In reply to Becca Gershwin (msg # 27):

So Becca, your character has a Youtube following?  I am thinking that Jacob's former show has been cancelled (poor ratings, and also his erratic, post-possession behavior).  So he's taken to posting his "show" on Youtube and other social media to try and keep it going.  The two of us might know of each other through that?

Assuming we are even going to character connections, and that sort of thing

You guys have been talkative! That's a good thing, though it is a lot for me to go through all at once.

It looks like Emily is very familiar with the rules, and everything she's posted so far appears correct to me (at least at a quick scan). If you have specific rules questions relating to your character, please ask me in a PM.

There was a question about using the optional wealth rule. I'm not too worried about keeping track of wealth, but I know that it might be relevant for a couple of you, so let's go ahead and incorporate the wealth bonus.

As far as combat stats, etc. do whatever makes sense for your character. Just because you have superpowers doesn't mean you are automatically going to be a skilled combatant, especially right after acquiring those powers. That's something you can work toward as the story progresses.

I see I have some PMs to read. I'll get to that now.

And then I'll work on getting those of you who have your character sheets completed started.

In reply to Jacob Pittman (msg # 32):

YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, all the social media!  Becca wasn't all that well known before she broke out, but now she's substantially prettier and she can bring imaginary creatures onto the videos to help her--such luminaries as her electric lamb with actual springs for legs named Wooly Jumper, or the impossible duck Roger Duckington, or the chef with the oven in his tummy named Chef Rumblesteak, or the bovine greaser named Jimmy the Fish, etc etc--her following has definitely grown.  That's how I'm justifying the fame complication, so Jacob knowing Bex and Bex knowing Jacob would definitely work!

Rules/charagen question, guys.  I'm making two characters - the unpowered normal identity, and then the powered character form.

How many points do I make the unpowered normal identity?  I want him to be somewhat lame in comparison to when Vic possesses him

In reply to Jacob Pittman (msg # 29):

Ah.  Well, that's harder to answer, especially since I'm not that familiar with the setting and its particular take on ghosts/the afterlife.  Still, I can try and help you reach answers.

Let's start with, "Why Vic?"  Why is he a ghost?  Is he back from heaven/hell, or is he desperate to actually get to one?  To me, ghost generally implies a spirit stuck in this world after their death, unable to pass on as most dead do.  Maybe he thinks this is some kind of limbo, and once he performs his penance he can finally go to heaven?  He'd almost certainly have been raised Catholic.

There also, "Why Jacob?"  Is he the only one that Vic can possess?  He's almost certainly the first, as blatantly paranormal stuff only recently started happening.  Hmm, even if Vic can possess others, Jacob is his favorite for some reason.  Why is that?

Going one step further, could other ghosts possess Jacob?  Is he some kind of spirit medium, and Vic is just his first guest?  There is a whole world of possibilities and plots that way. ;)

I know these aren't answers, but I'm not sure what else to tell you based on what you've said.  Still, sometimes answering more specific questions can point you in the right direction.

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re: msg # 35

Less than 120 pp.

I know, not very helpful.  But it's the only accurate answer.  Just build him to where he should be.  Look at the benchmarks for abilities and skills, or the sample NPCs at the back of the book, and give him the appropriate numbers for stuff.

Hmm, I'm not sure I buy Jacob and Bex knowing each other before the game starts.  Social media is a large space, and the crossovers there seem to involve personalities/channels with logical connections.  Not sure where the Venn diagram of those two overlap before the game starts.  After Bex breaks out, sure, then there is a reason for Jacob to get involved.

But that's just me.

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Though, on that note, I'm not sure that Bex should be famous just yet.  Bex going viral seems like the sort of public Breakout that the GM said hasn't really happened yet.  Might be worth double-checking your timeline versus his. ;)

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Also, for the record, Jess is slightly known figure.  She competed in college gymnastics a few years ago.  So not actually famous, but she did get to be on cable TV a few times. :)

So I didn't build Emily that way but Emil without powers and things that require powers is a 40pt PL-2 character. It's the women's self-defense course those always up your power level a notch or two.

I wouldn't stress too much about it and I'd probably start with an NPC and then customize near that point.

So a reporter is the closest I could find to ghost hunter youtuber.

Str 9, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 11
Skills: Bluff 4, Craft (Writing) 4, Diplomacy 4, Gather information 6, Investigate 4, Knowledge (Current events) 6, Knowledge (Streetwise) 2, Notice 4, Profession (reporter) 4, Search 5, Sense Motives 5
Feats: 1 Equipment
Equipment: Digital Recorder, Camera
Combat Base: Base Attack +0, Base Defense +0
Saves: Toughness +0, Fortitude +0, Reflexes +1, Will +3
21 pt Power level 1 (minor detail, but book is in error 6 ranks in a skill requires PL 1+)

So like maybe you're profession is youtuber instead of reporter and instead of knowing about current events you know about the occult. Stuff like that.

In reply to Jessica Kowalski (msg # 37):

The connection I had in mind was the "Becca creates imaginary characters and Jacob thinks she might know something," or some variation thereof, but your second point vis a vis the GM's earlier comment about the breakouts just starting does make a lot of sense.  I still would like the fame complication, I think it makes the most sense for the character, but I think I agree with you that she's ascending as the game begins.  So it would be a way for Jacob to meet Bex, but they probably wouldn't know each other ahead of time.  Good thinking, Jess!

Hey! Sorry for the silence. Things got really busy the last couple of days. I should have some time later this afternoon or evening to work on this game, though. So hopefully I'll be in touch with each of you sometime today.

To answer a question from Jessica, you don NOT have to spend all of your starting Power Points if you don't want to.

And I'd prefer if no one has any connections to each other when the story begins. But if you have ideas regarding how they might come to know each other as the story progresses, be sure to share those with me.

Talk to you all soon!

Thanks for the update. I'm chillin' like an anti-villain :)

Hi, sorry I didn't check in before now. I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone.

Now I'm already invested in Darius by the simplicity of the description!

Unfortunately I'm going to have to bow out of this game because of rl issues.  Sorry everyone - wish I could have played.

Best of luck out there, Jacob.  I hope you and yours are safe!

Best of luck! Completely understandable.

Sad to hear that we had our first drop.  is it just 5, or will the GM offer one of the applicants who just missed the game a spot? ;)

Also, I'll mention up front, that I do have some intermittent depression issues.  I may end incommunicado for a few days or week at some point, with little advance warning.  I'll try to get back on as best I can.

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One more detail for our setting, is that there is no COVID-19 in the game.  GM mentioned that in my private messages, and I thought it worth mentioning to everyone.  No need for masks or social distancing.  In game, at least. :)

I'm enjoying my 1 on 1 so far. Everybody else okay?

Just got started myself a few days ago, but it looks promising. Glad you're having a good time of it :)

I'll be very busy for the next couple of days. I'll try to post, but I don't want to make any promises.

That's completely diggable. You do you :)

Things are busy, I think we all understand that. Thank you for GMing.

Things have finally calmed down a little. I'm working on responding to you all now.

Completely understandable! It's that time of year :)

Glad to know you're okay.

Due to asking too many questions, I've only finally got my initial thread.  I'll have to wait and see what comes from the stage dressing both of us put in. ;)

Welcome Lucas!