The Descent into Madness (Lovecraftian Horror) [Recruiting]

[Totoro]

The Descent into Madness

The Setting/Plot Summary

It's 1920, and peace has finally fallen across the world. The horrors of the great war are at an end, and the people of London are learning to enjoy life without fear once again. Shelters and bunkers were replaced with jazz clubs and cocktail bars. Soldiers returned home to their loved ones, trading their blood sweat and tears for well deserved rest. Inevitably along with this great national relaxation came those who would take advantage of others. Everyone from small time thieves to real crooks and criminals. And so two brothers chose to start a detective agency in central London. They'd returned from war and began to relax as they heard of family being burgled and even mugged. Not able to sit idly by they bought out a local restaurant with most of their savings and transformed it into a classy, respectable agency. Well stocked and disguised to appear as though it were still a restaurant the Agency could operate hidden from law enforcement, on their own terms. Both soldiers proved gifted at uncovering truths, and earned a good amount of money behind the scenes. Soon Evans and Peel was a growing operation with a small handful of staff members of all shapes and sizes.

Sadly for their new employees disaster struck just two short days ago. Overnight from their very own agency both brothers disappeared without a trace. After reporting them missing the agency must now begin their most personal case yet to find their former employers, while also keeping the agency funded. After the first two days had no success a strange letter arrived at the door of the agency. Nobody saw who delivered it, and now everyone is gathered to do their best to understand it.

Overview

The Descent into Madness is a psychological horror game with many lovecraftian themes. If you are unfamiliar with Lovecraft's work it is primarily a combination of psychological horror and cosmic horror. Humanity dealing with the unknown and frequently unknowable. Concepts which they cannot begin to comprehend or contend with. The idea that everything about humanity is almost entirely irrelevant compared to the beings that exist in the deep dark places of the universe. A huge aspect of this game will be all characters sanity and fragility being tested, and so all characters will have their flaws and weaknesses. This is not a gore-filled horror game, but there will likely be moments of it. Instead the horror is a slow realisation that the world is not as it seemed. Reality is not what the characters believed it to be and they are not a hundredth as in control of their lives as they wish they were. Most interactions with beings not of this world will be utterly hopeless, more akin to trying to survive a natural disaster than a fight.

This game will not particularly, if at all, feature smut. The 'Monsters' are not here to play, they are here to kill. Anyone who wishes to have a sexual encounter between two characters will be welcome to take it to a 1x1 thread.

Characters will be approved based on being the best fit for the agency. I'm probably looking for at least 3-4 and as many as 7-8 players to start off with one character each. I may open the game to more if it feels appropriate. Players will be allowed to play NPC's as well.

Warning: This game is going to feature content of a disturbing and dark nature. While it may be a slow burn there will be moments which include death, insanity, torture, abduction, mind control/warping, suicide and abuse. It will not include rape, but aside from that it will be going extremely dark. If you are personally affected by any of these topics it is unlikely to be the game for you. Unfortunately due to the theme it would be impossible to censor the game for someone's personal issues. In essence the game's very much not for the faint of heart.

Characters

Characters will primarily be the staff of the Evans and Peel detective agency. However there are a huge deal of different backgrounds that could've led a person into this line of work. Whether a former police officer who wanted to get things done by their own rules, a veteran of the great war who's sick of the crime rates at home or a scholarly type with a gift for solving mysteries. Despite the time period I want it to be absolutely clear this game is entirely LGBTQ+ friendly and characters of any sexuality, race or gender are welcome.

Character submissions should be done via PM so they can be discussed privately. All characters will have 'fears' that will need to be included in the PM but that wont be listed on the public CS. Characters will also need to replace the placeholder image with a face claim of a real person. It would be great if they had images that put them in time period-appropriate attire/looks. Perhaps try the casts of period dramas or shows like Peaky Blinders. However this isn't absolutely necessary as it's not always a realistic possibility.

Name: (Try to go for something mostly time appropriate.)
Gender: (Self Explanatory)
Birthdate:(Current date is September 13th, 1920. Game will run on the 2017 calendar for ease.)
Occupation: (Likely more 'role within Evans and Peel Agency'. Some characters may be close aids of them such as a helpful police officer or solitary investigators who join up for this case.)
Personality:(What they're like. How they see themselves and how most others see them.)
History:(General description of their past, likely including how they came to the agency.)
Skills:(Everything ranging from marksmanship to knitting can go in here. Don't make anyone too capable of everything, though.)

Code Select Expand

[float=right][img height=300]https://athlonecommunityradio.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/placeholder.png[/img][/float]
[b]Name:[/b] (Try to go for something mostly time appropriate.)
[b]Gender:[/b] (Self Explanatory)
[b]Birthdate:[/b](Current date is September 13th, 1920. Game will run on the 2017 calendar for ease.)
[b]Occupation:[/b] (Likely more 'role within Evans and Peel Agency'. Some characters may be close aids of them such as a helpful police officer or solitary investigators who join up for this case.)
[b]Personality:[/b](What they're like. How they see themselves and how most others see them.)
[b]History:[/b](General description of their past, likely including how they came to the agency.)
[b]Skills:[/b](Everything ranging from marksmanship to knitting can go in here. Don't make anyone too capable of everything, though.)

Inspiration

This section will include a few bits of media such as music/films/games and books that served as an inspiration for the game and characters.

Games: Bloodborne, Tabletop Call of Cthulhu, Alan Wake, Call of Cthulhu, Amnesia, Darkest Dungeon, Silent Hill
Movies: The Thing, The Shining, In the Mouth of Madness
Books: Everything written by H.P Lovecraft.  Many Steven King books.
Music: Soundtrack to Bloodborne and Darkest Dungeon.

