Devil's Advocate.'s page

I am happy with DA.

So how are we dealing with weapons/armor? Just as story elements? As things to attach aspects to, or are we going the full weapon rating route?

In am divided on the subject but can see how a simplified weapon/armor rating system could work. Say all earth weapons default to +0 with things like HK ammo/plasma guns hitting +1 or maybe +2. Same with armor +0 for flak. +1 dura weave/z-belts. +2 ablative/military combat armor.

V'sori tech does the same thing but starts at +2 for standard guns/armor and then +3/+4 for the heavy stuff.

Thoughts?

Now a more DA focused question. Do you think Crafts or Lore would be more apt for hacking/computer use? I can see it going either way.

And speaking of Crafts I can easily see DA using Create Advantage with Crafts to augment the cell's weapons and armor. EX. Take Cash's glock into the lab for a tinker {and a success with style on the Create Advantage: Crafts roll} and hey presto the glock now has the aspect of Custom hand grips or Perfectly balanced with 2 free invocations which DA passes off to Cash. The invocations will eventually get used but the aspect will stick around to be invoked until something happens to the gun.

What are folks thoughts on this? It appears to be a normal use of the Crafts skill and one I will really enjoy but is other folks find it annoying.......

So I was bored over the weekend and came up with a PBP char gen hack for FATE

The phase trio is a lovely idea and a great way to flesh out characters and settings but it is rather dynamic for a PBP. So I fixed it.

The 'Adventure phase' is as the book reads. You detail an adventure and gain an aspect related to it. All good. The changes come in the 'Crossing Paths' phases. Instead of having other characters detail how they interacted with your base adventure you detail how your path crossed each of theirs and add an aspect related to this.

I think this hack preserves the interactive/shared history aspects of the phase trio but makes better use of PBP's more contemplative nature.

What do you think?

Here ia DA as an example

NAME: Devil's Advocate
HIGH CONCEPT: Villainous IT and karmic conscious.
TROUBLE: Cannot resist and unopened box.

~PHASE TRIO~
PHASE 1, ADVENTURE: Seeking to re-establish the contact network shattered by the invasion DA arranges for a shipment of V'sori arms to be 'diverted' to a warehouse controlled by Willie the Fish or another smuggler/gang. It was a trap and DA was played. The arms were real enough but the 'buyers' were a V'sori capture team and the warehouse an elaborate trap. DA managed to destroy the arms and most of the warehouse before capture. Was Willie the Fish/other gang involved? Da is quite interested in finding out.
RELATED ASPECT: Trust no one, yourself least of all.
Created Setting/Story elements: Smugglers. V'sori capture teams.

PHASE 2, CROSSING PATHS - BELLADONNA: Well before the invasion Belladonna contracts DA to provide support and overwatch for her operation against a G20 meeting. The operation is a success though DA is 'forced' to kill a security guard who showed too much personal initiative. While there was limited monetary reward for the op DA was able to successfully mount a massive Man-in-the-middle attack on the G20. Before it was uncovered this attack netted DA a great deal of information on the Delegates and lasting backdoor access to interesting parts of the NSA and GCHQ.
RELATED ASPECT: The remora dines as well as the shark.

PHASE 3, CROSSING PATHS - MUS'AD: Using a cut-out DA contracts the Kashmiri Camel to hit a bullion shipment as it passes through a specific tunnel on New Dehli. DA, again through a cut-out, also alerts the police and military that the shipment will be attacked. Mus'ad begins a reasoned discussion with the forces of shaving and order and the resulting chaos, and the destruction of several formerly secure buildings, allows DA access to the one time pad controlling the internet-spine for most of south Asia. Incidentally, Mus'ad avoided capture and made off with most of the gold.
RELATED ASPECT: Violence is wasted overhead, useful wasted overhead.

PHASE 4, CROSSING PATHS - CASH OUT: {char transcript begins}
:FAUST: Good morning Dr. Mal'ia

:DMALIA: WHO ARE YOU> THIS IS A SECURE SYSTEM!

:FAUST: No need to shout doctor. I have found that the security of a system is in inverse relation to the usefulness of that system, this system is quite useful.

:DMALIA: I will alert security.

:FAUST: That is an option. It will take security approximately 36 seconds to locate my access point. Ten seconds before that their trace worm will encounter files detailing exactly what you were doing in Paris immediately after the invasion. <compressed image file attached>

:DMALIA: How...

:FAUST: Irrelevant.

:DMALIA: What do you want?

