Buffy RPG Character Ideas

[Metallian]

So I'm reading the Buffy RPG, and I can't help coming up with nifty (to me, anyway) character concepts that I feel compelled to share. These presume a game set in the "canon" Buffyverse, ideally a few years in the future or something, but they could be tweaked to fit anywhere:

GILES 2000: After Willow was taken into to England by Giles (end of Season 6), the Watcher's Council made it a point to investigate what set her off. They found that a young man known as "Warren" was responsible. During their investigation, they discovered Warren's notes and a hidden lab. Impressed by his robotics expertise, they began an ambitious project. Their goal was to re-create the Watcher who trained the most successful (yet unruly) Slayer, Rupert Giles. Mr. Giles was a brilliant and "involved" Watcher, but far too unorthodox and rebellious. Also, he had a tendency to get knocked unconscious on a regular basis. "GILES 2000" would not have these problems. Obviously, they could not create an exact duplicate of Giles without arousing suspicion, but this new android's brain patterns would be loosely based on those of Rupert Giles (surreptitiously nabbed during a routine checkup at the doctor's office), programmed for obedience, and placed in a strong, durable robot body. Once the project was complete, this Robo-Watcher was kept in England, awaiting the moment a new Slayer would arise. The Watchers have high hopes for this new member, whose computerized mind will not become dangerously emotionally involved with it's work. Of course, robotics is still a new science, and things do happen....

I envision this character as a cross between Giles, C-3P0, and the Terminator. He'd be brilliant, stuffy, strong and very durable...though not particularly skilled at fighting. Also a bit clueless about real human interaction...similar to Anya in some ways.

The Vampire Slayer...No, I Mean The VAMPIRE SLAYER!: Few people actually know this, as it happened so quickly, but Faith was not Kendra's immediate replacement. Another Slayer was activated upon Kendra's death, but her career was very brief, even for a Slayer. While adjusting to her new powers, the new Slayer was killed by a gang of vampires with an ambitious (but dangerous) plan...turn a Slayer into a vampire! Unfortunately for them, while the Slayer's powers could not protect her from conversion (and the Slayer-powers themselves did not survive the conversion), they did serve to perserve her soul and free will. Horrified by her new state, the young girl pretended to be a proper vampire just long enough to gain her killers' trust and slay them all. This young lady is now perhaps the most motivated Slayer ever...she's not just the Chosen One, she's avenging her own death every night. Of course, she is also perhaps the most bitter Slayer ever...not only has she lost her powers, she has become a monster with no hope of a normal life. Her hatred for vampires is rivaled by her jealousy of humans in general and The Current Slayer(s) in particular. This makes her extremely moody and difficult to get along with...but her power and dedication to her work makes her a wothy ally nonetheless!

I actually have no idea what the "canon" says about Slayers who are turned into vampires, or if that's even possible. But I think "lose the powers, keep the soul" is as plausible as anything else that happens in the Buffyverse.


So, I've seen some cool character concepts around here before, does anybody else have some they'd like to share?

The Metallian

[Godfather Punk]

I'm thinking about using BtVS for kid-games. You know, where young 10-14year olds tackle the bloodsuckers (Lost Boys, Fright Night, ...).

Here are some ideas of mine (unless I read them subconsiously somewhere else). Could also be all this is already covered or countered in the BtVS corebook, but since when do I read rulez.

Starts as a White Hat

Must take Drawback: KID (still have to determine the Cost)
* age between 8-14
* Str -3 (minimum 1). This means to keep a STR 3, you'll need to spend 11 points in STR at character generation.
* Limit the Attribute points? Limit the skill points?
* Gun Fu can be taken but refers to the use of SuperSoakers et al.

Quality: Toys (2)
This means whenever you need some sort of equipment, you will have the appropriate skate board, all terrain bike, water pistol or chemistry set somewhere in your bedroom or attic.

Quality: Occult Library (1)
This limited version of the base OL applies to the access to horror comics, books, porn and videos that may offer insights in the weaknesses of Vampires (Marvel's Dracula, Vampirella, Interview with the Vampire, Reflecting Skin...)

Quality: Dog
Not you. You have a faithfull and preferably usefull domestic animal.

Quality: Contacts etc. should be downsized accordingly. At 1 you have a good friend; at 5 your dad is a cop or major or something.

etc.

What else?
5 Extra Drama points? Limit Speed?

Incomplete, but I'm just making it up. Gotta GM something 2-nite and this popped up.

