View Full Version : World Tree Pack
Great Wolf packs have hunted demons in the hells, on the shore of the great frozen lake. They have entered the streets of cities, taking the soft urban folk before the city watch could muster. The Frost Giant's baby was taken from its crib by a pack much like yours.
You are a proud member of the World Tree Pack and all of the nine worlds are your hunting grounds. You hunt, eat, howl and piss your way through dark groves that link with the primordial forest at the heart of creation from which you can prowl anywhere within imagining.
The season is changing. It is time to take the pack to a different world.
Where will you hunt next?
GAH!!! DON"T DO THIS TO ME!!
Oh, you gots my hair standing on end just reading that.
That, my friends, is a good game intro. Short (short short) and packed with "that's fucking cool" ideas and leaving you with a nice question to hook you into play.
So, Paka, where do we hunt? I smell an ill wind rising in the East. Perhaps we should rise up and take what is rightfully ours?
-L
So, Paka, where do we hunt? I smell an ill wind rising in the East. Perhaps we should rise up and take what is rightfully ours?
Sound the howl to collect the pack while I piss on this computer lab keyboard and claim it as my own.
Damn, now they're asking me to leave. :roll:
Frost Biter
Born to the Pack
1 yr, - Res,
Skills: 2 pts General, 2 pts Howling
2 Trait points
Captured and Broken
1/2 yr, 1 Res,
Skills: 3 pts, Begging, Man-wise
Traits: Submissive, Broken
Lead to Outcast
Lonewolf
1 yr, 3 Res, + 1 M
Skill: 4pts, Territory-wise
Traits: 1 pt; Wanderlust
Spirit-Chaser
1 yr, 3 Res, + 1 P
Skills: 5 pts, Primal Bark, Hunting
Traits: 1 pt
Spirit-Howler
1 yr, 4 Res, +1 M/P
Skills: 3pts, Ancestral Jaw
Traits: 1 pt; Ancestral Taint, Spirit Ears
4.5 years old Spirit Howler
Per B4 (6), Will B5, Agi B4, Spd B5, Pow B5, For B4
Att: Health B5, Steel B7, Ref B5, MW B10
Skills: Brawling B3, Howling B3, Begging B4, Man-wise B4, Territory-wise B4, Primal Bark B3, Hunting B2, Ancestral Jaw B3
Traits: Lifepath traits: Submissive, Broken, Wanderlust, The Taint and Spirit Ears. Common Wolf traits: Crushing Jaws, Deep Fur, Great Lupine Form, Lupine Intellect, Long-Legged, Wolf's Eyes, Wolf's Snout and Woodland Ear. Special Traits: Chosen One plus Vengeful (2 pts, call-on for Begging or Brawling when taking revenge.)
Beliefs: I shall never be tortured again. Revenge is a necessity; it is natural and without it the world stops turning. My brother, White-Breather shall guide me on the path of eternity.
Instincts: Stick close to the pack. Beg for it. Primal Bark if threatened.
Description: Frost Biter is the "face" of the World Tree Pack. He's a diminutive wolf, not particularly good at the things his brothers excel at. Instead, he prides himself on his knowledge of men and the territories of other packs. When news needs to be got quietly and persuasively, Frost Biter is sent to beg and wheedle.
Frost Biter was captured as young pup and tortured by cruel men. Unaware of his true nature, the men treated him lightly. They had become so accustomed to his presence, the trappers didn't quite notice how big the Great Wolf pup became so quickly. One night, Frost Biter killed one of his captors and escaped. He burns to return to the hunter's settlement and finish that which is undone.
His brother is White Breather, a powerful and ancient member of the World Tree pack.
couldn't resist.
-L
couldn't resist.
Nice wolf.
Then my post has done its job.
Now to play the damned thing.
Nice wolf.
Then my post has done its job.
Almost. World Tree Pack has seven members...
I'd like to make White Breather (wait til you see this cheatin!), but that leaves five more, including the Dominant pair.
-L
Almost. World Tree Pack has seven members...
