Radiant Warriors: Magic Girl Plot (Magic Girl Saga Edition [Fan Hack System])

[Muse]

May of 2024 was a time of change for a group of young women—and maybe young men, too.  Some twist of fortune—and perhaps the smile of an anonymous benefactor—saw their families moving to a new part of Tokyo—the Black Mountain District.  First day at a new school. in a new home, knowing basically no one, perhaps finding a letter and a little sterling silver gift in your locker brought a smile to your face. 

   Perhaps it was just creepy. 

   My name is Kusanagi Tarou and I'm writing you this letter to welcome you to Kuroyama High School.  I am the president of the Hero Appreciation Club.  The charm bracelet is a token of my appreciation for the person I believe you to be—a person who's faith in humanity spreads hope to all those you meet.  I think it will bring you luck and—if you find you find yourself in a truly dark place in the coming days—even protection.  Please keep it close. 

   Was this...  Boy you'd never met before... saying you were a hero?  That's just...  Weird...  Still, it's not like anyone else had said hi. 

   Maybe he could be a new friend?   

   Failing that, you'd heard about a new arcade at the mall... 

*   *   *

   Takahashi approached the sorcerer awkwardly, noticing that he had his usual retinue—two slightly goth schoolgirls and a colorful parrot.  “So how does this work,  Sato-sama?  Five coffins, five girls, five soulfire capacitors?  I know your father believes he owns the police but keeping slaves sedated in the basement under the mall?  If we get caught they'll lock us up and throw away the key.” 

   “Have a little faith, Mr. Takahashi.  You think middle eastern princes will play a small fortune for blond virgins?  Wait 'til you see what the Lords of Yoma will pay of for them...” 

[Muse]

   Thank you for listening. 

   You may have noticed that Geek Girl 88 is running her own Magic Girl System Game on this sight right now.  I have created this game to thank her for welcoming me to that one and to thank her for using a game system.  I am currently welcoming 6 more players. 

Crunch: 
   The mechanics for this game use Star Wars Saga Edition in a conversion I made for Hentai Anime.  This particular game will downplay the hentai aspect.  Our characters will be first level humans with the Magic Girl character class.  Abiltiy Scores will be 36 point buy.  (This is the same point buy used in D&D 3.5, but with more room for character growth.) 
   Because this is a fan made system, please work with me a lot.  I may have to do some little tweaks, but I'll do my best to be consistent.  The Star Wars Saga Edition has a comprehensive wikia and my fan system is all available on google drive. 
   If you've played D&D 3.5, Pathfinder, or D&D 5th edition the way this game is played will be completely intuitive to you. 

Venue: 
   Game will be here on Elliquiy in playbypost.  Character sheets will be on Google Drive.  If the players agree, we will have a Discord board for Out of Character with a dice log. 

Board and Content:
   The game will be on one of my Insane Musings boards in NCES Big Groups.  As I implied with “hentai will be downplayed”, sexual content will be minimal in this game and non consensual content will be completely at the option of the individual player. 

Game Play:
   This game should play a lot like Sailor Moon by my limited understanding of the original Japanese—not the sterilized U.S. Version.  Magic girls both cast spells and fight with stylized weapons and even martial arts.  There may be some blood.  (There may alternatively be a lot of clothing damage.  Let's talk about this!)
   So the story should be 1 part high school drama/comedy and 2 parts magic girl action.  With some spicy fan service!  That means characters will be between the ages of 16 and 18—which is in keeping with Elliquiy's policies. 
   If any accepted player is not comfortable with this age range, we will move the setting to a college and characters will be moved from the ages of 18-21. 

Specifics: 
   Tarou, president of the Hero Appreciation Club—knows things!  He will eventually reveal them but he knows that just coming out and saying that a secret cabal of sorcerers is harvesting human suffering to summon alien 'demons' would not work!  As such, he has chosen up to 7 young women (and men?) that he believes are powerful spiritual wellsprings of hope and given them talismans that can transform them into Radiant Warriors—in other words, magic girls. 

