Name: Joseph Ross Heldmann
Nickname: Shia (my friends say I look like him, but I don't), Se
I think I'm:
Persuasion: 1@6
Charisma:?
Animal Magnetism: 1@3 (better with animals than people)
Strength: 1@10 (was lineman in highschool football,
Stamina: 1@8 (the position I played required me to go against the strongest players on on the opposite repeatedly)
Resistance: ?
Flexibility: 2@1 (I can touch my toes and put my foot in my mouth)
Agility: 1@3 (took me 9min and 42sec to run a mile
Hand-Eye: 2@1 (I no-scoped a monitor from across the map in Valhalla with a Spartan Laser; Halo 3)
Intellect: 1@8 (I went from Intro to bio to Chemistry Honors in one year)
Intuition: 1@9
Education: 1@9 (Dave got the same)
Willpower:?
Weakness: Allergic to pollen, fear of sharks
The Character Generation Thread
(295 posts) (27 voices)-
Getpsycho
MemberWed May 28 2008 1:21 am # -
I don't often do this, but because of your athletic ability I'm putting your stamina at 1@9 and your agility at 1@5, above where you put them.
It has been a while since I did one of these, but didn't you overlook your physical description? Never having seen you, I can't really guess it; also, for what it's worth, I've never seen Shia and have no idea who that would be.
Otherwise, take the next step at your leisure.
--M. J. Young
Thu May 29 2008 4:42 am # -
Kurt W.
MemberName: Kurt Joseph Wright
aka Krillis (online)
1. Animal Magnetism is big on my part. It's sort of weird. At places where there are unfriendly animals, I just sort of look it in the eyes softly, and approach slowly and they kind of warm up to me quickly. The most it's taken for an animal to warm up to me has been an afternoon. I even convinced a wild cat to come out of a tree and I held it a while. His name's Harry and he's still part of the family.
Stamina is low of me, because of athsma. Still, even with athsma, I never have attacks. It just lowers my endurance.
Intellect is something I believe I'm outstanding at. I'm such an underacheiver... I keep up with all of the other advanced people who study tons while I study like...5 minutes before class begins, if at all. I'm excellent at utilizing this to memorize information and keep it retained for about two hours flawlessly, degrading until I ultimately forget most of it with sleep. I can also control how much of my intelligence I'm using, by boosting my attention to things. It kind of feels like I'm thinking over a longer period of time while it's really the same amount. My proof of such things is getting summa cum laude (gold medals) on all the National Latin Exams I've taken, and how easy it was to reach my educational level. I, without effort, was ranked 8th in my class.2. I tend to hang around a highly intuitive group, but I never ask anyone how they know anything, because I usually saw the reasons already consciously. Sometimes I get intuitive feelings, as much as the next guy, but I wouldn't consider myself special when it comes to intuition.
3. Most recently, I've graduated highschool. I'll also include that I've taken and passed AP United States History, AP Latin: Vergil, AP English Lit&Comp, AP Calculus, and AP United States Government. I've tutored in AP Calculus.
4. I have athsma, which results in lowered endurance. Do you want fears as well, or not?
Physical Description
-Height: 6'1
-Weight: 180
-Hair: Blonde with a Buzz Cut (long for a buzz cut)
-Age: 18, but I've been told I look older-around 21
-Eye Color: Hazel
-Facial Hair: I shave regularly, so none.
-Birthmarks: None.
-Tattoos: None.
-Unusual Markings: I have one scar on my entire body, on my face. It's on the skin between my mouth and nose. If looking at me, it's right under the right corner of my nose, going down about half an inch. It doesn't touch my mouth.
-Other: I'm white, a little on the pallid side (even though I get sun).Thu May 29 2008 8:43 pm # -
Your animal magnetism explanation is impressive. I need to ask how well it works with people--the two are sort of bunched together. I'm still giving you a high an-mag, but it will be higher or lower depending on whether you are also the person to whom other people are drawn.
We will note a 1@4 Stamina.
I'm uncertain how to quantify your intellect, so I'll place it at 2@2--one in a hundred. I could be persuaded to up it a notch or two, but I don't really have much reference--like, eighth in a class of fifty is not as impressive as eighth in a class of five hundred.
I'm going to give you a 1@7 intuition because you've hinted that you can often see intellectually what others see intuitively, and the only way I can compensate you for that is to up your intuition a bit above average.
If I'm understanding aright, your five AP classes are the equivalent of college freshman courses, and that would mean that although you have not been to college you have begun a college level education already. On that basis, I'm putting down 2@1 (I wouldn't normally do this for a high school student with advanced courses, but you've got five of them and you taught one, and since I give a bonus for having taught that's plenty of justification to treat you as an undergraduate).
I don't usually do "fears" unless they're on the order of "phobias". If you've got some you think I should know up front, let me know; if we stumble into them in play, tell me then.
Address the couple of questions and move to skills.
--M. J. Young
Sat May 31 2008 12:15 am # -
Kurt W.
MemberI'm comfortable in groups and it seems like others enjoy my company in those situations. The only other thing I can think of would be that people have confided...very confidential things to me in the past; moreover, I've helped people at school with depression and emotional problems. I helped 4 people with chronic depression, one of which I stopped from continuing masochistic behavior. I'd rather not go into detail of the things people told me, and leave it at that-whether or not it makes a difference.
I graduated 8th in a graduating class of 402 seniors. One third of the seniors didn't graduate. I don't hold the highschool I attended in high regard at all, though, so I'll trust you with whatever you put down.
