Exiles: Fae in the Mundane World RPG

[Cynical Cat]

Just sounding out interest. The game will be something like a mix of the comic Fables and the Changeling RPG.

Their are worlds other than the mundane reality of Earth. Some hold men, some hold fae and other creatures of magic, and some hold both. In Sorrowfall, the Huntsman unseated the Unseelie Court and drove them before him. The Unseelie Court and the lands of men fell next and soon other kingdoms and worlds fell. Refugees have fled to other realms through various gates and ways. One of these worlds is called Earth.

Characters can be humans or fae. Fae must be able to pass as humans. Magic items, spells, and extraordinary abilities are allowed. Attempts at invulnerability or omnipotence are not. Those who choose magic should list the arts and charms they are particularly skilled in. Do not attempt to sneak things in. Saying mastery of air does not grant the ability to inflict embolisms although it does grant the ability to hammer foes with the wind.

A few of the more common types of refugees.

Knight Errants: Warriors of unsurpassed skill, they are now without their liege lords. Some have earned blessings or curses in their lives of questing and their are men and women not to be trifled with.

Fallen Nobles: Some of the of old blood fled before the fall of kingdoms. Younger sons and daughters were sometime sent to safety as war fell on their lands. They are well educated and trained and some of them carry ancestral treasures of considerable magical potency.

Sidhe: Both Seelie and Unseelie Courts have fallen. The glorious and terrible Sidhe now hide their light to pass as mortal men. They remain vulnerable to iron, but still possess their powers charms of splendour and light.

Red Caps: The terrible elite goblin warriors of the Unseelie Courts mostly perished, but a few survived. Most know a few simple magics that allows them to pass as short, ugly humans. Their terrible bite and martial prowess remain should they have need of them.

Ogres: Big, brutal, tough, and dumb. Most can barely manage to pass as humans and possess just enough intellect to find a master.

Trolls: More cunning cousins to ogres. They have an aversion to sunlight, which is deadly to some breeds, but are armed with formidable cunning.

Moon People: The shapeshifters heal all wounds but those inflicted by silver swiftly. Most serve the Huntsman, but some packs refused to submit.

Jacks (and Jills): These roguish Jacks of All Trades survived the depredations of the enemy and flee his tyranny. Some were bandits, some were pirates, others were adventurers. All are resourceful and cunning.

Wizards and Witches: Magic is not only the province of the fae. Humans in many worlds harvest and harness it. It is a demanding art with its own rewards. In this world, most have fallen on hard times, but their knowledge and power remains.

[LadyTevar]

Nitram and I were just talking of Changling the other day

The problem is I don't know if he'd be the Knight Errant, or the Redcap....

I'm definately interested. I'll get back to you about what to play once I've had time to get an idea of what to play. I'll brainstorm with you on AIM later.

[Comrade Tortoise]

ditto for me... though you know me....

[Cynical Cat]

Chicago. The Windy City. The Crossroads of America. At some crossroads one can step from one world to another and so a substantial number of refugees can be found here.

The Black Goat: A tavern than mundanes can't seem to notice. It is a place where magical folk can gather openly.

Weyland: The proprietor of the Black Goat. A huge man with powerful arms and long dark, blond hair. He is called upon to be an arbitrator by some of those who have disputes and is the closest thing that Chicago's magical peoples have to a community leader. He is rumoured to be a smith and a wizard, although he denies that there is any difference between the two.

The Prince of Coins: The most visible lord of the Unseelie Court. The dark haired Sidhe has long golden finger nails and is never short of cash.

Brachas: Ogre bodyguard of the Prince of Coins

The Witch of Wind: An Unseelie Sidhe witch who is rarely seen.

Knave of Swords: A Unseelie Sidhe courtier. He is known to serve the Witch of Winds and the Prince of Coins.

Gristle: Red Cap drug dealer and gang leader.

Augustus, the Lion Knight: The Seelie Knight appears to be a homeless man with a blond mane. His true form is that of an anthropomorphic lion. He has fallen on hard times, but retains his honour.

Starling: A Seelie Sprite, messenger and spy.

Malfea: A witch, lives in a trailer outside the city. Her skill is great, but her prices are high and she is rumoured to be treacherous.

