Gloria is a game of bureaucracy, business, espionage, and trade. Capitalism is good and Socialism is evil.
Gloria is here: (new--> http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209486.0.html (old--> )http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,65170.html.
IRC log is here: http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209438.0.html
The adventure will take place in the City of Gloria.
Each character has Virtues held and lacking. The GM will from time to time notify players of what particular virtue is being tempted, and the characters will react accordingly. Sometimes the players will confront a problem and they can notify the GM that they are using their virtues to overcome the problem. Weaknesses are generally provided for players' characterization purposes. Knowledges are skills that are used in a similar fashion to the Virtues.
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Title of Game The Glory of Gloria
Name of Host Light Dragon
# of Players Sought 3 to 6
Game Time (What Day/Time) On a Monday (would have to be after Steerpike's game if he remains on Mondays), Tue, or Sunday evening EST
Game Length (How Long) 3-5 hrs.
How to Join? Post here.
This game will be run on IRC. There are two ways to access it:
1.) Java Option Click on the IRC link at the top of the page (on the same bar where HOME and FORUM are listed) and you will be taken to MIBBIT.
If Java is not enabled on your computer, please download JAVA or enable java.
Press Ok and accept the name that it suggests for you. We are playing on the #celtricia channel. You will initially be taken to the #thecbg channel; so the first thing you need to do is type "/join #celtricia"; after that, you will be on the correct channel.
2.) If you do not have Java
Note: Option 1 is a lot easier to use.
Follow the steps in Nomadic's guide here (http://thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?52128).
Select Server: Otherworlders (irc.otherworlders.org)
Channel: #celtricia
Game World Gloria! http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?65170
Sample Characters
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[ic]Characters
The characters that you choose are all acquaintances or old friends to some degree. They will be thrown together in one of the scenarios below and they all have opinions on their traveling companions.
Dr. Alexander Shostakovich, Esq.
"Licensed" Doctor of Business Incorporation and Law.
Former Poor; Technically Upper-Middle Class
Reason
Virtues Held: Luck, Pluck, Industry
Virtues Lacking: Chastity, Humility, Moderation, Order.
Knowledge: Setting Up Businesses, Anti-Takeover Techniques, Harsh Competition, Legal Work-Arounds.
Weakness: The Truth (inchoate liar)
[ic=Alexander - Claimed by Xathan]You are a real inglorious bastard; slick, in a used-car salesman sort of way. You worked your way up from the docksides and threw that past behind you. You forged a degree, took a few self-enrichment classes from the Chamber of Commerce, got a real degree from a medium-ranked law school and set up shop as a Doctor of Business Incorporation and Law in the Exchange District just West of the Financial Center.
Twelve people work under you and you have nearly the maximum of 75 permitted investors in your S-Corporation (more investors would invite higher taxation). You have been doing well and are well capitalized. You're a self-made man.
Despite your successes, you have debts. You borrowed heavily to get your business going and the accounts are coming due. You put out an advertisement on the local "Seeking Work" bulletin and waited to see what would come back. When you saw who else responded to the message, you were surprised, since you knew a few of them. You just hope that some of them don't remember you.
Pavel once investigated you for your bribery of a minor bureaucrat who gave you (and others) permits at cut-rate prices. (It was really the only way that business got done in that district, others must understand). You bribed Pavel. The problem went away and other people were put up against the ConsumerRights Wall for their corruption. You're a bit worried that Pavel might try to hold the situation over you.
Maxine - You bought a few paintings from her to decorate your offices. You noticed her office on one of your trips downtown and went in trying to flirt with her. She was business, but her paintings were brilliant, and she might warm to you eventually.
Bolivar - Bolivar rigged up a few inventions for your business. They worked, not as well as advertised, but good enough for your purposes. He's your go-to guy when you need to bounce ideas off. He's brilliant and he comes up with three ideas in a brainstorming session for your every one, so the conversations are well worth-it.
Liam - He used to patrol in your neighborhood; was a decent sort, he caught a few miscreants who were defacing your office under orders from a rival businessman.
Xue - Heard of the guy; He's supposed to be some whiz at the Stock Exchange- one of the top moneymakers three years ago. He'd be a good connection to have and butter up.
Patricia - Got a couple of kidney transplants from her. She's the best at what she does. She even found the donor one time. The other time, she didn't ask questions when I provided my own.
Llyrian - Sometimes you need muscle; Llyrian's my muscle. He's done a few jobs for me and he's tight-lipped.
Flinn - Flinn approached me about investing in a geophysical exploration company. I turned him down, but he seems to be a bright Floater. They're a weird race.
[/ic]
Pavel Gershwin, 43
Private Investigator and Rescuer of Socialists
Lower-Middle Class
Reason
Virtues Held: Industry, Pluck, Luck
Virtues Lacking: Order, Sincerity, Tolerance
Knowledge: Interrogation, Intimidation, Propaganda
Weakness: Greed.
[ic=Pavel]You are a sting officer, searching out and receiving fat contracts for searching out Socialist dissidents in Gloria's underbelly. Old wealth and new wealth pay you your wages as you specialize in "rescues" of Gloria residents youth from the Socialist cults and reeducating them into the glories of Capitalism.
You don't take crap from anyone and all save the most zealous capitalists garner your disdain. Altruism and charity-giving "coinflippers" are questionable at best and immoral at worst-- by donating to the poor, coinflippers and their ilk are creating a moral hazard that threatens to incentivize others to join the "gimmies" on the welfare rolls.
Corrupt capitalists are problems, but they're nowhere near as bad as Socialists or Coinflippers. They're all about making money at least. And everyone's corrupt--if they say they aren't, then they're lyin'.
In private though, you are lazier than a Slake. You only work when you need the money. Other times, you lounge around and read comics, dirty magazines, and newspaper broadsheets.
If you feel like busting someone, you might run them up to the Bulletin and get them branded on the cheek as a Socialist, and take your usual commission after presenting proof to the Commissioned Watchofficers. Usually re-education pays a lot better than that, though.
You have little tolerance for people who think different from you, but you don't show it- instead you smile sweetly and then do something passive-aggressive that will hurt them some time later... something that can never be traced back to you. Those who do not live up to your rigid code may regret having lived at all after they encounter you.
Your public life is the one that benefits society. You do a good job. And people respect you for it; you even have a few groupies and "thankful relatives" from whom you enjoy pleasure and pensions and loans from time to time. You have probably done more good for Gloria on balance, than bad.
You have never been to the Socialist lands, but you've told stories about them in order to build your reputation. These stories revolve around tracking someone through the bitter north and bringing them back to justice. (Your long absences are more due to drug-fueled hazes in Hijra dens of iniquity in Gloria's undercity).
Bad news though... One of your "thankful relatives" of the rescued kids isn't so thankful any more. She's threatened to get you brought up on charges of rape- and she is no "light weight"--her words are probably even stronger than yours. You could slander her name, but the fact that her twin sons are both back in the Socialist underground and are slandering your name throughout it, saying that you helped get them in touch with the principles and the principals (of Socialism), is going to be a difficult problem to overcome. They weren't branded and technically even though you rescue kids from Socialism, you are supposed to get them branded when you rescue them if they're too far gone... and these two were too far gone- but the Lady convinced you not to have them branded. She wants the kids back safe, or she wants you to pay her a huge settlement.
Figuring that the settlement would be easier than finding the kids, you answered the "Seeking Work" bulletin.
Alexander - He's a corrupt cad. I've got dirt on him. But he's broke, leveraged in debt over his head. A'int got no relatives. Not worth the trouble for extortion--but he doesn't know that. I'll let him live in fear.
Maxine - She works near the building where you live. She's probably a socialist. You saw her giving charity to a kid once. She's also one of the hottest women you've ever seen. Maybe her socialist-leanings can be overlooked.
Bolivar - An inventor. Weird guy. Don't want anything to do with him, but you have to respect that he's made a bunch of cash through entrepreneurship. Since he's clearly not a socialist, there's no reason to exert any effort to undermine the fellow.
