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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: ahunting on June 07, 2010, 04:58:56 AM
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So as you have have guessed this thread is about wardens. The cause for it I've been playing a warden for a little while now in our local game and I'm interested to see what other folks are up to with their Wardens. In playing this character I try and keep close to the example set by the cannon, but its not very clear what warden's get up to in their down times. (If such a thing exists.)
I been having my character do a lot of enchanting, mostly because it can really help out our party (Must not run out of Red Court Anti-venom). Also cooking up enchanted weapons, (Yay Usable by other!)
Also trying hard to develop a thaumaturgical early warning system through leylines, (System wise after a huge climatic ley line brawl, we modified a city Aspect from "All Roads lead to DC", to "All Road lead to DC, and we have it Wired". When anyone how had a certain metaphysical weight (aka 7 refresh worth of magic/inhuman powers) crosses a leyline it would trigger the aspect. It helped that during our most recent adventure we stumbled across and freed a magical construct who had been designed specifically to monitor the local ley lines. So with any luck we should now get a call from said construct when ever that aspect is triggered.)
What have other folks been trying out?
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Our Warden (who is a DMPC) uses thaumaturgy to pelt characters with handwritten notes at the speed of light, irregardless of distance. It hurts about as much as you imagine a crumpled ball of paper at relativity-challenging speed would hurt, which is a lot. This is why nobody likes the White Council.
Aside from that, he Deus Ex Machina'd a horde of dryads after they scythed down our stereotype-laden otaku lesbian wizard. Not sure why - three out of our remaining five had just shown up, and they're the most combat-capable of the group, including a werejaguar with Mythic Recovery, the Norse demigod of Rock, and a legitimate vampire with a soul (Red Court). Then again there were a lot of tree-people, I think the GM was expecting the wizard to get off some zone maneuvers before she got ganked.
Oh, and he's Irish Mob by blood. That hasn't really come up yet.
In a game I run, I mostly relegate my local Warden pair to being extremely threatening if legitimately helpful when it's within their duties. One of the PCs was getting mouthy, so the smaller Warden slashed his housewards in one attack. He'd spent some time and love on those wards. It had the desired effect on his respect for the cloak.
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Our Warden (who is a DMPC) uses thaumaturgy to pelt characters with handwritten notes at the speed of light, irregardless of distance. It hurts about as much as you imagine a crumpled ball of paper at relativity-challenging speed would hurt, which is a lot. This is why nobody likes the White Council.
On a tangent from the original topic, as speed -> speed of light, energy -> infinite, so getting hit with an object moving at the speed of light would be less about being hurt, and more about completely ceasing to exist. (And of course, I realize the caveat about it being magic, and thus not operating based on standard physics, applies here)
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On a tangent from the original topic, as speed -> speed of light, energy -> infinite, so getting hit with an object moving at the speed of light would be less about being hurt, and more about completely ceasing to exist. (And of course, I realize the caveat about it being magic, and thus not operating based on standard physics, applies here)
At least the force of a sizable nuke. 186,000 miles per second is fast. The paper would burn in the atmosphere very quickly unless shielded.
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This does give me the idea for a similar messaging spell, though...
A wizard writes a letter, then folds into the form of a paper airplane (or an origami crane, or simply puts it in an envelope), then uses a variation of a tracking spell to have it seek out the designated recipient. Provided that they are not in a sealed room, the letter will fly right to their hand at the speed of plot.
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Aside from that, he Deus Ex Machina'd a horde of dryads after they scythed down our stereotype-laden otaku lesbian wizard. Not sure why - three out of our remaining five had just shown up, and they're the most combat-capable of the group, including a werejaguar with Mythic Recovery, the Norse demigod of Rock, and a legitimate vampire with a soul (Red Court).
I've never had a good experience with GMPC's. For that reason. They always end up using their character as a Deus Ex Machina and, in general, flaunt how much better their character is than the rest of the PC's. The Fate system has one of the most easily GMPC exploited mechanics too- aspects and declarations.
