Grogs

Then, probably better way is to have them as bland and generic as possible.
One problem I have with these grogs is that their v/f "talk" to me, which isn't good for generic characters, as it may take the focus away from the ones we want to focus on.

=> Maybe have something like this (yes, I'm deliberately having them globaly weaker than PC grogs):

  • Useful stat A @2, useful stat B and C@1, all other stats @0
  • Main skill @5, secondary skill @4, related skills @2, all other general skills @1.
  • No special v/f

So, A warrior?
Strength 2, dex 1, Sta 1
Great weapon 5, bows 4, all weapons, brawl, leadership, awareness 2, rest @1

Another warrior?
Dex 2, str1, quick 1
Single weapon 5, awareness 4, all weapons and brawl 2, rest @1

A crafter?
Dex 1, int 1, Com 1
Craft 5, bargain 4, social skills 2, rest @1

It can even be more abstracted, such as
1 Main stat + skill 7
4 secondary stats + skills 5
all other stat + skills 2
This may include supernatural stats, such as SS, although I would keep these the more mundane possible, leaving special attributes to PC grogs if possible

Whereas that is exactly what I'm looking for from a grog generator -- something that creates a memorable character through randomness while still producing generically useful characters.

Daniel, in the above group of grogs, is the perfect example of this.

Virtues/Flaws:
Great Strength, Affinity with Sword, Puissant Stealth
Covenant Upbringing, Continence, Outcast

That's enough for me to hand to a player not involved in the thread and have them not get bored playing a 2ndary character. There are a few decisions left to make which are definitively colored by the player (imagine the choices that Peregrine, you or I would make to explain why he's an Outcast), but the heavy lifting has been done for us.

Chastity, Forge Companion, Age 36
(Silversmith Specialist 8),
Other Notable skills: Carouse, Guile, Bargain(drinks)

Virtues:
Faerie Blood (Dwarf), minor supernatural
__
__

Flaws:
Disfigured, minor, General
Lecherous, minor, personality
Small Frame, minor general

and her daughter, Patience, age 6
Virtues:
Faerie Blood (Dwarf), major supernatural

Flaws:
Small Frame, minor general
__
__

Chastity is Viscaria's forge companion. She's built like a dwarf, with a face like a mining accident. When not in the forge, she's usually somewhere near a bottle -- hoping to find someone who'll get drunk enough to ignore her face long enough to make her feel like a woman.

Her daughter, Patience, was born of one such night of drunken escapism. Chastity barely counts as a mother. Viscaria is at least a strict master craftsman who treats Patience like an apprentice craftsman. Vin Diesel has a secret soft spot for the kid, and has been teaching her how to handle a blade and use her Second Sight -- when no one is looking. Sad to say, but Vin is the closest thing she has to a parent right now.

Submitted for your consideration - anything that he should have, or shouldn't have, or whatever, to make him fit the role will be considered. Cut-and-paste from my Metacreator .rtf file. Current as to Fall, 1223, when he may be needed in the Danced with the Devil thread.

Henri
Covenant: Mons Electi
Saga: In the Ruins of Bibracte
Characteristics: Int +1, Per +1, Pre +2, Com +2, Str 0, Sta 0, Dex 0, Qik -1
Size: 0
Age: 25 (25), Height: 4'11'', Weight: 121 lbs, Gender: Male
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Virtues and Flaws: Educated (50/50), Privileged Upbringing (50/50), Covenfolk, Fragile Constitution (Healing: -3), Busybody
Combat:
Dodge: Init: -1, Attack --, Defense -1, Damage --
Fist: Init: -1, Attack +0, Defense -1, Damage +0
Kick: Init: -2, Attack +0, Defense -2, Damage +3
Soak: 0
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Area Lore: Bibracte 3 (Politics), Area Lore: Mons Electi 4 (Magi), Artes Liberales 2, Autocrat 4, Awareness 2, Bargain 1, Charm 2, Etiquette 2 (10), Folk Ken 4, French 5, Greek 4, Guile 2 (5), Intrigue 2, Latin 5, Order of Hermes Lore 3
Equipment:
Encumbrance: 0 (0)

[size=125]Falko[/size]

After scurrying from town to town for a while in Flanders, usually on the advice of local constables who had him pegged as a troublemaker, Falko befriended a strange fellow named Marcus (although the unfortunate details of their first meeting are best left forgotten). Marcus found it satisfying to have someone around who can not only guard his person but actually get the drop on him occasionally in friendly competition. For his part, Falko was fascinated by the pyrotechnics that Marcus can produce, and has composed several descriptive ditties about them, if you'd care to listen.

