The Base is the safe place for our of character chat and questions.

Hi, looking forward to the game.

Excellent...1 person in.

Hey everybody! Planning on making my Beast Boy-type character! It's great to be here!

Hey everyone, your resident light user, who happens to be made of solid light, here.

3 in,  almost there....

I forgot to say, I'm heading to a small family wedding this weekend, so may be slow in posting.  I have more history stuff to post, but that will wait till next week.

Please talk about characters, ask questions, or whatever you need.  I had one person ask if they could be related to any of the historical characters or have something added to the history, and the answer is yes.

Have a good one.

BobManGM

So I am thinking along the lines of “Metal.”

Metal guy, impervious. Telekinesis, Attract/Repulse, Flight.

Sort of a hammer and anvil in one package. Thoughts?

The Telekinesis may fit better if limited as Magnetic Manipulation, would explain the flying as well.

I don't have an issue, as long as you make it your own.

Hello Everyone,

I am making a "darkness/shadow" character named Penumbra. He is an energy projector at the core, with some casual infiltration and transportation abilities on the side. Moderately tough, but quite mobile.

Evening,

We now have four players.  I'm trying to get one person to jump on...I was talking to them in Discord (which will be used for the chat session eventually), but they seem to have gone silent.

Let's talk session 0.  Do you want one?  I was thinking at max an hour (unless we get talking).  The topics to cover would be;
- Questions on history (world general) or how you fit into the world.
- Questions about me/you to help the game mesh.
- Questions on characters that are not resolved at that time.
- Discussion of any additions (home rules...which we may have two).
- Introductions

If you think of anything else, let me know.  If you think we can skip, let me know.  We can hash many of these things out in chat or posts.  No pressure...group call.  Once I know what people want and characters are set, we'll get started.

And thank you all for joining.  I've tried to start this in a few ways, and the most successful was posting on RPOL.  I should have known.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to say "No, this isn't a D&D game." or "No, we will not ONLY playing in Discord/FG/Roll20 or some such."

BobManGM

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 12):

Do we need a discord session Zero if you have a list of questions you know you want answered? After all, I can give out much more detailed answers if I have time to think about them and write then out in a post. Not to mention build on ideas made by the other players.

If we decide on no session 0, no session 0.  Fine with me.  I'll take lists of questions.

BobManGM

I have no immediate questions.

The setting is fine by me, although I would probably have a lot to learn about it. The system is lovely, I like the mechanics of this game. And unless there is a conflict with a darkness-based energy projector, I think I am good. =)

"Stories from Foot Soldiers"

This reminds me of the narrative style of Astro City, where the supers are the focus of the story from the common person's point of view. Nice.

Full disclosure...never read that.  I was watching a documentary by Ken Burns when I started that piece.

BobManGM

I see. It is a comic book series. It is set in the fictional Astro City. The writing is delightful, at least to me. It is usually set from the perspective of the common person, but it also goes very deeply into the "human" qualities of the super heroes. Very down to earth, and very human. Excellent writing.

I would recommend it to everyone. =)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Tue 30 June 2020.

How are we doing?  I know we have one character real close to ready.  Anybody else?

BobManGM

I wasn't able to work on it last weekend.  I went camping and had really spotty internet connection.

That is fine.  I'm not asking because we are pressed for time, but because I want to know who is in and out.  I have two people in the wings yet.  If everybody could give me an update I would appreciate it.

I think you have my full character ready. I haven't heard from you on the "Mutually Exclusive" array-facsimile yet. Let me know.

I did some work on it yesterday, if today isn't as booked as it may be, I'll try to work on it today too.

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 22):

Oh...sorry.  I think we go with it.  I have two alternatives (actually asked around), but neither was better than what you optioned for currently.  I think my concern was not necessary.  Good?

All good by me. If you are good with it, so am I.

I do feel curious, what were the alternatives? Perhaps I can learn a new thing or two.

I haven’t had a chance to put the character together. Maybe I should relinquish my spot to someone else to be fair.

In reply to Temp2 (msg # 26):

I'm not forcing you out.  It is up to you.  I understand 'RL'.  It is your call.

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 25):

I asked on the FaceBook MEGS group, and this is what I got.

"Elemental Linking is from BOH, but Contingent Powers are from WORG. https://www.writeups.org/variant-rules-dc-heroes-megs/"

Neither seemed to fit or with massaging, be any better than your solution.  Let me know what you think.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:09, Fri 03 July 2020.

Sorry. Things have just ramped up lately. I will drop out. Thanks for the opportunity.

In reply to Temp2 (msg # 29):

Sure...later then.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 28):

Are we using those rules?

Hey...the only rules we will use for sure are the BoH book.  I don't want it to become confusing.  If we find something we need to make something work (like a vulnerability we discussed), we can make it work.

Hi gang! New here - have no idea what I'm playing yet. I need to read back through and see what others are building out.

Will we know each other/be a team or be independents who eventually meet?

I'm correct that I saw we're playing 900 point characters?

I prefer a session Zero myself, or a version of it to sort out character connections. Just using some PBtA questions could he helpful. I can develop a list if that's helpful.

For characters, looks like we have a shapeshifter, a light guy, and a shadow guy.

A mentalist might be a good choice. Could go with a hard core mind controller type. Maybe TK?

My other inkling is a Brick or a Paragon. Those seem like solid choices.

Third option would be a tech guy - gadgeteer or cyborg or something.

Thoughts?

All those options look good to me. I would also add as a secondary characteristic, a "smart" guy, someone with a lot of skills.

Up to you. =)

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 35):

I have decent ranked int skills and gadgeteering.

Hey, sounds great.

I suppose we are all covered in that aspect. Anyone super tough?

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 37):

We can have more than one scientist.

:)

So, Chimera is a scientist and shapeshifting into various animals like beast boy?

Photon sounds like a standard energy controller. Flier, blaster?

And Penumbra is a skulker shadowy guy? Stealth and sneaking stuff?

Tough guy sounds like the right angle, plus that’s my favorite.

I love the grounded brick like Thing or Mr Incredible. Could also do a weaponry guy like Thor. Or just straight up Superman clone - though I need a fun angle on that.

Penumbra is not exactly sneaky. But he can phase through barriers, so there are few places that can keep him out. So he could be good at infiltration.

In reply to Temp3 (msg # 39):

Yes on the doctor. Unlike beast boy he changes into a mix of two animals and a human. He constantly regenerates as his form is very unstable. Plus he has a large underground HQ! Its...not great to live in, but it does have labs and testing areas. Plus a few cots...and a decent computer system.

Who in addition to the doctor has problems with an inhuman body?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Tue 07 July 2020.

https://images.app.goo.gl/tawrnKsXajJ7fDUn6

So I found this... interesting if goofy concept to be a guy who finds a crashed spaceship and a suit of power armor. He hits his head or gets a power surge or something and ends up believing he’s a space ranger sent to seek out evidence of Emperor Zurg - an evil space overlord bent on galactic domination.

Really has all the marks of a paragon. But that is probably a little corny.

Well, Penumbra doesn't have a problem with it, but he can turn into a shadow. Inhuman body, but expected and desired results.

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 43):

Gotcha. If you can become human whenever you like, then you dont have a problem with it.

I was getting a bit of a doom patrol vibe from the group.

Evening,

We can have a session 0.  It is up to you.  I have a Discord space ready to use.

I had somebody who is NOT going to play (amazing how many ask and then fall through) who are the current 'players' in Chicago.  I think that is a good question.  I will put together a short and post it in a day or so.

As to a character that sounds a lot like Buzz Lightyear (not sure...I could be mistaken ;^) I often am...), just make it yours and I'm good.

I don't remember who asked, but you can riff off characters in the history.  That is fine.

I'm still working from home, so I'm watching.

