[OOC] Ravnica: A Magic RP

[Raijinslayer]

I think i'm going to make a Rakdos guy instead. Seems like a guild that would be. . . interesting to be apart of. Just need to do a bit more research on the guild since i know jack about Ravnica(started playing Magic during Shadow of Innistrad set)

[1Charak2]

I think i'm going to make a Rakdos guy instead. Seems like a guild that would be. . . interesting to be apart of. Just need to do a bit more research on the guild since i know jack about Ravnica(started playing Magic during Shadow of Innistrad set)

@Raijinslayer

Oh so your a newer player. Let me just inform you of one thing then.


This should help you understand.

But to summarise the guild of Rakdos is like one big death party, it is well known for using a mechanics based around either having no cards (hellbent) or no blockers (unleash). Thinking Madness from Shadows over Innistrad and you have the right Idea.

Rakdos is governed by the big daddy of hellfire himself. Rakdos's head is also the symbol of the guild.

Rakdos lord of Doing direct face damage.

Being a Rakdos is like being the performance artist for a show. Where the goal is to entertain the guildmaster through the act of carnal pleasure of murder and mutilation.

Such is the Cult of Rakdos..

[JaceBeleren]

@Ryougu
Both gorgon and naga would be fine, with the understanding that going outside, in public, may lead to... disagreements, and with the Hero's Downfall Rule from earlier (that's what I'm calling it now) applying to petrification. That is, if that gorgon even can petrify things, since not all gorgons can (there was one from RtR that placed -1/-1 counters, I'm sure there are other examples.)
@1Charak2
Saw the character sheet, will give it a proper look tomorrow since it's getting late where I am.

[Ryougu]

I assume hero's downfall is the no-targeting-important-people-rule?
@JaceBeleren

[Raijinslayer]

@1Charak2Sounds like fun, now I need to try and form up a good magic/creature set to fit theguy i have in mind, who i'm trying to make a sort of black(or in this case, grey) sheep of the family.

[Mistiel]

I'm sorry mates. I'm going to have to bow out of this one. This is not really my cup of tea. :(

[PrivateVentures]

So, how are we doing, here, @JaceBeleren

If you see anything you don't like, please let me know.

Pavara Valoro, “PV” (The Lovecraft Rogue)

Backstory
Pavara was born to Father Valoro, an middle-ranking Orzhov Clergy and an unnamed Dimir Information Broker, an illegitimate and secret union. She is not a true Valoro, as her father denies her existence, but claims the name all the same, mostly in spite. Her mother took her under the crest of the Dimir, teaching her eldritch secrets at a young age, and, more importantly, taught her the means to discover her own secrets. Her mother was killed when she was a teenager, in a summoning accident. The resulting horror is the most perfect and complex horror Pavara has ever interacted with. It vanished, and to this day, Pavara keeps an eye out for it, feeling more of a connection with the horror her mother became than the human she once was.
She was taken under the wing of a Secret Stealer/Assassin, accompanying him on his jobs sometimes, learning as she went. She eventually became skilled enough herself to surpass his achievements, and became his partner, rather than his apprentice. She felt herself drawing further and further away from her life’s work, infatuated with this new counterpart. But before anything of consequence could begin, he was arrested in his home by Azorius lawmages. He was executed under Ravnican law for the murder of over thirty political, military, and civilian individuals. She escaped charges, due to the fact that no one could easily identify her as being who they said she was, and vows to someday have her vengeance, preferably with a Horror-God in tow.

Signature spells
3 Recoil
2 Dimir Charm
3 Psychic Strike
3 Pilfered Plans
2 Far
3 Away
2 Breaking
8 Reap Intellect

Creatures
2-Baleful Strix
6-Dinrova Horror
5-Consuming Aberration
5-Horror of the Dim

Personal Appearance
Human Rogue, Blonde, blue eyes, Female, petite, 22 years old, 5’4”, 140 lbs. Athletic, low body fat, high muscle density. Attractive yet diminutive features, seems fragile at first glance. Wiry, small bust/hips.
Tends to wear thin blue plates over black leather, with a thick black wooly cloak over all of it. She keeps her Dimir Charm close at all times, drawing off of its power in times of emergency.
Kind of a blend of:



and



and



Combat Preferences
Tends to go straight for enemy morale, summoning horrors to terrify them into surrender, before marching in, countering everything they have to throw at her, and taking what she came for.
Uses Consuming Aberration to overwhelm large forces, the Dinrova Horror to beat down larger enemies, the Horror of the Dim for subterfuge, and the Baleful Strix for both aerial assault and assasination.

