Who Will Save Us Now? Discussion and Interest Thread

Steerpike · March 07, 2015, 03:58:59 PM

Here's one of the Furies, more to come:

[ic=The Harpy]Alexandra (Alex) Vladimirovna came to America as a mail-order bride, glad to escape the chauvinist wage-slavery of Russia for the comparatively egalitarian US. Unfortunately, her husband, Charles, was not the shy, kindly soul he'd presented himself as online, but a vicious drunk and meth-head every bit as vile and demeaning as the worst misogynists of the Motherland. Her every request, however reasonable, was met first with apathy, then with derision; she was treated as little more than a servant, forbidden even to leave the house. After three years of abuse – just long enough to obtain her citizenship – Alex demanded a divorce, but Charles became violent, attacking her with a kitchen knife. As he lurched at her, spitting obscenities, promising to cut her throat, a terrible anger welled up inside her, an irrepressible rage. With a strength she didn't know she possessed, Alex broke first her husband's wrist, then his neck. Moments later the police, responding to a neighbour's noise complaint, kicked down the door. Still filled with rage, Alex turned on the police officers, grabbing the knife and charging at them only to be subdued by a Taser. She was tried, convicted, and sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter in the second degree. Her claims of self-defence fell upon deaf ears; she had assaulted law enforcement officers, and the predominantly male jury were unsympathetic. The prosecution painted her as a deranged addict who killed her husband in a drug-induced frenzy, a foreign parasite who'd conned her way into America and corrupted a good man with her vices before taking his life. She became known as the "Harpy Bride," smeared in the press as a monster.

Prison was not kind to Alex at first, but after a few months she fell in with a Russian gang operating inside. She worked her way up through the ranks, discovering that she could channel her anger and the strength it gave her. Little did Alex know that her preternatural might was actually the result of a genetic mutation caused by exposure to radiation from Chernobyl when she was still in utero; she only knew that her rage lent her power, a power she learned to harness and refine. By the time she finished her sentence she'd become the gang-leader and had been crowned a Vor, or thief in law, in the Russian mob, an honour usually only bestowed on those repeatedly convicted. Tattooed and hardened from years of breaking bones, shivving rivals, and sleeping with one eye open, she continued to rise in the organization, working as an enforcer and hit-woman. During this time she adopted the name Alkonost – a beautiful but deadly bird-woman from Russian folklore – and became one of the most feared mobsters on the east coast. Such was the rapidity of her ascension, however, that she engendered significant resentment from some her fellow thieves in law. Sent on a mission to collect the debts of a dealer from Dis' east-side, she found herself double-crossed by none other than her former cellmate, nicknamed "Zmey." She fought her way out of the ambush that met her, injuring Zmey but suffering several gunshot wounds herself. It was then that Nemesis appeared to her. The Fury had considered taking her out, but while researching her career she realized how Alex had been misused by the law, while recognizing something of her own cold rage in the young Russian. She offered her a place amongst the Furies; betrayed by the mob and desiring vengeance for the double-cross, Alex agreed.

As one of the Furies, Alex repurposed the name she was once attacked with, becoming the Harpy. Exacting righteous vengeance upon the guilty has proved little different from her work as a mob enforcer, though she has learned to limit her collateral damage and to exercise restraint where necessary. Like all of the Furies, her coal-black costume incorporates serpentine and bat-like imagery – scale armour, a bat-wing cape allowing for limited gliding capabilities, and a cowl with glowing red eyes. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, she has the face of a perfect china doll, a Slavic Barbie, but years of prison, work for the Russian mob, and her own budding mutant might have made her massively strong, with a bodybuilder's frame. She still bears the tattoos of a thief in law: an eight-pointed star for her rank, an Orthodox cross, ОМУТ on the back of her left hand, the head of the Devil on the back of her right. Where the other Furies utilize weapons extensively, she is most effective with her fists, armed with specially designed knuckledusters that augment her already prodigious strength.[/ic]

She'll be a Brute archetype, with the Reformed Villain complication, I think.

