Pulp Hero

[Muse]

I wouldn't say that, Blinkin.  I was just trying to get a better handle on the setting. 

My current idea is really just a girl with a fast car and a heathy contempt for irdiculous laws. 

[quozax]

I was actually looking at a very mundane guy who happened to fly planes, be really good with a tommy gun and a decent right hook... Nothing mystical at all.

As usual, I seem to be out of step with the rest of the role playing world.

A tommy gun would tear apart even most mystic foes. 

Just a note:  I  never make an impossible foe or situation.   I love it when heroes work together.  And I usually give bonuses for creative thinking.   Your character might just have his gun and fists, but Indiana Jones just had a whip and his fists.

[TFcommando]

I was actually looking at a very mundane guy who happened to fly planes, be really good with a tommy gun and a decent right hook... Nothing mystical at all.

As usual, I seem to be out of step with the rest of the role playing world.

I disagree, that's a classic pulp archetype you have there, one who sounds like he'd fit for n perfectly with this game.

[Blinkin]

Actually, Indy had a pistol too and wasn't opposed to using a sub machine gun, if I recall.

And, you can't discount the hat! I've always wanted a temple fedora...

But anyway, get a guy with even a little combat luck and that tommy gun ain't half as good as you think... and you have to hit with it; you may hit once, maybe twice... on a good roll, 3 times. But, it doesn't do any better than a M1911 if you can't get a decent roll.

The tommygun is actually less useful than any other handgun, it just looks impressive as hell when someone pulls it out and pulls that bolt back.

And, I agree that bosses shouldn't be easy to take down. That's what being masterminds is all about.


I do remember in a pulp game that I played back in 2007, a big Nazi was trying to escape from a failed ambush on the party in a fancy plain. Through some really lucky rolls and creative thinking, we brought it down with... get this... bailing wire and a new thing that the army was working with called duck tape.

We didn't even have gum!

[quozax]

Actually, Indy had a pistol too and wasn't opposed to using a sub machine gun, if I recall.

And, you can't discount the hat! I've always wanted a temple fedora...

But anyway, get a guy with even a little combat luck and that tommy gun ain't half as good as you think... and you have to hit with it; you may hit once, maybe twice... on a good roll, 3 times. But, it doesn't do any better than a M1911 if you can't get a decent roll.

The tommygun is actually less useful than any other handgun, it just looks impressive as hell when someone pulls it out and pulls that bolt back.

And, I agree that bosses shouldn't be easy to take down. That's what being masterminds is all about.


I do remember in a pulp game that I played back in 2007, a big Nazi was trying to escape from a failed ambush on the party in a fancy plain. Through some really lucky rolls and creative thinking, we brought it down with... get this... bailing wire and a new thing that the army was working with called duck tape.

We didn't even have gum!

Now THAT sounds like the creativity I would love! 

[TFcommando]

Actually, Indy had a pistol too and wasn't opposed to using a sub machine gun, if I recall.

And, you can't discount the hat! I've always wanted a temple fedora...

But anyway, get a guy with even a little combat luck and that tommy gun ain't half as good as you think... and you have to hit with it; you may hit once, maybe twice... on a good roll, 3 times. But, it doesn't do any better than a M1911 if you can't get a decent roll.

The tommygun is actually less useful than any other handgun, it just looks impressive as hell when someone pulls it out and pulls that bolt back.

On the other hand, the squad of mooks in front of the mastermind won't have Combat Luck or a terribly high DCV and a tommygun will let you mow them down fairly quickly.  The right tool for the right job! :) 

If we're using 5th edition, there's something I think should be adapted from 6th: the Striking Appearance talent.  For 3 points per level, it gives you +1 to Interaction/Presence skill rolls and +1d6 to Presence Attacks, when used according to the special effect of the appearance...  A femme fatale wouldn't be able to use it to intimidate while a terribly scary scarred fellow couldn't use it to seduce, and vice-versa, for example.

And now, to get to work on the concept, then the sheet!

[Blinkin]

Ok, the sheet...

I've neve4r actually seen a character sheet for Hero, so I sorta made my own. It covers all of the important points... that ok?

It'll take me a couple of days to create it, but it shouldn't be a problem.

[quozax]

On the other hand, the squad of mooks in front of the mastermind won't have Combat Luck or a terribly high DCV and a tommygun will let you mow them down fairly quickly.  The right tool for the right job! :) 

If we're using 5th edition, there's something I think should be adapted from 6th: the Striking Appearance talent.  For 3 points per level, it gives you +1 to Interaction/Presence skill rolls and +1d6 to Presence Attacks, when used according to the special effect of the appearance...  A femme fatale wouldn't be able to use it to intimidate while a terribly scary scarred fellow couldn't use it to seduce, and vice-versa, for example.

And now, to get to work on the concept, then the sheet!

