[OOC] [Mage: the Awakening 2E] The Supernal Suburbia

[crapcarp]

I've added some more detail to Phoenix over in his introduction post.

crapcarp, sounds like Phoenix has a lot of motivation to join the Guardians. His background as a Hunter who took on Banishers and the like would give the Guardians' philosophy that magic needs to be managed a lot of credence.

I doubt it. Subtlety isn't really his thing, he'll be built as a combat-based character, and his main concept derives from being the hero that inspires than the hero that Gotham deserves. Sure, Gaurdians are a little closer than say Mysterium or Silver Ladder, but he belongs to the Arrow.

Taking a leaf from Beans, I'm gonna go for various ways others might meet and interact with him:

• Library: Due to his love of mythology, he's often in a library on his spare time, and of course in the mythology/beliefs/culture/occult section, making it a likely setting for meeting other mages.
• Hospital: Hunting the things that go bump in the night is a very treacherous lifestyle, so it's more than likely that he's sustained injuries that warranted a trip to the hospital.
• LGBT: He's the bacon part of that sandwich (for those who don't get the joke he's bisexual) and is open about it, going to bars and all.
• Dojo: He works at a local dojo teaching martial arts. Anyone learning or wanting to learn self-defense?

And now for a list of ties to each character applied so far:

• Sara: If it turns out she's bisexual, well then they've gotta a kinship. Can't be Bi yourself after all, gotta stick together.
• Vo: The LGBT thing is a little tenuous, considering that she's a lesbian. Although if he was in the neighborhood and heard some gossip of her divorce and homosexuality, then he'd probably offer some support.
• Moonstone: Hakim was assassinated? Perhaps Garrick had a part to play in that...
• Lynx: I'm sorry, I'm drawing a blank here.
• Micheal: Authors have to get their material somewhere, and good writers are also good readers. Phoenix appreciates a good story.
• Bardo: Pops and son, what more can I say, amiright? But seriously, terrible wounds from hunting dangerous creatures tends to warrant surgery.
• Phillip: Well, a cryptid is a valid target for Hunters.
• Ragnar: Besides the obvious LGBT thing, perhaps Ragnar went to the library for studies while Phoenix was there reading.

As for NPCs that are connected to Phoenix in some way (that are still alive, that is), I've got a few concepts going. One is a star pupil of his over at the dojo, another is one of the librarians since he frequents there, some others could be former-fellow Hunters, which would be quite interesting considering that he's a mage now, and he became one at the same time the rest of his cell died...

Nothing concrete at the moment, though.

[Haberdasher]

So that's now four, maybe five LGBT characters in this crop of apps. Yowza.

Trying to think of places or activitieswhere Ragnar would be hanging out.

• LGBT: Being relatively inexperienced, he's probably trying to stretch his legs and associate with more people like himself.
• University of Chicago: Being a graduate/doctoral student, Ragnar's spending a good bit of time on campus. He may very well have bumped into Phoenix in the university library or another library in town, and realized that they were both Awakened.
• Cultural events: Ragnar does have something of a musical background, and his interest in literature means that he could be found at everything from musical festivals to comic conventions.

He probably gets along with Michael since, as somebody who studies literature, he would naturally have an appreciation for a sci-fi author. One or both of them may also have a wild hair to see if somebody can slip Awakened philosophy into a story and get a result out of it.

[MagicSwordsman]

Character Sheet

Marlin Matheson, aka Binder

Virtue: Generous Vice: Unfocused Concept: Suburban family man

Path: Mastigos Order: Mysterium Legacy: None (yet?)

Attributes

Mental		Physical		Social
Intelligence	●●●●○	Strength	●●○○○	Presence	●○○○○
Wits	●●○○○	Dexterity	●●○○○	Manipulation	●●○○○
Resolve	●●●○○	Stamina	●●○○○	Composure	●●●●○

Skills

Mental		Physical		Social
Academics (Literature)	●●●○○	Athletics	●○○○○	Animal Ken	●○○○○
Computer	●○○○○	Brawl	○○○○○	Empathy	●○○○○
Crafts (Carpentry)	●○○○○	Drive	○○○○○	Expression	○○○○○
Investigation*	●●○○○	Firearms	○○○○○	Intimidation	○○○○○
Medicine	●○○○○	Larceny	○○○○○	Persuasion (Children)	●●○○○
Occult*	●●○○○	Stealth	●○○○○	Socialize	●●○○○
Politics	●○○○○	Survival*	●○○○○	Streetwise	○○○○○
Science	●○○○○	Weaponry	●○○○○	Subterfuge	●○○○○

