Rules and Sign-ups

I mean like a pre-game thing. As in have them already listed in the NPC list in the character database.

I'm leaning towards having the characters that can be more or less freely interacted with revealed (ex: the chef), but keeping the more furtive NPCs a secret for now.

Sorry Crow one more question

My Devil Suviovor knowledge is basically Devil Survivor 2 for the DS and your CYoA Walking Dream.

Is that enough knowledge to know what's going on?

Should we avoid damage as much as possible and not have tanking be a thing? I heard everyone drops dead all the time in the CoC system.

If you want to invest in the heaviest armor you can afford (once I get items and prices up for the last part of character creation), grab medkits and a... shield, sword, and holy book and play a paladin, though, I won't stop you.  But, yes, characters in CoC tend to have relatively short lifespans.  Unless they quickly learn the concepts of "RUN AWAY" and "only fight when you have the advantage and even then be ready to RUN AWAY."

I'm way increasing healing rates over the actual CoC system, but you're still fragile normal people. And a level 2 (strength-type) demon's strong enough to catch a derailed train car as it's falling. And a level 20 (magic-type) froze a falling helicopter in a pillar of ice... Doesn't matter how fast you heal if you're already dead. So you probably don't want to fight any demons without numbers and superior firepower and the element of surprise and preferably an actual tank or two.

You won't be fighting only demons, fortunately.

I'd say you can split it into 3 categories.  Mundane enemies, which can be dangerous but probably won't actually inflict casualties unless you're obscenely dumb/unlucky - for the RIFTS equivalent, CS soldiers with Mega-Damage weapons.  Next group, demons you could realistically beat if you fight smart - which will probably be 3-10x the strength of an investigator.  And then there's the OH GOD NO enemies.

Here's an example of one on the border of "could realistically beat" and OH GOD NO.  Fortunately, this one's non-hostile (and probably familiar to you), but still...

Name:Francis McStein
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Residence: City

Occupation: Lab Tech (works with Chemical)

Appearance:
Is a bit slim and a little wirey. She has long flowing brown hair she often has to wear in a pony tail or up while at work. Her skin is slightly tan and her eyes are lavender. She can be seen in a pair of slacks and a plain t shirt, and the stereotypical lab coat, and a pair of slender glasses. At home she wears jeans a button up shirt pair of sneakers and ankle high socks. Also has a pet Kitten named Mr. Paws and Claws (if she can have one)

Backstory:

Went to college to get a bacholers degree in Chemistry. Took some odd jobs for about a year or so until she got a call from a local chemistry company. Right now she is just one of the lab techs. Yet she is happy to be working in her field of study.

Reason to begin investigation:

Like any good scientist she's extremely curouis about what's going on. She kinda of wondering what this all means and the possible things she can find in the name of Science.

Name: Swaltzer M. Rickenduffle
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Residence: Right in the city

Occupation: Rich Industrialist

Appearance: Really snazzy. He has brown hair in a short style haircut that is still thick. He has a mustache, and could be considered handsome. He usually wears striped red and white suits and has some muscle on him.

Backstory: Swaltzer inherited his tycoon from Schaltzer M Rickenduffle. He produces cars and robots and owns a penthouse in the middle of the city. He's pretty dang rich, but keeps a low profile. He isn't really well known even though he owns some factories.

Reason to begin investigation: Well, he doesn't really want his factories to be destroyed, and you have to do a job yourself if you want it done correctly! So, he shall bring an end to these rumors and prestige to his company by revealing that these monsters do not exist!

I've been basing starting money on estimated median annual salaries for jobs and a d100 roll...

X got a 5.
Moneybags got a 93.

The rich get richer.