Episode OOC

[Antman9]

OK. I've got a couple new threads up and, most importantly, the steps I believe everyone needs to post their response / Raise the Stakes rolls for Beat 1 (see The Next Step thread). Use this thread to ask/address any issues/questions you have from The Next Step thread.

[FantasyChic]

I'd like someone who understands this to post first, so I get a sense of what to do, because as someone who has never played this system before, it's a lot to take in at once.

[Antman9]

I don't blame you FC. I can't even tell you how many hours I've put into reading and taking notes on this system, and I still have to keep referring back to my notes. Just one of those things that takes certain folk (like me who can never remember anything unless they use it everyday) to get the hang of.

I'll put together a sample post or two here in the next couple of hours or so. That might help other folks too.

[Marullus]

Okay, reading "the Next Step" for the fifth time.

I think calling for Flashbacks is -always- a good thing. Mechanically, I think that it just means that the GM awards the free d8 asset to the next roll for that PC, which is the sum of the rules. There's an array of asset options (even just "Do Better This Time d8"), but I am sure one will present itself as a natural out growth of the scene.

I think we are waiting for Rusty to do Roscoe's flashback first? Or Jack to do the Beat 1?

If Rusty is supposed to name another PC to share the flashback, I am game for it being Jesse. It generates a much stronger tie, as we were aboard a destroyed ship together. Would it also trigger his War Stories option?

Those of us without Fly could potentially help with Operate, right? Lending help to Percy?

I like Milly and Jesse focusing on finding the lasers, too. Do we do that in beat 1 or a later beat? Does it preclude helping Percy?

[Antman9]

Okay, reading "the Next Step" for the fifth time.

Yep there was a lot there. Those should get shorter as we get the hang of this thing.

I think we are waiting for Rusty to do Roscoe's flashback first? Or Jack to do the Beat 1?

I think it could go either way. Personally I like the idea of them both happening at the same time. I can visualize Roscoe wigging out over the ship being hit, bringing back memories of the ship he was on going up in flames, right when the shuttle begins it's tailspin. Basically a bad flashback. I feel like Flashbacks can come in various flavors from good ones to bad ones.

I picture him going off while the shuttle is spinning, during a mess of chaos (sort of), which won't necessarily help the others, but makes for a good scene, adds to the drama Technically they are happening at the same time. The tailspin causes the flashback and forces Percy to adjust for the loss of the engine, both at the same time. But I'm ok with the two parts happening separately, to make it easier to keep track of for folks in PBP.

A Beat can consist of one single action, or a host of them, depending on the scenario/situation. In this case i feel like there would be multiple things happening at the same time (flashback, stabilize ship, figure out what hit them in case it might happen again, thus allowing for evasive maneuvers sooner rather than later, but by different crewmembers.

If Rusty is supposed to name another PC to share the flashback, I am game for it being Jesse. It generates a much stronger tie, as we were aboard a destroyed ship together. Would it also trigger his War Stories option?

I agree, having that tie would make a stronger bond. Roscoe freaking out, and reliving the event might very well garner sympathy (at least to the degree that a Special Forces soldier would feel) toward Roscoe. This could lead to two complications simultaneously (thanks for pointing that out, I missed that), one trigger the other. That would also crest the bond between them, and thus an asset, so when they are together, or close to one another during a situation that might trigger bad memories, or even anger, the two can support each other (in a manly fashion of course).

Those of us without Fly could potentially help with Operate, right? Lending help to Percy?

Yes. I think I talked about folks with a Fly of d6 or higher assisting the pilot and co-pilot, but you're right, Operate makes more sense as they would be providing info for the two pilots to make corrections, or adjusting system resources to help compensate. Thanks Marullus. This is definitely a learning experience for us.

I like Milly and Jesse focusing on finding the lasers, too. Do we do that in beat 1 or a later beat? Does it preclude helping Percy

I addressed this in No. 3 in The Next Step thread. Milly and Jesse could definitely try, but the stakes the GM rolls will be higher dice due to the spinning.

3) Milly & Jesse

Being intelligent, investigative types, they might try to ascertain the source of that stray flash of light, using ship sensors and whatnot. This is where Jesse could track where the flash of light comes from, as long as sensors are on line (haven’t been taken out by a complication). Milly and/or Jesse might notice something distinct about the flash, it’s direction, size, color, etc.

