PbP interest check

[Malancthon]

I usually prefer to be a player, but I am considering running a short PbP here. I'd be more inclined to a dark space game (My current idea is one third Star Wars, one third Doom, and one third OVAness). Alternately, a Shin Megami Tensei style game, but that would require some work, as I have less of a story idea for that one.

Anyone interested?

[sniffycrab]

I am interested.

[Malancthon]

Looking for 2 to 4 players, plus some feedback as the type of game you would prefer. I will also be discussing houserules in a separate thread.

[Sabersonic]

I'll take a stab at it.

So do you have any particulars for this custom campaign setting of yours or...?

[Malancthon]

Two story options:

DOOMSTAR
Light on plot, heavy on action. You are on a star cruiser when things go to Hell... Literally. Was thinking like a third Doom, a third Star Wars, and a third OVA, but probably be more Doom than anything.

Henshin Megami Tensei
SMT/Toku thing. War between Law and Chaos demons arrives. You are stuck in the middle. Just when all seems lost, a goddess gifts you with the ability to turn into a half demon, giving you a chance to survive. Do you join with Law, Chaos, or seek a third option?

Regardless, starting chargen would be +15 Abilities, -10 Weaknesses, no Ability higher than +3 (unless you can convince Me a reason why it should be). Probably will have Health and Endurance separated (meaning no using Health as back up Endurance and vice versa).

As always, I'd like to incorporate the Monstrous Abilities stuff, for both monsters and players. I'll leave it as a vote, consider Mine 1 for yes.

[Sabersonic]

DOOMSTAR
Light on plot, heavy on action. You are on a star cruiser when things go to Hell... Literally. Was thinking like a third Doom, a third Star Wars, and a third OVA, but probably be more Doom than anything.

Why am I getting Event Horizon vibes for that one.....?

Though now that I think about it, which version of Doom? Doom 3 or Doom (2016) considering the "heavy on action" portion of that brief description.

As for the "Star Wars" half, are we talking the alien portion or the Jedi "mind trick", "use the force", "lightsaber" sort of deal?

Henshin Megami Tensei
SMT/Toku thing. War between Law and Chaos demons arrives. You are stuck in the middle. Just when all seems lost, a goddess gifts you with the ability to turn into a half demon, giving you a chance to survive. Do you join with Law, Chaos, or seek a third option?

Not too familiar with that franchise (still need to start playing Persona 4 Golden myself), so those references are going to go over my head. Granted, it'll probably make the whole world-building exploration even more interesting and surprising.

Or is it MT-esque in that it's inspired by the franchise and homage rather than set in that universe itself?

And why am I thinking Highschool DxD just now?

Regardless, starting chargen would be +15 Abilities, -10 Weaknesses, no Ability higher than +3 (unless you can convince Me a reason why it should be). Probably will have Health and Endurance separated (meaning no using Health as back up Endurance and vice versa).

Well that certainly throws my plans for reusing Taqata Olesh’Ke out the window for the former.

As always, I'd like to incorporate the Monstrous Abilities stuff, for both monsters and players. I'll leave it as a vote, consider Mine 1 for yes.

Not surprising you voted in that direction, but then again I can't blame you for it either.

Now that I've considered it, my vote would probably depend upon what campaign setting it's going to be: No for DoomStar, Yes for HMT. If I know my JRPGs, I'm gonna need 'em.

[Malancthon]

DOOMSTAR
Light on plot, heavy on action. You are on a star cruiser when things go to Hell... Literally. Was thinking like a third Doom, a third Star Wars, and a third OVA, but probably be more Doom than anything.

Why am I getting Event Horizon vibes for that one.....?

Actually, I got more of a Fifth Element idea in mind, where we start on a pleasure cruiser.

Though now that I think about it, which version of Doom? Doom 3 or Doom (2016) considering the "heavy on action" portion of that brief description.

More or less classic Doom, which Doom16 is basically a modern version of. So, bit of classic Doom, bit of Doom16 and less of Doom 3.

As for the "Star Wars" half, are we talking the alien portion or the Jedi "mind trick", "use the force", "lightsaber" sort of deal?

