| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
The year is 1985. The location… The United Kingdom & Commonwealth of Great Britain. Civil unrest is rife, the economic & political divide is widening as corporations clash with unions, and supernormal crime is on the rise as the authorities struggle to cope.
The press and media tread an uneasy balance between popularism, sensationalism and sleaze verses in-depth reporting and meaningful news, with public opinion easily swayed.
The Prime Minister has just returned to her seat at the head of the Tory Government after recovering from an assassination attempt by a Supernormal Terrorist. No longer just PM Margaret Thatcher, now she is augmented by pioneering cybernetics and truly is… The Iron Lady!
However its not all bad news: The Cold War seems to be thawing, the Home Computer revolution is underway, with Amiga, Atari, and Sinclair all entering the market. Bond is back on the big screen with A View to a Kill and Duran Duran are #1!
And while Tina sings "We Don’t Need Another Hero”… The UK most definitely does! And so it is that this Land of Confusion sees a new wave of so-called “superheroes” arise... Ready (and willing?) to bring justice to an unjust world!
Congrats and welcome to our Golden Heroes game - Phase 2. Here we'll thrash out the backstories a little more, refine the powers and discuss overlap/power levels etc.
With 7 of you I'm mulling having everyone limited to 7 Power Rolls, but we can discuss that one as a group.
Best idea is to get some aliases pulled together and we can look at everyone's Powers & any WIP etc.
Woot! I'll create a profile to post my rolls.
Can you open Gameplay, so we can dot?
Cheers
Mmm. I have and yet I cannot post into it... Will contract the tech goblins.
Hallo! Thanks for choosing 'Ice Cold'(which I may or may not keep)!
If you do decide to limit us to 7 power rolls, I believe that means I would just need to give up the 2 unrolled/unused ones I still have, so that wouldn't actually affect my overall build or concept.
I forget if I mentioned it in recruitment, but I'll definitely be applying my 'previous training' bonus to Dex for an 18.
Whiteface, the Jester for Justice is ready to kick ass in BIG Floppy shoes
Hello, I will try and get my character sheet fixed up tomorrow. Thanks for the invite to the game!
Power Roll: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Halved +4 = 9
Ego: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6) = 14
Strength: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) = 10 + 16 from Strength Power (26 total)
Dexterity: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5) = 16
Vigour: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 10
Superpower 1: 1d100 ⇒ 24 Flight (Swapping for Agility)
Superpower 2: 1d100 ⇒ 48 Martial Arts (Martial Arts type: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Pugilism)
Superpower 3: 1d100 ⇒ 74 Strength
Superpower 4: 1d100 ⇒ 77 Stretching
Upgrade Martial Arts (1 power roll)
Upgrade Martial Arts (2 power rolls)
(I think this is 7 power rolls. If we cut off here I would go with this. If we keep our original number of rolls I would upgrade Agility and probably choose previous training to boost an ability.)
Agility Grade 1
The character can leap 4 metres without touching the ground in 1 Frame.
The character can also use some kind of aid (eg a lineslinger) 10 swing · from building to building. One swing can cover a distance equal to twice their Movement taking 1 Frame, or four times their Movement taking 1 Action.
The character gains a Dodge Modifier of + 2.
The character may Swing or Leap into Combat gaining a +2 Damage Modifier
for that initial attack only. The swing or leap must constitute at least 4 metres. At the end of the swing or leap, a fist/foot attack can be delivered in 1 Frame which does 1d6HTK and 2d6+ 6HTC. However, the next Frame must be spent recovering.
Grade 1
Attacks with a fist are Weapon Class 3 and do damage of ld6- 6HTK and
2d6HTC.
In addition, the character can deliver a Sunday Punch, taking l Action. This gains Strike Modifier of + 2 and does ld6HTK and 3d6+ 12HTC damage. The character can only deliver one Sunday Punch per opponent and is expected to give a battle-cry when doing so, for example 'It's Clobberin' Time/.
Grade 2
As Grade 2, but the attacks count as As Grade 1, but an ordinary fist attack does 1d6HTK and 2d6+6 HTC.
