So this is how an empire falls?

When the China Man first showed up the families were worried the Triads were showing a renewed interest in the area, but when a quick investigation showed he was a rogue element everyone drew a breath of relief. The fact that an independent managed to assemble a significant power base in so little time flew completely over their heads. That I was the only one to see this and prepare accordingly might be the reason how I managed to hold out for so long.

I had a few of of the boys pick up a follower of his, and follower is the only way I can describe the filthy creatures, their loyalty surpassed the fanatic, even after days of torture all we got out of him is how “The yellow men will make us see the truth!” Must be something in the product he is pushing. People who try it suddenly want nothing else and will do anything to get it. No attempts at replicating it were successful. Haven't seen anything like it since that time with those Muslims gangs in Philly.

>>17623225
As they started to lose clients the cartels tried to cut off his suppliers, but when none were found they were forced to engage directly. As for who won? Let's just say that a horde of devoted followers beats cheep hired muscle. This brings us to the here and now. Me sitting in the back of a cheap beat up van on the way to see the yellow man himself. I don't expect to return alive.

---

A warehouse, cute. At least I'll die dry, if it were the waterfront I'd...huh.

This looks awfully nice for the inside of a warehouse; marble pillars, paper lanterns, fancy recliners, hell they turned this into an old time high class opium den and judging from the state the patrons are in it's just as decadent. This is not the place you take someone to kill them. I might get out of this yet.

>>17623242
They lead me into the basement. Seems like the structure above was built on top of some old mine or something. Whatever the original purpose was, the tunnels are now filled with vats of some greenish brown liquid, people in rudimentary protective gear steering the concoction, as foul fumes fill the air. Huh, he must be very confident to produce in house.

Standing in the middle of it all is the China Man, dressed in an expensive Italian suit and what appeared to be an ivory mask below his slanted eyes, presumably to protect him from the fumes.

“Why am I still alive?” I finally have the balls to ask.

“Why?' The curiously unmuffled voice asks. “Why Marcus. You are a resource, it would be a shame to just waste you. I want you to be part of this.” he says gesturing to our surroundings. “Come, let me show you.” As hope surges and I think of ways that I might cut my losses working for him, he leads me to the back of a tunnel.

>>17623254
Then I see them.

Giovanni, Hernandez, Romanov and all the other bosses, sitting there; rubber hoses leading out of roughly drilled holes in their hairless heads, that left raw bone and cerebral matter exposed to the elements. Clear gelatinous liquid dripping from them into a what looks like an ancient jar covered in a script I can’t recognize. The men themselves catatonic, their empty gazes lost in dark horizons, just sitting there with nothing to restrain them apparently sapped of all will and human emotion.

“NO!” I shout trying to run for the exit, but it's too late. As I'm being wrestled into an empty seat next to old friends and enemies, the China Man continues to speak:“I didn't lie Marcus. You, your very essence will be part of the final product. The humors produced by the human pineal gland are a potent substance that with the right preparation is capable of opening the mind to wonderful and terrifying new vistas of reality. But it's so hard to find healthy sources of it that won't be missed.”

As he speaks his servants shave my head with an old straight razor and bring in an antique pedal powered drill. The last thing I see before pain overtakes me is the China Man's ivory mask, fused to the very flesh of his face.

Any ideas, critiques, writings or art anyone would like to share with us is of course welcome.

An issue I've run into is Maximum Age, most mythos critters are described as immortal and living for thousands if not millions of years, as is we have seriously bumped up the maximum age and with the ability to hibernate tried to get the right feel, but at what point would you say that too much is too much and just to stop bothering?

>>17623137
>>17623137
This sounds great actually, I've read some fansplats and I've seen the good (genius the transgression) and the absoloute worst (Dragon the embers)

This looks great

>>17623760
>This looks great
Tnx
Noticed something in the other fansplats that that you think is best avoided?

