Post by Catsmate on May 27, 2016 12:21:37 GMT
James Uther Willis never expected to become a diplomat, much less the consular representative of an alien race to Earth. He was a geek, a science and comp-sci graduate who’d probably been destined for a job in one of the tech startups and either retirement or burnout by forty. Then came that convention…
He wasn’t a con-goer, it had been his first in fact, though he was a sci-fi lover for his whole life. After walking away from a Professor X versus Nightshade argument that was getting a little heated, Jimmy took a corridor he was almost sure hadn’t been there earlier. Rather than his usual failure to see what was there, the corridor had not in fact been there earlier. It was a trap.
The next five days had been a mess, for him and the other humans who’d strolled into the lure set by a splinter faction of K’varran scientists who’d wanted to experiment on these strange four-dimensional beings. They’d survived, mostly, though a few people had gained or lost a few body parts. Then, primarily down to a plan devised by Jimmy, they’d managed to signal for help and the K’varran authorities had arrived to clean up the mess.
Some body rebuilding and memory erasure later they dropped everyone back on Earth, where only seven hours had elapsed. Jimmy had helped, advised them on what to do and struck up what might be a friendship with To’p~dotbkger, an Earth expert and one of the scientists they’d brought in to deal with these strange creatures. Somehow, despite not exactly occupying the same dimensions or being able to communicate all that well1, they’d managed to communicate. Jimmy, seeing the opportunity of a lifetime, offered to help them with their studies of Earth and it’s universe. They agreed, and in the seven years since then Jimmy had helped instruct them in human culture and represent them to Terran governments. He’s now officially recognised as their consul by most human governments, complete with the status of a diplomatic agent.
Setting.
This probably works best in or near a large city, London, Washington, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco et cetera, thought it could also work in a smaller city or town. Somewhere like the fictional version of Northampton, Massachusetts where Questionable Content is set for example, or any college town. Jimmy is intended for a present day. human-centric, campaign that's more about diplomacy and problem solving than destruction.
Jimmy lives in the penthouse of a distinctly plush apartment building, complete with official 'Kovarren Consul' plaque outside. It's home and office that he's upgraded with a fair bit of advanced technology.
Jane and Meghan have apartments on the floor below with a private staircase linking them to the penthouse. The apartment includes Max, an advanced AI computer that Jimmy rescued and now runs the place (and maintains the existence of Kovarra on the internet thanks to a network of fake accounts on various websites; if it's on Wikipedia it must be real). Thanks to K’varran technology the apartment is a lot larger on the inside, which is useful give the amount of junk Jimmy has accumulated. It's maintained and cleaned by a hive of coloured coded Roomba analogues built with TL7 technology; they can fly and are armed to deal with intruders. Other than Max and Jimmy the only permanent inhabitant is George, Jimmy's shorthair cat.
Jimmy.
Traits.
Animal Friendship [Cats], Charming, Code of Conduct, Danger Sense, Eccentric, Face in the Crowd, Friends [Major] Indomitable, Insatiable Curiosity, Legal Authority [Major], Lucky, Psychic Training, Quick Reflexes, Resourceful Pockets, Run for Your Life!, Technically Adept, Time Traveller, Voice of Authority, Wealthy
Jimmy (never Jim, and James only to his parents) is slender with a build described as 'slight' or 'rake-like' depending on who's talking, though he's surprisingly strong (some alien bio-tech). He's 1.75m (5'9") tall and 60kg (132lbs) with dark brown hair (clean shaven) and blue eyes.
Jimmy's a talker and a sneaker, not a fighter. And, in extremis, a runner-away (not quite to the Cowardice level). But he's aware that it's a dangerous universe out there and has picked up a few skills. He's aware of time travel, but it doesn't really interest him. Nor does the idea of space travel, he's got enough contact with aliens here on Earth.
