"Erm... Do not stare directly into the Balance"
"PAIN IS THE DEMON LEAVING THE BODY!"
"My Lady, let me show these beasts WHAT A MONSTER TRULY IS!"
The Kitten Story
He then tells the orphans at the Bastite Orphanage a lovely story about a brave little kitten. He brings a kitten with him of course. If you can't find one of those in the Temple of Bast, what are you doing being a priest? He's sober for a change, and actually has an attention span. Yeah. I want to do Storytime for Urchins as an Interactive thing too. TT needs more Grimm Fables. Also a more directed form of Murdurchin. The PURGEurchin. I apologise in advance.
"Once upon a time there was a little white kitten who lived in the land of snow and ice. She was a happy kitten, and loved playing in the snow with her sisters, and climbing trees to hunt the birds and steal their delicious fresh eggs. One day, the kitten came home from her hunt, only to see horrible big demons fighting her family. She ran and she ran, but she couldn't stop the demons and they ran off, cackling, leaving her family dying on the cold snow. The sad little kitten wept and wept, and as the tears froze on her face she swore in the name of Bast, goddess of all cats that the demons would pay for this. For did she not have sharp little claws, and strong teeth, and the wits of the greatest hunter? She buried her lost family under a tall pine, and said her last goodbyes, setting off to track the demons. She felt Bast's spirits walk with her, lending her strength, her courage, her determination to seize the prey.
Far and wide she searched, following every rumour, every tale of big red beasts. Until at last she found the demons' hall, deep in the darkest, blackest wood. The demons cackled and feasted in the warm hall, bellowing at their captured cats to fetch them more meat, more wine. The night was cold, air frozen, but faith in Bast and the lust to kill burned hot in the kitten's heart. She leapt at the door, hissing fury, smashing it aside. Her screams of revenge mixed with the dying wails of the demons as she tore their throats out, spilling their corrupt blood on the floor. When at last the final demon was dead, she told the slaves that they were free. That the riches of the demon hall were theirs for the taking, if they wished to join her pride. For Lady Bast has many favours for those who hunt well and defend those they hold dear, but none to spare on just anyone who comes a-begging."
Memes
1. Your character is being announced at the Royal Ball by the most pompous, enthusiastic and long-winded Master of Ceremonies in recorded history. What do they declaim?
- Damien Carrington, Hunter of Bast, Breaker of Sheckley, Why Are You Playing With That Ball of Wool?
2. Give a 6-word backstory and/or history for your character, prior to their entering play - it is needed for the character bio on the back cover of this season's DVD.
- Scandalised Noble Becomes Bloodstained Sleazy Hedonist.
3. However improbable it may seem, your character just won a boasting competition. What was their winning boast?
- I killed it with one hand behind my back, using a knife!
4. Your character loses a hand irrevocably, and is given the opportunity to have something grafted on to replace it. What do they pick?
- This was LION CLAWS, and then he got them. It's probably still LION CLAWS.
5. What one impossible thing would you most like to have, be, or be able to do, in order to better physrep your character?
- Retractable claws.
6. Your character is asked by their immediate superior which one thing they would choose to save from their dwelling, were it on fire. Sensing that a flippant answer is not called for, how do they instead answer?
- "Me. Obviously."
7. Your character was abducted by Nightmares (or local equivalent) on the way out of the Arms, and wakes up in a sack (just as armed as they left the pub). What do they have in their pockets, and what one further thing do they wish they had also picked up from home this morning?
- Money, a few feathers. He wishes he'd brought a pillow, it's uncomfortable in this sack.
8. Your character's life is flashing before their eyes. Describe briefly any two of the following: Leaving their childhood home. Losing their first love. The first time they killed. The first time they lost a comrade. Another occasion on which they nearly died. A time they lowered their standards. A time they abandoned hope. Something that terrified them.
The first time he killed
I slouched my way back from the club, hoping she was asleep by now. I'd thought that maybe marriage would make Father cause prattling about "impropriety" for a while, but all it had led to was a snapping wife to go with my grumbling family. What were they to care? I was never to inherit, and I'd done the house a benefit with this match. A goodly dowry and and a proper little lay Lightist to in the family to offset that awful "demonology" gossip. Fumbling my key in the door, I made my way to the parlour, intending to nap in the expensive armchair I'd ordered rather than crawl upstairs for another wretched lecture on temperance.
It was as I closed my eyes that the screams started, then the footsteps, heading down the stairs. Who was in my house, how DARE they? And why weren't my servants dealing with this? In fact, why hadn't Smythe greeted me as I came in? I rose in a foul temper, making my way to the door and pulling it open. I found Smythe out there, dressed not as a servant but in some sort of pale grey robe. He stood beside another figure, chanting over a body with a knife in its back. Hanne's body. I'd hated her, hated the expectations and duty she'd brought, the dull way she accepted the role her family had placed her in. I might have wished Hanne gone, but not like this. Not someone breaking into MY house, attacking MY wife. MY problem. I looked to the table next to me and picked up a heavy pewter candlestick. That would do nicely. I crept towards my traitor of a valet, muttering under my breath, hoping I was sober enough to hit him. Hurtmypeoplebetraymytrustgetmyrevenge… Why did the woman next to him have black diamonds for eyes?
