Character Creation: Bulldogs!

Arf! No, bulldogs are more like "bwoof!" I think.

The Game: Bulldogs!
The Publisher: Galileo Games
Degree of Familiarity: Some, but not with this edition
Books Required: Just the one

Now, I know what you're thinking: Didn't you do a character for this game almost a decade ago? Well, fictional reader who's not only been reading this blog that long but actually remembers the characters I've done, I did, but that was for the original edition of the game which used a pre-Core Fate version (similar in many ways to Spirit of the Century or Diaspora). I also wrote a review of that version, it's linked in the chargen post if you want to read it, but I think what I basically said was "this game is cool, but would be better in Fate Core." And here we are.

This edition of Bulldogs! isn't quite the normal published Fate Core; it's self-contained and tweaks some of the rules, but the Aspect system is the same and that's basically the most important thing about a Fate game (IMO). The central premise and setting of the game don't look like they've changed much. In brief, there was a big ol' war between two galactic empires, they called a truce and there's a neutral zone between the two, which is where much of the action takes place. The game is centered around the PCs' crew of ne'er-do-wells (I suppose you could be do-wells, but where's the fun in that), doing odd jobs and teaching alien women to luuuuuv (if, by that, you mean delivering cargo). 

I run into the same issue I often do with games like this; I ain't gonna take the time to make up a whole ship and captain because it's just me and typically that would be a whole-group endeavor. Conveniently, there's an example of both in the book, so just like last time, we'll assume my character is on that crew. The Black Watch is a garbage scow, but more importantly, the captain is Templari ex-military and definitely has some history that the crew don't know about. That's all very cool, I can roll with that.

So with that in mind, what would I like to play? I think I want to make a Hacragorkan. They're kinda space-orc/Klingon types; big, green, tattooed, very into battle with hand weapons. I dunno, just sounds good today. Aspects work a little differently here; species have six Aspects (called "heritage Aspects") and I pick two. I suppose I could customize a bit if I wanted to, but let's conceptualize a little first.

Tor Torgat (for 'tis his name) is the child of a pair of mercenaries. His parents were part of a skirmish in Templari space in which they bested a battalion of the Nova Legion (so the legend goes). Tor is aware that Jocaar Laf't (the captain of the Black Watch) was a member of that battalion - he is, in fact, the last survivor. Now, did that battle with the mercenaries wind up disgracing him and leading him to his current besotted state? Who knows. But Tor regards him as unfinished business for his family, and sought him out to finish that battle...

But then actually met him, and realized he was a drunken shell of his former self. Tor was outraged. He wasn't going to get any glory for killing a pathetic drunk. He got a job with TransGalaxy and actually requested Class D (which isn't something people do), so he could get on the crew of the Black Watch and help Laf't become successful and clean himself up. And then he'll kill him in glorious combat, just as Mom & Dad would have wanted!

Cool, good start. Let's pick two heritage Aspects. 

I actually kind of hate these. Like, they're fine, but they're all very samey. Well, whatever. I'll take My Hands Are Hammers and Unstoppable. 

Right, five more Aspects. One is Aptitude, so what exactly do I bring to the crew? Fighting, doy, but I think in Tor's case he raises morale. So let's call that Aspect "Cheer Up, My Friends!" 

Next, I get a Class D Aspect, explaining why I'm here. I already figured that out, it's to Make Captain Laf't A Worthy Foe. Or, wait, the next Aspect is meant to be about the captain and my character's relationship to him. Hmm. I don't want two Aspects that are so close in tone, so I'll change this one to I'm Here By Choice, and I'll make my Captain Aspect Our Battle Shall Be Legendary!

Finally, I get two Aspects that are meant to be about other crewmates. There's an example character called Ppbrawl, who reminds me a lot of the lion-dude from the Wing Commander games, so I'll give myself the Aspect Ppbrawl Is My Comrade-in-Arms, and leave the other one blank (I could do that and then define it in play).

Cool, now I get to do the Skill pyramid. Standard stuff, 10 Skills, one at +4 and so on down. I'll obviously put Fight as my top Skill. I feel like Tor has some social prowess (he'll need it), so I'll make Provoke and Rapport my Good Skills. Similarly, I think Empathy should go in Fair, and I'll put Survival and Resolve there as well. Finally, for my four Average Skills I'll take Physique, Athletics, Command, and Contacts.

Stunts! I get two free ones, and then I can spend Refresh to get more if I want (Refresh is a little weird in this game, but I'll get to that). I kind of want a stunt to reflect Tor's heritage as a proud warrior, and I want one to reflect that he chose life in Class D. For that latter, I'll say he's Above All This, I get a +2 to defend with Resolve against social attacks on my station or position. For the former, we'll say he's the Child of Kag Torgat: +2 to Create an Advantage with Contacts among soldiers or mercenaries.

Speaking of Refresh, I lose 3 because of my species abilities, which actually total 4 but WTF. So I get Quick Healer, Pugnacious, and Dangerous Bearing. That also means I wind up with 3 Refresh, because I didn't (and don't intend to) spend any to get more stunts or gear.

And that's pretty much it, because I ain't gonna bother with gear! Tor is big and green. He has swirly tattoos on his arms and legs, but his torso is clean because he intends on dedicating his whole chest to a tattoo commemorating his battle with Jocaar Laf't - once it happens.