Shadow's Edge

[Heroglyph]

Here are some builds from a game I've been running on Skype with some friends back home.

First camapign info:
Characters will be extraordinarily talented individual called together to work as agents (known as Envoys) of the Penumbra Society. (Much like how the league of Extraordinary Gentleman was brought together). This is NOT the World of Darkness, but rather a low powered street level "superhero" setting with supernatural background/ themes. Urban Fantasy might be the best way to describe it. No one will run around in tights and capes, but trenchcoats or latex bodysuits with corsets wouldn't be that odd on missions.

The Penumbra Society is a shadowy organization (rumored to have been founded by Harry Houdini) based in Chicago, whose true purpose is defending the mundane world from the forces of supernatural darkness, as well as keeping them blissfully unaware of the things that go bump in the night. (such as in Hellboy movies, Nightwatch movie, and Buffy ). To the outside world it is a private social club

A low level "supers" campaign dealing with supernatural elements. Inspired by movies/books such as:

* Hellboy
* NightWatch/ DayWatch
* The Dresden Files (Novels by Jim Butcher)

and to a lesser extent

* The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (movie sucked, but comics were great--group could be similar to this, extraordinary individuals brought together to fight the darkness.
* Underworld
* Blade
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)
* Constantine (Never read the comics, but I hear good things)

[Heroglyph]

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Normal Equipment: Shotgun (buckshot x3, slugs x4), Pistol (x2), Billy Club (x2+5 Result Bonus from Brawn), Thief's Tools, Disguise Kit, First Aid Kit, Computer, Multitool, Duct Tape, Standard Adventurer's Pockets (smartphone, money, pocket knife, mints, LED flashlight, shades, twine, chalk, live bullfrog, etc.)

Background
Arthur was a military brat who lived overseas at US bases off and on until he was of age. (His father was in military intelligence, his mother was also a spy, though Arthur is unaware of that to this day.) He was always a gearhead, taking apart and reassembling everything he could get his hands on from electronics to motorcycles to cooking recipes. Went to undergrad at Columbia (three years), and med school at University of Chicago (egregia * laude), and started his residency at Cook County.

After his parents died in a plane crash, he lost his way for a while, and did not finish his residency. (ER had been his forte.)

Entered a self-destructive phase. Turned to a life of petty crime and drugs--met many elements of Chicago criminal world. For six months he made his living as a street fighter, using his knowledge of anatomy, coupled with an unhealthy disregard for his own life, to great success. Amassed a small nest egg from his winnings.

Eventually turned his life around when he helped the police with a case, where he was able to use his genius to save the life of a police officer (Hazel Flores) who had been kidnapped.

Began a career consulting with the police, solving their tougher crimes, honed his investigation skills. Formed relationship with Hazel, with whom he worked on his consulting gig.

On a recent (6+ months before start of campaign) case, the perpetrator was an occultist. Arthur didn't believe in the occult, and because of this, he got Hazel killed. (The occultist, known only as Salazar, is his Arch-Enemy. Hazel's death is the source of his Guilt, which he suffers if anyone close to him or innocents come to harm in his presence. )

He and Hazel had been trying to track down the occultist , who had been kidnapping/killing women (let's say), for reasons unknown to them. Salazar was trying to find the "right" woman to make the ritual work, before the planets went out of alignment. He finally thought he found the right woman for the ritual (deciphering the grimoire's requirements was difficult and uncertain), and he was out of time anyway (last night the planets would be in alignment) when Arthur and Hazel finally caught up with him.

Hazel wanted backup, but Arthur rushed in, knowing the woman might be sacrificed before the cops arrived. Hazel, against her better judgment, couldn't let him go in alone, and followed. They interrupted the ritual, but Arthur underestimated Salazamandr's powers (totally discounted their existence, in fact), and this led to Hazel's death.

Arthur is still dealing with this event, which only happened recently. He hasn't taken any more cases from the police department since then. Hazel's death and the things he saw that night haunt him, and have shaken his belief that all can be explained by science. At the start of this campaign, Arthur is grappling with this forced change of his world view.

Has code against killing. But not against maiming.

