Werewolf the Forsaken [System Game]

[Cold Heritage]

I'm kind of tempted by the Berserker fighting style and characterizing it as a cold, dissociative fury but that roll every turn not to go Kuruth.

As a side note... I'm trying to imagine what awesome name our MC would go by. XD

Maybe something like the Bad Signs or Bad Omens.

[Malkavian]

I like Bad Omens. 8-) Also like moon themes or similar. Or could perhaps utilise First Tongue word(s) to create a name (like Suthar Iduthag, or "Blood of the Moon" - though perhaps this would be a better pack name rather than a MC name).

[Cold Heritage]

Nu Bath Githul. The Herd Must Not Know.

It seems to be skirting that to take a name in the First Tongue or use moon themes or something that alludes to the lupine nature of some members.

[Malkavian]

It does indeed. Think the pack name could be in First Tongue, but might need to go for something else for the MC.

[Hawkwood]

As I see it, the concepts we're shooting for are:

Malk: Combat / Intimidation- Storm Lord Rahu
Cold Heritage: Combat / Intimidation - Storm Lord Rahu
Captain America: ??? - Hunter in Darkness Rahu
Marie: Bookish survivalist - Hunter in Darkness Irraka
Pumpkin: ??? - Iron Wolves Irraka
Hawkwood: Musician-Mechanic- Bone Shadow Cahalith
Elayne: Dancer-Social - Bone Shadow Ithaeur

I see a lot of synergies between Marie, Pumpkin, Hawkwood, and Elayne. We'll be the cool nerds and arts-students whilst the jocks have their chest thumping pissing contest! :D

[Malkavian]

Malk: Combat / Intimidation- Storm Lord Rahu
...
I see a lot of synergies between Marie, Pumpkin, Hawkwood, and Elayne. We'll be the cool nerds and arts-students whilst the jocks have their chest thumping pissing contest! :D

Whilst Abigail is very combat capable herself, her focus is more inspirational and unquestionable leadership and utter intimidation. She's doesn't need to slam her dick down on the table to lead, and hopefully she won't need to: her merits and stat array support her as a leader, and the narrative aspects of the former double-down on this.

So yeah, no "pissing contest" required where she's concerned. Maybe between the other Rahu, if they're feeling a surplus of one-upmanship. XD

[Marie Reynolds]

It looks like it. That okay! I am still debating if I want firearms 1 or brawl 1 Cause I am not sure If I want to focus on her fighting in human form or wolf. Even as Meager as her combat ability would be. If I go firearms I could at least have a dice pool of 4 and since most and if  strength based to fight in wolf form it would be a 3. I could go with one of the half forms and still be able to use tools and weapons hmm decisions. Also don't except to many crazy driving stunts from my character  she has no points in drive. This is one of the reasons I think she will drive one of the 3 wheeled motorcycles.

We could always get pack straitjackets to give the Rahu a time out when the get to uppity lol!

[Malkavian]

To be fair, even an utter anti-combat werewolf can still roll decent dice in warform: assuming a Hishu Strength 1 and no Brawl, that's still a dice pool of 5 (Strength 4 - 1 unskilled + 2 bite without grapple) that deals lethal damage, or 7 if you go all-out attack. At this, your weakest, you'd still be rolling the same number of dice as an athletic person with experienced hand-to-hand fighting capabilities (Strength 3 + Brawl 2).

So yeah, never underestimate any Uratha where combat is concerned.

[Marie Reynolds]

Yep just not sure which way I want to go with her and what her preferred form she uses for combat. With having this conversation I might lean to firearms and use one of the half forms so I can also when discretion is needed have her still be okay in human form.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Mine would definitely be using a gun.... and a cattleprod. I might change her over to the judge one.  Give us a full compliment then.  She is judgey from behind her laptop.

[Malkavian]

Give us a full compliment then.  She is judgey from behind her laptop.

XD

Since we have someone leaning into being the mechanic, I'll shift my Craft "Automobiles" specialisation over to Drive "Motorcycles." I had originally intended that, but threw a specialisation into Crafts last minute to give a wider spread than simply having three in Physical Skills. But can always pick up more specialisations later.

If we don't end up with a mechanic, I'll return the specialisation to Crafts.

[Hawkwood]

It's been interesting to read about pack dynamics and party roles. Most of the stuff I've found seems to be D&D-centric...

D&D 1 (Source)
Tank / Fighter
Healer / Support
Explorer / Investigator
Magic User / Glass Cannon
Face

Shadowrun
Close Combat
Ranged Combat
Infiltration
Investigation
Magical Support
Negotiation
Transportation

And so on.

The point here is that we could well end up with a lot of overlap. But having said all of that, we seem to be edging towards a very newly-formed, newly emerged pack. Given the source material, the Pack is basically an additional character that we all play. I think that, with careful thought, we can come up with a dynamic that keeps everyone engaged. But as has already been said, without a GM this is all various academic.

And then if the tone / feel we end up with is social-heavy we're going to need a different pack if we're going for combat-heavy. Guh. This is haaaard.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

ST we need you!!!

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Could go for round Robin group style.

[Malkavian]

Keeping Abigail as is, though still might move the specialisation back.

[Cold Heritage]

Whilst Abigail is very combat capable herself, her focus is more inspirational and unquestionable leadership and utter intimidation. She's doesn't need to slam her dick down on the table to lead, and hopefully she won't need to: her merits and stat array support her as a leader, and the narrative aspects of the former double-down on this.

