Dark*Matter: Discovery
- Thread starter Falkus
- Start date
Here is my character background. I am checking the numbers on the character sheet and will post it shortly.
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CYRUS LANE DIFFENDERFER -- Fast Hero 1
Cyrus comes across as a quiet and reserved young man. In reality, his soft disposition was formed in response to his father’s larger-than-life personality and his mother’s soft, nurturing love.
His father, Lane Diffenderfer, grew up as a farm-boy in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Cyrus’ grandfather (the clan’s original Cyrus) had seen the world as a soldier, and he made sure that his son Lane was educated in worldly matters Of course, Lane also benefited from the region’s natural wonders—he became an avid hunter and fisherman. Mostly, though, Lane succeeded in the things in which a country kid is supposed to succeed; he got good grades in school and he was respected as the high school’s football champ.
Lane did well enough to get a scholarship to Michigan State University, where he majored in engineering, played football well-enough to keep his scholarship, but not well enough to go pro, and met his wife, Mary Elizabeth O’Brien. Lane converted from his Lutheran upbringing to Catholicism to be able to marry the beautiful librarian/cheerleader.
Lane went on to become a very successful engineer and then accountant at General Motors, moving his family to the Detroit suburbs. He patented several new computer communication devices for automobiles and spun off his own company. He became a millionaire when he took his company public.
All of his professional accomplishments did little to quell his disappointment in his personal life, though. There were major complications during the birth of his first son. Although the baby was born without harm, Mary Elizabeth suffered greatly and had to have a hysterectomy. She never fully recovered physically from the birth, remaining weak and loosing much of her youthful beauty. Unlike the elder Cyrus’ prodigious procreation, Lane fathered only a single child. Lane does not appear to have ever been unfaithful to his physically diminished wife; instead he threw himself into his work.
Cyrus grew up as a momma’s boy, inheriting her love of books and learning and her quiet disposition. Lane, however, wanted his boy to be a real man. He took the boy on numerous hunting and fishing trips on his grandfather’s farm. Cyrus never acquired a real taste for the kill, but he did pick up quite a proficiency with firearms, preferring shooting practice in an indoor range to the actual hunt. He also picked up some outdoor skills from his trips to the UP.
A tall and lanky and somewhat homely boy, Cyrus never excelled at team sports as his father had done. His father did not, however, relent in pushing his son in sports. In high school, Cyrus finally settled in track and field and did well. To Lane, the football hero, running and jumping were sissy sports, and Cyrus’ many blue ribbons and trophies were small consolation.
Cyrus never became close with his father, always coming up short when measured against his father’s physical accomplishments. In academics, Cyrus followed his mother’s lead. He was a straight-A student in high school and went on the study the humanities at the University of Michigan, specializing in the history of ancient and pre-historic civilizations.
After graduating with honors, Cyrus was at a lost for what to do next. Convention suggested a PhD and a quiet professorial career at a small liberal arts college, but Cyrus, who never did much dating and whose social circle was limited to his Dungeons and Dragons gaming group and a few friends on the track and field team, wasn’t sure. He suffered no illusions of grandeur, but he wanted something more than an academic life. To his family’s surprise, he moved to Yemen, to further hone his Arabic language skills that he had learned at college.
After 20 months at the Arabic Language Center in the Old City section of the capital, Sana’a, Cyrus received a call from his mother; Lane had suffered a major stroke. Cyrus returned home and helped his family through the immediate crisis. Today, even with extensive rehabilitation efforts, he has regained little use of his left side, his sight is limited, and his mental capacities are diminished. His father, always a strong and proud man, never took disability insurance, so most of the rehabilitation expenses were paid out of pocket. Mary Elizabeth put most of the family’s fortune into a trust to cover Lane’s long term care. Although there is plenty of money left over, no one would today describe the Diffenderfers as rich.
At the ripe old age of 24, Cyrus still feels a hole in his life; something is missing. Not sure what to do next and feeling neither affection nor animosity (feeling mostly pity) for his father, Cyrus has come to Chicago. He plans to experience the metropolitan life while he prepares to enter PhD studies at the University of Chicago. Although he does not need income, he has made plans to start working as a substitute teacher in the Chicago Public Schools in the meantime. He arrived a few days ago and, yesterday, moved into his new apartment. After his evening scotch and pipe, Cyrus has decided to go to the Brooks Public Library, feeling more at home among books than among a bar-hopping crowd of strangers.