Description: Arthur has a fairly average appearance. He is in his late twenties with dark features. Henormally wears plain, inconspicuous clothes--a dark jacket, low boots, sturdy trousers. He sometimes carries a billy club (a collapsible lead/iron pipe, 6"->24") if he is expecting trouble. He also owns a .357 magnum revolver (7 shots) and an over-and-under Beretta 12 gauge (two shots), as well as several other guns. He drives a 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood, with personalized plates that read "DSCOSTCK." He often carries his "SpockPouch" (TM) full of disguise implements, first aid and medical gear, ammunition, etc. He has one of these and some weapons stashed at the Penumbra Mothership/Lair.

Arthur can be gregarious and sociable when necessary, but his personality tends more naturally toward introspection and even melancholy.

[capmarvel]

Sounds like a well thought-out and fun campaign...can't wait to see your builds. Love the Houdini "rumor"! I wonder if H.P. Lovecraft was ever a member?

[Heroglyph]

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The Archangel Michael bestowed the sword, Heavenslite, upon a Knight Templar in the Middle Ages to help mankind fend off the Darkness.

Since then, it has been wielded by various champions throughout the ages. It passes to a different champion by the current one seeking out and bestowing the sword upon a worthy wielder (the current champion is compelled in some way to do so. They simply "know" when it is time, and where to seek out the individual who will carry on the legacy, but not knowing who exactly who, until they lie eyes upon hum ) . The sword is the ultimate decider. If someone is not worthy, it is just a normal sword.

Once someone becomes a champion, then they gain access to all of it's powers.

[Saker]

Very cool.

[Heroglyph]

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D&D Geek wizard: He is what is known in the magic world as a wild talent--able to tap into and use magic without any formal training. His geeky interests lent a focus to his awakening abilities. A framework though which to view it.

His Grimoire consists of an AD&D Players Handbook, which he uses to learn and cast spells from.

Casting Limitation: In his case, it involves speaking a bunch of goobly * that he has picked up from comics, fantasy books, and movies. Then , rolling a d20 (either an actual die, or an electronic app -such as an app on phone or internet.)

Appearance: Based on actual UIC student frequently seen riding the southbound # 8 bus on Halsted in the afternoon.

Tall (over 6 feet easy) , but portly. Not full blown fat, but definitely chubby. Thick glasses. Bad complexion. Sandy blond, sort of greasy hair that hangs down in bangs just above his glasses in the front, and a long mullet in teh back that lands about midway down his back. Wears an actual duster. It may be gray in color..sort of a stonewashed jeans feel to it. Usually has sleeves pushed up to expose forearms. Cut off finger glover?

Black pants. Black T-shirt with usually some (band? ) decal on front. Cowboy boots? Is he trying to look like Dresden? If so, he isn't pulling it off... ill * clothes. Too tight in parts and too loose in others. Frequently seen reading Sandman (Neil Gaiman) graphic novels on the bus.

[Heroglyph]

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* Burn-Out: This power cannot be used limitlessly- it will eventually give out until the power has had enough time to recharge (usually a scene). Each time the power is used, roll a d6. If the result is equal to or less than the power’s point cost, the power has been spent, and cannot be used for the rest of the scene unless you “push yourself”.

GM Note: This reflects him not being able to stay in a shifted form/appearance for long periods of time. It requires a lot of mental energy/focus which he can't maintain for extended durations (without extreme effort --i.e. pushing) causing him to eventually revert back to his hideous melted wax appearance. Good for pathos. As well as building some tension on subterfuge missions.

Equipment: could carry field examiner equipment as well as scalpels, tranquilizers, etc.

Background:
The ritual was supposed bring the madman's wax figure to life. A blank slate. completely subordinate, and eager to serve. Sloppy translation of ancient texts and second hand spell components all contributed to the disaster that soon followed.

The victim's still beating heart was plunged into the bubbling cauldron of liquid wax and arcane ingredients. The ritual peaked. An angry crescendo of swirling winds and hate filled desires, brought to an ear shattering conclusion by a bolt of lightning striking the flame-licked cauldron.

An explosion, a fire. and some...thing...rising from the bubbling wax ichor. Struggling to take shape amidst the raging fire all around it. The best it can ever achieve is that of a half melted male human: it's waxy features oozing and dripping against the heat, struggling to remain static.

