{"id":234,"date":"2010-08-30T18:49:18","date_gmt":"2010-08-31T01:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/?p=234"},"modified":"2010-08-30T18:49:18","modified_gmt":"2010-08-31T01:49:18","slug":"the-dresden-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/2010\/08\/30\/the-dresden-files\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dresden Files"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello Lodgers,<\/p>\n

August is here and it’s record-breaking cool here. I took a slight break to read up on The Dresden Files<\/a> by Evil Hat Productions.<\/p>\n

Technically this isn’t a review. Oh, I could go on and on about the books and their appearance. (Gorgeous.) Or, I could mention the price. (Reasonable but ouch.) The layout is clean and so on. But, I imagine that these things have been noted numerous times elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Instead I will travel into uncharted waters: experiments in system and exploration of the outer range of what can be. Some of which, hopefully, will be of interest to those looking for inspiration.<\/p>\n

The rules lay out some \u201ctemplates\u201d for characterization, all of which are taken from the series of books from which the game takes its name.<\/p>\n

It is implicit in the text that these templates are guidelines. While these templates do speed up character creation, the section on powers and stunts is clearly filled with abilities not intended for use with many of these templates. Many are intended for the creation of unique character types, both player and non-player.<\/p>\n

Here is where I come in. What follows is a series of PCs and NPCs for use in my campaign. I freely admit that I departed from the world building slightly.<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Labrador Coast<\/em> http:\/\/www.tarabryan.com\/lamour\/index.html<\/a>,\u00a0http:\/\/www.ourlabrador.ca\/member.php?id=46<\/a><\/p>\n

A complex political landscape of both mortal and supernatural influences. The Labrador Coast is largely a collection of small fishing villages connected by waterways, and plied by aging barges and water taxis piloted by French-speaking descendants of the native Mikmaq peoples and the European fishermen.<\/p>\n

L’Anse Amour<\/span><\/p>\n

Centuries ago the first humans came to a small cove and buried a child. Something old resides there. Old even then, it made a pact with these travelers: peace and protection in exchange for their cooperation in some ancient, little understood, task. Thus was the first of the Mad Blades created to act as a supernatural sheriff. That Which Sleeps empowered its agent with a blade of whispering madness as their symbol of office.<\/p>\n

There is a price to take up the Mad Blade. Those who drowned in the cove are given The Choice. They may take up the Blade and live, or pass on to their final reward. But those who take up the Blade are Its servants and they are doomed. There will be no reward for them, no promised afterlife. They will remain and sleep with the creature at the bottom of the cove. Forever their souls will be kept in a crude stone urn and their voices will be added to the mad whispers of the blade until the Mikmaq Armageddon is achieved at the end of the world and all things.<\/p>\n

The current Mad Blade: Mike Sontag<\/p>\n

High Concept: Wielder of the Mad Blade<\/p>\n

Trouble: Doomed and he knows it<\/p>\n

Phase 1 : Born oceangoing trailer trash<\/p>\n

Phase 2 : Gambling is in my blood. My blood is on the floor?<\/p>\n

Phase 3 : Bargains \u2013 Time to stop treading water<\/p>\n

Mike made a terrible mistake. An illegal offshore gambling operation decides to write off his debt by drowning him and making off with his sister. That Which Sleeps offers him The Choice.<\/p>\n

Phase 4 : Tunnel duelist<\/p>\n

Trouble with rebel Boglins at the Gnomish Collective results in Mike dueling a Boglin work \tboss.<\/p>\n

Phase 5 : No time for rules<\/p>\n

As the representative of That Which Sleeps, Mike must negotiate a peace between the Eagle \tpeople and a human settlement. Mike is forced to break the peace when he discovers a black \tcourt vampire destabilizing the area, while his new friend Drale, Prince of Thunder, struggles to \thold back his people from a murderous rampage.<\/p>\n

Stunts:<\/p>\n

Marked by Power (-1)<\/p>\n

The Shadowed Gladius (+1)<\/p>\n

Cloak of Shadow (-1)<\/p>\n

Inhuman Strength (-2)<\/p>\n

Supernatural Recovery (-4)<\/p>\n

The Catch: Bright Sunlight (+3)<\/p>\n

Refresh 4 remain from 8<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are several power players in the area. All of them are delicately balanced against each other. Each of them plays some mysterious part in That Which Sleeps’ plans. Of particular interest to the conspiracy theorist is the large number of rare werecreatures to be found living around the lake of That Which Sleeps.<\/p>\n

