What About The Children?

[Laraqua]

This is where you can post your character histories. I'm particularly interested in knowing how your characters learned the skills they know, how they lost their parents and where the character was at the time, and how long you've been in various orphanages as well as this particular one. I'll give you further details on this orphanage according to how long you've been here.

[Garrett]

Name: Moses AKA: Martian
Age: 8
sex: Male
Occupation: Book Keeper
Current Residence: Orphanage

Characteristics
STR: 5
CON: 6
SIZ: 5
DEX: 16
APP: 4
POW: 18
INT: 18
EDU: 8

Luck: 80%
Idea: 80%
Know: 40%

Hit Points: 6
Sanity: 90
Maximum Sanity: 99
Magic Points: 18
Damage Bonus: -1d6

Appearance and Personality
Martian is Indian (As in India, not Native american)
Martian is scrawny to the point he looks sickly despite the fact he eats healthily, and has a small head that makes his eyes appear very big. This, combined with the fact he talks about humans in third person,(For example saying "humans are so interesting.") has earned him his nickname. He speaks only when spoken to and almost always has his head burried in a book.
The exception to this is a secret only his roomate would know, Martian has a pet racoon that comes to his window every night for food. Martian named it Julius, every night he talks to it for hours, usually about whatever he read that day, and feeds it. Martian actaully loves talking but the abuse he suffered in his younger years made him very meek, he walks around with his head down and never looks at anyone. People don't realize it but he sleeps spasmadically throughout the day in the exact same position he reads in, combined with the sleeping he does at night he gets about six hours a day.

Background
Following orphan cliche Martian was abondoned on the orphanage door step in a wicker basket, however there was also a large sum of money in the basket and a note that said not to look for his family. (Lets say the equivelent of 10k) Nobody at the orphanage knows this but he was born to a family living several cities away(they did not want to be traced) to an unwed teenager of a wealthy family. Of course the womans father was ashamed and decided to keep everything a secret, keeping her daughter locked in the house until she gave birth, then ditching the baby. He didn't tell his daughter where the child is or even what he did with it.
At the orphanage a combination of his race and advanced intellect made Martian a target for abuse from other children. This went on until the wardens discovered he was a genius and had him start doing work for them, naturally this led to many privelages for him. Including complete use of the library, a cheap chemistry set( If this is too much I understand), and freedom from other chores. Recently at the orphanage some of the younger kids, and a few of the older ones, have taken to looking at Martian as a source of information. He doesn't show any emotion when responding, usually not even looking up from his book, and usually answers in as few words as possible. Nobody realizes it, in fact most think the opposite, but he is actually very happy about this and loves answering questions.

Skills
All edited skills are bold

Biology (01%): 36% -Read about it.
Chemistry (01%): 36%- Read about it and fiddled with his chemistry set
Mythos (00%): 0%
Dodge (DEX x 2%): 75% -During his younger years he learned to roll with the hits other kids gave him to lessen his pain
First Aid (30%): 50%- Read about it.
History (20%): 50%- Read about it.
Library Use (25%): 50%- Learned from experience
Listen (25%): 75%- Constant reading taught him to move around without his eyes.
Occult (05%): 40%- Read about it.
Own Language: English (EDU x 5%): 40%
Psychology (05%): 72%- Read about it and practiced diagnosing other.

[Mr. Handy]

Player: Mr. Handy
Name: Clive Higgins
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Occupation: Orphan
Current Residence: Misery Orphanage
Birthplace: London, England



Characteristics:
STR: 8
CON: 10
SIZ: 9
DEX: 11
APP: 8
INT: 11 (Idea - 55)
POW: 13 (Luck - 65)
EDU: 10 (Know - 50)

Sanity: 65 -1 (64)
Phobias/Mental Disorders: None
Maximum Sanity: 99
Hit Points: 10
Magic Points: 13
Damage Bonus: +0

Background: Clive Higgins is a precocious youngster who has a variety of interests. His father died at Dunkirk, and his mother was killed in the Blitz in February 1941. He had been evacuated to the countryside prior to that, so he had survived, but he was placed in Misery Orphanage after his mother's death. He wants to join the RAF when he grows up, and he looks up to pilots as heroes. He enjoys planespotting, learning to identify various aircraft by their shapes and sounds. He also likes stargazing, and he insists that one day he's going to fly a rocket ship into outer space. He is obsessed with science fiction and weird tales, particularly Buck Rogers. He reads books, magazines, and comics in the genre every chance he gets. He also plays a lot of sports.

