Tim and I starting a new game between just the two of us. I'm not sure how long it will last, or if it will get off it's feet at all.
A man wearing an expensive suit carrying a large manila envelope walked up a set of wooden stairs. The stairs led to a balcony with several doors, he found apartment number 25 and knocked.
A woman of 26 years opened the door a few inches, the chain preventing it from fully opening.
"Lt. Commander Ashley O'Reilly?"
"Yes, what is it you want?"
"I'm here on behalf of my client, who wishes to offer you a unique opportunity."
"I'm not interested in buying encyclopedias, Avon, or a time share, thank you." Ashley closed the door on the lawyer's face.
"It's nothing like that, I assure you." He said loudly to the door, "It'll be a lot more exciting than staying in your run-down apartment."
Ashley paused with her hand on the door, either this guy knew more about her than she would like to think, or he was very lucky in his word choice. She opened the door, fully this time.
"I like my apartment, save for the leaks." Without a word, the man stepped into the small living room, opened the folder and handed the top sheet to the former Navy pilot.
"What the hell is this? Spend a month on an island with a bunch of people, and the survivors split 10 million dollars? Is this some kind of reality tv show?"
"Not at all, no part of your trip will be recorded. And you will not be held liable for ANYTHING that goes on during that month."
"So, what happens on the island, stays on the island?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Who is your client exactly?"
"I'm afraid I can not tell you that. I'll leave these papers for you to sign if you decide to join, I'll be back in a week, so decide by then."
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Character bio: Zebbi (Londa's character)
Zebbi is a famous entertainer. She has used her Dolly Parton like figure to rise to the top. She sings in a breathy voice, and relies on a kind choreographer to make her look good. Mostly she plays very small parts that are written especially for her, because she can only play one character; which is herself. What she is good at is using wigs, costumes, and make up. She takes trunks full of them everywhere “just in case.” She pretends to be dumb, but she is shrewd and relentless when it comes to getting what she wants.
Draft 7!
We've finally finished draft number 7. Some Combat styles have been changed, Tim has gone through and edited the whole thing, and best of all: it's got pictures now!!!
The magic combat style has been renamed "Special" because it doesn't have to be magical in origin.
Click on the link on the sidebar to get draft 7. If you want to print it out, print it double sided, and it makes a little booklet thing.
The magic combat style has been renamed "Special" because it doesn't have to be magical in origin.
Click on the link on the sidebar to get draft 7. If you want to print it out, print it double sided, and it makes a little booklet thing.
Organics- SmartHouses and RoboLabor units
Aside from "Historic" buildings, all structures are built with varying degrees of SmartHouse technology.
When the House is dormant, it looks rather ordinary, save for the small holo-boards in each room. However, when active. The House is capable to executing all household tasks. Panels that when closed are virtually invisible, open up and release many arms and gadgets that clean and take care of pets, and the fancier ones are capable of preparing complex and delightful meals for the family. Though many of the earlier cooking models have been recalled due to their tendency to start kitchen fires. SmartHouses also work as personal secretaries and alarm/surveillance systems. All include parental settings which can inhibit dangerous behavior such as a toddler touching/turning on a stove to keeping adolescents from well...doing what adolescents do. The SmartHouse is also self-diagnosing and is able to instill simple repairs on itself, as well as execute simple first-aid to humans. There have been many cases when the house saves it's occupant by preforming CPR until help arrives.
One can communicate with their house through many means, the most popular is through their BlueEye and voice commands, but the wall holo-boards prove useful from time to time to issue commands.
RoboLabor:
Highly skilled jobs are still done by humans, but often have a RoboLabor unit as an assistant. These units vary in size and are made entirely of plastics, making them stronger and lighter than metals. They are generally boxy looking and in no way resemble a human. They preform simple tasks and unskilled labor. They're rather glitchy and can be a pain to work with, so human unskilled labor still exists in a limited quantity. RoboUnits work at full capacity for about 4 years, and then are often recycled. Sometimes people sell the old units, but it is often not worth it (Think sleezy used car dealer).