These are the groups:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Thunder’s Aerie \u2013 The descendants of were eagles. Once each generation, a prince is born with the powers \tof the Thunderbird. This youth is then raised to lead the band’s war \tparties. All day-to-day decisions are made by a council of elders.<\/li>\n
  2. Spider Clan \u2013 Were wolf spiders, \targuably the most powerful of factions. They are also the least \torganized. A coalition of family heads (male and female) leads the \tclan. Spider Clan places great importance on the safety and well-being of their mortal neighbors. Next to the Lich, they are the most \tactive in hunting vampire threats.<\/li>\n
  3. Abbey of St. Valentine \u2013 A \tChristian-based cult. The abbey takes in young women on a volunteer \tbasis, usually from poor families. These girls must be extraordinary \tyoung women to be accepted. They then spend a year of toil for the \tabbey before they are inducted into the inner mysteries of the \torder. The ritual involves the ingestion of a very rare honey. At \tthat point the young woman becomes a worker for the queen of the \tcolony. The Queen is a particularly powerful were wasp. When the \tcolony has grown large enough, the queen will choose her most \tpromising worker and make a queen of her before sending her out into \tthe world to start a new colony elsewhere.<\/li>\n
  4. Gnome Collective \u2013 A freehold of \tgnome misfits from the isle of Jamaica. They call the tunnels \tbeneath several human towns home. They run the Gnome Bazaar. The \tGnome Militias protect their territories from the influences of \tSummer and Winter as well as anything that would prey on the human \tpopulace. There is a strange connection between the Gnome Collective \tand the Erl King in the form of Militia Hunter teams.<\/li>\n
  5. The Lich \u2013 On the furthermost \tnorth island is a large, comfortably appointed mansion. The \tcreatures within pose as eclectic scholars entertaining visitors \tfrom around the world with discussions of philosophy. These are the \tundying servants of the Lich, a wizard of ancient origin. The Lich \tis a freehold lord and thus governed by the accords. The White \tcouncil takes a dim view of this creature but has more pressing \tmatters to deal with. Perhaps one day, they will send a team to \tdestroy it, but currently it is far too useful as an ally. It has a \tterrifying hatred of vampires. It has sent aid to several beleaguered \twarden teams in the form of mage hunters, a form of undead it \tcreates from volunteers who have taken up \u201cThe Debt.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Example characters:<\/p>\n

    Drale, Were Eagle Prince<\/em><\/p>\n

    High Concept: Were Eagle, Prince of Storms<\/p>\n

    Trouble: Noblesse Oblige<\/p>\n

    Phase 1 : The young rain caller<\/p>\n

    Phase 2 : Run! Logger scum!<\/p>\n

    Phase 3 : Thunder Bird Descendant<\/p>\n

    Drale learns to lead his people and to dislike loggers.<\/p>\n

    Phase 4 : Mike story: Storm’s Unquenchable Fury<\/p>\n

    Rescuing a swimmer leads to a fight on an oceangoing casino.<\/p>\n

    Phase 5 : Haley’s story: Why did it have to be underground?<\/p>\n

    Drale learns he has an inherited fear of being underground as he assists Haley in rescuing some \tchildren from smugglers.<\/p>\n

    Stunts:<\/p>\n

    Beast Change (-1) Really Big Eagle<\/p>\n

    Human Form (+1)<\/p>\n

    Claws (-1)<\/p>\n

    Wings (-1)<\/p>\n

    Modular Abilities (-4) (choose one at a time: Huge, Diminutive, Breathe Lightning, Inhuman Strength, Toughness, or Recovery)<\/p>\n

    Echoes of the Beast (-1) (Vision)<\/p>\n

    Refresh 1 remain from 8<\/p>\n

    Human \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Bird<\/p>\n

    Superb: Presence, Might \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Superb: Fists, Athletics<\/p>\n

    Great: Alertness, Discipline\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Great: Alertness, Weapons<\/p>\n

    Good: Endurance, Athletics\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Good: Might, Discipline<\/p>\n

    Fair: Fists, Stealth \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\t\t\tFair: Presence, Stealth<\/p>\n

    Average: Weapons, Intimidation \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\tAverage: Endurance, Intimidation<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Spider Clan Hunter (Were Spider Master Hunter)<\/em><\/p>\n

    High Concept: Were Wolf Spider, Clan Hunter<\/p>\n

    Trouble: Strange Family<\/p>\n

    Phase 1 : Back Woods Scholar<\/p>\n

    Phase 2 : 1st<\/sup> to College<\/p>\n

    Phase 3 : Feuding with the Queen Bee<\/p>\n

    Phase 4 : Night Stalker for the Eagle Prince<\/p>\n

    Phase 5 : Tunnel Homes<\/p>\n

    Stunts:<\/p>\n

    Beast Change (-1) Huge Wolf Spider<\/p>\n

    Human Form (+1)<\/p>\n

    Fangs (-2) [Poisoned]<\/p>\n

    Spider Climb (-1)<\/p>\n

    Supernatural Toughness (-4)<\/p>\n

    Catch (Obsidian Weapons) (+3 Common, research)<\/p>\n

    Refresh 3 remain from 8<\/p>\n

    Human\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Spider<\/p>\n

    Superb: Survival, Stealth\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Superb: Fists, Endurance<\/p>\n