Gender: Male
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 142 lbs
Birth year: 1198
Age: 25
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Handedness: Left

Characteristics: Int 0, Sta +2, Str +2, Dex +1, Qik +4, Com 0, Prs 0, Per -3
Size: 0

Personality Traits: Loyal +3, Brave +3, Jolly +2, Enjoys Fire +3
Virtues: Covenfolk; Great Quickness, Tough
Flaws: Compulsion (singing, especially when under stress), Judged Unfairly

Combat
Equipment: Great sword, partial leather scale, gauntlets
Soak: +8
Great sword: Init +6, Attack +12, Defense +12, Damage +11
Dodge: Init +4, Defense +7
Gauntlet: Init +4, Attack +5, Defense +9, Damage +4
Fist: Init +4, Attack +4, Defense +7, Damage +2
Kick: Init +3, Attack +4, Defense +6, Damage +5
Encumbrance: 0

Abilities
Athletics 3 (running)
Awareness 3 (threats against magi)
Brawl 3 (gauntlet)
Carouse 2 (drinking songs)
Charm 1 (first impressions)
Concentration 3 (defending)
Folk Ken 2 (first impressions)
Great Weapon 5 (great sword)
Guile 1 (quick lies)
Latin 3 (taking orders)
Low German 5 (Flemish)
Music 1 (singing)
Stealth 3 (quickly)
Survival 3 (building fires)
Swim 2 (quickly)

(Edited xp in Abilities, to bring Great Weapon down to 5, and combat stats.)

[size=125]Jehanne[/size]

When you visit a village of mundanes and learn of a teenage boy whom all the villagers shun and feel uncomfortable around, and the boy says he feels like he hasn't realized his true nature yet ... you grab him back to the covenant and test him for the Gift, right? Well, sometimes that boy is just bereft of social skills. At least Mons Electi is a marginally better environment for him to express his preference for women's attire; quite a few covenfolk don't actually realize that Jehanne the large tactless woman is the same person as Jehannot the conventionally dressed warrior. Everyone in the turb knows Jehanne's open secret, and while they are suitably revolted by it, they've learned that bringing it up around Jehanne is a great way to get on the losing end of a painful wrestling march.

Gender: Male
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 177 lbs
Birth year: 1198
Age: 25
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Handedness: Right

Characteristics: Int +1, Sta +1, Str +4, Dex +2, Qik 0, Com -1, Prs -2, Per +2
Size: 0

Personality Traits: Loyal +3, Brave +3, Tactless +2
Virtues: Covenfolk; Great Strength, Improved Characteristics
Flaws: Ability Block (reading people)[sup]1[/sup], Transvestite

[sup]1[/sup] Jehanne cannot put experience points into Bargain, Charm, Folk Ken, Guile, Intrigue, Leadership, or Teaching.

Combat
Equipment: Mace and chain, full chain mail, heater shield
Soak: +10
Mace and chain, with heater shield: Init +2, Attack +11, Defense +9, Damage +11
Mace and chain, without heater shield: Init +2, Attack +11, Defense +6, Damage +11
Dodge: Init +0, Defense +4
Fist: Init +0, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +4
Kick: Init -1, Attack +6, Defense +3, Damage +7
Encumbrance: 0

Abilities
Area Lore: Burgundy 2 (hidden places)
Animal Handling 2 (judging moods)
Athletics 4 (strength)
Awareness 3 (bodyguarding)
Brawl 4 (grappling)
Carouse 2 (chugging)
Concentration 2 (keeping watch)
Etiquette 2 (magi)
French 5 (Bourguignon)
Hunt 2 (large animals)
Latin 2 (bodyguarding)
Single Weapon 5 (mace and chain)
Stealth 1 (hiding)
Survival 3 (judging the land)

(Edited xp in Abilities, to bring Single Weapon down to 5, and combat stats.)