On to skills!
1. I believe I'd be able to teach the Latin language on a highschool level (not sure about college, because I haven't been there yet). That would be the only thing that I could qualify in as professional. I submit my four national latin exam gold metals, my national competition, and frequent placing ribbons in Latin-based academia on regional, mid-state, and state levels. These are competitions only for students; however, the people who compete have abilities far above student level, in my opinion. We point things out teachers don't know and have to look up.
2. Um...nope. None. Typing, being able to install programs (using the beginner's way) and...playing Free Cell are all the skills I have with electronics.
3. Magic and psionics... I'm going to go with I have none of these; however, I have an open mind about such things. I have friends who believe adamantly in such things, and I've listened to their reasonings and everything. Even though I don't practice such things, I still remain these peoples' friends just like anyone else and even get into metaphysical discussions with these people. This probably doesn't count, but I do have an open mind.
4. I have no skills in these things. I played some tennis in highschool and was a natural at it-joined my senior year and was placed in the top six in the team (there were more than six people on the team-unsure of how many, but it probably wasn't a substantial number, somewhere around 20 tried out for the team).
Sat May 31 2008 1:51 am # -
Interestingly, 8 in 402 comes pretty close to 1 in 50; of course, you say you did this without trying, and presumably some of those above you and many below you were trying, so that suggests a bit more. We will go with the 2@2, one in a hundred, for intellect.
I will go with a 2@1 An Mag. Usually high an mag makes you the center of attention at parties, but your other aspects compensate significantly.
I'll go with 2@1 on Latin. The complication, of course, is that native speakers of a language are usually average professionals--2@5--and it is difficult for a non-native speaker to match a native, especially in vocabulary. Latin makes it tougher, as there are no native speakers today. That is a P0@0 skill. P is short for Psi which is short for Psionic; it is psionic because it involves communicating thoughts to others (by means of language).
Being a natural at tennis suggests you have an above average hand/eye--the ability to hit the ball with the racket falls into that category. It probably also means an above average agility. We'll make the Hand/Eye 1@10 and the Agility 1@8.
I think that brings up equipment.
--M. J. Young
Sun Jun 1 2008 11:13 pm # -
JohnA1nut
MemberTwo hundred pounds (About 91 kilograms) of things that you personally own, or that you know someone would not mind you taking without their permission. MJ posted your skills and whatnot, I was just explaining what the equipment was. I would recommend a firearm or two, and ample ammunition, Any jewelery and/or precious metals and gems that you have (money) and a good knife and camping gear. Just a suggestion.
Sun Jun 1 2008 11:30 pm # -
Kurt W.
MemberI just want you to know that I'm not shunning your advice in this at all, John. It's just that I don't have any attachment to firearms or knives, or camping for that matter. I'm rather poor when it comes to marksmanship, and I quit the cubscouts early. They just aren't realistic enough for me to have.
Personally, I believe my cat would come with me. Harry-my 20 lb. lactose intolerant tabby cat. Considering I'm the one that found him, how he associates with me and practically shuns everyone else, and my animal magnetism, I think that he'd be able to come, right?
Other than that, how about...
Backpack: It's red and has two large pockets in it (the main areas of normal school backpacks) closed by zippers. It also has two pouches in the front, one above the other, which are also closed by zippers. There are also two easily-accessible pockets on each side of it.
Spiral College Ruled Notebooks (4)
Sketchbook
3 Pens
High School Ring
Latin-English Dictionary
Wallet, with driver's license and $75 inside.
Oh, I almost forgot. Just in case... (Just saw Hitchiker's Guide, btw)
1. A towel.
2. A handrag, for Harry, if he can come.I know I could bring more, but that's all I think I want to/would be likely to bring.
Mon Jun 2 2008 12:26 am # -
Getpsycho
MemberSkills:
- 2@1 Archery = I can hit 10 out 10 bullseyes using a composite bow and a makeshift bow out of bamboo at 120 yards
2@5 Tackling = Once, i tackled a big guy, approximately 5'11, 9 times in one game. I know how to counter-tackle and i know what to do when attacked from the side.
2@1 Piano = Sonatina, Opus 36 #6
- 1@10 Tech Skills = my father is a mechanical engineer, and he taught me most of what he knows about engineering
- 1@10 Genetics = I got a 100% on a biology genetics test
-1@10 Psy When angered large amounts of psi-power is gained.
I did Tae Kwon Do, and on quite a few occaisations i had become what my bro said was the red hulk. Whenever, I got infuriated or hurt i would get really red and beat the crap out of whomsoever caused me to become infuriated.
-1@9 Singing = I'm the school choir
-1@10 Hunting = Once brought back 4 buck, 5 duck, and a moose using my 1938 Red RyderTue Jun 3 2008 12:02 am # -
John--
I would prefer you not make recommendations to people as to what you think they ought to bring. What they ought to bring really is whatever they think they ought to bring, and advice from others ultimately confuses the issue--I am relying on their honest posts about what they thing they would bring to give me hints on where to take their games.
It's different if someone asks you for advice on the matter, or asks generally of the players, in which case it's perfectly acceptable for you to answer. If he asks me for advice, my advice is already given: tell me if you're bringing anything large or bulky, describe your suitcases and other carriers for me, and let's discuss anything you think you might use as a weapon. I do not give more advice than that, because I do not wish to prejudice the answers.
