Duke Bushido

I don't know how your games work, of course, but in our supers games, we typically have about 100 pts worth. 

I couldn't nail down where you saw specifically, Hugh, but over the years that concept has been in several games, and it seems that with the pushing out of numerous fire-and-forget rules-lite RPG, I see variations on that theme a _lot. _

Lots of stuff to read and digest,  but I'm at work.  It'll have to wait a few more hours. 

3 hours ago, Hugh Neilson said:

 

Then we agree.  But do we also agree that a skilled crime scene investigator is unlikely to forget to check the windows, even though the player might?  Emphasis added.  This is true of investigation skills, interaction skills, knowledge skills and combat skills. 

 

 

No issue there.  But I would also expect a character skilled at searching, with an appropriate roll, could notice some oddity about the carpet.  OR don't allow characters to have skills at searching, if it will be player savvy which will solely determine success or failure.

 

 

Funny...on another thread, I am pushing for the "big picture" of the game and setting parameters

Crap.  Sorry, Hugh; I snipped the wrong part.  This was meant for the big picture comment you made:

For what it's worth, I see it the same way there, too:  I see the big picture as the story; that is the important part.  It's fiction: the parameters and details are malleable.  Write the story, then adjust it for questions and issues. 

So yeah; you're right: it doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. 

3 hours ago, Hugh Neilson said:

 

Though "player skill overrides character skill" is an area that presses my buttons. 

Ditto. 

3 hours ago, Hugh Neilson said:

If the shy player wants to play a suave superspy, and invests points in those abilities, they should be effective - just as effective as the points would have been in combat had the player chosen to build a combat monster instead. 

Agreed.  I have no problem with the junior high kid saying "I want to do forensics in here.  I want to forensics the whole house.". How much time do you want to spend?  "enough to do a really good job." 

Pass some time and throw some dice- maybe per room, if he says "enough time to do a good job." 

But this brings up another button-pusher:  GMing such that clues depend on dice rolls.  Now certainly, I will let such skills discover _additional_ "bonus" clues, or even become dead giveaways, but in the words of Chris Goodwin, "clues want to be found.". I hate seeing a story set up so that a flubbed die roll kills the story. 

I like the layout.  The disads se Rion seems insufficient, though. 

However, I still work off 2e sheets, so pretty much anything on the scale of what you've done seems luxurious. 

"Can you guess what a ploonet is?"

Well I was wrong.

I thought it was "planet" in Scottish.

17 minutes ago, Spence said:

Meh, I have met his clones.  They spend so much time worrying irrelevant fringe trivia and deliberately missing intent in order to demonstrate that they are trivia kings.  The easiest thing for me is to ignore

That's the thing, though, Spence.  He's really not one of those guys.  He's one of the people here I call the AMGs (awesome math guys).  He's just really, _really_ detail-oriented to the point that you get the feeling the big picture doesn't matter.  I think it's a math-thinking thing:  if all the numbers and functions aren't perfect, the answer is wrong.  That's kind of how he approaches things: bottom-up.   As far as the lack of people skills, well once you figure out it's not personal, he's actually one of the most helpful people on the board, and usually one of the first to volunteer an answer to a question.

To be fair to you, though: yes; there are a couple of jerks no matter _where_ you go.  It's just that Hugh isn't really a jerk: he just comes off that way.  I'd like to say he grows on you, but I can certainly say "it stops bugging you after a while."  

17 minutes ago, Spence said:

 

Since I figured out that function my blood pressure has been much better.

   teach me, Sensei!  My meds are killing my mad money!  

I've mentioned this before:

I _can't_ write up the characters: I know bugger-all about 6e from a perspective beyond "read it and didn't like it."  I read CC when I first got it, and not once since.

I do not _know_ what "beginners" are in CC.  Someone posted not too long ago about porting old 250 pt characters into 6e and they ended up being something like 300; maybe 350 pts.

Thus far, we have two NPC characters, who will serve as both "examples" of (and this is important here) _uncomplicated_ character design: we have The Skull, who should be powerful enough to stand his ground against two "beginning CC characters, and possibly be difficult (but not impossible) for 3 such characters.

