Welcome

Welcome everyone!

I'll just give you a day or two days to browse around, check things and get some inspiration/ideas and whatnot. As I mentioned in the recruitment post, we are going to do a generic dark fantasy setting so we focus on learning the system instead of having to deal with a lot of lore. I wrote very minimal pointers here, which I think could help build up the dark atmosphere.

I'd like to point out that I simplified the game start quite a bit to avoid dragging it too long. I think its probably best to jump into the game as quickly as possible to get a grasp of how this works and then we can revisit this if we want to go for a second generation:

1. I made the family creation the "game mystery". Even though we are basically skipping it all, should read to get a feeling of what family resources are for when you find them.
2. For the character creation, we'll start by defining the character's role and then sort out the conflicts and skeletons. This step requires everyone to connect the PCs so a lot of "talk". We'll do it step by step early this week.
3. The rules are basically a pool of d6s roll for most things so it should be simple to get started. Just keep in mind that one of the key objectives of the rules is to generate drama and conflict between players, so everything follows from there.

thanks CESN

Sounds good to me! Thank you for the game :D

I just went through reading through all the stuff and want to say you did an amazing job setting this game up CESN! I am super excited to get started with this game and see what wonderful and terrible shenanigans we can get rolling with one another.

Thanks for the invite. Looking forward to it

Thanks for the invite, I'm definitely looking forward to playing this.

What's everyone thinking about for character ideas.

Hey guys! We're just missing crazybirdman but I assume will be joining soon, so we can start bouncing some PC ideas yes.

Anything looking like late feudalism to early enlightenment with gothic tones will probably work very well. I'd pay attention to the Gothic Duality to get some classic anti-hero vibe. You can also pick a side on the Puritan/Secular or Scientific/Superstition "teams" if you want, but it's totally optional. The only thing to remember is that you are part of this old influential noble house, even if you've degenerated into nothing more than a scoundrel.

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That out of the way, the first step is to initially describe your character an adjective and a family role and in a not entirely positive way

I am considering a Rakish Cousin or something like that, definitely of the bloodline. Think I'll split them between Brawn and Guile. The character is a bravado, a stand-in for gentlemanly duels. He sleeps with flea-infested dogs and I'm considering him being an opium addict.

How about the rest of you?

I am thinking to play a Tyrannical Grandfather (or other elderly relative), who finds the new generations spineless and unworthy of the Rookwood legacy and strives to impose his iron will upon them. Definitely of direct Rookwood descent.
He could be preaching integrity and virtue, idealizing a past of great values (that never was), while being secretly prone to indulging in vice himself... perhaps Lust is his demon, or Absinth. Or both!

Probably a 0 Brawn, 4 Guile, 1 Weird : his weak body is at odds with his enormous energy and sharp, ever-scheming mind

I'm thinking of a Militaristic Brother. To get away from his family he sought out a life in the military. So probably a 4 Brawn, 1 Guile, and 0 Weird. He'll definitely be a direct blood relative of the Rookwood line.

I gotta lot of reading/ catching up to do. If we're going for drama my first instinct is to play someone adopted into the family.

I could certainly see me playing the great-grandchild of someone who actually "had the class to be a Rookwood" and I'm just an embarrassment. Could be a lot of fun!

I am still a bit in doubt between two.

1. The naive fiance. She is basically an outsider to the family, a girl friend or fiance to a family member.
2. Nerdy but dark teen (grand)daughter.

Both seem fun. I am leaning to 2, as for a first go it would be fun to ben in the bloodline.
Although outsiders can add more drama. Choices, choices.

No problem, take our time :D
Yeah, I guess playing with the curse/supernatural mechanistics is interesting for a test run. Though, in this case, it could make sense to make the curse "transmissible" instead of something blood-bound. Could be negotiated if you want to try it out anyway (or, you know, you're all inbred anyway - classic european monarchy xD).

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So, just to sum up the ideas so far:

KingHotTrash: Rakish Cousin. Opium addict
Dr_B: Tyrannical Grandfather (or other elderly relative). Lustful or drunk.
Squadfather44: Militaristic Brother. Wants to get away from the family.
crazybirdman: likely not a blood-relative
Cettish: The naive fiance/girlfriend (not bloodline) or Nerdy but dark teen (grand)daughter.