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I've never had a good experience with GMPC's. For that reason. They always end up using their character as a Deus Ex Machina and, in general, flaunt how much better their character is than the rest of the PC's. The Fate system has one of the most easily GMPC exploited mechanics too- aspects and declarations.
I should clarify.
We're all still learning the system; I'm pretty sure she just set up an encounter and wasn't ready for the results, so she scrapped it. Unmentioned detail is that these dryads were transformed people, and yet the wizard only turned back one of them before the group came to a general we're-just-gonna-kill-'em decision. The GMPC reminded the newcomers of this after the wizard bought it, at which point I suspect the GM realized a were, vamp, and axe-guy weren't really equipped to deal with the situation nonlethally. Her Warden thus handwaved the extrapolated misery (they could have done it, but the dryads had Supernatural Toughness, so it would have been a very long and boring fight) and shipped them all off to the next scene for expediency. This was really intended for the wizard (at the scene start it was just her the were, who is our group ninja) to get a moment to shine; instead she got clotheslined and conceded rather then try anything fancy. She'd previously burnt most of her spells for the scene on reverting a single dryad and setting up some kind of quick thaumaturgic link Harry-style anyway.
We do have another caster (me) and a guy with the Sight who could have figured something out, but both of us were chasing down some other trouble at the time. The Warden is way far from a starring role, that particular situation was just a bad one. Deux ex, yes, but a welcome one who hasn't flaunted anything.
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Well that got very off topic. So forget about speed of light notes, and back to more warden Hinjinks :)
Sounds very entertaining though.
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Well, you know what my Warden's up to. :p Just got drafted two sessions ago, still kind of working out who we have to kill and when.
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Well, you know what my Warden's up to. :p Just got drafted two sessions ago, still kind of working out who we have to kill and when.
Yeah, yeah, your Gunna needs more Sword practice! ;)
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Aside from that, he Deus Ex Machina'd a horde of dryads
Hey, I've been reading that game. I am a bit of a rules-lawyer so I went and checked up said warden's stats and considered the situation. The dryads were magically transformed. 5 shifts of dispel reversed the transformation on one of them. Two dozen or so remaining. Transformation is water magic and counterspells are defense. Sean has Superb Discipline and Great Conviction, +1 power to Water, and +1 defensive control/power to water from focus. Using his fourth mental stress slot and his mild mental consequense, he gets to call 11 shifts of defensive water power. Using a Fate point and taking his 4th physical stress track as backlash, he gets to control 11 shifts of power. With an average roll, he casts the spell, reversing the transformation on three entire zones-and thus all the dryads.
For Sean, that would be a major evocation working. Not his most powerful mind - he could call and control up to 23 shifts if he was willing to take up to severe consequences, spend 3 fate points and have to rest for a month after it. But it did the work.
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Just to Clarify on Viato's statement. The GMPC didn't Deus Ex Machina a bunch of tree people so much as he used a zone wide counterspell to nullify the magic that turned a crowd of innocent bystanders into evil tree people.
Im in the game too (Im the Red Court Vampire with a Soul), and the otaku lezzie wizard dispelled one but didn't think of doing a zone wide dispel. It was more like the GM saving the player from herself than doing a deus ex machina. The otaku wizard was completely capable of dealing with the situation.
To be fair though, the player is new to the game (as are we all), and is still learning the fundimentals.
And back to the topic at hand. My warden in another game is pretty bad ass. He has access to soulfire and forges blades from the stuff (conjuration with the speed and methods of evocation). So basically I have the Holy Lightsaber, or God-Saber. Its pretty freaking pimp. Also, hes a master crafter, so he has an enchanted item that turns him invisible, can teleport him several zones at a time, and throw up blocks. Like I said, pretty Pimp.
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Just to Clarify on Viato's statement. The GMPC didn't Deus Ex Machina a bunch of tree people so much as he used a zone wide counterspell to nullify the magic that turned a crowd of innocent bystanders into evil tree people.