We have the Raven, who might be a PC in a pinch, but is intended to be a "background" character and possibly a Captain Cluebat if needed as such.

There has been mention that there are as many as six supers operating in the city already, at least part time.

We have _plenty_ of opportunity to present "power levels" and "sample builds." 

If any of the fine folks reminding us that we need to have these-- apparently yesterday-- would be kind enough to stop reminding us and actually _do_ something about it, well that'd be great.

Steriaca:

Just a 'frinstance:  the dome can be completely opaque, as long it emits it's own light that serves as a suitable replacement for sunlight, at least short-term.  It need not be quite as brilliant, either: plants don't wither and die because it's overcast for a week or two.  Additionally, as long as we're playing around with fictitious tabletop plasma, who's to say you can't slam into it harmlessly, and don't take the damage until you actually _penetrate_ it in some way?

I only offer this because at some point, someone is going to take knock back into it.  Great if it's a mook; not so great if it's a player character.  

As far as communications go, that's up to you, but remember that all the phone calls and internet searches and military whozits and state patrol and panic mothers and brothers will all be played by what we _hope_ is a brand new GM.

Just something to think about. 

Duke

1 hour ago, Spence said:

I have been contaminated by GUMSHOE (now now, don't everyone roll their eyes ) so I tend to run all skills their way.

 

Essentially overall using a skill for information is not rolled.  Ever.

If a PC has a skill and asks a question using that skill they get the basic answer.  If they use the skill. 

 

In other words let us say that the PC has the version of criminology/forensics in your game that can be used to investigate a crime scene. 

 

If they say I am going to check out the dead body, I'll tell them all the information about the body that they could know without having to run tests.  But would not tell them about the blood behind the couch or the claw marks on the window. 

 

If they say that they are going to check the room for clues, I'd tell them about all the clues. 

 

Now if the PC wants to run tests or perform an autopsy, they would need to roll success.  Degree of success or failure would determine the clues they find (or destroy). 

 

This is another reason I prune back skills allot. 

 

I am also mentioning this so you can understand where I am coming from when discussing skills.

Is this not more or less how everyone uses Skills?   I was under the impression that they weren't meant to be "roll x to win."

56 minutes ago, Spence said:

 

You do realize that those were broad examples to illustrate a concept 😉

 

But to answer, like any game I prompt the players in the beginning until they get hang of things.  

 

And no, asking the parts of the body processed in an autopsy would be a bit stupid for a game.

 

And also no, I was not telling you to do this.  I clearly stated:

 

I was laboring under the impression that it might help readers understand the direction I was coming from.

I didn't realize that it could be taken as directing other people to do the same. 

Don't take offense to Hugh's questions.  I can't explain it, but it's just his way.  I mean, he _is_ contributing, he just has a hard time doing it in a non-destructive way.  Once you get used to it, and understand that it's not meant as offensive, it doesn't bother you anymore.

We've got two options here:

We can either back up and start with the Big Bang so that we understand everything that underpins everything else, 

or we can work on an actual story, with an actual plot and an actual script, and actual encounters, and then tweak that as needed.

Make the decision, and stick with it.

12 minutes ago, Hugh Neilson said:

The bills come once a month.  I think the dome will be noticed in hours,

Likely immediately, since the Skull is going to call attention to it, just to make sure it's noticed.

12 minutes ago, Hugh Neilson said:

although "How do we respond?" may take a couple of days.  I think the first chapter can easily be in the timeframe of "nothing has happened yet"

I believe  (and if the phone wasn't sort of a pain to flip around the forum with, I'd double-check) that Steriaca put the idea of investigating illegal dumping out in farm country as some "pre dome" activity that would allow players to feel around a bit and experience a bit of combat by catching dumpers in the act.  And personally, I would _like_ to see someone perhaps study the stuff being dumped, or at least take some kind of sample of it for later study, since I think "Hmm...  This very same horrible compound is leaching from the ground at regular intervals around the dome" should come up during the "investigate the dome" stage.  But that's just me.  As we have a Captain Cluebat, if the players really get stumped, it's not as critical to me as it once was that the players should just "know" to do this thing.

