Sep 2, 2025 2:02 pm
I like the second one.
Character Creation and Setting Discussion
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Sep 3, 2025 3:42 pm
4 Years Ago
Cal looked from the datapad to the dispatcher, blinking, confusion evident on his face. The man, a lean angular faced elf with an immaculate uniform and meticulously cared for hair nodded slightly. "I have verified it three times, Major Tan... It is authentic." Cal's confused expression did not leave his face as he absently handed the pad back to the courier. The elf took the pad and immediately moved off along the fortifications while Cal stared out past the wall, to the plain where the Coalition arrayed it's strength.
Desperation. Cal knew the feeling... knew it's ability to push a person past lines and moral barriers into a place where true freedom existed. A freedom free of the consequences of action. A freedom terrifying to behold. But this... Cal heard the approach of Gnurl as the massive ogre asked pardon squeezing between troops moving with brisk purpose across the wall top. The imposing man stepped next to Cal letting his giant war hammer clang to the wall as Gnurl used it to lean and gaze out at the Coalition forces.
Silence passed as the two men stared. A flurry of preparations echoed all around them. At length, Gnurl sighed loudly and spoke in his gravely voice. "'s True, Cal?" Cal turned to look at the ogre who remained staring out across the field. The crimson light of the setting sun cast shadows on Gnurl's face, making him seem older, weary and weatherworn. Cal nodded, unable to speak the words. Gnurl continued, "Creed... D'Bees is a ting... But dis..." Cal nodded in agreement.
"...I can't..." Cal began, Gnurl turned and leveled a stare at Cal. His bloodshot eyes showing a weariness that went beyond mere exhaustion. Still, the ogre's eyes carried a compassion that so many could miss from such an imposing figure. "...You don't av to Cal. I'll stan in place. Yer tired... Rest... Sleep... Think abou yer family." Cal read the ogre's message under his words. Gnurl was going to do what Cal couldn't... wouldn't. Cal regarded the ogre anew, marveling again at how this man had changed all perception Cal had held of his species. Gnurl was not lustful for battle, he didn't want to fight, he just wanted to do what needed to be done. He carried the weight when others couldn't. He held when others broke. He supported when others fled. He did the right thing when others chose the easy. He was at the heart of what Tolkeen stood for... Cal's brow furrowed. What Tolkeen used to stand for... Cal raised a hand to press against Gnurl's chest. The ogre nodded at Cal and then moved off to convene with the other battalion psychics and magicians.
Cal turned to look back out at the Coalition forces. His mind wandered as he stared blankly. Those men were evil, Cal knew. Their supremacist propaganda hid their veiled sadistic need to be in control and condemn others. They were wrong in the most fundamental way and deserved death. Still... Cal wondered if some of that condemnation would be deserved after today.
Cal continued to watch, unsure of just how much time had passed. Suddenly, he felt the rising wave of power and magic building within the walls of Tolkeen. Cal flinched as that wave crashed out from the wall and broke in the fields before the attacking army. Tears in space and reality began appearing and all literal hell broke loose. Demon's and devil's raced out of the rifts like a malevolent wave sweeping too far into shore. The sounds of distorted cries, chants and anguish made Cal wince despite the distance. A wrongess permeated the air and Cal felt his stomach turn. The Sorcerer's Revenge had begun... and Cal couldn't help but feel like the soul of Tolkeen was being ravaged as much as the soldiers of the Coalition.
[ +- ] ️🔥Mood Music
Desperation. Cal knew the feeling... knew it's ability to push a person past lines and moral barriers into a place where true freedom existed. A freedom free of the consequences of action. A freedom terrifying to behold. But this... Cal heard the approach of Gnurl as the massive ogre asked pardon squeezing between troops moving with brisk purpose across the wall top. The imposing man stepped next to Cal letting his giant war hammer clang to the wall as Gnurl used it to lean and gaze out at the Coalition forces.
Silence passed as the two men stared. A flurry of preparations echoed all around them. At length, Gnurl sighed loudly and spoke in his gravely voice. "'s True, Cal?" Cal turned to look at the ogre who remained staring out across the field. The crimson light of the setting sun cast shadows on Gnurl's face, making him seem older, weary and weatherworn. Cal nodded, unable to speak the words. Gnurl continued, "Creed... D'Bees is a ting... But dis..." Cal nodded in agreement.
