@Ferroceriumjust want to make sure. I don't want to write your char in a direction you don't like. Currently traveling back from DC so I'll either post tonight or tommorow.

@Lord Wraith So it seems the weather would make Arial missions difficult if not impossible. I'll restrict all (if any) to the outer regions of the city. Namely the forest and the desert where the weather would be at least somewhat less violent.

@FantasyChic Ok. In an ideal world, what would you be doing with Priya right not? Interacting with other players? Telling her own story? Developing her place in the Vigilance world?

I guess I could finally take a crack at one of these weekly discussions for once. So, my base inspiration for Claire was fairly simple. When I first checked the game out, I noticed that the only characters were either Hyperhumans or Celestials. I decided to fill in one of the other roles. The Venari became my final choice after a few people stated interest in wanting to play Hellions; that left only the Draoi and Venari, with the Venari offering me more potential in terms of character interaction. With a 'type' of character in mind, I looked through stuff I was interested in for inspiration. There's a character in the game League of Legends named Vayne. I thought her crossbow and ability to turn invisible were both interesting enough to act as a skeleton for Claire. Her middle and last name are both drawn from champions from the same game.

Once I had a basic powerset in mind, her personality fell through pretty quickly. Her choice of weapons meant that she wasn't averse to killing, and this acted as a foundation for who she was- Claire, fundamentally, values her own goals above the lives of others. She's selfish, angry and willing to do anything to get what she wants.

I needed a reason for why she was so vengeful. My first thought was to draw from Batman, and traumatize her through the killing of her family. Motivation for becoming a Venari out of the way, my next step was establishing the cast of secondary characters. Noctis needed a master to teach her how to hunt and a scholar to maintain her tattoos. If I went with that set up, there would be three different Venari running around Crescent City that were my characters alone. Since Wraith stated in the OP that the Venari were dying out, and there were two other slots for Venari, I thought that it'd be a little weird to have two Venari NPCs. That's how I came up with her father having been a prominent hunter, and leaving her a journal that she could use in place of an ordinary master. Everything kind of fell into place at that point.

Dunno how interesting this all was, but there you go!

@Superboy I always like hearing about other's design processes. I really am surprised that there was no Buffy/Supernatural/Grimm in there, but it's cool how you've come to a somewhat similar concept through an entirely different process.

Lisa is based upon a character with the exact same powerset, but a completely different personality and character I created for an older version of Vigilance who has since been retconned into becoming Lisa's father, Redford Walker. Red was also based on an older character I created for an even older RP who had the exact same powers, but an entirely different personality and character.

The powers (PAIN RESPONSIVE-BIOKINESIS/ODYNOKINESIS) are my attempt to make a homage to the powers of Wolverine and the Hulk, without it ever becoming to overpowered. How well I've done that is up for debate. They're also a neat cheat to allow Lisa to (usually) be just as strong as any confrontation/challenge might demand, without her ever eclipsing said challenge.

Can't actually remember what shaped her character or personality though, beyond wanting to make her genre savvy about comic books, superheroes and action movies, and actually see how far that gets her in the realistic (kinda) setting of Vigilance.

@BlackSam3091 I've actually never seen Supernatural or Buffy, and haven't even heard of Grimm. The parallels are honestly pure coincidence.

G M A N N O U N C E M E N T:

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◼ WEEK 07: A writers inspiration for character ideas can come from many places. Many times, we find our characters influenced by our experiences and preferences. Whether that be favourite published works or perhaps a situation you wish had turned out different. In character, even our characters have inspirations, Batman was inspired by Zorro (who no doubt influenced Bob Kane during his creation). What inspired you to make your character? Whether it be their personality, backstory or powers, this week's discussion is all about your influences.

I'm a big reader of DC and a big gamer and a lot of my inspirations come from the various stories found in both of those medias. For Elwood in particular, those who know me know I have a long history of bestial/monstrous characters, and those who know me better know a lot of my characters come from the basic concept of duality, something I love to explore in all its ways.

The Wendigo specifically is my own fascination - my girlfriend and I are big lovers of Cryptids and supernatural creatures, and the Wendigo is my favourite example of either. It took a while to figure out Elwood, but after I'd chosen Rami Malek for my faceclaim, the Wendigo idea fell into place.