Cthulhu Chanting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwHzmPYrROY

Darkest Dungeon Soundtrack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-xvGdFTIU

Bloodborne Soundtrack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bki0PjoV14M

[Remiel]

Tentatively interested!

[Valerian]

Tentatively interested!

+1

[Totoro]

Off to a good start, it seems. If anyone's got any questions feel free to ask here or via PM, I'm always happy to answer.

[Imogen]

Interested!

[Wolfling72]

Color me intrigued....

[Anouk Daae]

interested!
Building a character in my head.

[Totoro]

Judging by the interest so far I'd say I'm open to seeing character concepts or full sheets. Feel free to run ideas by me first either here or via PM.

Since all the characters will have close ties I'd like to see people pitch ideas/discuss things so that the Agency feels alive and not like 5-6 different characters slapped together. Not that this means everyone needs to be best friends.

Of the 5-6 characters I'd like I think at least 3-4 will need to be from the Agency and 2-3 can be close relatives or specialists who help them out. Again if you need ideas or want to run one by me I'm always open to PM's.

[Valerian]

I'm pondering some sort of researcher / librarian or possibly a medic who drove an ambulance during WWI.  Either could easily be an agency employee or someone who helps out as needed, whichever would fit better.  :)

[Totoro]

I'm pondering some sort of researcher / librarian or possibly a medic who drove an ambulance during WWI.  Either could easily be an agency employee or someone who helps out as needed, whichever would fit better.  :)

Either one of those sounds great.

Generally agency employees are best just to keep people connected/cohesive from the start. However either is doable since I imagine they could have reasons to have close ties with a medic (Body inspection before alerting the police, interpreting medical evidence and things like that. Likewise a researcher would have all sorts of reasons to be involved closely with the agency employees.

Just so everyone knows individuality will be very important. As the game will be pretty small I want everyone to have their specialist areas and blind spots. This can mostly be emphasised by the skills section and the fears/flaws the characters have.

[Remiel]

Character concepts:

1. American priest who is obsessed with cult lore
2. The "muscle" -- a large man who has some policing background but who is skilled at unarmed combat / bare-knuckle brawling

[Totoro]

Character concepts:

1. American priest who is obsessed with cult lore
2. The "muscle" -- a large man who has some policing background but who is skilled at unarmed combat / bare-knuckle brawling

Both welcome concepts.

Someone with cult knowledge being in the group would be important to me but I'd say I'm only looking for 1-2 max with that kind of focus on it. After all they'll all be learning at least a little together as things go on.

Muscle'd be fun when it comes to situations you can't fight your way through. But also very useful when dealing with humans, which'll happen plenty.

[TheLaughingOne]

My interest is piqued!! Will try and get something together shortly!

[Totoro]

Thanks to everyone for their interest.

Bear in mind I'll be taking the first 5-6 characters who are most fitting for the setting and other characters.

Best thing you can all do is mention concepts here so that everyone's working on something unique.

[Imogen]

I was thinking of playing the secretary/phone operator for the company? One that has some extras and field skills as well so she can also double as field agent, but who also can fill the role of main contact and liaison/emergency hotline?

[TheLaughingOne]

Im thinking slight criminal type... not thug, but more a contact type, breaks into businesses and such to copy important documents for his employers to get a leg up on competitors, maybe got pinched by evans and peel, but rather then turned in kept him on "retainer" as someone that can get into difficult places to grab info they want/need...

[Totoro]

I was thinking of playing the secretary/phone operator for the company? One that has some extras and field skills as well so she can also double as field agent, but who also can fill the role of main contact and liaison/emergency hotline?

That'd make sense. She'd likely be the one who's gathered all of these people together for the first scene.

Im thinking slight criminal type... not thug, but more a contact type, breaks into businesses and such to copy important documents for his employers to get a leg up on competitors, maybe got pinched by evans and peel, but rather then turned in kept him on "retainer" as someone that can get into difficult places to grab info they want/need...

It'll depend a little on how strict some of the other PC's are about the law but as the agency do tend to hide from the law and try to work behind closed doors on their own terms they wouldn't be above working with a criminal. As long as he's got enough of a sense of right/wrong to bother to show up when the pair go missing and to try and help find them.

[TheLaughingOne]

Yeah, im figuring criminal, but not bad guy. He will break in and do things like discrete industrial espionage (or for E&P, maybe copy the Real books rather then the ones they show people, or other incriminating evidence or what have you) and not shooting his way in and causing a fuss. MMAAYYBBEE snag a few good cigars from the guys collection, nice bottle of cognac, ect... but, well... petty theft is just a bit to petty...

[Totoro]

Yeah, im figuring criminal, but not bad guy. He will break in and do things like discrete industrial espionage (or for E&P, maybe copy the Real books rather then the ones they show people, or other incriminating evidence or what have you) and not shooting his way in and causing a fuss. MMAAYYBBEE snag a few good cigars from the guys collection, nice bottle of cognac, ect... but, well... petty theft is just a bit to petty...

I'd say Evans and Peel also would've paid pretty well and been laid back about him so long as he didn't hurt others.

I'm writing up their CS's but basically Evans is the 'Professional' of the two who's charming, polite and generally been the face of the agency. He'd know how to deal with criminals, or anyone really, because people are his thing.

Peel however is a little younger and more hot-headed and might disapprove of criminal activities a little more, despite the fact that he's not above roughing up suspects if it becomes necessary.

