Cortex Game Interest Check

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

I have quite a few ideas I'm really into though among my favorite at the moment: 
- An unfortunate archaeologist whose physical form has been twisted either by the work of another or due to certain strange experiences 
- A foreign hunter who moved to the West to experience a new frontier 
- An automaton bartender or bartender hopeful 
- A wandering bounty hunter with a weapon addiction 
- A writer looking for a good story to save a failing careers looking into strange happening 
- A cursed singer looking for ways to save themselves 
- A nun/priest who could also be an automation whose church was destroyed by a cult making them the last 

Will narrow it down once I know what group I'm rolling with of course, might change entirely. I'm never short of ideas and all that.

Edited 14 hours ago by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[DreamsnThings]

ah, i probably should have checked, on a scale of 1 to 10 how lewd oriented can/should we design our character concepts? @MagnificentBastard's concepts made me realize I could take things a few steps further if it works for the setting

[MagnificentBastard]

8 minutes ago, DreamsnThings said:

ah, i probably should have checked, on a scale of 1 to 10 how lewd oriented can/should we design our character concepts? @MagnificentBastard's concepts made me realize I could take things a few steps further if it works for the setting

Ah well you know me, I am basically a hedonistic pervert mascarading as a writer/roleplayer.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Perverts, on EcchiDreams?  Impossible.

[IsabellaRose]

21 minutes ago, DreamsnThings said:

ah, i probably should have checked, on a scale of 1 to 10 how lewd oriented can/should we design our character concepts? @MagnificentBastard's concepts made me realize I could take things a few steps further if it works for the setting

As lewd as you like. I’m 100% behind rampant sexual antics when I run games. 

[DreamsnThings]

fantastic, the sheriff is in with her fuzzy cuffs!

[Chiyako]

I've no clue what I'm going to make yet. It'll depend entirely on the setting and what in terms of character type (only Humans or fancier stuff) is allowed.

[DreamsnThings]

...ok so I had a thought, rather than go the sheriff with a busted gun angle I could play into the steampunk weird tech and make a scientist like gal who is researching pheromone compositions, who in combat would weaponize them almost like a DND enchantment mage, with her pheromones sometimes backfiring as being too sexually charged, leading to her being impromptly being made into her targets.. ahem.. "mate"... roughly on the floor.

[IsabellaRose]

@DreamsnThings - That would play well with the "aroused" and "orgasmic" stress tracks. I like making the sexual aspect grant mechanical benefits as well. I'm thinking if we want to focus on the lewd aspect, we could all have an "Erotic Distinction¹" to which we could attach various SFX².

Distinction: Pheromonal Alchemist

You are a scientist of scents, a chemist of desire, bending biology and chemistry into invisible weapons. Your steampunk vials, atomizers, and tinctures turn pheromones into tools of persuasion, distraction, and control. But the volatile nature of your work means sometimes the reaction is stronger than intended — intoxicating not only your enemies but yourself, and sometimes making you the target of your own concoctions.

Possible SFX:

• SFX: Enchanting Aroma
  Spend 1 PP to Step Up your Effect Die when using pheromones to charm, seduce, or distract.
• SFX: Intoxicating Backfire
  Gain 1 PP when your pheromones affect you instead of your target. 
• SFX: Tailored Brew
  Spend 1 PP and Add a d6 to Trouble to directly Step Up a target's Aroused Stress track, describing how your pheromones overwhelm their senses.
• SFX: Overdose Reaction
  Once per scene, you may choose to step up your pheromone-based Effect Die and take an Aroused Stress die of equal size, representing the strain of your own body reacting to your formula.

 

¹ Distinctions are like Aspects if you've ever played Fate. They're a description of an ability, talent, power, or something that your character can do. Using @DreamsnThings example she could have a "Pheromonal Alchemist" Distinction (example above) that would outline what the ability does and any costs associated with it.

² SFX are Special Effects that are attached to Distinctions. If Superman had a Kryptonian Distinction, his SFX would be stuff like Freeze Breath, Heat Vision, Invulnerable, etc.