Liam - Down and out Watch Captain; worked his way up from the gutter, but he did it by public service--something's got to be wrong about him. Question is, there doesn't seem to be any way to profit from ratting him out. He's already hit rock bottom. Maybe he can be built up and extorted later or something. He had the spark once, maybe he could have it again?
Xue - He's rich, that's about all I know. Maybe he's a sucker?
Patricia - You've brought a few socialists on plea bargains to this lady, who cut them up and made them useful. You pocketed a lot of coin for that trouble. She's good, but harsh.
Llyrian - He's been a valuable Hijra, lurking in the docks, feeding me information. Reliable guy. Tough though, and a bit unpredictable.
Flinn - A Floater Shimmer prospector... f*** that s***, right now I'm laughing so hard.
[/ic]
Maxine Huntress, 28
Consumer-Artist, Sole-Proprietor
Former Noble; Now Bohemian
Reason
Virtues Held: Justice, Resolution, Sincerity
Virtues Lacking: Humility, Order, Moderation
Knowledge: Artwork and designs, Bohemians, High Society, Imagination, Salesmanship.
Bonus Language: Piepulspeak (GM will work with you on this)
Weakness: Flattery
[ic=Maxine]
You're inventive and related to a rich family, but set out on your own after a quarrel over whether it was better to pursue life as a "decent" manger or to make your own ConsumerArt to inspire others. You may be disinherited, but you haven't asked. Inheritance is a crutch anyway and you wouldn't want to depend on others when you're obviously brilliant.
You have refused to employ anyone in your shop since you don't like to exploit people since you feel you can never pay them the money that's due if they do good work; but you also don't think that anyone is as talented as you.
This refusal to hire other workers has hampered your business--you can only earn as much as you put in, so you are known for working 20 hour days. Still, you have been looking into manufacturing processes to mass-produce prints.
Alex - A charming businessman. He's bought a bunch of my works. We seem to be on the same wavelength and I'd like to spend more time with him.
Pavel - Pavel is a lecherous and annoying "customer" who never buys, but who keeps coming around, chatting me up, threatening me and insinuating things about me being a Socialist.
Liam - A disgraced Watch Captain. If the allegations are true, I want nothing to do with him because it would be very bad for business. If the allegations are false, then he certainly deserves pity and I will be more than willing to weather any bad business to help him get back on his feet--that's the right thing to do.
Bolivar - Interesting inventor with whom I recently contracted to design a manufacturing process that could create pressed copies of her three-dimensional pieces of edible ConsumerArt. This creation could do wonders for my business.
Xue - Dressed in black, in the deep of night, he came to purchase an Icingcube! painting commissioned on the sly (the Icingcube! corporation owns the trademark to this piece of art). Together, we dined on the Icingcube! and enjoyed an excellent night, and then he was gone, leaving only his business card and a note that future commissions would be forthcoming.
Patricia - A shadowy doctor. I suspect that some of her patients might not be as willing as it appears.
Llyrian - (Does not know)
Flinn - Amusing, but slightly crazed Shimmer Prospecting Floater. It's fascinating to hear his swashbuckling stories, however.
[/ic]
Bolivar Beck, 38
Inventor
Middle-Class
Faith
Virtues Held: Resolution, Order, Industry
Virtues Lacking: Luck, Sincerity, Tranquility
Knowledge: Clockwork, Shimmer
Weakness: Logic/The Truth
[ic=Bolivar Beck]
Bolivar, the restless inventor and entrepreneur speaks a good talk, but half his inventions don't quite live up to the promise that he makes. He tries hard, but he always wants something to be better than it turns out to be--and he sells based on the wish, rather than the reality.
Bolivar is a dreamer and he is not poor in his skills or in his dealings with others--he just lives in the reality of what he wants rather than what is the truth, so the consequences can be dire to others who trust his sincerity.
Alex - Intriguing and interesting fellow- very brilliant and always brings ideas to me to brainstorm. He's a catalyst and a great one with whom to have conversations.
Pavel - A person who hunts down Socialists must have some intriguing stories about their inventions. It would be well worth the time to sit down with him and pick his brain about his travels in the Socialist lands.
Maxine- Bolivar recently contracted with the ConsumerArtist Maxine Huntress to design a manufacturing process for her that could create pressed copies of her three-dimensional pieces of edible ConsumerArt.
Liam - A disgraced Watch Captain. Not worth talking to. Persona non grata.
Xue - An extremely rich stock predictor. He can read the shimmer lines. He must be brilliant. I must learn his secrets !!! !!! !!!
Patricia - A doctor well-versed in her craft.
Llyrian - (Does not know)
Flinn - A Floater philosopher-shimmer-seeker. I must discuss history with him! History is the best crucible for invention!
[/ic]
Liam Vernal-Davies
Former Captain in the Neighborhood Watch; Current Lush
Former Poor; Now Middle Class
Faith
Virtues Held: Justice, Sincerity, Toleration
Virtues Lacking: Moderation, Tranquility, Resolution
Knowledge: The Neighborhood Watch, Criminal Elements, Fighting, Chasing
Weakness: Wilting Under Pressure
[ic=Liam]
Humiliated and saddened after losing a democratic election for Captain of his Ward Watch and a subsequent divorce, Liam descended into drink and glim. He lost in part because he killed an innocent man. His words now carry especial "light weight" and creditors hound him. He is looking to redeem himself.
Once, Liam was a great star of the Neighborhood Watch. He had hoped to go to college, but lacking money, the Watch was the best way for advancement outside of entrepreneurship. And Liam was never too inventive about making a buck--but he was very observant about others. This quality of observance led him to break up many attempted thefts--which led to his popularity and his election.
But his observance failed--he made a wrong decision and killed an innocent who had not been stealing. Liam wonders if the Judge's decision might have been wrong and the person he captured may have been truly guilty, but since justice has spoken, Liam is forced to accept its consequences.
Alex - We were on speaking terms. He's a fairly-successful businessman in my Ward.
Pavel - A Socialist-rescuerer and reformer.
Maxine - A successful ConsumerArtist.
Bolivar - An inventor.
Patricia - A respectable organ transplanter. Too good to have time for me.
Xue - Rich and famous. Too good for me.
Llyrian - A Hijra tough who you investigated a few times for strange disappearances. He was not responsible for any of them, but he was associated with many of the top suspects who would benefit from the disappearances. Still, he was helpful in the investigations.
Flinn - I heard about him. He's a weird one.
[/ic]
Xue Leavenstaking
Stock Analyst/Fortune Teller
Upper Class
Faith
Virtues Held: Tranquility, Resolution, Moderation
Virtues Lacking: Humility, Industry, Pluck
Knowledge: News, History, Shimmer divination (Cosmology, Mysticism, Weather, the Market - Require access to Shimmer and appropriate trigrams to actually do the divinations.)
Weakness: Ironic Witticism (Holds Self Too Aloof, which can alienate others or lead to suspicion that he is a closet Socialist); His powers are generally non-combat and his divinations are generally only useful when he has the right tools, but he knows a lot.
[ic=Xue - Claimed by Steerpike]Entering a zen-like stake at the Empyrean Stock Exchange, Xue analyzes stocks and comes up with predictions about prices based on prior data. He reads the stars and the Shimmer signs in order to make the best predictions about how commodity prices can affect stock prices. He is surprisingly successful for someone who lounges around and reads great novels and news most of the day. Xue is surprisingly unapproachable; not because he is reclusive, but because he is acerbic--playing word-games of insult and verbal joust with everyone-not allowing them to get close to him or know his true thoughts.
Xue's motives are inscrutable, and surprisingly well-informed.
Alex - Probably a cheat and a cad. Easy to manipulate.
Pavel - A lazy liar. Worth avoiding.
Maxine - Beautiful, brilliant, arrogant.
Bolivar - Imperfect genius. Open to flattery.
Liam - Framed former Watch-Captain. Do I want to put him in my debt?
Patricia - Emotionless killer. She will never anger. No need to fear.
Llyrian - Several of my contacts used him once on a sabotage job. I would never stoop to that level.
