We’d like to do some crowdsourcing for the Miscellany in Codex – Lies. The Miscellany is called “Three Dozen Scoundrels.” Submissions need to be a single sentence, or 2-3 very short sentences. By submitting here, you’re agreeing to let us use it (you’ll get a credit on the issue). We’re looking for evocative stuff. The purpose of the Miscellany is to inspire the reader.
Your scoundrel can be for any genre or time period. Importantly, they need a name and a short description of their villainous deeds. Here are some examples:
“Jalussa the Merciless, Pirate Queen of the Western Sea. She kidnapped Prince Lomaran and then refused to turn him over when the ransom was paid, first keeping the young man as a pet, then training him to be an exquisite lover and, later, first mate of her ship.”
“Edwina Moorcock was the reigning champion of the Upper Billing End Amateur Gardening Show, and had been for over twenty years running, thank you very much! She was nearly knocked off her perch by young Alisa Birch, fresh as the first day of Spring, until Ms. Birch’s rose beds were found torn apart by some sort of animal, a roving pack of dogs, perhaps. Edwina made a show of consoling the young woman, but has never been able to explain what she was doing out so late on the night the roses were destroyed.”
“Amul Night Rate, cybernetic boy whore. His flesh sheath is the most pliable around and contains powerful neuro-inhibitors that leave his clients simpering and docile, perfect for emptying their cred accounts.”
Art is by Pete Mohrbacher: https://petemohrbacher.deviantart.com/art/A-Quiet-Man-251978214
Diona the Murk, a magical a spirit that answers the luck-prayers of people in desperate situations. She grants fortune, but only in ways that highlight your foolishness; she’ll get you what you asked for, but you’ll learn a lot about yourself on the way. She appears as a disembodied smile, the mouth notably different each time.
Diona the Murk, a magical a spirit that answers the luck-prayers of people in desperate situations. She grants fortune, but only in ways that highlight your foolishness; she’ll get you what you asked for, but you’ll learn a lot about yourself on the way. She appears as a disembodied smile, the mouth notably different each time.
Lord Boldren Sanguinn is bored. His inability to feel excitement about anything ordinary has led to ever greater displays of debauchery and cruelty. They say his manor has a secret room containing something he calls the wheel of thrills.
Lord Boldren Sanguinn is bored. His inability to feel excitement about anything ordinary has led to ever greater displays of debauchery and cruelty. They say his manor has a secret room containing something he calls the wheel of thrills.
Sindarix lives to make the rich bleed. His crew is on a constant hunt for people with too much, doing too little for others. His favorite targets are “adventurers” who come back from tomb raiding. They’re usually so tired, they’re an easy mark, and are so ludicrously rich that they’ll never feel the loss.
Sindarix lives to make the rich bleed. His crew is on a constant hunt for people with too much, doing too little for others. His favorite targets are “adventurers” who come back from tomb raiding. They’re usually so tired, they’re an easy mark, and are so ludicrously rich that they’ll never feel the loss.
Mahaulk largely ignored the sewing her governess would’ve preferred she focus on, and instead was always fascinated by the least court gossip. Now, she rules the nation’s secret police, all under the cover of a frivolous, partying, vacuous heir to her family’s fortunes and responsibilities. Meanwhile, she’s goaded the empire into “just the right wars” several times, while her true identity has remained an enigma.
Mahaulk largely ignored the sewing her governess would’ve preferred she focus on, and instead was always fascinated by the least court gossip. Now, she rules the nation’s secret police, all under the cover of a frivolous, partying, vacuous heir to her family’s fortunes and responsibilities. Meanwhile, she’s goaded the empire into “just the right wars” several times, while her true identity has remained an enigma.
Bloody Bill leads his marauding gang of bikers, the Gore-illas, across the barren wastes, burning everything in his path. Believing he is the reincarnation of a Confederate guerrilla, Bill rides his Frisco style chopper with wild abandon, cutting his fleeing victims down with his beloved cavalry saber.
Every night after a day of rapine and murder, Bill celebrates by drinking the blood of his victims and feasting upon their raw flesh. After going into a trance, he prophesies about how the Road Goes On Forever and the Party Never Ends.
Never questioning his motives, his “Gore-illas” are all too eager to enjoy their bloody lifestyle, not realizing that they will one day be sacrificed themselves. Carried in his saddle bags is something more precious than his sword or his bike; his book. Bound from the skin of albino pygmies, his unholy book of symbols promises to turn him into the Demon Lord Kong, King of the Jungle, greatest Gore-illa of all.
