Are you still in? Yeah, why? Meet me at the usual spot. Be in good shape. What's the rush? We've got a new job. Details? Encrypted. Meet me. Fine. Give me 30. [EOT]
Took you long enough. Traffic's a nightmare. What's so urgent? We're hitting a [D̡̗͍̘̬̜̎̕A̦̲̤̩̓́̅̇T̛͖̠̄͊̃̂A̰͑͒̎ ̢̜͔̎ͅC̪̅̇́͒Ò͔̫̙̺͇̍̒͝ͅR͍̎͐́̆͝R̘̘̺̩͍̀̇̉͗͊Ù͈̦̻̒̌̽͝P͕͇̼̈̀T̻̘̓͋̽̐͊̈́I̛̗̺̣̠͛̚͜͝ͅO̮̮̼͕̥͛̆͊̓̐͆N̪̥͍̩̄͑͊]. Again? This one's different. They're up to something big. What kind of something? Not sure. But someone's willing to pay a fortune for it. Sounds risky. That's why they hired us. Any backup? Just us. Great. What's the plan? Infiltrate, retrieve, get out. Simple enough. Don't underestimate it. We move in five. [EOT]
You good? Yeah. You? Got what we came for. What about security? Dealt with, permanently. So now what? Lay low. Wait for our next move. Should we be worried? Always. [EOT]
Welcome to Neon-York! The year is 2177, human cybernetic augmentation and robots are commonplace, and recently, a series of crimes have reverberated the Pyramid-City of Neon and Chrome across all of its three city layers. From the lower-city districts to the upper-city penthouses, no one seems safe, as a clear connection between them is missing save for one: a complete wipe of the victim's brain. As private investigators, fembot fatales, slumdog mentalists, and possibly mental cases too, you will deep-dive into crime scenes, computer systems and cybernetic minds across the city to uncover the madness behind the mystery.
Don’t be a d*ck (but don't be too easily slighted either).
We play a minimum of once-weekly updates.
Though roleplay may involve mature themes, there will be no explicit 18+ roleplay.
Anything else can be discussed and determined by the group in OOC.
The GM decides on matters that can’t be resolved by the group, and can always be consulted.
Keep real-life politics, religion, and drama 'off the table'.
Most importantly: Have fun!
The Fate Accelerated PBP system (thread): in this game we will use the Fate Accelerated system adapted to play-by-post. It is a minimal system of rules for collaborative storytelling games (see the thread if you want a thorough explanation with many examples, or here for a one-pager quick-reference). As it is a narrative-first system, play will not be very different from your usual RPG on this site. The changes will mostly be in how challenge and conflicts are resolved (elements of randomness), in that players are rewarded for acting in-character (even when that means getting into trouble, or failing sometimes), and in how players can add to the setting. If you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to ask me. I will remind players of the rules as they become relevant, and will check-up with you, and update these as we learn what does and doesn't work.
Submit your Character Sheet for approval in OOC, using the template in the Resources below. Notice how it is quite minimal. This is on purpose: this lets other players quickly understand your character and how to interact with them, it gives you a lot of freedom in how to apply and develop your character in-game, and through the Fate system, these aspects can come back to help you (without your character becoming overpowered), or bite you in the ass. In my experience, it works best to focus on a few meaningful aspects you’d find interesting to play rather than choosing what you think is ‘optimal’, or very rigidly pre-defining the entirety of the character. Also consider if it fits the established setting (see the Glossary below).
Resources
[header with the character name, colored by IC speech color - check if it is sufficiently legible and different from other players'!] [optional image representing the character - if possible, credit the source]
Name: character name, colored by the speech color you'll use in-character Gender: M/F/W Refresh: how much Fate Points this character starts with each chapter, usually 3 Description: a 1-paragraph summary of the character, including appearance, personality, skills and history
Approaches: how does this character approach challenges: Careful, Clever, Flashy, Forceful, Quick, Sneaky?
