Oh, you're back! I didn't finish my application because noticed you were away for quite some time. Do I still have time to complete my application?

Thank you! Quinn met "Old Man" Eli while exploring the city's hidden nooks, drawn to the inviting warmth of his bookshop café. Their connection was immediate, bonded over shared stories and a mutual understanding of the city's depths. Eli, recognizing Quinn's keen spirit, quickly became her mentor and confidant, guiding her through her early days in the metropolis. Quinn sometimes sends people Eli's way when they need a place to get back on their feet. Quinn once nurtured the fragile spark of ambition in a musician named Leo, whose talent burned as brightly as the hope she kindled within him. Encouraged by Quinn, Leo pursued his dreams with a fervor that bordered on obsession. However, the city's unforgiving nature beat him down and twisted his aspirations into a dangerous obsession, leading him down a path marked by darkness and peril. Although Leo remains a part of the city's chaotic tapestry, the ash of what was once his hope has become a haunting beacon of warning for Quinn. At The Crossroads, Mia Rivera manages the business side of things, a role that Quinn, with her focus on people and atmosphere, finds challenging. Mia's pragmatism and knack for numbers provide a much-needed anchor for Quinn's expansive dreams, creating a harmonious balance. Together, they navigate the complexities of their venture, their platonic bond a steady beacon amidst the hustle of bar life.

Hopefully it was the good kind of "away" and not a bad one!

Unfortunately I was pretty busy during the start of February & then my birthday happened and I might have gotten absolutely smahed, didn't have time to sit down and focus on the app so it's mostly unfinished! I'm definitely still interested though. I've been preoccupied even still today, so apologies for taking an entire day to get back to you. 1. The idea I had was more that she could literally smell the sins of a person, so for example: If someone had committed arson and cost someone their life, she'd be able to smell ashes or gasoline or... Something along those lines. Some sort of associated smell that ties the sin to the person, if that makes sense? I kind of figured burning sage made more sense to cover up the smell as a combination of common supernatural/spiritual/cultural beliefs and the quite poignant smell of sage when it's burned. In hindsight really you could replace 'Burning Sage' with 'Copious amounts of Perfume/Aftershave/Deoderant', really. 2. As mentioned above, I'd say it's more akin to a physical smell than just a supernatural/divine sense. (C) was meant to be a form of lowlight/dark vision to double down on the predatory animal theme. 3. Alright, fair enough! Best in Show was the one I had the most doubts about, honestly. As for her questions, I already have some things in mind, but I just need to write them out.

This concept looks good! How did Quinn meet Old Man Eli? Hope is a dangerous thing. Is there someone who Quinn regrets lighting a match of hope for? Did hope burn too brightly for them? Did that spark of hope turn into a promise that Quinn couldn't keep? What's the name of one other person who works at the Crossroads? What's their relationship with Quinn?

Hi , Elspeth looks interesting! Since it's been a while, I'm just checking in to see if you're still interested in playing in this campaign. If so, let me know if I can help you finish the last theme card. I also wanted to say that I see a potential issue with the power tags in Seize the Spotlight and Blatant Thievery being too broad. Typically each character is only permitted one broad power tag, because these are less specific to a character/situation, less colourful, more generally useful, and potentially overpowered. For example, "reality-warping", "irresistible charm", and "stolen powers" are extremely broadly useful, so I would ask you to pick one to keep as your broad tag, and then limit the others. There are two ways to make the tags more specific. The first is just to add more words to the tag, so that it only applies in certain situations. The other is to agree in advance that using the tag requires a Change the Game move, a Core Move that is used to create new tags. For example, when using stolen powers to copy another's powers, the player cannot add the tag directly to Elspeth's moves. Instead, I'll ask you to first make a Change the Game move (presumably to figure out/understand these powers in some depth before she can use them) to create the temporary tag "stolen power" and use it to power her other moves. Let me know what you think!

I really like this concept (and Maple)! :) It's been a while so I wanted to check in and see if you're still interested in playing in the campaign. If so, I have a few questions and suggestions: 1. For Custodian of the Damned, it's not clear to me why Burning Sage would block or hinder Maple's abilities. Is it something related to the lore of Cerberus? Does it interfere with Maple's ability to smell others' sins? If there's no mythical or personal reason for this particular weakness, one suggestion would be to change it to something that complements her power tags. For instance, based on "I hear your beating hearts" and "I smell your sins", I suspect Maple might have difficulty sniffing out the sins of those who lack (or are able to control) physiological responses, such as someone whose heartrate remains steady when they lie, or who doesn't have a heartbeat to begin with, or who can control their bodily responses. Let me know what you think of this. 2. Similarly, for (B) and (C), I want to clarify: is it that Maple actually physically smells guilt? Is it that her divine senses are so strong that she doesn't need to see it to know? (But she's not actually able to see in the dark?) 3. Hound of Hell and Best in Show look great. No questions here. 4. The All Heads, No Tails Mission card seems intriguing! I especially like the tension between the power tag to leave her comfort zone and the weakness. Anyway, if you're still interested in playing, let me know. For the Q&A, that's something we can work out with the other players.

Hey all--apologies for the wait. I was away for two weeks for a work trip and couldn't find time to check this thread. I'm back home now, and will be spending a few hours looking over people's threads and giving feedback. The ad is closed to new players to be fair to the ones who created a thread by the advertised due date. Thanks for your patience!

Is this game still happening?

Reserved if needed

The Luminous Labyrinth - A sprawling, underground network of tunnels illuminated by bioluminescent fungi and neon art installations. Known only to a few, it serves as a sanctuary for those seeking solace from the city's relentless pace. Here, artists and outcasts create a vibrant subculture, far removed from the surveillance and corporate oversight above. "Old Man" Eli - A former mentor and friend of Quinn's, Eli runs a cozy bookshop café that doubles as a safe haven for those in need. With a past shrouded in mystery and a vast knowledge of the city's secrets, Eli is someone Quinn trusts implicitly, often turning to him for advice or a quiet place to think. The Echo Chamber - An underground music venue known for its strict no-digital policy, allowing no recordings or electronic devices inside. It's a place where people escape the digital saturation of the city above, losing themselves in the raw, unfiltered sound of live music. Here, amidst the analog ambiance and the shared experience of the crowd, people find a rare kind of connection and release. Neon Dreams - The city thrives on its image of perpetual progress and opulence, manifesting in its abundance of neon lights and holographic displays. This facade of brilliance and innovation masks the deeper issues lurking beneath, offering an endless stream of distractions to the populace. Genuine Connections - Amidst the technological marvels and digital interfaces, the city suffers from a profound lack of real human interaction and community. Losing Humanity - Quinn fears the city's relentless march toward a future where technology supersedes human connection, eroding the very essence of what it means to be human. The Midnight Market - There's buzz around a mysterious market that appears only on the last Friday of every month, at precisely midnight. This market, hidden in plain sight within the maze of the city, is said to offer items and knowledge not found anywhere else, from arcane relics to coded secrets of the city's elite. Rumors suggest that access is granted only to those who know the ever-changing passphrase, and Quinn has become increasingly curious about what truths—or lies—this market might hold.