Thoughts of an Outsider about other splats

Blood Drinkers
“They spend their time scheming in their little ivory towers, thinking their limited city states matter in the grand plan of the universe. Frankly, I think Pharaoh or the Goat took a Jenkin and combined it with a corpse just to see what would happen.” -The Mentor

Wolf Men
“They are cough up in some kind of religious civil war over some Elder God or other that created them. This is the problem with knowable gods, they are always around to make you do stupid shit.” -The Mentor


Also the pic is a nice example of a Werewolf affected by [Additional Arm] and [Crumbling Skin] mutations.

Wizards
“Who boy! This bunch is territorial and claim the whole of existence as their domain no mater which side of the Abyss you find yourself on. They are capable of any trick we are and do it easier since this is their turf. My advice? If you anger one of them just go to ground for a century or two. I guarantee they will have blown themselves up by then.” - The Mentor

The Reanimated
“I remember a young doctor working on this concept, but I stopped following his work after it seemed to be going nowhere. I guess this is the refined product?” -The Mentor

Elder Spawn
“Quite curious creatures. They are undoubtedly touched by the power of the Elder Gods, but they don't like them any more than we do. I suggest you study up on them if you ever wish to visit the Dreamlands.” - The Mentor

Investigators
“Mortals tend to lose importance for us as time passes, but be weary of them non the less. Circling vultures tend to attract larger predators.” -The Mentor

I don't expect much attention from /tg/ but I'll keep an eye out

>>17625764
This threads usually start slow and pick up the pace when interested people notice one is active.

>>17625860
idunno we had a talislanta thread for three days and it still got a very minimum of posts

>>17625895
Haven't seen that thread so I can't judge that one, but previous versions of this thread went over well.

Also it's about exposing the concept to as many people as possible. For example I had no idea what Talislanta was until you posted that. Now I will check it out.

Possessed
“Beats me what they are, might be some attempt by the Charnel God to create a new kind of ghoul that may or may not have backfired.” -The Mentor

>>17626058
all the books are free on their website

Are there any time-related spells/abilities? Or is time too much of a heroic power?

>>17626549
There are.
The Superposition school handles that. Tho they are on average the most expensive powers to use.
The powers in general still need quite a bit of balancing.

Deep Ones

Stage 1 – Mostly Human Hybrid (0XP)

Mental Attributes: Intelligence 1, Wits 2, Resolve 2
Physical Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 2
Mental Skills: Craft 2, Investigation 1, Occult 1
Physical Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 1, Larceny 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Social Skills: Intimidation 3, Subterfuge 2, Streetwise 2
Merits: Allies (Family) 2, Brawling Dodge 1, Iron Stamina 1, Tainted Blood 1, Unseen Sense 3
Willpower: 4
Quiescence : 7
Virtue: Fortitude
Vice: Gluttony
Initiative: 4
Defense: 2
Speed: 10
Health: 8
Mutations: Deep Lungs 1
Armor: 1/0 (Thick clothes)

>>17627384
>dem unblinking eyes
>dat sloped, narrow fishy head
>those gills

>>17627384
Stage 2 – Patriarch (93 xp)

Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 2
Mental Skills: Craft 2, Investigation 1, Occult 3
Physical Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 1, Larceny 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Social Skills: Empathy 3, Intimidation 3, Subterfuge 2, Streetwise 2
Merits: Allies (Family) 5, Brawling Dodge 1, Iron Stamina 2, Tainted Blood 2, Unseen Sense 3
Willpower: 5
Quiescence : 5
Virtue: Hope
Vice: Greed
Initiative: 4
Defense: 2
Speed: 11
Health: 8
Mutations: Deep Lungs 1, Claws 2 (1L), Maws 1 (0L), Vile Secretions 1
Armor: 1/0 (Thick clothes)

Stage 3 – Fullblood (203xp)

Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 2
Mental Skills: Craft 2, Investigation 1, Occult 3
Physical Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Drive 1, Larceny 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Social Skills: Empathy 3, Intimidation 4, Subterfuge 2, Streetwise 2
Merits: Allies (Family) 5, Brawling Dodge 1, Iron Stamina 3, Maws 2 Tainted Blood 3, Unseen Sense 3
Willpower: 5
Quiescence : 5
Virtue: Fortitude
Vice: Lust
Initiative: 4
Defense: 2
Speed: 12
Health: 11
Mutations: Deep Lungs 1, Claws 3 (2L+1L(Size)) , Maws 1 (0L+1L(Size)), Scales 1, Size 1, Vile Secretions 1
Armor: 2/3 (Scales 1, Size 1)


Hmm, this picture reminds me that the [Long Armed] mutation should be added to this stage.

