Jaime Guldmann, physician's student

[kaomera]

Concept: Physician's student, unwilling member of an expedition to Lustria.

Character Name: Jaime Guldmann

Jaime (pronounced “Hymie”) is a young student volunteered as ship's doctor for an expedition to Lustria (think the new world) by his Uncle, the Court Physician to the Estallian (think Spain) Royal Court. He wouldn't think of refusing, even though the thought of being trapped on a boat with a bunch of psychopaths (ie: mercenaries, the rest of the party) is not anything he really wants any part of. And then there's the matter that he's completely unqualified... He intends to make the most of the trip, studying the local flora / fauna / geography / natural history, but he'll quickly be overwhelmed by sick crewmen and grizzly work in the aftermath of battles with undead and orcs... This character approximates my character at the start of a WHFRPG game I played in last year.

Lifepaths: City Born -> City Student -> Court Student x2

Age: 25

Stats: Pe: 5 Wi: 5 Ag: 4 Sp: 3 Po: 4 Fo: 5

Attributes: Re: 4 Ste: 4 He: 5 MW: 10 Hesitation: 5 Faith: - Presence: 5 paces Resources: B1

PTGS: Su: 3 Li: 6 Mi: 7 Se: 8 Tr: 9 Mo: 10

Skills:
Apothecary B2
Bloodletting B2
Field Dressing B2
Herbalism B2
Read B5
Write B5
Geometry Training
Philosophy B4
Rule of Law B3
History B5
Anatomy B6
Astrology B3
Inconspicuous B4
City-Wise B2
Doctrine B3
Etiquette B3

Gear: Traveling gear, clothes, paper, quills, ink, surgery toolkit, herbalism toolkit

Association: Relationship: uncle, court physician; affiliation: ship's crew

Traits: Bookworm, Pacifist

Beliefs:
- The rule of the nobility is a rational scientific fact, I will not question my betters -> My uncle was insane to send me on this expedition, I must reveal his incompetence to the court when I return -> I should thank my uncle for this chance to grow and learn (but I'll be damned if I ever do)
- I long for the safety of the University, I find comfort in my books -> When I concentrate completely on the task at hand the sheer insanity of the situation disturbs me much less
- Problems are best solved through a reasoned and rational exchange of ideas -> Everyone dies, the only question is: how much screaming and bleeding will there be?

Instincts:
- When in doubt, consult the library. -> Always run screaming -> Always block
- Never state my opinion as facts -> Never get off the ship
- When there is disagreement, DoW (always Rebuttal) -> If I can't phrase it as a medical fact (they won't argue with that), just keep my damn mouth shut

I'm showing an approximate progression of his Beliefs and Instincts as he was played.


So, this is a PC example, because I was missing one. I assume no-one will like those Instincts, possibly the Beliefs aren't too great, either. This character wasn't done for BW, originally, but if I was burning him as a PC, can you offer any assistance?

[donbaloo]

I like this character quite a bit. A quick glance over his skill points and skills though makes me think that maybe there were too many points spent. I don't know though without really analyzing it. Might want to check those.

Remember, I'm not the expert here but trying to look at the BITs as if I were GMing this character I feel like they could use a little more focus perhaps.

Beliefs:
- The rule of the nobility is a rational scientific fact, I will not question my betters -> My uncle was insane to send me on this expedition, I must reveal his incompetence to the court when I return -> I should thank my uncle for this chance to grow and learn (but I'll be damned if I ever do)
I like the initial beliefs prior to their evolution a little better. They seem like they'd be more clearly challengeable. But I see what is happening with the evolution. But its evolved into something that doesn't feel usable by me. I can't imagine a situational conflict coming from this that would be fun to roleplay, ya know? Maybe that's my shortcoming. Maybe something more like "My uncle is perhaps wiser than I gave him credit for but I'll not allow him to hold that over my head so as to demand my respect." Maybe?

- I long for the safety of the University, I find comfort in my books -> When I concentrate completely on the task at hand the sheer insanity of the situation disturbs me much less
Can I challenge this or make a scene around it? It feels very close to something good. Maybe if it was reworded to put more emphasis on his self-confidence in his skills maybe.

- Problems are best solved through a reasoned and rational exchange of ideas -> Everyone dies, the only question is: how much screaming and bleeding will there be?
Same thing here, how do I challenge this? What's the character's role in this belief? What about this: "Everyone dies but its my job to make sure they do it with as little pain as possible." Maybe that could work.