Clive has taken a liking to Martian and looks after him, standing up to the bigger kids when they try to bully him. In return, Martian gets him the science fiction books he craves from the library. Clive sometimes wonders if Martian really is a Martian. He hopes so, because that would be swell!

Skills: (Non-default skills BOLD, Professional Skills ITALICS, Hobbies preceded by a DOT. Checked skills followed by a *
Accounting (10%):
Anthropology (01%):
Archaeology (01%):
Art (05%):
.Astronomy (01%): 36%
Bargain (05%):
Biology (01%):
Chemistry (01%):
Climb (40%): 55%
Conceal (15%):
Craft (05%):
Credit Rating (15%):
Cthulhu Mythos (00%):
Disguise (01%):
Dodge (DEX x 2%): 52%
Drive Auto (20%):
Electrical Repair (10%):
Fast Talk (05%): 35%
First Aid (30%):
Geology (01%):
Hide (10%): 35%
History (20%):
Jump (25%):
Law (05%):
.Library Use (25%): 40%
Listen (25%): 45%
Locksmith (01%):
Martial Arts (01%):
.Mechanical Repair (20%): 30%
Medicine (05%):
Natural History (10%):
.Navigate (10%): 45%
.Occult (05%): 20%
Operate Heavy Machinery (01%):
Other Language (01%):
Own Language: English (EDU x 5%): 50%
Persuade (15%):
Pharmacy (01%):
Photography (10%):
Physics (01%):
Pilot (01%):
Psychotherapy (01%):
Psychology (05%):
Ride (05%):
Sneak (10%): 40%
Spot Hidden (25%): 55%
Swim (25%):
Throw (25%): 45%
Track (10%):
War Prestige (01%):

Hand-to-Hand:
Fist/Punch (50%):
Grapple (25%):
Head Butt (10%):
Kick (25%):

Clive learned Astronomy from stargazing and reading, Climb, Dodge, Hide, Sneak, and Throw from playing games such as hide-and-seek and general athletics, Fast Talk through experience trying to convince his parents to buy him things that interested him, Library Use from being an avid reader, Listen and Spot Hidden from being observant and curious about his surroundings, Mechanical Repair and Navigate from learning about how aircraft work and the basic principles of flight, and Occult from weird stories and science fiction he reads.

[royya]

Mike Taylor, Handyman
Age: 17

STR: 13
APP: 7
DEX: 8
POW: 12
CON: 11
SIZ: 14
INT: 8
EDU: 17

SAN: 59/60 ; Idea: 40 ; Know: 85 ; Luck: 60
Magic Points: 12
Hit Points: 13 - 1 (12)
Damage Bonus: +1d4

Skills: dot-bold skills are occupation / italic skill are hobby
Accounting (10%):
Anthropology (01%):
Archaeology (01%):
Art (05%):
Astronomy (01%):
Bargain (05%):
Biology (01%):
.Chemistry (01%): 51%
.Climb (40%): 60%
Conceal (15%):
.Craft Toys(05%): 30%
Credit Rating (15%):
Cthulhu Mythos (00%):
Disguise (01%):
Dodge (DEX×2): 16%
.Electrical Repair (10%): 66%
Fast Talk (05%):
First Aid (30%):
Geology (01%):
Hide (10%):
History (20%):
Jump (25%):
Law (05%):
Library Use (25%):
Listen (25%):
Locksmith [01%): 61%
Martial Arts (01%):
.Mechanical Repair (20%): 68% *
Medicine (05%):
Natural History (10%):
Navigate (10%):
Occult (05%):
.Operate Heavy Machine (01%): 15%
Own Language: English (EDU×5%): 85%
Persuade (15%):
Pharmacy (01%):
Photography (10%):
Physics (01%): 21%
Psychology (05%):
Ride (05%):
Sneak (10%):
.Spot Hidden (25%): 65% *
Swim (25%):
Throw (25%):
Track (10%):

