The Sith Project playtest interest check (Blood and Honor variant)

[MadPanda]

Moving this out of my Group Games Wanted thread for various reasons...

Looking for a few brave and crazy souls to help playtest a variant of Blood and Honor, John Wick's game of samurai revenge.  It's a slimmed down version of Houses of the Blooded, and some assembly will be required.  If you're familiar with Houses, this will be a snap.   :-)

First of all, this will be a friendly game: no secret conferences, no passing notes to the GM, intrigue is discussed in the open.  The point of this game is to weave great and grand stories of tragedy, and that requires that all this stuff be openly discussed.  We may shift to a cut-throat game later, which would be more appropriately Sith-like, but for now it's all above-board.

Second of all, this is a work in progress.  The first supplement for B&H is scheduled to be released this summer, which means possibly by Thanksgiving.  It will contain information that would probably work even better for this than the original game...and if and when I get my greedy little mitts on it, things may be adjusted.  So!  Feedback is actively sought.

(The why and wherefore of this?  Is all probably Lanzlo's fault.  Our tabletop group was sitting around discussing the possibility of trying B&H one night, and somebody...I'm pretty sure it was Lanzlo, and he probably remembers it was me...said 'hey, you could do a Sith game with this!  Just file off the serial numbers and replace all the Japanese with Star Wars references...'.  Since the odds of our ever trying it in tabletop are slim, I thought I'd throw it open here.)

Provisionally, this game will be set in the time of the Old Republic.

Initial construction details will follow, since all PCs will start out as underlings to the same daimyo Sith Lord, and players get to determine things that will then be used during char-gen.

[DarkRose15]

*dives in and takes thread virginity* BOOYAW!!

[Lanzlo]

Oh sure, blame it all on me, will ya? ;) But yeah, I'll hop in.

Now, for a suitable name for this. Blood of the Galaxy? Galaxy of Blood? (Trying to keep the original scheme, with the reference to Blood in there...)

[MadPanda]

Of course I blame you.  The other culprit who comes to mind isn't on E.   >:)

Galaxy of Blood?  Hmmm.

Anyway, now for the nuts and bolts stuff.

Step 1: Choose a Sith Lord

Your Sith Lord begins as a lesser example of Dark Side Buffness. As he grows in power and strength, his abilities will also grow. Right now, as you start the game, they are rank 1.

Pick one of the seven types below. Each has both an Advantage and a Disadvantage.  Also, the type of your Sith Lord greatly influences the character of your Clan. An Ambitious Lord is known for his ruthless expansion. A Clever Lord is known for being an outsider....and so on.


Ambitious
While each samurai has at least half his heart devoted to ambition, your Ambitious Lord has his entire heart set on it. He is willing to sacrifice everything and anything to gain more land, more title, more prestige.

The Ambitious Lord gains one additional Season Action per Season.  Their minions (that's the PCs) receive the “Ambitious” Tag, making them less trustworthy.

Clever
The Clever Lord makes use of new innovations and does not cling to tradition: all equipment provided to his samurai is considered good quality equipment.  The Disadvantage is that they are seen as a non-traditionalist: a high nail that must be hammered down. All minions have the Tag “Non-Traditionalist” which may be tagged in social situations.

Cruel
The Cruel Lord does not suffer fools. He is quick to anger and judge but he is feared throughout the lands… as are his minions.  The Advantage of having a Cruel Daimyo is that all of his minions gain 2 bonus dice for any intimidation risks.  The Disadvantage is that they have the “Cruel” Tag in social situations.

Cunning
The Cunning Lord has many spies and uses espionage to gain information on his rivals and friends.  The Advantage is a free espionage action every Season. The Disadvantage is that all his minions have the “Untrustworthy” Tag which may be tagged by other characters.

Dangerous
The Dangerous Lord takes risks and rewards samurai who do the same. He is unpredictable, lethal and deadly.  Their minions gain two bonus dice whenever taking a risk that may end the minion's life.  The Disadvantage is the Narrator removes four Force (rather than three) from the Force Pool whenever you decline such a risk.