Stage 4 – High Priest (Outsider) (375xp)

Sect: Starspawned Savants
Creed: Servant
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4
Social Attributes: Presence 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 2
Mental Skills: Craft 2, Investigation 1, Occult 5
Physical Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Drive 1, Larceny 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Social Skills: Empathy 3, Intimidation 4, Subterfuge 2, Streetwise 2
Merits: Allies (Family) 5, Brawling Dodge 1, Iron Stamina 3, Unseen Sense 3
Willpower: 7
Quiescence : 5
Virtue: Faith
Vice: Lust
Initiative: 4
Defense: 2
Speed: 12
Health: 11
Mythos: 3
Schools of Subversion: Communion 3, Dreamscape 2, Corruption 2
Rejections: Choose 3 from Communion and 2 each from Dreamscape and Corruption.
Madness: 18/3 per turn
Abandonments: Hibernation
Mutations: Deep Lungs 1,Claws 3 (2L+1L(Size)) , Maws 1 (0L+1L(Size)), Scales 1, Size 1, Vile Secretions 2
Armor: 3/4 (Scales 1, Size 1, Vile Secretions 2)

babumpbump

>>17628890
Thinking of Deep One Outsiders, would they look human when suppressing mutations, if they happened to start life as a hybrid of that species? Or would they simply look like a Fullblood?

>>17630413

My guess is they'd look human initially (at least if they started out as hybrids), but the Change would probably still happen. Becoming an Outsider might over-ride that, though it'd probably be optional.

Also, Deep Ones as statted here would really just be NPCs. Nothing stopping a player from playing an Outsider who develops mutations along Deep One-ish lines.

And while Deep One Outsiders, rare as they are, are mostly Starspawned Savants changed by Cthulhu, there are even rarer ones changed by other gods. They're despised by the rest of their species and might well form an instant plot-hook (just add water).

>>17630739
>>17630413

And I just realised I misread the question.

It's a good question really. I'd err on the side of saying they can hide their innate "Deep One" mutations as well as their "Outsider" mutations. People with the Tainted Blood merit, like Deep Ones and other nearly human races, won't have horrendous mutations that make it impossible to function in society, so they don't need the ability to completely remove them to make them playable. If you're giving them the extra power to suppress most of their mutations, I'd say you could have them go back to appearing human. Being an Outsider has enough down-sides as it is.

'Reject Reality, Obtain Cookies' writefag here

Good to see The Mentor get some more screentime! (Do with him as you will. I make no claim to his character, aside from my initial writefaggotry)

And on that note, I do like this bit of writing done, but I have a question: What do you think Outsiders would think of Geniuses?

Hell yes. I love Outsider.

>>17631916
>What do you think Outsiders would think of Geniuses?

Not really familiar with it, so I can't give a definitive answer, but Nyarlathotep is generally considered a patron of mad science.

Possible Outsider opinions on:

Geniuses - "Are they simply unwilling to turn away from their petty obsessions and recognize the presence of something greater than themselves? Or are they unable?"

Changelings: "You know it, don't you? I can see it in your eyes. The truth has touched you like it has me. Only I am liberated by it while you are enslaved."

Hunters: "Don't you see? This is bigger than you, bigger than the world! Wheels are in motion and there's nothing you can do to stop me! Stop me. For the love of God, please STOP ME!"

>>17631916

>And on that note, I do like this bit of writing done, but I have a question: What do you think Outsiders would think of Geniuses?

