Buffyverse offstage actions

All Slayers:

Each team discovers that the Vampire covens that killed your families all stuck around your home cities, taking great joy in welcoming newly sired Vampires into their coven, teaching them hunting strategies for feeding on Human(oids), how to use their new Vamp abilities including the martial arts moves they all seem to naurally pick up, etc.

All of you except Telgarth recognizes the coven symbol as part of the Mui coven.

Telgarth:

Teaming up with Vala helped you make underground contacts for smuggling, as her fence gave you a contact for an up & comer mob boss. I'm going to assume that you choose not to smuggle drugs, slaves, choosing instead to specialize in gun running. Note: For some reason, in the Buffyverse, flame-thrower type weapons are not as common as real world, and you don't think anyone in this organization is Undead.

Because you & Vala proved yourself over & over to be able to get out of tough situations, you were recently trusted with a bigger contract than guns. You & Vala just returned to San Foggy from the Orient with about 100# of special saphire crystal in its raw form. You are of course expected to not ask questions about the delivery, but you recognize the material as similar in form and quantity of the glass blown La Magra statue.

Ember & Angelus:

Being a former bookworm, re-reading some of the old tombs you read previously on magic, Ember is now able to notice subtle errors in the books of the esoteric subjects (like Undead & magic), and while she does get a few "you look a little like that girl from the news..." type comments, no one that you know of puts together that the conservatively dressed bookworm is the same person that the media protrayed as a teen showgirl slut who went on a killing spree with her 2 boyfriends.

Angelus, since Undead are in large believed to be fiction, and I think Revenants look Undead, I'm going to say most students/peers think you're <help me pick a PC race that looks similar & fairly rare... Githyanki?>

Over time the 2 of you notice several University admins & profs disappearing in the library for extended periods of time and you eventualy discover a secret, hidden basement level to the library. The 2 of you only had an opportunity to check it out once so far, and while you easily bypassed the familiar severed finger trap, you only went down far enough to see that it's at least as big as the upper library, but because you heard lots of activity further in and saw 2 large Zombies chained to the entryway to the lower library, you did not explore it.

Blade:

Not even a couple weeks after the casino massacre, Selena solicits your help to discreetly as possible buy up as much pigs blood as possible, filing a whole bathtub ideally. She is sensing that her century anniversary as Undead is close, and with a proper blood ritual, a 'quickening' or infusion of Undead energies is possible (that is, she'll go from 5th level minion to 8th level regular Vamp).

Selena makes a great partner & getaway driver for your heists now that she has more than 1 hp (& is a very skilled driver). Targeting medium wealthy Vamps as marks to rob, business is going pretty smoothly, and the last penthouse you just hit you discover has lots of fine glasswork, some displayed, some in progress, and you discover detailed blueprints for a hollow crystal large demon statue to be commissioned soon. A hand written note on the blueprints say "exact same specs as previous".


Ashe:

You fit in fine with almost all of your co-workers in the high tech firm you picked up a temp contract to work for, except for one. He was solidly the 2nd smartest engineer there and took an instant dislike to you. He's made subtle accusations that you look like the casino massacre 'other man' in the love triangle killing spree that was all over the news. He's kind of a douche though and no one likes him. The other engineer no one talks to is a super freak genius that never talks to anyone and is always working alone in his lab. You decide one day to spy on the super freak's work one day when he actually wasn't there (very rare), and discover that in addition to his company work, he's also very busy on building & refining several high tech vigillante type gadgets.

Also, since you spent the most time with Giles, your Watcher, you get a 1-time only +2 bonus to your next knowledge check.



All Slayers:

During these 6 months, beside the above, you all finished off the Vampire hordes that attacked your families, but since 1 team had 2 families to put to rest, and a great idea was sent to me on how to play it, I want to play out either Ember or Angel's family encounter.

Meanwhile, Ashe, Blade, & Telgarth just might stumble upon a young brash new Slayer that happened to bite off more than he could chew (if Trevor posts his PC...)

Please let me know if you have any questions so far, and which leads you want to pursue first... (or at all)

Please let me know if you have any questions so far, and which leads you want to pursue first... (or at all)

Aren't we doing either Ember or Angel's family encounter first?

Mick wrote:

Please let me know if you have any questions so far, and which leads you want to pursue first... (or at all)

Aren't we doing either Ember or Angel's family encounter first?

Yes, but if Trevor posts, I have another encounter for the rest of the party to meet his PC so everyone is active. After that, each team has a lead to follow up on (as a full party), and it's non-linear where we need to start after that. (Yes, they may just all connect sooner or later...)

Would either of you have any strong reason to do one family first, or should I randomly pick which one is left?

Random pick is fine with me.
I can't wait to get started again.

Angelus doesn't really rememeber much of his family and wouldn't have as strong of a connection to them as Ember does with her family.

Angelus would tell Ember that they should look in on her family first.

Is Ember Mickey's Character?

