A Quest For Adventure! Signups (Indiana Jones Inspired RP)

Is this going to be action-heavy, or should I rethink my character whose entire skill set is 'shoot things'?

edited 15th Jan '15 5:26:39 PM by deadpool616

This is going to be a mix of action and puzzle solving. So basically think Legend of Zelda. So an anthropologist can be just as viable a member of the team as a marksman. And the anthropologist doesn't have to sit by on the sidelines when the action starts. And your character can also partake in the clue solving.

I think I'll go with a pilot, I'll post a character sheet later.

Would an ex-convict work?

I answered that on the first page. Yes, it would work.

Thinking of using my Laser Baron character from another RP, sans lasers and powered armor. He'd be an overly-theatrical German with an eye for valuable art and a grudge to bear against the Nazis.

That is, if this other RP doesn't take too much of my time.

edited 15th Jan '15 11:44:47 PM by StygianEmperor

I'll post a French linguist just as soon as I can think up a name pretentious enough for his personality.

• Name: William Myer
• Age and Gender: 40ish year old man (born 1899)
• Appearance: Short and stout, with greying blond hair and grey-blue eyes. He looks his age, though the lines on his face are mainly smile & laughter lines. He won't be running around in his offial get-up, instead something more durable: boots, jeans and a well-loved brown leather jacket.
• Personality: Will is a man of simple wants and needs. He is quietly faithful, and not one to shove it down other people's throats. He has developed a distaste for fighting, which pushes him to pity rather than anger. That said, he will be an unmoveable object if he has cause to be.
• Equipment: Will has the travel basics (as instructed by Brown), a swiss-army knife, Bible, necklace cross, travelling ministry kit. He did not pack a gun.
• Skills:
  • Scripture & Seminary Training - Will is an ordained priest and has studied the good book. Not just its words, but also the cultural and historical background.
  • People Skills - not manipulative, but over a decade as a pastor have given Will experience in dealing with people. In putting them at ease, mediating disagreements, etc.
  • Architecture/Construction - What started as training for the family business, became a hobby/academic interest.
  • Guns - Will knows his way around a gun. He's not super-skilled though.
  • Foreign Languages - fluent in German (learnt at his grandmother's knee), and literate in Latin, Greek and Hebrew (from seminary).
• Backstory:
  • Hailing from Allentown Pa, Will had a guaranteed career with his family's construction business. However when WWI happened and the US eventually entered the war, he volunteered to fight shortly after turning 18 (even before the draft began). He time on tour was pretty standard - long boring stretches interspersed with some action.
  • Will didn't have a near-death experience, or anything like a miracle, or even a moment of clarity looking at the injured and dead during the war. But when he returned home he put down his gun and entered a Lutheran seminary. He spent the couple of decades between the Wars as a pastor. Three different parishes, all in the north east.
  • When rumours of the Lance surfaced, it wasn't just the Vatican that started preparing. In America the disparate protestant churches (or at least a few of them) realised that they couldn't compete against the Holy See individually, so agreed to pool resources. Which resulted in them deciding to send a representative with Mississipi Brown's expedition.
  • Will got volunteered by his favourite teacher from seminary. After a little soul-searching, he agreed. After more jumping through hoops Will was accepted by the other churches. Both in terms of character and "worldly experience".

edited 16th Jan '15 4:13:35 AM by Luthen

@nman - How about Pierre Pierreson? That's the only French name I know.

@Luthen - William Myer looks good to go. Accepted. I'll add him to the active character list.

Good guess. Pierre is what I'm using as a first name.

What kind of technology do the Nazis have? Just what they had in reality, or do some of the crazier ideas◊ they tried actually work in this setting?

What they had in reality. You guys might stumble upon the odd project or two but it will be mainly confined to conventional weapons. This goes for all sides - not just the Nazis.

Does Brown teach any university classes?

No. Unlike Indy, Brown is not a university professor - he is a treasure hunter exclusively. However, he may have given a few lectures at colleges.

