shagranoz

Wild City- A Dresden Files roleplay.

@Meiyuki You're accepted. Will work on my charrie Friday, got a few too many things to deal with tomorrow.

Wild City- A Dresden Files roleplay.

A brief rundown of the various important people and places of Philly. For those of you who are reading the book, we're largely going "Vancouver method" for city building. Any ideas anyone else has are greatly appreciated.

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc.- Philadelphia was the Colonial capital during the revolution. The British managed to take it, but that was not enough to break Washington’s army. The Declaration of Independence was signed here, as was the Constitution. Needless to say, the city’s nickname as “The Cradle of Liberty” is well-earned.

Valley Forge- Washington’s winter camp in 1777-1778, about 20 miles northwest of the city. Synonymous with suffering Continental soldiers, though truth be told, they’d endure an even worse winter the next year at Morristown, New Jersey.

The Big Five universities- Temple, St. Joseph’s, Villanova, Drexel, Penn. All quality institutions, but the economics and locales vary widely, from Temple’s oasis in the middle of urban blight, to the Ivy League towers of Penn.

Veteran’s Stadium- An old, dilapidated place that’s home to the Phillies and Eagles, scheduled for demolition in a couple of years. Notable for a Nevernever crossing that leads into an ogre camp… though the ogres might well be more civilized than the mortals on the other side!

The Mutter Museum- A small collection of medical oddities that is widely regarded as the freakiest place in the city. Who knows what could be found in the back rooms?

The Camden Aquarium- Not actually in Philly, but across the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey. A noted tourist spot, often commented on as one the two reasons a person has to go to Camden.

The U.S.S. New Jersey- The other reason to go to Camden, the “Big J” is an Iowa-class battleship that saw active service off and on from WWII up through the 1980s. Amazingly, in reality she managed to go through almost the entirety of WWII without a single combat fatality, but in this universe, she was badly battered at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in 1943. Among the supernatural community, there are persistent rumors of ghosts haunting the ship, protected from the sun and sea by multiple layers of steel…

William Penn- Founder of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Noted for his relatively honest dealings with the local Delaware Indians, and may well have run across some native spooks in his time with them.

Benjamin Franklin- Inventor, scientist, statesman, writer, and probably the greatest mind America has ever produced. No way he wasn’t clued-in.

George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock- Civil War generals most famous for stopping Lee at Gettysburg, both were Philly born and lived there after the war. Perhaps they ran across something odd in their service.

Modern Players
Mayor Juan Martinez- Philly’s first Hispanic Mayor, widely celebrated for his ability to turn around a poor school system. However, the money to do this had to come from somewhere, and the police department suffered some cuts, the effects of which are beginning to show.

Antonio “Tiny Tony” Petrucci- In reality, the Mob was basically thrown out of town in the eighties, and barely a peep has been heard from them since. In this universe, federal focus on targets in New York, Chicago, and Vegas allowed them to survive largely unscathed. Antonio is the new boss on the block, having taken over when his father suffered a heart attack. (And it was indeed a heart attack, none of the other mobsters had anything to do with it.) The new boss is rather flashy, and as lethal as any other gangster. Rumors place him as anything from a complete straight to having a little kinetomancy himself, but nobody’s sure. What is for certain is that there are some jackals looking hungrily at the new lion’s turf.

Wilhelm Schmidt- The Red Court’s top man in town. Earned some respect for being a little more civil than most, but he’ll still tear into your throat; he’ll just apologize while he does it.

Michael Skavis- Wilhelm’s White Court counterpart. Runs the slums with an iron fist. Has taken the traditional Skavis “urban blight=poverty=despair=free lunch” tactic to heart.

Lord Ionos- One of the High Winter Fae, Ionos is Mab’s mouthpiece in Philly. He prefers not to get involved in mortal affairs, but the Black Jenny situation has piqued his interest. A valuable ally… and a deadly enemy.