:FAUST: Better. You are involved in studying the earth's metahuman population. In two days at exactly 16.45 the metahuman assassin known as CASH-OUT will exit a coffee shop and fall unconscious. Pick=up will be simple as there is plenty of parking.

:DMALIA: Why are you telling me this?

:FAUST: You have access to the SPECTROS logistic control system. Direct shipment 1x237A/1147 to location tag 36 2x3y7 116.37. As soon as the diversion order is logged I will provide you..

:FAUST: Thank you doctor, you are learning. <map file attached>

{end transcript}

RELATED ASPECT: With the proper lever one can move the world

Created Setting/Story elements: Dr. Mal'ia. SPECTROS V'soti logistic control system.

Board went crazy yesterday. Seems better now. I am slowly making brogress on converting DA to FATE core.

Some aspects under consideration
"The remora eats as well as the shark."
Use positive: Sneaking, gathering/finding what was forgotten. Tailing/shadowing. Stealth. Flattery.
Compells: Dislike the limelight/center of attention. Appears weak and unimpressive. Adds difficulty to flashy actions.

"Combat is wasted overhead."
Use positive: Avoiding/running from fights. Finding a way to end a fight other than direct combat. Negotiations. Long term planning.
Compels: Cowardice. Hard to burn resources for short term advantage.

More as it occurs to me.

Interface is on pg 283. It simulates the interface power and allows for the kind of hacking that DA does.

Also are you using the basic skill list? Well with the possible addition of interface with the right aspect.

Thinking about how to adapt NE to FATE core.

I think a major question would be how you want to to work the Extras.

Will we be using Interface?
Armor and weapons?
Wealth?

Will we get extra refresh for super-powers?

At random I propose 3-6 refresh for powers/other extras. Using interface and wealth but severely limiting weapons and armor to control the zero-sum issue.

Weapons and armor proposal.

All human weapons are weapon 0
Well made/HEROKILLER/Man portable heavy human weapons are weapon 1

V'sori man portable/sidearms are weapon 2

Human non-heavy armor is armor 0
Z-belts and the super kevlar are armor 1 or 2

Armor and weapon 0 devices are still useful as they can have aspects. Either built in, ex Uzi has Rapid Fire so spraying the room is easier, or they allow one to build in aspects/activations using craft.

Thoughts?

Tell that to my old '77 microbus.

What are your thoughts on FATE Bella?

Well rats.....

I can understand about the sandbox nature of NE being hard to run. It is just that as it is my second favorite setting for any RPG, falling behind only the transformative glory that is Low-Life, I am saddened to see this game end.

As far as another game I am quite willing to try but I would like to know more about the setting you propose? Is there anything you can tell us about it or are we coming into it completely dark?

Rules actually matter little to me. My current favorite systems are Savage Worlds and Risus if that tells you anything. I am convinced that any game system played long enough will become Risus in any case. Much like tapes left in a car all become Freddy Mercury tapes but I digress. FATE would be fine.

Steals candy from baby.

Puts kitten in tree.

Sigh evil just isn't as much fun alone.

I for one am wondering how this 2 sided dance party is going to play out.

Good to hear. Now the GM just has to get off his butt and post :p Not sure when that'll be but I haven't lost interest in this, just focus.

Not a problem. Take a break if you need it we will be here.

notice: 1d8 ⇒ 8ace: 1d8 ⇒ 4, wild: 1d6 ⇒ 4 total 12

Assuming the target is further than 8" away.
The street thug runs towards the warehouse wall he presses his form against the wall hoping to find cover under a stray HVAC pipe.

{moving into the shadow of the wall/under cover and activating mirage field.}

If the shooter is within 8":
The street thug's form flickers for a moment as he draws a large pistol and fires a round towards the shooter.

{Activate Mirage field, draw and fire Mega-taser. shooting: 1d8 ⇒ 1, wild: 1d6 ⇒ 4. Total 6 {4+1laser+1targeteye}. A hit at up to medium range! damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 for 8points plus a vigour roll at -4 or shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.}

It's not the aliens you have to worry about...

It's the Canadians.

Text Via Communicator to Belle. ***URGENT*** Drop the link now! We are compromised!

Somewhere in the city a street thug looks about for a mag-lev or a taxi. Finding none the figure breaks into a run

Via Link: 'One researcher and a pair of drones? I have seen what his little project can do. They are not sending the poor lab rat to capture it they are sending him to be eaten. Must have written off the project and are cleaning house. Talk to the nice alien Jack, stall a bit. We might be able to turn this goon. It would be very useful to have a pet V'sori'. Bella? What is your ETA? You can be quite persuasive when you apply yourself.'