Bob

This message was deleted by the player at 14:40, Tue 07 July 2020.

Ok how’s this for an idea?

Guy is a struggling actor. All he wants to do is make it to the big time. Be somebody famous. While out hiking in Yellowstone, he slips and falls into a crevasse. At the bottom he finds a crashed alien ship and inside the ship he finds a suit. He puts it on and finds that it gives him super abilities. He knows he can use the suit for fame and fortune but decides to come up with a whole story of how he is the last member of an alien race, sent to earth by his parents to avoid the destruction of their home planet. He explains the nature of his powers as linked to the yellow sun (his home planet had a red sun).

Obviously, a take on Superman that is a little less than noble. But would be fun to play supes this way I think.

Kids...fine.

Human...alien armor...yellow sun...fine.

Just remember...you say/use it, I'll use it.

Bob

I find that is usually a good thing. I find that I do that often, having gotten a feeling from the existing interaction of the other players in a forum, or just picking up vibes. I often cannot tell what the "energy" of a particular group is until I spend a day or two discussing things with them. Only then will I be able to say "yes" or "no" to spending more time.

Sometimes different groups don't gel very well because they are composed of different people.

I find it a good thing that a group of people is self-correcting that way. =)

I would expect no less.

Anyone have a character sheet template?

Can't say I do, but there isn't much to a BoH character.

DEX :     STR :     BODY  :
INT :     WILL:     MIND  :
INFL:     AURA:     SPIRIT:


Motivation:

Advantages:
1.
2.

Skills:
1.
2.

Powers:
1.
2.
3.

Notes:


That's it. =)

Ok, I have finished the character's description, and an image from a temporary location.

Would you open up his character sheet so I can copy his stats to the game?

Here is my character sheet as an example: (please note I have an extra section at the bottom to denote a special set of ideas being used aside from normal powers).

I have added cost values in the stats for ease of double-checking the math. I have also added intermediate totals, again, because it is easier to do the math afterwards. And it helps the GM to be able to double check the math on the build as well.


Penumbra

DEX : 9(84)   STR : 6(36)   BODY  : 6(36)
INT : 7(56)   WILL: 5(24)   MIND  : 5(24)
INFL: 5(28)   AURA: 5(24)   SPIRIT: 5(24)

Cost:                                        340         340


Motivations: Upholding The Good
             Responsibility of Power


Advantages:
- Area Knowledge: Chicago                     20
- Connection: Low Level - Chicago PD          20
- Credentials: Police - Low                   20
- Scholar: Criminal Forensics/Criminology     10
- Wealth: 9 (~$500,000/year)                  24

Skills:
- Detective(L) 7                              58
- Medicine(Forensics)(L) 7                    21         173


Powers:
- Darkness(L), Intense 6                      36
- Darkness(L), Self-Linked 6                  85
- Energy Blast: Darkness 9                    51
- Teleportation 6                             74
- Remote Sensing 8, Shadows Only (-1 FC)      75
- DarkVision 10                               21

Exclusive Group:
   - Dispersal, Gradual 10, Exclusive         90
   - Force Field, User Only 4, Exclusive      36         468

                                     Total:  981
                                     Banked:  19

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 54):

Dont forget your drawbacks!

Also, if you write up description, personality, and background you can get 100 HP.

Options for Creation -
www.writeups.org/dc-heroes-rpg-character-creation-software-spreadsheet/

For general use -
rpgsheets.com/sheets/018001.pdf

Here is the link for the character sheets that have been created for RPOL - rpol.net/display.cgi?gi=2&ti=28

They do not have a DC or BoH sheet.  I'm looking at these and trying to figure out my options.

Bob

Yes, and yes. =)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Thu 09 July 2020.

What! That’s excellent!!

My background and description and such are up. Just need to make final tweaks to characters now that I realized I get another 100 points for the background work...

Guys, I am sorry I cant change my name to something that begins with a 'P'...

:P
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Fri 10 July 2020.

FYI - I'll keep adding to the Organizations and Hero/Villain topics as time goes on.  If you have questions, let me know.  I'll be on tomorrow during the day, but tomorrow night is D&D.

If anybody decides there is 'just too much stuff', let me know.  I'm trying to make the world big enough to play in, while leaving hooks, and room for changes as we grown into it.

Bob

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 61):

Should we write up more detailed descriptions of our allies/enemies?

In reply to Dr Chimera (msg # 60):

But the costumes with the big 'P' on the forehead just won't work then!!!

In reply to Dr Chimera (msg # 62):

I like that idea.  It could give us a good hook or two to use.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 63):

I know, I know! I feel terrible enough about it...

:P

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 63):

I could change to something else. Centurion. Titan. Champion.

In reply to Paragon (msg # 66):

I think it is fine.  That is your call.

That is it...I'm done for today.  g-night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Fri 10 July 2020.

Hey...

I have pictures in PDF format for some of the people I'm talking about here, but don't have a way to add a photo to a post (a link to a photo, but not an actual photo).  I'm working on it.  Just an FYI.

Bob

You can upload to imgur and then copy the image link from there.

How realistic are you going to be on secret identity? For example, Clark Kent and Superman are indistinguishable despite looking exactly the same.

In reply to Paragon (msg # 69):

Ahhh...always forget about them.

Secret Identity...think comics.  What works there?  I'm with you on the Superman thing, but if it works in the comics....

No worries for me. When in "superheroic" form, Penumbra doesn't show a face at all. Just a shadow silhouette.

How are we doing?  Any body ready?  Does anybody want a session 0?

My character is complete and ready. I am good to go.

Personally, a session zero is not necessary for me, but I'll join to hear what others have to say.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 73):

I'm good to go. I figure I should start in my HQ as Doc Chimera. No doubt Emily would be trying to reach me.

I’m done but currently on vacay in Yellowstone with the family.

Yellowstone!  STAY AWAY FROM THE BISON!

Not an issue.  Get your characters on to the site when you can.

I'll have a post up tomorrow (want to re-read characters before I post).

Bob

I was stalled, a bit of "writer's block" but I seem to have worked through that in part because of Penumbra's sharing of their character sheet.

I should be able to get the character to you within a few days.

All in a day's job for Penumbra! =)

Sounds good.

Since nobody seemed to want a session 0 and I had stuff to work with (for the most part...<cough, cough, photon>), I figured to get started.

As this is to be like reading a comic, in general, you can read the posts from and to others.  I will always use the private lines to hide what is needed.  Please do the same.

You can always riff/write/wax-on with your posts...that is the fun of it.

If I made a mistake, please let me know.

Bob

Can you open my character sheet? Or did you want me to put my character somewhere else?

No, I'll up those.  I thought I had...so it is my still learning this end of things here.  Will do today.

In reply to Paragon (msg # 82):

Try now.

What you need to do is to make each character sheet "editable", and for mine please pick "fixed width".

That will allow me/us to add our character builds into the sheet.

I have made the changes.  I have them all set to 'fixed' currently (default).  If anybody wants it changed, let me know.

Bob

Fantastic. Character sheet is in place. All good to go. Thank you.

On about news and politics...

We are current day, with current events happening (sans Corona), but I try to stay away from much current news and a lot of politics (I don't want people mad about my politics, which I can be too strong on sometimes, and not having fun).  But, if you want to include something, talking to me about character items in general, just let me know in a PM and we'll talk about any possible issues.

Hey all....

I'll be on to other things tonight (D&D), so won't post again tonight.

Is anybody familiar with M&M?  There are a few items they do there that I like and I want to talk about them here.  I'm not a fan of the whole system, but they have a few good rules.

And everybody should welcome The Tenth.  He is here...lurking, but say high.

Bob

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 89):

Very familiar with M & M. Played every version.

Very comfortable with M&M, but only the 3rd version.