Cheers,
Marc

[florin]

I've been pondering the idea of an alcoholic wino who used to be military but is now homeless. He's seen some strange things lately, and doesn't like that some of his friends have been disappearing. He'd be useful, as long as he stays sober. I just have a visual of him grabbing a bottle of vodka, taking a mouthful, lighting a torch, and then "breathing" fire with it in some vampire's face!

[David Goodner]

I'm going to run, rather than play, so I don't get to come up with cool characters.

Nevertheless, I have a few:

The Byzantine Errant - a Knight of Byzantium who fled the order after he realized they'd become evil - sacrificing honor for pragmatism rather than upholding their ideals.

The Teen Wolf - if I were to play a Buffy game as a Hero, this is the one I'd want to do. Basically, take Michael J. Fox's character from the movie and port him to the Buffyverse. His dad is killed off by a Werewolf hunter who is also after him. Rather than becoming the hero of the basket ball team, he learns to keep his head down so he doesn't end up as somebody's novelty rug.

Still, there's worse stuff than Werewolves in the night, and he thinks he should maybe kill some of it. It's more constructive than mutalating cattle, anyway...

One of my players wants to essentially play Lee from Cardcaptors - raised to fight Vampires without cool ninja powers (actually, he has cool ninja powers, what he lacks is super strength and regeneration). He'd be a big contrast to the Slayer, who HAS superpowers, but doesn't take her job very seriously.

David G.

[Kevin Mowery]

"Iron Man": Actually, this was an idea I had for a variant Marvel universe where everything was horror or '50s sci-fi themed. A soldier contracts a degenerative disease (possibly from biological weapons used by our side), so he signs up for an experimental procedure that places his brain in a robot body. This would work really well in the Buffyverse, too, and he could be easily attached to an Initiative operation.

"Saint-Germain": Okay, not the Saint-Germain (who would really make a better villain) but just a sorceror with a ton of Age. Making the character an actual historical or mythical personage is optional, but might be very cool.

The Cat: My initial character concept for the game I'm in--abandoned because it would have been too much work--was to play a Greater Bast from Witchcraft: a magical cat that can turn into a human for limited periods of time. Basically inspired by Greebo in the Discworld novels.

The Hippie War Vet: Played by Kris Kristofferson (or Tommy Chong if you're more interested in the comic aspects). I'm thinking this character would be a White Hat--he used to be Hero-level, but he's old. He was career military, fighting in Korea and Vietnam, then he got sick of fighting and turned on, tuned in, and dropped out. Over time, he's seen things he can't explain away as hallucinations or flashbacks, and now he can be the unofficial Watcher in a group without an official one.

[Bailywolf]

Zack Ichi

Zack is new in town. Blind since age 6, he none the less manages to do quite well. A bit of a lovable schoundral, Zack uses his blindness to his advantage when lulling others into believing him to be harmless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Zack trained his senses under the tutilige of his grandfather- a master of Iai style blade work. He has trained his other senses to compensate for his blindness. Where other Heroes might falter at the horrific apearance of an enemy, he cracks wise instead, and responds with his flashing sword-cane.

[Craig Oxbrow]

The Haunt

When someone dies and their body becomes a vampire, normally their soul passes on. But the Hellmouth being the way it is, "normally" doesn't count for much...

So one of the vamps in town has the small problem that her soul is still around as a ghost and helping the Scoobies as they're the only people who can see her and possibly help her.

With great effort, the ghost can possess her vampiric body for a matter of seconds before the demon within forces her out. She can't possess anyone else at all.

She has all the angst of being a teen ghost dead before her time and haunting her school, plus a built-in "evil twin" who, unlike her, everyone can see, who has a fair chunk of her personality (including a shared interest in the boy she had a crush on pre-death).

She even has her own theme song: Walk Away by Shrinking Violets (http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/62/shrinking_violets.html).

(Theres' no definite canon regarding Slayer-vampires but one did turn up in a DH comic. Dracula indicated it was possible, but I don't take him at his word.)

[JonAcheson]

If your group is a whole new set of Scoobies, I thought of a nice concept for a Giles equivalent.

Unlike Giles, he's not the librarian, he's the assistant principal (i.e. the one who handles discipline and trouble). Which means he can call the Slayer out of class if need be, and cover up problems for her too. Of course, both of them have to be mindful of the head principal.

FWIW, all of his Dark Lore (tm) is stored on microfiche and CD-ROM in a set of dull beige filing cabinets in his office. Locked, of course.

