Vampire - Initial PC Idea - Joe

[The Dark Power]

Just a vague idea at first to see if this is kind of what you're after.

The idea's only partially based off Lance Henriksen's vampire character from Near Dark, although I've posted the pic to give a vague idea of what he may look like as a Vampyr. In that film the character had begun life as a soldier in the American Civil war.

The idea I have for my character is a career military man, perhaps a sergeant in the militia of a feudal lord or noble (I believe private armies weren't uncommon). Whilst basically a 'good guy' he has a very hardcore view on 'us and them', 'friend and foe' and has become known for brutal military tactics against those considered the enemy as well as a strong, almost overwhelming sense of duty to king and country.

This may have become strained depending on whether England is seen to still be 'occupied' at this particular point in history.

His strict sense of duty led him to to execute his own wife along with several of his men for collaborating with the enemy. A bitter twist being that they were collaborating in order to get him freed from prison where he was held as a prisoner of war (or **insert other random political reason** depending on preference).

Thoughts?

[illumination]

cool.

needs to be called 'vlad'.

=)

[The Dark Power]

A good solid British name.

Sorry, French name ;0)

[illumination]

dont... he'll start ranting again...

[Tromador]

Unless of Clan Nosferatu (or other wierd related bloodlines I can't be arsed getting into here), a vampire is unlikely to appear externally monstrous in any way. A vampire who appears with half his face burned off is going to have a hard time mixing in mortal society.

Remember that when not feeding from the blood of the living, you still need to be able to go about more mundane business without attracting attention.

[illumination]

i dont see how it will be any more of a problem than any character with a disfigurement would have. there will be plenty of military men in society bearing the scars of war id hazard.

[The Dark Power]

Unless of Clan Nosferatu (or other wierd related bloodlines I can't be arsed getting into here), a vampire is unlikely to appear externally monstrous in any way. A vampire who appears with half his face burned off is going to have a hard time mixing in mortal society.

Remember that when not feeding from the blood of the living, you still need to be able to go about more mundane business without attracting attention.

I think he may just have been in a fight at that point in the film. As mentioned that's not a definite look for the character, but more to illustrate the general look I'm going for.

[The Dark Power]

Also, having looked at Mike's female character, perhaps he could be employed as her guard or somesuch...

[illumination]

works for me. that would make him a royal guard, in all likelyhood.

[^^Truth]

Sounds okay to me. So he's English by birth?

Also you need to nail down what exactly his virtue and vice is, is assuming Fortitude and Wrath correct?

Private armies are very common.

There can be some sort of royal guard thing, but naturally they would have to be changes somewhere as it's rather odd for an English guard to be guarding a french diplomat. But we can work something out and that's why these characters are being written up well in advance, so I can have a good think of how to put it all together.

I can think at this moment for ways to connect the PCs together, just requires a little thought is all, but naturally they have to connect to other PCs as well.

[^^Truth]

Okay. I haven't seen Near Dark, so telling me the PC is based off him doesn't give me anything information what-so-ever.

Can you give me an idea of the concept please?

Looks like you want a military guy mind you. That's cool, he can start as high or low in the chain of command as you require using the background traits. Which we can discuss.

Potentially someone with a title, a knight, baron, count or what-not may work well as those people would have a private army that you are required to raise for the King of your land.

Likewise being in the direct employee and leading troops also works to a degree, but naturally without a title you're a nobody and as soon as a knight/duke/sandwich salesman turns up you're under his command.

Nationality though? English? Just want to clarify.

The character in this concept will be seeking the opportunity to achieve vampirism when and if it's offered or potentially available? Also, naturally being a military man he serves others and so on, whilst force of arms is useful in various ways in vampiric society it's not so much so as you can't effectively lead armies and so on.

So when/if he becomes a vampire and can no longer lead armies and won't be guarding people or what-not, what will he be doing with his time?

Guess I'm just asking about long term goals and plans.

[The Dark Power]

OK I think I've answered some of this by either speaking to you in person or in my earlier posts, but for clarity:

Concept is as stated in initial post, ignore the reference to near dark, it doesn't matter, it's mainly there to indicate what sort of personality I may go for for those who've seen the film. For those familiar I also intend to base him on Colonel Tigh from BSG.

I think a sergeant or something of a similar level would work best, someone hard done by by his superior officers but who would never complain about it due to his overriding sense of honour. Take him to any higher rank and you lose the sense of the 'underdog' which I feel does help define the character.

Nationality, preferably English but can easily be transposed to any country, particularly if I'm guarding Mike's character. Being ordered to guard a french noble at the behest of the french rulers of england might make for some interesting conflict, however.

The character at this point does not believe that vampirism exists , and will refuse to even if presented with incontrovertible proof that it does.

He may however grow to like it once it happens as he is seeking release from the guilt he feels over the deaths of his men and wife. He has abit of a serious drink problem because of this already.

In terms of long term goals, I think the character would likely have something of a secret deathwish, hence his fearlessness in battle - he secretly hopes one day he'll not make it out of a fight.

I think the transition to vampire would not rob him of his dedication to king and country. Maybe he would use his new found powers to see the invaders gone from England, or perhaps be some kind of vigilante protector of the state.

Can I wear a black cloak and dress up like a bat?

[Tromador]

Black Colonel Tigh from original BSG or grizzled hard drinking Saul Tigh from new BSG?

[The Dark Power]

Which do you think? ;0)

[Tromador]

What a guy!

[The Dark Power]

What the frak are you on about?!!

[^^Truth]

He looks like a cunt.

Will post more when I'm sober.

[The Dark Power]

That's probabaly a good idea ;0)

[illumination]

i like it.

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