A lot of the time, I think of a story before I think of the character that fits it. I conceptualize an arc, refine it, and then think about the kind of character needed to play the necessary parts in that arc. It's a double-edged sword - I actually found writing a character for this RP really difficult, because my existing arcs and attached characters at the time didn't really fit into the format. However, when Elwood did finally click for me, he became one of my strongest sheets, along with a few past concepts I still hold onto in my heart.

@BlackSam3091 I've actually never seen Supernatural or Buffy, and haven't even heard of Grimm. The parallels are honestly pure coincidence.

This wounds me. Well not the Supernatural part, but Buffy and its spinoff Angel are definitely worth watching. I, personally really enjoyed Grimm but I'll admit it's more of a niche show.

Meh, Angel wasn't my cup of tea. Buffy however is my jam. Supernatural too (but mainly for the hot brothers. mmm mmm..) And I never saw Grimm, but I heard good things

@Lord Wraith Yeah? If that's the case, I'll add Buffy to my watchlist.

@Lord Wraith Yeah? If that's the case, I'll add Buffy to my watchlist.

Glad to hear it!

Meh, Angel wasn't my cup of tea. Buffy however is my jam. Supernatural too (but mainly for the hot brothers. mmm mmm..) And I never saw Grimm, but I heard good things

Honestly, I find it hard to get into Buffy on two accounts, the female lead and it feels aged. Angel on the other hand I find much easier to get into and overall I enjoyed the concept more. Of the two, Angel is my preferred but I know I'm in the minority on that.

G M A N N O U N C E M E N T:

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◼ WEEK 07: A writers inspiration for character ideas can come from many places. Many times, we find our characters influenced by our experiences and preferences. Whether that be favorite published works or perhaps a situation you wish had turned out different. In character, even our characters have inspirations, Batman was inspired by Zorro (who no doubt influenced Bob Kane during his creation). What inspired you to make your character? Whether it be their personality, backstory or powers, this week's discussion is all about your influences.

Gotta preface this by saying that Vernon is the first character I've RP'd so closely to my real life experiences. I generally avoid putting so much of "things I know a whole lot about" in there because it's a little boring for me, but I decided I'd take a crack at it.

Hello, I'm Utrax, an active duty Army Medic.

I've worked with plenty of veterans as well. My father himself is a 28year veteran on the Marine corps. An uncle of mine was a Vietnam Veteran. 2 Other Uncles were Desert Storm veterans. I know a whole lot about war history, general soldiering, and entirely all of Vernon's job. I know how veterans, especially the Wounded Warriors, struggle with PTSD and the physical injuries after accidents. I've been there to patch up soldiers when things have gone wrong. So, having said all that, the inspiration was pretty on the rails.

He's essentially an incarnation of my Vietnam Veteran Uncle, may he rest in peace, with a dash of my own career.

Then there was the fact that Augmented limbs and stuff aren't that far from the future, currently. I know plenty of Wounded Warriors that can control hands and arms just by thinking and it's COOL. So it was kind of natural that he'd become Augmented when the technology became available-- the VA tries to take care of veterans in this way.

Also funnily enough, I'd had a Hyperhuman character sheet for am Ice Based ability all written up before I just kind of... slam dunked it into the trash. Would have been useful... *Gazes at the fires in the RP*

@Lord Wraith And I'm the opposite. I love a female lead. Especially a badass female lead. And I'd argue Buffy still holds up (but you can definitely tell it's a 90's/Early 00's type show). I was never a fan of Angel anyway, so putting him in a show made me not want to watch it.

G M A N N O U N C E M E N T:

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◼ WEEK 07: A writers inspiration for character ideas can come from many places. Many times, we find our characters influenced by our experiences and preferences. Whether that be favourite published works or perhaps a situation you wish had turned out different. In character, even our characters have inspirations, Batman was inspired by Zorro (who no doubt influenced Bob Kane during his creation). What inspired you to make your character? Whether it be their personality, backstory or powers, this week's discussion is all about your influences.

