Describe yourself as a result of Chargen

[JAFARR]

Sorry, I started this and got distracted and am just getting back.

957B8C
I failed a few aging rolls also, but then I was stronger than average as a young man (thanks to hard manual labor on the farm). Dex wasn't that great before the carpel tunnel problems. Endurance has dropped of of late, but I can still hang in there with the younger crowd till the end of the job. (Admittedly having learned to pace myself helps). My IQ isn't as high as some here, but still much better than the average person's. I dropped out of college due to lack of funding after I got married, but then I have taken a course or two here and there as well as some schooling in the navy. Add a degree fron the school of hard knocks and you can adjust it to a 9 or A if you like.

Navy (wet) 5 terms (2 in service and 3 as technical support in a naval shipyard. Merchants 4 terms (Fast food, Walmart, & a pawn shop) and just wrapping up a term as "Other" for lack of a better catch all service. ( "Other" was spread out between some of the main assignments and includes the short term for college.)

Wheeled 2 & tracked 0 (includes farm equipment like tractors & light bulldozers), Handgun 1, rifle 2, shotgun 2, melee weapons 1 (axes, sledge hammers, & bush hooks), leader 1 & instruction 2 (from fast food management) Mechanical 3 (maxed out as 5th step machinist in shipyard), Computer 2 (even though I am a little out of date right now), electrical 1 (1 year as wiring houses), electronics 0 (built several computers) engineering 0, JOT 5 (the hard way, 1 of this + 1 of that + 1 of the other, etc. etc.)

PS Social as per Aramis - I have a piece of paper like that too.

 

[Mithras]

Well now, if we are player characters, then that's different, I can join you supermen with stats of my own:


Thin and wiry, but able to climb 60 foot walls at speed, cartwheel and with very good hand-eye co-ord. Honours degree, voracious reading, author of 7 books, some self-illustrated.

(Using skills from Scientists in the Journal): Geology-0, Archaeology-1, Ancient History-2, Writing-3, Instruction-2 (9 years as a teaching assistant working with autistic boys), Psychology-1 (married - OK joke! its actually from courses, coursework and practical experience with children, behaviour, motivation and group dynamics), Theology-1 (minored in religion, plus I've written two books on fringe religion, cults, secret societies and terror groups), Survival-1, Sling-3, Bow-2, Sword-1, Craft-1 (bone working, leather working, flint-knapping) - all the last lot of skills from one term re-enacting the late/end of the Roman Empire, Iron Age Celts and Neolithic hunter, oh yeah, the ubiqutous Computer-1

So: Paul Elliott 5B5AB7 Age 42 6 terms
Writing-3, Ancient History-2, Geology-0, Instruction-2, Psychology-1, Theology-1, Survival-1, Sling-3, Bow-1, Sword-1, Craft-1, Computer-1

I'm trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up :0 !

As a fan of the LBB, I should only have been able to pick up 8 skills, max (I'm a civillian, probably Scientist or Other, no promotion or comission successes). So you can see where I'm coming from when I criticise too many skills, I'm looking at it from LBB, not extended chargen.

#

Oh bosh - we're player characters, not NPC's and extras!

 

[PathfinderAP]

Wanna see my family crest?

http://www.houseofnames.com/nameresults.asp?item=JPG-1001-300&sId=&surname=Plaza&origin=SP

 

[aramis]

Wanna see my family crest?

http://www.houseofnames.com/nameresults.asp?item=JPG-1001-300&sId=&surname=Plaza&origin=SP

Unless you're Polish or Oriental, no such thing exists; all non-Polish western heraldry is personal property. Even Scots Clan Badges are property of the Clanhead, who grants permission to all clan members to wear it.

 

[PathfinderAP]

Unless you're Polish or Oriental, no such thing exists; all non-Polish western heraldry is personal property. Even Scots Clan Badges are property of the Clanhead, who grants permission to all clan members to wear it.

It does exists, and its a family crest (not clan, but saying that my Godfather is a direct descendant of his clans chieftain (irsh)) and is passed down through the males of that family,

 

[aramis]

Bettch check with the King of Arms. It belongs ONLY to the head. It will pass to his heir. But heraldy is personal property, not family.