Compared to Giles, he's not as cerebral, but a bit more capable in a fight. Assistant principals have to know how to handle themselves in a fight.

Jon Acheson

[GB Steve]

Here's my fave PC from my recent Dulwich Horror game set in 1890's London:

Billy Pratt (a bonus pt if you get the reference horror fans)
Strength 1
Dexterity 2
Constitution 2
Intelligence 5
Perception 3
Willpower 4

advantages
Situational awareness
Weird science level 1 (works like Sorcery using science)
Nerd

Drawbacks
Poor 2
Coward 2
Misfit
Teenager

Skills
Acrobatics 0
Art 0
Computers 0
Crime 2
Doctor 3
Driving 0
Getting medieval 1
Gun fu 0
Influence -3
Knowledge 1
Kung fu 0
Languages 0
Mr. Fix-it 3
Notice 2
Occultism 2
Science 5
Sports 0

Background
You have a bad name that has caused you to be the butt of jokes throughout your life. You have sworn revenge on society. Using your superior intellect you have dedicated yourself to the study of science and in particular electromagnetism. You were really impressed with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and are seeking to prove that it is no mere fiction. You have assembled a number of friends to help you collect body parts for your creature. Actually you hypnotised them (all except Pip who has chip on his shoulder almost as big as yours) and implanted suggestions that they help you. They cannot remember being hypnotised. So far you only have one arm and need more parts. You could get these from a number of places. There are mortuaries in the workhouse and the asylum, there is a well stocked churchyard in Dulwich and a medical school in Camberwell. You have a plan to use the treadmill in the workhouse to generate the electricity to get your monster going. Your lab is in some disused pigsties against the North wall of the workhouse. You are 14 years old.

Stuff: Any money you had went on scientific instruments which are kept under lock and key in the gang hut.

[BlackSheep]

Originally posted by Metallian
I actually have no idea what the "canon" says about Slayers who are turned into vampires, or if that's even possible. But I think "lose the powers, keep the soul" is as plausible as anything else that happens in the Buffyverse.

It happened once in Buffyverse history, I believe, in one of the novels. Anyone else know more?

[Rhino]

Originally posted by Metallian
I actually have no idea what the "canon" says about Slayers who are turned into vampires, or if that's even possible.


Exactly 10 seconds after they rise from the grave, their head explodes.

[ascendance]

I think the Buffyverse needs Witch Hunter Robin!

[John Nowak]

Originally posted by GB Steve

Billy Pratt (a bonus pt if you get the reference horror fans)


Middle name Henry. Where's my bonus point?

[GB Steve]

Originally posted by John Nowak
Middle name Henry. Where's my bonus point?

On the noggin!

Here you go: <img src="http://www.farnamhorse.com/promos/images/2002coupon.jpg">

[Stephen Tannhauser]

I always wanted to see a Roman Catholic priest in BtVS - optimally, he's relatively young and fit, smart as all get out (preferably a Jesuit: I just love the Jesuits), genuinely faithful with it, but not a ravingly intolerant fanatic. Maybe he even knows a little of the lost Gnostic lore, like the Gospel of Thomas, that lays out the basics of Christian high sorcery....

It always bugs me that in a universe as supernatural as Buffy's nobody ever actually talks about religion, or what all this stuff means in a religious context (barring the occasional disparaging reference to Wiccan Wanna-Blessed-Bes). Given the typical human reaction to situations/periods of great stress/danger, you'd think Sunnydale would have some of the best-attended churches in the United States, really....

[bv728]

Originally posted by ascendance
I think the Buffyverse needs Witch Hunter Robin!

While cool, I don't think she fits the buffyverse terribly well.

[Kevin Mowery]

Originally posted by Stephen
I always wanted to see a Roman Catholic priest in BtVS - optimally, he's relatively young and fit, smart as all get out (preferably a Jesuit: I just love the Jesuits), genuinely faithful with it, but not a ravingly intolerant fanatic. Maybe he even knows a little of the lost Gnostic lore, like the Gospel of Thomas, that lays out the basics of Christian high sorcery....

It always bugs me that in a universe as supernatural as Buffy's nobody ever actually talks about religion, or what all this stuff means in a religious context (barring the occasional disparaging reference to Wiccan Wanna-Blessed-Bes). Given the typical human reaction to situations/periods of great stress/danger, you'd think Sunnydale would have some of the best-attended churches in the United States, really....

