Cortex Steampunk Game 1 OOC Discussion

[MagnificentBastard]

1 hour ago, IsabellaRose said:

Actually, in looking at the sheet, you never connect FROM Edmund TO Holland Beck, so you wouldn't have had a relationship with him. 

During Step 7 "Draw an arrow from your square to an existing circle (NEW Relationship) or diamond (NEW Location)" you did:

Edmund > occasional allies > The Blue Hour Lady

This is where you would have changed her to a Relationship from a Resource.

We have 2 options:

1. During Step 7, connect Edmund to Judge Holland Beck instead of the Blue Hour Lady. This will create a d4 Relationship with Judge Holland Beck and will also move Missy's Judge Holland Beck Resource to a Relationship. In this case, you wouldn't be able to remove the d4 Blue Hour Lady to step up Judge Holland Beck in Step 9.

2. Remove the connection to the Blue Hour Lady as described in Step 9 and step up an existing Relationship instead. The only Relationships you have are with the PCs and TIAL-V.

I did for my last relationship on my last step there is an arrow from him to me or is your point that the arrow direction means it doesn't work?

[IsabellaRose]

5 hours ago, MagnificentBastard said:

I did for my last relationship on my last step there is an arrow from him to me or is your point that the arrow direction means it doesn't work?

Yes, the arrow direction is important. I explained it in an earlier post, but the gist is:

arrow FROM your character TO npc = add them to your sheet

arrow FROM npc TO your character = don't add them to your sheet

[MagnificentBastard]

25 minutes ago, IsabellaRose said:

Yes, the arrow direction is important. I explained it in an earlier post, but the gist is:

arrow FROM your character TO npc = add them to your sheet

arrow FROM npc TO your character = don't add them to your sheet

Sorrry. I upped my relationship with TIal-V and removed the judge. 

[IsabellaRose]

19 minutes ago, MagnificentBastard said:

Sorrry. I upped my relationship with TIal-V and removed the judge. 

Based on the previous steps then, you still have a d4 Relationship with The Blue Hour Lady, which makes @AsBloodTurnsEverCold's Blue Hour Lady a Relationship as well.

Nope, I misread that. You removed the Blue Hour Lady, stepped up TIAL-V, Kojo's Blue Hour Lady is still a resource... ugh.

[IsabellaRose]

...and with that, we are officially done with Pathways!

Now I have work to do. I have to step through Pathways for every NPC who became a Feature (Kirsa, TIAL-V, Bennett, and Thane) and figure out their motives, goals, and plans.

Then I need to pick a hook to start the game and set the scene for the big opening.

[IsabellaRose]

I started statting up Kirsa first, and I have to say, she is shaping up to be a formidable woman.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Perfect! Excited to see what all you do with her and the others. 

[IsabellaRose]

Kirsa is done... and for fun, here are some teasers from her sheet:

Relationship statement

• Kojo's greatness exists because I have bound it into a shape the world can endure.

Value statement

• I wield my Power to decide for others when they are too weak or dangerous to decide for themselves.

Distinctions

• Family Name: Your kin are known - proud, notorious, or disgraced. Roll when reputation, debts, or obligations sway things.
• Wealthy: You have enough money to buy your way out of nearly any trouble you inevitably get into. But it also makes you a target. Roll the Distinction’s die when pulling out your wallet, signing a check, or drawing on your vast fortunes would improve your odds at success.

 

...next up, TIAL-V!

Edited December 17, 2025 by IsabellaRose

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Oooh I like that especially the value statement. Very accurate to the voice I had in my head while putting her down. 
Can't wait to see the rest of it and what the other Features will be like. 

Edited December 17, 2025 by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[IsabellaRose]

I had to create a new Distinction for TIAL-V...

Perfectly Appointed Servant: You were designed to serve with flawless precision: impeccable manners, encyclopedic knowledge of protocol, and an unshakable calm in the presence of danger, scandal, or aristocratic excess. Whether pouring tea, managing staff, delivering veiled threats in a civil tone, or quietly positioning yourself between your master and harm, you perform your duties with exacting efficiency and dry, understated wit. Roll this Distinction when etiquette, discretion, preparation, or polite authority would give you the advantage.

[IsabellaRose]

Should I keep updating everyone, or just let you know when it's all done?

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

I'd say the updates are nice. Builds anticipation. 

[IsabellaRose]

Another new Distinction for TIAL-V:

Pacification Protocols: Your frame and mind were designed with limits: you are not meant to harm humans. Instead, you were programmed with a precise martial discipline focused on control, redirection, restraint, and disabling force without injury. Every movement is calculated to neutralize threats while preserving life, even when violence would be faster or easier. Roll this Distinction’s die when you are disarming, restraining, redirecting attacks, subduing opponents, or protecting others without inflicting harm.

[IsabellaRose]

TIAL-V is done! The loyal servant of Edmund who is strangely fascinated with Alicia and counts on Millie for his repairs. I'm working on developing TIAL-V's voice, something vaguely "British butler/manservant" while also being mechanically analytical. Trying to imagine a typical morning at Blackwood Manor...

 

“Good morning, sir. As you instructed, the woman from last night has been escorted from the estate." TIAL-V paused. “She departed at dawn. She was handsomely paid. I also provided a carriage, and a firm reminder that your name is best enjoyed in memory rather than repeated aloud.”

There was another pause, then, “She asked if you were fond of her.”

TIAL-V turned his head slightly, as if recalling something mildly embarrassing he once saw someone else do, and before Edmund could answer, he said, “I informed her that you are fond of so very many things, but that none of them require conversation afterward.”

