What the River Owes: Character Details of Jost Oberholtzer

The journalling work for What the River Owes is grounded in mechanics found in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Second Edition (WFRP2). These mechanics directly influence the narrative and influence the characters over time.

It may help for readers to see the character details being used in the mechanical decisions. You don't need to play WFRP2 or any TTRPG to get the basics. 

WFRP2 is a percentile driven system: roll equal to or under the number and calculate a success or failure margin, “degrees of success or failure," for every 10 points under or over. For example, if Jost is presented with a test for Gossip, a Fellowship skill, I would roll two ten-sided dice (one die with “tens" and the other with “ones") and compare to Jost's stated Fellowship characteristic (Fel), 32%. If I rolled a 13 (10 and 3 on the dice) that would be 19 points under 32, or 1 degree of success. The same is true if I rolled 41 (40 and 1), 9 points over, or just a “flat failure," sometimes called “zero degrees of failure."

Without any more blather, Jost Oberholtzer.

Jost Oberholtzer

Male Human from the Empire—Fisherman

Age 34 years old
Born Born in a hovel, in a forgotten village in the Empire Province of Wissenland
Height/Weight 5'5", 130 lbs. with a stocky build
Eye Color Grey
Hair Color Corn
Distinguishing Features Curious odor and fine hair
Birthday Born on the Sommerzeit 17, 2488 years since the founding of the Empire by Lord Sigmar
Astrology You were born under the sign of the Mammit the Wise, the sign of wisdom
Dooming Sloppiness shall be thy undoing
Religion You were raised to worship Ulric
Family Father missing, and mother is a serf. 1 older male sibling (37). Your family has received a small inheritance that lines your pockets with 5 gold crowns and 2/10

Friends

Brother Faustmann, an initiate of Manann when Jost knew him. Probably a proper priest today. Faustmann may only be of help to Jost as long as he shows respect for the rivers and seas he travels. Don't expect any magical healing from Faustmann, nor for his brethren to help Jost out of a tight spot but if he is devout and faithful Jost may be able to gain their trust over time.

Enemies (Deceased)

A cruel tormentor in the village regularly bullied Jost as a young man. After years of bullying by the boy, Jost's tormentor perished in a drowning accident. Jost witnessed the drowning from the shore while fishing. His bully slipped under the water as Jost cast another line, this was the bully's last sight before he slipped under the water.

  Main Profile*
  WS BS S T Ag Int WP Fel
Starting 31 33 38 33 33 33 34 32
Advances 0 5 † 10 5 10 5 0 0
Current 31 38 38 33 33 33 34 32
  * note: Shallya's Mercy was applied to WS (28 -> 31). The free advance in BS. Marksman increased BS +5% (28 -> 33), Hardy +1 woundVery Resilient +5% to T (28 -> 33).
  Secondary Profile
  A W SB TB M Mag IP FP
Starting 1 11 3 3 4 0 0 3
Advances   2            
Current 1 11 3 3 4 0 0 3           

Skills 

  • Common Knowledge (Empire) + 10
  • Navigation
  • Outdoor Survival
  • Perception
  • Row
  • Sail
  • Speak Language (Reikspiel/Empire) + 10
  • Sail
  • Swim
  • Gossip
  • Consume Alcohol

Talents

  • Orientation (Always know the direction of north. +10% bonus on Navigation Skill tests)
  • Marksman
  • Very Resilient
  • Hardy

Trappings

  • Light Armour (Leather Jack, Leather Skullcap), 
  • Commoner's clothing, consisting of:
    • shirt
    • breeches
    • worn boots
    • tattered cloak
  • dagger
  • sling bag, containing:
    • blanket
    • wooden tankard
    • wooden cutlery set
  • axe
  • spear
  • net
  • hook and line kit
  • light jacket
  • cheap cologne
  • purse holding 5 Gold Crowns (gc) and 2/- (schillings/pennies).

Armor (Advanced)

  • Leather Jack (Body 1, Arms 1)
  • Leather Skullcap (Head 1)

Weapons (Damage)

  • Axe (SB)
  • Dagger (SB -3)
  • Spear (SB, Range 8/-, Fast)
  • Net (0 damage, Range 4/8, Snare)

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