Swords of the Serpentine is the most recent incarnation of the Gumshoe system, and was written by Kevin Kulp and Emily Dresner. The book itself is not available yet, but pre-order of the print edition gives access to the PDF. SotS is a Sword and Sorcery game that comes with a suggested setting, a fantasy city called Eversink. Eversink is surrounded by swamps, existing only due to the grace of the goddess Denari who a thousand years ago made a contract with some people for the city to become possible. These people became the ancestors of the current nobility and the city is... kind of actually the goddess. It is actually called Denari, but people took to calling it Eversink since most buildings in it are constantly sinking, a few centimeters each year. Eversink is a kind of fantasy not-quite-Renaissance Venice, full of politics, crime, and adventure.
The game features some really cool mechanics and is less crunchy than for example Night’s Black Agents. There is an excellent character generator online here, which I employed. So, let’s make a character.
My idea is to make a poetic Sorcerer, a melancholic creature called Agostinho Alberti. The rest should become apparent during creation. Generally, we would make a whole party in one go, all players together. But it is just me. So, Agostinho will be an only child.
First I choose his Profession. We can choose Sorcerer (done), but Warrior, Thief, or Sentinel would also be possible. These are not set in stone, and abilities can be mixed and matched, with a very slight cost. Sentinels, by the way, are detectives/policemen/investigator types. Commander Vimes of Ankh Morpork would be a good example.
Next, I come up with a few Adjectives to describe Agostinho. Let us go with Melancholic, Delicate, Distractible, Friendly, and Empathetic. Not a bad guy, if a tad too dramatic.
Then we answer the famous question “What is Best in Life?” - we need three answers:
- “To see the moonlight mirrored in heavy drops of rain” (Yeah, goth it up!)
- “Living life to the fullest, by proxy”
- “Helping those in dire straits”
I think these three allow him to be a good party member, if maybe a bit shy.
Gumshoe games have two types of Abilities, Investigative and General. Investigative abilities succeed automatically when it comes to finding associated clues, and points are mostly there to spend for specific effects. There is never any rolling involved here. In SotS there are social IA, IA for each of the four professions, and Allegiances. We distribute points between the IA for social and professions. The number depends on the number of players in the game. If we only spend these points in social IA, and at maximum IA of one profession, our focus is rewarded with one extra point. Since I think Agostinho might be a bit insufferable I assume there is no party; he is also focused on his Sorcery. This means I can spend 15 points.
I will go with Corruption 4; this is the IA needed for Sorcery, and as mopey as he is Agostinho is really competent. Beyond that, I choose Forgotten Lore 2 (meaning he knows a lot of ancient lore, and can in fact make up things in that realm during play by spending some of these points), Leechcraft 2 (some healing), and Prophecy 2 (predict the future, also useful for player story contributions). Finally, I look at social abilities and take Liar’s Tell 1 (spotting untruths), Nobility 2 (I picture Agostinho as a former noble), and Trustworthy 2 (he can be strangely supportive and believable).
Now for his Allegiances - strictly speaking, these are also Investigative Abilities, and I could have spent points here. However, they can be negative (meaning the GM gets to spend points to introduce shenanigans caused by that faction), and every PC at generation gets two points for allies and one for an enemy. Independent of the other points for IA. Mmhh… the Thieves Guild is an Ally - Agostinho sometimes helps their less competent members with their problems, either with sorcery or by patching them up. The Sorcerous Cabals are both my Allies and Enemies - he is one of them, and a good one to know since he is friendly, if a bit morose. But he is also an embarrassment, and maybe a bit too happy to display what he is - Sorcery isn’t banned, but it is complicated. Big sorcery beyond the everyday stuff usually causes corruption, and this can be internalized, which leads to changes in the Sorcerer themselves or externalized. The latter causes devastation in the environment, in Eversink literally the goddesses body. So, sorcery isn't illegal, causing corruption very much is, and sorcerors are not exactly welcomed with open arms. There is the inquisition of the Church of Denari to think of as well. They aren't an enemy yet but might be in the long run. I assume at the moment it is mostly other Sorcerers, some of whom see not-quite-there Agostinho as a potential risk. I like it!
I also get to spend points on General Abilities. These are more classical skills, rolled with a D6 plus however many points I spend. Let's take Bind Wounds 4, Preparedness 8 (Agostinho is very good at pulling stuff out of his invisible narration hat), Stealth 4, Sorcery 10 (yep, a magical overachiever), and Sway 4. Several of these are likely a consequence of his magic; SotS is big on making the narrative dependent on the whole character. So, Stealth or Binding Wounds might be mundane, but also might just be done magically somehow. I like the idea that Agostinho is sometimes just not quite there when in shadows, blending into the aether. Binding Wounds I will explain using equipment later. Finally, I split points between Health and Morale, for 8 Health, 10 Morale. He is likely a bit emaciated and not in perfect health, but not quite earthly, so not easily fazed.
Now for the magic; first I have to choose whether Agostinho's magic affects Health or Morale when used against people. Let’s go with Morale. Next are Sorcerous Spheres, areas of magic Agostinho can influence. There is no fixed list, it is up to invention. I go with Rain, Moonlight, Shadow, and Memory. Oh sorcerous sadness, ride the skies in the light of the rain-cast moon.
Finally, I will get some equipment. Again, equipment in this game is not purchased from a big list or something but for the most part supposed to underline the character and explain some abilities. How about…
Seemingly neverending dark blue robes that blend into the night and obscure the body
A pouch with memories in small, tear-shaped vials, gleaned painstakingly from shadow’s friends in the light of sister moon.
A few dark violet silken scarfs which staunch blood flows from wounds.
A jaunty, colorful cap, kept hidden in the depths of my robes
A small hut, built on top of a hospital; the hut doesn’t have any entrances beyond several windows too small to enter through.
Done!
And that is a valiant attempt at out-gothing anyone in this game. As a final note SotS will in my opinion be one of the finest games coming out these years, and I heartily recommend anyone to take a look.
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