Re: Pathos Investigation Revamp
Okay, then... A few more details, some of which I will admit that I just worked out...
As for the mysterious disease, the trackable symptoms seem to start with a mental withdrawing leading into a catatonic state. After that, the body slowly starts shutting down completely, which of course leads to death. While there's not been any progress made in identifying the cause of, or any sort of pattern to, contracting the disease, those working on identifying a cure seem quite thankful that there have been no cases where someone working with a patent contracted it.
The mysterious disappearances are just simply people vanishing without a trace, usually at the edge of town, or in the middle of a park. No evident signs of struggle, or signs that someone was there that took them. In a rare handful of cases, a body *was* found later...But with both hands missing, and the torso ripped to shreds. In those cases, the official report was that the victim was attacked by some manner of large predatory animal. Efforts at tracking down said animal, or getting a better classification than that, have come up against a distinct lack of evidence.
On a much brighter note, Nathaniel Cross, director of the Horizon Center (And possible overall head of Cross Technologies) has been making an effort to get expertise from both races on staff at the Center, presumably in order to ensure that all possible angles are covered.
Tech-wise, like before, Drow tech is going to be based on what was seen in the Drowtales "Daydream: Space Age" comic. Overall, human tech is on par with what was seen for humanity in the Enterprise TV series. Actually on Pathos is a bit lower, closer to modern tech. Cross has fancier stuff, in particular medical and computer, but he's also got better access, since he's part of a tech company and has probably designed some stuff himself.
Any players that end up living at the actual Horizon Center will likely be living in the Admin Dorm... Which is probably the best digs around there anyway.
Oh, and don't piss Shiraishi off if you meet him. He's intended to be the NPC that can bail the players out something goes totally pear-shaped when it ain't supposed to.
EDIT: Character info layout, and examples, because I'm bored and have nothing better to do at the moment.
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Name:
Gender: (Male or Female)
Species: (Human or Drow)
Physical Description:
Personality Description: (Need at least a starting description.)
Character Background: (Technically optional, but rather recommended.)
Other Background Notes: (Optional.)
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And example:
Name: Nathaniel "Nate" Cross
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Physical Description: Roughly 6'3" and about 185 lbs. Shorter cut dark brown hair, brown eyes. Light complexion. Prefers to wear tan colors, particularly a tan long-sleeved shirt, brown jeans, riding-style boots, and has a brown "gunslinger" style overcoat. Has a vertical scar running across his left eye, although both eyes seem to work well. Known to have several long cut scars, as well as a handful of puncture scars. All scars are somewhat faded, and tend to only be readily visible in bright light. Or if he ends up tanned or (more likely) sunburned.
Personality Description: Nate is often described as easy-going and has a willingness to talk to new people, although he tends to let others handle most of any conversations he's in. He's also known to have skill in several detective work-related activities, as well as being very inventive and highly adept at technology and mechanical work. Oddly enough, he seems to get somewhat edgy when rumors, urban legends, or odd occurances are mentioned. Often described on those who know him as being an excellent listener, as well as being exceptionally discreet. He does, however, have two major flaws: He was known to have a hair-trigger temper during his youth, which he seems to have under control. Also, he seems to occasionally have issues with awkwardness. This awkwardness has, in the past, resulted in almost slap-stick like humorous chain reactions, to Nate's detriment.
Character Background: Very little is known for certain about Nate's early life. There are only four events known for certain, all of them apparently key in forming the young man into what he is now. First, while still very young, his parents died in an apparent arson. This directly lead to the second event, the young boy being taken in and raised by a family friend, one Koike Shiraishi. Later on, during his teens, Nate experienced loss for a second time, as his childhood friend and first love was found murdered in what appeared to be a ritualistic fashion. Finally, Vincent Metras, a fellow ward of Shiraishi's, suffered a severe psychotic episode, resulting an explosive battle between the two former friends. Current belief is that most, if not all, of Nate's collection of scars comes from that fight. Metras' status after the fight is missing, but believed to have perished.
Other Background Notes: Appears to be between 18-24 years old. Works for Cross Technologies, a technology firm/corporation that specializes in primarily medical technology, although an entertainment division exists as well. As seems to be a point-of-contact for a private investigations group entirely focussed on singularly unusual cases, often with elements that cause normal channels to view them as 'unsolvable' or 'without sufficient evidence for pursuit'.
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And an NPC for shits and giggles:
Name: Koike Shiraishi (Or Shiraishi Koike, if you want it correctly...)
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Physical Description: 6' even, roughly 180 lbs. Grey hair, green eyes, light complexion. Wears black pants, a black button-up shirt, high black boots, and a dark green coat. Seems to have faint gold trim.
Personality Description: Quiet, calm, reserved. Rarely shows much emotion. Very fluid in movements, and almost never hurries.
Character Background: Besides being some manner of martial arts master, and an expert swordsman, little is known about Shiraishi's past. He just doesn't talk much about it.
Other Notes: He appears to be in his early 50s, but even Cross has no idea just how old Shiraishi really is. He also at times seems to be Cross' superior in the investigation agency.
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EDIT the 2nd: Just decided that I *might* be trying something with this one. Still thinking about it, and looking at options, but I may have a surprise of sorts when this gets underway.