Psych Profile
She is interested in all things secret, particularly things that others take great care to hide. She loves all things metaphysical, and believes the universe to be held together by an insane god, the greatest of horrors. And so, she summons horrors, pushing herself that much closer to godhood. More than anything, she wants to venture into the sky, to explore among the stars, to learn truths that no one else ever even dreamed existed. This curiosity is extremely dangerous.
This curiosity has led her to craft new horrors from old ones, using a very Simic-like way of dealing with things, but with a more Golgari mindset. None of her horrors survived, being both biologically as well as cosmic-dimensionally unstable, and each imploded and destroyed itself before much study could be attained. She continues, certain that she could someday create the next God.
She is extremely powerful, but squanders this potential in jobs and activities that are beneath her skill level.
She is slow to anger, and is careful, methodical in her planning. She has been a Dimir Silencer for several years, and has proven herself almost prodigious.
Her duties include silencing the guildless and despondent, and learning as many things as possible that Orzhov and Azorius want to hide. At the same time, some secrets must be maintained, and though it pained her to silence deep truths, she served with honor.
Note: She is almost Simic in her experimentation, Izzet in her motives, and Golgari in her methods, but the Dimir understand this asset very well. After all, it’s the next best thing to having double agents from those guilds.
She tends to respond to ignorance with derision, and has a nasty habit of "running her mouth" that often gets her into trouble, but never so much that she can't get out.

Gear and Armaments
She wears a full suit of black leather, not skintight, but close, layered in thin plates of blue steel, each plate engraved with words of arcane origin, and some now unknown heiroglyphics. She wears a Dimir Charm around her neck, and a cutlass with special mana-manipulating properties, allowing it serve as a spell counter on its own for a number of weaker spells, curses, and summons. Her cutlass is also used in her experiments, similar to how a surgeon might use a scalpel.
Her armor is ordinary, her cloak unspecial. What is special, however, are the engravings in her armor. They give her great strength of faith, the resulting arrogance pushing her more and more to make a better and better horror, certain that one day, she will craft God.
Her armor is designed for finesse and agility. It will turn a spear, deflect an arrow, bend a blade, but it has not the durability to resist a warhammer, axe, or similar onslaught. As such, she relies mostly on her speed, summoning, and stealth, resorting to magically-augmented melee combat with her cutlass if need be.
Her cutlass is relatively normal, aside from an unusual folded-steel/silver blade, designed originally to be used to combat geists, and counter their curses and spells. What was once a slayer of evil now aids in crafting the most sophisticated and tenebrous of evils, refined to an art form.

Interests and Goals
Her primary motivation is the transcendence of humanity. She desires to not only create the God-Horror, but impart her essence into it, effectively becoming the God-Horror. It is not known whether or not this is possible, as it deals with ancient and eldritch branches of magic both forgotten and theoretical. That having been said, she’s trying anyway.

Fears and Triggers
She despises Orzhov for their focus on money and greed, believing the accumulation of wealth and knowledge without the intent to share is counterproductive. However, she is endlessly fascinated by their servant thralls.
Above all else, she fears Rakdos Demons, having accidentally summoned one once while trying to splice three horrors together, causing a massacre in the Undercity. Since then, she is wary of all Rakdos revels, circuses, even retail stands on the sidewalk. She does, however, harbor great respect for Murder Girl, the Rakdos thrill-kill assassin, for her tenacity.
Second only to Demons is her fear of failure. Failure to create the God-Horror, failure to worship the God-Horror, failure to produce a horror worthy of God, it is a circular fear without reason, for its subject is without reason.

