>>705227
>(3) Your relative.

>>705325
Ok. Been about a half hour. I'll write some more stuff.

>>705325
>(3) your relative.

You haven't seen them in five years. The last you heard they were going to be working for some big international business doing security or cyber security or something. You weren't given the details. Then they just vanished.

Then there was one weird little thing. A random search result tied to an imageboard leading to some forum results to a picture that maybe, just maybe, was them, standing in front of the Forrester, a hotel in the downtown area of the Edge. It wasn't much to go on, but it was an address.

Everything has changed since then. Your job, your home, everything else you found familiar has gone. Some people say you might be a little obsessed, but if the world doesn't care about them, who else besides you will?

The taxi driver talks a bit about the revolution, the liberation of the island from Facists during world war II, and eventually more specifically about the Forrester as you get closer. Something about it being a popular destination for crazy artists and paranoid individualists, due to the aesthetic. Interior gargoyles crafted by the original owner are everywhere on the building. Hallways, rooftop, even in the restaurant. Supposedly if you find the right one you can get it to tell you stories of the orignjal owner. But that's ridiculous. It's just local legend. Of course, the driver has never been in the hotel and you probably couldn't pay him to stay there. Gargoyles freak him out.

You are only minutes from your destination and the rain is turning to mist. There are barely any cars on the street, but plenty of people on motorcycles or on foot roam the area despite the weather.

The ties worn by all the businessmen look weird. More like nooses. It all seems quaint, like a two decade old attempt at being quirky. Maybe it means something.

"So you're visiting family, yeah?" asks the driver. "Who?"

(1) a sibling
(2) a cousin
(3) something else (what?)

Also vote on gender:
male
female
it's complicated/other

I'm basically writing the intro cut scene as we do character creation. Again, feel free to toss out any details you feel like adding. I'll incorporate all I can into the reaction.

>>705478
>(2) a cousin
>Male
Bowling when?

writing

>>705484
>(2) a cousin
>male


"You have a cousin here, yeah? But you don't know where he is? Well, if you got a picture I can show it around to some of my pals, see if anyone's given him a ride sometime. Grab a card." He tilts his head toward a small business card holder anchored to the seat. "Gimme a call if you want me to ask around. It's a shame to lose family."

He pauses. "Or if you need a taxi. I do that too." He laughs. "So what's this cousins' name?"

Here are some sample picks for your cousin. Pick one or cherrypick your favorite details or come up with your own. Your last name will be the same as his, unless you vote against that. Again, I'll attempt to incorporate any original ideas you toss out.

1. Darell Hartjen: He's hardy and strong willed, not the schooling type. Darell is stout, with red hair and soft green eyes. He wears a grey suit and a flat cap. Last you heard, he was very very sick.

2. Jonas Simril: Strong but easily winded. Not much for people or books. Jonas has trimmed golden hair and light brown eyes. He wears casual clothing and a hoodie. Jonas is charming and paranoid.

3. Darron Kingston: Darron is short and slender, with short golden hair and large brown eyes. He wears a dark suit and glasses with gold rims. Darron is fascinated by guns and explosives.

4. Cordell Girbach: Cordell has a narrow face, with trimmed golden hair and blue eyes. He wears a dark suit and a gold wrist watch.You describe him politely as "nondescript".

5. Hank Diseth: A man with iron will but weak body. Hank has trimmed white hair and bright amber eyes. He wears a grey suit and glasses with dark rims. Hank is fascinated by architecture and engineering.

6. Kennith Harcrow: An intelligent but clumsy man. Kennith has short silver hair and light hazel eyes. He wears a casual suit and a flat cap.

7. Elvin Grippen: Bright but unathletic. Elvin is heavyset, with short brown hair and soft gray eyes. He wears a casual suit and glasses with gold rims. Elvin suffers a paralyzing fear of guns.