12 minutes ago, Hugh Neilson said:

to "the outside world is aware, but just starting to react".  We will have to consider that reaction for Chapter 2, but not for the up-front parts, as long as we don't assume we're taking a couple of weeks to investigate the dome when it pops up.  But that also means we're not seeing starvation in the streets yet.

 

This is another place where we need to consider our wider setting.

Honestly, the biggest draw this adventure has to me as a new player orientation is that we _don't_ have to consider the world outside _at all_.  We can't see or hear them; they can do nothing to get in and help (if they are so inclined) because they are not the heroes.  We will likely have to consider their reaction once the players save the day (or week, or however long it takes), but for the bulk of this adventure, the outside world might as well not exist.

12 minutes ago, Hugh Neilson said:

Is this "nothing like this has EVER happened before!!" or "Man, I took the job here to get away from the Monthly Supervillain Disruption in NYC and LA - why can't I ever catch a break?".  This could also affect the reaction of the outside world.

In his earliest postings of this idea, Steriaca suggested that there were already perhaps as many as 6 super heroes already operating here, and I can't remember how many super "others" there are.  We can assume from that fact that people are at least passingly familiar with superheroes elsewhere as well, and the villainous machinations of their nemeses.

Personally, as the city develops, I more and more want to donate Armstrong to the cause, but it requires a sizable tenement area, and I hate to throw out the "ugly stuff" on people who are-- hopefully-- jazzed about trying an exciting new game.

The hardest thing for me is going to be re-reading Champions Complete  (it's a time thing; not a dislike thing), as we want to be sure all the write-ups can be built using CC as the only rules book.

12 minutes ago, Hugh Neilson said:

After saying "let's cut down complexity and rules bloat", we are now spending a page discussing how "I can operate a vehicle" should work and be costed.

 

What happens in the movies?  The hero's girlfriend takes out an alien robot with a wrecking ball on a crane that happens to be on the construction site.

Being fair to the conversation, however, it's being held as an example of the over-all Skills issue.

Hugh, my friend, 

I don't know where you're getting the idea that the town remains unnoticed after the dome goes up.

The idea is that this is a busy, largely unnoticed minor metropolis.  Then something happens.    I totally grant that _I_ am reading something wrong and it spells out that this town is immune to observation under any circumstances, but I think you're reading too much into something that was said.   The instant 30,000 people don't pay their cell phone bills, someone is _going_ to notice; I promise.

okay, a quick google (yeah, google!)

shows a bajillion sports teams (major, minor, mini, and local dealership) and various outdoor outfitter brand name logos that feature some sort of skull.

So "jacket with a matching logo" is pretty easy to do and still stay low-key:  everyone has a jacket that has a skull on it, but it's not necessarily the same skull, nor even the same sort of jacket.  I would think there should be some effort to keeping them more-or-less the same color, however: red, grey, orange-- whatever.  There are shades within that, of course, but again-- it makes it harder to say "_He_ is a Skull," but still relatively obvious that "_They_ are Skulls!"

 ( I am always tickled by the little poster outside the restroom that reminds WalMart employees how much "freedom" they have in uniform, as they are allowed to buy their knit polyester shirts in any of six shades of blue!    )

33 minutes ago, Scott Ruggels said:

 

Face Tattoos are MS-13 level, the kind of gang that gets Federal attention.  Certain or same jacket is probably the right direction. Sports Jersey, from a non-local, and not well likes Sports Franchise would work as a secondary.  something Identifiable on screen that the audience could pick out if they are paying close attention.

Right.

I'll leave the decision to Steriaca, of course, but I don't have an issue with it.  Being recognized (at least eventually, since this is the introduction of the criminal mastermind and his group) isn't quite the same as being guilty.  I mean, there are a startling number of Outlaws still operating around Brunswick and Jacksonville, open and publicly.  It's hard to run down US17 or I95 without passing a few.  Until they're caught with their hands in the jar, so to speak, they're only guilty of bad taste and a preference for outdated, unreliable, underpowered equipment.