Logos In the neon-lit nights of the city, Quinn Brantley stands as a beacon within the dimly lit interior of The Crossroads, a bar that has become a sanctuary for the lost and the weary. Her empathetic nature is almost palpable, an innate ability that allows her to connect with patrons not just as a bartender but as a confidante. This deep empathy, however, isn't worn on her sleeve; it's subtly woven into her every interaction, a nod here, a knowing smile there, all conveying understanding and acceptance without a single word. Quinn's intuition is her guide in the chaotic dance of city life, helping her navigate through the complexities of human emotion with grace and discretion. She listens more than she speaks, her silence a comforting presence that invites confession and unburdening. When she does offer words, they're carefully chosen, often illuminating a path forward for those caught in their own darkness. Despite the bleakness that often seeps into the cracks of the city, Quinn remains a steadfast optimist. She believes in the potential for change, in the light that can be kindled within anyone, no matter how deeply buried. This isn't naive hope but a conviction born from her own experiences, from the countless small victories she's witnessed over despair and loneliness at her bar. Quinn's mannerisms reflect her calm and collected nature; her movements are deliberate, never rushed, whether she's mixing a drink or simply leaning in closer to lend an ear. There's a rhythm to her routine, a sense of stability that she provides in a world that's constantly shifting. Her eyes, sharp and observant, miss nothing, yet they're also windows to her soul, revealing a depth of feeling and a hint of the sorrow she carries from her own past. Backstory Quinn Brantley's story begins not with grandeur but in the quiet margins of society, where the glow of neon lights doesn't reach and the digital hum of the city fades into silence. Born to a family struggling to make ends meet in the outskirts of a bustling, unforgiving metropolis, Quinn learned early the value of community and the strength found in collective resilience. Despite the hardships, or perhaps because of them, Quinn developed an unwavering optimism and a belief in the potential for change. Her natural empathy drew people to her, and she became an informal mediator in her community, known for her ability to listen deeply and speak truths that others shied away from. This role of confidante and counselor was one she embraced wholeheartedly, finding fulfillment in the genuine connections she forged. The turning point in Quinn's life came with the unexpected inheritance of a rundown bar from a distant relative she had only met once. The Crossroads, as it was aptly named, sat at the edge of two very different worlds: the glossy, neon-lit center of the city, and the shadowed, forgotten neighborhoods Quinn called home. Seeing an opportunity to create something meaningful, she poured her heart and soul into the bar, transforming it into a nexus of warmth and light in the city's night. The Crossroads quickly became more than just a bar. It was a sanctuary where the disparate souls of the city could find solace and connection. Quinn's innate ability to understand and empathize with her patrons turned their stories into the fabric of the establishment, each tale another thread woven into the rich tapestry of the community she was building. Yet, it was in the quiet moments alone, after the last patron had left and the neon sign flickered softly in the window, that Quinn felt the stirrings of something deeper. A legacy, perhaps, passed down through the bloodline of a family she barely knew, or a destiny calling her to play a larger role in the tapestry of the city's fate. The awakening of her mythos, The Little Match Girl, was not a moment of revelation but a gradual acceptance of the light she was meant to bring into the darkness. Mythos In the heart of a city that thrives in the perpetual twilight of neon and shadow, Quinn Brantley carries within her the reawakened spirit of The Little Match Girl. This ancient legend, reborn through Quinn, is not merely a tale of sorrow and loss but a testament to the enduring power of hope amidst despair. This mythos speaks of a young girl who, in the coldest embrace of winter, sought to sell matches on the street. Finding no buyers, she lit the matches one by one to warm herself, each flame conjuring visions of warmth, love, and belonging, before she succumbed to the cold. In Quinn, this legend reawakens not as a tale of sorrow but as a beacon of hope—a reminder that even the smallest light can pierce the darkness, that warmth can be found and shared even in the most desolate of circumstances. As the legend unfolds within her, Quinn becomes a living beacon of hope, a source of warmth in a world that often feels engulfed by a chilling indifference. The mythos seeks to transform Quinn, urging her to ignite sparks of connection and compassion, to illuminate paths toward a better tomorrow for the souls that find their way to The Crossroads. Yet, with this awakening come questions that flicker like the match girl's flames in Quinn's mind. She wonders about the lasting impact of her light in the vast darkness of the city and how to ensure that this warmth does not flicker out as it did for the match girl herself. There's a fear, too, a concern about the cost of carrying this flame, of the price to be paid for kindling hope in others. Among those who frequent The Crossroads, there are a few who sense the depth of Quinn's transformation. An elderly regular, a woman whose eyes are seasoned with the passage of time, seems to recognize the nature of Quinn's gift. She speaks in riddles and half-whispered stories, suggesting a greater destiny awaiting Quinn. Then there's a figure from the city's underbelly, a shadowy presence intrigued by the unusual occurrences around The Crossroads and the change it seems to inspire in people. This individual, dealing in information and secrets, has taken a quiet interest in Quinn, perhaps seeing in her a piece of the city's evolving puzzle. Secret Pain Quinn harbors a deep, unresolved guilt over failing to protect someone vulnerable who disappeared despite their best efforts. This loss serves as a constant reminder of their limitations and fuels their dedication to their cause or sanctuary. It's a secret pain, shaping their resolve to be a beacon of hope in a world that once claimed a life they sought to save

Just dropping in to say hello! Glad to find this before recruitment closed!

I have been itching to play CoM for ages! I have a basic idea that I will spend tonight working on, but I am thinking of a doctor (2nd year of residency) who has been Touched by Raiden. Rough Background: Kyo was raised by his mother and father, but found a strong bond with is grandfather (mother's father). Through him he learned martial arts and the power of meditation. Losing his grandfather to illness was very difficult for him, but it helped propel him toward medicine. He still uses the tools his grandfather taught him to keep calm in a stressful and demanding job. Prelim themes are: Mythos: Expression Logos: Defining Event, Personality, Training

Hokay, I think everything's done! Reserving this post in case I need to add anything more, but aside from finding a pic, I think Ra'id's sheet is all complete!

