You know the drill.  Blah blah, yack yack, ooga ooga, etc.

Update --

To those involved, at this time, three character submissions have been approved.

One fits a particular tinge of the setting quite well.   Another is going to be an interesting fit given the identity of a certain antagonist group.   And a third will add a cool mystique (no; I don't mean Raven Darkholme) to the hero team.

I've got another player working on a submission, as I understand.

We're going to start this with five, as I believe I mentioned.  Possibly, I may add to that later, but don't hold your breath.  I want to give the PCs a certain focus as people, that I don't see as doable (or at least, needing too much work from yours truly) with a bigger group.

I don't want you to know who your teammates are before the story commences, and so won't be adding characters to the cast list till we're set to go.   But things are moving ahead...

Update, the Sequel --

We're at a solid four count now.

In terms of sheets, not everyone is done, but we're getting there.

I don't see complete sheets as a requisite to start.  The initial part of the game doesn't need any dice rolling.   Thus, if some are still a work in progress for a bit, that's okay.

I do need to fill that fifth opening, however.  That'll to be my priority, today/tomorrow.  Once it's done, and I've got a full character concept from them, we'll have what we need to open the game.

To anyone who thought I might never really start this thing -- heh!   How do you like them apples?

Character sheets should all be open, and user editable...please do let me know if you find it otherwise.

4/5 of you have now set your foot upon the road...as much as possible, floating in an endless, featureless void.

Valkyrie's post is on the way, as I hear...player got demolished by work.  Can't we all relate?

Also, I want to reemphasize, this game will move at a moderate rate.   It is, by design, the kind where you can think about your post (if you need/want to), rather than rushing to slam something out.

That said, I know it's a drag when some parts move too slow (like combat), and I'll do my best to avoid that.   Bear with me, in our first one;  it'll be my first time managing the dreaded Doom Pool...

It occurred to me today almost every game I'm now in runs a different system.   I used to play a lot more freeform, or close to.

There's a pathfinder game I've been in for years;  well run, great GM.  Mostly character/story driven.    But having played D&D 5 for over a year now, it's become the norm.

And I go back to pathfinder...and it's like, I've forgot everything... much time ctrl+fing through books, combing through spells, re-figuring how movement works, etc. etc.

I'll give you folks this, just so no one's in doubt --

Strange can tell you about what has occurred, the consequences of not setting it aright,  and what needs to be done to fix it.

Your window to ask questions about the above closes when this prologue does.

The next (and subsequent) npcs will be able to tell you about the city itself, as residents of the place.   But won't know anymore (and most nothing at all) than you about the theft of Eternity's heart.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:38, Sun 14 Aug 2022.

So, I've updated Kid's description a bit. I had forgotten that the white suit had a blue tunic. And while I could simply say that this version doesn't have any blue to it, I wanted an image in the description.

Plus, the blue w/red logo gives you more the Super-man look.

I always think of Hyperion in the original red/gold costume, but am sure he's had others I've not seen.

The Friends = Squadron Supreme/Sinister? If the latter, Barbara’s about to have a whole different take on Mark.

You know, for some reason, I was thinking Specter would have a flame cycle.

Of course, I was probably thinking of that other guy, from the other game, who now flies around with a cape.

Specter, we haven't finalized your sheet;  you'll need to let me know on the nature of the bike, in the nearish future.    And we'll arrange something.

Val, however, is going to win this round of Is This My Hog?

There's no cape.  :)

You know, I just assumed.

No cape?  You're in violation of Codes, you know!  -1 PP          (kidding)

Important note:

Kid Hyperion has not yet announced his hero name to the group.   Neither did Dr. Strange tell you.

When that revelation comes (if it does, because Mark could potentially say his name is something else) it should be an additional shock.  (or the first, if any character isn't familiar with the Squadron)

...and he just did it.

I'll get that character sheet done ASAP. And I figure Specter's cycle is a near-enough version of the original Ghost Rider's, although with some modern components-- they wouldn't melt since Hellfire doesn't actually burn in the sense that real fire does. (Maybe? I think? A lot of what goes on with GR seems to depend on the writer.)

(And I may have been having a goof when I mentioned it having a "find-my-car" feature. You'll find I'm full of cheap humor.)

Cheap humor not an issue!   I have a tendency to teeter between the serious/dramatic and the flippant/silly that I've been told (real life) is confusing.

Trust me, I won't hold anyone else's brand of laughs against them, unless it's the deliberately mean spirited sort.