Kind  (Yes, really!  Haven't you ever read Machiavelli?  The iron fist in the velvet glove...)
The Kind Lord treats his underlings fairly. He is known to have a generous heart and takes time when he must make important decisions.  Minions gain two bonus dice in any social situation involving trust.  They also gain the “Trusting” Tag.

Mad
The Mad Lord is just that: he’s completely insane. But he’s also so powerful that nobody can do anything about removing him from his throne.  Both the Advantage and Disadvantage of having a Mad Lord are random: the Narrator rolls a die and determines what kind of Lord he will be at the beginning of each Season.

Step 2: Designate Favored Virtue

Every Clan reveres one of six Virtues. Your Clan reveres one of these Virtues above all others. Which is it? Again, your choice here will define much of your Clan’s character. Choose one Virtue as your Clan’s favored Virtue.

Beauty
Beauty is the ability to communicate to others. It may be through poetry or rhetoric or drama or even gardening. Beauty is the most important Virtue because without it, you cannot communicate your ideas to others.

Courage
Courage is the ability to say “No.” The ability to say no to temptation, to fear, to pain, to anything. Courage is the most important Virtue because without it, your character will not be able to refuse any temptation.

Cunning
Cunning is the ability to see the plan within the plan within the plan. Cunning is the most important Virtue because without it, you will not be able to anticipate your enemy’s plans.

Prowess
Prowess is the ability to wield weapons. Prowess is the most important Virtue because without it, you cannot defend yourself against martial attacks.

Strength
Strength is all physical actions: lifting, pushing, pulling and even manual dexterity, speed and nimbleness. Strength is the most important Virtue because without it, you cannot swim, climb or jump in dangerous situations.

Wisdom
Wisdom is knowing what is true and false in the world. Wisdom is the most important Virtue because without it, you cannot determine facts from falsehoods.

Step 3: Holdings

Each Sith Lord owns a Territory. Within that Territory are Holdings that represent his wealth and Vassals who represent his loyal followers.Each player may pick one Holding to add to your Sith Lord’s lands.

Armory
The quality of your Clan’s weapons relies on the Armory.

Meditation Chamber
A place for Sith to gain insight and reflect on the deeper nature of their souls.

Dojo
Where your samurai hone their skills in warfare.

Gambling Den
Where your samurai lose their money.

Garrison
A Garrison allows you to hold Mooks (foot soldiers) in your Territory. Each rank of Garrion provides one rank of Mooks.

Geisha House (Have yet to decide on a proper Star Wars equivalent of this one...)
A place of art and beauty.

Resource Production Facility
Where the peasants toil to generate the real keystone of the economy.

Cantina
Liquid courage. Literally.

Sith Shrine
A place to commune with holocrons of the Dark Side.

Motor Pool
This is where you keep your vehicular assets.

Gravity Chamber
If you want to be stronger, spend a Season training in here.

Bigger Holdings
Some players may want to begin the game with a high ranking Holding. If they are all willing to use their Holding slots to increase the rank of a single Holding, I’m not entirely against that. It means their lands will be short of vital resources, but on the other hand, knowingly accepting a limitation is what makes games interesting.

Step 4: Choose Aspects

Each Clan gains four Aspects that define its character. An Aspect is like a skill, but a bit more broad. It’s more of a cliché—with game mechanics.

For example, your Clan has the Aspect, None of Us is as Great as All of Us, shown below.

None of Us is As Great as All of Us
Invoke: Your Clan is well known for working together. Gain three dice when helping another Clan member accomplish a goal both of you want.
Compel: You genuinely feel men must work together to accomplish their goals and will do so regardless of the risk to yourself.

This Aspect, as it says, gives your character three bonus dice whenever he takes a risk appropriate to the Aspect. On the other hand, it also has a compel that forces him to act in a way his Clan deems honorable. If, when presented with the opportunity to help another Clanmate, the Narrator adds an Honor Point to the pool. If you ignore the opportunity, you do not gain the Honor Point.

