Noir RP Character creation thread

[majus]

Character creation

Name:
Description/pic:
History:

Choose archetype – archetypes represent a type of person the character is. It doesn't define the job, only a general feeling of the character, skillset, cash and equipment.

Skills – one point in skill is expertise, and two points are mastery. The number of points depends on the Archetype.

Resources – one point is equipment of common value, two points is equipment of great value (f.e. 1 point weapon – revolver, 2 points weapon - a shotgun). Resources include followers – friends, lovers, family or subordinates who lend their aid to the best of their ability. A number of points depend on Archetype.

Cash – a set amount of cash. What was worth a dollar in 1920s is worth around 13 dollars today. The amount of cash depends on the Archetype.

Peril (3 points max) – peril describes the negative baggage/sins from the past that carry to this day. 1 point is a common problem like debts or health problems, 2 points represent dangerous/life-destroying problems like blackmail or threat of stay in prison, 3 points represent deadly problem, like a death sentence from the mafia or deadly illness that influences actions.
Choose one peril

Peril can be increased – each additional point in peril can be exchanged for one of the options:
1) 2 skill points + 100$
2) 4 resource points + 100$
3) 1 000 $


Archetypes:

The Detective (male)

Spoiler: Text

A man experienced with life, carrying his scars from the past, a Great War, a personal tragedy, or just an experience he had with the dark side of society. He has insight into the darker side of human nature that makes him a skilled investigator. Yet, he has his own problems – problems with health, and lack of money are the most common perils. Policemen, private detectives and streetwise small criminals are prime examples of The Detective.

Skills:
Investigation 1
Small arms 1
Choose 3 additional skills or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Resources:
Weapon 1 (handgun)
Office or Apartment 1
Choose 1 additional resource or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Cash: 10 $
Peril: 1 point

The Dame (female)

Spoiler: Text

A woman from higher society. A distinguished, charming and beautiful woman who interacts with the most influential and powerful in the city. Yet she is not without her own troubles – for the higher you are, the greater your problems are. A blackmail material that can cost her a fortune or freedom or criminal who wants to take her money are among common examples of troubles of the Dame. A wife of a powerful industrialist, a widow after a senator or an inheritor of fortune are examples of the Dame.

Skills:
Charm 1
Etiquete 1
Choose 1 additional skill or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Resources:
Contacts 2 (legal – high society.)
House 1 (small mansion)
Car 1
Choose 4 additional resources or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Cash: 1 000 $

Peril: 2 points

The Con Man (male)

Spoiler: text

A man with a sharp mind, charming smile and sharp tongue. The Con Man made his life trying to get to the top, to accumulate the most power, to get the most money, the best cars, most beautiful women. Yet the road to the top is usually not a clean one, and he has a few skeletons hidden in his closet. A debt to the mafia who gave him power, a group of vengeful workers whom he fired and an investigation by the police are the most common troubles of The Con Man. A gangster, a councilman, a lawyer, owner of the bar are examples of The Con Man.

Skills:
Charm 1
Deception 1
Choose 2 additional skills or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Resources:
Contacts 1 (choose legal or illegal)
Apartment 2 (A large apartment)
Car 1
Choose 2 additional resources or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Cash: 300 $

Peril: 2 points

The Femme Fatale (female)

Spoiler: text

A woman of sexual appeal and ambition. Her ambition to change her situation is trouble for those she interacts with, and her hunger for influence, riches and reputation. She does not have much, but her experience with life and men has taught her much. Yet her actions had left her in a bit of a bind. A scorned lover, debt and poor health are among the most common problems The Femme Fatale has to face. A prostitute, a widow after a soldier and a club singer are the most prominent examples of The Femme Fatale.

