The Matrix: Refactored (Interest Check)

[Datawych]

  So do we build two diferent sheets?  One for inside the matrix and one for outside of it? 

  Should we stick pretty close to what the characters in the movies were capable of?  Or can we diversify a bit? 

  Well, I guess the kids at the oracles house showed that there was  alot more possible by bending the rules of the matrix than just chambara.

In short... Yes. There will be more 'potentials' - those with the ability to manipulate the Matrix in a specific, very-hard-to-replicate way. The impression I got from the trilogy was that every single person the humans freed had the potential to be the One. Each of them was capable of SOMETHING that made the humans want to free them. Noctis is still in the early stages of development, so they are more than willing to appreciate ANY ability to manipulate the Matrix as something to be valued. Think of the Apostles; people who were capable of great things, without necessarily being the Messiah.

Definitely feel free to diversify, but considering that you're the first player interested with a knowledge of Hero, be aware that I was planning on working with people to develop abilities. Hopefully to make sure that noone becomes unbalanced, but also so that I'm 100% aware of what I'm going to be dealing with.

As for character sheets; that's what Multiform is for. I haven't yet decided exactly how powerful I want the humans to be in the real world, but Multiform will allow a character with the ability to enter the Matrix to build a stronger, faster, idealized version of themselves, capable of things that would be impossible in the real world. Look into Multiform, particularly with a -1 limitation 'Only in the Matrix'. That way, as you increase the power of your Matrix avatar, you're weakening your real-world self. Remember, a trueborn will be significantly more talented in the real world.

Matrix Avatar

Multiform (250 Character Points in the most expensive form), Inherent (+1/4) (62 Active Points); Limited Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only in the Matrix; -1)

^^^^ Something like that.

[Datawych]

Yeah, those look like the sort of skills I'd take. I often tend towards support roles in games, often playing the cleric or craftsperson.

You might want to look into being an operator, then. They'd have plenty of special abilities that would make it easier for those currently in the Matrix to do what they need to.

An ability that allows them to reset another character's Skill Loader, skills to let them interpret the Matrix's code (and thus give their allies increased reconnaissance on what's going on around them), etc.

[ebpohmr]

You might want to look into being an operator, then. They'd have plenty of special abilities that would make it easier for those currently in the Matrix to do what they need to.

You know that's actually a pretty cool idea, so I'll say operator for now then. :)

[Datawych]

You know that's actually a pretty cool idea, so I'll say operator for now then. :)

Also as a true born human, you'd probably be better with skills like mechanics/electronics/computers/etc.

[kckolbe]

I guess I would like my character to have the ability to mime opening a door and then walk through the wall as though a door was there.

Also, do characters have to be specialists?

[Datawych]

I guess I would like my character to have the ability to mime opening a door and then walk through the wall as though a door was there.

Also, do characters have to be specialists?

Well, all of them would be especially good at something. Some trait that qualifies them to crew one of the ships.

[Muse]

  Is it too soon to start creating characters? 

  And are we using the rules where we have to pay character points for teh tools we own? 

  Maybe an apropriate power would be, "We need guns."  :) 

[Datawych]

  Is it too soon to start creating characters? 

  And are we using the rules where we have to pay character points for teh tools we own? 

  Maybe an apropriate power would be, "We need guns."  :)

I have a vpp for that, actually.

It might be a bit early to make a full character, though. I still need to figure out how strong the PCs should be.

[Muse]

Okay.  :)  Let me know when.  I'm looking at maybe using one of the concepts I sometimes reuse. 

Or maybe I have enough instances of her running around right now... 

I was thinking of maybe somew how--instead of searching the Web for the question, "What is the matrix," of an athlete who pushed themselves so far that--like the track star in the animatrix--she started to bend the digital reality--and see through it--before she was unplugged. 

[Datawych]

Do characters have to be specialists?

Actually, now that I think of it, there's no reason you couldn't play someone who's just recently been unplugged, or is even unplugged as the story begins. You could be temporarily aboard a ship until it returns to Noctis, then do something to make the Captain invite you to stay.

I'm not yet sure how I'd implement that, though... Would you be okay with playing a character built on fewer Character Points? If not, I'll think about what traits you could have that would offset your inexperience with the real world.

[kckolbe]

Actually, now that I think of it, there's no reason you couldn't play someone who's just recently been unplugged, or is even unplugged as the story begins. You could be temporarily aboard a ship until it returns to Noctis, then do something to make the Captain invite you to stay.

