Trestin Dorval, Atheist Grave-robber

[donbaloo]

Concept: A Vocal Atheist and Grave-robber

Character Name: Trestin Dorval

Trestin Dorval could have had it made. After a hefty donation to the St. Stelon’s Church by his father, a bookbinder in the upper city, Trestin was taken in by the Brothers of Generosity. He soon learned that temple life was not for him however, to which his superiors agreed, becoming a rather outspoken student concerning his difficulties in believing the very subjective evidence of their god. His wayward faith turned to belligerence towards his brethren as he declared their doctrine “rubbish”. He dismissed himself from the church and began work with the gravediggers. He felt it an appropriate move and a statement against his previous teachings about spirituality. “There is no life beyond this mortal realm, and death is no more than rotting flesh within the soil”. He smiled as he worked. He soon realized however that he was surrounded by coworkers who were superstitious fools that could never adequately provide evidence to their ludicrous beliefs. That’s when he took the ring. Just to prove to them that ghosts and childhood tales were pretty shitty guardians of wealth when it came right down to it. Taking it was easy and it felt like the perfect insult to that false religion they tried to feed him. He didn’t steal anymore for show after that first time but he continued to take every opportunity to pilfer tombs and relieve them of their valuable baubles. Over time he had the opportunity to make a few connections that were boons to his exploits and became somewhat respected for that little niche of the “market” that he had so skillfully tapped into. And as long as he done it well, there was no one to complain about it. Dead men tell no tales, but they sure pay well if you chose them properly. By scoring and moving a few ancient burial relics, he’ll soon have the type of money and connections he needs to begin showing the people the real workings behind the church. He’ll shut the mouths of those hypocritical fools. But then again, it sure is fun sending the preachers slinking back to their superiors after he’s completely dismantled a street sermon. So much to do…so much to do…

Lifepaths: City Born, Temple Acolyte (Lead to Outcast), Grave Digger, Smuggler

Age: 27

Stats: Pe: B5 Wi: B4 Ag: B4 Sp: B4 Po: B3 Fo: B4
Re: B4 Ste: B3 He: B4 MW: B9
Hesitation: 6
Faith: 0
PTGS: Su: B3 Li: B5 Mi:B6 Se: B7 Tr: B8 Mo: B9

Skills: Doctrine B2, Ditch Digging B1, Persuasion B4, Read B2, Write B2, Cemetery-Wise B3, Falsehood B3,
Appraisal B3, Law-wise B2, Stealth B3, Inconspicuous B3, Haggling B3, Knives B2

Traits: Sworn to the Order, Bitter, Paranoid, Schemeing, Thick Skinned, Tidy Aspect, Cynical

Gear: Clothes, Shoes, Traveling Gear, Knife, House, 3 rental shacks in the slum district

Relationships: Sangel Dillard, Local Chairman of the Gravediggers Union (minor)

Affiliations: 1D-Affiliated with the local Thieves Guild for his interest in and ability to move stolen items.
Reputation: 1D Known as a vocal religious “dropout” and dissenter.
Circles: B2
Resources: B2

Beliefs:
- The Church of St. Stelon is a den of thieves and I will expose their guise of goodness for the farce that it is.
- There are no gods nor ghosts. I can dispute any claim for the contrary by providing evidence gained through logic based investigation.
- Graveyards in wealthy cities are treasure hoards. Those selfish noble bastards don’t deserve their wealth in life and I’ll be damned if I let them keep it with them in the grave.

Instincts:
- Always keep some cash on hand for petty bribes and hush money.
- Always assume logical explanations for strange occurrences while grave-robbing.
- Never lose my temper when involved in a religious debate.



First one folks. What do I need to work on here?

[Paka]

First one folks. What do I need to work on here?

You need to work on gettin' this mofo into a game so you can play 'im.

Looks like fun.

[luke]

the last two instincts are ok, but they are going to be hard to play. they are just this side of Beliefs, really. But they are FAR from criminal (heh).

Your Beliefs are EXCELLENT. They include people, places and actions. They are challenge-able by the GM as well. I'd start the game right off with a big funeral and you watching some rich fat cat being socked away in the family mausoleum while you're over in the potter's yard digging ditches (or something). The Priest of St Stelon would, of course, be providing over the services and be accepting donations from the mourners...

What are you going to do about it?
-L

[donbaloo]

Thanks Paka.

Abzu, what if I replaced the last two with...
-If I am graverobbing, then I am hooded.
-Always plead innocence.