Specter, I can open a 'Sundown Streets' thread, if you want, depending what you plan to do.  I probably will -- it can be used by other characters later on, as well.

However, you can also just wander off screen for a bit, if you prefer.

Dividng the party won't always be possible, but there are times where it won't hurt (like now) or may prove necessary.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:26, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

Okay:

So we're at the part where I'm going to start heading you people into the adventure portion of the story.

I cannot stress enough:   The PCs hold the reins here.

Yes, you're going to meet NPCs who offer this that and the next thing.   Whether you choose to take any of them up on it is your call.  Neither Bill, nor any other npc is your leader or coordinator.   You five have that role.

You, do, however need a starting point;   one will shortly be presented.  You can refute it, but then it's on you to devise Plan B.  Albeit, I can offer hints on that if need be.

You guys are in a place whose customs and quirks are all questions marks for you.    In this first part, gaining familiarity is crucial.

There's two way we can play through this part:

It can go as a general Q&A, but I realize we've a lot of that already.

Or, if no one has an issue with Sylph knowing the gist of what's occurred, then we can assume Bill or someone else fills in her.    Based on what Bill said about her earlier, she:

1) Has met Dr. Strange and regards him well.
2) Is someone Bill has worked with for awhile, and trusts.
3) Despises the Friends, and wouldn't compromise the group to them.

She has reason to be on the same page as the group, other words.   Her purpose (story wise) is to:
1) Relay news about something odd that's occurred in the city.
2) Present a few choices, so we can edge into the adventure portion from here

I can summarize how she tells you the above, w/o the group having to pull it out of her, one question at a time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:08, Mon 22 Aug 2022.

I'm happy with an exposition dump. Sometimes that helps move things along.

If anyone prompts on what these Friends can do, they are power wise, very similar to the 616 Squadron, except that last.   It is info Jeanne-Marie can provide, but I'd rather not type out what you (the players) already know.

You can assume she passes along the general, at some point, and save IC questions for any real specifics.

Hello all! Apologies for not posting. I got busy with end of summer and beginning of fall preparations.

No worries;  I haven't set a minimum posting rate, and don't plan to.    If anybody appears to have disappeared, I'll (politely) prompt in PM.

It's okay to coast through certain parts, and be more active in others.

Note:  We're approaching that portion where the dice are going to start being a thing.    Both for combat, as well as making effects in other situations.

Two characters (Modred/Cipher) still need complete sheets.

In Mordred's case, let's all give him a golf clap:   This will be his first time playing MHR. His sheet had to be created ground up, without any similar ones to base it on.   I'm stalled a little on the powers --  especially the SFX.   I may open a "Pimp Mordred's Sheet" thread, to ask for insights from the group in finishing those.

Cipher, in your case, do you want to take a stab at filling in your powers, let me review, and go from there?   Or would you prefer my filling them in, and then you offer your input?

That would be most appreciated! I have some vague ideas, but if I were to make them, I'd likely just crib from the datafiles in the basic book. How do you want me to share my thoughts with you?

I'm no expert (yet), but what I find works well is something like this, for Custom characters:

You're making a custom sheet for character C, and notice they're a fair amount like character A, who has an existing MHR write up.   Except some powers are more like character B, who also has an existing sheet.

So, use A's sheet for the basis, remove what doesn't fit, and cut & paste what you do want from B.       Then revise distinctions, specialties, etc., that's the easy part.

We'll do the specifics in PM.

It doesn't make a big difference whether you guys meet upstairs, or at the cafe.    Given no accord, or really outstanding preference, I'll decide.

Having that meeting is basically just to decide, do you want to:

a) try to use Jeanne-Marie's friend, who may be a short cut, if what she can do works at all
b) find the guy she just mentioned, whom she'll provide more details about, once you're not in the middle of the store
c) try and investigate the recent arrivals to the ctiy
d) anything else, anyone cares to suggest

Choices a & b will both initiate the adventure part of the game.    Choice c will force your GM to improvise more, but could be interesting.   Be prepared for more of a sleuthing bent, though.

Choice d...who knows?   Have at it, if you're inclined.

Mark would probably lean towards option A.

We need every ally we can get. I vote for A, too.

I'd be grateful for any help possible with my character sheet. I think Scribe and I got most of it, but any input is welcome.

I'm partial to A as well, although we probably should find a way to reconnect with Specter soon.

No worries, Mordred; I invited you to the game, after all!    It's good exercise for me, because it makes me look closer at how the system works.