8. Lincoln Ryen: the good looking one in the family. Lincoln is fair in appearance, with golden hair and narrow hazel eyes. He wears a casual suit and a long trenchcoat. You know Lincoln as scheming and perverted, but between his looks and guitar playing, people kept cutting him slack.

>>705683
>3. Darron Kingston: Darron is short and slender, with short golden hair and large brown eyes. He wears a dark suit and glasses with gold rims. Darron is fascinated by guns and explosives.

writing

>>705737
>3. Darron Kingston: Darron is short and slender, with short golden hair and large brown eyes. He wears a dark suit and glasses with gold rims. Darron is fascinated by guns and explosives.


"Darron Kingston? Can't say I've met him. Not that I remember at least. But I'll ask around. You call me when if find that photograph. So I know I'm just your cabbie, but if you have any questions about the city or the island I'm happy to help. Like are you looking for work? We gets a lot of people coming in who need to either earn or blow lots of extra cash."

You're not sure. You definitely have enough cash to cover a week, but did you prepare for a longer trip? Do you have some reserves?

(Gamerules wise we are now choosing our central trait. This is the most flexible skill that we have. This is things like <banker> or <archer> or <reincarnation of elvis presley>. I'm going to put out some options I like but I'm open to others.

Some example options:
1. I'm a banker. You can tell because (a. I have a fancy watch and briefcase; b. I talk about money constantly; c. some other detail)
2. I'm a recently released petty criminal. You can tell because (a. I have a clearly visible prison tattoo' b. I have a cold glint in my eye of a person who knows confinement; c. I brag about doing time or some other thing)
3. I'm a bartender. You can tell because (a. I talk about liquor; b. I manage multiple things grabbing my attention effectively; c. I look like I sleep in and stay out late)

I'm open to most other things. We'll need a sign telling us some way that that shows up to strangers (like a physical or verbal detail).

Also, do we present as male, female, or something else?

>>705484
I'm not sure what you mean about bowling.

>>705944
>Female
>3. I'm a bartender. You can tell because (a. I talk about liquor; b. I manage multiple things grabbing my attention effectively; c. I look like I sleep in and stay out late)
I like this one.
>>705956
GTA IV Roman Bellic

>>705974
Cool. You only need one of the signs but you can have all of them if you want. Also we should probably get a first name. Any ideas? If not,

>>706020
no idea why that cut off. If not I'l roll up some random names

>>706020
All if it's allowed and I say Marie.

>>706044
All is ok. Minimum is one. No maximum. It's a rule that helps our character be visualized.

So Marie Kingston, a bartender who talks about liquor and is an observant night owl, is looking for her brother Darron, a guy who liked firearms and worked in cybersecurity or something. She's staying at the Forrester, a hotel with way too many gargoyles and is currently in some guy's cab.

Rules wise, we get two more traits and need a weakness but I'm going to put them in during play as we go unless someone wants to toss out some good stuff for us to have. Also any weird psychic or magic or occult or superscience or fringe science or whatever stuff that we want to start with have to begin as a trait of some kind.

The side traits tend to have a smaller focus like "well read" or "member of a gun club" something. If you're familiar with 3rd edition the core trait is like "race/class" and the side traits are like the more important and defining feats.

So if you want to toss out some

>>706044
"Alright Ms. Kingston, well looks like we're here. Last chance if you have anything you want to ask. Feel free to call me later. This place is pretty hard on the new meat. That's why they call tourists and newcomers "burger". So if you need a hand, you have my number."

Last chance to ask any questions though he'll be available if you want to call him later. If you have any luggage in the trunk, he helps you with it, shakes your hand, says his name is Italo, and drives off.

Did you have any luggage? Do you have an umbrella? Bring anything else with you? Well, either way you've got a room waiting inside the Forrester and, if anything, Italo undersold how many gargoyles were on the place.

Pausing for responses.