Also, I'd just like to add that your post really shows what an expert of your own game you must be and how easily you can press a story. I'm assuming that none of your example opening was by accident because you've really put the character in a bind with his beliefs. It certainly galls the hell out of him to watch the priest spilling his rubbish to the mourners. And they're giving him money too, those fools!! At the same time he really wants to hit that tomb later in the week and the less of a show he makes now the less complicated that's likely to be. Plus, if he raises too much hell during funeral ceremonies the Priests might just flex their influence and have him removed from his job altogether. That'd certainly complicate his workings in this "market". Man, good job with such a quick situational dilemma.

[Thor Olavsrud]

Also, I'd just like to add that your post really shows what an expert of your own game you must be and how easily you can press a story. I'm assuming that none of your example opening was by accident because you've really put the character in a bind with his beliefs. It certainly galls the hell out of him to watch the priest spilling his rubbish to the mourners. And they're giving him money too, those fools!! At the same time he really wants to hit that tomb later in the week and the less of a show he makes now the less complicated that's likely to be. Plus, if he raises too much hell during funeral ceremonies the Priests might just flex their influence and have him removed from his job altogether. That'd certainly complicate his workings in this "market". Man, good job with such a quick situational dilemma.

Hey man, you can do it too. It just takes a little practice, is all. You're well on your way though. This character ROCKS!!!

[luke]

Donbaloo,

I barely did a thing! All I did was reword your beliefs, taking your statements of facts and turning them into a little scene. It's easy when you give me so much ammunition.

Scene 2: When you didn't bite on that first scene -- and I wouldn't expect you to -- I'd cut to the next scene. Let's say you said you wanted to go visit your boss in town. I'd counter with, "It's a festival day. Those damn priests are everywhere, chanting, singing and praying. You and Sangel are eating rat on a stick at a market stall -- talking about the upcoming hit on the mausoleum -- when a distinctive tinkling noise catches your ear. Sangel reaches down to scoop up a wayward gold florin bouncing along the cobblestone. Just as he gets it, a polished black shoe pins his hand to the ground with a crunch. You both look up and see Brother Tiberius glowering at you from under his bushy eyebrows. He motions for Sangel to give him the coin. What do you do?"

Heh. This is without even talking to you about campaign goals or anything. You make it so easy!
-L

[donbaloo]

Heh, that one's pretty easy though. "Go ahead and TAKE it Tiberius (refusing to use his title), as you and the other pocket snakes you serve with do daily to your naive congregation." Inciting a debate here with Tiberius with a crowd to watch would be delicious.

I'm still in awe at how easily its done though. Sounds simple to you guys but improptu scene construction is tough for me. But that's for another forum I suppose. Good stuff though Abzu, it would be neat to see you guys in action. Later...

[Kublai]

It's completely inspiring that Grave-Digging would be this guy's Get a Job! Skill! Hahaha!

[donbaloo]

That's an interesting point and it crossed my mind, especially since he's not very much good at it. He doesn't care to be really good at digging graves, just knowing which ones to dig in later. If he needed to replenish his resources would you guys as GM allow something along the lines of Cemetery-Wise task forked with appraisal and haggling to recoup funds? To represent his petty pilferings in the graveyard? Just wondering.

[luke]

That's an interesting point and it crossed my mind, especially since he's not very much good at it. He doesn't care to be really good at digging graves, just knowing which ones to dig in later. If he needed to replenish his resources would you guys as GM allow something along the lines of Cemetery-Wise task forked with appraisal and haggling to recoup funds? To represent his petty pilferings in the graveyard? Just wondering.

Sure. I'd let you FoRK Ditch-Digging, too. But don't fail that roll! I'd have you caught in the act. By the priests whom you claim to be morally superior to.

heh.
-L

[donbaloo]

Sweet. :lol:

[donbaloo]

You know abzu, speaking of the getting caught while trying to recoup my funds, I'm wondering about the FoRKs there. I could make a pretty good argument for Forking Stealthy and Inconspicous, maybe even Falsehood into that scene. Where do you draw the line on how much is reasonable? To me, as a player, that all seems very legit for such a job but is it abusing the system?

Also, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep my posts within the boundaries of its original forum. Would you rather me break them out and move them to the appropriate forum when this happens?

[luke]

You know abzu, speaking of the getting caught while trying to recoup my funds, I'm wondering about the FoRKs there. I could make a pretty good argument for Forking Stealthy and Inconspicous, maybe even Falsehood into that scene. Where do you draw the line on how much is reasonable? To me, as a player, that all seems very legit for such a job but is it abusing the system?

Also, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep my posts within the boundaries of its original forum. Would you rather me break them out and move them to the appropriate forum when this happens?

this is a whole new thread.
-L