Cortex Steampunk Game 1 OOC Discussion

[IsabellaRose]

On 22/11/2025 at 01:29, Chiyako said:

First I shall be adding a new Extra.

(2d4) Gwenael Auclair (Nobility, Science) - A friendly scientific rival!
An effiminate nobleman with long blonde hair, a thin frame, and eyes afflicted with a similar condition to Alicia's, Gwenael is a scientist she met briefly during her travels through France. The two were initially rivals in a school that Alicia attended at the time, both set to unveil similar scientific discoveries regarding the Human form, only to find their notes stolen during their bickering and scheming against one another and used by a charlatan who claimed the discovery for his own glory. The two made up and combined their efforts to destroy the charlatan's reputation. Through this period of shared scientific pursuits the two hit it off well, even further collaborating on a few minor side projects. Like any proper scientist Gwenael was interested in the oddities of Alicia's body, and while initially this curiosity was only scientific in nature their relationship did end up growing a little warmer by the time she was chased out of France. Only when he finished his schooling did Gwenael decide to join in the pursuit of Alicia, albeit on much friendlier terms.

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Next, I will be drawing a line from 'Judge' Holland Buck to Joshua Thane with the following descriptor:
"I would shoot him if it were still legal."
Both were in the war and, from what I read about the two, probably on opposing sides. And now they seem to be somewhat on the opposing side when it comes to the law, in a sort of way. I think they would not like one another.

As for the Pathway choice, I believe what fits Alicia best following her scientific discovery (that being the vastly bolstered regenerative properties of her weird body) would be Work.
While not precisely the breakthrough she was seeking (it is, after all, not a cure to her condition) it is definitely along the same lines and is still an impressive scientific discovery none the less! If anything this would encourage her to push herself harder in her endeavors, as it is clear evidence that she is on the right path and evidence that the Human body still contains mysteries to unearth.

Since Truth is maxed out I will step up Power (from d8 to d10).
I'll change the descriptor to: Knowledge is power and power often decides truth.

Ill add a new Distinction, as I think she has earned it by this point:

Genius (d4)
You’re an intellectual giant. Either you’ve already established yourself in the scientific or academic community, or you demonstrate a great deal of promise. Roll the Distinction’s die when your analytical and logical skills would be of use in achieving a positive outcome, or when squaring off against somebody in a battle of the brains. Compare this Distinction to Clever, which is more about cunning and swift thinking, or Streetwise, which covers common sense.

• d4: Spend a Plot Point to Reveal that you’ve studied a subject and know its basics.
• d8: Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you assume others can’t follow your complicated thinking.
• d12: Spend a Plot Point to Reroll any academic or intellectual roll.

Finally, I shall step up The Laboratory (from d10 to d12).

Alicia is all set!

[StarlitSiren]

Priority: Work

Millie threw herself into her study, her tinkering, her experimentation. After all, it was the only place where she truly felt she had control.

Power stepped up to d10

Distinction: Wanted, stepped up to d6 (note to @IsabellaRose- that particular distinction wouldn't get another SFX until it hits d8, correct?)

Stepped up Extra: Willis Sloan, to d6#

 

Added a line from Millie to Tial-V (is fascinated by him)

Drew a line from Otis Tully to the exchange (sells information to)

 

I just want to apologise to everyone for my slow responses, and I see I need o get some pictures for my extras! I'll do that ASAP! (it's been so busy over here)

 

[IsabellaRose]

On 24/11/2025 at 16:17, StarlitSiren said:

Distinction: Wanted, stepped up to d6 (note to @IsabellaRose- that particular distinction wouldn't get another SFX until it hits d8, correct?)

Correct - SFX are unlocked at d4, d8, and d12 ranks.

On 24/11/2025 at 16:17, StarlitSiren said:

I just want to apologise to everyone for my slow responses, and I see I need o get some pictures for my extras! I'll do that ASAP! (it's been so busy over here)

No worries! 

Millie is all caught up!

[IsabellaRose]

Okay, so we're just waiting for @MagnificentBastard to begin Step 6, and @DreamsnThings to complete Step 5 and begin Step 6.

There are only 3 more steps after 6... I'm hoping that we can get them all done so we can start playing in the new year, but I know the holidays are a timing/scheduling nightmare for online roleplays, so we'll see...