Yeah, I can see some potential here already 👌

I gave it some thought today. And I do think it would be more fun for now to be in the family.

So, expect a dark, but nerdy teen girl.

Would you be interested in being the sister to my character?

Certainly! Gotta establish family relations.

So I'll be your guys' cousin then, nice and easy.

Going well so far :)

I just had a quick look at the safety sheet and there is nothing marked so far. Should I assume you're generally ok with anything? I don't expect to go too far into anything anyway, but just checking.

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Updated:
KingHotTrash is a rakish opium addict and cousin of Squadfather44, who got into the military to escape the family, and Cettish, his sister who is a dark, but nerdy teen girl. We have Dr_B the tyrannical old-school hypocrite grandfather.

@crazybirdman, let me know how's it going and if you have any question or so :D

I am good with whatever right now. I also haven't really had a whole bunch of that tend to come up in my games that I played so I'll make use of the safety devices we have in play if something surprisingly bothers me.

I looked and indeed didn't mark anything. As for RP goes, I am fine with anything.


Sounds like quite an interesting family we are working up here. I see grandpa and grandkids. But I wonder where the generation in the middle is :)

Still catching up, but going well. Should we come up with a detailed backstory or let that develop throughout the game?
I like the idea of my character being another cousin. So that would be 3 sets of parents, but we all share a grandfather/grandmother. Would that be okay?
Also, like, what age is everyone? And what do family members look like?

My personal plan is that all my in-betweens are dead before this. They died young, in the prime of their life, but always after an heir was born of some sort. I've inherited all that goodness and used none of it wisely.

quickly re-writes the game

I mean you can have an idea of the general backstory but for now it's just the adjective and the family role. You'll need to put some skeletons in your closet later so that will lead us to the backstories and the character's connections
So a true Rookwood and not cousin as in the other cousin's spouse? (just checking since you mentioned adopted into the family).
Ok, so we'd have Squadfather44's and Cettish's parents, KingHotTrash's parents, crazybirdman's parents, the missing generation, and then Dr_B' whose the uncle of all those dead relatives. If I got my family tree right ...
I guess it would be easy to promote the oldest cousin to uncle is we want to fill the gap 🤣

If that works! If you have plans, I'm totally adaptable as well! I'm a very laissez-faire player! DON'T BURN THE NOTEBOOK! <3

You mean... and entire generation missing... in a gothic mystery? 🤔 I mean... they probably don't call it a curse for no reason 😂. It can be fitted I think yes. i was going to ask if you have any other relatives later, but we can check what the other's think of this bizarre turn of events?

I was meaning mostly my parents for the ones missing. I don't know about the others, they can definitely be around. I probably have siblings that I haven't seen soberly in a decade.

Are we going for OOC publicly known/shared skeletons? I mean, I have an idea for an interesting skeleton my character would have, but it would require something involving the other characters (then again, I kinda guess that is the point of it all).

That's a good point. Can we have some openly known and have some secret? That way they could possibly come out in game play.

Were we supposed to be able to enter info on that google sheet?
Quick clarification: Rookwood or Rockwood?
Also, if my character is adopted, does that mean they would have no weird die?

1) I think we can mark it or should be able to? I didn't try myself.
2) I hope Rookwood because that means crows and crows are awesome.
3) I think you can still be weird (The family attracts the eccentric and emotionally mismanaged) but you don't have a curse then. You get an extra Talent to make up for it instead. So no cool supernatural powers that may consume you but more mundane usefulness?

I think it's one per character and at least another player must have a hint of it, but being a secret is ok. They will come one when you need to restore your dice pool, so I wouldn't worry too much about that
Yes, isn't it working? maybe there's some permission problem.
Rookwood. I mistype that all the time xD
You just don't get a curse according to the rules (but get more assets in turn). Weird is not supernatural power, it can be supernatural intuition and willpower and so on. Even if you're not cursed, you might resist the supernatural well or feel its manifestations and that sort of thing.