Actually Sunnydale has a crapload of churches. I don't recall the exact number, but I think it's over thirty. Aside from references to Judaism and the TV version of Wicca, the show is pretty non-denominational, and I'm certain that's intentional.

In our game, we've just had a Jesuit priest introduced as an NPC. We don't know if he's got special knowledge or not--at least, he didn't before we got hold of him.

[GB Steve]

Originally posted by Stephen
It always bugs me that in a universe as supernatural as Buffy's nobody ever actually talks about religion, or what all this stuff means in a religious context (barring the occasional disparaging reference to Wiccan Wanna-Blessed-Bes). Given the typical human reaction to situations/periods of great stress/danger, you'd think Sunnydale would have some of the best-attended churches in the United States, really....
The NPC watcher in my game is an Anglican Vicar. He's rather high church so he's practically RC. Apart from him and Billy Pratt above (that's Boris Karloff's real name btw), the rest of my group are BtvS clones. There's Mina, seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, the witch, Fiona, pretty but dull, the Vampire Slayer, Pip the purehearted pure collector's son and Gervaise the spoilt rich kid (and cricket jock).

Cheers,

[Stephen Tannhauser]

Originally posted by Kevin Mowery
Actually Sunnydale has a crapload of churches. I don't recall the exact number, but I think it's over thirty. Aside from references to Judaism and the TV version of Wicca, the show is pretty non-denominational, and I'm certain that's intentional.

Oh, I'm absolutely certain it is. You can have two women kissing on a show and only lose some of your audience; you screw up portraying a real-world religion, and you're going to lose a lot more, and I totally understand that.

(The pendulum swings: thirty years ago religion was a fine topic for popular TV but homosexuality was verboten. My ruthless sense of justice reluctantly appreciates this.)

Still, I wish Joss & Co. would at least try. You don't even have to be denominational, either. I'd love to see a Catholic priest, a Hindu kshatriya and a Muslim imam arguing over the implications of the fact that all their holy symbols work to repel vampires, when held by somebody suitably faithful and noble....

[GB Steve]

Originally posted by Stephen
Still, I wish Joss & Co. would at least try. You don't even have to be denominational, either. I'd love to see a Catholic priest, a Hindu kshatriya and a Muslim imam arguing over the implications of the fact that all their holy symbols work to repel vampires, when held by somebody suitably faithful and noble.... There's an episode of Dr Who where the good Doctor repels a vampire by using the hammer & sickle lapel badge of a russian infantryman ...

Cheers,

[SteveD]

If I ever get around to getting and running Buffy, I have a cool idea for a PC or NPC. Basically, a group without a slayer, with the central character being a WATCHER in training, at Oxford university. His "watcher" is his Watcher trainer. Lots of ins and outs and conspiracy within the ranks of the Watcher's Council, because there are SO many unanswered questions therein.

Add a love interest, a buddy, a snobby lord for a roommate...and for the Angel character, instead of a vampire, a fairy called Winter. As in the way cool EVIL fairies. Winter, of course, is torn between her love for the hero, and her duty to her people - who are, of course, rising up from the green and planning on slaughtering everyone in England...

I originally wrote this as an idea for a buffy spin-off...and you can read some (gak) fan fiction on the topic here (don't worry, it doesn't suck - Jason Sartin will attest to this):

http://www.geocities.com/catstesha/buffy/buffy.html

- shameless plugging D

[Mortality]

Originally posted by GB Steve
There's an episode of Dr Who where the good Doctor repels a vampire by using the hammer & sickle lapel badge of a russian infantryman ...

As far as I can remember, anything works as long as you believe in it. Which would make for a great way to get the players.

GM: So, you're facing the vampires, holding out your crosses, but you have no eays way of reaching the door...
PC1: Hey, how come crosses work, anyway? I'm not even religious...
GM: All of a sudden, the vampires seem to strengthen somewhat, and start trying to move towards you.
PC1: Damn, looks like you have to believe in them.
PC2: So what if we stop believing?
GM: One of the vampires is getting pretty close...
PC2: I point the cross at him!
GM: Do you believe it will work?
PC2: Ummm... yeah?
GM: Oh, really?
PC1: Ruuuuun!

Whereas a really well trained mind could hold off vampires with a bunny toy.

Not strictly Buffy canon, but would make for an interesting change...

[DaveB]

Originally posted by GB Steve
There's an episode of Dr Who where the good Doctor repels a vampire by using the hammer & sickle lapel badge of a russian infantryman ...