Every Clan has four Aspects that define it. Each Clan has one Aspect in common: the sample Aspect above. In other words, every Clan has the None of Us… Aspect. You may choose three more from the list below that further define the character of your Clan.

Go ahead and pick three more Aspects that define your Clan. When you make a samurai from this Clan, you choose two of those Aspects for your samurai.

A Merry Companion is as Good as a Horse
Invoke: Your Clan is known for the wit of its samurai. Gain three bonus dice when using humor in a delicate situation.
Compel: Sometimes, the fool forgets that he is only a fool. You forget your place from time to time and cause situations that would not have occurred if you kept your mouth shut.

All Married Women are Not Wives
Invoke: The women of your Clan are beautiful, cunning and deadly. The men are dashing, dangerous and sly. Gain three dice for any seduction risk (whether your character is male or female).
Compel: A charmer is always lured by charms. You often succumb to similar advances.

The Best Sword Stays in the Scabbard
Invoke: There is the life-giving sword and the death-giving sword. A swordsman reaches a point when the threat of violence is enough to maintain peace. Gain three dice when intimidating others with the threat of violence.
Compel: You truly believe in peace and harmony. You will only draw your weapon if another samurai draws his first.

The Deer Hunter Pays No Mind to the Hares
Invoke: This Aspect gives three bonus dice for risks involving hunting and surviving in the wilderness.
Compel: The samurai of your Clan are known for being very clever hunters but not well educated in the delicacies of the court.

Dig Two Graves
Invoke: When preparing for revenge, always dig two graves. Your Clan’s samurai are well-known for
being ruthless when it comes to matters of revenge. Gain three bonus dice whenever you are directly confronting an issue of revenge.
Compel: Unfortunately, your samurai are also rather hot-blooded and rush to judgment, seldom listening to reason when offended.

Even a Thief Must Learn His Trade
Invoke: Your Clan’s samurai are knowledgeable in crafts such as blacksmithing, weaving, etc. Gain three dice for risks involving craftsmanship.
Compel: Your Clan is also known for its fair treatment of the peasantry and merchant class. You show them compassion and good will.

First the Man Takes a Drink
Invoke: … then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man. Your Clan is well-known for its excessive samurai. Gain three dice on any risk when drunk.
Compel: A drunken man will say anything, do anything. Be careful. Drunkenness is not always forgiven…

Fog Cannot Be Dispelled by a Fan
Invoke: Your Clan is exceptionally good at deceiving others. Gain three dice whenever trying to lie.
Compel: Lying is just like any other source of power: incredibly addictive. You must lie when given the opportunity.

If My Dog Knew My Plans
Invoke: … he’d be dead, too. Your Clan is incredibly good at discovering and keeping secrets. Gain three dice for any risk obtaining or keeping secrets.
Compel: You love secrets and you tend to go out of your way to discover them.

If One Man Praises You
Invoke: … a thousand will repeat his praise. Your Clan’s samurai know exactly how to get attention. Gain three dice for any act in front of a crowd that will bring honor and glory to your Clan.
Compel: You are a glory hound. You can’t shut up about yourself and you must always be in the spotlight.

Laughter is the Fool’s Hiccup
Invoke: Your samurai are deadly serious. All. The. Time. Gain three bonus dice to resist any attempt to change your mind once you’ve made it up.
Compel: You are rude, brutish and don’t care about etiquette.

One Word Can Warm the Winter
Invoke: Your Clan is known for its eloquence. Gain three dice when making speeches or performing.
Compel: You tend to speak when not spoken to.

Ten Men, Ten Colors
Invoke: Your Clan understands the need for compassion. When you try to convince another you sympathize with their cause, gain 3 dice.
Compel: You truly believe in compassion and will sympathize with those in true need.

The Mountain Never Falls
Invoke: Gain three bonus dice when resisting physical pain or arduous circumstances.
Compel: You are rude, brutish and don’t care about etiquette.