Arcana

Death	○○○○○	Fate	○○○○○	Forces	○○○○○	Life	○○○○○	Matter	○○○○○
Mind	●●●○○	Prime	○○○○○	Space	●●○○○	Spirit	●○○○○	Time	○○○○○

Advantages

Gnosis: 1 Wisdom: 7	Ritual Interval: 3 hours Yantras: 2	Mana: 10 Max, 1/turn Obsessions: 1
Health: 7 Willpower: 7	Speed: 9 Initiative: +6	Defense: 3 (+2/3) Armor: 0

Merits Resources 3 Shadow Name 1 Library (Occult) 1 Library (Academics) 1 Safe Place 1 Sanctum 1 True Friend 3 (Daisy)

Praxes Read the Depths (Mind 3) Rotes Enhance Skill (3 Reach, Academics 3) Scrying (4 Reach, Occult 3) Exorcist's Eye (5 Reach, Occult 3)

Attainments Counterspell (Space, Mind, Spirit) Mind's Eye Sympathetic Range Mage Armor (Space, Mind) Targeted Summoning (Mind)

Nimbus

Long-Term - Sudden occult obsessions and dramatic revelation, being lost, places turning in on themselves

Immediate - A dark fog with red eyes peering out; causes a feeling of dread.

Signature - A smoky residue and a feeling like melted wax

Tilt - Composure -1

Aspirations

• Be inducted into an order.
• Encounter a Goetia
• Long term: Keep magic a secret from his family.
• Obsession: Find a cure for the Sleeping Curse.

Equipment

• Brass Knife (0L, -1 Init, Size 1; Dedicated Tool, -2 Paradox)
• Smartphone (+2, Dur 2, Size 1, Struct 1, Avail 3)

Details

General
Age/Birthday: 34
Gender: Male
Height: ?
Build: Average
Occupation: Bookstore Owner/Inheritor
Ethnicity: White
Nationality: American
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Sexuality: Heterosexual

Background

1. Character concept/archetype: Small bookstore owner with the perfect suburban life.

Success is funny. It can build up in a family line, creating conditions that make success more and more likely. Building up a wealth that doesn’t provide excess so much as it allows freedom from financial woes. But that kind of comfort can inhibit success, too. When Marlin followed his brother and sister into college, he didn’t come out a doctor or a lawyer (like they did, respectively), he barely scraped through. Not because he got bad grades, or didn’t take enough classes, but because swapping majors 5 times in 3 years isn’t exactly an optimal path. Marlin was simply interested in everything. Eventually his counselor got him to stick to his half-finished lit degree, just so he would graduate with something.

Not that a degree really mattered to Marlin. He knew that with careful management, the family trust would put him through life at an acceptable level of comfort. No, what he got out of college was Daisy. They married shortly after graduation, then he got a job as a paper pusher to put her through library school. She got a real job (at the Chicago Public) and he dropped his. He opened a small bookstore for something to do. They moved to the suburbs and had a son.

2. Awakening:

For the past couple years, Marlin gradually became interested in the occult. At first as a curiosity, then as an affectation. He kept occult books in a back room, locked it up, and told spooky stories to customers. His growing fascination with the culture surrounding magic only grew as he attracted more of that type to the store, though he certainly didn’t believe. He conceived of performing a ritual of sorts, inviting select customers, making an event of it. “It’s like performance art,” he said to himself. He didn’t tell Daisy; she wasn’t interested in or as comfortable with this stuff.

Marlin prepared for a trial run. He didn’t want to disappoint anyone when performing the ritual for real. He got the silver candlesticks, the ritual robes, drew a pentagram on the floor of the store’s upstairs room. He read from the book, performed the ritual gestures, and enjoyed himself immensely. Until the demon appeared.

The room filled with dark fog. Red eyes peered out from the shadows. Marlin dropped the book, staggered back.

“You dare disturb me, mortal?” Its voice was hostile and corrosive. “You meddle with things you do not understand! I should destroy you for your offensive ignorance!”

Marlin swallowed, reeling with fear and revelation. “I-I-“

The demon sneered, and Marlin felt clawed hands grasp at his limbs.

“I-If my ignorance is so offensive, then teach me! Help me to understand!”

The demon roared with gales of laughter. “With pleasure!” The fog retreated into the summoning circle, and pulled Marlin with.

