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Post by jazzs3quence on Aug 23, 2010 23:10:24 GMT -8
Hey guys. You can probably tell from this new forum Grave's set up that we/I'm planning a Long Con game. It was briefly introduced over hereI'll post more as I have time to start organizing things but head over here jazzsequence.com/longcon/index.php?title=Classes and start thinking about what types of characters you'd like to play. Crews can be fairly small and it'd run fine with just 2 people playing, but if everyone from this board wanted to jump in I'd be thrilled -- I've been digging the Steampunk game we've been hammering at. The general plan is to start the game sometime after Ak/Andrew/Gravedust gets back from BM, so there's a bit of time to poke around the wiki.
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Post by Gravedust on Aug 25, 2010 15:12:47 GMT -8
First draft for my character. I may have more to add but I wanted to check that everything was okay so far... ============================== Name: Benjamin J. Pell Class: Roper XP: Reputation:
Attractiveness: Buzz: Specialties: Misdirection: Buzz: Specialties: Tech: Buzz: Specialties: Lore: Buzz: Specialties: Persuasion: 3 Buzz: Specialties: Intimidation: Buzz: Specialties: Sparkle: 3 Buzz: Specialties: Luck: Buzz: Specialties: Empathy: 2 Buzz: Specialties: Lie: Buzz: Specialties: Sleight-of-Hand: Buzz: Specialties: Lockpick: Buzz: Specialties: Sneak: Buzz: Specialties: Connections: Buzz: Specialties: Read: 2 Buzz: Specialties: Notice: 1 Buzz: Specialties: Rep: ----- Specialties: Fasttalk: Buzz: Specialties: Research: 2 Buzz: Specialties: Dirt: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
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<Transcript begins> (BP:) Well, I wanted to be an actor, you know... THis is Hollywood after all, right? The big dream? Well, actuallY I was an actor for a while. Got some bit parts and a pilot for some ... Horrible little show for the sci-fi channel. <Laughs> But I was in makeup the entire time, right? I was playing an alien, so nobody ever saw what I really looked like. (AG:) <Unintelligible> (BP:) <Laughs> Yeah, right? You know how they say some people have a face made for radio? That's me to a T. ...Well okay, okay I'm not that bad, really, but you know how they like everyone they put in front of a camera to look like some kind of model? Well, I just don't cut that.I mean I can act. I really can act. But I just don't have the face you need for television. So that sort of went down the tubes. I mean I didn't want to play a series of scaly aliens for the rest of my life, so one new years - I must have been like.. twenty-two at the time - I made vow that I'd only take real, serious acting work from there on out, even it it meant I staved. (AG:) And how did that work out? (BP:) Well, I starved. <Laughs> It's a rough town, you know. But that's a nice segway into how I got into the business, which I sense is going to be your next question. (AG:) Yes, actually it was. (BP:) See? Mind powers. But all right. So there I was, working two jobs just to keep from getting kicked out of my rathole apartment -while still trying to make every audition I could- When finally I just said to hell with it. I was burning myself out with this rat-race, right? Soon I wouldn't be good for everything. I remember looking out of the window at one of my jobs and seeing this bum with his sign out, right? I figured hell, that guy probably gets just as much as I do, and what's he doing? Sitting there with a sign. People feel sorry for him, they toss him a coin and maybe feel better about themselves. Fair enough, I'm not going to be the one to knock that. But I thought about it, and I figured, 'I bet I could improve on that' You know, if people want to shell out a little cash to help someone, and more importantly feel like they're a good person... That's something you can sell, you know? I figured there was no reason -I- couldn't be the one selling that, and doing a better job of it than that guy with the sign. (AG:) That's a bit cynical. (BP:) Cynical? Sure, absolutely. But it's not like I didn't need the money almost as bad as that guy. So anyway. That's how I got started, in essence. I'd stage a scene. Some little personal tragedy that I could spool out right in front of people, tug their heartstrings a bit, get them to open their wallets. All the world's a stage, right? except now I'm writing my own scripts, doing all the performances myself, and now I'm my own manager. Best job in the world. (Waitress:) Are you two ready for drinks? (AG:) I'll take the house draft, please. (BP:) Same as him, and thanks so much. <A four second pause> (BP: So that's how I got started. My first few shows I actually did after work was out, I'd drive across town and put something on. Then I started doing weekends which worked a lot better. The trick to it was it had to seem incidental, like things were just happening right then, and this character just -at that moment- needed a hand or some help or.. You know. It had to seem like the last thing they wanted to be doing was asking other people for money. So you have to create this circumstance, this