*****
Kurt--
Your cat can come on the first world as twenty pounds of equipment. Thereafter I will consider making the cat an associate verser--a being that follows you because it wants to follow you, but might change its mind if it doesn't like the way you treat it (which, for a cat, can include where you take it, even though you don't have control of that). Count Harry as equipment for this first verse, and then we'll move him. I will have to put together a character sheet for him, but unless he has some remarkable skills or attributes I think there's no rush.
On the backpack, does "two easily-accessible pockets on each side of it" mean what it says (two on each side) or does it mean "two, one on each side"?
*****
Joseph--
I am not persuaded that you gain an "psi power" in the manner you describe. This seems rather to be an intensely physical bod event, the release of adrenaline or something like it. However, I am open to consider otherwise. What I would want to understand is what it is that you do with this psi power? If it is psionic power, it must be used in psionic ways.
You mention Tae Kwon Do in your example, but don't list it as a skill even though martial arts is specifically mentioned. What's the deal there?
I think that hunting probably should be split into at least two distinct skills--stalking, a bod stealth skill that enables you to move and hide in the wilderness, and operate rifle, the ability to fire a gun at a target. Care to assess your strengths with each of them?
Thanks.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 5 2008 1:54 am # -
Kurt W.
MemberHarry is bigger than most cats (bigger boned, as well). That basically means nothing in comparison to a dog. Other qualities of the Incredible Harry... He's not afraid of dogs, and he's fairly intelligent (though he's stumped when it comes to lazer pointers). Another thing-he doesn't like being held. If he thinks we're taking him in a car, he pees himself on us (another use of the handrag).
I means two, one on each side.
Fri Jun 6 2008 2:05 am # -
Kurt, this is what I have for your sheet:
- Name Kurt Joseph Wright
a.k.a. Krillis--screen nameAttributes
Persuasion
Charisma
Animal Magnetism 2@1
Strength
Stamina 1@4
Resistance
Density
Flexibility
Agility 1@8
Hand/Eye 1@10
Intellect 2@2
Intuition 1@7
Education Level 2@1
Will PowerAveraged Attributes
Ranged Strike Value
Martial Strike Value
Target Value
Damage ValueBest Relevant Attributes
Tech
Psi
Mag
BodBias
Tech
Psi
Mag
BodWeaknesses
Asthma reducing endurance, no attacks to date.
Description
6'1, 180#, Blonde lONG Buzz Cut, 18yo mistaken for 21, Hazel eyes, clean shaven, no birthmarks or tattoos, Scar on face between mouth and nose, right under the right corner of the nose, going down about half an inch, does not touch mouth, white, a bit pallid.Skills
Tech
Psi
2@1 Latin P0@0Mag
Bod
Equipment
Backpack, red, two large main areas closed by zippers, two pouches in front, one above the other, closed by zippers, easily-accessible pockets one on each side.
Spiral College Ruled Notebooks (4)
Sketchbook
3 Pens
High School Ring
Latin-English Dictionary
Wallet, with driver's license and $75 inside.
A towel.
A handrag, for HarryStage 1
World List
--M. J. Young
Sat Jun 7 2008 3:29 am # -
Ryven
MemberI'm Court Michael Potts, a.k.a. Ryven on some internet forums, Maltrich on others. I believe the first instance of “Ryven” as a public name was on the longest-running forum RP I've been in to date, which was based on Sailor Moon, of all things. “Maltrich” first appeared as the name of my thief character on Ragnarok Online. Also, when I was a kid, I thought the name “Ted” was cool, and tried to go by that. I managed it for a whole week at a day camp.
Ryven is the name I'm most comfortable with on the internet, and it's probably also the name I'd use if I found I'd suddenly become a world-hopping immortal - the only thing that keeps me from using it right now is the fear that people would feel even more distanced from me than usual, because of the obvious affectation.
I used to have a really long Discordian holy name, but I've forgotten it, and don't care enough about the joke/philosophy/religion any more to bother with it. It involved Mad Maltrich, the Patron Saint of Pop-Tarts, Most Especially the Cherry Ones in it somewhere.
I might be top one out of fifty intelligence, but I wouldn't know how to tell. If test scores are relevant (which I don't trust them to be), I got a 2200 on the new SAT, and 4's and 5's on several AP tests, and one 3, I think. (I don't remember which ones are which any more, but I know I took Mirco- and Macroeconomics, World History, U.S. History, English Lit, English Language, French Language, Chemistry, and Calculus AB.) That might be more along the lines of education, though. I got a merit-based free ride at University of Texas Dallas, which I guess means someone thinks I'm smart... I guess they use test scores, because my high school grades were abysmal (I didn't do much of the actual work). Everything else I'm probably average at, except for intuition (next paragraph), animal magnetism, of which I have almost precisely none, and strength, of which I have precious little.
I would say I'm not very intuitive, in general. The things I can glance at and get a “feeling” for are pretty much limited to... computers? Some video games? I'd say I'm actually pretty far below average at intuiting things like other people's motivations, what's happened in a room, etc. I don't really get hunches, and when I do they're usually wrong, and possibly based on wishful thinking.
I've just finished my freshman year of college, as a computer science major. I bombed several classes by not caring enough. In the interest of getting myself back on track to retaining my scholarship, I'm changing degree plans to literary studies, where I won't as many courses that drain me because I have no real interest in them (math, mostly).