Black Jenny- The most mysterious power player in the city, she appeared out of nowhere a couple of years ago as the go-to girl for nasty artifacts and ritual implements, with a bunch of thugs to match. The Wardens would love to nail her ass to the wall, but they’ve got as much clue to her identity as anyone else, i.e. zilch. But whether she’s Black Court, a power-hungry sorceress, or something that’s slipped over from the Nevernever, one thing everyone can agree on is that people who cross her are seldom heard from again.

Wild City- A Dresden Files roleplay.

@Bourgeoisie I can't bear all these puns! Accepted.

working on some background info in a google doc. will be up tonight.

Wild City- A Dresden Files roleplay.

@Bourgeoisie Digging those unbearable puns. He's accepted.

Alright, for those who as aren't familiar with Philly as I am, here's a list of notable places, historical figures, and current people who might be showing up.

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc.- These should need no introduction.

Valley Forge- George Washington's winter camp of 1777-1778. Famous as the symbol of suffering Colonial soldiers, though truth be told, the Continentals actually endured a worse winter the following year at Morristown, New Jersey.

Veterans Stadium- Dilapidated home of the Phillies and Eagles, scheduled for demolition in a couple of years. Notable for a Nevernever crossing into an ogre camp... and the ogres might be more hospitable than the mortals on the other side!

The Big Five universities: Temple, Villanova, St. Joseph's, Penn, and Drexel. Quality institutions all, but the economics and locales vary vastly between them, from the upper-crust grounds of 'Nova and Penn, to Temple, which is an admittedly well-manicured island in a sea of urban blight.

The Mutter Museum: A small, out of the way collection of medical oddities, often known for being THE creepiest spot in town. Who knows what sort of stuff lurks in their back rooms?

The Camden Aquarium: Actually located across the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey, this is pretty much one of only two reasons to visit Camden, which is mostly ghetto on the level of Compton or Cabrini Green, with a deserved reputation to match.

The U.S.S. New Jersey- An Iowa Class battleship, The "Big J" is the other main attraction in Camden. In reality, she amazingly managed to serve throughout WWII without a single combat fatality. In this universe, though, she was badly battered at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in '43, and rumors persist of among the supernatural community of many ghosts still wandering her decks, protected from the sea and sun by layers and layers of steel...

Historical Personages: William Penn, founder of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Known for his all-around good treatment of the local Delaware Indians, and might have run into some spooks in his days with them.

Benjamin Franklin- Inventor, scientist, statesman, writer, and probably the greatest mind America has ever produced. No way he wasn't in the know.

George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock- Both Civil War generals, famous for stopping Lee at Gettysburg. Maybe one of them came across something in the travels through the war?

Current Day personages: Mayor Juan Martinez: Philly's first Hispanic Mayor, Martinez is known for his success in turning around the city's poor schools. Unfortunately, the money for that had to come from somewhere, and the police department took some heavy cuts in the process.

Wilhelm Schmidt: The Red Court's top man in town, Schmidt is better-regarded than most vampires due to his somewhat less ruthless ways, though make no mistake, the bat's still dangerous. Just more refined about it.

Michael Skavis: Running local operations for the Whites, Skavis is top dog in the poorer parts of the city. He operates on the typical Skavis theory of "urban decay= free meals".

Antonio "Tiny Tony" Petrucci- in reality, the FBI and local cops teamed up to run the Mob out of Philly throughout the eighties, and barely a peep's been heard out of them in the quarter-century since. In our universe, federal focus on targets in New York, New Jersey and Vegas allowed the Philly branch of the Mafia to survive, though not without a few lumps. Antonio's the current kingpin, having inherited the position when his old man had a heart attack a couple of months ago, but a couple of jackals are looking hungrily at the new lion and all he commands. Some say he's a straight, others that he's clued in, and others still that he has a tiny amount of kinetomancy himself, but nobody's really sure.

Black Jenny: The most mysterious of Philly's power players, Black Jenny's name started showing up a year ago, as the go-to girl for all sorts of nasty ritual implements. Rumors about her true identity abound, but whether she's Black Court, a power-hungry sorceress, or something from the Nevernever, all agree on one thing: those who cross her have a tendency to never be seen again.

Spells in the Dark (18+ For dark and suggestive themes)

Here, too.

