Who Will Save Us Now? Discussion and Interest Thread

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 01:02:52 AM

Discuss Who Will Save Us Now? here.

Rules can be found here.

Please post characters here.

The rest of the Archetypes will be up over the next couple days. If there's any in particular you're interested in, let me know and I'll make them a priority.

If you're on the fence about playing and want clarification on anything, please, feel free to ask. :)

Original Post that Started it:

[spoiler]I love play by post games because they allow for more flexibility as far as time commitment goes, and because one of my favorite times in roleplaying - ever - was playing in Steerpike's Underdeep game. The problem I've been having with this is coming up with something that doesn't completely overload me, which was the problem I had with Forbidden Arts. Here's what I've been toying with.

Who Will Save Us Now?: The greatest superhero team of all, the world's mightiest, the saviors of the planet numerous times...have been lost in dealing with the threat of The Null Terminus. Now, the b-listers, the also-rans, the sidelined, and the antiheros are forming their own teams, hoping to protect the world against the rise in super-crime...and also get the coveted spot of "greatest team there is!"

This game would work much like Underdeep, but with some variations. You'd start of with a team of 3-4 heroes. You would go around dealing with super crime and alien invasions and such...as well as media opportunities and chances to grow your rep. Teams could make alliances and even join forces and share the spotlight, or backstab each other to (in the end) look best in the public eye. You could also focus on media opportunities to build your reputation, but if too many teams do that super-crime will go unchecked.

System wise, it would use a parsed-down Mutants and Masterminds, because a known system makes things so much easier. Combat would be handled by me between turns.

If there's any interest in this, I'll get the ball rolling on getting it working ASAP.[/quote][/spoiler]

And here's some FAQ!

[ooc=Who Will Save Us Now?]
How many players would you be looking for?

About 4-5 ideally, though I could go higher. It would need at least 4 to work the way I want it to.

How big is the scope?

The world. This is about protecting the entire planet. Heroes can have their bases anywhere on the planet or even in orbit (although the orbital option will require a heavy investment to get up and running) and will have possible fires to put out anywhere. Therefore, hero teams can start anywhere on the globe.

What is the time commitment?

I'm envisioning turns taking 2 weeks, on average, so it'll be pretty low. I can make turns shorter or longer as the group decides on how much they want to play. Each turn will take about a week in universe. Players shouldn't Need to spend more than an hour total per 2 week period on the game.

How do turns work?

Stage 1) I reveal the results of the last "turn" in game and reveal new information learned.
Stage 2) Players communicate with each other and plan their orders.
Stage 3) Players finalize their orders.
Stage 4) I reveal, via PM, things they learn carrying out their orders that require responses (if any.) For example, if two hero teams cross paths and weren't expecting to, I give the commanders a chance to decide how to respond - without knowing what the other is planning.
Stage 5) Players finalize those modifications, if needed.
Stage 6) GOTO 1.

Will hero teams be locked once selected?

No! Heroes can quit if you don't want to use them anymore (or if they become liabilities in the media, or turn traitor) and death is possible (though most fights against non-mooks will end in one side escaping, or being temporarily captured, as is befitting a comic book style). New ones can be recruited as well. Teams can grow as large as you can support!

Do all my heroes have to move together?

No. Heroes can move as individuals or pairs. However, there is strenght in numbers, so it's riskier to move them alone...and if they get a media boost, it'll be less if the entire team isn't present (although higher for the heroes actually on site)

How do you get more?

You will earn Reputation from various missions. Reputation can be spent to recruit new heroes or minions and get more law-enforcement or media contacts. Your reputation at the start of the week also earns you Wealth from merchandise and licensing opportunities, which is used to buy physical objects (new bases, vehicles, etc).

[/ooc]

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 01:37:14 AM

Added a couple more archetypes before bed.

And added some more. Android and Renegade Alien have been removed as Archetypes: Android is now a customization option for the Battlesuit, and Renegade Alien will be filed under Generic Customizations that can be added to a character.

Steerpike · March 05, 2015, 02:04:15 AM

Looks really interesting so far, and well though-out!

