IsabellaRose

IF you ever feel like something is time for a roll let me know! Also, if you have a Distinction like "In Over My Head" where you earn a plot point when you get into something over your head, don't hesitate to call it out to me when you think an SFX should be triggered. You'll be purposely putting your characters into danger to harvest those PPs, so make sure to let me know so you get them!

You only have to roll if someone is opposing you. These deputies are not the brightest and their egos (and desire to get three lovely ladies alone) may get in the way, but even they can see dripping blood once Alicia has called attention to it. Boone may want to be ungentlemanly, but there are enough eyes here and a real job for him to do. He'll feel obliged to send someone up into roof space and along the catwalks. If they come down and still want to bring you in, you'd have to roll to resist in whatever manner you choose, unless you decide to just go along with them.

"It don't take a genius to figure it out," said Boone in response to Kojo's question about needing statements. He gestured to Silas' body, "this one got murdered," he turned and gestured to Alicia, "this one's wearing his blood. Seems pretty straight forward to me." He nodded to Millie down in the front row. "Billy here says these two was talkin before the show, so she's prolly an accomplice." One of the other deputies, presumably Billy, stepped forward. "Thas right. Seen her with my own eyes jawin with the bloodsuck... er, suspect." He then turned his attention to Missy, yet another man staring at her cleavage and making no effort to conceal his lascivious stare. "This one talks at spirits, Boone. You think she's in on it? Maybe she called the ghost lady? Maybe we should bring her in, too." The rumors about the treatment of women at the hands of Thane's deputies had circulated widely around town. "Handsy" was the kindest description, with much more serious transgressions whispered, despite no one coming forward to make any public accusations.

Even as the screaming and the rush for the exits finally settles into the past, panic still hangs in the air like smoke that refuses to clear. The gaslights cast uneven halos across overturned chairs, torn programs, and the dark, wet sprawl of blood soaking into the stage boards beneath Silas Ward’s body. Now that she's up close, Missy sees the same thing that Alicia saw earlier. The wound is a clean cut made by a very sharp blade and a steady hand. It doesn't look supernatural, but then, what would differentiate a supernatural cut from a mundane one? When Missy asks about catwalks, one of the stagehands, quietly peering from behind the curtains at stage left, steps forward. He's a young man, clean shaven and dressed plainly, obviously here to work and not to enjoy the show. He points back from where he came. "There are ladders on either side of the stage, Ma'am," he says to Missy, which Kojo can confirm. "But the catwalks no place for a lady, especially not in that dress," he adds, looking somewhat sheepish for having noticed her dress. As if to punctuate his words, both Missy and Alicia hear a slow, rhythmic patter, as if a faucet somewhere were dripping. Their eyes settle on the source at once. Blood drips from the curtains above them, or perhaps even higher in the darkness. --- But before anyone can act on this newfound clue, bootsteps announce the next shift in danger. Three deputies push their way in through the chaos, badges gleaming, hands loose near their guns. They move without care, jostling people aside and stepping right through the pool of blood. One of them prods Ward’s corpse with the toe of his boot like an inconvenience. The smallest of them, a sharp-eyed, tight-lipped, weasel of a man they all know to be called Boone, takes charge immediately. “All right,” Boone snaps, voice cutting. “Enough gawking. This here's what we call a crime scene.” His gaze lands on Alicia first. He takes in her bloodied gloves, her dress as red as the spilled blood, her hands stained with it. Then he looks to Millie on the floor below, still shaken, still close. His gaze then drifts over Missy, lingering too long on her cleavage. He smiles thinly. “You," he says, pointing to Alicia. "And you," he gestures toward Millie. "We're going to want to question the two of you, being up close in the front row and all.” Another deputy chuckles under his breath and rests his hand on the grip of his gun in its holster. Boone glances dismissively at Edmund and waves him off toward the exit without ceremony. “Sheriff’ll want this handled proper. Best you and your girlie here clear out." He gestures at Missy. "Y'all don’t want to be compromising the evidence.” He says this with one foot in the pool of blood, his incompetence matched only by his arrogance.

Also, don't wait on me unless you need me to reply to something. If someone else posts, step up, step in, make things happen. I'll get replies up when it looks like I'm needed, but by all means, play among yourselves.

I have the 1e and 2e books... Battlebabe would be fun. No consequence sex!

Honestly, the Hardholder sounds more interesting. I'd be all in on the Maestro'd except their sex move is to do something "instead of" sex, and, well... it's me, and we're here. There's gotta be sex.

It sounds like you need a Battlebabe. ...or a Hardholder or Maestro'd, either of which should work if you're playing in the ruins of an arcology.