The GM set the stakes at: 14
Difficulty Die: Challenging d8
Trait Die: World’s a’spinnin’ d10
Complication 2: Shuttle Tailspin d6

Difficulty [1d8] = 4, Trait [1d10] = 10, Complication [1d6] = 1

Raising the Stakes
Using the Landing Your Boat scenario from pg 45 (see below), as this was the closest scenario I could find, we get the following Dice Pool:

Jesse
Mental d10
Operate d8 (Jesse)
Veteran of the Unification War d8 (Alliance Navy, Special Forces, he’s seen one or two firefights, not likely to miss something like a laser being fired at him)

Milly
Mental d8
Notice d10
Not Your average Detective d8 (she has an eye for noticing things others might miss)

Regardless of what folks want to do they'd have to pick one type of action per Beat (at least for Beat 1). It wouldn't be feasible to try and ascertain the source of the flash, and help the pilots, and partake in a flashback, during Beat 1 considering the circumstances.

I'm confident this will get easier as we move forward, once we learn the ins and outs of it.

[Marullus]

Rephrasing my question:
What order do you want to narrate them in so we can focus and know what to post first?

If we narrate helping Percy with the Tailspin first, do we lose any opportunity regarding the flash?

I thought the Flashback was in his head and thus a narrative device. You are describing him taking real-time wigging out and reliving it, which is a very different thing. Which way are we doing it? (I.e. "I remember when" flashback versus "bad acid trip" flashback?)

That would also crest the bond between them, and thus an asset, so when they are together, or close to one another during a situation that might trigger bad memories, or even anger, the two can support each other (in a manly fashion of course).

I didn't think it was a persistent Signature Asset being created... a normal asset only lasts for one scene, right? We need to spend another PP to keep it for the episode, right?

[Antman9]

Rephrasing my question:
What order do you want to narrate them in so we can focus and know what to post first?

Ok, I'm hearing you say you prefer to keep things very ordered, so as to not confuse things, especially since we are all new to this rule set. Is that correct? Or is it that you want to keep things more formal/organized. I'm cool with either way. In my head I see them all happening at the same time/Beat.

If we narrate helping Percy with the Tailspin first, do we lose any opportunity regarding the flash?

Yes/No ?!
Depends on how we are perceiving the event/Beat. I see them as happening at the same moment in time. So we could do one then the other, sort of a Beat 1A, Beat 1B sort of thing. Then all the actions happen at the same time, as far as the current Beat is concerned. Or are you seeing/interpreting this differently? I'm open to discussing it If you wait too long to try and figure out where the flash came form then you might be at risk of being distracted/loosing the advantage of having the visual information fresh in your character's head, and thereby interpret incorrectly. That is probably over complicating it a bit, but hopefully it makes sense?

Here is how I see Beats playing out in PBP. The GM makes a Sets the Stakes post and then the Crewmembers go through their Raising the Stakes portion. Beats only happen when the outcome of the story is uncertain. A Beat can consist of a single post by a crewmember or multiple post (my interpretation). A Beat can last seconds or multiple days according to the rules. The GM's job is to detail, for the players, what the Beat should accomplish, what it means to the crew(member).

Code: Select all

BEATS
All Actions happen in the space of a beat, the smallest unit of time in an Episode. Beats don’t have a fixed length; they last just long enough for a Crewmember to take a single Action with one roll. Some beats last for days or weeks—like when Wash pilots Serenity across the black while avoidin’ Alliance cruisers—while other beats last a few seconds. There are no fixed number of beats in a scene. Their primary function is to help you keep track of how the Action flows from scene to scene.

You don’t have to spell out the precise length of a beat to your players before they roll the dice. However, it can be useful to give your players an estimate of what that beat means. Will Jayne’s roll resolve the entire bar fight? Or just one punch that Zoe’ll throw? You’ll also want to spend some time thinking about the roll’s stakes—is this a high stakes roll that could result in someone being Taken Out?

I thought the Flashback was in his head and thus a narrative device. You are describing him taking real-time wigging out and reliving it, which is a very different thing. Which way are we doing it? (I.e. "I remember when" flashback versus "bad acid trip" flashback?)