Name and describe a place of interest in the City. The Agon Arena is one of the greatest competitive venues the city's ever seen. Capable of hosting 30,000 souls, it has played witness to spectacular concerts, stirring victories from the City's local teams, crushing defeats, and even stirring political rallies. If a big event is going down, odds are good the Agon will bear witness to it. Built just 20 years ago, it feels like it's been part of the City since its inception. Emotions run high whenever participants take the stage, and rumours abound that once upon a time, beloved basketball star Ben Rikers committed suicide within its confines after a devastating loss. It's said that late at night, when the arena's all cleared out, anyone who remains is overcome by a crushing sense of melancholy, product of Rikers' lingering grudges and unfinished business over not being able to claim a title. Give me the name and description of a local Contact. It could be someone in your circle, or someone from your old life who you can still go to for help. Aleksandr "Sasha" Rubakov, AKA Chaser. Entering the Daozeng Singularities on the same year as Kaiser did, Chaser has had the misfortune of spending his entire career in his shadow. This is a shame, as he possesses excellent skills of his own, remaining at the top of the game for more than a decade. Though he has never won a KSL championship, Chaser is widely considered to be one of the strongest players around, as well as one of the funniest guys in the business, for which reason he is widely liked and appreciated. Extremely pale, with blonde hair and blue eyes, it's sometimes joked that he must be a ghost that haunts the Starblade scene and stubbornly refuses to pass on. Where do you go to unwind? The Grand Splendid Athenaeum used to be a theatre, once upon a time. Those days are long gone, but that doesn't mean the Athenaeum has fallen on hard times. Quite the opposite, actually; a retooling led to it becoming a massive multi-storey café, with rows of tables lining its various levels surrounding the stage, upon which various musical performers are invited to participate to provide colour to its guests' meals. Though the café skews classical, more modern performers (Jazz bands, electronic music artists, and even the occasional rock or pop star) have graced its stage on occasion. It is one of the prides of Downtown, showcasing the district's ingenuity and ability to adapt to the times, standing at the fringes of the spots where the district connects to the Old Quarter. Some envious tongues whisper that it was 'stolen' from the Old Quarter when it was renovated, but these are surely baseless allegations with no grounding in reality. What does this sprawling metropolis have in abundance? Secret beauties. The City looks grim and hopeless on the surface, but that's just the facade it's learned to present for itself. Look under the surface and you can find a countless amount of hidden gems. Street musicians so skilled they could bring tears to your eyes, old drive-in theatres that keep copies of films thought long lost, doctors who lost their license but can perform life-saving miracles. It boggles the mind that so few (almost none) of these jewels become well-known. It's almost like something (or someone) is suppressing the knowledge of them before they become widespread. But who would have an interest in such a thing? What does it lack, or need more of? Honest competition. The have-nots scratch and claw at each other looking for any meager gains they can get, but the people in power just grow more powerful, day after day, year after year. The City's upper echelons have grown stagnant and unchanging. The City cries out for renewal and renovation, but no one's managed to step up to the plate and change its workings yet. What do you fear most about the world today? The City's a cruel, cruel mistress. It's not enough to be smart, or skilled, or talented to succeed here -- something else is required to make the big time. Luck? Fate? Who knows? But it's something most people lack, and it's fleeting. One day, you can be the king of the world, and next day you can become an also-ran. There's no sure path to success, and anyone can lose it all at any time. There's no rest and no release, no matter who you are. What is a recent rumour that you've heard? Word on the street is that recently, several notable buildings across the City have been found with their walls covered in spray painted designs of exquisite beauty and elaborate complexity. There's street artists aplenty in the City, so this by itself would not be terribly remarkable, but apparently, these graffiti tell a story...and what's even more interesting is, apparently those who study them find eerie coincidences within their lives that mimic the story painted on the walls. Who's the artist behind the Neverending Story, as it's come to be called? And are the events the scholars of the paint have uncovered just that, or is there a grander design at work?