Quick glance: Weapon skills are too high. At chargen, no ability can have (aside from affinity) a level above age/5.

Ah, we're going out. Have a nice WE, people! :smiley:

Ah, good point Fixer, thanks. I've edited the characters.
Have a good weekend too. I'll be dancing tonight :smiley:

Great, hope you had fun! :smiley:

I was at my best friend home, we were seeing each other one laft time before he heads for japan, I am jealous :laughing:

But back on topic: I said I wanted to create a grog advisor for Isen, and here she is:

Adeline, Isen's Mistress and Advisor
Year 1228
Covenant: Mons Electi
Characteristics: Int +2, Per 1, Pre +2, Com +2, Str -2, Sta -1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 23 (23), Height: 168 cm, Weight: 60 kg, Gender: Female
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Virtues and Flaws: Arcane Abilities, Custos, Puissant Leadership, Puissant Order of Hermes Lore, Covenant Upbringing, Fragile Constitution (Healing: -3), Unlucky
Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Loyal to Isen +3, Loyal to Mons Electi +2, Manipulative +1
Combat:
Dodge: Init: +0, Attack --, Defense +0, Damage --
Fist: Init: +0, Attack -1, Defense +0, Damage -1
Kick: Init: -1, Attack -1, Defense -1, Damage +2
Soak: -1
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20), Dead (21+)
Abilities: Area Lore: Mons Electi 2 (personalities), Area Lore: Normandy Tribunal 1 (geography), Athletics 2 (grace), Awareness 2 (alertness), Charm 2 (grogs), Code of Hermes 1 (political intrigue), Dominion Lore 1, Etiquette 3 (Magi), Faerie Lore 1 (faerie forests), Finesse 1 (Terram), Folk Ken 3 (magi), French 5 (Norman), Guile 2 (fast talk), Infernal Lore 1 (demons), Intrigue 3 (alliances), Latin 4 (academic usage), Leadership 3+2 (Agents), Magic Lore 1 (magical traditions), Order of Hermes Lore 3+2 (personalities), Profession: Handmaiden 1 (Magi)
Equipment:
Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Born and raised in Mons Electi, Adeline is a bright, ambitious young woman, who always got her way through a combination of charm and manipulation, managing to put herself in good places and to avoid most chores. She didn't want to be a common maiden, and did everything she could to climb up the covenant social ladder and be put in service of the magi, despite her poor skill as a handmaiden, something she did not intend to stay all her life.
Once there, she managed to seduce Isen and attach herself to her service, not by her cleaning skills, but by interesting herself to all these things that were bothersome and incomprehensible to him, such as politics and social graces. Despite this, she feels genuine loyalty to Isen as he gave her her chance to prove herself, and always treated her well and respectfully.
It's been 5 years since (she did this in 1223), and she is slowly becoming more and more indispensable to Isen. She has increased her knowledge of hermetic and supernatural matters, established a tentative spy network, and plans to become his mouthpiece and figurehead in all social and political matters. Knowing his plans for mundanes, she also wants to prove more useful on supernatural matters and has managed to grasp the basics of Finesse, so that she may prove also useful on that point. The goal being to prove herself at the very least useful to him on all matters, so as to further secure her position.
Her ambitions doesn't stop there, though. She had always wondered about the magi's longevity, and, since she learned of Longevity Rituals, she has begun pressuring Isen to get one, arguing that it would help him secure her services for a long time. The sooner, the better, as she intends to keep her good looks. Since she recognizes that she can also be replaced by a more cunning and experimented advisor, she is also considering trying to marry him, but she hasn't even begun trying to push this up, since she fears this might be going too far. Yet.
As for Isen, he is slightly aware of Adeline's ambitious nature, although not of its extend, but he doesn't care much. She is quite useful to him, discharging him more and more of much bothersome matters, is great in the bed, and, well, he likes her.