Radiant Warriors (Metaphysics)

   "Storytellers have long had a way of understanding the metaphysical truths of the universe.  It's not a paranormal capability to 'channel' knowledge of mythical otherworlds.  That just denies the hard work they do.  No, storytellers accept the proposition that spiritual reality can affect physical reality.  This makes fantasy a valid venue for the discussion of philosophy. 

   "You'd also be surprised how often it makes it spot on. 

   "Superheroes, sentai, magic girls.  All of these are your world's storytellers exhibiting a metaphysical understanding of what we call Radiant Warriors. 

   "You see, in your world--like any other--the spiritual energy that fuels magic is built up by soul deep emotions.  We call this, "Soulfire."  Energy that flares into the universe when living things connect with the most integral aspects of their spiritual nature.  Magicians use strongly understood formulas or powerful, drawn out rituals to gather that scattered energy that already exists as a simple consequence of life.  Where insufficient energy exists, magicians have to provoke soul deep emotions in order to build it up.  Sometimes they do this in very dark ways--bloodletting, sacrifice, lust, drugs, pain.  "Black Magic" is ritual magic that specializes in provoking negative emotions in order to build up soulfire.  Hate, fear, pain, suffering.  These things self perpetuate. 

   "A whole branch of magic exists--some call it Cupid's Arts--that provokes the primordial emotion of lust to build soulfire to fuel their effects, and form follows function.  This has it's own traps but I find it's healthier than black magic. 

   "Radiant warriors are different.  Hope.  Joy.  Love.  inspiration.  Radiant warriors aren't magicians--though they can be. They aren't gods--though they can be.  Throughout the worlds the best Radiant Warriors are people who's attitudes--and yes, their trials--spark soulfire from hope.  It's often easier to make a talisman that gives magic to the people predisposed to be hopeful than it is to teach a wizard that psychology. 

   "That's why your world's superheroes wear colorful spandex and magic girls wear kawaii sailor skirts.  These things reach into the souls of your culture and tell you, "The good guys are here.  They're here to help.  It's time to be happy. 

   "It's time to hope. 

   "Now Tokyo.  Tokyo is a place where banality and stress goes hand in hand with family love and civic responsibility. 

   "Tokyo is a ripe breeding ground for hope." 

[AribethAmkiir]

sounds fun

[mjrbatou]

The first question that comes to mind for me is - Will the foes be smart/quick enough to interrupt transformation or attack routines now that they'll be longer?  I always half wondered why none of them did anything even after someone mentioned the 30 second sequence where the girls were vulnerable.

Too bad the only character on my mind is a Harley like crazy...

[Avernale]

I have an odd idea for a character that I probably wouldn't usually do.  Can my character already be a super-hero?  I can make sure my character's original hero form is weaker than her magical girl form, or at least unpowered (on the level of, say, Hit Girl from Kick-Ass), but I can probably swing a chunibiyo-type if it comes to it.

[MelisaArtemis]

The first question that comes to mind for me is - Will the foes be smart/quick enough to interrupt transformation or attack routines now that they'll be longer?  I always half wondered why none of them did anything even after someone mentioned the 30 second sequence where the girls were vulnerable.

Too bad the only character on my mind is a Harley like crazy...

Quick answer is that the long transformation sequence the viewer see wasn't as long for the enemy. In actuality by their POV, the transformation happened instantly. You can find some precure videos and see that sometimes they just transform in a flash.

[Muse]

The first question that comes to mind for me is - Will the foes be smart/quick enough to interrupt transformation or attack routines now that they'll be longer?  I always half wondered why none of them did anything even after someone mentioned the 30 second sequence where the girls were vulnerable.

Too bad the only character on my mind is a Harley like crazy...