need, and then you let the audience fulfill it. And then there's the payoff for both of us, I get my money, and they get this character thanking them, personally, for helping them out. On good days there'd be tears on both sides. <Chuckles> (AG:) So you were successful? (BP:) Oh, yeah. I mean it was a small time thing, and there was only room for me. ..And I had to keep moving, you know.. my shows were pretty memorable so you can't do another in the same place until a lot of time's gone by. You don't want someone to go 'hey, I've seen this guy before'. But I made enough to keep the bills paid, sure. Eventually I quit both my jobs and supported myself just on the shows alone. It got to be sort of addicting after a while. You might know how that is. (AG:) Yeah, I might. So how did you know how to get to people? How did you know what would work? (BP:) Well, in addition to acting classes when I was in college I took some behavioral psychology courses. I don't think I ever wanted to be a shrink, really, but the field always interested me. I guess I thought it'd help with my acting, too, help me get into characters heads and motivations. I guess in a way it did. It helps me know what people are thinking, and how to get them to think what I want, and how to use that to get them to do what I want. A lot of people do it by instinct, and instinct still plays a huge part of it. But I've read the books, and know the theories behind it. I think it helps. (AG:) And how did you get into the big time stuff? (BP:) Well, I guess I overplayed my hand a little. After about a year and a half of putting on my little performances I was approached by a guy -and no I'm not going to give you a name, sorry, but maybe you can guess- Who said in as many words that he knew what I was doing, and that he could use my sort of talent with a little project of his own he was in the middle of. He was a gentleman, and didn't threaten to rat me out or anything. <laughs> So of course I said yes, and as it turned out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. And that is, in a nutshell, how I got into the business.(Waitress:)Here you are, <Unintelligible> if you need anything else. (AG:)Thank you. (BP:) Aaah, Thanks. This is great. (BP:) So, <NAME WITHHELD> Have you got a feel for me now? Is there a job for me in all this? (AG:) I think there could be, for you, yes. (BP:) Well great! That's great. I've been off the field for a few weeks, about time I got back on my feet, you know? But here's where I have to get a little direct with you, <NAME WITHHELD>. Are you taping me right now? (AG:) I don't- What? (BP:) See, you're leaning to the side a little with your shoulders forward, like you want to keep your coat from moving too much. People do that to keep the fabric from sliding on your microphone and messing up the recording. It was pretty obvious when you reached for your drink. Though to be honest I noticed it before. (BP:) Now, I can appreciate that you might want to have some insurance if it comes down to it, but at this moment I'd like to direct your attention to the two tourists who are standing on the street corner taking pictures of the skyline for the last few minutes. They happen to be pretty good friends of mine and several of those pictures feature the two of us together, enjoying our drinks. Not to turn this conversation unfriendly, you see, I'd still like a job and I think working for you specifically could be a rewarding experience for us both. I'm looking forward to it. But I want to make it clear that if the contents of that tape are ever used against me, I'll see to it that those pictures find their way to the public. And that would be pretty awkward for the both of us, wouldn't it? (AG:) Awkward is a way of putting it, yes. (BP:) Well good! I'm glad we see eye to eye. So why don't we turn that recorder off and talk some business? <TRANSCRIPT ENDS>
---------------------- :Description: Benjamin (Ben to most people) Pell is a rather benign-looking man overall, stocky and a few pounds happily overweight with a rounded, blunt pug nose and a wide chin. His head is topped with slightly curly brown hair at a medium length or longer, which he often hides under ballcaps or other hats as the occasion suits. He actually prefers shorter hair, but the extra length makes it easy to slip into certain characters. Besides, it's easy to make hair shorter if he needs, but to make it longer takes time. So he keeps his hair at what is literally a happy medium.
He's comfortable in most any sort of clothing, and in truth seems to show no real preference. To all appearances he's just as comfortable in a 3-piece suit as he is in sweats and a windbreaker. His usual mode of dress is generally somewhere in between the two, though not always totally casual. He maintains an extensive and well tailored (or intentionally ill-tailored in some cases) wardrobe, considering it to be one of the many tools of his trade. His collection includes a multitude of different uniforms and dress styles. He is an assiduous clothes shopper and bargain store hunter, and more recently has taken to ordering clothes from overseas to add a bit of foreign spice to his outfits.