For names, I'm thinking Gyve (pronounced Jive) which is an archaic term for chains or shackles. Or maybe Chain Punk or just chain, which seems a little too obvious. Depends on the tone of the campaign, I think.
For background, I'm thinking he has a pretty uninteresting background. Teen in the 70s, so in his 20s now. Part of the punk scene. I can't quite find a source for the chains. I want the chains to represent taking the controls away from the authorities and returning it to the people. He is an anarchist. Maybe the chains are enchanted/cursed/haunted by the spirits of people who died in the Tower of London, or some famous prison or debtor's prison?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@pauljathome: Haha. Glad I managed to evoke the same reaction I had lol.
@ST: Brilliant. Love it.
@All: I f'ed up the game thread by deleting my initial dot (repeat offender did this years ago) - so will need to wait to get that fixed by tech (but fixable it is).
Meantime we'll work here on the concepts - which in turn will allow me to plan for the adventures you'll be undertaking.
Okay - builds feedback - I've already been in touch with some folks, but let's work on the 7 Power Roll standardisation. Means you'll need each other vs bigger threats and everyone will get a chance to specialise etc.
As we'll be downpowering or altering some stuff. I'm open to replacing obsolete or "baggage" powers with something more fitting.
I'll post something on each character and we can all pitch in with takes/ideas etc.
Jubal's alias in progress, preferences included
Okay how's this sit with everyone - 7 Power Rolls & 1 Advantageous Background?
That way I'm not penalising anyone for selecting what is essentially a campaign flavour/mechanic (albeit the Previous Training can add +2 to one stat and +1 to two) - caveat there is I'd prefer folk not to add to a stat that is superhumanly augmented (IE: No to +2 STR when you have Strength 1+)
Seem fair?
First Character Musings (In No Particular Order)
Super powers
Growth (Level 1)- STILTS! Weapon Skill (Level 2)- Juggling Pins Psi Powers (Level 2)- Tele-empathy specialization Tough Skin (Level 1)- Probability Manipulation (Level 1)- Subconscious version
Weapon Skill 2 should stay - will allow you to toss and bash in equal measure. Tough Skin 1 too - means he’s tougher than he appears to be. Probability Manipulation 1 (Subconscious) is also too fitting - as he’s just damned lucky. So… that’s 4/7 Power Rolls accounted for.
Growth: The stilts rationale works, but I know you were on the fence about it… but it does give him +1d6 STR & 1d6 VIG… If we just make it grows on his stilts then blows into his thumb to “puff himself up” sort of gag. [5/7]
Okay here’s my curveball. Reading a little more into Whiteface clowning - they are involved in physical comedy and slapstick as well as some acrobatics and juggling… So we drop Psi Powers altogether (hear me out) and replace with the following: Skills 1 (Gymnastics) and Health 1 (either Fast Recovery, Regeneration or Toxin Immunity)... But again its your character so we can keep Psi Powers if you want matey [7/7]
Adv. Background
Previous Training* (+1 to Str, +1 to Vigour)
Makes perfect sense. Clowning ain’t no funny business. He’s fitter and stronger for it.
Love the origin story and fits the campaign seamlessly mate. Locking horns with a Lord and peer (a Conservative one at that…) is perfect fodder. Also the aristocracy having ties to crime also fits nicely. The “Old Ram’s Arse” as Whiteface would no-doubt call him will continue to grind his axe, and should he recover some of his fortune and prestige then he’ll likely seek revenge - not to mention any business partners the Lord has/had…
On his recovery you'll have convalesced at The Anderson Medical Institute for Extranormal Care... More on this place to come..
I also like that (on the face of it) Wyatt lives his new life hand to mouth, sleeping late and rough, before fighting crime when the nuance takes him.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@SuperV BD Whatever you want, boss. If 7 +1AB power rolls, then my preferences for character concepts are with the 8 power rolls within my Profile. When we decide which one to use, I'll start building the character. Good?
@Jubal: Sounds a plan. Bulwark would supply a good degree of muscle to the group. There is some strength within the team with Gyve @ 26 and Sysgofd's Bionic Arm @ 24, but Bulwark would surpass that.