It gets a bit hazy after this point, I'm afraid. Every time I recall it it's a bit different. Sometimes I feel claws on my shoulders, digging in possessively. Sometimes a there's a woman, strong arms around my waist, breath hot against my cheek and smelling of meat and blood. Often there's a tiny white kitten sitting on the table I took the candlestick from, licking its sweet little paws and staring at me. The words are always the same though, whether they're a in a whispered voice, a leonine roar, or the tiny mews of a kitten. "NO. MINE." I don't recall what my reply is, I just remember that I accept. I can see a little bronze lion on the mantlepiece. It seems important. Look at the lion, Damien. Look at. The. Lion. I shout something, some thanks to Her, and scream a string of curses at the DEMON next to Smythe. Of course it's a demon, how could I not know, She told me, HUNTTHEDEMONKILLTHEDEMON… something flies from my outstretched hand, a blur of claws and rage, taking the DEMON in the chest, flinging her to the floor as she suddenly stretches, warps, vanishes. Smythe rushes me, and I swing down on his knife-arm, breaking it with a snap. He turns to run, dropping the blade, and gets the candlestick to the face for his troubles. He collapses, and shortly after, so do I, slumping exhausted to the floor. I dream of lionesses, hot sands, comfortable tents stuffed with silk cushions. Duty, Father? I'm done with this family. I have a new duty now, to a higher Mistress and all she asks of me is to be myself. Oh, and to hunt. Seems the fencing lessons will have been useful, after all...
9. Your character wakes up in a Militia cell with no clear memories of their last few hours. Given time to think it over, why will they conclude they are there?
- A woman, a hunt or a prank.
10. Your character was obliged to leave town. As they fled, they left messages with a trusted friend. Most of them dealt with religious and social obligations, and put in place provision for their return (or otherwise) - but they found time for one quick personal note. Who is it to, and roughly what does it say?
- "Don't worry, Father, I'll continue to be 'an embarassment to the name' wherever I go. Yours in the service of Bast, Damien."
1. What would your character kill for? What would they die for?
- Boredom, Bast, "Because It's A Fucking Demon, Idiots". Possibly Bast.
2. What would they refuse to do under any circumstances? Why?
- Betray a group he'd declared to be his pride, abandon his faith.
3. What do they dream about? [Either literal or figurative].
- Chasing things. Sex.
4. What’s their biggest fear?
- Getting Spirit Wracked.
5. What single object would they be most hard pressed to part with? Why?
- His holy symbol, because that's important!
6. What is their fondest memory?
- Killing his first demon. Not banishing, killing. Feeling Lady Bast's predatory spirits tear away its tether and pounce, pinning it to the ground as he jammed his knife into its chest. That was a good day. Vengeance gives such a lovely warm glow.
7. What is their worst memory?
- -
8. What or who was were their most significant influence?
- Damien's former wife.
9. What do they believe makes a successful life?
- Enjoyment and things to brag about.
10. What makes them laugh?
- Puns. The suffering of idiots.
11. What are their religious views?
- My Lady Bast doubtlessly agrees that is an incredibly stupid question. Go away and think about what you just did. INFLICT 2: For the next 5 minutes, Regret.
12. What is their greatest strength?
- A devious mind.
13. Do they have a fatal flaw? If so, what is it?
- Short attention span, probably.
14. Who is the most important person in their life?
- Me. Seriously, did you miss the entire "I am a Bastite" statement?
15. If they died or went missing, who would miss them most?
- Probably his immediate family, in case he turned up again.
16. How would they describe themselves?
- A proud messenger of Bast's will.
17. How would others describe them?
- "The creepy Bastite".
1. What would your character's alignment be given as, if they appeared in a pastiche of the Monstrous Manual? Two words only.
- Chaotic Louche.
2. Give one OOC goal you have/had for your first event a this character.
- Go into a murderfrenzy at Demons. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
3. Your character is asked by the second-best friend of their mother, or maybe by their mentor's bridge partner, "So, what is it you do all day?" - how do they answer?
- Whatever I damn well like. Say, are you free in five minutes?
4. Describe a death for this character that you, the player, would consider pure, unadulterated win.
- Screaming defiance from on top of a pile of dead demons.
5. Under the effects of Compel Truth (which requires them to give full and truthful answers), your character is asked, without context, "Where did you hide the bodies?" How do they answer?
- I didn't hide them you idiot, I'm wearing them.
6. Your character was voted "Most Likely To (something)" by their class (or equivalent). Most likely to what?
- Never amount to much.
7. Following a lost bet during a particularly raucous evening, your character is obliged to get a tattoo of something, the following morning. What image or phrase do they pick, and optionally, why?
- A cat's bloodied paw. On the left buttock.
8. Your character discovers that a parent, superior or local notable is about to visit their dwelling place. What is the first thing they hide?
- Nothing. Possibly he writes HI, DAD on the wall in blood.