Interest Check: SWADE Pulp Adventure “ The Burmese Temple”

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Aug 5, 2026 9:32 pm
OrangeTree says:


Ok, I’ll take note of the ‘ancient but amazing technology’ as an interest. If we get going, I’ll make sure there’s plenty of that element.
Someone here said: Atlantis. YES! Visit to this place... can even imagine how happy I would be :) Inkas. Aztecs. In due time I have read quite a few Daniken books...:)
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Sounds good. As. i mentioned, I’m also keen on plenty of brawling, so hopefully he’s willing to throw his fists when talk stops working.
He is! As EVERY self respecting anti-hero should ! :)
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Some players like making characters more than anything else. I wouldn’t join a game with pre-gens, for example. But if you give me a few bullets (name, nationality, motivation, esp. )I would be happy to build something myself. I did that for a player in my last game and they seemed happy with it. As you say, you could adjust it if/when we get to a level up.
Been there too mate:) But nowadays it seems to me much more optimal to just start with some concept and bare bones mechanical stats and develop it through the game, rather spend many hours (when I do something I'm usually very careful to the details... many times too careful... ) just to get to know that game never even started for good (what happens quite a lot in PbP format). Besides being given "a frame" from some other sources than myself, more then often leads to interesting experiences and new ideas:)

So: I wouldn't want to burden you with "creating PC for me" - as I know how much work you have as GM already. But... if you like to create PCs I would be very glad for this help!
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I appreciate yiu being open about that—quite a few players have that pattern. I think if we worked out a scheme—posts on Friday if possible and allowing me to puppet the character if needed—we could bridge the gap.
I have no problem with bot'ing my PCs in such situations - I know how important it is for the game to keep moving.
Aug 5, 2026 10:00 pm
Also borrowing from PetRaccoon :)

Name: Dawid "Clank" Brzęczyszczykiewicz

Concept: Face/thief hybrid - "a little too greedy or curious... for the safety of the team, saying too much... much too often... in not the best situations", but generally a good man... just with different approach to law and authorities... let's say... :D

Nationality: Polish (British father, MI agent, Polish mother - they get to know on father's mission in Poland)

Motivation: On the outside it seams that David is greedy and only after the riches, conveniences and influence, collecting as much as he can... but the hidden truth (that knows only a few) is that he is collecting funds and connections to free his family from soviet's prison (concentration camp? if the times are appropriate?) He hates communism, as he experiences those "ideas implemented in real life" literally "on his own skin". [fun fact: I also live in Poland... :) )

History:
About the name: Brzęczyszczykiewicz - it's taken from old Polish comedy movie (link to the scane and it's basically not pronounceable for mony other foreign people... so he have a nickname: "Clank" as his name sounds to many as well... a series of clanks :)

Besides... some hidden info that can be used (or not) in game, to make some surprises for other players:
Pedrop sent a note to OrangeTree
And:
He is now in the region because he get a tip from some of his father's old and well trusted contacts - that there is a very valuable treasure to be found! Even thought that their expedition he will join may be not stating that initially as part of it's "plan".

He got his skills from:
- his father: James - experienced MI agent, specializing in "human engineering" (called "manipulation" but some... less versed in the subject... ;) )
- and from uncle Jan, that he helped to smuggle some contraband on soviet block western border or... steal from some high level soviet's military officers

So he is fluent in Polish, English and German to the point that some native speakers take him as their own - at least if they would have only the way he speaks to judge. He understands Russian and speaks but not so well. The talent for languages he got from his mother Elzbieta - who helped in some translations for his father -> and that is how they have met:)

Hope it is ok and enough?
Last edited August 5, 2026 10:04 pm
Aug 5, 2026 11:58 pm
TheGenerator says:
I have to admit, I myself don't know much about the military. So if I say anything outrageous, let me know.

1. He's more of a squaddie. Perhaps a Lance Corporal?
2. I was thinking somewhere near New Castle. But if London is easier, I'm fine with that too.

I'm thinking of making him quite bulky. More like Jason Momoa's size but not as good looking.
OK--I think i've got a clear picture. I don't know if you know the UK at all, but Newcastle folk ('Geordies') have a tough image, so that works well. Don't worry about local accuracy too much-- I'm not going to hold you to the details!
Aug 6, 2026 12:02 am
Hm, thanks Pedrop. there's a lot of info there, so I'll read through it carefully.
Aug 6, 2026 12:42 am
This sounds so interesting, Still have a spot? This is my concept...
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Name: Joseph Henry "Josey" Callahan
Nationality: American
Motivation: In order of importance, enough money to settle an old obligation, unfinished business connected to the original expedition report, and the simple fact that he has never been particularly good at walking away from dangerous work.

History: Josey served as a U.S. Army sergeant in Burma, spending much of the war attached to irregular operations in the north. He worked alongside Kachin scouts and local guerrillas, raiding Japanese supply lines, guiding patrols through the jungle, and handling the sort of close, quiet work that rarely appeared in official reports.