Hmmm...

Code: Select all

[u]Flashback[/u]
A flashback is a special Asset that relates to a [u][i]mini-scene[/i][/u] from a Crewmember’s past. The Gamemaster can call for a flashback scene any time a Crewmember creates an Asset by spending a Plot Point—especially when the Asset represents previous experiences or points out resources that might’ve had a powerful impact on the Crewmember. The Gamemaster can only call for one flashback scene per character per Episode.

When you create a flashback Asset, pick at least one other Crewmember to be involved in the flashback miniscene. Working with the other Crewmember, play out what happened in your past. The Episode’s main plot will pause to give your fellow players the chance to see what really happened. Once the flashback is over, step up the Asset you created by one die type. If the mini-scene is really interesting, the Gamemaster can opt to give you back your Plot Point, so pour your heart into it!

So, I hear you saying the Flashback is a "miniscene," something from the past that is just in the crewmember's head, but not in reality. I see that in the rules description. It pauses the main plot "to give your fellow players the chance to see what really happened." My only concern with that is, because we are playing PBP and not tabletop, the other players are doing nothing until the miniscene is over. I'm ok with that as long as the others are as well. My thought was that by incorporating it, partially, into the reality of the scene, that it adds drama, realism, and color to the scene while allowing things to keep moving. And in reality, even though in a TV show the main plot stops, things around a miniscene would continue to happen. At the table you would have to stop play and do the miniscene, but in PBP you have the option of doing mutliple things at once and still have them make sense.

I guess the difference is, in TV the miniscene is a device to interject additional background/historical information to inform the audience (plot device) since they're just watching anyway, and I'm going a step further, for PBP sake, and interpreting a flashback as more of a dramatic element, that also adds background/historical elements.

I am fine sticking to the way the rule set intended. How do we feel about this?

That would also crest the bond between them, and thus an asset, so when they are together, or close to one another during a situation that might trigger bad memories, or even anger, the two can support each other (in a manly fashion of course).

I didn't think it was a persistent Signature Asset being created... a normal asset only lasts for one scene, right? We need to spend another PP to keep it for the episode, right?

Yep, assets created during play remain active for that Act/Scene, or you can spend a PP to keep it active for the entire Episode. You can also make an asset permanent during the Advancing Your Character phase at the end of the Episode.

Code: Select all

ASSETS (PG 237)
Assets are created during play by taking advantage of items in the existing environment or other resources such as people and places. Spending 1 plot point creates an asset, such as a Pile of Crates or a Friend. The asset must help you accomplish a certain/specific Action. Describe how your crewmember uses the asset to accomplish their action and add an extra d6 to the dice pool. If you plan to use a specific asset more than once, you can spend an additional Plot Point and use it for an entire Episode.

Also: Signature Assets are created by adding them at the time of character creation or by turning an Asset from an Episode into a Signature Asset by advancing your character.

[Jack]

I think we are waiting for Rusty to do [Bosco]'s flashback first? Or Jack to do the Beat 1?

I've asked Quaid in a message if he'll lend Edmund's d8 fly skill die for my recovery roll attempt. Bosco's flashback can happen at the same time as Percy's attempt at a recovery roll.

Can recovery rolls only be made once per scene for a complication by a single PC, or can other PCs also attempt a recovery for the same complication in that scene? If someone helped by lending a die for another PC doing the recovery roll, can the lender then attempt a recovery roll if the other PC failed, and if so can they 1st PC lend a die to the 2nd PC?

[Antman9]

I think we are waiting for Rusty to do [Bosco]'s flashback first? Or Jack to do the Beat 1?

I've asked Quaid in a message if he'll lend Edmund's d8 fly skill die for my recovery roll attempt. Bosco's flashback can happen at the same time as Percy's attempt at a recovery roll.

Can recovery rolls only be made once per scene for a complication by a single PC, or can other PCs also attempt a recovery for the same complication in that scene? If someone helped by lending a die for another PC doing the recovery roll, can the lender then attempt a recovery roll if the other PC failed, and if so can they 1st PC lend a die to the 2nd PC?