    Great: Alertness, Guns\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Great: Alertness, Athletics<\/p>\n

    Good: Intimidation, Fists\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Good: Intimidation, Stealth<\/p>\n

    Fair: Athletics, Discipline\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Fair: Discipline, Survival<\/p>\n

    Average: Driving, Endurance\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Average: Driving, Guns<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    The Abbess (Were Wasp)<\/em><\/p>\n

    High Concept: Were Wasp Queen<\/p>\n

    Trouble: Territorial Matriarchy<\/p>\n

    Phase 1 : Abbey Obligations<\/p>\n

    Phase 2 : Pact with That Which Sleeps<\/p>\n

    Phase 3 : Drone Shortage<\/p>\n

    Phase 4 : Cold War with Were Spiders<\/p>\n

    Phase 5 : Ethereal European Beauty<\/p>\n

    Stunts:<\/p>\n

    Beast Change (-1) Giant Wasp<\/p>\n

    Human Form (+1)<\/p>\n

    Claws (-1) (Stinger)<\/p>\n

    Wings (-1)<\/p>\n

    Addictive Saliva (Honey) (-1)<\/p>\n

    Inhuman Speed (-2)<\/p>\n

    Channeling [Kinetics] (-2)<\/p>\n

    Refresh 1 remain from 8<\/p>\n

    Human\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Wasp<\/p>\n

    Superb: Discipline, Resources\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Superb: Fists, Alertness<\/p>\n

    Great: Deceit, Alertness\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Great: Athletics, Discipline<\/p>\n

    Good: Lore, Presence\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Good: Endurance, Presence<\/p>\n

    Fair: Empathy, Endurance\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Fair: Empathy, Lore<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Afer-Zuul (Undead Mage Hunter)<\/em><\/p>\n

    High Concept: Undead Mage Hunter<\/p>\n

    Trouble: Beholden to the Lich<\/p>\n

    Phase 1 : Beautiful Dead<\/p>\n

    Phase 2 : Runic Tattoos<\/p>\n

    Phase 3 : Merciless Hunter<\/p>\n

    Phase 4 : Soft Spot for the Young<\/p>\n

    Phase 5 : Secret Lives<\/p>\n

    Stunts:<\/p>\n

    Living Dead (-1)<\/p>\n

    Flesh Mask (-1)<\/p>\n

    Supernatural Toughness (-4)<\/p>\n

    Physical Immunity (magic) (-8)<\/p>\n

    Catch (+8) Fire, research<\/p>\n

    Refresh 2 remain from 8<\/p>\n

    Superb: Stealth, Guns<\/p>\n

    Great: Athletics, Alertness<\/p>\n

    Good: Conviction, Weapons<\/p>\n

    Fair: Intimidation, Discipline<\/p>\n

    Average: Lore, Investigation<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    There is a web of treaty and pact woven between these groups which keeps open conflict to a minimum. This is in each group’s best interest even if they may not realize this. Open conflict brings in the Mad Blade and their patron That Which Sleeps. None of the factions wants to be the one that forces the awakening. So conflict simmers in a supernatural cold war for the time being.<\/p>\n

    All of the characters are fit for player use in a campaign with an 8 refresh.<\/p>\n

    Places of note:<\/p>\n

    L’Anse Amour \u2013 A quiet and tranquil place where something old and powerful dreams, and in dreaming shapes the world.<\/p>\n

    The Gnome Bazaar \u2013 The ultimate destination of all that is lost or forgotten. Features of the bazaar include the animated skeleton of a North American mastodon, the hanging fuselage of a WWII vintage P-38, and a translucent blue obelisk made of unmelting ice. All are welcome here provided they abide by the rules. The bazaar is accorded neutral ground.<\/p>\n

    Thanks for visiting. I’ll try to be more punctual with my next installment.<\/p>\n

    Legends of Anglerre<\/a> arrived this month. Who’s up for some dungeon stuff Fate style?<\/p>\n

    The Lodger<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hello Lodgers, August is here and it’s record-breaking cool here. I took a slight break to read up on The Dresden Files by Evil Hat Productions. Technically this isn’t a review. Oh, I could go on and on about the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[10,7,20],"class_list":["post-234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world-shaping","tag-fate","tag-rpg-game","tag-the-dresden-files"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=234"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":264,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234\/revisions\/264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/coyoteslodge.com\/coyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}