===============
CYRUS LANE DIFFENDERFER -- Fast Hero 1
Cyrus comes across as a quiet and reserved young man. In reality, his soft disposition was formed in response to his father’s larger-than-life personality and his mother’s soft, nurturing love.
His father, Lane Diffenderfer, grew up as a farm-boy in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Cyrus’ grandfather (the clan’s original Cyrus) had seen the world as a soldier, and he made sure that his son Lane was educated in worldly matters Of course, Lane also benefited from the region’s natural wonders—he became an avid hunter and fisherman. Mostly, though, Lane succeeded in the things in which a country kid is supposed to succeed; he got good grades in school and he was respected as the high school’s football champ.
Lane did well enough to get a scholarship to Michigan State University, where he majored in engineering, played football well-enough to keep his scholarship, but not well enough to go pro, and met his wife, Mary Elizabeth O’Brien. Lane converted from his Lutheran upbringing to Catholicism to be able to marry the beautiful librarian/cheerleader.
Lane went on to become a very successful engineer and then accountant at General Motors, moving his family to the Detroit suburbs. He patented several new computer communication devices for automobiles and spun off his own company. He became a millionaire when he took his company public.
All of his professional accomplishments did little to quell his disappointment in his personal life, though. There were major complications during the birth of his first son. Although the baby was born without harm, Mary Elizabeth suffered greatly and had to have a hysterectomy. She never fully recovered physically from the birth, remaining weak and loosing much of her youthful beauty. Unlike the elder Cyrus’ prodigious procreation, Lane fathered only a single child. Lane does not appear to have ever been unfaithful to his physically diminished wife; instead he threw himself into his work.
Cyrus grew up as a momma’s boy, inheriting her love of books and learning and her quiet disposition. Lane, however, wanted his boy to be a real man. He took the boy on numerous hunting and fishing trips on his grandfather’s farm. Cyrus never acquired a real taste for the kill, but he did pick up quite a proficiency with firearms, preferring shooting practice in an indoor range to the actual hunt. He also picked up some outdoor skills from his trips to the UP.
A tall and lanky and somewhat homely boy, Cyrus never excelled at team sports as his father had done. His father did not, however, relent in pushing his son in sports. In high school, Cyrus finally settled in track and field and did well. To Lane, the football hero, running and jumping were sissy sports, and Cyrus’ many blue ribbons and trophies were small consolation.
Cyrus never became close with his father, always coming up short when measured against his father’s physical accomplishments. In academics, Cyrus followed his mother’s lead. He was a straight-A student in high school and went on the study the humanities at the University of Michigan, specializing in the history of ancient and pre-historic civilizations.
After graduating with honors, Cyrus was at a lost for what to do next. Convention suggested a PhD and a quiet professorial career at a small liberal arts college, but Cyrus, who never did much dating and whose social circle was limited to his Dungeons and Dragons gaming group and a few friends on the track and field team, wasn’t sure. He suffered no illusions of grandeur, but he wanted something more than an academic life. To his family’s surprise, he moved to Yemen, to further hone his Arabic language skills that he had learned at college.
After 20 months at the Arabic Language Center in the Old City section of the capital, Sana’a, Cyrus received a call from his mother; Lane had suffered a major stroke. Cyrus returned home and helped his family through the immediate crisis. Today, even with extensive rehabilitation efforts, he has regained little use of his left side, his sight is limited, and his mental capacities are diminished. His father, always a strong and proud man, never took disability insurance, so most of the rehabilitation expenses were paid out of pocket. Mary Elizabeth put most of the family’s fortune into a trust to cover Lane’s long term care. Although there is plenty of money left over, no one would today describe the Diffenderfers as rich.
At the ripe old age of 24, Cyrus still feels a hole in his life; something is missing. Not sure what to do next and feeling neither affection nor animosity (feeling mostly pity) for his father, Cyrus has come to Chicago. He plans to experience the metropolitan life while he prepares to enter PhD studies at the University of Chicago. Although he does not need income, he has made plans to start working as a substitute teacher in the Chicago Public Schools in the meantime. He arrived a few days ago and, yesterday, moved into his new apartment. After his evening scotch and pipe, Cyrus has decided to go to the Brooks Public Library, feeling more at home among books than among a bar-hopping crowd of strangers.