When the House is dormant, it looks rather ordinary, save for the small holo-boards in each room. However, when active. The House is capable to executing all household tasks. Panels that when closed are virtually invisible, open up and release many arms and gadgets that clean and take care of pets, and the fancier ones are capable of preparing complex and delightful meals for the family. Though many of the earlier cooking models have been recalled due to their tendency to start kitchen fires. SmartHouses also work as personal secretaries and alarm/surveillance systems. All include parental settings which can inhibit dangerous behavior such as a toddler touching/turning on a stove to keeping adolescents from well...doing what adolescents do. The SmartHouse is also self-diagnosing and is able to instill simple repairs on itself, as well as execute simple first-aid to humans. There have been many cases when the house saves it's occupant by preforming CPR until help arrives.
One can communicate with their house through many means, the most popular is through their BlueEye and voice commands, but the wall holo-boards prove useful from time to time to issue commands.
RoboLabor:
Highly skilled jobs are still done by humans, but often have a RoboLabor unit as an assistant. These units vary in size and are made entirely of plastics, making them stronger and lighter than metals. They are generally boxy looking and in no way resemble a human. They preform simple tasks and unskilled labor. They're rather glitchy and can be a pain to work with, so human unskilled labor still exists in a limited quantity. RoboUnits work at full capacity for about 4 years, and then are often recycled. Sometimes people sell the old units, but it is often not worth it (Think sleezy used car dealer).
Catica- The End
The Flayers attempt at sneaking around to do some recon, did not end as well as they would have liked.
As most things happen, the attack on the Adventurers' guild did not go quite as planned. Two archers found a Flayer minion breaking in on the third floor and sounded the alarm.
Much to the Flayers' surprise Nog and the mysterious "bluecloack" was leading the Guild's group of fighters, and Crystal soon joined him.
Though despite the setbacks (and Sans tying Garrett up) the Flayers were able to diminish the Guild's forces to the point where the remainders retreated and scattered into the City.
As Nog died, his final words were "For the Starlight Goddess"
The Flayers took both the guild hall and the adjacent temple for themselves. Garrett became named Master Flayer, for the time being anyway.
As most things happen, the attack on the Adventurers' guild did not go quite as planned. Two archers found a Flayer minion breaking in on the third floor and sounded the alarm.
Much to the Flayers' surprise Nog and the mysterious "bluecloack" was leading the Guild's group of fighters, and Crystal soon joined him.
Though despite the setbacks (and Sans tying Garrett up) the Flayers were able to diminish the Guild's forces to the point where the remainders retreated and scattered into the City.
As Nog died, his final words were "For the Starlight Goddess"
The Flayers took both the guild hall and the adjacent temple for themselves. Garrett became named Master Flayer, for the time being anyway.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Downloads and stuff
I recently figured out how to host files using WindowsLive, and you can now download the latest 2d6 draft and the cool excel program Tim made. Just click the link on the sidebar!
The End?
I just made the encounter with the Adventurer's Guild, and I'm not sure The Flayers are going to win this one....This will prove interesting.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
On "winging it" and my method of GMing
It's nice to work with a pre-written script at times, it takes so much less effort to GM when you have most of the story on a page infront of you. But it's just so stagnant, even if it's a story you've written yourself.
I find it so much more interesting when you know only a bit more than your players, and you find yourself just as surprised with the game as you. It keeps you on your toes, and results in a livelier game. People feed off of others' energy levels. If the GM is bored, which could very well happen especially if the story is from a can, then your players will be bored too; but if you are able to produce a level of excitement and energy about what is going on in the game then your players will reflect and amplify that same energy. The downside is that it draining to keep only a step ahead of the players, whereas if you wrote everything beforehand than your creative energy was spent at whatever pace you wrote the thing.
What I have been doing with my campaignlets is having a rough sketch of the story. The underlying problem that the PCs solve, who the badguy is and a few features about the world. I often have a handful of events that are expected to happen, but these events don't usually have resolutions built into them.