Edit: Shifted her stats to make her more efficient at finesse

[size=125]Blanche[/size]

Blanche is a bit of an unusual individual. Nobody knows where she grew up, or under what circumstances, but she has almost never been known to talk, and her speech sounds more like the brute's call than a human tongue. While perfectly capable of carrying out the tasks of her craft, it took her many months before she understood that the name Blanche (bestowed upon her by the others in exasperation) referred to her. Fortunately, she is solidly built and can secure even the largest ram sheep for shearing without aid; since she causes little trouble, the other woolworkers are accepting of her, if not understanding. Blanche is rarely found awake before noon and seldom returns to her dwelling before the darkest hour of night, adding fuel to the unverifiable stories invented about her.

Gender: Female
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 140 lbs
Birth year: 1202
Age: 21
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Handedness: Right

Characteristics: Int 0, Sta +1, Str +3, Dex +2, Qik +1, Com -2, Prs -1, Per +2
Size: 0
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0

Personality Traits: Loyal +1, Reserved +3, Unrefined +3
Virtues: Covenfolk; Improved Characteristics, Reserves of Strength
Flaws: Feral Upbringing, Nocturnal

Combat
Soak: +1
Thrown stone: Initiative +1, Attack +7, Defense +5, Damage +5
Dodge: Initiative +1, Defense +5
Fist: Initiative +1, Attack +7, Defense +6, Damage +3
Kick: Initiative 0, Attack +6, Defense +4, Damage +6
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)

Abilities
Area Lore: Bourgogne 4 (wildlife)
French 1 (woolworking)
Athletics 3 (acrobatics)
Awareness 4 (predators)
Brawl 4 (fist)
Craft: Wool 3 (weaving)
Folk Ken 1 (covenfolk)
Hunt 3 (by throwing stones)
Stealth 2 (while hunting)
Survival 4 (places to sleep)
Swim 2 (strong currents)
Thrown Weapon 3 (stone)

Note: The Feral Upbringing flaw says that Blanche can't start with a score in a language; but I'd like to think that if she's been around Mons Electi long enough to be a better-than-average woolworker (say 5 years), she would have at least picked up a tiny bit of French.

Serf's parma, I believe there was a bit somewhere about this. Like it meant you couldn't have some childhood abilities (including languages), but could take them afterwards, like you did.
I could be entirely wrong, though :blush:

The flaw description says "Now that you have joined human society...you have learned to understand some basic spoken phrases. ... You may only choose beginning Abilities that you could have learned in the wilds. In particular, you may not start with a score in a Language." It then gives you 120 xp for your first 5 years of life (rather than the standard 45) to spend between select Abilities.

I would interpret that as you don't get the free score of 5 in your Native Language, but you can spend your later childhood/adulthood points for Languages. Don't know that I'd allow a score higher than 3 or 4, though. And I definitely would need a lot of convincing to allow a magus with Feral Upbringing.

Just for grins, I tried Feral Upbringing with MetaCreator, and I got a requirement message saying "No languages are free with Feral Upbringing." But it does allow me to buy English afterward.

oooer! I forgot that those 75 xp not spent on a native language can be put into other Abilities!
Shopping spree at Bargain Brawl and Beyond....

What 75 xp? You get your Native Language at Level 5 for free. edit - nevermind...I just realized that 75 + 45 = 120. :blush:

What is her relationship with Theraphosa and her growing web of intrigue?

Theraphosa has a big advantage. She isn't human. So this lessens considerably the potential for jealousy and rivalry, especially since Adeline still relies quite a lot on Charm and Guile.

Adeline is concerned by her own position in the social ladder, Isen's fortunes (since the has linked her fate to his), and the survival of Mons Electi (Home, sweet home). I don't see Thera menacing the first 2 things, and they can certainly agree on the third.
=> Either their goals differ so much they don't have a competition, or they have the same goals and methods.
=> As it is, I can see the 2 conspiring together and discussing gleefully what they might do to help Mons Electi, and how to interpret various events.

Whereas Theraphosa is relying on Guile and Intrigue, possibly coupled with Stealth/Awareness.

Theraphosa is mostly concerned with possession. She wants to know what's going on around her. I like the idea of Adeline and Theraphosa working together, since most of the intrigue rules suggest getting people to do things against their will. The notion of politically ambitious people working with each other because they both understand the game is more appealing.

For everyone's feedback.