Personality 'All sharp angles and edges' is a good way to summarize Ra'id Liang's personality. He is quick-witted, sharp and cutting with his choice of words, decisive in times of action, and constantly trying to see any given situation from multiple angles. Not given to long speeches, he prefers to get right to the point, and let others make of his words what they will. Though willing to work long and hard for his goals, he is naturally impetuous, and prefers to take action when he sees an opportunity rather than lie back and wait for things to unfold. Unafraid of taking risks, he's good at maintaining grace under pressure, and while quick to anger, his ability to remain stone-faced in the face of provocation has served him well in the past. While 'on duty', for what his own definition of duty is, Ra'id is indefatigable, relentless and implacable. Other people have remarked on how exhausting it is to spend time with him, and they're not wrong. He is rather different when he feels he has time to relax, however, revealing a more thoughtful, contemplative side that takes pleasure in discovering new things and broadening his horizons. Speaking at length with him during such times reveals a mind that thinks in a way almost orthogonal to common thought, always ready to offer new perspectives and challenge commonly accepted wisdom. He respects and admires excellence profoundly, in all its forms, and finds himself drawn to it at all times. Even in those that oppose him, he can admire skills that are clearly finely honed and developed. His aesthetic tastes reflect this, as he finds himself strongly drawn towards media that features particularly strong individual performances, such as albums by talented soloists and movies with tour de force showings. He is very slow to trust, and quick to assume the worst in others, but once given good reasons to grant it, his loyalty is almost unbreakable. Appearance Ra'id's appearance is a study in contrasts. Of average height and with a slim build, his features trend boyish by nature, but his expressions, usually wary, reserved or focused, tend to age up his looks, making him appear his proper age of thirty-something. He has an aquiline nose, broad lips, and sunken eyes, brown in colour, and black hair. Or at least, it used to be black, before it recently started falling off, which, after much internal deliberation, led to shaving the rest of it off, leaving his scalp bare. Early onset baldness, or a side effect of his Mythos' effect on him? Hard to say, but either way, he is not amused. He can most often be seen wearing a sports jacket in the black and white colours of the Daozeng Singularities, his former team, in what is both a show of defiance to being cast out from it and an expression of loyalty to the group in which he developed his craft, and it is impeccably matched and complemented by his choice of trousers gloves (usually biker ones) and accessories (he is fond of wearing one earring on his left ear, in particular). Combined, his looks and ensemble suggest a man standing at a crossroads -- between youth and age, past and future, loyalty and independence, as suits the channeler of the mythos of the man who fractured Rome and unified its factions. The Pride There's a lot of people out there in the world. Millions upon millions, all of them trying to make it through life without a clue on how to do it because some jackass forgot to bundle in an instruction manual when they shipped us this game. It's tough making progress. There's no retries out there in the world, no redos. Whatever results you get, you carry forward into your next challenge, and it snowballs from there. So you need luck and talent to succeed at life, in industrial quantities. I thought I had both. Turns out maybe I have neither. Not if I got any say about it, though. The game ain't over yet. And I'm not gonna quit until I win. Where to start...right. It all starts with Starblade. There's nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. The game's a miracle. Sometimes emulated, never replicated. So good it practically killed its genre, cause what was the point of trying to do better? It was a huge part of my childhood, especially after Dad got killed. He was a diplomat, you know? Stationed in the middle east, met my mom and had us there. Got killed by a drone strike. To this day I still don't know who did it. Few chances of finding out, either. Anyway...Starblade. I needed to take my mind off the fact Dad was gone, and it was the perfect outlet. You wouldn't believe the amount of hours I poured into it. Thousands upon thousands. Went from little kid to grown-up playing it. So the second I was old enough, I moved to the City to try and carve my name in its scene. It's the mecca of Starblade, after all. Can't make it big if you're not where the scene is. I didn't have two pennies to my name after moving in, but it didn't matter. You ever felt like you just knew what was going to happen? Like a gamble you were taking was all risk, no reward? It was kinda like that. Couple days later, I tore through an amateur tourney and took first place. Got signed up to the Singularities before the day was out. That's when the real grind started. Being a pro gamer sounds like a dream job, doesn't it? You literally get paid to play video-games. Except it's not quite like that. You gotta follow a diet and exercise to keep your body sharp, because you can't micro if you're feeling sluggish. You gotta spend hours and hours studying your own replays and those of others, to see what you did wrong and why. You gotta balance playing enough to learn with taking care of yourself, because it's so easy to wreck your wrists or shoulder with RSI and knock yourself out of contention permanently. And you gotta lose. A lot. I hate losing. Pisses me off, and not at the guy who beat me. I don't like not being up to snuff, but there's no other way to realise just how far from perfection you really are. So you lose, and you lose some more, and you learn to take something from it so you start losing less. And eventually, you start to win more than you lose when playing someone who's better than you, until suddenly you're better than them. And then you gotta stay better than them. Think faster, come up with new strategies, experiment to find ways to shave seconds off your timings so they don't do the same to you. It's an arms race where the weapons never change, only how well you can use them. And it never stops. Man. I miss those days. Not the shitty team houses or all the oversight or the brutal regimes, that all sucked. But that feeling like I was pushing all the boundaries...my teammates, the game's, my own...it's addicting. There's nothing more thrilling that living on the cutting edge. And then, when I finally, finally won a KSL for the first time... ...Sorry. I need a minute. I can't even describe it. 'Ultimate rush' is such a cheap way of framing it. It's more like...like a piece of you clicks into place, and the puzzle that is your life suddenly gets a little clearer. Everything makes more sense after, even things that didn't add up before. It changed everything. Everything. And that's not even counting the acclaim and winnings. The look on Mama and Layla's faces when I told them I was going to buy them a house and bring them to the City with me... ...Yeah. Those were the days. The rest was almost falling action. More victories, more accolades, more titles to go by. More freedoms, as the house system fell apart and we all became free agents, setting our own schedules. I finally got to meet the City for real instead of being cooped up all day practicing builds. It's kinda shit, honestly, once you get to know it, but...even so, there's bits and pieces of charm underneath the surface. Like hidden easter eggs. Used to be real fun, meeting up with Layla or my ex for dinner and talking about what new secrets we'd found. I could go on and on about all the little things I found in my days off. It'd just be belabouring the point, though. We gotta talk about what happened next. Unfortunately. The Fall It's hard, talking about the day they kicked me out. Makes me wonder, sometimes, am I still alive? Because it feels like I've died once already. It was completely sudden. One day, everything was just dandy. The next, I woke up to a message saying my contract to Daozeng was terminated effective immediately. Called coach Zhongda to ask why, got told about the KSL decision. Called a couple KSL insiders I knew to work out just what the hell had happened, they told me to never call again. And that was it. No more interaction. They just cut me off. Threw me out like yesterday's garbage, because to them, that's all I was. Nothing I tried afterwards worked. Calls bounced. A lawsuit stalled in legal hell (pretty sure it's still ongoing, actually). People refused to open up their doors when I rang a bell. Fans tossed rotten fruit at the walls of my flat for a couple weeks, but after that, it was like I got unpersoned. Deleted. Felt like I was going insane. I fell into depression. Went out on long walks, trying to make sense of what had happened, getting more and more worked up with each passing minute. I didn't even play for months. Felt...wrong. Like whatever was wrong with me that'd caused it to