In the Iron Gauntlet, Marlin was forced to confront his flaws. His complacency, his lack of direction, and despite all his knowledge, his lack of understanding. Despite that, when all was done, he mounted the stairs of the Watchtower and signed his name. When he awoke, the candles were out. And the book was gone.

Since then, Marlin has been struggling to balance the family man with the warlock. He uses Mind magic to stay awake and sneak out at night, and has been leaving the shop closed more days. Despite his efforts, Daisy has noticed him growing distant. He’s terrified that one day he might decide that using magic on the people he’s closest to is acceptable.

(Notes: The son’s name is Forest, and he’s 7. The store is called Marlin’s Books and the logo is of a swordfish. Marlin’s shadow name is Binder. It’s up to the ST as to whether he actually got his hands on a magic book that let him summon a Wraith or if it was just a figment of his Awakening!)

Spellcasting template
Casting Spell Name (Arcana X)
X Reach free: Spending X on ...
Spending Mana
Containing/Releasing (paradox) vs (wisdom)

Yantras: (Yantra) X, ...
Factors: Potency X, Duration X, ... (focus on important ones)
Spellcasting roll: (spellcasting)


Trait X + Trait X + X (modifier) = (dice) -> (success, link)

Status

Health: LOOOOOO
Willpower: 3/7
Mana: 9/10
Conditions: [Shaken (Arcane)]
Tilts: None

Experience Log

Beats: 1/5
Experiences (Unspent/Total): 0/1
Arcane Beats: 2/5
Arcane Experiences (Unspent/Total): 1/1

Dots Purchased - XP Cost

• Sanctum 1 - 1

[rwknoll]

Here are some thoughts I received via PM from the player of Lynx, who is still waiting on forum activation.

These are just preliminary thoughts. Also, there's definitely going to be a LGBT theme in this campaign, I can feel that...

LGBT: Oscar is bisexual. He never really thought about his sexuality, but he's a curious fella. Not much for the partying scene, though, maybe bear scene? He isn't reserved. Might end up promiscuous (though let's not get too detailed about that). Considering the potential cast, it's a natural fit. That, and Thyrsus. Primal. Passionate. Yeah... Of course, the LGBT is the easy way.

RAGNAR: LGBT, as mentioned above. The Literature bit could also work, as Oscar does like books.

MOONSTONE: Again, LGBT.

DR. ASPHODEL / Vo: Student / college / university scene, perhaps? I don't know if Oscar attends the University of Chicago, but there's always the LGBT angle...

LITERATURE: Oscar likes (or liked, rather) to read in his youth – his passion faded away after the forest incident, but after having Awakened, he spends about an hour every evening catching up on fiction and fantasy (after he's half-arsed his way through studies, of course).

Michael Korn: Best-selling sci-fi/fantasy author, you say? I think fanboyish glee might be the immediate reaction if Oscar recognises Michael, being a fan of his books. They might also live in the same neighbourhood, which would certainly help.

PHOENIX: Martial Arts is the easy link. Oscar always wanted to learn martial arts during his time, but his town had a distinct lack of practitioners and teachers. There's also the shared love of literature. Bunch of potential links here. (Also, fun fact, I ran a campaign once where I had an Obrimos named Phoenix who was a Tamer of Fire. That campaign was... special.)

BARDO: Oscar is a life mage, but he'd still respect a doctor's opinion, so there's a possibility there.

I think he's conflicted about the whole necromancer aspect. He already knows the dead hold no spirits (though he doesn't really know about ghosts...) so to him, death is a part of nature - on the other hand, one shouldn't really cheat death, you know? He can't really explain it. Depends if he'd be the right doctor for it, really.

SPIDER / Sara: This one stumps me a bit. I don't think Oscar would dislike her, but I don't know how they'd have met. Maybe through college? Or maybe they've chatted online or frequented the same forums in the last two years?

Philip Pittman: Mysterium acolytes together, I guess?

I'm definitely noticing that in the last few days, more and more players are adding or updating character backgrounds to make themselves part of the LGBT community. I am in full support of the LGBT community and view myself as an ally for people who identify as LGBT. I also want to be clear that you don't need to make your character gay/bisexual, etc. to fit in with the other characters. I want to ask...are people feeling pressured to add this to increase their chances of being picked? Or did recent conversation or other players' ideas pique your interest in exploring this with your character?