I always actually preferred striking appearance over COM.  I always thought that was too low on point cost.  So please use it.

[quozax]

Ok, the sheet...

I've neve4r actually seen a character sheet for Hero, so I sorta made my own. It covers all of the important points... that ok?

It'll take me a couple of days to create it, but it shouldn't be a problem.

You print out what you can.  I can convert it over if anything was left out.  Most likely, if you are using the format on the first post, you will be able to add some characteristics, Skills, or Perks.

[quozax]

My character:

Mason Forester

CHARACTERISTICS
Val    Char    Points    Roll
10   STR   0   11-
15   DEX   10   12-
14   CON   4   12-
18   INT   8   13-
13   EGO   3   12-
13   PRE   3   12-
5   OCV   10
5   DCV   10
3   OMCV   0
3   DMCV   0
3   SPD   10
7   PD   5
7   ED   5
5   REC   1
28   END   2
13   BODY    3
35   STUN   8
Total Cost:  82

MOVEMENT
Type       Combat    Noncombat
Run       12m      24m
Swim       4m      8m
H. Leap    4m      8m
V. Leap    2m      4m

SKILLS, PERKS, & TALENTS
Cost    Name       Roll
8    Good with Small Arms: +1 with Ranged Combat
3    Occult or Egyptian items: Forgery    13-
3    AK: Egypt    13-
3    CK: Cairo    13-
3    Conversation    12-
3    Deduction    13-
3    KS: Hieroglyphics    13-
3    KS: Occult    13-
3    PS: Archaologist    13-
3    Paramedics    13-
3    Persuasion    12-
3    Riding    12-
3    Tactics    13-
3    Teamwork    12-
2    WF: Small Arms
16    Universal Translator 13- (20 Active Points); Learned Earth Languages only (-¼)    13-
3    Handsome: +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters)
Total Skills, Perks, & Talents Cost:  68

POWERS AND EQUIPMENT
Cost    Name    Power/Equipment END
0   S & W M1917    Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1 (25 APs); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 4-8 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), 12 Charges ((6 shots at a time); -¼) [12]
Total Powers/Equipment Cost:  0

MATCHING COMPLICATIONS
Cost    Complication
15    Psychological Limitation: Obsessed with Occult (Common; Strong)
20    Hunted: Nazi party 11- (Mo Pow; Harshly Punish) 11-
5    Unluck: 1d6
10    Social Limitation: Public ID, easy to find (Frequently; Minor)
Total Complications Points:  50

[quozax]

Some of this is based on 5th Edition (which I already owned) plus Pulp Hero, hope that's okay? :)

Character's name: Miss Kassey 'Red Tail' LeHane
Player's name: Rowan/LSWSjr
Sexual preference: Bisexual
Description or picture or both:

Weapon of choice: Holland & Holland Royal sporting rifle
Primary Characteristic: Dexterity
Secondary Characteristics: Ego, Intelligence, Presence
10 Skills: Animal Handler (Equine), Fast Draw, Mimicry, Navigation (Land), Paramedics, Riding, Seduction, Surviving, Tracking, Weapon Familiarity (Small Arms)
History: WIP
Personality: WIP
Flaws: Dependence (Alcohol), Psychological Limitation (Overconfidence), Social Limitation (Woman)
Ons and Offs: https://elliquiy.com/forums/onsoffs.php?u=54352

Approved, just remember, since you mentioned it in your flaws, Kassey will be discriminated against sooner or later. 

[quozax]

Now, I did ask which section to put the game in (without a response)

So, I'm going to expand the question.  If caught by the enemy, would a non con situation be okay with your character?

Also, if caught by the enemy (and sometimes you might WANT to be caught to find their lair), is bondage okay?

Is it considered bondage, if the hero is tied up but no sexual interaction occurs?

[Blinkin]

Name: Billy McKnight
Player: Blinkin
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Physical Description: In Process
Weapon of choice: Thompson 1927 SMG
Primary Characteristic: Dex
Secondary Characteristics: Strength, Con, Toughness
10 Skills: Combat Piloting,Demolisions, Sharpshooter
Money, Navagation; air, Weap. Proficiency; small arms, piloting, aircraft, piloting, auto’s.*Contact, *contact

•   * Yet to be determined
History: In Process
History: In process
Flaws: Overconfident, phobia, closterphobia, lecherous.
On’s and Off’s: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=136163.0


There are 2 talents that I wanted to look nto, but my pulp pdf has gotten corrupted. They are Door Shattering Fist and Tommy Gunner From Hell. There’s also another, bt can’t remember what it was called… it’s just a scratch or something like that? I recall that it was amor 8PD/8ED.

Aside from that, just need enough cash to buy a nice, big plane.