I'll also clarify that you can roll any dice even if it is a "weird" check. Doesn't have to match. The difference that 6s are worth more if the "color" matches (and how you'd narrate it I guess)

or that :)

The sheet link you sent doesn't give edit permissions.
Also, you didn't change the title from the other game to this one 😄

its' fine, since my only line is Google. 😄

I have quite a rounded idea of what I would like my character to be.

Still deciding on her exact age. Guessing 15 or so.

And looking properly set up my skeleton (that sounded more morbid than intended), without knowing much of the other characters yet.
The skeleton makes this game probably the most interesting RP game I have seen in a while, but also one hardest to make a character for.

Maybe we should all do a little intro and a AMA :)

oops. Bowl, why you don't make you stuff easy to steal?🤣

if you want to post it as a note or an empty character just to have it written down, feel free to do so :)
Oh yeah, she'd be under-aged so I hope everyone is ok with her dying horribly at the hands of a giant space squid ... oh wait, wrong game :D
It really does :D it makes sure there will be real drama at some point (probably at the worst moment as well)

Could work, but we can also just flash back or ask each other for details during the game as well. Whatever you feel works best for you (probably something in between .I guess, since some of you already thought about the traits i'll just ask if you're ok with getting a random curse during the game or would like to kind of see the options?

We can also think about the character's desires and assets as that could eventually help with the skeleton .

I think I still have a few questions, but have submitted my character

I have also submitted a character.
Mostly a draft for review. Skeleton might change, depending if this idea can be fitted into what other players are bringing for their character.

ah right. That was specifically for Cettish since the character's ideas were flowing. No pressure .

For @Dr_B, I think I want you to be the focus of my spine. With my parents gone and no one close, your bastard is the closest thing to family that I have. I think my rake wants to be better but just needs someone worth a damn to believe in him...and you don't.

You have seen me waste my parents' inheritance on whores, gambling, poor business ventures, and opium. I am very clearly a disgrace to the Rookwood name and to be barely tolerated. I've come to you asking for cash to survive, saying that "I'm doing better now" but still failing. Last time, you threw me to the curb.

My spine, or the core of the issue, is...I will never be good enough for Grandpapa.

Now I was considering my bones, or those who know about it. Could we get some good examples of what a bone might be described as? How many should we have?

As for my spades, I think I have the Hope and Fear pretty settled down.

My character's Hope is "Redemption"; I prove myself worthy as an heir of Rookwood. Through sacrifice, heroics, genius, or sheer luck, I turn the opinions of my family around and they welcome me home.

My character's Fear is "Black Sheep Acceptance"; I embrace my place as the black sheep and the unwanted. The rebels, outcasts, and others who push against what the family wants will always have a friend in me...if they have a place I can stay at for awhile...

Being unburied of course means neither of those things, a true distancing away from the family and into the darkness that drugs, loneliness, and other mundane horrors can bring. Fun times!

I just finished up my character for perusal and questions. There is a section for "I lose my innocence when" and I am curious how you want us to fill it out or how it applies to the game. I didn't see it mentioned in the character creation stuff. I'm cool with it if it is just fluff :D

CESN gave me a few good ideas on how to expand my skeleton I had in mind.

Would any members of the younger generation care to have (had) a relationship with a girl that suddenly turned bad or broke up?
Yes, random is fun.

ahah yes, I kept that hidden for the moment just to see the spines first. There's generally 2 or 3 bones so you have things with other players as well.

I'm unsure if knowing the bones and spines beforehand won't be too much a restriction for you as you try to to exactly that one thing. We may want to have the details hidden from the other players so you have to try harder to get them to trigger your bones :D

ahah KingHotTrash addiction is just a recovering heartache or Squadfather44 going to war to proof he's brave enough and get her back 🤣 proper gothic emotional excesses 🤣

If my stoic cousin doesn't want it, then I certainly can. Alexander has left a trail of messy and broken hearts in his wake.

That sounds like a solid idea.