And now we're back on instincts, something I just proved in the other post that I wasn't too good at :D . I can tell you what I don't like about them. Always block: Its not very definitive as far as situations and it also looks like your gonna always be scripting Block. That's not gonna work too well, especially since he doesn't even have any martial training (everything's gonna be doubled against him I think when he blocks). I personally like the run screaming one prior to it. At least then he's getting the hell out of dodge. Maybe this "If weapons are drawn, avoid and run."

Never get off the ship: Ever? This is broad but I guess it could work.

If I can't phrase it as a medical fact (they won't argue with that), just keep my damn mouth shut: This feels almost like a belief to me and I don't know what to do with it to make it instinctual.

So, in conclusion, I was practically no help again :( . I do like the character and I think your portrayal of the evolution of his beliefs and traits really gives more depth to what he's experienced and what he's thinking. They just don't feel very challengeable though. Making any sense here? :oops:

Edited to add: I'm finding it difficult to really define a good belief or instinct without any knowledge of what is important to other PC's that surround the character. And not just this guy, but in general when I'm thinking about BITRs.

[kaomera]

I like this character quite a bit. A quick glance over his skill points and skills though makes me think that maybe there were too many points spent. I don't know though without really analyzing it. Might want to check those.

I used the Excel worksheet, and it all seems to check out. Taking Student three times gets you a lot of skill points... Perhaps I should count both City Student and Court Student as the same lifepath for the purposes of diminishing returns? That would drop 5 skill points, which is no real problem (it's the Resource loss that would hurt). In any case, Bookworm means all his Academic skills round up to a root of 3.

The game I played Jaime in did not use BITs... That made re-creating him somewhat more difficult. The main reason I bothered is that I wanted to try fitting BITs to an existing character. I find that when burning a character I usually have a really good idea of who they are before I have gone very far at all. Unfortunately, I can get too wrapped up in this and therefore can't find any Instincts (as the most obvious example) that fit what I have in my head. What I have been having to do to get good Instincts is to very rapidly bang them out in the very formative stages of the creation process... Which, in turn, means that I now have a very good idea of who / what he character is that I have to force into the Lifepaths... I'm trying to get to a point where I can be more “organic” about the whole process, but stuff insists on driving through my head at well above any speed limit I would set...

Remember, I'm not the expert here but trying to look at the BITs as if I were GMing this character I feel like they could use a little more focus perhaps.

Beliefs:
- The rule of the nobility is a rational scientific fact, I will not question my betters -> My uncle was insane to send me on this expedition, I must reveal his incompetence to the court when I return -> I should thank my uncle for this chance to grow and learn (but I'll be damned if I ever do)
I like the initial beliefs prior to their evolution a little better. They seem like they'd be more clearly challengeable. But I see what is happening with the evolution. But its evolved into something that doesn't feel usable by me. I can't imagine a situational conflict coming from this that would be fun to roleplay, ya know? Maybe that's my shortcoming. Maybe something more like "My uncle is perhaps wiser than I gave him credit for but I'll not allow him to hold that over my head so as to demand my respect." Maybe?

I'm sure it could use some rewriting. (For one thing, I tend twords an “interesting” turn of a phrase ~ it's very hard for me to write for anyone but my inner voices, and they already know what I mean, so they tend to be more interested in making it sound pretty. Sorry.) It's easier for me to mold what was the more raw, less refined concept of the character when I first rolled him up into a good set of BITs than what developed over a number of game sessions. Actually, I think the second one (as written) is the worst to work with. This was challenged in that Jaime came to see that there was, indeed, some method to the madness ~ that the expedition was challenging him and forcing him to grow in ways that the University could not. The “ I must reveal his incompetence to the court” part never came up, and really there's no way it could have. That part's really there more for me as a player as a kind of role-playing motivational bit. The last one only developed in the last session of the game, which saw us sailing back to Estallia. I imagined Jaime returning to Court to meet with his father, and possibly presenting his (nonexistent) “findings” to the King. That could have gone badly... We kind of dropped the whole “search for new sources of gold or other wealth” thing in favor of fighting zombies and orcs and such...

- I long for the safety of the University, I find comfort in my books -> When I concentrate completely on the task at hand the sheer insanity of the situation disturbs me much less
Can I challenge this or make a scene around it? It feels very close to something good. Maybe if it was reworded to put more emphasis on his self-confidence in his skills maybe.

These both could have been Instincts, if only I could figure out how to word them. Or Traits... Bookworm probably already covers the first one. The “challenge” I saw in play was that the more things got nuts (“nuts” as Jaime saw it, rather normal fare for adventurers like most of the rest of the crew, which was part of the conflict) the less he really could escape, either into his books (the original character had a dozen books with him ~ we got quite a bit of cash to buy supplies with, since there would be no stores, etc. where we where going. Jaime bought books...) or by burying himself in his work. This was dependent on how I played him, so I guess it was mostly a matter of me, as a player, challenging my character. I'm not sure how (or if you would) to work that in the system of BW. Jaime didn't want to get involved, I (as a player) did want him to get involved. I wish I could write that out better; this was the facet of the character I would have really liked to play, but didn't get the chance to...

