Introductory GURPS Game: Players Wanted

[Seraph]

As for background skills, the ones listed are generally fitting for the region.  Anyone should have at least a little Area Knowledge covering where they live, unless they're a shutin.  The rest are either particular to the area (Boating, Climbing, Swimming, Fishing), typical of adventurers (Running, Jumping, First Aid, Gesture, Throwing), or just plain common of people (Area Knowledge, Carousing, Hiking, Heroldry, Current Affairs, Savoir-Faire, Sex Appeal).  Nothing you've mentioned really suggests specific skills or traits, though.

Well, Area Knowledge does seem like something he'd have to have.  He may travel a lot, and might not know TOO much about most places he goes to, but he would have a home base from which to operate, so he would AT LEAST have Area Knowledge of THERE.  I rather envisioned that he would operate in a relatively mountainous area, hence the climbing, hiking, and "Mountains" survival skills.  Perhaps the town he lives in are in the foothills of mountains, and he has to go up into them looking for undead, heretics, and dangerous magic-users.  There are probably forests also, and a river and/or lake nearby (source of fresh water).  Boating would not be very useful for him, but fishing might, if there are fresh-water tuna, salmon, or the like to be found. 

Since he would have what you could call adventures, Running, Jumping, and First Aid, are potentially very useful.  Not sure what "Gesture" means as a skill.  I don't see him being interested in Carousing--if he ever did, it would be as a play to get information out of someone.  I don't think he'd be interested in royal or noble families enough for Heraldry to apply.  And while some might be attracted to his callous confidence and rough look, he doesn't have PARTICULAR sex appeal.  Current affairs is a potential yes--as knowing what is going on in his town/parish/kingdom would probably be useful to his work; he would have an idea what coming events enemies might plan to sabotage, what public figures might be problematic or at risk (read: usable as bait).  Savoir-faire could occasionally come in handy for those times when "subtlety is needed, it it wouldn't be something he'd put a lot of points into.

So....How many skills is too many?

[Humabout]

I was planning on setting this in Zalhrada, which is at the mouth of a fjord perched on rather high bluffs.  It is surrounded by plains, and then forest, and then the Gray Mountains to the north, so any of the three i listed would fit in some way.  Gray Mountains have dwarves and the forest has elves.  There are other races around, and lots of monsters, naturally.  Magic isn't such a big deal, but those in league with Hell - including those who control the dead, create undead, or ally themselves with demons, are all worth hunting for sure.

Gesture is for communicating by nonverbal means.  It's useful when you need to convey a message (e.g., two guards at the door, flank by twos, I have the one on the left).

I mentioned Carousing specifically for the sake of getting info out of people by liquoring them up or partying and listening for interesting conversations, etc.

As for how many skills are too many, well, I'm a skill whore.  I like having a little skill in everything.  The trick is squeezing them into a point budget.  Lol.  I usually start by making a wishlist (like we are currently doing).  Afterward, we will start going through the fun of squeezing it into 250 points (so far, it shouldn't be too difficult from the look of things).

[Numinous]

As for how many skills are too many, well, I'm a skill whore.  I like having a little skill in everything.  The trick is squeezing them into a point budget.  Lol.  I usually start by making a wishlist (like we are currently doing).  Afterward, we will start going through the fun of squeezing it into 250 points (so far, it shouldn't be too difficult from the look of things).

Speaking of which, do you need anything else from me at the moment?  I'm pretty alright with everything you have suggested for my character at this time and I want to make sure I'm not holding anything up.

[Humabout]

The only other thing I could consider useful (though not completely necessary) is a rating of each skill by degree of competency:

No Training/Study
Amateur
Professional
Expert
Master
Best Ever

This rating is optional, but would help in sorting out target scores for these skills.  I'll sit down and work on banging out some basic sheets in the days to come and try to review them with ya'll in IRC whenever possible.  That part will go faster if we do it live.

[Humabout]

Additionally, I am thinking it best to have you rate your PCs' Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Health, Perecption, and Will according to this scale:

Below Average
Average
Above Average
Exceptional (immediately apparent to those who meet you)
Amazing (Draws constant comment and probably guides your carreer)

[Numinous]

This is a compilation post of everything we have developed so far, let me know if you need anything else![spoiler=Crunch]Personality

• Advantages: Appearance (Attractive); Literate; Independent Income 15; Legal Immunity; Musical Ability 4; Status 2; Wealth (Comfortable).
• Disadvantages: Compulsive Spending; Delusion; Lazy; Odious Personal Habit -2 (Spoiled, Pretentious Brat).
• Quirks: Incompetence (Streetwise); Consumate Gossip; Shallow; Uncongenial.

