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View Full Version : Changeling the Lost... very alien...



Totally Guy
2009-09-26, 07:06 PM
Next week we are going to be starting a Changeling game. But I'm having difficulty thinking of a character. All the concepts presented in the book are very different to what I've previously seen. It's like I've got no frame of reference to anchor myself to. The mechanics I think I understand as it's all familiar from when we played Vampire the Requiem. But all the fluff and character options are intimidating.

I was originally thinking of someone who had folowed a white rabbit, ended up in an Alice in wonderland scenario and become a playing card. Then the character returned to become a gambler feeding from support groups and casinos.

But I'm not happy with the gambler theme being the primary one. I still think I'm missing some core character concept. Plus even with this theme I cannot figure out what changling type even fits that because they don't fit any archetypes I'm familiar with.

Can anyone explain these fundamentals to me?

falconflicker
2009-09-26, 07:53 PM
While the description doesn't quite fit as well as it might, a wizened or darkling might be your best choice for seeming, and choose a kith that you like.
Also, who was your keeper, and what did she make you do?
If it was the Queen of Hearts, and she forced you to be a soldier, maybe an ogre might do for you.
None of the kiths currently have a "playing card" look, that's why I steered you toward a wizened or darkling, as both of those are substantially "reduced", as in you could say that you're almost flat, although thinking about what you were forced to do would work better, as your character doesn't seem to be an elemental.

ShadowsGrnEyes
2009-09-26, 08:15 PM
I was originally thinking of someone who had folowed a white rabbit, ended up in an Alice in wonderland scenario and become a playing card. Then the character returned to become a gambler feeding from support groups and casinos.

But I'm not happy with the gambler theme being the primary one. I still think I'm missing some core character concept. Plus even with this theme I cannot figure out what changling type even fits that because they don't fit any archetypes I'm familiar with.

Can anyone explain these fundamentals to me?


Okay i am extreamly fond of the changling the lost universe, i have that book, i'll see if i can help.

COURT: My first advise is to go spring court, Gambling and addiction seems like you'd most easily feed of peoples desire. their thirsting for the big win an your there to bask in the lust for money. it's a thrill, its exilerating, all in all very much spring court.

Seeming and kith: You have a few options here(i'm only mentioning what I think fits what you want, there can be many interpretations, mine arent your only options), i'll go over each.
Darkling, Mirrorskin: You were trapped in a world of terrors and deception where nothing was ever what it was supposed to be. You adapted to become whoever you needed to be. the role of playing card was the role you had to play to survive. Thus you became one of your Queens cards. You escaped and now you still become whatever you need to be to survive, addicted to the life of the card but seeking freedom, in the real world you are the card player.
Elemental, Manikin: You fell into a world were you didnt fit in. that world pulled you appart and put you back together as the right kind of toy. They made a toy. A card man that they could play with how they liked, you escaped but your still a toy.
Wizened, Soldier: the queens cards are her army, you were drafted into that army. You were a spade, or a daimond, or a club and now you know your best at simply being a soldier in an army. the only difference now is that its a rebel army you fight for.

Those are just a few ideas there are a million ways o build a character in ththe changling the lost system, your best bet is to build the characters personality the way you would build ANY characters personality and pick whatever seems to fit best.

Semidi
2009-09-26, 08:38 PM
There's actually a kith for just those purposes. I think it's a Wizened called a gamer out of Winter Masques. But that works as an excellent concept for Changeling. A changeling who gets back from Arcadia and deals with his/her trauma by picking up a gambling addiction. I would go Spring court as there are contract which make people go for their desires, which could really work well at a poker table.

Go for high INT, high MANI, high COMP, and high DEX (for gambling, bluffing, and cheating respectively). Put a lot of points in your social stats like empathy, subterfuge, and socialize. As well as points in academics (probability), larceny (Cheating at cards) and firearms (just to play off the high dex).

Also consider picking up the eidetic memory merit for card counting.

In terms of contracts pick up a lot of fate and a lot of spring stuff.

That's at least how I would do it.

kestrel404
2009-09-27, 09:53 PM
I think that what you're missing is that Changeling is all about 'broken people'. It's not a nice game. One of the central themes is all about the ways in which you, as a person, are no longer a fully functioning human being. And all of the changeling types revolve around the way Arcadia broke you.

The Wizened are the people who are 'less' in some way - basically poor self esteem in all its forms.

The Darklings are the ones who've had something taken away from them by force - the victims, hiding from their victimizers.

The Ogres were brutalised and bullied, and now they've turned into bullies in turn. They have anger issues.

The Elementals are people who were dehumanized into objects, and as such they have identity issues.

The Beasts are people who were dehumanized into animals, and so they have social issues.

The Fairest are people who were put on a pedastal and forced to become one dimensional. They suffer from over inflated egos, ranging from social butterfly syndrome through megalomania.

In play, it's not quite as bad as I'm making it sound - it's not about your issues ALL the time - just as often it's about everyone else's issues. Add in the usual white-wolf drama-combat-intrigue (choose two, that's the session) story format and that's the game in a nutshell - at least from my experience.

As for the courts, it's basically your means of dealing with your issues, as well as your support group. Summer courters got mad, and are planning on getting even. Spring courters got drunk, and are planning on ignoring their issues. Winter courters got depressed, and are planning on spreading the misery. Autumn courtsers got scared, and are planning on hiding in a corner (and then tearing the face off of anyone who gets too close to them).

Hope that helps.

Totally Guy
2009-09-28, 03:54 AM
I've changed concept slightly and found one I like.

Current backstory in less than 50 words:
Big fat business guy gets turned to stone as a park statue, "You will serve until you lose weight" tricky clause. But his soul is twisted into a gargoyle that guards the faerie's castle. Replacement rich fat guy, becomes less wealthy but fitter and more popular. Years pass and eventually he hires an artist to make the statue buff. This fulfills the contract and allows the statue to become animate.

He then goes off to the stock exchange and casinos to get the desire he needs.