In this game you really only roll when the outcome is uncertain. So I'd say write yourself a scene where you Sherlock things up, look around and see if there's any obvious physical evidence one way or another, talk to witnesses, see if there's any details that give you ideas of places to look for further evidence. The most likely scenario is that I give you answers and you find things. Unless there's a good narrative reason to keep things from you I'll just give you info. It's not the kind of game where you have to search every 10 feet for clues and secret doors. Like right now I'm digging the idea that people suspect Red Jenny might or might not be supernatural, so I'm not going to answer that question for you until you investigate. In your investigations, you have every trick on your character sheet at your disposal, but mostly just play... this system is narrative-driven, not dice-driven. The dice really only come into play during contests between characters. IF your character is good at a thing (like investigating) then they're just good at it and you narrate how they're being a badass investigator and I narrate how that badassery leads them to the clues. Checking your sheet, The truth isn't very important to Edmund (d4 Truth), but he's all about Power and Glory, so he could still be investigating, just not to find the Truth, but to find out how he can leverage this situation/individual for his own use. He has TIAL-V at his disposal, but he's been sent away to bring the women to safety. He doesn't have any of the Distinctions that would lend themselves to investigating (Clever, Investigator, Mastermind, Streetwise, etc.) From his sheet his most promising investigative technique would seem to be his magic - he could use any SFX from any ability in the Big List of Abilities by spending a PP and adding d10 to Trouble. Right now Edmund doesn't know much other than that the lights went out, Jenny appeared when they came back, murdered Silas in view of everyone, then darkness returned, and now she's gone. After speaking to the person who saw her ascend up into darkness, you could use SFX like Telekinesis: "Fly or levitate a short distance. Spend another Plot Point if you want to carry others with you" to head up where she went or Super-Senses: "See through objects to find specific people or objects" if it weren't dark and you had an idea of where to look and what you were looking for...

Aldert is not used to being called out in such a direct manner. Back home, his titles earned him respect that seems to be lacking in this uncivilized wasteland called the American West. He sputters and stammers for a moment, but with three voices raised against him, he slowly lowers his pointing finger and says no more. He does, however, gesture to a few men who seem to be waiting on his orders, and they all move toward the exits. He'll have to find another forum to publicly accuse Alicia of villainy. It doesn't seem to have worked here.

...and I re-read the rules and realized that (since Aldert is just an Extra and not a Feature) this is a Test instead of a Contest. So... I was supposed to roll first. A quick "this is how it works" run down for everyone til we all get the hang of the system. For a Test, the GM rolls the Trouble Pool, adds 2 highest dice together, Player assembles dice pool and rolls it, if player rolls higher, they win, if GM roll is higher, they don't. I rolled for Aldert, he got a 9. So your 10 beats his and he'll have to go along. http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=301033

I updated the Rules Reference. There's a section called "Rolling Dice, Assembling Dice Pools, Complications, Plot Points, and Contests/Tests" that covers the rules on assembling dice pools, Complications, rolling in Contests and Tests, using Plot Points, Aiding and Interfering in Contests, Inflicting Stress, and I think mechanically pretty much everything we need.

Aiding is the same as starting a challenge - build a dice pool (Value + Relationship + any one relevant Ability for free). Except when Aiding, you give your highest result to the person you're aiding. The official rules say that you have to declare you're aiding and roll your aid roll before the other player makes their roll. But due to the fact that we're playing online in a forum and not real-time, I'm not going to adhere to that.

I forgot to comment on this part, sorry... TL;DR: unless Edmund wants to cast a spell of some sort, you would only roll your Value + Relationship dice. I don't see a Distinction that would apply otherwise. Detailed explanation: For the Value, you're looking at the core word, but also at the statement you made. Edmund's view of Power is that "The power of my will is the only power that matters." So yes, we can definitely use that Value. You could have also used Truth, since Aldert is clearly trying to muddle and play with the truth of the situation, and Edmund's Truth value says "Truth exists, lies are invented." For the Relationship, absolutely Alicia would be the most relevant. Depending on WHY Edmund is stepping in, he could have used another relationship, as well. For instance, if he's stepping in to keep any of Aldert's defamation away from the perception of Kojo's interrupted performance, he could have used Kojo. So it's the intent behind the action that matters when selecting the dice to roll. For Magical Legacy (which I have listed on my version of your sheet as "Esoteric Sex Magician"), Persuasion is a listed as a connected ability, meaning that if Edmund wants to add the Ability called "Persuasion" to his list of Abilities, he can do so later by simply spending dice out of his growth pool (which is currently empty). So that wouldn't really apply here. Magical Legacy/Esoteric Sex Magician is all about being able to do magic. So if he did want to use any linked abilities (or use his SFX that says "Add a d10 to Trouble to use a Special Effect from an Ability you do not have, connected or not"), he would have to do so using magic and spend a PP to do it. If it was not your intention to use magic, then this ability would not apply.

