Strange Aeons (Steampunk Eldritch Cultist Quest)

The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
-Howard Phillips Lovecraft

Once upon a time, before the great Tesrevan brought enlightenment into the world… there were monsters.

Monsters powerful enough to be served as Gods. Monsters powerful enough to crush all of humanity like an anthill. Humans appeased them by sacrifice, by catering to their whims so they may live another day..

Until the true Gods of this world revealed themselves and took humanity under their wing. No longer would humans live in fear of their eldritch masters. Instead, they would enter a new age of prosperity and innovation, leaving behind these Old Gods and discarding them.

That is.. until now. The Hidden Gods are returning, and you are their herald. You will tear down this world of false progress and revert things to how they were, to the old ways. Back when ancient civilizations gave themselves to the Hidden Gods in their ecstasy of blood and sacrifice.


Awaken faithful one, and do not fail us.


Who are you?
[X] Name
[X] Gender
Male
Female
Trans Male
Trans Female
Enby
[X] Appearance


What do you serve?

[X] The Beast of Fathoms
The Sea-Father mourns his imprisonment at the hands of his own children. Trapped in a barrier of salt and silt under the sea, he thrashes relentlessly against the barrier constraining him, dreaming of the day where he might be free at last.

[X] The Emperor of a Thousand Colors
The Painted Emperor whispers in the minds of artists, driving them to create esoteric works of art. Each creation serves as a way for him to draw himself closer to Zared so he may spread his beauty.

[X] The Verdant Faith
The Faith Beneath The Soil twists and turns gently under the world. Awaiting the day it might burst out and envelop the world in its embrace. In every tree, flower, and seed hides something that lurks.

[X] The Stone of Change
It descended from the skies, something no one has seen before. Warped the minds and flesh of men, twisted them into aberrations. But you know better, the Stone only wishes to bring about change, and change is not necessarily the end. Open their eyes to this truth.

[X] The God Wurm
The Wurm's coils tighten around its prison, crushing it bit by bit. Even now, its hunger leaks through the bars of reality, spilling out into the world. You shall snap open its cage and unleash it upon this world.

[X] The Harvest King
Praise be to the Great Stag. Praise be to him, the greatest hunter, the most worthy prey. May the blood of kin spill into his mouth, and may those who pay bounty to him know nothing but prosperity throughout their lives. Praise be. Praise be. Praise be.


Disposition:
If someone were asked to describe you as a person, they'd say that you were…

[X] Jovial and Affable
[X] Stubborn and Single Minded
[X] Melancholic and Reclusive
[X] Write-in (Subject to QM Approval)

Positive Traits:
[X] Fanatical
Start with extra Devotion.
[X] Blessed
Can reroll a failed check once a turn.
[X] Cruel
Gains extra devotion from the sacrifice action.
[X] Intelligent
+2 Knowledge
[X] Charismatic
+2 Cunning
[X] All Rounder
+1 to all stats.
[X] Magical Aptitude
Start with extra mana and an extra spell.
[X] Robust
+2 Resilience
[X] Forceful
+1 Power +1 Cunning
[X] Polite
+1 Cunning +1 Knowledge
[X] Write-in (subject to QM approval)

Negative Traits:
Pick one for every two positive traits you have.

[X] Cowardly
-2 Power
[X] Honest
-2 Cunning
[X] Dimwitted
-2 Knowledge
[X] Wrathful
+3 Power -2 Cunning -2 Knowledge
[X] Magically Stunted
Start with one less spell
[X] Frail
-2 Resillience
[X] Remorseful
Don't even think about it. You belong to us. Now and forever.
[X] Write-in (subject to QM Approval)

Rolling:

Everytime you perform a task, roll a 2d6 + the bonuses you gain from stats. Each roll is weighed against a DC (Difficulty Check)

The effects of failure are determined by how close you are to the DC. A roll of 2 is a critical fail, while a roll of 12 is a critical success. You may gain bonuses or penalties depending on the situation.

Stats:

Stats determine your character's ability on performing certain tasks. You possess five stats.

Power: Which represents your ability to enact force and impose your will on others. Violent acts like kidnapping someone, casting a spell of harm, and sacrificing someone all use Power.


Resilience: Which represents your ability to withstand physical difficulties. The more resilience you have, the larger your HP Pool is.


Cunning: Which represents your ability to use your mind to manipulate others and get your way. Underhanded acts like sabotage, manipulation, and lying all use Cunning.