Which makes it all the more tragic that the man that was sacrificed for his heart, somehow had his consciousness transferred into this grotesque form. This was never supposed to have happened. He was to be robbed of his life force to power the humonculous, nothing more. He was supposed to be dead, but he lives on, his mind trapped within a horrifying form

Motivations:

• He seeks the madman that did this to him.
  He wants to find a way to be human again.
  He is helping the Penumbra Society because he thinks that they know much more about magic than him, and has a better chance of finding a solution to his dilemma with them working on the case. They were able to teach him how to focus enough to learn how to gain control over his new form. How to appear human for short periods of time. That alone is reason enough.

Misc:
Also..he was in the medical forensics field. Specializing in blood splatter analysis ( like Dexter)

And he carries a can of spray on tan with him at all times which he uses to cover up his pasty "skin" tone. It tends to make him look like George Harrison.

He also has a collection of wigs and toupees he uses for his various disguises.

[Heroglyph]

Now a villain. The arch-enemy of Arthur Foxx

Salazar
Tragedy: Cursed to spend eternity apart from his true love Sophia.

16th century Spain, (Gypsies? )
A performing "magician" in a traveling gypsy circus.

A jealous unrequited lover killed her in a jilted rage. "If I can't have you, then no one will"

Salazar killed the man, but the man cursed him with his dying breath..a death curse. The most powerful.

It was the first time he had experienced REAL magic.

Salazar was cursed with immortality to make sure that he never joined Sophia in the afterlife. His heart grew heavy, his soul turned dark. He turned to the dark arts to ease his pain and put an end to his predicament.

The ritual that Foxx interfered with and and subsequently ruined, was one that would have broken teh curse, allowing him to die and be with his beloved. The planets would not be in proper alignment again for millenia. Fox robbed him of what he wanted most--a chance to be with his love forever.

Salazar has sworn revenge against Arthur Foxx . Foxx robbed him of his purpose, and given him new one. He has vowed to devote his unending days toward the torment and torture of Foxx. Death is too quick. Too Easy. He must pay for his actions...and Salazar has all the time in the world to collect this payment.

Personality/ Tactics

Haughty and boastful at times. Dramatic/Theatrical. Egotistical.

Prefers to work behind the scenes (initially) , manipulating events to his liking. Watching it all unfold, before revealing himself. He was originally a performer in a traveling gypsy circus, so it is hard for him to not reveal himself in a dramatic fashion.

He is very patient. He has to be, or he would go mad from his extended years. He view time differently than normal people. He is not afraid of a fight if need be. He can have a temper if he feels slighted or dishonored in some way.

[Heroglyph]

Helgath (the arch-enemy of John Peterson)

When the Archangel Michael chose an champion on Earth, the demon Abaddon (the Destroyer) soon followed suit. Selecting an agent of darkness to spread death and destruction among the mortal world. There have been many champions of booth Good and Evil over the centuries, both devoted to destroying one another.

The current incarnation, Helgath,has been around since world war one. He was a ruthless Cossack mercenary when he was chosen by Abaddon for his bloodthirsty and efficient manner of dealing death. He was bathed in Hellfire and imbued with powers from the Abysss

He typically acts as muscle for various covens or other groups dedicated to evil.

Personality:
Quiet as a tomb. Think Jason Vorheaves or Michael Myers.

Powers/Abilities
Uses dual scimitars and mystical chain.

Master of martial arts and eastern swordplay in a demonic form.

Can use chain like Ghost Rider (entangle, elongation, shuriken burst, etc)

[Heroglyph]

Please let me know if anyone catches any build or math errors.

General feedback on the characters/campaign is most appreciated.

Thanks!

[Nestor]

Hey, I remember this campaign!

I played in it for a short while. My character was Gargoyle By Night: Detective Kevin Granger, cursed by a group of devil worshipers to transform into a stone-skinned winged beast when the sun goes down.

I still have the character sheet somewhere in my drive, although IIRC in that game we only had 20 points to play with.

[Heroglyph]

Hey Nestor!

Yes, there has been some point creep

I remember the gargoyle. Unfortunately I just didn't have teh time to properly run a PBeM. It has since gone to Skype where I can run a one-shot with old friends every couple of months when we can all coordinate our schedules.

If I ever get the PBeM up and running again, I will be sure to let you know.