[MagnificentBastard]

18 minutes ago, IsabellaRose said:

Okay, so we're just waiting for @MagnificentBastard to begin Step 6, and @DreamsnThings to complete Step 5 and begin Step 6.

There are only 3 more steps after 6... I'm hoping that we can get them all done so we can start playing in the new year, but I know the holidays are a timing/scheduling nightmare for online roleplays, so we'll see...

I did started it but waiting on @DreamsnThings to tell me how to connect to her character.

In fact if you check ar my sheet you will see I have Priority and everything.

Edited November 30, 2025 by MagnificentBastard

[IsabellaRose]

9 hours ago, MagnificentBastard said:

I did started it but waiting on @DreamsnThings to tell me how to connect to her character.

In fact if you check ar my sheet you will see I have Priority and everything.

My bad. Then I guess we're just waiting for you to finish it. :)

For connections, they're purely one-sided. Make the connection you want to make and go from there. The only time I'd say we need to check is if someone puts down that they own something and then someone else puts that they hold the deed to it. Check then, yes. But if you just want to make your own one-sided connection to a thing or person, do so with no need to check. That's the fun of this game. It's a messy web of interconnectedness.

  

On 21/11/2025 at 15:38, MagnificentBastard said:

@DreamsnThings

We don't have any connections, is the pharmacy for real? I could see my character being interested if it's legit8mare or if I can get access to drugs which first with the time period.

The pharmacy is a real pharmacy, as far as we know the only one in town. That was established in an earlier post.

For historical reference there's this tidbit:

"It was extremely easy to get drugs, including potent and addictive narcotics, from a pharmacy in the 1880s. There were virtually no federal regulations governing the contents or sale of most medicines, and no prescriptions were required for common items that contained ingredients such as opium, morphine, heroin, and cocaine.

Drugs that today are strictly controlled substances could be purchased over the counter without any doctor's authorization. These substances were available not only in pharmacies (also called apothecaries or drug stores) but also in general stores and could even be ordered through the mail. Patent medicines (concoctions with high levels of alcohol and narcotics, which were often advertised as "cure-alls" for various ailments) were an affordable and easily accessible alternative to consulting a doctor, who was often expensive or difficult to reach in rural areas.

Opium, morphine, and laudanum (opium dissolved in alcohol) were common ingredients, used to treat pain, sleeplessness, coughs, diarrhea, and "nervous disorders". Cocaine, touted as a safe stimulant, was an ingredient in various tonics, toothache drops, and even early versions of Coca-Cola. Products could contain alcohol (sometimes up to 16%), cannabis, chloroform, and even toxic substances like mercury and arsenic, which were used to treat conditions like syphilis. Many morphine- and alcohol-laden remedies were marketed for use in infants and children to calm fussiness or relieve colic."

So it looks like you can get damn near anything from your local apothecary in the 1880s, if that helps you form your connection.

[DreamsnThings]

life has been hitting me hard, im going to go ahead and give people permisson to continue character creation without me, or even drop me from the campaign if need be, i need to sort out some life stuff and havent had consistent time to work on this especially at length...

i dont want to hold things up so ill probably just need to step back in whatever way people think is appropriate

[IsabellaRose]

After careful consideration, Dreams has been dropped from the campaign. I'm sorry to see her go, and I'll be wishing I got to see that pherosol in action for the rest of the game.

Thanks for playing along, Dreams! We'll miss you and I hope to get to play with you in a different game in the future!

 

To complete Step 6 I think we just need @MagnificentBastard's steps.

 

Also, I've included the bits people will want to re-visit below. Chiyako gets to Draw an arrow back to a lead square, and AsBloodTurnsEverCold and WickedCadrach both get to step up a Relationship. The original steps performed are listed below.

@Chiyako: Draw an arrow back to a Lead square: Jack Bennett > has something of a crush on > Ramona Hart

@AsBloodTurnsEverCold: Step up a Relationship, Asset, or Resource: Ramona to d6

@WickedCadrach: Step up a Relationship: Ramona Hart up to d6

[Chiyako]

I'll give Jack Bennett an arrow instead to Missy. It shall read: "A great friend and perhaps more."

