1920's Gangster RP interest thread

[mauve]

Wow, a lot of interest already! Awesome!


It's totally fine if you don't know a lot about the time period--- I'm no expert myself. As long as you have a very general idea of the level of technology available in the 1920's, you're good to go. Just as long as nobody's character uses his iPhone to check his Facebook, or alternately, rides his covered wagon into town.

Pyros, you're welcome to work that character in, as long as he realistically fits into the world. XD I have horrible mental images of Nein with a fedora and switchblade now.

Phil- I planned on having the game take place in either San Francisco or Chicago. Not sure which. Any preference, anyone?


As far as films go, I'm sadly unable to provide a LOT of examples. The Thin Man takes place during Prohibition and is an awesome movie, although it's not about bootleggers. For more modern movies, I don't remember if Public Enemies is 20's or 30's, but it's good for a general idea of costumes and old-timey outlaws. I'll accept The Maltese Falcon as good study material regardless of intended time period or lack of bootlegger gang, because let's face it; Bogart is awesome.

I actually know of several more, but the names escape me at the moment.



I'll probably open up signups this evening since there seems to be a bit of interest. Would you prefer I create a new thread, or just use this one?

[rapter200]

I vote for Chicago, most definitely Chicago. Reason: I live there (well a suburb, and currently since I am in college I live in Bloomington right now.) Chicago would most definitely be the most awesome setting ever.

[phil_]

I vote Chicago as well, because Elvis (that's the guy I'm thinking of's name, btw) is from Virginia, and it's a shorter trip to Chicago. Also, Bonnie and Clyde was totally useless for research material. Damn good movie, though. Damn good.

Oh, and use this thread, since I already have it subscribed.

[mauve]

Okay, Chicago it is, unless anyone objects.


SIGN UPS ARE NOW OPEN: Please see my first post for character sheet info and other rules.

[Krylo]

Don't know how I missed this until now, but:

NAME: Eels. Just, Eels.

AGE: 26

APPEARANCE: Eels is a thin gangly man, with a somewhat disturbing countenance. His face, like his body, is thin and elongated with a hooked, hawkish nose. His eyes are a dark brown, and he wears his, generally oily, hair somewhat short but messy. He usually has roughly one day's worth of stubble, and generally wear expensive suits--though they are usually crumpled and a bit disheveled, along with a grey fedora. He has a tendency to grin, a disturbing predatory kind of grin.

OCCUPATION: Eels is a killer. Calling him a hitman would be too kind to Eels and a disgrace to the majority of professionals in the business of making people disappear. He doesn't enjoy... clean kills, but he's not much for torture either. At least not the kind that would get you any information. It's remarkably hard to speak after Eels has spent a few minutes on you. He does send a message, however. A very gruesome message that crossing MacCaulay is a fool's game.

BACKSTORY: Eels was born to the wrong woman, on the wrong side of town, at the wrong time. His mother was a whore, to put it mildly, and he grew up in a ghetto. A good night meant listening to his mother dearest 'making some money', a bad night meant listening to her pimp teach her why she needed to work harder. Suffice to say, he did not grow up well adjusted.

His unhealthy fascination with pain started at an early age. Plucking the wings off of flies, then their legs... later cutting the tails and ears off of stray dogs and cats, and later yet 'playing doctor' in a none-too-friendly manner with a few of the other children. He fell in with a few gangs, spent a few years being shuffled through Juvie. When he got out his mother wouldn't take him back and he needed to find a trade.

Problem is, there was just the one thing he was good at, so he offered his 'services' to the biggest mob boss he could find, and played something of a pivotal role in keeping MacCaulay's 'business associates' in their place up until this latest debacle.

OPTIONAL: Eels loves knives, and piano wire, and the occasional brass knuckles so long as the victim is restrained. Guns are... useful, but so very impersonal. He likes to watch the life drain from his victims' eyes. Of course, a Tommy Gun and a full room can be a lot of fun in its own right.



--If this is too much/too dark, I can pitch some other characters easily enough.

[Geminex]

I've already written a PM, but still, placeholder on Tom Leary, Negotiator, Evil Marketing Department.

[mauve]

Eh... it IS a bit dark, Krylo. If he's what you want to play I'll let him in, since I know your writing style, but I'll be trusting you not to go overboard with it, okay?

I have a feeling Eels will be the one everyone in the universe, MacCauley included, will be terrified of beyond all reason. XD


Geminex, I've responded to your PM-- go ahead and post a full sign-up here when you have time to write one.

[Krylo]

Originally Posted by Mauve Mage

Eh... it IS a bit dark, Krylo. If he's what you want to play I'll let him in, since I know your writing style, but I'll be trusting you not to go overboard with it, okay?

I have a feeling Eels will be the one everyone in the universe, MacCauley included, will be terrified of beyond all reason. XD

I was kind of planning him to kill people through guttings or strangulations, but otherwise just really creepy. I could do most of it 'off screen' when the opportunity presents itself.

Though, I think he'll be a little difficult to keep in check so I'll start thinking of a more... toned down character in the meanwhile. If I think of something else I will present it, if not I'll try to make Eels a little more user friendly.

My original thought was rehashing this guy, until I noticed we were the gangsters. Eels came up in like, fifteen seconds of thinking, so no big deal.

[Geminex]

Dibs on my character disliking Kyrlo's character because his methods are messy, inefficient, and ineffective at that. "Piano wire. Nothing like messily strangling and cutting someone's throat at the same time, eh? Course, you won't make any more money off the, but at least they bleed out nicely and scream once or twice."

[Krylo]

Eels would agree with that assessment, purposefully missing the sarcasm. He'd also say something about how they can't really scream, but listening to them try is pretty nice.