"...I can't..." Cal began, Gnurl turned and leveled a stare at Cal. His bloodshot eyes showing a weariness that went beyond mere exhaustion. Still, the ogre's eyes carried a compassion that so many could miss from such an imposing figure. "...You don't av to Cal. I'll stan in place. Yer tired... Rest... Sleep... Think abou yer family." Cal read the ogre's message under his words. Gnurl was going to do what Cal couldn't... wouldn't. Cal regarded the ogre anew, marveling again at how this man had changed all perception Cal had held of his species. Gnurl was not lustful for battle, he didn't want to fight, he just wanted to do what needed to be done. He carried the weight when others couldn't. He held when others broke. He supported when others fled. He did the right thing when others chose the easy. He was at the heart of what Tolkeen stood for... Cal's brow furrowed. What Tolkeen used to stand for... Cal raised a hand to press against Gnurl's chest. The ogre nodded at Cal and then moved off to convene with the other battalion psychics and magicians.
Cal turned to look back out at the Coalition forces. His mind wandered as he stared blankly. Those men were evil, Cal knew. Their supremacist propaganda hid their veiled sadistic need to be in control and condemn others. They were wrong in the most fundamental way and deserved death. Still... Cal wondered if some of that condemnation would be deserved after today.
Cal continued to watch, unsure of just how much time had passed. Suddenly, he felt the rising wave of power and magic building within the walls of Tolkeen. Cal flinched as that wave crashed out from the wall and broke in the fields before the attacking army. Tears in space and reality began appearing and all literal hell broke loose. Demon's and devil's raced out of the rifts like a malevolent wave sweeping too far into shore. The sounds of distorted cries, chants and anguish made Cal wince despite the distance. A wrongess permeated the air and Cal felt his stomach turn. The Sorcerer's Revenge had begun... and Cal couldn't help but feel like the soul of Tolkeen was being ravaged as much as the soldiers of the Coalition.
Last edited September 3, 2025 4:00 pm
Sep 3, 2025 6:37 pm
I'm making some finishing touches. For the name, I'm settling on Goizeder Fort, without the fancy semantic name.
For the two remaining Aspects, these are I'm thinking of. Are they suitable?
Aspect 6: Graduate of the Decade
Was the best student of the decade, becoming proficient in everything the monastery offered. Has a corresponding reputation among those who know of Xanatoa's graduates, which comes with accordingly high expectations.
Aspect 7: Deception-Derailing Destiny
Where the graduate gets involved, lies and trickery go awry. This seems to take varying forms, such as liars getting tongue-tied or otherwise failing to convince the mark, truth coming out at the most inconvenient moment, the lie turning out to be true but to the detriment of the liar, or the mark and not the liar benefitting from the lie. Note that this is a two-edged sword: the quirky destiny affects both the graduate and the interlocutors.
ID: Goizeder Fort
For the two remaining Aspects, these are I'm thinking of. Are they suitable?
Aspect 6: Graduate of the Decade
Was the best student of the decade, becoming proficient in everything the monastery offered. Has a corresponding reputation among those who know of Xanatoa's graduates, which comes with accordingly high expectations.
Aspect 7: Deception-Derailing Destiny
Where the graduate gets involved, lies and trickery go awry. This seems to take varying forms, such as liars getting tongue-tied or otherwise failing to convince the mark, truth coming out at the most inconvenient moment, the lie turning out to be true but to the detriment of the liar, or the mark and not the liar benefitting from the lie. Note that this is a two-edged sword: the quirky destiny affects both the graduate and the interlocutors.
[ +- ] Full Character Sheet
ID: Goizeder Fort
Aspects
High Concept: Brawny Psi-Warrior Prodigy
Notes
Notes
A graduate of the Xanatoa monastery, with a good physique and thorough training in the appropriate disciplines, such as psionic sword and shield combat, telekinesis, extrasensory awareness, and bio-psionics (including healing).
Trouble: Finally, Free to Choose My Own Path!
Notes
Notes
The seers' preaching has been annoying, and thankfully it's over now, and I can make my own decisions about right and wrong without their dogmas. Though they do sometimes make sense, yet at other times they are needlessly stifling. Things are complicated.
