Argh!  I'm unexpectedly busy these next few nights but I will write what I can.  I should be free (well, more free) Thursda night.  Believe it or not, I still think we will posting IC by Monday at the latest.

Quick answer to one question:  Use whatever portraits make you happy. :-)

I am still trying to catch up your individual posts and messages.  Thanks still for your patience.  The following paragraphs should clarify things.

First, most GMs would call thirteen players too many for a game.  For myself, I don't yet know.  Y'all are going to tell me.

Second, I don't have participation requirements for a game.  You are in the game until you quit it.  Should you not post as timely or often as the group as a whole, the worst that should happen is that your character is simply written 'off-panel' indefinitely.  This is not punitive, it is simply practicality.  And your character is written back 'in-panel' just as simply as they were written off when you are back to posting speed.

Third, sad to say, most of you will likely leave the game.  You may not quit per se, just sort of fade away.  It is no one's fault.  It is just the nature of the beast.  Sometimes the chemistry just isn't strong enough to sustain your interest.  I do understand! :-)

And some of you will leave because there are just too darned many players in the game.  As players leave, the remaining players will find themselves more comfortable with the remaining amount.  As the active players dwindle, you will find me getting effectively more repsonsive per person.

So the game will find its own correct number and mix of players, whatever it might be.  This is why I didn't set an arbitrary limit on the number of players.  This was something the game has to figure out.

Also, you have probably put heart and soul into a character idea for other games only to have it not make the cut.  I know I have and I hate that.  I also hated rejecting player applications as I did in my earlier games.  Knowing their character will be accepted also makes a prospective player bring their A-game.

And for what it is worth, I can never tell what players will last for the long haul.  That bright potential at the beginning might just fade away.  And the unassuming dark horse might really come into their own as time goes by.

In short, the game will, on its own and over time, find the right mix and number of players.  And it will just take a little patience.   In the end, the game will be for those who want it the most.  So, take heart, you are in this game and long as you want to be.

All that said, we may still end up with a lot of players.  So we may divide the characters into teams.  Research (which I will link to when I have time) shows that the ideal number of people in a group (in general) should be an odd number (to break ties) of maybe five or seven (so Captain America was perhaps right when he limited the Avengers to seven members).

Should we do different groups, the characters will likely be divided by player preference (some like the standard bearers, some like the rebels) and posting frequency.

So I will soon ask, what is the likely posting frequency you can maintain?  I mean, we would all like to respond daily but that isn't always an option.  So let me know and I will add it to your forms (it was my mistake to have left it out the first time).

So we could have team for the faster-posting players and one for the slower-posting players.  And both would be happier for it.

Posting styles might be a factor.  Some players want to post lengthy posts about what their characters think.  And others shorter posts about what their characters do. Both approaches are valid but each should belong to different groups.  Speaking of which, comics themselves have changed somewhat.  They used to have thought balloons where characters would think to themselves.  In some cases, they would narrate out loud even when sneaking.  More modern comics simply show the action, revealing the character through their actions (like a movie).  This is, IMO, more rewarding but harder to write. I will speak more on this later but I wanted to make a quick mention now.

To sum up: the number of players is likely to reduce to the true believers, and of those, they can be split into different teams to help handle large amounts of players later.  And remember this if nothing else, I don't reject players (unless they are actually being deliberately disruptive).  So you are in this game for as long as you WANT to be.  :-)

Stopping for tonight.  Brief notice tomorrow. Lots more Thursday, I hope.  Still think IC launches by Monday. :-)

That makes sense to me, and strikes me as a good approach. Player attrition is a fact of life, it's good to plan around it.

When it comes to posting frequency, I find that depends on what I'm posting. Big, detailed opening or introspective posts require more concentration and I probably won't be able to do those every day (definitely once a week at least though), while smaller actions and responses during scenes are something I could often manage to do daily... but not always. I'll err on the side of caution and say I can post every other day on average.

Also, I missed the question about other PbtA games before. I was actually introduced to the system through a Monsterhearts variant adapted for Evangelion (of all things? but then again it made a lot of sense). Monsterhearts is not for everyone, and sometimes it's not for me, but I definitely get the appeal of it. I also played in a Legacy: Rhapsody of Blood game (think generational Darkest Dungeon), which was also fun while it lasted. Another game I never actually played, would dearly like to try some day is the splendidly named The Sword, The Crown, and The Unspeakable Power, which is like the original Apocalypse World adapted for dark fantasy intrigue.

thanks to a great suggestion from Nintaku I have tightened up my concept a bit though any other suggestions are still welcome please have a look at my character thread and post any ideas you think I can add to my basic concept :o)

Quick notes while I have some time today:

My thanks to Meta for making all of the character creation threads.  I was about to ask for help on that.  But our Tech Support Guy has Spider-Sense as well and got there already.

The only last 'technical' hurdle I might ask for is for all players to be also in a private group.  There are rules, maps, and other things that can be forgiven for being posted in a private section of the game rather than a public one.  With that, all actual server demands on the game should be met.

I have posted 'The Marvel Method', the IC thread that gets the game started.  We are almost ready to start... :-)

More tonight if I can get to it...

