LONDON'S SHADOW - Victorian Supernatural Steampunk

Duscussion Thread: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/role-playing-and-communal-story-building/threads/3418

Please see discussion thread for details and to add your char sheet. Those of you who were playing before...If you have your char sheet, post it, if not, just something brief is fine.

NEW PLAYERS: Check the Discussion thread and PM me to discuss details. Thanks.

This thread has a plot and I am acting as GM. I do have a plan :)

I want this to be very literary, in keeping with the Victorian theme. Long, well thought out posts = Love.

You can play literary figures or famous people of the time, or come up with your own character. Wikipedia is your friend, I don't expect people to be experts, but make an effort to keep things with a Victorian feel.

This is Victorian London at the time of the Ripper. It's also a steampunk world, so think Jules Verne, the recent Sherlock Holmes movie, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the flashbacks in the TV show Sanctuary. There is magic in this world, but it requires years of study and spellbooks, arcane symbols etc. There is some 'wild magic' but it is small magic and not very powerful at all. In general, supernatural things and beings are on the down low. As far as the general populace is concerned magic and supernatural beings are the stuff of stories.

For this reason, the very hush-hush group called London's Shadow exists. A group of people joined together with the common goal of keeping London and the world safe from these supernatural beings of which they aren't even aware.
If you want to join in, PM me so we can have your chars enter when it makes sense since the plot is well underweigh.

For starters, here are chars we have: (I've removed chars whom we haven't seen in ages)

Bahiya Cherkas, wealthy, beautiful. She is 'leader' of the group.

Alfred Borden, (from The Prestige), known for his Transported Man act and for the ongoing rivalry with Angier.

Lilliana 'Lily' Barnes. Borden's sometime lover and assistant.

Dorian Gray, (seriously people if you haven't read the book, shame on you).

Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde (again, this char needs no introduction)

Arthur Winnipeg, has a brass tri-fingered mechanical claw for a right hand. Used to be a seafaring man. Now working for person or persons unknown. ((I do hope we'll be seeing him soon.))

Lord Robert Penn, member of the shadow and supporter of liberal social changes.

Safria De Lailo, sent to live with Bahiya to experience London life. Lord Penn's love interest and now fiancee, and soon to be a pivotal part of the plot.

Juma Lyons, large black man, a detective for the lower classes who cannot afford the likes of Holmes, or even a run-of-the-mill detective. Lives/works in the slums--Whitechapel perhaps.

Dr. Ambrose Griffin, The invisible man, with an attitude. Nuff said.

Dr. Adam R. Pryce, can communicate with ghosts. Friends with Griffin.

Prof. James Moriarty, brilliant man, mathematical genius, travels in all sorts of circles. And you know, the whole Holmes thing.

Dr. John Watson, biographer of Sherlock Homes...

Ada Byron-Lovelace, sickly, intelligent, computer programmer, 'Enchantress of Numbers'. Daughter of Lord Byron. Has successfully constructed The Analytical a number/data crunching device.

Edward Darney, Necromancer.

Trey, new servant in the Cherkas mansion.

If I've forgotten anyone, or deleted someone I shouldn't have...so sorry, let me know asap.

((And to get things rolling again...))

"Mr. Gray, When can I expect an invitation to the Hellfire Club?" Bahiya asked. "I must admit, I am extremely curious to know what goes on there. One hears such stories..."

((Do you want to assume that the vamps have been in touch with Dorian and have a hold on him, through his secret in the attic, or do you want to have a vamp visit him and let Dorian know their expectations?))

"Has your letter not arrived yet?" Dorian asked in surprise. "How strange. I could have sworn I sent them out days ago." He shrugged. "No matter, I can write one out for you here and deliver it personally. And I assure you, many of the stories have been grossely exaggurated. Nothing will occur there that isn't perfectly above board and respectable." At least in the rooms his guests would have access to.

((And since I'm rubbish at coming up with that sort of thing on my own, I think I'd prefer to have a vamp visit him and let him know what they expect))

"I'm quite looking forward to the magician you promised us. Tell me what does one wear at the hellfire club?" Safria thought, hoping he wouldn't make some joke about not much and hoping too that she sounded naive enough to make him lose whatever interest he may or may not have held.