My only “weakness” in the sense that you ask about is that I'm very nearsighted, and require glasses to read anything more than six inches away. I can get around a room without them, but driving is scary, and I can't recognize faces out to more than about fifteen feet (distinctive hairstyles and clothing help a lot).
I'm nineteen years old this July, a little under 5'9”, and fairly slight (a little under 120lb.), of uncertain European lineage, and lightly tanned, with dark brown hair that's growing down my neck and over my ears again, finally, after I unwisely decided to cut it to a “respectable length” and see how I liked it. In slight contrast, my (unkempt and scruffy) facial hair is black. I have a goatee-plus-mustache, accompanied by patchy sideburns that can't decide if they want to grow in all the way (which makes me wonder if I have some Native American or Asian ancestor). My eyes are blue-green, and my glasses are kind of rounded rectangles, with a gunmetal frame.
My only distinctive marking is a scar on my right forearm, only a little darker than the rest of my skin and barely visible. It's a souvenir of an incident I don't remember from when I was a very small child (two or three, perhaps), in which I pulled a plugged-in curling iron off a counter and it fell on me.
Sorry if I rambled a bit. I don't usually have such a good excuse for autobiography as “I'm writing character history, for myself.”
A question about equipment: are we packing, knowing we're going on some kind of trip, or are we just listing things we're likely to have with us?
Thu Jun 26 2008 5:19 am # -
Welcome to the forum, Ryven! I wish you remembered your holyname; this is precisely the sort of thing it's for. Even if you are a heathen blasphemer (everyone knows the blueberry ones are best), you'll help me feel less like a minority just by being here, so I'm glad you've come. Moreso than usual for a new arrival, I mean; we're always glad for fresh blood.
And don't worry about rambling. It's all useful sometime, and I doubt you'll ever be quite as longwinded as I am. MJ is always getting steadily busier, but he should be along soon to . . . process you. Heh.
As for the equipment: of course, you'll be doing skills first, so MJ will have a chance to talk with you before you have to decide, but I think the answer to your question is "both". You must list the things you have on your person when you begin writing up the third step, and you may list anything else you like up to the weight limit. You have no idea where you're going or how long you'll be gone, but given that, you're free to choose whatever you think will be useful.
Have fun,
Pope William T Wodium, Lord of Odium, Poo-Bah of Podium, Prince of Rhodium, Sultan of Sodium, and the Eldest of that Name; Editor-in-Chief of Discombobulated Phrases; Grand Calif of California (until that deceased personage sees fit to reclaim his title); Episkipos of the Furst Church of Ripley the Cat; and Keeper of the Secret of St. Tibbs' DayThu Jun 26 2008 5:34 am # -
O'Sevens - you're confusing creative order with destructive order again. That's almost as bad as mixing up the disorders. (When doctors do that, people die!)
Thu Jun 26 2008 6:51 am # -
Tadeusz
MemberAnd Wodium's come up with the most madcap method of magicifying his whacked out holy symbol. MJ needs to drop him into a world where thats the normal way of doing it to freak him out.
And Wodium and I came up with a very cool Eris ruled 'world' setting which unfortunately has been eaten by the archives. It involved floating islands of Law in a sea of Chaos.
So welcome from the independent Baptist.
Thu Jun 26 2008 4:06 pm # -
And as everyone knows, when you say "Independent Baptist" you've just said "Independent" twice.
Welcome, Court. I will probably annoy you by calling you Court, because I address people on the forum by their real first names at least in their game posts. You can call yourself whatever you like, and I do try to remember in play if someone has introduced himself by some other name, so that the NPCs use the name they were given.
I'm giving you 2@2 Intellect, which puts you in the top 1%. I'm listing 1@3 Intuition and Animal Magnetism (an-mag), below average, and 2@1 Education Level (ed lev) for some college. The other scores we'll ask when we need them, and the rest is pretty straightforward.
To clarify your equipment question, you are not "packing". That is, you do not get to fill your canteen with water, or put your clothes in a suitcase, or detach your monitor from your computer. You get to decide what goes with you, but it will arrive as it currently is. You don't get to pack until you are in your next world.
But first, you have to do the skills posting.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 26 2008 8:46 pm # -
Ryven
MemberOkay then, on to skills!
I don't have any professional or expert skills that I know of, but I have a few skills I might possess at a useful level. Computer operation, building, and some programming come to mind. I'm no 31337 h4xx0r, but a basic understanding of Java and C++ never hurt anyone, and I can construct a working computer from its component parts (although that's really nothing of note, as most anyone can, after being shown once). Sometimes I like to think I can write, but I've never attempted to be published in anything more important than a collection of local poets that I was in like six years ago, so I'm going to say that one isn't going anywhere.
I have no skills on the cutting edge of technology.
Although I'm an avid consumer of occult literature, I have no exceptional psionic or magical power of my own; certainly no more than everyone does. My impatience with ritual is probably the primary contributing factor to my not having developed any magical ability: I'm very lazy. I've managed a few things I can't replicate over the years (some of them by accident), but nothing really consistent. The most notable was probably the time I, after reading The Living World of Faerie by R. J. Stewart and recklessly deciding to bypass the introductory exercises, managed to meet a malicious entity in the faerie world the book describes, and spent the next two weeks delusional. (Or at least, some parallel world – I wasn't there long enough to see if it matched the author's description.)
Other than that, I've had some measure of success with a Discordian good luck charm I picked up in some book (the Metaclysmia? Apocrypha? Book of Eris?), and rather less success reading Tarot, although I know the theory.