Nail and Hammer
Invoke: “The nail that sticks up tallest is the first to be hammered down.” Your Clan knows the proper procedure and etiquette for everything. Gain three bonus dice for any risks involving manners.
Compel: You must do things the right way. Doing otherwise is disgraceful and dishonorable.

Waiting for Luck is Waiting for Death
Invoke: Your Clan’s samurai do not hesitate. Gain three bonus dice for any risk that is impetuous, impertinent and spontaneous.
Compel: You must act without thinking, jump into the situation without knowledge and otherwise throw yourself into danger.

Step Five: Meibutsu--skipped.  Sith don't do Arts and Crafts.

Step Six: Name and Heraldry

Choose a name for your Clan and your Clan’s heraldry. It’s important to pick a Name that means something. If your Clan Name’s meaning is appropriate to a risk, you gain two bonus dice for that risk.

Step 7: Truths

Finally, each player gets to say one thing true about the Faction. You can say whatever you like as long as it doesn’t contradict an already established truth. You could say that the Sith Lord’s wife is unfaithful or that the people of the province are well-known for their integrity. You could say that the weaponmaster at the training hall is blind, that the lovely companions-for-rent in the nearest city are generous with their favors or that a wandering mercenary avenges wrongdoings perpetrated on the peasants. You could say that ghostly spiders haunt a local forest or that a wise old man lives on a nearby mountain and gives out advice to the worthy. Say whatever you like about the Faction or its territory. It’s true.

[Lanzlo]

I'm going to cast one vote for Clever.

[DarkRose15]

I'm not entirely sure which one to pick yet but I'm sure I will soon.

[MadPanda]

Just remember that you're all going to have to agree on the boss's general character.   :-)  Or be willing to compromise on other matters!  Now, if we can get a few more potential Sith on board...

[Flaming]

If you are willing to accept someone who never played "Houses of the Blooded" in I'll gladly give it a try.

[MadPanda]

Absolutely!  Having played Houses is not a requirement for this game.  Experience with that game is simply a benefit.  So by all means, jump on in with your choice of daimyoSith Lord.

[DarkRose15]

Red has been trying to get a hold of all the people for the other game we're in together but so far just you and I seem to still be going strong with it Mad.

[MadPanda]

Alas, yes.

[DarkRose15]

Actually it's You, I and Red that are still keeping it alive. He's frustrated that no one else is keeping tabs on the game.

[MadPanda]

Given the unfortunate (and probably unavoidable) lag in starting?  Same thing happened to my attempt to run it--my players just stopped posting, and with Houses if you lose momentum, that's pretty much it...

Now, back on topic!  Decided on a type of Sith Lord, yet?  We've one vote for Clever so far.

[DarkRose15]

Not yet :(

[Flaming]

I vote "Cunning"

[MadPanda]

Two votes for the Clever Sith Lord!

I'll get the next phase set up in a bit, here: Mondays are busy IRL.

[Flaming]

ehmm...My vote is for Cunning not Clever

[MadPanda]

D'OH!  My bad.  One for Clever, one for Cunning.  For some silly reason, I got it stuck in my head that those two were the same thing.  This is what happens when I'm not looking at the list and the first cup of coffee hasn't hit my system yet!   :-[ ;D

So DarkRose gets to either deadlock us or set a majority, as she wishes.

[Montagne]

Hey hey MP. I would vote for Ambitious (sorry about taking so long)

[DarkRose15]

Ambitious or Clever for me.

[MadPanda]

Sooo...one vote each for Clever, Cunning, and Ambitious, and one that could be either Clever or Ambitious!  So it's up to DarkRose to decide which way she's gonna go.   >:)

Next up, deciding on the favored Virtue: Beauty, Courage, Cunning, Prowess, Strength, or Wisdom.

[DarkRose15]

Gah.....I hate being the tie breaker lol

[MadPanda]

(kicks thread)  (frowns in concern)  Is this thing still live?

[Flaming]

I was wandering what happend. I thought we were going for the step after the lord election

[MadPanda]

We are.  But!  That's all up to the players--Mister GM doesn't contribute a thing during Clan Construction.  If nobody posts, nothing happens!