Either way he sounds like the kind of small-time criminal with the right morals that the boys would've worked with.

[Totoro]

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275054.msg13518068#msg13518068

Here's Mr. Evans. It's a somewhat brief CS but that's around the lower-end of the detail/format I'd like from people. Of course if you want to write something longer anyone's welcome to. It's really just a personal thing of how long you need to get across their personality and history. Not everyone has to have led an incredibly complex life, after all.

For now, prior to sorting out an OOC thread (Which I'll handle when at least a couple of characters have been submitted) I'll be updating the worldbuilding thread I linked to with relevant NPC's/story notes for the start of the game. Mostly just at least the two brothers so that you can make references to how your characters see them.

I'd also like to make sure everyone's on the same page with the general genre. It's definitely going to be lovecraftian horror, but as a concept that's a slow burner. So for a little while it'll likely be somewhat more supernatural/dark almost Sherlock Holmes-esque investigation work. But with the underlying theme of building a darkness in the world. Just in case anyone's expecting extreme horror straight away, that's not the idea here. But we'll get there.

Edit: Also edited Mr. Peel into the first link, that'll now be where I put profiles for NPC contacts who're closely linked to the Agency. Hopefully those two give a bit of an idea of the employers, and the way Evans and Peel does the right thing but can often slip a little over the line of the law.

[Kuroneko]

Interested :-)

You mentioned that you only want 2 characters with cult knowledge. Would a medium or Romany drabarni type character growing into their abilities be welcome?

[Totoro]

Interested :-)

You mentioned that you only want 2 characters with cult knowledge. Would a medium or Romany drabarni type character growing into their abilities be welcome?

Cult knowledge, yes. Any genuine supernatural abilities in this universe will be based in science, though. And often have an incredibly crippling detrimental effect on the sanity of the user. So someone function as a genuine effective medium would lose their mind in a few weeks at best.

Someone with perhaps a good knowledge of herbalism would be doable but as for a medium reaching 'The other side' in this universe there's no other side to reach.

So it depends what extent of medium/abilities you'd want the character to possess.

[Kuroneko]

Cult knowledge, yes. Any genuine supernatural abilities in this universe will be based in science, though. And often have an incredibly crippling detrimental effect on the sanity of the user. So someone function as a genuine effective medium would lose their mind in a few weeks at best.

Someone with perhaps a good knowledge of herbalism would be doable but as for a medium reaching 'The other side' in this universe there's no other side to reach.

So it depends what extent of medium/abilities you'd want the character to possess.

Herbalism actually sounds fantastic. That could offer a lot of potential, both for a Romany background (grandmother's knowledge, etc. and superstition) and someone looking to ground it in science, as a medical doctor perhaps? Could even be someone with Traditional Chinese Medicine training instead. Maybe even offering hallucinogens for true supernatural encounters? Just thinking out loud on that last bit, but I do like the herbalism/medical/doctor angle, if that works for you. 

[Totoro]

Herbalism actually sounds fantastic. That could offer a lot of potential, both for a Romany background (grandmother's knowledge, etc. and superstition) and someone looking to ground it in science, as a medical doctor perhaps? Could even be someone with Traditional Chinese Medicine training instead. Maybe even offering hallucinogens for true supernatural encounters? Just thinking out loud on that last bit, but I do like the herbalism/medical/doctor angle, if that works for you.

Yeah, Herbalism makes more sense for the setting and depending on how much the character's willing to kind of include 'fake' medicine with the real say providing a genuine cure as well as a hallucinogen for a placebo effect when the patient thinks they've had that kind of supernatural experience. Perhaps someone who misleads sometimes with the aim of doing good overall. Why they do it is totally up to you though, as long as one way or another they'd believably want to work with Evans and Peel. Sounds like they'd more likely be a contact than an employee but again, up to you.

Given a Romany background a Great War refugee might be an idea for a history/connection to the Agency. If you wanted they could've even met the two brothers while they were at war.

It's also up to you how spiritual the character is. We, as players, know there's nothing spiritually supernatural in this game world. But none of the characters do and many of them will likely believe certain events are closer to magic than science.

Down the line there may be opportunities for most characters to have moments of utilising the supernatural but nobody will ever be flinging 'Spells' around regularly by any means.

[Remiel]

After seeing the others' ideas, I'm leaning toward a bruiser/the muscle at this point.  Perhaps someone who fought in the Great War, in the same unit as Peel and/or Evans.

[Totoro]

After seeing the others' ideas, I'm leaning toward a bruiser/the muscle at this point.  Perhaps someone who fought in the Great War, in the same unit as Peel and/or Evans.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275054.msg13518068#msg13518068

Here are the two brothers. I didn't go massively into the background as they're NPC's so what unit they were in is fairly open-ended for now. I'm imagining fairly front line trench infantry for at least most of the early years of the war, moving up to lower-tier officers by 1918.

I'm picturing the two of them mostly around average height with fit but not incredibly bulky builds. Likely around 5'10-11" and weighing in around 165-175lbs or so. Just in case you want a frame of reference on what the muscle'd be like relative to the two of them.

As far as I'm concerned a character with a more Christian leaning faith/occult interest is still absolutely welcome but what you play is up to you. Any which way much of the PC's occult knowledge will very rapidly turn out to be either mostly or entirely wrong anyway, as is the nature of trying to understand the unknowable. 

[Anouk Daae]

I'm wondering what sort of positions are available in the agency.
the character I was working up was a secretary type, but I see someone's already called that.