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 107):

For the private group, you'd just create threads in Group 1 instead of Group 0 (or edit them to move them into Group 1) and assign everyone to be able to see Group 1 threads. Meta would probably be able to knock that out in under a minute. We're super on track, boss!

Already done.  :)

Hey gang!  I'm late to the party but I wanted to toss out a few character ideas before I did any detailed character creation to avoid stepping on somebody else's concept or maybe finding something that might align well with another character.

Here are the quick elevator pitches ....

Heartbreaker (Protégé or maybe the Beacon playbooks)
  A prophecy put this young girl in jeopardy from a supernatural cult that was willing to do anything to capture her and see that it was fulfilled.  She was rescued by an established hero who reluctantly allowing her to assist him with his vigilante activities while he kept watch and protecting her.  Her skills grew with experience and eventually enough time had passed that the prophecy failed to come true.  It should have been the start of an exciting new chapter but her story took an unexpected turn when that hero decided to step away from fighting crime to focus more time on his personal life and get married.  She was losing her mentor, her partner in justice, a father figure, and romantic crush.  Those who may have knew her as this innocent sidekick would probably see that she is being a little bit immature by changing her heroic identity, costume, and acting out to get attention that she had lost.
  Looking towards martial arts and equipment or some minor telekinesis if it's not the Beacon playbook.

Itsy-Bitsy  (I was thinking the Delinquent playbook, but he's more class clown than vandal.  Maybe another playbook would work better)
  An unwise decision to explore a hidden location that turned out to be an abandoned lair of a supervillain caused this young man to be exposed to the materials left behind for schemes that had yet to be unleashed when the room collapsed around him out of disrepair or from tripping some hidden trap.  When he crawled out from the wreckage, he was only a fraction of his former size.  His personality allowed him to see the humor in the situation and possibilities to use this power for his own amusement.... and maybe to help others.

I like size-changing characters so I could also maybe play a young Marvel character with a similar power like Cassie Lang / Stature.  That would probably be the Legacy playbook I think.

My favorite Marvel character is the She-Hulk.  It might be fun to play a young version of her (not de-aged, but one who was teenaged when she got her powers).  For our Mean Green Teen, I'm thinking Nova playbook for the Savage She-Hulk at Sixteen.

Opinions are welcomed.  What will work best with your characters?

Hi! I'm really interested in Heartbreaker, particularly in diving deeper into what that prophecy was (could still be?) and who the mentor was (is? Protege still has one, after all), and if those elements can connect with others. There's a whole lot of cool potential there!

Thanks, Nintaku!

I didn't really have anything specific in mind for the prophecy in the backstory for Heartbreaker.  It was a convenient way to explain why the mentor would have had to protect her over a long time rather than defeating the villain of a one-shot story.

Now that you bring it up, I think that it would be awesome if that could connect with someone who is playing the Doomed playbook with a supernatural aspect who may have been made to take her place in the prophecy --
"It should have been you, Heartbreaker!  I could have had a normal life if it wasn't for you!"

As for the identity of the mentor, I don't know if there is currently an established Marvel hero that fits the profile or could be adapted to that role or if that character would need to be made up as well.

You wouldn't really need an excuse for a mentor to take her in and take long-term care of her. Just "I found this child and now she is my child" is generally more than enough reason in worlds like this. But once you bring up a prophecy, you gotta expect people are gonna dig way deep into that one. :3 Heartbreaker could well be the Doomed! Can't have a prophecy in a Marvel universe without it coming to pass and ruining everything, after all.

As for the mentor's identity, what are the requirements? If no one in universe fits, we can just invent someone who fits into Marvel themselves. Or, maybe if you don't want to go Protege, you don't even need a mentor. Could have been taken in by the Team itself, and thus tie yourself to our group that way.

If we're going all future prophecy, maybe Bishop? (before they trashed his character with that whole Mutant Messiah arc.)

OK, folks, we are doing fantastic! :-)

Again, my apologies for the delay!  It has been a busy week in real-life.   And this game has thirteen players without being advertised (which is why I didn't advertise it)!  Most games would kill for half that much interest after advertising.  I would love to take personal credit for all of this interest but I'm new to most of you.

It just seems that Masks scratches some itch that other games don't.  I've always thought that superheroes were a metaphor (amongst many other metaphors) for adolescence.

It is bittersweet to see just how well you are getting along without me. ;-)

So tonight I am going to finish up IC Thread #0 if I am lucky.  And then I will open up IC Thread #1 if I am really lucky.  Once that is done, you are posting In-Character and the game will actually have begun.  Otherwise, the odds are that the real IC thread will be opened up Saturday nights.

I realize how frustrating it must be to have questions about the game and your characters that I haven't yet responded to.  I do want to and, once y'all are posting among yourselves IC, then I can start catching up.

There is a quote I love by Churchill (although these days, Churchill's legacy is a little tarnished).



The thing is, you are probably used to more OSR (Old-School Roleplaying) games where knowing your stats, map position, rules and tactics was vital to your survival.  In those games, it made sense to be absolutely sure of what your character can-and-cannot do.