Several blocks away the street thug begins to walk faster.

An young street thug of indeterminate sex or race lounges near the pier.
Great. Now Jack is missing.

The thug raises a cell phone.

To Bella Via Com: "Bella, are you in touch with Jack. He is late for tea."

It would be pretty impressive if we manage to clear 2 missions at once.

The businessman appears to take a call.

To Jack:"I am only across town. You could easily make it back in time for the party."

Don't have my map on me. Is walking reasonable? Public transport? Or should I be looking to steal a car. What am I saying....

Expanding my police eye to include any decent rides. Cars, vans, decent motorcycles, Yaschuk Aerodyne Flying Car.....

To himself. Well you just signed your own death warrant.

Walking past a clothing store the young man dials another call.

Via Com-link to Jack: "If you have the time I found another tunnel crawl that might benefit from your particular idiom. Seems a thing is eating folks down by the docks. I should be there in an hour or so. Normally I could care less if something quiets the Vox Popului but bullet head seems to consider this a little test and the timing is interesting. I will be quite surprised if this is just another nightmare out to nosh the nebbish. Feel free to pass the word should you desire."

Closing the phone the young man cuts into another alley and an older man wearing a blue suit walks out.

Looking for any tails. notice?: 1d8 ⇒ 3, wild: 1d6 ⇒ 3. Oh snap!

Also looking for an unoccupied or isolated police vehicle on the way to the sewer outflow near the docks. No more than 2 officers preferably none or one. Need to resupply.notice?: 1d8 ⇒ 5, wild: 1d6 ⇒ 1.

Note: Raising STR 1 die with the advance. Need it to carry more gear.

Peanuts:

A young man in a stained pair of overalls works quietly on an out of date laptop. Coffee and a the remains of a sandwich litter the table.

'Advokate, what can you tell me of this movement on the supply convoy? Where will be an effective rally point as I am obviously not there yet?'

To Bella:'That is Mus'ad's party. No finesse, no profit, so no interest. Jack went with him and it seems there is some new fodder. I expect Jack will make it back alive.

The young man pays and leaves the cafe, walking north he pulls out a cell phone and holds it to his face.

Mus'ad spits on the ground "Coward not even want to come, why should Mus'ad listen to little boy too afraid to fight... want to chase shadows instead. Bridge, and the Camel of Kashmir will show little boy what real men are capable of."

"Yes Mus'ad do that. Go enjoy giving the V'sori more data on how you fight. I am sure we will all be deeply impressed. In the unlikely event you succeed try not to lead the cops directly back here."

The Advocate seems distracted. The villain's attention split between researching colonel clone and rebuilding the chameleon device.

...Time passes...

Choosing to start tracking down the missing Omegans. Clone can wait. DA thinks it smells like a trap.

Once the Camel of Kashmir's Glorious Convoy has left and the air has cleared a SOCOP officer leaves the warehouse and heads west for a time before entering an alley. A street thug leaves the alley and continues west. Over the next several hours a number of people are seen to talk to a number of other people and a number of places are visited as piece by piece and bit by bit The Devil's Advocate uncovers what has happened to the missing Omegan resources, incidentally getting a picture of just how powerful Destruction's network is.

Streetwise? 1d4 ⇒ 1, wild 1d6 ⇒ 5. Further actions include finding a wireless signal and hacking the police files to see what they know, if a roll is warranted. [interface, codebreaker: Electronics 1d4 ⇒ 4 ace1d4 ⇒ 4 ace 1d4 ⇒ 4 ace1d4 ⇒ 4 ace1d4 ⇒ 2, wild 1d6 ⇒ 3. Well, it looks like I found an unsecured access point. Total 18 or 22 w/interface.

Sorry about the radio silence. Job and illness and a case of the blahs.
Should be good for now.

Catch-up post on the way and then over to Flood!
~PWO

AS I work the greed angle by focusing on the 'getting the loot' part! :7)

I propose splitting the party. Bella/Jack/Mus'ad should be able to run a smash and grab on the in-city transfer while DA starts digging into Clone and/or the missing informants.

Thoughts?

"Mus'ad you are thinking with your stomach again. The bridge convoy is simply too big. Yes we could hit it and maybe take out the escorts. But what then? The bridge is closed off and we are sitting with two truckloads of valuables and nowhere to run.'

"We are ducks in a shooting gallery at that point. Unless someone can pull an exit strategy out of their hat this is a no go."

The in-city transfer is much more viable. Heck perhaps the rest of you could hit that while I look into the return of Colonel Clone. I always suspected there was something fishy about his reported death.

