MOTU Style game

[JmOz]

How would you set a MOTU style game up, point totals, sub rules used, etc...

[Thia Halmades]

Yer... a what?

[JmOz]

Sorry about that

MOTU=Masters of the Universe, AKA He-man

Thinking of trying to run something similar but not identical to it

[Killer Shrike]

http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/Paradigms/SuperFantasy.aspx

[JmOz]

http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/Paradigms/SuperFantasy.aspx

Once again I am reminded why I hate you so much :D

Thank you, once again, dude is there ANY thing for Fantasy you do not have?

for those who do not know, Killer Shrike, and his web site RULE

[Killer Shrike]

Once again I am reminded why I hate you so much :D

Thank you, once again, dude is there ANY thing for Fantasy you do not have?

for those who do not know, Killer Shrike, and his web site RULE

Sure, plenty. I just try to cover the basics. ;)

[JmOz]

OK, I think Killer has a good start for what I am planning, but I think I am going to want it a bit more fantasy than super hero (Just a smidge, mind you). So a few thoughts on how I will be editing it

Rough ideas so far

First off I am going to assume low powered Super Hero instead of standard power. So my new Low powered standard of 175+100, no everyman skills. I think the list of assumptions is good, but a better mix on killing vs normal damage (no assumption being made on either). Healing will be assumed common, not very common

A few package deals on races/cultures will be developed, these are base lines (A Birdman player will be far above and beyond the package deal for them), Package deals should run between 10-30 points

Special effects: natural abilities, Enchantments (including magical accidents), MageTech (Artificats, including mystical cyborgs), spellcasting, "gifts" basicaly magical mutants?, Magical Items (different from Magetech)

Magic: Specificaly spellcasters will have to take the "Power is powered by Personal END or END Reserve" as a +0 advantage, but must also take RSR contested, and a -1/4 Variable Limitation (-1/2 lims) on all spells, maybe Side Effects, Side effects will range from comical to damaging

Basic Premice: The group are soldiers in the Atlanteen Army (Pre sinking). Enemies will include the enemies of atlantis including a ex Atlanteen Mage/Warrior, barbarian hordes, random monsters, a few "monstrous races". The players unit will be entrusted with guarding a fortress that houses magical artifacts, this will bring them into conflict with the above mentioned Mage/Warrior, who will be the main enemy of the setting.

The Atlanteen army is divided into two main groups, while I have no name for them there is the Agent type guards, and then small special forces like teams, that is what the players will be, the SF's are given more leeway on what they do.

It is more bloody that what most would think of, with minnons taking the blunt of the casualties, LT's and Bosses will probably not die offten, basicaly if there named, they probably will survive, while footsoldiers die in mass numbers

Characters: Are basicaly low powered super heroes with a fantacy theme

Economy: While there is one in the world, it is not a factor in this game (the quest for money is not what this setting is about)

Skills: Will be to a point deempasised, broad Background skills instead of specific, Sidekick Skill system

so some starting thoughts, anyone want to help me revise it?

[Thia Halmades]

I think I'm still struggling for the feel; yeah, I saw the cartoon, but this is already twelve shades grittier than that. So can you capsulize for me what feel you want, and how these people are going to interact with each other?

[JmOz]

I think I'm still struggling for the feel; yeah, I saw the cartoon, but this is already twelve shades grittier than that. So can you capsulize for me what feel you want, and how these people are going to interact with each other?

Would it annoy you if I said I don't know? If it was a comic book I would say I am aiming for a late Bronze feeling with definate inspiration from the 80's and 00's cartoon on setting if not exactly feel

[Thia Halmades]

Would it annoy you if I said I don't know? If it was a comic book I would say I am aiming for a late Bronze feeling with definate inspiration from the 80's and 00's cartoon on setting if not exactly feel

Not at all; I'm tremendously hard to annoy when people are honest. Unless they're girls who are being wishy-washy, then I get annoyed, otherwise not so much. "Late Bronze" doesn't connect to much with me -- i.e., I'm not into comics enough to be able to understand what you mean. If you'd be willing to enlighten me, that would help.

RSR contested on magic: Contested by what, exactly? I see a "saving throw" mechanic here, but can you go into detail as to what you want to accomplish with it?

[Supreme Serpent]

"Late Bronze" doesn't connect to much with me -- i.e., I'm not into comics enough to be able to understand what you mean. If you'd be willing to enlighten me, that would help.

The comic-age shorthand as applied to gaming goes sorta like:

Silver Age - very clear-cut distinctions between good and evil. Often no killing, at least by the good guys. Moral quandries are easily resolved. Good guys win.

Bronze Age - shades of grey introduced, some crossover between good and evil. Lethality up, moral quandries tougher, good guys sometimes lose.

Iron Age - lots more grey, at its most extreme hard to tell the difference between the good guys and supposed bad guys. Ironically moral quandries are more easily resolved than in the Bronze Age - by always taking the low road. Good guys may win less, but with little difference who can tell anyways?

Somewhat extreme and simplistic explanations, but hope gets the basic shading across. Also left out the various comic/super-specific bits and other ages like Golden Age and "Steel/Diamond".

For Fantasy type examples:

MOTU is very Silver Age. He-Man is good, Skeletor is irredeemably evil and always loses.

Lord of the Rings is pretty Bronze IMO. Pretty clear deliniations among good and evil, though some nominally good humans/etc. get corrupted/tempted by evil. Mix of victories, triumph comes with a cost.

Thieve's World series leans pretty heavily into Iron Age territory. As one example, the raping supersoldier of the occupying Empire gets betrayed by his own guys and sold to a vivisectionist who carves him up over and over since he regenerates. Who's the good guys or bad guys in that story?

[JmOz]

Not at all; I'm tremendously hard to annoy when people are honest. Unless they're girls who are being wishy-washy, then I get annoyed, otherwise not so much. "Late Bronze" doesn't connect to much with me -- i.e., I'm not into comics enough to be able to understand what you mean. If you'd be willing to enlighten me, that would help.

RSR contested on magic: Contested by what, exactly? I see a "saving throw" mechanic here, but can you go into detail as to what you want to accomplish with it?


Wow Supreme Serpent pretty much said it all.

As for the contested, there is a option under RSR for being subject to opposing skill rolls, this is what I am talking about with that, the idea is that another wizard can interfere with the difficulty of casting the spell by using a combat action, if they do they basicaly roll there spellcasting skill, and add +1 for every 2 points they make the roll by

[Killer Shrike]

Thieve's World series leans pretty heavily into Iron Age territory. As one example, the raping supersoldier of the occupying Empire gets betrayed by his own guys and sold to a vivisectionist who carves him up over and over since he regenerates. Who's the good guys or bad guys in that story?
The guy that cast the regeneration spell on the supersoldier?

Anyway, the best summary of Iron Age was said by Ash:

"Good, bad; I'm the guy with the gun."