Character Creation

Below, I've provided links for a couple of Armageddon PDFs - the core book and a companion supplement. Please use this material responsibly; I kindly ask that no one share it with those outside of the game.

Armageddon - The End Times

The second book, Armed Force, has additional options for players (starting on Chapter 3, p. 26) but with a focus on the military and military characters. It includes new rules, equipment, M.O.S. packages, Qualities, Drawbacks, and more. Though the book highlights the United States Armed Forces, the material can be easily adapted to represent soldiers from almost any country.

Armageddon - Armed Force

Power Level: Armageddon has four campaign power levels: Pre-Heroic, Heroic, Legendary, and Mythical. The default power level is Heroic, which consists of 80 points for character creation. This is the power level that we'll be using. It allows for most character concepts, but excludes especially powerful supernatural creatures. Heroic-level characters are larger than life but not overwhelmingly powerful.

Chapter 3 (p. 39) of the Armageddon RPG core book covers character creation. To help with the process, here is a summary of the steps:














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Ramiel - The Thunder of God


"Vengeance is mine... sayeth me."


























Possessions

Clothes and overcoat
9mm Submachine Gun with four clips
Smart phone


Notes

Do you have anything akin to the fae/fey in the lore? (They seem to fit alongside old gods a bit, with a trickster aspect) Was looking at a take on the changeling myth - A child stolen by the fae and raised as their Avatar to be put back on the mortal realm to help fight Leviathan while aiding their own goals as well. Someone using primal forces, but also quite tricksy/deceptive.

(Saying this, looking like I can't afford the Avatar quality as a lesser Supernatural? So may need to rethink concept. Possibly affected by fae while stolen away, and gifted but not Avatar level. Or just a completely different concept - still reading through the qualities etc.)

Edit: Okay I've moved away from that anyway, to an inheritor of Hephaetus, who was around in World War two, aiding in British munition factories, before turning her back of making weapons for others to kill one another, but Leviathan has changed that.
Though my question would be would be there in game time for crafting weapons/armour of power?

Making an Avatar is possible, if you want to. Since Avatar is a supernatural quality, you can spend a mix of both Quality and Metaphysics points to purchase it. Admittedly though, it’s expensive and would use up a large chunk of your points.

Hephaestus would have the Forge Aspect (p. 277), which allows you purchase Smith Primal Powers (p. 291).

Some of the Smith Powers give times for creation in the description. For weapons of power, it looks to be 1 week, plus an additional week for each added bonus, minus your Craft (Weaponsmith) Skill in days. For armor of power, it’s the same.

There are also point costs if you simply want to start with an enchanted weapon or suit of armor.

I can look into fey concepts, if you’d like. Eden Studios did have some plans to release fey-related material but it never happened for whatever reason. Some of the company’s other games might have something to offer. Most of their game lines are compatible with Armageddon.

I may reinvestigate the trickster avatar then (Either of fey if allowed, or Loki as changelings are also a thing in Norse), had missed it counted as both. (An avatar of Fenrir is also forming in mind. if he counts as an old god)

Yeah, was mostly checking there would be time in game to craft as would affect number of points spent if I stick with that character. (She currently has a nice sword and prosthetic). As I know some games have too short a time period in game to allow for such skills. But if there is time happy to slowly make every one some fancy gear.

I suppose it depends on how long the game lasts. Because pbp moves really slowly, it may take you a while to actually forge something from scratch. It might be better to spend the points to start with a finished product. But there will be time jumps between missions, which means you could conceivably forge items on your downtime.

Nice! Looks like we potentially have three Primal Beings so far.

I'm looking over the source material for inspiration.

I've barely had time to read over it. But thinking of playing some ordinary guy that's just caught up in stuff.

I'm just going to shamelessly rip off Dr. Daniel Jackson from Stargate and put a few spins on it.

Everyone feel free to take their time. No rush. Not planning to start the game for a few weeks.

Don’t worry about learning the rules. You can learn as you go.

Cool. That could work out very well.

So primarily instead of being an archeologist, I was thinking he would be something akin to a budding superman. Dr. Jackson was always 60/40 on the Han Solo vs Indiana Jones dichotomy. In this case however he is the Ancient Immortal Tyr a person who continually has reincarnated for thousands of generations. I envision that he has been dreaming about his past lives since childhood which made him become the foremost archeological mind regarding the Jotun/Atlantis. And his fringe research has put him at mortal odds with a powerful political or perhaps religious state actor.

Also I was going to make him an expert on the Norse Edda rather than Coptic. Disregarded by the community because he thinks he can prove that Troy, and in fact all Hittites, are the predecessors to the Norse people. His primary research would be into the Giants of Earth lore. This research has oddly enough lead to a path of ascetic martial arts and strength rather than more scholastic pursuits.

I also think he's not as shy about doing alien drugs as Dr. Jackson and is open to discuss his experimentation with psychotropic compounds. In his socially awkward demeanor he has likely solicited some Atlantean Psychopharmaceuticals to people in the mission
He hasn't learned to be superman just yet. But I was thinking, just like Dr. Jackson each time he dies and somehow gets resurrected he comes back with that much more knowledge of his divinity. Instead of ascending to something like the Ori however, follows a more supernatural path growing more as a supernatural force each time he comes back from the void.

Death might be better represented of course as Ego Death. As he will be it seems the lone person with the ATA gene.

Just something I thought about the other day when I was tripping on mushrooms. Feel free to disregard it if it doesn't make sense.

(Unrelated to the above post)

Is it advisable to even play as a human? The PDF gives humans as a main option but the language used discussing them seems to be decidedly against the idea that they're viable.

The character concept I was considering was a human scientist/skill-monkey. Is that do-able or is it more important to be bullet-resistant? I have another couple of concepts if the above wouldn't really be viable.