Good (+3) at: pick 1 approach
Fair (+2) at: pick 2 approaches
Average (+1) at: pick 2 approaches
Mediocre (+0) at: pick 1 approach
Aspects: 5 short-and-sweet descriptions of the character, 1 for each of the following categories. Each aspects has to be one single meaningful and descriptive fact/aspect about the character. These can be invoked in-game for 1 Fate Point to get bonuses on rolls, or can be used to compel you into action, so make sure to think about how you want to actually play this character. Any flavoring, details and interesting or fun facts about the character are better put in the description, writing sample, and the trivia sections.
High Concept: short phrase summarizing your character as a whole
Trouble: short phrase summarizing a flaw or obstacle that frequently complicates this character's life
Want: short phrase summarizing what this character wants, or what's really important to them
Relationship: short phrase summarizing their relationship with another (preferably player) character
Extra: short phrase summarizing any other thing you think is important to know about this character
Stunts: special abilities/traits/items the character can use for 1 Fate Point
Because I am/have/know trait/item/ability, I can create an effect/get a bonus when some in-game condition is met.
add more, up to 5 in total; try to vary them, some utility, some combat, some trivial, some 'ultimates'. Ask GM for help if needed.
if you want MORE than 3, up to a max. of 5 stunts, your Refresh will be decreased by 1 for every stunt over 3 as a trade-off. That means each chapter you'd start with LESS Fate Points, and therefore would be able to USE your Stunts/Aspects less often out of the gate!
Making Stunts is often the most difficult thing to get right on the first go. SO ASK GM IF YOU'D LIKE HELP!
Trivia: anything else you want to add about this character that isn't essential, but still fun to know
Possibilities: face claim, speech color, theme song, other fun facts (favorite drink, NPC connections, etc.)
Writing Sample:2-3 paragraphs of IC writing illustrating this character (for example their life, mindset, potential storylines and themes).
Name: Lola Shon Gender: F Refresh: 3 Description: Based on her utilitarian looks alone, you'd never take her for the feisty and ruthless business woman she is. With short black hair, tanktop, several guns hidden in the pockets of her cargopants, critical eyes, and a blabbermouth that would put the Mid-City Neurovid actors to shame, Lola Shon is a large personality in a petite frame. No surprise too: a brainstim-dealer's job is a hard life - a successful one, even harder - and Lola has quite the resume. Currently endebted to the Staten Island Thugs, she scours the city with her Centurion Hoverbike and trusty guard dog for their next big job.
Approaches:
Good (+3) at: Sneaky
Fair (+2) at: Quick, Flashy
Average (+1) at: Forceful, Careful
Mediocre (+0) at: Clever
Aspects:
High Concept: I am the hottest brainstim-dealer in this blasted city.
Trouble: I only look out for numero uno.
Want: I need to pay off my debt to the Staten Thugs, and soon.
Relationship: Bacchi is my trusty guard dog, and my only friend.
Extra: I’ve kitted out my hoverbike with some surprising modifications.
Stunts:
Because I Always Shoot First, I can gain a +3 bonus on Attacking Quickly during the first round of a Conflict.
Because I Have The PR_SEC v.12 Package Installed On My Neural Chip, once per chapter/session, I may declare I found a way past or out of trouble.
Because I Have Many 'Medicinal' Stims, once per chapter/session, 1 Mild Consequence may be Recovered on anyone during a conflict.
[hider=CHARACTER_NAME] [center][h1][color=]CHARACTER_NAME[/color][/h1] [img][/img] [sup](image source: [url=]... by ... on ...[/url])[/sup][/center]
... ROLEPLAY AS USUAL. Feel free to use your own title card. When using the footer (only really necessary during conflict/contest/challenge scenes, don’t forget to remove the ‘dot’ in the [.hr] in the template ...
Action: actions plus rolls ex. Attack Forcefully + Invoke (1+2+2 = 5) | FP: FP cost of the action, ex. -1 | Stress: if any stress boxes have to be ticked, ex. tick 1 | Consequences: if any consequences are taken, ex. Concussion (2) Scene: LINK_TO_SCENE | Tag: player tags, ex.@MrSkimobile
This glossary keeps a list of descriptions and aspects of the various locations, creatures, items, and other worldbuilding elements for this story. Entries are listed in alphabetical order, and will be added or changed as the game progresses. If you have any ideas for worldbuilding elements, feel free to propose them for GM approval!