Skills:
Seduction 1
Manipulation 1
Choose 4 additional skills or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Resources:
Apartment 1
Choose 2 additional resources or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Cash: 20 $

Peril: 1 point

The Reporter (male or female)

Spoiler: text

The Reporter is a person who lives from the news. The reasons can differ – fame, money, justice, reputation, but the effect is always the same, The Reporter will make waves. The Reporter will be listened to with great interest, but it's far harder for The Reporter to make people talk. Because of their actions, the reporter will usually have some distrust aimed at them. A scorned industrialist described in one of the articles, an annoyed mafia member or policeman and a jealous coworker are but examples of troubles The Reporter can face. Women's fashion magazine writers, news anchors, and radio speakers are but some examples of the reporter.


Skills:
Contacts 1
Investigation 1
Choose 3 additional skills or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Resources:
Apartment 1
Car 1
Contacts 1
Choose 2 additional resources or increase (to max 2) existing ones

Cash: 40 $

Peril: 1 point

 

[Thorn_]

(Went with a club singer type in the end)

Name: Caroline Burke(Formerly Engel)

History:
A German woman and club singer who immigrated to America in her youth, charming many men for her looks, and talent, but very few caught her attention. Her husband, a major figure in the Whiteland mob, had managed to win her over with excitement and the kind of life of luxury he could provide. After using a bit of pull and hooks he had, that's when her career had really put her on the map, landing a record deal and enjoying a massive up jump in her popularity and fame. Operating in her club, she often sings and performs in front a crowd. Though the real main attraction, is something else entirely. Anyone who thinks she's part of the entertainment herself, rarely comes back the same way they left.
Choose archetype – Dame
Skills –
Charm-2
Etiquette-1

Resources –
Contacts-Legal(High Society) 2
House 1-(Small Mansion)
Car 1
Influence- Whiteland Mob 1
Parkland Social Club(Brothel) 1-While she tries to downplay her role with the mob, she is the owner of one of the front's they operate out of.
Famous 1
Bodyguard-1 -Discreet, serious, and professional. These guys are the real deal. Carol doesn't really go for the idea "come alone." At least, not for her. She'll almost never go anywhere without protection. Her current model is named Jakob. German. Ex-military. Front-line Infantry.

Cash-1000$
Peril-2
Unmade- While she carries not an insignificant amount of power and influence, there’s an important distinction in that she is not considered an actual member of Whiteland under the commission’s rules and does not have the same kind of natural protections in place usually provided by the code. While most would think twice after going after an actual high ranking member’s spouse, she doesn’t require the same kind of approval to being gone after like it does for those who are made. This is something known by other influential figures of the underworld, but while the mob is still under no special obligation to protect her, they won’t put up with someone interfering with their business either.

1) 2 skill points + 100$
2) 4 resource points + 100$
3) 1 000 $

 

[majus]

I screwed up. I meant for it to be only one peril of different degree, but used old draft in character creation and somewhat missed it!

Sorry!

(So a loose draft, I'll leave here for now. I was thinking ether this or like a club signer for like an occupation)

Name: Caroline Bryne

or

History:
A German woman and actress who immigrated to America in her youth, charming many men for her looks, and talent, but very few caught her attention. Her husband, a major figure in the Whiteland mob, had managed to win her over with excitement and the kind of life of luxury he could provide. After using a bit of pull and hooks he had, that's when her career had really put her on the map, getting several major roles that she was never seriously considered before in place of usually known faces. Once she became a known figure herself, she quickly adapted to being a popular and known actress...though...every once in a while, there's questions raised about her private life activities and just what exactly she does.
Choose archetype – Dame
Skills –
Charm-2
Ettiequte-1


Resources –
Contacts-Legal(High Society) 2
House 1 (Small Mansion)
Car 1
Influence- Whiteland Mob 1
Parkland Social Club(Brothel) 1-While she tries to downplay her role with the mob, she is the owner of one of the front's they operate out of.
Famous 1
1 additional resources

Cash – 1000$

Peril (3 points max) –
1-Snakecharmer: There's a lot of uncomfortable questions around exactly how much she knows about what her husband and his gangster friends are up to, though, while not an actual memberr, it's probably unlikely her hands are actually as clean as she insists.