happen might leak into the game and killed it outright if I touched it. Mama was the one who snapped me out of that funk. Said it was about time I got my ass back in gear and started playing again. So I went to this gaming den...place was filthy as all hell, like, damn, owner had never met a mop in his life he liked...and I sat down and I played a couple games. And I lost. Horribly. Some little brat whose balls hadn't even dropped laughed at me and called me out for playing so badly. And suddenly, six hours had passed and I was myself again. And I knew what I had to do. It was time to get my life back. (I beat the crap out of that little punk in Starblade, by the way. Lil' B-Rank amateur got sonned that day. You might think it's petty of me to feel so smug about it, but I don't give a damn. You don't get to be known as the Sword of God if you let anyone else make a fool of you. I got a reputation to maintain against all comers, no exceptions allowed.) The Awakening 'Course, I didn't know where to start. That's the problem with getting cut off. You have to start building up connections from scratch again. Thank God I don't give up after a loss. I broke into the house of Chaser one night (you don't know who he is? Damn. Guess there really is no prize for second place, huh. We came up into KSL the same year. He was the only guy in that crop who even kind of, sort of got why the timings Sols were using back then were so whacked out. We talked secret tech every day, pretty much, and were tight ever since). He almost called security on me, but I promised to kill him if he did and half meant it. Once he finally calmed down, we talked. Apparently KSL wanted the match fixing scandal hushed up, no matter what. Told everyone that if they spoke up, their asses would meet the highway. Blackmail's got a way of making people do whatever the hell you want them to do. Learned that lesson well that night. Anyway. Chaser said the scene was not actually as hostile to me as it looked. People remember the best of the best, no matter what, and several people thought it was all bullshit. He promised to get them in touch with me on the down low, open comms for me. All I had to do was prove I still had it, let people start remembering why they called me Al-Nayyir, The Enlightened, and the rest would sort itself out. So I did. I was back on the grind again. It wasn't long before this shady-ass SOB sidled up to me one day and asked me if I was interested in a high-stakes match. Quick aside here: Starblade is huge. KSL runs only three times a year, and that leaves a lot of empty space to fill. Unofficial competitions fill those gaps. Not sanctioned, not recognized, but the payouts are huge. Even pros do it on the side under fake handles, because it's a good way to line your pockets if you win. Fans are diehard, and they'll sponsor all sorts of matches, both standard and weird, to get their fill. Long story short, this was my chance to prove I couldn't be ignored. So I signed up. As Kaiser, my main handle. It wasn't about the money for me. It was about sending a message to everyone who saw that stream. I don't think I've ever been as nervous before as I was on the night of the money match. It took place in a club, you know? A goddamn nightclub, smack dab in the middle of the industrial zone. I'm not sure if the crowd was Starblade fans but they were juiced out of their minds. Hooting and hollering like we were playing at the football stadium...and I got this real bad feeling. Sickly, nasty, in the pit of my stomach, like my dinner had curled up and died in there. And then it was time to sit down and start playing. I got shepherded to a soundproof, curtained booth. Never got to see my opponent directly. It only took ten minutes into the first match to realise who my opponent was. Genghis. The Tyrant. Only guy who could keep up with me when I was in KSL. Two-time champion. And obviously, still as good as he'd ever been. Shit. I got crushed. It wasn't even close. Thank god it was a best of five. I asked for a quick bathroom break, and barely made it to the men's room before I threw up. Did he know? Had someone sent him here on purpose? For a second, I was this close to just giving up and going home right there. And then, I looked up. And there, on the mirror...I saw myself, but not myself. Speaking, even though my mouth was sewn shut. And if I just focused, like really, really focused, I could hear it... ...And then it all clicked. Hard. And all the choices and their outcomes unfurled before me on the mirror, like I'd finally found the map to life everyone's always looking for. It was real simple. Was it enough to just be Ra'id? Or did I want to be the Kaiser once again? That's all it came down to. Yeah. When put like that, it wasn't even a choice. The sick feeling in my stomach vanished. In a master commander's vocabulary, fear does not exist. I made it back to the booth and said game on. This time, I wasn't playing around. The battlefield was all around me, and my soldiers, my braves that always counted upon me to guide them to victory, were waiting for my orders. And I looked and saw cracks in the defences, predictable gaps we could exploit. All it took was a gesture and a command, and my men streamed in, forcing it wide open. It was a risky manoeuvre. Dangerous. Bold. And that was why it succeeded. The world doesn't bow down to cowards. ...I came to about an hour later. By that point, the emcee was banging on my booth's door. It was all over but the crying. 3-1. Not a clean sweep, but absolutely devastating. No room for doubt. And the crackheads outside were screaming my name. 'KAISER! KAISER! KAISER!'. But it sounded like something else. Kai-sahr. Caesar. Hail Caesar That night sent out a message, alright. Ever since then, people remembered I existed, for good and ill. Lot of doors opened up...and a lot of thugs have tried to break my neck too. Lot of challengers trying to set up a match with me, too. I'm still going down the list whenever I got a moment. That's gotten to be rare, though. In-between the training regime, chasing down leads, and all the attention that's come my way...well, let's just say I've been busy. Like I'm back to the good old days. But things are different now. What happened that night...there's a part of me that wants to forget about the game. Move on to bigger and better things. My place as champion isn't the real prize. What is? Hell if I know. It's not exactly clear. How could I just forsake what I've been working towards like that? And yet...sometimes, it feels like I could own this city. Sometimes, it feels like I should. I'm playing a whole new kind of game now. A game with new rules that I don't understand, with stakes higher than anything I've ever seen before. So far, I've learned a couple things: A) I'm not crazy. There IS something weird going on with me, and more than that, with the city. Almost no one else can see it, but just because something makes no sense to them doesn't mean it ain't right. As in the game, in the world, I guess. B) Whatever this weird thing is, people can tell I've got it, even if they don't know what it is. You know how some people have 'it'? That, times a thousand. I know what it's like to be famous and admired, but this is different. It's more like...belief. Ironclad certitude that whatever it is they think about me is right. I can direct it, mostly, but the more I do it, the more people come after me like I owe them money. Nothing's free in life, and this least of all. C) It's alive. Sort of. It's like a voice in the back of my head, trying to nudge me in certain directions. It's not like some kind of possession, though. More like...an intrusive thought, almost? Like it comes from inside me, and it is me, but it's also not me. Not really. And it's very familiar. Every time I listen to it, it feels like I've done this before, and I can almost guess which way it's gonna go. Like things that happen were supposed to happen. Strangest feeling. I don't like it. Knowledge is power, but it feels like it's power gained by losing control. D) It's hungry. Half the time, it feels like I just lost big time against someone I shouldn't have. I can shut it out, sometimes, but any time I'm paying attention to it, the urge to go out and do some crazy shit comes roaring back in. It's very distracting. I gotta find some way to tamp down on it, and soon. E) I think people knew about this long before I did. Or at least, some people did. I've found some leads that make no sense otherwise. Someone pulled strings at KSL to get me kicked out because they were worried about what could happen if I kept on winning. It sounds nuts, but this one guy I was talking to in a dive bar got shot through the window by a sniper bullet. That doesn't happen unless you've pissed off someone with plenty of weight to throw around. And I got this letter, an actual, no bullshit physical letter, that just said "It's about time you showed up, champ. See you soon. —Glory". I don't know any glories besides the ones I won at a tournament. What the hell is going on? I gotta dig deeper and work out just what kind of game I've joined. There's a lot I have to learn, but I know one thing for sure: I still don't like losing. I'm going to win this game too, no matter what it takes.