↦ AI: Artificial Intelligences are computer programs that imitate (some would say surpass) biological brain functions. Though some are highly specialized, most general-purpose ‘local’ AI are limited to human-level intelligence due to energy and compute limitations.
↦ Bits: the currency of the world in 2177. Though it comes in different forms, from parallel resource and reputation systems, to company-internal productivity points and monthly allocated processing power, everything can be reduced to bits in the end.
↦ Cybernetics: broad term for technological augmentations. Robotic limbs, multi-spectral eye-cams, neural interfaces, pheromone dispensers, smartwatch skin-graft, multi-functional nanite-tattoos. You name it, they probably have it. Most bio's are augmented in basic ways.
↦ Extranet: once advertised as ‘the internet, but more!’, this network of networks of information systems, digital twins, AI’s, roaming Minds, and layers upon layers of augmented and virtual reality, has grown to permeate most of everyday experience, with most physical objects in some way being linked to it.
↦ Human: good old-fashioned (mostly) flesh-and-blood humans.
↦ Neon-York: the massive arcology city formally known as ‘New York’. It is made up of 3 interconnected layers stacked on top of each other like a pyramid, shielded from the outside environment. The Lower City comprises its original boroughs plus a sprawl of many more recent ones, with a tangle of high-speed skylanes and optical datalanes for travel running throughout. The Lower City houses most of the city’s inhabitants, from the ungoverned and indentured to the neo-religious communes, sub-urbanites and data center tenants. The City Center is its second tier, mostly made up of commercial, cultural and governance districts, and houses the travel hubs connecting it to other megacities. Last, but not least, the Upper City is a truly mysterious place, said to be occupied only by the most important influences of the city.
↦ Omni-fab: devices able to (dis)assemble most items to and from a raw ‘basepaste’ and (bought and paid for, of course) specification files. A.k.a. replicator, fabricator, 'fab. Small-scale devices found at servicing stations are often called 'microfab', whereas 'macrofabs' are used in large-scale fabrication.
↦ PID: ‘Persistent Identifier’, collection of a personality’s records (birth/creation/modification timestamps, passport) and other tracked data (certificates, medical/criminal/ad history). Used as a form of official identification, but also to authenticate aspects of a personality (clearances). A.k.a. Profile.
↦ Power: ah, power, that most wanted and despised thing… But who wields it in this world of ruthless business interests, AI anarcho-trolls, government gangs, and x-celebs? A good question! To which not even the quantum computers, cracking chaos theory conundrums 86.400.000 milliseconds a day 7 days a week, have an answer. Skulls may crack and bits may clank, but who truly owns the soul of a man?
↦ Shape: the physical form a ‘personality’ currently inhabits. A.k.a. form, case, container, can, bin. These can be "bio's" such as the trad-born and pod-born, but also cyborg, robotic, or even entirely digital.
Updated the main post for your pleasure. Feel free to create a CS, ask any questions (e.g. about the setting or the Fate system), or drop out if you don't feel like it anymore ;).
Updated the main post for your pleasure. Feel free to create a CS, ask any questions (e.g. about the setting or the Fate system), or drop out if you don't feel like it anymore ;).
Ooooh, nice! Unfortunately, I've just signed up to another RP with a similar premise. I admit to resuming my search after 10 days had passed since your second to last announcement. Apologies.
I shall relinquish my spot for anyone else who may be interested and I wish you and your future players all the best, Ski!
For relationships, should we just put TBD? It seems you want it for character connection, but that may take a bit-.
You put whatever you want to actively RP. ;)
Usually, the Relationship aspect is used to connect you to another player character right at the start of the game like you said, so you immediately have a connection to RP with. But it's really not a hard rule. If you have another kind of relationship you want to explore for your character, feel free! Else, you can leave it 'TBD', and then later if we have enough people, we can match up.