• Name: Hans Kaatz
• Age and Gender: A male of thirty years.
• Appearance: Hans is a tall, well built man with shoulder length brown hair that he usually ties into a pony tail. He boasts several tattoos on his torso and usually wears a pair of jeans, boots, a wife beater and a white button up shirt.
• Personality - Hans is cynical, sarcastic, and makes it incredibly clear that he's in it for the money, however, he also has an intense hatred of antisemitism, so if Nazis get involved, he has a tendency to focus more on antagonizing them, than on the actual mission. He also has a unique view on Magic. If it's not helping them, he will try to explain it away, and if it is helping them, he will believe in it with all of his heart.
• Equipment - One Bowie Knife, One M1911 pistol, one small crowbar, a pocketwatch owned by his father, a wallet.
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Hand to hand: Hans has extensive knowledge of hand to hand combat, and while it's mostly based on street fights he engaged in while growing up, he still is quite good at it.
  • Bilingula: Hans can speak fluent German, English, Hebrew and is currently working on learning Russian.
  • Religious Knowledge: Despite now considering himself an atheist, Hans has extensive knowledge of Jewish scripture.
  • Music: While he rarely does it, Hans is quite at singing Jazz and playing the piano.
  • Knowledge of films: Hans is a tv buff, and has a surprising amount of knowledge about film, particularly actors.
  • Intimidation, Street Smart, Strong,
  • Backstory - Hans grew up in Germany, as the son of a Jewish farmer, however, when he was fifteen, his family left Germany in the early nineteen thirties as Hitler grew to power. Moving instead to New York. Hans slowly fell into crime, slipping away from Judaism and dropping in and out of crime, before seeing an ad for Mississippi Brown, which allows for him to use his skills and not end up in jail. And not join the army.

edited 18th Jan '15 1:24:39 AM by TroyandHawk

• Name : Pierre Depardieu du Despereaux Laplace III
• Age and Gender : Male, late-thirties
• Appearance : Very French-looking. He has black hair, brown eyes, pale skin, and wears black pants, a black-and-white striped shirt, a red ascot, and a black beret.
• Personality : Pierre is French. And makes sure everyone knows it. While some doubt the inherent superiority of the French peoples, Pierre makes sure to impress upon them the importance of French culture and heritage. He's also incompetent at most things outside of being a Frenchman or linguist, and usually masks this fact by shouting in French.
• Equipment :
  • Modèle 1935 pistol
  • A backpack filled with rations (canned escargot, can opener, croissants, a few small baguettes, soft cheeses, and a few bottles of Perrier water). Also has a full carton of cigarettes, and a notebook with writing utensils.
    • $1000 bottle of wine
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Linguist: Pierre is an expert linguist, and considered a polyglot. He is fluent in all modern European languages; several dead or outdated ones including Old English, Old Gaelic, Classical Greek, Latin, and Egyptian; the five modern Semitic languages; and Persian, with a working understanding of old and new Iranian languages. He also is fluent in Esperanto, which he learned on a dare.
  • French: Pierre is no stranger to the French lifestyle, capable of smoking several packs of cigarettes and drinking a few bottles of wine during a day and still functioning.
• Backstory: The son of a relatively wealthy French family, Pierre discovered he had a gift for languages at an early age. Bored with the buffoons at the University of Paris's language departments, he seeks the challenge of translating obscure dialects - much like those found on carvings in old ruins. He has consulted with Brown a few times before, usually on fascinating and interesting work, and hopes that this quest for the Lance can break apart the drab translational slump he currently finds himself in.

So, this... lance.

This is the Holy Lance?

Also sometimes known as The Lance of Longinus?

Pierced the side of Christ?

He who holds it becomes invincible (reportedly)?

That the Nazis were rumoured to begin the war with? Yes, that was the implication I gathered.

@Nman and Troy - Both characters look good to go. Consider yourself accepted. I'll add you guys to the accepted character list. Also, nman, if your character's first line isn't "Sacre bleu!" - then I shall be quite upset .

@Dragon573 - Luthen is correct. This is the Lance we're trying to find. Although it is unknown if it actually has all the powers that the legends say it does.

It was gonna be "Mon Dieu!", but I'll make sure to keep you happy

It has been a few days. Here is my character sheet. It is still somewhat work in progress.