Background:
Mike is a young maintenance man. He was an orphan himself when he came to this orphanage at the age of 12 when both his parents died from a disease. Mike was taken under the supervision and worked with Mr. Bill, the old handyman that passed away a year ago at the age of 74. From him he learned how to handle tools and repair the stuff around - from broken shelves to beds, brooken wood toys, filling the generator, changing lamps and fixing the stove. Now this grown up orphan lives in a small shed outside the orphanage and works for the four woman that operate the place. In his time off he carves wood toys for the younger children which he sees as his young brothers.

Appearance:
Mike is a slim tall teenager. He shaves his hair and began to grow a little beard. His causal wear is ordinary cloth and Mr. Bill's working apron.
His hands are almost always black and bruised ... from years attending the small garden and changing the oil in the generator.

Equipment:
Handyman tools.

[aine]

Player: Aine
Name: Peregrine Fairweather (Nickname to be decided by characters)
Age: 4
Sex: Male
Occupation: Orphan
Current Residence: Misery Orphanage
Birthplace: Colchester, England

Characteristics:
STR: 4
CON: 16
SIZ: 4
DEX: 10
APP: 16
INT: 8 (Idea - 40)
POW: 18 (Luck - 80)
EDU: 4 (Know - 20)

Sanity: 65
Phobias/Mental Disorders: None
Maximum Sanity: 99
Hit Points: 10
Magic Points: 18
Damage Bonus: -1d6

Background: Peregrine Fairweather is a small, beautiful child with cherubic blonde curls. Aged four, he has not much to say for himself but drinks in, through his big blue eyes, everything that the world throws at him. His angelic appearance belies a strong constitution and a strong, perceptive mind. Peregrine is insightful and perceptive for such a young child.

He was recently deposited at the Misery Orphanage by a prim and severely thin nurse, dressed all in black. The woman had a short meeting with the Orphanage staff, leaving relevant particulars about the boy, and then left. Peregrine just stood there, holding an old tatty bit of blue blanket. He started to suck the corner of it as he gazed slowly around the foyer.

Peregrine is the only son of Sir Algernon Fairweather who was a wealthy and important figure at the home office. Fairweather has a sister, Chloe and young nephew Germaine. On 19th March 1941, Sir Fairweather, his lovely wife Mary and young Peregrine were due to set off together to visit relatives in Hemel Hempstead. As they climbed into the car outside the stable block, a telegram arrived requesting Sir. Fairweather's presence in London; Mary went with him leaving Peregrine in sister Chloe's care. As most servants had left for war service there was no one to see that Peregrine did not go in the car. Several hours later, whilst driving through East London, the car received a direct hit during a bombing raid.

Sister Chloe received the news with fortitude and hidden satisfaction. There could be no more children to rival young Peregrine and as everyone assumed Peregrine was now dead, she and her own young son Germaine would now inherit the considerable Fairweather property. Peregrine was kept quietly hidden in the derelict game keeper's cottage while a suitable orphanage was found. Sister Chloe, severely dressed like a nurse, gave such a large down-payment to the ladies at Misery Orphanage that they were obliged to keep questions to a minimum.