Flinn - Intriguing adventurer.
[/ic]
Patricia Lilliana Drake
Organ Seller/Doctor (Resurrection Lady)
Upper Class
Reason
Virtues Held: Pluck, Luck, Sincerity
Virtues Lacking: Toleration, Tranquility, Chastity
Knowledge: Medicine, High Society, Trapmaking (only simple traps), Explosives (only simple explosives), Shimmer (basically Magic)
Weakness: Emotionless
[ic=Patricia - Claimed by Sparkletwist]Patricia's obstinance and composure under pressure is legendary. Once, when a poor living patient donated his heart to a rich dying patient, she kept going with the transplant despite a raid of her office by the poor patient's girlfriend and several thugs she persuaded to assist her in rescuing her lover. Using one hand to ignite a Shimmer-explosion-trap at her doorstep, while removing the heart with a few snips of her left, she succeeded in the heart transplant, then went on to kill one thug, frighten the other, and subdue the girlfriend until the Neighborhood Watch arrived.
Patricia has no friends, no empathy, no nothing. She sees her work as a sacred duty, however, to ensure that those with the money who deserve treatment receive it; and those without money who donate are properly recompensed for their surrender.
She needs a new temporary job though because her organ transplant practice is currently under injunction due to an investigation of whether her patients were all willing. She took out a large amount of debt to expand just before the injunction and she suspects that a jealous competitor may have set up the situation to harm her.
Alex - Good customer. Although I suspect that one of his donors wasn't fully willing. If that is the case, he probably should be punished at some point. But right now it seems I need to work with him.
Pavel - He brought me several subjects. Useful man.
Maxine - She comes from a rich family that has often made use of my services due to their prodigious consumption of alcohol and drugs and other evidence of high living. She probably will want to in the future.
Liam - Disgraced former Watch captain. He brought me some subjects. Useful fellow, dangerous now for my reputation to have to deal with him unless absolutely necessary.
Bolivar - (No comment)
Xue - Rich. Famous. Potential customer.
Llyrian - Has harvested parts for me before. Efficient but surly fellow.
Flinn - Parts are useless to transplant. Can't help the human race so not that useful.
[/ic]
Llyrian Reljik, 89. (a Hijra)
Former Sweatshop Supervisor.
Faith
Virtues Held: Industry, Resolution
Virtues Lacking: Moderation, Tranquility, Sincerity
Knowledge: Factory Protocol, Hard Work, Kicking Ass
Weakness: His Temper
[ic=Llyrian]You work hard and you do not complain, act meek, scrape or grovel. You are a noble Hijra and are stronger and more determined than any human. Yet, you serve them because you spend your money before it can accumulate. You indulge in many vices. You are not above harming other humans through doing acts outside or beyond the law because the pay for that is so good. Thankfully, the watch has not punished you for any of your actions, although they came close more than once.
Alex - A good employer.
Pavel - (No comment)
Maxine - (No comment)
Bolivar - (No comment)
Xue - (No comment)
Liam - He came close to catching me many times. I am far superior to him and any other human, however, since I escaped.
Patricia - (no comment)
Flinn - (no comment)
[/ic]
F'lissis F'llinn "Flinn"
Floater Wildcatter and Inventor
Reason
Virtues Held: Pluck, Resolution, Flinn
Virtues Lacking: Order, Toleration, Tranquility
Knowledge: Invention, Obscure History, Demonic History, Geophysical and Geological Data, Floater Dance
Weakness: Not Listening To Others Ideas
[ic=Flinn]
After finding a way to anchor himself and to not blow away in the wind through using ballast, Flinn emerged and entered the world of the humans, gaining respect as a dowsing rod for Shimmer. He was exploited for a time, but he eventually broke off on his own and started his own Shimmer-locating geophysical survey company- "Floater Wildcatters".
In his free time, however, he frets that the Shimmer extraction and industrial benefits will not be enough to combat the demons when they emerge. Flinn studies histories of the battle between the species' and the demons and he works on inventions and ideas that can be used to combat the creatures. He does not, however, share his species' interest in Faith, believing that only pure Reason can combat the Demons.
No comment on any of the characters, although he'd probably be interested in Bolivar and Patricia to some degree with respect to their knowledge of Shimmer.
[/ic]
[/ic]
Characters Claimed
1. Xue Leavenstaking -- Steerpike
Game Storyline Choose one:
Adventures:
[ic=The Socialist Revolution]A message arrived yesterday in your study, it was addressed in lilting, cursive script. It came in an envelope, kissed closed with waxen lips; droplets of wax fell off as you twisted the paper open.
"A most unfortunate event has come to pass." The letter began. "My protectors have deserted after receiving threats inspired by that dreadful Socialist Minstrel. The Authorities have their hands full dealing with the fallout from Uldred Mac's banking pyramid real estate investment scheme and give no time to my complaint. Fifty trading credits are included in this envelope. More will follow when you accept.
"And you will accept."
Included in the envelope package is some evidence of blackmail. (Individualized via PMs)
Objectives:
1.Protect the Lady's company from whatever her enemies throw at it (slander, assault, economic warfare, bureaucracy, etc.)
2.Find who sold you out and how the blackmail leaked.
[/ic]
[ic=Tax Collection]
The citizens have risen up against taxation, after Gloria decided to collect taxation for a grand trade road to a neighboring city in order to act as an economic stimulus. The city needs people to collect taxes and you are the ones who responded to the call, even though you may feel that it is better for private industry to fund the roads, you need to swallow your pride and collect for this perhaps foolhardy venture.
Objectives:
1.Collect Taxes so that you get paid.
2.Subdue the Rebellion's leaders; or alternatively, side with them against taxation and find private sponsors for the road!
[/ic]
[ic=Shimmer Wildcatting]
You head off into the wilderness around Gloria, looking to make a buck, led by a Floater, Flinn, who claims to be able to dowse the proper location for Shimmer.
Objectives
1.Deal with environmental hazards, and the hazards of a competing group.
2.Extract the shimmer and get it back safely, then market it successfully (make sure it's properly refined and is good quality and that you have the correct markets whereby you can sell it.)
[/ic]
[ic=Dealing With Demons]
Demons are coming back to the world in Gloria's undercity- the Shimmer mines below... or so the stories of half-crazed miners have stated. Are the stories truth, or are they a ruse?
Objectives:
1.Discover the source of the rumors.
2.Restore Mining. (By defeating the Demons?)
Recommendations: Flinn and Bolivar should probably be played.
[/ic]
[ic=Labor Dispute]
There has been a renegotiation of the proper wage at the Empyrean Stock Market in Gloria. It is possible, and there are rumblings that people are organizing in order to create a Union. Some say that a shadowy Socialist is behind the organization, but no one knows for sure. Xue is the chief suspect, and he is eager to clear his name. But do those he hired believe him? And can they save him before he is hauled into court or killed by an overly-zealous Neighborhood Watch?
Objectives:
1.Clear Xue's name and protect him.
2.Stop the Labor Union's organization
[/ic]
Other Information
Conflicts are resolved by RP-ing out the Virtues, Flaws and using Knowledges.
Scuffles are resolved by rolling a D20; people with certain knowledges (like kicking ass), receive bonuses.
Notes for all:
-Remember, you're the GOOD guys in Gloria. You're not evil, you don't just kill people... unless you're Llyrian- it's sort of hardass like that. Try to approach the characters from the standpoint that they are very driven capitalists- like the characters in Bioshock. To them; Hard work= good, Money=good, Order=good. Laziness=bad, Excessive Charity=Bad, Altruism=Bad.
-The Knowledges represent what you probably know a lot about and which I can give you information.
-Virtues Lacking are to suggest that when I type, say, this is a MODERATION situation- you should probably do something entertaining and completely immoderate if you LACK moderation.
-Also feel free to act up if you think it is a MODERATION situation and I have not yet declared it as one.
-The Virtues you hold help you in situations when you can explain how they help you succeed. "I am Industrious enough to succeed here by doing x y z."