This is a conversation we can discuss more at length once characters are selected.

Also, to clarify: I would like you to have ties to at least one other PC. You don't have to be related to all of them. My hope is that the process of these mages coming together and forming a cabal will be more natural if the characters have ties, even loose ties, to each other prior to their Awakening.

[Haberdasher]

I'm definitely noticing that in the last few days, more and more players are adding or updating character backgrounds to make themselves part of the LGBT community. I am in full support of the LGBT community and view myself as an ally for people who identify as LGBT. I also want to be clear that you don't need to make your character gay/bisexual, etc. to fit in with the other characters. I want to ask...are people feeling pressured to add this to increase their chances of being picked? Or did recent conversation or other players' ideas pique your interest in exploring this with your character?

I know that wasn't my intention. I didn't take a look at anybody else's submissions because I didn't want to be influenced by them. I normally give my characters an aspect of myself, because I've found that it helps me get invested in them- I've tried creating characters who shared nothing in common with myself, and I had trouble getting in the mindset of the character. Since I've never previously played a character who shared my sexuality, I figure "why not". It was only after I submitted Ragnar's concept that I noticed that both Vo and Moonstone were LGBT as well.

An all-LGBT cabal could make for an interesting Chronicle, but I would welcome straight characters just as much.

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

Effin' finally. Account verified at last. Oscar "Lynx" Valewood here. Thanks to rwknoll for relaying my character concept and potential character links.

[rwknoll]

Effin' finally. Account verified at last. Oscar "Lynx" Valewood here. Thanks to rwknoll for relaying my character concept and potential character links.

Yesss. Finally! So glad everything worked out.

When you have the chance, please create your own submission post so I can perma-link it to the thread's OP. That way you can make any changes, etc. and I'll be able to find it more easily.

[Retias]

I would say I don't feel pressured or anything, but I also noticed the theme of so many LGBT characters and I do think it had an impact on my decision to make Sara bisexual. I'm equally content for her to be heterosexual or another sexuality, but none of those options bother me at all.

[rwknoll]

Haberdasher Retias Glad to hear your input on this topic. As long as you're happy with it and don't feel pressured, I think it's great. It's about consent for me. I just want to make sure everyone feels they can design and play their character in the way that they prefer, within the rules and guidelines we agree upon as a group.

[ChaosArchon]

Finally can post!

Anyway here's my character's Acanthus Awakening, crunch to come soon(TM):

For the past twenty one years, James' life had been mundane to say the least. Wake up, go to school, come home, sleep. Wake up, go to school, come home, sleep. The same song every single day, with only slight variations in the tune. Once he got a job he thought he would finally get out of this rut but life was not to be so. It then became wake up, go to work, come home, sleep. The lyrics changed but the song remained the same.

But even rivers eventually are redirected by an impediment and thus change their millennia long course. So too was it for James and his lifelong rut on one fateful day when the boss brought in a new painting for his office. It was an ugly painting all things considered, and he couldn't have spent more than half a grand on it but nevertheless it was the talk of the office for a week. But one by one James' coworkers lost interest and went back to their daily grind. But James couldn't get the painting out of his head, not matter how best he tried. He lay awake at night thinking of its rough contours, its pale hue, and its damnable blue eyes.

Just by its appearance had James' song been altered, now it was go to work, watch the painting, come home and repeat. Over the coming weeks he became gradually more haggard and only for a few minutes would he allow himself sleep. Even in his dreams had been infected by the painting, as he drifted through short slivers of sleep he was enveloped by the painting. Its silver-painted frame glistened in the void of his slumber and sung to him. It promised him all would be right, if only he would free it from his philistine boss.

Eventually even his coworkers noticed his quickly slipping sanity, his tirelessness showing in every facet of his life, and began to drift away from him. But he didn't care, no soon he would have the painting. Yes he had come to that conclusion last night amid a short and restless slumber. Tonight, he would be the last to leave and when all others were gone he would free the painting. Time crawled and James could feel everyones eyes on him. They knew, they all knew! If only the clock were to go more quickly, then he could just free the painting and run away from this grey rut.

Finally the hour had come and James was the last person in the office. He slowly moved towards his boss' office, the clicks of his shoes against the concrete continually echoed through the building filling him with heart-stopping fear. He would be found, of course he would, but it didn't matter now. All that mattered was the painting, he needed it, he must have it in his hands. And so he trudged forward, heedless of the sound of his feet slamming into the concrete floor.