Likes and Dislikes
She prefers savory food over sweet, whiskey over beer, Golgari over Selesnya. She sees the white factions as being closed minded, the red factions as being too hasty and impatient, and Rakdos in particular as being completely and totally unproductive. In her mind, Golgari and Dimir are the only ones making scientific progress, with the Izzet, to a minor degree.
She enjoys noodles of any kind, particlarly if they are accompanied by a rich broth, or stew of some kind. She enjoys all types of breads, and all types of fish. She dislikes loud, fast music, preferring slow, cold, melodic pieces. Almost all of her free time is spent in an apartment in the undercity, drawing power from the Shadow when it passes, using the dark mana of the area to conjure up disgusting, revolting, otherworldly horrors of varying capability, then mix and match all the best/worst parts.
She hates sweets, particularly cake, regarding it as a nigh-heretical manifestation of bread, believing also, that certain sugars, oils, etc. In ones’ diet could lead to arcane blockage, stifling the flow of mana.
She also hates pyromancers, for their tendency for physical collateral damage. She is all for psychological collateral, but when it comes to the real destruction of villages, she sees it as dishonorable.

Guild Rank and Association
She would be considered rank 3 for her network, and rank two for her professional credentials.
She has associated with few high ranking individuals, save Jarad, the Golgari Lich, and a small number of inconsequential guildmages from the Simic and Izzet guilds. She sends them letters, pretending to be young nameless aspiring mages, just asking for summoning techniques. Typically, they comply, giving healthy tips and a window into their world of summoning.

Additional Information
Keeps a Childhood Horror as a pet, feeding it bits and pieces of her kills, and letting it roam through the streets of the undercity at night to hunt. It is faithful and loyal, and always returns to its putrid basement by morning. She and it both understand their potentially lethal relationship, and have made their peace with it.
She is terrified of the Phyrexians, seeing them as abominations, half horror-half machine beasts that have no business existing. At the same time, she hates them, and wishes them extinct.
She has a shrine to an entity she calls Tsthogga, supposedly an Eldrazi of epic propotion and influence. She worships this Eldrazi to an extent, believing them to be transcended horrors, and theorizing that a God-Horror could potentially be an Eldrazi, if, of course, the lore is true.
She is known to be one of Jarad’s only non-Golgari correspondents, the two conversing often on new breeding and splicing theories, being interested in very similar subjects.
She is regarded by her colleagues as eccentric, even among the Dimir, and is generally avoided, as a rule, due to so many of her associates dying “tragically” in “horrifying summoning accidents”.
Among the lower-ranking Bearers of Secrets, there is a phrase, “Valoro’s revenge”, that is used when describing any incident in which horrors ravage a civilian settlement for little to no reason.
She is well-known among House Dimir for her eccentricity, but her name rarely, if ever, reaches the ears of other guilds. Such is the nature of her trade.

Sorry about the length. I don't understand hiders.

I also played the card game for a long time, and all of the creatures and spells I'm using are ones I'm very familiar with.

[Ryougu]

@JaceBeleren
And this too--is a character sheet.

It really is a character sheet, isn't it?

Name: Vu'kraaz
Age: Don't you know it's rude to ask a woman what her age is?
Race: Gorgon

Personality:
Cold, Cruel and very, very sadistic. Reassured by the feeling of finally belonging somewhere, Vu'kraaz left her worries about surviving behind. Instead, she started spending her time on doing the things she did best; killing and torturing.

History:
She is uncertain of her place of birth, as well as her parents. Her earliest memory is waking up in a sewer in the undercity. She spent most of her life (the part she remembers) living like a wild animal, causing her to develop a 'kill or be killed' mentality. She lived like this several years, using anything she'd find as a weapon and eating anything she had to.

Living like this, every day was filled with fear, tension and most of all, murder. When eventually she joined the Golgari, she no longer had this fear, she did not change her lifestyle as a ruthless predator in the undercity however. Several years in the clan have taught her the basics of social interaction, as well as a few cool tricks to defend herself. Nowadays her life mostly consists out of experimenting and not letting the dead rest in peace. Then again, what else do they do in the undercity?

Rank within guild:
1 - Vu'kraaz mostly keeps to herself, and in a group as big as the golgari swarm she easily stays unnoticed. With "resources" lying around everywhere in the undercity, promotion is not something on her mind.

Associates

Vu'kraaz knows a couple of guild members from every guild, they are all currently missing in action...She also happens to have some very well-crafted statues resembling these people.

Colours: True Golgari (Black/Green)

Preferred spells

Blossoming Defense
Golgari Charm
Go for the Throat
Doom Blade
Beacon of Unrest

Preferred Creatures

Slitherhead
Blight Mamba
Whispering Specter
Corpse Cur
Hand of the Praetors
Phyrexian Swarmlord

Additional information:
She claims to be a Naga with a fondness for sculpting. Clearly, everyone believes this, that is, everyone that walks away after meeting her.