And Mr. Specter, yes;  he will be looped back to the group by the time said adventure starts.

Seems like we all got quiet, suddenly.

Sorry, I've been kind of swamped with work. I spent 7 hours grading on Sunday on something I thought would be too easy for my kiddos. Welp, I guess this week will be review rather than new stuff... x_x

No sweat, Mordred.  I remember your line of work, and how it may keep you busy.

We did get quiet, yes;  a bunch of stuff at once for me, some good, some bad, just life, etc.

As mentioned, my next agenda is character sheets and I've lacked the time for it.   Today/tomorrow, for sure.

Though some tweaking is likely par for the course, Sir Mordred has a full sheet at last!

Unfortunately, we lost Cipher during the slump.    I'll see about getting a replacement.   Most probably, I'll give new player the choice of adopting that character, or bringing their own.

I will get things back underway tonight...

AFAIK the Starstone metal isn't the same as adamantium, but Mordred and the Marvel casual that I am wouldn't know for sure. :-p

Action upcoming!

For some of you, MHR is familiar, maybe even old hat.

For the rest, remember:

We use a different sort of 'initiative' system.    After I set the scene, I'll let you know which character will act first.

And once that person acts, they get to call who acts next, by naming them at the bottom of their post.    Remember that you can even name one of the bad guys, if that ever happens to be advantageous, for some reason.   (But you must always choose someone who hasn't acted yet)

So it runs, till everyone has acted.

Remember too, that the game differentiates between actions and reactions.     The former you take on your turn, and the latter whenever the GM asks for one.

You don't list who goes next on a reaction;  only after your action.

And, you start with the usual 1 plot point (PP).    And we'll do the usual thing, that every MHR GM I know does.    At the end of your post, please list your current number of plot points.    Just a brief PP = X
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Tue 27 Sept 2022.

Ok, Kid H nabs the PP!   But if anyone else wants to, the GM is feeling reasonably generous.

I think, I may need to add D6 to the Doom pool, for every PP beyond that first, though.   In the name of equity...

Oh boy, I'm in trouble since I'm up but not quite sure what to do. How would I support Val's attempt to talk Sluggo down?

Mordred, I'll get with you in PM --   I'd intended to coach you piece by piece, so I'll let you know what's at play here, and how you can contribute.

And bear with me on this first battle, folks --  my first time managing Doom pool and all that, so I may proceed a bit slowly, double checking, so I know what I'm doing, and later battles can move at a better clip.    Because, I know, nothing worse than when combat moves at a crawl...

Kid Hyperion: Mordred passed to you.

Ack! So he did!

Yep.   Be sure to always look at the last player action post to see who's up next.

Reaction posts (bad guys or players) are outside that order, and do not alter it, though they may fall between action posts.

Reactions for npcs will always be labeled such, at the top of the post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Mon 03 Oct 2022.

In reply to Sundown Scribe (msg # 43):

Oh, I'd seen that it was passed to me. I'd simply forgotten about it.

But now Val can regret waking me up to my responsibility, as I've probably tanked the shot.

Any players object if Specter takes a quick swing at Mark? Lucky for Mr. Sluggo (but not so lucky for the team), protecting other mutants is a matter of reflex for my character. And I've cleared it with Mark's player and the GM already. I just want to make sure our teammates would try to mediate if it came down to it. (I'm picturing a brief scuffle, not a full-on duel to the death.)

I'm not really a fan of player vs. player fighting, but if you are all okay with it then you're welcome to go at it.

The player did ask me as well as Mark's player in advance;   I'm not a great fan of it either, but not 100% opposed, if it can done in a fun way at the player level, and not cause issues.

Remember team, actions vs. reactions.

Normally, a player character can only have one action per round.

You get your one action when named by the person preceding you.  Which always starts at the top with me (as the GM, not necessarily a bad guy npc), at start of each new round.

Reactions, as name implies, are in response to something.   Normally, you get a reaction whenever the GM says you do.    You can have any number of reactions, as needed, which can happen any time, outside the action order.

Note that you cannot counter attack on a reaction, only defend.  You must wait for your action to go on the offensive.    You may, however, spend a plot point to create an effect (complication, stress, or asset) when you beat the bad guy's total.

I'm not sure how reactions are supposed to work when one player attacks another, but it makes sense Mark was entitled to one.    He can't take another action because he's already had his for this turn.