[TFcommando]

Do we have a scientist yet?  Another notion I have is a martial arts archaeologist (or anthropologist), inspired by the Fatal Fury motion picture... there were diagrams of fighting styles found in ruins in various places around the world.

Or perhaps a jetpack hero, but that might not fit in too well conceptually.

[Sally Aces]

I'm for bondage (sexual or not) and non consensual sex if caught by baddies (with the option to fade to black).

Still working on my character, not sure if I'm going to dive in to do a full character sheet. Or, rather, it could be cool to see an expansion of my basic sheet after I post it... I haven't found a free online reference for pulp hero and would love to hear more about setting specific talents/perks/etc

[quozax]

Name: Billy McKnight
Player: Blinkin
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Physical Description: In Process
Weapon of choice: Thompson 1927 SMG
Primary Characteristic: Dex
Secondary Characteristics: Strength, Con, Toughness
10 Skills: Combat Piloting,Demolisions, Sharpshooter
Money, Navagation; air, Weap. Proficiency; small arms, piloting, aircraft, piloting, auto’s.*Contact, *contact

•   * Yet to be determined
History: In Process
History: In process
Flaws: Overconfident, phobia, closterphobia, lecherous.
On’s and Off’s: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=136163.0


There are 2 talents that I wanted to look nto, but my pulp pdf has gotten corrupted. They are Door Shattering Fist and Tommy Gunner From Hell. There’s also another, bt can’t remember what it was called… it’s just a scratch or something like that? I recall that it was amor 8PD/8ED.

Aside from that, just need enough cash to buy a nice, big plane.

I will have to look into those 'powers', and a plane will be provided. 

Do we have a scientist yet?  Another notion I have is a martial arts archaeologist (or anthropologist), inspired by the Fatal Fury motion picture... there were diagrams of fighting styles found in ruins in various places around the world.

Or perhaps a jetpack hero, but that might not fit in too well conceptually.

We don't have a scientist, and I'm not convince about the jetpack.  I suppose if it were noisy, had to use lots of fuel, and looked like the Rocketeer, I might go for it.  But I would have to keep close tabs on your fuel. 

I'm for bondage (sexual or not) and non consensual sex if caught by baddies (with the option to fade to black).

Still working on my character, not sure if I'm going to dive in to do a full character sheet. Or, rather, it could be cool to see an expansion of my basic sheet after I post it... I haven't found a free online reference for pulp hero and would love to hear more about setting specific talents/perks/etc

Whoo hoo!  somebody actually answered my question!!!!   You get an extra skill to add to your list! 

I will try to post a full list of talents, skills, and perks later (unless somebody else does it first)  But ti will be much later.

[Blinkin]

Damn, I meant to answer the questions and forgot.

I'm ok with bondage, non-con and so on. If there's a pretty blonde with long legs, he might go into the cell willingly.

[TFcommando]

Bondage  is good and very thematic, even without intercourse.   Having characters captured and then able to escape later is a classic pulp thing, one that is hard to do in many games because players hate having their characters captured. I think we would all be on board with happening in this game though. 

The villains could be extra fetishy, like a naked jungle Queen or a Nazi with nothing under her leather trenchcoat but a corset.   There could be a sexual theme to the mystic artifacts as well. Instead of biblical ones, things from a perverse bronze age society that involve Tantric activation rituals, forced arousal and the like.

Edit: also thinking of a 30s style Lara Croft type fortune hunter (which wold be a great name...). Maybe an inventor, using hard science to make discoveries the soft sciences can't.  Or just the daughter of a professor who grew up traveling the world with him as he followed his theories about the sexy lost civilization and was mocked by his peers.   Thus, she is very well read but doesn't have a degree or a lot of use for the academic world.

[quozax]

here is a complete list of skills, perks, and talents as requested.

SKILLS:
Acrobatics
Acting
Analyze
Animal Handler
Autofire Skills
Breakfall
Bribery
Bugging
Bureaucratics
Charm / Seduction
Climbing
Combat Driving
Combat Piloting
Combat Skill Levels
Computer Programming (not likely in Pulp genre)
Concealment
Contortionist
Conversation
Cramming
Criminology
Deduction
Defense Manuevers
Demolitions
Disguise
Electronics
Fast Draw
Forensic Medicine
Forgery
Gambling
High Society
Interrogation
Inventor
Knowledge (Pick any 3 specific examples, can be taken more than once)
   Area Knowledge – Examples:  Egypt, the mountains, England, Germany
   City Knowledge – Examples:  Cario, London, New York City
   Cultural Knowledge
   General Knowledge – Examples:  Dancing, Hieroglyphics, almost anything else
Language (Pick 3, can be taken more than once)
Lipreading
Lockpicking
Martial Arts
Mechanics
Mimicry
Navigation
Oratory
Paramedics
Penalty Skill levels
Persuasion
Power Skills
Professional Skills:  Examples:  Doctor, Lawyer, Head of State
Rapid Attack
Riding
Science Skills
Security Systems
Skill Levels
Shadowing
Sleight of Hand
Stealth
Streetwise
Survival
System Operations
Tactics
Teamwork
Tracking
Trading
Transport Familiarity
Two-weapon Fighting
Ventriloquism
Weapon Familiarity
Weaponsmith

SKILL Enhancers:
Jack of all Trades
Linguist
Scholar
Scientist
Traveler
Well-Connected.