I'm fine for whatever is ideal. I see them as a mechanic that they players have to meta in an acceptable way to really get them to trigger appropriately. I think for this first dive in though, being more aware of things will make it easier for us all as new players. If we do another generation, we could try it all hush hush?

I submitted a character, but with some blanks - I think we need to decide the Bones together?

found a good picture of Roderick Rookwood

That sounds good, my cantankerous octogenarian will find plenty to despise in your reckless conduct! (only to secretly indulge in similar vice when the dusty velvet curtains are closed...)

that is a good point. we're the sort of players that want the drama anyway so I'm not worried about the meta :D For some skeletons it does feel that it is easy to have the hopeful resolution if you know what to do ;) I think I'll leave it up to the player if they want to have their own mystery or be more collaborative then.
The backgrounds are fairly vague at the moment so you can fit any skeleton in, we just need to work how the details together but if you already have an idea for the skeleton, it will probably work :D For the bones, they involve at least two other players to make sure the PCs are tied. Let me just copy the examples which may help:

Ah sorry, missed this one. That would be how your curse first started, as it's supposed to be some sort of traumatic trigger, so it would be a bit of background to elaborate how and when you got your curse. "loss of innocence" its the game term for first manifestation of supernatural powers. You'll get that in the game when you're half chewed by a zombie or something (sounds traumatic enough no? ;P)

How's everyone handling the character sheet?

so, let me summarize again, so we can all keep up to date with the PCs:

@Dr_B, the tyrannical old-school octogenarian, who preaches the integrity and virtue of the family, while being secretly prone to indulging in vice himself... Clearly looking for, how should I put it... expand the "family"'s wealth and there is a dark secret there. Probably good for blackmail, as I don't think you are ashamed of it 😅 I'll try to avoid repeating skeletons so we play around with different things (everyone here can be blackmailed!). If you go for that, I think KingHotTrash could be the one, which explains why he's getting away with it so easily. Probably need to change his skeleton since his would kind of be a consequence of yours. crazybirdman's also looks like someone who could blackmail you.

@KingHotTrash is the rakish cousin who spends his day in an opium den or, when looking for something different, whorehouse. It would appear that the love of his life just packed and left and probably that's when he spiraled down? He is looking for Dr_B's approval but the old man's seems to look at Squadfather44 as the family shinny example instead or something like that.

@Cettish is the youngest of the Rookwoods and Squadfather44's sister. She's a nerdy and dark teenager who seems to be looking (say, desperate) for attention. I guess this would be obvious to the point some of the girlfriends in the family would have mentioned it to the boys.

@Squadfather44 just had enough of these people and preferred to run away and join the military. Was it the new standing army model the king is trying to build? Was it a group of mercenaries working for the noble who pays the most? Maybe you joined a sacred/religious order in defense of the faith? Any preference?

@crazybirdman was adopted into the family but has not really managed to be accepted, so he feels the need to impress the family. He's a doctor and could eventually be supplying the addicts to get their approval or something like that

so most people are just submitting a draft copy of the sheet from here

I love the cast of characters. Looking so forward how they will all interact!

I made some serious updates to Claire's skeleton. Still the same idea. But from general ideas to more actual things.

cool. I've looked into some music but I do that at work so the entire thing just ends up blurring together and I end up not choosing anything xD

I guess most of you will have the traits and assets sorted, so if you haven't yet, you can submit a sheet and make some suggestions for your skeleton. Just brainstorm some ideas and don't worry too much about the other players, we'll ask permission... after :D

I'll just clarify one thing that seem to not be very clear (probably not the best names as well). When you see Hope and Fear, it's not really hopes and fears. It refers you the spades you can use to bury your skeleton. So these would be the ideal way you hope the whole business will be resolved in order to reconcile with the family/spine and the way you fear things may go down (the worse way to bury the skeleton!). In both cases you bury the skeleton, so there is also the case that is worse than your fear: not burying the skeleton!

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Let me pick the Smothering example for, say, grandad Roderick.

Spine:
You are overprotective of Claire Rookwood, because she is just a teenager and you don't want her to make the same mistakes others made.