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Stepped up Millicent Gearhart to D6 instead then 

[DreamsnThings]

my apologies about this everyone, I was really looking forward to ramona but it was getting hard to keep everything straight well life has been what its been outside of ecchi dreams, well ill step away from being an important character I would love to keep up with how this is going to an extent, or even help isabella out by playing an NPC or two if thats possible

once again sorry for things playing out like they did, and im still looking forward to seeing how peoples characters shape up!

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Shame you can't be with us Dreams, Ramona seemed like she'd be a very fun character. I hope everything you have going on gets sorted out fine and we end up in another game or something together one day once you can and hope you do enjoy following this game at least. 

[MagnificentBastard]

7 hours ago, IsabellaRose said:

After careful consideration, Dreams has been dropped from the campaign. I'm sorry to see her go, and I'll be wishing I got to see that pherosol in action for the rest of the game.

Thanks for playing along, Dreams! We'll miss you and I hope to get to play with you in a different game in the future!

 

To complete Step 6 I think we just need @MagnificentBastard's steps.

 

Also, I've included the bits people will want to re-visit below. Chiyako gets to Draw an arrow back to a lead square, and AsBloodTurnsEverCold and WickedCadrach both get to step up a Relationship. The original steps performed are listed below.

@Chiyako: Draw an arrow back to a Lead square: Jack Bennett > has something of a crush on > Ramona Hart

@AsBloodTurnsEverCold: Step up a Relationship, Asset, or Resource: Ramona to d6

@WickedCadrach: Step up a Relationship: Ramona Hart up to d6

I will get on this later today.

[MagnificentBastard]

Actually I don't have the link to the miro board. I am traveling so dont have my home setup.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVJJ3q-kY=/

[MagnificentBastard]

@IsabellaRose

I added a new location the Railroads. And made the judge have debts in the casino.

[IsabellaRose]

...and with Edmund complete, we're moving on to Step 7 - Modus Operandi. 

Remember that priority from the previous step? Well this step tells us how you pursue that goal.

Make sure to note that during the map step, when you draw an arrow from your square to another circle, that Extra will become a Relationship for anyone connected from their square to that NPC. It doesn't add the person as a Relationship if the NPC is connected to your square from their square, only if you're connected to them from your square. 

But when someone connects to your NPC, they're going to step up to a Relationship if they were previously a Resource.

Currently, NPCs that should be Relationships for anyone connected to them are: TIAL-V, Jack Bennett, and Kirsa Autenrieth. Make sure to update your sheets accordingly.

[IsabellaRose]

Oh, and so everyone knows, the pharmacy and Mr. Kay have been left in play, and Ramona has been left on the steps in the beginning of the "My Copies of Steampunk Characters" thread so we know where we left off with character creation. That way if Dreams can join us later, we'll know where we left off with her character creation and Mr. Kay and the pharmacy will be established in town as her base of operations. 

 

[StarlitSiren]

Mo: The Tinker's Way

Passion stepped up to d8

Wanted distinction stepped up to d8

Stepped up resource: The exchange

 

Otis Sparks Tulley linked to Red Jenny (is deathly afraid of)

Line drawn from Millie Gearthart to the silvermines: (Procures materials from)

To clarify @IsabellaRose :

I have a relationship on board with Tial-V- so I add them as a D4?

 

 

[IsabellaRose]

3 hours ago, StarlitSiren said:

To clarify @IsabellaRose :

I have a relationship on board with Tial-V- so I add them as a D4?

That is correct. Edmund already had TIAL-V as a d8 Resource, so he'll change it to a d8 Relationship with TIAL-V.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Alright lets see if I did this right: 

for Kojo's Modus Operandi;
Given the nature of The Other Theory and its importance in Kojo's life I've gone with The Arcane Hand. 
Passion has been stepped up to D6 
The Other Theory is also now D10.
Kirsa has been stepped up to D12 and the relationship has been changed to "She refuses to let me go." because a loyal cultist would hold onto an asset with an iron grip. 

If I read the instructions right we were supposed to do two things so firstly; 
I've introduced 2d4 The Golden Seven Church (Religion, Influence) - Unassuming. Small. It is simple wood and lacking in flair. It is a collection of polished pews, and small artifacts that tell of a proud legacy of faith. Its old, cracked bell rings twice to beckon believers and its doors remain open for those in need. The only notable thing is the cross on the wall...made of the same material that has caused a town to boom. The Seven Names Church is so often found where it is needed. It welcomes in the needy of all sorts. It greets with open arms the weary gunfighter, and the bandit. It does not turn away the whore, the hunter, or the thief. It welcomes in all...so long as they are willing to listen and accept grace. They will even advocate for those in need. They only ask that you listen and the doors to the sanctuary and kept wide open. 