(Edit: Peregrine is left in the chaos of the depot where orphans are duly shipped off to various orphanages. )

Skills: (Non-default skills BOLD, Professional Skills ITALICS, Hobbies preceded by a DOT. Checked skills followed by a *
Accounting (01%):
Anthropology (01%):
Archaeology (01%):
Art (05%):
Astronomy (01%):
Bargain (05%):
Biology (01%):
Chemistry (01%):
Climb (40%):
Conceal (15%):
Craft (05%):
Credit Rating (15%):
Cthulhu Mythos (00%):
Disguise (01%):
Dodge (DEX x 2%): 20%
Drive Auto (20%):
Electrical Repair (10%):
Fast Talk (05%):
First Aid (30%):
Geology (01%):
.Hide (10%): 60%
History (20%):
Jump (25%):
Law (05%):
Library Use (25%):
.Listen (25%): 45%
Locksmith (01%):
Martial Arts (01%):
Mechanical Repair (20%):
Medicine (05%):
Natural History (10%):
Navigate (10%):
Occult (05%):
Operate Heavy Machinery (01%):
Other Language (01%):
Own Language: English (EDU x 5%): 20%
Persuade (15%):
Pharmacy (01%):
Photography (10%):
Physics (01%):
Pilot (01%):
Psychotherapy (01%):
.Psychology (05%): 45%
Ride (05%):
Sneak (10%): 20%
.Spot Hidden (25%): 65%
Swim (25%):
Throw (25%):
Track (10%):
War Prestige (01%):

Hand-to-Hand:
Fist/Punch (50%):
Grapple (25%):
Head Butt (10%):
Kick (25%):


Equipment: Toddler's clothing. Blue, wool cot blanket.

[Philulhu]

Jimmy Walker
Age: 13

An East End lad, Jimmy is thin and wiry with a shock of dark hair. He's of average height for his age. Not one for sitting still, Jimmy is happiest when he is out and about, exploring the bombed-out buildings or spending time down by the local canal. When his dad was around, he would spend time down his at shed, helping the old man to tinker with his AJS, keeping the old motorbike ticking over.

Jimmy's an indifferent scholar and is just passing time at school until he can leave, when he'll start work as a telegraph lad at the local post office.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Investigator Name: Jimmy Walker
Birthplace: Stepney, London
Mental Disorders: None

Sex: M Age: 13

STR: 10 DEX: 11 INT: 10 Idea: 50
CON: 12 APP: 9 POW: 8 Luck: 40
SIZ: 11 SAN: 40 EDU: 9 Know: 45

99-Cthulhu Mythos: 99 Damage Bonus: none

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accounting 10%
Anthropology 1%
Archaeology 1%
Astronomy 1%
Bargain 30%
Biology 1%
Chemistry 1%
Climb 55%
Conceal 45%
Credit Rating 15%
Cthulhu Mythos 0%
Dodge 50%
Drive Auto 20%
Electrical Repair 10%
Fast Talk 5%
First Aid 30%
Geology 1%
Handgun 20%
Hide 30%
History 20%
Jump 45%
Law 5%
Library Use 25%
Listen 45%
Locksmith 1%
Machine Gun 15%
Martial Arts 1%
Mechanical Repair 35%
Medicine 5%
Natural History 10%
Navigate 35%
Occult 5%
Operate Hvy. Machine 1%
Own Language: English 45%
Persuade 15%
Pharmacy 1%
Photography 10%
Physics 1%
Psychoanalysis 1%
Psychology 5%
Ride 5%
Rifle 25%
Shotgun 30%
Sneak 40%
Spot Hidden 47%
Submachine Gun 15%
Swim 25%
Throw 25%
Track 10%
Fist/Punch 65%
Head Butt 10%
Kick 35%
Grapple 25%
Small Knife* 30%

Uprated skills in bold.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The light shadowed unevenly across the paper, struggling to make its way through the dirty windows of orphanage dormatory. Jimmy sat with a pencil in hand, staring at the blank paper in front him, trying to think how to begin. He frowned and began to write.

Cpl. D J Walker
12th Lancers

Daer Father,

I am riting to you from the orphanage were I have been living since last week. The matron siad it wuld be nice for me to rite to you to let you know were I was.

I am sharing a room with some other boys – most of them are younger than me but it is all rite and we get fed. There is plenty to do with school and chores and that so I dunt get into much mischief. We're out in the countryside so theres lots of animals. Its like that holiday we had on the farm when I was little.