I know what you mean, but I think the text is intended to refer to average humans. A Heroic-level Mundane in Armageddon is considered to be exceptional.

That being said, supernatural beings are heavy hitters and definitely have an edge in regards to combat. That’s undeniable. But military-grade firepower does a lot to level the playing field. A trained Mundane soldier with the right heavy weaponry is still going to be a threat to many supernaturals. Gifted humans equalize things even more.

I’d say the scientist/skill monkey concept is totally viable. You’d probably be the brains of the unit, and the supernaturals would act as muscle and utility to insert and extract you from locations (I’m just spitballing here). I usually design my games around the kinds of characters that the players create. So if you choose to make a scientist/skill monkey, I will endeavor to make sure that your character has his or her moments to shine.

This is a war story so there will certainly be combat. Since pbp combat tends to be really slow, I try to limit the combat, even for combat-heavy games.

😂 That whole read was a hell of a ride.

I think a lot of what you proposed is doable, or at least parts of it are. It depends on how you like to mechanically represent it. Personally, I’d say True Immortal is the way to go. You could do a Primal Being (such as an Avatar or Inheritor) but I think there’s already several people making Primal Beings, so it might be interesting to try something else.

The idea of an Immortal Dr. Jackson is cool. The only issue with Immortals is that the only Metaphysical Art they can use is Atlantean Arcana. That may not matter for your concept, but something to think about. Most supernaturals are limited in their choice of Metaphysics. Only Gifted humans get a wide variety of options.

Also, I believe two of the player characters are intending to have a connection to the Aesir, so expertise in the Edda could fit well. If you haven’t already, I recommend reading the section about True Immortals to see how you feel about them. They also have their own faction called the Lodge of the Undying (p. 184), which might be worth a look.

I was actually counting on being only Atlantean Alchemy. From my own readings of the Edda I can see direct correlations between the Jotun and Atlanteans

Is it the Sky aspect you are using (Seems most likely fit for Ryujin?) ? It's got Might as a power as well which could aid swordsman ship.

Drawbacks can't help much on, but it does say it's possible to work with storyteller to make up own, if Lactose is willing.

Still working on concept myself. The Smith is mostly done but working on a few concepts to get used to system and see what gels.

That sounds good. Your Aspect is Sky, I assume? That would fit you the best and provide access to both Primal Water and Storm Powers. Do you know which powers you want yet?

There’s a faction called the Storm Dragons that would fit your character very well. I’ll post some information about them tomorrow for you to read, if you’re interested. They are an association of chi-wielding martial artists who have joined up with the Alliance.

If you haven’t already, I recommend giving yourself several levels in the Primal Skill (p. 275), which is required for using Primal Powers. It’s a Metaphysical Skill so you have to buy it with Metaphysics Points.

I’m fine with taking Drawbacks from other sources. Just let me know what it is first, in case its problematic, but Dependent would be totally fine. I’m planning to post some additional Qualities and Drawbacks but haven’t had the time.

Ah fair, my knowledge of Japanese/Shinto deities aren't great. (And probably mixed up the word raijin in my tired state, so brain went to storms = sky)

Deities can have more than one aspect, so can also use both if both fit. (Smith has both Forge and Elemental (Fire) as book mention Hephaestus fitting both.

I think it's the skill that you use when invoking those powers. Kind of a catch all' skill for Metaphysical use as opposed to having an individual skill for each. But I may not have read that correctly.

Looks like Immortal costs all 15 quality points, so I'll have to be taking some drawbacks if I want to be a Maker and Orikalk will cost all 10 points. Any suggestions?

The roll to activate most Primal Powers is Willpower + Primal Skill. It doesn’t really serve any other purpose, just represents your proficiency at employing your abilities. Some Inheritors will get more out of the skill than others depending on which Primal Powers they choose.

Witchdoctor is correct. It’s a single catch-all Metaphysical Skill that governs all of your Primal Powers, rather than an individual skill for each power.

You need a minimum of one level in Primal Skill. Otherwise, you can completely ignore it if you want to. As long as you have a high Willpower, you can probably get away with a low Primal Skill.

Coincidentally, if you choose the Alliance as your character’s Association, you gain two free Metaphysics Points (which you can then use to buy a level of Primal Skill).

True Immortal is a "Supernatural Quality." Supernatural Qualities may be purchased with Quality Points, Metaphysics Points, or any combination of the two. So you should have more than enough to become an Immortal.

All other types of Qualities (Mental, Social, and Physical) can only be purchased with Quality Points, as usual.

As LightOfMidnight stated, you can select up multiple Aspects (up to three). The only issue with Aspects is that some of them have prerequisites called Mandatory Traits. The more Aspects that you have, the more prereqs you potentially need to meet. Fortunately, it looks like the Sea and Sky Aspects have no Mandatory Traits, so you lucked out there.

I'm going to go with a Lesser Seraphim Exile. Basically he'll be like Michael from the movie Legion.

Finally got some time to start reading yesterday. Thinking my concept is a former getaway driver who turns out to be the Inheritor of some trickster god. Thinking maybe Loki.

Ooh seeing the new supernatural options I'm likely going to jump over on one of those for my orginall concept, especially with Furmyr also looking at a trickster primal.

When I have time, I'll also post rules for Vampyres, Werebeasts, and Revenants. I hope that I'm not overwhelming people with options, but they're available if anyone is interested. I'll try to get to it today or tomorrow.

Ah cool. May wait for werebeast as well. No worries on too many options, options are always fun

No problem, just thought I'd put it out there. The faction has members from all over the world, so while it originated in China, its become fairly diverse since its founding. As for 1st level Adept, you could ignore the Tao-Chi requirement.