>>706187
I was thinking something along like Spider senses for a magic trait. Like she can feel something bad will happen. Or that's too OP or something, Marie has the sticky hands: able to steal without anyone noticing.
>>706227
>Light weight travel bag on wheels
>A change of clothes: white t-shirt, jeans, sneakers
>Umbrella
>cellphone
>Bar uniform: If you know King of Fighters then like King's outfit. Vest, pants, bowtie, gloves, women dress shoes
>Purse: ID, $200, business cards
I'll redo it if it doesn't make sense.

>>706275
This all works for me. I like the outfit.

So her side traits are:
Sticky hands
Something like spider sense

Right? Both work for me but we need signs. Maybe, has a bunch of credit cards without her name on them or a pocket full of stuff that doesn't make sense together (odds and pilfered ends?)

And for the sense it could be "all her clothes are rip and stain free" or something is werid about her eyes or even just a mark on her symbolizing it like a magic tattoo or birthmark (she doesn't have to know about it).

Finally we need a weakness with a sign. From what we've got they could be like a side effect of sticky hands or that the sense has her marked for something or something from her bar experience or something. Lots of options or we could come up with something completely different. It just needs to primarily show up as a diffiuclty/obstacle.

Any of those sound good or have other ideas?

>>706377
Sounds good to me.

>>706398
Ok. So do you have a pick for the weakness or shall we carry on for now.

>>706566
Carry on for now.

>>706629
Okay. I need to go afk for now. I'll try to pick this up when I can. If the thread is saging I'll post a link.

>>706769
Thank you for running.

Thanks for playing.

And I'm back!

You are Marie Kingston, a bartender with sticky fingers and something like a spider sense. You've come to the Edge, a strange city on a strange island in the Mediterranean, to find your missing cousin Darren Kingston, a firearms enthusiast who disappeared five years ago while working on some mysterious cybersecurity job.
You last saw him in a photograph standing outside the Forrester, an infamous hotel built by a gargoyle obsessed artist. You are standing in front of the building in the rain. You arranged a room here, but maybe you're having second thoughts.
You have:
A leight weight travel bag on wheels
A change of clothes: white t-shirt, jeans, sneakers
An umbrella
a cellphne (currently not getting reception)
A bar uniform (like King's from King of Fighters- Vest, pants, bowtie, gloves, women's shoes
A purse with id, $200, and business cards including Italo's (the taxi driver's).

The receptionist barely pays attention to you, directs you to an elevator and gives you a key.

The room looks pretty typical but is surprisingly large for what you paid. You have a bed area, and a lounge including a small eating area.
Along the top of every wall are carved gargoyles that seem to climb out of the wall.

You put down your bags. It's the late afternoon, the sun is still up but it is raining outside.

What do you do?
(1) Do I have a picture of my cousin that I can show to Italo the cabbie or people who work at the hotel? I could do that.
(2) What's with these gargoyles?
(3) Every hotel lobby should have brochures about the area.
(4) Shower and bed time!
(5) Strange new city, cash in my pocket? I'm going out drinking and exploring. What could go wrong?
(6) Something else.

>>713561
>(3) Every hotel lobby should have brochures about the area.
Good to know the area first. Welcome back.

Thanks! Hope you like it.

Oh I should mention I'm writing now.

You journey downstairs in search of the customary hotel brochures.

Rather strangely, there isn't a single brochure. There is a rack for them, and each space for holding the brochures is empty. Behind the counter the receptionist notices your confusion and indicates a mural painted on a wall underneath a row of gargoyles that are more human looking, for the most part.

The mural is sort of laid out like a map but is impressionistic.
There is a symbol that looks like crossed arms underneath of which there is a pair of handcuffs, a crystal ball, what look like jail bars, and a file cabinet.

There is a male angel who looks like his wings have been mostly ripped off.
Under it, there cup of coffee next to a sandwich on a plate, sign saying community action, and numerous bottles of alcohol.