I was thinking lightsabers and Jedi junk, but it certainly can be left to player interpretation for what you'd like.

Not too familiar with that franchise (still need to start playing Persona 4 Golden myself), so those references are going to go over my head. Granted, it'll probably make the whole world-building exploration even more interesting and surprising.

Persona is a bit different than the main SMT stuff, where it's a bit more psychological, using demons and spirits channelled by the kids to explore their maturity. SMT on the other hand is more like an urban fantasy, heroes getting drawn into schemes of gods and demons while trying to survive as the world goes post apocalyptic. I'm aiming more for the latter.

Or is it MT-esque in that it's inspired by the franchise and homage rather than set in that universe itself?

This. Most of the SMT games are in different dimensions, kinda like the Final Fantasy series, where only a few games are directly related. I... Actually abhor high school hijinks, so that would not be something I would want to do.

Well that certainly throws my plans for reusing Taqata Olesh’Ke out the window for the former.

Yeah, sorry. I thought I might challenge you with a lower character build.

Not surprising you voted in that direction, but then again I can't blame you for it either.

Now that I've considered it, my vote would probably depend upon what campaign setting it's going to be: No for DoomStar, Yes for HMT. If I know my JRPGs, I'm gonna need 'em.

Well, you might recall that I was able to replicate the Classic Doom monster health numbers using My Monstrous Durability ability, and I have a plan for letting the players get on equal footing with the demons, making it a bit JRPG-esque as well. But I had also worked those numbers down to 'normal' OVA levels, so there is room to go either way.

[Sabersonic]

Actually, I got more of a Fifth Element idea in mind, where we start on a pleasure cruiser.

More or less classic Doom, which Doom16 is basically a modern version of. So, bit of classic Doom, bit of Doom16 and less of Doom 3.

And now I'm getting Deep Rising vibes from that one.

Well, assuming anyone ever saw the b-flick.

Though then again tentacles are an anime staple, so bully that!

I was thinking lightsabers and Jedi junk, but it certainly can be left to player interpretation for what you'd like.

With only the fainest of thoughts of what we're up against on this pleasure cruse (and knowing that we're probably not going to get weapons anytime soon because of it), let's go with space magic.

Then again, considering the vibe I'm getting already, that just might be the bare minimum to just survive.

Persona is a bit different than the main SMT stuff, where it's a bit more psychological, using demons and spirits channelled by the kids to explore their maturity. SMT on the other hand is more like an urban fantasy, heroes getting drawn into schemes of gods and demons while trying to survive as the world goes post apocalyptic. I'm aiming more for the latter.

This. Most of the SMT games are in different dimensions, kinda like the Final Fantasy series, where only a few games are directly related. I... Actually abhor high school hijinks, so that would not be something I would want to do.

Now I'm getting a Percy Jackson vibe from that. And I'm not that much a fan of the franchise, though I did read a fanfic featuring Kratos lore a while back.

Then again, this might go the route of Rifts: Chaos Earth if anyone's even familiar with that one. Would be interesting to see how high technology goes against supernatural threa- No, wait, too similar to DoomStar, nvm. Probably more like that Beyond the Supernatural line of sourcebooks that I never gotten around to taking a look into.

As for the second one, I can only surmise that we're going to be full adults in this one.

Yeah, sorry. I thought I might challenge you with a lower character build.

Challenging, yeah probably. Interesting, ehh it'll depend but not enough to keep up with the power curve of what those two settings are suggesting.

Well, you might recall that I was able to replicate the Classic Doom monster health numbers using My Monstrous Durability ability, and I have a plan for letting the players get on equal footing with the demons, making it a bit JRPG-esque as well. But I had also worked those numbers down to 'normal' OVA levels, so there is room to go either way.

That's assuming that you're going for the original Doom demons rather than something more novel and custom. Don't recall too many scenarios where anything other than a space marine having any chance at surviving those kinds of encounters.

[Malancthon]

I was thinking lightsabers and Jedi junk, but it certainly can be left to player interpretation for what you'd like.

With only the fainest of thoughts of what we're up against on this pleasure cruse (and knowing that we're probably not going to get weapons anytime soon because of it), let's go with space magic.