I'll see if I can post more Qualities and Drawbacks tonight. If not, then I'll get to them tomorrow.

I just want to clarify some rules things that the book isn't very clear about.

Drawback Points can be spent on anything you choose: Attributes, Skills, Qualities, and Metaphysics. Drawback Points can be spent on Skills, Qualities, and Metaphysics on a one-to-one basis. Attributes, on the other hand, are more expensive. Raising an Attribute with Drawback Points has a cost equal to the new Attribute level. For example, raising an Attribute from 3 to 4 will cost 4 Drawback Points. This cost is cumulative, so raising an Attribute 3 to 5 will cost 9 Drawback Points.

Characters with the Lesser Supernatural Character Type may spend Metaphysics Points to raise Attributes. As with Drawback Points, raising an Attribute with Metaphysics Points has a cost equal to the new Attribute level. Also, Metaphysics Points may only be spent on Attributes after all other modifiers to the Attributes (such as racial bonuses) have been applied.

Supernatural Qualities may be purchased with Quality Points, Metaphysics Points, or any combination of the two. Other types of Qualities (i.e., Mental, Physical, Social, and Military) may be purchased only with Quality Points.

Metaphysical Skills are unique skills required for the activation or use of certain supernatural powers. Levels in a Metaphysical Skill may only be purchased with Metaphysics Points, unless stated otherwise.

This is going to be quite a Metaphysically diverse crowd of PCs. That should make it all the more fun & bizarre!

Vidar Tyrz

"I am the First Immortal."

The Mouth of Kala:

"overwhelming might
BURNING. TRANSFIGURATION.
THE WAY OF all flesh.

The black gate, and beyond the final truth. I could describe an idea of it, but it would be false. It is the machinations of our conscious universe that drive it. For we are merely the universe exploring its own conscious essence. But this consciousness is recycled, within the mouth of Kala. The all consuming serpent, swallowing its own tail. Some call this Ourboros, for it has many names. But Kala is the oldest written name, and it is the name our ancestors would have called it. From a time before any flag known flew. In a steppe, in what is now Ukraine.

When this gate you at last traverse, you'll find that time is just a single droplet in a river. The rushing flow crushes all resistance as it follows the circle of causality forward. If you attempt to swim to the surface you'll find that the reflective edge nullifies any attempts to move through it. And that you must surrender to the warm flow of consciousness and stream where it takes you. Your individual willpower is meaningless to the collective current and upon accepting all your actions as true you may pass when you learn to forgive them and exist with them with no judgement.

From there the stream becomes light and darkness and flows in an eternal deluge down the boughs of the world tree. An uninterrupted, uncontrollable, pattern. The struggle of inertia versus motion. But since we cannot prove either over those concepts let's call it done. Welcome to consciousness.

First Bardo:

"I will take no material into the afterlife. Take no possessions, I would rather travel light." -Wotan the Tyr

Breathing deep. Mechanical heartbeat. Losing contact with the living. Flurry of sound. Clamor of steel. Screams of dying men. Metal taste, cold bitter agony. Pain within my bowels unlike any I've known before.

Animalistic willpower pulls me to my feet as I scream. Pulling the sword from my chest. The knives of the void knitting my flesh together from the Nothing. The cold chill releasing some of my essence to Kala. I can hear the distant thundering. The heartbeat of my future self, roaring as my current pulse slows. The cold knives, like barbs under my flesh, rending me.

I don't want to die, no I refuse to die, I won't ever die! This coldness gripping my very soul won't end me. I see it no so brilliant, glowing, as it rises from the bodies of those dying around me. A silver chord, tying our fate together. Greedily I pull upon them, tearing their chords free, mending my own.

Such complicated unresolved bitter emotions as I see my own chord still evaporates. Intense fear grip my bowels. Regret racks my brain. My heart heats in fury. It isn't fair this balance I see, my memories already turning to every wrong thing I have done.

As my consciousness streams the regret bloomed to suicidal anguish. And to end it I thrust my spear deeper pinning myself to the tree. Yet death, it would not take me. I fell upon my spear, as bloodless I could not stand. And stared as my vision faded. There was a mote of light and I stared into it. A well of knowledge I found.

How long I stared within I do not remember. For I lived inside this many millions of times. Eternally recurring to this singular fate. Very truly immortal, timeless. For it is here I saw that wherever life was, I was the conflict that drives it. All-Things become me, for I had become All-Father.

From this Delusion I awoke. EIR, had saved me I had fallen from my spear. Free of it my body renewed itself. I rose and walked the fields of the dead and dying. Ages past within that bloody field that I alone endured. Driven half mad by the sound of my future heart beat. But allowed to endure with it as my steadfast companion.

Second Bardo:

"These colors and sounds are now more precious to me, I realize, I haven't closed my eyes in a long time. Have I died?"

Resolution has come. No more the bitter sting of fear. No. I fear nothing, for I am become all again. The Nothing cannot be, it is not worthy of me to fear it. I give myself to The Nothing. Ah this is what it means to be one.

My heart has stopped but my mind races. Surging forward into this unknown. I am embarrassed, for I can feel Her, tasting me. It is not to consume me, but an erotic embraces as she savors my flesh. I welcome the notion to be Her succor.

She is a mighty bloom, the mycelium of a fungus that exists throughout the omniverse. She is the World Tree. She is Me. I give myself to her and she repeats me. Ad Infinitum, in our oneness we are everywhere. We are all time.

She shows me from beginning to end to new beginning. I am unafraid and comforted to see my reflection. It grows brighter and more real as the illusion of death begins to become transparent. My eyes so heavy at the end of our eternal journey. I must rest.

Third Bardo:
"I can't keep my eyes open any longer. I AM DYING."