While I generally agree with MElisa's answer, my answer specific to this game is diferent.  This is the Henshin Wands feat, one of the four base starting feats for the Magic Girl class: 

Henshin Wand
   You have somehow gained possession of a magical talisman that allows you to transform into a Magic Girl. 
   Transformation requires four consecutive swift actions to accomplish.  (This means that it takes place over the course of two rounds.) 
   --Activation Phrase:  You are required to recite a phrase to activate the transformation.  The phrase is usually cheesy, however the fact that it is always spoken in a foreign language makes it sound cool.   Japanese magic girls usually use English.  American magic girls usually use Japanese. 
   --Your normal clothing vanishes. 
   --Radiant energy washes over your naked body as you are filled with power. 
   --Your magic girl costume replaces this clothing. 
   Though you are flat footed during your transformation sequence, anytime you are attacked during the sequence you may reflexively and as a free action make an attack against the attackers will defense.  The roll is d20+Level +Charisma Modifier.  If the attack is successful, the attacker is overwhelmed by your magnificence, ceases his attack, and stares in awe, flat footed ‘til the beginning of his next action. 
   While transformed, your identity is concealed beneath an illusion effect that conceals your identity with a natural 20 on a bluff check made to disguise you.  You gain a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma and 5+ your level phantom hit points. 
   While transformed, you may make use of Radiant Powers. 

*  *  *

I have an odd idea for a character that I probably wouldn't usually do.  Can my character already be a super-hero?  I can make sure my character's original hero form is weaker than her magical girl form, or at least unpowered (on the level of, say, Hit Girl from Kick-Ass), but I can probably swing a chunibiyo-type if it comes to it.

That doesn't suit very well for a couple of reasons.  At best you could be a really low level kung fu vigilante. 
A.  We're level 1, so whatever made you a superhero when not a magic girl would have to fit inside level 1 magic girl.  (Not impossible if you're, like, Dick Grayson at the start of his career!)
B.  As to what makes you 'super' the world doesn't really have superheroes.  You could have someone like Kick Ass, and the reactions to this person at the beginning of their career would be similar--good and bad.  The setting doesn't have 'superpowers' that aren't magical and magic has been a reasonably well kept secret for quite some time.  When people first notice magic girls doing magic, in circumstnaces convinciing enough that a lot of people think it's real?  This is going to draw a lot of attention! 

[GeekGirl88]

WOOHOOO!!!!

[Muse]

Here we go: 
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=340361.0
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=340362.0

Aribeth, Arvenale, G.G., M.J., if you want to play you may consider yourselves accepted. 

Still looking for more!

[GeekGirl88]

YAAAAAAAY!

[Steir]

Keeping an eye here, still thinking if I should join in.

|3c

[Muse]

  Would be great to have you.  :)

[Avernale]

That doesn't suit very well for a couple of reasons.  At best you could be a really low level kung fu vigilante. 
A.  We're level 1, so whatever made you a superhero when not a magic girl would have to fit inside level 1 magic girl.  (Not impossible if you're, like, Dick Grayson at the start of his career!)
B.  As to what makes you 'super' the world doesn't really have superheroes.  You could have someone like Kick Ass, and the reactions to this person at the beginning of their career would be similar--good and bad.  The setting doesn't have 'superpowers' that aren't magical and magic has been a reasonably well kept secret for quite some time.  When people first notice magic girls doing magic, in circumstnaces convinciing enough that a lot of people think it's real?  This is going to draw a lot of attention! 

Oh, yeah, that's fine.  I assume I need to avoid making her too competent in other areas, too.  And probably not go too crazy with her lore. You don't need another secret society in this game, after all.  I do intend for her having reasons for moving here beyond her parent's convenience.

[Muse]

Okay!  this is exciting, sure! 

Doing someone like Hit Girl?  16 year old vigilante who barely has time for school?  Maybe she even moved to this new school to get a fresh start because her original mission succeeded? 

Though that doesn't mean successors tot he bad guy will never show up... 

Now, you could be more aware than most PCs that the first time you henshin your capabilities change slightly. 

Thoguh this is hardly nessicary, if it would help your backstory, you might actually loose a substantial amount of your capabilities as the talisman reshapes you into a magic girl. 

Most charaters are changed so slightly that they barely notice.  Maybe they're like, "You know i never could sing this well," or, "Oh, that's nice.  i don't need my glasses anymore. 