[/spoiler]
Whew. that took a few days to work up. :)
No kidding. That was impressive as hell to read, as well
Thank you Vreeg. I know you are probably too busy to even play a one-shot, but just for my future reference for writing--which of the Characters piqued your interest as being one of the more clever-written ones (IE: who would you play if you were playing)?
Also for others' information, this is only intended to be a one-shot, but I included several scenarios for people to vote on for that one game.
--
I think that when I proposed this last time (Dec 2009) Steerprike indicated interest in Pavel, but since that time I've added the other scenarios to choose from and about 5 other characters and I reworked the presentation in order to attempt to attract some other interest, so currently no one is claimed.
The idea of a sweatshop supervisor as a playable character was what caught my attention.
I have a number of PCs that come from very mundane origins. I love this facet of games. It's part of my makeup; that I enjoy my games very tied to the reality of a setting.
Oh my god, I love the way you've set up these characters and (particularly, tellingly) their interrelations. I'm not going to be able to play in this game (O! cruél fates!), but I'm definitely going to ape the style of your setup one of these days.
Been meaning to reply to this since it's been posted.
I would love to play and think that I could do the best justice to Xue - I think I could pull off the requisite verbosity/loquacity. I'm sort of imagining him as the weird lovechild of Oscar Wilde and Warren Buffet.
I like all the scenarios but Labor Dispute, Dealing with Demons, and Tax Collection are all especially cool, and perhaps well-suited to Xue...
EDIT: LD, have you seen the Bioshock Infinite trailer?
1. Thanks for the answer Vreeg!
2. Thanks a lot LC; looking forward to seeing your setup for Jade Stage. May I also ask, however, which character interested you the most--understanding that you won't be able to play, but the knowledge will help my own amusement :)
3. Thanks for the reply Steerpike- I noted the claimed character. Re: "weird lovechild of Oscar Wilde and Warren Buffet" ... I'm looking forward to seeing you play him :)
4. I have not yet seen the Bioshock Infinite Trailer. I will check it out. Thank you for the heads-up.
(edit) Hm. Don't know if I saw the trailer that you were referencing; but I saw two videos- the setting's aesthetic of the flying turn of the 19th century city looks interesting and I think I can adopt some of their interesting inventions, like the magnetic hook-line (I believe it was magnetic);
but it seems a bit too mindless violence and pointless strangeness from what I saw. Bioshock I's vibe is closer to what I'm imagining. Bioshock I's society at its apex. Gloria is less steampunk and more straight victorian a world.
I'm going to have to look to see if I can find some of the concept art sketches for that game though; they may be useful.
Apparently the game is supposed to be themed around American nationalism/exceptionalism in the same way that Bioshock I was themed around Objectivism; the city is supposed to be a kind of floating world fair with a patriotic twist, revealed later to actually be a war-machine. Hopefully it won't just be mindless violence.
I always pictured Gloria as slightly "dieselpunk," like 1910 or something, with the Shimmer and everything.
Ok- thanks for the further clarification regarding the new Bioshock game. I am very interested in seeing how its storyline plays out--they have an interesting premise. Sadly, the previews I saw were very disappointing.
re: dieselpunk- I think you are right; that is a good way of describing Gloria. I think that I avoided the term because I associate Dieselpunk more with the Indiana Jones late-1930s, early 40s and Pulp adventures rather than the 1910s. Maybe the best description would be a Dieselpunk Victorian society that never really went through the steam age... straight from wood to oil with no soot in between- which is part of the reason that their society as a whole is more optimistic than it was for the lower-classes in the later Victorian ages.
It's a mash-up of Victorian morals and sensibilities (conflicting with hedonist ideas) and great society, exploration, and (as you mentioned with your allusion to Bioshock:Infinite) Glorian Exceptionalism/Nationalism combined with Dieselpunk and Dieselpunk sensibilities of progress without the pulp. Gloria is a bit difficult to define since there is no exact term for what it is, but the inspirations section hopefully helps people. (e.g.: - The Roaring 1920s - The Jazz Age - 1850s-1890s Exploration Societies - 1880s-1900s Race for Africa).
Bump. Any more interest in this? We have one player. At least 3 are necessary... 4 hopefully to ensure that things work well.
And if not this setting; is there any interest in one of my other settings, see sig for links. And I also have these other settings too: Empyrean Dirigibles (http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?80853); Tatterdemalion (this could likely be a disaster...but a beautiful disaster) http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?74722 ; and there are others listed here: http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?76459.last (like GrimDark IdDark and Dreaming of the Opium Drip), but they probably aren't as runnable. eBil (in the sig) is likewise probably not runnable.
Bumping again for interest. Gloria thread may also see a revamp to clarify some of the skills if there is requisite interest, but it is playable-as-is right now.
Bumping again for interest. (We were discussing it in IRC)
Thoughts on when it may happen-- potentially Monday December 5th? 7:15 PM EST? (Very tentative)
As before I'd like to participate.
Count me in if schedule allows (if we do Steerpikes game mon evening, I'll only have weds night open. Dibs on Alexander.)
I will certainly try to make it as well!
Patricia seems the most interesting to me at this point, or maybe Bolivar. :)
Thanks for the interest all!
That's enough people to play, but I can still take more if anyone else would like to join. The game would not conflict with Steerpike's game, so I'll move the date if it does.
I'll also give some thought on which scenario to do. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on the status and my thoughts. :)
Since I'd mentioned Bioshock: Infinite earlier I wondered if you'd seen some of the recent videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_67hR0J9Jus), which certainly make it seem much less mindless, though there is plenty of violence as well, especially in the second half.
Those new videos do make me feel a bit better about the game. I think I'll wait for the reviews. At least those videos imply that there is some backstory. I'm still skeptical, but the video was more enjoyable than the last.
Hey, busy and far away at the moment, but just wanted to let you know that this thread reminded me that Gloria is pretty awesome.
EDIT: I, for one, am superexcited about Bioshock: Infinite. It looks amazing in so many ways. Yeah, it's action-heavy but it seems to be well-laced with story and plot as well. Just saw the E3 video. Your link seems to be broken Steerpike (the guy who posted it got banned or something).
EDIT2: I might actually be able to make it for this. I'm home and enjoying my christmas vacation from the 5th of december onwards. I'm just a little busy right around now because of the upcoming exam period.
Hello, Bumping as a reminder that we are currently scheduled for a game on December 5th 7PM EST! Hopefully Steerpike, Sparkle and Xathan can still make it.
And Crow, you are more than welcome to join if the time works for you, especially since it will happen on Dec 5th!
Thanks for your nice comments on the setting. I have an adventure all typed up. The scenario will be "Tax Collection"
[ic]The citizens have risen up against taxation, after Gloria decided to collect taxation for a grand trade road to a neighboring city in order to act as an economic stimulus. The city needs people to collect taxes and you are the ones who responded to the call, even though you may feel that it is better for private industry to fund the roads, you need to swallow your pride and collect for this perhaps foolhardy venture.
Objectives:
1.Collect Taxes so that you get paid.
2.Subdue the Rebellion's leaders; or alternatively, side with them against taxation and find private sponsors for the road![/ic]
Hello! I'd like to get involved in this game if I could. I'd like to take up the character Pavel, he's slimy and tricksy and sounds like he'd be a blast to play. I was hoping to be able to play the Labor Dispute scenario, but I'm getting in on this thread too late to get my vote cast (perhaps we can do that one next?).
Hoping that I can still get involved!
Just to let you know I will should be there on the 5th - odds are that'll actually end up being a perfect time for me.
Quick question - are all of our character's stats pregenned, or just what's listed?
I won't be able to join it turns out. I am somewhere far above Central Asia when you guys start playing. :/
If this lasts for more than a single session I could perhaps drop in later? My christmas vacation is godawfully (read: awesomely) long.
SabrWolf- you are welcome to join. :)
If things work out well with this first session, then we might do Labor Dispute as a subsequent adventure. :)
Also, welcome to the CBG!
Crow- Ok. Thanks for the heads-up. As I mentioned to SabrWolf, we might be able to do a subsequent session if the first one turns out well.