Also, do note that this doesn't need to be romantic, or even a positive relationship. It could also be about a friend, rival, family, your favorite barmaid, whatever.
And don't forget that Aspects can change in Fate during play, so don't feel like you have to get it perfect immediately, or even be bound to it for the long run.
Ooooh, nice! Unfortunately, I've just signed up to another RP with a similar premise. I admit to resuming my search after 10 days had passed since your second to last announcement. Apologies.
I shall relinquish my spot for anyone else who may be interested and I wish you and your future players all the best, Ski!
@MrSkimobile Soooo, I didn't really vibe with the RP I mentioned earlier so I've cancelled my participation there.
That leaves me back open for this, so, if there are slots still open, I wish to rejoin, Ski!
@Izurich Then feel free to join once more, as you can see there are no CS yet. What kind of RP experience are you looking for, out of curiosity?
@AwesomeZero5 Up to you, it really depends on how it's RP'ed. I'd say if it's (mostly) done by sheer force of performance (seductiveness, Wolf of Wall Street) it's Flashy, if it's done via logical reasoning or problem solving (Sherlock Holmes) it's Clever, thuggish intimidation (Godfather) is Forceful, (ab)using cognitive patterns/biases or hypnosis (Dune's Bene Gesserit) could even be Sneaky. But again, note that as we play and reach 'milestones' in the story, you will have the opportunity to swap approaches if you want. Nothing's set in stone in the Fate system, if during play you discover you like another playstyle more or want to develop the character in some other way, you can.
@Eviledd1984 Glad to have you aboard! Looking forward to it.
@KazAlkemi Feel free to join. We're all going to be creating a story together, and nothing's on rails, so don't worry about your freshness. :) Also, in terms of the Fate system, I'll try to incorporate a small 'tutorial' when we start so we can get comfortable with the ideas of compels, rolling, etc. I'll setup a Discord for rolling and ooc discussions in due time as well.
@Izurich Then feel free to join once more, as you can see there are no CS yet. What kind of RP experience are you looking for, out of curiosity?
Wonderful! Thanks.
Something that doesn't have too wide of a gap regarding the abilities and powers between the cast. More Captain America and Hawkeye and less Batman and Superman teaming up.
UPDATE: I'm currently in the process of reading up on the FATE rules as outlined here. After that, I'll get started on musing and designing my CS.
High Concept: Disgruntled Private Eye, For Hire Trouble: I'm Weak For The Bottle, The Cigar, And The Female Charm Want: I want to make up with my ex-wife and children Relationship: Amanda Mclane- Wife Lilly Zebrowski- Daughter. Extra: He has a locket around the neck of his wife and daughter. His weapon of Choice. His theme song
Stunts: - Because I have an eye for detail: I get a +3 Bonus when Carefully Searching for clues and noticing hidden details. - Because I have an inquisitive mind: When interrogating or questioning someone, my roll to check if someone's lying or not is counted as +3 or higher. - Because I am friends with the Law: Once per chapter / session, I can call upon the assistance of a police officer, who'll promptly arrive at the scene.
Writing Sample: Ben was awakened by his office door opening and closing. He pulled his head away from his face to see who was disturbing his sleep. Standing at the doorway was a tall, blonde-haired woman. Ben grumbled while sitting up in his chair. “Hello, Miss. What can I do for you today?” He smiled but felt angry that he had been woken up.
Ben offered the chair in front of his desk. She sat down before speaking. “You are Mr. Zebrowski, yes?” she asked in a pronounced Eastern European accent. Ben nodded to her question, letting her continue talking. “My name is Stefania Tkachenko. I had heard from a friend that you were the best at finding people. I need your help in finding my son.” Slowly, she pulled out her phone, showing him a photo of a smiling boy. “His name is Alexander; he went missing a few days ago. I was with him in the park, and he was not there when I went to put something away.” Tears started to form in her eyes, and Ben gave her some tissues to dry them.