Edited 9 hours ago by IsabellaRose

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

These are the ones I am currently leaning towards, will cut down (or maybe consider something else) as setting/story is figured out and see what the rest of my group does for characters.  These could all be either man or woman with rare exception(s) where only one gender really fits:

Steampunk Character Tropes:

Gadeteer Genius
Mad Scientist/Inventor
Explorer

Western/Wild West Character Tropes

Bounty Hunter
Hooker with a Heart of Gold (yeah, that isn't going to be a man)
Magical Native American

[DreamsnThings]

I absolutely adore this as a baseline! Oh my fucking god this is perfect <3<3<3

[StarlitSiren]

Sent a character premise for Isabella to look over. I'm excited about this! (If a bit nervous to be doing a group rp!)

[WritesNaughtyStories]

It's mostly the same thing as a one-on-one RP. Just there are more people to get inspired by. If you look through any of the games in this club, you'll find this corner of the community is extremely supportive and excited by what everyone else contributes.

[MagnificentBastard]

26 minutes ago, StarlitSiren said:

Sent a character premise for Isabella to look over. I'm excited about this! (If a bit nervous to be doing a group rp!)

I completely understand, sharing something so personal and intimate can be overwhelming.

But if you are with the right people it can be a lot of fun. One thing I would suggest, (for everyone really), is to define your characters limits in its sheet/post. People can always refer to that when they interact with you.

[IsabellaRose]

9 hours ago, MagnificentBastard said:

- An expy of Alistair Crawley focused heavily on the idea of sex to power spells.

Distinction: Disciple of the Scarlet Path

You follow the forbidden teachings of esoteric masters, alchemy of the body, sorcery of the flesh. Desire is your medium, ecstasy your fuel. In ritual or passion, you channel occult forces through the mingling of breath, touch, and will. But indulgence is a dangerous path: every spell leaves you hungrier, every ritual risks binding you as much as your target.

Possible SFX

• SFX: Ecstatic Power
  Spend 1 PP to Step Up a die when casting a spell fueled by intimacy, temptation, or seduction. If you fail, Step Up your Stress.
• SFX: Shared Ecstasy
  Spend 1 PP to create an Asset on an ally (Empowered by Ritual d8, Enflamed Desire d8) after drawing them into a ritual or act of passion.
• SFX: Overindulgence
  Gain 1 PP when your pursuit of pleasure, ritual, or lustful energy complicates the scene, whether it’s unwanted attention, suspicion, or your own craving clouding your judgment.

[IsabellaRose]

Give me more ideas and I'll see if I can come up with cool distinctions for them.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Hmm don’t want to overthink things before having a better idea of what I will play.  But might try to think up a little more for some of what I was considering.

[IsabellaRose]

Heritage Distinction: Automaton Heritage

You were not born, but built, brass gears for bones, steam for breath, an alchemical spark for a soul. Your strength is unmatched, your endurance endless. Humanity looks at you not only with awe, but also with fear and suspicion, and the same science that gave you life can be turned against you. You may be a marvel, but you are also a machine.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point when your Abilities are Shutdown by technological interference, sabotage, or loss of power.
• d8: Spend a Plot Point to directly interface with a piece of technology, analyzing or controlling it as if it were an extension of your own systems.
• d12: Add a d6 to Trouble to use a Special Effect from a connected Ability you don’t have, describing it as an overlooked function or hidden gear revealed within your automaton design.

Connected Abilities: Invulnerability, Regeneration, Super-Strength, Super-Senses, Speed, Technopathy
Limits: Electricity, Magnetism, Maintenance (requires repairs or fuel to recover)

[Chiyako]

Of the listed archetypes I think the ones which appeal most to me are:

Steampunk Character Tropes

• the Mad Scientist/Inventor, often eccentric and responsible for technological breakthroughs
• the Sky Pirate, a roguish individual who travels the skies
• the Automaton, a steam-powered mechanical being that can question human nature

Western/Wild West Character Tropes

• the Lone Gunfighter/Drifter, a wandering hero, often a gunslinger or reluctant lawman, who lives by a personal code
• the Lawman, a character who upholds justice, either as a corrupt official or a righteous figure 
• the Bounty Hunter, a mercenary who hunts outlaws for a reward

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Oh what I've listed I've narrowed it down to: 
The Abomination: A former Archaeologist turned unfortunate victim of a mad scientist that has been turned into a freak of nature and seeks a way to regain their humanity, or come to grips with their new state of being and its potential gifts. 
"Sexy" Lean: Might have been changed to satisfy those with peculiar taste. A perfect party favor. 