Xathan- Did you have any ideas that you wanted to discuss regarding the character's abilities? The system is a little different from Steerpike or Sparkletwists' No-Stats Theatre games. The entire stats are what you see in this thread on the first page.
Xathan and I were talking about his question (which was initially my question) earlier in the irc. I looked at the Gloria setting and system information you had posted (via the link you provided on the first page of this thread) and was slightly confused, since it looked like you would be including Stats (like Will, Str, Dex, etc). Also, the Virtues are alluded to in the Gloria thread, and you even started to define some of them in mechanical terms, but there are only three there.
So, the question I really have is: Are we going by Dictionary Definitions for the adjective form of the Virtues in order to utilize them in game? Or is there more information on the subject and I simply missed it in the Gloria thread?
Xue seems to be a literary aficionado. What sort of tastes does he have? Who are some of Gloria's more distinguished authors and what sort of works do they produce? Gloria's core values seem to be focused on things like work, utility, function, virtue, and justice rather than leisure, artistry, form, or pleasure; is this reflected in literature, or has the more aesthetic/"frivolous"/non-didactic side of literature earned it a dubious and/or suspect reputation as something fundamentally "useless"? Are some novels or plays regarded as subversive, and are there any forms of censorship for politically revolutionary literature? Is literature predominantly in the Randian "romantic realist" tradition, presenting the world as the author believes it "could and should be"? Or do we find dystopias and the literature of discontent i.e. social realism, satire etc? What about transgressional literature i.e. erotica/pornography, obscene works, etc? How about Horror/Gothicism?
Quote from: SabrWolf
Xathan and I were talking about his question (which was initially my question) earlier in the irc. I looked at the Gloria setting and system information you had posted (via the link you provided on the first page of this thread) and was slightly confused, since it looked like you would be including Stats (like Will, Str, Dex, etc). Also, the Virtues are alluded to in the Gloria thread, and you even started to define some of them in mechanical terms, but there are only three there.
So, the question I really have is: Are we going by Dictionary Definitions for the adjective form of the Virtues in order to utilize them in game? Or is there more information on the subject and I simply missed it in the Gloria thread?
Ah, ok. Now I understand your question better. I'm running Gloria in a "No Stats Theatre" way; we're not actually rolling any dice. The confusion may have originated from this: Gloria uses a unique system that I'm developing in the Gloria thread... this IRC game will be using a simpler adaptation of that system since I'm not certain that the system I'm developing is anywhere near complete on the one hand and I don't think it lends itself too well to a one-off (At least at this point) right now since it's based around acquiring and spending the Virtue points.
The virtues for purpose of the IRC game don't get into some of the superhuman ideas that are alluded to in the Gloria thread-I'm still trying to work out the balancing there. Those virtues were acquired based on getting points and 'leveling' up. Gloria's 'stats' were going to be self-contained in the virtues themselves. You'd gain points as you roleplayed and you would spend points doing awesome things. Here in the No Stats game, the 'stats' are essentially your "knowledges"--these are your power-ups that are analogous to Sparkletwist's Asura or Steerpike's Sixguns' powerups for the players.
Would it help if I expanded on what the Knowledges let you do? I hope they are well-balanced... Generally they let you do anything you can within your imagination that they encompass.
There are some slight variations on the definitions of the virtues from the adjective definitions. Chastity also encompasses Cleanliness and "clean living" but a chaste person can be an intemperate person. They can be a complete drunkard, for example.
Let's also take Pavel, for example:
[ic=Pavel Example]Pavel Gershwin, 43
Private Investigator and Rescuer of Socialists
Lower-Middle Class
Reason
Virtues Held: Industry, Pluck, Luck
Virtues Lacking: Order, Sincerity, Tolerance
Knowledge: Interrogation, Intimidation, Propaganda
Weakness: Greed.
Name first and age.
Job description.
Social Class.
Reason v. Faith. Those with reason are practical and are the self-made women and the industrial workers and the people who work with hard assets. Those with faith trust in the market or trust in fate; they are the dreamers-the theorists, the people who work with ideas. Pavel doesn't have time for lollygagging chit chat and dreaming. He probably would hate it when people brainstorm pie-in-the-sky ideas; he's a man of action. Give him a six point plan for success and he'll take it, but bandy around ideas forever and he'll wander off and work out the problem himself.
He has industry- so he can work hard when he needs to and he produces a lot when he sets his mind to it.
He has pluck- so he's one of those get out there and do it guys; this is also the Beverly Hills' Cop Eddie Murphy Stat to some degree or the Horatio Alger stat. He doesn't give up and he keeps banging his head against the wall until the wall breaks.
He has luck- so things generally work in his best interest when he needs them to.
He lacks order- he doesn't ever know where he places things. He may start one sentence and finish another. He may wander off and get lost as something catches his eye.
He lacks Sincerity- he's a liar.
He lacks tolerance- He doesn't respect people who are slow or who do not agree with his views or who do not share his worldview.
Knowledges are straightforward- he knows about these things and he can produce these things.
e.g. he's good at producing advertising campaigns and he can spread lies with decided ease, he can work a crowd to believe something (if he has time)(Propaganda).
e.g. he's great at interrogation. He will get something out of you come hell or high water...interrogation applies if there is a situation where he is one on one with someone and/or in a position of power vis-a-vis someone else.
e.g. he's great at intimidation. If he sets 'the eye' on someone, then they might wilt if their weakness is industry- they will abandon their post or spill the beans so to say.
Weakness is greed. So if someone offers him a lot of money to do something, even if he disagrees with it or if he thinks it's a bad idea, he's probably going to take the money and do it.[/ic]
I did not expect people to get in combat, but that's a good point to address. I'll say that everyone has 3 "hits" that they can take. Sparkletwist- how were you planning on handling hit points for the characters? Could we have died in Asura?
Light Dragon - OK. I think I have a much better grip on how we'll be handling play for this game. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it so thoroughly! Very helpful.
Quote from: Steerpike
Xue seems to be a literary aficionado. What sort of tastes does he have? Who are some of Gloria's more distinguished authors and what sort of works do they produce? Gloria's core values seem to be focused on things like work, utility, function, virtue, and justice rather than leisure, artistry, form, or pleasure; is this reflected in literature, or has the more aesthetic/"frivolous"/non-didactic side of literature earned it a dubious and/or suspect reputation as something fundamentally "useless"? Are some novels or plays regarded as subversive, and are there any forms of censorship for politically revolutionary literature? Is literature predominantly in the Randian "romantic realist" tradition, presenting the world as the author believes it "could and should be"? Or do we find dystopias and the literature of discontent i.e. social realism, satire etc? What about transgressional literature i.e. erotica/pornography, obscene works, etc? How about Horror/Gothicism?
These are really good questions. I'll let you dream up some of the books and literary traditions and whatever you want Xue to read (though I have one suggestion below that he may be interested in), but here are my thoughts on a workable guideline:
REASON-based literature (almost all non-fiction).1. Business literature. How to get ahead in business. Who Moved My Cheese-like books. "Seven Highly Effective Habits of Salespeople", "Stock Picking for Smarties!", "Smiling Money, with Evhyn Kranmer".
2. Children's literature reflects business literature in teaching the youth concepts about the world; like "Gwenny Appleseller", "
3. Economic History. Examines all aspects of history through economic analysis. (But no Marxist analysis! Although oddly, Hegelian cycles are discussed with a degree of rigour...they just tend to revert from Faith to Reason and from Capitalism to Libertarianism- Socialism is often ignored, although Denis Nostramadus Dideryon--a disfavored author--once suggested that Socialism could be included in the cycle and if it is included in the cycle, then that would explain the time of the Demons. According to his prognostications, which Xue may know about, the cycle of demonic and socialist rise should be returning soon. Denis has a small "cult" following of readers who devour all scraps of his writing and there is a rise in black market trade of his "Nostranomicon" and knock-off Gnostic Nostranomic scrolls reputed to be his "lost literature" and reputed to have been the last things he wrote before he "went mad". Denis spent the last years of his life in an asylum in Gloria, scrawling out sayings on whatever scraps he could find, after being tricked by his sister to admit that he was insane, which resulted in his self-committance. She inherited all his wealth and some say she perverted his works by editing into it a stream of virulent Anti-Libertarianism. Some say she would have excised his Socialist comments but that she decided against it when she realized that is what sold the books.