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.htm

http://www.nli.ie/en/faq/heraldry-faq.aspx
This is the site of the Irish heraldric authority, the Office of the Chief Herald, a division of the Irish national library. It states, and I quote:

Can I use my ‘family coat of arms’?

There is no such thing in Ireland as a ‘family coat of arms’. Arms pertain to the persons to whom they have been granted by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and to the descendants of such grantees, according to the Laws of Arms. A grant of arms made to an individual extends to his or her descendants of the name, not to a family as such.​

 

[Icosahedron]

http://www.nli.ie/en/faq/heraldry-faq.aspx
This is the site of the Irish heraldric authority, the Office of the Chief Herald, a division of the Irish national library. It states, and I quote:

Can I use my ‘family coat of arms’?

There is no such thing in Ireland as a ‘family coat of arms’. Arms pertain to the persons to whom they have been granted by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and to the descendants of such grantees, according to the Laws of Arms. A grant of arms made to an individual extends to his or her descendants of the name, not to a family as such.​

As you say, Aramis, this is almost universally true - I didn't know there were any exceptions.

Basically, you inherit a coat of arms from a family member in much the same way as inheriting family heirlooms.

Just because your neighbour down the street is also named Jones, it doesn't give him the right to a share of your dad's will - or to share his arms. If you have a right to bear arms, your dad will have told you, as his dad told him, and it will probably come with a title.

Any other use of heraldry is known as 'pretence to arms' and is considered to be most ignominious. (like that Jones fellow down the road trying to claim a share of your dad's estate...)

Sure, you can look up the fact that a family called 'Hereford' has a particular coat of arms, but just because your family came from Hereford, England, and generations ago were called 'the Herefords' by their new neighbours in Gloucester, that doesn't mean that they have a right to the arms granted to another family similarly named Hereford, whose ancestors were once rewarded for valour.

If you think you have a genuine right to arms via a direct lineage from someone who was given a grant of arms, you should trace your family tree and generate a case to put to the organisations Aramis linked to. They, and they alone, can substantiate your claim.

The service provided by these online 'check out your arms' companies is like taking a picture of a stately home and saying 'this is the ancestral home of a family named Jones'. Well, so it might be, but it doesn't mean that Fred Jones from Glasgow has any claim to use the house, even if he's persuaded to buy a picture of it.

Hope that helps to clarify things for anyone wanting to embellish their stationery.

 

[Whipsnade]

How about a realistic UPP for a change?

778895

I'm pretty much an average schmoe - just like everyone here.

Strength - I'm not noticeably stronger or weaker than those I know professionally or socially. Pushing fifty now, but I lift a few times a week when I need to quiet my mind. Nothing crazy, just dumbbells and barbells with an eye towards more reps than weights.

Dexterity - I can still thread a needle and routinely work with precision instruments. Believe it or not, I dance almost weekly at the local Legion too. My handwriting is horrible, mostly because I was left handed in grammar school in the 60s, but I can draw freehand well enough. No glasses yet either, although I've noticed the difference lately. I tested slightly under 20/10 in my early 20s and my last test put me at 20/20, so the doc told me I'm just getting used to "normal" vision.

Endurance - Not too long ago I would have given myself a nine or ten here. I've marched, stood watch, hiked, canoed, driven, labored, and whatnot for long hours. It's a matter of pacing, but for most of my life I took some pride in being able to walk, paddle, or work other guys into the ground. In 2001, I was in a taxi that tangled with an oil delivery truck managing to break both ankles and a few years prior to that I had a bout with the dreaded C. My "wind" is still there, it's my "pins" that won't cooperate so I've dropped myself a few notches.

Intelligence - In school, the military, and professionally, I routinely tested a few points either side of 140. What that does that mean? Not f*cking much. The more I read about IQ testing the more I'm convinced it's mostly bunk. Intelligence is a holistic concept and one we've barely begun to comprehend. As a "test proven genius" since grammar school, I've daily met people smarter than me for forty years now. I might pick up on things a wee bit faster than most, but I've failed to notice any real advantages I have over everyone else. On the other hand, I've met some extremely intelligent people. More than enough, as matter of fact, to know I'm not one of them.

Education - A bachelor's degree, a partial master's I'll most likely never finish, plus successful graduation from arguably the toughest technical field in the military today; Naval Nuclear Propulsion School. I believe all that should be put me at the upper end on the center third.

Social - A little over a decade ago I had a career, a condo, a new car, and a fiance. One corporate buy-out, one lay-off, one health crisis, and several years later, I have a series of contract jobs, rent a house with two other men, drive a 12-year-old "econobox", and get shot down by bored women in bars. No jail time though, no substance abuse, no odd accents or mannerisms. My clothes are neat and clean, as am I. Not a lot of discretionary income naturally. I think I'm just hanging on to the lower end of that solid center third.

And there you have it: a honest UPP.


Regards,
Bill

 

[Jame]

765784 1 term Scholar (Student) 1.75 terms Drifter (wanderer)

I am not particularly stronger than anyone else, and a little bit less dextrous (hand-eye coordination thing) with asthma and a general aversion to getting physically fit. Not smarter than anyone else, but certainly not duller; I did manage to get a bachelor's degree with a B/high C average from a prestigious school (Suffolk University in Boston) and have a certificate from a community college (for my education) but am unable to get anyone to give me a permanent job, and am unable to keep it when I do (hence the Soc).

If I could get paid to be a student I'd do that.

 

[JAFARR]

How about a realistic UPP for a change?

778895

I'm pretty much an average schmoe - just like everyone here.

Strength - I'm not noticeably stronger or weaker than those I know professionally or socially. Pushing fifty now, but I lift a few times a week when I need to quiet my mind. Nothing crazy, just dumbbells and barbells with an eye towards more reps than weights.

Dexterity - I can still thread a needle and routinely work with precision instruments. Believe it or not, I dance almost weekly at the local Legion too. My handwriting is horrible, mostly because I was left handed in grammar school in the 60s, but I can draw freehand well enough. No glasses yet either, although I've noticed the difference lately. I tested slightly under 20/10 in my early 20s and my last test put me at 20/20, so the doc told me I'm just getting used to "normal" vision.

Endurance - Not too long ago I would have given myself a nine or ten here. I've marched, stood watch, hiked, canoed, driven, labored, and whatnot for long hours. It's a matter of pacing, but for most of my life I took some pride in being able to walk, paddle, or work other guys into the ground. In 2001, I was in a taxi that tangled with an oil delivery truck managing to break both ankles and a few years prior to that I had a bout with the dreaded C. My "wind" is still there, it's my "pins" that won't cooperate so I've dropped myself a few notches.

Intelligence - In school, the military, and professionally, I routinely tested a few points either side of 140. What that does that mean? Not f*cking much. The more I read about IQ testing the more I'm convinced it's mostly bunk. Intelligence is a holistic concept and one we've barely begun to comprehend. As a "test proven genius" since grammar school, I've daily met people smarter than me for forty years now. I might pick up on things a wee bit faster than most, but I've failed to notice any real advantages I have over everyone else. On the other hand, I've met some extremely intelligent people. More than enough, as matter of fact, to know I'm not one of them.

Education - A bachelor's degree, a partial master's I'll most likely never finish, plus successful graduation from arguably the toughest technical field in the military today; Naval Nuclear Propulsion School. I believe all that should be put me at the upper end on the center third.

Social - A little over a decade ago I had a career, a condo, a new car, and a fiance. One corporate buy-out, one lay-off, one health crisis, and several years later, I have a series of contract jobs, rent a house with two other men, drive a 12-year-old "econobox", and get shot down by bored women in bars. No jail time though, no substance abuse, no odd accents or mannerisms. My clothes are neat and clean, as am I. Not a lot of discretionary income naturally. I think I'm just hanging on to the lower end of that solid center third.

And there you have it: a honest UPP.


Regards,
Bill

Bill,

I think from your description you should raise your social appraisal based on the fact of being a part of one of the more affluent societies in the world. You have to remember that poor in the USA and like countries is often better off than upper middle to lower upper class in other parts of the world. This is not to belittle the less affluent countries, but just a reminder to us all to be thankful for the blessings we too often take for granted.

 

[JAFARR]

Whipsnade and Jame's last posts may well reflect some of the current economic upheaval in their evaluation of their social status. I think they will find many in other parts of the world who would say they would trade in the blink of an eye. The average American may well be eating hamburgers and hot dogs a lot more often than steak and lobster, but we are still eating regularly and not wondering where our next meal is coming from.

As for myself, I would say I am solid middle class, except for that line that appears in my signature below.

 

[PathfinderAP]

Bettch check with the King of Arms. It belongs ONLY to the head. It will pass to his heir. But heraldy is personal property, not family.

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.htm

http://www.nli.ie/en/faq/heraldry-faq.aspx
This is the site of the Irish heraldric authority, the Office of the Chief Herald, a division of the Irish national library. It states, and I quote:

Can I use my ‘family coat of arms’?

There is no such thing in Ireland as a ‘family coat of arms’. Arms pertain to the persons to whom they have been granted by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and to the descendants of such grantees, according to the Laws of Arms. A grant of arms made to an individual extends to his or her descendants of the name, not to a family as such.​

Well, My Dad is Spanish, and not English (my Mum is though) and his side of the family are quite well known in southern Spain, to the point being the last time we were in Spain the police gave us the VIP treatment (even down to a salute lol), just because of the family name, he was also given a tour of a warship while there,) and I was told the crest was only to be passed down via the male line, thats it,

I'm not a jones, or a jones like, I'm a Plaza, the real thing baby

 

[Jame]

Whipsnade and Jame's last posts may well reflect some of the current economic upheaval in their evaluation of their social status. I think they will find many in other parts of the world who would say they would trade in the blink of an eye. The average American may well be eating hamburgers and hot dogs a lot more often than steak and lobster, but we are still eating regularly and not wondering where our next meal is coming from.

As for myself, I would say I am solid middle class, except for that line that appears in my signature below.

Very true. Though if I could get a better job (I'm working as a crossing guard), I would, even if part of the problem seems to stem from my own interaction skills.

Mind that I would just as soon see everyone at my level at least - i.e. guaranteed meal, clothing, place to sleep and shower.

 

[Madarin Dude]

Revised for me after a little thought. 6A4977

Social status is hard thing to pin down. A lot of ways to look at it. When I was living in China I made a number of TV appearances and was well known in the foreign teacher circles and with education there in general so i might have had as high as A. i did not have much cash but was semi famous.

Came back to the states i think my status could have been as low as 4 or so I did not have a car was not well liked at my first employer in the area. No although I work for a bit less money I have a unique position and am known to many within a company that numbers over 1k. Also i am networked into a number of groups. My mothers German friends and the Chinese American community. So it is somewhere in between.

 

[Whipsnade]

Whipsnade and Jame's last posts may well reflect some of the current economic upheaval in their evaluation of their social status. I think they will find many in other parts of the world who would say they would trade in the blink of an eye. The average American may well be eating hamburgers and hot dogs a lot more often than steak and lobster, but we are still eating regularly and not wondering where our next meal is coming from.

JaFARR,

Very, very true.

Seeing as Social Status is hard to pin down, let alone "guess-timate", I took my swing at it while remaining firmly within the social confines of the United States. I firmly believe that if I'd expanded those confines to include the planet, my Social Status rating would be at least two to three points higher.

As for myself, I would say I am solid middle class, except for that line that appears in my signature below.

Solid middle class here too, and fully aware that I used to be a bit more middle than I am now.


Regards,
Bill

 

[Icosahedron]

Soc is difficult to place, but not impossibly so.
It all depends what you consider to be 'average' and where you place the number 7.

In my own interpretation, http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=20173
I have placed 7 around the 'mean' version of 'average wage', though, admittedly, I was thinking on a 'first world' basis.

The mean wage (middle income) being skewed by all the fatcats, footballers and filmstars, tends to be an income most people would covet, (though it might be typical for the adventurers we generate in the game) while the mode (most common) income is probably well within the 'working class' area, and rates a 5 on my scale.

My stab at it:
1. Slavery or other underclass
2. Homeless
3. Jobless
4. Minimum wage
5. Modal wage
6. Blue collar/white collar overlap
7. Mean wage
8. High earner
9. Fame or fortune. (Might be recognised, buy pretty much what you want)
A. Fame and fortune. (Household name, no need to ask what it costs)
B+ Land and title.

This could work in any society, but if you move into a different society, your Soc level might change.