Ra'id Liang Gaius Julius Caesar Name: Ra'id "Kaiser" Liang Nicknames: The Strategos, Al-Nayyir (The Enlightened), The Sword of God [All of the preceding are titles earned throughout his career], Kaiser [online handle] Age: 31 Gender: Male (He/Him) Occupation: Pro Gamer (Circuits: RTS Starblade, also amateur Poker circuit) Height: 5' 10'' Build: Lean, brown-skinned, of average height, with deep brown sunken eyes. Demeanor: Intense, imperious, thoughtful and decisive. Usually quiet, but sometimes capable of giving powerful speeches. Logos concept: In his normal life, Ra'id is a disgraced former pro gaming champion for the RTS game Starblade, kicked out of the official circuit on trumped up charges of match fixing. He now makes a living on the unofficial circuit, participating in lesser tournaments and fan-sponsored high-stakes matches to make a lviing. Mythos concept: Caesar was a defiant oppositionist, a peerless orator, a gifted politician, a reckless adventurer, a brilliant general and a mighty dictator. All these things and more threaten to become a part of Ra'id's life now. Logos To the average passerby, Ra'id does not look particularly remarkably. Lean and of average height, his youthful features make him look younger than he truly is, while his eyes give away an intensity and world-weariness granted by experience that no young man could ever channel. Once widely hailed as one of the greatest players the mythical and long-lived RTS Starblade had ever seen (if not the greatest), his indictment as a match fixer on trumped up charges at the hands of the Kauravi StarLeague (or KSL) officials destroyed his reputation overnight, barring him from participating in the lucrative and highly influential main circuit. Relegated to playing in PC rooms and cybercafés, he's undertaken a protracted, almost maniacal quest to uncover why, at the peak of his prowess, he was so callously tossed away. In spite of his newfound infamy, he's become something of an underground legend among fans of Starblade, as rumours of him being seen across the city's various gaming dens have surfaced, with eager rookies hoping to find him to request instruction...and unscrupulous bookies have sought him out to recruit him for unsactioned 1v1 matches against untarnished stars, seeking to capitalize on the controversy surrounding him and the lingering admiration for his breathtaking play to profit off the outcast champion. Even now, the shadow cast by his absence lingers upon the StarLeague, with other contenders being widely considered to be fighting for 'a championship of second place'. Neither can escape each other's pulll, and it's only a matter of time before his investigations set him on a collision course with those responsible for his fall. Taciturn by nature, Ra'id prefers to act, rather than speak. He is zealous in his pursuits, analytical, methodical, and relentless. Former teammates often joked about him being a slavedriver, but by the same token were always quick to remark on his dedication and devotion towards them, and how he refused to ever cut himself any slack he did not extend to others. He refuses to accept that there are some things he cannot do, and telling him he shouldn't try something without good reasons to back up that commandment is a surefire way to stoke the flames of his contrarianism. He admires excellence in all its forms, and finds beauty in watching other talents at work. 'Game recognizes game' is a phrase he is fond of, and for that reason, one of his primary hobbies is simply watching other masters pursue their craft, from painting to cooking to physical sportsmanship. He still wears his old team jacket from his KSL team, the Daozang Singularities, its colours black and white, wherever he goes. Mythos Gaius Julius Caesar did exist. That much is certainly a fact, and beyond dispute. But his life was so dramatic it beggars the imagination, and many details of it are lost at the fringes where historical fact becomes folklore and legend. Was he descended from the goddess Venus, as he so claimed? Did his enemies see the spark of greatness and danger in him, even before his career got started? Was he truly the paramour of kings and queens both, and the father of Cleopatra's child? Are the myths of him crossing blades with Spartacus nothing more than fanciful imaginings or is there more to them than that? It's hard to tell the man from the myth, in spite of the enduring obsession with him. Whatever the case may be, he left an indellible mark in history, to the point that even to this day, his name is synonimous with ruling and leadership. Proper usage of it could rescue the City from decadence...or send it into an irreparable revolutionary tailspin from which it might take decades to emerge. Ever since his Awakening, Ra'id has found his life irrevocably altered by his newfound talents. Once relatively anonymous in the wake of his fall, becoming a Rift has given his words and gestures an irresistible force that draws all eyes towards him. When he speaks, people listen. Though never particularly given to long speeches before, he finds that words flow to his mouth easily now, and his previously muted expressions seem to convey a wealth of emotion in the eyes of others. In a crisis, others turn towards him for guidance; in quiet days, people he's never met sit at his table at a café, seeking to make his acquaintance, either looking to cut deals or to beseech him to save them from their problems. In spite of his relatively plain looks, something about him sparks the imagination. And unfortunately, this fascination brings trouble with it too, as more and more fanciful rumours have spread about him in recent times. No longer just limited to the esports scene, some have attracted public attention as well. Most are total fabrications, but some (shared only amidst a very select people) are true...such as the fact he is never alone, and always has an army at his beck and call. Theme Cards Expression Commander's Presence Mystery:Every Mythos theme has a question, called a Mystery, which defines what your character wishes to discover about their Mythos. Why does everyone think I'm their salvation or their doom? Once upon a time, a man made countless enemies and inspired absolute loyalty with his words and deeds. Today, Ra'id draws people to him just like a magnet does iron. Whether he fights it or embraces, his presence draws battle lines upon the sand. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Fade:When your character's Mystery calls to them, but they ignore it, mark one Fade. If your character continues to ignore their Mythos and marks the third Fade box, you replace the theme with a new Logos theme. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) What is the most common way you use your mythos to affect the world? Win hearts and minds. C) What useful quality does your main effect have? Unshakeable trust. D) What conditions or situations enhance your mythos expression? When we're past the point of no return. WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. D) What are the repercussions of bringing your mythos into the world? Enemies rise up to oppose me. Destiny Alea Iacta Est Mystery:Every Mythos theme has a question, called a Mystery, which defines what your character wishes to discover about their Mythos. What is the ultimate prize I need to seize? In the end, it is impossible not to become what others believe you are. Who can escape the weight of expectation? And who that flies high can stay eternally aloft, avoiding a long fall? Ra'id was chosen to seize glory and achieve what others can only dream of, and he will do so — no matter what it costs him. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Fade:When your character's Mystery calls to them, but they ignore it, mark one Fade. If your character continues to ignore their Mythos and marks the third Fade box, you replace the theme with a new Logos theme. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) What is most useful about your destiny? A general always leads an army. C) What trait or emotion led to your destiny or emerged from it? Ruthless ambition. J) What ability or power did you reveal when your destiny unfolded? Fortune favours the bold. WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. B) What personality flaw led to your destiny? Does not know when to quit. Mission Clear My Name Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. I have to prove my innocence. Countless hours of thankless practice, physical injuries...none of that came even close to hurting Ra'id as much as being cut off from the freedom to practice the game he most loved and prove his skills at it. It's not just a matter of honour or dignity -- it's being proud of himself, and of all he sacrificed to get to the top, that drives him to keep looking ceaselessly for a way to regain what he's lost. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) What do you need most to carry out your mission? A vast network of contacts. F) Pursuing your mission had made you... Question everything and everyone. G) What is the root of your commitment to the task at hand? Love for the game. WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. D) Why have you not succeeded so far? It goes much deeper than I ever realized. Training Four-Times KSL Champion Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. I am a master of Starblade. Some people are born with a gift, a thing at which they excel beyond all limits. Ra'id's gift is Starblade. It calls to him, and its secrets are revealed to him like an open book. How could he not love something as natural to him as breathing? The game is beautiful. When he plays it, this ugly, awful world becomes beautiful as well. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) What do you do, or know, best? Strategy and tactics. E) What quality or trait did your training foster? Always be decisive. J) What unusual new application of your training are you exploring? Playing games of incomplete information. WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. C) Who is after you due to your prominence in the field? My pupil that I mentored. Crew Crew A list of your crew members, and the Hurt and Help points you have for each. Name Help Hurt Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Story Tags & Nemeses Story Tags A space for other permanent tags you might acquire during the game. Nemeses A list of the Nemeses you gained by replacing themes. Character Progression Development A track of your overall character growth. When it's full, you reset it and choose a Moment of Evolution. {_} {_} {_} {_} {_} Moments of Evolution to choose from: {_} Choose another broad power tag {_} Gain an extra theme: Ally {_} Gain an extra theme: Base of Operations {_} Gain an extra theme: Ride {_} Get closure from your Nemeses {_} Go through a transformation {_} Leave the City {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} See through the Mist