I have studied Shorin Kempo Karate, and achieved the rank of junior black belt. I moved overseas before I was sixteen and could test for my full black belt, then never went back to training. It's definitely a defensive art, but I'm not sure about the slow/fast distinction. In addition to extensive bare-handed training, I received some training with the bo, sai, tonfa, and ring dagger.
Fri Jun 27 2008 6:04 am # -
I am putting you down for 1@10 Read & Write Program T11@1 Java, C++.
I am also listing you with 1@10 Shorin Kempo Karate B7@1 junior black belt
1@3 Bo Stick B7@1
1@2 Sai B7@1
1@2 Tonfa B7@1
1@1 Ring Dagger B7@1
This is on the assumption that you're not even average amateur with any of the weapons but you listed them from best to worst; if you think that's not correct, tell me where I'm wrong. I'll have to discuss the style with you in more detail, but I'm late and it's tired, so I'm going to delay that until we actually have occasion to use it.And that means you can start on your equipment.
--M. J. Young
Sat Jun 28 2008 4:51 am # -
Ryven
MemberSorry I didn't post sooner - I had family visiting, and I couldn't find time to sit down and seriously ponder what to bring. Here's the list.
Worn on person, as I write:
-100% cotton pajama pants, blue, black, and white plaid, just a tad long, loose-fitting, drawstring at the waist, two front pockets (empty).
-Terrycloth bathrobe, red, black, white, gray plaid, fits well across the shoulders, sleeves just barely short of my wrists with arms extended, comes down to the middle of my shins. Has a belt of same material, 70.5 inches in length, which threads through one loop of fabric on the left and one on the right of the robe. Two pockets (empty).
-One pair of slippers, in the adorable shape of black bears, complete with paws. A small yellow and purple tag on the back of each marks them as “FUN FEET!” brand. The original soles have been reinforced with synthetic leather, after wearing out.
-One pair of glasses, rounded rectangular, gunmetal frames.
-Mickey Mouse wristwatch, on left wrist. Leather band is not original. Battery powered. Gift from late great-aunt.
-Silver chain bracelet, right wrist. Gift from grandfather.
-Silver Christian cross with symbol of dove, on silver chain necklace. Gift from grandfather.Items to be taken:
Container:
-A blue and black duffel bag, with one front and two side pockets in addition to the main space. Has the words “Asheville School” on the front in white. Has those lockable zippers, but no padlock. I've not tested whether or not it's waterproof, but it seems unlikely that it would be.Clothing:
-Two pairs dark blue jeans, well-worn, well-fitting.
-One belt, black one side, brown the other, with reversible metal buckle.
-Tie-dyed T-shirt, large peace symbol on front with small letters below: “Joe's Crab Shack, San Antonio.” On back, says “Peace, Love, and Crabs” in large letters, then “Joe's Crab Shack” again, smaller. Slightly too large for me.
-Purple T-shirt advertising a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association with a logo on front of two stick figures walking, silhouetted against a rising yellow sun. “Memory Walk 2001 Alzheimer's Association” it says in green text, with the year in orange. On the back, white sponsor's logos. This shirt is very large and comfortable.
-One hooded blue jacket with black lining, thin from wear. 100% nylon shell and sleeve lining, with 100% polyester upper body lining. Two pockets with zippers, one inside pocket with Velcro tab that doesn't hold well, but also doesn't make as much noise as Velcro usually does.
-One pair New Balance cross-trainers, model 470, size 10½. Well-worn.
-One pair of sandals, leather straps with Velcro, rubber soles. Soles are beginning to peel away at the edges from use.
-Four pairs briefs, white, elastic bands have thin blue stripe.
-Two pairs crew socks, white with gray tips.
-Two pairs crew socks, black.
-A blue plastic wristband that says “the games of your life.” Gift from best friend.
-A pair of prescription sunglasses. Large, round lenses.Food:
-An opened 12-pack of Dr. Thunder, with nine cans still in.
-A bottle of water, 24oz., Aquafina.
-Two boxes of Little Debbie's Zebra Cakes (ten cakes per box, wrapped in twos).
-One can Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs.
-One can Chef Boyardee Ravioli.
-One can Bush's Baked Beans.
-One partly-eaten loaf of bread.
-One jar of creamy peanut butter.
-Three apples in a tied-off plastic bag.
-Two forks, stainless steel.
-Two knives, one long and thin, one broader and slightly shorter, stainless steel. (These are the only things I'm carrying that might pass as weapons. Single-edged, less than a foot long, standard kitchen cutlery. I've never used them to cut anything harder than a pumpkin, so I don't know how they'd hold up. Also, I have no experience as a knife fighter, so it'll hopefully be somebody else using them that way if it ever comes up.)
-A can opener.Electronics:
-Dell laptop, “Inspiron 2650,” circa 2001. Black carry-case, which also contains an extra battery (currently uncharged), a length of phone line, the Dynex Wireless G card-slot wireless adapter, the power cord, a small mouse, and a black pen. Mobile Intel Pentium 4 1.80 GHz processor, 256MB RAM (not further upgradable), 28GB hard drive (6.1GB free), 3.5 inc floppy drive, CD/DVD reader, two USB ports, a dial-up modem, a port for the old-style keyboard and mouse jacks, a hookup for a full-size monitor, a long serial port (for late-nineties printers?), headphone and mic ports, and an Ethernet port.
-1GB USB thumb drive, on a lanyard.
-40GB external USB hard drive, with separate power cord.