The Conductor: Grew up around trains all their life and fell in love with the roar of their wheels, and workings. Eventually came to own their own line and aggressively expanded it, and further seeks to expand it outward even dealing with negotiations and troubles themselves . 
"Sexy" Lean: Can't think of one, might offer special services for special client that are quite popular.

The Bounty Hunter: Lover of money, amorous, and selfish they hunt down just about any target for the right price. 
"Sexy" Lean: Might prefer not to kill their targets and instead subdue them through the use of their body no matter the target(s). 

The Cursed Singer: A rising star who had a voice "blessed by god" but unfortunately breaking some poor woman's heart got them cursed so its the exact opposite and their hypnotic tones causes them trouble just about everywhere they go now. 
"Sexy" Lean: Known for their salacious lyrics the type of trouble they cause tends to involve a lot of naked people. 

The Writer: A failing writer desperately searching for new leads to write about to regain their former glory. They don't care whether its true or false, they seek the perfect tale and will stop at nothing to find it. 
"Sexy" Lean: A particularly prolific smut writer looking for new adventures, and will even go so far as to make it happen in order to have the perfect material to write about. 

The Excommunicated: Loyal to God but along the way got themselves into trouble that caused them to be exiled from their church.
"Sexy" Lean: Somewhere along the line they got the idea that sex and all manner of debauchery would get them closer to God and their desire (and frightening ability) to spread these teachings has gotten them in trouble...worse it might be effective or dedicated to the wrong god but they don't know it.

Extra: 
The Submariner: A master of all things aquatic, they came to captain their own submarine to explore the deep dark depths of the ocean. The danger of the oceans, however, caused them to turn their diving suit into one fit for war but when the water is involved they're more than ready. (Just to touch on the Jules Verne area) 

Edited 2 hours ago by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[DreamsnThings]

5 hours ago, IsabellaRose said:

Possible SFX:

• SFX: Enchanting Aroma
  Spend 1 PP to Step Up your Effect Die when using pheromones to charm, seduce, or distract.
• SFX: Intoxicating Backfire
  Gain 1 PP when your pheromones affect you instead of your target. 
• SFX: Tailored Brew
  Spend 1 PP and Add a d6 to Trouble to directly Step Up a target's Aroused Stress track, describing how your pheromones overwhelm their senses.
• SFX: Overdose Reaction
  Once per scene, you may choose to step up your pheromone-based Effect Die and take an Aroused Stress die of equal size, representing the strain of your own body reacting to your formula.

So this feels like it basically perfectly captures what i was going for, but i would like to have something that can redirect the aroused status track into another direction. IE make them a temporary ally when the stress track is filled, convert aroused into another form of stress, or cause two targets with high arousal to... "finish each other off"

Basically i would like a finisher to tie things together if possible?

Still not really confident with the system to flat out make something...

[MagnificentBastard]

2 hours ago, IsabellaRose said:

Distinction: Disciple of the Scarlet Path

You follow the forbidden teachings of esoteric masters, alchemy of the body, sorcery of the flesh. Desire is your medium, ecstasy your fuel. In ritual or passion, you channel occult forces through the mingling of breath, touch, and will. But indulgence is a dangerous path: every spell leaves you hungrier, every ritual risks binding you as much as your target.

Possible SFX

• SFX: Ecstatic Power
  Spend 1 PP to Step Up a die when casting a spell fueled by intimacy, temptation, or seduction. If you fail, Step Up your Stress.
• SFX: Shared Ecstasy
  Spend 1 PP to create an Asset on an ally (Empowered by Ritual d8, Enflamed Desire d8) after drawing them into a ritual or act of passion.
• SFX: Overindulgence
  Gain 1 PP when your pursuit of pleasure, ritual, or lustful energy complicates the scene, whether it’s unwanted attention, suspicion, or your own craving clouding your judgment.