Statistics

• Strength: Below Average
• Dexterity: Average
• Intelligence: Above Average
• Health: Average
• Perception: Below Average

Skills

• Music
  • Musical Instrument: Violin - Professional
  • Musical Instrument: Concert Piano - Professional
  • Performance - Expert
• Knowledge
  • Geography (political esp. or regional) - Amateur
  • Hidden Lore - Ghosts, Spirits, and Magical - Amateur
  • History: Political - Amateur
  • Occultism - Amateur
  • Research - Professional
  • Speed-Reading - Professional
  • Theology: Standard - Amateur
• Combat
  • Sword and Buckler Play - Amateur
• Social
  • Carousing - Expert
  • Current Affairs: People - Expert
  • Savoir-Faire (High Society) - Professional
  • Sex Appeal - Professional
• Background
  • Animal Handling (Canines, Equines, Raptors) - Amateur
  • Conoisseur: Music - Professional
  • Falconry - Professional
  • Riding (Equines) - Professional

[/spoiler]

[Humabout]

Cool.  I'm looking at what you've put together now.  I guess I do have at least one question.  Do you envision yourself as curently having any lackeys, manservents, butlers, etc.?

Also, are there any other weapons with which you would consider yourself familiar?  Bows, crossbows, slings, throwing knives, throwing axes, javelins, etc.?

[Humabout]

Here is what I have so far:

[spoiler=Crunch]
Total Points:  160 points

Attributes:  ST 9 [-10]; DX 10 [ 0]; IQ 12 [40]; HT 10 [ 0].
Secondary Characteristics:  Dmg 1d-2/1d-1; BL 16.2 lbs.; HP 10 [2]; Per 10 [-10]; Will 12 [ 0]; FP 10 [ 0]; Basic Speed 5.00 [ 0]; Basic Speed 5 [ 0].
Advantages:  Appearance (Attractive) [4]; Fashion Sense [5]; Independent Income 18 ($720 per month) [18]; Legal Immunity [5]; Literate [3]; Luck [15]; Musical Ability 4 [20]; Status 2 [10]; Wealth (Comfortable) [10].
Perks:  Style Familiarity (Sword-and-Buckler Play) [1]; Sure-Footed (Uneven) [1].
Disadvantages:  Compulsive Spending (12) [-5]; Delusion (Thinks he knows about the world and how it works) [-5]; Lazy [-10]; Odious Personal Habit -2 (Spoiled, Pretentious Brat) [-10].
Quirks:  Consummate Gossip [-1]; Incompetence (Streetwise) [-1]; Shallow [-1]; Uncongenial [-1].
Skills:  Animal Handling (Canines) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Animal Handling (Equines) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Animal Handling (Raptors) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Brawling Sport (DX/E) DX+2 [4]-12; Broadsword Sport (DX/A) DX+2 [8]-12; Carousing (HT/E) HT+4 [12]-14; Connoisseur (Music) (IQ/A) IQ [2]-12; Current Affairs (People) (IQ/E) IQ [1]-12; Falconry (IQ/A) IQ [2]-12; Geography (Political) (IQ/H) IQ-2 [1]-10; Hidden Lore (Ghosts) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Hidden Lore (Magical) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Hidden Lore (Spirits) (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; History (Political) (IQ/H) IQ-2 [1]-10; Musical Instrument (Piano) (IQ/H) IQ-2 [1]-14*; Musical Instrument (Violin) (IQ/H) IQ-2 [1]-14*; Occultism (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Performance (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-15*; Research (IQ/A) IQ+1 [4]-13; Riding (Equines) (DX/A) DX+2 [8]-12; Savoir-Faire (High Society) (IQ/E) IQ [1]-12; Sex Appeal (HT/A) HT+2 [8]-12; Shield Sport (Buckler) (DX/E) DX+2 [8]-12; Speed-Reading (IQ/A) IQ-1 [1]-11; Theology (Human) (IQ/H) IQ-2 [1]-10; Wrestling Sport (DX/A) DX+2 [8]-12.