[Heroglyph]

Here he is:

Gargoyle by Night

B3 A2 M2
Soak x4, Dodge x2, Will x3
Claw Attack: x2, Damage x4

Mental Malfunction: Seeks cure for curse

Skills: Athletics (x2), Drive (x2), Stealth (x2), Investigation (x2), Security (x2), Streetwise (x2)

Powers:
Claws: Special Attack (+x1 dmg) (1 pt)
Claws: Clinging (1 pt)
Wings: Flight 2, Wings Limitation (1pt)
Tough Hide: Armor 1 (1 pt)
Strong-Willed: Mind Shield 1 (1 pt)
He knows His Stuff: Skillful 1 (1 pt)

Advantages:
Contacts

Frightening Presence

Disadvantages:
Involuntary Change (to normal human when moon goes down)
Normal (B1 A2 M2 with no powers except for Skillful)

Kevin Granger was a police detective investigating a rash of disappearances. He tracked the missing people to a warehouse and stepped into a secret coven trying to summon a demon by using human sacrifice.

Kevin came out a changed man, his body transformed to that of a thick-skinned bestial winged form. For some reason, the transformation wasn't permanent; when the sun rose, he turned back to a human.

He quit the force and got a PI license as a way to make money while he investigated what happened to him and how he could reverse it.

His three main contacts are:

* Angela Saroyan, a computer file clerk in the police department. A bit nerdy, she has a mild crush for Kevin and will supply him with information when she can.
* Freddie "The Finger" Carter, a professional snitch and information broker. Kevin's helped him out of a few jams so Freddie is willing to pass along any juicy bits, for a discounted rate, of course.
* Dennis Thornton, owner of an occult book store and dabbler in the mystic arts. Dennis is Kevin's main source for supernatural news and is one of the very few people who know about his curse.

[Heroglyph]

There was one other player in teh PBeM who played

CHAR (Charles Smith)
MENTAL MALFUNCTION: Redemption


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Name: Charles Smith
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 175lbs
Eyes: Green
Hair: Dark Red

Description: Wiry almost to the point of being gaunt, Charles (or Char, as close friends call him) is usually dressed in a stained t-shirt and jeans; the requisite black leather jacket completes his look, or lack thereof. A tattoo of a green Eastern dragon winds up his left bicep and over one shoulder; a tattoo of a Bengal tiger crawls down the other. His knuckles are scarred, a testament to the number of fights he's gotten into in his life; even on the days that he shaves it looks like he hasn't.

History: Charles had problems even as a little kid. At the age of five his parents were killed when the apartment building they were living in suddenly burst into flames; the authorities always suspected arson due to the rate at which the fire had spread. Charles grew up under state care, where a fascination with fire and anger management issues often had him shuttled from foster home to foster home, never staying in one place for long. At the age of sixteen the home he was staying in burned to the ground; he was arrested and charged with arson, but a lack of evidence kept him from being convicted. Finally sick of being told what to do by "the man", he robbed a convenience store and stole a motorcycle. The next few years he was on the run from the law, living life as he found it, stealing what he needed to survive, setting things on fire, and beating the crap out of anyone who had the gall to disagree with him. Best estimates suggest that, between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two, he set no fewer than thirty-five four alarm fires, one hundred sixty-eight three alarm fires, and an uncountable number of smaller blazes.

It's not completely known how it occurred, but by his twenty third birthday he was working as an "intimidation specialist" for the mob out of Reno, NV. During this time he gained the nickname Char, as those that crossed him (or the mob) tended to show up in the morgue, burned to the bone. Eventually, he made the mistake of sleeping with the Don's daughter, and was targeted by several hitmen, all of whom were later found dead, either beaten or burned to death. It is unclear if it was by choice or not, but the girl accompanied him to San Francisco. Although the two of them tried to lay low, it was less than a year before he gave away his position; having learned a lesson from the loss of his first teams, the Don hired a specialist to deal with him, which is what lead to our rescue of him from the Bay.

The whole reason she (Melissa) got together with him was to escape her father's business. When he was thrown into the bay, he had a vision while underwater, where angels came to rescue him. They took him on a tour of his life, showing him all of the bad things he'd done; and introduced him to his parents. Instead of saying how disappointed they were in him, they told him that they loved him, and they were proud of him. When he woke up on the dock, unbound and alive, he was a new man, trying to atone for the things he'd done and make himself into the person his parents saw in him. Joining the society was just one way of trying to do good instead of bad. His girlfriend (let's call her Melissa) is another reason he's trying to stay on the straight and narrow.