Thank for this it's quite interesting.

How many Distinctions and Specialities would each player the usual three each? 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

Here are a couple of thoughts for distinctions that have occured to me but I don't have the mechanical understanding to fully dress out:

Professional Distinction: Snake Oil

This occupies some space between Dr. Jeckyl and Drunken Master, maybe? My thought here is that they have an assortment of elixirs and concoctions that should work, but they never quite know what the result will be. They make a roll, to check how close they get to their intent, and can spend plot points to step up the die. A couple of clarifications before I try to explain myself further, this is definitely requires some time and maybe there's an extra time requirement for each plot point spent to step up the die. It gets weirdly close to an alchemy or laboratory skill and might be better framed that way. It requires some kind of target number for the value of the effect (I think it should be referred to as "rareness of the inventory"). Maybe the inventory die starts at a d4? On a hitch on the inventory roll, is there a stress cost or does it contribute to trouble. Another thought that kind of wiggles around with the intent of the rules, but I think, if Drunken Master is our inspiration, can another player in the scene buy what the effect is (which must be tied to the intended inventory). This also here's close to @DreamsnThings' Pheromone Alchemy, so we may want to pitch or rethink Snake Oil all together.

As a fan of Hellraiser and Octave Mirbeau and having seen Crowley mentioned - a Steampunk/Weird West setting anachronistically leads me to DeSade.

This Too Is Pleasure

This basically allows the character to either endure suffering by seeing the experience as sensual and the ability to provide a new, albeit transgressive, experience. I think this may create a take stress for PP thing. Not sure, but the English woman from The Torture Garden is beginning to tickle my brain. This might also (or be better approached as) create a dangerous kind of sensual curiosity.

Edited 1 hour ago by WritesNaughtyStories
trying to clarify my jumbled thoughts

[StarlitSiren]

Name:              Millicent 'Millie' Gearhart

Age:                  22

Sexuality:        Repressed (Bisexual)

Bio:

 

Millicent knows machines, even if she doesn't know people. Socially awkward, tactless, kind of endearing if you can handle her latest hyper fixations, Miss 'Gearhart' comes from the fringe, grew up taking apart clockwork mechanisms and- as a woman grown- is one of the finest inventors and tinkerers outside of the Big-name professors. She's creative, quick to invent something overly complex for a simple problem, and will talk your ear off for HOURS if you don't stop her.

Millie never made it as a big name inventor despite her aptitude,  in part due to a crippling difficulty in maintaining attention on any one thing, and a fierce pride and perfectionism that often leads to either hyper fixating on one invention long past it's already been proven unworkable, or the frustrating need to turn away from something not working exactly as she envisioned. This is not to say Millicent has not managed to create wonderous things.

She is a renowned gunsmith- even if a terrible shot herself- and is skilled at clockwork machining, especially where it comes to odd knickknacks with very niche applications; such as the goggles of her own invention which she can use to analyse mineral composition by snapshotting pictures at different visual frequencies...  and then taking the time to develop them. She pioneered a glove that can fit multiple tools on as extensions to herself, be they for engineering or tinkering or... theoretically, lockpicking or punching someone out with an electric shock. Millie thinks on her feet and can throw things together quicker than expected... even if they don't always work exactly is intended.

 

The spicy stuff

 

Speaking of inventions, Millie created a clockwork *ahem* unit to help her manage any distractions. It's not exactly quiet, but simulates a... partner.

Millie's always been very sexually repressed, and as she's gotten into her late teens and into her early twenties, she has only found herself more wound up and distractible, her gaze getting stuck on handsome boys and pretty girls. There's a secret book of blueprints in her collection with some incredibly lewd ideas, ranging from units such as her faithful gadget that could be worn by a female partner, and restraints or chokers that might administer a little buzz.

Of course, outside of testing her inventions solo, she would first need to learn to talk to other human beings like... well, an actual person.

 

(no face claim confirmed yet!)