* Includes the +4 from Musical Ability.
[/spoiler]

The only alterations I made were to increase you to a pretty competent sport fencer, mostly so you can at least pretend to know what you're doing in a combat situation (those skills get rolled at a penalty in actual combat) and to add Luck (I'm sort of planning on tacking that on to everyone, since it almost promises a success when you need it....once in a session).  For what it's worth, this is pretty must what I'd expect of a 1st level dnd pc.  He will be all but useless outside of social circles, where he's competant, but not amazing.  My initial goal was for a 250-point game, so if there are improvements or additions you'd like to implement, you have plenty of budget left, still.  You'll get teh most mileage out of increasing your Intelligence score (20 points/level), although you're general lack of DX could make you a liability for a group who has to compensate for your ineptitude (although I kind of think that's what you're going for...).

These are just some thoughts based on what I see.  He certainly looks interesting and entertaining.  I'm looking forward to whatever shenannigans comes of this game.

[Seraph]

Malachi Jaegerfaust
Advantages: Combat Reflexes, Empathy, Danger Sense?
Disadvantages: Callous; Odious Personal Habit -1 (Blunt Asshole), Obsession?  Vow?
Quirks: Nosy and Accusative, Paranoia

A hardened hunter, but not of animals; of witches, necromancers, and foul undead.  A bit of a loner.  Not averse to working with other people, but tends to think of them more as "cohorts" than friends, seeing them for their usefulness before anything else.  He values simplicity, and tends to be straightforward in his actions, though he is willing to take a more subtle approach when it seems necessary.  He is blunt in manner, and does not care who he offends.  He will press people and accuse them as a means of getting information.  If these accusations are proven false, he will not pursue them further, but on principle he never apologizes.  The only person he trusts completely is himself, and maybe his mentor: Ezekiel

[spoiler]Statistics

• Strength—Average to Above average
• Dexterity—Above average
• Intelligence—Above Average
• Health—Average
• Will—Average
• Perception—Above Average

Investigative skills

• Detect Lies—Expert
• Interrogate—Professional to Expert
• Intimidate—Professional
• Observation—Professional
• Searching—Professional
• Tracking—Professional
• Shadowing—Amateur

Monster/Occult Knowledge skills

• Hidden Lore: Magical and Undead (and possibly Demons too)—Expert
• Occultism—Professional
• Theology—Amateur to Professional

Combat skills

• Axe (Mace) and Shield Style (Or whatever is necessary to equate to this)—Professional
• Crossbow—Professional
• Dagger—Amateur

Survival skills

• Climbing—Amateur to Professional
• Hiking—Professional
• Survival: Mountains—Amateur to Professional

Background skills

• Area Knowledge—Amateur
• Running—Amateur
• Jumping—Amateur
• Carousing—Amateur
• First Aid—Amateur

[/spoiler]
I thought "Obsession" might be applicable for this character determined to rid the world of these things.  I might add to his backstory.  I was also considering part of this to be a vow made to his Church, or an ecclesiastical vow.  I wouldn't want "Kill undead" to be both a vow AND an obsession, but there might be something to play with there.

Danger Sense seemed like the kind of advantage he might have as well. 

[Numinous]

Cool.  I'm looking at what you've put together now.  I guess I do have at least one question.  Do you envision yourself as curently having any lackeys, manservents, butlers, etc.?

Also, are there any other weapons with which you would consider yourself familiar?  Bows, crossbows, slings, throwing knives, throwing axes, javelins, etc.?

I would like a butler.  He doesn't have to be a good butler, but I should have one.  Also, the bow makes sense, since I'm implying some level of aristocracy, and the accompanying hobby of sport-hunting totally means I would be practiced with a bow.

[Humabout]

Considering your lack of physical strength, might I suggest a crossbow?  Perhaps that your manservent cocks for you?

Also, is your butler someone you have hired or someone with a deeper loyalty?

Additionally, considering the social nature of your PC, do you have any contacts around the city?  Do you have anyone who owes you a favor?