Create Your Own Magic User

It had been a long day for Anne. First, a fire had broken out and severely damaged the kitchens, so she needed to spend most of the morning crafting a new spell to fix the damage. Then, a merchant caravan had stopped by for lunch, and her skills in serving were pushed to the limit in order to deal with the vastly increased clientele. In short, it had been the kind of day to wear down even an immaterial girl.

One of her favorite things to do after work was just float aimlessly through the market, seeing what sort magical trinkets or other oddities were for sale. "Come along, Lucky. I'll even buy you a treat."

The black cat's eyes lit up like stars. "Oh, goodie! Get me some fresh fish from the river." He followed along at his master's heels as they entered the vast bazaar.

Spells in the Dark (18+ For dark and suggestive themes)

I'm free whenever, so that's not a problem for me.

Spells in the Dark (18+ For dark and suggestive themes)

_{in collaboration with @Meiyuki}

"Hope for Peace"

Lorelai and Medusa took their tea in one of the many out of the way gardens. Assistants and servants moved about with nervous energy, carrying stacks of papers that required their mistress' attention.

"So this is really how it ends between us?" Medusa asked during a lull in their responsibilities. She set her cup on its small plate and turned to lock eyes with Lorelai.

Lorelai sighed. "I suppose so, although it needn't if you were willing to step down." She turned away, casting her gaze over the flowers and trees. "I don't see that happening however."

"Nor do I." Medusa replied. A silence hung between them for some time after that, neither witch willing to be the first to break it.

Rebecca made her way into the gardens. She moved quickly; a servant had told her that Medusa was having a quiet tea with Lorelai, and it gave her hope. If the two witches were willing to have such a moment together, it meant there was a good chance they might be willing to talk about settling their differences.

Eventually, she found them under a pavilion, just sitting there silently. She cleared her throat. "Erm, Mistress Medusa, and Lorelai, if I may be so bold to presume. Would you mind if I talked to you both for a little while?"

They turned in unison to look at the intrepid witch that had interupted their afternoon tea. Medusa gestured to one of the empty chair near their empty table. "Please, have a seat Rebecca. Lorelai, this is one of the members I was telling you about, joined while you were away."

Lorelai offered the lich a small smile. "Well met then Rebecca, what can we do for you?"

"You know what you can do for me? You can make a strong coven, together. You can set aside your differences. You can stop acting like a couple of angry children and make peace!"

Rebecca's voice slowly rose as she spoke. "There are several hunters in Seren's Folly who are at least willing to consider sponsoring peace talks between you two. They know about the war because I told them. You know how desperate someone like me would have to be to involve hunters in coven business. Please, at least think about it."

"Have we been acting like angry children Lorelai?" Medusa arched her eyebrow as she turned to the witch. "And here I thought we were struggling to keep the coven strong, even with your lost faith in my leadership."

"That's what I had thought Medusa." Lorelai kept her eyes on Rebecca, her mouth curving into a smirk. While the witch's play was irritating in the extreme, possibly even dangerous, Lorelai couldn't help but be impressed by the woman's boldness. "You see Rebecca, a strong coven requires a strong and united leadership. I can no longer abide Medusa's."

Lorelai paused to sip from her cup. "What then, would be your solution to that? This isn't a matter of petty differences, we both believe the coven would be better off under our leadership. Neither of us will be satisfied until it is so."

"Then find a way to share power. I've heard some covens run under a council rather than a single witch. Perhaps that would work well." Rebecca paused for a second, taking a cup of tea from a nearby thrall. "You see yourselves as trying to keep the coven strong, but all I see is a coven that's tearing itself to shreds in a civil war. I... I don't want to see anyone die, Lorelai. Not you, not Medusa, and not anyone else."

"A council is a lovely idea, until war darkens your doorstep Rebecca." Medusa replied, her voice finally betraying a measure of her anger and irritation. "Something comes witch, and when it gets here we'll need one strong vision. Democracy seeks the popular choice, not truth."

Lorelai nodded. "I understand your concern for your sisters, I share them after all. Medusa and I have already agreed to grant amnesty to the opposing faction when this is over, they're our sisters too." Lorelai leaned forward. "What would you suggest Rebecca? That would leave the coven with a single leader, and minimize the bloodshed? We can't settle for a council."