I'm also a bit unfamiliar with Genius, but I'd imagine it'd break down depending on your Creed. Servants would deal with them on a case-by-case basis, approving of some meddling with Things Man Was Not Meant to Know, but preferring to stop Geniuses from fucking up their masters' plans. Rebels would kinda be the opposite. Masters would probably object to people becoming powerful that aren't them. Dreamers would object to interdimensional fuckery but nothing much beyond that. And Deniers would rather they just stopped mucking around with all that super-sciencey nonsense, it makes them uncomfortable.

Being familiar with Genius and just giving Starspawned Savants a look-over, their thoughts on Geniuses would probably be something like, "They often come to the right answer, but always for the wrong reasons."

>>17632644
Consider this stolen and given to the cause.

>>17632790

Help us Genius-Genius!

Reading the other creeds, do any other opinions suggest themselves to you?

Here you go /tg/, I made you a Mi-Go!
Treat it nicely.

Mi-Go (447xp)

Mental Attributes: Intelligence 6, Wits 4 Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 1 Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social Attributes: Presence 2, Manipulation 3, Composure 3
Mental Skills: Academics 4, Computers 3, Medicine 4, Occult 3, Science 5
Physical Skills: Stealth 2, Firearms 1, Larceny 1
Social Skills: Expression 2, Persuasion 3, Subterfuge 3
Merits: Allies (Hive) 2, Resources 4, Tainted Blood 6, Artifact 10
Willpower: 6
Quiescence :7
Displacement 3
Virtue: Prudence
Vice: Pride
Initiative: 4
Defense: 3
Speed: 8
Health: 7
Mutations: 2x Additional Legs 3, Additional Sensory Organs 2 (Feelers), Wings 2, 2X Pincers 4,
Armor: 0 (unless supplemented by an artifact)

*Note that this is a top tire Mi-Go, the Artifact merit is roughly treated as rank in the hierarchy, lesser members of the species can be made by scaling it down and reducing a few of the mental merits and skills

>>17632938
>>17632938
Happy to help!

So I suppose I'd better just bump this just the once, just to be sure.

I love the direction of this game. As the original crunch guy (wrote the fluff introductions for three of the five outsider paths, suggested the system for both rituals and rejections, wrote out the progressions for the first three examples of each, wrote all of the mutations) and the host of several of the early design threads I'm delighted to see what you've done with it. Hopefully when I have more free time I can get back to contributing to the cause.

>>17641625

Relevant to my interests...bumping!

The Nosferatu splatbook suggests they were created by, or corrupted from other clans by, underground worm gods. Do you have Cthonian or Dhole stateblocks?

>>17643839
Not yet, we've only just started stating creatures.

>>17643839
>underground worm gods
The Yugg would work for that too.

>Yuggya is the name given to the progeny of a mating between a Yugg and a Deep One of the fish-like variety. The resulting being has the outward appearance of a human, however it is not remotely human but has characteristics of cnidarians, squids and insects. Although its mind is alien to normal human thoughts and emotions, a yuggya is nonetheless empathic and can use this ability to exploit the emotional weaknesses of its adversaries.

Maybe a Vamp tried to turn one of these and the Nosferatu were born.

Ritual
[Elder Sign] 1-5
Special Cost: 1 permanent point of will per potency from ritual leader, the ritual leader receives a derangement for each point of will drained.

Repels Outsiders and anything with Tainted Blood. It works by draining an amount of willpower equal to it's potency each round. At 0W the Outsider is compelled to flee.
When entering the affected area the outsider can instinctively choose to withdraw, if not make a Willpower roll. The Outsider may remain in the area for a number of rounds equal to the successes by which it has beaten the sign's potency.
If simply placed in an open field it affects 5 yards per point of Willpower of the original caster (before the draining). If placed on a door on the other hand, it can be created to ward a specific room. I blocks interdenominational travel in the area, Changelings may be able to circumnavigate that a ST discretion
There is no such thing as a charm version of the Elder Sign, one might inscribe the physical manifestation of it on a pendant, but at best it counts as a circumstance bonus to intimidating mythos critters.
The Sign has a durability and structure equal to the substance it is engraved upon plus the sign's potency. While non-Outsiders are able to just walk in and destroy the sign (note that they can't be under the sway of any supernatural mental manipulation) an Outsider must again succeed in the same Willpower it had to make entering the area to even begin harming it.

