City parks, those bastions of natural tranquility nestled within chaotic concrete jungles attract all manner of people. While it would be impossible to provide a comprehensive view of all those who might be at a park – since, indeed, anyone who is a resident of the city could logically wander its parks – it’s possible to mention some types of people who might be there … especially those with a penchant for getting entangled in events of excitement.
Artists cover all manner of creative folk within the park, ranging from painters and writers looking for a secluded spot to musicians and mimes who look to park-goers for money.
Con artists prey on the gullible, taking their victims with elaborate scams or by rigged games of “chance,” such as Three Card Monte or the shell game.
Food vendors sell a variety of nourishment, ranging from mundane hot dogs and pretzels to more exotic fare such as vegetarian meals. Being at the park all the time, they know a lot about the city and make excellent witnesses to trouble. Of course, being witnesses to trouble often means they’re near trouble …
Homeless people are a sad reality of most parks. These people, by misfortune, malady, or choice have dropped out of society and make their semi-permanent home at the park. They very often have mental health problems, explaining their condition. Although most are harmless, some do have the potential for violence.
Other people described in this book that might commonly be found in a park include law enforcement, gang members, private investigators, and, especially at night, reanimated killers, serial killers, vampires, and zombies. Additionally, Adventure Locations offers information on what to see and do in parks.
Typical Artist
Reflexes 2D
Coordination 2D
Physique 2D
Knowledge 3D: scholar 4D
Perception 3D: artist 4D+2
Presence 3D: charm 4D+1, con 4D, persuasion 4D
Strength Damage: lD
Move: 10
Fate Points: 0
Character Points: 2
Body Points: 16
Wound levels: 3
Disadvantages: Debt (R1), student loans; Devotion (R1) to art; Poverty (R1)
Advantages: Contacts (Rl), art community
Equipment: artist tools (sketchpad, mime outfit, musical instrument, etc.)
Typical Con Artist
Reflexes 2D+2: brawling 3D+2, dodge 3D+1
Coordination 2D: lockpicking 30, sleight of hand 5D
Physique 2D
Knowledge 2D
Perception 3D+1: gambling 3D+2, hide 4D+1, investigation 4D+1, search 4D+1, streerwise 4D, tracking 3D+2
Presence 3D+2: charm 4D+2, con 5D+2, intimidation 4D, persuasion 4D+ 1, willpower 4D
Strength Damage: 1D
Move: 10
Fate Points: 0
Character Points: 2
Body Points: 16
Wound levels: 3
Disadvantages: Enemy (R1), law enforcement
Advantages: Contacts (R1), underworld
Typical Food Vendor
Reflexes 2D: dodge 2D+2
Coordination 2D: throwing 2D+1
Physique 2D+2: stamina 3D+2
Knowledge 2D+1: business 3D, languages 3D, scholar: city lore 4D+1
Perception 3D: know-how 4D, streetwise 3D+1
Presence 3D: charm 3D+2, con: resist con 4D, persuasion 3D+2, willpower 3D+1
Strength Damage: 1D
Move: 10
Fate Points: 0
Character Points: 1
Body Points: 18
Wound levels: 3
Disadvantages: Employed (R1), food vendor
Advantages: Contacts (R1), people in the park
Equipment: hidden knife (damage +2)
Typical Troubled Homeless Person
Reflexes 2D: brawling 20+2, dodge 2D+1, sneak: remain unseen 3D
Coordination 2D
Physique 2D+1
Knowledge 2D: scholar: strange happenings on the street 3D
Perception 2D+1: hide 2D+2, search 2D+2: scrounging +1D, streetwise 3D+1, survival: parks 3D+1, tracking 3D+1
Presence 2D+1: intimidation 3D+1, willpower 3D+1
Strength Damage: 10
Move: 10
Fate Points: 0
Body Points: 17
Character Points: 2
Wound levels: 3
Disadvantages: Bad Luck (R2), bad things happen on Critical Failures; Poverty (R1); Quirk (R1), mentally unstable, can overcome with a Moderate willpower to overcome
Advantages: none
Equipment: personal item of sentimental value (+2 to willpower checks to overcome Quirk)