He was never much of a marksman by military standards, but he was strong, hard to frighten, and extremely dangerous once a fight got close. Josey became known for his fists, a heavy fighting knife, and his habit of staying on his feet long after sensible men would have stopped trying.

Something happened during one of his final operations. A patrol disappeared near an old temple site, and the surviving accounts did not agree about what they found there. Josey returned alive, but one of his closest companions did not. He promised the man that his family would be looked after, a promise he has so far failed to keep.

After the war, Josey remained in Rangoon. He has made a living as a dockside guard, bodyguard, expedition hand, smuggler, and occasional collector of debts. His work has put him in contact with soldiers, criminals, merchants, and local fixers, while making him increasingly unwelcome in respectable company.

Josey claims he had nothing to do with the disappearance of the temple report. He may even be telling the truth, though he certainly knows more about it than he has admitted.

He carries a pistol because Burma is an unhealthy place to go unarmed, but it is not his preferred weapon. In a fight he relies on his fists, his knife, and anything nearby heavy enough to swing. He is rough, stubborn, and somewhat seedy, but once he gives someone his word, he takes it seriously
Aug 6, 2026 1:39 am
I think it looks good, Knighthawke. I think we need a US character to make it an international team. I like it! I’ll pick 3 or 4 characters according to fit, rather than first come first served. So you are definitely in the running. I’ll invite players into the game tomorrow.
Aug 6, 2026 3:44 am
--main concept (you've all given me this already)
--a possible name: Vikram Singh
--nationality/ city: Indian
--motivation to seek the temple: simple. being half deaf and scarred doesn't get you much work or respect back in civilian life, debts are piling up, and he has a family that needs taking care of ...
--and/ or how they ended up in 1946 Rangoon ... back home, one late night, while getting a carton of milk for his kids, he bumps into a man that he recognizes from the war. Hell of a coincidence. Only it isn't. This man tells him that his particular set of skills (handling explosives, clearing obstacles, navigating dense jungles, etc) is needed. It will pay handsomely, and involves a lost temple deep in the jungles of Burma. Normally he would scoff at this, but not tonight. He's handed a plane ticket and a deadline.
Aug 6, 2026 7:37 am
OrangeTree says:
TheGenerator says:
2. I was thinking somewhere near New Castle. But if London is easier, I'm fine with that too..
OK--I think i've got a clear picture. I don't know if you know the UK at all, but Newcastle folk ('Geordies') have a tough image, so that works well. Don't worry about local accuracy too much-- I'm not going to hold you to the details!
Great :)
I forgot to mention, he did indeed fight in north Africa, more specifically in Algeria. The difference in terrain and climate in Burma is a noticeable challenge that he's still adapting to.
I enjoyed reading all these character descriptions!
Aug 6, 2026 9:43 am
@Knighthawke. Just reading through your story again, your character has already been very close to the temple and even had an encounter near there. That might take away some of the challenge and mystery of the location. Can you just remove the background elements that mention the temple?

EdIT: just reviewing my setting blurb, I guess I actually invited a character who might have made the report! so my fault, not yours. Could it be a second hand report— one that your guy heard from another team, rather than saw / experienced first hand?
Last edited August 6, 2026 11:31 am
Aug 6, 2026 11:02 am
It has been a while since I played SWADE, but this does sound like the sort of game that would suit it beautifully. I'll have to read up on the rules and setting a bit, but that shouldn't be much trouble.

Name: Reginald Brumpton
Nationality: British
Motivation: Disgraced as an academic for falsifying records from some historical dig. Looking either for a big discovery to restore his reputation.
History: While working on an excavation of an ancient Buddhist temple Reginald was caught filing misleading records. He was attempting to hide something he discovered from the team, and was expelled from the expedition. This was a combination of an attempt to steal treasure and evidence of another currently undiscovered temple. I'd like to think he partially got away with it, he got away with some of the things he attempted to steal. The other temple can be hints of whatever you want us to explore if that helps the story, or something else that he will pretend gives him knowledge of where the party is going. This original investigation could have been in or near Burma, getting him close to this story.

I see him as something like Belloq from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Aug 6, 2026 11:20 am
This sounds good, Beagle. I like the pulpy feel. Could he be a bit scrappy? So he has something to do during brawls. I recall Belloq being quite smooth, but maybe your fella could throw his fists when needed—maybe using a martial art (please see my Martial Artist tag) if you’d prefer him to be somewhat refined?
Aug 6, 2026 11:55 am
OrangeTree says:
@Knighthawke. Just reading through your story again, your character has already been very close to the temple and even had an encounter near there. That might take away some of the challenge and mystery of the location. Can you just remove the background elements that mention the temple?

EdIT: just reviewing my setting blurb, I guess I actually invited a character who might have made the report! so my fault, not yours. Could it be a second hand report— one that your guy heard from another team, rather than saw / experienced first hand?
Sure, not a problem. :) I can rework it and that would probably only make him want to find this place a bit more :)
Aug 6, 2026 8:58 pm
I’ve just sent out the last invitation. Apologies if you weren’t in the final cut. In the end it came down to party fit and I had to drop a couple of really top notch character ideas. Thanks to all for your interest.

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