Bloody Bill leads his marauding gang of bikers, the Gore-illas, across the barren wastes, burning everything in his path. Believing he is the reincarnation of a Confederate guerrilla, Bill rides his Frisco style chopper with wild abandon, cutting his fleeing victims down with his beloved cavalry saber.
Every night after a day of rapine and murder, Bill celebrates by drinking the blood of his victims and feasting upon their raw flesh. After going into a trance, he prophesies about how the Road Goes On Forever and the Party Never Ends.
Never questioning his motives, his “Gore-illas” are all too eager to enjoy their bloody lifestyle, not realizing that they will one day be sacrificed themselves. Carried in his saddle bags is something more precious than his sword or his bike; his book. Bound from the skin of albino pygmies, his unholy book of symbols promises to turn him into the Demon Lord Kong, King of the Jungle, greatest Gore-illa of all.
Nigel Farr, the so-called Fingernail Filcher, is a prowler with peculiar predilections. It began harmlessly enough: searching through trash and sweepings to find discarded nails, hairs, scabs, and other detritus. But recently there have been… escalations. A man woke in the night to find Nigel in his bed, frenziedly snipping the beard off his head. A child ran home screaming, saying Nigel had begged her for “just a finger or two.” And a few nights ago, Nigel was spotted scurrying out into the woods, a hairy bundle under his arm…
Nigel Farr, the so-called Fingernail Filcher, is a prowler with peculiar predilections. It began harmlessly enough: searching through trash and sweepings to find discarded nails, hairs, scabs, and other detritus. But recently there have been… escalations. A man woke in the night to find Nigel in his bed, frenziedly snipping the beard off his head. A child ran home screaming, saying Nigel had begged her for “just a finger or two.” And a few nights ago, Nigel was spotted scurrying out into the woods, a hairy bundle under his arm…
Felix the Rhymer/a consummate crimer/he leaves handkerchiefs at the scenes.
Of the heists he has pulled/for the fools he has fooled/a suspect much too clean to be seen.
Felix the Rhymer/a consummate crimer/he leaves handkerchiefs at the scenes.
Of the heists he has pulled/for the fools he has fooled/a suspect much too clean to be seen.
Eliot is probably the most dangerous kind of Adept: a charge thief. She steals a Gasper’s last cigarette; snatches a Armiger’s gun; jacks a Wheeler’s ride; and Kills a Landbreaker’s first born son (before they have a chance to); claiming all the charges that could have been for herself. Stolen Magik just tastes better.
Eliot is probably the most dangerous kind of Adept: a charge thief. She steals a Gasper’s last cigarette; snatches a Armiger’s gun; jacks a Wheeler’s ride; and Kills a Landbreaker’s first born son (before they have a chance to); claiming all the charges that could have been for herself. Stolen Magik just tastes better.
Gregory the unfortunate – a weedy condesending asset negotiator who made his name by having hischallengers always find their properties and coffers suddenly beset by great ‘misfortune’.
Gregory the unfortunate – a weedy condesending asset negotiator who made his name by having hischallengers always find their properties and coffers suddenly beset by great ‘misfortune’.
Korvas Ru the plump little astrologer currently working out of Kings alley has trained his art so fine that he does not even need to look up at the stars. He only needs to observe your face to tell your future or the secrets you wish to learn. From your features he knows what you want to hear, how much you are willing to part with, what excuses you will accept and when he may have to disappear, changing his face and title to escape suspicion
Korvas Ru the plump little astrologer currently working out of Kings alley has trained his art so fine that he does not even need to look up at the stars. He only needs to observe your face to tell your future or the secrets you wish to learn. From your features he knows what you want to hear, how much you are willing to part with, what excuses you will accept and when he may have to disappear, changing his face and title to escape suspicion
Rudy Mangual love the rhyme, massive plus
Rudy Mangual love the rhyme, massive plus
Lady Helena Forsythe-Waits started life as a poor servant girl before murdering her way to the top of society, taking the identity of the society ladies that she offer with arsenic, kitchen knives and riding accidents. She’s very pleasant company, by all accounts.
Lady Helena Forsythe-Waits started life as a poor servant girl before murdering her way to the top of society, taking the identity of the society ladies that she offer with arsenic, kitchen knives and riding accidents. She’s very pleasant company, by all accounts.
Grakelfesh is a helpful little sylvan faerie who looks sort of like an animated tree-stump. He seeks out lost and needy people and offers them all the help he can. Unfortunately, Grimblevald can only lie, and his attempts to tell the truth with his lies have led many desperate people astray.