I'd like to make White Breather (wait til you see this cheatin!), but that leaves five more, including the Dominant pair.
-L
Fantastic.
I can't wait to see what you come up with while I try out the Monster Burner for the first time and burn up my first Great Wolf.
White Breather
Born to the Pack, Yearling, Hunter, Uncle, Lone Wolf, Wandering Lost, Dire Haunt, Ancient Journeyer, Wandering Lost, Spirit-Chaser, Spirit-Howler, Spirit Hunter
Time: 10.5 yrs
Per B6 ( 8 ), Wil B6, Agi B4, Spd B5, Pow B4, For B5
Att: Health: B6, Steel: B6, Ref: B5, Taint: B5
Skills: Howling B4, Pack Etiquette B4, Stealthy B5, Brawling B4, Hunting B4, Rearing B4, Begging B3, Territory-wise B3, Nature of All Things B6, Tongue of the Ancient One B5, Primal Bark B4, The Nature of All Things B6, Ancestral Jaw B4, Grandfather's Song B5
Traits: Special: Mark of the Ancient, Chosen One, Immortal. Lifepath traits: Submissive, Wanderlust, The Taint, Spirit Ears, Spirit Nose. Common Wolf traits: Crushing Jaws, Deep Fur, Great Lupine Form, Lupine Intellect, Long-Legged, Wolf's Eyes, Wolf's Snout and Woodland Ear. Grandfather's Song Traits: Silent Voice.
Dire Haunt Spells: Ancient Grip, Trackless Path, Howl-Caster, and Wolf-Flight.
Beliefs: Knowledge is Power. Spirits present the most pressing dange to our existence; those that deny this are fools. I will join Great Grandfather, but I must know all there is to know before I do.
Instinct: Seek knowledge, even at peril of my life. Bark Spirit Unseen if confronted with any non-pack wolves or men. Primal Bark if Spirit is scented (with Spirit Nose) or heard (with Spirit Ears).
White Breather is destined to join Great Grandfather in the Wild Hunt. He knows this, yet some burning in his skull keeps him questing after every secret and detail of this world. Part of him thinks that perhaps to know all will make him a better servant of Grandfather, and a better spirit when the time comes. Or at least he hopes that this knowledge acquired in his life will aid him in the next. He is the only one of the World Tree who understands that by fighting spirits, they take on their aspects and are doomed to become them. The irony troubles him; spirits are dangerous and unpredictable.
He is Frost Biter's eldest brother. He knows that Frost Biter was the very last pup of his mother's litters. White Breather was the first. He is pleased that his brother has been chosen by Great Grandfather to become a Spirit Hunter, but is vexed by his sibling's deep, inner rage.
-L
PS: Frost Biter should have a Taint of B3.
Moon-in-Water
Born to the Legion, Caged and Beaten, Shadow Chaser, Wayward, Lone Wolf, Last Wolf, Lone Wolf, Spirit-Chaser, Spirit-Howler
Time: 7.5 Years
Per B6 ( 8 ), Wil B6, Agi B4, Spd B5, Pow B4, For B5
Att: Health B5, Steel B9, Ref B5, Taint B3
Skills: Howling B4, Pack Etiquette, B3, Territory-wise B4, Begging B4, Pack-wise B4, Primal Bark B4, Ancestral Jaw B5, Cage-wise B3, Stealthy B5, Tracking B4, Trail-wise B4, Orc-wise B3, Scavenging B4, Intimidation B4, Foraging B4, Brawling B5, Escape Artist B4, The Way of the First Hunter B3, Hunting B3, The Nature of All Things B3
Traits: Special: Chosen One, Ghost Coat, Raven-Friend, Iron Stomach, Dreamer. Lifepath traits: Vile Language, Demented, Submissive, Tasting the Lash, Deranged, Wanderlust, Stained, Ancestral Taint, Spirit Ears. Common Wolf traits: Crushing Jaws, Deep Fur, Great Lupine Form, Lupine Intellect, Long-Legged, Wolf's Eyes, Wolf's Snout and Woodland Ear.