[LadyTevar]

Nitram and I have been brainstorming.

We have come up with a BountyHunter and his Pet "Fluffy". No job too small, they will track down for Mundane or Fae, and they are not afraid to take on those jobs with a bit of magic or danger involved. After all, when the BountyHunter is a RedCap, and "Fluffy" is a lost Werewolf pup he raised, there's very few dangers Mundane or Fae that can't be handled.

"Fluffy"
Almost literally left on the proverbial doorstep, the young werewolf called "Fluffy" has spent all her known life with the RedCap calling himself "Philip Graves". She looks like a cross between a Husky and an Irish Setter, with long dark red fur over thin but powerfully built legs and chest. Her eyes are pale like a Husky, but greenish in tint.

Fluffy acts like the typical dumb mutt, with a silly grin, wide eyes, and stupidly happy expression on her face. It makes it more shocking when the 'silly puppy' sneaks open a locked door with a charm, or transforms into a beastial wolfman able to rip the roof off a car.

Abilities:
Four Shapes: Wolf, DireWolf, Wolfman, Human (rarely seen).
Sharper senses in all forms (allows superior tracking).
Bite and claw attacks, enhanced strength in DireWolf and Wolfman forms.

Charms:
Open Locks - Opens any lock, without a sign of tampering or how it was done.
Beast Speech - Allows her to talk to normal animals. With patience she can get information or convince them to aid. (GM's Approval)
Silent Speech - Used mostly while in Wolfen forms to communicate with Phillip. As yet, she's found no one else she's wanted to talk to.

[Hotfoot]

Here's the concept I have thus far, let me know if there is anything wrong or if I've gone too far or not too far enough.

Tell me a story

I had a dream last night, it’s a dream I’ve been having for a while now. I was…somewhere else. I was still me, but not. I was running from something, I don’t know what, but it was bad, I was sure of that. I was leading a girl by the hand through the forests, the wind swirling around us. Voices in the wind, on the wind, spoke to us, telling us where to go, how to hide. I remember smiling back at her, telling her it was going to be okay. She smiled back at me and squeezed my hand.

I don’t remember the rest of the dream, just that part, and it’s weird. I mean, it felt real, more than most dreams do, and lately, it’s like parts of it have been coming true. I don’t know why, maybe it’s the beer, maybe it’s the lack of sleep, I dunno, I’ve been drifting off sometimes. Hearing things, feeling chills while everyone is hot, seeing things that nobody else seems to see. Sometimes I get these feelings of Déjà vu, like I heard something that comes true, or I get a flash of something that comes along later. It’s getting harder to shake. Sometimes, it’s useful, when I want to find something, it just appears, or that’s what it seems like.

A few weeks ago, I was trying to help someone, they were really in trouble, they needed some things that they couldn’t afford, I couldn’t stand to watch them suffer, well, I got in trouble. The cops chased me for a while, and I thought for sure they were going to catch me. I hid in an alleyway, it was a dead end, I was sure they would find me. The lights, I dunno, they got covered somehow. The cops looked down the alleyway, I thought for sure they saw me, and then…they went off. It was like they saw or heard something. My heart was going a mile a minute, and I just remember thanking whatever powers that be helped me out of that situation. I could have sworn someone said, “You’re welcome.â€

[SirNitram]

Phillip Graves/Metalmaw.

There have always been Redcaps. They are the elite shocktroopers of the Unseelie Legions.. Or were, before the Legions were shattered under the assaults of a foe far superior to them. The lesser Monsters and Nightmares scattered to the winds, falling across worlds, seeking shelter. The Redcaps were shocked. For centuries.. Perhaps mileenia.. They were the dominant monsters. They occupied their ranks within the Unseelie Legions not through trust or loyalty, but because an Unseelie General knew if he threw his Redcaps at the most terrible things, they would shred it and devour it, all to prove they were the most dangerous.

Metalmaw was a Redcap who saw this terrible foe and grinned. His coterie, a band of slaughterers, murderers, and killing machines, charged across worlds seeking this greater foe. They fought in ranks, they fought as individuals, they fought as predators, and they fought as guerillas. Time and again they chased this new foe, seeking to best it. To become the strongest Redcaps in the universe.