[PrivateVentures]

@Ryougu Mad props on the Slitherhead. Crazy underrated creature, IMO

[Ryougu]

@PrivateVentures
Underrated? Really? Damn.
Slitherhead = Best Head

[PrivateVentures]

@Ryougu I had like six different assholes criticize me my first time at FNM just because I ran four slitherheads and four corpsejack menaces.

Like, I'm sorry I won so hard but aint nobody grows like Golgari.

Particularly when you add in Fireshrieker and give a 10,000/10,000 Corpsejack Menace double strike.

Yeah, I'm a Magic nerd. Sue me. But don't, I hate courtrooms.

[1Charak2]

I like making comments on Character sheets

@PrivateVentures

Dimir Review

While the numbers make it seem like an actual decklist (don't see why mages would have a decklist unless the card game exists in universe as a childrens game). I can guess its more like a count of usages. I like the list. Very Dimir.

Though... Eldrazi knowledge & Phyrexian Knowledge. Either Dimir is hunting planeswalkers for knowledge that is known to literally slwoly kill non-walkers. (the concept of the mutiverse, it was a whole storyline thing with Emmara Tandris. (thats fun, Ral)) Still besides the otherwise Temperal time breaking that is the knowledge of two beings that physically have never existed on Ravnica.

(I think you know what happens when eldrazi hit a plane.)


(Secondly Phyrexians aren't usually ones to leave.)



You don't just eradicate phyrexians from a plane. They become the Plane.

So unless Dimir is running the greatest Conspiracy of hiding these events occurances from the world then Knowledge of either of these is kinda strange.

I like the rest of the sheet though.

@Ryougu

For you

Stupid planeswalkers interfering in the nature of planes.
Stupid M.L. for not showing up again yet.

*proceeds to lore rant for the next 50 minutes*

And that is why I hate Hornet Sting.

Replace phyrexian infection with actual toxin and its k

In all serious, though. Nice List of cards. Fits the gorgon theme of killing quickly minus the Phyrexian which I am certain could be replaced with another Infect type card. Like Ichor rats for flavor (Rats + undercity = bonus) or maybe a rot themed wolf (rot wolf) or perhaps Septic rats (again rats theme.) or a 6 drop that is basically guranteed to get the infect in if it swings. (Spinebiter) Though this is just my opinion on not bringing phyrexians (just like eldrazi) to any other plane they have no been to.

The character also seems like a nice fit for the golgari. remembering that the golgari actually feed all of the ravnican poor using the food they grow. (Golgari is actually quite nice if taken logically)

In summary careful what you bring to Ravnica.

[PrivateVentures]

@1Charak2 I figured at the very least, the Dimir would have knowledge of these things. Phyrexians are still pretty legendary among the dark magic circles, going off flavour text, and the Eldrazi, well, I'm 99% certain everyone knows and no one talks about it.

Aside from that, she could've even heard legends passed from planeswalker to passerby.

Oh, also, the knowledge that kills thing, I address that with the concept of the Dimir hunting those who spread the legends, or even multiverse artifacts. If snyone would be trying to silence the information, it would be the Dimir, even if it happened to be for the greater good. Can't have folks knowing that stuff. Look what it did to Erich Zann.

I doubt she understands what the Phyrexians really are, and she definitely doesn't comprehend the nature of the Eldrazi. But, I suppose, she'd be pretty superstitious with that sort of knowledge. To be honest, I was actually thinking it would be wise to remove mention of the Phyrexians, and leave it as "She was told stories of great horrors that lived in the sky, and would someday come back down to take what is theirs" or something like that. I'm also tinkering with an idea, that her only knowledge of the Eldrazi comes from the runic engravings on her armor.

EDIT: NVM, you were right about the Phyrexians. I was literally confusing them with certain other horrors. Oh, and yeah, I included mana count, just so I could keep track of the spells.

[Apollosarcher]

Someone mentioned a lack of Boros for shame. I shall enlighten you WITH LIGHTNING!