StormKnight: Weather Control is just very cool and evocative tho... :S - plus here in Scotland we talk about "4 seasons in one day" so he'd fit the British unpredictability in the weather!
Please confirm Superstrength 3 is allowed, then Bulwark it is then! Huzzah!
Wait, so does that mean I have to give up 2 of 3 my three Backgrounds?? That's kind of a bummer, as I purposely wanted more backgrounds to make my character more interesting.
Wait, so does that mean I have to give up 2 of 3 my three Backgrounds?? That's kind of a bummer, as I purposely wanted more backgrounds to make my character more interesting.
No mate - not at all, you can pick Backgrounds as additional powers - just now you get one as a given.
So 7/1 - for your guy would look like 5/3
If Superstrength 3 is allowed, Bulwark it is then! Huzzah!
With 7 Powers & 1 (free) Adv Background we'll still limit the Strength to Grade 2 mate.
You essentially have now a floating power roll now though. Strength 3 is still too much - especially for the lower level powers you lot are packing. Bear in mind that to upgrade a Power from level 1 to 2 its only 1 power roll, while 2 to 3 costs 2 power rolls.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Forgot to add that when you were slapsticking Lord Ramsbottom's criminal chums you found a repeated symbol on missives and encoded letters:
If Superstrength 3 is allowed, Bulwark it is then! Huzzah!With 7 Powers & 1 (free) Adv Background we'll still limit the Strength to Grade 2 mate.
You essentially have now a floating power roll now though. Strength 3 is still too much - especially for the lower level powers you lot are packing. Bear in mind that to upgrade a Power from level 1 to 2 its only 1 power roll, while 2 to 3 costs 2 power rolls.
OK. Is Weather Control 3 available? It just allows to have multiple effects running at the same time, right?
Otherwise, he would have 2 floating power rolls available, because he already used one for a Background. Maybe two more Backgrounds, because I'm lukewarm on more Martial Arts or Weapon Skills.
Cheers
Superpower 1: 1d100 ⇒ 24 Flight (Swapping for Agility) [1]
Superpower 2: 1d100 ⇒ 48 Martial Arts (Martial Arts type: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Pugilism) [2]
Superpower 3: 1d100 ⇒ 74 Strength Strength Roll: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 [3]
Superpower 4: 1d100 ⇒ 77 Stretching [4]
Upgrade Martial Arts (1 power roll) [5]
Upgrade Martial Arts (2 power rolls) [6,7]
(I think this is 7 power rolls. If we cut off here I would go with this. If we keep our original number of rolls I would upgrade Agility and probably choose previous training to boost an ability.)
For names, I'm thinking Gyve (pronounced Jive) which is an archaic term for chains or shackles. Or maybe Chain Punk or just chain, which seems a little too obvious. Depends on the tone of the campaign, I think.
For background, I'm thinking he has a pretty uninteresting background. Teen in the 70s, so in his 20s now. Part of the punk scene. I can't quite find a source for the chains. I want the chains to represent taking the controls away from the authorities and returning it to the people. He is an anarchist.
Maybe the chains are enchanted/cursed/haunted by the spirits of people who died in the Tower of London, or some famous prison or debtor's prison?
@All: Am spoilering the feedback and inputs not because its secret squirrel, just to make it neater for posting - so please everyone delve in and let me know thoughts about the worldbuilding etc.
If Superstrength 3 is allowed, Bulwark it is then! Huzzah!With 7 Powers & 1 (free) Adv Background we'll still limit the Strength to Grade 2 mate.
You essentially have now a floating power roll now though. Strength 3 is still too much - especially for the lower level powers you lot are packing. Bear in mind that to upgrade a Power from level 1 to 2 its only 1 power roll, while 2 to 3 costs 2 power rolls.
OK. Is Weather Control 3 available? It just allows to have multiple effects running at the same time, right?
Otherwise, he would have 2 floating power rolls available, because he already used one for a Background. Maybe two more Backgrounds, because I'm lukewarm on more Martial Arts or Weapon Skills.