As he creeped into his boss' office, his heart was filled with joy. There it was, with the moonlight softly falling upon it and illuminating its pale blue eyes. His hands hovered over the painting for a moment, almost worshiping its grotesque form but a moment was all that remained between him and his prize. In an instant he finally held it and swiftly retreated to adorn his meager abode with his prize. That night was pure bliss and such a high unknown to even the most prolific of junkies.

But like all highs, so too comes the following low. The next day his boss was furious, demanding however stole his painting return it immediately or they would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. One by one his coworkers were interrogated, and with each name called, James' heart beat a furious drum solo. By some stroke of luck, the day ended before his name could be called. In a frantic flight, James returned to his home. He stared at the painting with hate in his eyes. It was all its fault his life was ruined, it had done this to him. James vision filled with red and when it cleared, he saw the painting in shambles. Its silver limbs splayed across his apartment while its soft hide was ripped into a billion pieces. Yet still its eyes gazed as him, imploring his mind to continue to look upon it in its malefic glory. James broke down and when he woke, the sun had rose and his cheeks stained by tears.

As he strode to work, he felt as if he were a prisoner on Death Row coming to meet his chair. Today would be the end of him, he knew it. As he reached work, he tried to fall back into his rut but found he could not, his mind still filled with visions of the painting and its army of ugly blue eyes. Eventually his name was called and he felt his blood turn cold. Slowly he began the walk to his doom, his steps mirroring those he made on that fateful night.

As he passed the boundary into his boss' office though, he found that was not where he was. Instead he found himself in a eerie world, silent and yet deafening in equal measure. Movement moved like quicksilver but also left afterimages of the movement, time struggling to keep up with sight. He found himself of a glass road fenced in by a hedge of thorn made of silver. Seeing a large figure in the distance, he knew his destination and began moving forward along the path. Gradually more colors joined the the silver fence, blue and white joined in equal measure with black began to paint the barrier and as he got closer to his destination he saw wood join the metallic hedge.

At last he reached his destination, a towering figure whose wicked eyes had haunted him for far too long. He became enraged at its sight and, looking to strike it once again, found a glass dagger with which to stab at it. He carved into the tower his name, announcing he finally rejected the painting. It no longer held sway over him, nor would a rut ever again confine him to such a sorry fate. This he swore with his name, this and more. Upon leaving that strange place, he clothed himself in the name Zosimus, for he found its tune flowed more sweetly and true.

EDIT: Can someone tell me how to insert a custom image for my avatar?

[Caladriu]

rwknoll I know you said overlap isn't an issue, but since we've got like 4 acanthus and 0 mastigos, I could rework Moonstone as mastigos. That path would really suit him and the trigger for his Awakening just as well, and I was planning to get Mind anyway.

[rwknoll]

Given the high volume of submissions I've received, I'm going to call it and say that I will not be accepting any new submissions at this time.

I will plan to review the list further and post here with an update tomorrow at the latest with my final thoughts and decision about the characters. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to create thoughtful, fleshed-out characters. I hope you enjoyed the process and will forgive me for asking you to do this if I don't end up picking your character. I have some hard decisions to make because of the overall quality of these posts!

ChaosArchon - Go to your user profile on a PC, hover your mouse over the user avatar, and click "Edit Avatar." Not sure how to do it on mobile.

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

Lynx Character Sheet

Shadow Name: Lynx	Player: Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon	Concept: Animist & Foreign Exchange Student	Path: Thyrsus
Alternate Name: n/a	Chronicle: Supernal Suburbia	Virtue: Passionate	Order: <Mysterium>
Sympathetic Name: Oscar Valewood (Dalberg Anglicised)	Cabal: [insert cabal]	Vice: Gluttonous	Legacy:

ATTRIBUTES
Mental		Physical		Social
Intelligence	●●○○○	Strength	●●●○○	Presence	●●●○○
Wits	●●●○○	Dexterity	●●○○○	Manipulation	●○○○○
Resolve	●●○○○	Stamina	●●●○○	Composure	●●●○○
SKILLS
Mental		Physical		Social
Academics	●●○○○	Athletics	●●○○○	Animal Ken	●●○○○
Computer	●○○○○	Brawl	○○○○○	Empathy	●●●○○ (Motives)
Crafts	●○○○○	Drive	○○○○○	Expression	○○○○○
Investigation<*>	●○○○○ (Body Language)	Firearms	○○○○○	Intimidation<*>	○○○○○
Medicine	●●○○○	Larceny	○○○○○	Persuasion	●○○○○
Occult<*>	<●>○○○○	Stealth	○○○○○	Socialize	●○○○○
Politics	●●○○○	Survival<*>	●●○○○	Streetwise	○○○○○
Science	●●○○○	Weaponry	○○○○○	Subterfuge	○○○○○