If you have the Attack Ability, which you probably should, then the weapons will be as you determine you get them- such as personal nondescript weapons like a lightsaber hilt, innate abilities or martial arts, or pilfered weapons from downed enemies.

Then again, considering the vibe I'm getting already, that just might be the bare minimum to just survive.

Now I'm getting a Percy Jackson vibe from that. And I'm not that much a fan of the franchise, though I did read a fanfic featuring Kratos lore a while back.

Then again, this might go the route of Rifts: Chaos Earth if anyone's even familiar with that one. Would be interesting to see how high technology goes against supernatural threa- No, wait, too similar to DoomStar, nvm. Probably more like that Beyond the Supernatural line of sourcebooks that I never gotten around to taking a look into.

While I can see where you might get some Percy Jackson vibe from it, it's really not like that at all. That's like comparing... the Doom movie to the Doom video game. Beyond the Supernatural is more like Ghostbusters without the humor. Rifts: Chaos Earth is sort similar...

Really, as for as western stuff, probably the closest to what SMT is like is the Tales from the Crypt Movie, Demon Knight. Except taking place across an entire city instead of just one building.

The OVA Demon City Shinjuku is also pretty close to SMT vibe, as is GARO. There actually is an SMT OVA, but it's based off the original books and not the game (the games are actually a spin off). It is on YouTube if you are interested.

As for the second one, I can only surmise that we're going to be full adults in this one.

You can be whatever age you choose, but school hijinks are not going to be a focus. Algebra suddenly becomes a lot less important when trying to survive a demon apocalypse.

Yeah, sorry. I thought I might challenge you with a lower character build.

Challenging, yeah probably. Interesting, ehh it'll depend but not enough to keep up with the power curve of what those two settings are suggesting.

That is what the Monstrous Abilities would be for. If the MD Abilities are not used, then things would just have to be scaled down... Although personally I think that would be a waste.

Well, you might recall that I was able to replicate the Classic Doom monster health numbers using My Monstrous Durability ability, and I have a plan for letting the players get on equal footing with the demons, making it a bit JRPG-esque as well. But I had also worked those numbers down to 'normal' OVA levels, so there is room to go either way.

That's assuming that you're going for the original Doom demons rather than something more novel and custom. Don't recall too many scenarios where anything other than a space marine having any chance at surviving those kinds of encounters.

Of course, most scenarios are going to focus on the space marine hero, because that's how the default story goes. Throw in any other type of hero (Dark jedi, superman, hell even Link) and they'd get a chance to shine too.

[Sabersonic]

If you have the Attack Ability, which you probably should, then the weapons will be as you determine you get them- such as personal nondescript weapons like a lightsaber hilt, innate abilities or martial arts, or pilfered weapons from downed enemies.

Yeah, but considering that we're on a pleasure cruse and, unless were boarding armed not unlike Deep Rising, we're basically tourists or even spies at best (keeping in mind Corbin Dallas on the Fhloston Paradise) and have to scavenge for weapons that are either very scares for security detail weaponry or in the hands of hostiles that don't take too kindly to their weapons being taken from them only to be blasted away by 'em.

While I can see where you might get some Percy Jackson vibe from it, it's really not like that at all. That's like comparing... the Doom movie to the Doom video game. Beyond the Supernatural is more like Ghostbusters without the humor. Rifts: Chaos Earth is sort similar...

I'm guessing that it's not exactly occurring during the Apocalypse or immediate afterwards, but more like on the brink of the Apocalypse if you're using that analogy.

Really, as for as western stuff, probably the closest to what SMT is like is the Tales from the Crypt Movie, Demon Knight. Except taking place across an entire city instead of just one building.

I'm also assuming that guns are just as effective in this campaign as is in that movie?

Well, so long as you get the eyes and all that.

The OVA Demon City Shinjuku is also pretty close to SMT vibe, as is GARO. There actually is an SMT OVA, but it's based off the original books and not the game (the games are actually a spin off). It is on YouTube if you are interested.

Still trying to gauge as to when exactly where this campaign is supposedly occurs. So far, it's like a few steps towards the apocalypse or one region is fallen into the *censored* while the rest is just about to join it.