The only characters with actions left for this turn are the npcs.  (Sluggo, Cipher, Sylph)

Speech:   I'm inclined to say, characters can talk (only) at any time in the round. It's a freebie.  However, I don't want it to get overused and messy.   We can try that --  but, if messy, we'll restrict talking to only on your action or reaction.

If anyone wants to say anything to Specter, consider this an appropriate break to do so, before I act for the npcs.

Sorry for the delay, folks!

There was several reasons...it was a challenging scene to figure out...I was unclear what I wanted to do with all three npcs.   Including a possible fate for Cipher, who no longer has a player, and how things would proceed after Scott's choice to attack Mark.

And yes, I narrated rather than rolled.   The mechanics were preventing me from getting this done.    I'm going through some extra training at work, right now, and I just burned out on having to look up rules, and think about how they would fit here.

Also, I never had a sheet for Cipher, and didn't feel like making one, at this point.

So I narrated;  as in my game preamble, I warned you I would, at some point.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/p...t/3310/Hearts--Souls

Don't throw dice...but I'm giving serious thought to switching our game system to the one above.

Whoever wrote it plainly took inspiration from MHR, but wanted something a bit easier.

Better, they've also plainly played the Window, one of my favorite rpg systems, and taken some elements from that.

I admit;  I'm finding certain things about MHR to be time consuming.  It seems like I'm always going back to look up rules, and it cuts into time I'd rather spend driving the game.

No worries on either account. I'm sorry for dragging my feet. I had a post written up and then deleted it because I wasn't sure how it would shake out, but now it definitely fits what happened. If it's okay, I'll post a verbal reaction to what is going on.

Yes, go for it...

Anyone else may, as well, just remember everyone's had their turn/action already, so any sort of retaliation has to wait for the next round.

Sorry, still at work and letting some students use my classroom for a D&D session (lol). I'll try to get a post up as soon as I get home.

@Mordred Sounds to me like you're a shoo-in for Teacher of the Year. :)

No kidding, right?

No worries, no rush...I take my time with posts, sometimes.  So no player need feel bad about doing the same.

Lol, I hope they remember that next time I ask them to do their work quietly. :-p

I want to run a club at school one day (Academic League/College Bowl, karaoke, or tabletop gaming), but I'm still new and trying to make all my materials. It's a tiring job, but can be a lot of fun.

I'm asking a few questions on what to do next via PM, but I was wondering if it's okay to do some table talk in the OOC thread?

Yes, it is okay to do that.   Other players are not obliged to answer, depending on what's asked.   But, in general, most (game related) things can be discussed in ooc.

Cool.

I posted my action. Like I said in my post, I'm not sure what opportunities are or how to use them. I'm also pretty sure that Mordred's Suspicious distinction is going to come into play with Mark going at Sluggo while Val and Mordred tried to talk him down, and Specter taking a potshot at Mark. I just don't know what the effect of that would be.

As for Mordred's staff attack, I looked up what quarterstaff combat is like, and he's probably employing something similar to these martial arts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3ROAi7TFk

Distinctions are unique, as mentioned, 'cause you can use them as a D8 or D4.   With the latter getting you +1 PP.

Because you're becoming suspicious of your cohorts, you might then use it as a D4, and a chance to stash (or immediately use) some PPs.

This could represent the stress of Mordred not really being sure whom he can trust, or some other negative feeling about it.

OTOH, you could use it as a D8, with the premise that said stress is forcing him to really be on his toes.

In MHR, the dice you choose to roll should mesh with your role play.   The rules encourage you to be creative, as long as you're staying true to the character.

Fun random fact:   Margaret Weiss, of Dragonlance fame, co-wrote these rules.

Ah, I see. Can I use two distinctions in an action: Knight Out of Time and Suspicious? If so, can I roll a d4 and use it to pick up a PP to use to add to my roll (make it 20 instead of 16)?

Sorry. One Distinction per roll.

Cool, thank you. I'm happy with how things shook out.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Wed 19 Oct 2022.

Great posts, both!

Next up will be Sluggo, however...Kid already took his action, first of the heroes in this turn.

And a new turn always starts with the GM, even if none of the npcs/baddies act in that post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:31, Thu 20 Oct 2022.

Valkyrie and Mordred, you're both entitled to Reactions to try and avoid Sluggo's retaliation.

You both need to roll 19 or better, or else each take a D8 physical stress.

Use dice from your sheet that are appropriate for defense, and describe what you do, and it's result --     D8 physical stress isn't the worst if you do get hit;   for all his strength, there wasn't a ton of skill in Sluggo's attack.