((Now he can announce the masquerade thing and I can bump us back on the main page...since I think currently only basil knows it's a masquerae because he insisted :P))

((OK, when we are done the painting for the day, a vampire will stop by to see Dorian once the sun sets.))
((It's so weird getting used to everyone's new icons, including my own.))
((And we;ll have to poke Star when we need Borden to arrive.))

"That would be splendid if you could arrange the invitation today. I am sure the Hellfire Club doesn't let just anyone in who arrives at the door." Bahiya said. "I look forward to seeing the Magician as well."

((Agreed. And my icon will change, I'm sure, as whims take me))


@Buggy
Watson reread the note. His eyebrows rose as the words passed before his eyes, filling his brain. Oh dear...this was rather unfortunate. He rather regretted agreeing to Griffin's request to look after Jekyll. It did not seem to bode well for anyone.

Dorian couldn't help Basil surface slightly from his painting trance to see how he'd handle this particular question. He suppressed the urge to sigh. No faith in him. Terribly sad.

"Basil had the wonderful idea of having some sort of masquerade at the club during your visit," Dorian said. "He thought it might be wise given the reputation our club so undeservedly has gained that you weren't seen attending in such a state that you might be recognised. And the magician does seem to be set to perform. There were a few teething problems in getting him on board, but he has seen the space he's to work in and seems perfectly satisfied with it all."

"Ohh" Safria just resisted the urge to clap her hands, and Robert gave an affectionate laugh at her face "I do like masquerades, I always have such fun with the costumes." Of course this inevitably meant that She'd end up trying to get her claws into picking his costume out as well, but that wasn't so bad and Hallward had a point this would be much safer on her reputation. Safria's face was still rapt with almost chidlish delight at the suggestion. "That is a wonderful suggestion mr hallward." of course she was thinking of her reputation as well, but it didn't hurt to play more naive than she was at times and she really did like costume parties.

@ Tweed

"What should we-- I mean, what do you think I should do?" Jekyll shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Giving into their demands is out of the question, though... well, with Hyde's mindset there's no telling what I might end up doing."

"We'll have to ensure that Hyde doesn't do anything," said Watson. "Keep a close eye on that mindset. Were Hyde to take matters into his own hands, it may be just as good as giving into their demands."
He passed the note back to Jekyll.

"Yes, or giving Hyde reason to hide from the police," he muttered, tucking the letter back into his pocket. "I'll do my best to keep him reigned in... perhaps I should keep from walking off by myself for a while, just in case."

Watson nodded. "That's probably best. I will volunteer my services, and I am certain that your friends will also volunteer. Griffin, the others."
He nodded grimly. Such things...they always happened at the worst of times. He wondered who the blackmailer could be.

@Tweed in response to the last thread.

"Whenever would work for you, sir. I'll find a way to get out of my duties, I'm sure the Mistress wont mind. She had said she'd find someone to help, which means I would be missing work then." Trey answered the doctor.

((Congrats on the halo, Bugs!))

"A costume party, excellent idea." Bahiya said. "Will you be going as Adonis, Mr Gray?" She paused, "I have no idea whom I should be."

@Vencie

Pryce nodded. "For the time being, I am naught but a recovering patient, so time is all I have, and plenty of it. Shall we say this afternoon, should it work for you?"

((And we can always do a time skip, I think Pryce was going to attend the Hellfire Club party...))

(( xD Thanks Jez. I think they gave it back to me; I had it last year for donating, but after the last thread wipe it vanished.))

((Poking Star would be a nice idea. From what I remember, Edward was supposed to be Lily's escort of sorts to get in. I mean we can always assume Borden and Lily are there but yea, we should give her a poke...))

((Depends when you donated, I think. I'm an ML this year, so I get an automatic halo :) ))

Trey nodded. "I think that ought to work, sir."

"Good," said Pryce. "I shall see you then. In the library, just after tea."