By not knowing what will happen next, you don't end up railroading the players unintentionally. If there is no track to begin with, then there can be no train.
A word of advise for those considering this style of GMing. Fill the environment with a smattering of random details, and take notes, or have a really good memory. Those random details can be used later as clues or jumping points for the plot which you didn't think of before. But that can only work if you actually remember those random little things. I take quick little notes during the game, and after write down everything fully in a session recap. It's often during that process that I get ideas as to where to go next.
I find it so much more interesting when you know only a bit more than your players, and you find yourself just as surprised with the game as you. It keeps you on your toes, and results in a livelier game. People feed off of others' energy levels. If the GM is bored, which could very well happen especially if the story is from a can, then your players will be bored too; but if you are able to produce a level of excitement and energy about what is going on in the game then your players will reflect and amplify that same energy. The downside is that it draining to keep only a step ahead of the players, whereas if you wrote everything beforehand than your creative energy was spent at whatever pace you wrote the thing.
What I have been doing with my campaignlets is having a rough sketch of the story. The underlying problem that the PCs solve, who the badguy is and a few features about the world. I often have a handful of events that are expected to happen, but these events don't usually have resolutions built into them.
By not knowing what will happen next, you don't end up railroading the players unintentionally. If there is no track to begin with, then there can be no train.
A word of advise for those considering this style of GMing. Fill the environment with a smattering of random details, and take notes, or have a really good memory. Those random details can be used later as clues or jumping points for the plot which you didn't think of before. But that can only work if you actually remember those random little things. I take quick little notes during the game, and after write down everything fully in a session recap. It's often during that process that I get ideas as to where to go next.
On the new side bar picture
That picture will be on the cover of the 2d6 manuals. Tim's dad described it as "someone about to be electrocuted", but I think otherwise. In my opinion it's more of a mind to matter sort of thing, which goes well with the concept of roleplaying games and any creative work as well. Taking the raw energy and creativity and forming it into something tangible. The results may be completely different than what you had expected and wanted but no matter what form it takes, it is an experience and hopefully a good one.
My mother (hi mom!) used Tim as a model for this, and I outlined her pencil with a felt-tip and then scanned it.
My mother (hi mom!) used Tim as a model for this, and I outlined her pencil with a felt-tip and then scanned it.
Organics
Just a working title until I think of something better. Post suggestions!
As Catica will be coming to an end in a few sessions, I've been planning our next campaignlet. This one will be a Sci-Fi story about survival, mystery, and hopefully some fun interpersonal relationships.
Year 2997.
Politics: While earth is still divided into countries, these divisions more resemble the differences between states than individual countries. The International Union (IU)is a collection of officials, some elected, some not, but at least one official from each country. Under the International Constitution they govern several aspects of life: International trade agreements, peacekeeping, military forces (most countries have their own military that take orders from both their country and the IU, which obviously gets messy sometimes), and tax collecting. There are many IU run services and facilities, with the International Institute (II) being the most prominent and prestigious universities in the world. Peace is a relative term, officially there has not been a war in 100 years, but there have been many underground uprisings and unofficial battles between underground groups. The IU tries their best to keep everyone happy, but naturally not everyone can be satisfied with the way things are.
History: The IU grew slowly over a number of years, and there are several ways to count when they started. At first their responsibilities and power was not well defined and in 2157, Adrian Switch, a member of the IU manipulated the IU, and took advantage of his seat and power, he was completely corrupted. Adrian very nearly collapsed the IU, several country governments, and almost started a World War. A Late night IU meeting on December 24, 2157 crafted the International Constitution overnight, which lay out exactly what the IU could and could not do, and gave them the power to remove Adrian from his position. It took many years after the the Switch trials to restore the peace and re-model the IU. Every school child knows the story of Adrian Switch and the Late Night meeting, the constitution can be found displayed on holoboards everywhere.
