Search for the Red City (Numenera System Interest Check)

[nailcrosser]

Officially, I’m a Strong-Willed Jack who Crafts Illusions. I’ll work on my character sheet tonight.

[TheHangedOne]

sheet

I am a Rugged Jack who Explores Dark Places
From the School of Hard Knocks

Might: 15 | 1
Speed: 16 | 1
Intel: 13 | 1
Effort: 03
Armor: 2
Cyphers: 3 max
Weapons: Light & Medium
Connections: One other PC has been an adventuring partner in previous expeditions, and we work so well together that we both gain +1 to any die rolls when collaborating.
        I came of age in the wild and am used to living rough.
Skills:Perception (specialized), Climbing (specialized), jumping (specialized), running, swimming, searching (specialized), listening (specialized), balancing (specialized); Lockpicking, tinkering with devices, escape from bonds, fit into tight spaces, Contortion; Machine Intelligences; training, riding, or placating natural animals; identifying or using natural plants.
Inability: No social graces. Charm, Persuasion, Etiquette, or Deception is increased one step.
Explores Dark Places (Tier 3):
   Esoteries make almost no sound, and visual is dark and shadowy.
   Trained Explore: train in search, listen, climb, balance, and jump.
   Trained Infiltrator: train in lockpick, tinkering.
   Eyes Adjusted: See in dim light as if bright. See in total darkness as if extremely dim.
   Slippery Customer: Train in escaping, fitting, contortionist tasks. Trained in Speed defense while wearing light/no armor.
Flex Skill: At the start of each day, choose one task on which you will concentrate. Considered Trained for that task.
Tricks of the Trade:
   Bash: 1M cost. Inflict +1 damage.
   Hedge Magic: 1I cost. Perform small tricks; prepare but not create food, change colors or appearances of small objects, clean, mend, etc.
   Ward: Passive shield of energy at all times that deflects attacks. +1 armor.
   Practiced in Armor: Can wear armor for reasonable periods of time without detriment. Reduce might cost/hour for armor, and speed pool reduction by 2 points.
Equipment:
Stealthy clothing
Hides and Furs (1 point of armor)
Yulk (Medium weapon; 4 damage. splayed metal claw on 2 foot haft)
Forearm Blade(Light weapon; 2 damage. Bracer with mounted blade)
Blowgun w/12 darts (Light ranged; 2 damage. Exactly what it sounds like)
Super Duper Explorer's Pack! (150 feet of rope (in 3 sections), Rations for 7 days, three spikes, hammer, warm clothes, sturdy boots, 3 torches, 4 minor glowglobes)
Light Tools (small tongs, pliers, screwdriver, small hammer, pry bar, lockpicks, 10 feet string, 3 feet wire, misc. screws and nails)
two cyphers, one oddity
Purchased: Backpack, Bedroll, A piece of floatstone (kept in backpack to reduce weight of his gear), 0 shins

Cyphers:
     Jigsaw Puzzle: Detonation (Matter Disruption), tossable sphere, level 10 (1d6+4, rolled 6)
     Pins'n'Needles Ring: Ray Emitter (Numbing), worn ring, level 6 (1d6+2, rolled 4)
Oddities:
    Contact lenses that make your eyes seem completely white with no pupils (constantly worn)
Summary: At 2019-05-20 17:12:56, TheHangedMan (uid: 12227) rolls: 2d100a13 Result: 18, 67
Summary: At 2019-05-20 17:20:46, TheHangedMan (uid: 12227) rolls: 1d100 Result: 94

image

My Story

I grew up in a ruin. They say it was from a past world. Maybe a thousand years old? But one day, I wake up from the sleeping bed, and the Overseer speaks to me. I am the only one to wake. All the other beds become sarcophagi. I am alone, but not alone. Overseer Alpha Nine (A-9) is there to teach me.

I spend many years in the dark. Power failing. A-9 is dying. Food and water reserves are scarce. A-9 says I must go out into the world; start learning, adapting. Thriving. A-9 continues to teach me.

One day, A-9 must finally go to sleep, like the others. Power failing. Opens the armory doors. Most of the equipment is not salvageable. I am guided to a few select pieces, and given a very thorough understanding of how to use them. I say goodbye to A-9.

Who am I? Whiskey Tango Charlie-Two (WTC-2). You can just call me W, though. It's easier. I wonder why people don't have shorter, simpler names? In leaving the old, dark ruins, I must make my way in the world. Maybe I will find the energy cells, the "Numenera" people speak of, that will allow me to give life back to A-9.