Others might have been level 2 non heroic characters before those levels were erased and replaced with one magic girl level and similar agility. 

if it helps your story you might have been a levle 2-3 bad ass who was transformed into a level 1 magic girl with similar capabilities.  You might notice that--while you can still outfight most normal people--your not quite as good at it as you used to be.  Maybe you can't remember how to use some of the guns you studied, but why can you suddenly dance and play piano?  What's up with that? 

This would happen as part of your transfiguration to give you skills and talents you need to be a successful magic girl.  Otherwise you'd spend several levels just learning the raw basics of the class! 

And, honestly, if that's interesting to you, we can do it.  You could begin p ay as a level 1 bad ass, level 1 magic girl.  Because of the way multiclassing works you'd only have about 1/4 of the stuff the other magic girls have, but you'd also be...  Well, you know, a bad ass.   

Also, even though your level 2 and the rest of the group is level 3, you wouldn't level up to level 3 'til the rest of the group does.   

[Steir]

I'll try to put together a character. Still figuring out how the sheet works and where all the information can be found for the options.

[Muse]

Talk to me when i wake up.  I'd love to help you. 

Tell me your idea and i'll tak you throuhg it.  Guide you places.  There's lots fo good options for linking to stuff--both my original stuff and the base STar Wars Saga Editon system.

[Steir]

Seeing the Lore of Stardust made me think of a character who is popular in school because of how well she does in academics and her responsibilities in school (such as the student council). She was trained well in various skills such as archery, calligraphy, piano as part of a traditional family upbringing. Her features could be best described as graceful, and she is taught well in etiquette and how to conduct herself before others.

Despite how others see her, she lacks decisiveness when it comes to matters that involve herself. The sheltered life also means she's not too familiar with popular trends among those of her age.

Part of my inspiration is Kaguya-hime from the Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter. Also Cure Selene in Star Twinkle Precure.

[pdragon]

Out of curiosity, would you be down for an older, perhaps Milfy-er magical girl? I was thinking maybe one of the teachers (the supervisor for the club?) or maybe the mother of one of the girls that got sent a message turned out to be the actual source of power instead.

[GeekGirl88]

I still need to work on my character some.

[mjrbatou]

I actually need to sit down on my computer and do these things for magical girls.  I'm not sure I even have an idea for theme and whatnot...

[GeekGirl88]

Because MusE didn't clarify as I asked...

I AM NOT AGAINST HENTAI! I ENJOY SOME OF IT. I AM JUST NOT INTO TENTACLES, WHICH WAS A HUGE THING IN HIS ORIGINAL DESIGN. I DO NOT EVEN MIND NON-CONSENSUAL TOUCHING OR "YES MEANS NO" THOUGH OUTRIGHT RAPE IS OFF-PUTTING.

[Muse]

Seeing the Lore of Stardust made me think of a character who is popular in school because of how well she does in academics and her responsibilities in school (such as the student council). She was trained well in various skills such as archery, calligraphy, piano as part of a traditional family upbringing. Her features could be best described as graceful, and she is taught well in etiquette and how to conduct herself before others.

Despite how others see her, she lacks decisiveness when it comes to matters that involve herself. The sheltered life also means she's not too familiar with popular trends among those of her age.

Part of my inspiration is Kaguya-hime from the Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter. Also Cure Selene in Star Twinkle Precure.

Sounds like a great concept.  How does this girl react to being at a new school where no one knowes her?  I wonder if her self esteem was tied up somewhat in being admired by her classmates? 

Out of curiosity, would you be down for an older, perhaps Milfy-er magical girl? I was thinking maybe one of the teachers (the supervisor for the club?) or maybe the mother of one of the girls that got sent a message turned out to be the actual source of power instead.

  Erm...  Let me think about that one.  It would definitely change the dynamic.  I mean, we're all new at this school.  I've been trying to stick to that, and people are forgetting about it and having to adjust for it. 

Because MusE didn't clarify as I asked...