Technology:
Communication: Pretty much everyone has a BlueEye these days. It is a device that clips to your ear with a selectively transparent screen that covers the left eye. The BlueEye is controlled by one's brain patterns. It is a skill much like typing on a keyboard, it must be learned, some are faster transmitters than others but everyone can at least "hunt-and-peck" (For the exception of a few who are inexplicably incapable of interfacing with the BlueEye)
Travel: Short distance travel is done by car. Cars runs on solar cells and have very few but not insignificant pollution emissions. Long distance travel is done via Tele-pod. One can only travel from one tele pod to another with proper authorization and codes. The number of telepod stations is equivalent to the number of modern day airports. Travel for the ordinary citizen costs about 50 International Credits (ICs). Private Tele-pod stations are extremely expensive, but a few wealthy individuals have them as well as a handful of major companies (Equivalent to owning a private jet plane now)
Energy: Large metal towers can be seen everywhere, mostly in large urban areas. They convert the inert gases and pollutants in the air and converts it into energy which is fed into a switching station that sends the energy to where it needs to go and stores the excess.
Terraforming: Huge machines have been designed and built to be able to massively reshape the landscape. However, no one can agree what to reshape the land into. Every proposition is torn down by someone or another.
As Catica will be coming to an end in a few sessions, I've been planning our next campaignlet. This one will be a Sci-Fi story about survival, mystery, and hopefully some fun interpersonal relationships.
Year 2997.
Politics: While earth is still divided into countries, these divisions more resemble the differences between states than individual countries. The International Union (IU)is a collection of officials, some elected, some not, but at least one official from each country. Under the International Constitution they govern several aspects of life: International trade agreements, peacekeeping, military forces (most countries have their own military that take orders from both their country and the IU, which obviously gets messy sometimes), and tax collecting. There are many IU run services and facilities, with the International Institute (II) being the most prominent and prestigious universities in the world. Peace is a relative term, officially there has not been a war in 100 years, but there have been many underground uprisings and unofficial battles between underground groups. The IU tries their best to keep everyone happy, but naturally not everyone can be satisfied with the way things are.
History: The IU grew slowly over a number of years, and there are several ways to count when they started. At first their responsibilities and power was not well defined and in 2157, Adrian Switch, a member of the IU manipulated the IU, and took advantage of his seat and power, he was completely corrupted. Adrian very nearly collapsed the IU, several country governments, and almost started a World War. A Late night IU meeting on December 24, 2157 crafted the International Constitution overnight, which lay out exactly what the IU could and could not do, and gave them the power to remove Adrian from his position. It took many years after the the Switch trials to restore the peace and re-model the IU. Every school child knows the story of Adrian Switch and the Late Night meeting, the constitution can be found displayed on holoboards everywhere.
Technology:
Communication: Pretty much everyone has a BlueEye these days. It is a device that clips to your ear with a selectively transparent screen that covers the left eye. The BlueEye is controlled by one's brain patterns. It is a skill much like typing on a keyboard, it must be learned, some are faster transmitters than others but everyone can at least "hunt-and-peck" (For the exception of a few who are inexplicably incapable of interfacing with the BlueEye)
Travel: Short distance travel is done by car. Cars runs on solar cells and have very few but not insignificant pollution emissions. Long distance travel is done via Tele-pod. One can only travel from one tele pod to another with proper authorization and codes. The number of telepod stations is equivalent to the number of modern day airports. Travel for the ordinary citizen costs about 50 International Credits (ICs). Private Tele-pod stations are extremely expensive, but a few wealthy individuals have them as well as a handful of major companies (Equivalent to owning a private jet plane now)
Energy: Large metal towers can be seen everywhere, mostly in large urban areas. They convert the inert gases and pollutants in the air and converts it into energy which is fed into a switching station that sends the energy to where it needs to go and stores the excess.
Terraforming: Huge machines have been designed and built to be able to massively reshape the landscape. However, no one can agree what to reshape the land into. Every proposition is torn down by someone or another.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)