M&m not my fave system

It is not my favorite system, but I found a few items very handy.

1) The reward when you foil the GMs plans, but said GM uses a 'comic book trick' to get out of it.  I like this honest approach over the fudging that seems to be used a lot (yeah...I've done it).  You know you've beaten the challenge and even though for the story to continue (for whatever reason...if valid), I have to use a 'Megamore hits the wall and slowly slides down.  But no...wait...his face falls open.  Robot parts!  It was one of his replicates!' to keep the story going, I don't want it to feel AS cheep, but you deserve something.
2) I like their problem solving method they present in the book.  For traps or major issues, methodology for success/failure is good.  It is more inclusive as two success before three failures winds, since you can use computer skills to stop the countdown or a trick shot to burst the pipe, and either one is one success.

I was thinking of bringing these over to the game.  Let me know what you think.  Neither is fully formed for 'DC Heroes' yet, but I think they would work well.

I am perfectly ok with that. Hero points and success challenges. I like M&M. I know it's not a perfect system, but those two mechanics are perfectly fine by me.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 93):

Yeah a really good version is when you the game says 'the villian manages to escape' and just hand the player 50 hero points or something.

50?  Just 50?

I agree, it should not be a very high number so you can give them out like candy pills. If the game demands many difficulties, you might be giving out three, four, six, ten of these in a session. That adds up quickly.

And since they are Hero Points, a clever player will find a way to not spend as many of these to upgrade their character very fast.

You will have to find/strike a balance between reward and advancement.

Works for me.

My thinking now may be 50 could be too high.  I'll work it out.

I've had to work late tonight.  I'm beat.  I'll post during the day tomorrow.

Bob

I'll be on tonight to, if anybody posts.

Photon...Tenth...you there?

BobManGM

Yeah, sorry, got distracted by a bout of depression.  I won't go into how deep a depression, but it left me with a lack of energy.

Not an issue.  As long as I know you are there, we are good.

I'll post more tomorrow.  I need a little time to think ahead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Fri 31 July 2020.

Check-In!

We've been going for about 11 days now and I just want to check-in with you all.  Just a few questions from me....  If you have anything else to question or comment on, let me know.

  - Is the pace OK?  I try to post every day, and do better than that some, but I've missed a few days.  Does anything need to change?
  - Do any of you need more information?  Agencies?  Heroes/villains?  History?  Questions about your stories so far?
  - We just started, but if there is something that you want to explore in your character, let me know.

Hit me here or privately.

BobManGM

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 103):

All is good on my end.

Ditto. All is good. Pace is good. Stories are moving, but not yet fully involved in drama and conflict, so things are going easy so far (at least for me).

It might be too early to check, as we haven't hit any serious plot points yet, and, like you said, we are just beginning.

Drama!  You want drama!  Let me send you a pre-teen...then you will not want drama!  Hehehehehehe.

LOL!

Not pre-teen drama. Adult 'gravitas' drama. Preteens will be dramatic about small things that are important in their world. Adults are dramatic about survival, competence, and philosophical stances. Go figure. =)

We have lost 'Paragon'.  He said he was sorry and was having fun, but there was a sudden change and he couldn't continue to play.  This is just an FYI.  I'll figure out how to 'write him out' so that if he returns in a few months or something, Paragon is ready.

Oh, that is unfortunate.

Are you going to attempt to recruit any more players? Are experienced Blood of Heroes players just too darn rare?

Yes and maybe.  I'm not sure if rare is the right word.  The facebook group seems to look down on BoH, while I just look at it needing a little mending (like most RPGs).  I have 3 possible already.  One is somebody I played with a long while back and some of the history here was from him.

They look down on BoH?

What do they prefer? The old third edition?

Seems to be, yes.  I don't like the world included in the book (I think it is really bad), but the game is a little modified from the source.  So, I don't get that....  I could be wrong, but it has come out in some comments.

Oh, I can understand that. I don't like that world either. But I still like the system and I don't mind the BoH book. I just ignore the parts I don't need/want.

To each their own, I suppose.

Greets, I'm the player that originally played Joe Public. I would have played him once more...IF SOMEBODY HADN'T KILLED HIM!

So, I'm playing a character that originated in Champions Online, Mindstrike. She's a TK-based melee fighter that can create telekinetic blades, but she has much greater potential.

I sense... a resentment in the force.

Welcome, Mindstrike. I, too, used to have an ego blade mental character named 'Mental Edge'. It is unfortunate that I have lost access to him ever since they changed the way they handled subscriptions. Booooh! I really don't want to pay for a lifetime subscription to play my old toons again. Double boooooooh!


=)

I've had lifetime accounts for CO and STO since beta. I have a lifetime LotRO account too.
I hate that lifetime accounts were never an option for DDO and WoW.

<GM hangs head and stands in corner>

Heh. This is not a competition. =)

I used to love CO... until I didn't. Same for CoH.

I do keep CO around as a 'costume builder'. Their work with their art and costumes is pretty good, and I have some very nice costume builds in my accounts.

But I don't really play them anymore.

I still play CoH.  The numbers are not the same, but the world is still fun.  Need more people to play with...I've only made a few friends on there thus far.

I downloaded the CoH private server, but can't play because it says I need an NVIDIA card to play. I've not found a work around.

I only log into CO once in a while, but I've been playing LotRO fairly regularly and the Summer Event on Risa has me logging in at least daily on STO now.

I'm running from my Dell laptop, which uses an Intel driver.  I guess they are NVIDIA compatible.  I had never checked.

After Tequila, I do have to use the 32-bit version...more stable.

As in you downloaded the actual server code and are running your own CoH server instance on your computer? As in playing all by yourself on your computer in your own city?

Where can I find that?

As in someone set up a private server that I would play on if it could get past the fact I have a Pentium onboard video card. I've only just asked about that in the forums.

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/ is the community.
https://downloads.digitaltrend...s-homecoming/windows is the client.

I also play WoW: Wrath of the Lich King on the Dalaran-WoW server. It's free. Little wonky sometimes, but it's still the best version of WoW.

https://www.dalaran-wow.com/
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Oh, I see. You have a game launcher that points to someone else's private server. Very nice.

I was still playing on the HomeComing server as of a few weeks ago.

How is the player base on this server?

Hey, wait! That second link is also a link to the HomeComing server. Heheh... it just takes to the HomeComing public server, where you can download the Tequila client from their forums. =)

I can't get the damn thing to work, so I have no idea about the community.

Here's the Tequila link from the site: http://patch.savecoh.com/tequila.exe

I can't get past my OpenGL error as I have Intel HD Graphics 3000 onboard video on my 9 year-old laptop.

No problems. I know the game works because I have been playing it.

As soon as you can resolve your video issues (you may need a new laptop if you can't install a video card) you should have no problem connecting and playing.

From my poking around, the Intel 3000 Graphics HD isn't supported by Win10, so I won't be playing anytime soon as a new system is not in the cards.

I'll be in tonight to start the new thread and post in general.

I updated Rei's description and character sheet. Had two skills at APs higher than they are because I was looking at an old version of her I played years ago.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 130):

Thank you.  I'll take another look.

Just an FYI, there is a medical issue in our family right now, so if I disappear for a few you know what is happening.

It's a shame that you changed Joe's last name from Rogers as it would have meant Chicago locals would have their own Mr. Rogers that they could invoke when someone does something disappointing.

Bob, you should configure the Dice Roller for 2d10 and the MEGS system. It's one of the options.

Learning new stuff...try now...next....

Says 1d10 still, but that might not be able to be altered. Been a while since I set the dice roller.
Might want to also check the Record Each Die box too.

I had clicked that, but I bet I did it post-save and forgot to go back to it.  Let me know what you see now.  Looks OK to me.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 136):

You should make the 'record each die' button permanent as well. It will remind us to roll up doubles.