It's not clear what happened, but when Metalmaw resurfaced, he had lost his teeth. The Redcaps are known for their teeth; a mouthful of gruesome choppers which can cleave through steel(A fact which had gained him his name when he bit an ogre's greataxe in half in a duel). His mouth now glistens with the unmistakable sheen of diamonds, the only thing that could stand up to the punishment a Redcap puts his mouth through.

There's also the dog. Or wolf. Or wolfwoman. Fluffy turned up with him as well when he decided to return to visibility. Whatever happened across the endless wastes of multiple worlds, Metalmaw has decided to kick back and relax for now.. Besides, there's money to be made in bounties.

Powers

Unparalleled: Redcaps have astounding skill at arms. Metalmaw is no different; he's capable with almost all weapons known to man, though his preference remains for brass knuckles and of course, his devastating bite. Getting in close is not advised.

Dark Appetite: If Metalmaw can get his mouth around it, or even just a part of it, it's history. Anything can be bitten through, and anything bitten off can be swallowed and digested. Not 'Anything that's food'. Not 'anything organic'. Anything.

The Mirror Lies: Metalmaw picked up an odd trick out in the infinity. He's quite able to mask his appearance flawlessly as another person; Phillip Graves' appearance was stolen from a funeral he bumped into. One cross-country flight later, and 'Mr. Graves' was establishing himself.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Mascent (Mace) Trivel

"My life was never easy" he said to himself as he poured through books on history and geography in the library.

"But I knew where I was, who I was dealing with, how to kill them, and damn it, I had job satisfaction!" He slammed the book on The History of Technology shut and sat back. Inwardly ranting to himself, to the point that he moved his lips in mirror of the inner monologue

" But we lost the damn war and now I am stuck here in this pile of metal and foul smelling fumes, with no employability! No one uses or even knows about magic here, so I am stuck bilking people out of their money and committing property crimes for hire....And that doesnt make much."

...

Mascent just sat there for a while,obviously fuming. A little ritual he underwent in order to vent every morning in the library as he tried to learn...everything... so that he could eventually get this thing called a G.E.D and become marginally employable.

He used to be a wizard in the employ of the Unseelie court, the sort of man who took jobs that no one else wanted, or were too risky to send a sane person. Now he is on earth and only sporadically employed, and even that is often so far under the table that one could almost see china from his vantage point. An angry, bitter, and slightly off balance man, he basically has only three joys now. Magic, schadenfreud, and booze.

Magic specialty:
Illusion and fire, with a good control over wind. (if I need more info than this, let me know)

[Thirdfain]

"I ain't got any empty cans left all the cans been filled up and I can't find no more ones with space in em for anything, no way a man can go walking far without the joking cans can he? You oughta toss ol' Friendly Ted any you've... You've gotta be joking me buddy, you've gotta be kidding a fine gent like yourself all got up in get up looking like king of a castle, the shiekh of Araby or somethin' and you aint got any empty cans? you've gotta have something empty I can fill lemme tell you man, when I had em all empty I'd fill em with the very best and go walking, I'd go walking and looking and I'd see the most lovely views of the forests and all that, you know, in the Park? You been to the Park, mister? Nah, you ain't been to the park I can tell you aren't THAT fancy, no sir in the park there's a lot of fancy ladies and gents, ain't that the case, too fancy if you ask me, with more'n enough cans, lemme tell you, and not one filled only except, they ain't been cleaning the park, can you believe it, a park that nice all messed up? So, mister... hey, mister, get back here! Fuck him, fuck that guy, ain't much of a giver is he, huh, miss? Don't suppose you've got something you could toss a gent, maybe? I few bucks or something, you know, I's gotta go to the finest little hole I ever did see, where lemme tell you, ol' Ted is the only one there not fancier'n an Opera, bunch of fuckin' Werewolves in tuxedos having drinks, ma'am, toss me a few dollars and I get me a drink in that nice hole, huh, ma'am? Aww, shit, well thanks, ma'am, well thanks, fuckitall, I didn't always go sitting on this corner, no ma'am, onceuponatime, I was pretty much the fanciest one for miles, lemme tell you, even the Fingers paid ol' Ted attention, yes they did! Too bad bout m'cans, though, otherwise, I'd go a-walking like I used to... Hey! Ain't you gonna stay? I GOT FUCKING GYPED OUTTA THOSE CANS, DAMMIT! WEREN'T MY FAULT! YOU AIN'T FANCY AT ALL! Hmmmph. Bitch. Hey, mister, weren't that lady by a minute ago a real waste of heee-haw? I's telling you, I gone and spent so much hee-haw on them silly bouncers, you know the kind talking bout, the kind you'se got in the park? Happily ever after and all that shit, them little bouncers couldn't go ten feet without fuckin tripping over one or one of Finger's boys! I knew em all, all of finger's boys if only I could get some empty cans I'd be talking with em just now, maybe if not that, a few bucks, mister, a few bucks? I know the best hole, mister..."

