Cortex Steampunk Game 1 OOC Discussion

[MagnificentBastard]

1 minute ago, Chiyako said:

@MagnificentBastard Sounds like a good start! I think if she learned that he is somehow immortal it would definitely open her up to being more curious about him. For scientific reasons, of course! But also she has heard the rumors of his bedding so many others, and acknowledges that flirtations are a weak point of hers', and so she will probably be more on guard around him for that reason.

I am glad you like it, this is why my relationship for Alice has the tag about wondering if your character is a kindred spirit, because she may be immortal.

I see an interesting relationship developing, it would require a lot of trust for Edmund to reveal that but we shall see where it goes.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

@MagnificentBastard
Kojo would be fine playing at the establishment though there is his particular ability and rumors to contend with a job is a job. 

And as for their potential friendship I think that'd work for me too, friendly and professional. They both enjoy some level of fame, and connection with mutual benefits (having a renown player around is good, and Kojo having another place to play is also good) so yeah that'd work. 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

11 hours ago, MagnificentBastard said:

@WritesNaughtyStories Saha Sky Eyes: No idea, our characters seems to be diametrically opposites and of different social classes, I don't even know how we would know each other unless another player introduces us.

I suspect that's for the best. I'm bowing out.

I'll be around to help Izzy if she needs it (I suspect she will not). As Alex duLarge once said, "Apo Polly Loggies"

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

small bit of change to the location after a bit of research: 

Thane-Cash Rebirth Hall - A newly built and, frankly, misplaced music hall meant to bring in new blood to a growing town. It is a medium-sized music hall, funded by an Antebellum South family looking to "clean" its reputation after the outlawing of slavery, a hopeful proprietor named Clayton Cash, and a secretive third party. It mimics the Boston Music Hall in Massachusetts in its structure and as such it has two balcony floors with a central stage. It is, however, designed to be more 'homely' and 'welcoming' and as such is built primarily out of old (polished) wood and decorated in pictures of the humble history of its benefactors and the nation. 

It is fairly opulent inside with clean polished floors, carpeted floors, and ivory lining. It is also meant to be a decently convertible space able to hold concerts, stage performances, dinners, and potentially more. 
There are also private rooms and a few off-beaten hallways giving the wealthy and...less open plenty of privacy which makes it a popular spot for business.

[StarlitSiren]

Assuming it's okay to add somewhere already on my sheet; added 

Gearheart Repairs

A small home by the train station Millie resides in, with a workshop trading in repairs, tinkering, and sometimes commissions for the townsfolk. It's well stocked with tools, and is the place she feels most comfortable. The ramshackle little place is littered with half-finished inventions and projects that will never see the light of day.

 

Also, to clarify, am I stepping up relationships within a certain amount I can spend with the other players? (Like, I get X of points to move around?) or is there an array I missed?

(Once I know that I'll poke back to people about relationships!)

[MagnificentBastard]

34 minutes ago, WritesNaughtyStories said:

I suspect that's for the best. I'm bowing out.

I'll be around to help Izzy if she needs it (I suspect she will not). As Alex duLarge once said, "Apo Polly Loggies"

I am sorry to hear that, I won't pry, (though I am confused), but if I can speak for the whole group, I think it's safe to say, you will be missed.

[StarlitSiren]

@Chiyako Both introverted in our own way. I believe Millie would view the newcomer with curiosity, but recognise her as trouble she doesn't want any part of (initially)

@AsBloodTurnsEverCold She's heard you play on rare visits to the casino(?), and knows you by reputation. Millie doesn't care for song, but she's weirdly entranced by his melodies.

@WickedCadrach That woman is irritating. Just sharing a name in a town like this means they get mixed up from time to time, but there's a little flush in Millie's cheeks that might not entirely be from annoyance when they speak.

@MagnificentBastard She's one of the few in town who can work on TAIL-V for sure. Edmund is a little unsettling, but she can't deny he has a certain charm

 

(To clarify, I promise I'm not just trying to slut Millie up. But she IS repressed and needier than she thinks. Just saying.)

 

(this is my initial thoughts without the dice)

[Chiyako]

@StarlitSiren That tracks nicely! On Alicia's end she would definitely be curious about Millie, seeing her as sort of academic kin.

[WritesNaughtyStories]

There are elements shaping up that don't look fun. Looking at it objectively there was one character who was NOT fitting in, so I withdrew. I'm sad about it - I like the idea of Saha, but she doesn't seem to fit well. I came into the the game very, and specifically, inspired by Prudence. No one else knew who she was. It was selfish of me to try to make her fit.