Though blind I see everything. And now in this I convince myself once again. This God that I worship. This Demon I have blamed. They conspire as one, exactly the same, they're exactly the same.

Rational hate rises within, though from where I know not, for my body has been consumed, all that exists now is the idea of what was me. And that idea is fungible. Malleable at a whim. What was I? A man? Am I become God? No, there it is, I see my future. I AM The First, I AM The Last. Even The Creator and all creation will perish. And there I will become anew. Through me, all consciousness flows, and all that are conscious are carried by me through the Black Gate. I AM not God. I AM against God.

This God, who in vanity swallow the Light, and tastes a blade of my people's creation, dying feebly with a whimper not a shout. I was the first. I am now the last. What am I to do now? I the murderer of murderers. For not even death may claim me.

I become numbness, stillness. So still I become, she consumes me grows from me. Our union complete a marriage after eternal engagement. We persist.

Four Bardo:

"Is it a dream or a memory?"

I am conceived. My father and mother lie in loving embrace, their union of flesh and spirit, blessed by offspring. I live, I grow. Father dies, I break. Mother dies, I break.

I am a young broken man, carelessly tossed by the waves of misfortune. Tragedy after tragedy consume what little goodness I possessed. I become a monster. A killer of man. A slayer of kings. Destroyer of the Dragon. I fail myself, for I am too weak to continue along my own conviction.

I am a man, and this I remain forever. Rife with inadequacy I struggle. And become the very things I once destroyed. From boy to man, from man to king, from king to dragon.

I am The Serpent. For a flightless Dragon I was, and my greed and hunger perverted my nature. I consumed my own kingdom, destroyed many of my own children. Swallowed my own tail out of my ceaseless hunger. As it all comes crashing I find myself staring, once more powerless to prevent the death of my race as they are crushed by my most glorious son.

I am a humble wastrel. No longer king. No more the dragon. Just a pitiful and powerless viper. Cunning, envious of power, starving for a place to fit in. No more do my kin walk this world. They have been consumed instead by my own progeny. My children who daily forget their glorious roots, who choose to remain ignorant of their incredible world changing power.

I am a wise wanderer. I desire no name, and have long forgotten the names men once called me. Their opinion on such matters are irrelevant. Now, to me the only reason to live is to seek the truth. For ever will my wisdom grow. I have walked the face of this rugged old planet for hundreds of thousands of years. I have been king and fallen from the throne more times than I care to remember. The only two names which mean anything to me are the name of my Father, and All-Father. For I have had more names than words exist that are spoken. I walk invisibly among my children, seeking relics of the past. Yearning above anything else to see my home restored, to save my children from their lives of mediocrity.

I am the First, I will be the last.

Fifth Bardo:

"At the end of days, right or wrong will depend on, how we live and whether we will hang the last hangman."

I am dead, for the first time in one quarter of a million years. I have been here before. I will always be here again. I have known so much but in these millennia have failed to uncover the final truth.

I will not submit to this burden. I stare once more into the black gate. Armed now with the very blade I slew The Creator with. I see my silver chord. I take it in hand. It resists me, for it knows I intend to destroy it. Looking to the links I had forged from my dead brothers and sisters. I steel myself. Ready to plunge into the final unknown. To know what it means to be The Nothing. I sever the chord, emotion ceases, I cannot feel, yet still I see. I drop the sword, and leap through the Black Gate, straight into The Mouth of Kala.

Sixth Bardo:
"Should we not just be grateful, wretched as we are, walking this rugged old planet? Where that which occurs recurs eternally. Are you in a life trap? Or are you free to joyfully live the same life through the ages? Where then is free will in this? I am certain, willpower does exist, but nothing in this unforgiving world is free."

I am born again. I know no more, nor less, than any. This solipsism, I know to be a devilish device of my own design. Which I have invented only to hurt myself.

Yeah, it seems like it’ll be quite a bad ass crew. Tentatively, looks as though we have an Exiled Lesser Seraphim, two Inheritors, and a True Immortal, so far.

So I just keep having more ideas:

Inheritor of Hephastus who at least a couple of centuries old and is fed up with war. Jade, begrudgingly crafts bits and pieces for the rest of the group and fights from the back, but surprisingly good up close if she needs to be.

Avatar of 'The Fey' - A child stolen by the fae or adjacent ( Loki?) at birth and raised to be their agent. Drifts from city to city, mooching and making deals to get by. Social character [Mostly a defunct idea with the fairie type being put up, and Fumyr having a similar concept]

A relentless dead who was a bootlegger, died when betrayed by her partner, and slowly picking off those who were involved, while also enjoying her chance at a second life to the fullest. Social character who can swing a bat very hard.

Werewolf (Or other) bounty-hunter, content with her lot in life, hunting down priority leviathan targets, and others. Having to clean up after herself after accidentally turning a target, who is causing trouble. Mostly a brawler with street smarts.

Faerie who has chosen to distance herself from other Fey, definitely ot because of scandals for anything like that. Gets by one mooching and bets like previous fey character, just trying to enjoy the human world, with or without the leviathan problem.

Gifted from a stuck up family who started learning magic purely to get parents attention and prove something, and is now reaping the consequences. Lots of solutions to problems as long as the solution is magic.

I don't know if any of those stand out to anyone as something they'd want to play alongside.

Avatars are only for the pagan gods; there are no Fey Avatars. But you could definitely do an Avatar of Hephaestus.

Personally I like the werewolf and Gifted Magician ideas.

@Jomsviking

Interesting read. I have some ideas for you that you may like, but I don’t have the time to post it right now. I’ll send it to you later.

Yeah the avatar was before aware of the fey options, so trying to build someone linked to the fey with limited tools. (Hence maybe being squashed into Loki. It unlikely I'll go with the idea now then, as there are actual faeries, and Fumydr is looking at a Loki inheritor.