1) 2 skill points + 100$
2) 4 resource points + 100$
3) 1 000 $

Good start! Like the first pic.

Peril would require change, but this is mostly my fault as I screwed up the description. Sorry!

 

[majus]

alright. Think I revised to how you wanted? Basically starting peril and then a drawback to add to it?

Starting peril 2 , if you want to take bigger peril for additional point, you will have peril 3 - not peril 2 and peril 1. So basically increase existing peril. There is a big praise in it in either skills, money or resources, but it comes with baggage.

I was debating something like bodyguards for a resource but was unsure of how that would work in practice of like how many and how much better they would be than regular gangsters or what their cost would be or things like that

Hmm... one point would be equal to one competent bodyguard, or let's say four goons/thugs.

Mind you, if you are taking a brothel/bar - it comes in with personnel.
...
I did not include that you can use resource points to improve the archetype's resources, did I?

 

[unisol_gr44]

One question: Contacts 1/2 is in resources for con man and dame but it's a skill for the reporter, is that intentional or a mistake?

 

[Regin34]

I like picture of female reporter, do you mind if I take it for my character? It looks like AI, but if not could you give link?

 

[majus]

One question: Contacts 1/2 is in resources for con man and dame but it's a skill for the reporter, is that intentional or a mistake?

Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, you are right, this is my mistake. Contacts should be in resources for the reporter. I will fix reporter's template later today.

I like picture of female reporter, do you mind if I take it for my character? It looks like AI, but if not could you give link?

Sure. I will send you link later today.

 

[majus]

@Regin34

link to pick

Spoiler: pic

 

[majus]

@unisol_gr44

Okay, fixed the reporter.
Hopefully, I have not made any other mistakes

 

[majus]

Okay, I tried to think of one for peril. Not sure if that works. Let me know. Mostly done now, I think, if that works.

High Profile- The drawback to living the high life, it's difficult for anyone not to recognize her or keep her name away from things.

I would say it's level one peril. It would be more of annoyance and inability to be a private person.

on peril 2 f.e. there would be a stalker, that would behave quite creepily and could escalate.

on level 3, f.e. her studio wanted her dead, because her record would then sell for higher price.

 

[unisol_gr44]

Name –
Andrew MacLeod
Description/pic –

History –
Born in Scotland in 1899, Andrew grew up in a working class family in the slums of Glasgow. His father worked as a construction worker and his mother was a housewife. His father was called to war in 1915, forcing his mother to work in a textile factory while his older sister took over the housekeeping.

After Andrew's father fell at Passchendaele in 1917, his mother decided to move them to the United States, where her brother's family had already moved a few years earlier, fearing his conscription.

To help with the family budget, his uncle, who was a typesetter at a big newspaper, got Andrew a job as an assistant, getting him a knack for the trade by helping the senior journalists.

Andrew got his break when the newspaper's star journalist Maeve O'Hara called in sick and the editor needed someone to deal with an emerging story quickly. Taking the assignment, Andrew excelled at his report and quickly found himself getting more work headed his way.

Earning a reputation as a tenacious muckraker, Andrew did not make many friends with the kind of people that would hide their affairs in the shadows.

Choose archetype –
The reporter.

Skills –
Investigation 2
Fisticuffs 1
Dangerous Driving 1

Resources –
Apartment 1
Camera 1
Car 1
Contacts 1
Weapon 1 – .45 M1911 pistol

Cash –
$40

Peril (1 point) –
Rival journalist – Maeve O'Hara, an Irish-American woman, had singled-out the young MacLeod to be a danger to her career as the newspaper's star journalist. She'd rather see him falter before he took her limelight.

 

[majus]

Name –
Andrew MacLeod
Description/pic –

History –
Born in Scotland in 1899, Andrew grew up in a working class family in the slums of Glasgow. His father worked as a construction worker and his mother was a housewife. His father was called to war in 1915, forcing his mother to work in a textile factory while his older sister took over the housekeeping.