I thought I had done that.  Updated.

People are reading the various posts right?  You're not just staying in your thread???

Yup, reading them all.

There goes Paragon.

So, Penumbra didn't catch ANYTHING.

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 140):

I'm sorry.  I went all on about not much and then didn't actually advance anything.  I'm sorry.  It has been a shit day.  I'll be on tomorrow and will post then.

I’m sticking with my own thread as there’s no way I’d know about anything in the other threads in character.

I'm trying to do this 'comic book' style.  You can read the other threads without issue.  We can always make a mistake....  Up to you.

I'll be caught up tonight after the outage.  Thanks for hanging in there.

The reason was a server transfer that was supposedly announced.

Anybody know if the good Doctor was in the path of the storm? He has not posted in a few.

No idea, but we got the remnants that spawned seven confirmed tornadoes in the area.

With seven tornadoes, I suspect he is in Oz by now.

Nah. Biggest one around here was an EF2. The rest were EF0 or EF1.
I don't know if Dr. Chimera is in northeast Arkansas.

THE DOCTOR IS FINALLY BACK IN THE HISHOUSE!!!!!

Sorry, got very busy last week.

I am in the Chicago area if I am not mistaken.

Welcome back, doc.

Didn't land on any witches by mistake, now?

You think you're in the Chicago area? You're not sure?

You know, all cities look alike to me. =)

I claim post 400.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 155):

Want a cookie?

Yes, but being mildly diabetic, I shouldn't.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 157):

Want an apple?

Ohh! Ooh! Can I have the cookie?

Yes, you may have a cookie.

1) Talking to one more person.  He is green as a player, but has the game.  If this fails, I'm giving up for now.
2) I had somebody ask me if I want to play on a M&M game.  I wish I liked it more....
3) If I'm posting too much, let me know.  I just have tome during the day right now (cannot look at policies all the time).

*Cookie monster munching noises*


1. Giving up the search for more players, right?

2. If you run a Champions game you might find a few more players.

3. I don't feel you are posting too much. At least not for me. I sometimes have plenty of time while at work.

In reply to Penumbra (msg # 161):

Yes, just searching for players.

Between work and allergies, today has not been good.  I actually had to lay down for a few hours today.  I'll be on tomorrow and be more verbose.

Sorry.  Family stuff, allergies and a little work stopped me in my tracks this weekend.  I'm better today.  I'll try to post to any reply later tonight.

Hey!

No one, and I mean "no one", was expecting anyone to post anything over Labor Day weekend. =)

I just wish it was more fun.  :^|

Hmm... what were "you" doing over LDW?

Nursing a headache that would not go away (allergies), but had kids/wife to take care of.  It felt long and hot.  Im glad it is so cool here now.

Ah, I see. You have me at a disadvantage there, sir. I do not have a wife or kids. =)

There is a reason we hug our air conditioners in the South.

The temp has dropped, so it is in the 50s at night now.  My head is better, but since I have to go outside sometime, the air doesn't help me all that much.

In a D&D game I'm in here, a player and the DM just had a fight.  The player never wins those; he is now band from all the games the DM runs.  It always disrupts a game...ugh!

Related to a post on tracking we just had, I was given a very elegant solution to track a car for a short time a while back; cell phone.  Depending on the amount of time (battery life is an issue), a cheap cell phone can be dropped in the car.  With 'find me' software, you can narrow down to a rather tight location via towers.  Seemed like a great and simple solution to a problem.  I have to admit, it was not mine.

Yeah, if it is a true disagreement, it is best for the player and GM to part. Not everyone is an audience to your game.

And... I read that somewhere... the cellphone in the car solution. It's a good idea, for the lifetime of the phone's battery. Just make sure to silence it before you drop it in, so no text or spam calls come through and give it away. =)

With the right phone, you can get within meters of the location. I know this works with an iOS device.

Sorry I haven't been hitting the multiple posts a day right now.  Things have been a little busy at work and with the kids doing home schooling (while I'm trying to work from home), I've just been ready to be off toward the end of the day.  Any since  keeps getting better, it ain't like I crazy happy right now anyway.

No worries. I am running my own game, and it's hit or miss sometimes, depending on how I feel.

It's happy, crazy, zany world out there right now. =)

Yeah. I'm not anywhere in the same area as happy right now given yesterday's bombshell news.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 177):

We're on the same page.

Hey...always remember, unless you are gone for a week+, I'm not sweeting the small stuff.  I missed much of this last weekend because of allergies (I keep thinking that they really had an idea with the whole trepanning thing) and family.  We got you Penumbra.

Please introduce yourselves to Cyroa (aka Temp3) when you can.  He is checking things out currently.

Welcome to the sanitarium.

At least I get a nice white jacket, right?

With those sleeves that help you hug yourself....

Things are not posting.  Things are timing out.  Will keep trying...hope this gets through....

That made it through.

OK...looks like things are back now.  Thanks for the updates from the Discord server Jobe.  I'll be posting later today and tonight to get a few things up.

I claim post 600 in the name of me.

Plant a flag!

I got confused and flagged a plant instead.

Jobe...what is the Discord server again.  I didn't join (thought I did...but 'The Hangout' is not it...and I don't know what that is...DEL) and others are asking.

I'm posting things tonight...trying to catch up on Admin items...we'll see how far I get before I start to get tired.

Here’s the link for it: https://discord.gg/EXfqpj

So that's for ALL of rpol it seems.  Is there one that just this game uses?  Or is just a general option kind of thing?

We had talked about using Discord earlier on to play (session 0 or maybe critical events), but at that time no body wanted to.  I'm flexible.  I have a friend's Discord we can use.

BobManGM

I can put a room up on my Discord for this game.

I went ahead and made a channel on my Discord for this game. Here's the invite: https://discord.gg/Dpc4jAszKE
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Fri 30 Oct 2020.

Things are a little nutz here.  Just an FYI...watch your Unemployment Benefits.  I lot of phishing attacks against UB right now.

Sorry, been a bit crazy here. The election is making things tough as well. I should have something up soon.

I'm concerned the Trump cult might get rowdy if Trump wins. I'm absolutely certain they will go full on terrorists if Biden wins.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 198):

Hold on, because things are looking up for Biden.

Thank goodness.

Politics are fine as long as we are friendly.  Just saying....

But having just looked at the numbers, I have my fingers crossed.

I'll post tonight....

Bob

Problem is McConnell is still going to be running the Senate, so even if Biden wins and Trump's inevitable challenges fail, Biden won't fight. He still wants to work with Republicans even though none of them operate in good faith.
We're still screwed. We just aren't as screwed.

Is it me, or is the site slow?  Everything is taking a minute to do.

I have no issues with the site at the moment.

Sorry I have been so busy. Work combined with the election has slowed down Rpol for me. I will post something now.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 203):

Could be my DNS security...but that seems odd....

I'll be on later again tonight.  I went down for the count yesterday with food poisoning (not sever).  Sitting at a computer was not happening.

Remember, always try to read the posts in other threads (like comics).  I'll always try to hid things that need to be hidden.  I also think those here are seasoned anyway....

Bob

Hey...I will be posting through the holidays, but I miss a day or so here or there.  I have to head back to work now, but will be on later today.

The holidays have been worse than expected; father-in-law has taken a major turn for the worse and two others are in the hospital for Covid.  I'll be back on normal posting for this week (maybe extra...depends on kids who are home).  Thanks.

Sorry to hear life's been rough.  Hope things improve.  No worries on us.  RL first.

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 208):

Real life comes 1st. Take care of what you gotta do.

Post as you are willing and able. Offline life has priority.

My brother-in-law is home from the hospital.  He had been feeling bad for a while, and it turns out he has diabetes.  Covid made it worse, but we are lucky we didn't lose him between the two afflictions.