I'm not yet sure how I'd implement that, though... Would you be okay with playing a character built on fewer Character Points? If not, I'll think about what traits you could have that would offset your inexperience with the real world.

That would make sense, and potentially be a lot of fun as well.  I'll PM you with an idea.

[Datawych]

Okay, so at this point, the next step is figuring out who the Captain is. I'll also post an example character sheet (bio/backstory/etc-style character sheet... we'll get to mechanics sheets when we get to them)

[Neomah]

How would the PM thing work? It sounds kinda clunky when there's threads and forums to post the game in, instead of trying to do text through PMs.

[Datawych]

How would the PM thing work? It sounds kinda clunky when there's threads and forums to post the game in, instead of trying to do text through PMs.

Text through PMs in what context...?

[Muse]

  I was wondering that too. 

[Datawych]

I was wondering that too.

Okay, I'm confused...

What 'PM thing'?

[Neomah]

Whoops, looks like I got mixed up with games. My bad. Which board would this be on? How will it be played?

[Datawych]

No volunteers for Captain? You get to (theoretically) boss everyone else around!

Whoops, looks like I got mixed up with games. My bad. Which board would this be on? How will it be played?

Probably 'Extreme: Small Groups'. Guaranteed, there's gonna be non-sexual violence, so I figure it's easier to put the game on a board where that won't rustle any jimmies.

Non-combat stuff will be free form (more or less - some people might have Matrix abilities that affect non-combat situations), and combat encounters that are actually threats (so probably not in-Matrix police and the like, unless there's a LOT of them) will use turns like any pen-and-paper RPG.

No posting order except for in combat. Unless it becomes clear to me that we really, really need one.

As of right now, it looks like the only volunteers for specific roles are Ebpohmr as an Operator and Kckolbe as a non-Captain crew member.

[Muse]

  I could do captain, then.  :) 

  What's the gender spread among the characters right now? 

[Datawych]

  I could do captain, then.  :) 

  What's the gender spread among the characters right now?

No idea. Neomah's character is (correct me if I'm wrong) female, but may or may not have a male RSI. Other than that, no one has vocalized the gender of their characters.

[kckolbe]

Was planning on male here.

[Muse]

  Okay, I'll bring us a captain. 

  Her name will be...  Nox?  Phobe?  Maybe something that specificly speaks of shadows... 

[Datawych]

  Okay, I'll bring us a captain. 

  Her name will be...  Nox?  Phobe?  Maybe something that specificly speaks of shadows...

Umbra, Penumbra, Eclipse, Shroud, Shade, Dusk, Nebula, Soot, Cloud, some version of Somber, Gloom, Ink, Shadow, Tenebr(a)ous, Blur, Nox, Nyx, Nacht/Noct, Shalim, Apep, Nepthys, Asteria, Achlys, Selene, Ratri, Rahu, Breksta, Diana, Luna, Cthon/Cthona...

[Muse]

Tenebra!  That's perfect.

Do you know how you want us to build yet? 

[Datawych]

Tenebra!  That's perfect.

Do you know how you want us to build yet?

I'm thinking 150 point Heroic with 40 points of complications... Somewhere in between Standard humans and Heroic ones. However, for Matrix-born characters, a lot of your character points should be spent on the ability to jack in and on powering up your Residual Self-Image. Your real-world selves are subject to a characteristic maxima; you're normal humans. Highly skilled humans, perhaps, but still.. just humans.

Mundane items are free, but you'll need to pay for any specialized real-life gear/weapons. In the Matrix, you gotta pay for everything.

Something like this:

Matrix Connection Port - 10 Character Points

Extra-Dimensional Movement (Single Dimension), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points); Limited Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only to hardline locations, physical body remains behind, physical body is vulnerable to damage taken in the Matrix; -1), OIF (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, Only to Activate, -1/4)

Residual Self-Image - 30 Character Points

Multiform (250 Character Points in the most expensive form), Inherent (+1/4) (62 Active Points); Limited Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only in the Matrix, requires a broadcast chair, requires an operator; -1), Extra Time (Full Phase, Only to Activate, -1/4)

If anyone wants a stronger (or weaker) RSI, just let me know and I can adjust the values for you.

Anyone with character-building experience, please note that as Residual Self-Image has [Only in the Matrix], there'll be no double-dipping and using that same limitation on all your RSI abilities.

Now, obviously freeborns won't have either of these, so they'll have an extra 40 points to spend on equipment and extra skills.

Also, note that I'm far more experienced with Superheroic campaigns than Heroic ones, so I may have to tweak point totals and stuff for the sake of balance. I'll have to play it by ear.