4. Inspirational Works and Comics. Instead of Chicken Soup for the Soul, they have Horatio Alger; Moneyman! and his sidekick Five a' Penny; Real True Stories of Wealth!; ShimmerProspector!
5. Advertising magazines. Gloria circulates magazines with coupons and other information on products. These are read diligently by folks searching for deals.
6. Textbooks (on economics, making money, entrepreneurialship)
FAITH-based literature-This literature is less popular in Gloria, but it is more traditional. For thousands of years "faith" ruled along with a high sensibility of payment of some wealth to the poor or the less fortunate.
1. Historical literature (literature about what was, without relation to money).
2. Poetry (generally it concerns artful ways to talk about money and society. It does not delve much into social criticism. The poets are viewed with suspicion as many have become Socialists or have been labeled as such over the years. There is also an undercurrent of libertarian poets. Poets are generally revolutionaries and they cause problems-but their literature also excites the mind, so some of the best CEOs do stock some poetry as idea-generators.
3. Popular Fiction about Occupations (Gloria's genre-literature is genre in the sense that it concerns a particular occupation and the struggles of its members. The literature is often told in episodic format with moral lessons in every chapter- like Aesop's Fables or like a 1930s serial radio show.)
- Detective Literature
- Medical Literature (Rosi Lesion, the flesh seamstress mistress of Electronic Conductor Street)
- Shimmer-Prospector Literature
- Chef Literature
- Florist Literature (discussing the extremes that florists go to to acquire the best flora)
4. Trash literature (This is adventure literature. Its reading is frowned upon as it gains nothing for the reader except excitement. But many read them as dirty secret pleasures- like SciFi in our world)
- Guilliver-Travels like tales (Among the Socialists...) (Dealing with Floaters) (Sitting with Slakes) (Hijra Orgy!)
5. Ancient Myths and Legends
-This includes the myths and legends of the Floaters, Etterati, and the Slake.
-This also includes that ancient myths and legends of the world's creation and the time of the demons' ascendance.
6. Subversive literature (These may be confiscated).
- Socialist Manifestos (they love to write), Libertarian tracts (usually written in scrawls, barely able to make out the words-barely able to follow the thoughts as they jump around on a hodgepodge of frankenstein pages in a potpourii of colour and slapdashery).
A Word on LeisureThere is space for leisure, as the consumer-artist Maxine character above demonstrates, but you are right that leisure is generally frowned upon. However, some less scrupulous members of Gloria's elite actually promote leisure of the lower classes so that they can sell them more products. Without leisure time, there would be less of an economy because people would not have time to read books. Generally even 'leisure' books contain economic morals or advice in them, so that people don't have to be embarrassed that they are relaxing. The books are considered part of one's lifelong education, not as good as reading a textbook, but they still have value by analogy and by stimulating the brain to invent new ideas.
Quote" Is literature predominantly in the Randian "romantic realist" tradition, presenting the world as the author believes it "could and should be"? Or do we find dystopias and the literature of discontent i.e. social realism, satire etc? What about transgressional literature i.e. erotica/pornography, obscene works, etc? How about Horror/Gothicism?"
Randian RealismAmusingly the Randian Realism is more of a FAITH type of literature, more traditional. The REASON type literature, which is in vogue, is of how the world is and how to get ahead. It's like reading a history book or the Wall Street Journal (non-Opinion pages) rather than watching the US networks FOX or MSNBC news on television. With the exception of the Inspirational Faith works, randian realism is faith literature. Atlas Shrugged would fit in category FAITH3:Popular occupations- Entrepreneur as it tells an inspirational story of a man in a non-realistic world where socialists have taken over and where the nasty consequences of that fact are elucidated. If Atlas shrugged was done in a REASON:Inspirational fashion, it would be set in the world of Gloria and it would tell the story of someone who really suffered those things and who overcame adversity.
Art v. LiteratureArt for arts sake is valued more than books for books sake, since art can be looked at and admired and it can cause people to buy things that they otherwise would not buy. ConsumerArtistry is big bucks. Thus, being an author is very low on the totem pole of desirable jobs in Gloria. To marry an author is to starve, many mothers tell their children. But to marry a propagandist is to grow rich. (That demonstrates the difference between FAITH and REASON authors).
Social Realism and Satire... I don't think there is social realism per se, that would drag too much into the Socialist-literature. Satire does exist. Along the lines of "An American Carol" starring Leslie Nielson, it's crude and it's highly racist against Socialists and non-patriotic Glorians. Satire against the social order also exists, but it's mostly poking fun at old money Glorians who inherit and are lazy against new money Glorians who don't have the family connections that the old ones do. It also pokes fun at people who donate to the poor and at the poorer Glorians. The poor generally take this in good spirit because they realize that only the truly poor will stay poor and that hard work is rewarded.
Obscene works... Only socialism and laziness are considered obscene, though a few ConsumerArtists have sought to satirize these taboo topics. "Sloth" is an avant-garde piece about a Slake. It is 1000 pages and there are seven words. "I .... moved .... and ...... ate ..... a ..... food .... slept." spread throughout the pages. It did not sell well, although it is present in the libraries of those who study the Slake creatures in an attempt to sell to them--the Slake do not purchase much, however. There is only a taboo against sexuality among certain people. Some of REASON are against it because it is an urge that can lead people to spend too much money. Some of FAITH are against it because it takes one away from the self and makes one a slave to something other than oneself. Generally though in Gloria, if it can be sold, no one would forbid it--although it could be frowned upon.
Horror/gothic-literature... not much. Horror exists but is not popular. Horror generally is of the sense that--"Mr. X. lost all his money by gambling. Now Mr. X is poor and will die alone on the streets." That's what passes for horror- no cosmic creatures, just shimmers of fear and concerns of society at large reflected in the popular literature. There is no horror genre, but children are told "fare-y tales" (so called because they can be told in the time it takes for a rickshaw cab fare to take one a few blocks) about what not to do- like "Small Olaf and the Poor Investment" and "Fat Pietr and the Compounding Problem" (he spent all his money on food instead of investing it, which then led to health problems), etc.
Gothic-literature does not exist. People of Gloria always tend to look on the brighter side of life. Socialists write Gothic-literature in their lands, and libertarians have been known to write almost anything, but Gloria Residents do not like Gothic Literature with its decay.
SabrWolf- My pleasure. Answering questions like that helps me prepare more for the game and to elaborate on the setting. (Although I may have gone a little overboard with my response to Steerpike above. :o)
Very helpful response! It seems that wild imagination isn't valued too highly; I suppose the ideology of "this is utopia! WORK IS HAPPINESS!" tends to discourage escapism.
Yes, you've got the idea! Although your Xue fellow falls pretty highly on the imagination scale, as you mentioned earlier. :)
Yeah, he seems above it all. Like he's figured out the system and how to work it, so why bother trying anymore, really? Perhaps the money-making frenzy that grips the rest of society seems a bit hollow to him, since he's able to succeed financially with minimal effort. Hence seeking unknown vistas in the pages of fiction and playing games with people to entertain himself.
I love "Among the Socialists..." :D
All in all a pretty great overview of an often ignored setting element!
Thanks Crow, I wouldn't have been able to develop it to the extent I did without Steerpike's amazing prompt.
For the Tax Collection, do you want to invent your own reasons for why you are collecting taxes on the behest of a Committee, or should I invent a backstory reason?
I think some characters already have some mention in their backstories of owing debts, but just wondering if anyone has any specific backstory plans?
If you have your own reason for answering the Council's call, please let me know so I can incorporate it into the plotline!
Thanks.
Ideas for why Xue would want in on this would be welcome. Boredom? A sense of the perverse? Or perhaps he owes someone on the Committee a favour?