Likely Compels may vary, representing a conflicted attitude towards the teachings of the seers: urges to follow the code (e.g. helping the weak, sparing an enemy) or rebel against it (e.g. acting greedy, indulging in luxury). On the plus side, this stubbornness can be Invoked positively to resist others' attempt to influence the graduate's course of action (e.g. intimidation, persuasion, mind control).
Likely Compels may vary, representing a conflicted attitude towards the teachings of the seers: urges to follow the code (e.g. helping the weak, sparing an enemy) or rebel against it (e.g. acting greedy, indulging in luxury). On the plus side, this stubbornness can be Invoked positively to resist others' attempt to influence the graduate's course of action (e.g. intimidation, persuasion, mind control).
Aspect 3: Unlikely Friendships
Notes
Notes
Despite not having spent long in the outer world, the graduate already managed to establish many odd friendships. This can be beneficial when calling onto help in the most unusual of situations (positive Invocations and Story Details), but help requests are a two-way street (Compels). On another note, this uncanny predisposition sometimes helps turning even former adversaries into allies.
Aspect 4: Moments of Unity with the Universe
Notes
Notes
It's not entirely clear whether it's a result of the seers' training, or an innate ability merely awakened by the monastery's influence, but the graduate occasionally experiences moments of establishing a deeper connection to the universe, becoming one with the flow.
Usually this manifests in extrasensory insights (such as prophetic visions, detection of traps and dangers, or awareness of ulterior motives). Less commonly, it takes the form of 'fitting in' despite seemingly being a fish out of water (e.g. surviving in the wilderness, being overlooked in a crowd, pretending to be one of the new interns).
Usually this manifests in extrasensory insights (such as prophetic visions, detection of traps and dangers, or awareness of ulterior motives). Less commonly, it takes the form of 'fitting in' despite seemingly being a fish out of water (e.g. surviving in the wilderness, being overlooked in a crowd, pretending to be one of the new interns).
Aspect 5: No Brainiac, But Hella Educated
Notes
Notes
The graduate was never particularly witty nor a bookworm (and certainly doesn't look the type, being often mistaken for a simple thug), but the seers sure did a good job of dispensing a wide selection of knowledge - philosophy and logic, physiology and medicine, thaumatology and science, literature and arts. If there's a moment to take a deep breath and recall those teachings, they can come in handy.
Aspect 6: Graduate of the Decade
Notes
Notes
Was the best student of the decade, becoming proficient in everything the monastery offered. Has a corresponding reputation among those who know of Xanatoa's graduates, which comes with accordingly high expectations.
Aspect 7: Deception-Derailing Destiny
Notes
Notes
Where the graduate gets involved, lies and trickery go awry. This seems to take varying forms, such as liars getting tongue-tied or otherwise failing to convince the mark, truth coming out at the most inconvenient moment, the lie turning out to be true but to the detriment of the liar, or the mark and not the liar benefitting from the lie. Note that this is a two-edged sword: the quirky destiny affects both the graduate and the interlocutors.
Approaches
Careful: +2
Notes
Notes
A Careful action is when you pay close attention to detail and take your time to do the job right. Lining up a long-range arrow shot. Attentively standing watch. Disarming a bank’s alarm system.
Clever: +0
Notes
Notes
A Clever action requires that you think fast, solve problems, or account for complex variables. Finding the weakness in an enemy swordsman’s style. Finding the weak point in a fortress wall. Fixing a computer.
Flashy: +1
Notes
Notes
A Flashy action draws attention to you; it’s full of style and panache. Delivering an inspiring speech to your army. Embarrassing your opponent in a duel. Producing a magical fireworks display.
Forceful: +3
Notes
Notes
A Forceful action isn’t subtle—it’s brute strength. Wrestling a bear. Staring down a thug. Casting a big, powerful magic spell.
Quick: +2
Notes
Notes
A Quick action requires that you move quickly and with dexterity. Dodging an arrow. Getting in the first punch. Disarming a
bomb as it ticks 3… 2… 1…
bomb as it ticks 3… 2… 1…
Sneaky: +1
Notes
Notes
A Sneaky action is done with an emphasis on misdirection, stealth, or deceit. Talking your way out of getting arrested. Picking a
pocket. Feinting in a sword fight.
pocket. Feinting in a sword fight.
Stunts
Gather Inner Strength
Notes
Notes
Because I've been taught to turn my will into a mighty force, I get +2 to Forcefully Create an Advantage on my Psionic Aspects (personal and situational ones).