Cyrus Lane Diffenderfer – Fast Hero 1
24 years old
6’1” 155 lbs
Short auburn hair, hazel eyes, clean shaven
Usually he is casually well-dressed
Str 12 +1 (4pts)
Dex 16 +3 (10pts)
Con 12 +1 (4pts)
Int 16 +3 (10pts)
Wis 10 (2pts)
Cha 10 (2pts)
BAB +0
Melee Attack Bonus +1
Ranged Attack Bonus +3
2-Weapon Fighting S&W44 Right Hand (-2) Sites M9 Left Hand (-2)
Defense 17 [10 +3(dex) +1(leather jacket) +3(class bonus)]
Hit Points 9
Fort Save +0
Ref Save +4
Will Save +0
Speed 40’
Action Points: 5
Skills:
Balance 4 (1rk)
Climb 2 (2rk)
Computer Use 3 (academic skill)
Concentration 1
Craft Mechanical 4 (1rk)
Craft Structural 3
Craft Visual Art 3
Craft Writing 3
Disable Device 4 (2rk)
Drive 3
Escape Artist 3
Forgery 3
Hide 4 (1rk)
Jump 2 (2rk)
Knowledge Current Events 4 (1rk)
Knowledge History 7 (4rk , academic skill)
Move Silently 4 (1rk)
Navigate 3
Read/Write/Speak – Arabic 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Akkadian 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Ancient Hebrew 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Aramaic 4 (1rk/1rk)
Research 4 (1rk, academic skill)
Ride 3
Search 3
Sleight of Hand +6 (3rk)
Survival +4 (4rk)
Swim +1
Tumble +4 (1rk)
Feats:
Simple Weapons Proficiency
Personal Firearms Proficiency
Two-Weapon Fighting
Talents:
Increased Speed
Improved Increased Speed
Carried Equipment:
S&W .44 magnum concealed in shoulder holster
Sites M9 concealed in shoulder holster
Leather Jacket worn
Daypack
6 .44 magnum bullets in gun
6 .44 magnum bullets in speed loader in daypack
8 9mm bullets in gun
8 9mm bullets in cartridge in daypack
Cell Phone on belt clip
Duct Tape in daypack
First Aid Kit in daypack
Compass in daypack
Flashlight (penlight) in daypack
Lock Pick Set in daypack
Other Equipment Left in Apartment:
Winchester 94 (12-guage hunting shotgun)
Shotgun shells – 4 20-round boxes
.44 magnum bullets – 4 50-round boxes
9mm bullets – 4 50-round boxes
Backpack
Standard Binoculars
Flashlight (standard)
Map – Road Atlas
Rope 150 feet
Sleeping Bag
Trail Rations 12 – 4 boxes
24 years old
6’1” 155 lbs
Short auburn hair, hazel eyes, clean shaven
Usually he is casually well-dressed
Str 12 +1 (4pts)
Dex 16 +3 (10pts)
Con 12 +1 (4pts)
Int 16 +3 (10pts)
Wis 10 (2pts)
Cha 10 (2pts)
BAB +0
Melee Attack Bonus +1
Ranged Attack Bonus +3
2-Weapon Fighting S&W44 Right Hand (-2) Sites M9 Left Hand (-2)
Defense 17 [10 +3(dex) +1(leather jacket) +3(class bonus)]
Hit Points 9
Fort Save +0
Ref Save +4
Will Save +0
Speed 40’
Action Points: 5
Skills:
Balance 4 (1rk)
Climb 2 (2rk)
Computer Use 3 (academic skill)
Concentration 1
Craft Mechanical 4 (1rk)
Craft Structural 3
Craft Visual Art 3
Craft Writing 3
Disable Device 4 (2rk)
Drive 3
Escape Artist 3
Forgery 3
Hide 4 (1rk)
Jump 2 (2rk)
Knowledge Current Events 4 (1rk)
Knowledge History 7 (4rk , academic skill)
Move Silently 4 (1rk)
Navigate 3
Read/Write/Speak – Arabic 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Akkadian 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Ancient Hebrew 4 (1rk/1rk)
Read/Write/Speak – Aramaic 4 (1rk/1rk)
Research 4 (1rk, academic skill)
Ride 3
Search 3
Sleight of Hand +6 (3rk)
Survival +4 (4rk)
Swim +1
Tumble +4 (1rk)
Feats:
Simple Weapons Proficiency
Personal Firearms Proficiency
Two-Weapon Fighting
Talents:
Increased Speed
Improved Increased Speed
Carried Equipment:
S&W .44 magnum concealed in shoulder holster
Sites M9 concealed in shoulder holster
Leather Jacket worn
Daypack