These are reactions, so don't bother naming someone to go next.      Everyone has taken their actions for this turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

Hello...?

I’ll post a Reaction soon. Been a busy end of month!

No rush, folks!    The Halloween madness is now upon us --  I'll probably be scarce till tuesday, anyway.   Hope everyone is doing okay, busy or otherwise!

How much physical stress does Sluggo have at the moment?

D10!

This is Mordred's Suspicious distinction coming into play, as well as his frustration at seeing a potentially avoidable fight kill one of our (OOC vanished) heroes.

I've played in my fair share of MHR games, all of which have been a joy to participate in. One of my only minor quibbles in those past games (but not here) has been when the player heroes all gel perfectly from the first meeting-- with absolutely no suspicions, insecurities, or hostilities toward each other-- when we all know that in the comics, superheroes often dish out explosive violence to each other just as much as they do the supervillains. So while I won't push the PvP stuff too hard-- I respect that not everyone enjoys it as much as me-- I'll thank everyone for being willing to let our characters take their time warming up to each other. I'm sure the bonds they inevitably form will be all the stronger for having been tested time and again. (And yeah, that's an open invitation for someone to knock Specter on his ass, if he needs to be.)

Happy to log in and see the interaction!   Whether it's all fuzzy & feel good or no.

In a game that one of you runs, my character has more than once diverged from the party to do her own thing.

In two other games, with another two of you, I play reforming criminals.  One of whom is struggling.    I'd be a hypocrite to deny players in my own those kinds of opportunities. As long as it's just RP, and fun for everyone.

Naturally, the Fantastic Four was Marvel's first big ticket.  And, they were a squabbling team.  Early Avengers had a lot of that too, mostly with Hawkeye as the instigator.    It was often a facet that distinguished Marvel from DC.

With Sluggo's luck, Charles Xavier is probably Mr. Hands, in this reality.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:06, Fri 11 Nov 2022.

I kind of feel bad because I normally play more of a teamwork character, but Mordred strikes me as more prickly.

I wanted to touch on this point. I'm 100% fine with characters disagreeing or taking different paths IC, but as a player (and a GM whenever I run games) I really prefer to make sure everyone is on the same page OOC. That gives me some time and context to come up with a post to help build those bonds. If not, then it forces either the player or the GM to be the "adult in the room" who brings everyone back together. And frankly, that sucks unless you want to play that part.

Like, I'll give what I see from Mordred's point of view: We were gathered by a wizard to save the multiverse. Specter challenged the wizard, immediately ditched us, and returned just in time to take a shot at Kid Hyperion. And that's after Mordred followed Valkyrie's lead to talk with Sluggo/Juggernaut and saw Kid Hyperion dash those attempts by starting combat. Why would Mordred want a loose cannon on the team?

The bond that brings us back together is probably something we should build before testing it. Otherwise, why would my character care?

Those are all valid points.   Things shouldn't cross lines where they become vexing at the player level, make no sense in the context of the story, or defeat the purpose of the game.

We can see how it evolves from this point, and I will make suggestions if need be.

@Mordred Yeah, those are fair points. In terms of practical reasons to stick together, I know Specter had a couple of leads from when he went off alone to the bar that may be of value to the group. Re: forming a bond, the angle I'm taking on my character is that he's emotionally scarred from seeing the X-Men of his universe wiped out by anti-mutant forces. He's a hot, agoraphobic mess and hiding it under a layer of cool detachedness (while getting verbally smacked around by a demon, no less). Perhaps if Mordred has some psychological scars of his own, and we can set up a scene where our characters are discussing their histories, that could spark a connection between our characters. I expect our obstacles/enemies will force us to work together to overcome them, but agree that character stuff works better when it's planned out. Thanks for the input.

@ Specter: Well, if Specter had stuck with the main group (:-p) he would have heard why Mordred believes Strange summoned him for this mission, which would probably provide them both with common ground.

Is your character leaving again? Because it seems like Valkyrie gave you a reason to stay.

Thumbs up for rational discussion!   I'm sure we can settle somewhere that keeps everyone content.

I'll be moving the game ahead tomorrow;  I'd really like everyone here for the next encounter/situation.    I can set things up so Specter will stay, even if he's inclined otherwise.

After that, (if there's an after...mwha ha ha :[ ) other options can be considered, if anyone is set on diverging paths.