[Humabout]

So this is what I've got so far for you, SH:

[spoiler=Crunch]
Total Points: 227 points
Attributes:  ST 11 [10]; DX 12 [40]; IQ 12 [40]; HT 10 [ 0].
Secondary Characteristics:  Dmg 1d-1/1d+1; BL 24.2 lbs.; HP 11 [ 0]; Will 10 [-10]; Per 12 [ 0]; Basic Speed 5.50 [ 0]; Basic Move 5 [ 0].
Advantages:  Combat Reflexes [15]; Danger Sense [15]; Empathy [15]; Luck [15]; Natural Copper 2 [20].
Perks:  Style Familiarity (Axe-and-Shield Fighting) [1]; Sure-Footed (Uneven) [1].
Disadvantages:  Callous [-5]; Odious Personal Habit -1 (Blunt Asshole) [-5]; Obsession (Rid World of Evil Beings) [-10].
Quirks:  Nosy and Accusative [-1]; Suspicious of Others [-1].
Skills:  Area Knowledge (IQ/E) IQ [1]-12; Axe/Mace (DX/A) DX+1 [4]-13; Brawling (DX/A) DX [2]-12; Carousing (HT/E) HT [1]-10; Climbing (DX/A) DX-1 [1]-11; Crossbow (DX/E) DX+1 [2]-13; Detect Lies (Per/H) Per+2 [4]-14*; First Aid (IQ/E) IQ [1]-12; Hidden Lore (Demons) (IQ/A) IQ+2 [8]-14; Hidden Lore (Magical) (IQ/A) IQ+2 [8]-14; Hidden Lore (Undead) (IQ/A) IQ+2 [8]-14; Hiking (HT/A) HT+2 [8]-12; Intelligence Analysis (IQ/H) IQ+2 [4]-14*; Interrogation (IQ/A) IQ+2 [2]-13*; Intimidation (Will/A) Will+2 [8]-12; Jumping (DX/E) DX [1]-12; Knife (DX/E) DX [1]-12; Observation (Per/A) Per+1 [1]-13*; Occultism (IQ/A) IQ [2]-12; Running (HT/A) HT [2]-10; Search (Per/A) Per+1 [1]-13*; Shadowing (IQ/A) IQ+1 [1]-13*; Shield (DX/E) DX+2 [4]-14; Survival (Mountains) (Per/A) Per-1 [1]-11; Theology (Human) (IQ/H) IQ-1 [2]-11; Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (DX/E) DX [1]-12; Tracking (Per/A) Per [2]-12; Two-Handed Axe/Mace (DX/A) DX+1 [4]-13; Wrestling (DX/A) DX [2]-12.

* Includes the bonus from Natural Copper.
[/spoiler]

With respect to Obsession vs. Vow, Obsession seems more fitting with "Kill All Evil Things."  A Vow should be specific, like "Suffer not a witch to live," or "Never pass up the opportunity to destroy undead."  You could take both, so that yoru actions are generally driven by your Obsession, but in a short-term scale, you can't pass up the opportunity to kill a witch, even if it might impede yoru long-term objective of ridding the world fo evil.  Frankly, that conflict could prove interesting to RP!

[Humabout]

One skill I see neither of you have taken is Stealth.  This is the key ability for sneaking around.  Lacking this skill could prove disasterous. I mention this only so you can configure your style of play accordingly.

[Numinous]

Considering your lack of physical strength, might I suggest a crossbow?  Perhaps that your manservent cocks for you?

As absolutely hilarious as that image is, I think it would make more sense to just up my strength to regular person.

Also, is your butler someone you have hired or someone with a deeper loyalty?

I want him to be old, like I want him to be my grandfather's butler.  He should be old, sad, and so tired of me it is preposterous, but too decrepit and useless to find employment elsewhere.  His long history with my family makes him impossible to get rid of, but our mutual distaste for each other will lead to hilarity, especially since he can only be passive aggressive toward me at most.  He can use a crossbow.

Additionally, considering the social nature of your PC, do you have any contacts around the city?  Do you have anyone who owes you a favor?

I imagine the only person to whom I am a legitimate friend, in the sense of mutual respect, is the rare book vendor, Polyester Cowley.  My wealth has single-handedly allowed him to expand his business and our shared interest in the occult has led to a deeper bond, born of secrecy.  Presumably my later father's mistress, Dorothy Miller, would serve as my primary social enemy in the city, as her elevated social status came at the expense of my inheritance.  Finally, Sister Mary, my eclectically dressed but most favorite of prostitutes and dearest confidante.  She cannot read, but that's what I'm there for.

[Humabout]

So let's tack on the following:
ST 10

• 
  Ally (Butler; Built on 25% CP; Almost All of the Time, x3; Unwilling, -50%) [2]
  Contact (Polyester Cowley; Occult-18; Fairly Often, x1; Completely Reliable, x3) [9]
  Contact (Sister Mary; Streetwise-15; Fairly Often, x1; Somewhat Reliable, x1) [2]
  
  Does that look okay?  That brings you up to 183 points.  Is there anything else you think you'd want, ability-wise?