A couple of questions:

- Hellboy is sometimes thought of as "Dark Age" title, but it's also kind of light-hearted despite its "dark" content. Swamp Thing is from the early 80s but at times it's a horror comic and has a pretty sinister feel. How welcome are elements like demons, Lovecraftian creatures, monsters, vampires, occultism, and similarly horror-derived tropes? Is there a distinction between those kind of "dark" elements and the moral or tonal darkness, as it were, of the rest of the Dark Age, or do you want to keep those sorts of "cosmetic" elements to a minimum as well?

- How well-defined is the world and cosmology? Is this the kind of open, fuzzy-edged multiverse where we can invent planets, planes of existence, types of beings, etc, or a much more bounded, well-defined world with a specific mythos, powers, and cosmology? If I decide I want a team-member to be a disgraced Egyptian god stripped of their powers (not planning on that specifically, just a random example), would that be OK? Or someone from a made-up parallel universe? A fallen angel? A ghost? A time-traveler? Basically, how much license do players have to make stuff up about the world/universe?

- Are cities all real-world cities as predominates in Marvel or can they be fictional as common in DC?

- How long have super-heroes/villains/etc been around (or commonly known) in this universe? Was there any kind of watershed event a la Wild Cards when heroes first appeared? Do powers have any kind of common source or is it pretty much whatever you want?

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 02:22:03 AM

All archetypes posted. See the above post for details on the two I cut.

Quote from: Steerpike
Looks really interesting so far, and well though-out!

Thanks!

Quote- Hellboy is sometimes thought of as "Dark Age" title, but it's also kind of light-hearted despite its "dark" content. Swamp Thing is from the early 80s but at times it's a horror comic and has a pretty sinister feel. How welcome are elements like demons, Lovecraftian creatures, monsters, vampires, occultism, and similarly horror-derived tropes? Is there a distinction between those kind of "dark" elements and the moral or tonal darkness, as it were, of the rest of the Dark Age, or do you want to keep those sorts of "cosmetic" elements to a minimum as well?

I have no problem with the cosmetic elements of the Iron/Dark Age or even horror elements. Really, the Bronze Age feel is more about making sure the teams are more superheroes, less wandering murder squads. So feel free to go for those kind of dark or creepy elements! I just want to keep the murder to a minimum so we can focus on the mayhem.

Brief aside your question reminded me I wanted to say: if you want a Punisher or Venom type, that's fine, just have at least one character on your team help keep their murderous impulses in check. It's best for the teams reputation, and it's more fitting tonaly.

Quote- How well-defined is the world and cosmology? Is this the kind of open, fuzzy-edged multiverse where we can invent planets, planes of existence, types of beings, etc, or a much more bounded, well-defined world with a specific mythos, powers, and cosmology? If I decide I want a team-member to be a disgraced Egyptian god stripped of their powers (not planning on that specifically, just a random example), would that be OK? Or someone from a made-up parallel universe? A fallen angel? A ghost? A time-traveler? Basically, how much license do players have to make stuff up about the world/universe?

When it comes to the Earth itself in the present day, it's pretty set as "much like the real world, with a few super villain ruled nations a-la Latveria, although stranger things may lurk below the surface." Inventing planets, planes of existence, underground civilizations, aliens, etc is all perfectly valid. I'll be coming up with a bunch myself if people want to draw upon them for inspiration or characters. (now that Archetypes are done, that's probably coming next while I finish ironing out the crunchy bits.) However, if what you are introducing is going to be a superlative (the Space Cops, The True Plane of Fire, The Best Military In Space, etc.) check with me first to make sure I don't already have something along those lines. (FYI, I don't have a Nova Corp or Green Lantern space police organization yet, so if you want one, feel free to invent it - otherwise I probably will.) Also, if you're going a time traveler, make sure they're far enough in the future where the details of this era are fuzzy at best, and keep in mind whatever future you came from is not the definite, set in stone future - just one possibility.

Quote- Are cities all real-world cities as predominates in Marvel or can they be fictional as common in DC?