Also, I apologize because I didn't mean for that last post to sound snarky/cheeky. I think all of our characters are suffering from physical trauma (Kid was forced to grow up a lot faster than he should have if he's the planet's only hero, and Val's history with a satanic cult is pretty yikes).

Mordred's trauma comes from his learning about his parentage and fate. He found out his real father is King Arthur, who tried to kill him as a baby because Merlin predicted that a child born on that day would kill Arthur and destroy Camelot. And then he found out that his aunt and mentor, Morgan Le Fay, wanted to use him as a pawn in her revenge plot against Arthur and Merlin. Despite his mixed feelings towards his father and his aunt, he cares about Camelot and its people. So he self-exiled himself from his home and the people he loved until he could find a way to escape that fate, and now he's been tabbed by Strange to save all of existence. He realizes that if fails here then Merlin's prophecy comes true despite his best efforts to avoid it.

So he's fully invested in the cause.

I'm not sure if there is something magic or mystical causing the change in the area, but would I have to make a roll to use Mordred's mystic senses?

Not unless you were using it in more of a combat, or stress situation.   Otherwise, something like that just works, where it makes sense.

The rules say "Senses at a d6 rating are usually additional senses that might be brought in, mostly to give you other ways to pick up on information."

I'll let you know in next post...

Okay:

So, for this next part, I need all four of you to tell me an enemy.  This might be --

- The one foe you feel you could never defeat.
- Someone you've got a long history with, and more than one near-death fight with.
- Someone you've never faced, and would never want to, because - ?
- Someone you love very much, and would hate to raise your hand against, even if they were trying to kill you.
- Someone you thought was dead, and were much relieved you'd never have to fight again.
- Anything else you want to devise, that's along these lines.

You can PM or post your answer.  But, your nemesis will be known to the group, soon enough...

No rush, if anyone needs time to consider their choice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Sun 20 Nov 2022.

I'm getting caught up on RPoL stuff amid prepping for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Petsgiving (OK, that one's a joke) and more. Pardon if I missed anything, and I'll see about getting a game post up shortly. And no worries in regard to earlier comments, Mordred-- glad to have your input. This is my first time playing a "prickly" character, and I'm still envisioning a proper arc for how he can bond with this team. Knowing some of Mordred's backstory is useful in that regard, so thanks for sharing.

Re: the question of potential enemies, I do like surprises, and any one of the following could work:

Reverend Stryker. In Specter's universe, he was successful in stoking enough widespread anti-mutant hate that the X-Mansion was burned down, the X-Men wiped out, and all but a handful of mutants hunted down or captured. Even though Scott killed him, it was too late to change what happened and Stryker "won" in the end.

Mr. Sinister. Scott's self-loathing following his failure to protect the mutants of his universe makes the idea of being cloned and studied as some sort of ideal mutant particularly painful for him. He feels like he should have died along with his friends, not continue on and have a legacy.

Mephisto. Scott is aware of his existence and that he forged a pact with him when he bonded with Zarathos (to gain the power he needed to avenge mutantkind). But he largely tries never to think about the fact that one day the lord of Hell is going to come collect on their deal, and Scott is going to be at his mercy. He's currently stuck punishing and penance-ing villains (particularly hateful/bigoted ones) until Mephisto decides he has no further use for him, but for now, that suits Scott just fine.

Let's make this interesting and say Logan.

Magneto. 'Nuff said.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Wed 23 Nov 2022.

@ Specter: Given which enemy I picked for this encounter, some of Mordred's backstory is definitely going to come to IC light once Nightmare does his thing. :-p

Hope everyone had a good TG!  (if you're in the US)

You guys can give me initial actions/reactions at your leisure.  (you of course don't have to attack immediately) There's gonna be one other little quirk about this fight.   Which is that you're in reality going to be fighting...each other.   
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Sun 27 Nov 2022.

And so, the X-mas holiday encroaches upon us all...

As an FYI, I'll be posting little to this game, if at all, from the 15th till the 28th/29th or so.   If any player(s) become scarce before then, I understand, for it is that time of the year!

Re the current scene:    On those initial attacks, you can roll dice if you wish, or just describe how you defend.   If you choose to attack, then I need die rolls.

And remember narration is your friend.  (usually)  This is just that trope where the good guys get turned against each other.

Regardless of what you attempt or roll, vs. your enemy, I'll narrate to ensure you guys don't cripple, maim, or impale the other character.   This is intended to be a little rough house fun, not a tragedy.