Cheers
:
Base Powers
0. Advantageous Background, Position of Power
2. Weapon Skill, Shield (Defense, Missile)
1. Martial Arts, Oriental
[3 Power Rolls Base - 4 Left]
Bulwark
2. Superstrength 2, Str = 34+2d10
1. Advantageous Background, Contacts (Government)
[3 Power Rolls used, 1 left]
Storm Knight
2. Weather Control 2
1. Advantageous Background, Contacts (Government)
[3 Power Rolls used, 1 left]
Will post more of the team on the morrow gang. Enjoying this :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Base Powers
0. Advantageous Background, Position of Power
2. Weapon Skill, Shield (Defense, Missile)
1. Martial Arts, Oriental
[3 Power Rolls Base - 4 Left]
Storm Knight, first preference
4. Weather Control 3
Failing that you could drop Marital Arts 1 and I'd allow Weather Control 3...
Are you suggesting this, because you think I'm out of power rolls, because I would drop the Government Contacts. Or that, Weather Control 3 is too powerful to be combined with Martial Arts? Weather Control doesn't have an attack, right?
For the Position of Power without Government Contacts, I was thinking about a member of the House of Lords. So, not super rich, but a well-to-do guy with a title. In his secret ID, he would speak with a thick Scottish accent to hide a public school education.
Using Google-fu for Scottish Weather Controller names: Hoolan, Bloat, Blirtie, Coorse, Gouling, Doister, Doineann. Do you prefer any of these to Storm Knight? I don't have a feel for how weird/funny they are relative to the game you want to run.
Or, my second preference is Bulwark
2. Superstrength 2, but I'm concerned with rolling below average on the 2d10
1. Background: Government Contacts
1. Background: Criminal Contacts
This concept would be a cross between Captain America and Nick Fury. Ready and capable of doing anything legal or illegal to do good.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dotting in with the alias that I'd forgotten I'd created :-).
Oh, and here is my character picture. Provided by our wonderful GM.
I'm not totally sure that I understand. I currently have 6 powers and 1 background. I'm quite happy with the character that I have.
But if I'm understanding correctly, I may get an extra power?
Field Manipulation
Molecular
That actually fits in perfectly with his other powers :-).
Totally up to you (as in I'll be completely happy either way) if you want me to
1) Forget it. Keep my character as is
2) Take Molecular Field Manipulation
3) Do something else that you think cool:-). You've been batting 100 so far :-)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
We discussed in PM The powers for Jaguar, but not the Background. Should I be looking at Backgrounds or should I just stick to what we discussed already?
Powers were agreed before I knew we'd be taking 7 PCs so would like to have you all at the lower power threshold (to start with) and build back up.
[1] - Claws
[1] - Heightened Senses 1 (Animal Senses)
[1] - Intuition
[1] - Larger 1
[2] - Leaping 2
[1] - Speed 1
[1] - Vigour 1
[8] So we need to lose 1 power... Would suggest Intuition? Heightened Senses (Animal) means you can't be caught by surprise anyway and has more relevance to the character? Your call tho'
Ah my bad - I thought you wanted to keep Contacts: Government regardless of the build - that's where our wires are crossed :)
All good - Weather Control 3 is excellent, and I love your rationale for his Position of Power - member of the House of Lords works and ties in nicely with some of the campaign subterfuge. Like the idea of him speaking in an educated accent, then with a stronger Scot's accent while "superheroing" :)
Perhaps he's a decedent of The Cailleach??
Those Scot's words are pretty obscure and quirky - was thinking what about Stoirm Thane or Stoirm Laird?
All good - let's keep Psi Powers then. As they "cost double" for Grade 1, it mean dropping the Probability Manipulation as you said. Skills are something he can build toward :)
[1] - Growth (Level 1)- STILTS!
[2] - Weapon Skill (Level 2)- Juggling Pins
[2] - Psi Powers (Level 1)- Tele-empathy specialization
[1] - Tough Skin (Level 1)-
[1]- Probability Manipulation (Level 1)- Subconscious version
[1] - Adv. Background- Previous Training* (+1 to Str, +1 to Vigour)
if you want to keep Psi Powers 2 we could drop Growth? Again your call mate - see what works and fits. No rush :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Excelsior! Here's the beginning of Jubal's character. Need to do chores now.