His Legal Authority is based on his fuzzy status, wide array of contacts and willingness to bluff. Mostly it works. Likewise his Voice of Authority. Eccentric covers his general 'slacker' geek personality, unless motivated, though he's not Lazy. His Code of Conduct represents his willingness to help people ("the things are also people") and try and fix situations. Time Traveller covers his exposure to TLs 5 through 7 and general familiarity with the technology and cultures of a range of alien species.
He's pretty well regarded by most of the alien species he deals with, and the various human governments. The Pendal and Yaak hold him in high regard; his efforts put an end to the simmering tensions between them, without starting a war. Both are early TL7 and while they're pretty distant from Sol they'd be willing to assist if Jimmy asked.
K’varrans.
The K’varrans are alien aliens. They don't exist quite in phase with our universe, occupying several higher dimensions, though they can use technology to manifest here. They're a generally harmless, though highly curious, bunch. In terms of technology and status, they're major players in this part of the galaxy, when they want to be (a mature TL8 society with no real resource limitations) though they very rarely act directly. They're not interested in much except knowledge, as far as anyone knows.
There are occasional renegade K’varrans, who place satisfying their curiously above the survival of lower dimensional beings.
Sidekicks.
Jimmy has also picked up a pair of 'assistants' to help with the workload. Neither is human, but both are familiar enough with human culture to generally blend in, with the aid of a shimmer in Meghan's case.
Jane Destiny Maksimov is an android4 who was created as an infiltrator for a planned invasion of Earth, until some reprogramming by Jimmy and Max changed her views on humans as a food source. Now she acts as Jimmy's secretary/bodyguard and general assistant.
Meghan Marta McReynolds is a cat-person. Literally. She's a humanoid feline, once a scout for her species, who arrived in Earth orbit accidentally when her scoutship encountered an unstable wormhole and got entangled in a dispute between Pendal and Yaak forces. The ship didn't survive but she did. Now she's stranded a long way from home but has carved out a niche for herself as one of Jimmy's assistants. She enjoys attending sci-fi conventions and cosplaying as herself.
Resources.
Jimmy is a pack-rat and has accumulated a lot of odds-and-ends of alien technology, most of it TL6 or 7. K’varran tech is simply too alien for him to easily use. He's got a fabricator that can manufacture small amounts of additional equipment when needed.
Money-wise he's independently wealthy, thanks to a number of investments (mostly in the technology line). If needed the fabricator can produce gemstones by the kilo. And, thanks to an facetious remark to To’p~dotbkger, he's also got about six hundred tonnes of gold5 in storage.
His status and actions have given Jimmy a web of contacts and favours, from government agencies to local vets (more flexible when it comes to odd physiology). And a commensurate web of favours owed. He has excellent legal and medical resources available and a lot of money if needed.
Gaming uses.
Jimmy can enter a campaign in several ways, though as I said above he'd intended for a present day Earth setting. MiB-lite meets Sarah Jane Smith with a bit of Doctor How.
1. Employer
Jimmy might need some help, either for a one-off job or a regular group. He can provide interesting problems and assist with resources. He pays well but expects discretion and care.
2. Bystander
After the PCs have saved the day (or not) Jimmy can become involved, dealing with the complex business of diplomacy and clean-up.
3. Antagonist
Or maybe Jimmy is acting against the PCs; have they injured a visiting alien, thinking it a threat perhaps?
References.
Diplomatic status and immunity
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?
1 Given Jimmy lacks sufficient colour changing tentacles or the ability to selectively phase his body into the higher dimensions
2 And scales, fur and other bodily coverings
3 Jimmy's not exactly sure what this means, but primes and irrational numbers seem to disturb the K’varrans in some way.
4 Or gynoid to the pedantic.
5 That's about 23 billion US dollars worth. A handy nest-egg.
He wasn’t a con-goer, it had been his first in fact, though he was a sci-fi lover for his whole life. After walking away from a Professor X versus Nightshade argument that was getting a little heated, Jimmy took a corridor he was almost sure hadn’t been there earlier. Rather than his usual failure to see what was there, the corridor had not in fact been there earlier. It was a trap.