His son has Covid (they live states apart), but has flu like symptoms only thus far.

Crossing fingers.

Here’s to hope.

Hope all works out for you.

Will post tomorrow.  Been swamped.

I was a little busy with my Grandmother and was waiting...I'll post tomorrow either way.

You're fine, man. Take the time you need.

I like posting more often, but things have been a little busy in spurts around here.  And I admit that being in the house so much is driving me a little crazy.  Not bad...but I really want to go out and eat queso.

You have to go out to eat queso?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:20, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

Been swamped. Will get caught up tonight.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 218):

It is best as 'non-takeout'.  :^)

Eh, it eats the same no matter where you are.
There’s a reason the ones that still eat out don’t tip worth a damn. They’re terrible people wanting convenience no matter the consequences.

Cold queso is rubber...sorry...can't do it.

sorry...slow this week.

And then there were two.  I may try again to add...I don't know yet.  We'll see.

Lost the Dr. I take it?  Wish I could say loosing people is unusual...

Will post tomorrow.  Rough day and brain is done.

As he logged on I take it he formally left the game?

He said RL was getting in the way.  He could be being nice, but he did drop his posting quantity suddenly a while back.  We'll see.

Reality sucks.

My plan was to still use some of the story lines from those that have dropped.  I may use the character.  Either of you have an issue with that?  I will be using the name, backstory and then adding to it (I will be re-working the character if used in anything more than a cursory way).

All good here.

I've done the same. When I was running my Shadowrun game before it went on hiatus because pandemic, the main problem was the former character of a player we booted from the table and said character's brother.

I claim post 900 in the name of France!

Plants French flag.

I'm so happy...for France.

Vive la France!

I'm sorry...I'm having issues with RPOL.  If I don't see your post and it has been a while, let me know.  A post from yesterday also was not truly 'posted' it seems and then the site logged me off.  UGH!  Fixing today and crossing fingers.

BobManGM

Things were fine on my thread.

No worries.  We talked.  Rpol is quirky at times.  *shrug*  You're good.

Let me know if you see the post.

Yep, see it.  Will post tonight, hopefully.

I did open it back up again...why not?  We'll see what happens.

I'll be modifying the cast. FYI.

We've had a death in the family.  I'll try to catch up in a day or so.

Don't sweat it. Take whatever time you need.

Sorry to hear it.  My sympathies.

Apologies for not posting.  RL kind of hit me hard this last week.

Well...have two people interested.  We'll see how it goes.  I'll keep you updated.

I got my shot today, so I'm a little unfocused (headache and sleepy).  Sorry for the short posts.

And please welcome DeeYin (current Temp1 with an update to come)!!!

BobManGM

I just introduced someone to MEGS, so I may have another potential player if she likes the rule set.

Welcome!

Hello and thank you for the welcome!
I am looking forward to joining in soon.

Welcome aboard.

Sorry for being slow, things have been a little hot at work.  Online stalking issue...from New Zealand.  Not a lot I can do, but I'm in all the meetings and trying to direct people in the right direction.  I'll get caught up.

You have an online stalker in New Zealand?

Hmmm. While no stalker is good, perhaps there is some small comfort in knowing that they are rather distant and under travel restrictions... assuming you also are not in NZ. Hopefully things resolve soon.

1. I do not have a stalking but I am investigating a stalking issue.
2. I live and work south west of Chicago.
3. There is a lot of damage a person can do, even with distance.

And please welcome Isenax (character name TBD).

Bob
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:23, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Greetings all.

Welcome!

Thank you.

Hello and welcome from the other new player! ^_^

Greeting Oh great and powerful Djinn.

Don't be ridiculous.  There's no such thing as magic.  It's just an energy source that hasn't been categorized yet! ;)  She's clearly a mind controlled/slave super! ;)

When you have eliminated the possible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be magic. ^_^

Not exactly.  ;)

Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

If you want to post images of your characters in descriptions like I do in my Cast page description, you can upload pics to https://postimages.org/ and then link using this template: <img src="link to image">

It's a replacement for Photobucket and Flikr that both flaked out.

It will only accept certain image types.  It is in the FAQ.

Well...first post is up for our Jinniyah.

Since I have multiple threads now, I have to ask. Hero Points?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:14, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 262):

Thank you so much for the tip! I was wondering so much how to do that. My search skills failed me so could not find it in the FAQ. The links to the pictures are sufficient for now, but this will definitely be something that will be added.

HP...yeah...good idea.  Duh!

Mindstrike - 62
Knight Wolf - 11

Sweet.
You might want to start a Hero Point award thread and pin it.
You need to archive all the closed threads too because housekeeping.

What do we do with them again?  They for rerolling by any chance?  Since the dice roller loves me so...

In reply to Knight Wolf (msg # 268):

Yes.  I allow character enhancement, roll enhancement and even environment alterations (but only simple/minor that make some sense...I will not use HP to manufacture a witness to an event as in their example, but want a fire extinguisher on the lab wall, sure).  If the book covers how, we're good.

On other note on HP, I may award them for what I refer to as 'comic book' situations.  If you all defeat the BBG before I'm ready or some big clue is revealed before I'm ready, I'll award something.  You've done well...there is not reason to not acknowledge that...but the story has to go on.  I'm taking that from M&M.

Sorry.  I had said V&V, but that was because I found an old book and it had been on my mind.  I corrected this to say M&M.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:16, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

You have to go with a different method of reward given the format.

The only problem with MEGS is that Hero Points are a resource used to alter dice rolls and the environment in play and as experience to advance your character. Years ago, I had a solution of a Hero Point Bank that would work as it does for NPCs which would refresh, and you would buy up, but I have no idea where my notes on it are anymore.

Thanks to an old GM, I am loathe to spend HPs for rolls these days and would rather save them to advance my character.

OH...that's right, I remember reading this.  They're exp too.  :\  Well that's frustrasting...

Well, thanks for the info!

(Also, I love the arabic text!)

?  Not sure what you mean.  I'll look at the V&V reference on it again....

Given the format, it would take weeks, months, or even years to run a single adventure.
So don't be afraid to be generous with the Hero Point awards.

The way the game is going though, we seem to be rolling in subplots.

Yeah...subplots till people are here.

The only other superhero game I am familiar enough with is the TSR marvel game, and they used a similar method- karma was used for advancement and also for increasing dice rolls and other effects. So it does not seem particularly odd from my point-of-view. It is certainly understandable wanting to use the points just for advancement, rather than for rolls, but since foiling the villain leads to extra points, it is a bit of give and take, correct? And there is also the natural inclination of many gamers to not want to ever lose fights. ^_^

Also, the Arabic text just makes more sense to use for now. ^_^ Hopefully it translates closely enough, until she switches to English use.

FASERIP was created in 1984 with the Advanced rules appearing in 1986. MEGS appeared in 1985 with 1st Edition of DC Heroes. 2nd and 3rd Editions were 1989 and 1993 with the Blood of Heroes RPG in 1998 being a virtual reprint of the 3E MEGS rules. In 2000, Blood of Heroes: Special Edition was published. It's 4E MEGS and the last published version of the rules.

If anyone wants, I have an RPOL formatted character sheet and a Notepad template I use for character builds.
I also can provide a PDF of Blood of Heroes: Special Edition that...fell off a truck.

I can post the templates here and link the BoH:SE book and GM screen (which makes for a handy player reference).

The PDFs were given to me by one of the owners of Pulsar Games who is a little bitter about DC Comics and Warner Bros thinking they own MEGS.

I think I had access to a brail version of BoH too (PDF of all things)...at one point.

A braille pdf? I had no idea that was feasible. I know about text to voice readers, but that would work with just normal language so no need for braille. But looking it up you can see that they have printers that use a braille embosser to make braille readable printouts, and even more interesting, that they have attachments to let someone actually read what is on screen without a printout at all! That is amazing!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...able_braille_display

I would be very interested in seeing the templates, thank you!