Xathan · March 07, 2015, 05:55:31 PM

I love Harpy. Very fitting, and that backstory...yeah,, I can see where the anger issues came from. :P

Brute might work for her, but we may want to discuss some trade offs once I get the stats posted - Brute's, in terms of strength and durability, are intend to be Hulk types, which may be stronger than you had in mind for her. If not, though, that's totally cool: character is awesome either way. :)

Steerpike · March 07, 2015, 06:58:04 PM

Hulk might be a little strong, but strength is her primary power, and she is a legit mutant.

I hope she hits the Bronze Age target relatively well. As I understand it the Bronze Age was often very invested in social issues (Iron Man's alcoholism for example) without the dark excesses of the Iron Age. The Harpy is reasonably dark (mail order bride turned ex-con assassin), but not so much that it's off-putting, I hope.

Xathan · March 07, 2015, 10:20:55 PM

No, I think it's very bronze age. Its dark, for certain, but not the kind of the terrible, horribly dark thing that would have happened in the Iron Age. Probably right on the edge there, but not over the edge tone-wise.

Xathan · March 09, 2015, 02:17:41 PM

Major change is being made to how Customization Options work:

Pretty much all Customization Options will be decoupled from their Archetype, and instead be available to anyone. The Archetype now determines your starting stats and initial powers, but it's going to be much more flexible. The only ones that aren't getting fully decoupled are ones that modify a particular power, so "Multiple Animals" for Animal Powered and some Speedster Powers and some mage spells and things like that are remaining unique customization options for that class. Not all classes will have unique customization options, only when needed.

I figure this will give players much more freedom in how they design and play their characters.

I'm not going to have the complete "starting" rules done before work today unless I get moving much faster (as in, increase my typing speed beyond what I've ever been capable of in the past), but I'm making a major dent in them so far. I'll be posting most Archetype's stats besides Animal Powered and Mage before I go to work, as those two are just a bit more complicated than most. The plan is to have everything needed for character creation done by tomorrow.

Oh, and I added the Base Creation rules.

EDIT: To give a better idea of what this will look like, I've added the Archetype base stats I have finished as of this instant. If a customization option you wanted is missing, don't panic! It'll be added to the General Customization Options list soon.

LD · March 09, 2015, 10:57:33 PM

Is martial artist still forthcoming as an archetype?

Xathan · March 10, 2015, 12:55:52 AM

Yes it will. I was stuck on it because of the unique customization options, and sine not all archetypes have those anymore, it'll be up with the Android, Mage, and Animal Powered tomorrow.

LD · March 10, 2015, 01:01:07 AM

QuoteResearch AI: The Research AI is an advanced artifical intelligence that assists with research tasks. When used by anyone with a research skill, the AI provides a +2 bonus to any research checks. Even without someone actively working with it, it can make checks on its own with a +3, though the AI takes a bit longer to sort though what is important and not on its own, taking two full weeks to complete research tasks solo. 500 Wealth.

Laboratory: You have a Lab capable of handling scientific, forensic or mystic pursuits (choose one). When using your Lab, you can do research much faster, allowing you to do research on the same turn you act, although you still will not get the results of that research until the next week (So if you're researching Baron Death, you can take a week to research him AND make a media apperance. You could also attack him that week, but you wouldn't gain the benefits of the research against him). A Lab costs 500 Wealth. This upgrade can be taken multiple team. Each time, choose a different focus for it.

I look at the above two options and, depending on how close the rolls fall (I think you're using a d20, so I would think they do not usually fall close) it seems that the optimal choice is always going to be the lab. If you fail because you have too low a research skill and you chose the lab, you can just try again next week unless the required research skill is far above what you have (and if you have the research lab it only grants you an extra 2 'reach'-the spread needs to be larger).

I suggest that the research option works as a +4 for applied and a +8 for the computer, or a +3 applied and +5 for the computer. Once again, this depends on how close the success rolls are intended to fall (e.g. people will usually need a 10 to succeed could warrant a lower number, like the bonuses you suggest; but if people usually need a 20 to succeed, the higher numbers may be important).

RE: other response-
Thank you.

Xathan · March 10, 2015, 04:29:21 AM

Quote from: Light Dragon
I look at the above two options and, depending on how close the rolls fall (I think you're using a d20, so I would think they do not usually fall close) it seems that the optimal choice is always going to be the lab. If you fail because you have too low a research skill and you chose the lab, you can just try again next week unless the required research skill is far above what you have (and if you have the research lab it only grants you an extra 2 'reach'-the spread needs to be larger).