Empowered Attacks
Notes
Notes
Because my fighting style is focused on mighty, well-prepared attacks, I get +2 to Forceful physical Attacks when I have at least one Free Invocation from Gather Inner Strength when making the roll.
Psionic Fortitude
Notes
Notes
Because I reflexively use telekinesis both to block attacks and soften the ones that hit, I get +2 to Forcefully Defend against physical Attacks.
Legendary Scale (2 Stunts)
Notes
Notes
Because the psi-warrior prodigy is the graduate of the decade, operate at Legendary Scale (that's 3 scales better than a mundane mortal).
FP, Stress, Consequences
Fate Points: 5
Refresh: 5
Stress:
Consequences:
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6):
Refresh: 5
Stress:
Consequences:
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6):
Description and Notes
Brief Autobiography
Notes
Notes
I remember very little of my life before Xanatoa. I was born in one of the scavenger villages. Everything seemed one step away from disaster all the time. I was a tough and driven but not particularly bright kid. At some point, a wanderer came to our village, spent three days in it while observing everyone, paid handsomely for the food and lodging, and talked the locals. Her name was Shui and later I found out that she is Xanatoa's . . . talent scout of sorts.
On the morning before Shui's departure, she and my parents gathered to tell me that a brighter path is open to me, and that Shui agreed to take me on this path. Later it became clear that this was a lie, and instead Shui bribed the Forts to part with me, because she discerned my predispositions towards psionics. That lie bit both her and them in the behind several times after that, but that's another story.
I spent about a couple decades after that in Xanatoa. Life was spartan, perhaps in some ways harsher than in the village, though the seers were more caring. Caring yet strict. Strict yet idealistic. Too idealistic.
I understood that this is an opportunity not everyone gets, so I worked and trained as hard as I could. I knew that eventually, graduates of the monastery are sent out to make their own place in the world as they see fit. I waited patiently for that day. I kept my head down and tried not to argue too much even when the teachings were clearly plagued by ivory-tower naïvete. But I soon learned that ouright lying about my opinions was not the way to go - that never ended well.
Time went by. I worked hard to be the best in my cohort at anything the seers taught. They acknowledged my proficiency, though were always concerned about my attitude and future. And yet, when graduation day come, they praised me as having bested everyone within the past ten years.
Since that day, I am finally free. I can make my own choices without needing to bow to old dogmatics. I started looking for ways to apply my capabilities in a way that will be appreciated in the outside world. Apparently the Tomorrow Legion was already informed when I graduated, and reached out to me. I said 'why not'. I can always change my mind later and take a different path.
On the morning before Shui's departure, she and my parents gathered to tell me that a brighter path is open to me, and that Shui agreed to take me on this path. Later it became clear that this was a lie, and instead Shui bribed the Forts to part with me, because she discerned my predispositions towards psionics. That lie bit both her and them in the behind several times after that, but that's another story.
I spent about a couple decades after that in Xanatoa. Life was spartan, perhaps in some ways harsher than in the village, though the seers were more caring. Caring yet strict. Strict yet idealistic. Too idealistic.
I understood that this is an opportunity not everyone gets, so I worked and trained as hard as I could. I knew that eventually, graduates of the monastery are sent out to make their own place in the world as they see fit. I waited patiently for that day. I kept my head down and tried not to argue too much even when the teachings were clearly plagued by ivory-tower naïvete. But I soon learned that ouright lying about my opinions was not the way to go - that never ended well.
Time went by. I worked hard to be the best in my cohort at anything the seers taught. They acknowledged my proficiency, though were always concerned about my attitude and future. And yet, when graduation day come, they praised me as having bested everyone within the past ten years.
Since that day, I am finally free. I can make my own choices without needing to bow to old dogmatics. I started looking for ways to apply my capabilities in a way that will be appreciated in the outside world. Apparently the Tomorrow Legion was already informed when I graduated, and reached out to me. I said 'why not'. I can always change my mind later and take a different path.
Last edited September 4, 2025 3:16 pm
Sep 4, 2025 8:00 pm
Seems all set then.
I was hesitant when I was joining, but I gradually became more hyped for this as I thought through the concept, and now I'm eager to start, even though the world is largely unknown to me (and so I'm expecting to play through discovery thereof both IC and OOC).
One PC I can't open though is Cal Tan.