• Name: James Bell
• Age and gender: early twenties, male.
• Appeareance: Appearance◊. For traveling James is wearing a modest brown suit bought with some of his own saving as well as comfortable walking shoes.
• Personality: James is generally mellow and relaxed, but if he is pushed he will push back hard. While he is not all that political, James dislikes bullies and thus by extension the Nazis and their rhetoric.
• Equipment: A toolkit with a variety of repair and maintenance tools, a large wrench (in the toolkit), a boiler suit to protect his clothing when working as well as a few books including an English - Italian phrasebook.
• Skills and ablities:
  • Gearhead: Work in his father´s garage has led James to become capable of fixing near anything mechanical given the tools and the time. James also knows how to drive a car , although he lacks a driver´s license.
  • Bookworm: James has received only limited formal education, but has worked hard to broaden his understanding through books. Because of this, James has a surprisingly deep understanding of a variety of subjects, including English literature.
  • Scrapper: Growing up in Harlem has caused James to become adept at defending himself. He may not have much in the way of finesse, but he knows how to handle himself in a fight.
  • Foreign languages: Due to contact with Harlem´s Italian community, James has a functional understanding of Italian which he has worked to expand on through self-study. He also has a rough understanding of Yiddish, principally through contact with Shein.
• Backstory: James was born in Harlem to Edward and Agatha bell. He started helping in the family garage from young age, encouraged by James´ mother to study hard and sharpen his mind. He might have been content to become a mechanic if not for a chance meeting with David Shein, owner of a small but respected bookstore. This odd friendship was instrumental in imparting a love of books and learning into young James.

James ended up joining Brown´s expedition by chance. Shein is one of Brown´s contacts, occasionally helping Brown with locating and acquiring research material for his treasure hunts. When Brown started preparing for his expedition, he also contacted Shein. David gave Brown a glowing recommendation of James and his skills and also convinced skeptical James to apply for the expedition. James is primarily motivated to join the expedition because of Brown´s fame and the chance to gain sufficient funds to finance university studies.

edited 22nd Jan '15 12:29:37 PM by Brassmoon

Glad I didn't just go with the Chinese-American "in it for the money" character I'd dreamed up initially. I like the one I'm working on much better.

Short Version: Brazilian Catholic-Conspiracy Half-Pint Badass.

It's the time for stereotypes!

• Name: Mei Kang "Mouse"

• Age and Gender: 24, Female

• Appearance: Mei is an average heighted woman with a toned, slim body and a face with beatiful chinese features. Mei usually uses some makeup as well some red lipstick, and keeps her dark hair cut short in a bobcut. Mei usually dresses in western fashion, with modest brown long skirts and shirts, a longcoat, gloves and a bowl hat.

• Personality: Underneath a cover of demure and properness, Mei is a quickwitted, playful spirit who loves to mess with people. However, she does have her heart in her right places, and she can be trusted to do the right thing. While she's neutral towards Nazi Germans, she does loathe Japanese with passion.

• Equipment: Medic bag with surgeon tools, acupuncture needles and a couple of herbal remedies. Makeup tools and Hygiene supplies. A swiss knife. Other than that, she does not carry any kind of weapon whatsoever.

• Skills and Abilities:
  • Medicine: Mei is a competent field medic and surgeon.
  • Martial Arts: Learning from monks at a Shaolin temple, she is good enough to be able to wound, incapacitate and kill with her bare hands if need be.
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine: She knows her way around herbs, acupuncture and pressure points.
  • Acrobat: Even though she's not that young anymore, Mei is still capable of incredible balance and jumping feats, with great flexibility.
  • Pickpocket: Mei had a magical touch to extract things from others unnoticed. Nowaday she uses her magical hands for medical purposes, but she can still do it.
  • Languages: Mei is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

• Background: Mei was an orphan squatter in a certain remote location of China. She used pickpocketing and acrobatics to survive. One day, she pickpocketed Brown, and she was caught. Far from denouncing her, Brown saw a chance to put her skills in tomb exploration and trap avoiding. After helping brown recover a Chinese relic, Mei was imbued with a newfound thirst for knowledge and reformed from that point on, helping the local temple with chores. She eventually attended a medic school to use her hands to save lives, not steal money. Having heard of Brown's retirement, she went to lend a hand... possibly trying to elude marriage too. Although there is one remaining issue. Doc Brown still thinks Mouse was a boy.

edited 19th Jan '15 2:57:22 AM by AtomicNut

You have a World War II setting, and none of your characters are British. Clearly, this is a deficiency that must be rectified. Let me cook something up.