I'm only familiar with the first GARO anime so it's not too familiar with me to be a good yardstick.

You can be whatever age you choose, but school hijinks are not going to be a focus. Algebra suddenly becomes a lot less important when trying to survive a demon apocalypse.

Yeah, but I can only assume that unless there's a VERY good reason why a high school kid isn't in school, probably more prudent to go the adult scale.

That is what the Monstrous Abilities would be for. If the MD Abilities are not used, then things would just have to be scaled down... Although personally I think that would be a waste.

True, but something that advantageous is gonna be costly and with a limitation of only -15 worth of Weaknesses, it doesn't leave much in terms of rounding out one's character in terms of abilities and personality.

Of course, most scenarios are going to focus on the space marine hero, because that's how the default story goes. Throw in any other type of hero (Dark jedi, superman, hell even Link) and they'd get a chance to shine too.

Yeah, but unless I'm wrong, a good chunk of the characters that are on this Pleasure Cruise are tourists and effectively unarmed.

[Malancthon]

Yeah, but considering that we're on a pleasure cruse and, unless were boarding armed not unlike Deep Rising, we're basically tourists or even spies at best (keeping in mind Corbin Dallas on the Fhloston Paradise) and have to scavenge for weapons that are either very scares for security detail weaponry or in the hands of hostiles that don't take too kindly to their weapons being taken from them only to be blasted away by 'em.

You are the heroes. Things will work out for you unless you try too hard to not make it work. Then you're dead. Think kinda like the casino scene in Black Panther, where they still went in prepared to do stuff, just in case. However, you were probably not expecting literally Hell to erupts.

I'm guessing that it's not exactly occurring during the Apocalypse or immediate afterwards, but more like on the brink of the Apocalypse if you're using that analogy.

In either scenario, things will start like normal day.

I'm also assuming that guns are just as effective in this campaign as is in that movie?

Well, so long as you get the eyes and all that.

You are reading too much into it. I meant the vibe, the atmosphere of the stories are similar, not the mechanics.

Although, yes, guns are a viable weapon to use in the SMT games.

Still trying to gauge as to when exactly where this campaign is supposedly occurs. So far, it's like a few steps towards the apocalypse or one region is fallen into the *censored* while the rest is just about to join it.

In HMT, it would start as a normal modern day. For example, it could be during your morning when you are getting coffee at the stand. Then, suddenly demons arrive. You get stuck in the middle. You might die. But if you do, or if you luck out, you might get some demon powers of your own to try and survive this sudden new world, and maybe Ally with some of the demons (demons are a catch all term for any supernatural creature, whether it's really a fairy, an angel, a god, what have you) or do your own thing.

I'm only familiar with the first GARO anime so it's not too familiar with me to be a good yardstick.

The original GARO series is incredibly good. It's self contained and is only 25 or 26 half hour episodes. It's also the series that got Me to appreciate toku stuff, as before all I knew of the genre was Power Rangers and the I'll, which doesn't give the most positive of impressions. Nowadays I am totally invested in Toku stuff, particularly Kamen Rider, but it's all because of GARO.

Regardless, I was aiming more to give you a feeling of the type of world it is, not that it will be just like GARO.

Yeah, but I can only assume that unless there's a VERY good reason why a high school kid isn't in school, probably more prudent to go the adult scale.

Demon apocalypse would be a good reason. Another way to look at it is the beginning of a zombie movie. Usually it's normal people going along with their day when the outbreak happens. Except in this case, it's demons, and you don't have to stay normal but can get on their level to survive.

Personally, I gravitate to 20-30somethings. You could be younger, you could be older.

True, but something that advantageous is gonna be costly and with a limitation of only -15 worth of Weaknesses, it doesn't leave much in terms of rounding out one's character in terms of abilities and personality.

Probably not as much as you think. You will probably be starting with only Monstrous Destruction +1 and Monstrous Durability +1, so that'd only be two points out of your 15, unless you put them in a capsule Ability like Transformation (most likely with the HMT scenario) or in Vehicle or Gear if you want that to be your trick to level the playing field.

Also, you might not start with the Monstrous Abilities and instead gain them in story. In DoomStar, I have an idea as to how you acquire the Abilities. So those 2 points would be an in game reward, for 'leveling up'. For HMT, you would probably gain or unlock your Transformation Ability.