Boros Guildmage

Name: Lute Blade Dancer

Age: 24

Race: Human

Appearance:

Appearance

Personality: Conviction and passion, two things needed to lead among the legion Lute carries these in spades. Unlike his more brutal brother's and sister in the legion Lute inspire's his troopers to fight harder leading the charge himself. His movements graceful as an angel and as brutal as a giant. He dances though blood and gore finding his purpose in the fire's of battle, while many see this as psychotic in legion it as seen as enlightenment.

History: Born among the guildless as an orphan, Lute grew up watching Wojek protect his streets. Enamored with these individuals he began to train himself in the alleys around his home. While few would reprimand the boys training he soon discovered his in born talent for magic. Adding basic spell casting to his sword training the boy grew tall and strong, driving back guildless cut throats. He was accepted as Wojek and soon began to rise through the ranks as he lead his squad through countless bitter battles.

However a mortal can only assume the rank of guildmage within the Boros chain of command while this gives him the right to speak direct with angels that rule the guild he holds little sway over all. Among his brothers and sisters he is scene as fine mortal example of what all legionaries should strive for. While he is often among Sunhome garrison his position gives him the freedom to join his brothers on the field of battle. Often attaching himself to patrols, night watches, and the occasional nav squad he is staunch ally and fervent defender of the people.

Associates: While he does not associate heavily with the other guilds, as a Wojek he worked closely with Azorius law mages. However with access to Sunhome, the Wojek investigator files, and local Wojek forces rarely does he ever know nothing of his target.

Guild: Boros

Rank within guild: 3

Colors: Red White

Preferred spells:

1 Lightning Bolt
2 Boros Charm
2 Legions Initiative
2 Lightning Helix
4 Warleader's Helix
5 Assemble the Legion

Preferred creatures:

1 Boros elite
1 Legion Loyalist
3 Boros Reckoner
3 Frontline Medic
4 Spark Trooper
4 Firemane Angel
5 Blaze Commando

Additional information: A very capable dancer and singer leans heavily on sheer overwhelming force as any Boros soldier does.

[PrivateVentures]

@Apollosarcher Good call on Warleader's Helix. I wonder how the creature combat will work though

[Apollosarcher]

@PrivateVentures I am a simple mage what ever happens, I hurt you.

[PrivateVentures]

@Apollosarcher And that's the fun of Dimir. Poof. Now you no longer remember how to hurt people. And also your wallet is gone.

[Apollosarcher]

@PrivateVentures True, but it all comes down to speed in the end.

[PrivateVentures]

@Apollosarcher I feel ya there. But then, we all have our own methods of solving... Problems.

[1Charak2]

@Apollosarcher
Petty Mage trying to outmage Izzet Lightning. I banish thee back to thy hand.

@1Charak2 I figured at the very least, the Dimir would have knowledge of these things. Phyrexians are still pretty legendary among the dark magic circles, going off flavour text, and the Eldrazi, well, I'm 99% certain everyone knows and no one talks about it.

Aside from that, she could've even heard legends passed from planeswalker to passerby.

Oh, also, the knowledge that kills thing, I address that with the concept of the Dimir hunting those who spread the legends, or even multiverse artifacts. If snyone would be trying to silence the information, it would be the Dimir, even if it happened to be for the greater good. Can't have folks knowing that stuff. Look what it did to Erich Zann.

I doubt she understands what the Phyrexians really are, and she definitely doesn't comprehend the nature of the Eldrazi. But, I suppose, she'd be pretty superstitious with that sort of knowledge. To be honest, I was actually thinking it would be wise to remove mention of the Phyrexians, and leave it as "She was told stories of great horrors that lived in the sky, and would someday come back down to take what is theirs" or something like that. I'm also tinkering with an idea, that her only knowledge of the Eldrazi comes from the runic engravings on her armor.

EDIT: NVM, you were right about the Phyrexians. I was literally confusing them with certain other horrors. Oh, and yeah, I included mana count, just so I could keep track of the spells.

@PrivateVentures

Well if you must know. Phyrexian influence begins through cults and the like so knowledge could be possible but I suggest it wise that you do remove the mention of Phyrexians. Because unlike Eldrazi (where you could get some of that Info from resident planeswalker Jace's talking around) Phyrexia has no such ties or recent events besides the corruption of Mirroden. And basically every planeswalker present there is either dead (Elspeth + Venser etc) or missing (Karn) so Dimir would have no infomation to pry.