After Andrew's father fell at Passchendaele in 1917, his mother decided to move them to the United States, where her brother's family had already moved a few years earlier, fearing his conscription.

To help with the family budget, his uncle, who was a typesetter at a big newspaper, got Andrew a job as an assistant, getting him a knack for the trade by helping the senior journalists.

Andrew got his break when the newspaper's star journalist Maeve O'Hara called in sick and the editor needed someone to deal with an emerging story quickly. Taking the assignment, Andrew excelled at his report and quickly found himself getting more work headed his way.

Earning a reputation as a tenacious muckraker, Andrew did not make many friends with the kind of people that would hide their affairs in the shadows.

Choose archetype –
The reporter.

Skills –
Investigation 2
Fisticuffs 1
Dangerous Driving 1

Resources –
Apartment 1
Camera 1
Car 1
Contacts 1
Motorcycle 1
Weapon 1

Cash –
$40

Peril (1 point) –
Rival journalist – Maeve O'Hara, an Irish-American woman, had singled-out the young MacLeod to be a danger to her career as the newspaper's star journalist. She'd rather see him falter before he took her limelight.

You spent one point to many in resources - aaannnndddd I see why. Dammit! I really am not on my best recently. Okay, fixed the description. Removed Camera and placed Contacts in resources.
Also, what kind of weapon?

Except that - looks good!

 

[majus]

(Went with a club singer type in the end)

Name: Caroline Burke(Formerly Engel)

History:
A German woman and club singer who immigrated to America in her youth, charming many men for her looks, and talent, but very few caught her attention. Her husband, a major figure in the Whiteland mob, had managed to win her over with excitement and the kind of life of luxury he could provide. After using a bit of pull and hooks he had, that's when her career had really put her on the map, landing a record deal and enjoying a massive up jump in her popularity and fame. Operating in her club, she often sings and performs in front a crowd. Though the real main attraction, is something else entirely. Anyone who thinks she's part of the entertainment herself, rarely comes back the same way they left.
Choose archetype – Dame
Skills –
Charm-2
Etiquette-1

Resources –
Contacts-Legal(High Society) 2
House 1-(Small Mansion)
Car 1
Influence- Whiteland Mob 1
Parkland Social Club(Brothel) 1-While she tries to downplay her role with the mob, she is the owner of one of the front's they operate out of.
Famous 1
Bodyguard-1 -Discreet, serious, and professional. These guys are the real deal. Carol doesn't really go for the idea "come alone." At least, not for her. She'll almost never go anywhere without protection. Her current model is named Jakob. German. Ex-military. Front-line Infantry.

Cash-1000$
Peril-2
Unmade- While she carries not an insignificant amount of power and influence, there’s an important distinction in that she is not considered an actual member of Whiteland under the commission’s rules and does not have the same kind of natural protections in place usually provided by the code. While most would think twice after going after an actual high ranking member’s spouse, she doesn’t require the same kind of approval to being gone after like it does for those who are made.

1) 2 skill points + 100$
2) 4 resource points + 100$
3) 1 000 $

The only thing that I would modify, is in Unmade - I would add that her insecure position just became known to the wider criminal audience.

Except that, it looks great!

 

[unisol_gr44]

You spent one point to many in resources - aaannnndddd I see why. Dammit! I really am not on my best recently. Okay, fixed the description. Removed Camera and placed Contacts in resources.
Also, what kind of weapon?

Except that - looks good!

Okay, removed the motorcycle and the weapon would be a .45 calibre M1911 pistol.

 

[majus]

Okay, removed the motorcycle and the weapon would be a .45 calibre M1911 pistol.

Then you are good and ready to roll!

Again, sorry for my screw ups with sheets

 

[unisol_gr44]

Then you are good and ready to roll!

Again, sorry for my screw ups with sheets

Great and don't sweat it, it's no problem at all.