@Jubal - love it. Please tell me he'll have a Targe strapped to his forearm! :) Interestingly seems that Clan Scrymgeour were standard bearers and relic guardians... plenty of opportunity there!
@Jubal - love it. Please tell me he'll have a Targe strapped to his forearm! :) Interestingly seems that Clan Scrymgeour were standard bearers and relic guardians... plenty of opportunity there!
Yessir. Just updated his shield description to targe. Don't know when you reviewed his profile, but I'm pausing on the current editing if you want to take another read the Background.
1. Does his targe return to him after its thrown, like Captain America?
2. Can he start with a Defense Class 5 armor of padded costume or ultra-light chainmail?
Cheers
1. Not at present. We could either look at him getting a Cybernetic Weapon (Cybernetics 1) which would return... or a Power Refinement where you gain the skill to "arc" the targe back to you. Both good options to work on through the campaign.
2. 100% yep.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As I'm all in on this here's some creativeness I've been working on:
More to come...
Gyve?
Other option for consideration is Shackle??
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Given we're playing a superhero game that attempts to honour the spirit of comicbook frames I'm also leaning heavily into art in this PBP and setting. Huge elements of this campaign will be documented via art and images (and I'll say now I'm having a blast realising some of this stuff!)
My latest offerings:
So here's my new and improved version of Sysgofd - managed to get the art to reflect the single cybernetic arm and also give both an ethereal feel to his form (whilst tipping the nod to his dark matter origin). @pauljathome - hope this still works for you?
And the eponymous Stoirm Laird in all his glory. Part Thor, part Storm, Part William Wallace, Part 80's scottish music icon Jesse Rae...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I have been working on images of Gyve. What I'm going for is a sort of Todd McFarlane Spiderman but with chains instead of webs. Black full head mask, variously colored mohawk. Anarchy shirt, ripped jeans, leather jacket.
Feel free to refine it.
|
|
So here's my new and improved version of Sysgofd - managed to get the art to reflect the single cybernetic arm and also give both an ethereal feel to his form (whilst tipping the nod to his dark matter origin). @pauljathome - hope this still works for you?
You continue to amaze me :-). You're art is incredibly evocative, its making me view myself in a new light. Which is absolutely excellent.
Yeah. it works for me :-) :-) :-)
@Sysgofd: Thanks man. I can take meagre credit mate - AI is a wonderful tool (in my geeky paws at least). All in the description prompts and source images but I love the creative process and refinements - frustrating at times but editing and tweaking is worth it if you lot enjoy the end result :)
@GMST: Love it. McFarlane's Spiderman... heady times to be a comic-fan (esp a Marvel Zombie)... Gyve it is! In the spirit (and style) of McFarlane here's my take on Gyve's Comic Logo
Also mocked up our crimefighting clown: Whiteface
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
And the eponymous Stoirm Laird in all his glory. Part Thor, part Storm, Part William Wallace, Part 80's scottish music icon Jesse Rae...
So, awesome!
And here's our resident wildman: JAGUAR is all his animalistic fury (and in the style of Art Adams :)
Think the group has an awesome eclectic mix of characters - as befits the 80s!
And the eponymous Stoirm Laird in all his glory. Part Thor, part Storm, Part William Wallace, Part 80's scottish music icon Jesse Rae...So, awesome!
Wee bit of homework for ye - should you feel the urge to drop ane or twa into Stoirm Laird's verbage :)
Aww man, I've been sittin here waitin for Black Dow to give musings for my PC, but I guess without any backstory, he's got nothing for me. <sad face>
And the eponymous Stoirm Laird in all his glory. Part Thor, part Storm, Part William Wallace, Part 80's scottish music icon Jesse Rae...So, awesome!Wee bit of homework for ye - should you feel the urge to drop ane or twa into Stoirm Laird's verbage :)
I'm quite lazy and have learned (and forgotten) way too much.
How well does this Scottish translator work?
Also mocked up our crimefighting clown: Whiteface
I like it! I'm sorry I haven't been as responsive as I should have been this weekend, we had a guest over and I'm a bit scrambled of wits and time :)
I can tell you I imagine any hair he has is probably a wig or even part of his cap as I keep picturing it as burned clean by the accident that transformed him. Torn on Grubby looking versus 'Classy faux court garb'... the latter fits his heritage more, but the former might fit the 80s during hard times vibe.