I would put it right in the roleplay thread. You can hide it behind a spoiler tag if you want to make it look clean.

As far as rolling for a Cortex game on ED, I chose CoyoteCode Dice Roller. Here's all the info: CoyoteCode Dice Roller link CoyoteCode Dice Roller help Quick Instructions Enter your character name or username List your dice to be rolled using standard 1d12 nomenclature, separate dice with a semicolon List what the dice represent in the Notes field. In the example below I'm rolling d12 Relationship, d10 Value, and d6 Distinction. You can just put the Value/Person name and we'll figure out that it's a relationship or value. Once you click Roll, you'll get results: You can copy/paste the URL the into your post. In the above example the URL is http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=301021

I think I settled on CoyoteCode Dice Roller. Here's all the info: CoyoteCode Dice Roller link CoyoteCode Dice Roller help Quick instructions are: put in your character name or usnername, list your dice to be rolled using standard 1d12 nomenclature, separate dice with a semicolon, and add what the dice represent in the Notes field. In the example below I'm rolling d12 Relationship, d10 Value, and d6 Distinction. You can just put the Value/Person name and we'll figure out that it's a relationship or value. Once you click Roll, you'll get results: You can copy/paste the URL the into your post. Sure, you can re-roll until you get your desired results - there's no way I can stop that. But keep in mind that in this game, failure doesn't mean death, it just means more challenges and more challenges means more stress which means more character growth at the end of the episode. The more you fail, the more powerful you become... eventually. I'm assuming it's pretty straight forward for everyone, but if you have any questions or issues using the dice roller, let me know. I'm going to put the link and these instructions in the Rules thread, too.

That sounds good. The intent was "he's murdered! plot happens!" I just wanted you to have the opportunity to let Alicia do cool things if they sounded like fun things to do :)

OOC: This feels like a perfect opportunity for our first contest. Edmund is trying to get Aldert to cease point and placing blame on Alicia and assist with the evacuation, calling him out in front of everyone. Aldert wants to cast aspersions and won't be easily swayed. You could build a dice pool (the most relevant Relationship + the most relevant Value + 1 Distinction, Ability, or Resource you can convincingly apply to the situation, if any) and roll to set the challenge. You would roll all the dice in your pool, then add the 2 highest results for your total (unless they're 1's, you can't add 1's to the total). Aldert could give in (not likely), or roll. He would need to beat your total to volley the contest back to you. If he does, you roll again trying to beat his total. If he does not, he takes stress.

If you want Alicia to have something that might bring him back from beyond, I'm open to seeing what happens, but the intent was that he's dead when he hits the floor. Remember though, this is OUR story, not mine, so if you want to try something that changes the direction I intend, it's entirely possible. I encourage players driving the plot!

Joshua Thane seized the moment the way only men like him could. He was up the stairs to the boxes and intercepted TIAL-V before they even made it to the exit. He flashed his badge, and said with sharp authority, "I’ll take them from here. This building isn’t secure." TIAL-V paused and looked at Thane's badge, but his instructions from Edmund were clear, and if he was anything, he was loyal to a fault. "My instructions are to escort Mr. Blackwood's companions to safety." Thane didn't raise his voice, he lowered it. "Then do so," he said, "but Miss Montgomery is under my protection now." He slide one hand behind Jane's back and guided her to his side. He was insistent, and TIAL-V knew that arguing would take valuable time he needed to get the women to safety. Thane turned to Jane and in a gentler, reassuring voice he said, "you’re all right, my dear. I’ve got you. Let's just keep moving." TIAL-V decided that it would have been a bonus to escort Jane along with the others, but it was not worth clashing with the sheriff. He made a gesture that may have been a slight bow and turned to the women. "Ladies, this way." He guided them toward the exit, and just like that, Jane was alone with Thane. Jane went readily, eyes wide and glassy, clinging to the nearest certainty she could recognize. Authority felt safer than questions. - - - - - - - - Somewhere in the confusion, Willis Sloan ran, and Millie was left on the floor of the hall, disoriented. - - - - - - - - In the dim light filtering in from backstage, Kojo and Alicia could see Red Jenny. She lifted her arms slowly at her sides like a preacher calling their congregation to rise. It seemed like the motion stilled the chaos for a heartbeat, and then she rose into the air, feet leaving the stage, skirts dissolving into shadow as she ascended into the darkness above the curtains. There was no rush of air, no sound beyond that faint, retreating hum. She simply rose and then was gone, swallowed by the rafters and the black. No sooner did she rise into shadow, than the first gaslight flickered. When they all flickered and began their slow return, Carlo was off to one side, but it was Alicia the lights revealed first, kneeling on the boards next to Silas Ward's body, blood on her hands, blood on her clothes, framed by the body and the empty space where something impossible had just been. Aldert Helsink made sure no one missed it. "What is that bloodsucker doing up there?" He stood near the side of the hall and pointed, calling all attention that wasn't already focused on fleeing to Alicia. "Look at her. Look at the blood on her hands." - - - - - - - - Meanwhile, Edmund was being interrupted by Missy as he made his way down to the stage.