Grakelfesh is a helpful little sylvan faerie who looks sort of like an animated tree-stump. He seeks out lost and needy people and offers them all the help he can. Unfortunately, Grimblevald can only lie, and his attempts to tell the truth with his lies have led many desperate people astray.
Levvy was born to race, and raised to cheat. They’d rather crash than lose. Even the haughtiest competitor keeps a wary eye on Levvy.
Levvy was born to race, and raised to cheat. They’d rather crash than lose. Even the haughtiest competitor keeps a wary eye on Levvy.
James Snyder is the Manager of the Chicken Hut out by the interstate next to Rose’s Village Motel. Snyder is known far and wide for two things: First, he will hire anyone, and second, he is a burning pile of human garbage. Tireless and relentless, Snyder harasses and intimidates the people who work for him and keeps them in line through fear – fear of losing the last dead-end job they can get, or worse. He sells Oxy by the pill, dabbles in right-wing politics and cheats his employees out of overtime.
James Snyder is the Manager of the Chicken Hut out by the interstate next to Rose’s Village Motel. Snyder is known far and wide for two things: First, he will hire anyone, and second, he is a burning pile of human garbage. Tireless and relentless, Snyder harasses and intimidates the people who work for him and keeps them in line through fear – fear of losing the last dead-end job they can get, or worse. He sells Oxy by the pill, dabbles in right-wing politics and cheats his employees out of overtime.
I just wanna leave a +1 for “Edwina Moorcock.”
I just wanna leave a +1 for “Edwina Moorcock.”
Norris says you’ve got the moves and the looks to be a contender. He’ll get you the bouts, he’ll negotiate the purse, he’ll get your name on the marquee. He’ll feed you to the meanest palookas, he’ll drop your price when you break, he’ll pay you a finders fee to scout for the next raw talent.
Also a doting grandfather and loving husband.
Norris says you’ve got the moves and the looks to be a contender. He’ll get you the bouts, he’ll negotiate the purse, he’ll get your name on the marquee. He’ll feed you to the meanest palookas, he’ll drop your price when you break, he’ll pay you a finders fee to scout for the next raw talent.
Also a doting grandfather and loving husband.
Solis Lowen, known on the street as Razor, is a pickpocket with a sharp eye for lucrative targets. But that’s not why they call him Razor. As a twisted signature of sorts, he will empty your pocket and replace its contents with a double edge razor blade.
Solis Lowen, known on the street as Razor, is a pickpocket with a sharp eye for lucrative targets. But that’s not why they call him Razor. As a twisted signature of sorts, he will empty your pocket and replace its contents with a double edge razor blade.
Walscot Peck, a fat man with a round face and a caterpillar of a smile below his bulbous nose, is oft found lounging behind the counter of a rather unremarkable shop tucked at the end of a no-named mud-soaked lane on the north end of Pennywell. Peck sells cakes – Peck sells a lot of cakes. Though all can agree, Peck is a right awful baker. If the rumors are to be believed, not an oven, stove or even the simplest of fires are to be found in Peck’s baker. Curiosity begs the question, what does the Mayor do with all those cakes her aid buys each morning?
Walscot Peck, a fat man with a round face and a caterpillar of a smile below his bulbous nose, is oft found lounging behind the counter of a rather unremarkable shop tucked at the end of a no-named mud-soaked lane on the north end of Pennywell. Peck sells cakes – Peck sells a lot of cakes. Though all can agree, Peck is a right awful baker. If the rumors are to be believed, not an oven, stove or even the simplest of fires are to be found in Peck’s baker. Curiosity begs the question, what does the Mayor do with all those cakes her aid buys each morning?
Ssenda the Builder buys names. Big names, small names. For gold, levels, magic trinkets. People sell, sensing some easy money. But then, those people are forgotten. Families, friends, adventuring companions, all treat them with the vague friendliness of someone who looks familiar but can’t quite be recalled.
Meanwhile, Ssenda is long gone and she’s added another name to her ever-growing Identity Golem.
Ssenda the Builder buys names. Big names, small names. For gold, levels, magic trinkets. People sell, sensing some easy money. But then, those people are forgotten. Families, friends, adventuring companions, all treat them with the vague friendliness of someone who looks familiar but can’t quite be recalled.
Meanwhile, Ssenda is long gone and she’s added another name to her ever-growing Identity Golem.
Jake Folger is everyone’s favorite colleague at the bookstore; he’s a raconteur, a blue-collar bohemian, and he’s also an addict. He’s so much fun to be around, and has such incredible artistic insight and talent. But those close to him know that when he’s short on supply, all of that amazing social skill is turned on to his sole purpose of getting his fix. Many have found themselves, more than once, cleaned out by trusting him.