Next I'd  be interested in a nurse-type. Someone whose day job has her working in a hospital, so she keeps her ear to the ground for any and all *weird* cases. maybe a tech aid in a morgue. Then she moonlights as a nurse for the agency, patching her coworkers up at HQ, so they don't raise any eyebrows with mysterious gunshot wounds or tentacle-removals.

Another idea that could be fun is a nun who maybe works with the priest character (if he gets made over the muscle), as an assistant.
Still brainstorming, but if the nurse position is available - I'll get started on an app and backstory for her.

[Totoro]

I'm wondering what sort of positions are available in the agency.
the character I was working up was a secretary type, but I see someone's already called that.

Next I'd  be interested in a nurse-type. Someone whose day job has her working in a hospital, so she keeps her ear to the ground for any and all *weird* cases. maybe a tech aid in a morgue. Then she moonlights as a nurse for the agency, patching her coworkers up at HQ, so they don't raise any eyebrows with mysterious gunshot wounds or tentacle-removals.

Another idea that could be fun is a nun who maybe works with the priest character (if he gets made over the muscle), as an assistant.
Still brainstorming, but if the nurse position is available - I'll get started on an app and backstory for her.

Unfortunately there's already a nurse type CS that's been handed in.

Similarly as of right now the agency is very mundane, so there are no tentacle-removals to speak of. The workers would mostly be treated normally and there aren't a lot of gunshots or anything too severe very often. The Agency covers things the police fail people on and some unusual stuff, but nothing out of this world.

Not sure what's happening with the priest character, looking like the muscle might be more likely at the moment as far as I know.

The main things I'd probably be looking for is 1-2 actual 'investigators' as it's looking like we have a secretary, nurse, muscle and possibly herbalist.

Probably the biggest gaps in the group are a knowledge of history, people with a law enforcement background, maybe some more 'nerdy' characters with an interest in law enforcement who are more grounded in reality and less likely to believe in anything supernatural. But really just people who'd do the actual detective work would be my main goal to find at the moment.

[Kuroneko]

Yeah, Herbalism makes more sense for the setting and depending on how much the character's willing to kind of include 'fake' medicine with the real say providing a genuine cure as well as a hallucinogen for a placebo effect when the patient thinks they've had that kind of supernatural experience. Perhaps someone who misleads sometimes with the aim of doing good overall. Why they do it is totally up to you though, as long as one way or another they'd believably want to work with Evans and Peel. Sounds like they'd more likely be a contact than an employee but again, up to you.

Given a Romany background a Great War refugee might be an idea for a history/connection to the Agency. If you wanted they could've even met the two brothers while they were at war.

It's also up to you how spiritual the character is. We, as players, know there's nothing spiritually supernatural in this game world. But none of the characters do and many of them will likely believe certain events are closer to magic than science.

Down the line there may be opportunities for most characters to have moments of utilising the supernatural but nobody will ever be flinging 'Spells' around regularly by any means.

That all sounds perfectly workable. Maybe their skills are sometimes needed to cloud or erase memory as part of investigation cleanup, along the lines of your suggestion regarding intentional misleading. Meeting during the war sounds like a great way for the connection to have been made, thank you for offering it. I completely understand the no spells aspect.

Tomorrow is my long day of teaching and tonight I have sketches to finish for a design meeting tomorrow, so it will likely be the weekend before I can finish a character sheet.

[Lustful Bride]

*kind of interested but unsure if there is room/what I could play.*

[Totoro]

That all sounds perfectly workable. Maybe their skills are sometimes needed to cloud or erase memory as part of investigation cleanup, along the lines of your suggestion regarding intentional misleading. Meeting during the war sounds like a great way for the connection to have been made, thank you for offering it. I completely understand the no spells aspect.

Tomorrow is my long day of teaching and tonight I have sketches to finish for a design meeting tomorrow, so it will likely be the weekend before I can finish a character sheet.

I'm sure I wont be pressing people for finished character sheets any time before then. I could see them using herbalism to trick people into not quite recounting events properly.

*kind of interested but unsure if there is room/what I could play.*

I'm looking for six characters. I've seen concepts I like for around four of those and then about 2-3 more people's interest. But that doesn't mean there's not room anymore. I'm taking characters on a CS by CS basis rather than a first come first served system. The main thing I'm looking for would be a couple of investigator characters so that the angle of investigation has some people with some skill at it in the group.

[Valerian]

Ironically, part of the reason I decided against the researcher / librarian concept was because I started thinking everyone would be doing an investigator type and I wanted to make sure there was more diversity.   ::)  Also, I nearly always play the brainy type and I wanted to try something a little different this time around.

[TheLaughingOne]

Ssooo... i got my character sheet in... and had an idea.. my guy thinks pretty much all of his family is dead, father and  4 brothers died in WWI, and mother and 2 sisters sometime while he was at war....


Or did they..?

Figure maybe one sister survived whatever happened, but was told all her brothers died at war with their father, neither knowing the other is alive, and by chance both end up working for Evan and Peel..

If your interested, and up for a twist, let Wukong know... But not me, he can let me know someone is interested and we can go with that as a mystery, or if a little to complicated let me know and can work out detail things with ya!

[Anouk Daae]

Hmm, I don't know if i have the know-how for an investigator character. Especially as it seems they would be big parts.

Guess I'm gonna have to pass for now.

[Totoro]

Hmm, I don't know if i have the know-how for an investigator character. Especially as it seems they would be big parts.

Guess I'm gonna have to pass for now.

It's unlikely that anyone else has any kind of real experience working as an investigator.  I'd also say all the characters will be big parts due to the small and focused nature of the group.