I suggest that the research option works as a +4 for applied and a +8 for the computer, or a +3 applied and +5 for the computer. Once again, this depends on how close the success rolls are intended to fall (e.g. people will usually need a 10 to succeed could warrant a lower number, like the bonuses you suggest; but if people usually need a 20 to succeed, the higher numbers may be important).

RE: other response-
Thank you.

The reason for the Research AI's bonuses being lower is the major advantage of being able to do research without the rest of the team there, in addition to the advantage of the bonus when your team is there. What I think I'll do is allow you to pick one particular skill that the research AI provides greater benefits for, to make sure it's a bit more worthwhile.

I've added the Adventuring Detective and Android stats, as well as the full block for the Martial Artist. All the remains are Mage, Animal Powered, and Speedster.

A note on Speedsters. Thus far, no one has expressed any kind of interest in that particular class, so it's on the very bottom of the priority pile. Is there any interest in this Archetype as part of character creation? Or should I put it on a lower priority than the Customization Options.

I admit that I'm very heavily engaging in triage here. I really want to be able to keep my promise to you all (and myself) to get the stats done enough to start character creation by Tuesday. I'm not 100% sure that's going to happen, especially since I'm looking at a rework of the combat system right now (Good news is, it won't impact actual character stats in any meaningful way, so it won't get in the way of character creation). If you have anything in particular you need, please let me know and I'll make that a priority.

Steerpike · March 10, 2015, 10:55:34 AM

I'm not planning on making a Speedster. I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself!

Xathan · March 10, 2015, 03:36:47 PM

Quote from: Steerpike
I'm not planning on making a Speedster. I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself!

Thanks! And it's about putting the right amount of pressure on me more than anything else: without some kinds of deadlines, there's no way in hell that I'll get this off the ground, and I'm so close to being done with the massive initial crunch wave I can taste it. :)

Also, dude, the Furies are awesome! Love the team and the characters. Can't wait to see them in action. You mention a lot of NPC and organization in your post, which is greatly appreciated, because it gives me a ton to work with - but before I go hog wild, I did want to ask if there was anything in particular you had in mind (or for that matter, Nemesis) for them that you couldn't quite work into the character posts? Just to make sure I'm getting the feel of them right from the brief information you mentioned.

Steerpike · March 10, 2015, 09:27:53 PM

Glad you like the Furies.

Not too much I didn't include but some additional notes might include:

- Iphigenia's closest real-world analogue is Detroit despite its location in New York State.

- Nemesis tended to employ lethal methods frequently, and to make evil-doers suffer. Nemesis II is resisting this aspect of her mother's mandate; it's one of the things they used to fight about. In comic book terms Nemesis might be thought of as pretty close to the Punisher, whereas Nemesis II is closer to Wolverine - Wolverine does kill in certain situations but he's reluctant to, and certainly doesn't enjoy it.

- The Furies are very, very scrupulous about not hurting innocents. While they're still fairly ruthless when it comes to the guilty, they avoid harming anyone who isn't guilty. This makes hostage situations pretty effective against them.

- They're both patient and implacable. Their big shtick is that they'll hunt someone down no matter what - no matter where they run or how hard they hide they'll eventually have to face the Furies. It might take them years but once someone's on their hit-list, they'll keep pursuing them.

- They're as much in the revenge business as they are in the justice business. They're not really high-minded about what they do. As their name suggests, they're about anger, and helping people who are pissed off and can't do anything about it.

- There are a number of ways of contacting them including various online forums, or leaving messages at certain statues in Iphigenia. They don't prioritize based on the social status of those contacting them. In fact, those in positions of power are probably less likely to get their ear.

- The villains they're most likely go after would include those who prey on marginalized people of various sorts, those in positions of official authority. So, for example, they have pretty much 0 interest in cat-burglars, jewel-thieves, con artists ripping off the wealthy, other vigilantes, or petty criminals, but corrupt politicians, crooked cops, exploitative executives, and others who misuse their power would all make good targets.