Jake Folger is everyone’s favorite colleague at the bookstore; he’s a raconteur, a blue-collar bohemian, and he’s also an addict. He’s so much fun to be around, and has such incredible artistic insight and talent. But those close to him know that when he’s short on supply, all of that amazing social skill is turned on to his sole purpose of getting his fix. Many have found themselves, more than once, cleaned out by trusting him.
Will spoils movies for people on the Internet. He’s a shithead.
Will spoils movies for people on the Internet. He’s a shithead.
Oli Jeffery Will is freeing people from the false religion of “spoilers!”
Oli Jeffery Will is freeing people from the false religion of “spoilers!”
Black Liza – a mole planted in the Sky Pirate fleet by The Oligarchs. She has slowly worked her way up through the ranks, killing and plundering, maybe a little too well? Now she has been undercover so long: she doesn’t really know who she is anymore…
Black Liza – a mole planted in the Sky Pirate fleet by The Oligarchs. She has slowly worked her way up through the ranks, killing and plundering, maybe a little too well? Now she has been undercover so long: she doesn’t really know who she is anymore…
Emperor Blavisk is the newest recruit of Dormait city’s thieves guild. He’s lousy at picking locks, has lost a small fortune at the weekly dice game, but is already the guild’s best enforcer. They found that if somebody is causing them trouble, they can tell the new recruit and in a week the problem has disappeared.
Emperor Blavisk is the newest recruit of Dormait city’s thieves guild. He’s lousy at picking locks, has lost a small fortune at the weekly dice game, but is already the guild’s best enforcer. They found that if somebody is causing them trouble, they can tell the new recruit and in a week the problem has disappeared.
Anugis the God Impersonator is a celestial scoundrel who takes the prayers & offerings meant for other deities; while they are distracted by smiting heathens in foreign fields or blessing crops blighted by drought, Anugis takes on their form and appears in their temples. All the devotion meant for the true God is taken by Anugis, who grows fat on the worship directed at others.
Anugis the God Impersonator is a celestial scoundrel who takes the prayers & offerings meant for other deities; while they are distracted by smiting heathens in foreign fields or blessing crops blighted by drought, Anugis takes on their form and appears in their temples. All the devotion meant for the true God is taken by Anugis, who grows fat on the worship directed at others.
Catherine Tredegar is a career politician who has charmed and networked her way to leadership of her party and is now considered one step away from the highest post in the nation. No-one ever has a bad word to say about her… because she has the evidence of their wrong-doings and they know it is better to be her friend than her enemy. No-one who has stood in her away has escaped with their reputation intact, while she comes out squeaky clean every time.
Catherine Tredegar is a career politician who has charmed and networked her way to leadership of her party and is now considered one step away from the highest post in the nation. No-one ever has a bad word to say about her… because she has the evidence of their wrong-doings and they know it is better to be her friend than her enemy. No-one who has stood in her away has escaped with their reputation intact, while she comes out squeaky clean every time.
Marcus Forsythe is beautiful and he knows it: there’s an air of innocent charm that melts the hearts of men and women alike. He’s enjoyed many brief affairs and broken many hearts, but his is never broken: he just doesn’t have one. There is nothing inside him and he has no concept of empathy: tears and screaming rows simply puzzle him as he tries, unsuccessfully, to work out what it all means… and then promptly forgets all about it as a new opportunity presents itself.
Marcus Forsythe is beautiful and he knows it: there’s an air of innocent charm that melts the hearts of men and women alike. He’s enjoyed many brief affairs and broken many hearts, but his is never broken: he just doesn’t have one. There is nothing inside him and he has no concept of empathy: tears and screaming rows simply puzzle him as he tries, unsuccessfully, to work out what it all means… and then promptly forgets all about it as a new opportunity presents itself.
At the centre of a brackish and fog covered lake lies an island. Thought to be uninhabited it is actually the home of Jamstone Hazelhook – mouse pirate prince, fence, swordsmaster, tale spinner, excellent character judge and leader of a ramshackle band of ne’er do wells. His favourite tale is his run in with a bobcat on the Western shore. He may have lost a paw but the pelt made him a rich mouse indeed!
At the centre of a brackish and fog covered lake lies an island. Thought to be uninhabited it is actually the home of Jamstone Hazelhook – mouse pirate prince, fence, swordsmaster, tale spinner, excellent character judge and leader of a ramshackle band of ne’er do wells. His favourite tale is his run in with a bobcat on the Western shore. He may have lost a paw but the pelt made him a rich mouse indeed!
