Interest check: Mutants & Masterminds game set in the “Avatar: the last Airbender” and “Korra” universe


Recruitment


Good morning!

This is an interest check thread for a game set in the world of “Avatar: the Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra”. The actual recruitment thread will happen only if I get enough people interested.

I’d like the players to be a bit familiar with the world and the show (If I say “Ba Sing Se” you should know what I’m talking about).
Thinking about the timeline, I believe a good moment to set the game is before the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender – actually, before the Hundred Years War. It will be set during Avatar Roku’s training – around 60 BSC for those who know the timeline.
The four elements are at peace (barring small, local fights between neighboring counties). There is no stigma attached to being a fire-bender and the Air Nomads are well and alive.

The hook is that you will be recruits into the Order of the White Lotus. I’d rather not see kid characters: late teenagers and adults are best, much like the current team Korra.

The game system will be Mutants & Masterminds, a system built for superheroes but that can easily accommodate for any type of character: it will be easy to build a very specific set of element-based powers and balance them with a non-powered character.

I am equally familiar with 2nd edition and 3rd edition M&M. I believe that both system are great, striking a good balance between abstraction and detail. I will ask any who is interested to express an opinion on which edition they prefer.

Anyone on board?

Sczarni

Totally interested!

I would love to play a water-bending swordsman or staff fighter.

Alternatively, a non-bending "nerve point" type infiltrator type like Tyler Lee.


have you seen this?

pathfinder version bending

Shadow Lodge

Interested. Either a bender or Someone who has a connection with the spirit world.


This sounds super awesome! I've always wanted to play an Avatar game with M&M, it kinda feels like X-mas. I'm only familiar with 2nd ed, so my vote would go in that direction, but I'll happily learn a new system. I'm not at all sure what sort of character I'd like to play.

Shadow Lodge

GypsyMischief wrote:
This sounds super awesome! I've always wanted to play an Avatar game with M&M, it kinda feels like X-mas. I'm only familiar with 2nd ed, so my vote would go in that direction, but I'll happily learn a new system. I'm not at all sure what sort of character I'd like to play.

Here is a place to start,

M&M3rd SRD

Dark Archive

YESYESYESYESYES *composes self* I would be quite interested in this, I have a decent amount of familiarity with 3rd edition but I am not against learning the differences if 2nd is used.


Mmm... not quite a big turnout, but some interest. I'll give this a bump once every few days for a while, let's see if someone else is on board.

Eward Sobel, thanks for the link, but that looks rigid and clunky. I like Pathfinder, but the further you stary from the bascis the clunkier it gets. I believe M&M is the right system for this.


I have no experience with M&M, but since it has an srd I suppose that wouldn't be a big problem. I am a huge fan of the universe so I'll say I am at least interested.

Dark Archive

Looks like we have 5 people interested(6 if Edward was interested as well) I really hope this gets up and running because I can think of little else that I could find on here that would have me half as excited as I am for this.


Can someone give me the key differences between 2nd & 3rd before I start reading?


GypsyMischief wrote:
Can someone give me the key differences between 2nd & 3rd before I start reading?

well 2nd is one lower than 3rd but if you have a runner on 2nd and 3rd, usually a base hit will net you at least 1 run, sometimes 2.

also just in case you were wondering... who's on 1st, what's on 2nd, "I don't know" on 3rd.

seriously I know nothing about the game system, but I think I can get it for Hero Lab.

I hope this at least got a smile.

As far as interest goes. I am waiting to see how recruitment goes for another game first before committing to this.


GypsyMischief wrote:
Can someone give me the key differences between 2nd & 3rd before I start reading?

If you know 2nd edition, there isn't much new to learn.

The important bits stayed the same: superpower creation hasn't changed, conditions-based combat is the same, Hero Points and extra effort are the same, point-based creation is more or less the same.

The switched from the 6 traditional D&Desque ability scores to 8 (strenght, dexterity, stamina, agility, intellect, awareness, presence, fighting).

stamina intellect awareness presence = constitution intelligence wisdom charisma

dexterity = hand-eye coordination and nimbleness
agility = general quickness and athleticism

skills are less, and grouped (Perception covers Perception and Search, Athletics covers Climb and Swim, etc...)

The one big change is how you buy attack, defense and saves; attacks are now Skills based upon the Fighting ability score, more or less. For example you can have Fighting 18 (+4 modifier), and 6 ranks in Close Combat (swords), and you'll have a total attack bonus of +10 when attacking with swords.


This sounds sweet, I'm all about some earth bending. I have seen all the original but none of Kora yet.

Dark Archive

I've seen all of the original and all of Korra(well at least all that is currently out, just watched 4 and 5 of Season 3) I'm not sure what I would prefer to play for this, both Air Bender and Earth speak to me greatly though for Air my concept would probably need OKing by the DM first before I start work. Looks like we have 6 interested parties with a potential 7th if Edward's other recruitment falls through.