If you have an idea for a character who's not an investigator feel free to pitch it because considering that Evans and Peel themselves were the two main investigators most of the rest probably aren't. I'm also happy to consider having the other investigators as 1-2 NPC's if it means getting an interesting player character in the game.

[Remiel]

Hmm, I don't know if i have the know-how for an investigator character. Especially as it seems they would be big parts.

Guess I'm gonna have to pass for now.

Well, shoot.  The first idea that popped into my head when reading the game description was the stereotypical Film Noir-type down-on-his-luck gumshoe.  But then I thought, "Nah, everyone's going to want to do that."

I can certainly step into that role, if need be.

[Totoro]

Well, shoot.  The first idea that popped into my head when reading the game description was the stereotypical Film Noir-type down-on-his-luck gumshoe.  But then I thought, "Nah, everyone's going to want to do that."

I can certainly step into that role, if need be.

You're the second member of that club. Only thing is we'd be swapping a muscle character to an investigator. So we'd still have concepts in for a secretary and what I'll term a herbalist for now, with sheets in for an investigator and a nurse.

If all of those get turned in I'll only have space for one more PC in total. I'd also like to note that this game isn't 'reserve your spot'. People submit CS's and if I like them and they fit with what's approved so far, they're in. In other words the only people with a garunteed spot are people with approved character sheets. Hopefully doesn't seem harsh but I think it's more fair to judge on finished sheets than concepts.

[AthenaSimone]

Hello, would a close relative with a concept of human behavior or criminal psychology work? Perhaps even an empath or clairvoyant?

Thanks in advance.

[Totoro]

Hello, would a close relative with a concept of human behavior or criminal psychology work? Perhaps even an empath or clairvoyant?

Thanks in advance.

Close relative of who?

And there are no empaths or clairvoyants in this game. Essentially, as far as all characters are aware, there is no evidence whatsoever for the supernatural existing. They may believe in it just like people in the real world do, but there's nobody superhuman walking around.

[AthenaSimone]

Close relative of who?

And there are no empaths or clairvoyants in this game. Essentially, as far as all characters are aware, there is no evidence whatsoever for the supernatural existing. They may believe in it just like people in the real world do, but there's nobody superhuman walking around.

So there's monsters but no supernatural people walking around. Not arguing, just trying to grasp a better understanding of what I read.

Also, you said "Of the 5-6 characters I'd like I think at least 3-4 will need to be from the Agency and 2-3 can be close relatives or specialists who help them out."

So I suppose a close relative of an agent.

[Totoro]

So there's monsters but no supernatural people walking around. Not arguing, just trying to grasp a better understanding of what I read.

Also, you said "Of the 5-6 characters I'd like I think at least 3-4 will need to be from the Agency and 2-3 can be close relatives or specialists who help them out."

So I suppose a close relative of an agent.

Basically the supernatural elements aren't here yet. They will unfold later as they're discovered. So right now nobody has any real knowledge of the supernatural. However it may in particular circumstances be possible for a human to do something supernatural. But there's not really anything 'Walking around' so to speak. The game will feature more twisted and evil humans than monsters, and what monsters are there will be almost impossible to fight or even look at without losing your mind.

So far the only detectives of the agency are Evans and Peel themselves, although Remiel may be creating one depending on whether he's changed his mind. They could be a relative of Evans and Peel but they'd have to be close, which would likely mean having worked with them at least a little as the two men don't have any sisters or relatives closer than that. I'd say if Remiel is going for his detective that might be the best person to be related to, if he's up for the idea.

[Remiel]

I'll work up an actual character sheet over the weekend.

[Totoro]

I'll work up an actual character sheet over the weekend.

Sweet. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Imogen]

-raises hand- Same here, both on the looking forward to seeing Remiel's character, and the other characters, and that I'll draw up my own sheet as well :-)  Tomorrow will be busy for me, but I hope to have it done by monday morning latest.

[Totoro]

-raises hand- Same here, both on the looking forward to seeing Remiel's character, and the other characters, and that I'll draw up my own sheet as well :-)  Tomorrow will be busy for me, but I hope to have it done by monday morning latest.

Awesome.

Now's a good time to say that, once approved, the OOC and CS threads are up.

Approved Characters: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275243.0

OOC Chat: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275241.0

Don't post any character in the characters thread without it being approved by me, and please refrain from posting in the OOC chat prior to approval, just to keep things cleaner/neater. Looks like the majority should be heading in over the next few days with any luck.

[AthenaSimone]

Basically the supernatural elements aren't here yet. They will unfold later as they're discovered. So right now nobody has any real knowledge of the supernatural. However it may in particular circumstances be possible for a human to do something supernatural. But there's not really anything 'Walking around' so to speak. The game will feature more twisted and evil humans than monsters, and what monsters are there will be almost impossible to fight or even look at without losing your mind.

So far the only detectives of the agency are Evans and Peel themselves, although Remiel may be creating one depending on whether he's changed his mind. They could be a relative of Evans and Peel but they'd have to be close, which would likely mean having worked with them at least a little as the two men don't have any sisters or relatives closer than that. I'd say if Remiel is going for his detective that might be the best person to be related to, if he's up for the idea.

Ohhh, gotcha. Thank you for clarifying again. If Remiel doesn't mind, I don't mind, but I suppose I'll talk to him later after he's made a character and see if he wants that. All in all this concept is really great.

Do we create our own character sheets?

[Totoro]

Ohhh, gotcha. Thank you for clarifying again. If Remiel doesn't mind, I don't mind, but I suppose I'll talk to him later after he's made a character and see if he wants that. All in all this concept is really great.