I'm not sure of Pavel's exact reason for starting the tax collection, and any backstory you could provide for me in that regard would be appreciated LD, but I'm sure that he would try to find a different way to collect the money for the road without having to contribute to the cause himself. There's just not enough direct profit in the venture for him. hahahaha
How about this Steerpike:
[ic=Xue's Backstory]
T.I.M., the Incredible Marquis and current Chair of the Committee met you at a function and took you aside, he mentioned how your efforts at the Empyrean stock exchange were well noted, but he also noted that there are many at the exchange and many with connections who are jealous of your success. He mentioned that if you are brought before the court again (you have been arraigned a few times under suspicion of Socialist tendencies-think Alger Hiss Trials), he will use his considerable weight to speak in your favor. His word is his honor and it has always been so, for that is why he is known as the "Incredible" Marquis (he made his money by creating and popularizing the Truth Markets about 40 years ago). However, he asks that you assist with a particularly troublesome issue that has arisen. There is, he says, "a need for a new road to stimulate trade and to grow markets. And there is a need for funding for this road, which will run through the mountains rather than winding around them--travel times will be cut and all in the city will benefit. But the funding will not be raised by a bake sale, or by an issuance of stock this time--the project is too large to attract interest from the usual quarters and the only individuals with enough money to fund the project think it too much of a risk for too little reward. Instead, the committee needs to make an assessment."[/ic]
SabrWolf, How about this for Pavel (I just riffed a bit on what's in his current writeup; would this work):
[ic=Pavel's Backstory]
It's straight-up blackmail. At least that's how you see it. Your home is being held in abeyance by the Committee pending an investigation of your latest "rescue" of a Socialist that went bad.
Essentially, a "thankful relative" of rescued kids isn't so thankful any more. She's threatened to get you brought up on charges of malappropriation of duty and for a host of associated crimes (including rape by fraud in the inducement...last time you take part payment in that kind).
She is no "light weight"--her words are probably even stronger than yours. You could slander her name, but her twin sons are both back in the Socialist underground and are saying you helped get them in touch with the principles and the principals (of Socialism), is going to be a difficult problem to overcome.
After you rescued the Kids, you got extra cash for not having them branded ("Rescued" kids are supposed to be branded). They thanked you by immediately running back to their Socialist friends the first minute they were out of their mother's sight.
The Lady wants the kids back safe, or she wants you to pay her a huge settlement, recompensing her pay (which you already drank away), plus interest, plus emotional damages. Getting a settlement, even at exorbitant prices will be easier than would be locating these two kids again, who knocked off for Tientan or even the Socialist Lands themselves last you heard.
You worked your connections and heard about a great chance to score a deal of cash. It's tax collection, but you can swallow your pride for this...maybe work a bribe off from some luminaries who don't want to pay the tax and milk others for higher tax-rates maybe? Anyway, you did the math and you figure that a 5% cut will get you well set to pay the lady's fees, and it would set you up nicely so you wouldn't have to work for a while. 4% might pay the hag, but you know you can negotiate better than that from these saps who are going to be working with you.
[/ic]
Light Dragon - Perfect. It's an underhanded tactic to do dirty work that's solely about saving his own bacon. Love it.
7PM EST Monday Dec 5th is still the game time (Just a reminder). (in about 2 weeks)
Best,
LD.
[ooc]Thank you all for playing.
You accomplished your goal and achieved it by judicious use of words, logic, and above all, your Virtues and Vices.
Alternative outcomes would have been-
1-Same outcome but achieved wholly by logic and horse trading- would have been better for Cotton, who's essentially been bamboozled by Pavel and Xue here. He's getting very little return for his buck. His only consolation is if his competitors have to pay too... and not all of them do, but at least the large ones are being taxed.
2-Failure; but there would be a way for a second chance.
3-They start their own private project that they and not the public owns. Toll Roads. Difficult to convince them of this plan, and it would be a risky project and it would annoy the committee.
All in all, you chose the optimal solution for yourselves and Melonmonseuir... Less so for Cotton, but as stated in the game- Cotton is a bit of a fool :D.[/ooc]
Sorry lessons got in the way Xathan; if we have this game again, you are still welcome to join.
If people are interested in continuing we maybe could do a session on the 19th of Dec (we could do that one early in the day (e.g. 3:30PM EST to 6PM EST?) since I am off from work- although if Steerpike is planning on doing his game, then this would be after that) or Monday Jan 2d? at 7PM EST?
Go ahead and take the 19th, we should be finished up next session for the Sixguns scenario, touch wood.
Main Skills
-D8 Points maximum in each (although items or magic can improve a statistic beyond 8; however it is very rare that anything is higher than 8; perhaps only the most fortunate ever reach 10 in a given statistic.).
-There are no skills other than these. No special "climb" or "lift". All successes in those attributes are determined by adding the strength roll, or whatever would apply from the list of rolls below.
-1 is the lowest starting score in each skill. (Although play may cause the score to fall below 1).
STR (Lift, Climb, Push, Punch)
DEX (Run, Jump, Bend, Dodge)
CON (Take Damage, Resist Illness)
INT (Knowledge, Wisdom, Ranged Attack)
WILL (Willpower, Psychic Strength, Luck)
STAT (Status/Social Prowess, Purchasing Power)
Hit Points - Derived from CON. (CON*1.5 RNDDWN)+13.
Zero hit points is unconscious unless succeed on roll over a 10 on a 1d6+WILL.
-10 hit points is dead.
Battle:
(A) Roll 1d6+STR to hit with a punch.
(B) Roll 1d6+DEX to dodge.
(A) A Rolls 1d6+STR or INT for damage (A's choice).
(B) Damage is deducted from HP which is derived from CON. If unconscious, roll over a 10 on 1d6+WILL and can still function until hit again.
[ic=Statblock]
STR =
DEX =
CON =
INT =
WILL =
STAT =
[/ic]
[ic=Pavel Stats]
STR = 3
DEX = 4
CON = 4
INT = 6
WILL = 9
STAT = 4
[/ic]
[ic=Xue Stats]
STR = 3
DEX = 4
CON = 3
INT = 8
WILL = 6
STAT = 7
[/ic]
[ic=Lilliana Stats]
STR = 5
DEX = 5
CON = 4
INT = 7
WILL = 5
STAT = 6
[/ic]
[ic=Alex Stats]
STR = 5
DEX = 6
CON = 5
INT = 5
WILL = 4
STAT = 5
[/ic]
[ic=Maxine Stats]
STR = 3
DEX = 5
CON = 4
INT = 6
WILL = 7
STAT = 5
[/ic]
[ic=Bolivar Stats]
STR = 4
DEX = 5
CON = 6
INT = 7
WILL = 2
STAT = 5
[/ic]
[ic=Liam Stats]
STR = 7
DEX = 6
CON = 7
INT = 4
WILL = 3
STAT = 3
[/ic]
[ic=Llyrian Stats]
STR = 9
DEX = 4
CON = 8
INT = 3
WILL = 4
STAT = 2
[/ic]
[ic=Flinn Stats]
STR = 2
DEX = 9
CON = 3
INT = 6
WILL = 5
STAT = 5
[/ic]
Crow- you may be able to get into our next game since we are having it earlier- do you think you can make it? If so, please choose a character. :)
Monday the 19th - currently scheduled for 3:30PM EST? If that time doesn't work for everyone, then I can adjust it slightly in either direction or we could just do 7PM EST again, because that's a fine time for me.
Later in the day works best for me since 3:30 EST is too close to shift change at work for me to be able to reliably arrive on time or (conversely) to stay until we're done.
How much later? would 4EST work or should I just aim for 7 EST like last time?
7 EST would work best. I'm on CST and shift change at my place or work is around 4 or 5 EST. If we played at 3:30 or 4 EST I'd miss the start if I'm scheduled during the day, or miss the end if I'm scheduled at night. However, if we're going to play at 7 EST I can request a day shift and there will be no conflict at all.
