Vincent Best - Backstory

[Thomas Hoeg]

Hey all,

For whatever reason, I came up with a backstory for my character last night that I actually didn't hate.  Hope you enjoy it :)

Tom

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Vincent Best

My father walked out on me and my Mom when I was seven years old. Mom was a poor, uneducated woman with barely any means to take care or herself let alone me, so it became my responsibility to provide for our family at such a tender young age. As a young child, I did the only thing I could think of to get food and money - I stole it, or "borrowed" it with every intention of paying those people back when I had the means. When I was 16, I ended up picking the wrong pocket, one belonging to one of the lieutenants in a prominent Chicago crime family, the Canettis. After beating me something fierce, the man, Leo Canetti, offered some small compliments on my technique, and more importantly, a job. Ever since then I've been working for the Canettis, and Leo treated me like his own son. Leo taught me everything I know.  He gave my Mom and I a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. Over the years, I moved up in the organization and became one of the Canettis' own lieutenants myself when Leo took over responsibility for leading the family.

Things were going alright until about a month ago. I went to see Leo for breakfast on Sunday morning, as I had done on pretty much every Sunday morning for the last nineteen years. Only this time, something was different. Normally, Leo had armed enforcers outside his place at all times, but this time there was no one around. As I got closer to the house I could see the front door had been busted in, and I could hear the sounds of a struggle coming from inside the house. I drew my gun and threw open the door just in time to see a blade cut clean across Leo's throat. Blood gushed from the wound and his body slumped to the floor, leaving his assailant standing over him with blood dripping from the odd-looking knife in his right hand. I fired off two rounds at the assassin, who dashed around the corner in a flash. When I rounded the corner, the assassin was gone, nowhere to be found. I checked Leo's pulse but it only confirmed what I already knew, he was dead. 

As I took stock of the situation, I realized how bad things looked. Our Sunday breakfast was well-known tradition around the family. Sooner or later someone would find Leo and the blame would fall squarely on me, with no defense other than some story about a shadowy figure and a strange knife. Seeing no other options, I grabbed all the cash and weapons I could find scattered around Leo's house and I left town. I knew the only way to clear my name was going to be to find the actual killer, but I had absolutely no idea where to start. I remembered my Mom telling me that I had a brother who lived in Massachusetts, but all I had was a name, Carter Best, and not even a face to go with it.  Without any other choice I headed east, hoping to find an ally or at least a place to sleep.

Gameplay Notes:

• Carter (Justin's character) and Vincent are half-brothers - same father, different mothers
• Carter and Vincent have never met, he may not even know I exist

--
Tom Hoeg
GAME DESIGNER
BACKFLIP STUDIOS

E: th...@backflipstudios.com

[Keith Charles]

So here's most of my back story

http://youtu.be/ckfBGdZoR_0

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[Thomas Hoeg]

Sorry, I couldn't make it through the whole video, I could feel my brain cells committing suicide :P

[Anthony Louthan]

Tom, I like the backstory a lot, and,so long as it doesn't conflict too much, I have something I want to add to it:

The figure you saw was about 7 feet tall, and very skinny. His features seemed to be masked by a shroud of darkness that you couldn't see through. The only thing you could see was a horrible smile that stretched farther than you'd think was possible. You fired two shots that seemed to hit the man center mass, but the man let out a laugh that you could hear inside your head and you fell to the floor. As you looked up, before you began to lose consciousness, he turned to walk away and whispered  "one". You awoke about 5 minutes later with no recollection of what the man looked like, you could only describe him as "The Shadow Man". 

From this point the rest of your story takes place. 

[Anthony Louthan]

And Keith:

The man who picked you up didn't describe himself as Jesus. He described himself as simply a "Messenger of the Gods". He then began telling you stories of unimaginable horrors. His details were so precise that you began to see visions of his "deeds". You woke up to the sound of a loud crash. You were in a minor car accident, and the man was laughing uncontrollably. He looked to you and smiled. His smile began small, but continued to grow until it was all you could focus on, his features began to fade until all you saw was the smile. He stepped out of the car, and became shrouded in shadows. You saw him lunge for a girl at super human speeds. You sprang into action, grabbing your hatchet and attacked. The first hit was hard, but you heard laughter. You closed your eyes and kept smashing at this man until you were sure that you were hitting the pavement under where his head was. You opened your eyes to see a horrendous site. You had smashed in a poor girls head. You looked up and saw the man, now 7 feet tall and incredibly thin laughing. He whispers "two", and disappears into the shadows. You wake up the next day in Arkham, Massachusetts with no recollection of how you got here, but this is your new home........for now.

[Anthony Louthan]

sorry site = sight* stupid english. 

[Bryan Mashinter]

yeah, blame the language. that seems best.

[Justin Sicking]

It's right up there with "taunting the GM" in terms of good ideas.

Justin Sicking   Game Designer BACKFLIP STUDIOS

[Thomas Hoeg]

Haha, yep, someone's face is going to get melted, or ripped off, or otherwise disfigured.  Just sayin'... :P

[Bryan Mashinter]

in a game where death and madness are expected..?  bring it.

[Anthony Louthan]

This guy.....he knows

[Justin Sicking]

Note to self:  when we are inevitably forced to make a decision to "split up" while investigating Old Man Wither's abandoned razor blade factory, do not go with Bryan's character.

Justin Sicking   Game Designer BACKFLIP STUDIOS

[Bryan Mashinter]

madness holds no fear for me.. my character is already mad. but still good advice. avoid my character and splitting up.