Do we create our own character sheets?

If you want a bit of background reading on the kind of things that may occur in this universe for a bit more of an idea of what Lovecraftian horror entails I can recommend his own work. It can be a bit of a challenge to read as most of it is around a century old now, but fortunately because it's so old it's public domain and so it can easily be found legally online for free. I'll link one of his shorter stories for anyone who's curious at all.

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Colour_Out_of_Space

Everyone will be creating their own character sheets and PM'ing them to me for a check over and approval. If you press the select button beside the code beneath and then copy it you can paste it into any document editor like word or a PM on here directed to me or yourself. You can then fill out the segments with a little about your character and replace the placeholder image link with one of your character. If you need a hand with finding a mostly time-appropriate faceclaim let me know. And generally any questions anyone's got you can always feel free to PM me whether it's questions about character creation or this game particular, or lovecraftian horror and a general idea of what to expect. I can't state enough that this game is horror and will go very dark.

Code Select Expand

[float=right][img height=300]https://athlonecommunityradio.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/placeholder.png[/img][/float]
[b]Name:[/b] (Try to go for something mostly time appropriate.)
[b]Gender:[/b] (Self Explanatory)
[b]Birthdate:[/b](Current date is September 13th, 1920. Game will run on the 2017 calendar for ease.)
[b]Occupation:[/b] (Likely more 'role within Evans and Peel Agency'. Some characters may be close aids of them such as a helpful police officer or solitary investigators who join up for this case.)
[b]Personality:[/b](What they're like. How they see themselves and how most others see them.)
[b]History:[/b](General description of their past, likely including how they came to the agency.)
[b]Skills:[/b](Everything ranging from marksmanship to knitting can go in here. Don't make anyone too capable of everything, though.)

[Kuroneko]

As much as the premise of this intrigues me, after spending much of the day working on my sheet, my character idea just isn't gelling on paper. So, I'm going to politely bow out.

But I'll certainly be peeking in to read ;)

[Totoro]

As much as the premise of this intrigues me, after spending much of the day working on my sheet, my character idea just isn't gelling on paper. So, I'm going to politely bow out.

But I'll certainly be peeking in to read ;)

If you have any other ideas and we've got space there'll always be room.

Other than that you're always welcome to read along.



On a separate note because I  think we might have the interest for it I'm going to be upping the amount I'm happy to take to around 7-8 players. Happy to start with less but if more are interested they're welcome.

[Kuroneko]

Thank you, I appreciate it. Honestly, it's probably my brain's way of telling me I have too much on my plate already ;) (she says, while grading 50 weekly assignments  :-\ )

[Totoro]

Thank you, I appreciate it. Honestly, it's probably my brain's way of telling me I have too much on my plate already ;) (she says, while grading 50 weekly assignments  :-\ )

No problem. Hope the grading's not too taxing, although I can only imagine it must be.

[Totoro]

Still looking for at least another two characters and as many as six more. So there's absolutely plenty of space.

Because things were a bit limited I think I'm okay with people playing mostly non-investigators. Story wise it makes sense that that was primarily Evans and Peel themselves's job. So if you have a character idea I'd love to hear it.

[Remiel]

Ugh, sorry guys.  Some thing always keeps popping up...

But today!  I will create a character!  This will happen!

[Valerian]

Go, Remiel, go!   ;D

[Totoro]

Ugh, sorry guys.  Some thing always keeps popping up...

But today!  I will create a character!  This will happen!

I was just debating poking you but I'm glad we're en route. Got one other CS that should be in soon and we're all good.

Plan is to keep recruitment open post-starting and have others be introduced as characters the original PC's meet along the way. But we'll always be keeping the game small and focused.

[Roen]

Room for one more?

[Totoro]

Room for one more?

Absolutely. Not started yet so you're welcome to be a part of the Agency itself. Feel free to PM character ideas/questions.

I will say I'd prefer if the CS could be in soon-ish (Next few days) to hopefully coincide with the other two so we can get going soon. But that's just my impatience talking.

[Wolfling72]

only here to see when this will be starting so that I can book mark it and read along...I

[Imogen]

only here to see when this will be starting so that I can book mark it and read along...I

Wolfling! -pounces- Hello again!

[Wolfling72]

Wolfling! -pounces- Hello again!

*pounces da pouncer* Hi hi!! I have been in and out of this thread since it's inception but the way I build characters, I can not imagine they would be a good fit. *le sigh*

So, I keep chiecking back to see when the GM will get it up and running so that I can read ALL OF THE WORDS.

[Totoro]

*pounces da pouncer* Hi hi!! I have been in and out of this thread since it's inception but the way I build characters, I can not imagine they would be a good fit. *le sigh*

So, I keep chiecking back to see when the GM will get it up and running so that I can read ALL OF THE WORDS.

If you want to PM me and talk out the way you build characters I can try to work something out on some level. Depends how much they wouldn't fit.

Either way I generally can't wait to get things started.

[Wolfling72]

If you want to PM me and talk out the way you build characters I can try to work something out on some level. Depends how much they wouldn't fit.

Either way I generally can't wait to get things started.

Nah. At this point I just want to read along. Then, if you ever have recruitment again, at least I would have some viable starting point towards building a character to fit the world.

[Totoro]

Nah. At this point I just want to read along. Then, if you ever have recruitment again, at least I would have some viable starting point towards building a character to fit the world.

Cool, that's fine. Hope you enjoy reading.

Just to clarify the recruitment will be ongoing. Due to the general risk of attrition in group games and this one starting with, it looks like, around five players and me being happy to peak at eight it'll only close if we hit around eight players. Either way you're welcome to consider getting involved later or just read along.