Leaning away from Hephastus as well mostly as we already have a couple inheritors.

Looking forward to it!

Sounds good. The Associations are described on p. 33. If you choose the Alliance as your Association, you’ll get two free Metaphysics Points to spend on Primal Skill. The Pantheons are also an obvious choice.

What are the skill focuses of the various characters? I'd like to synergize with those but not I overlap too much. Winnowing down the skills is proving to be my biggest issue with character building.
I'm planning on playing a human scientist, a bit of a polymath, but there are so many skills that look like they might be handy that I may be diluting the character's effectiveness.

Archeology and Linguistics are going to be Dr. Tyrz's pursuits.

Not sure what kind of scientist you are going for, but you could make a military scientist working for the U.S. Army. There is a Science MOS for soldiers in the Armed Force book.

If I go with werewolf, which I'm leaning toward right now, likely stuff like notice, perception, tracking, for bounty hunter purposes maybe a bit of social. The others concepts are all definitely more social focused.

On the topic of skills what skill would it be for bite/claws while shifted? Brawling or something more individual, (Claw, bite etc)

I was thinking of a scientist recruited into working with the Alliance but not from the military. Maybe something more in the vein of a mad (but not paranormal) scientist.

Yes, Brawling covers all of that

Yes, that’s probably your best bet. You can reduce the points even more if it’s a child. But I’ll look into it and see if there are any further guidelines

Okay cool. The Church of Revelations does a lot of weird scientific and occult experimentation, so it’s make sense for the Alliance to want a scientist who might be able to understand it, especially one on the fringes.

Fight fire with fire, I suppose. Best way to get burned but at this point the Alliance has little left to lose!

What does Academic Outcast drawback do?

2 Are now curious.

Academic/Academic Outcast
1-point Social Quality or Drawback
As a quality, this is simply called Academic. The character is well regarded in a particular academic or scientific field. He’s possibly published some highly regarded papers or developed some theories that are frequently quoted in scientific periodicals. In some cases, the character can simply mention his name (or he may be recognized) to help smooth an investigation or research process; this adds a +2 bonus on certain Research and Investigations rolls.

As a Drawback, the character is an Academic Outcast. He once tried to pursue a career in traditional academia, but his interest in bizarre lines of research made him a pariah among his peers. It is now impossible for him to gain respect in traditional academic and scientific circles. This makes certain research more difficult, adding a -2 penalty for Research/Investigation projects if the academic seeks information or services from others and is recognized.

I'm working on the character sheet now.

When choosing skills is it better to peanut butter and spread with +1s in many things? Or is it better to have a more expert approach?

I'd think it would have to do more with your Attribute +Skill total in what you were applying it to. This system has A LOT of skills and many of those have sub-skills that are bought totally separate from each other. I'd think a point or two in some things would be okay (if it's not your focus AND you have a decent attribute behind it) otherwise you might as well put a reasonable amount of points into it.

Getting close to having a character ready. Really just equipment left to do. Hopefully will have it done by tomorrow.

Worthwhile pointing out this rule -


So may be worthwhile chucking some points in a few places that may come up, even if you don't want focus.

I'm close to finished with mine as well. Still second guessing my skill choices but I should have something submitted later tonight

Personally, I think it’s better to specialize in a few areas, which can represent your niche in the group. Spending points on too many skills can leave your character spread too thin. To echo what Witchdoctor said, this system has lots of skills, making it difficult to create a true jack-of-all-trades character. Thus, I think the expert approach is best. And you can always make unskilled attempts for skills you don’t have.

On the other hand, be careful not to hyper-specialize, either. I also recommend everyone have some semblance of combat skill, even if you aren’t a combat character. If only so you can defend yourself when necessary.

Are you still making an Inheritor?

Jomsviking, are you still making the true immortal?

Yeah I'm almost ready for review.

@Lactose: Is there a group setting you have planned for the game or are you waiting to see what characters we have before determining that?

I’m kind of waiting, but my initial premise is that you are all a unit or team working either for, or with, the Alliance (or another faction altogether). I may then tweak the idea based on what characters get created. I find, at least for me, that mission-based games with clear objectives are well suited for play-by-post. Also partly because this is a war story.

That doesn’t mean any of your characters need to be members of the Alliance. The team will probably represent an inter-faction cooperative effort, which isn’t entirely uncommon as things get more desperate.

Your character’s Association won’t be terribly important for this game. It’s more of a narrative and roleplaying decision, since it’ll inform your character’s ultimate loyalties, but each Association does provides a small mechanical benefit for its members.

Probably the easiest thing to do is wait till most characters are done, and then people can discuss their interpersonal relationships with each other (if any) and what Associations work best for them.

This will be an interesting group since you have an Exiled Seraphim and several Inheritors working together. Historically, the Seraphim and the Old Gods don’t like each other, though that doesn’t reflect all angels and Primal Beings. It’ll make for an interesting dynamic.

In case it’s not obvious, Armageddon draws heavily from ‘90s supernatural action-thrillers. For instance, the Relentless Dead are basically Eric Draven from The Crow. Likewise, the Seraphim follow the style of the angels depicted in The Prophecy movies with Christopher Walken. And the True Immortals are not-so-subtly inspired by the Highlander series. And so on.

It's quite the kitchen sink world but it's different enough to be intriguing. At least there's quite a bit of difference in the Immortals of Armageddon and the Immortals of Highlander. But then again, there's a distinct difference between the ones from the Highlander movie & the TV series. (Any Highlander movie past the first one is not to be mentioned.)

@Lactose: I've submitted my character (sans skills just yet) for you to get a look at the attributes, Qualities & Drawbacks in case you had suggestions or alternatives.