Reserved, just in case.

1. Name and describe a place of interest in the City Ithaca isn’t really a place that’s set in stone but moves across the city, setting up inside shops, bars, sewers, parks, anywhere really. Here people of all walks of life converge, people selling zines, baked goods, thrifted clothes, you name it and you can find it in Ithaca. The only problem is that they don’t use currency, you have to barter some other way, offering something they’d like or doing favours. 2. Give me the name and description of a local Contact. Duke Moreau is one of the beggar lords of the city. His duchy’s main source of income is looking after people’s stuff so that nothing goes missing 3. Where do you go to rewind? There is a used bookstore in one of the forgotten alleyways of the city, where there seems to be no one but new graffiti layers the walls and makes the alleyway each day. 4. What does this sprawling metropolis have in abundance? Satiety for the way things are. 5. What does it lack, or need more of? Anger. 6. What do you fear most about the world today? That we have reached the end of history. 7. What is a recent rumour that you've heard? The Duke says you gotta keep everything zip-tied to your body nowadays. There’s been a lot of theft lately, and it isn’t him this time. It’s getting bad for business because things they’re looking after are disappearing. Seriously, how on earth are cars being stolen in midday?

Logos Monday never really fit in anywhere. His parents did everything for him, they broke their back sending him to an elite private school so that he could get an education that they never dreamed of. They starved to make sure that he would grow tall so that no one would ever look down on him. They gave him a name ambiguous but in gender and ethnicity so that he wouldn’t be discriminated entering the corporate world. Ostracised in school he spent most of his time in the library, hiding away and living vicariously through the adventures of books so that he didn't have to deal with the crushing reality he lived in. He actually did well in school despite his lack of resources, but never had the opportunity to capitalise on his potential. His parents never made it to see his 16th birthday due to lax building codes for his father and overwork and stress for his mother. He dropped out of school to take odd jobs and toughed it out until he was taken in by a three-person punk band. That’s when he started calling himself Monday, because everyone hates that day the most after all. Grave of the Horse Breaker His band performed everywhere they can so that people see them. They do a lot of impromptu shows where they get the word out hours before showing up at the venue, never without permission, and they play until right before the cops come. Sometimes they and their fans disperse before getting caught and other times they have to fight. It was during one of these fights that Don Quixote awakened. Next thing he knew him and his band were alone surrounded by the beaten cops, whose ranged weaponry curiously firmly holstered and in their hands batons and nightsticks. However, because of this obvious display of violence and the death of one of the cops, the authorities had ample reason to crack down and arrest the band. The drummer, lead singer and leader of the group, Hector, gave himself up saying it was all his doing. He was arrested and no one knows what happened to him since. The Grave of the Horse Breaker was named such after his arrest and the band was in a disarray with their beacon gone. Packrat, the lead guitarist, replaced his role as the drummer and leader of the group. Laika, the rhythmic guitarist and harmonic vocals, took Hector's voice and became lead guitarist. Monday had to start leaning how to sing. He lives with the guilt of murder and the burden knowing that all his band members – his surrogate family, are all suffering because of his actions. The only thing they can do is keep playing, raging into the night. Laika They used to be royalty, being the part of the main bloodline to one of the corporations, but only as an illegitimate child. From a young age they were taught what it means to be the perfect pawn for the company. To solidify the company's expansion, they were arranged to be married to the heir of another corporation to ensure the prosperity of the merger. The night before the wedding they ran away and was taken eventually found themselves in the company of punks. Roaming from performance to performance, always in venues in disgusting places like sewers, they mingled in these communities, screaming into the night. Hector gave them a proper place to stay. They lived on the roof of an abandoned public school, sleeping under the stars before joining Hector's band. They renamed themselves as Laika, hoping to one day go to the stars themselves. Packrat She's known her whole life on the streets, begging at first and then stealing all that they can to survive. She only saw up until that each night, where she slept not knowing whether she hoped to wake up again and do it all again. Over time, she became a better and better thief, getting away with stealing bigger objects, not for her survival but for the hope to have more than just scraps. One day, she stole a guitar off a punk and was on the run when they were hunting her down. She was saved when Hector took her under her wing and they formed a duo act. She has no idea why he did that for her but she is forever grateful. Her love of material wealth turned her into a gear head for the guitar, collecting all the accoutrement to create her voice in the world where everything else can be stolen. The community gave her the name Packrat, as she carried her world upon her back. Mythos Don Quixote de la Mancha is the insane knight, and the most chivalrous knight to ever live. The knight adventured in a world past the era of knights and was beaten and mocked throughout, yet never gave up is code. Although misguided and borderline insane, attacking others for no apparent reason, this delusion compelled people to act out his fantasies. Sadly that knight died, regretting his delusions. Monday doesn’t know why he was taken by the knight. Its delusions disgusts him. The city is a broken, hollow husk and has been like that since before he was born. There is no redeeming the city unless you burn it all down and try again. That's the only blessing that Don Quixote gave him, the ability to see the world for what it is. Now he can see the real reason why the nobility have a tight grip of the people and the way he sees it he has to take them down, even if it means being used by that knight. Hidden Pain Monday's terrified of being nothing to this world. That nothing he's doing is meaningful and that his parents sacrifices went to waste. That Hector's sacrifice went to waste. All he is is just another soul screaming into the night, unable to keep even the last remnants of his life under his control. So instead he's doing anything he can to be more than just a drop in the pond in a roaring ocean. He will be the waves and will change the world no matter what it takes. Even if it destroys him because if he stops now, he is nothing.

Monday Blues Don Quixote Name: [Hidden] Nicknames: Monday Blues, Bass Age: Early 20's, still the wrinkles of time haven't appeared and passion still burns behind those eyes. Gender: Male Occupation: Musician Height: Average height, although he looks slightly taller lately. Build: Leaner side, body built out of manual labour. Demeanor: Confident and looks like a trouble maker. Logos concept: Punk rocker that has it out for the establishment. Mythos concept: The knight that forces his reality on the world. Logos Logos Monday spends his day either rocking or participating other parts of punk culture or volunteering. The first thing people notice about him is his appearance, striking hair and jewelry catches the eye as much as his clothes that he modified himself. He's defiant and confident, listening to no one that he doesn't agree with. Although he seems relaxed and even happy go lucky at times, he is extremely cynical about the world he lives in and especially of those in the upper echelons of society. He doesn't understand why the Knight of Mancha has claimed him. Mythos Mythos The delusional Spanish knight isn't just a madman. His unwavering dedication to chivalry is infectious, causing others to follow along his fantastical whims. Even though the knight attacked others and was beaten himself, there was a benefitting quality to his outdated chivalry. He made wise rulers from peasants, innkeepers to lords, rural girls to princesses, beyond the peel of reality the imagined possibility manifests through the story he imposes upon the world. Reality beats down on childlike naïveté; wonton idealism forces reality to submit. Theme Cards Expression Surrender to Dreams Mystery:Every Mythos theme has a question, called a Mystery, which defines what your character wishes to discover about their Mythos. How do I change reality? There is madness in too much sanity. The fool who lives in idealist fantasy in the most sane in the lunatic world. Let us fools perform ad-lib upon the stage. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Fade:When your character's Mystery calls to them, but they ignore it, mark one Fade. If your character continues to ignore their Mythos and marks the third Fade box, you replace the theme with a new Logos theme. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Follow the plot B) Subvert the story F) Genre conventions I) Be the knight WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. C) The fourth wall collapses D) Death of the author Divination You Don't Know Much About Adventures Mystery:Every Mythos theme has a question, called a Mystery, which defines what your character wishes to discover about their Mythos. Who's running the show? The root of perceiving isn't in your senses but how you choose to interpret them. Grope at the invisible walls of reality and find the truth. See the giants masquerading as windmills. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Fade:When your character's Mystery calls to them, but they ignore it, mark one Fade. If your character continues to ignore their Mythos and marks the third Fade box, you replace the theme with a new Logos theme. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Imagination runs wild E) Connect everything I) Believing is reality WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. A) Melodrama and paranoia Routine Guerrilla Gigger Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. "They hate it, keep playing." Being a punk musician means a lot more than playing music. It means doing everything yourself and making creating the manifestation of yourself and projecting it out to the world. Perform and pack up before the cops catch up. And if they catch up? Fight back. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Punk Rocker E) Protest and Riot H) Anarchist WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. D) Ego death Defining Relationship Grave of the Horse Breaker Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. "We'll make sure that you won't ever forget us." Grave of the Horse Breaker is the band that he plays in. They're a tight knit crew who do everything together and will bail each other out. They're music is unrelentingly theirs, even if it's polarising but it means that the fans that they do have are just as loyal. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) True expression F) A voice and an audience C) Unrelenting will WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. B) Overly protective of the band and the fans Crew Crew A list of your crew members, and the Hurt and Help points you have for each. Name Help Hurt Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Story Tags & Nemeses Story Tags A space for other permanent tags you might acquire during the game. Nemeses A list of the Nemeses you gained by replacing themes. Character Progression Development A track of your overall character growth. When it's full, you reset it and choose a Moment of Evolution. {_} {_} {_} {_} {_} Moments of Evolution to choose from: {_} Choose another broad power tag {_} Gain an extra theme: Ally {_} Gain an extra theme: Base of Operations {_} Gain an extra theme: Ride {_} Get closure from your Nemeses {_} Go through a transformation {_} Leave the City {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} See through the Mist