Of course, if you've reason not to attack, that's okay.   There will be chances to break from the 'matrix', as this progresses.

No worries, makes sense. ^_^ Blargh, I'm struggling on what to do here. I was thinking we'd run into our fears and face them, not fight each other... :-p

You are doing exactly that first thing.   However, if you choose to combat your fears physically, then your dice will be utilized against your teammate.

You aren't beholden to attack;  you may play this from a strictly psychological angle, if you prefer. While staying on the defensive, if you're teammate is choosing otherwise.

I think my struggle is that I don't want to feel like I'm metagaming by not fighting. However, I don't think Mordred would want to fight Morgan. She's the only family he has left (that hasn't actively tried to kill him in real life yet, lol).

I've gotten swept up in the holiday rush, but should have something up in the next few days.

I've got a question. Is it possible to try to see through Nightmare's deception? If so, would psych, mystic senses, or my Suspicious distinction apply?

I had planned to give the characters opportunities (in the English meaning, not MHR) for that, as this progresses, but not immediately.

Cool, sounds good. ^_^

Everyone having a good holiday season?

About the usual -- it was passable!  Hope everyone enjoyed the season.

Any case, I am back. (just in case you thought this might be a delusion?)  And will post, in the not too distant future...

Bear with me on this, folks --  I'm debating the details of how I'm going to play the next part of this.   Also, my fingers are sore, from tons of typing; work was nuts this week, after the holiday.

No worries, enjoy the end of the year and give your fingers a break. ^_^

If we attack, I assume we're rolling dice now...?

Yes, that is so..

Am I the last man standing...?

Sorry, I'm still here. I'm just trying to figure out how to respond.

If this helps at all:

- Remember, this is a demonic entity messing with you.   One who's trying to gain purchase on your doubts, concerns, past pains, as well as exploit the disorientation that comes with being in a dream.   They aren't really the person they're masquerading as, and don't know you as well as they're pretending to.

- There isn't one "right" way here.  You can try to win via rationalizing (maybe eventually waking yourself up in the process), or refute & get mad, attack your nemesis, try to outwit them in some way, etc.    Or try to assert your reality over the one being thrust at you, etc.

I should be able to get a post up later today.

Sorry for silence, folks;  2023 has been a weird year so far (which is saying something, after 2022), though not in a totally crappy way.

Among other things, my schedule and the way I work have changed, and I’m adjusting to it.

Also, after thinking about it for years, I’ve finally got a story premise and plot that merits an attempt at a book.   That’s very much a side thing, but it impacts the time I have for rpol.

Which isn’t to say I or this game are going away.   But I am stretched a little thin at the moment.

Running this has made me see I’m not gonna be that GM who presents something that plays like an epic Marvel crossover.   Not that I was ever kidding myself.   Being a writer and a GM require different approaches, and I’m more suited for the first.

At this point:  does everyone still want to go forward?   I know at least one player has their hands full in RL, and in this game that means a quarter of the group.  We could declare a short hiatus, if it'd help that player.   We're basically on one, anyway.

I would like to go forward.

I'm happy moving forward.

I’m still here. Sorry for my own absence. Santa gave me Covid for Christmas! :-/

I'm game to continue.

Sorry to hear, Val; hope you're mostly recovered from that.

Ok, bear with me a little longer then, but we are moving forward.

Out of curiosity, could Mordred try to determine if Morgan's "hellfire" was mystical in nature? I'm trying to think of a way to get Mordred to become suspicious of the current setting, and that seems like a potential route.

Yes, basically --  though remember, part of what you're struggling against here is that you are having a waking dream.

You know how when you dream, stuff is off from reality, but that rarely occurs to you in the dream?  More generally, after you wake up, then it becomes apparent.

But you guys are heroes, I'd intended from the beginning you'd have a chance to break out that way.    So,  let's do this:

Once you're inclined, make a dice pool for surmounting the nightmare effect.  It needs to be based on some significant realization, and any dice used need to be fitting and appropriate, like a regular pool.

Rather than give you an opposing total to beat, I'm going to base success on how high your numbers are + how good I think you're realization is.    You can try more than one time, so don't worry if first try doesn't work.

Boo!

Val & Specter's players were discussing something about the scene, and their interaction.   I was waiting for them, at one point...and then got pulled away entirely by my own stuff.

For anyone still around, I do plan to get this scene wrapped up, and move things along.

Sounds good, I'm still here. ^_^

As am I.

*poke*

Sorry -- gonna post something tonight, for sure! --  and Val/Specter are about to advance their scene.