PERKS:
Access
Anonymity
Computer Link
Contact – Character knows someone who can help them. 
Deep Cover
Favor
Follower
Fringe Benefit:  (Like having a passport)
Money
Positive Reputation
Vehicles or Bases

TALENTS:
Absolute Range Sense
Absolute Time Sense
Ambidexterity
Animal Friendship
Bump of Direction
Combat Luck
Combat Sense
Danger Sense
Deadly Blow
Double Jointed
Eidetic Memory
Environmental Movement
Lightning Calculator
Lightning Reflexes
Lightsleep
Off-Hand Defense
Perfect Pitch
Resistance
Simulated Death
Speed Reading
Striking Appearance
Universal Translator
Weaponmaster.

[quozax]

There are 2 talents that I wanted to look nto, but my pulp pdf has gotten corrupted. They are Door Shattering Fist and Tommy Gunner From Hell. There’s also another, bt can’t remember what it was called… it’s just a scratch or something like that? I recall that it was amor 8PD/8ED.

Door Smashing Fists
HA +4d6, Increased END, 10 points

Tommy Gun from Hell
+4 OCV with Autofire Weapon Single target only, Must use Max shots, 10 points

It Looks Worse than it is
Armor 8 PD/ 8 ED, 24 points

Sure, I would allow these. 

[quozax]

Bondage  is good and very thematic, even without intercourse.   Having characters captured and then able to escape later is a classic pulp thing, one that is hard to do in many games because players hate having their characters captured. I think we would all be on board with happening in this game though. 

The villains could be extra fetishy, like a naked jungle Queen or a Nazi with nothing under her leather trenchcoat but a corset.   There could be a sexual theme to the mystic artifacts as well. Instead of biblical ones, things from a perverse bronze age society that involve Tantric activation rituals, forced arousal and the like.

Edit: also thinking of a 30s style Lara Croft type fortune hunter (which wold be a great name...). Maybe an inventor, using hard science to make discoveries the soft sciences can't.  Or just the daughter of a professor who grew up traveling the world with him as he followed his theories about the sexy lost civilization and was mocked by his peers.   Thus, she is very well read but doesn't have a degree or a lot of use for the academic world.

Blinkin and TFCommando you cal also add another skill to your list.

I am going to change the location of the game since most of my players are okay with bondage and non con. 

But I do not want this game smut based.  Yes, it will have sex, but that will not be the focus.  Sure, we MIGHT play a fertility idol game once.  The last smut game I had died as soon as a real plot was offered and I don't want that happening again.  This will start out as a normal Pulp genre game with a sprinkle of smut here and there. 

[LSWSjr]

Approved, just remember, since you mentioned it in your flaws, Kassey will be discriminated against sooner or later.

Thanks Quorax, I was just thinking, shouldn't all female characters have this flaw, excluding when in a setting that ignores it?

Cheers
Rowan/LSWSjr

[quozax]

Thanks Quorax, I was just thinking, shouldn't all female characters have this flaw, excluding when in a setting that ignores it?

Cheers
Rowan/LSWSjr

It doesn't HAVE to be taken as a disadvantage, but with non con and bondage - I can see it being used more often.  Which means the other females would only have to think of 2 more flaws.

[TFcommando]

Blinkin and TFCommando you cal also add another skill to your list.

I am going to change the location of the game since most of my players are okay with bondage and non con. 

But I do not want this game smut based.  Yes, it will have sex, but that will not be the focus.  Sure, we MIGHT play a fertility idol game once.  The last smut game I had died as soon as a real plot was offered and I don't want that happening again.  This will start out as a normal Pulp genre game with a sprinkle of smut here and there.

Yes, that's what I was hoping for, a pulp game with more fan service, more nudity and sex in the world than is normally acknowledged.  An enemy femme fatale might have fucked one of the guys (or girls!) in the backstory and refer to it when they meet again.  The meeting to get the idol might be in a brothel or strip club instead of a plain dance club, things like that. 

[Blinkin]

On the aircraft for Billy, could it be a customized Douglas DC 2? That would of been the latest and hottest transport/airlines plane out and if it can be tricked out a bit... chrome mags.... tinted windows... wet bar in the back... 5.50 machine guns on each side...and a bed for torturing Nazi fem fatale's.