ARCANA		ADVANTAGES
Death	○○○○○	Health: 8
Fate	●○○○○	Willpower: 5
Forces	○○○○○	Defense: 4 (7)
Life	●●●○○	Initiative: 5
Matter	○○○○○	Speed: 10
Mind	○○○○○	Size: 5
Prime	○○○○○	Gnosis: 1
Spirit	●●○○○	Max Mana/Per Turn: 10/1
Space	○○○○○	Ritual Time: 3 hours
Time	○○○○○	Obsessions: 1

Merits

• Hardy ●○○
• Iron Stamina ●●○
• Inspiring ●●●
• Resources ●●●○○
• Striking Looks ●○
• High Speech ●
• <Order Status (Mysterium) ●○○○○>

Praxes

• Coaxing the Spirits (Spirit ●)

Attainments

• Improved Pattern Restoration (Life ●●)
• Spirit Eyes (Spirit ●●)

Rotes

• <Serendipity (Fate ●, Survival)>
• <Body Control (Life ●●, Survival)>
• <Transform Life (Life ●●●, Survival)>

Nimbus

Long-Term - Those around Lynx grow more passionate and intense as time passes by, and they devote more time and compassion to newfound interests.

Immediate - Totemic aspects of Lynx's magic manifest on or around him and envelop the area, e.g., his shadow appears a bear, or he looks an appropriate anthropomorphic animal; a person's nature or personality manifests as an appropriate odour, e.g., someone deceitful smells foul, somebody tranquil smells like still water.

Known totems - Bear for healing.


Signature - Remnants of fur and/or his distinct Supernal odour.

Tilt – His empowered primal charisma splashes onto those nearby, resulting in a +1 bonus on Presence rolls.

Aspirations

• Get to know a Thyrsus. (short)
• Join an Order. (short)
• Get to know a werewolf. (long)

Obsessions

• Look for the Great Lynx from his Awakening.

Equipment

• First-Aid Kit (Bonus +1, Durability 1, Size 2, Structure 3, Availability 2)
• Personal Computer (Bonus +2, Durability 2, Size 3, Structure 2, Availability 2)
• Smartphone (Bonus +1, Durability 2, Size 1, Structure 1, Availability 2)

Yantras & Tools

• <Leatherbound Book (Order Tool)>:
• Copper Cup (Path Tool): Healing spells, sharing spells.
• Silver Lynx Pendant (Dedicated): Dedicated tool only. Maybe cleansing.

Details

General
Age/Birthday: 21; 05/05/95
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 9"
Build: Bear-ish
Occupation: Student
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Nationality: Norwegian
Hair Colour: Dark, cropped
Eye Colour: Blue-grey
Beard: Scruffy
Sexuality: Bisexual

Picture. (He looks something like this, at least. Closest thing I could find.)

Background

Childhood & Adolescence - Oscar was born in Norway, Europe. His father was a marine biologist, his mother a lawyer. His upbringing was simple enough. His parents were engrossed in their careers, so he was often left to his own devices; as a child, this involved after-school activities, television shows, books and video games, the earlier years spent with a baby sitter; as an adolescent, it involved staunch rebellion, and the lack of attention had him run away from home at the age of 17.

By ran away, of course, we mean he ran to the nearest forest of considerable size and got lost.

He wandered between trees and up hills, and eventually found himself atop the regional mountain range. At first, he thought nothing of it. Woods and lakes joined with foliage, moss lingered where the shade lay. It was when the mist settled that he felt it – the jolt of fear. The wild had its aural environment, of course, but in the mist, it grew more prominent. He started seeing shadows skulking about, felt eyes on him where there were none. Yet the fear was not unwanted – it was an exhilaration. As the tension rose, he saw the greatest shadow yet before him, its eyes set on him like predator hunting prey. In spite of the thrill, Oscar ran away then – his metaphorical tail between his legs.

He returned home the next morning. His parents chalked his absence to “just teenage things.”

The event had Oscar filled with longing, an ache he couldn't quite put his finger on. It felt like a second world existed, somewhere just out of sight. His parents and peers dismissed his thoughts and ideas whenever he brought this up, and with that, he found only solace in solitude.