Probably I'd have to give him a reason to want to go out with the expedition when they went ashore. I had plenty of reasons not to want to already, I guess. Something about the natural history, or science, or whatnot, I guess. I'll have to think about that one.

- Problems are best solved through a reasoned and rational exchange of ideas -> Everyone dies, the only question is: how much screaming and bleeding will there be?
Same thing here, how do I challenge this? What's the character's role in this belief? What about this: "Everyone dies but its my job to make sure they do it with as little pain as possible." Maybe that could work.

The first one was challenged early and often ~ none of the adversaries we encountered would stop to talk at all (especially the zombies). The second one is a bit dumb, on reflection, and ought to be changed. It's just fatalism. Something to back up his pacifism might work, or would that be redundant? His pacifism was a Big Thing. It was part of his religion, only mandatory for priests and such, but I wanted to take it that far. Jaime got mind-controlled by a vampire (we assume that's what it was) at one point, and I wheedled my way out of a “Kill him!” command. I did everything but outright tell the GM that he was going to ruin my character, and ended up just grappling the other party member (and for once rolling awesome, of course). I was kinda proud of that, a bit.

And now we're back on instincts, something I just proved in the other post that I wasn't too good at :D . I can tell you what I don't like about them. Always block: Its not very definitive as far as situations and it also looks like your gonna always be scripting Block. That's not gonna work too well, especially since he doesn't even have any martial training (everything's gonna be doubled against him I think when he blocks). I personally like the run screaming one prior to it. At least then he's getting the hell out of dodge. Maybe this "If weapons are drawn, avoid and run."

By the time “always block” came about I figure he would have opened up Cudgel. He really only had the first one for the first half of the first session. Once we got into a fight, well he just ran off whilst calling for the Watch. After that, he kept trying to run and getting caught or trapped and having to block to save his life (in WHFRP you need a skill to Avoid, which Jaime never got close to getting). So by the end he would just stand there in combat, effectively Blocking in every Volley of every Exchange.

Never get off the ship: Ever? This is broad but I guess it could work.

Never ever get off the ship. Of course, he was dragged off time and time again...

If I can't phrase it as a medical fact (they won't argue with that), just keep my damn mouth shut: This feels almost like a belief to me and I don't know what to do with it to make it instinctual.

“Don't try to discuss anything but medical business with the crew”? Yeah, it's kinda lame...

So, in conclusion, I was practically no help again :( . I do like the character and I think your portrayal of the evolution of his beliefs and traits really gives more depth to what he's experienced and what he's thinking. They just don't feel very challengeable though. Making any sense here? :oops:

Actually, it is a help. Thanx.

Edited to add: I'm finding it difficult to really define a good belief or instinct without any knowledge of what is important to other PC's that surround the character. And not just this guy, but in general when I'm thinking about BITRs.

Ah, yeah... That was the difficulty with Jaime. I don't really remember how much group planning we put into character creation, but we ended up with Jaime and five gung-ho adventurer mercenary types. So, basically, I got to pull Cleric duty. It kinda sucked, because I really didn't get to do all that much on-screen, but at the same time everyone seemed to really dig Jaime and how I played him...

I really need to make a big deal of providing “hooks” for the other players in each character's BITs. That kind of interaction is something I really enjoy watching unfold as a GM, and it's something I really crave as a player...

[kaomera]

</verbose>
More suitable for Jaime as a starting character, assuming I know (this time) that there will be no real intrigue / Court play before the expedition sails...

Beliefs:
- I will follow the rational rules of society, from my example even cretins such as these sailors and mercenaries can learn.
- I will study the science of this "new world", take notes, and sketch interesting animals, plants, and geological formations. (Let the others worry about gold, this is the real riches Lustria has to offer.)
- Problems are best solved through a reasoned and rational exchange of ideas. Knowledge can create, but violence only destroys.

Instincts:
- When physically confronted, run then get help.
- Write notes on anything scientifically interesting, then sketch it.
- Always have my Black Bags within arm's reach when off the ship. (Black Bags == the skill kits)
<verbose>

[donbaloo]

Hey man, I really like those Beliefs and Instincts. Those are clear, useful, and in my opinion challengeable. I especially like the second instinct. As long as other party members had some things that would mesh with these I think this character would be pretty interesting in the group.

