Evolution of a Dog.

[Mandrake]

We've been playing Dogs for a while now. It started as a one off, but as a group we've hugely enjoyed it and have played several towns, with three narrators so far.

I was reading through some old posts yesterday, and one of the comments that struck me was that something along the lines of Dogs as a group can always win a conflict. Whilst it's true that the dice available to a group of Dogs should be sufficient to outlast all but the most dice heavy sorcerer, I (and Jamie I believe) don't see winning as neccesarily what Dogs is about, what is important is the effect of the conflict on the Dogs in question.

As such, I'm posting then and now outlines of my Dog, Brother Jeramiah. I'll post some comments later, but for now I'd like people to form opinions without my thought processes clouding the issue.

Background:

Jeramiah is a Texican, a former Texas Ranger who fought in the Mexican-American War. After the war, Jeremiah worked as a scout and guard for a wagon train to Utah, becoming a member of the Faithful on the journey, deciding to stay in Utah (where it turned out he already had some non-immediate family members). Still relatively young, he reluctantly agreed to become a Dog when called, seeing it as his duty.

Jeremiah is a Well Rounded Dog.

Starting Stats:
Acuity: 6
Heart: 4
Body: 3
Will: 4

Starting Traits:
Trained as a Ranger Scout 2d6
Cool 'under fire' 2d8
Can quote from the Book of Life 1d6
Reluctant Dog 1d6
Limited motor function in left hand 1d4
From accomplishment:
Maintained faith in the face of a possessed one 1d6
Fear that faith may not be enough next time I face a possessed one 1d4

Starting Relationships:
Ranger Sargeant who trained me 1d6
In love with local schoolteacher 3d6

Starting Belongings:
Coat 2d6
Disciplined, fast cavalry horse 2d6
Accurate revolver 2d6
Sharpshooter's Rifle 2d8
Sawn-off shotgun 1d8
Bowie Knife 1d8
Dynamite 1d6
Father's pocket watch 1d6
Consecrated earth 1d6
Book of Life 1d6

Stats now:
Acuity: 8
Heart: 6
Body: 6
Will: 7

Traits now:
Trained as a Ranger Scout 2d6
Cool 'under fire' 3d8
Can quote from the Book of Life 3d10
Reluctant Dog 2d4
Limited motor function in left hand 2d4
Maintained faith in the face of a possessed one 1d6
Fear that faith may not be enough next time I face a possessed one 1d4
Healer 2d6
Preach 1d6
Disillusioned with heavy handed companions 4d4
Mistrust spiritualist doctrine 1d4
One tough mutha.. 2d10
The Book doesn't have all the answers 2d8
Secret coffee habit 1d4
The fires of Hell are burning on Earth 1d4
How can one Dog make a difference? 1d4
It is the demons we must truly punish 1d4
The King of Life has Stewardship of my Soul 1d6

Relationships now:
Ranger Sergeant who trained me 1d6
Betrothed to the school teacher of White Mare 3d6
Steward of White Mare 1d8
White Mare School 1d4
The Angel of Death 2d4

Belongings now:
As above, except:
Bloodstained, fire-singed, soot blackened, powder-marked big preachin' coat: 2d8

[Web_Weaver]

Whilst it's true that the dice available to a group of Dogs should be sufficient to outlast all but the most dice heavy sorcerer, I (and Jamie I believe) don't see winning as neccesarily what Dogs is about, what is important is the effect of the conflict on the Dogs in question.

Indeed, and the best example of this was watching one of our players do a complete U-turn on his expectations when rolling dice, as he now groans and expresses disappointment if he doesn't roll plenty of low, fallout friendly dice.