Fanty De La Galanty is a name one whispers with a twinge of regret. Assassin, infiltrator, thief? Fanty is all and more, for a price. Use the Dark Sacrament to call him at your peril, for payment is oft more punishment than the prize.
Fanty De La Galanty is a name one whispers with a twinge of regret. Assassin, infiltrator, thief? Fanty is all and more, for a price. Use the Dark Sacrament to call him at your peril, for payment is oft more punishment than the prize.
Everybody knows robot-drivers are assholes, but TH-13F, prison transport autono-pilot, is an asshole with a circuit core of gold – literally – after a scum-jacker’s golden interface broke off inside the bot’s nav-port. There’s a chance a group of inmates headed to the stony lonesome finds themselves instead dumped at the gates of the Church of The Butcher Most High. Hide your eyes from the blood pastor!
Everybody knows robot-drivers are assholes, but TH-13F, prison transport autono-pilot, is an asshole with a circuit core of gold – literally – after a scum-jacker’s golden interface broke off inside the bot’s nav-port. There’s a chance a group of inmates headed to the stony lonesome finds themselves instead dumped at the gates of the Church of The Butcher Most High. Hide your eyes from the blood pastor!
Oli Jeffery and Jason Cordova sounds like we need to combine these.
“Will casually drops spoilers for movies even in their opening weeks. Some call him a saint, some call him a false prophet. He keeps a list of objects thrown at his head.”
Oli Jeffery and Jason Cordova sounds like we need to combine these.
“Will casually drops spoilers for movies even in their opening weeks. Some call him a saint, some call him a false prophet. He keeps a list of objects thrown at his head.”
The Otter is a their of favorite things. They sneak into your home and steals one item of no importance and no value, but which you draw comfort from. It could be that pair of lucky socks, or that friendship bravely your first girlfriend gave you in the 3rd grade which you’ve never thrown out, but never anything like a wedding ring or heirloom. Nobody knows how the Otter knows what to look for, but their probably brewing up some serious mojo.
The Otter is a their of favorite things. They sneak into your home and steals one item of no importance and no value, but which you draw comfort from. It could be that pair of lucky socks, or that friendship bravely your first girlfriend gave you in the 3rd grade which you’ve never thrown out, but never anything like a wedding ring or heirloom. Nobody knows how the Otter knows what to look for, but their probably brewing up some serious mojo.
The Marquis Facade, a master confidence man granted the power to cast illusions. A foil to the entire superhuman community, he uses his pet monster, Tigerhawk, to maintain his twisted control over the mysterious supervillain enclave known only as the Nefarious Nine.
The Marquis Facade, a master confidence man granted the power to cast illusions. A foil to the entire superhuman community, he uses his pet monster, Tigerhawk, to maintain his twisted control over the mysterious supervillain enclave known only as the Nefarious Nine.
Varyn Marone is a terrible clock maker, but you mightn’t know by the boots tramping past his cluttered craftsman’s workshop late into the night. Ask around and someone will surely take you aside and whisper, “no artisan, no engineer, takes a thing apart as swiftly as Mr Marone.”
Varyn Marone is a terrible clock maker, but you mightn’t know by the boots tramping past his cluttered craftsman’s workshop late into the night. Ask around and someone will surely take you aside and whisper, “no artisan, no engineer, takes a thing apart as swiftly as Mr Marone.”
Greyrock is a stone golem so ancient that she’s developed a personality. She is adept at conveying the truth as she believes, at lies of omission, and of misleading metaphors. She’s known for saying “Golem cannot tell falsehoods, and I don’t have a dishonest bone in my body.”
Greyrock is a stone golem so ancient that she’s developed a personality. She is adept at conveying the truth as she believes, at lies of omission, and of misleading metaphors. She’s known for saying “Golem cannot tell falsehoods, and I don’t have a dishonest bone in my body.”
The above entry would also work for skeevy Star Wars protocol droid. They, like fantasy golems, have no bones.
The above entry would also work for skeevy Star Wars protocol droid. They, like fantasy golems, have no bones.
Definitely using Grubshit the raccoon in my next game of The Warren.
Definitely using Grubshit the raccoon in my next game of The Warren.
I am living with grubshit in real life currently.
I am living with grubshit in real life currently.
quess coleburn will steal anything that is not bolted down, including (and especially) your heart. together with her crew, she was the cause of the beldam street massacre, and also has been known to incite crowds to random violence when it suits her whims.
quess coleburn will steal anything that is not bolted down, including (and especially) your heart. together with her crew, she was the cause of the beldam street massacre, and also has been known to incite crowds to random violence when it suits her whims.