Whats it like being a prisoner of war? Borin I suppose, but you can rite and tell me all about it.

Yor loving son,

Jimmy Walker

Jimmy looked again at the letter in front of him and his eyes welled up. He glanced around surreptitiously but no one was watching. There was only one other boy in the dormitory, a younger lad called Arthur who lay on his bed, staring catatonically at the ceiling.

They said that Arthur had seen the explosion that killed his mother and his two younger sisters. Jimmy had been spared that, he’d been at school when the bombers went over but he’d heard the explosions and somehow known that they came from the direction of home. He’d run all the way as soon as the all-clear sounded but there was nothing left – the house had taken a direct hit. The ARP Warden said that his mum wouldn’t have known a thing about it but that was scant consolation to Jimmy.

He wiped his nose on his sleeve, and then quickly rubbed his eyes before his tears fell and marked the paper. He looked at the letter again. His father was in a POW camp in Germany; injured in the retreat to Dunkirk and left behind for the Jerries to look after. He wanted to tell his father how much he missed his mum, how much even he missed him, even though he was quick to anger, particularly after he’d had a drink, but the matron said it wouldn’t do to worry him. His father had enough to think about, being a prisoner and everything. ‘Stiff upper lip,’ the matron had said. Jimmy hadn’t trusted himself to reply.

Jimmy took up his pencil again and carefully marked two x’s under his name, hoping his father wouldn’t think he was going soft. He folded the paper in two and slotted into the envelope given to him by the matron. Her neat copperplate writing said ‘Cpl. D J Walker, 12th Lancers’ followed by the battalion HQ address – Jimmy had lost his father’s POW address in the bombing.

He sighed and stood up, stuffing the letter into the pocket of his shorts. He walked past the dormitory bed and paused by Arthur’s bed. “Stiff upper lip,” he said, tapping Arthur’s foot but the younger boy didn’t reply, just continuing to stare at the ceiling. Jimmy shook his head and headed for the door and off in search of matron to post his letter.

Equipment: Penknife, catapult, marbles, jacks. Having been there only a couple of days, Jimmy's hardly managed to gather any belongings.

[CrackheadC.]

Player: CrackheadC
Name: David ‘Davey’ Jackson Jr.
Age: 12
Sex: Male
Occupation: Orphan
Current Residence: Misery Orphanage
Birthplace: Reading, PA

STR: 9
APP: 8
DEX: 11
CON: 10
SIZ: 10
POW: 12 (Luck: 60)
INT: 14 (Idea: 70)
EDU: 6 (Know: 30)

Sanity: 60
Phobias/Mental Disorders: None
Maximum Sanity: 99
Hit Points: 10
Magic Points: 12
Damage Bonus: +0

Background:
Davey has always been something of a wild child; never listening in school, getting into constant tumbles with the kids from town, skirting chores at home, and having his own adventures in the woods. Davey’s family has a farm in Reading, Pennsylvania that was tended by his mother – Lorraine, his father – David Sr., and two farm hands. Two winters ago Davey’s mother contracted pneumonia and died, but Davey didn’t let it dampen his spirit even if it had seemed to break his father’s.

David Sr. was skilled pilot from a stint in the US Air Force and keeping his skills sharp in the cropdusters. When war looked to be gearing back up in Europe, David Sr. re-enlisted and was sent to London along with several other pilots as an unofficial liaison between the USAF and RAF and to help with training and tactics. Davey came along with his father, staying in a small apartment provided by the military for families of soldiers while his grandparents cared for the farm. To Davey, London was an amazing city filled with things he had never seen before; everyday was a wonderful adventure – even if they people didn’t talk right.

Then the Blitz began. Davey had heard that his father had been in a targeted building that was little more than rubble now. He heard older officers arguing about what to do with him, “The wolfpacks are hitting everything – sending him on a boat would be like sending him out in a coffin.” He heard in a daze. “Well he can’t stay here. Get in touch with the next of kin.”