I AM NOT AGAINST HENTAI! I ENJOY SOME OF IT. I AM JUST NOT INTO TENTACLES, WHICH WAS A HUGE THING IN HIS ORIGINAL DESIGN. I DO NOT EVEN MIND NON-CONSENSUAL TOUCHING OR "YES MEANS NO" THOUGH OUTRIGHT RAPE IS OFF-PUTTING.

Thank you very much for clarifying.  I've been nervous about some of the villains I've been designing.  I can now be relatively confident that they'll be fun for all of us. 

[GeekGirl88]

@Muse: You are welcome!


*QUICK EDIT: I am not opposed to other people having outright rape happen to their characters in either their posts or Muse's GM ones. Please just indicate it, so I know to scroll past or not click on it!*

*QUICK EDIT 2: I said "Yes mean No", by accident. I hope it was obvious that I jumbled that. I meant "No means Yes..."

[Steir]

Sounds like a great concept.  How does this girl react to being at a new school where no one knowes her?  I wonder if her self esteem was tied up somewhat in being admired by her classmates?

There would be some hesitation in the beginning as she tries to gauge people's expectations of her, but will do her best in responsibilities given to her.

I think it's standard fare when the heroes get caught by the villains and somehow find a way to escape - either by themselves or when someone comes to their rescue.

[Avernale]

Okay!  this is exciting, sure! 

Doing someone like Hit Girl?  16 year old vigilante who barely has time for school?  Maybe she even moved to this new school to get a fresh start because her original mission succeeded? 

Actually, I was thinking just the opposite.  The trail of her current mission brought her to this town, possibly this very school.  My thoughts are still vague at this point, but she's either looking for her father's killer (which may have been years ago) or some kind of artifact/heirloom.  In either case, what she's expecting is fairly mundane, even if she is some kind of ninja, but it can turn out to be directly related to the main plot somehow.

Though that doesn't mean successors tot he bad guy will never show up... 

Now, you could be more aware than most PCs that the first time you henshin your capabilities change slightly. 

Thoguh this is hardly nessicary, if it would help your backstory, you might actually loose a substantial amount of your capabilities as the talisman reshapes you into a magic girl. 

Most charaters are changed so slightly that they barely notice.  Maybe they're like, "You know i never could sing this well," or, "Oh, that's nice.  i don't need my glasses anymore. 

Others might have been level 2 non heroic characters before those levels were erased and replaced with one magic girl level and similar agility. 

if it helps your story you might have been a levle 2-3 bad ass who was transformed into a level 1 magic girl with similar capabilities.  You might notice that--while you can still outfight most normal people--your not quite as good at it as you used to be.  Maybe you can't remember how to use some of the guns you studied, but why can you suddenly dance and play piano?  What's up with that? 

This would happen as part of your transfiguration to give you skills and talents you need to be a successful magic girl.  Otherwise you'd spend several levels just learning the raw basics of the class! 

And, honestly, if that's interesting to you, we can do it.  You could begin p ay as a level 1 bad ass, level 1 magic girl.  Because of the way multiclassing works you'd only have about 1/4 of the stuff the other magic girls have, but you'd also be...  Well, you know, a bad ass.   

Also, even though your level 2 and the rest of the group is level 3, you wouldn't level up to level 3 'til the rest of the group does.   

what I'm currently thinking is, as a vigilante, she starts off being specced for investigation and stealth, maybe escape artistry, and as a magical girl she's all about raw, offensive power (possibly a glass cannon) at least until she catches up to the other girls and she can spread out her stats more. Basically she has two gears, one for sneaking into buildings and another for leaving it a smouldering crater (an exaggeration, but I'm sure you know what I mean).  Although, her swapping "Bad ass" skills for "Girly" skills is kind of amusing, so I'll have to consider that.

The thought occurs, also, that if she is a less capable fighter as a magical girl, she might chalk it up to the kinds of enemies she's fighting.  Like, if she's used to fighting street thugs it'd be natural for her to have a harder time fighting monsters.  But if she's a less capable fighter as a magical girl, then transforming at all would be a liability unless the monster was straight-up immune to mundane techniques.