Presently the Complication is Shuttle Tailspin d6 with the Stakes set at 11. So even if you fail the Recovery roll, you may still succeed, as long as you don’t roll a jinx. So the object in this case is to beat the 11 with 2 dice, unless you are able to Keep an additional die from your pool and add it to your total after you roll by spending a PP. So having additional dice in the dice pool will increase your chances of succeeding. Get a Jinx and fail, and things could go from bad to worse.

Yes, Recovery Rolls for the most part can only be performed once per scene. However, as long as there aren’t extenuating circumstances that physically prevent the complication from being removed, I see no reason why another person couldn’t try, as long as they didn’t participate in the first attempt, as long as the Recovery attempt is physically possible given the circumstances.

I was also thinking about the simultaneous Flashback/Recovery roll scenario, and feel that in a situation like this (just an option), that Bosco could help with the recovery roll and perform the flashback at the same time. In doing so, Bosco would need to step back his assisting die once to reflect the severity of his bad war memory on the current circumstances, unless Jesse could perform and assist by performing a flashback as well, but using it to help Bosco cope, then Bosco could use his normal die. Wow! That was complicated. The rules don't state this, but I feel as though it applies to the situation, realistically. It would also apply to good/beneficial flashbacks as well. This is assuming we are playing the rules loosely for Flashbacks, instead of just as they state. Which I think we should probably vote on (if one person says nay, then the vote would be Nay).

Code: Select all

MAKING A RECOVERY ROLL
You don’t have to wait for the Gamemaster to roll an Opportunity to try and remove a Complication. If you want to get out from under the Complication’s negative effects, you (or another Crewmember) can put together a recovery roll with the appropriate Attribute, Skill, etc. against a dice pool featuring the Complication and a difficulty die.

 If your recovery roll is successful, remove the Complication completely. If you fail, step back the Complication die one step to represent the progress you’ve made patching up a broken limb or smoothing things over with the local color. Remember: any d6 Complications stepped back to a d4 are fully recovered and you can remove them from play. As long you don’t roll any jinxes, you’ll be shiny! Well...shinier.

There are a few limits on recovery rolls—you may only attempt to remove a Complication once per scene and the GM may rule that it’s impossible for you to attempt a recovery roll in your current situation. It’s pretty tough to clean up an Acid Spill d8 without the proper gear to mop up the mess. It’s even harder to get a bullet wound patched up when you’re tied up and stuck in the middle of a desert.

It’s also possible that you roll a jinx on a recovery roll, resulting in a worsenin’ situation. If you roll a jinx on a successful recovery roll, the GM can hand over a Plot Point to introduce a new Complication related to the old one—your Broken Arm d8 is now a Splinted Limb d6. If you roll a jinx on a failed roll, your Complication gets worse by one step for every jinx you rolled—and the GM doesn’t have to pay you any Plot Points at all, just like a botch.

[Marullus]

Ok, I'm hearing you say you prefer to keep things very ordered, so as to not confuse things, especially since we are all new to this rule set. Is that correct? Or is it that you want to keep things more formal/organized. I'm cool with either way. In my head I see them all happening at the same time/Beat.

We have a half dozen things happening, nobody comfortable with the system, and a "beats" situation where acting with dice has a high cost. We have had this up for a week with no IC posts, but three players have commented they want others to go first. I am not comfortable posting either, not being a primary actor in the first beat and not knowing if helping now limits opportunities.

So, my suggestion is that the GM script closely so we can get the hang of it. If I know I am building a flashback with Rusty, I can post. If I know I am using Operate to help Jack end a tailspin, I can post. If I am leading an action with Milly to find the blast source, I can post. But right now I do not know what to do.

[FantasyChic]

I believe Antman said something about a "sample post" as a reference. I just don't want to screw up as I've never did this game type before. I would be ok with going first if I had a reference to look at. Also I don't know how the dice pools work right off the back so I'd have to look that up as well.

I hope this isn't the end of this, I am willing to try this and I am sure with time we'll all be better versed, but we need SOME type of help to get started.

[Antman9]

Sorry folks, I hope everyone isn't getting too upset just yet. My apologies to Marullus and everyone else if I have dropped the ball. Certainly not my intention. I am just about finished with a new The Next Step post that addresses, hopefully, everyone's concerns.

FC,
I was doing a bit of research and decided how best to address your concerns. I am in the process of creating a new post presently.