[Heroglyph]

Here is a brief summary of the last Skype session:

Foxx and Peterson are called into Penumbra HQ by Arvid Karlsen. He introduced them to “wizard” who call s himself “Frodo” before explaining the mission.

Several expensive yachts have been disappearing from the marina at Montrose Beach . Leaving port at night and never returning. Even in calm weather.

There have also been reports of a ghostly apparition on the pier at night

Foxx goes to talk with his contact Olivia Cosmos:

Learns that she has heard of reports of the ghost and has known the people who have gone missing. The ghost is reportedly that if Harbor Master John Tucker. He was killed in a boating accident a few months ago. His fishing boat was hit by a yacht. He drowned.

Olivia was one of the passengers of the yacht that resulted in Tuckers death. It was piloted by Jonah Carterson, a well to do plastic surgeon.

Tucker's wife, Edna, reportedly had a nervous breakdown after the event, but has recovered and is now living back in their home.

Foxx uses his charm and winds up having an afternoon romp in the hay with Olivia. She wasn't hard to convince. She wishes she had just cut the chase from the get go , rather than talking about all of that ghostly rumor poppycock.

He is also able to talk her into loaning him her yacht for the night.

ON THE LAKE:

They go out on lake Michigan in the Cosmos Naut. A champagne pink yacht with two bubbly * glasses * jauntily as it's logo.

They are rammed by a ghostly pirate ship. The yacht takes enough damage to fling them all into the water. The boat is capsized and sinking.

The pirate ship makes a wide turn, heading back to them. Frodo casts a fireball, which sets the front of the ghost ship ablaze. The ship vanishes into thin air before it reaches them

they are able to swim back to shore, but it takes them an hour.

Arthur calls Olivia, who doesn't believe his ridiculous story and thinks he has been drinking and sank her yacht. NOT. HAPPY.

He then calls the coast guard and files a report with them, (sans ghost ship) explaining it was a brightly lit vessel with spot lights aimd at them (thus the lack of description) which rammed them.

INVESTIGATION:

They go back to HQ and start researching. They learn: That the people on the two yachts they have recently disappeared were all passengers on the yacht of Carterson's yacht when it killed the harbormaster. They decide to try to talk with Carterson.

Meet with Carterson:

Frodo acts a s a transgender applicant to get a consultation with him. He tries to bring up the boating incident. But , the doctor gets spooked and gives him the bum's rush.

The trio shadow him to his home. Foxx jury rigs a listening device to eavesdrop on his cell phone conversations:

Mainly, it is just him venting to his wife about the pressure and stress he is under do to the upcoming trial. Wishes the widow would settle out of court and fr it to all just be over with so he could get back to his normal life.

MEET with Widow

nautical/ pirate themed paintings/ bric a brac in house

Learn that she paid for a voodoo curse (she is from the islands ..that is where her and her husband meet when he was in the navy 30 years ago.) on the people responsible for her husband's death. She wrote a with ink laced with her own blood. It was put in an envelop and sealed as part of the ritual. She doesn't know what happened to the letter after that.

She admits that she wasn't in her right mind when she did it, shortly after she went into a short term psychiatric treatment facility for "nerves" . She doesn't even necessarily believe in voodoo, or magic, but she would feel terrible if her actions somehow caused anyone to suffer.

She tells them the woman who performed the ritual;l was a voodoo priestess called Madame Jum Jum

MEET WITH Madame Jumjum

Have to pay her for info. Tells them that a curse is very had to break. That if the seal is broken, then the powers that have been set into motion to bring the curse to fruition will move to prevent anything from stopping it form happening. Powers best not trifled with. She could not guarantee their safety if they choose this path, but she tells them the envelop was buried in a graveyard and gives them directions to it's location.

They go to Graveyard.

Dig up envelop and set it on fire with lighter.

As they dig it up, 10 zombies rise from the grave.

Peterseon quickly dispatches two of them, with decisive brain slicing accuracy.

Frodo destroy the rest of the advancing horde with a well placed fireball.

They hope that their actions have lifted the curse,..but only time will tell.