Friendly Ted

No one knows where Ted came from. Some think he is a madman so insane that magic came easily to him. Others think he is a powerful warlock laid low by the vageries of magic or the actions of some enemy. In any case, he can often be found huddled in the back of the Black Goat, turning filthy, crumpled bills into soon-emptied bottles.

Powers

Sight: Friendly Ted's eyes are open. Nothing is hidden from them, and he sees those things around him as they really are. This is probably the reason he's so lost all the time. However, while seeing everything that's there, he also sees more than a few things which aren't there, rendering this ability

Obtuse Mind: Ted's train of thought has been through one monster of a wreck, magical in nature, well beyond even the normal scope of human madness. Those creatures and beings best at reading the thoughts and intentions of humans have trouble seeing through the muddled fog.

Magic: Friendly Ted is a warlock of considerable power. However, the province of magic is not one well suited to the massively insane. Much of the power he may once have weilded is gone, or simply beyond Ted's muddled capabilities. His power and proficiency differs wildly from time to time- for instance, he can always and effortlessly light cigarettes with his mind, but is otherwise completely incapable of manipulating the element of fire. His strongest remaining powers are his perennial ability to see through most illusions and an amazing ability to travel around Chicago at great speed and with great stealth- Friendly Ted shows up in the oddest places, at the oddest times, and the alleys which he inhabits always seem to lead where he needs to go.

[Cynical Cat]

All characters good so far.

[LadyTevar]

All characters good so far.

So when we starting?

[Cynical Cat]

All characters good so far.

So when we starting?

I'll be in and out Netwise for the next couple of days and I've still got a few plot strings to put into position before you mess them all up.

But soon.

[Cynical Cat]

Starting post coming very soon.

People should give thoughts on how they earn money in the mundane world and where/how they live if they haven't already.

[LadyTevar]

Money: Bounty Hunting
Living: In an older house that's been converted into apartments, filled with many sharp pointy objects and other weapons of war. As well as dog toys.

[Thirdfain]

Money: Begging
Living: The nearest carboard box

[Comrade Tortoise]

Money: grifting, theft, etc
Living: run down apartment

[Hotfoot]

Money: Working at the library, various odd jobs, occasionally stealing things.
Living: Studio Apartment, several stories up.

[Cynical Cat]

Just a geographic reminder, a substantial chunk of Chicago runs North-South along the west bank of the lake.

[LadyTevar]

My apologies... I misread the map I had

[Cynical Cat]

In answer to your question Lady T, Lincoln Park might be a good place to check.

[Comrade Tortoise]

um, he had not decided whether to follow you yet...

moreover, the man used to work as what amounts to an assassin. he isnt stupid enough to let you know he is following you until he wants you to know it. Ex. being downwind so you cant smell him.

[LadyTevar]

Chicago. Windy City, where the wind changes every street corner. I'd catch a whiff.

And I'm sorry, I'd misread your post where you said you'd 'set off after them'.

[SirNitram]

Unless I can get back into it, assume Metalmaw has vanished. I'm sorry. It's not grabbing my writing thing.

[Hotfoot]

Oh great and powerful Oz...

That's not The Huntsman...is it?

Oh dear oh dear...

[Cynical Cat]

No, just a minion. If it was him, he would have already caught her.