Yup. Carter Bonham has just recently realized his powers, as a few months ago to a couple of years he just considered himself an ordinary getaway driver. But during a heist gone wrong and he should have died, he miraculously survived. When caught and explained what he was, he offered his services to the Alliance in exchange for them not delivering him to the proper authorities.

Ok thanks. I’ll be taking a look at them tonight.

I looked Dr. Avel over. Seems pretty solid, so far. My only recommendation might be, when you take skills, to make him as multi-disciplinary as possible. Give him levels in several sciences or other scholastic skills, not just one field. That'll increase his likelihood of applying his expertise in various situations. Skills such as Tactics and Occult Knowledge would be useful to the group, and he's crazy smart so even with only one level in them, you'd generally roll quite well.

Our Neo-Luddite Doctor of Humanities and Occult Researcher, is ready for review.

Thank you, Jomsviking. I will look the character over tonight.

@Lactose: Would Resources or Contacts be a better use for the remaining 5 Quality points? Or perhaps there's another Quality I'm overlooking ?

I've put in the Skills. Have a look over them & let me know what you think.

Just started the Highlander TV series. The soundtrack is amazing. The BDSM dude with the Hannibal Lechter face mask is too much to be taken seriously. But it was the 90s I'll forgive them having grown up in them.

Anything Queen touches is amazing. Just look at the Flash Gordon movie... The soundtrack alone launched that movie into cult status.

Alright fixed it up dropping the strength. I will keep Old Soul at 5 because, its the maximum number of times it can be taken and that would make him DeFacto the oldest immortal.

Which is pretty funny considering he doesn't even know he's super powered. Gives you all sorts of fun ways to add qualities and drawbacks. Like maybe he's made an enemy, maybe he's a secret billionaire. The possibilities are endless.

Please Note: I will spend the 10 drawback points 7 on increasing Strength and 3 to Increase intelligence.

Sorry guys, this week at work has been very weird (and Unfortunatly in some cases draining). Hope to work on char over weekend.

Mostly know what I'm doing with her. The main question atm is wolf with more focus on qualities to aid investigation etc, or bear who will be more useful in a fight.

@LoM: Either character sounds really interesting. A Werewolf detective or a brawler Were-Bear would be useful and cool. Do you have personalities attached to them yet?

They're mostly the same, it's just whether bear or wolf. She's basically a bounty hunter who takes contracts from the alliance and maybe other groups.. Maybe a bit grumpy but loves the rest of the party really as sort of personality.

Nice concept! Have you settled on a Reconciled or Born Feral? You could do an Accursed Feral, but I would strongly recommend against it.

Being set in wartime, there will be a decent amount of combat, but I'm going to include a hefty amount of investigation also, so either wolf or bear can work.

Coincidentally, I rewatched the show last year. It's painfully '90s, especially the fashion (power suits, blowouts, and open shirts with man cleavage). It can be campy at times, but overall it 's a great show. I even tried to start a Highlander pbp game several months ago, and using this same system, but couldn't quite wrangle up enough players. Might still try to run it again in the future.

Let me look it over tonight and I'll get back to you.

Sign me up with the same character. I love the narrative and would love to play the mentor role.

Just my weigh in on the subject. In no way a recommendation but a fun bit of historical knowledge.

Ulfheddin (wolf men) and Berserkers (bear shirts) are not mutually exclusive. Ulfheddin were Odins shamans berserks were any skilled enough warrior to kill a bear. Both equally badass.

They are very much mutually exclusive here as I'm talking about her feral form and she can only have one :P The difference is is Wolf is cheaper (22) so more points can go into qualities. Bear wrecks house (Has bigger stat boosts) but is relatively expensive (29).

Plus likely leaning more detective noir or similar as bounty hunter and away from norse, while other concepts were norse, as q few others are dipping toes in there, so diversity among the group.

Sorry guys again. For those who don't know I work at a school and its just be.. a nightmare the last week or so. I have decided what type of Feral she is, and how she does stuff but you'll have to wait and find out. Sheets mostly put together, just need to finalise some last point spending and qualities, then she's good to go.

Finally got her up and ready! Nearly got distracted by one of my favourite songs and wanted to base a character of it (Angel with a Shotgun) but hey thats a back up right? :P

And there was much rejoicing.

Thanks LightOfMidnight. We are mostly ready to go, then. My plan is to hopefully get the game up and running by the begining of next week.

Some point before then, I'll do a brief crash course about the Unisystem for those who have never played it.

@LightOfMidnight and Equinox, I've looked over your characters and they are good to go. Great job!

Squadfather has decided to bow out of the game, which means that the group has been finalized. We have two Inheritors, a True Immortal, a Feral, and a human scientist. I'll begin getting to work on the first post.

In the meantime, feel free to discuss how your characters might previously know each other, if at all. Do some of you have friendships or longstanding work relationships with one another?

The premise for this game will be that the PCs function as a team working for the Alliance. You will most likely be based out of North America or Europe, though assignments could take you anywhere. Whether you are members of the Alliance or not, your services are being utilized for the war effort. For non-members, consider why your character has chosen to partake in this group.

I'm thinking of including a soldier NPC into your team who functions as a coordinator - the Rick Flag to your Suicide Squad, so to speak. Being that most of you are supernatural beings, you'll have something of an elite status in Alliance operations.

*tries desperately not to associate the Initals R.F. with Satan*

The Dark Tower has ruined my brain.

Shame about Squadfather, but the cast looks good.

Rylani while not officially a member of the Alliance, not liking to be tied down to any one person or group, is likely at least a semi-familiar face to those who go after specific Leviathan targets, as if the price is high enough the bounty hunter is likely also after them. She is also not opposed to accepting money to go on a non bounty mission, likely why she has agreed to be a part of the current group, her skills being needed. While she gives off an attitude of sticking to herself and just caring about the job, those who have worked with her more than once or twice will realise she's more caring than she lets on. Just don't call her out on it.