[MagnificentBastard]

11 minutes ago, WritesNaughtyStories said:

There are elements shaping up that don't look fun. Looking at it objectively there was one character who was NOT fitting in, so I withdrew. I'm sad about it - I like the idea of Saha, but she doesn't seem to fit well. I came into the the game very, and specifically, inspired by Prudence. No one else knew who she was. It was selfish of me to try to make her fit.

It's not selfish to want what you want.

I do think Saha would allow a lot of interesting things but she feels very much like she wouldn't live in a town like the one we have been describing.

I deliberately chose an outsider because my knowledge of the wild west isn't great, this way I can play something I am familiar with, and my lack of knowledge is a character trait as much as a player trait.

But I don't think I fit much, I will likely be the Lex Luthor, Green Ranger of the group.

Edited September 25 by MagnificentBastard

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

30 minutes ago, WritesNaughtyStories said:

There are elements shaping up that don't look fun. Looking at it objectively there was one character who was NOT fitting in, so I withdrew. I'm sad about it - I like the idea of Saha, but she doesn't seem to fit well. I came into the the game very, and specifically, inspired by Prudence. No one else knew who she was. It was selfish of me to try to make her fit.

Not selfish at all! Everyone has ideas they feel strongly about and those sorts of ideas just make the best foundations even if they don't seem like they'll work...initially. Usually part of the fun. 

I like the sort of Rag-tag nature of the group. People from varied, disparate walks of life ending up in a some town.  People who probably would never meet but somehow become a unit and have plenty to teach each-other. It didn't seem to me like Saha wouldn't fit in this group of outsiders from what I knew so far but I guess the town setting does kinda close the walls in a little and I'm sorry if I made that worse. I was reading that solo venture so I could learn more about this 

And my character was likely going to lean a bit on fascinated by Saha to learn more. 

Was looking forward to writing with you. 

@MagnificentBastard
Funny you say that because of the two male characters in this group I actually figured Kojo would kinda be the outsider of them lol. 
 

[MagnificentBastard]

7 minutes ago, AsBloodTurnsEverCold said:

Not selfish at all! Everyone has ideas they feel strongly about and those sorts of ideas just make the best foundations even if they don't seem like they'll work...initially. Usually part of the fun. 

I like the sort of Rag-tag nature of the group. People from varied, disparate walks of life ending up in a some town.  People who probably would never meet but somehow become a unit and have plenty to teach each-other. It didn't seem to me like Saha wouldn't fit in this group of outsiders from what I knew so far but I guess the town setting does kinda close the walls in a little and I'm sorry if I made that worse. I was reading that solo venture so I could learn more about this 

And my character was likely going to lean a bit on fascinated by Saha to learn more. 

Was looking forward to writing with you. 

@MagnificentBastard
Funny you say that because of the two male characters in this group I actually figured Kojo would kinda be the outsider of them lol. 
 

Your character feels very much in the vein to the main character from Sinners, which I see as American and certainly feels like they would fit in the wild west.

Thinking about it, three of our characters have very clear horror backgrounds. 

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

2 minutes ago, MagnificentBastard said:

Your character feels very much in the vein to the main character from Sinners, which I see as American and certainly feels like they would fit in the wild west.

Thinking about it, three of our characters have very clear horror backgrounds. 

Definitely leaning on the weird part of weird west lol I didn't even think about Sinners. I was actually thinking Led Belly and Bronze Buckaroo. I could lean on that a little.

I've been trying to mix the singing cowboy and lovecraftian inspirations but Kojo to me has kind of "And-" energy like if this group had a theme-song with a roll call he'd be at the end with the "And Kojo!" which is fine I tend to make characters like that starting out. 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

My issue is mine. You all have a game you are happy with. It is more Steampunk Urban Shadows than appeals to me. The game is fine, it's just not the game I want to play.

[StarlitSiren]

I'm sorry to hear it @WritesNaughtyStories. I honestly am not trying to change your mind since you know what you want, and I'm sorry it's not what this is looking like for you; what I will say is I know I was excited for Saha in the game. I hope very much to get to write with you in the future

[WritesNaughtyStories]

If a Western turns up, maybe she'll make an appearance. For now, you all get on with YOUR game.

[IsabellaRose]

Well, I'm sad to see you go. I feel like I should try to talk you into staying, but we already messaged privately. I get how it is when a game starts heading in a different direction than you thought. Sometimes you have to bail.

I'll miss your creativity and influence in this game. 

[IsabellaRose]

Okay, so we just need @WickedCadrach to add her location, and then things start to get crazy fun in the worldbuilding 

[WickedCadrach]

@WritesNaughtyStories, you already know I'm sad... and I'm just going to have to deal with the fact that I can't handcuff all of you to the table until we figure something out. 