Val's player asked, I'm not sure, so I'm posing this to the group:

Specter and Val both rolled 1s.   In PvP like this, are opportunities given to characters, same as they would be, when it's player vs. watcher?   In the book, it only seems to talk about that latter situation.

You are facing my villain, anyway.    I'm just using your rolls.   I'm inclined to give opportunities both ways, unless it breaks some rule about how or why they're awarded.

I think Val is allowed to spend a PP to activate my opportunity and counter-attack, yes. (Or do it for free, if she has an SFX that allows it.)

I'm assuming that if she passed on buying the Opportunity, it would be available to the Watcher to buy to add dice to the Doom Pool. Just like the Opportunity I rolled.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Thu 30 Mar 2023.

Ok, that makes sense.  I've been off this long enough now, that I'd forgotten opps cost a PP.

All good. It's a bit surprising that the gamebook doesn't have a section on PvP, given how much heroes fight each other in the comics. But it seems to be working well enough here. (Of course, if my character gets totally flattened, then we should never, ever do PvP ever again, and I swear that was always my opinion.)

Given those results, I don't think I could possibly assemble a dice pool to beat a 25, even if I maxed out my rolls.

You're supposed to be overmatched here, (remember, this is a unique, supernatural being who's been around for eons, learning how to invade and manipulate minds) but it isn't supposed to be hopeless.   For the pool, try this:

Team D10
Sorcerer's Apprentice D8
Psych Master D10
Mystic Senses d6

I was actually thinking your power set might have, like, two dice that might apply, bigger than the D6 of mystic senses.  (including that power is stretching it a bit, but I'll allow)  But I forgot, you've got a lot of physical things.

And, I was assuming you'd spend a PP to add a third die, if decent rolls.    Because you're defending, you don't need to worry about the effect die, if you win.

So, I'll take that third die out of Nightmare's total.  Reducing total to 20.

Lastly, him finding out may not be as bad you're thinking.

Okay, so here's my roll (I tend to roll before writing just so I can structure my response around a success or failure).

15:35, Today: Mordred rolled 6,5,8,4 using d10,d8,d10,d6 ((6,5,8,4)).

I wanted to ask a question before posting or spending a power point. I will fail with either a 14 or a 19. Is there an appreciable difference between failing by 6 or failing by 1? If not, then I'll hold onto the power point.

There is, if we're going by RAW-- winning a roll by 5 or more bumps up the attacker's effect die.

Thanks for chiming in again, Specter.

Yes, Mordred, either way Nightmare's going to extract the info.    So, save the PP in this case.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 17:24, Sun 02 Apr 2023.

So, what's going on this time?

Life, life, and more life.

Sorry, folks --  update by this evening...

Everyone can take 1 XP (not PP) at this point.

Awarded for character development, role play, putting up with my absenteeism, and for signing on to my odd little outing in the first place!

Remember:  (I know it's been a while, now)   You guys were sent down here on a lead from Jeanne-Marie's friend, Cali, an ESP/seer type mutant who thought she whiffed an unusual energy form in the vicinity of the Underground's entrance.  (which maybe could have been Nightmare-?)

You can disregard Nightmare's advice and continue with your search down here.  Or meet with this 'Cowboy' after your search.   Or see him now, and discover what he can tell you.   And/or ask more questions of your charming host...

Also, if anyone feels a bullet-point summary of the game thus far would be helpful, let me know.   I'll make one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Thu 04 May 2023.

Die we die?

Sorry folks...I know I've been remiss lately.   I'll put us back on track on sunday, if not a bit sooner.

No worries, it happens to all of us.

Also, I spoke with Scribe and they said it was okay for me to see if anyone was interested in a Power & Grace game that I tried running. It's a Lasers & Feelings hack, very rules-lite and pretty flexible.

https://docs.google.com/docume...8_cjzg5HM/edit?pli=1

I had a game running that hit a snag (it's possible some folks are afraid of failing in a fail-forward game, lol). It's a superheroes game with more of a Zack Snyder DCEU feel (superheroes are slowly revealing themselves, your actions have consequences, and people aren't necessarily going to treat vigilantes as superstars like in the MCU). You'd be in a city and if you play your cards right the current Big Five might see you as recent additions (or maybe you'll decide to work with the government or sell out to a corporate sponsor).

Here's a link to the game if that sounds interesting

link to another game

Sundown Scribe is part of the team, so there's at least one other friendly face. ^_^