-A cellular phone, black, Motorola, cheap, color, no camera, Cingular SIM card, number (979)204-4749.
-Charger for the phone.
-My Blade Runner DVD. I just bought it, and haven't watched it yet.
-My DVD Star Wars Trilogy.
-The first season of Rurouni Kenshin on DVDs, with English subtitles by someone who doesn't seem to speak Japanese OR English as their native language.Books:
-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Omnibus Edition, in paperback.
-The Lord of the Rings, in one volume, and The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. All paperback.
-The Thirteenth Tale. (Only because I'm still reading it.) Paperback.
-leaving reality behind: etoy vs. eToys.com & other battles to control cyberspace. (Ditto.) Hardcover.
-Ghosts, a collection of ghost stories. Bound in black leather, embossed gold cover.
-The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Three volumes, hardback, display case. Easily the heaviest item I'm bringing, at 20 pounds.
-AD&D 2e Revised Editions of the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monstrous Manual.
-Three volumes of Lovecraft short stories, including the excellent At the Mountains of Madness and Herbert West: Re-Animator stories. Paperback.
-MegaTokyo, volume 3. Gift from best friend. Paperback.
-The Book of Lies, a collection of essays about or by twentieth-century occultists. Paperback, large.
-The Satanic Rituals. Pocket paperback.
-The Bible, King James Version. Blue cover.Other gear:
-A flashlight, black, ridged plastic. 2AA batteries.
-A wallet, black leather, containing two ones, a penny, a Massachusetts state quarter, and a dime.
Also:- -an expired Borders Rewards card,
- -an expired GameStop More Card,
- -a used-up Visa $25 gift card,
- -a hotel card key from Oklahoma,
- -my Texas driver's license (expires 07-20-13),
- -a military ID card stating that I'm my grandfather's ward, and that he's a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force,
- -a card with my grandfather's name, address, phone number, e-mail, and LtCol USAF – Retired, Texas A&M University – Retired written on it,
- -the (now expired) paper license I got last time I renewed my driver's license,
- -a photograph of my grandfather,
- -two Double Dave's “every ninth meal is free” cards, one has eight stamps on it, the other one.
- -a Travelodge hotel card key with a Papa John's advertisement on it,
- -a card stating I'm a member of Boy Scout Troop 977 through February 2008,
- -a Visa debit card from First National Bank, Bryan, TX,
- -a card stating I'm an honorary member of the Arctic Brotherhood of Skagway, AK,
- -my passenger card from the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise liner, May 23, 2008,
- -my college ID,
- -my academic advisor's business card,
- -my Bryan-College Station Library Card,
- -health and dental insurance cards in my grandfather's name.
-A key ring, with a key to my green Cavalier, a Kroger savings card, a blue Tom Light Chevrolet key fob, a key to the back door of my grandfather's house, and a Masonic Lodge “if found, drop this in a mailbox and we'll get it where it's going” medallion.
-A deck of playing cards, bound up with a rubber band.
-Scaventure, a scavenger hunt card-game, with rules and cards in original box.
-A deck of Tarot cards in a small purple box that claims to be a “complete kit,” accompanied by a completely unhelpful reading guide that gives a single, vague meaning for each card and doesn't describe layouts. The cards are square, have stylized and light-hearted artwork, and have seen more use playing Arcana than telling fortunes.
-Ten d10s in a red bag with the Ordo Dracul skull from the New World of Darkness on it. The dice are mottled red and black, with numbers 1-7 in black and 8-10 in gold.
-One set of D&D dice in a clear plastic box – 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, a percentile die, 1d12, and 1d20. Maroon, with gold numbers.
-A fluffy, dark blue towel.
-A thin binder, with notebook paper.
-An acoustic guitar I can't play, in a soft black carrying case, with spare picks, one set of spare strings, and a battery-operated tuner.
-A half-empty package of Duracell AA batteries. Six batteries remain.
-A hairbrush.
-A silver-colored tooth brush.
-A mostly-used tube of mint-flavored Colgate toothpaste, which claims to be extra-freshening and is the translucent gel, rather than the opaque paste.
-A stick of deodorant. SpeedStick, “Irish Spring.”
-A bar of soap, slightly used.I estimate my total load to be something like 65-75 pounds, and everything except the guitar should fit into the duffel bag, just barely, if I discard the cardboard box the Dr.Thunder comes in and stuff them in by hand, and I can shove some of the flat items into the guitar case. Hauling the duffel won't be fun, but I have no clue where my hiking backpack is. (When I paused while typing “where,” OpenOffice suggested “wheelbarrow.” It doesn't seem to have much confidence in me. ^^;; )
Mon Jun 30 2008 8:01 am # -
Is it nylon, canvas, or something else?A blue and black duffel bag, with one front and two side pockets in addition to the main space. Has the words “Asheville School” on the front in white. Has those lockable zippers, but no padlock. I've not tested whether or not it's waterproof, but it seems unlikely that it would be.
Do you remember where you got it? Nevermind--it's not important.Purple T-shirt advertising a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association with a logo on front of two stick figures walking, silhouetted against a rising yellow sun. “Memory Walk 2001 Alzheimer's Association” it says in green text, with the year in orange. On the back, white sponsor's logos. This shirt is very large and comfortable.
O.K., you made me laugh.The first season of Rurouni Kenshin on DVDs, with English subtitles by someone who doesn't seem to speak Japanese OR English as their native language.
