Cortex Steampunk Game 1 OOC Discussion

[Chiyako]

For abilities in the Heritage Distinction, how many should I start with? Just one? If I'm starting with just one I think I'd like her to start with some sort of abnormal levels of resistance or durability or a regenerative factor, something which explains her ability to continuinously experiment on herself without suffering long term effects.

I'm guessing I just slot the ability into the Distinctions section and only add it to the Abilities section once it's truly unlocked?

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

Alright I was a bit confused for a moment cause I already stepped the ability up but yeah forgot the rating (I had simply copy and pasted) so that should be fixed now. 
Also got rid of the resource. 

[IsabellaRose]

1 hour ago, Chiyako said:

For abilities in the Heritage Distinction, how many should I start with? Just one? If I'm starting with just one I think I'd like her to start with some sort of abnormal levels of resistance or durability or a regenerative factor, something which explains her ability to continuinously experiment on herself without suffering long term effects.

I'm guessing I just slot the ability into the Distinctions section and only add it to the Abilities section once it's truly unlocked?

You can add as many as you think make sense for the Heritage. These would be abilities that are directly related to your "Vampire by Rumor and Science" Distinction. List anything you think is an ability and we'll make sure there are actual defined abilities fully statted out for them. I'd suggest basic vampire things: Superhuman Strength, Regeneration, Heightened Senses, Mesmerizing Gaze, Eerie Allure, Nocturnal Affinity.

If you add a lot of connected abilities, I might suggest another limit like "Serum Dependence" where you can earn a plot point when the serum wears off and you deactivates your connected abilities. I don't want to set a hard limit on your use of serums as that's not how the system works. But the weakness adds the potential to disable your abilities when it would add drama to the story (and earn you those plot points).

Keep in mind, you can always add a new ability that isn't linked to your Heritage. Say you wanted to... umm... mix up a breath weapon formula to give yourself a breath weapon (sort of outside the scope of our game, but I was trying to think of something that would not be connected to your vampire heritage). You can still add it as a separate ability that has nothing to do with your vampire by science heritage.

You could add any ability based on a scientific formula or invention you create later. The connected abilities should only be related to the vampire bits.

[IsabellaRose]

Dice Step Up from d4 > d6 > d8 > d10 > d12

[Chiyako]

Alright, went ahead and updated things.

[IsabellaRose]

Okay. Step 2.

I'm going to ask for everyone to take this one step at a time on the Pathways.

The first part of the Pathways Map for Step 2 is "Draw an arrow from your square to a new diamond (NEW Location). Label the connection (line) to define it. Add it to your sheet as a Resource. Post about it in the Discussion thread so we all know what it is."

LET EVERYONE ADD THEIR LOCATION BEFORE YOU MOVE ON. DON"T GO TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL ALL LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED.

This is because the next step is to link one of your NPCs or Locations to any other NPC or Location created by SOMEONE ELSE. If you try to jump ahead, you won't have the full list of available options.

[IsabellaRose]

I added your triangles diamonds already.

Edited September 25 by IsabellaRose
added the correct geometric shape

[Chiyako]

So you want us to label the line, not the actual diamond?

[IsabellaRose]

1 minute ago, Chiyako said:

So you want us to label the line, not the actual diamond?

Write what the location is inside the diamond, then write your relationship to it on the line.

Like DIAMOND my lab LINE I create all my formulas here

[MagnificentBastard]

3 hours ago, IsabellaRose said:

@Chiyako, @AsBloodTurnsEverCold, and @MagnificentBastard all need to:

1. add the die rating for their Distinctions, Abilities, and Resources.
2. step up one of your relationships, distinctions, abilities, or resources.

_{(now I'm going to do that thing that I hated in school, where the teacher shows off your work and all the other kids hate you)}

Take a look at the sheet for Missy. You don't have to use the same bullets or anything, but you want to list the die rating before the name of each Distinction, Ability, Resource, etc. The die rating is super important (the bigger the die, the better you'll roll). Plus, you'll be able to step them up in almost every step of Pathways, so you need to make sure you have it written down so you know where you're starting from. It's really the only way to keep everyone balanced.

I think this is all done now.

[IsabellaRose]

1 minute ago, MagnificentBastard said:

I think this is all done now.

I refreshed your sheet and it looks like you just need to add the die in front of the name of your Distinction. Otherwise you're all set.

[Chiyako]

Location added!

The Laboratory
"History's greatest experiments start here!"
Contained within the northern tower of Alicia's new home, what was once a simple observatory has become so much more.

[MagnificentBastard]

2 minutes ago, IsabellaRose said:

I refreshed your sheet and it looks like you just need to add the die in front of the name of your Distinction. Otherwise you're all set.

I copied that from what your example, I assume I add the D4 at the beginning of the name? I did the relation on my automaton because it felt a little weird to force a relationship on another player without discussing it first.

1 hour ago, IsabellaRose said:

Okay. Step 2.

I'm going to ask for everyone to take this one step at a time on the Pathways.

The first part of the Pathways Map for Step 2 is "Draw an arrow from your square to a new diamond (NEW Location). Label the connection (line) to define it. Add it to your sheet as a Resource. Post about it in the Discussion thread so we all know what it is."

LET EVERYONE ADD THEIR LOCATION BEFORE YOU MOVE ON. DON"T GO TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL ALL LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED.

This is because the next step is to link one of your NPCs or Locations to any other NPC or Location created by SOMEONE ELSE. If you try to jump ahead, you won't have the full list of available options.

