Monday, October 28, 2013

Micah Rabinov, viola player and supernatural investigator

I am getting a chance to play Fate Accelerated this weekend. My character is Micah Rabinov, a viola player. I was asked to describe how he got interested in the occult and supernatural, so I decided to tie my character's passion for music into his background. My character will be rotten in combat, which I did by design. I appreciate the Cthulhu-esque idea of polished, academic types finding themselves in way over their heads when tentacled trouble rears its freakish head.

     Micah used to play the violin until he found a mysterious, badly decayed piece of music at an estate sale. He took it home and immediately began playing. The first movement was slow, almost dirge-like and as Micah played he was consumed by a dark, brooding mood. He even wept at one point and had to stop playing.

     The second movement was furious, violent and required all of the talent Micah could muster to play. At one dramatic flourish the unthinkable happened. Micah's left hand - the hand used on the fingerboard - broke! The hand didn't just break - the fingers literally and suddenly bent backwards as if an unseen force was snapping each one.

     Micah's recovery was long, arduous and quite painful. Eventually, he was able to play again, but he took up the viola as the slightly larger size accommodated his hand, which is slightly arthritic even though Micah is only 30 years old.

     Micah burned the mysterious piece of music, but its magical nature has haunted him for years. He hopes to someday locate its composer. If there is a composition that was capable of breaking his hand, then perhaps there is one that can restore it to full health.

MICAH RABINOV 
viola player and supernatural investigator

ASPECTS 
High Concept: Talented musician who suffers for his art
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Trouble: I might have a painkiller problem because of my hand.
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Other Aspects: I enjoy the finer things in life.

APPROACHES 
Careful: +3 (good), Clever: +2 (fair), Flashy: +1 (average), Forceful: +0, Quick: +2 (fair), Sneaky: +1 (average)

STUNTS 
I've Been Playing an Instrument Since I Was a Toddler
     Because I've Been Playing an Instrument Since I Was a Toddler, I get a +2 when I Carefully attempt to create advantages while playing the viola.

Private School Education
     Because I had a Private School Education, I get a +2 when I Carefully do research to learn more about a subject.

I Know a Lot of Affluent People
     Because I Know a Lot of Affluent People, once per session I can call on a colleague, relative or friend to help me with a problem.

EXTRA
Antique viola provides 1 free shift when played

STRESS: [_] [_] [_]

CONSEQUENCES 
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6):

REFRESH: 2

Current Fate Points: 3

4 comments:

  1. Very nice. Calls to mind "The Music of Erich Zann" while feeling fresh and original.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, John. I'll have to check out that work you mentioned. :)

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  2. Replies
    1. Our group is struggling with it. Not because of the system, but because the players are not willing to study its underlying philosophy. The game plays so differently from most others, so you really have to take the time to grok it. In the end, we may go back to Basic Roleplaying or CoC.

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