As for the particular tattoos I'm thinking of, there is still a plausible (if weak) deniability owing to the startling number of their clientele who would sport similar "permanently unemployed" ID cards.  A quick google for "tattoo regrets" will turn up _hundreds_ of "exposed skull" tattoos, most of extremely low quality.

All that at one bag, I don't have too much issue with it,  But again, the Skull and the Skulls are his baby; I'll run in whatever direction he points.

(okay, I googled it, and am yet again repulsed by the extent of human anger.  But yes, Scott; that's definitely an example of what even a common nut job can do)

Here's a thought; let me know what you think on this:

At the lowest level (distribution and breaking-and-entering level), he has spent time recruiting street gangs.  If he can consistently provide "business" for them, he can hold some sway, or even lure away the more charismatic leaders to form his own gang of street-level operatives. Keeping that idea in mind, how does this strike you for the "street presence" (not the higher agents and private army; just the street level guys):

gang colors.  Nothing special.  Just a certain type or color of jacket, jeans, and maybe a logo or name of some sort-- or even a tattoo over some part of the face rendering that area (around the eye, or the nose, or the teeth under one check) in "skull" art?

It's doable at a street level, it preserves the idea of a gang, and it provides a distinct group identity.

Let me know what you think about that, and I'll be thinking about the actual "agent" level guys and their look.  Though I do like the jumpsuit approach, if only because it gives a paramilitary feel, and they're easy enough walk into a store and acquire without raising any suspicions.

7 hours ago, Ninja-Bear said:

I know back in the day Acrobatics covered a lot but I wouldn’t go there again. Do many many of my characters have both Acrobatics and Breakfall? Yes but there are times where a character should only have Breakfall. 

I find it quite justifiable.  In several space opera games, I have allowed military hard suits to provide "Breakfall," but not acrobatics.  The reason is that in this case, the hard suit was doing an autopilot subroutine to protect the occupant.  It was not making the occupant more agile or skilled; it was simply operating to protect him from the fall and orient him to effectiveness in the best way possible.

17 minutes ago, Spence said:

 

If I was going to be that much of a stickler I would go more:

personal vehicles: manual transmission

personal vehicles: automatic transmission

commercial vehicles: semi's, buses and other larger transports

construction vehicles: tracked, cranes, etc.

Just to provide a little granularity and allow a more focused spotlight for PC's.  I'd plug military into those four categories.

 

The point would be cinematic action, not realistic simulation

 

 

Absotively

I'm not sure I'd go that far, simply because you hit "how do you break it down?"  Anyone with a passenger car license can drive a motorhome, which drives like a bus.  Anyone who has ever pulled a trailer understands the principles of driving a tractor truck; they just need to pay a bit more attention to the length of the sweep.  Making them even more user friendly is the incredible uptick in automatic transmissions now that they can be built durable enough for the job.  Driving most any tracked vehicle is like most any other, and tractors (the farm kind) are in this weird place of using car hand controls and tracked hand controls, but inverting the tracked hand controls into foot controls.  It really doesn't take much more than knowing how to drive a stick to _drive_ a tractor, but it takes a good deal of practice to _operate_ one, simply because your hands want to do what you need to be doing with your feet (if you have track experience) and your feet have no idea why there are so many options. Skid Steer equipment is much the same way.  Pan Loaders are in the unique class of "bend in the middle," which creates some interesting tail swing effects, but no more than four-wheel steering does on every commercial failure on which that's been tried (why do people not want tighter handling on their personal vehicles?  It's maddening!)

With rare exception, military (ground) vehicles have a civilian equivalent control scheme, as for the most part, they are improvements on existing designs, and those designs were pulled from civilian vehicles.

So from a Super or action movie level, I'm usually totally fine with "drive: wheels" and "Drive: tracks"  (where these reference the control schemes, as that makes far more difference to the operator than does the actual engagement to the ground), and may--- _maybe_, mind you, +1 pt for "stick shift."

Same with others.  Drive: boat, Drive: ship.  Default to motor or sail, default sail to one / two or multi-rigging., +1 pt each to pick up the others.