Both! Real-world cities are all present, but fictional ones are totally allowed if you want to invent your own, and i'll probably make up a few as I go along because I do that. :P Fictional countries are fine too, just make sure to keep them small.

Quote- How long have super-heroes/villains/etc been around (or commonly known) in this universe? Was there any kind of watershed event a la Wild Cards when heroes first appeared? Do powers have any kind of common source or is it pretty much whatever you want?

It's pretty much whatever you want! Go hog wild with magic or aliens or gods or angels or mutants or whatever comes to mind. As far as how long, people with powers have been a background thing throughout history, but Costumed Heroes and Villains have really only been a thing since about the year 2000 - unless you want to have an exception from the past, brought forward into the future, then they could have been one of the historical examples that formed the modern heroic age. There was a boom on both sides during WWII, but Costumed Soldiers fell out of popularity after the war.

I am debating if any group in particular (mutants and aliens especially) should face any prejudice for being powered, apart from the general fear the populace has of superhumans. (People aren't going to hate and fear you by default, but they're going to be leery to start of any group that isn't the Exarch's, who had a decade and a half of public trust to work with).

HippopotamusDundee · March 05, 2015, 04:14:26 AM

Quote from: Xathan
Quote from: Steerpike
Hellboy is sometimes thought of as "Dark Age" title, but it's also kind of light-hearted despite its "dark" content. Swamp Thing is from the early 80s but at times it's a horror comic and has a pretty sinister feel. How welcome are elements like demons, Lovecraftian creatures, monsters, vampires, occultism, and similarly horror-derived tropes? Is there a distinction between those kind of "dark" elements and the moral or tonal darkness, as it were, of the rest of the Dark Age, or do you want to keep those sorts of "cosmetic" elements to a minimum as well?

I have no problem with the cosmetic elements of the Iron/Dark Age or even horror elements. Really, the Bronze Age feel is more about making sure the teams are more superheroes, less wandering murder squads. So feel free to go for those kind of dark or creepy elements! I just want to keep the murder to a minimum so we can focus on the mayhem.

YESSS shades of Vertigo and 90s Alan Moore here I come (is it obvious that I'm excited :P)

This is all looking really cool! I'm definitely thinking Energy Controller, Mage, and Signature Weapon, and I'd like to go for a John Constantine-style character for the fourth. None of the Archetypes really seem to fit, though - does one that's focused on influence, in terms of manipulating/influencing people and knowing lots of people and having a scary-ass reputation, and on plenty of knowledge and shady rumors fit your idea of the setting?

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 10:33:14 AM

Quote from: HippopotamusDundee

YESSS shades of Vertigo and 90s Alan Moore here I come (is it obvious that I'm excited :P)

It is, and I'm glad! :)

QuoteThis is all looking really cool! I'm definitely thinking Energy Controller, Mage, and Signature Weapon, and I'd like to go for a John Constantine-style character for the fourth. None of the Archetypes really seem to fit, though - does one that's focused on influence, in terms of manipulating/influencing people and knowing lots of people and having a scary-ass reputation, and on plenty of knowledge and shady rumors fit your idea of the setting?

Hmm. A John Constantine-style character can work within my idea of the setting, I'm just trying to figure out how to make it work within the system. Not saying it can't be done, just that it will require some careful thought. (It also is important to note that I have only ever watched that one movie with Keanu Reeves for the extent of my knowledge of Constantine.) So any additional details (How does he win fights? How does he avoid them?, Things like that) will be very helpful for further thought.

A character sheet and sample character is up. I'm going to try to finish the various customization options tonight and get baseline stats for the various archetypes up by Monday - gonna shoot for Friday, but no promises. All numbers are super tentative until I sit down and do some playtesting.

Steerpike · March 05, 2015, 12:01:04 PM

Thanks for the answers and clarifications! That's all more or less what I thought, but it's good to get some things confirmed.