No, I don't know what world I came from. A-9 said I was five when I awoke, and that I was close to my 21st birthday before A-9 said goodbye. All my memories are of home, the 'ruins', and my caretaker, teacher, and many other things: A-9.

[SidheLady]

Looks good!

[Arcanist]

Nightingale did not know her parents and if she was given a name other than Nightingale, she does not know. It was what the girls in the brothel and the owner called her. According to the girls she lived with, she was born of a union between a prostitute and possibly her client, lover or the then brothel owner. Her life was hard as an orphan girl working in the brothel. She would wake up early and clean, from the floors and furniture to the dirty laundry. She would then help the girls get ready for the night. The brothel owner would only let her rest when the doors to the brothel open, and that was only because of the laws of the city.

Her mother must have been popular with the patrons of the brothel because Nightingale grew up to be quite attractive. At least the brothel owner was ethical, either that he was more afraid of the patrons of his establishment because he never did allow the patrons "hire" her, at least not until she came of age. Nightingale was intelligent, perhaps not book smart but she had a good understanding of human behavior. Where the girls would know that if the were to act a certain way they would get a better tip, Nightingale wanted to know why. Soon she became popular with the clients, even though she did not sleep with any of them, after all, she was not of age. She took the opportunity to learn all she can and found that she had a talent with languages.

When she came of age, the brothel owner took the opportunity to finally make some shins. Shins he felt was owed to him for taking care of Nightingale. He held an auction. The highest bidder would have his or her way with her for a night and a day. She was "bought" by an older man, an aristocrat with too much money to spend. He was not a usual patron of the brothel, in fact was only in the city in passing, but heard of the auction. It was not an easy night and day for Nightingale. Her screams could be heard for a night and a day. Later, the aristocrat bought Nightingale from the brothel owner for a substantial amount of money for various reasons.

To elevate suspicions of a much younger girl in a household of the much older aristocrat, after all, appearances have to be kept. He introduced Nightingale as the daughter of his dead sister. During the day, Nightingale would live the life of an aristocrat, and be treated as such. But in private, she was his to do what he willed. The aristocrat, for various reasons, loved the arrangement and lived out his fantasies. It was also about this period of her life that she found that she could heal with a touch. She hid this from her "guardian" even when she knew he was dying. Until one day the aristocrat's heart gave. Lucky for Nightingale, he died during a convocation of the nobility of the city. For days, the aristocrats in the city came and paid their respects to his beloved niece, not knowing their true relationship. Because of her situation, she grew up into an attractive and eloquent woman and with her experience pulled at the heartstrings of her visitors. She was very different from the Nightingale from the brothel. She donated her shins to charities and orphanages, founded free clinics and hospices, and she encouraged the other nobles to do the same. However, she always kept her healing abilities a secret. She had plenty of suitors but always brushed them aside politely. The mental scars from her "guardian" were still there. She was in a good space until one of the regulars came to her door and "asked" for a "favour".

Lady Nightingale is a Polygot Arkus who works Miracles

Might        8 | 0
Speed       10 | 0
Intellect      18 | 3

Effort: 3
Cypher Use: 3
Background: Inborn Traits
Arkus Connection: As an orphan, you had a difficult childhood, and your entry into adulthood was challenging

Weapons: Light

Skills: Trained in all pleasant social interaction, Persuasion (Specialised), Deception, Healing, Perception, Negotiation & Courtesan skills
Languages: Fluent in four different languages

Inability:
Crafting numenera, Salvaging numenera and Understanding numenera
Your intelligence focuses on language not science. The difficulty of any task requiring scientific understanding is increased by one step

Defences: Trained in Speed Defence Tasks

Connections:
1.   One PC quietly suspects that you’re a messiah or supernatural being
2.   One PC knows a secret of yours, and you desperately hope they do not tell anyone.
3.   One PC believes that you cured someone close to them of a deadly disease and they are grateful
4.   One PC You secretly believes that he might be a hypochondriac

Community Leader: While present within a community, and actively and personally working on behalf of the community, the community’s rank is +1 for all purposes except damage inflicted.

Improved Community Leader: Now +2 for any task except for attack and defence. You also do not have to be constantly present in and actively working on behalf of the community,

Demeanour of Command (2 intellect)
You emote confidence, knowledge and charisma to all who see you for the next hour. All trhose see you as someone important, accomplished and with authority. You gain a free level of effort that can be applied to one persuasion task you attempt during this period. Action to initiate.