10 minutes ago, Christopher R Taylor said:

Well I wouldn't call 'cutting back on the skill bloat' new rules, personally.  I'd call it 'ease of use by beginners'

Same.

2 hours ago, Scott Ruggels said:

 (How many out there with no military experience could even start a 5ton 6x6 military truck,

Yo!

(But to be fair, every hunting club in this area-- or at least the ones I belong to-- and all the larger farms  ha one or two for truck retrieval and trail maintenance, so....)

2 hours ago, Scott Ruggels said:

But as What was agreed no new rules, we need to focus now on presentation and ease of use by beginners. 

That's the spirit!

1 hour ago, Scott Ruggels said:

( and we have seen with the KyoAni disaster, how far a wronged man can go),

Not until I Google it, I haven't.  

1 hour ago, Scott Ruggels said:

 

just please keep the art direction straight forward. Cheesy or campy presentation would be box office poison. 

Good advice.  

Let's see what happens.

Getting even more "on the radar:" 

This one is an interesting survival fact:  if you live in the coastal empire, Toombs County (home of Vidalia) is the "minimum safe distance" for hurricane bug-outs.  The interstates are all turned into one-way streets headed north and east, and you can't get off of them until you get to at least here.  At one time or other, easily one fourth of the state east of us has been to Vidalia, if only for gas. 

We"re still not famous. 

Our massive onion industry:

Not too many years ago,  a gentleman named R. T.  Stanley was- by leaps and bounds- the number one onion producer in the world (in terms of a single-person ownership), and the largest land owner in this and a couple of other adjacent counties. 

Just within the last ten years, that changed.  He sold out to Bill Gates.  (yes; that Bill Gates).  We are very close to being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bill Gates. 

I'm betting even these interesting facts haven't made anyone on this board more aware of our existence.  I'm willing to bet that our famous Onion Festival (which, admittedly, since Bill took over, has been a lot less unique and fun) or being the only city that the Blue Angels have never canceled on doesn't help, either. 

Granted, were not a major metropolis.  But there are cities out there that you just don't think about.  They don't make the news in any significant way.  They are just off position enough to not be trade or travel hubs. They are unique- perhaps even specialized-  but thus far haven't done anything so earth-shakingly extraordinary as to make the average man on the street look up from his YouTube video. 

Done- the kids are coming. 

y'all have fun. 

Oh, also meant to add this:

I live in Vidalia, GA. 

Our #2 industry is tourism. 

It's a fair bet, other than me mentioning it before, that you've never heard of it. 

Still, unnoticed does not mean invisible. 

Here's another one:  Vidalia is one of three cities in the entire nation that produce the entire supply of domestically-grown sweet onions (the rest come from Brazil). 

I'm betting that doesn't ring any bells, either.  (for what it's worth, that's our #1 industry). 

Before the late 80s, how many people outside the tech industry had heard of Silicon Valley? 

Again, having a niche doesn't make you famous.  Sometimes it just means you have the right conditions., period. 

Good morning, Hugh. 

Kind of pressed for time, but let me first say "good thoughts." 

And you're right: we don't want him to just be another chromium casket.  I had originally pictured the creation of the exo suit as bolstering his weakened physique (from playing with poison) and allowing him to wade through the gun-toting mob. 

I will see what I can do a out shifting that focus: making it more of an actual prosthesis. (though I do like the missile deflection being part of the skeleton; we'll see how that plays)  while the bolstered abilities are a function of his mind-expanding helmet. 

In the short (you're welcome.  You are _all_ welcome!  Do you know how hard that is- keeping it half a page or so?!  )  I think I touched on the various e e ergies the batteries could store and discharge.  If u didn't mention ki etic energy, I certai ly meant to.  However, missile D is a heck of a defense, particularly at the "reflect everything" level.  Might want to give it a low roll or perhaps a DC cap on what is "too much to absorb.". We'll need to think on that.

Anyway, gotta run: gotta get set up for the youth group game. 

Duke 

Well that's disturbing.....

STD?

The inobvious, I mean.