Also, I am thinking maybe you're right and I might drop the Psi powers anyway.
Dropping Intuition Works if the Heightened Senses does the same thing.
Lets go with Previous Training for my time in the military.
How well does this Scottish translator work?
Aye haggis - decent enough ;)
@Benjamin Farn/Malinor: Intuition also has the whole "right hunch" add-on while to me Animal Senses is more apt and variable (thinking the amount of times Wolverine sniffed out a rat or an ambush o'er the years).
@Ridge: Cool. Might see what I can come up with that's more apt. Could be he keeps his costume clean and tidy - pretty much the only thing he does lol. For some reason I just see him as a full time vigilante - like you said in his origin - sleeping in late and fighting crime with a happy smile by night. Up to you on the powers - Psi does give him something different but does it fit? Still think Unconscious Probability is very slapstick and apt.
@MG: Yeah am happy to delve in mate - guess we need to nail down his codename/alias and take it from there.
Okay let's start with the powers:
Tough Skin 1 & Agility 1: Nice counterpoint to each. You have a decent dodge but can take a lickin' (which is handy)...
Vigour 1: Also damned handy - he's tough but recovers well and can soak up what he's hit with.
Energy Attack 1 [Ice/Cold]: Again - very nice offensive power. It messes with folks Damage Dividers (Energy Attack reduces them by -2). So he's got the other side of the ball sorted also.
Blast folk, keep out of harms way, when it lands shrug it off and blast repeat.
Advantageous Backgrounds:
Contacts: Criminal - keep - no-one else in the group has it and its damned handy. Does he still have a cold hand in the criminal underworld? What was his role? Boss? Capo? Assassin? Fixer? Advisor? Or does he come from a criminal family or his best bud is a crim? Have a think on where this connection is and what it means to him now.
Position of Power - Need to think on what this is. Again could be he still has a role in the criminal world, but that would be at odds with what the group are trying to do. He has aides and a decent financial level. Perhaps living off his ill-gotten gains?? Maybe he's went legit and has his own company or consults for someone... This one is a little more tough to work in cleanly, but I'm sure you'll come up with something creative.
Previous Training: +2 to one ability or +1 to two. Bumping DEX to 18 makes most sense here.
And that's his 7 Power Rolls. Plenty to work with.
Nothing about him suggests tech or inventor. More likely a mutant or supernatural?
Initial thoughts? Perhaps you hail form an overseas part of the British Commonwealth - like Hong Kong? He was involved with Triad gangsters over there and since 1984 when UK signed a pact to secede Hong Kong to China the UK allowed Hong Kong citizens the right to apply to become fully nationalised British citizens. Perhaps you've been sent over to "escape" the life of Triad culture?
Conversely you're someone whose used their ill-gotten gains to go legit or perhaps work as an expensive defence lawyer (hence the Criminal Contacts) - just you use the "insider" knowledge you get to exact revenge as your alter-ego?
Perhaps your an accountant/finance advisor who invests (helps to launder) money for criminal organisations all the while collating dossiers on them - again using the Enemy of my Enemy mantra?? Dunno - just spitballing :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Also mocked up our crimefighting clown: WhitefaceI like it! I'm sorry I haven't been as responsive as I should have been this weekend, we had a guest over and I'm a bit scrambled of wits and time :)
I can tell you I imagine any hair he has is probably a wig or even part of his cap as I keep picturing it as burned clean by the accident that transformed him. Torn on Grubby looking versus 'Classy faux court garb'... the latter fits his heritage more, but the former might fit the 80s during hard times vibe.
Also, I am thinking maybe you're right and I might drop the Psi powers anyway.
RL is RL mate - we'll tick along nicely til you have time.
I've done a revised version of Whiteface (in a Brian Bolland style) - came out even creepier lol, but I like the battered leather coat with old blood stains on it vs the garish clown costume.
And this take on Whiteface is unapologetically inspired by Rorschach (hence the Watchman smiley :)