His grandparents told the military to stick him in the orphanage until things became safe again to send him home. Davey thinks his grandparents are just hoping he gets hit by a bomb too so they can take his dad’s farm. Well Davey has different plans and he doesn’t expect to be staying in cooped-up in some dirty old orphanage with weird kids staring at him all glassy-eyed and ugly old ladies funny-talking at him about rules.

No, Davey doesn’t plan to be there long at all.

Skills:
(I only put up the skills that are different from the base stats. A '.' marks hobby skills.)
Climb: (40): 50%
Dodge: (22): 62%
Fast Talk: (05): 60%
Fist: (50): 75%
.First Aid: (30): 60%
Hide: (10): 30%
Listen: (25): 40%
.Rifle: (25): 35%
Spot Hidden: (25): 40%
Sneak: (10): 40%
.Navigate: (10): 10%

(Where skills are learned: Clive earned most of his skills from being a regular rambunctious kid - running around, fighting, playing in the woods. His father used to take him hunting - a pretty common father/son bonding experience where he's from - from his father Davey picked up a little know-how with the rifle, hiding and sneaking around to get the drop on a deer and a little more official knowledge about navigating and finding your way around rather than Davey's trusted "I'll walk around till I get where I wanna go" attitude. From his time on the farm he picked up a little first aid from caring for animals - the one chore he didn't mind - but mostly from fixing up his own cuts and injuries from playing in the woods. Needless to say, with all the trouble he gets in, Davey's quite quick on his feet making up excusing, shifting suspicion and avoiding the strap.)

Equipment: Nothing, but Davey's got sticky fingers.

[aine]

Player: Aine
Name: Jack
Age: 15
Sex: Male
Occupation: Boy
Current Residence: England
Birthplace: England

Characteristics:
STR: 12
CON: 14
SIZ: 10
DEX: 18
APP: 17
INT:18 (Idea - 90)
POW: 16 (Luck - 80)
EDU: 15 (Know - 75)

Sanity: 80
Phobias/Mental Disorders: None
Maximum Sanity: 99
Hit Points: 12 - 1 (11)
Magic Points: 18
Damage Bonus: 0

Description: Jack is a tall, slender boy with shocking red hair and curious, bright green eyes. His handsome face often splits into an easy grin as he always sees the best in life. He wears an old blue shirt and trousers with braces. His boots have seen better days.
Background: To come.

Skills: (Non-default skills BOLD)
Accounting (01%):
Acrobatics (15%) 35%
Anthropology (01%):
Archaeology (01%):
Art medieval (05%): 35%
Astronomy (01%): 31%
Bargain (05%):
Biology (01%):
Chemistry (01%):
Climb (40%): 70%
Conceal (15%): 70%
Craft and play penny whistle (05%): 55%
Credit Rating (15%):
Cthulhu Mythos (00%):
Disguise (01%):
Dodge (DEX x 2%): 66%
Drive Auto (20%):
Electrical Repair (10%):
Fast Talk (05%):
First Aid (30%): 60%
Geology (01%):
Hide (10%):
History (20%):
Jump (25%): 70%
Law (05%):
Library Use (25%):
Listen (25%): 45%
Locksmith (01%):
Martial Arts (01%):
Mechanical Repair (20%):
Medicine (05%):
Natural History (10%):
Navigate (10%):
Occult (05%): 25%
Operate Heavy Machinery (01%):
Other Language (01%):
Own Language: English (EDU x 5%): 80%
Persuade (15%): 50%
Pharmacy (01%):
Photography (10%):
Physics (01%):
Pilot (01%):
Psychotherapy (01%):
Psychology (05%):
Ride (05%):
Sneak (10%): 60%
Spot Hidden (25%): 45%
Swim (25%):
Throw (25%): 50%
Track (10%):
War Prestige (01%):

Hand-to-Hand:
Fist/Punch (50%):
Grapple (25%):
Head Butt (10%):
Kick (25%):


Equipment: Clothing, sharp knife, small satchel, matches, hip flask.