AsBloodTurnsEverCold

That means someone somewhere at any point during any reply someone in this town is mainlining mercury and Swamp Root. Good times.

I did that too I just wanted to make sure I read that correctly

Also everyone is supposed to add their second NPCs right?

This is good and right in line with what I was hoping for. I wasn't sure if it just needed to be a heritage or ability and I'm not exactly going for too many abilities just that this and The Other Theory would basically complete the character concept I was going for. The Supernatural Focus wanted a Heritage distinction is also why I set it under that but if it works better under ability I can wait for the next steps to allow for another ability instead. Kojo is meant to be human just changed by his contact with the Eldritch.

I am very much enjoying the Pathways system and running through it. I say go as far as it goes.

Welcome @DreamsnThings!

@IsabellaRose Debating on Supernatural instead while we're still in this step but I'm not really sure how to make a heritage distinction but figured I'd run the idea by you. I admittedly have no idea how this work or if being cursed would go to heritage: d4 Cursed by Cacophony: You've read the the ebon pages and heard the aberrant strain. You've sung the peculiar arias, and played with odd tones. Your study into the music of the world beyond has given you the ability to open the minds of all who hear your songs, but in turn wrenched open your own never to be shut again. Your head filled music you can no longer escape, only abate. Your mind an instrument, your body the vessel. Your new eyes are the mark, the clearest sign that you are touched and changed by a sacred Cacophony, a twisted Euphony, and forced to see and hear the beyond...forever. You are, forever, a servant of The Noise. Roll whenever your ability to see or hear aspects of The Other World will affect a scene. Connected Abilities: Sense of the Other World, Heightened Hearing, Soul Sight (as living music), The Other Theory? Limits: possession, sensory overload, sanctified ground. d4: Earn a plot point when resisting possession by The Noise causes you pain, makes you collapse, or retreat. This is terrible but I hope it gets the ideas across?

Personally I'm not against the idea per-se but I do feel like its a little bit of a step up in terms of the general mood we've operated on so far. And I do think it would be a smidge unfair with vampires (as a supernatural force) having been more or less pushed with a broom out the door. I'm not sure about imbalance as this sort of system is less about min-maxing and more about narrative but its kinda hard to tell cause the system does seem relatively shielded against "being good at everything" like an immortal probably would be and even discourage it but I dunno. I'm not opposed but it definitely another level. I'm playing an Eldritch Music Man anyway so I'm good with a bit weird.

I *should* take The Supernatural to really bring this concept home but I'm taking reputation instead so I can get his Virtuoso Distinction up to D6 at least and it also feels like it makes a lot of sense (These choices are HARD). I've added Joshua Thane to the board if I understood Isabella said right and he's Heir-apparent to the Thane family, a former soldier, current (corrupt) Lawman. He puts on the facade of a kind man but he is, in truth, as cruel as he could be. He, as part of a formerly slave-owning family, he was raised to see others as lesser and fought to uphold that and managed to avoid punishment because of a favor. He became a lawman after the war in order to continue his violent interests and has a habit for being overzealous in his duties or demanding more than a little gratuity especially from the women he helps although rumor has it he's in good with plenty of criminals. He's not someone you want to run into. I've also stepped up the dice with Alicia @Chiyako but not much changes just the text is "I must learn her story." rather than simple curiosity for him. And stepped up the music hall of course.

Oh alright back to the mines!

We're on a new step

You might as well have asked my boring ass to do advanced math with this step. Anyhow I connected Willis Sloan to Edmund to say this ambitious contract fiend is scheming against against Edmund and thinking about taking whats his so that he can be play with the big dogs.

I went with The Apprentice as that makes the most sense given his background as a musician pretty much requires him to have been training for so long and did especially with the former Thane son before he was freed and sent to Europe to further train and learn his craft. I added the Gunfighter distinction to really finish up the concept I've gone with. In terms of relationships atm for Kojo: @MagnificentBastard Both are working men, and Kojo appreciates the ability to play someone a little less stiff than the theater. Kojo at least trusts Edmund enough to work with him and join the occasional card game or share a beer even if they're not friends. He's not all bothered by Edmund's darker reputation given his own rumors and well...dealing with The Other World. The statement I have is "I can work with him just fine." at current. @Chiyako He understands being subject to rumor, and being looked at as something a little less than human by supposedly "good" men even if he feels he deserves it far more than she likely does. Its a small measure of connection and sympathy but obviously he probably wouldn't bother initially...its just a curiosity. Statement wise I've got "I am curious about her story." at current. @WickedCadrach He's interested in her performances and she seems to have a pretty magnetic personality. He isn't sure if she's entirely trustworthy but its hard for him not to think about her and wonder I've chosen to step up Fishers particular dice to D6 if that's alright given they might have a little more in common. He might have a habit of stopping by to watch her work when he's not working himself "I can't help but wonder what else she's about." if that alright. @StarlitSiren Likely comes in to the shop to help get some of the theaters equipment repaired. He respect she's not too social, but he does acknowledge she clearly does good work. The craft is important and being good at ones chosen craft is something he very much understands in whole. I've got "I respect her craftsmanship and dedication." for her.

