IsabellaRose

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.

Welcome back, Isabella! It’s me, the other Isabella.

Absolutely. She’s everything you’ve been told to fear in live, urban legend form right on stage.

Fuck, because I'm positive we could make each other scream.

Her face is concealed by a wet, bloody veil, so no, Edmund would not recognize her.

...and Challenge 48 is posted!

THE CHALLENGE It's a little late, so maybe making resolutions and New Year's parties are past us, but... what about trying to keep the resolution two weeks in? What about fallout from the party? the unintended kiss? the celebration that turned far more intimate than planned? For this challenge, write about a character dealing with something leftover from New Year's Eve. Perhaps they made a resolution they're having trouble keeping. Perhaps a kiss, promise, or dare took them somewhere they never thought they'd go and now they're weighing their plans vs. this new reality. Perhaps they made a bet and now they have to pay up. Limitless possibilities... Deadline Midnight (EST) Saturday 24 Jan, 2026 Limits 1 entry per person keep it around 2,000 words, no penalty for going a little over but remember, everyone has to read these to vote Prizes 1st Place: 4,000 EcchiCredits 2nd Place: 2,000 EcchiCredits 3rd Place: 1,000 EcchiCredits

The poll is up for Challenge 47!

I figured nothing gets all the PCs moving like a public, ghostly execution where there oughtn't be one. I wonder what everyone will do?

The hall exhaled as the gaslight softened and a hush fell over the crowd as Mr. Silas Ward took the stage, stepping into the limelight with an easy flourish, arms opening as if to embrace the room. “Ladies and gentlemen!” He called out, beaming, voice rich and ringing, and then continued. “Patrons of refinement, lovers of art, seekers of wonder... welcome! Tonight, you have gathered not merely for music, but for experience. For those rare moments when sound becomes story, and story becomes something that lingers long after the final note.” There was a ripple of approving murmurs. Mr. Ward paced, savoring them. “You know his name. You have whispered it, argued over it, heard rumors of the effects of his music. Tonight, Prospect Junction claims what the world already knows.” He lifted a hand, triumphant. “Prepare yourselves for the incomparable...” But before he could finish, the limelight popped with a sharp flash of white and went dead. Along the edge of the stage, the gaslights snuffed out one by one. A collective gasp rose from the crowd, then feet shuffled. Someone laughed nervously, then stopped. The darkness held for a long moment that dragged on for far too long. In it, a humming rose, quiet, eerie, and intimate, carried by the hall’s shape, threading through balconies and boxes alike. It was a faintly familiar melody, and the sound was not quite human. It crawled into ones ears. Then suddenly, the limelight flared back to life. A woman stood directly behind Mr. Ward. Her dress hung in ragged folds and a veil clung to her face, plastered there by wet red stains. She raised a knife, and before Ward was even aware of her, while he still had a hand raised to block the limelight from his eyes, before breath became sound, she slit his throat. Blood sprayed across the stage in a sudden, violent arc. Mr. Ward clutched at his neck, eyes wide, gurgling, stumbling, and then the limelight failed again. Screams tore through the dark and people suddenly ran blind, tripping and falling over seats. Panic spread like wildfire as the humming vanished in the chaos.

Guilty. We got them up so late we decided to just leave them up for a bit... I'll be glad when the house is back to normal, but I'll miss that cute "Santa's Helper" lingerie... The next person made a New Year's Resolution.

There really isn't a mechanic for that. We just decide if it's narratively interesting for Edmund to notice it or not. Do you want him to be distracted by something that his advanced automaton assistant has decided is not a threat, or would you rather have him enjoy time with those very accommodating ladies? You can write that he heard it or not; he'll have the same information that TIAL-V has. "the hum was soft, intimate, unmistakable. It seemed oddly familiar." You could even say it's like a dream half-remembered. It's up to you.