Sorry comp issues. Back now.

They are both DA, they should be something achievable as Cash says, but something that tells me what your character wants to do. Some of the missions in the V-Map are there to allow you to achieve the goals stated.

Further posts will be delayed until I am feeling better. Have come down with the flu and the asses at work are still making me come in because they 'don't have anyone to cover my graveyard...'

Well just be sure to keep away from the exec offices. It would be terrible for the viri you are shedding to spread.

:7)

The Advocate examines the map....

"The bridge transport does seem vulnerable..They will be expecting attack though....Perhaps Mus'ad in a stolen semi to smash into the convoy... Bella taking control of a surviving driver .... Explosions a'la Happy-Jack..... Bella's friend in a stolen boat to manage the escape... Limited to what the boat could hold. Risky but possible. ."

"Colonel Clone......That is interesting" (Common knowledge on the Colonel 1d10 ⇒ 5 wild 1d6 ⇒ 2. Assuming he/she was a super villain who used a number of clones? Lab means it is more likely done or can be done to someone else.)"... If the lab is still functional it would make a lovely home...Not to mention the possibilities brought by having our own clones...."

"Destruction is losing some eyes and ears. No wonder he wants this plugged....We could find out more about his network if we do him this 'favor'.."

"Oh...this looks like a quick smash and grab....I wonder where it is happening...."(no location listed for final mission. It is a secret transfer!)

"I think pursuing the clone sighting would be the best return on out investment. Though I am drawn to the possibility of stealing some SOCOP or V'sori vehicles from the transfers. Your thoughts 'Belle? Mus'ad?"

I am afraid I am still not to clear on how you want beliefs/instincts to be used in play. Are they ways to communicate our characters goals helping you to set up subplots? Or are they more like achievements to be met. Sorry sometimes I can be slow to grasp things like this.

On the cards I am a fan. Mine just wasn't useful this time but I know that will change. I say keep the cards and the beliefs/instincts. The cards will be useful and I will get my head around the beliefs eventually.

All: Please consider spending this advance on the Lair edge. We need a home and the faster we can get a training room the faster we can start doubling our skill advances. Hmmm appeal to greed, that should work..

Sweet!

Even with recordings navigating down here proves troubling, Rebecca is not (currently) equipped with any sort of mapping equipment, and the caves are pitch black and winding. DA would eventually be able to get himself out, but Mus'ad seems much more confident.

Where is Mus'ad leading everyone then? :p

I was hoping that would be assumed under the GPS and hand-held comp that DA is carrying. But I suppose it could not be too hard to build a 3-d Inertial system. Need that blasted workshop. And note the caves are far from pitch black to Da. Radar/lidar to graphic program to hud means walking in well lit tunnels. Well in a simulation of well lit tunnels anyway. The wall visual textures will be off and colors inexact but spatial relationships will be correct and any paint or carvings will jump right out. Gotta love the toys..

Mus'ad

"If man who love little gadget still pissy about money Mus'ad can help rob bank or noodle house make him feel better... must take care of my Harem after all"

"And this is why you were caught. We lost Terron's robots due to insufficient planning and care. Now you want to walk into a bank and hold it up? You'll be back in bracelets before the week is out."

Apparently Mus'ad is leading (gawd help us all) but hopefully not the pumping station we entered from.

"I'm recording what I can. Retracing steps is not that difficult but hacking the department of sanitation might be useful."

Piping up is always encouraged.

And sound off we did.

The Advocate looks at the blasted ruin.

"I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunk-less legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

The villain kicks a bit of wreckage.
"And I am out eight grand because you lot could not be bothered to do the g!%-d%~med prepwork."

Fuming DA turns to the Robo-corpses to see if anything can be salvaged

Benny for the repair roll: smarts1d10 ⇒ 8,wild1d6 ⇒ 6 ace1d6 ⇒ 1

D.A. Mutters as the villian works on connecting Destruction's device to the collector.
"Terron, Terron, Terron... No, standard adapters are too pedestrian for the great and might Terron... And red for ground? Really you used red for ground. That is just petty."

whir...>click<

Devil's Advocate looks about the room as the taser wires retract.
The villain raises an amused eyebrow at Bella before moving to examine the power-source.

"Now let us see what eight grand buys in this lax post-war world."

First checking for other entrances, or more friends beyond the shattered door. Second priority is the glowing thing in the ceiling. Assuming it is a reactor of some kind? Thirdly any other objects/devices in either room. Finally examining the the broken toys/bots. Are the bots or parts salvageable? How about sell-able? Feel free to make any needed skill rolls.