Quote from: XathanHmm. A John Constantine-style character can work within my idea of the setting, I'm just trying to figure out how to make it work within the system. Not saying it can't be done, just that it will require some careful thought. (It also is important to note that I have only ever watched that one movie with Keanu Reeves for the extent of my knowledge of Constantine.) So any additional details (How does he win fights? How does he avoid them?, Things like that) will be very helpful for further thought.

Hellblazer is one of my top 5 favourite comics ever, so I feel compelled to answer here. The Reeves adaptation is a loose-at-best adaptation - I actually don't hate it as a bit of junky popcorn Gothic cinema but it's not a very good adaptation at all. Constantine in the comics is a snarky working class British mage/con-artist; unlike most characters he's aged in real time; he's also an enormous bastard. Not a "villain" but incredibly selfish, manipulative, and cunning. He mostly talks his way out of problems and it's not always clear how much of his powers are just smoke and mirrors, but he definitely does perform various rituals, create golems, summon demons, use voodoo, scry, etc. The Mage archetype is a pretty good fit for him, especially with stuff like the Occult Investigator customization option.

Rhamnousia · March 05, 2015, 12:55:37 PM

Are we still going to get the Android and Renegade Alien Archetypes at some point, or have you decided to drop them? Because not to put too much demand on you, but I was super excited to see those ones in particular.

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 01:34:59 PM

Quote from: Superbright
Are we still going to get the Android and Renegade Alien Archetypes at some point, or have you decided to drop them? Because not to put too much demand on you, but I was super excited to see those ones in particular.

Right now, I'm thinking about making the Android option a 0 point customization for battlesUits, because ther is a lot of overlap there, and the Renegade Alien a customization option that could be applied to any other archetype, since it was so varied. I am thinking of making them actual archetypes still as I ponder, but realized that Speedster and Shapeshifter were left off the list and kinda should be on that list.

Please forgive any typos, I'm on my phone for remainder of day. :)

Rhamnousia · March 05, 2015, 01:56:31 PM

Assuming you're basing it off of the ones from Mutants & Masterminds, I can see Android remaining its own Archetype just because it was really useful for modeling all kinds of automata, constructs, and undead. But an equally strong case could be made for making them both generic options as well.

Steerpike · March 05, 2015, 02:24:09 PM

Maybe a dedicated Detective/Gumshoe/Investigator/Sleuth archetype might be good, with information/clue-gathering powers. I'm thinking of characters like Oracle, The Question, Dakota North, Commissioner Gordon, and Constantine, amongst others. Just a thought.

Xathan · March 05, 2015, 02:54:02 PM

That's good points, on both those Arcetypes. Android and Adventuring Detective are added to the list to work on tonight!

Steerpike · March 05, 2015, 04:22:47 PM

I've got my concept:

[ic=The Furies]An all-female team of vigilantes dedicated to the cause of retribution, bringing righteous vengeance to those the law has failed, the Furies were once led by Nemesis, an Exarch renowned for her cold implacability and her preternatural ability to sense the guilt of those around her. Now, with Nemesis gone, the Furies continue her mission of justice. Nemesis' daughter, formerly known as Erinys, has taken up Nemesis' mantle in her mother's absence. All of the Furies are women who the legal system failed in some way; many began as independent superheroines who Nemesis later recruited. Operating out of a subterranean headquarters, Erebus, beneath the city of Iphigenia (nicknamed "Dis" by many of its inhabitants). Amongst those who they have helped the Furies are known as the Kindly Ones.[/ic]

So they're sort of like the Birds of Prey meets the Bat Family. The starting roster will include the new Nemesis ("Nemesis II"), Sister Siren, The Harpy, and Lady Lamia.

sparkletwist · March 05, 2015, 05:11:01 PM

If Steerpike is making an all-female team of badasses, does that mean I have to make something weird and creepy and sort of gross in order to balance the universe? :P

Rhamnousia · March 05, 2015, 06:09:34 PM

Damn it Steerpike, I was gonna go the route of the all-female superhero team, only I was going to take a leaf out of the JoJos' book and name all of them after Electric Six songs.

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Who Will Save Us Now? Discussion and Interest Thread

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