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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Tush Hog on July 19, 2008, 05:26:50 PM

Title: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Tush Hog on July 19, 2008, 05:26:50 PM
I posted the first part over in the books section and I'm crossposting it here. The second part deals with rpg specifics.


I began reading the Dresden novels a few months ago and I can't believe I didn't find these sooner! I'm about halfway through Proven Guilty right now. Being a dog lover myself, I'm quite enamored with Mouse. So far, there hasn't been any specific mention of his breed though there are some clues.

I realize he is special, but I imagine him being a Tibetan Mastiff. They're huge (up to 220 lbs) and known for their ferocity as guard dogs in that region. I think it's interesting that in some of the kennel guidebooks they're described as having a voice as powerful as a lion. Which, I believe is hinted at in one of the books when Mouse cuts loose. They also have a lion mane look to them as well - which I believe is also mentioned in Mouse's description.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dogs/tibetan_mastiff/classifieds/1897.html
Has there ever been more specifics given on Mouse?

As far as the rpg is concerned, since I'm new to Fate I'm not sure how something like Mouse would be represented ability wise in the game. I've seen character pc writeups but how would you handle critters? Same format? What would Mouse look like?

Thanks

Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: TheMouse on July 20, 2008, 01:17:37 AM
There are rules for minions which would be used to cover something like Mouse. I am guessing that they're going to use these.

Minions are purchased as Stunts, and each purchase allows for a number of points which can be added to aspects of the minion. You can give them skills, be able to communicate over a distance, or whatever. If a given character is built using the skill purchasing options, they'll have a list of skills (with respective ratings).
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: iago on July 21, 2008, 03:20:40 PM
Mouse is practically a full character in his own right.  Minion?  No. :)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: TheMouse on July 21, 2008, 04:59:15 PM
I can just imagine that conversation at the game table.

GM: Okay, what do you want to make?

Player A: Oh, I was thinking of a White Court vamp. He mostly hunts at parties at the local university.

GM: Alright. Sounds good. How about you?

Player B: Well, I was thinking of playing a dog.

GM: Uhhh...

Player B: A MAGICAL dog.
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: iago on July 21, 2008, 05:09:13 PM
Yeah.  In my game, Mouse (like Bob) would be an NPC that Harry happens to know. But that's just how I'd run things. ;)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Tush Hog on July 21, 2008, 05:22:30 PM
Quote from: iago on July 21, 2008, 05:09:13 PM
Yeah.  In my game, Mouse (like Bob) would be an NPC that Harry happens to know. But that's just how I'd run things. ;)
Yep. That sounds about right to me.
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Tush Hog on July 21, 2008, 05:25:25 PM
Quote from: iago on July 21, 2008, 03:20:40 PM
Mouse is practically a full character in his own right.  Minion?  No. :)
Yes, Mouse deserves full treatment!  ;D Do you have plans to include him stat-wise in the game? Will there be pointers on how to create critters (the regular kind and special) in the book?
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: prophet224 on July 21, 2008, 05:32:24 PM
I'd like to second that (that Mouse = NPC). :)

Seriously, I'm thinking that Mouse is a lot more than just magical dog, and he stays around for a reason, not just for treats, you know?  I mean, as I understand it (or as it looks to me), Mouse isn't just magical, he's somewhat divine.

I imagine that there will be some form of stunt/skill set or template to account for something like Mouse, just like to account for Bob and the various other creatures that are encountered.

Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: iago on July 21, 2008, 08:50:02 PM
We'll be statting as much as we can stat from a fair reading of the books. :)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Valarian on September 03, 2008, 12:00:33 PM
Hi, I've recently come to the Dresden Files series and as an avid roleplayer I'm looking forward to the release of the game.

On topic, is a Tibetan Mastiff the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog (http://puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/chinesefoo.htm)?
I think with the recent references in the books, it's likely that Mouse is a Foo Dog (Temple Guardian).

There's some more details in the following links.
WARNING: the following links may contain SPOILER information
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Shecky on September 03, 2008, 01:25:20 PM
Well, if he's a foo, he's a BIG foo. :)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Valarian on September 03, 2008, 03:59:37 PM
(http://puppydogweb.com/gallery/chinesefoodog/chinesefoodog_kasor.jpg)
Looks pretty big to me, or am I just a wimp? :)
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Tush Hog on September 03, 2008, 08:49:25 PM
Quote from: Valarian on September 03, 2008, 12:00:33 PM
Hi, I've recently come to the Dresden Files series and as an avid roleplayer I'm looking forward to the release of the game.

On topic, is a Tibetan Mastiff the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog (http://puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/chinesefoo.htm)?
I think with the recent references in the books, it's likely that Mouse is a Foo Dog (Temple Guardian).


The Tibetan Mastiff is not the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog.
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Gathers Scrolls on October 10, 2008, 02:15:01 AM
There's also the paired 'foo dog'/lion statues that are supposed to be guardians, I've also seen concrete ones outside of Chinese restaurants. I think those satues were supposed to be what the foo dog breed was supposed to look like, only in a compact model (unless wikipedia has led me astray) ;) .
Most teeny dogs I've seen seem to think they're the size of Mouse. :D
Title: Re: Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters
Post by: Melkarion on November 07, 2008, 03:01:23 PM
Quote from: prophet224 on July 21, 2008, 05:32:24 PM
Seriously, I'm thinking that Mouse is a lot more than just magical dog, and he stays around for a reason, not just for treats, you know?  I mean, as I understand it (or as it looks to me), Mouse isn't just magical, he's somewhat divine.

One of my favorite things about Mouse, actually, is that's he's blatantly "just" a dog.  A scarily smart dog, sure.  Person-smart, easily, and probably smarter than lots of people.  And gifted with a sort of anti-monster moxie.  But still emphatically a dog in the way he behaves, his priorities, etc.  Hilarious, and (I think) really convincingly done.

One of my favorite characters from the classic "So You Want To Be A Wizard" series was much the same way.