`Underground' also used the MEGS system, but it is not a game I have ever played.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...d_(role-playing_game)

Also, while not a version of the game, it certainly looks like the later editions of M&M drew a lot of inspiration from DC Heroes. But I have had little experience with that game, although perhaps it will be something to try out.

As for the game itself, I think they are working on a new version of it or a retroclone of it now? The main mailing list for the game just had a post or two about requesting playtesters for it. Since the new owners of Pulsar are part of that list, and did not stop discussion of this as they had don when other people brought it up, I assume they are part of it, or have given approval?

Of the two players of the PBeM game that preceded this campaign decades ago that have unfortunately passed, one of them was blind and used software to read PDFs.

Underground used a modified MEGS. Where as the base MEGS is x1000 ever 10 APs (and thus about x2 per AP between), the APs in Underground were x1.5 the previous AP. It would be useful for street level games.

Mutants & Masterminds, 3rd Edition enraged me for a minute when I saw their Measurements Table as it completely rips off the AP Benchmark table. Then I went to the credits and say Ray Winninger had a special credit which calmed me down and explained why.

The MEGS retro clone has been created by a member of the DC Heroes RPG Facebook group named Chris Williams, and members of that group are not terribly fond of BoH:SE, writeups.org, or the old DC Heroes Mailing List. You would be better to ask on the FB group.

I have the MM books and there are a few items that are pulled from DC Heroes.  But, I didn't like the character creation, the damage 'affects' for combat (overly complicated to me), and much of the world they created was OK.  I did like a few items from the game (puzzle solving as group or individual, the awards, and some others.  I may look back at it.

I feel about MM that I feel about PF2.  I just spent more on MM.

I looked at the MEGS clone on FB and it seemed OK.  Nothing shocked or awed me.  Not seen Underground.

Underground is a 90s 3Edgy5U parody setting.

I've never done this system before coming here.  I've done a few others.  MnM I've done quite a lot of, V&V a little bit, Supers! a little bit, GURPS Supers (good lord those were hard).  I have Champions but have never actually played it.  Same for Hero (mostly because I dislike Palladium system).   Same for Wild Talents.  Oh and Savage Worlds Powers I've done quite a bit.

Champions base system is HERO (all caps). The Palladium system is all of the Palladium RPGs, and it sucks. I refer to Heroes Unlimited as False Advertising because if you convert any heroes and villains, even high level ones, into any other system, they are mediocre at best.

I've never played Villains & Vigilantes, but I understand there is a new edition of it put out by Jeff Dee.

While I like Savage Worlds, I have the same opinion of its supers rules as I do the supers rules for FUZION as presented in Champions: New Millennium, it just doesn't work.

MEGS is by far my favorite supers system with M&M3 coming in second.

SW Supers doesn't really work for mid to upper power tiers but I found it worked rather well for low end powers or street level.

One of the few good decisions I have made in life is to have not joined facebook or twitter. ^_^

So, I suppose seeing the retroclone MEGS they are working on will have to wait until they have finished it, and made it available elsewhere.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

In reply to Knight Wolf (msg # 283):

You have just a few, eh?

In reply to Jinniyah (msg # 286):

I thought there was a beta of the clone, but I cannot find the link.  I've asked if there is one....

Hey there!
New player here looking forward to playing with you. Once I'm done with the whole character creation process :)

In reply to The Game Master (msg # 288):

That would be amazing if there was one to see! Thank you!

Also, I found another site, Exponential Heroes, where he has come up with his own variant for the MEGs rules. I do not know if he has it together in one document, but he has all the chapters in various posts for certain.
http://mayfairexponentialrpg.blogspot.com/


And to Temp3- welcome! As-salaam 'alaykum! Welcome to the game!

Welcome!

Sorry...a little behind with the holiday.  Posting today.  If you sent me a PM, look for a response.

1. MSI vs MSI.  There is the Chicago institution called the Museum of Science and Industry (it pairs with The Field Museum of Natural History).  The Museum of Science and Industry has the nickname of 'MSI'.  Meta Specialist Inc. (shorted to MSI by many and listed this way in the docs) does not have an affiliation to the Museum of Science and Industry.  Just trying to clear that up.
2. There is NOT a beta of the MEGS clone yet.  I asked.  I did get recommendations for other games that I had not played, but that was just people being nice.
3. I will be posting a document on game expectations.  We seem to have enough people now.  I'll post it and open a discussion for questions.  I hope to do this in a day or so.

Thanks all.

Bob

I just had an idea to adapt the Powers section from M&M3 to FUZION. I think that would work.

I read the game expectations file. That all seems fine with me, and overall there is nothing I have major issues with including or excluding. There is one thing at the very end that does merit discussing though.

Social and Cultural Issues
Racism
Sexism
Specific Cultural Issues
Homophobia
Real-world Religion (negative or proselytizing)

Of course, I have no desire to offend anyone, but given what my character is, there will be some touching on specific cultural issues. As that section was in yellow, and it is unlikely to dominate a group thread, perhaps that is not an issue. And as Zahrah draws just as much, if not more, from western depictions of genies than she does from the Quran's description of jinn, this will not be a cornerstone.

The last one, real-world religions, is in red. I assume from the way you wrote this that it is fine as long as it is not in a negative or proselytizing way. Again, some mention of real world religions may come up for me, considering Zahrah's history and drawbacks, but as long as it is not done in an offensive manner, it is not problematic. (For instance, she has made reference to Solomon).

Is this approach fine for everyone?

All good here.

Fine with me.

Perfectly cool Jinniyah.

Seems good to me.

The topics come up 'in character'.  The topic may even come up 'out of character'.  But, there is a difference between a discussion (I will discuss politics at times...pros/cons...articles to read...etc.) and in character stuff that fits, but I will not (nor others) go on a diatribe on how I hate XXXXXX.  It isn't what the game is for and not necessary.  We're all here to have fun.  I understand people have strong opinions (Jobe and I belong to many of the same groups even if we are not 100% on the same page), but this is more escape.  From what you are saying, we are fine.

Bob
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:32, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

Perfect, thank you all! ^_^

Most superheroes:. Get a wall blown and collapsed upon them.  Promptly transforms into Alter Ego, and kicks super villains butt.

Darren: Immediately triages wounded, and calls 911.  Before hanging up, attracts the attention of the supervillain. Proceeds to firmly rebuke both supervillain and other combatant like errant school student dressed down by a disappointed and disapproving teacher.

*L*

Shield seems to be a more high class version of Joe Public.

In reply to Mindstrike (msg # 302):

I hadn't considered that.  He's new to bring a superhero, and most definitely does NOT want to transform into his Alter ego here.  Nor display anything "Super".  Darren just sort of "spoke", and it went from there.

Thanks again Mind! ;)

I haz PDF. If you want the link for it, just say so.

I do not know Joe Public, but Darren's actions gave me echoes of well-written Wonder Woman.

Joe Public was my character in the original play-by-email A Change in Chicago campaign from 2004 until 2007 that never finished because life got in Bob's way.

Unfortunately, I lost access to the email I used about a year later. Bob wasn't able to get hold of me directly. I just realized if he had used the Yahoo Group for the campaign, I would have gotten it as I had moved my Yahoo Groups to whatever my current email was.

Joe is mentioned in the campaign background here. The only two changes from the original are the surname of his actual identity and that he is no longer living.

Joe tended to try and talk people down. If that didn't work, then option B was a beat down, and Joe's occupation was construction...as heavy equipment because brick.