I confess, My own characters tend to put 8 to 10 points in 'combat' Abilities and then I spend the remaining 5 to 7 points to try and make the character, figuring role playing would make the difference in not having a ton of points in more characterful Abilities. It is what I am sort of expecting from other players, but I do want to see how other people would build their characters instead of how I would do it, which is part of what I am looking to see with this game.

Yeah, but unless I'm wrong, a good chunk of the characters that are on this Pleasure Cruise are tourists and effectively unarmed.

Yes. NPCs are. Not necessarily the player heroes.

[Sabersonic]

You are the heroes. Things will work out for you unless you try too hard to not make it work. Then you're dead. Think kinda like the casino scene in Black Panther, where they still went in prepared to do stuff, just in case. However, you were probably not expecting literally Hell to erupts.

So basically, as PCs, we're going in armed. Just not expecting demons. Okay, got ya. That's one concern answered.

In either scenario, things will start like normal day.

In HMT, it would start as a normal modern day. For example, it could be during your morning when you are getting coffee at the stand. Then, suddenly demons arrive. You get stuck in the middle. You might die. But if you do, or if you luck out, you might get some demon powers of your own to try and survive this sudden new world, and maybe Ally with some of the demons (demons are a catch all term for any supernatural creature, whether it's really a fairy, an angel, a god, what have you) or do your own thing.

So in this scenario, if we're lucky enough to survive we'd get demon powers. Again, if we're lucky enough to survive what is basically the apocalypse. And in this scenario, not only are we not expecting a demon apocalypse, but we're also unarmed.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to side with DoomStar to be honest.

You are reading too much into it. I meant the vibe, the atmosphere of the stories are similar, not the mechanics.

Although, yes, guns are a viable weapon to use in the SMT games.

Good to know, but until my PC gets said demon powers they got jack *censored* and a lot good guns are if they're not on said person.

Likin' the DoomStar scenario more and more.

Regardless, I was aiming more to give you a feeling of the type of world it is, not that it will be just like GARO.

Actually I meant that the only real exposure to the GARO franchise I got was that anime series so it's not a good enough judge for me to even guesstimate how it would be executed Tabletop-wise.

Demon apocalypse would be a good reason. Another way to look at it is the beginning of a zombie movie. Usually it's normal people going along with their day when the outbreak happens. Except in this case, it's demons, and you don't have to stay normal but can get on their level to survive.

Personally, I gravitate to 20-30somethings. You could be younger, you could be older.

Well everything going the *censored* does rule out the need to explain why a high schooler isn't in a high school during the week day. Then again, it kinda renders the whole Secret Weakness a bit moot when there's no good reason to hide the fact that your PC got powers.

Unless, IDK, the fact that these powers are possibly demonic in origin might cause people to get the wrong idea and go "mob of angry villagers" on your *censored*, then it'll probably be worth it to get Secret.

As for the age range, basically act like an idealistic collage student or undergraduate when everything goes to hell. I think I got the gist of it.

Now where did I put that mallet? I need it on my noggin' while reading the Communist Manifesto and some book praising Che Guevara to get into the right mindset.

Probably not as much as you think. You will probably be starting with only Monstrous Destruction +1 and Monstrous Durability +1, so that'd only be two points out of your 15, unless you put them in a capsule Ability like Transformation (most likely with the HMT scenario) or in Vehicle or Gear if you want that to be your trick to level the playing field.

Also, you might not start with the Monstrous Abilities and instead gain them in story. In DoomStar, I have an idea as to how you acquire the Abilities. So those 2 points would be an in game reward, for 'leveling up'. For HMT, you would probably gain or unlock your Transformation Ability.

Eh, it'll probably depend upon what I'm able to get away with on DoomStar before I fully commit the Ability to either Vehicle or Gear. As much as doing a Tony Stark/Iron Man might be, the general idea that I just might NOT get full access to it all the time gives one pause.

Speaking of which, what's the progression rate going to be for either campaign?