Knowledge: Which represents your ability to know what's really going on. Clever acts like researching sacred texts, memorizing the contents of a book, and trying to recover a memory that conveys something important all use Knowledge.

Devotion: Which represents human devotion to your God. Devotion will only reduce itself if say.. one of your cult members gets busted.



You gain bonuses to your rolls equal to the amount of stats you have. For example: a 3 in Cunning gives you a +3 on all cunning related tasks. Stats max out at 10.



Combat Mechanics:

In Combat, you have only a single stat, which is Health. Your opponents, on the other hand, have to worry about Health and Sanity, which gives you a slight advantage.

You start with a weapon on your person, which can be used infinitely. You also start out with spells based on the Old One you serve and may learn more over the course of this quest. Spells use Mana, and cannot be cast without them. Every weapon attack in combat is rolled against the target's AC, while spells can follow the same rules, some of them force the target to make a successful check for reduced damage. When combat starts, everyone rolls a d20 for the initiative.

When an opponent's HP reaches 0, they're either knocked out or killed depending on how hard they were hit. The same applies to you.


Suspicion Meter:

The Suspicion Meter raises itself by 1 whenever you perform an action that rouses well.. suspicion. It can be gained from failing a check, but not always.

Try not to let it reach 5.


You need Funds to live. If you end a turn with 0 Funds, you start taking HP damage to represent starvation.

You start with 10 Funds.

If heaven ever wishes to grant me a boon, it will be a total effacing of the results of a mere change which fixed my eye on a certain stray piece of shelf-paper.
-HP Lovecraft.



Stat Distribution:
Power: 1
Cunning: 6
Knowledge: 6
Resilience: 1
Devotion: 5


Background:
Why did you begin serving your patron?

[X] Dissatisfaction
This world is rotten. Filthy. Tainted with hypocrisy and self righteousness. You allowed your disgust at the world to overtake you, let it seep into your veins and boil your blood. You began seeking out others who might've felt the same way as you, and in doing so you stumbled upon the servants of your Patron.

[X] Indoctrination
Your parents served your patron slavishly and expected you to do the same. Ever since the day you were born, you were told to serve your God faithfully, and so you did. This is all you have ever known, and it is all you will ever know.

[X] Curiosity
Somehow, you encountered your patron one day after digging too deep, and that encounter changed your life for the better. You have discovered the true nature of this world, and pity those who serve the demiurges still. Oh well, you'll reveal the truth to the world in time.

[X] Tragedy
You have experienced a terrible and grievous loss. During your darkest moments, nobody showed up for you. Especially not the gods. Disillusioned, you sought out darker ways to regain what you have lost.
[X] Describe the nature of your tragedy.

[X] Write-in

What is your role in the cult?

[X] Initiate
You are a new member, freshly inducted into the fold. Your position in the cult is pretty low as of now, but you shall ascend higher in the ranks soon enough.

[X] Veteran
You are a veteran member, one who has been with the cult for a very, very long time. Your position in the cult is high, and you only answer directly to the Prophet themselves.

[X] Leader
You are the leader of your very own personal cult, you rule over them as a queen, and your word is absolute. You are the one organizing everything and pulling the strings behind the scenes. Your word is law for them, and they are loyal beyond belief towards you.


Select your occupation:


[X] Physician
You treat those who are ailing and soothe their pain. It's a work that pays well, but most of all, it grants you easy access to cadavers and.. subjects. (+2 Knowledge. Generates 1 Fund a turn. Grants access to the Hospital.)

[X] Aristocrat
By sheer fortune, you were born into a wealthy family. You shall want for nothing, and you shall desire nothing as well, the world is your oyster, for you are comfortably seated amongst the bourgeoisie. (Generates 4 Funds a turn.)

[X] Engineer
You've always had a talent for tinkering, and now that you are an adult, it is how you sustain yourself. By building machinery for the convenience of other people, and as a bonus, it is a work you enjoy very much. (Generates 1 Fund a Turn and starts with an automaton servant)

[X] Painter
The canvas calls to you, demands for you to fill its empty spaces with vibrant colors. You have sold your work to many members of the aristocracy and receive the honor of seeing them display your works, but you seek the approval of only one master. (50% chance to generate 1-3 Funds each turn. +2 Devotion)

[X] Author
You pour your soul into each word on the page, crafting literary masterpieces for others to enjoy. You have a bit of a.. mysterious aura about you, some seem to enjoy that. (50% chance to generate 1-2 Funds a turn, +2 Cunning)














A/N: Yes this is short. The next character creation will be longer.