Bones:
* Every time you act as a "third wheel" or help Claire when they specifically asked you not to do so, you both restore 1 spent Trait.
* Alexander is trying to come between you and Claire. When you argue about it, you both restore 1 spent Trait. If your arguing makes Claire run into danger, you all restore 2 spent Traits.
* When another family member tells you off for neglecting your responsibilities to shadow Claire needlessly, you both restore 1 spent Trait.

Bury when...
...you stand by and watch Clair do something dangerous without your help. You both gain 1 new Trait. +1 Legacy point. <- HOPE: you bury the whole Smothering business by trusting Clair (reconciliation)
...you turn over responsibility for Clair to another character. You gain a new Trait. -1 Legacy point. <- FEAR: You bury the Smothering but not completely, only because someone else is doing it instead of you and likely because you were forced to (buried no reconciliation)
Even worse outcome is you don't bury it if you keep being overprotective of Clair.

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Just to point out that the distinction is only relevant for the next generation because the only difference is on how the Legacy Points change, so not too relevant for this test.

Thanks for explaining.

Skeletons are so interesting in this game, but also a hard thing to get right.
I will definetelly take a new look at mine.

Also... I am not sure if the above is just an example or the actual skeleton for grampa R.R. but that looks so interesting!!

Ahah no, random example 🤣

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So I think most of you have at least an idea of a skeleton now. Hopefully we can get the PCs sorted this weekend or so :D

@Squadfather44 do you have an idea for your skeleton? You mentioned you joined the military to escape the family but, was it because you did or are hiding something? Let me know if you need help as this not is a bit trickier :)

I've been listening to Amigo the Devil. Real sweet guy, great songs with dark lyrics. Definitely recommend him.

I'm down with that.

I'll see what @crazybirdman says about it as well. I want to make sure that there is a chance for everyone to regain stuff through our drama.

Oh? How do you send notes to people?


Nvm found it. Never knew it. So cool!

@Cettish - Next to the OOC button, there is the "Note" button. You select who you want to be in the note and then hit "Add Note" at the bottom and it will provide the formatting. I hope it helps.

EDIT: Your test is a success!

@CESN, @vagueGM, and @bowlofspinach, I believe that my character is all set for now. I'm just waiting on what information I may have as people's Spine(s) or as their Bones, if any. Please check my Assets and everything else, make sure it looks good?

just I quick resume to make sure I got everything that was posted :D

yeah this is like, gold for Dr_B :D

you can. have you seen the bbcode guide?
It gives a good idea of the sort of things you can do (though not all has been converted to buttons)

cool. I had a quick look and it seems ok. I'll review tomorrow again to be sure. I think Dr_B and Cettish are mostly done as well. crazybirdman, you already have the idea it's just "writing it down" right? Once we have the 5 skeletons, we can share the required information and finish up the backgrounds just to tie everything nicely before we start :D

Indeed. Betrayed good ol' Roderick. My betrayal impassioned @Squadfather44's character and now he hates him/talks trash to Roderick to keep that angry pot stirring hard. Catherine is the one who advocates for Alexander. I think I might be @crazybirdman's Spine or at least, I know a secret that I may be using to pilfer his medical supplies for "proper dosing". Please correct me if I'm off of the mark.

vagueGM (despite the name) and I aren't really GMs here. We're just observing to make fun of CESN 😝

vaguely true

ok. So summarizing the skeleton relationships since we have these cool tables :D Maybe it helps if you're unsure who you already some problems with. I have a feeling I missed something ...


💀= spine
🦴 = bone

Right! I forgot to mention it’s read the other way because its asymmetrical (rows are you, columns your bones)

I see a ? behind one of the bones I made.

Guess I did not spread my bones enough.

I can maybe change bone 3 so there is on with Nathaniel. Need to give it some thought.

I am a bit confused too between Elias and Nathaniel. I can't seem to recall who is Squad or Bird.

Ok. I think I properly finalize my bones now.

@CESN I have re-written Bone number 3. It is very clearly Nathaniel now. So you can remove the ? in the table.

I think everything is 100% set now for Claire.