But in Masks, we are writers, not chess players.  You are very talented, self-selected and pre-selected players with excellent taste (I mean, you chose this game :-D ).  And I am God Almighty in this game with Marvel's soft-focus view on science so I can fix anything.

So, try your first blush at a character when we start playing in this freeform beginning.  Lean on what you are sure of and gradually hint and what could work for your character.  If that doesn't work, try another character and another until you find one that does.  Characters in Masks take a paragraph of description if you don't know how to play and five minutes of work if you do.

You are already ready already and I should get to your questions in a couple of days. :-)

My thanks, as always, with your patience.

A lot of great character concepts seem to be flowing, and I look forward to seeing more. I know my character, but I haven’t dug deep because I am still watching what others are doing. The relationship parts of the (back)story are kind of up in the air for me until I get more information on others. But I am watching everything grow, and am open to connect with others on bond forming, world building, and storytelling.

Steel Ninja. A mini mecha. Easy going. Fun loving. Ready for adventure.

Steel Ninja, thanks and you have just made a good example of a character 'blurb'

Let me explain...

For this first IC thread I ask that instead of posting In-Character, you post a one-to-three sentence blurb/high concept/elevator pitch of your character.

This is how Marvel Comics often introduces its characters in the recap pages and other places.  They know that each Marvel comic might be the first a reader picks up in that storyline, in that series, or even at all.

This blurb will also help the other players (and myself) to keep track of who everyone is in this very busy game.  Me or Meta will collect the blurbs and put them into the Recap Page among other places when they are compiled and collected.

Here is how I might do a blurb for a teen hero...

"The Amazing-Spider-Man (Peter Parker):  Bitten by a radioactive spider, young Peter gained super-strength and agility, along with the power to cling to walls, sling webs and a mysterious 'spider-sense'.  A momentary lapse into apathy and indifference cost Peter someone he loved.  Now, realizing that 'With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility", the 'friendly neighborhood Spider-Man' protects the people of New York City from injustice..."

Of course, your blurb doesn't have to be so descriptive.  Any secrets or secret identities revealed in the blurb are for the benefit of other players.  The other characters only know what is revealed over the course of the game.  BTW, secret identities are what you want them to be in this game.  The only exception is the Janus who HAS to try and squeeze two identities into one life.

I'm looking forward to your blurbs (and hearing them in Stan Lee's voice).  Go ahead and put your blurb at the end of IC Thread #0

The next thing I am working on is IC #1.  About an hour of consistent work and the game is ready to go (if I can find a hour in bits or pieces).  This game is about to happen, folks...

I'm sorry nintaku but I read partway down your thread and I can't resist.

"Octo as the brain
Octo as the brain.
He might be a genius
He might be insane.

He has four mighty arms.
You'll fall for their charms.
He's Octo,
Octo as the brain

Before the day is done,
His plan will be unfurled
He'll ensure the fight is won
He's gonna save the world.

He's Octo, Octo as the brain
Brain, brain, brain
Brain, brain, brain
Brain, brain
Squid!"

does anyone have any suggestions for my character let me know in my character thread. If not i'll start looking into my playbook a bit more and fleshing him out

Just started wat hung Jupiter's legacy on netflix...... Not sure if it will be any good wondered if anyone else was watching it

Haven’t started watching yet, but it is on my list.

Terribly busy tonight.  But I hope to launch the IC thread tomorrow... :-)

Oh dang, I keep meaning to mention, being set in a complete Marvel universe of our own design means that we can reintegrate properties that were split off or canceled entirely, like Transformers and Doctor Who. And those are actually the only ones I know of. But yeah. :D

Hello everyone.  A bit late to the party, but hopefully the more the merrier.  I am looking forward to trying Masks and seeing what it has to offer.  Its been many years indeed since I've played a Superhero game, but I ran Marvel Superheroes back in the day and I know the Old Marvel Universe well (before they messed with it and made all sorts of silly retcons that made no sense).

As requested, I wrote this out by way of introduction

Nickname: Well lilbug obviously lol or occasionally DD for Dangerous Dan
Gender/Pronoun: He/Him is good for me
Nationality/Location: I am Canadian, though I now live in Texas in the Dallas area.
Online Time: I work nights, so my online time is limited.  Central Time and definitely not on Wednesday nights.
OS/Browser: I use Windows 10/Firefox
Text Background: Default
Anything Else: Been gaming since I was about sixteen and I'm 54 now.  I have never played Masks before and I'm eager to try :)

Welcome to the team! We're happy to bring aboard players new to Masks. It's a very simple system at its core, so long as you're okay with improv.

OK updated my character concept changed my playbook and my marvel connections without I hope changing the overall concept.

Ricochet many thanks for you comments I've actually taken a lot of them on board with these revisions :o)

Hmm... I think I will stick to one character for now. That said, would I be able to add another one or two later, if I find myself inspired and with enough time and inspiration to do that? Could be fun to add to the roster during play, if we're going for a super-large team/group of teams anyway.

Game is finally begun.  Go ahead and post In-Character in the IC Scene #1 thread. :-)

Sleepy.  Will post more tomorrow..
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:57, Sun 09 May 2021.