>>17644010
Did someone said underground worm gods? Because I think someone said underground worm gods.

What needs the most work is that there sanity system. The whole "I'M EVIL AND THEREFORE CRAZY" thing is embarssingly outdated.

>>17645100
>"I'M EVIL AND THEREFORE CRAZY"
You are doing it wrong. It's:
"I'm beyond comprehension so I'm going to do things you will not understand."

>>17645135

Yeah, it's not black-and-white morality anymore.

It's more like blue-and-orange morality.

>>17645100

I don't really see where you're getting that from. For Outsiders, the important thing isn't how sane or evil they are, but how well they convince our reality that they really do belong here. Murder doesn't matter, what matters is human sacrifice, breaking and entering doesn't matter, what matters is breaking and entering dimensions.

So Outsiders can be good, evil, sane or insane or any combination of the above. It's how well they disguise the fact that they're alien abominations from beyond space-time that matters.

>>17644465
SIDEBAR

What does the sign look like?
The Denier: “There are some who think the magical Elder sign is shaped like a star and and some who think it's shaped more like a tree, but that is all settled now.”
The Rebel: “It's shaped like a star with a little flame inside it”
The Master: “No it's like a tree, it's got branches coming off it!”
R: “I'm telling you it's a star!”
M: “Use the star one and you will be fighting off the Old Ones with your bare hands, it's a tree!”
R: “STAR!”
M: “TREE!”
D: “...all right then...moving on”

For as long as he could remember, Charles had lived in Carcosa and when he slept, he had dreamed of some other world filled with such pathetic, inane tortures. Or had he lived in this world and dreamed of beautiful, moonlit Carcosa? He could never work it out, so chose not to think about it.

Carcosa was Ythill. Or Ythill was to become Carcosa. Every moment of life was the moment before the Stranger spoke and revealed the truth. The tension as the twin suns fell before the towers across the lake never resolved, a note left discordant and desperate for a conclusion that would never come. And it was beautiful to live in that moment. The revelry and festivities outside, the last celebration of Ythill that is Carcosa, the masqued people everywhere, the music, the buildings, the art... It was wonderful.

And beneath all of this wonder was the Yellow Sign.

The dreams were troubling. He saw himself there, living a life almost devoid of beauty. Hated. Despised. Misunderstood except by a few. Disconnected from the ones that had loved him. The play made it all perfectly clear, at least from this side, and his other self understood, but was unable to make the changes required. He saw reflections of his dreams in Carcosa. Faces in paintings, statues, books that told the life-stories (past, present and future) of people his dream-self knew and the bottles labelled with their names filling the labyrinth.

>>17650010

The dreams had ceased for some time, as he perceived it. This was a relief. The dreams had been disturbing and for now, he felt at peace. Free to revel in wonder and awe at the world, and to sleep without the nightmares.

The dreams came anew with a potency they had not had before, and he saw more and more echoes of them in Carcosa. He began to perceive patterns he had not before, almost as though the companions of his dream-self were attempting to send a message. He understood when he stumbled across a history of himself, though he could scarcely believe. These dream-beings were in some danger. Danger that could threaten both Charles and his paradise here in Carcosa, if left unchecked. Of course, his initial reaction was to attempt to ignore it as just a dream. But the messages kept arriving, till he could ignore them no longer. Doubtful though he was that this dream had any truth in it, the only way to stop the messages would be to confront the source.

Some searching led him to the tools he would require. The key, the door, the lamp held in an almost skeletal hand and the map. Equally, he searched for a form that would more suit the dream than his current shape and settled on a painting of a bored aristocrat he had found. The trappings would need to be changed, but the face was ideal.

Thus prepared, for the first time he could remember, Charles stepped into the world of his nightmares.