[OOC] [Mage: the Awakening 2E] The Supernal Suburbia

[rwknoll]

Been busy with work, posting soon!

Totally understand. I've had a pretty busy week myself. Hoping to catch up on the last few posts today.

[crapcarp]

Sorry Ragnar, but Obsessions are a bitch.

[rwknoll]

I keep trying to work on a post but work has been crazy this week. Sorry. I have stuff in drafts, and might be able to post tonight, but could be some other time this weekend...we'll see. Sorry all!

Also, FYI, I feel like the core book is unclear about which situations give Beats vs. Arcane Beats. It implies that turning a failure into a dramatic failure on a spellcasting roll is the only type of roll that gives an Arcane Beat, but I feel like anything supernatural or based on Gnosis, including Revelation/Scrutiny rolls, should give Arcane Beats and supernatural Conditions. I don't remember if that's what I've done in the past or not, but moving forward, I think it makes most sense for anything purely or primarily magical -- spellcasting, Mage Sight, etc. -- to generate Arcane Beats rather than Beats.

If I'm wrong about this, let me know!

[Caladriu]

Also, FYI, I feel like the core book is unclear about which situations give Beats vs. Arcane Beats. It implies that turning a failure into a dramatic failure on a spellcasting roll is the only type of roll that gives an Arcane Beat, but I feel like anything supernatural or based on Gnosis, including Revelation/Scrutiny rolls, should give Arcane Beats and supernatural Conditions. I don't remember if that's what I've done in the past or not, but moving forward, I think it makes most sense for anything purely or primarily magical -- spellcasting, Mage Sight, etc. -- to generate Arcane Beats rather than Beats.

If I'm wrong about this, let me know!

When I dramatic failed a Scrutiny roll about Alux you granted a regular Beat, but I strongly agree this way is better. Arcane Beats are generally supposed to be linked to supernatural stuff. I'm also in favor of more arcane and accursed and mystical Conditions coming from those and spellcasting failures.

Unrelated: I just saw Dr. Strange and it's got me really excited to do some wild CGI-heavy stuff with Space and Time, and also to buy more Space and Time dots so that's actually possible.

[crapcarp]

I certainly wouldn't mind getting an Arcane Beat for the dramatic failure.

[Haberdasher]

I certainly wouldn't mind getting an Arcane Beat for the dramatic failure.

Chronicles of Darkness tumblrs are the best. I've seen Vampire and Hunter ones, but no Mage ones before.

[rwknoll]

When I dramatic failed a Scrutiny roll about Alux you granted a regular Beat, but I strongly agree this way is better. Arcane Beats are generally supposed to be linked to supernatural stuff. I'm also in favor of more arcane and accursed and mystical Conditions coming from those and spellcasting failures.

Unrelated: I just saw Dr. Strange and it's got me really excited to do some wild CGI-heavy stuff with Space and Time, and also to buy more Space and Time dots so that's actually possible.

Yeah, feel free to exchange that for an Arcane Beat if you prefer! I'll give you the choice because I'm changing the ruling now.

I saw Dr. Strange last week and forgot to post here, but he is totally a Mastigos! I really liked the movie.

Tumblr is great. Thanks for the early morning laugh.

Post will be delayed more...I'm busy visiting with family and friends today and fell asleep last night before I could get around to writing it. Sorry. I'll try to chip away at it in my down time.

[Haberdasher]

Edit: forgot that a critical failure on a Revelation roll makes further Revelation and Scrutiny rolls impossible for 24 hours. Oh well.

[Thorbes]

So, will we all discuss IC the forming of the cabal, later this scene? Personally, besides talking between us, I don't have anything left I want to do there.

[rwknoll]

So, will we all discuss IC the forming of the cabal, later this scene? Personally, besides talking between us, I don't have anything left I want to do there.

Yep, that's the plan. Trying to provide a space for that and encourage it. I have most of my IC post drafted, have been chipping away at it this weekend but there's a lot to write and I've been busy with family and friend social gatherings. Thanks for your patience, everyone!