Jinn, according to Google Translate, your last response is "Madame uncle."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:19, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

Thank you for the history! I had looked up Joe Public, and saw there was a member of the Justice League with that name. So I thought perhaps that was who you were referring to. *L*

As for the Arabic, I am guessing you might have left off one small part of it when copying it into Google? That one character loss does change it from "Yes Ma'am" to "Madam Uncle".

نعم سيدتي. is "yes ma'am."
عم سيدتي. is "madam uncle."


But fortunately, Stephanie does not speak any Arabic, so even if I put in something incorrect, she would never know. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 09:00, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

I was wrong. The original A Change in Chicago campaign started before 2004. My email archive only goes back that far unless I can find my old Outlook archive from around then.

Yahoo set fire to the groups a year or two back.  I did not get the history from that.  I want to say we played for 5 years (while my wife was in school, and before kids and big job change).

I've already figured out what to do with Stephanie.  Next post.

That certainly was a very clever trick for Stephanie! Of course, as Zahrah understanding her was not the issue, I assume you were planning on Stephanie using voice-to-text to capture Zahrah's speech and translate it back for her to understand as well?

I wonder how well that would have worked if the situation had been real. As a test, I tried speaking several Arabic phrases, and let us just say the translations were some of the most bizarre things imaginable. I thought that perhaps I am mispronouncing things, but even something as simple as إن شاء الله ('in sha' allh), which I ~know~ I am correctly pronouncing, came up in English as `The coterie'. *L*

But in any case, Stephanie got what she wanted. ^_^

Welcome...<drum roll>...Dichlan!

Welcome!

Greetings Dichlan.

Hey!
Looking forward to playing with you!

Welcome to this flavor of insanity, Skye.

Hello and welcome! It is wonderful to have another player. I am also relatively new, not having met the others yet, so perhaps we will all have introductions together. ^_^

Insanity has different flavors? mmhhhhh

Meeting a real djinni would be cool :-D

In reply to Dichlan (msg # 318):

Zahrah agrees that meeting her is pretty cool. However, YMMV. :)

She would also think meeting the rest of you is cool as well, at least once she figures out what you all might be.

In reply to Jinniyah (msg # 319):

Let's say, the player thinks it would be cool. Don't know what Dichlan will think, yet ;)

Question is whether everyone already knows what he is ;)

Evening.

I've updated characters and updated access.  If you find you are missing access, let me know.  It seems I've thought I made changes correctly before, but....

We are now set.  I have closed the game.  There will be no more additions.  We have some of the characters on a course, one that is 'in medias res', and another that will start in a day or two (depends on free time...I'm a girl scout tonight, so I'm not sure how things will go yet with eight of them. :^?  We shall see.).

Please do read what you can...it certainly does not need to be done in one night and I know I'm no Butcher...but it will help as things go along.

I've had another conversation running that I wanted to bring here.  You do not need to be a 'fighter'.  There will always be other 'rolls'.  When was the last time you had a party of all fighters in D&D (if you play...)?

Remember, we are in this together, so questions and comments are welcome.  Just don't pick on my typos...sometimes I'm doing things quickly.

On a side note...Mt. Dew Major Melon...YUCK!!!  They have disgraced their good name with this one.

Bob

I present my own character sheet template for here. Copy and paste and put your info in place of the asterisks.

|<b>Character:</b> *|<b>Alter Ego:</b> *
|<b>Occupation:</b> *|<b>Resources:</b> *
|<b>Character Type:</b> *|<b>Motivation:</b> *
|<b>Height:</b> *' *" (* m)|<b>Weight:</b> * lbs. (* kg)
|<b>Hair:</b> *|<b>Eyes:</b> *
|<b>Date of Birth:</b> *|<b>Age:</b> *

|<b>Dex:</b>|> *|<b>Str:</b>|> *|<b>Body:</b>|> *
|<b>Int:</b>|> *|<b>Will:</b>|> *|<b>Mind:</b>|> *
|<b>Infl:</b>|> *|<b>Aura:</b>|> *|<b>Spirit:</b>|> *
|<b>Initiative:</b>|> *|2 |<b>Hero Points:</b>|> *

<b>Advantages:</b>

<b>Familiarities:</b>

<b>Drawbacks:</b>

|!! <b>Powers</b>|<b>FC</b>|<b>APs</b>|<b>Bonuses/Limitations</b>
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*

|!! <b>Skills</b>|<b>FC</b>|<b>APs</b>|<b>Subskills</b>
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*
|<b>*</b>|> *|> *|*

Occupation: *
Marital Status: *
Known Relatives: *
Group Affiliation: *
Base of Operations: *

<b>Background:</b>

<b>Description:</b>

<b>Personality:</b>

In Game Notes
Friends:

Enemies:

Wealth: *
|!! Wealth Check| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6|
|Roll| *| *| *| *| *| *|
|Effect| *| *| *| *| *| *|



Hero Points
Original Point Total: */900
Original Bank: *
Experience: *
Spent (Advancement): *
Spent (Actions): *

Excellent RP Jinniyah.

Thank you for the template! I used a simple list for mine, but perhaps will adopt parts of it. And it reminded me of the familiarities, something completely forgotten.

And to the GM, it is a very good thing we do not all have to fighters. Zahrah can only muster an EV of 2, so it is unlikely she would be out front swinging a scimitar about. *L*

And Shield, thank you! I was a bit worried about getting a bit too detailed, especially when referencing the bible and the qur'an. Hopefully it gives enough detail to get the understanding, but not so much to tread on sensibilities.

I think it's awesome Jinniyah.  But then, I really enjoy it what a Player develops their character with a deep understanding, and reference to in-game history, and draws on the real world for inspiration and attendant knowledge.

Thank you, and I agree- it is much richer when you can utilize and add to a setting via actual history and game history. But having been sitting in her bottle for some time now, there was less of a chance to add directly from game history. So, I relied more on actual history and writings. I am definitely open to tying things closer campaign-wise though, so for instance if the GM has in mind a previous master, or has a similarly long-lived individual that she could have been encountered before, it is certainly agreeable with me!

Love your post, Jinniyah!

Dichlan and I are in a game that had an insufferable player that would post walls of text that were less RP and more speculation while thinking in character.

Jinn, your post is great. You tell a story in character that expands on your character's backstory and adds to the very fabric of the game world. I was unaware of the connection of djinn to Solomon, and while I knew there were other varieties, I was unaware of the power scales relative to the binding.

Shield technically could have smacked Leathers across the street, he's not using his full strength.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

Thank you all for the kind words. Even if we are not yet sharing threads, it is nice to know they resonate!

I am drawing inspiration primarily from 4 sources- the Qur'an, folklore, D&D, and I Dream of Genie, and then adding a bit to smooth over inconsistencies, fill in things that are not quite clear, or modify something that might be polarizing or against game guidelines.

Solomon (Sulaymān/Soleiman) and the jinn are mentioned many times in the Qur'an, and it is something I have always found fascinating. While it does not explicitly state that he was the one who bound the jinn, it does say he commanded of an army of them, and there are several examples of his use of them and of other dealings with jinn. There was also a very old D&D supplement that made a connection between Solomon and djinn, and I believe that one did make an explicit comment on binding them.

In terms of the power scale and totems, that was primarily inspired by the tale of Aladdin. His ring-bound djinn was far less powerful than the djinn of the lamp (something the ring djinn told him directly when he tried to counter the magic of the lamp djinn). IDOJ also has genies of varying power levels, some above her and some below, so putting her, as a bottle genie, in the middle of the hierarchy made sense. And it also nicely covers why Jinniyah cannot perform many of the magic feats attributed to genie of legend- she is a bottle genie, not a lamp genie.

Oh, so people do not feel the need to look it up if they had a mind to do so:
'iisbae loosely translates to `finger', but it is also an ancient Arabic measuring unit, which was based on the length of a finger. It was a bit less than an inch.
Barid was about half the length of a village. It was about 14 miles.