For my character Gavin, I based him somewhat off of Cú Chulainn. Legendary hero and badass from the Ulster cycle in Irish mythology. Cú Chulainn has defended the town of Ulster from an entire invading army through rite of single combat in a stand-off lasting months (the men of Ulster were conveniently disabled by a curse). He knows how to use the Gáe Bulg (Spear of Mortal Pain/Death Spear), this impales a man and then barbs come out from the sides of the spear meaning that the only way to remove it is to tear the flesh from the unfortunate target. Unfortunately, he met an early end when he was tricked into violating his geasa and was mortally wounded in battle and tied himself to a rock so he may face his foes standing until he dies. due to his ferocity even when near death, no one knew he died until a crow (possibly The Morrigan?) landed on his shoulders.

Cú Chulainn has the ríastrad (warp-spasm) ability much as mine does though altered a little to work in this RP. I did note on the CS he is mildly deformed, much as Cú Chulainn when he has a warp-spasm. Gavin gets a boost to strength in durability when he has a warp-spasm but gets increasingly hostile to others similar to Cú Chulainn.

I also take some themes from Lovecraftian lore. Notably, in this case, The Rats in the Walls. In this short tale, a man slowly goes mad as he learns more and more about the deeds his ancestors have done climaxing when he attacks and eats a friend while exploring a cavern beneath his ancestor's house that he was restoring (supposedly cursed or something like that). He however claims that it was the rats that did it. the rats in the walls the he hears even now in his cell.

Similarly, Gavin is a bit traumatized from what he thinks he may have done in the past and (in what's probably pseudo-scientific) invented an alternate personality to deal with the trauma.

Lovecraft is generally my go-to source for inspiration so normally my characters are 'dark', even whan they are the good guy. You don't have to be 'good' guy to be good guy in a twist of a line from a certain animated movie.

I also like the good lovecraftian games like Arkham Horror or Elder Sign. It is some of the most challenging Co-Op board games I've ever played, I only win about one in five games. Most of the wins against Ithaqua, the Wendigo in Lovecraftian lore. Sadly I don't get a lot of chances to play it as barely anyone can set aside five or so hours to play a medium that usually takes one.

For Priya, it was a pretty simple process. I wanted to play a character I don't normally play. For those that know me (which includes @Lord Wraith), they know I typically play characters that are women, typically in their 20s (unless rules state otherwise) with blonde hair. They differ in the other aspects, but that's all that differs. I tend to base characters on myself. I wanted something new, so I wanted to play a character I don't normally play. I explored other cultures and I found myself interested in the Hindu culture. I am a huge fan of Bollywood and I was hooked. Thus, Priya was born. I wanted to combine her culture and her living in America to showcase a new character. I took inspiration from Indian actresses to make Priya.

Her powers are because I wanted a new power type I never RPd before. Her backstory was easy to make. I wanted something that shows how she got to where she is, but also something that can be used in future plots.

And then I made Priya. I was extremely happy with her. I want to play her in other games now and I think she could be a fun character to play and I look forward to see where she goes from here.

@FantasyChic Just in case you missed it the first time around, and are still struggling to post IC, I'll repeat my earlier question. Not sure if you seen it or not.

@FantasyChic Ok. In an ideal world, what would you be doing with Priya right not? Interacting with other players? Telling her own story? Developing her place in the Vigilance world?

If you've solved your problem, and no longer need any help, just let me know.

Gonna try to bring another post up tonight, got distracted trying to learn to play Wargame: Red Dragon. So far I can tell the unit type of roughly half of the 1470+ units (not sure how many were added in the expansion). Now to reread the Art of War, memorize NATO military symbols, study Cold War era military doctrines, watch 20+ hours of people much better than me play it. After all that, hopefully I will be good enough to play the 'EASY' solo campaign. This is what I get for wanting to play a more realistic RTS, days of study and questioning if I am having fun yet.

@BlackSam3091 No I saw it, I thought about it. It's not that I'm struggling. I was just sort of hoping someone had an idea and were like "Oh hey, we're doing this right now. Would Priya come here?" That sort of thing. I can always have her explore her own story, I got tons of ideas, but I was hoping to have more character interaction.

I'd like to apologize for not posting when I said I would. Some personal stuff came up that is taking some I my time. Should back to my draft by Monday and post shortly after that.

*Lounges across the thread*
I'm actually waiting to see if that Fancy Pants GM does any update posts for the Smokey the Bear episode or not.
Kind of want Vernon to punch Nina in the face and immediately be set on fire.