"I've had the same premonition myself, Medusa. That's why I'm trying to bring everyone together. I fear we will need every witch, and every hunter, when the storm comes down upon our heads."

"If councils cannot function in time of war, then use it only in peace. Let the war be decided in a series of duels to first blood, or other contests. The winner becomes the sole leader should war threaten us. It allows all involved to prove their skills, and yet be assured of keeping their lives."

"I'd be satisfied with just one duel, a contest of wills between me and Medusa." Lorelai turned towards her nemesis. "The victor claiming the 'prize' of guiding our coven through the darkness to come."

"And while that might be simpler." Medusa rolled her eyes. "A leader is not simply measured by the might of their will, nor the strength of their blade. A leader needs the faith of her coven as well. This needs to be decided by a contest that not only reflects our individual strengths, but also the respect and faith we command amongst our sisters."

"And thus our impasse. We've spoken at length about how to settle this with a small measure of civility, with minimum blood from anyone other than ourselves." Lorelai sighed as she turned to Rebecca. "But alas, we can't seem to find a solution that satisfies both of us. Even if we were to elect for a series of duels or contests as you say, who would chose the matches or games? We cannot find an objective party in any of this, because as far as we can tell none exsists that either of us would trust."

"Not among the coven, maybe, but have you tried talking outside it? There was one hunter who seemed at least somewhat open to the idea of talks, but he wanted to meet with you beforehand. Perhaps there are others as well. I think you should at least speak with him, see what he has to say. What all do you have to lose?"

"We each stand to lose more than you think." Lorelai pressed her fingers to her forehead in thought for a moment, before turning to Medusa. "I say we go to this meeting, the hunters will already know of our presence in the region. I doubt they'll have any solutions to our problem, but what harm could come of it?"

"A great deal, if it turns out to be an ambush." Medusa gave Rebecca an appraising glance. "So be it, bring this hunter, and no more than two of his fellows. We'll attend this... meeting of yours."

"We shall meet tomorrow at noon, in the cemetary at Seren's Folly. I must take my leave now, to return and tell him of my success, such as it is. And Medusa, Lorelai?" A glistening tear slid down Rebecca's cheek, a tear of joy at what she had achieved so far... and a tear of fear at what would happen, should she fail to bring this to a successful conclusion. "Thank you."

"Save your thanks for when we've all made it through this, for better or worse." Medusa smiled softly. "The night's still young."

"Indeed." Lorelai nodded solemnly. "Good luck and God's speed Rebecca, while I doubt we'll find peace, you've shone a small ray of light on this. Nurture and defend it, and we'll see what will come."

Dresden Files Anyone?

It's system, and it's up!

roleplayerguild.com/topics/126723-wild..

Wild City- A Dresden Files roleplay.

Ah, Philadelphia. One of the world's greatest cities. A place where blue-collar workers just go about their days, with no idea of what goes on right under their noses.

The Red and White Courts are having their usual turf skirmishes, as they have for ages past. Ditto the Summer and Winter Courts, though right now, the city is fairly well held by Winter. Minor practitioners are just trying to keep their heads down, hoping to avoid the crossfire, while the White Council is keeping an increasingly nervous eye on the situation. Though it all, a new name has arisen, a name that is starting to strike fear in the hearts of the supernatural community: Black Jenny.

So, this is going to be a Dresden Files roleplay. We will be playing in an AU around the same time frame as Storm Front. That way, there's no need to be concerned about canon. Since it's here, it's pretty obvious we will indeed be using the tabletop system. Here's the link.

google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&u..

For more info on mechanics and character creation, please see my mechanics co-GM, @Blue Demon. @KiltmanBagz will be my story co-GM, helping build the world. I will be overall GM, making sure the two sides cooperate properly and that we all have a blast.

What I expect from you guys is simple:

No fighting in the OOC.
No godmodding, metagaming, yadda yadda yadda.
GM and co-GMs are the holy trinity. What we sez, goes.
Last, and by far the most important, HAVE FUN!