So yeah, no "pissing contest" required where she's concerned. Maybe between the other Rahu, if they're feeling a surplus of one-upmanship. XD

Depending on how well our characters know each other out the gate, I envision mine at least understanding that he's not ready to be the leader of the pack and if he were to assume that role it would just reveal his weaknesses and be a failure. It wouldn't help the pack and it would shame him in the eyes of Skolis-Ur.

And if it comes to needing to prove himself to anyone, it'll be with actions, not words. His deeds in the hunt will speak for him.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Gotta try and get my play list ready for this character.

Be advised these are not safe for work...or polite company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RcYvpDr7h8

Not sure if this is really her theme music but she'd so be listening to this.

[Hawkwood]

I would very much like to try the round robin style of GMing. I would indeed be willing to kick things off. My concern, though, is that the pack is,.at the moment, a collection of random characters with a lot of overlap.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I mean that might be subject to change if we gain a ST and also we can start to slide around as needed. There will always be overlap with combat style characters because well...werewolves.

So I am obviously still working on the character I have posted below (trying to avoid three posts in a row), but this is just a starting point and show you where I am going with her. Thinking mostly investigation and computers which helps with her investigation type stuff.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Full Name: Kimiko "Kimi" Okubo
Deed Name: Night Sun
Auspice: Elodoth
Tribe: Iron Wolves
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 3, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social Attributes: Presence 2, Manipulation 1, Composure 3
Mental Skills: Computers 3 (Data Retrieval, Hacking), Investigation 3 (Crime Scene, Body Language), Occult 2, Craft 3
Physical Skills: Firearms 2, Larceny 2, Drive 3
Social Skills:  Empathy 3, Streetwise 2
Merits:
Primal Urge:
Willpower:
Harmony:
Max Essence/Per Turn:
Virtue:  Prudence
Vice:  Sloth
Size:
Health:
Initiative:
Defence:
Speed:
Renown:
Gifts:
Rituals:  Rites:

[Hawkwood]

In the spirit of keeping things moving, I'll offer to run this.

Key questions that need to be answered:

1) How long has The Gang been together?
2) What interactions / dynamics exist?
Probably other important things.

Please post your characters in the linked thread. I'll also create an OOC and an IC one... once I stop feeling quite so dizzy.

[Marie Reynolds]

I have not gotten to the point of  making character ties yet, Still need to come up with both names and find a picture. Are we going with the suggested city of Manitou Springs Colorado or somewhere else?

Also Hawkwood since your going to step into the st chair would you have a problem with my character having a wolf blooded retainer?

[Malkavian]

Stats have been provided before by myself, but am discussing them with you. Let me know when I can post them.

[Cold Heritage]

In the spirit of keeping things moving, I'll offer to run this.

Key questions that need to be answered:

1) How long has The Gang been together?
2) What interactions / dynamics exist?
Probably other important things.

Please post your characters in the linked thread. I'll also create an OOC and an IC one... once I stop feeling quite so dizzy.

1) Since we're straight outta chargen and iirc that means basically our First Change was like yesterday basically I think it should be like 6 months, max.
2) Building on what's in the OOC about the role of the Rahu, I'd imagine my guy and Malk's get each other in a way that's probably stronger than the other characters could. They've got more in common with each other than most of the rest of the pack. Desh kar. But on the other hand, my dude's big and a dumb as a man can come - though sadly not yet stronger than a country hoss. So he'd defer to Malk's for planning fights because he's straight up not good at a plan that's more in depth than him holding someone down while everyone else lays the boots on them.

I imagine that he'd come to Sebastian for help with mechanical issues the surpass his skills, or even just to listen to Sebastian play - if it's okay I'd like to have Torstein be a big fan of "I Ride An Iron Horse" and played an EP or single release of it to destruction.

I'm not sure where Torstein'd be in the pecking order of the pack, but he's probably not the second-in-command and he's okay with that. He'd probably be someone to send along with someone doing something that's dangerous, to watch their back and, if need be, be an Uratha shield.

[Malkavian]

1) How long has The Gang been together?

It depends on how well we want to know each other, but likely not long. Most games begin after the First Change AND tribal inductions are completed, which covers how the character knows the Gifts and skills they have. Most Changes occur around puberty, I believe, and since we're all 18+ in age then I assume we'd been Uratha for a little longer than your standard group (or not - depends on how long tribal inductions can take, since I've not checked up on it in a while).

2) What interactions / dynamics exist?

Building on what's in the OOC about the role of the Rahu, I'd imagine my guy and Malk's get each other in a way that's probably stronger than the other characters could. They've got more in common with each other than most of the rest of the pack. Desh kar. But on the other hand, my dude's big and a dumb as a man can come - though sadly not yet stronger than a country hoss. So he'd defer to Malk's for planning fights because he's straight up not good at a plan that's more in depth than him holding someone down while everyone else lays the boots on them.

That works for me. Ties in with Omen's penchant for taking down adversaries through a variety of means, not just through brute force (hence her Cunning Renown).

Beyond the pitch for my wolf to be an alpha, which ties in with her capabilities and focuses, I don't have many other recommendations in mind. I'd welcome any suggestions, though, especially as they relate to character ties.

On both of the questions asked by the ST, I'd imagine that our forming the Motorcycle Club as a cover, and our filling it as members, would also influence both how long we've been together, and the dynamics that have arisen. Who would fill what roles within the pack, and within the MC, are open for debate, of course (I can only base my MC hierarchy knowledge off of the Sons of Anarchy show, though that seems like a good reference point for a WoD game).