6 .44 magnum bullets in gun
6 .44 magnum bullets in speed loader in daypack
8 9mm bullets in gun
8 9mm bullets in cartridge in daypack
Cell Phone on belt clip
Duct Tape in daypack
First Aid Kit in daypack
Compass in daypack
Flashlight (penlight) in daypack
Lock Pick Set in daypack
Other Equipment Left in Apartment:
Winchester 94 (12-guage hunting shotgun)
Shotgun shells – 4 20-round boxes
.44 magnum bullets – 4 50-round boxes
9mm bullets – 4 50-round boxes
Backpack
Standard Binoculars
Flashlight (standard)
Map – Road Atlas
Rope 150 feet
Sleeping Bag
Trail Rations 12 – 4 boxes
Here she is! Hope there's not too much overlap. At 23, she's in her senior year of college and is interning for credits at a newspaper. She's got mad investigative skillz and can take care of herself in a pinch...kinda. 
I'd be interested in perhaps picking up magical skills and/or feats in the future, hence the unusually high Int for a Dedicated hero. Is that possible?
Name: Meredith Rosenberg
Dedicated 1
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5" Weight: 120
Hair: Russet Eyes: Green
Age: 23
XP: 0 Needed: 1000 xp
Allegiances: Daily Chronicle (newspaper)
Reputation: 1
Hit Dice: 1d6 +2 (8 hp)
Massive Damage Threshold: 14
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 Run: 120
Defense: 12 (+1 defense, +1 Dex)
AP: 5/5
BAB: +0 Melee: +0 Ranged: +1
Unarmed +0 (1d3; 20, x2)
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 14
Skills:
Craft (writing) (Int) +8 (4 ranks + 3 Int + 1 Occ)
Investigate (Int) +10 (4 ranks + 3 Int + 1 occ + 2 feat)
Knowledge (behavioral sciences) (Int) +7 (4 ranks + 3 Int)
Listen (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Profession - Journalist (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Sense Motive (Wis) +11 (4 ranks + 2 Wis + 3 talent + 2 feat)
Spot (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Treat Injury (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Talents:
Skill Emphasis: Sense Motive
Feats:
Personal Firearm Proficiency (occ)
Attentive
Defensive Martial Arts
Occupation: Investigative
Starting Wealth: 8
I'd be interested in perhaps picking up magical skills and/or feats in the future, hence the unusually high Int for a Dedicated hero. Is that possible?
Name: Meredith Rosenberg
Dedicated 1
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5" Weight: 120
Hair: Russet Eyes: Green
Age: 23
XP: 0 Needed: 1000 xp
Allegiances: Daily Chronicle (newspaper)
Reputation: 1
Hit Dice: 1d6 +2 (8 hp)
Massive Damage Threshold: 14
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 Run: 120
Defense: 12 (+1 defense, +1 Dex)
AP: 5/5
BAB: +0 Melee: +0 Ranged: +1
Unarmed +0 (1d3; 20, x2)
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 14
Skills:
Craft (writing) (Int) +8 (4 ranks + 3 Int + 1 Occ)
Investigate (Int) +10 (4 ranks + 3 Int + 1 occ + 2 feat)
Knowledge (behavioral sciences) (Int) +7 (4 ranks + 3 Int)
Listen (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Profession - Journalist (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Sense Motive (Wis) +11 (4 ranks + 2 Wis + 3 talent + 2 feat)
Spot (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Treat Injury (Wis) +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis)
Talents:
Skill Emphasis: Sense Motive
Feats:
Personal Firearm Proficiency (occ)
Attentive
Defensive Martial Arts
Occupation: Investigative
Starting Wealth: 8
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