The next five days had been a mess, for him and the other humans who’d strolled into the lure set by a splinter faction of K’varran scientists who’d wanted to experiment on these strange four-dimensional beings. They’d survived, mostly, though a few people had gained or lost a few body parts. Then, primarily down to a plan devised by Jimmy, they’d managed to signal for help and the K’varran authorities had arrived to clean up the mess.
Some body rebuilding and memory erasure later they dropped everyone back on Earth, where only seven hours had elapsed. Jimmy had helped, advised them on what to do and struck up what might be a friendship with To’p~dotbkger, an Earth expert and one of the scientists they’d brought in to deal with these strange creatures. Somehow, despite not exactly occupying the same dimensions or being able to communicate all that well1, they’d managed to communicate. Jimmy, seeing the opportunity of a lifetime, offered to help them with their studies of Earth and it’s universe. They agreed, and in the seven years since then Jimmy had helped instruct them in human culture and represent them to Terran governments. He’s now officially recognised as their consul by most human governments, complete with the status of a diplomatic agent.
- Not an ambassador; there are no formal diplomatic ties, and the K’varran’s don’t actually have a ‘head of state’ or even fully understand the concept of one.
- Then there’s the matter that Jimmy is not, exactly, a K’varran citizen making his status somewhat questionable. They're not au fait with 'citizen' either.
Setting.
This probably works best in or near a large city, London, Washington, Paris, Berlin, San Francisco et cetera, thought it could also work in a smaller city or town. Somewhere like the fictional version of Northampton, Massachusetts where Questionable Content is set for example, or any college town. Jimmy is intended for a present day. human-centric, campaign that's more about diplomacy and problem solving than destruction.
Jimmy lives in the penthouse of a distinctly plush apartment building, complete with official 'Kovarren Consul' plaque outside. It's home and office that he's upgraded with a fair bit of advanced technology.
Jane and Meghan have apartments on the floor below with a private staircase linking them to the penthouse. The apartment includes Max, an advanced AI computer that Jimmy rescued and now runs the place (and maintains the existence of Kovarra on the internet thanks to a network of fake accounts on various websites; if it's on Wikipedia it must be real). Thanks to K’varran technology the apartment is a lot larger on the inside, which is useful give the amount of junk Jimmy has accumulated. It's maintained and cleaned by a hive of coloured coded Roomba analogues built with TL7 technology; they can fly and are armed to deal with intruders. Other than Max and Jimmy the only permanent inhabitant is George, Jimmy's shorthair cat.
- Who's probably not a shapeshifted alien spy or possessed by something nasty.
Jimmy.
| Awareness 4 | Coordination 3 | Ingenuity 5 | Presence 5 | Resolve 4 | Strength 4 |
| Athletics 2 | Convince 4 | Leadership 2 | Craft 1 | Fighting 3 | Knowledge 4 |
| Medicine 2 | Science 3 | Subterfuge 4 | Survival 1 | Technology 4 | Transport 2 |
Traits.
Animal Friendship [Cats], Charming, Code of Conduct, Danger Sense, Eccentric, Face in the Crowd, Friends [Major] Indomitable, Insatiable Curiosity, Legal Authority [Major], Lucky, Psychic Training, Quick Reflexes, Resourceful Pockets, Run for Your Life!, Technically Adept, Time Traveller, Voice of Authority, Wealthy
Jimmy (never Jim, and James only to his parents) is slender with a build described as 'slight' or 'rake-like' depending on who's talking, though he's surprisingly strong (some alien bio-tech). He's 1.75m (5'9") tall and 60kg (132lbs) with dark brown hair (clean shaven) and blue eyes.
Jimmy's a talker and a sneaker, not a fighter. And, in extremis, a runner-away (not quite to the Cowardice level). But he's aware that it's a dangerous universe out there and has picked up a few skills. He's aware of time travel, but it doesn't really interest him. Nor does the idea of space travel, he's got enough contact with aliens here on Earth.