Beliefs: Life is pain. Freedom is the most precious of all gifts. Let them fear me, for I have seen true terror.
Instincts: If in unknown territory, use stealth. If attacked, issue the Primal Bark. If Ravens are sighted, seek their knowledge.
Moon-in-Water's life has been one of pain, terror and unrelenting savagery since his birth in the Legion. He slipped away from his vile masters in the blood, smoke and flame of a lost battle and wandered alone before attempting to join a pack that had only known freedom. But his strangeness and madness made them uneasy, and they chased him off. He wandered alone again, and befriended the Ravens, especially his companion Gloomclaw, who taught him how to follow the carrion birds to find the cast-off leavings of others. One day he was found by Frost Biter, who recognized a kindred soul that knew the terrors of the cages. He passed the test and has run with the World Tree Pack ever since.
Moon-in-Water was given his name for his compulsive habit of staring at the moon in still bodies of water, a contemplative habit that only adds to the strangeness that makes the rest of the pack uncomfortable in his presence. It is clear that something is broken within the sad wolf, and only Gloomclaw's raucous, often mocking presence seems to be able to bring Moon-in-Water out of his haunted shell if his powerful dreams slip into nightmares from his early years.
Wow! Coolio.
Are you going to make Gloomclaw? Or are you leaving him open?
-L
Wow! Coolio.
Are you going to make Gloomclaw? Or are you leaving him open?
I hadn't planned to, but I could. Unless you want to take a stab at it. ;)
P.S. Shouldn't White Breather have a B5 health, not a B6? Or am I missing something?
I used the new Health questions on page 61 of the Monster Burner:
Average: B5.
Was tortured: -1
Was wounded: -1
Is Athletic: +1
Is Immortal and immune to death from disease: +2
B6 final.
I know I'm a cheater, but I try to cheat in my own rules.
;)
-L
I used the new Health questions on page 61 of the Monster Burner:
Average: B5.
Was tortured: -1
Was wounded: -1
Is Athletic: +1
Is Immortal and immune to death from disease: +2
B6 final.
I know I'm a cheater, but I try to cheat in my own rules.
;)
Gotcha. I had a feeling it had to do with the Immortal trait. ;)
Okay, here's my take on Gloomclaw the Raven. I'm using Bird of Prey (with some alterations) from the Creature Codex (p. 307) as my template so I don't have to reinvent the wheel:
Per B3 (5), Wil B3, Agi B4, Spe B5, Pow B2, For B2
Health B2, Ref B4, MW B7, Ste B4
Skills: Battlefield-wise B3, Conspicuous B4, Eagle-wise B3, Food cache-wise B3, Forest-wise B3, Mimicry B3, Murder-wise (as in crows and ravens!) B3, Scavenging B5, Sleight-of-hand (thieving) B2, Stealthy B3, Taunting B4, Ugly Truth B4, Wolf-wise B3
Traits: Small Stature, Avian Form, Keen Sight, Feathered, Beak, Winged, Clawed Feet, Shadow Plumage (coat), Light Touch, Scavenger, Greedy, Impulsive, Iron Stomach, Raucous (call-on for Conspicuous)
Beliefs: Follow wolves to find tasty treats. Laughter is the best cure (and death cures the rest). Shiny things will help me attract the best mates.
Instincts: If it's shiny and no one is watching, steal it. If they act morose, make 'em laugh. If startled, take to the sky.
Gloomclaw loves gallows humor and uses it often. He found Moon-in-Water several years ago, when the poor, gaunt thing was trying to survive after a futile attempt to join a pack. He took pity on the wolf, attracted by its odd mixture of naive innocence, at times terrifying madness, and deep-seated pain. And a friend with big fangs doesn't hurt if you want to get the choicest chunks of carrion. While Gloomclaw often makes Moon-in-Water the straightman for his (usually) tasteless jokes, he takes an almost paternal attitude with the wolf as well.