Yes new villains for DA to annoy!

Round 3 (Two of Hearts)

(Lets see if this works)
Moving around the edge of the chamber to get a clear shot the Advocate takes advantage of Mus'ad's work to send another disc spinning towards the metal menace, this one followed by a pair of darts launched by the heavy piston the in the villain's hand.

{Multiaction. Malfunction and Mega-Taser. Malfunction, no subsystem selected1d10 ⇒ 9Wild1d6 ⇒ 6Ace1d6 ⇒ 2, total 7 {9-2 multication}.
Mega-Taser 1d8 ⇒ 8 ace 1d8 ⇒ 6Wild1d6 ⇒ 4, total 14 {14 -2 multiaction +1 ruger eye +1 laser sight}. Damage {2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9+1d6 ⇒ 4(ace)+1d6 ⇒ 4(raise)}17 and target must make a Vigor roll at -4 or shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 4rounds. 5 Shots remain in current clip. Oh my!

Round 2
Notice 1d8 ⇒ 8 ace 1d8 ⇒ 7, wild 1d6 ⇒ 4. Total 17 {8+7+2}. Fine now I get the good roll.

"Another one, three o'clock!"

The Advocate tosses a white disc into the shadows.
Malfunction on automatic door/panel. Not sure if a new roll is allowed but if so. Smarts 1d10 ⇒ 2, Wild 1d6 ⇒ 5. Hey that might have worked!

(holding until after Mus'ad opens the way. Assuming this happens here is my action.)

Round two card unknown.

The Advocate calmly follows the Massive Mus'ad as he approaches the metal monster.

"Robot, Hydralics? Control structure? Target acquired."

A white disc slaloms neatly through the melee and attaches to the robot with a magnetic click.

Using malfunction, not choosing a subsystem. Range is 12" if it matters. Smarts 1d10 ⇒ 2, Wild 1d6 ⇒ 5 Hmmm looks like Jack's luck is contagious.

Round one 5S

The Advocate draws a large pistol and palms a few overload disks. While giving Mus'ad clear access to the passage.

(AKA going on hold)

The Devil looks down the long tunnel. Invisible waves probe ahead. Notice? 1d8 ⇒ 4 wild 1d6 ⇒ 5 total 7 {5+2 Heightened senses}

"Jack, you say you are fast. Take a quick gander before all Mus'ad breaks loose."

The advocate pauses to make sure his gadgets are functioning. awareness and deflection are on.

Meet at philippi?

Philippi:

Julius Caesar Act 4 scene 3

"CASSIUS
    Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi."

Also same act & scene

GHOST of Caesar
Thy evil spirit, Brutus.

BRUTUS
Why comest thou?

GHOST
To tell thee thou shalt meet me at Philippi.

BRUTUS
Well, then I shall see thee again?

GHOST
Ay, at Philippi.

BRUTUS
Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then.

The expression is used, mostly ironically these days, to refer to meeting with someone to engage in a struggle. The other person maybe a foe or a friend, the struggle is the important part. It also can mean that the speaker does not expect to survive to see the person and so Philippi comes to mean the afterlife.

DA apparently has a classical education.

Anyone getting up to any mischief while DA is away? If not I'll skip things ahead.

No mischief here. Home get eight thousand and a sack to carry it in. Back to the tunnels.

The Advocate looks amused.
"The take from a convenience store for one of Terron's old hideaways? Either there is a great deal you are not telling us or your ambition truly knows no bounds. In either case I find your terms acceptable."

Assuming the cash was left at the lair. Otherwise DA will just pay the nice lady and be done with it.

"No need for us all to go my muscular menace. Simply send a guide with me to retrieve the goodies and we will all meet at philippi. Agreeable?"

Rabbits, there goes our lair!

Sorry Prof.

Ooooo that sounds very much not fun Mayhem. Hope you are feeling better.
Don't worry about us I am sure Peanuts can bot you if needed.
Be well.
~DA

Ah the manifold joys of small talk with sociopaths. Takes me back to to the halcyon days of high school....shudder

Creating a new campaign set in the Fogscar mountains, my first. I simply can not find the current year in Golarion.

I found a 30 year time line here: (http://pathfinder-rpg.wikidot.com/timeline).

The timeline runs from 4710 to 4742. It implies that some of these dates have not yet come to pass.

They do not have feathers or fur. Many have scales, but they don't fall under Scaleykind, because they are not serpents. Don any domains or subdomains exist in the game, or will I need to create my own Domain/subdomain to cover them in my homebrew?