Finally, regarding this I presume this location has to be nearby? I wanted to do the family home but that in the old world, but I could have a place in the games town.

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

I added: 
Absolon Grand Hall - A grand and golden French-style concert hall, although a copy of a greater concert hall in France. A favorite of Kojo's, and a place where more than a few secrets are exchanged and maintained. 

Edited September 25 by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[IsabellaRose]

2 minutes ago, MagnificentBastard said:

I copied that from what your example, I assume I add the D4 at the beginning of the name? I did the relation on my automaton because it felt a little weird to force a relationship on another player without discussing it first.

You will have relationships with EVERY other PC. You will definitely want to increase the rating of them. When you increase the die rating of a relationship with another PC, you're just saying that your relationship with that person is more important. You can define your relationship with other PCs however you want with your relationship statement.

You might have d6 Missy (I want her in my bed) and Missy might have d10 Edmund (can't be trusted).

The juxtaposition of your different trait statements and conflicting relationships is half of what brings the drama to the game.

I definitely urge everyone to discuss what kind of relationship and situations they want to get their characters in with each other, and step up relationship values and craft statements that support your goals for the way you'll interact together.

10 minutes ago, MagnificentBastard said:

Finally, regarding this I presume this location has to be nearby? I wanted to do the family home but that in the old world, but I could have a place in the games town.

A good location is a place that is likely to be used in the game. Since we're setting this in a booming wild west town, locations in and around the town will be best.

6 minutes ago, AsBloodTurnsEverCold said:

I added: 
Absolon Grand Hall - A grand and golden French-style concert hall, although a copy of a greater concert hall in France. A favorite of Kojo's, and a place where more than a few secrets are exchanged and maintained. 

I assume the hall is in town? 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

I have a few places that are pushing around in my head. Several feel important to Saha but irrelevant to everyone else. At least one feels like an important location to the setting, but doesn't feel immediately relevant to Saha. Without saying which ones are which, here's what I'm waffling on:

• The Sweat Lodge
• A Hidden Canyon
• Fort Calhoun
• Shotgun Mary's Saloon
• Billy Wong's Bordello
• The Tent Camp
• The Train Station

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

@IsabellaRose
Yeah I figured, though I don't know how old the town is I figured it'd be right to set it there. 

[MagnificentBastard]

I added:

The Golden Stag Casino & Saloon
Nestled in the heart of the wild west town, The Golden Stag Casino & Saloon is a lavish establishment that caters to the town's elite and those seeking a night of pleasure and fortune. Owned by Viscount Edmund Blackwood, the casino is a hub of activity, where high-stakes poker games and seductive performances draw in a diverse crowd.

The casino is divided into several areas, each with its own unique atmosphere and purpose. The main gaming floor features a variety of tables, including poker, blackjack, and roulette, where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. Adjacent to the gaming floor is the saloon, a more relaxed area where patrons can enjoy a drink, a meal, or a performance by local musicians such as Kojo Amankona. ( @AsBloodTurnsEverCold assuming that's okay with you)

Upstairs, the establishment transforms into a brothel, where beautiful and alluring women, ply their trade. These women are not just employees but often confidantes and allies to Edmund, providing him with valuable information and companionship.

The basement of The Golden Stag is a secret area, known only to a select few. Here, Edmund conducts his occult rituals. The basement is decorated with arcane symbols and contains a hidden library of forbidden tomes, that Edmund often consults.

[WritesNaughtyStories]

What, if any, of the menu of waffles, seems like it would make a testy addition to our corner of the frontier?

[AsBloodTurnsEverCold]

A train station? Curious about the fort tho

Edited September 25 by AsBloodTurnsEverCold

[Chiyako]

1 minute ago, WritesNaughtyStories said:

What, if any, of the menu of waffles, seems like it would make a testy addition to our corner of the frontier?

The Hidden Canyon sounds mysterious enough that I'd like to learn more!

But then having a competing location with Edmund could also lead to some fun drama.

[MagnificentBastard]

10 minutes ago, Chiyako said:

The Hidden Canyon sounds mysterious enough that I'd like to learn more!

But then having a competing location with Edmund could also lead to some fun drama.

Don't be silly no place can compete with The Golden Stag Casino & Saloon 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

5 minutes ago, MagnificentBastard said:

Don't be silly no place can compete with The Golden Stag Casino & Saloon 

Wong's Women disagree...

[MagnificentBastard]

This is what I am thinking as far as my characters relationships with the other characters:

@Chiyako Alicia Von Vulf: My character being so old and magical wants to believe you are a vampire because he likes the idea of another immortal to share the changes of the modem world with periodically. He will be disappointed to learn you aren't but will likely be interested in your experiments, may even become a patron. Obviously my character would like to bed yours but who knows what will happen. What do you think?

@AsBloodTurnsEverCold Kojo Amankona: A professional and friendly relationship, occasional work at my stablishment maybe a friendly game of poker on occasion. What do you think?

@StarlitSiren Millicent "Millie" Gearhart: Professional and flirty I presume your character would be one of the few that can perform maintenance upon TIAL V. Obviously my character would like to bed yours but who knows what will happen. What do you think?

@WickedCadrach Millicent "Missy" Fisher: Not sure, your character probably operates some kind of scam in the casino that Edmund leaves alone, both because your presence attracts customers and because he likes you around. Obviously my character would like to bed yours but who knows what will happen. What do you think?

@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.

Edited September 25 by MagnificentBastard

[Chiyako]

@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.