He began preparing Edmund's outfit for the day on the valet stand. 

“For what it is worth, Sir, she seemed satisfied. Exhausted, but satisfied. I will refrain from elaborating.” The faintest hint of smugness slipped into his tone. “I have taken the liberty of ensuring that the staff did not make eye contact, form opinions, or begin wagering on whether or not this one would return.”

Relationship Statements:

• I exist to anticipate Edmund Blackwood’s needs, especially the ones he refuses to acknowledge.
• Alicia von Vulf is an unresolved variable I find myself… monitoring beyond assigned parameters.

Value Statement:

• Glory is irrelevant; perfection is its own reward.

 

Edited December 19, 2025 by IsabellaRose

[MagnificentBastard]

6 hours ago, IsabellaRose said:

TIAL-V is done! The loyal servant of Edmund who is strangely fascinated with Alicia and counts on Millie for his repairs. I'm working on developing TIAL-V's voice, something vaguely "British butler/manservant" while also being mechanically analytical. Trying to imagine a typical morning at Blackwood Manor...

 

“Good morning, sir. As you instructed, the woman from last night has been escorted from the estate." TIAL-V paused. “She departed at dawn. She was handsomely paid. I also provided a carriage, and a firm reminder that your name is best enjoyed in memory rather than repeated aloud.”

There was another pause, then, “She asked if you were fond of her.”

TIAL-V turned his head slightly, as if recalling something mildly embarrassing he once saw someone else do, and before Edmund could answer, he said, “I informed her that you are fond of so very many things, but that none of them require conversation afterward.”

He began preparing Edmund's outfit for the day on the valet stand. 

“For what it is worth, Sir, she seemed satisfied. Exhausted, but satisfied. I will refrain from elaborating.” The faintest hint of smugness slipped into his tone. “I have taken the liberty of ensuring that the staff did not make eye contact, form opinions, or begin wagering on whether or not this one would return.”

Relationship Statements:

• I exist to anticipate Edmund Blackwood’s needs, especially the ones he refuses to acknowledge.
• Alicia von Vulf is an unresolved variable I find myself… monitoring beyond assigned parameters.

Value Statement:

• Glory is irrelevant; perfection is its own reward.

 

Thank you for the hard work. I imagining like J.A.R.V.I.S so I think you did a great job.

[IsabellaRose]

New Distinction for Jack Bennett:

 

MORTICIAN'S APPRENTICE: You have been trained to work with the dead: washing, embalming, stitching, dressing, and preparing bodies for viewing or burial. You know anatomy by touch, the language of wounds and decay, and the quiet rituals that surround death. You are steady-handed, unflinching, and accustomed to secrets that don’t belong to the living. Sometimes… the dead seem to notice that. Roll this Distinction’s die when your mortuary training, anatomical knowledge, composure around death, or familiarity with corpses gives you an advantage, whether that’s identifying how someone died, handling remains without panic, concealing evidence, or performing quiet, respectful rites.

• d4: Earn a Plot Point when your association with death unsettles others, costs you social standing, or makes a scene uncomfortable or tense.
• d8: Spend a Plot Point to create a d8 Useful Detail about a corpse, cause of death, tampering, time of death, or what doesn’t match the official story.
• d12: Spend a Plot Point to Step Down Afraid or Insecure Stress for the rest of the scene when dealing with death, gore, or the unnatural.

[IsabellaRose]

I'm halfway through creating Jack Bennett, then I just have to do Joshua Thane, then get a intro hook setup. If all goes well, we'll be ready to play first week of Jan!

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Woohoo! My excitement is riding high right now. 

[IsabellaRose]

I just finished Jack Bennett, and here are some teasers from his sheet:

Value:

• Honor “I keep my word, even when breaking it would be safer.”
• Justice “The law protects the powerful; justice protects everyone else.”

Relationships:

• Alicia von Vulf sees something in me that could either save me or damn me forever.
• Missy Fisher and I know exactly how dangerous each other are, and we keep each other anyway.
• Joshua Thane is proof that the law is just another predator with a badge.

Distinction:

• Fixer: You’re called in to “fix” a problem when no other solution can be found. Through a mix of know-how and contacts you can make things happen in just the right way. Roll the Distinction’s die when trying to leverage an opportunity in the black market, secure an illicit transaction, or deal with the sorts of people who hire people like you.

[IsabellaRose]

Joshua Thane is completed! Here's a peek...

Values:

• Glory is knowing that everyone who opposed me is broken, dead, or beneath my heel.

Relationships:

• Kojo Amankona’s music makes people forget who’s in charge and I hate him for it.
• Missy Fisher keeps trying to buy safety, and I enjoy raising the price.
• Alicia von Vulf is wrong, and wrong things need to be buried.

Distinctions:

• Gunfighter: You’re quick and deadly with pistols, rifles, or shotguns. Roll when shooting or intimidating with firearms.

Resources:

• Sheriff's Office (weapons, deputies)

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Yep he sounds like a downright bastard. Perfect! 

Edited December 29, 2025 by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[IsabellaRose]

I'm making sure I have good notes for everyone and their agendas and desires, then the first post should go up sometime between Jan 1 - Jan 4! 

[IsabellaRose]

I guess I got going faster than I thought!

The first post is up! It's time for your replies!

 

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Well damn lol here I was on the drive home getting ready to be patient and BOOM 

[DreamsnThings]

yep i should have stuck it out XD

hope yall have a good time, im looking forward to what this holds in the future!