Of course there are those outside of the church who will tell you...its a ploy. Kindness is weaponized in those walls and wielded to get whatever they need. The Seven Names Church only opens its doors to assets, and people its priests and sisters believe they can tame. The simple box that is the church is a place where people are broken...sometimes you can hear the screams. The substances they proclaim as part of their faith is used to break down the strongest of people and turn them into obedient sorts. 

They're not so humble, their riches are just hidden....only for the deserving. You can see the glint sometimes. This church popping up means that they've laid eyes on profit  And anyone who would stand in their way will be tamed, or dealt with. 

A bit of a threat to Kojo (or anyone else) 

I've also connected Joshua Thane to Jane Montgomery as "Arranged to Marry" though I'm more than willing to change that if its too much. Two members of a wealthy family. It wasn't uncommon for marriage to be arranged for financial and strategic reasons. Seems like it'd be interesting to deal within. 

[WickedCadrach]

@DreamsnThings That's totally understandable. I hope we still see you around, but I definitely get it when it's just too much for what's going on in real-life. 

I've moved that relationship step-up from Ramona to Jack Beckett (d4 -> d6). 

On 02/12/2025 at 07:30, IsabellaRose said:

when you draw an arrow from your square to another circle, that Extra will become a Relationship for anyone connected from their square to that NPC. It doesn't add the person as a Relationship if the NPC is connected to your square from their square, only if you're connected to them from your square. 

But when someone connects to your NPC, they're going to step up to a Relationship if they were previously a Resource.

I want to make sure I get this right, so I'm going to try talking it out a little here. 
1) When I add a Circle or Diamond to the board, it's added as a Resource to my character sheet. I draw a line from my square to that Resource (not a Relationship).
2) When another PC draws a line from their Square to one of my Circles, that Circle upgrades from a Resource to a Relationship for both PCs.
3) If a third PC draws a line from their Square to that same Circle, they also get that connection as a Relationship. 
4) If a PC's Square is not connected to a Circle, they should not have that NPC as a Resource or Relationship on their character sheet. 

If I got that right, then the only NPC Relationship Missy should have is Jack Beckett (because Missy and Alicia both have lines drawn from their Squares to his Circle). Jane Montgomery, Red Jenny, and Holland Buck should all be Resources. And I think this also means Adelaide Montgomery needs to be put on the board as a Circle?

@IsabellaRose did I get that right? 

[MagnificentBastard]

Okay I think I did step 7 correctly.

[Chiyako]

For Alicia's Modus Operandi, I've decided to go with The Tinker's Way. She is a scientist through and through, to the point that she utilizes her own body for her experiments. Science is her one truth and it is her greatest weapon. Nothing else truly makes sense for her.

As Truth is already maxed out Passion will be stepped up (from d4 to d6).

I will step up the Mad Scientist Distinction (from d8 to d10).

I will step up Alicia's relationship with Missy (from d4 to d6). She is at least interested enough that she wants to find out what the woman actually is. The statement remains unchanged.

I'll connect an arrow from Gwenael Auclair to Alicia with the following statement: "A friend, a rival, and a curious specimen."

Finally I'll connect an arrow from Alicia to Gearheart Repairs as a new Location for her with the following statement: "If there is something I can't make, she probably can." as well as the following blurb under her own resources: (Engineering, Inventions) - Sometimes the devices, structures, or tools required for science are not objects that Alicia can make herself, at least not up to the quality that she requires. For these things a master in other fields is required.

Edited December 8, 2025 by Chiyako

[IsabellaRose]

On 02/12/2025 at 13:37, StarlitSiren said:

Mo: The Tinker's Way

Passion stepped up to d8

Wanted distinction stepped up to d8

Stepped up resource: The exchange

 

Otis Sparks Tulley linked to Red Jenny (is deathly afraid of)

Line drawn from Millie Gearthart to the silvermines: (Procures materials from)

To clarify @IsabellaRose :

I have a relationship on board with Tial-V- so I add them as a D4?

 

 

Millie is all set for Step 7!