Just to give me a rough idea of your scout skills, what rank did you achieve, did you earn any of the unusual awards (mile swim, fifty miler), and how much wilderness camping did you do?card stating I'm a member of Boy Scout Troop 977 through February 2008,
Are there good batteries in it currently?An acoustic guitar I can't play, in a soft black carrying case, with spare picks, one set of spare strings, and a battery-operated tuner.
This actually looks pretty good, and I think we can start you. You'll join the game in progress near the bottom of the first page of New Players Coasting In.
--M. J. Young
Mon Jun 30 2008 8:09 pm # -
Ryven
MemberThe bag is nylon.
I got my Eagle rank, although I forgot most of the basics over the years. I remember a good deal of first aid (bandages, splints, CPR) and I can start a fire with one match (if I ever knew how to start friction fires, I've forgotten). I can (or could - I haven't really been involved very much for about three years, and haven't tried any of these recently) cook simple campfire meals, canoe and kayak, lash together archways and bridges, and find my way with a map and compass. We didn't do a lot of wilderness camping, really. The longest backpacking trip I went on was actually not with the scouts, but with a group from my school that went to Chile to do a couple service projects and climb Villarrica, which was something like fifteen to twenty miles from trailhead to snow camp. (By the way, that was one of the best trips I've ever taken. Mountain climbing is awesome.)
I thought about bringing survival gear (pocket knife, compass, heavy clothing) but most of it can't come because I have no clue where it might be.
I just checked the flashlight and tuner - both have batteries that are functional, at least at the moment, but the tuner takes AAAs, of which I don't have any spares.
EDIT: That's interesting. I just noticed that in my previous post, tabs don't actually indent items, so there's no clear distinction of what's in my wallet and what's just lying around. I guess I should do it the right way, and make it an unnumbered list.
Tue Jul 1 2008 12:02 am # -
Thanks--and generally, yes, things that are hidden but still with you matter.
I see no jewelry (glasses, watch, ring, necklace). I know these are things people often overlook, so I'll mention it in case you've done so.
--M. J. Young
Tue Jul 8 2008 6:33 pm # -
Technically yes, the cat needs a character sheet. Usually with pets I fill this in as needed, but if you'd like to address his attributes and skills, that would be good. He does not have equipment unless he is wearing it (e.g., a collar)--since he was taken as equipment, only that which is attached to him comes with him. Assuming he transitions to being an associate (which in Harry's case seems likely) he will have his own weight limit, and be able to bring his own possessions, but he gets to decide what those are (which means you can offer him stuff, but you can't decide that he is bringing it).
--M. J. Young
Fri Jul 11 2008 2:34 am # -
Kurt W.
MemberUm...things to address for Harry...
I'm looking at him, laying down with his head not layed down at all...with his eyes closed...snoring...
Other than his loyalty...
Well the only thing I can think of is that he's good with dogs, lol. We used to have two huge (at least compared to him) german shepherd/husky mixed pups. He grew up with them and even used one as a chew toy (she didn't even feel it, of course, with her thick skin) and he played with that dog. He's not afraid of dogs, and he's lived with plenty before.
Still, he can be cold to both people and other animals. He absolutely hates our friendly cat, Don.
I'd like to say that Harry's smart... It's just that I consider Don as stupid, yet he figured out the laser-pointer thing immediately while Harry is still chasing the little red dot, lol.
Other than that, Harry is big-boned (not just fat), and he's stronger than most cats. He could probably take on an adult chihuahua or palmeranian, lol.
I suppose that really is all I have to say, other than his ability to sleep in VERY weird positions...
Fri Jul 11 2008 3:04 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberCan I play this game
Yeah, that you can do.
starting with 'zygote challenge'?
You don't get to pick your worlds. MJ does that.
Go through the list, and find all of the threads about character generation. You will be allowed to play after you create your character sheet. That takes about 3 or 4 days. Once you have that set up, I'm certain MJ will start you, although it most likely won't be The Zygote Experience. Welcome to Gaming Outpost, Max.
Tue Jun 2 2009 4:06 pm # -
Max--Welcome to the board.
There are a lot of reasons why I do not start anyone in the Zygote Experience. Many of them have to do with the fact that I need to have some understanding of who you are before I can deal with who you might become. Also, one of the things that makes Zygote work is that your character is already aware that he is a verser who has lived in other universes, and that this time it's different--which means it has to be different from something you have already experienced. Oh, and it is supposed to be completely surprising and unexpected--what makes it work is that you do not know what is happening and are attempting to work it out for yourself. I'll bear in mind that you're interested, though.
Also, I have a strong preference for putting people in "starter worlds" where they can get at least a few of their questions answered and so have some idea what is happening to them. I don't always do that, and my starter worlds can vary quite a bit, but they share the detail that you will encounter someone who knows enough to explain a bit to you.
John, Zygote isn't that difficult to run "straight"; it's the last world in The First Book of Worlds, if you have that, and is pretty well arranged. The only really tricky part is figuring out who you want the player to "become" in his new life. For example, one of the most traumatic moments in the life of the womanizing Whisp was being born a girl. Even sticking with contemporary human societies, you can run the gamut from silver spoon in the mouth to Brazilian ghetto orphan to Chinese Communist Party affiliate. That's just the beginning. I've done Sprite, and I think someone did sentient lion cub (The Lion King). But the real work goes into interacting with the player to create a life in the world as he grows to adulthood.
