Jojo's Bizarre Adventure RPG (Interest check)

[LeSane]

Open The Game

This tabletop RPG system is aimed at giving players the experience of building and enjoying their own JoJo stories with the guidance of a Game Master, or GM. A group of players, ideally two to six, will take on a campaign involving encounters with a series of opponents, likely Stand Users, in dense, detailed battles that take more than brute strength to win.

If you hadn’t guessed, it’s based on Hirohiko Araki’s long-running manga JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and its favorite anime adaptations. Though familiarity with the series will help, these rules can be understood by people who’ve never read or watched it.  This thread is spoiler-free, but some canon characters may have character traits and Stand abilities outlined in the Examples.

The goal for this game is to facilitate JoJo experiences, so I’ve done my best to keep it simple and easily playable, in the hope that it can be picked up by anyone. However, everyone has their preferences.

An Introduction to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

If you’re familiar with the series, feel free to skip this section and jump straight to the next one, which is where the mechanics for this RPG start. If you’re not, this will give you the basics.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a long-running (since 1986) manga series from Hirohiko Araki about the Joestar bloodline and the various supernatural trials they face. It’s split into eight parts (the eighth of which is currently ongoing) each one featuring a different main character, often in a different part of the world. It starts with Phantom Blood, set in England at the end of the 19th century, which was a gothic, soap opera about extremely buff people, but by the time the second part, Battle Tendency, got started, the fights had developed into elaborate spectacles that showcased intellect just as much as the unusual abilities of its characters. This style would be defined by the introduction of Stands in the third part, Stardust Crusaders, the story arc that the series is most recognized for, within Japan and internationally.

A Stand is the personification of a character’s fighting spirit, acting as a physical representation of various psychic powers. Their elaborate visual design and creative abilities mean that battles between two Stand Users are often complex and exciting. Though it took effect the first half of Stardust Crusaders to establish how Stands could work (though, any established rule is occasionally broken throughout the series’ lifetime), they’ve proved an enduring image in manga history, especially Star Platinum. This image is most commonly that of a humanoid figure, standing beside its user, with an unusual design and abilities informed by the user’s personality and desires.

Despite long-standing popularity in Japan, only Part III saw much appreciation abroad, until recently. Two key releases can be pinpointed for bursts in demand; namely, the late 90s fighting game, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future, based on characters and events from Stardust Crusaders, and most recently, the very well-received anime that started in 2012, which began from the beginning at Phantom Blood, and is proceeding through the entire series. Here’s a mostly plot-removed (dubbed) clip, to give you a brief feel for it.

If you’d like to check out the manga, you can start with Part 1 on MangaDex, or through obtaining copies of the recent hardcover releases. The anime is considered an excellent adaptation and show in its own right (your mileage may vary) and can be found on Crunchyroll, amongst other places. It’s recommended that you at least get up to Stardust Crusaders, to get a feel for how Stands work. Skipping parts is generally not recommended, and spoilers can be common, so be careful on the Wiki and online discussions if you want a ‘pure’ experience.
Though the series is built on character conflict, most of the actions they take (and most of the activities that will be performed in this RPG) are done using their Stands, and most conflicts will be fought against enemy Stand Users. This is often more interesting than having the characters themselves fistfight, as Stands are usually stronger, faster, and more robust than their users, and their unique abilities make for varied, complex encounters. Most Stand Users have total control over their Stand, but this comes at the cost of sharing any received injuries with it, something that a Stand user will need to be careful to manage. As durable as they can be, fighting carelessly can be a quick way to wind up severely injured, given that other Stands may be stronger, or better prepared. Knowledge is a large part of the battle in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and players will need to be wary of GMs that are willing to put their characters to the test.

In addition to their unique abilities, of which each Stand will likely only have one or two, their strengths and weaknesses are also measured in six Stats: Power, Durability, Speed, Precision, Range, and Potential. These Stats are ranked from E to A, meaning worst to best, and the occasional None or Infinite, depending on the individual Stand. An A-rank or even a B-rank is far beyond human potential, with Stands shown to be capable of catching bullets, moving faster than the eye can see, or punching hundreds of times within seconds.

As an example, Crazy Diamond, the Stand of Josuke Higashikata, the protagonist of Part 4. It can restore items to their first State; generally speaking, it fixes things. This is linked to Josuke’s underlying kind nature, and desire to protect those he’s close to. It also has an A-rank in Power and Speed, while only a D in Range, meaning that it hits hard and fast in close combat. Most importantly, the ‘fixing’ ability has vast applications. It can heal allies and repair structures, but the series shows that it’s useful in more than just fighting. It’s ‘fixed’ a piece of torn-off clothing, sending it flying to track the person wearing the rest of the jacket. It’s punched clean through an ally to pull out a Stand that had crawled into their stomach, then fixed the wound without the partner ever being aware of the intrusion. It also turned a serial killer into an ugly rock that ended up being a tourist destination.

These are the sorts of events that this RPG is meant to facilitate; intense, witty, and occasionally absurd. If that sounds like your cup of tea, check out JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure if you haven’t already. The recent anime is as right a place to start as any. That’ll give you a good idea of how Stands work, and possibly some ideas for your own if this document doesn’t.