Happy for her to have worked a few missions, or keep having accidentally bumped in some of the other character enough to form a working relationship, if not friendship.

I think a military NPC "handler" is a great idea. Considering the ensemble cast of characters are mostly oddballs and weirdos (no offense ;) we'd definitely need a 'straight man' to herd all the cats in the same direction and present a legitimate face to the military brass.

@LI: I have 5-6 points of Qualities left, would Resources or Contacts be a good use for those or is there another Quality I'm overlooking? Other than that, the doctor's character is finished.

Vidar probably just thinks he's there for scientific reasons. As he has no idea that he's an immortal. I kind of like the notion that he's never experienced anything metaphysical in his current life and is just attracted to a life of danger because of his nature.

Carter is rather new to the Alliance. At least full time. He has just discovered that he's an inheritor after walking away from an accident who'd kill anyone else. Though if anyone has had experiences with the underworld, they might have some history.

If it was a bigger mor emalicious cre, and with gifted/non-human members may have had some run ons with Rylani if someone managed to get a bounty. Which may have led to an interesting scen of him driving a getaway vehicle being chased by a pride of ghost lions.

If more small time/just non-gifted may not have clashes.

Sounds like we all may more know each other by reputation if at all?

Update: I will try to make the first post for the game either tonight or tomorrow.

As promised, here is a quick primer for the Unisystem. These rules are further detailed in the Rules Reference thread.


• In Armageddon, the Game Master is known as "The Chronicler".

• A ten-sided die (d10) is used for all rolls, with the exception of damage rolls.

• The Target Number for rolls is always 9.

• Some actions rely on simple success or failure. Other actions require a certain degree of success. "Success Levels" are determined by consulting the Outcome Table (Armageddon, p. 123). The higher a result, the more Success Levels that the character has achieved. Additional Success Levels beyond the necessary minimum impart added benefits. .
Tasks

• Tasks are Skill checks. Tasks involve one Skill and one relevant Attribute. Roll 1d10 + Attribute + Skill Level

For example, shooting a pistol relies on the Dexterity attribute and the Handgun skill. A character with Dexterity 2 and Handguns 3 would be rolling 1d10 + 5.


Tests

• Tests are Attribute checks. There are two types of Tests: Simple and Difficult.

• Simple Test: 1d10 + (Attribute x 2).

• Difficult Test: 1d10 + Attribute.

For example, a character with Strength 3 would roll 1d10 + 6 for a Simple Strength Test, and 1d10 + 3 for a Difficult Strength Test.


Resisted Tasks & Tests

• Resisted Tasks and Resisted Tests are resolved just like regular Tasks and Tests. Both results are compared against each other and against the Target Number (9). The higher result wins.

• If neither result equals or beats the Target Number (9), then both results fail.


The Rule of 10

• If a Natural 10 is rolled on 1d10, this incurs a special benefit. Roll a 1d10 again and then subtract 5 from that result. If the result is higher than zero, add it to the result of the first roll. If the result is zero or lower, ignore it.

For example, if a player rolls a Natural 10, followed by a 7, the total roll would be 12 (10 + (7 - 5) = 12).

• If another Natural 10 is rolled, continue rolling and adding the results until a 10 is not rolled.


The Rule of 1

• If a Natural 1 is rolled on 1d10, it incurs a special result. Roll 1d10 again and then subtract 5 from that result. If the result is a negative number, reduce the result of the first roll by that amount. If the result is a positive number, the roll is considered to be a 1.

For example, if a player rolls a Natural 1, followed by a 3, this leaves him with a -2 (1 - 3 = -2).

• If another Natural 1 is rolled, continue rolling and subtracting the results until a 1 is not rolled.

Great job to everyone for their first posts! I will be posting again tonight.

As far as posting frequency, you are only required to post three times a week, but feel free to post more often if you’d like. (Though if anyone starts posting too much, I’ll place some restrictions). I will probably be posting almost every day, but many of these will be reaction posts in response to PC activities.

And there was much rejoicing.

Apologies everyone, I’ve been a little busy this week. I’ll be making another post later today.

No problem. Thanks for checking in!

Can't listen to the audio file. Won't open on my phone, so don't have a chance to listen to it until I'm finished at work. But today is the day I'm finally going to see the Batman after work, so a good 12-13 hours until I get a chance.

@Furmyr Enjoy The Batman! I thought it was a really good, well paced film for a wild 3-hour ride!

The audio file is a really cool inclusion, Lactose. That was great! We can summarize it for Furmyr if need be.

Take your time. No rush. If you can't get it to work, let me know and I can try to get you a copy of it in another format. Or, as witchdoctor suggested, I could provide a summary or transcription of it for you to read.

I apologize for all the information dumping in the game. I usually don't like to hit players with walls of text to read, but it's all necessary info. Once the briefing has concluded, you can expect less dumpage. :)

The info dump isn't too bad. Pretty standard for briefings and such. Switching off between the three presenters really helps the flow.

Amen to that. Wall of text without breaking it apart is hard. This gives a specific perspective for each post and that helps immensely in maintaining model adherence.

Aside from any last minute activities or preparations, that concludes the first chapter of the game. Good job, everyone. I will post the next chapter in a few days. It will begin with your characters en route to Mexico.

All of you get 4 experience points. You can save these points or spend them before Chapter 2 commences. XP costs are listed in the Character Improvement Table on p. 147 of the Armageddon core book. Play-by-post progresses very slowly, so I am usually somewhat generous with experience points. Otherwise, your characters advance at a glacial pace. You can typically expect to earn 1 to 3 XP per week of out-of-game, real world time.