He felt immense sympathy for her, not wanting to think what could happen to his daughter. “Ma’am, I will help you find your son. Now tell me any further details of what happened that day. Did you see anyone suspicious in the park before his disappearance?” He was taking notes while having his conversation with the woman.
[@all] I created an example character sheet in the main post. (and yes, I know, the Fate stuff can be finicky at first, but you'll see why it's awesome when we start playing)
@Eviledd1984 A bit of re-arranging and looks good to me, nice and classic.
The Aspects have a bit too much information (that you don't have to chuck out, but could better go in the Description section or the writing sample, for example). Aspects are seriously short distillations of a character to their very core. They describe what they are, what they can do and what makes them tick. In-game, they explain how you get bonuses on rolls, or how your character can be moved into action. Think of them as mini-plot hooks that we can tempt your character with later. This is why it's important to really think about how you want to actually play the character. And it's why they often strike a balance between being quite specific and meaningful, but also generic enough that it can be applied to many situations. So for your character, for example they could maybe even be made into "Disgruntled Private Eye, For Hire", "I want to make up with my ex-wife and children", "I'm Weak For The Bottle, The Cigar, And The Female Charm", or whatever you think would fit well. Further details can be put into the description, the writing sample, or left open to be filled in through role-play. I mean, save some for the good stuff later eh? ;).
As for the augmentations for stunts: that depends. Again, it's all about how you want to play the character. I put in glossary that most people are augmented in basic ways, so I won't require you to write down everything. A lot of that is going to be flavoring to the RP and the setting, so just let that be implied and sprinkle it in whenever. But if there are augmentations that you really want your character to be defined by, and really want to impact the story (an overclocked hacking module, a robotic hot-swappable strong-arm, a pheromone dispenser for seductive persuasion, etc.), that's what you put as Stunts. Alternatively, if you don't want to play focusing on augmentations at all, you can do things like 'Because I Think Out Of The Box, I get a +2 bonus on Cleverly Creating Advantages when I'm in a restrictive situation', for example. So think about: what can your character do that is truly exceptional for them? Could be augs, could be something else. Stunts are the most difficult to get right on the first go, so feel free to reply or PM me also if you have an idea, but don't know how to put it into these fate-y terms yet.
@Izurich Great! Then it sounds like this could be a better fit, yes. It's a Noir setting, after all, about the down-to-earthness of life, and flawed characters. So no outright superheroes here, though I'm sure we'll have plenty of exceptional and cool characters to work with later ;)
Also, I want to make it clear to everyone once again: Do not focus too much on the Fate rules! Narrative first! As long as the story's engaging, that's all that matters. Fate's just a system that can facilitate that. Again, I'll make sure to 'tutorial' the rules when we start. Discord's being spun up as well, so if anything's unclear during play later we can go back and forth more easily on that, and if you want a brief mini-lecture, we can arrange that too. Thumbs up all around.
Cold, pragmatic, and austere, the statuesque blonde's icy blue gaze chills the nerves of all but the most hardboiled men (and women). With unblemished fair complexion that seem too perfect, one would be justified to assume Lenneth is one of those sophisticated gynoids only the most affluent can afford, and they won't be entirely mistaken; every single part of Lenneth's body sans her brain is artificial, the end result of her Master's unwavering pursuit to save his cherished servant's life, no matter the cost. The explosion she took to shield her Master might have broken her body, but not her spirit. Now reborn, her new body may be artificial, yet her devotion remains genuine. Now armed with the H.A.Lo module and custom-made 'Nibelung' carbine rifle, the maid stands ready to serve, whatever Master's wishes will be her command.
FATE POINTS (FP) REFRESH: 3
APPROACHES:
❖ Careful: Fair (+2) ❖ Clever: Mediocre (+0) ❖ Flashy: Average (+1) ❖ Forceful: Good (+3) ❖ Quick: Fair (+2) ❖ Sneaky: Average (+1)
ASPECTS:
❖ High Concept:
Cyborg battlemaid devoted to her Master.
❖ Trouble:
I feel more machine than human.
❖ Want:
I wish to serve my Master until I can serve no more.