Language Mastery

Tier 1:
Percepts:
Trained without Armor – Trained in Speed defence actions
Anecdote (2 Intellect points)
For the next hour, those who pay attention to your story are trained in a task you choose that’s related to the anecdote. Action to initiate, one minute to complete

Works with Miracles
Healing Touch (1 Intellect Point)
With a touch, you restore 1d6 points to one stat Pool of any creature: This ability is a difficulty 2 Intellect task. Each time you attempt to heal the same creature, the task difficulty increases by one step. The difficulty returns to 2 after that creature rests for 10 hours. Action

Tier 2
Percepts:
Cloud Personal Memories (3 Intellect points) Cause target to forget what just happened. On a success, you erase up to the last five minutes of its memory. Action to prepare action to initiate
Disincentivise (1 Intellect point): You hinder all actions attempted by any number of targets within short range who can understand you, Affected targets’ actions are hindered for one round
Works with Miracles
Alleviate (3 Intellect Points)
You attempt to cancel or cure one malady (such as disease or poison) in one creature (Action)

Tier 3
Precepts:
Lead by Inquiry
All allies are trained in tasks related to perception
Works with Miracles
Font of Healing
With your approval, other creatures can touch you to regain 1d6 points to either their Might Pool or their Speed Pool, This healing costs them 2 intellect points. Can. Only benefits once each day.

Starting Equipment:
Simple clothing
First Aid Kit
Buzzer with 15 shots
Three cyphers
9 shins

[nailcrosser]

Character Biography

Mel Hanover is a member of the Feldspar Union, Seren's guild of arcane artisans society. He's a successful illusionist that uses his talents to create immersive fantasies. People from all over the Protectorate hire him to recreate their dreams, which run from heroic journeys to perverse smut. Mel has a reputation for secrecy and a trustworthy demeanor. He's stoic, soft spoken, and chooses his words carefully. However, his experience has made him grow jaded. He's spent days in the head realms of others. He's been disguised as fathers, brothers, and ex-lovers in stuffy rooms where he conjured images of paradise. He's sat behind one-way mirrors in brothels and guided the ultimate erotic illusions of the clientele.  The insight he's gathered on particular individuals has proven more valuable than his usual work. To the right client, under the right circumstance, the secrets he's extracted are up for sale. 

The truth is, Mel believes that desire should never be compromised by trepidation. Whatever perceived social or structural pressure that causes someone to think their life's path isn't wholly their own, that they have to settle for illusions, can be overcome. Mel sees his illusions as steps towards an individual's achievement of life worth living, towards uncovering their destiny. That is his grand dream, but he needs more inspiration. He craves to see, feel, and experience tangible, extraordinary pleasures. He's gone on adventurous sabbaticals in the past. He's tread far into wilds and ruins and left wanting more. Master Braerheart's invitation was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

Mel is remarkably tall but gaunt. His hair is the color of burnt chestnuts, slicked back and shiny on the top of his head. The sides of his head are shaved, revealing circuit branches of copper wire winding beneath his skin across his temples. They course through his head and connect to his purple, artificial eye, where the illusions are projected from. His other eye is still the natural green he was born with. He's handsome but often holds a stern expression. Strangers assume he's upset but anyone else knows better. He dresses fashionably but versatile. He typically doesn't look out of place in either high society or low. Everything is tailored. He wears a black knit robe trimmed with gold that's hemmed just past the seat of his pants. His pants are ruggedly woven, dyed an abyssal dark green color with irregular pale pin stripe threads peeking through. His boots are purple beetle suede. He tries, but not too hard. That's what he wants you to think.

Character Sheet

Mel Hanover
Strong-willed Jack who Crafts Illusions
Background: A Cobbled Jumble

Might: 15 E1
Speed: 16 E2
Intellect: 17 E2
Effort: 3

Armor: 1

CONNECTIONS
-You’re friends with many people in the community and are generally well regarded. (Type)
-Pick one other PC. This character is never fooled by your illusions and is never affected by the trickery of your special abilities. Mel is not aware of this at the start. (Focus)

SKILLS
Disguise (Specialized)
Sneaking (Trained)
Practiced with Light and Medium Weapons
Flex Skill
Trained in tasks requiring intensive concentration
Resists mental effects

Inability: Willful doesn’t mean brilliant. The difficulty of any task that involves figuring out puzzles or problems, memorizing things, or using lore is increased by one step.

