The Campaign Builder's Guild

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.
Select Server: Otherworlders (irc.otherworlders.org)
Channel: #celtricia

Game World Gloria! http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?65170

Sample Characters
--
[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.)