Im in the game too (Im the Red Court Vampire with a Soul), and the otaku lezzie wizard dispelled one but didn't think of doing a zone wide dispel. It was more like the GM saving the player from herself than doing a deus ex machina. The otaku wizard was completely capable of dealing with the situation.
That's... kinda the definition of Deus Ex Machina there.
To be fair though, the player is new to the game (as are we all), and is still learning the fundimentals.
In those situations, I find allowing the occasional "do-over," making suggestions to the player (e.g. "Hey, you know you could hit all of these guys with one spell for 2 more shifts.") or even having the bad guys deliberately give the PC a respite ("After the first of the creatures is dispelled, the others check their rush, eying you warily. Maybe you should try again with a whole-zone effect?") preferable to having an NPC swoop in to save the day.
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That's... kinda the definition of Deus Ex Machina there.
A deus ex machina (pronounced /ˈdeɪ.əs ɛks ˈmɑːkiːnə/ or /ˈdiː.əs ɛks ˈmękɨnə/,[1], DAY-əs eks MAH-kee-nə) (Latin for "god from the machine"; plural: dei ex machina) is a plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new character, ability, or object. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina)
The situation was hardly inextricable, as the downed wizard could've done the same thing (except she was downed, lets just say a Epic Strength Blow from a Weapon 4 layed low the poor character with 2 mild consequences and only 3 physical stress boxes. If I remember correctly she rolled a zero), the other players on hand could've handled it (albeit with the deaths of innocent bystanders on their hands, and it would've been slow and boring). Also the DMPC isn't a new character. We were all running various errands to help the warden control the supernatural fallout of Halloween in Boston.
Furthermore the way the tree people were dispatched was hardly contrived, as it is supported in the rules and by the previous actions of the character. Its not like the DM said "Oh, Tree People are turned back into a human when you spray them with Mustard."
Also, the downed wizard is unable to post frequently at the moment, the player's PC died and she is posting from an iPhone whenever she gets the chance. A redo was simply out of the question, as the show must go on.
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Also, the warden is the Senior Wizard, Otaku Wizard is a newbie. There was a decision made to allow her to get downed to provide a roleplaying opportunity where the senior wizard has the opportunity to dress down the newbie wizard.
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And back to the topic at hand. My warden in another game is pretty bad ass. He has access to soulfire and forges blades from the stuff (conjuration with the speed and methods of evocation). So basically I have the Holy Lightsaber, or God-Saber. Its pretty freaking pimp. Also, hes a master crafter, so he has an enchanted item that turns him invisible, can teleport him several zones at a time, and throw up blocks. Like I said, pretty Pimp.
Yeah we were thinking about some concepts along a similar line, the Soulelement, thing is interesting. We were thinking about putting forward some kind of Soulair smith using, air style blocks, and crazy soulair magic attacks, but never got around to it. I got way distracted by Changes, and the wacky fun posed by Einherjar. Next major character concept, Monoc Trouble Shooter, Focused practitioner (Kinetomancy) from the old west, using Enchanted Colt Peacemakers. It's to amusing an image not to play with some day.
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Yeah, yeah, your Gunna needs more Sword practice! ;)
Hey, she won that duel! Besides, when I buy the Spear up to something awesome, that should be all she needs. :p
Still, though, the gift is appreciated. Can't easily go wrong with a Warden's sword, especially if dual-wielding with Gungnir.
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I've given this some thought myself, since if I ever get to play rather than run Dresden Files, I think I'd want to play a Warden, probably a rookie with the Aspect "W.W.D.D?" (What Would Dresden Do?).
I imagine the average Warden spends a lot of time watching for local magical activity, finding out which "faith healer" is a fraud and which has actual talent, that sort of thing. With the war, their duties probably extended to include keeping an eye on potential supernatural threats such as new hauntings or werewolf rumours.