[Remiel]

Character submitted!

[Totoro]

The game/IC is going to start on Monday 25th. However recruitment is still open and will remain open after that date.

[Remiel]

Hey guys.  Shameless plug: I hope I'm not stepping on Sun's toes here, but, inspired by this game, as well as by the latest episode of Wil Wheaton's Tabletop, I'm going to try to take a crack at running Eldritch Horror on E.  It's an actual board game, as opposed to a freeform campaign like this one.  But it's set in the H. P. Lovecraft universe, and relies heavily on storytelling/thematic elements.

I've set up an interest check here: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275764.0

[Totoro]

Hey guys.  Shameless plug: I hope I'm not stepping on Sun's toes here, but, inspired by this game, as well as by the latest episode of Wil Wheaton's Tabletop, I'm going to try to take a crack at running Eldritch Horror on E.  It's an actual board game, as opposed to a freeform campaign like this one.  But it's set in the H. P. Lovecraft universe, and relies heavily on storytelling/thematic elements.

I've set up an interest check here: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275764.0

Would've wanted a PM first if it was a normal group game but as it's a board game I don't really feel like it is stepping my toes at all. That and I'm a big believer in helping each other out to advertise stuff. It looks really cool. Personally I'll probably check in and 'Spectate' instead of play but I hope it runs well.

[Remiel]

Thanks, Sun.  Do you want me to include a plug for this group in the recruiting thread?

[Totoro]

Thanks, Sun.  Do you want me to include a plug for this group in the recruiting thread?

Yeah I'm down with that. I think you get the theme/idea of the game so you're welcome to do it yourself, or I can. Either way it's appreciated.

[Remiel]

Plugged! ^_^

[Roen]

Unfortunately, I don't currently have the time to come up with a good periodic character, so I'll just follow for now.
I am going to reserve my right to try and sneak in sometime in the future.

Wishing you lot good luck!

[Totoro]

Unfortunately, I don't currently have the time to come up with a good periodic character, so I'll just follow for now.
I am going to reserve my right to try and sneak in sometime in the future.

Wishing you lot good luck!

Cool, noted. Feel free to get involved down the line.

[Totoro]

For anyone who's looking to read along, the IC has started here: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=275815.0

Recruitment will still be ongoing, despite the game having started.

[Totoro]

Just a light bump to say we're still recruiting if anyone's interested in joining, recruitment itself is now open to the people of London on a wider spectrum than just the Agency members.

If interested please take a look through the IC thread and either post here or PM me.

[slayerred]

I am.  I enjoy Lovecraft.  I was thinking a nosy freelance journalist?

[Totoro]

I am.  I enjoy Lovecraft.  I was thinking a nosy freelance journalist?

A journalist is definitely workable, feel free to pitch the concept via PM or otherwise get to a CS. I'd recommend having a read-through of the IC thread to get an idea of what's currently going on with the other PC's at the moment.

[Gateman]

Are you still looking for people? If so, I'd love to get into a Lovecraft game

[Totoro]

Are you still looking for people? If so, I'd love to get into a Lovecraft game

Absolutely. Recruitment's a little more open now too, depending on the kind of person you want to play linking them into the story should be easy enough.

[Gateman]

Alrighty then, I'll have at least a WIP character up by the end of the night. Gotta pretend to be an adult in the meantime ^^

[Totoro]

Alrighty then, I'll have at least a WIP character up by the end of the night. Gotta pretend to be an adult in the meantime ^^

Cool. I'm sleeping soon, different timezones, so no rush. Enjoy pretending to adult.

[Vonandi]

Hey how's the rp going; Are you guys still looking for new recruits?

[Totoro]

Hey how's the rp going; Are you guys still looking for new recruits?

Steadily chugging along. Definitely still open to new people, what kind of thing were you thinking?

[Vonandi]

Sorry I'm just now getting some free time; I have a few basic Ideas, But I'm going to look over the IC a bit and see what hasn't been done yet when I get a chance.

[Totoro]

Sorry I'm just now getting some free time; I have a few basic Ideas, But I'm going to look over the IC a bit and see what hasn't been done yet when I get a chance.

Cool. Take a look at the approved characters thread to see the others in the game.

[Vonandi]

Hmm hmm hmm. It seems like you already have a fairly well rounded group of individuals, is there anything in particular that needs to be filled? I'm currently thinking about playing a Soviet immigrant, but I'm still a bit shaky on the specifics.

[Remiel]

Hrmm.  It occurs to me we don't have a femme fatale (no offense, Maggie and Madeline :P).  She could be the Natasha Romanov of the group, the female version of Alestor?

[Valerian]

Oh, none taken.  Maggie is about the opposite of a femme fatale.   ::)

[Imogen]

Hrmm.  It occurs to me we don't have a femme fatale (no offense, Maggie and Madeline :P).  She could be the Natasha Romanov of the group, the female version of Alestor?

None taken, haha. Madeline only has the sweet talking charm, not the martial arts lethality. ;-)

[Remiel]

Well, I was specifically referring to someone who specializes in seduction, infiltration, & disguise.  Although I don't know how useful that would be when facing extradimensional horrors :\

[Imogen]

Well, I was specifically referring to someone who specializes in seduction, infiltration, & disguise.  Although I don't know how useful that would be when facing extradimensional horrors :\

You never know!

[Remiel]

Alternatively, maybe someone who specializes in the occult?

[Totoro]

Occult is welcome, infiltration/disguise is welcome.