I looooove these Skeleton mechanics. But geez, they are HARD to get right.
Maybe because it's the first go at the game. And things will go easier should we decide to play future generations.

Play by post always seems to add another level of complexity to things as well. This probably, at a table, would be a thirty minute discussion to an hour depending on how in-depth people wanted to go.

I like the Rookwood soundtrack :)

Hmmm, now I should go find one for Claire too.

sound track sorted :D I have a feeling I can just drop you in a dark forest and the game will go on on it's own :D feel free to share images and sounds if you think they would be cool in your posts as well

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So, I had a look at the character sheets. A few are still incomplete, even if the skeleton has been sorted out. Just just take some time to get that done because it's easier to check later if you need it :D

In terms of your personal assets, I think they are all suitable so far, though Nathaniel, not being cursed can pick all the 6 slots. I'll just remind you that these will give you advantage on your rolls so be sure you have some sort of general uses in mind. Once that's done I'll make some suggestions to fit a bit better the adventure and we can start :D

Found it!

So I think in your case you can pick 3 more assets. So can you think about any other talents, possessions or influences you may have? Doesn't have to be medically related. Could just be something to dd to your "extra-curricular background". Maybe you're just a good hunter, you have inherited the family's sword, or simply have street smarts. You can also go with the general setting suggestions:

- How you endure the misery of the "Puritanical Protectorate"? Do you accept it ("cruel necessity", "endure life, don’t enjoy it") or secretly refuse it ("whiskey in a hollow bible", "secretly wearing scarlet knickers")?

- Add some Gothic anti-hero flavor by having a virtue and a vice that would make you an even greyer character (Dr Frankenstein, Dorian Gray )

That song was lovely. I cannot wait to learn what terrible thing Claire is up to because she seems so sweet. Too sweet.

Too ... is never a good thing :)

So, how's everyone doing.
This place was quite alive last week, but this week it seems to have calmed down a bit.

I hope that doesn't spell any bad omens, for I am super excited for this game :)

ahah yes. Almost there. I think @Squadfather44 is/was a bit busy this week, but he's character should be mostly done.

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Maybe you guys can write a full undisclosed bio as a note to me, summarizing everything and what you think others may know, how you thing you can use your assets, background, PC theme song and so one. Mostly to release that energy, but also to serve as a reference for us later on :D

Remember that you will actually not be living at the manor at the game start, but you were invited for your grandmother's ceremony. The game will start with a slow scene as you get to the manor and kind of explore the setting. So if you want, you could also add a little bit how you got the invitation, did you knew your grandmother, where you with someone else, was there anything strange about it, do you live nearby or in another county or duchy and so one. Kind of preparing your first introduction post if you want :D

not sure what else to pick for assets. Maybe a grenade launcher? What time period are we in?

It's not well defined but it would be before modern times, some mixture of regular medieval fantasy to early enlightenment. Maybe something from the examples would fit? If not, you can leave them open and fill in when need. It's probably easier to think about these once you have an idea how things work.

ok. I think the summaries are ok so far. I'll have the first post (my) tomorrow.

In terms of assets for Nathaniel... Maybe Big Game Hunter, which is kind of lose to military/weapons. Not quite the grenade launcher, but knowing how to use a bow or crossbow may be handy :D Then maybe some classic scientist/genius duality: logic reigns supreme, you are really smart but really cold. So maybe you are great at improvising contraptions or on top of medicine (most scientist were multidisciplinary back then) but you are also emotionless?

This are some excellent ideas. I'll update my character sheet shortly.

Also just thought well-traveled could work as I was writing the initial post. Given how uni was "at the time", you'd probably been to places :D

Just reviewing the posts and I don't remember this being answered. I guess you share the same grandfather/grandmother yes.

so I updated the sheets to have all the right skeleton and assets and so on. let me know if I screwed up something. Just to clarify, I changed the dice boxes to your maximum dice pool. You can either tick the ones you still have or the ones you already lost (as you prefer) but your max is set at the character creation :D

@crazybirdman I also can't find you secret. I have a feeling what it was, but can't figure how where it is

PS: found somethings on PM and updated the sheet based on those :D