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I've given this some thought myself, since if I ever get to play rather than run Dresden Files, I think I'd want to play a Warden, probably a rookie with the Aspect "W.W.D.D?" (What Would Dresden Do?).
I imagine the average Warden spends a lot of time watching for local magical activity, finding out which "faith healer" is a fraud and which has actual talent, that sort of thing. With the war, their duties probably extended to include keeping an eye on potential supernatural threats such as new hauntings or werewolf rumours.
I think good Wardens would always have the duty of policing for supernatural threats; even if they're not to that basic level of altruism, it draws attention to the supernatural community as a whole, which is bad for everyone - but especially for wizards, who are easier to burn at the stake when all their mystic junk turns up then vampires behind flesh masks or faeries who can glamour and vacation in the Nevernever. I'd imagine they actually more time on this pre-war; post-war, their duties likely extend into Nevernever activities and campaigning against the Red Court however possible.
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The roll of the warden is an interesting question. Part Magic Cop, Part Para-Military Force. Clearly the Militant arm of the council. What does that translate to in the day to day activity department is something open to discussion. We don't really have a very broad samplying of Wardens in the books. We get Morgan who comes across as a booted Paranoid nut-Job out to get our hero and cut the heads of people at the merlin's whim. Then we get Luccio, who's clearly a heroic figure, saving children, helping our hero, and being one BA lady. Then we have Ramirez a lovable bad ass, who talks a good game, has some cool tricks, a slightly wacky character flaw, and a really nice sword. Even when we get the revised look at Morgan we really only have 2 positive images of wardens, and one slightly less villainous warden.
Theres a lot of discussion that wardens have duties, but we don't really see to much of them on a day to day basis. I don't see the warden's as general enforcers of the accords. But in the end i guess its gotta play your warden how you see it.
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A wardens job is all of the following rolled up into one:
Cop, Soldier, Diplomat, Teacher, Bounty Hunter, Judge, Jury and Executioner.
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A wardens job is all of the following rolled up into one:
Cop, Soldier, Diplomat, Teacher, Bounty Hunter, Judge, Jury and Executioner.
Kind of like a Knight working for his King. He would do all the above thing in the name of his King (or the White Council).
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Kind of like a Knight working for his King. He would do all the above thing in the name of his King (or the White Council).
Eh I was hoping for more practical application from this whole discussion. Judge Jury and executioner, isn't a very useful point, it is in effect what happens already in most games, but it doesn't really Help people play their warden's better.
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Eh I was hoping for more practical application from this whole discussion. Judge Jury and executioner, isn't a very useful point, it is in effect what happens already in most games, but it doesn't really Help people play their warden's better.
I haven't played the DF RPG game but I have played D&D and some other games year ago. I'm guessing you are trying to understand what a Warden is. He represents the WC. He has to set the example. He has to be strong and be able to intimidate those who he believes are about to cross the line to breaking the 7 Laws. He has to protect the interests of the WC and it's allies. Protect mankind from the monsters within certain limits. He will look for and sniff out black magic and use lethal force against those who use black magic. He must be ready to fight and lay down his life to protect the WC, fellow Wardens and allies. He must be able to follow orders of his superiors and be able to lead his lieutenants. He should be able to mentor the newbies.
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A tool that I think is great for generating story hooks (for wardens at least) is the paranet. The whole idea behind it was that if something happens the community passes the word up the vine until Harry or another warden hears of it.
Day to day I expect the life of the typical warden is much like Dresden's. They get a steady paycheck from the Council to keep their ear to the ground and handle the minor supernatural threats that pop up, then report to their Regional Commander on a regular basis. Seems perfectly reasonable to me for a GM to have a NPC from the next county or the Commander call up your warden player and say, "here, this is your problem now". There's always some fire that needs putting out somewhere, and it seems pretty clear that the wardens are expected to hat up and play fireman.
Of course I would think there would be the occasional call to serve at Edinburgh or in the war with the reds too, but these are a larger deal and should be handled as such.