There is a floral pattern arranged along rusty wire. Underneath there are quite a few symbols. A pill, a very detailed painting of a human girl covered in thick hail and with a tail, a caduceus, a dress on fire, an old style movie theater, an astrological symbol, an ice cream cone. and more.

A painting of a compass hangs over what looks like a tattoo pen, a slot machine, and a crossbow.

A golden statue of a man is surrounded by dollar bills.

There is a painting of that looks like a statue of a Greek philosopher covered in spray paint and with pieces broken off.

Smaller parts of the mural show a test tube with what look like a university graduation hat and a portion painted as if the whole area was under water. Cabs and street venders swim in the water.

None of this is particularly sensible though maybe it's painting of the city neighborhoods and some of whats in them?

(1) Receptionist, clear this mess up. Where are my brochures?
(2) Well this was a bust. Back to the room to shower, sleep, or stare at the gargoyles.
(3) Screw this. I'll just explore the city myself.
(4) Your own option! Let's get crazy!

Oh yeah, I'm trying to check in every fifteen minutes or so for responses and if there are any I'll begin writing.

>>714280
>(1) Receptionist, clear this mess up. Where are my brochures?
And if they're no help
(3) Screw this. I'll just explore the city myself.

>>714280
>>714314
Mind if I butt in?
>(1) Receptionist, clear this mess up. Where are my brochures?

>>714350
Not at all. Always good to have more players.

>>714378
What's this "sign" OP is referring to?

Writing now.
>>714378
In the game system for over the edge, every trait a character has comes with a sign, flavor text that shows how it impacts their appearance or manner.

>>714397
It's our character personal sign to show who she is.

>>713472
Since Marie is a bartender I would imagine Marie to be a conversationalist and good judge of character.

>>714547

Yup. In fact I'm checking her read on the reception.

Let's see.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'm trying to roll the dice. Give me one second. Sorry.

>>714314
>(1) Receptionist, clear this mess up. Where are my brochures? (2 votes)
And if they're no help
(3) Screw this. I'll just explore the city myself.

Esa Main, a young, unkempt, moody looking man... or maybe woman... It might be hard to tell. Anyway they ignore you from behind the counter. They seem to be busy sketching in a notebook. When you interrupt their focuses artistry, they say in a husky voice that the mural should explain everything.

"Look you got the the sunken plaza, the plaza of great men. I even put in most of their major businesses. That's what you're looking for right? The brochures were all taken by men in coats last week anyway. I dunno. No one ever looks at those anyway."

After a bit, they continue. "Well, what are you looking for? I guess I could suggest some places. You want a drink? Meet some business people? I lived here all my life."

If Esa lived here their whole life, maybe they know something about Darron or at least where he might have gone.

It's pretty clear this person knows the area pretty well and even if they don't know your cousin, they have info.

>>714625
What do you want to know?

(1) You know my cousin? (Do you have a picture to show them?)
(2) A place to drink!
(3) Meet some shady people or something?
Or something else?

>1) You know my cousin? (Show them a picture our cousin sent us when he got the job)
if he doesn't
>(2) A place to drink!
Alcohol makes a man's tongue loose and we have the skill to extract it.

>>714642
>(1) You know my cousin? (Do you have a picture to show them?)
>(2) A place to drink!
Need a drink first.

Do you show him the picture? You have the one you found online on the forum that shows Darron in front of the Forrestor. You also probably have some other ones if you want.

>>714832
Yes. Anything to help her find him.

Sorry for the delay. I ended up rolling just regular dice. Basically each trait gives you an extra die to roll and you pick the two best. It's not exactly OTE but it's close. OTE meets pbta I guess. Anyway I can't get the dice roller to work for some reason so I eventually just gave up for now. Here you go.

>(1) You know my cousin? (Do you have a picture to show them?)
>(2) A place to drink!
Need a drink first.