I confess, My own characters tend to put 8 to 10 points in 'combat' Abilities and then I spend the remaining 5 to 7 points to try and make the character, figuring role playing would make the difference in not having a ton of points in more characterful Abilities. It is what I am sort of expecting from other players, but I do want to see how other people would build their characters instead of how I would do it, which is part of what I am looking to see with this game.

Well it'll probably depend upon what the initial scenario is going to be like. Would it be one that would justify a PC to have a variety of skills to overcome obstacles with combat abilities being complimentary, or go full on tank because, well, Doom demons.

Yes. NPCs are. Not necessarily the player heroes.

Yeah, my initial concern is exactly how long will it be before our PCs are no longer "unarmed". Would it be almost immediately when the *censored* hit the fan when the demons pop out or will it be a lengthy period of time where, though we have these useful offensive combat abilities on our player profile, we don't have access to them because of some in-game reason and have to evade demons that would probably rape us until we die, eat our flesh and wear our skins as clothing and hope that we're lucky enough that it'll be in that particular order?

[Malancthon]

So, Shin Megami Tensei (roughly) means the true resurrection of the goddess. Ironically, the games have little to do with a main goddess, as SMT is actually a spin off from the Megami Tensei novels, so the goddess part became less important to the stories. I am to work on that a bit.

Meaning, in Henshin Megami Tensei (transforming goddess resurrection), you would have a goddess on your side, to help you get your demon powers. Kinda like Zordon, in a way. So there is that going for you, if HMT is chosen. Although you probably wouldn't be lucky enough to survive at first... That'd be when the goddess comes and resurrects you into half demons. So, getting screwed over would be part of the plot, but not the end of your story.

But DoomStar is perfectly fine choice, and honestly, probably easier to do. I just wanted to put out options.

I posted some sample characters in My over the top thread, to give you an idea of how I would do things. Just as a suggestion. Ky-Mal and Shadow Moon would fit in the most for DoomStar, Mal-Daguba for HMT.

[Sabersonic]

Meaning, in Henshin Megami Tensei (transforming goddess resurrection), you would have a goddess on your side, to help you get your demon powers. Kinda like Zordon, in a way. So there is that going for you, if HMT is chosen. Although you probably wouldn't be lucky enough to survive at first... That'd be when the goddess comes and resurrects you into half demons. So, getting screwed over would be part of the plot, but not the end of your story.

The first act of a protagonist is to die, now why does that sound so familiar....?

Destiny? No, we were skeletons for a long time.

In Another World With My Smartphone? No, but it does ring a bell.

Oh! I know! Konosuba-!
We're not gonna meet Aqua, are we? That didn't really end so well for Kazuma.

But DoomStar is perfectly fine choice, and honestly, probably easier to do. I just wanted to put out options.

Yeah, DoomStar seems more like the better campaign setting idea out of the two of them.

I posted some sample characters in My over the top thread, to give you an idea of how I would do things. Just as a suggestion. Ky-Mal and Shadow Moon would fit in the most for DoomStar, Mal-Daguba for HMT.

Well took a look at Ky-Mal and Shadow Moon, and it seems like Tokusatsu pretty much follow the campaign no matter the setting.

Granted, there's the whole Lovecraftian/Kirby supernatural element in some of their backstories, but its pretty much par the course.

[Malancthon]

The first act of a protagonist is to die, now why does that sound so familiar....?

Destiny? No, we were skeletons for a long time.

In Another World With My Smartphone? No, but it does ring a bell.

Oh! I know! Konosuba-!
We're not gonna meet Aqua, are we? That didn't really end so well for Kazuma.

I'm not familiar with Konosuba, but it is a common enough trope that I thought it would work to 'sell' the Monstrous Abilities.

Well took a look at Ky-Mal and Shadow Moon, and it seems like Tokusatsu pretty much follow the campaign no matter the setting.

Granted, there's the whole Lovecraftian/Kirby supernatural element in some of their backstories, but its pretty much par the course.

Ky-Mal, not so much other than he likes wearing alien looking armor, and that'd be like trying to say Boba Fett or Kylo Ren are Toku too.

But yes, Toku is sort of My thing, so it'll just be something I tend to do, either as a player or a GM. It's kind of a rabbit hole, once you get into Toku, man...