FOCI
Tier 1: Minor Illusion (1 Int)
Tier 2: Disguise (2+ Int)
Tier 3: Major Illusion (3 Int)

TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Tier 1: Practiced in Armor,
Pierce (1 Spd)
Tier 2: Push (2 Int)
Tier 3: Mind Reading (4 Int)

INVENTORY
Crank crossbow with 12 medium bolts, dagger,
leather jerkin,
an explorer’s pack, a pack of light tools, disguise kit
two cyphers,
one oddity,
12 shins

CYPHERS (3 max)
-Strength boost
-Teleporter (bounder)
At 2019-05-21 13:02:54, nailcrosser (uid: 38236) rolls: 2d100 Result: 175

ODDITIES
-Glass in synth frame with hidden switches that reveal moving images on the glass (Focus oddity)
-Circular stone plate with a human face that occasionally changes expression or appears to speak
(but has no voice)
At 2019-05-21 13:06:47, nailcrosser (uid: 38236) rolls: 1d100 Result: 6

[SidheLady]

Okay, what I am saying is this. Begin with a fresh character, then, use xp-build to increase to tier 3

[Arcanist]

Cool!

[nailcrosser]

Can we triple our starting shins?

[Re Z L]

Gonna try and put something together for this too, a Mechanical Jack who Fuses Flesh and Steel

Just trying to piece it together in my mind right now 

[Empyrean]

So I think I have a concept down now.

She is a Clever Nano Who Travels Through Time. (Character Options book.)

Now I just need to figure out how to make a sheet. :)

[Arcanist]

Okay!
Hi SidheLady,
Redesigned my character - I am now the Party Healer :) But I need help on a few things
1. How much money do I get to spend?
2. Do I roll for cyphers and oddity or can you just surprise me?
3. Need help on languages.

[nailcrosser]

Arcanist - would be great if Mel knows a secret of Lady Nightingale’s. Interested?

[SidheLady]

Okay!
Hi SidheLady,
Redesigned my character - I am now the Party Healer :) But I need help on a few things
1. How much money do I get to spend?
2. Do I roll for cyphers and oddity or can you just surprise me?
3. Need help on languages.

1. Triple Base.
2. I can suprise you or, you can roll...you choose.
3. Okay, what help do you need?

Can we triple our starting shins?

YES!

Okay, I am planning on first post on...hmmm....sunday!

[Re Z L]

WIP (Don't mind my dust)

Lyra-6
is a Mechanical Jack who Fuses Flesh and Steel

History:

Lyra-6 has little memory of her past.  She knows that she is the product of a strange community, but she does not remember where they are located or who is in charge of them.  She also is aware that she is the sixth iteration of a woman named Lyra due to the eugenics and cybernetics program that was used by that community to create a more perfect being.  Some kind of singularity seeking of fusion of the numenera and humans.  She assumes that she did something to displease them and thus her memory was expunged and she was banished from them.  She has no memory of how or why she appeared at the base of the Black Ridge near the city of Jyrek.  Since then she has wandered the world a bit, gaining some experience and knowledge.  She's uncertain if she wants to try and find out her origins or simply live for the future.  For now she has settled down in the region of the Southern Protectorate.

Character Sheet (Empty)

[Arcanist]

Okay, finished my history.

Waiting for some PCs to find some connections with her.

[TheHangedOne]

Okay, finished my history.

Waiting for some PCs to find some connections with her.

You could have 'W' down for the one who you think is a hypochondriac. I have an idea in mind that would be a mutual connection.

Since W had to leave his shelter at some point and go out into the world, he wuld have stumbled upon people eventually... and had no clue what the Truth/Common language was. Maybe your character helped him to learn it? The whole of the Ninth World is basically new for W, so every time he experiences something he can't co relate to his time in relative isolation might have him being weirded out or the such (which could be misinterpreted as a sort of hypochondria).

On the flip side for you, my character would work well with yours, to the point you get an actual bonus on tasks that they're collectively working on together ("One other PC has been an adventuring partner in previous expeditions, and we work so well together that we both gain +1 to any die rolls when collaborating.").

[Arcanist]

Yes, we could definitely do that TheHangedMan. Perhaps you could have done in to the soup kitchens or hospice she run. There picked up you language and could communicate with you. Perhaps even looked at ‘curing’ you by giving you a herbal concoction. Exploring would give her  experience and more shins. Besides she would have enjoyed learning about new things. Let’s do that.

Great connected to 2 PCs now :)

[SidheLady]

Okay, how many PC's are we waiting on?

We need characters people!

[Arcanist]

Me finished

[TheHangedOne]

Similarly finished.

[nailcrosser]

Also done with mine.

[Empyrean]

I'm sorry but I have to withdraw. Good luck though! :)

[SidheLady]

Okay....Game Loading.....
.............

[Red Stella]

Very interested, if you’re still recruiting.

[Arcanist]

Yay!