Yeah, I have her all leveled up, and I'll get her posted shortly. What size do the little icons need to be for the map maker, I can make those up real quick as I'll be using photoshop anyway.

Oh also, I know originally at level 1 it was 2 or 3 items from home as starting equipment. Am I allowed anything else for 6th level?

Trevor wrote: Am I allowed anything else for 6th level?

You can have any normal, non-exotic non-magic items and have a wishlist ready for items you want and we will roleplay finding them. There are no magic stores to buy magic (for the living), so you wouldn't start with any, but I'll try to catch you up fast.

Please include at least a rough sketch of the background prior to 1st level you want so I know how to introduce you. Remember, as far as the living knows, Undead & magic are myth & fairy tales, much like in the real world (except both actually exist in the Buffyverse).

New question, what weapon in the character builder should I use as the stand in for a wooden stake?

Edit: For the moment I am assuming it's a dagger. Also, character build summary posted here. Images and backstory will be added soon.

bradly wrote:Angelus, since Undead are in large believed to be fiction, and I think Revenants look Undead, I'm going to say most students/peers think you're <help me pick a PC race that looks similar & fairly rare... Githyanki?>

The closest "living" racial match would be the Shadar'kai:

Shadar-kai
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
Shadar-kai are humanlike, but the weight of existence in the Shadowfell has shaped them to be slightly shorter and much thinner than their human counterparts. A shadar-kai has a colorless complexion that varies from alabaster to dark gray. Shadar-kai hair is similarly drab or raven black. Pale hair might have a hint of color within the range of human norms. The eyes are lustrous and black, lacking any white or clear pupil. Shadows near a shadar-kai sometimes seem to reach out or deepen, especially when the shadar-kai is angry.
Although drab in natural appearance, shadar-kai are quite elaborate and idiosyncratic in personal adornment. They like dark and exotic clothing, jewelry, and weapons, often decorated with swatches of bright color. Hair is similarly ornate and often dyed. All shadar-kai embellish their skin with tattoos, scars, and piercings.
A shadar-kai could live longer than any eladrin. Few do, however; the consequences of extreme living keep them from seeing old age. Some simply fade away, disappearing into shadow and death, perhaps leaving behind a wraith as the soul passes into the Raven Queen’s care.

Revenant
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
Revenants are souls of the dead returned to a semblance of life by the Raven Queen, but they do not appear as undead horrors or even anything like their former selves. When the Raven Queen reincarnates souls, they exist as her special creations, and they have the bodies of her choosing and creation. In this way, such souls are always marked as representatives of the Raven Queen’s power.

A revenant has a body that is slender for his or her height, but this form possesses an uncanny toughness that contradicts the apparent build. Revenants have the same range of complexions as humans, but a revenant’s skin is ashen and the features are sunken. Eyes are most commonly solid black with a single point of red light in place of a pupil, but other eerie eye colors—including yellow, white, silver, and gold—are not uncommon, although they always share the same fiery red pupil. In most cases, the eyes lack an iris and pupil, and some glow with a ghostly light. Revenant hair typically ranges from black to white. They can grow facial hair, and males often have beards or mustaches that accentuate their dreadful countenances.

A revenant’s face and skin clearly set a member of this unique race apart from other humanoids. A revenant’s visage has a masklike quality that can be disturbing to normal mortals. Rough, dark scales appear on the flesh near the ends of a revenant’s limbs, marking the revenant as one of those the Raven Queen allowed back into the world of the living. Revenant digits end in strong, black fingernails or toenails that resemble claws.

Each revenant is unique, but ties to the Shadowfell draw most to dark colors and clothing that can help them escape notice. Whether because of dark humor or as a warning to others, their clothing and gear bear symbols that are reminders of death or duty. Revenants use raven feathers, bones, chains, grave markers, and skulls for decoration.

bradly wrote:
Ember & Angelus:

Being a former bookworm, re-reading some of the old tombs you read previously on magic, Ember is now able to notice subtle errors in the books of the esoteric subjects (like Undead & magic), and while she does get a few "you look a little like that girl from the news..." type comments, no one that you know of puts together that the conservatively dressed bookworm is the same person that the media protrayed as a teen showgirl slut who went on a killing spree with her 2 boyfriends.

All Slayers:
During these 6 months, beside the above, you all finished off the Vampire hordes that attacked your families, but since 1 team had 2 families to put to rest, and a great idea was sent to me on how to play it, I want to play out either Ember or Angel's family encounter.

Angelus will go with Ember to check out how her family is doing. We'll approach cautously in case they're being watched.

How far does Ember's family live from Angel's family? Same town? Same state?

We'll inform the others via phone of what we found at the library and request assistance.

Dwarmaj wrote:
Angelus will go with Ember to check out how her family is doing. We'll approach cautously in case they're being watched.

How far does Ember's family live from Angel's family? Same town? Same state?

We'll inform the others via phone of what we found at the library and request assistance.