So let me know what you think!
So let me know what you think!
Wow, the Raven rocks.
I love lupine Watership Down vibe this pack has.
Ive printed 'em out and I'm going to take 'em to the laundromat and do some work on one.
God damn! That raven kills me! Fuck that munchkin wolf I made, i want to play the raven!
-L
God damn! That raven kills me! Fuck that munchkin wolf I made, i want to play the raven!
Sweet! I love the raven too. I bet he annoys the hell out of White Breather. :twisted:
And Paka, I'm eager to see what you do with 'em, if anything.
Sweet! I love the raven too. I bet he annoys the hell out of White Breather. :twisted:
Dude, he's got no priorities! He lives only for the moment. The damned thing understands nothing but thinks he's wiser than Grandfather! Hrmph.
---
Just think, though. Gloom could use that Raucous trait to distract Breather while he's in the middle of a spell and end the WORLD!
:shock:
heh.
-L
Dude, he's got no priorities! He lives only for the moment. The damned thing understands nothing but thinks he's wiser than Grandfather! Hrmph.
---
Just think, though. Gloom could use that Raucous trait to distract Breather while he's in the middle of a spell and end the WORLD!
:shock:
Ha! I love it! I had figured he'd use it to distract enemies. But if Breather destroyed the world? Well, it was good while it lasted. Pity about all the mates who wouldn't have a chance with him though. :lol:
Concept: Wolf born and raised to hunt run-away sinners who have escaped from Hell.
Character Name: Hellborn
Hellborn escaped from the demons who whipped him while he and his pack, sons and daughters of Cerebus, tracked escaped souls along the Styx. He made his way across the Styx with Infernal Bitch, a mange-ridden mutt who betrayed her master and was condemned to hell for it.
Together they made their way up from the underworld, sneaking past the great three-headed beast Hellborn was descended from. They roamed the lands outside of Hades, hunting for food for the first time, rather than hunting fugitive damned souls while being ridden by imps.
Hellborn didn't realize how inensely he missed pack life and how inadequate his companionship with Infernal Bitch was until he met the World Tree Pack and begged his way into their pack, working his way up from Last Wolf to be a respected and valued member of the pack.
Along with Howls at the Twilight, the pack looks to Hellborn as one of their alphas due to his calm during times of tooth and claw and his single-minded determination. Infernal Bitch insists that the pack will betray him and that he has become a pompous fool since becoming one of the Alphas.
Lifepaths: Born Legion -> Shadow-Chaser -> Wayward -> Lone Wolf -> Last Wolf -> Hunter -> Dominant
Age: 9
Stats: Pe: B3 (5) Wi: B6 Ag: B5 Sp: B4 Po: B4 Fo: B4
Attributes: Re: B4 Ste: G8 (born and raised in HELL) He: B5 MW: B10 Hesitation: 4 Resources: World Tree Pack 15, Infernal Bitch 3
Skills: Howling B3, Stealthy B5, Tracking B3, Trail-Wise B4, Demon-Wise B4, Scavenging B2, Intimidate B4, Hunting B3, Brawl B3, Escape B2, Pack-Wise B2, Pack Ettiquette B2, Command B4, Scent-Wise B2
Traits: Vile Language, Submissive, Taste of the Lash, Wanderlust, Stained, Dominant, Commanding Aura, Haunted (souls that escaped with him and I.B.), Inspiring
Beliefs:
- Could be worse, could be in Hell
- Sinners want to be punished just as prey wants to be eaten
- I was not born into this pack and must be wary of my place in it.
Instincts:
- If betrayed, no mercy.
- If questioned, growl an explanation before resorting to the jaws.
- Always sniff the trail for signs of demons.
Oh ho! So our Dominant's not a spirit hunter! it seems he truly needs his pack.
I know you're looking at Orcs as demons, I just think it's interesting how we all interpret your hooks slightly differently. Which is a good thing!
-L
Tomorrow morning I head out to a gamer-heavy wedding weekend extravaganza and who knows, there might be some gaming.