If I buy off a 4 point drawback... like say cloistered... will it remove the minuses to skills?

Yes it would

Then I will do this.

Hey been a little busy this weekend. I’ll be posting again later today in response to the rolls.

Hi guys, I am new. I have a bad head cold this weekend (negative Covid test though so yay) & am slowly getting caught up on the old thread.

Is there any particular niche you guys would like my character to fill in the party? I'm going to work on building my character sheet this week.

Hi Bananabread!

We are a very mixed and interesting bunch it seems form the first thread.

We have:
Dr Avel - A human Scientist
Vidar Tyrz - A true immortal archaeologist
Carter Bonham - An inheritor of Loki, and a former wheelman
Arashi Akari - An inheritor of Ryujin, and from the sense I've got talent warrior
Rylani Noah - A feral bounty hunter, who can both track and hold her own in a fight

Not sure if we have any noticeable gaps, as we haven't completely got to know each other yet, so sure whatever concept you have can fit in. I'm not sure how much combat ability there is is among Vidar, Cartar and Dr Avel, but Rylani can hold her own and Akari is built for it I believe.

Is there a concept that calls to you? We don't have a representative from the Angel/Demon camp yet, if that speaks to you. I wouldn't worry so much about filling a niche as generating a character you'd really like to play.

Witchdoctor speaks truth. This system has a lot of skils and abilities, and it seems easy to fit around everyone else, unless making exact carbon copies or one another :P

We also don't have any gifted/magic people so thats a another avenue. There's a thread with some additional types as well, which I myself had fun narrowing down to one concept.

I second what Witchdoctor and LightOfMidnight have said.

The group has no Seraphim characters. Generally, Seraphim don’t get along well with pagan beings (such as Inheritors), but that could introduce an interesting dynamic to the team. Likewise, a Gifted Magician or Divinely Inspired could be useful for the group. But don’t worry too much about filling a niche; make something you think you’d like to play.

Thank you everyone for the input. My problem with Unisystem is that I love so many of the character concepts, I could have fun with most of them... So seeing what the party needs helps me narrow it down :P

A Lesser Exiled Seraphim (Infernal variety) might be cool. I usually go for holy people or monster hunters, so a more Scoundrel-like demon-y guy would be a fun change of pace.

Hear hear. This thread chronicles many on my indecisive moments of what do I play.. even before Lactose started posting things like Ferals and Fae.

Infernal Seraphim sounds like fun!

@Bananabread, so you are aware, I plan to insert your character near the start of Chapter 2. The team is heading to Mexico, and once there, will meet up with a contact from the Mexican Resistance. I'm going to have your character be the contact.

Vidar is a very well-rounded character, he's not a combat powerhouse though, I think he'll end up becoming the dedicated Medic given time.

Hi everyone, hope you're all well today!

I believe my character sheet is now done. Lactose, I changed some of the stuff around now that I mentioned in PMs. I feel good about this being the finalized version (barring any corrections you may need to make.) No rush on looking it over, naturally.

I decided to go with a Lesser Infernal Seraphim. His name is René Luc Toussaint. Once the party gets to Mexico, you'll meet up with him there. He's a Lone Wolf & Alliance contact. He will be acting as your local guide.

I'm not sure if any of the party would be familiar with him. He spent most of his time in Europe, particularly France, compromising people's souls, and generally being an amoral nuisance at behest of his demonic superiors. He had some social clout as an artist in Paris, too, which helped influence certain people.

He went to Spain for almost 2 years following Paris' fall, then made his way to Mexico when Spain inevitably went kaput. He hasn't been to the USA much. He's ingratiated himself with guerilla resistances in Mexico, and to a lesser extent the army. He's been helpful to Mexican forces & provides intelligence to them & the Alliance.

He took what happened to Paris, really, really personally and basically gets his kicks inconveniencing the Church of Revelations in Mexico. He's been there for several years and enjoys the warm weather. He's healed locals and they're under the impression he has holy powers or is a Saint of some variety... He likes the attention/renown and isn't going to correct them any time soon.

Toussaint sounds like an interesting character. Sounds like a perfect fit for the group of associates we have. I think the phrase 'amoral nuisance' suits this bunch nicely!

What role did you see for Toussaint, if any?

Sweet having a dedicated healer means I can focus on being the mad scientist.

Haha yes. For his Theophany thing I took Healer. It uses Essence (3 points of healing per 1 Essence spent, & crazier things like missing limbs or diseases would cost like 50 IIRC.) Otherwise, he doesn't have any First Aid skills or anything like that. So, yeah, just don't explode yourselves if he's out of Essence... or do it one at a time.

For his role, I kind of had an Artsy Saboteur type guy in mind when picking skills. So a blend of Social/Sneaky Skills/Qualities. & some art stuff. You never know when the party's fate may hinge on a cool guitar solo.

I think he'll be okay in combat, too, given Infernals are kinda naturally hardy. Definitely not the "weapons" guy though.

Hello all, I’ve been a little side tracked but I plan to post tonight to wrap up what Dr Avel and Vidar are doing.

Then I will start Chapter 2 this weekend.

That's cool. I think Joms & I were just chewing the scenery a bit. It should be fun to see what they discover!

It was delicious.

Chapter 2 has been posted. I'm sorry for the wait everyone. Couldn't find time to sit and write anything until today.

No questions here.

Don't sweat it, Lactose. I don't think it's going any slower than most games on GP. Plus, there's a lot in your posts so it can take a while to find the time to sit down and type out posts that long. I'm fine with the pace.

I think everyone would probably be fine with moving to the next phase, when you have time, so we can introduce our resident Damned. Personally, I'd hate to start a scene or conversation that might unintentionally hold things up.

Sorry guys, have been tied up this week. I will post this evening though!!