Marullus,
My sincere apologies if I have offended you. I didn’t realize you and others were getting frustrated. My intent was to ensure we understood the ruleset and keep everyone in the loop. So let’s just go ahead and start simple, and take things from there shall we?

I will remove the Flashback from Beat 1, as it adds too much confusion presently. We can add it back in after the chaos has settled. So first let’s deal with the Complication.

I will make The Next Step post here in a few minutes. I think it will assist everyone in making their first post for Beat 1.

Please, in the future, if you feel frustrated or upset about something, don't hesitate to speak up. Send a PM if you don't feel comfortable posting to the public. I am always open and willing to adjust my practices and policies to meet the needs of the group. My opinion is RPG games aren't just driven my the GM, they are a collaboration between the GM and all the players. Everyone should be having fun, if they aren't then something needs to change (not the player changing to meet the desires of the GM).

Sincerely
Antman9 (Marc)

[Antman9]

Ok, the revised Next Step post is up. I think it makes things fairly clear. If not let me know what I can do to make things clearer. I'll do my best to keep things simple. I know it seems complicated, but after awhile it gets easier (once you've read through the rules 15 times)

Thank you for your patience
Antman9 (Marc)

[Marullus]

No worries - I am not upset at all. I intended that to be constructive feedback and offer my apologies that it was brusque. I jotted it off during a brief break amidst my kid's chaos.

For those who plan to lend a die, add the die roll to your post.

Do we state the die so it is rolled together by the recipient, or do you want the lender to roll it?

[Antman9]

No worries - I am not upset at all. I intended that to be constructive feedback and offer my apologies that it was brusque. I jotted it off during a brief break amidst my kid's chaos.

Well, now that I re-read it, it doesn't sound so bad. Makes perfect sense with how you describe typing it. Don;t I feel silly now. Anyway, thanks for speaking your mind Marullus. Very much appreciated.

Do we state the die so it is rolled together by the recipient, or do you want the lender to roll it?

I was thinking the lender would roll their own die, that way there is less coordination to be done for Jack's post. Jack should be able to easily see who rolled what and determine if he needs to keep additional dice with a PP. It should be fairly easy to determine the highest two dice.

[FantasyChic]

I'm still unsure how die rolls work. And again, I'd very much like someone else to post first so I can get a feeling on what I should be doing. I hate holding things back, but I truly am lost as to what this system is like.

[Antman9]

I'm still unsure how die rolls work. And again, I'd very much like someone else to post first so I can get a feeling on what I should be doing. I hate holding things back, but I truly am lost as to what this system is like.

No problem FC. I am going to ask Jack to make the initial roll to get things started. Do have an idea of what you want your crewmember to do? Are yo planning on assisting as Co-Pilot, and let Edmund assist with Operate? That seems to make the most sense given the stats you both have on those skills.

[FantasyChic]

Yeah, I will probably do that.

[Antman9]

Yeah, I will probably do that.

So basically just follow the instructions below. If you want to wait until Jack has made his post that's cool too:

POST FORMAT
Your post should be in the standard PBP format:

• First line should be your crewmember’s name and title (i.e. Zhào Percy – Ship Captain)
• Follow this with your crewmember’s action and any dialog you feel is appropriate.
• Next should be any dice rolls

For the action and dialog section you will want to describe, in as much detail as you can, what your crewmember is doing. You don’t need to write a book, but you do want to provide enough information that the GM and other players know exactly what you are doing/implying/trying to get across. If you post a short one liner, it may get misinterpreted by the GM or other players and lead to confusion. Try to portray, through words, how your crewmember reacts to the situation through actions, dialog, posture, etc.

Pilot & Co-Pilot
The Pilot and Co-Pilot will describe how they are trying to stabilize the shuttle. As a player you might describe the steps you take (this is all made up so just wing it). They might even shout orders to other crewmembers, such as “Divert power to starboard thrusters” etc. For those who plan to lend a die, add the die roll to your post.

The Co-Pilot (Milly) will simply have their Lend Fly [1d8] roll. (they will roll it in their own post, as apposed to having Jack roll it)

Example Roll

• Lend Fly [1d8] = 3

[Zhym]

Can Gideon add a Notice roll on the nature of the flash, or is he so far out of his element that he's just a passenger?