I've printed out this thread as a possible game to run.
We'll see.
I'd love to burn up Howls at Twilight but I just don't have time.
Thanks for the contributions to this thread, Thor and Luke, this kind of collaboration is what gaming and forums are all about.
Viper
10-01-2004, 02:30 AM
Better late than never...
Every pack has it's alpha, every pack has it's omega, and this scenario needs a little conflict.
Bale Eye
Born to the alpha's of the pack, the great wolf seemed to smile on Bale Eye, for his entire life, good fortune followed him. Always, he found game, always he brought the pack honor in disputes with others. In time, he rose to dominance, and lead the pack to many great hunting grounds, and on several spirited adventures.
All that changed the day Hellborn came into the pack. Against his better judgement, Bale Eye let Hellborn into the pack, though the newcomer made him feel uneasy- perhaps it was the taint of his origins, perhaps it was his own mate, Howls at the Twilights obvious affection for him.
Bale eye did his best to keep the newcomer down, but to his dismay Hellborn grew ever more popular amongst the pack members. Perhaps it was this growing distraction that led to Bale Eye's greatest mistake as leader.
Desperate to show the pack that they could accomplish anything under his leadership, he drove the pack across the frozen wastes of Utgard, beyond which lied the fabled halls of the All-father, a god of men whose power was so grand it had even reached the ears of the wolves. Bale Eye planned to poach the All-father's flocks, said to be the finest in all creation, but it was not to be.
For weeks the pack rushed across the waste, through blinding snow and freezing rain, and still they did not glimpe the fabled fields of the all-father's demense. Game was scarce, and at last the pack would go no further. The time for argument was past, and Hellborn challenged Bale Eye for control of the pack.
Exhausted himself, Bale Eye fought as best he could, but the gods were with Hellborn that day, perhaps even the all-father himself. Hellborn fought as if a demon itself were at his back, and he tore into Bale Eye's muzzle, taking the alpha's right eye from it's socket.
Triumphant, Hellborn led the pack from the cold waste, and Bale Eye followed behind, reduced to begging for meat and ministrations to his wounds.
Bale Eye has led the last year in constant turmoil. It chafes him to no end to be last wolf, only a shade better than outsider, and yet he has never known anything but life among the pack. In truth, the path of the outcast terrifies him. He divides his time between contemplating running off to find a new pack and plotting against Hellborn. He spies upon Hellborn at every opportunity, and believes he has found a potential ally in Infernal Bitch. Now if only he could find out more about these demons that Hellborn fears so...
Bale Eye
Born to the pack, yearling, hunter, uncle, dominant, dominant, last wolf
Time:7 Years
Per B6, Wil B4, Agi B5, Spd B5, Pow 6, For B5
Att: Health B5, Steel B7, Ref B5
Skills: Pack ettiquette B6, Stealth B5, hunting B5, Foraging, B5, Brawling B6, Scent, B5, Begging, B4, Intimidation B6, Command B4, Rearing B3
Man-wise B2
Traits: Submissive, Missing Eye, Fearsome Beast, Bitter, Proud, Cold-blooded
Beliefs: The fates are cruel, Hellborn is unworthy to lead the pack, I will use any advantage, ally with anyone to regain my position
Instincts: Go for the throat; show no mercy to opponents, try to intimidate others before dealing with them, Bide your time; a rushed plot often fails
Resources: World tree pack 15, Infernal Bitch 3
We better get some females in the pack stat, or...well, figure out what Bale Eye looks like in a dress. :twisted:
Viper
10-02-2004, 11:51 PM
r...well, figure out what Bale Eye looks like in a dress. :twisted:
Now that's just mean... :lol:
We better get some females in the pack stat, or...well, figure out what Bale Eye looks like in a dress. :twisted:
The two other PC's I was going to make up was the other Alpha, Howls at the Twilight and her mother, the former Alpha who is now an elder.
Turns out there just wasn't time to game this weekend but its nice to have a pack ready-made, ready to roll.
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