A series of them. I'm basically doing 2 jobs.

It might be the weekend before I can get a post together. Work is insane, I just got done after starting at 6am and it's 10:18pm... I'm going to crash out. I'm sorry for holding this up. I'm so excited for this game.

Sorry everyone... slow going, but I'm working on the next post!

Just One Night She woke slowly, the kind of waking that slowly brought the quiet realization that this wasn’t her bed. Again. The sheets smelled like him, clean cotton and something woodsy, maybe cedar or that cologne she once teased him for using too sparingly. Her legs were tangled in his, and the faint weight of his arm curved around her waist. Sunlight sliced through the curtains and painted soft shadows across the room. She didn’t need to look around to know where she was. She knew this pillow, this mattress, that tiny, chipped mug with something green half-clinging to life on his windowsill. She was back. Again. Goddammit. It had started on New Year’s Eve. A glittering party, too much wine, and the monolith of that stupid moment at midnight when everyone turned to someone, everyone, towering over her. She knew she'd be clutching her champagne flute with a forced smile as everyone else around her found somebody. But with only twenty minutes to go, he’d found her, laughing, eyes bright. “Guess it’s just us,” he’d said, and she’d laughed too. “You realize we’re going to have to kiss someone at midnight, right?” She told him, “don’t look at me like I’m your charity case.” He had laughed. “Please. You’d be the upgrade.” She’d told herself it was harmless. They flirted like that all the time, ever since that late night when they shared a cab home. He was safe, smart, funny, and clearly not into her. That made it easy, which made it fun. But one joke turned into a another and then a second drink, which turned into teasing banter and flirty smiles that weren’t serious… until suddenly they were. “I’m serious,” he’d said, leaning just a little closer. “You’re kind of amazing.” She had raised her brow, a classic gesture, half denial, half flirting. “You’ve had three glasses of cheap champagne.” “And I stand by my drunken, overly romantic opinion.” She should have walked away. She should have laughed and joined everyone on the dance floor, but instead she’d said, “Well, if I’m amazing… maybe I should be the one choosing you.” He froze, and something in his smile turned. “I wish you would.” That had been the moment, the tightrope between joking and real, and she had stepped directly into it. But she had been laughing, and flushed, and suddenly warm all over, and when the countdown hit ten and he reached for her, she didn’t stop him. It felt less like falling and more like surrendering to something that had always been there, just waiting for the right midnight. She didn't remember how they had ended up at his apartment. Something about just one night, and no need to be alone, and damned if she hadn't wanted him more in that moment than anything else. They had stumbled through his door like a cliché, still dressed for the party, barely making it to the bedroom. It had been incredible. Not just good, not just satisfying, but the kind of sex that ruins you a little for everyone else. He’d been responsive, generous, and devastatingly intuitive. She had never felt so... wanted, so seen. And in the morning, before he stirred, she’d slipped out like a thief, her heels in hand and shame chasing her down the stairs. One night, she had reminded herself. That’s all it was. But then she’d laid awake every night, thinking of him, remembering that night, touching herself and never coming close to how she felt with him. She’d seen him at work, because of course they worked in the same damn building. He’d given her time and distance, just a simple text. I won’t push but if you ever want to talk or just want to come back I’ll be here. No questions, no pressure. Of course she had wanted to reply, but she didn’t, at least not right away. But eventually she did… just a friendly acknowledgement. It would have been rude to leave his message unanswered. That was all it took to start a string of texts that were supposed to be friendly but always ended with ellipses, unspoken somethings. Soon there were late-night phone calls when she couldn’t sleep. She resisted, she really did... until she didn’t. That night she sent a curious you up? that turned into can I come over? And now, two weeks later, she was waking up in his bed again, his arm around her like it belonged there. She closed her eyes and let herself feel the quiet ache of wanting. It wasn’t just the sex, though yes, the sex was still incredible, unfairly so, but it was everything else. The way he looked at her like he knew what she was thinking. The easy laughter. The stillness when he just listened. It was too much. Is this love? she wondered, or is it just that he’s the best thing I’ve had in a long time? She didn’t know. But when he stirred beside her, sleepy and warm and already smiling against her skin, she didn’t get up and sneak out. She snuggled back into him and let herself think, at least for a moment, that maybe this might be something after all.