(Pre-emptive apologies to anyone who actually is British.)

EDIT: Submitted for consideration, but I hope it isn't too "overpowered" for the setting.

• Name: David Enderby Mosley ("Dave" to most)
• Age and Gender: A male in his early fifties.
• Appearance: English. Dark-haired, going grey. Dark eyes. Impressive moustache. Wrinkled face. Can usually be found wearing fairly normal trousers, shirts and jackets of various designs, but is never seen without his tweed cap. Smokes a pipe. Appears fairly harmless.
• Personality: Nothing fazes this man - David is unnaturally calm in the face of any kind of danger, citing the national "stiff upper lip" if anybody asks. About the only thing that'll really set him off is the Nazis. British fascists, in particular.
• Equipment:
  • Webley Service Revolver (and ammo): A memento from past services rendered to the Crown. Sentimental value.
  • Pipe and tobacco: Another memento. Also includes matches.
  • Mechanic's tool kit: No taxi driver should be caught dead without one. Contains some additional tools for more... unconventional purposes. Jury-rigging and hotwiring, if necessary.
  • Backpack with supplies: Mainly rations, basic toiletries (including a shaving kit with a straight razor), tea - obligatory - and a sketchbook.
• Skills and Abilities:
  • Old Army Contacts: Knew quite a few officers and enlisted men back from his days in the Army. Most are too busy fighting on various fronts of the current war, but with luck and enough to bargain with, Dave may be able to pull a few strings here and there.
  • Spatial Awareness: Almost never gets lost, and has a knack of finding the shortest route to a particular destination if he is at least vaguely familiar with the region. (Particularly helpful when passing The Knowledge - his familiarity with the streets of London is almost uncanny.)
  • Driving: Can drive / pilot anything with an engine, for a certain definition of "drive" if it's anything other than a taxi. Arrival in record time guaranteed, but not necessarily intact.
  • Military Training: Served as a scout and subsequent non-commissioned officer in the Second Boer War and the Great War. Is a little rusty.
  • Languages spoken: Mainly English, but also knows enough of French, German, Dutch, Afrikaans and various African dialects to get by.
• Background:
  • Dave initially served in the Second Boer War as a scout and was subsequently promoted to non-commissioned officer in the course of the war. He then served in World War I as a member of the British Expeditionary Force, but was invalided out after inhaling a debilitating dose of chlorine gas in the Second Battle of Ypres. He eventually recovered and took up a job as a London taxi driver, although he's been itching for a change of scenery recently.
  • Dave is an old acquaintance of Mississippi Brown and has been his regular go-to driver when on expeditions... although not without trepidation. Brown isn't sure which he finds more unnerving: the Englishman's driving, or the look of almost Zen-like calm on his face while in the driver's seat. (As a taxi driver, though, Dave's driving is impeccable.)
  • Enderby is Dave's middle name. Dave is actually a distant relative of Oswald Mosley and has always taken great pains to conceal it, especially in view of the current political climate. This expedition is particularly important for him, because he's trying to salvage a little of the family's reputation.

edited 23rd Jan '15 8:30:30 AM by Pyrite

@Brassmoon - James looks good to go, although I think it'd be easier if Shein just recommended James to Brown if that's alright with you. But if you really want, we could work something out about prior contact between the two. Also, keep in mind that Brown, though an Indiana Jones Expy, is not a professor. But, as of right now, accepted.

@Atomic Nut - Oh dear, stereotypes . As long as they're not too offensive, I think we should be fine. None of y'all's characters are, by the way, I just think that this needs pointed out, if only as an obvious reminder. I like Mouse's connections with Brown and, she too, is accepted.

@ Pyrite - First off, it's Mississippi Brown, not Mississippi Jones. We don't want to be sued now, do we ? Just kidding - simple mistake. David doesn't seem overpowered to me at all - accepted.

Also, I'm adding all of you to the active character list. Now that we have a good many players, I will create a discussion thread soon. Probably tomorrow.