You hand the photo of over to Esa for a bit. He looks at it, chews on his pen, then hands it back to you. "Yeah. I recognize him. Your cousin, eh? He stayed for awhile. Was back not too long ago for a couple days."

He hits a few keys on a terminal behind the desk. "Oh weird. You guys are in the same room. That's messed up. You didn't do that on purpose, did you?"

You didn't. Guess you're just lucky.

"Anyway, wait here a second." He heads out and comes back with another notebook. He flips through some pages and shows you a drawing. It's your cousin and another man. Darron is short and slender, with short hair and large eyes. He wears a dark suit and glasses with expensive rims. Just like you remember.

Except he's wearing a ring on his left ring finger. It has a large gem, perhaps a ruby. It definitely isn't his style. He's talking to a stocky man in a stereotypical indian headdress, wearing a badge with the letters SNS on it.

"Yeah that's him right? The other guy is a weirdo and not in the fun way. Like he doensn't paint or brood or do music or anything. I saw him eating coffee grounds straight once. Not the beans, the grounds. He said it was for meditation but I don't know..."

Looks like Esa might have some leads for you after all. Any more questions or suggestions?

>>715036
Did he say where he was going? Know where he got that ring? Where do I get a drink around here?

>>715072

"Did he say where he was going?"

Not really. He didn't seem to like talking about his work much, which was fine. It seemed boring. Maybe he was doing cybersecurity for the Cherokee guy? I mean the Cherokee guy works at that meditation school or whatever. The School of The Original Sensation or something."

You ask, "Know where he got that ring?"
Esa thinks for a second. "Not exactly. I've seen others like it though. Cherokee man has one I think. I think maybe some other people I've seen him around with? I don't know them. As I said, weird. I prefer hanging with more cultured people. That headdress is just like so not right.

You ask, "Where can I get a drink?"
"Depends on what you're looking for," he says. "You want a quiet drink? Lil' Timmy's across the street. It'll be dead though.
"You want something exciting? I like Sad Mary's. The people are pretty crazy there. Just if you hire any of the employees, make sure you use protection. I prefer betting on the fights and sex shows. I've drawn pictures of stuff I never expected to see. It's crazy.
"If you want to meet people, I'd just hit the plaza. Flowers or Sunken. It's more of a string of bars. Just avoid large groups of people with matching tattoos. You don't want to mess with the gangs. They may be fun, but fun stops being fun when the chains and clubs come out. But the locals are pretty chill in the plaza."

You notice he actually has a pretty detailed memory. He nods. "Yeah, I have that thing protagonists in tv shows have. Uh... what is it? Electric Memory? I can't remember the word. Anyway, I can picture just about anything I've seen. Makes landscapes and portraits so much easier, artistically speaking. It isn't cheating, no matter what anyone else says."

Well, that's a lot of info.
(1) You could check out this school that he was talking about.
(2) Sad Mary's? Betting on fights or sex shows? I'm in.
(3) Lil Timmy's sounds like my speed. I need someplace low key.
(4) Let's hit the plaza, grab some drinks, and make some friends.
(5) Gangs? I'm so there.
(6) Hmm.. maybe tomorrow. If I'm in the same room my cousin was in, maybe there's a clue there.
(7) I will find the man in the Cherokee headdress.
(8) I have a better plan than all of these. Here it is.

(I'm going to step out now. I hope that's ok. I'm trying to do this in short bursts so I don't get burnt out and can keep it going to the conclusion. I'm open to suggestions and stuff. Thanks for joining up. I should be back tomorrow.)

>>715239
>(1) You could check out this school that he was talking about.
>(7) I will find the man in the Cherokee headdress.
If we can afterwards
>(4) Let's hit the plaza, grab some drinks, and make some friends.
Thank you for running.

>(4) Let's hit the plaza, grab some drinks, and make some friends.
More people more info on the school and Cherokee headdress.
After that
>If I'm in the same room my cousin was in, maybe there's a clue there.
Thanks for running OP.