Location comments

Missy's Location :: The Lincoln Palace
While 'luxury' stretches the meaning of the word, the upscale hotel gives a place for more well-heeled travelers to stay in the rapidly growing town. 
- Missy performs and rents a room in the Palace. (If this isn't sharp enough, my first-pass backup is 'Missy owes 6 weeks back rent')

Relationship Statements comments

@MagnificentBastard I think we need something briefer and more actionable. I'm putting Edmund: "A viper. Do not trust him" as Missy's statement for him. I might parse your idea down to something like Izzy suggested Missy: I want her in my bed or Missy: I want her for my casino. 

@StarlitSiren I like what you've got, but I think to keep it sharp and actionable, maybe we can trim it to something like Missy: an itch I can't scratch. That gives us both the irritation and a little innuendo to play with. I think for you I want to adjust to Millie: I need her skills . I still like this idea that Missy wants to use Millie's machining skills to take her show to the next level and all that mechanical nonsense is perfect for pulling the wool over the eyes of gullible blue bloods who've never even seen the engines of the trains they ride. Maybe she's asked Millie to make a few small things in the past, testing the waters to see if she can be trusted with the knowledge that Missy is a con-artist and not an 'actual' medium?

@AsBloodTurnsEverCold I think the spirit of what I wanted when I wrote my first idea was along the lines of Kojo's otherworldly music having a captivating effect on Missy on a psychic level. I think she's heard you play and something about it made her jaded, cynical heart move in a way she didn't think it could. Maybe, Kojo: He affects me in ways I don't understand. ?

@Chiyako So I had an idea that Colette reminds Missy of herself in some ways. As a con-artist, Missy is constantly wearing masks, and but Colette can't do much to conceal what's going on with her. That vulnerability is tapping into Missy's past, and so she's started being kind of a 'pushy friend' with Colette. Maybe inviting herself over to the lab for tea and coffee, just being a nosy nuisance as she pushes herself into Colette's life to be sure she's being looked after and doing well. If that feels ok to you, I'm going to stick with, Alicia: She needs a protector... just like I did. 

Aaaaand... I think that's me caught up?

Edited September 25 by WickedCadrach

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

26 minutes ago, WickedCadrach said:

I think the spirit of what I wanted when I wrote my first idea was along the lines of Kojo's otherworldly music having a captivating effect on Missy on a psychic level. I think she's heard you play and something about it made her jaded, cynical heart move in a way she didn't think it could. Maybe, Kojo: He affects me in ways I don't understand. ?

I think that makes good sense. I do imagine even falling under the sway of The Other Theory even a bit would stick with someone. He's just gonna be a little sad when he realizes what it was if it was a particular night that can be recalled....and that'll be great. 

 

[StarlitSiren]

@WickedCadrach I think you're right about the short and punchier. love it.

[IsabellaRose]

@WickedCadrach - brilliant relationship statements. Those are the kinds of things that will be actionable AND give me relationships to toy with.

 

NOW. We need to do the next bit.

One by one, draw an arrow from a circle or diamond that you added to any another circle or diamond. Label the connection to define it. Post about it in the Discussion thread so we all know what it is... this is where we start linking each others' NPCs and locations together. Is Aldert staying at the Lincoln Palace? Is Willis courting Jane? Does Kirsa have a secret commission for Gearhart Repairs?

Go crazy. Make it messy.

Make sure to post about it here so we all understand your connection and can build off of it in future steps. 

[MagnificentBastard]

19 minutes ago, IsabellaRose said:

@WickedCadrach - brilliant relationship statements. Those are the kinds of things that will be actionable AND give me relationships to toy with.

 

NOW. We need to do the next bit.

One by one, draw an arrow from a circle or diamond that you added to any another circle or diamond. Label the connection to define it. Post about it in the Discussion thread so we all know what it is... this is where we start linking each others' NPCs and locations together. Is Aldert staying at the Lincoln Palace? Is Willis courting Jane? Does Kirsa have a secret commission for Gearhart Repairs?

Go crazy. Make it messy.

Make sure to post about it here so we all understand your connection and can build off of it in future steps. 

Only one arrow right?

I made a an arrow from the casino to the hotel with an agreement that we send each other customers.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Hrrrm decisions decisions 

 

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Alright so! Choices are hard to make 

I decided to connect Kirsa to The Labratory (If thats alright @Chiyako) and defined it as Kirsa helping manipulate supply (make sure Alicia can has access to what she needs, make sure its affordable) in return for special concoctions every so often. I could change it to something else though if you'd prefer.