I was hesitant when I was joining, but I gradually became more hyped for this as I thought through the concept, and now I'm eager to start, even though the world is largely unknown to me (and so I'm expecting to play through discovery thereof both IC and OOC).
One PC I can't open though is Cal Tan.
Sep 4, 2025 11:03 pm
Sorry! I think I had made the previous sheet public. Updated! Awesome character @vicky_molokh
How do I see the other characters? I’ve been reading through things that get posted here and they’ve been great, but I don’t know how to see actual character sheets
How do I see the other characters? I’ve been reading through things that get posted here and they’ve been great, but I don’t know how to see actual character sheets
Last edited September 4, 2025 11:04 pm
Sep 4, 2025 11:12 pm
At the bottom of your screen there should be a red bar with Characters, Threads, and Game Details. If you click the Characters text, it'll bring up a sub menu with each player and their character sheets. If the shert hasn't been made public though, it'll bring you to a "No Character Found" page.
Last edited September 4, 2025 11:14 pm
Sep 4, 2025 11:21 pm
Edmund_Balworth says:
Sorry! I think I had made the previous sheet public. Updated! Awesome character @vicky_molokhHow do I see the other characters? I’ve been reading through things that get posted here and they’ve been great, but I don’t know how to see actual character sheets
Sep 4, 2025 11:57 pm
Sometimes the graphic is out of sync with the actual sharing.
@Edmund_Balworth just click it once then refresh the screen.
@Edmund_Balworth just click it once then refresh the screen.
Last edited September 5, 2025 3:41 am
Sep 5, 2025 12:14 pm
Wow, @Celestine! I never noticed that red bar...
OK, I think I have it now. When I went to my characters it was again not public, I clicked the public (It didn't show it as highlighted like you were talking about @Psybermagi so I just left the screen and went back and it's highlighted).
OK, I think I have it now. When I went to my characters it was again not public, I clicked the public (It didn't show it as highlighted like you were talking about @Psybermagi so I just left the screen and went back and it's highlighted).
Sep 5, 2025 12:21 pm
I can now see Cal.
Now, a thought: At the moment the first chapter of the new story starts, are our PCs supposed to be already well-acquainted, or are they meeting for the first time? If it's the former, it might be nice to start a thread for how our PCs were all gathered in one place and met each other for the first time - for RP warm-up, to learn a bit about each other's PCs in an actual interaction, and to pass the time (though I expect that the thread would end up running in parallel to the actual adventure, as a flashback of sorts).
(This is, of course, just a proposal, since I'm not the GM.)
Now, a thought: At the moment the first chapter of the new story starts, are our PCs supposed to be already well-acquainted, or are they meeting for the first time? If it's the former, it might be nice to start a thread for how our PCs were all gathered in one place and met each other for the first time - for RP warm-up, to learn a bit about each other's PCs in an actual interaction, and to pass the time (though I expect that the thread would end up running in parallel to the actual adventure, as a flashback of sorts).
(This is, of course, just a proposal, since I'm not the GM.)
Sep 5, 2025 12:29 pm
Your characters are all members of the Tomorrow Legion, and so can be assigned to work together. So they don’t have to know each other from the outset. I’ll leave that decision up to you all.
I’ll try and get the first post up today.
I’ll try and get the first post up today.
Sep 5, 2025 1:17 pm
First post of the the first thread is up here.
Sep 5, 2025 3:58 pm
vicky_molokh says:
I can now see Cal.Now, a thought: At the moment the first chapter of the new story starts, are our PCs supposed to be already well-acquainted, or are they meeting for the first time? If it's the former, it might be nice to start a thread for how our PCs were all gathered in one place and met each other for the first time - for RP warm-up, to learn a bit about each other's PCs in an actual interaction, and to pass the time (though I expect that the thread would end up running in parallel to the actual adventure, as a flashback of sorts).
(This is, of course, just a proposal, since I'm not the GM.)
Sep 5, 2025 5:30 pm
vicky_molokh says:
Now, a thought: At the moment the first chapter of the new story starts, are our PCs supposed to be already well-acquainted, or are they meeting for the first time? If it's the former, it might be nice to start a thread for how our PCs were all gathered in one place and met each other for the first time - for RP warm-up, to learn a bit about each other's PCs in an actual interaction, and to pass the time (though I expect that the thread would end up running in parallel to the actual adventure, as a flashback of sorts).