Awakening - His Mystery Play had begun in the forest, but it was slow and subtle. The Supernal had trickled into his life, little by little, strengthening his sense to the “second world”, but as the repeated dismissal of his experiences by those he deemed closest to him, the trickle slowed down to a halt. At last, he felt empty.
It was merely the interlude to the events of his 22st year.

By the time Oscar was 21, his daily life was not particularly productive. Sure, he stayed in shape with frequent trips up the mountains in hopes of recapturing that feeling; he practised a little bit of art and drawing to try to remember what he had seen and felt.. He held a couple of part-time jobs, though he half-arsed his way through those without exceptional results. His academic ambitions weren't anything to brag about either. He tried to maintain some spiritualistic aspect in his life – but the emptiness had crawled into the entirety of his being. Nothing he did mattered.

One day, though, he woke up, having had a dream that he couldn't truly explain – a dream so familiar it stirred a sense of wanderlust. During one of the rare moments his family was all gathered for breakfast, he mentioned he'd like to study abroad. Though surprised, both parents were in favour, offering to pay his tuition and rent – on the condition that he later produce results. They stated the experience would serve him well. He applied to a variety of schools all around the states, landing a college close to La Grange.

The dam that kept the Supernal truth at bay burst when he landed on US soil. What would've been a simple bus trip from the airport to his apartment in La Grange became a dangerous trek through the Primal Wild. It was an encore of the fear and longing that had overwhelmed him four years ago, only this time he did not freeze when the mist washed over him, nor did he flee when he came face to face with the large and advancing shadow. When they stood face to face, he saw the shadow for what it was: the great Lynx. Without thinking Oscar embraced it as an old friend that he had known for his entire life. He embraced the Wild. He became the Lynx. The Lynx became him. At last, he was Truth. At last, he truly felt alive.

Awakened - [insert history since Awakening]

Personality and Daily Life
Though Lynx often puts on the smile – and usually he means it – he is ruled by emotion and instinct. He can be calm and (rarely) prudent, but he prefers to let loose whenever possible. He'll exclaim excitement if the situation calls for it, he'll laugh without abandon, and he doesn't care about modesty when it comes to the human body. He doesn't hide himself, and he doesn't like lying either – whatever his mood, he is easy to read.

He isn't confrontational by nature, but he is quick to judge – he measures people by how they treat their tools, their pets, their equals and lessers, and the world around them. Regardless of how he judges others, his opinion is rarely set in stone. Dislike is met with avoidance – why deal with something if you don't like it?

Lynx struggles to express himself. To him, the truth's with his gut feeling – and he can rarely justify it further than that. Then again, he was never great at analysis.

Having a lawyer and marine biologist as parents has left Lynx with an understanding of multiple topics. Many of his hobbies – none of them truly enjoyed during his darker days – are emerging again. He reads – mostly fiction – and doodles; he'll wander around the suburbs and hike through whatever woods can be found. He can find enjoyment laying spread eagle on grass, staring at the sky. The local communities have him fascinated, and he'll mingle every now and again. He visits the zoo at least once a week. H usually studies with his study group, though sometimes he prefers to do it alone, usually at the library.

Other notes

His relationship to his parents is strained. They focused more on furthering their own careers, rather than family life. They weren't really there for him - sure, they had vacations and the occasional family outing, fancy dinner at restaurant, and he does love them, but there's a definite distance between them. In many ways, Oscar fears he was a mistake in their carefully planned life, and sometimes it seems like they would love nothing more than to tell him that. They do care, though, as they had no hesitation to let him study abroad while paying for his tuition and rent. He might have a sibling or two. Currently undecided.

Character links (still WIP)

• LGBT: Oscar is bisexual. He never really thought about his sexuality, but he's a curious fella. He's also a bona fide virgin. Not much for the partying scene, though, maybe bear scene? He isn't reserved, but he probably will wait for the right person for his first go. Might end up promiscuous (though let's not get too detailed about that). Considering the potential cast, it's a natural fit. That, and Thyrsus. Primal. Passionate. Yeah... LGBT is an easy link.
• LITERATURE: Oscar likes (or liked, rather) to read in his youth – his passion faded away after the forest incident. After having Awakened, though, he now spends about an hour every evening catching up on fiction and fantasy (after he's half-arsed his way through studies, of course). It wouldn't be out of place for him to spend some time at the library either.
• WILDLIFE: Zoos. Parks. Forests. He's a Thyrsus. When he isn't studying or reading, he's exploring. He'll wander neighbourhoods, he'll check out streets and bars, shops and what have you, but most of all, he'll check out places where animals frequent. Bonding with somebody who'll do a morning jog through some forest trails or the park is a possibility.