[Caladriu]

Thanks for taking the time to write at length! If we're about to be just talking amongst ourselves for a bit, it should be less of a load on you.

For anyone playing along at home, Awake is an actual place: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sain...cago,+IL+60642

What I'm hoping to do is use Allies 3 to get a training session with Ghost Dog, as an excuse to be (re) introduced to the Brotherhood of the Demon Wind and also buy up some traits: +1 Professional Training and either Gnosis or Space, haven't decided yet. Mechanics-wise, I also want to buy it as a Weaponry service (on page 228) to get a +2 equipment bonus for the fight against Alux. Is that all good?

[rwknoll]

Thanks for taking the time to write at length! If we're about to be just talking amongst ourselves for a bit, it should be less of a load on you.

For anyone playing along at home, Awake is an actual place: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sain...cago,+IL+60642

What I'm hoping to do is use Allies 3 to get a training session with Ghost Dog, as an excuse to be (re) introduced to the Brotherhood of the Demon Wind and also buy up some traits: +1 Professional Training and either Gnosis or Space, haven't decided yet. Mechanics-wise, I also want to buy it as a Weaponry service (on page 228) to get a +2 equipment bonus for the fight against Alux. Is that all good?

Good grief do you know how to get the most mileage out of those merits! :P

Yeah, that all sounds cool. I generally am pretty lax on requirements for needing to justify what you want to buy XP on, except when it's a merit that very clearly relates to status or social relationships, in which case I want it at least referenced somehow IC. This all sounds good to me.

But seriously, have you been planning this stuff out for ages or is your mastery of the core rules just that good? If you ever decide to run a Werewolf the Forsaken 2E or your own Mage 2E game (or even Vampire or Hunter) on these forums, let me know! I feel like you would do an awesome job.

[Caladriu]

Thanks! It's a little bit of "planned it out for ages", I don't get to play Mage very often and I'm super excited that you're giving me a chance to, it's one of my favorite RPGs. I made a document back when we started with some stuff I wanted to do with Moonstone, and I've added to it as we've played. I also see stuff when I'm doing prep for my home game and make a note of what I might do as a player. Like I saw the services/equipment bonus thing a few weeks ago and wrote down what I want to do now. But I'm also just a big ol' nerd who reads RPG books for fun and retains a lot of it.

I've thought about running something on this or another board, but I don't think I have time to do it well and I never know if there will be enough players. If I did it would probably be Mage or Hunter, but I prefer running in real time since it's easier to manage the time allotment for me that way.

The way you run this game with 6 players and keep the pace moving is seriously inspiring, I've never played a PBP game that went on this long and consistently stayed active. Sincerely, thank you for taking the time to run this, it's brought all of us a lot of joy and fun!

[rwknoll]

Thank you so much for the kind and positive feedback. My schedule and lifestyle lately simply don't allow for weekly (or probably even monthly) in-person sessions, and my wife doesn't enjoy or find any interest in these games, so I have turned to PBP games to scratch that itch without taking away from my time with her or other friends. I also have struggled as a Storyteller with in-person games before. I think my strengths are in exposition and creating an engaging universe, while my primary growth area right now is being able to generate exciting conflict and improvise on my feet; PBP games have been a good way for me to use my strengths while get opportunities to develop in the other areas I think I'm lacking.

Mainly, I have been trying to keep the game exciting and well-paced by just listening to what you all want to do, creating situations that require action, and making sure my posts give you something to think about or respond to. I'm glad that this one has been working well.

I think you will generally have no problem finding players -- I had more than twice as many people ask to play in this game than I could reasonably accommodate. But then there's the attrition rate, too, you never know how many will stick. I still think it's more fun to have access to games than not, but that's just me. If you're on the fence about it, I always recommend giving it a shot. You can always tell people up front that it might be a slower game, and if it doesn't work out, no harm.

[Caladriu]

crapcarp leaving the invitation open to see if Phoenix wants to join or go pursue his Obsession, otherwise I can move us along to the cafe