CoC Session 0 - Character creation

Session 0: character creation

Location: New York city, USA

Date: January 6th, 1921

The Investigators [player characters]:

[played by Jake]: Michael Kaiser [German] - Archaeologist

[played by Connor]: Orlando De Noia [Italian/American] - Gangster

[played by Braydin]: Cyryl Ruda [Polish] - Medical Doctor

[played by Devin]: Joel Brogan [American]- Investigative Reporter

Notable NPC/Ally: Professor Julian Janus

Keeper of Arcane Lore: Sleet

Preamble for one-shot scenario:

Each investigator receives a letter/telegram from a certain Professor Julian Janus. Requesting to meet him at his office on the evening of January 17th, 1921 for a very important engagement. There is also enough money - traveller's cheque - to cover travel and a few nights room and board in New York.

How each of the investigators may know each other and [or not know] directly the Professor:

The Call of Cthulhu investigators (the player characters) for this campaign are characterized by diverse professions that define their skills, status, and connections  starting point in New York City in 1921.

The four investigators and details about their professions are:

1. Michael Kaiser: Archaeologist

• Player and Origin: Played by Jake, Michael Kaiser is a German archaeologist.

• Concept and Role: He is envisioned as an Indiana Jones type adventurer. His profession aligns with a belief that "science has all the answers," viewing occult phenomena as "totally fake". His ideological belief also touches on Evolution.

• Skills and Education: As an archaeologist, Michael benefits from having high education. Related skills include History and potentially Appraise.

• Credit Rating: His credit rating is 40, meaning he is considered high average (average is 0 to 49). This suggests he is approaching the level of wealth.

Connection to Professor Janus: Michael Kaiser was a former student of Professor Janus at the university.

2. Orlando De Noia: Gangster

• Player and Origin: Played by Connor, Orlando De Noia is of Italian/American background, residing in the Bronx, New York.

• Concept and Role: Orlando operates as a Criminal/Underworld figure and is characterized as a "paranoid conspiracy kind of guy".

• Skills and Equipment: As a Gangster, he can utilize skills like Disguise, Fighting, Firearms, Locksmith, and Fast Talk. He has a good reason to own a gun, possibly a shotgun, due to his occupation, and potentially can acquire non-approved weapons like a Tommy gun through affiliations.

• Credit Rating: Orlando is fairly wealthy, possessing a credit rating of 60. This credit rating allows him to afford luxury and comfort, including substantial residences, domestic help (like a cleaner or butler), first-class travel, and an expensive car. At the start, he has $80 cash on hand and total assets of $3,200.

Connection to Professor Janus: Orlando's family owns a butcher shop in the Bronx. Professor Janus is a good customer who likes their specialty ribs, and he is aware the shop is a front for the De Noia family's illegal activities.

3. Cyryl Ruda: Medical Doctor

• Player and Origin: Played by Braydin, Cyryl Ruda is Polish.

• Concept and Role: Having a doctor in the group is considered very helpful.

• Skills and Expertise: Cyryl specializes in Medicine and First Aid. Medicine is used for more difficult procedures, such as removing a bullet, while First Aid is used for immediate care, like applying a compress to a wound. The player chose to gain expertise in First Aid.

• Credit Rating: Cyryl has a credit rating of 18, affording a reasonable level of comfort, three meals a day, and an average home or apartment.

Connection to Professor Janus: Cyryl knows Professor Janus from attending a number of conferences in both the U.S. and Poland, and they have corresponded via mail.

4. Joel Brogan: Investigative Reporter

• Player and Origin: Played by Devin, Joel Brogan is an American Investigative Reporter.

• Concept and Role: Joel's concept involves being a conspiracy theory breaker. His reporting profession generally places his credit rating between 9 and 30.

• Skills and Beliefs: He may be interested in skills like the Occult. Journalism relies on skills like Persuade and Fast Talk (quick verbal trickery). The use of Library Use is also noted as potentially useful in the scenario.

Connection to Professor Janus: Joel's conspiracy theories and investigations brought him to the attention of Professor Janus at an occult conference. The two met for breakfast and discussed matters the previous week.

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