[size=125]Gaston Lainnier[/size]

Gaston Lainnier, husband of Eloise and father of Guilheum, is a fine specimen - firm of frame, shrewd at barter and knowledgeable of the local economy, and skillful enough with an axe should it come to that. Like his wife, his opinion of his abilities are even a bit higher than warranted, and he rarely foresees failure for himself in any endeavor. One would think that he would be happily content with his lot in life, that he would not have any reason to chase after every girl in town when Eloise's attention is turned elsewhere. One would, sadly, be incorrect on this score.

Gender: Male
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 192 lbs
Birth year: 1189
Age: 34
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
Handedness: Left

Characteristics: Int +1, Sta 0, Str +1, Dex -1, Qik -2, Com +3, Prs +2, Per 0
Size: 0
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0

Personality Traits: Loyal (to covenant) +2, Loyal (to Eloise) -1, Self-Assured +3, Assertive +3
Virtues: Covenfolk; Warrior, Well-Traveled
Flaws: Lecherous, Overconfident

Combat
Equipment: Two throwing axes, heavy leather
Soak: +2
Throwing axe: Initiative -3, Attack +5, Defense +2, Damage +7 (Range: 5)
Hatchet: Initiative -3, Attack +5, Defense +1, Damage +5
Dodge: Initiative -3, Defense +1
Fist: Initiative -3, Attack +2, Defense +1, Damage +1
Kick: Initiative -4, Attack +2, Defense 0, Damage +4
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Encumbrance: 1

Abilities
Area Lore: Bourgogne 5 (commerce)
Area Lore: Auvergne 3 (commerce)
Area Lore: Champagne 2 (commerce)
Athletics 2 (leverage)
Awareness 3 (available women)
Bargain 6 (wool)
Brawl 3 (grappling)
Carouse 2 (impressing others)
Charm 3 (available women)
Craft: Wool 3 (sturdy tailoring)
Etiquette 2 (sexual dynamics)
Folk Ken 3 (available women)
French 5 (Bourguignon)
Guile 3 (affairs)
Hunt 3 (closing on the quarry)
Intrigue 2 (planning affairs)
Leadership 2 (trade)
Single Weapon 2 (hatchet)
Stealth 1 (urban areas)
Survival 2 (near cities)
Thrown Weapon 3 (5) (axe)

Also for your feedback. Easier to make than most characters!

[size=125]Guilheum Gastoneau[/size]

Guilheum Gastoneau is the ten-year-old son of Eloise and Gaston, and if ever a boy failed to make a princely impression in his first decade, it would be he. So unassertive that people often forget his presence even when working with him on tasks, Guilheum also suffers from a wandering mind that causes him to be easily distracted. At such times he has been apprehended with a long twig in his hands, dirt under his nails from digging into a small underground spring or even discovering a lost metal trinket. Uncannily, he tends to arrive in the kitchens the minute before the hot bread is pulled from the oven, or at the front gates just as an intriguing visitor arrives at Mons Electi; the other children complain that he always knows exactly when to move from one spot to the next during their hide-and-seeks.

Gender: Male
Height: 4'7"
Weight: 74 lbs
Birth year: 1213
Age: 10
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Handedness: Right

Characteristics[sup]*[/sup]: Int -2, Sta -1, Str -1, Dex 0, Qik 0, Com -3, Prs -6, Per +1
Size: -1
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0

[sup]*[/sup] All characteristics include a -2 modifier due to his age.

Personality Traits: Loyal +1, Withdrawn +3, Unpredictable +2
Virtues: Covenfolk; Dowsing, Intuition
Flaws: Poor Presence, Short Attention Span

Combat
Soak: -1
Dodge: Initiative 0, Defense 0
Fist: Initiative 0, Attack +3, Defense +3, Damage -1
Kick: Initiative -1, Attack +2, Defense +1, Damage +2
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-4), -3 (5-8), -5 (9-12), Incapacitated (13-16)

Abilities
Area Lore: Bourgogne 3 (back ways)
Athletics 2 (jumping)
Awareness 2 (things on/in ground)
Brawl 2 (fist)
Craft: Wool 2 (quick tasks)
Etiquette 1 (sitting still)
French 5 (Bourguignon)
Stealth 1 (dowsing)
Survival 2 (back ways)
Swim 2 (holding breath)