and they just happen to find themselves travelling to Zethuar at the same time. They need the latest local news and perhaps the best leads for some unlanded fellows to obtain some so they look up DaGreatJL's old school chum Akram. That sort of pulls you both into the city center and makes us all aware of each other.

What do you think?

[Mickeroo]

THat sounds cool to me.

[Tobias]

And perhaps sho-man (need a name!) can push opium as a useful mind-expanding tool for mages? ;)

Of course, if there are mages about, there's mind-reading (dunno BW specifics, but there might be). And where there's mind-reading, politics (lying) becomes all problematic.

So sho-man might need some protection against magical mind-reading - thus needing a mage connection.

Options, options.

:)

[Mickeroo]

Hmm...I don't know if Mages do drugs...but making connections with a drug dealer would certainly be beneficial to my character, the mage.

Yeah, I need a name too....time to look in the English-Latin dictionary again.

[viktor_haag]

Hi Guys,

Unfortunately, I think I should bow out now before things heat up. I'm finding that I just don't have as much time to devote to this as I thought I might. This is my fault for badly estimating my current free-time load.

Apologies to all, but I'm sure you can easily all pretend that my "security expert" was only a figment of your imaginations.

--
Viktor

[Mickeroo]

Hmmm...I haven't heard from JC in a while, anyone know what's going on?

[Leningrad]

if there's still room, i'd like to play. i finally have my books and all that.

[Mickeroo]

Seeing viktor bow out probably means that there is room, unless JC changed his mind. As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier (I'm GMing an in-person game with 8 players) but I would just PM JC or something.

[Mickeroo]

It's been about 3 weeks since JC's last post. Is anyone else worried or do they know what's going on?

[Thor Olavsrud]

It's been about 3 weeks since JC's last post. Is anyone else worried or do they know what's going on?

I just heard from jc this morning. He has a new job that takes him away without Internet access for two weeks at a time, and he just recently returned. I'm sure he'll post here sometime soon.

[Verrain]

I just heard from jc this morning. He has a new job that takes him away without Internet access for two weeks at a time, and he just recently returned. I'm sure he'll post here sometime soon.

Thanks for the update. Sadly, that is not a good sign for a Play by post GM though is it?

[Mickeroo]

Aye, that is a sad thing. I would really like to play this game, the setting sounds interesting, but I don't know if it would be worth it, two weeks is a pretty long time for someone who gets bored if he has nothing to do for 2 seconds.