So here I am rolling up and fleshing out the third character for my solo sandbox Twilight 2000 game, and also another entry for #FebGameWriMo where I create a new piece of content for an old game each day during February. I’m starting to get a feel for the game system again by rolling up my unit, and things are fitting together better and better as I go on.
Devin Mason is a 20 year old Tanker, enlisted SGT in the 1-156 Armour of the US 256th Brigade. He was born and raised in New Paltz, New York. Devin worked in a grocery store before enlisting when war broke out.
Using UNE (Universal NPC Emulator) by Zach Best to roll up some of Devin’s backstory and character, we generate the following descriptors: “A jovial scientist who processes science, joins lies, and refines advice.“
“Jovial scientist” is a phrase that I’m still contemplating, it is so rich with possibilities. I’m going to focus on the idea that Devin missed out on formal education but has enough intelligence to be more than interested in science, and so he has cheerfully and enthusiastically self-educated from resources like Scientific American and New Scientist to acquire a passing competency in a broad range of scientific things..
“Processes science” I’m going to interpret as Devin constantly relating everything back to the scientific method that he has taught himself. He continually tests everything as if it were a hypothesis and I’m going to lean towards this mainly being successful, but sometimes the available evidence and observations leads Devin to startlingly incorrect conclusions (which of course are temporary until more or better evidence turns up to contest things).
“Joins lies” is a very challenging descriptor, and I’m tempted to go with Devin being a weaker sort of character who goes along with what people say even if he knows it to be untrue, until he can evidence otherwise. Another interpretation that might sit alongside the first is that Devin sometimes joins false information together using his scientific processes, and emerges with crazy conclusions, like a conspiracy theorist joining together all sorts of unconnected dots and concluding with ‘incontrovertible’ proof that God was actually Satan etc. A bit like someone who has 3000 pieces of a 10,000 piece jigsaw.
“Refines advice” sounds like Devin is open to modifying his opinions and advice to himself and others based on whatever evidence is to hand. This fits in well with his jovial scientific processing of science demeanour.
So UNE gave me some pretty interesting character aspects for Devin, and it will be really interesting getting him involved with the other characters in solo play. I can already kind of hear him saying “Well, the way it looks to me is…” and then expounding his theory while the others either sigh or politely half-listen.
Next up I’m going to use SOLO by Paul Elliott to generate some background for Devin. Firstly I’m going to generate three Life Events for him:
- In the past, Devin made a powerful friend in the military or government. (I’m leaning towards this being someone in the military as the government feels way out of reach back home, but it might be fun to have Devin periodically talking about his friends in high places back home who are going to fix everything, just give them time.)
- In the past Devin fell in love but his lover turned against him. (I’m thinking that this could be someone back in New York state, or it could be more recently since Devin joined the military.)
- In the past Devin was betrayed by a close friend who is now a deadly enemy. (I’m leaning towards this being someone in the military, because this will give some good hooks for play, but I am open to it being from back home or even someone here in Poland that Devin has been close to but since crossed swords with.)
Stat development:
- Fitness 7
- Agility 8
- Constitution 7
- Stature 8
- Intelligence 11
- Education 8
- TOTAL: 49
- Strength 7
- HITS: Head 7 Chest 22 Others 15
- Weight 72kg (about 159lbs)
- Load 22kg
- Throw Range 14m
- Military Experience 10
- Time In Combat 38 months
- Coolness Under Fire 6
- RADS 37
- Age 20
- Rank SGT ARMOUR (Tank Crewman)
- Army US ARMY
- Nationality American
- Native Language LNG(English)100
- Military Skill Points 400
- Education Skill Points 160
- Background Skill Points 300
Skills: