The Laughing Magickian
-Interview magazine, July 2014
Intent: To offer limited protection for a chatty character in a world full of itchy trigger fingers. To make the character more bizarre and the universe he lives in more bizarre with him. To provoke imagination in regards to unique, PC crafted Force philosophy and illustrate how subtle power hindered with crippling weakness can still be played for Strength.
Development Thread: Notes From Underground
Manufacturer: Trenchcoat Man’s Guttermagick
Model: Custom “Alchemical” Armour
Affiliation: Invisible Witnesses to the Defilement of Our Beloved Sister Susan; The Rabid Harlequinade
Modularity: With the exception of the tattered trenchcoat, every piece of this ensemble can be swapped for something of the same category. T-shirts can be alternated with sweaters, jeans with chinos, etc. (However, special effects are lost when not worn by Trenchcoat Man) “Rags” and “Pockets” cannot be stacked for added effect. Can only be utilized in conjunction with other “Guttermagickal” equipment.
Production: Unique
Material: Clothing well-worn and beloved by its owner. Specifically, a thick trenchcoat with deep pockets.
Being the big ol’ liar that he is, it should really come as no surprise that even his clothing is telling tales. His tattered “Witnesses” overcoat is perhaps the biggest fibber of the bunch, the “thick rags” surprisingly more dense than they would appear and its shrouding nature throwing off perceptions as to Benedict’s actual size. This has lead to many a “misunderstanding,” where an antagonist believes to have shot Benedict, only to find that, surprisingly, he’d missed entirely or even dreamed the whole thing. All is forgiven, though, as apparently, Benedict never even noticed and remains more interested in finishing what he was saying and still open to diplomacy.
In addition to this, Trenchcoat Man’s “Deep Pockets” can store a wealth of items, and it’s not uncommon that he may “happen to have” just what it is you’re looking for.
Weakness: “Thick Rags” - Can only be used in instances where combat involvement is unclear. For example, a single shot from a sniper rifle or a 3-round-burst misfire from a friendly soldier. If violent aggression is evident and consistent (ie; an angry Jedi with a drawn lightsaber swinging it in Benedict’s direction; additional rounds peppering the area; a man with a gun to the guttermage’s head, threatening to kill him if he doesn’t comply before the pulling of the trigger), the armour offers only the minimal protection against minor bludgeons and blades and glancing slugs. Additionally, if armour is effective, it is under the condition that Trenchcoat Man maintain the illusion that the shot missed or never occurred. This means no running for cover or asking for assistance.
“Deep Pockets”- These items are traditionally small and of a not terribly rare or precious variety. This trick can only be performed when not under scrutiny, and cannot be used to fetch unique artifacts unless they are already of Benedict’s possessions. Will never be used to directly produce a complete and functioning bomb or something equally stupid (unless it’s actually a special story item).
Strengths: “Thick Rags” - Can be used against multiple sources so long as the attacks are conducted simultaneously. Has a 100% success rate provided the requirements are achieved. Can be used multiple times.
“Deep Pockets” – Can be used multiple times. Can allow Benedict and friends to bypass the tedious adventure of, say, finding a corkscrew. Allows Benedict to better live “on the fly” as he is not required to decide beforehand what equipment to bring and what to leave behind.
Classification: Clothing
Weight: Uh…the weight of a t-shirt, pair of trousers, pair of boots, pair of socks, pair of gloves, and an overcoat.
Quality: Class 10 for its function; Class 2 for all else
Other Feature(s): In order for this to function as designed, Trenchcoat Man must have either a lit cigarette
*This submission should be judged with the understanding that the Force Philosophy to which Benedict (Trenchcoat Man) subscribes to has crippled his development, and that, even at the level of Sith Lord, his character class disallows him from using the more “traditional” FU equipment his peers are so fond of. Instead, he functions by way of indirect, ad-hoc, DIY ritual magick, and as such, has few ways with which to directly respond immediately to imminent threat. This “Technology” would grant him one (while also falling in line with his tradition of pre-meditated ritual, don’tchaknow).