Individual characters:

• RAGNAR: I believe we agreed on University as the primary link. LGBT study group, and Ragnar is the TA to Vo's FYS class. Probably the closest bond. Lynx might be studying Comparative Literature, strengthening that bond even further. All subject to Ragnar/Haberdasher's approval, obviously.
• MOONSTONE: There's no predetermined link. If they met, LGBT scene? I can't think of anything else.
• DR. ASPHODEL / Vo: Participant in her FYS class. At U of Chicago.
• PHOENIX: No predetermined link yet. Dojo, library, LGBT scene, Binder's bookstore...
• BINDER / Marlin: As MagicSwordsman suggested, Lynx probably has visited his bookstore, or they've met at the library.

Status

Health: 00000000
Willpower: 4/5
Mana: 6/10
Wisdom: 7

Experience Log

Beats: 2/5
Arcane Beats: 2/5
Experience (Unspent/Total): 0/0
Arcane Experience (Unspent/Total): 0/0
Dots Purchased - XP Cost

• [insert dots purchased]

[Kvitebjørn Kong Valemon]

rwknoll I know you said overlap isn't an issue, but since we've got like 4 acanthus and 0 mastigos, I could rework Moonstone as mastigos. That path would really suit him and the trigger for his Awakening just as well, and I was planning to get Mind anyway.

When I read through his Awakening, I was sure he'd end up as a Mastigos myself. It would be a good fit, I agree.

[ChaosArchon]

So rwknoll if this seems familiar, it's b/c im c+p this from GitP so others can see it :P

So my only making an Awakening is actually kind of a thematic choice. To James, the before doesn't matter as much. He doesn't hold any ties to his former life, why should it when it was a rut which tied him down to one destiny. His Awakening is, ultimately him saying that he was the master of his own ship, captain of his own soul.

That being said I can create a backstory if you want.

As for what happened post Awakening, another twist of fate this one a deliberate action on Zosimus' part. Just as he walked into his boss' office, wouldn't you know it, but the artist of the painting herself came to the office. She apparently had received the wrong address for an appointment. His boss, actually a genuine fan of art, recognized her and Zosimus was quickly dismissed. Does that sound contrived? It should, Fate is fun that way :P

Anyway a week later, once the hunt for the painting had died down, James Wells his job. Now Zosimus makes a living day trading, using his Awakened gifts for sustinace. After all, a starving Mage is no help to anyone. He tried to obscure his talents, occasionally buying a stock which would lose him money and he ensures he never makes too much, but eventually he was discovered none the less. Approached by a masked man, the figure offered him a job. The masked man was growing old and wanted to train an apprentice. And so it was that Zosimus joined the Guardians of the Veil, on the path to become an Interfector, after all who better to investigate the past than a man who had rejected his own.

As for ways for other characters to meet him, I'll take a leaf out of Beans book and say,

Local Consilium: As his mentor is an Interfector, Zosimus spends alot of time in Consilia chambers and meetings learning after his mentor. Furthermore given how Interfectors cover a broader area generally a whole Cacus or Convocation, it explains why Zosimus is in Chicago now rather than Detriot (I figure they are close enough that being in the same GotV Cacus is feasible)

Library: While he has access to his mentors collection of tomes, their variety is..
Limited. Thus Zosimus regularly visits the local libraries to brush up on ancient mythic symbolism as well as occult traditions.

Starbucks: Starts every day off with it, even months after his Awakening, its affect on his sleep patterns is still felt and some days the caffine is the only thing keeping him standing.

As for characters who Zosimus would know, I think its possible he knew our former Hunter friend. Perhaps his mentor had been training him by keeping tabs on him to make sure he didn't become a Banisher? Once he finally accepted magic, Zosimus revealed himself and the two became fast friends?

Preferred Game Style: I would love a mix of intrigue, mystery, and occasional combat. My ideal chronicle would basically be a Dresden Files novel, I love the series and it just screams Mage to me

EDIT: As for the LGBT trend, I love it! Zosimus is still in the process of discovering himself but I can definitely see him appreciating the beauty of both sides of the coin