His Legal Authority is based on his fuzzy status, wide array of contacts and willingness to bluff. Mostly it works. Likewise his Voice of Authority. Eccentric covers his general 'slacker' geek personality, unless motivated, though he's not Lazy. His Code of Conduct represents his willingness to help people ("the things are also people") and try and fix situations. Time Traveller covers his exposure to TLs 5 through 7 and general familiarity with the technology and cultures of a range of alien species.
He's pretty well regarded by most of the alien species he deals with, and the various human governments. The Pendal and Yaak hold him in high regard; his efforts put an end to the simmering tensions between them, without starting a war. Both are early TL7 and while they're pretty distant from Sol they'd be willing to assist if Jimmy asked.
K’varrans.
The K’varrans are alien aliens. They don't exist quite in phase with our universe, occupying several higher dimensions, though they can use technology to manifest here. They're a generally harmless, though highly curious, bunch. In terms of technology and status, they're major players in this part of the galaxy, when they want to be (a mature TL8 society with no real resource limitations) though they very rarely act directly. They're not interested in much except knowledge, as far as anyone knows.
There are occasional renegade K’varrans, who place satisfying their curiously above the survival of lower dimensional beings.
- They venerate prime numbers <<<shock>>>3
Sidekicks.
Jimmy has also picked up a pair of 'assistants' to help with the workload. Neither is human, but both are familiar enough with human culture to generally blend in, with the aid of a shimmer in Meghan's case.
Jane Destiny Maksimov is an android4 who was created as an infiltrator for a planned invasion of Earth, until some reprogramming by Jimmy and Max changed her views on humans as a food source. Now she acts as Jimmy's secretary/bodyguard and general assistant.
Meghan Marta McReynolds is a cat-person. Literally. She's a humanoid feline, once a scout for her species, who arrived in Earth orbit accidentally when her scoutship encountered an unstable wormhole and got entangled in a dispute between Pendal and Yaak forces. The ship didn't survive but she did. Now she's stranded a long way from home but has carved out a niche for herself as one of Jimmy's assistants. She enjoys attending sci-fi conventions and cosplaying as herself.
Resources.
Jimmy is a pack-rat and has accumulated a lot of odds-and-ends of alien technology, most of it TL6 or 7. K’varran tech is simply too alien for him to easily use. He's got a fabricator that can manufacture small amounts of additional equipment when needed.
Money-wise he's independently wealthy, thanks to a number of investments (mostly in the technology line). If needed the fabricator can produce gemstones by the kilo. And, thanks to an facetious remark to To’p~dotbkger, he's also got about six hundred tonnes of gold5 in storage.
His status and actions have given Jimmy a web of contacts and favours, from government agencies to local vets (more flexible when it comes to odd physiology). And a commensurate web of favours owed. He has excellent legal and medical resources available and a lot of money if needed.
Gaming uses.
Jimmy can enter a campaign in several ways, though as I said above he'd intended for a present day Earth setting. MiB-lite meets Sarah Jane Smith with a bit of Doctor How.
1. Employer
Jimmy might need some help, either for a one-off job or a regular group. He can provide interesting problems and assist with resources. He pays well but expects discretion and care.
2. Bystander
After the PCs have saved the day (or not) Jimmy can become involved, dealing with the complex business of diplomacy and clean-up.
3. Antagonist
Or maybe Jimmy is acting against the PCs; have they injured a visiting alien, thinking it a threat perhaps?
References.
Diplomatic status and immunity
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Comments? Ideas? Suggestions?
1 Given Jimmy lacks sufficient colour changing tentacles or the ability to selectively phase his body into the higher dimensions
2 And scales, fur and other bodily coverings
3 Jimmy's not exactly sure what this means, but primes and irrational numbers seem to disturb the K’varrans in some way.
4 Or gynoid to the pedantic.
5 That's about 23 billion US dollars worth. A handy nest-egg.