LD · March 10, 2015, 11:02:44 PM

QuoteA note on Speedsters. Thus far, no one has expressed any kind of interest in that particular class, so it's on the very bottom of the priority pile. Is there any interest in this Archetype as part of character creation? Or should I put it on a lower priority than the Customization Options.

I'm interested in the Speedsters powers, but I see they're already up :) No need for the actual sheets.

I think I am going to go the vigilantes route with my team--will work on getting the character sheets up.

-Thank you for the Martial Artist update

LD · March 11, 2015, 01:25:54 AM

Steerpike- Sister Siren has a very apt power related to her background! I like how you wove the two together.
I also like how Lady Lamia has a potential vampire-hunter descendant nemesis in her background and the circumstances of her initial encounter with the group.
Seeing the "Raven" as a villain is appropriate, but it also made me laugh as the Raven is an iconic female hero in the M&M setting.

Xathan · March 11, 2015, 03:31:17 AM

With the exceptions of the Mage, Animal Powered, and Speedster Archetypes, the stuff needed for character creation is pretty much complete!

There are a few powers I know I need to add to that list, which I'll do ASAP since once I have, everyone can just start building characters excepting those three archetypes. They are Regeneration, Snare, Telepathy (for non-psions), Super Speed (for non-speedsters), Super Senses, Super Movement, Invisibility, and (non energy medium based) Teleporation. Once I have that, I feel like I've covered pretty much every "Iconic" power option out there.

Also, the bag of tricks customization option is missing from the Adventuring Detective as I decide if that is going to be a "Generic" option or specific to that Archetype.

Now, Responses:

Quote- Iphigenia's closest real-world analogue is Detroit despite its location in New York State.

Gotcha, that gives me a very clear mental image, thanks! Do you picture it with the same level of "areas of near ghost-town" that real world Detroit has? Because I kinda love that pretty much anything could be hiding in there.

Quote- Nemesis tended to employ lethal methods frequently, and to make evil-doers suffer. Nemesis II is resisting this aspect of her mother's mandate; it's one of the things they used to fight about. In comic book terms Nemesis might be thought of as pretty close to the Punisher, whereas Nemesis II is closer to Wolverine - Wolverine does kill in certain situations but he's reluctant to, and certainly doesn't enjoy it.

Makes perfect sense to me, I'll keep that in mind when I work Nemesis into the Exarchs when I get to backstory/worldbuilding stuff.

Quote- The Furies are very, very scrupulous about not hurting innocents. While they're still fairly ruthless when it comes to the guilty, they avoid harming anyone who isn't guilty. This makes hostage situations pretty effective against them.

Yay! I like this personality quirk I can exploit...I mean use! :P

Quote- They're both patient and implacable. Their big shtick is that they'll hunt someone down no matter what - no matter where they run or how hard they hide they'll eventually have to face the Furies. It might take them years but once someone's on their hit-list, they'll keep pursuing them.

Awesome. Would that include anyone left on Nemesis' hit list that was left over? And how would they prioritize that list?

Quote- There are a number of ways of contacting them including various online forums, or leaving messages at certain statues in Iphigenia. They don't prioritize based on the social status of those contacting them. In fact, those in positions of power are probably less likely to get their ear.

Gotcha. Do they maintain these forums, or just monitor them? And how well known are the statue drops - and how often are they checked?

Quote- The villains they're most likely go after would include those who prey on marginalized people of various sorts, those in positions of official authority. So, for example, they have pretty much 0 interest in cat-burglars, jewel-thieves, con artists ripping off the wealthy, other vigilantes, or petty criminals, but corrupt politicians, crooked cops, exploitative executives, and others who misuse their power would all make good targets.

I'll keep that in mind. Where do they rate marginalized people that prey upon other marginalized people? Things like gangs, pimps, drug dealers, etc? Also, how about mercenaries or assassins that work for their "Most hated" groups?

QuoteI'm interested in the Speedsters powers, but I see they're already up smile No need for the actual sheets.

Cool. The priority for speedster's goes a bit lower. :P

QuoteI think I am going to go the vigilantes route with my team--will work on getting the character sheets up.

I'll admit that I'm kinda sad to not see the Soldier's showing up. :P Still, can't wait to see them in all their glory!

Quote-Thank you for the Martial Artist update

No problem! :)

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Who Will Save Us Now? Discussion and Interest Thread

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