Ok. Anyone else want to weigh in before we set a time? SabrWolf votes for 7PM... since Crow didn't respond to my offer above, I'm likely to move back to 7 EST (same as last time) unless there are more complications. :)
Works for me.
Ok. Then we'll do the game at 7PM next Monday.
I'm sure this is obvious from my lack of posting, but I've decided to, for now, bow out of Gloria irc - hope you all have fun!
Xathan, no problem and thanks for letting me know!
Depending on how much time I have after the Asura sixguns thing I might be a little late, but Lilliana will certainly make every effort to be there in all her sociopathic medical glory.
Consider my foot inserted into my mouth. I will be UNABLE to attend the Gloria irc meeting this coming Monday. Some things that I was unaware of when I said I'd be able to make it to the Monday game, were made apparent to me.
Sorry about the inconvenience; I know how annoying it is when people cancel like this.
I'm sorry LD, didn't see your note before now! Thanks, though. I don't think I will have time to prepare myself sufficiently for tomorrow and I am unsure whether I even have the time for it, but maybe I can drop in for a later session.
Thanks all for the heads-ups. With only 2 players (and sparkletwist being possibly unable to attend) how about we cancel the game for Monday tomorrow and try to reschedule for the subsequent Monday? (The evening of the 26th (6:30PM EST)... I think it's Boxing Day. In case that presents a problem for Steerpike, we could maybe try a different day.)
Too early for me to say, but once I know my plans in greater detail, I will let you know.
Are we still on?
I'll be there!
Assuming that the others show, then yes indeed :)
Hm... It looks like no one, save Sparkletwist, is showing.
Potential reschedule day: Monday the week of Jan 16th.
That sounds good. Sorry for my absence here: I'm not at home at the moment, and while I do have some free time I'm staying with future in-laws, so I can't be too much of a hermit with my computer.
No big worries; I sort of figured something like that might happen.
Is 7PM EST on Monday the 16th a good date?
?
Should work for me.
It should work for me too!
Thanks. Tentatively then Monday the 16th at 7PM. SabrWolf PMed me to state that he'll soon know if he can make it. So if it's on I'll let you know by the 14th (saturday); I'll cancel if SabrWolf can't make it on the 16th and if we can figure out a good date in the future when everyone might be available.
I seem to recall that the next person on your list to visit is the Shimmer Seeress. Farther down on the list are the Entertainment Agent, the Shoe Magnate, and I think the last one was into grains.
Ok. Just a reminder- I'll see you fellows on Monday at 7PM EST. :)
Quote from: Light Dragon
Ok. Just a reminder- I'll see you fellows on Monday at 7PM EST. :)
Would you mind terribly if I showed up just to see how one of these things works?
You're welcome to show! You're also welcome to choose a character and play. :)
I will be there for the game, but I may be a little late. Feel free to start without me! I'm sure I can jump in. I'll leave my IRC on so I can catch up if I do end up being late.
How late? Let's start at 7:15 EST.
Quote from: Light Dragon
You're welcome to show! You're also welcome to choose a character and play. :)
Bolivar, the inventor looks interesting LD, but I don't know that I would feel comfortable playing a character..
Whatever you decide is fine. I'm glad to have you as just a spectator if you prefer :)
If anything could be done to make it easier for you to play, just ask. If not, no worries. :)
This is cross posted in the new Gloria thread, but it may be of use in sorting out some of the characters at issue:
Red means on the party's list.
Dramatis Personae
The Agronomist - 71, Owner of the Agrocology, chief source of Gloria's food. See Agrocology
Esther Buonova- 27, an exceedingly rich heiress requested the aid of experts for an anthropological study of the Slake. See Virtues
Wendyl Cheng 29, - Famous actor and Castratti formerly of the Clique. Performs at the Gherkin...solo (!)
Lord Eustace Cotton - 31, cotton, and he is also interested in extreme inventions that often do not work well.
Crazy Crow - 78, Crow is an eccentric wealthy old man who boasts a six-foot long beard. He sits cross legged, one foot drooping off the side of his cart and listens to petitions for loans from sunrise until noon-time every day. In the afternoon, he meets with the most promising of the recipients.
Penelope Cuiraiss - 32, the Currency Crafter manages the most successful of many firms that arbitrage among the bank currencies. She bundles "packages" of currencies that she values and sells on a forward-looking futures market. She works closely with the Shimmer Psychic, Cassandra Pavlova, who owns the chain Better Predictions and who lives in Titus Tower VII: Waterfall Park.
Titus Empyrean - 63, Inventor, Magnate, Visionary. Founder of the Empyrean Stock Exchange. Real estate developer. Read Section on the Empyrean Stock Exchange.
The Floater's Rogues - Adventuring Group.
Professor Maurice Gillickuy - 41, for a brief time of the Radicality Department at Tientan University, taught a seminar class on Trolism, but when Gillickuy and the Dean (who came from the Rationality Department) had a falling-out over teaching styles, Gillickuy transferred to a third-tier university in Gloria.
Mars Ilimden - 65, CEO of ILC (Ilimden Trading Company), lost much of his inheritance thirty years ago during the waning days of the great "stone animal friend" pyramid scheme trading and collecting scam. He now manages the company very conservatively. ITC operates massive stock operations, trading in cattle futures and property.
Illych, Jaworski, & Krom - Founded by three ex-adventurers, this bank is a rough-and-tumble place made out of wood. It boasts a big bouncer by the door who also acts as a collection agent. Their slogan is "Few Questions Asked; Low Interest Loans... But We're Interested in Full Payment"
Andrew Melonmonseuir - 36, of the Melonmonseiur Plantation. Suffering from a rare disease.
Lord Harold Nikel - 34, Shoe baron.
Cassandra Pavlova - 41, the Shimmer Psychic who owns the chain Better Predictions and who lives in Titus Tower VII: Waterfall Park.
Monique Petrova - 32, Entertainment District Agent.
Majordomo Eriik Schnell - 36, Chief of Security at the Highest End Bank, Shimmer.
Evelyn Stack 25, - Grain Merchant on opposite side from the Agrocology. Runs a hydra-headed business (many small landowners all invest as agreed to buy large equipment). Only daughter of the brilliant Robert Stack and his wife Hermione Stack, who perished in a tragic building collapse.
Sander Thomas- 53, Captain of the Watch. Sander is married to a noblewoman, the Lady Gwendolyn Wexley, a beauteous green eyed lady who met Sander the Summer after he saved the Illuminated Mayor's life. They have one child, a daughter who is 17 years old and who currently attends University in ____.
Mademoselle Turnipseed - 27, Turnips.
T.I.M., The "Incredible" Marquis - 75, made his money by creating and popularizing the Truth Markets about 40 years ago. The Truth Markets are places where people's reliability and honor is bought and sold and wagered upon.
Industry and Commerce Committee:
- Bond Baron and religious luminary of the Faith, J.P. Mormon;
- The Shimmer Duke (J.D. Shimmerfellar);
- The Shimmer Duchess;
- The Shimmer Lord;
- Mr. Magic with the smile that launched a thousand advertising campaigns;
- Sir Sugar;
- E.E. Harriman Jr., the Shimmerrail King, and former Ambassador to Tikal in the Land of the Libertarians;
- Godfather Cain the Pizza Prince;
- Lady Spice the Zealot Mistress of an orphanage that grew from 23 foster children to now raise legions of orphans to become productive members of society through learning and selling articles of seamstressry, woodcarving, and gear-shaping;
- Newton Grinchrich the housing consultant;
- The Golden Importer;
- T.I.M., The Incredible Marquis, presiding as this month's chair.
[ic=Tientan]
Wendy Qwaven, Professor at Tientan University. An expert in large-crowd psychology,
Tybald Glissifur, an eccentric professor who specializes in expanding markets and who studies the sociology of the Socialist lands. He often goes on trips to the North, and some slanderous accusations state that he has gone-native and is not trying to indoctrinate his students into vile Socialist learning.
[/ic]
Steerpike is at 14 of his 17 hitpoints currently. He is down a Resolution.
Lilliana is down a Luck.