In reply to Shield (msg # 329):

'Leathers' does seem like he could take it.

I found a nice website. https://floorplancreator.net/
I am currently using it to map out a bar I use in my Shadowrun games.
I am learning it is MUCH larger than I expected.

On the subject of doubles in MEGS, I have seen totals over 100. Someone in one of my games hit one villain and ended up with enough column shifts that the villain went flew through a two foot thick black basalt wall and then a mile beyond that...in Hell.
He was knocked WAY out. Even with his Regeneration, he was out of that fight. It was the first Turn. The heroes escaped, and he was the Big Bad that was trying to keep them from escaping Hell. The heroes left on a giant baseball bat with Looney Toons style rocket boosters. They had entered Hell via a giant hand basket. The NPC sorcerer that created these uses Golden Age cartoons as his paradigm.

The highest roll I have seen was a roll in the 80's, and it was for a wealth upkeep roll. The character would have gone from being wealthy to owning about a third of the planet or so. He and the DM made a compromise on that, since it did not fit either of their views for the game. *L*

The original Chevalier Blanche had a final Wealth of 41 APs. We decided she owned mineral rights to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn as well as Mars real estate in addition to her corporate holdings on Earth.

Jinniyah, you made my day. Artaxerxes III?
I thought I just accidentally found the "history and archeology" fangroup over here ;)

Thank you! I am not much of a historian, at least for that part of the world. But some research certainly helps for the character and characterization. Hopefully you will not be too put out by the errors that inevitably show up. Just chalk them up to a trickster jinn playing games. *L*

Mindstrike, that is certainly one way of handling it!

I'm no historian, either. Just interested in some historical stuff, mostly Middle Ages, but some Ancient Egyptian stuff, too (a friend of mine learned how to read hieroglyphs and I guess some of that rubbed off on me ;) ).
Anyway: I don't mind if there are mistakes. I even had to look up Artaxerxes to know if he was made up ;)

Hey...working on post, but got my second shot today and I'm feeling a little out of it (and of course I got pulled into a meeting at 3 and I'm still meeting with people).  Answered PMs.  Working on simple posts.

Bob

That was me this weekend.  Felt generally run down but avoided the worst symptoms.

Glad to hear.

Glad that you guys got vaccined!

I guess my turn will be in 2029. Yay.

Dichlan, I cannot imagine trying to read hieroglyphs! Now you have me wondering if anyone writes in it anymore as a lark or exercise?

And as you no doubt know now, Artaxerxes III was real. Had Zahrah known more about Nazis, she might have made a snarky comparison of his being murdered by a eunuch with Hitler's own suicide. :P

As for the vaccine, I am scheduled for the second shot next month. Hopefully, the effects will not be so debilitating.

As far as I know no one really writes hieroglyphs for other reasons than exercise anymore. But I know some guys where it wouldn't surprise me if they really sent letters written in hieroglyphs ;)

hehehe

I hope that it'll be without nasty sideeffects for you :)

I am amazed by the items McDonald's has in countries outside the United States, and wonder just why they do not bring some of them. I understand not selling beer, like in Germany, but what is wrong with bringing a nice flan like in Japan?

Maybe, if enough people ask for that stuff, at least some owners might try something?

Perhaps so! Or maybe it can be a special, where they come in every so often? A year ago they did bring four or five items from overseas. I am not a big fast food eater, because it interferes with my training, and it is not healthy, so had not tried most. But a new dessert will always call to me. *L*

So I did go for the Stroopwafel dessert they brought from the Netherlands. I wonder what the sales were like? If popular, then perhaps they will do so again?

mmhhh, stroopwafel. How about some Vla next time?
Though I guess that's not overly healthy, either ;)

Desserts are fine.

Calories from other countries do not count!

We could add "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte" to the list, too.

My favorite German dessert is Bienenstich Kuchen!
Not only is it a yummy treat, but I can feel tough eating something called 'Bee Sting Cake'. *L*

https://www.storyofakitchen.com/bread-recipes/potica/

That looks tasty!

Completely unrelated but fun to listen to if one is into music of the Middle Ages (sort of):
https://mittelalternativ.de/2021-challenge-vote-en/
(I am not asking you to vote there)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Brava! The way she started her article was so evocative, it already had my tummy rumbling. Potica is completely new to me, but is something that will definitely have to be looked into further!

As for the links, I am definitely interested and listening now. I remember when I first started to go to Medieval/Renaissance/Celtic festivals, and it seemed that I was the only Asian person in the entire fair. Now though, you can see quite a mix! And the musicians are by far my favorite part. Thank you for the link! (And I did vote) ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Oh, you like going to these festivals, too?

Which songs are your favorites?

It was particularly difficult to choose, and if you ask again tomorrow, my answers might all be different. And not being a German-speaker, there were some compositions that could not be appreciated fully. So, that might have also affected how they were received.

So with that in mind, I choose the following:
Amarok Avari
Joseph C. Phaze
Meticus

Hehe, Amarok Avari is one of my favorites, too. By the way, the band says thank you for voting :) (I know them)
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

They are quite welcome!

Do you know or play with any of the others?


----
For context on my last game post...
Dar al-Hanan was the first school for girls in Saudi Arabia, and it only opened in 1955. Higher education, which Stephanie suggested, did not become allowed until 1970. Some places had schools earlier- specifically Egypt (1829), Lebanon (1835) and Iraq (1898). But in other part of the Middle East, illiteracy rates for women were over 90% even well into the modern era. So, the education availability now is a welcome change, late as it is.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Sat 01 May 2021.

No, not yet, but planning to. I'm gathering folks for an online Rennaissance Fair in May. So I'll get to know some more people until then. Musicians, artists and merchants.
It's not the same as the real ones, but for some better than no festival at all.

There are a few I know that were not part of that music challenge, though. The guys from Corvus Corax are nice, Guglfuhr too.

*L* You posted as I was editing my message above.

Guglfuhr is not someone I know of. But I do like Corvus Corax!
I have 'O Varium Fortune' on my playlist. ^_^

hehehe.
More history lessons. Love it :)

Corvus Corax is, as far as I know, the loudest band in that genre over here ;) And the most well known, too. Guglfuhr in comparison is really really small.

I will have to look them up. Small is no indication of quality- it could be a hidden gem. ^_^

Corvus Corax played at a renaissance festival that I go to here, but it was well before I started to attend the festivals. It would be wonderful if they came back or had a concert tour at some point. And loud is fine, as long as the music is good! There are several metal/punk/loud bands that I enjoy as well.

Where are you from, if I might ask?
I talked to the manager of Corvus Corax once and she's nice. So... maybe there'll be a way to talk them into something ;) Once everything is safe again, at least.

Which metal/punk/loud bands?

Where am I from... *L*

That is a hard question! My family is originally from Okinawa, Japan, but my parents were both born in Peru- there was a large Japanese diaspora in Peru. I personally was born in New York, and am an American citizen, but lived back in Japan for years, and also spent time elsewhere in Asia, in Europe, and various parts of America. Right now, I live in America, in Maryland, but hope to move soon. I become very restless. *L*

Oh, very many bands! Perhaps it is closer to say I am a fan of songs from bands, but I do not really follow the bands themselves. I find the songs I like and play them obsessively.

So, for punk, I like bands like the Sex Pistols, Shonen Knife, the Die Toten Hosen, TsuShiMaMiRe, and the Black Flags.

For metal, I like Iron Maiden, Bathory, Metallica, Galmet, and Black Sabbath.

But my playlist is also just as likely to come up with music from Enya, Sailor Moon anime, the theme song for 'Schnappi, das kleine Krokodil', or songs from musical plays. If it brings me joy, then I like it, even if the language is not understood. ^_^

And yourself?