He is warm and affable in a quiet sort of way way. While comfortable in the spotlight, when out of the spotlight he tends to slink back into the crowd and observe, and much prefers to talk privately to two of three people than address a group. But personally he is almost unfailingly polite and friendly, and is happy to have a chant with anyone in the vicinity. And there is where his best qualities become most evident. While not a truly handsome man, he can be quite charming. From his warm laugh to his cherubic smile, he has a way of getting past peoples defenses and getting them to open up. As part of his preparation process, Ben has taken to using the Internet and a few select contacts to find out as much about his targets as he can before going to seeing them in person, and has gotten somewhat adept at uncovering other information about them as well
On the downside, he does tend to flounder a little bit when things deviate from the intended script, and he has a little more trouble thinking quickly on his feet than some others. But so long as the plan is running smooth he is nearly unflappable, no matter how much pressure is put on him, or how extreme his acting has to become in order to get the job done. Once he puts a character on it doesn't come off until the job is finished.
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Post by jazzs3quence on Aug 25, 2010 15:55:18 GMT -8
Wow, I didn't really expect to see characters so soon, though I guess If you're leaving in a couple days it makes sense.
Ben looks good. Only question I have is age since it's not really mentioned anywhere. It will be cool to see how the crew starts to fill out :)
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Post by Gravedust on Aug 25, 2010 15:58:16 GMT -8
Eh, I had him at about 28... For looks I based him a lot off the guy who played Galen Tyrol in the latest Battlestar series... >.> I'll make sure his age makes it into the next draft. I may change one or two other things as well, but I'm glad it's okay, mostly. ^^
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Post by jazzs3quence on Sept 2, 2010 8:37:43 GMT -8
Characters aren't due for a week (the 10th), but I wanted to say that if there's anyone planning on playing the LC game and had any questions about anything let me know. I've been busy and it's been a while since I've looked at the source material, and there's some things that I remember that I wanted to add and now I can't remember what any of them are, so if anything seems missing or incomplete please let me know. I am working on an NPC/mark and after he's done I'll probably post some building instructions for making NPCs (which would lead into the modules). I'm also planning on making an NPC but not sure whether or not said NPC will actually be in the game -- sort of depends on if there's any holes in the crew...
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Post by jazzs3quence on Sept 14, 2010 15:35:37 GMT -8
yes I realize I never did upkeep this morning and I said I would. I'm a horrible horrible person. FWIW, I have made the changed to my copy of your character sheets (*making changes now*)...
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Post by brendur on Sept 14, 2010 15:51:19 GMT -8
;D no worries, we'll call off the brute squad.
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Post by jazzs3quence on Sept 15, 2010 8:12:37 GMT -8
brendur -- I believe you FAILED your Charm roll
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Post by brendur on Sept 15, 2010 8:17:07 GMT -8
;D shhhh I'm having fun swearing with a cockney accent.
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Post by jazzs3quence on Oct 6, 2010 18:53:46 GMT -8
L. O. L. ;D
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Post by jazzs3quence on Oct 18, 2010 9:49:14 GMT -8
I have to say, out of all the ways that last roll could have gone, I'm at least fairly happy that the first real botch of the game happened to an NPC rather than you guys
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Post by brendur on Oct 19, 2010 8:16:02 GMT -8
by the way if Arch's plan is too wacky for the first time around feel free to let him know like Grave I've yet to even see any episodes of hustle, and I am most assuredly not a criminal mastermind.
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Post by jazzs3quence on Oct 19, 2010 8:22:32 GMT -8
I think you guys are doing fine. It'll be nailing down the specifics that will be the trickiest. The real test of the system will be how the mark reacts to the con anyway -- it's supposed to be a fair, even possibly challenging system but, on the other hand, it was also designed understanding that most people playing aren't con artists and if they were, they'd probably not be playing (they'd be conning people). side note: this dude is an actual person (only marginally fictionalized), so my secret ulterior motive is to see what you guys come up with to screw him over
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Post by jazzs3quence on Oct 19, 2010 8:23:36 GMT -8
also: if you're not adverse to downloading tv via bittorrent, there should be full seasons available on demonoid (among other places). it's how I got mine ;D
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Post by brendur on Oct 22, 2010 5:45:55 GMT -8
As I've stated elsewhere I don't have much time to game today, so if you guys want to push things along, Arch will just toddle off and mess with turning that computer into a key card cracker.
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Post by jazzs3quence on Oct 22, 2010 9:57:07 GMT -8
That's okay. Technically this game only runs Monday thru Wednesday, but I haven't really been keeping with that either. Today's busy for me as well, so I dunno if I'll have a chance to post, but if I do, I'll make sure to put Arch tinkering with the laptop remains.
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