Cheers,

Not quite. The Russian Captain uses the hammer and sickle successfully. The Anglican priest doesn't manage to use the cross, bvecause he doesn't truely believe.

The Doctor manages it by reciting the names of all the companions over and over under his breath.

[Metallian]

Originally posted by Stephen

Still, I wish Joss & Co. would at least try. You don't even have to be denominational, either. I'd love to see a Catholic priest, a Hindu kshatriya and a Muslim imam arguing over the implications of the fact that all their holy symbols work to repel vampires, when held by somebody suitably faithful and noble....

I don't know that they would work. I dimly recall reading somewhere that crosses and holy water don't work for any big cosmic reason, but because the Church and vampires have "a history." I think the implication was that the Church may have magically cursed vampires with a vulnerability to its trappings. I forget the source, and I forget the exact details, so take that with a grain of salt.

The Metallian

[GB Steve]

I yield to your superior who-knowledge.

And I also read and enjoyed SteveD's Buffy fanfic.

One of the reasons I used 1890's South Londs=ond

Ack! Does your typing go to hell when you've got yhr flu too?

South London was I know the area better than the players so there wouldn't be any fear of contradiction. If I used Sunnydale there are many more knowledgeable Buffites than me.

Cheers,

[SteveD]

Well, when they wanted to bar Angel from Willow's house, they had to put crosses everywhere. Her jewish parents were NOT happy.

So there does seem to be some evidence that only big moojo Christian symbols work...and work both ways too (Spike had to find a church to be able to heal Dru, for example). They have never said that faith (as opposed to ritual) is particularly key in any of this - but there's no reason why it shouldn't be. I'd say it's left open for the individual GM to decide.

However, they have implied that magic and wicca are the same thing, or at least very similar, which always struck me as a bit unfair. Why does that religion get to work, and not mine? :D

Hee hoo,
Steve

[GB Steve]

Originally posted by SteveD
However, they have implied that magic and wicca are the same thing, or at least very similar, which always struck me as a bit unfair. Why does that religion get to work, and not mine? :D
Because your god is a jealous god?

[BlackSheep]

Still, I wish Joss & Co. would at least try. You don't even have to be denominational, either. I'd love to see a Catholic priest, a Hindu kshatriya and a Muslim imam arguing over the implications of the fact that all their holy symbols work to repel vampires, when held by somebody suitably faithful and noble....

There's no canon evidence that symbols of Hindu or Islamic faiths would work in the Buffyverse. It appears to be Christian or nothing. I'm pretty sure that Wiccans have been attacked while wearing pentacle necklaces without them having the sort of effect that Buffy's cross does.

The Russian Captain uses the hammer and sickle successfully. The Anglican priest doesn't manage to use the cross, bvecause he doesn't truely believe. The Doctor manages it by reciting the names of all the companions over and over under his breath.

There's a similar set of incidents in the graphic novel Vamps. The guy with the cross gets bitten, because he doesn't believe. The shaman is protected while within his circle, but once they tempt him into stepping outside its boundaries he's on his own because he failed to keep his faith. And the crazy guy using a VW badge holds them off successfully, because it's meaningful to him.

[Edit: Clarification of a poorly-worded point.]

[florin]

Okay, since that Who episode happens to be one of my faves, the title is The Curse of Fenris. The reason the vampires (or hemovores as the good Doctor called them) were repelled was because the belief setup some kind of psychic feedback that they did not enjoy. I guess it'd be like trying to approach a really loud speaker that was spitting out feedback. I know I wouldn't want to do it. :D

[NPC Chris Goodwin]

This is undoubtedly not-canon as all getout, but what the heck.

I had a thought. Buffy isn't even the second most successful Slayer of all time. The most successful ran from 1938-1961. Yes, 23 years.

Then I tried to figure out what kind of a person could be a successful Slayer for 23 years...

[Meadow]

Personally I always thought it would be fun to play an ametuer exorcist. Someone who has a lot of faith, and discovers suddenly that vampires are real! So he or she goes and gets the Holy water and Crosses.

From here I see two options:

1) The character could be the type to walk the streets at night. Obviously this character would have to have some real guts, or perhaps a HUGE amount of faith. Enough faith to totally annoy the slayer and co. In completely amusing ways of course.

2) Another option is to play this character as a coward who discovers that vampires are real, and proceeds to carry all the religious symbols as protection. This would of course mean walking around high school jumping at every shadow and screaming like Shinji from evangelion.