❖ Relationships:
Derek "ART-ficer" Burris is the Ripperdoc assigned to maintain my cybernetics, my Master vouched for his discretion and integrity.
❖ Extra:
My H.A.Lo (Heuristic Analyzer and Locator) module enables me to scan my surroundings in a radar-like fashion.
STUNTS:
❖ Because I Have a Bionic Body:
I can gain a +3 bonus on Forceful or Quick Physical actions via bypassing the safety limiters of my systems, then I gain +2 Stress due to the backlash.
❖ Because I Am Equipped With The H.A.Lo Module:
In the first round of conflict, I can create a situational Aspect 'weak spot detected' with 2 free Invokes.
❖ Because I Am Installed with Self-Repairing Functions:
Once per chapter / session, I can Recover 1 Severe (or lower) Consequence on myself.
TRIVIA:
❖ Color Code: 77bfef ❖ Faceclaim and Art Source: Asuma Toki from Blue Archive, official in-game art. ❖ Lenneth has no surname. ❖ Has a particular fondness for rabbits and rabbit-themed trinkets. Has a pet rabbit named 'Usachan'.
WRITING SAMPLE:
"W-... who the fuck-...?" The man went agape, his fingers - adorned with no fewer than three jeweled rings - trembled, losing their grip on the shot glass as it fell to the carpeted floor, thudding unceremoniously, spilling its contents onto the fabric. Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch: Aged 12 years, such a fine vintage, under normal circumstances, he'd be livid, but right now, caring for wasted scotch was the last thing on his mind. Instead, the sight of a tall golden-haired woman with eyes cold like ice clad in a maid uniform took his attention front and center, how could he not when his two bodyguards were laying lifeless at her feet?
"My utmost apologies for the inconvenience, sir," The icy eyed blonde curtsied politely as if she was addressing royalty, unfazed by the pair of fresh, still-bleeding corpses near her as she straightened herself, the silenced pistol in her right arm trained on the club owner's forehead, "But I must inform you that my Master sends his regards."
"Go to hell, bitc-...!" The man was promptly cut off as a sharp projectile closed the distance between the gun's barrel and his skull faster than the blink of an eye, the bullet wasted no time in puncturing through skin, muscle, bone, and everything else that lied between it and its grand prize: the greedy businessman's brain, the source of shady deals and crooked ventures. However, after the application of ballistics physics ricocheting through his neurons, he wouldn't be scheming anymore.
"Please accept our gratitude for your time and attention." Lenneth bowed once more, thanking the man slumped on his recliner; he didn't reply, rather uncouth, but judging from the coin-sized hole on his head, he could be excused. With the message sent, Lenneth's task was done as she promptly left, calmly stepping over a body before leaving through the door.
Another job well executed, as expected from Lenneth. After all, she's her Master's maid, she'd sweep any and all 'dust' he wishes to clean, bury any 'trash' he wishes to take out. By the time she's done, everything would be spotless.
I was thinking of using this as a source of references for augmentations. Is that okay? I also may need help with the formating, because for some reason RP Guild hates me lol.
@Eviledd1984 Looks good to me. It definitely fits the setting. If you see anything you like or need help translating it to the system, let me know. What problem do you have with your formatting?
@Izurich Looking good! We can definitely do some cool things with that (evilgrin). Two tips: 1. your Relationship and Want aspect seem quite close. This is OK, but you get the most bang for your buck if all Aspects are somewhat distinct. So I'd collapse them both into one Want, and then you have one more Relationship Aspect to play with. Does Lenneth know anyone from her past? Does she want to? 2. I'm not sure how you intended the HALo Stunt to work, as you technically use Stunts either as bonuses with, or as actions (and they cost 1 Fate Point to use, remember!). Normally you will know all the enemies that are in play anyway too, so though the HALo system could still be used as flavoring in RP, the gameplay effect would be minimal if any. Maybe you could mechanize it more like "in the first round of conflict, I can create a situational aspect 'weak spot detected' with 2 free invokes", or something.
Feel free to @ or PM me to brainstorm. (this counts for everyone)
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