@Ed, that definitely got a chuckle.

@Airon, greatly appreciated. It seems like those new ability scores are the biggest thing to wrap my head around.


I am interested, though I'd have to brush up on Avatar (it's been awhile). Currently playing a m&m3e game, so my vote goes for 3e.

Dark Archive

awww yeah more people showing interest, whats everyone thinking of doing with there characters? Also Arion how far along would are characters theoretically be? Like would we be fairly experienced benders? You mentioned us being White Lotus recruits but as far as I know we do not actually know how good recruits are supposed to be.


Zain Ashvale wrote:
awww yeah more people showing interest, whats everyone thinking of doing with there characters? Also Arion how far along would are characters theoretically be? Like would we be fairly experienced benders? You mentioned us being White Lotus recruits but as far as I know we do not actually know how good recruits are supposed to be.

I was going to decide together with the players.

I have run and played several adventures in 2ed and I know the character creation and differences in power level by heart, but as far as 3rd edition rules I just read them and played in a short PbP that collapsed after a month. Still, I believe power levels are more or less the same.

I was thinking PL 8, 120 pp (or perhaps PL 9, 135 pp). Fairly powerful people, but not so much that a group of well-armed and well-trained guards would be a trivial fight.

I am bit worried about people showing interest with no knowledge of the system. I appreciate you liking the idea, but this is a whole new system to learn - while still d20-based, it is quite a task, especially power-building. Have you already skimmed the rules?


I'd potentially like to roll an airbender who catches people off guard with surprising offense. I'm thinking strong gusts of wind to send people flying, air bullets, bombs and the like. I'd probably set up an energy control array for offenses and defenses and one for utilities. I'd imagine him tapping more into the scary, freakish weather side of air ending as opposed to the more spiritual, finesse/technical approach. As such, he probably won't have many of the airbender utilities at first other than maybe gliding.


Yeah, everyone who expressed interest, let's make a roll call, throw out concepts.
Just the broad strokes: both background/personality and powers/skillsets.


Well, adding on to my previous post:

His name is Perun, of the Air Nomads. He is young and brash with a bit to learn of finesse. Perhaps due to his recklessness, he has been cast out of the air nomads to learn humility and is living his life as somewhat of a scoundrel.
On the battlefield, his mantra is "hit fast, hit hard" and it shows with his tremendous speed, often zooming by and attacking with a massive surge of wind that sends others flying.

His powerset would consist of increased bursts of speed (Speed with a flaw that would maybe make it tiring with overuse?), using wind to make great leaps, cannons of air, and powerful storm winds.

Dark Archive

Drat it appears Echos and I were on the same thought train for air benders! I wont be trying to step on any toes in regards to that sort of archetype so I think I shall swap my thought process over to Earthbending.

At present my idea a noble born Earthbender from the Si Wong desert and would primarily use Sandbending skills, she would primarily use her skills for restraining opponents rather than directly attacking her style of manipulating the sand would be in the vein of waterbending along with some inspiration from Gaara from Naruto. Mei Hon is the working name I have for her right now.

Power spending ideas right now are some affliction to represent her restraing oppponents(perhaps even an area version of the affliction to represent the creation of quicksand out of normal earth) and some create so that I can have some fun with her being artistic with her sand.

Sczarni

I'm thinking Sven or Ivan, a water-bending warrior. Uses bending to supplement his hand-to-hand and weapon skills. Mostly self-protection powers (protection from cold, "ice armor", etc), with some snares and short ranged attack skills (water whip?).

Fairly serious but a serious sweet tooth and overall "foodie". Probably uses a staff or spear as his primary.


Zeus, a young Earth bender form Ba Sing Se. Are we playing in the Kora timeline, or is Aang the avatar?

Zeus is hulking mountain of a man. [url=http://3dki243b60u92u2r1w9k8edep.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/CROP-The-Mountain-Game-of-Thrones.jpg[/url]

His bending has great defense as well as some crushing attacks. He is a physical man that can mix it up with close combat weapons and unarmed alike.

Zeus was born under the passing of Sozin's Comment. It is said he inherited his massive size and power from the commet itself. He has grown in power and now wants to keep the peace. He believes in the avatar and as such is joining the white lotus to help keep the cycle of finding and training the avatar as well as keeping peace their goal.


3rd Edition starting archtypes and recomended starting level is 10 are we starting below that at 8 or 9 or was it differnt in second edition?