In any case, Bookworm means all his Academic skills round up to a root of 3.

Aah, if that's the case then that makes it appear more reasonable. I was under the impression though that Bookworm only lowered a character's Apptitude for learning new academic skills. I'll have to check that some time...

[Thor Olavsrud]

Sweet dude! Those are all hot!

And yeah, donbaloo is right. Bookworm lowers your Aptitude for learning new academic skills by 1. So if your Perception is 6, you only need to test an Academic skill with Beginner's Luck or through Practice 3 times instead of 4. It doesn't affect Roots.

[donbaloo]

Hmmm...my apologies on second guessing you kaomera :oops: . While sitting around the house this evening after work I picked up the CB so as to just read through traits again and get a feel for what all is available for when my group finishes up their characters. Since we're only using Men, I naturally started there and what did I happen upon? There it was, as a Mannish Special Lifepath Trait on p.152, Bookworm...and its as you said it is kaomera. I had only ever noticed the Bookworm General Trait on p. 271...and it works the way I mentioned. Its also the only one referred to by the Index of Traits. I'm assuming both descriptions of the trait are valid, depending upon which one you've had the opportunity to choose. Elders?

[Thor Olavsrud]

There it was, as a Mannish Special Lifepath Trait on p.152, Bookworm...and its as you said it is kaomera. I had only ever noticed the Bookworm General Trait on p. 271...and it works the way I mentioned. Its also the only one referred to by the Index of Traits. I'm assuming both descriptions of the trait are valid, depending upon which one you've had the opportunity to choose. Elders?

God damn it! ABZU!!! :evil:

Of course, I have to take the blame.

If Bookworm is on a lifepath you take in the human setting, you should use the Mannish Special Lifepath Trait.

[Yagathai]

Would this be an opportune moment to point out that there was no such bumbling confusion in the Classic edition? :D

[donbaloo]

You know, I haven't been around here long but as soon as I ran across the double identity trait I was certain I could hear the Gravedigger's shovel scratching away in the distance. :D

[luke]

God damn it! ABZU!!! :evil:

Of course, I have to take the blame.


Fixed your post, Edi-Thor.

-L

[Thor Olavsrud]

Would this be an opportune moment to point out that there was no such bumbling confusion in the Classic edition? :D

Damn straight. But what was the difference between Cook and Cooking again?

[Yagathai]

It saddens and disappoints me that you have to ask, Thor.

The fact of the matter is that Cooking was simply that -- the art of preparing food to make it edible and tasty. This is by no means an insignificant ability.

But being a good cook, which is what the Cook skill is all about, is far more than just preparing food. It involves wearing setting-appropriate clothing, like those tall white hats, and keeping a kitchen safe and clean, and being able to dispense homespun wisdom to homesick or lovelorn dishwashers.

In short, it's the sort of deep and subtle distinction that the so-called "improvements" (which I can only assume were so named ironically) that form the festering core of "Revised" edition BW are completely incapable of handling.

[kaomera]

canceling WTF mode...

OK, I was sure that was what Bookworm did; but after the mess I made with chases, I immediately lept to the index, and therefore the same results as the rest of you. In any case, the index in the core book still RAWKS my face clean off. I've shown it off to two of my fiends, and they both decided to buy a copy of BW right there and then, no other evidence of it's greatness needed.

I'm glad to get a good response to those BITs. That makes me quite a bit more confident about running the upcoming character-burning session.

And Yagathai, while they have sadly removed Cook as a skill (I suspect that it actually exists as a Character Trait on p. 291, I just can't find it right now because of LiR. I'll try again next scene and let you know...), they have included "Chef", although they somehow mislabeled it as "Drunking".

[Thor Olavsrud]

I'll try again next scene and let you know...), they have included "Chef", although they somehow mislabeled it as "Drunking".

You gotta have Drunking! What good is a dwarf without a magical drinking skill that allows him to get roaring drunk as fast as possible?

[donbaloo]

I've shown it off to two of my fiends, and they both decided to buy a copy of BW right there and then, no other evidence of it's greatness needed.---accentuated the nefarious nature of your post

:shock:
That Magic Burner Summoning chapter I pointed you to was merely a gaming aid! Oh geez, is this the beginning of the 80's D&D problems again? :cry:

[kaomera]

:shock:
That Magic Burner Summoning chapter I pointed you to was merely a gaming aid! Oh geez, is this the beginning of the 80's D&D problems again? :cry:

"If you look carefully at my fingers, you'll realize that I'm actually typing something else. I'm not actually telling you about the several ways I'm making baby Cthulhu cry."