It's your PC's background, so you can choose what city you're from, but I was only planning on roleplaying the family encounter that you'd do last, which I thought was your family? Easy switch either way, and tonight I'll post maps for:

Ember & Angelus' family encounter,

Ashe, Blade, & Telgarth meeting a new Zodiac Slayer (Aura)


Re: the library, Ember & Angelus are just finishing up their 6 mos on the lamb and you are all about to regroup as planned. Ashe, Blade & Telgarth got there a little bit early and just so happened to run into Aura while waiting for everyone to regroup. We can do the library or other leads as a full party. Ember & Angelus can choose what U they are at (as long as it's a big one).

Ember & Angelus can choose what U they are at (as long as it's a big one).

I don't understand this statement?

So Brad, are you going to run two encounters at once?
Ember & Angelus' family encounter & meeting a new Zodiac Slayer (Aura)encounter?
Then the Library encounter with the whole group.

Mick wrote:

Ember & Angelus can choose what U they are at (as long as it's a big one).

I don't understand this statement?

So Brad, are you going to run two encounters at once?
Ember & Angelus' family encounter & meeting a new Zodiac Slayer (Aura)encounter?
Then the Library encounter with the whole group.

Yes, we're going to roleplay only one of the 'offstage' encounters, just Angelus & Ember's family mission (and just the 2nd family). While that's going on, the other Slayers will meet the new PC. These 2 encounters will be done simultaneously with a split party.

After that, the full party will regroup and can check out the library or any other leads you all choose. (hint: they all eventually connect...)

Also, I'm letting you guys choose what cities you're from, where you lay low for the 6 months, and what University Ember & Angelus are at (but it has to be a major one to fit the story of what's underneath... what you will find under the library wouldn't be at a local community college).

Ok, I think Aura is pretty much ready. I tried to come up with a bit different backstory since she is starting at 6th level and hasn't met any of the other slayers. I think I managed to wrap up everything pretty well. Let me know what you think, Brad. It's your game after all.

Trevor wrote:Ok, I think Aura is pretty much ready. I tried to come up with a bit different backstory since she is starting at 6th level and hasn't met any of the other slayers. I think I managed to wrap up everything pretty well. Let me know what you think, Brad. It's your game after all.

Wow! Awesome background Trevor! We need to change a couple things though...

In the Buffyverse, almost all of the living are unaware that Vampires, Undead, & magic exist (just like the real world), so a parallel dimension racial history doesn't fit.

Ember & Angelus' encounter isn't tough enough for 3 PCs, but my introduction for you is tough enough for 4 PCs. Let's say you enrolled into college and your next quarter dorm mate can be Ember, but you haven't met her yet and only know of each other's names. That way you can meet the party as I planned...

When you stay with your best friend Lithia, her step mom is named Gwendolyn Post, and she is a Watcher who also didn't die in the explosion, and it is she who saved you from the Vamp attack and taught you about magic (through 6th).

You are in Los Diables looking for Ms Post after you & Lithia discovered she has been secreting away your blood, hair, found a lost glove looking relic, and is on her way back to give these items to a Vampire clan you discover she's been working for all this time. You also want to avenge Lithia who wasn't as fortunate as you in discovering Ms Post's duplicity...

Needless to say, you later find out from Giles that some of what she taught you about Vamps is lies.

Post Script: I also need a wish list for you so I can catch you up the the other PCs with magic.

bradly wrote:In the Buffyverse, almost all of the living are unaware that Vampires, Undead, & magic exist (just like the real world), so a parallel dimension racial history doesn't fit.

That's just fluff for explaining why Aura doesn't look like most other elves. That's why I said the information was contained in "long lost books from the age of magic." It was not my intent to make this knowledge available to anyone in your world. If you still don't like it, I can cut it out easily enough.

bradly wrote:Ember & Angelus' encounter isn't tough enough for 3 PCs, but my introduction for you is tough enough for 4 PCs. Let's say you enrolled into college and your next quarter dorm mate can be Ember, but you haven't met her yet and only know of each other's names. That way you can meet the party as I planned...

Ah, I see. I thought everyone was going to be in the same city as the University, and I could run into the other slayers first as Angelus and Ember were off doing a family mission. I only said Aura saw Ember's name listed as her roommate, not that she met her (with the intent that later when they do meet, and again when they find out they are roommates it would be a funny coincidence). If Aura needs to be elsewhere first let me know and I can easily change where she goes before heading to the U, and why.

Actually, if Aura needs to know and be following Ms. Post, I have just had some very good ideas about that I'd like to run by you.

And yes, I'll work on a wishlist.

"long lost books from the age of magic."

Ah. Okay. True history is fine, just commonly believed history doesn't fit.

Re: Ms Post, I'd love to hear your ideas. I already set up some of it since I wanted to get back to playing right away so hopefully it'll fit what we already established... But yeah, love to hear them.

which leads you want to pursue first... (or at all)

What does the group say.
I think we start with the:

you discover detailed blueprints for a hollow crystal large demon statue to be commissioned soon. A hand written note on the blueprints say "exact same specs as previous".

lead first