Well when I made the Music Hall (or rather adjusted it) I did so with the understanding this was meant to be a forming Boom Town so figured it'd have been erected to bring in wealthy patrons and satisfy the ones who did live there for whatever reasons they do but I do like this. A bustling Frontier Town that can't really handle the growth is pretty close to a place like Deadwood before the cattle industry died. Neat though! Still a fun setting.

Alright so! Choices are hard to make I decided to connect Kirsa to The Labratory (If thats alright @Chiyako) and defined it as Kirsa helping manipulate supply (make sure Alicia can has access to what she needs, make sure its affordable) in return for special concoctions every so often. I could change it to something else though if you'd prefer.

Hrrrm decisions decisions

I think that makes good sense. I do imagine even falling under the sway of The Other Theory even a bit would stick with someone. He's just gonna be a little sad when he realizes what it was if it was a particular night that can be recalled....and that'll be great.

Definitely leaning on the weird part of weird west lol I didn't even think about Sinners. I was actually thinking Led Belly and Bronze Buckaroo. I could lean on that a little. I've been trying to mix the singing cowboy and lovecraftian inspirations but Kojo to me has kind of "And-" energy like if this group had a theme-song with a roll call he'd be at the end with the "And Kojo!" which is fine I tend to make characters like that starting out.

Not selfish at all! Everyone has ideas they feel strongly about and those sorts of ideas just make the best foundations even if they don't seem like they'll work...initially. Usually part of the fun. I like the sort of Rag-tag nature of the group. People from varied, disparate walks of life ending up in a some town. People who probably would never meet but somehow become a unit and have plenty to teach each-other. It didn't seem to me like Saha wouldn't fit in this group of outsiders from what I knew so far but I guess the town setting does kinda close the walls in a little and I'm sorry if I made that worse. I was reading that solo venture so I could learn more about this And my character was likely going to lean a bit on fascinated by Saha to learn more. Was looking forward to writing with you. @MagnificentBastard Funny you say that because of the two male characters in this group I actually figured Kojo would kinda be the outsider of them lol.

small bit of change to the location after a bit of research: Thane-Cash Rebirth Hall - A newly built and, frankly, misplaced music hall meant to bring in new blood to a growing town. It is a medium-sized music hall, funded by an Antebellum South family looking to "clean" its reputation after the outlawing of slavery, a hopeful proprietor named Clayton Cash, and a secretive third party. It mimics the Boston Music Hall in Massachusetts in its structure and as such it has two balcony floors with a central stage. It is, however, designed to be more 'homely' and 'welcoming' and as such is built primarily out of old (polished) wood and decorated in pictures of the humble history of its benefactors and the nation. It is fairly opulent inside with clean polished floors, carpeted floors, and ivory lining. It is also meant to be a decently convertible space able to hold concerts, stage performances, dinners, and potentially more. There are also private rooms and a few off-beaten hallways giving the wealthy and...less open plenty of privacy which makes it a popular spot for business.

@MagnificentBastard Kojo would be fine playing at the establishment though there is his particular ability and rumors to contend with a job is a job. And as for their potential friendship I think that'd work for me too, friendly and professional. They both enjoy some level of fame, and connection with mutual benefits (having a renown player around is good, and Kojo having another place to play is also good) so yeah that'd work.

A train station? Curious about the fort tho

@IsabellaRose Yeah I figured, though I don't know how old the town is I figured it'd be right to set it there.

I added: Absolon Grand Hall - A grand and golden French-style concert hall, although a copy of a greater concert hall in France. A favorite of Kojo's, and a place where more than a few secrets are exchanged and maintained.

Alright I was a bit confused for a moment cause I already stepped the ability up but yeah forgot the rating (I had simply copy and pasted) so that should be fixed now. Also got rid of the resource.