A large point is that a lot of you will be somewhat - totally outmatched and useless at various points. However you will still deal with human beings fairly consistently so all kinds of talents will be applicable. Occult knowledge will not mean you can throw some combination of salt and herbs at a 'monster' and deal with it. There are things you can't fight so nobody's going full Van Helsing.

Having said that you might connect certain dots and all that.

[Arion]

Oh my...

Would love to participate in a game like this, as I'm a huge Lovecraft mythos fan.  The Rats in the Walls was my first taste of his work (and it didn't help that I had actual rats scratching in the attic while I read it), and have been hooked ever since, including owning copies of several editions of the CoC tabletop rpg.

From what I can see it looks like you're still recruiting, yes?  I'm about to do a quick run through of what others have posted, but in the meantime, if its still open, has anyone nailed down a collector of old and rare manuscripts?  Someone who might have a copy of things such as the Unaussprechlichen Kulten or other such tomes?

[Totoro]

Oh my...

Would love to participate in a game like this, as I'm a huge Lovecraft mythos fan.  The Rats in the Walls was my first taste of his work (and it didn't help that I had actual rats scratching in the attic while I read it), and have been hooked ever since, including owning copies of several editions of the CoC tabletop rpg.

From what I can see it looks like you're still recruiting, yes?  I'm about to do a quick run through of what others have posted, but in the meantime, if its still open, has anyone nailed down a collector of old and rare manuscripts?  Someone who might have a copy of things such as the Unaussprechlichen Kulten or other such tomes?

Reading that with a rat problem is definitely a bad combination.

Absolutely still recruiting so a collector would be very welcome. I will say almost everything in any kind of tomes will be either wrong or unrelated to what's happening as I don't want any kind of 'Oh this is what's going on' book to be a thing. So they could know of the Occult but in a more 'Devils and demons' kind of way than the more science and alien nature of this kind of thing. The specifics of what they have/know can be worked out though, some of it may have passing usefulness and it can at least provide a unique openness to surreal things involvement or thinking outside the box.

[Arion]

After the read through, I'd like to clarify.  Not looking to play someone with actual detailed occult knowledge or any kind of powers/magic, not only because it's right out but also because only fools dabble in magic with the mythos.  Just a bibliophile and assistant to the agency, who potentially owns a bookstore with an "exclusive" section of rare books, scrolls, and other manuscripts.

[Arion]

I will say almost everything in any kind of tomes will be either wrong or unrelated to what's happening as I don't want any kind of 'Oh this is what's going on' book to be a thing. So they could know of the Occult but in a more 'Devils and demons' kind of way than the more science and alien nature of this kind of thing. The specifics of what they have/know can be worked out though, some of it may have passing usefulness and it can at least provide a unique openness to surreal things involvement or thinking outside the box.

Very much on the same page with you- heavily expurgated volumes or ones that reference mythos works without direct knowledge of them.  Would totally spoil everything to be able to just walk into the back, flip open the Necronomicon, and be like "Oh, we're obviously dealing with the fungi from Yuggoth".

[Totoro]

Very much on the same page with you- heavily expurgated volumes or ones that reference mythos works without direct knowledge of them.  Would totally spoil everything to be able to just walk into the back, flip open the Necronomicon, and be like "Oh, we're obviously dealing with the fungi from Yuggoth".

Yeah, glad you're on the same page this all sounds good and in line with the plan.

Not only that but my Mythos stuff that'll show up is heavily adapted/altered because I think the fun of a lovecraftian setting is surprised. Meeting something and knowing 'Oh it's Dagon' or 'Oh it's Cthulhu' takes the uncertainty and fear out of it, for me.

[Totoro]

Name: James Engel

Gender: Male

Birthdate:  April 9th, 1884

Occupation:  Bookseller and Collector, Occasional Consultant with the Evans and Peel Agency


Personality:  James is typically quiet and reserved, unless one can get him to talk about a subject he knows well, in which case he becomes quite verbose.  He will go on, at great length, unless stopped.  He prefers to spend much of his time in his store, which he lives above.


History: The only son of a German doctor and a British singer, James grew up in relative comfort, though was by no means wealthy.  Early on he found himself drawn to the subject of ancient cultures and civilizations, and has the spent the better part of his life studying them.  After attending university in the fields of archaeology and anthropology, he was part of two archaeological research teams to Egypt to study some of the smaller and lesser know pyramids.  It was while on the second of these expeditions that he acquired his taste for the... unusual, and began to study strange cults as well.

He is the owner of a small bookstore, which deals mostly in common volumes but which also has an "exclusive" section of the rare and sometimes unique tomes he collects, many of which he refuses to part with.  His particular treasures are copies of De Vermis Mysteriis, the Pnakotic Manuscripts, and the Unaussprechlichen Kulten, though all were acquired through a contact in Rome and are all heavily expurgated, missing many pages and mostly untranslatable.  He also possesses a copy of the Voynich Manuscript, which is likewise untranslatable.

Since the War and its aftermath, James has seen a sharp decline in his business and is often the subject of scorn when he ventures out, many referring to him as "that Kraut".

He has worked as a consultant with the Agency three times before, in each case being involved in some trifling matter- identifying particular artifacts or the like.


Skills:  Comprehensive knowledge of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, including their pantheons and religions.  Inquisitive mind.  Ability to speak English, German, Greek, and Latin, and able to read Egyptian Hieroglyphs.  Knows which way a gun should be pointed but not proficient in the use of firearms.

Looks good, would you mind PM'ing it to me just so I can double-check. I prefer to handle that stuff outside this thread if that's okay.