What To Expect

This RPG is focused on collaborative storytelling more than unpredictability or strict, detailed rulesets. It’s intended to provide the experience of coming up with your own JoJo-styled story, though what this means varies from person to person. Some people are invested in creating a character and building a narrative for them. Others want to punch stuff. Though these rules are simple enough to cover a broad variety of ways to play, As the GMs I wish to provide a specific experience for my players and should I feel to change or add rules to suit their needs.

[AndyZ]

Sono chi no sadame!  I'm seriously behind on the latest season, but could definitely be interested in this.

Question, though: where is this document you mention?

[LeSane]

All the documents are one a Google drive and I was going to share them once I garnished enough attention.

[pdragon]

I'd be interested.

[Andol]

LeSane... LeSane... I would be most certainly interested in creating some Mother Fucking Jojo References!!! ... Yeah I would so love to join.

[LeSane]

Alright since I've gotten a few people and the maximum number of people that I was going for was six I'll start pushing onward. It will have the material for you all to make your characters so please read it.

[Lux12]

This has my note of interest as well.

[LeSane]

Happy to you have interest. I was going to ask those who are interested in participating in what time period they wanted to have this in for story purposes. I was considering the late 90's to early 2000's since there is enough music and references to be used.

[Drowdeviant]

*Sees this game that must obviously be the work of an enemy stand xD* Room for one more?

[pdragon]

I'm good for any time period really. You could even go crazy and do some kind of period piece. JoJo pirates of the Caribbean. JoJo prohibition american gangsters. JoJo yakuza. JoJo medieval ages (with the black plague being a mass ranged stand).

[Drowdeviant]

I'm good for any time period really. You could even go crazy and do some kind of period piece. JoJo pirates of the Caribbean. JoJo prohibition american gangsters. JoJo yakuza. JoJo medieval ages (with the black plague being a mass ranged stand).

No better, JoJo Salem Witch Trials with The Devil as a mass ranged stand. xD

[Crensler]

I mean, if you'll have me, I'm interested even though I only know JoJo through memes X3

[Drowdeviant]

I mean, if you'll have me, I'm interested even though I only know JoJo through memes X3

*piffles the Cren* How willing are you to jive with supernatural shit? JoJo has a lot of it xD

[Crensler]

I mean, I have a pretty high tolerance given my love of tabletop games and anime so I think I'll be good

[Andol]

I more into the 90s to 2000s era myself... just because that is what I am used to Jojo wise

[LeSane]

Well, my idea for it was during the '90s maybe in L.A. or in New York City following something loosely based off the golden wind arc.

[pdragon]

I'd be fine with that

[Andol]

I would be fine with that too

[pdragon]

My vote would also be for L.A. over New York, just because it'd be a really unique setting. Maybe something with illegal street racing? Imagine Fast and the Furious with stands. It'd be pretty nuts.

[Drowdeviant]

My vote would also be for L.A. over New York, just because it'd be a really unique setting. Maybe something with illegal street racing? Imagine Fast and the Furious with stands. It'd be pretty nuts.

Satanic Coupler comes back as Satanic Stick Shift? xD

I kind of like crime shit to be honest. Who says we gotta be good guys anyway? xD

[Andol]

Ambulance driver?... Fits in with a good Dr. theme character...

[Drowdeviant]

Ambulance driver?... Fits in with a good Dr. theme character...

Possessed Ambulance stand. Kira's Bane! xD

[Andol]

Hahahahahahahaha

[pdragon]

Satanic Coupler comes back as Satanic Stick Shift? xD

I kind of like crime shit to be honest. Who says we gotta be good guys anyway? xD

Exactly. We don't need to save the day, we need to get dat paper! Maybe they have to fight a rival crew/gang that gets their hands on a stand arrow. Or better yet a stand glock! They tried to shoot our characters up but they all survived and developed stands of their own.

speaking of stands, I actually got inspired for an early concept for a character.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Josefina "Josè" Emtumaè
Stand: Juicy Fruit

appearance

Ability: Material Exchange - Juicy Fruit touches two different objects and instantly swaps the material they're made of. Ex. touches a wooden door and a glass bottle, the door turns into glass and the bottle turns into wood. Juicy Fruit must be physically touching both objects at once for the ability to take effect.
Power - C
Speed - A
Range - E
Durability - D
Precision - A
Potential - B

[Andol]

Exactly. We don't need to save the day, we need to get dat paper! Maybe they have to fight a rival crew/gang that gets their hands on a stand arrow. Or better yet a stand glock! They tried to shoot our characters up but they all survived and developed stands of their own.

speaking of stands, I actually got inspired for an early concept for a character.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Josefina "Josè" Emtumaè
Stand: Juicy Fruit

appearance

Ability: Material Exchange - Juicy Fruit touches two different objects and instantly swaps the material they're made of. Ex. touches a wooden door and a glass bottle, the door turns into glass and the bottle turns into wood. Juicy Fruit must be physically touching both objects at once for the ability to take effect.
Power - C
Speed - A
Range - E
Durability - D
Precision - A
Potential - B

Wait why does that stand picture remind me of the robot from The Day The Earth Stood Still.