So if you're interested in playing, we'll get a character together for you and launch you in a starter world. Who knows? Maybe I'll drop you in the world with John.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 4 2009 1:05 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberSo if you're interested in playing, we'll get a character together for you and launch you in a starter world. Who knows? Maybe I'll drop you in the world with John.
What? Put him in TerraNova? That would be cool. (Hey, I'd be the Elder Verser for a change....)
(Doing Therapy)
Thu Jun 4 2009 1:09 am # -
Max
MemberHi there MJ and John...
I thought that it is easier to go to 'Zygote Experience' first.
You can guess who I am and what I want by the way I play the game.
So it will be a game to both the player and the referee.I just like to do things in alternate way.
And in the 'Zygote Experience' you can play first and try to remember what you are in the past.
That will be interesting to both sides and add an element of mystery.Either way, you can give me a random average attribute for a person.
And I will play as that person and can start up the adventure quickly.
If there are conflicting attribute then you will find out in the play.
Not being in a starter world first might be a blessing in disguise.
It sounds interesting, is it not?Thu Jun 4 2009 5:27 pm # -
JohnA1nut
MemberMax, what you need to do is read more of what they're talking about on the thread. First off, do you have any skills which you would consider expert or professional level? If you're good enough to do it for a living, you're professional. (I delivered pizzas for 3 years, so I have professional level driving, for instance)
Do you have any attributes which you believe (and can reasonably back up) which would show that you are in the top 2 percent of the human population? (Genius level IQ, for instance) If you've recently played any kind of sports (football, etc.) then you would likely have professional agility, stamina and strength.
You gotta be a little bit more detailed than this. Go through the thread, read all of the postings, and try to set it up better.
Average strength would be 1@5, I believe. Average IQ would also be 1@5. (I have almost a genius IQ, so mine is 1@10) If you graduated high school, then your education level is 1@10, if you have any college degrees, it would be raised to 2@ something.
Oh yeah, and I think you will like TerraNova, if MJ decides to start you there. It's basically a huge shopping mall the size of a moderately-sized city. Anything and everything you can think of, you can get. Also, there is myself, and 2 other NPC versers in the scenario. One of them is helping me to improve my boxing and psionic abilities. It would be a excellent starter world for you, if MJ decides to throw you into it. Good place to get some new skills and equipment.
I mean, right off the bat, you can learn psionics, magic and fighting from Lauren. I could teach you metalworking (I was a blacksmith in my last world) and I'm sure I could give you some survival tips for the future.
Thu Jun 4 2009 5:47 pm # -
JohnA1nut
MemberTwo Posts
Don't post it just yet, Max, but on your equipment, it's up to 200 pounds of gear that you personally own, or know that someone else wouldn't mind you taking without asking. It's what you would take if you were leaving your house at a moment's notice, knew you would never come home, and didn't know what was awaiting you in the near future.
Good luck. Don't post it yet, just ponder on it for a little while.
(Doing Therapy)
Thu Jun 4 2009 6:58 pm # -
It looks to me as if John and Max cross-posted; that's the best explanation I have for why John's post is so completely oblivious to what Max is saying.
Apparently Max is someone we know--perhaps John 1, or perhaps someone connected with Valdron, or someone else who has played before. He wants to jump in as an unknown.
Max, I've got a few problems with this, but maybe if we discuss them we can come to some resolution that satisfies both of us.
- When you "Zygote" in Multiverser, you retain all your non-physical attributes--persuasion, charisma, animal magnetism, intellect, intuition, education level, and will power--from your previous life, from the moment of conception. Your physical attributes are all lost and have to be rebuilt, and these can become very different, but you haven't forgotten a thing about your former life. Thus I would need to know a great deal about who you are in those terms, so that you could start as yourself returned to zygote. This world really is, "If I could do it all over knowing what I now know," except that you're not doing it over in your own family but in some other one.
- In like manner, you retain all your technological, psionic, and magic skills. That means I would have to know in considerable detail what you know. If you can program a computer as you are now, then you would be able to program a computer just as soon as you can make your fingers operate the keys.
- Although you lose all your body skills, you don't forget that you knew them, and you don't really forget how to do them--your body forgets, but your mind remembers. That means that if you're a proficient acrobat, you already know what it's like to be a proficient acrobat, and you can use your experience in your life now as an example from which to teach yourself those skills afresh. That means that if you're an average professional (2@5) tightrope walker now, I have to know that, so that when you try to teach yourself tightrope walking I will know that you get the +25 bonus for having the example of your own previous life experience.
- Also, even though obviously it's not all in the womb with you, your possessions make the trip as well. The referee generally "hides" these--burying them or otherwise concealing them where they can survive a decade or two until you're old enough to seek them. Thus we would still have to create your entire equipment sheet and figure out where those objects are in relation to you when you verse out, so they can be placed in the new world for you to collect as you mature.
- Finally, when the zygote experience ends--that is, whenever it is that your character dies in this world--you begin to revert to who you were before. It happens gradually over a number of worlds--but in order for it to happen at all, I would have to have a pretty good handle on who you were and what you looked like and what skills and abilities you had before your first death so that I could start blending the two persons into the new you.
So, do you have any suggestions as to how we can resolve some of this?
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 4 2009 7:59 pm # -
P.S.--we already have a player named Max. If you are not him, that would make you Max 2; but I'm betting this is not your real name, and it's rather silly for me to give you both numbers if your name is pseudonymous. But if you're intent on hiding your identity, I suppose Max 2 is as good as anything.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 4 2009 8:01 pm #
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