Quinn Brantley The Little Match Girl Name: Quinn Brantley Nicknames: Q, Brandy Age: Late twenties. Gender: Female. Occupation: Bartender/Mixologist. Height: 5'6". Build: Athletic and lean. Demeanor: Confident and approachable, with a warm smile that puts patrons at ease and invites conversation. Logos concept: A savvy bartender and manager at "The Crossroads" bar, "Brandy" as she is known to her regulars, is renowned for her empathetic ear and knack for mixing the perfect drink and advice that seem to resonate with her patrons' innermost needs. Mythos concept: A flicker in the shadow, the bearer of the last flame that warms the lost and the hopeless, igniting hope with a whisper. Logos Logos Quinn Brantley thrives behind the bar of "The Crossroads," a place where city tales intertwine with the clink of glasses. Her days are a blend of mixology and silent observations, her nights a canvas for whispered confessions and fleeting connections. To the outside world, Quinn is the epitome of urban chic—confident, with an athletic build, and a style that marries practicality with a touch of mystery. Her demeanor is an inviting cocktail of warmth and reserved charisma, making her both approachable and enigmatic. Why did this Mythos manifest through your character? The Little Match Girl mythos found its way to Quinn during a bleak winter of the soul, a time when the harshness of the city seemed insurmountable to those around her. It was her inherent capacity for empathy, her silent wish to be a beacon of hope in the unforgiving night, that stirred the mythos awake. Like the match girl's final flickers of light and warmth in the cold, Quinn's presence became a sanctuary, a place of solace amidst the chaos of urban life. What is your character's Secret Pain? Quinn harbors a deep-seated guilt over a night she couldn't save someone—a young soul lost to the city's shadows, a reminder of the limits of her reach. This event is the ember that fuels her drive but also the shadow that haunts her steps. It's this secret pain that binds her to the Little Match Girl, a shared narrative of warmth in the cold, light in the darkness, and the agony of flames that eventually extinguish. Despite her role as a giver of hope, Quinn is perpetually chased by the question: "Could I have done more?" This doubt is her silent companion, tucked away beneath the bottles and smiles, a pain that fuels both her compassion and her isolation. Mythos Mythos The Little Match Girl: The Last Ember's Guardian Within Quinn Brantley stirs the mythos of The Little Match Girl, a legend of fleeting warmth in the biting cold, of ephemeral light in engulfing darkness. This ancient tale reborn grants Quinn the ethereal power to kindle hope where despair reigns, to illuminate paths for those lost in their own shadows. As the Last Ember's Guardian, Quinn wields the ability to ignite a spark of joy and comfort in the hearts of the city's weary souls, offering brief respite from their struggles with her words, her presence, and her concoctions. Yet, this gift comes with the poignant reminder of the match girl's own fate—transient flames in the night, a warmth that can stave off the chill but not defeat it. Quinn embodies the duality of light and shadow, her every action a testament to the enduring human spirit and the inevitable, encroaching darkness that follows. Theme Cards Expression EMBER'S WHISPER Mystery:Every Mythos theme has a question, called a Mystery, which defines what your character wishes to discover about their Mythos. Can true hope be kindled in the heart of despair? Ember's Whisper is the manifestation of Quinn's deepest desire to bring light to the darkest corners of the human heart, to challenge the encroaching despair of the city with moments of genuine connection and understanding. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Fade:When your character's Mystery calls to them, but they ignore it, mark one Fade. If your character continues to ignore their Mythos and marks the third Fade box, you replace the theme with a new Logos theme. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Igniting hopeful visions F) Revealing hidden truths G) Empathic bond WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. D) Emotional burnout. Turf HEART OF THE CROSSROADS Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. At the Crossroads, everyone finds their way Creating a theme starts with a concept. Describe that concept, how it relates to your Rift, and what it allows your Rift to do. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) The Crossroads Bar C) Familiar Faces E) Nightly communal gatherings WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. A) Unwanted criminal attention Personality URBAN EMPATH Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. A nod, a smile, and the world feels lighter. Creating a theme starts with a concept. Describe that concept, how it relates to your Rift, and what it allows your Rift to do. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Truly wants to help B) Warm, welcoming demeanor F) Intuitive reader WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. A) Overly emotionally invested Routine THE BARTENDER'S RITUAL Identity:Every Logos theme has a statement, called an Identity, which describes some aspect of your character that they believe about themselves. For every story there's a drink; for every face, a friend. Creating a theme starts with a concept. Describe that concept, how it relates to your Rift, and what it allows your Rift to do. Attention: {_} {_} {_} Crack:You mark Crack when your character's Identity demands something of them, but they fail to deliver. If your character continues to ignore their Identity and marks the third Crack box, you replace the theme with a new Mythos theme instead. {_} {_} {_} POWER TAGSWhen you take action using one of the Core Moves, each power tag you have (and that is relevant to your action) adds one point of Power to your move. This improves your chances of succeeding and increases the effectiveness of your action. Each theme starts with 3 power tags. You must answer the first power tag question in your Themebook. Then answer two more of your choice. For each theme, you can only have one broad power tag. A broad power tag is one that would be useful in many different situations. Power Tag Questions Answer the first question (A) from your chosen Themebook, and then choose two more questions from the following list to answer. Your answer should be a short description no more than a few words long. Each answer becomes a power tag. A) Bartender therapist F) Crafting unique cocktails I) Cozy, atmospheric bar WEAKNESS TAGSWeakness Tags depower your moves but earn you Attention. They always describe something limiting (ask yourself: what actions would this weakness tag impede?). Each theme starts with 1 weakness tag. You can answer any weakness tag question in your Themebook. Extra tags! In one theme of your choice, you may add one additional power tag and one additional weakness tag. B) Exhausting long nights Crew Crew A list of your crew members, and the Hurt and Help points you have for each. Name Help Hurt Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Rift - - Story Tags & Nemeses Story Tags A space for other permanent tags you might acquire during the game. Nemeses A list of the Nemeses you gained by replacing themes. Character Progression Development A track of your overall character growth. When it's full, you reset it and choose a Moment of Evolution. {_} {_} {_} {_} {_} Moments of Evolution to choose from: {_} Choose another broad power tag {_} Gain an extra theme: Ally {_} Gain an extra theme: Base of Operations {_} Gain an extra theme: Ride {_} Get closure from your Nemeses {_} Go through a transformation {_} Leave the City {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} Make one Core Move permanently Dynamite! {_} See through the Mist

Definitely interested in some City of Mist. Thinking of making a rift who is a (former, ish) pro gamer, now playing outside the league circuit in high stake money matches to make ends meet. Now to decide what sort of mythos they embody...

Just a quick update that I'm a little busy with work this week, but aim to give detailed feedback by Friday. :)