I believe this game is Pre-Aang. before the war. the current Avatar is Roku i believe.

also I do not know anything about the game system. so I may not join as i will only slow things down too much

even though I have an earth bender idea.


wow, thanks Ed, shows how much attention I pay. I see where he sets the time now. Alright so Zeus could still have been born under the comet just happend two times ago. The passing before the one when Aang disappears and Sozin starts the 100 year war. Earthbenders live for ever anyway :)

Dark Archive

Zeus and Mei should have an interesting dynamic between them being on opposite ends of the Earthbending spectrum! As for the power level I think perhaps Airon might have a a concept of where 'average' is in the Avatar setting as opposed to a strictly 'all the supers' setting. My preference if Airon is interested is for PL9 because I've got mei mostly stated out as PL8 but there are a few tweaks I would like to make that those extra 15 points would help with though this is all assuming the use of 3rd edition, if we go with second I'll end up using what I made for 3rd as my guideline.


Yeah, 9 would seem to be a good spot for this type of game.


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Yes, PL9 135 pp it is then. Slightly stronger than I anticipated, but it's ok.

We play during Avatar Roku's training, for the following reasons:
- If we play after Sozin's comet, Fire-benders are the default bad guys and I don't want that.
- If we play after Sozin's comet, there's no Air-Benders.
- If we play with a full-on trained Avatar the PCs are always "second tier" in terms of heroing.

I always found it weird in the show's mythology that, after an Avatar dies and is reborn, there's roughly a 16-20 year period while he/she grows up and trains where the world is relatively up for grabs by the power-hungry madmen.

We're playing during one of those periods. Roku is a teenage trainee learning from benders around the world.
No avatar deus-ex-machina that comes in to save the day if you mess up.

So Echos, Zain, Ashe, psionichamster are still on board. What about the others?

I like the concepts so far, but I'd prefer if you stuck to the naming conventions of the show, so simil-japanese for fire nation, simil-chinese/korean for earth kingdom, simil-tibetan for air nomads and simil-inuit for water tribes.

Did we settle on 3rd edition?

Shadow Lodge

I have both for hero lab but prefer 3e. Concept a monk who channel the spirits. A conduiut as it were.


I admit to not having played M&M, but I've been GM'ing for 20+ years, and picking up a new d20 system shouldn't be all that hard for me. I've recently picked up T20 for traveller.

As to concept, I was thinking one of the following :

A) A water bender who can only bend plants (remember the swamp people), but can bend any plant (grass to trees).

B) A tinkerer who builds all sorts of crazy wild machines that run off elemental or steam power.


Lurking for now, coming up with somethin'. I think the mantle of resident firebender has fallen unto me, hmm.


Certainly interested. I've seen all of Avatar and Korra, but I'll have to think about what kind of PC I'd want to play. I've played M&M 3e once I think, but I'm not too clear on the rules. I'm heading into a vacation over the next three weeks, so I'll hopefully have plenty of time to think about a character.

Silver Crusade

I'd like to join in if there's still room. I was thinking of playing an fire nation chi blocker. Maybe he also carries around a katana? He would be restrained, and would try and find a peacful solution to a problem. However when he sees benders abusing their powers he can get a little overzealous. He's not quite of the Amon mindset, but definitely feels that his martial art is as viable a form of bending as any other, and he enjoys teaching others the style.

Silver Crusade

Airon, I'm wondering about the nullify power. I'd like to change it from a ranged attack to an unarmed or close attack since my guy would be a chi blocker. I'm also wondering if you will allow me to use the "broad" extra and just block bending, or will I need to buy the ability to block each type of bending?

Sczarni

New name: Taliriktug. Fights with a bone-shaft spear/harpoon.

Element Control: Water/Ice (alternate for create)
Blast: close ranged water whip (minor damage)
Affliction: surround foe in ice
Protection: ice armor (sustained, may need to take action to create - probably standard)

Will have to work out the exact numbers


Name: Kalden
Air Bender
Offensive: Move Object Array:Burst, Cone, Line, Shapeable (Air Blasts), Thrown Objects using the blasts of wind (air bullets), Swordplay
Defensive: Protection (Air Shield), Environment: Impede Movement (Storm level winds)
Utility: Leaping, Speed

Brief Backstory:
Kalden is a jerk. Wants to be a master so he comes up with a technique. The council deems it too violent. After an argument, Kalden is cast out until he has learned humility. After years of travelling, an older Kalden has seen the errors of his ways and is now trying to make amends with those he's harmed in his travels. He feels the right thing to do is join the Order of The White Lotus.

Personality:
No longer young and reckless, Kalden still shows some of his caddish tendencies while interacting in public. A bit of a liar and a thief, he is learning to trust others. He lives by the motto "hit fast, hit hard", often charging and attacking his target before they know he's coming for them.


Ok guys. We now DEFINITELY have enough interest to warrant a recruitment thread.

During the weekend I'll be putting together a little primer on powers and an "how to" make an application. I confess I'm pretty fastidious about character sheets, I like them all in the same format and easy to read, so I think I'll provide a template for you to fill.

When I'm done, I'll open the official recruitment thread.


And here we go, Recruitment time!

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