[MM3]Sunstormers - OOC

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Neo-Paladin
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[MM3]Sunstormers - OOC

Post by Neo-Paladin »

A quick pitch for a Heroes-like game.

It's 2022 and as if the world didn't have enough problems already, a massive solar eruption raced through the solar system on January 1st. It caught the scientific community completely by surprise, given that our star had not shown any sign of increased activity within the last couple of weeks. With no way to prepare, Earth was struck hard. For three days, multi-hued auroras danced across the sky as particles burnt up in our athmosphere while all around the globe, unshielded electronics systems went haywire.
Massive blackouts followed and the simple fact that complete societal collapse in a world already beset by COVID-19 and international tensions was averted is a miracle in itself. But it won't be the last...
For most people, the solar eruption itself was relatively harmless. But a very small percentage of the population began to exhibit health issues beginning with nausea, fevers, disorientation and finally loss of consciousness. For three days, the afflicted could not be woken up until, after exactly 72 hours had passed, every afflicted individual opened their eyes, feeling fine. And more than fine, for they now found themselves possessing strange, superhuman abilities.
It's been seven days since the afflicted woke up and so far, no one has yet found out what exactly happened. The world is still reeling from mass blackouts and system failures, an ongoing pandemic and societal tensions. Whatever the origins of their new abilities may be, it needs the afflicted, the new breed of superhumans. The children of the eruption. The Sunstormers.

System would be M&M3, Most likely going for somewhere between street-level and JL-tier, not entirely sure yet. The characters and others who were afflicted by the sunstorm are the first superhumans. The world has, for all intents and purposes, been (or appeared?) mundane until January 1st.

Character creation:
120 PP at PL8, tradeoff to PL 9 with 105 PP possible. Alternatively, you can reduce PL to 7 at 135 PP.

Per point in Presence you get one presence-, appearance- or status-based Advantage for free.

As the game starts in Chicago, it would be good if all characters either hailed from the area or are at least there for a lengthier period of time.

No magic descriptor - some people may believe their powers to be magical, but descriptors-wise they are not.
Time travel is limited, no travel into the time before the Sunstorm or forward more than 24 hours is possible.
No aliens, as there have not been alien visitors to Earth.

Everything else you need to know:
Until January, this has been our world in its current state. COVID is a thing, sadly, as are growing political tensions. There might be politics involved later on, but there are more than enough things to handle besides that. Tone would be more on the greyscale-side of things. Think Heroes or Alphas with a tiny dash of Invincible. Actions can have serious consequences and there is no " status quo" to uphold.
Last edited by Neo-Paladin on Fri Aug 26, 2022 7:16 am, edited 7 times in total.
jmucchiello
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by jmucchiello »

Sounds like fun. So the names of every super would be known based on being in a hospital with a coma for 3 days, right? Also, did they all exhibit powers immediately after waking up? Like Human Torch style obvious powers.
Could some of them think they didn't get any powers because they gained subtle things like long life, immunities, etc.?
Neo-Paladin
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Neo-Paladin »

So far, few people have actually put 2 and 2 together, but the weird occurrences around those people are mounting and the net is abuzz.
However, not everyone who lapsed into the three-day-sleep was admitted to a hospital - given that hospitals were already taxed by COVID and by the fallout from the sunstorm, there simply wasn't enough room and time to either admit or properly register them. In some areas of the world, records may be spotty etc.
It appears they all developed powers immediately but some of course did not exhibit them immediately. Also, yes, there are subtle powers someone may not even know they have.
jmucchiello
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by jmucchiello »

But are there confirmed supers because the person suddenly grow two more arms? stuff like that.
Neo-Paladin
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Neo-Paladin »

Yes. But, given that it's only been a week since then (the game would start on the 10th), a clear picture of what exactly is going on has yet to emerge for most people.
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Shadowmask
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Shadowmask »

What's the PL? 8?
Neo-Paladin
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Neo-Paladin »

Most likely PL8 with the option for a PP tradeoff to get to PL9.
pathfinderq1
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by pathfinderq1 »

I probably shouldn't but put me down as "interested" anyway. This is one of the storylines I like best. It would have to be a pretty 'simple' character, I think- the complex ones are the ones I'm having trouble keeping up.

So Pl 8 to start- standard 120 pp? Any house rules?
Neo-Paladin
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Neo-Paladin »

120 PP at PL8, tradeoff to PL 9 with 105 PP possible.

Per point in Presence you get one presence-, appearance- or status-based Advantage for free.
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Shadowmask
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Shadowmask »

While I'm a little wary of getting or even giving free Advantages for beginning characters in case of balance issues, I'm definitely interested.
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Vivid
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by Vivid »

This sounds interesting!
jmucchiello
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Re: Interest Check: Sunstormers

Post by jmucchiello »

Shadowmask wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:30 pm While I'm a little wary of getting or even giving free Advantages for beginning characters in case of balance issues, I'm definitely interested.
Presence costs too much. It is a common house rule to do something to mitigate that cost. In this case, with 1 PP of advantages (only those related to Presence) per rank of Presence.
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Tony Jones
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Re: [MM3]Sunstormers - Recruiting and OOC

Post by Tony Jones »

Definitely interested!

Can characters be from anywhere in the world? Or would it be easier if they were all (for example) English speaking or from the 'Anglosphere'?

Are there any forbidden powers (e.g. Variable, Time Travel, Dimension Travel etc.)?
kenmadragon
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Re: [MM3]Sunstormers - Recruiting and OOC

Post by kenmadragon »

It's been a long time since I've played M&M on these forums, but I finally have the time and head-space to get back into gaming again. So, yeah, consider me interested!

I'd also like to know the answers to questions others have asked regarding stipulations on geographical limits, forbidden powers, etc.

Also, any guidelines on what kind of powers would be appreciate. For example, I'm doubting that descriptors for powers as being "magic" probably would track with this kinda set-up, nor would something like "alien from another world", and similar.

Further, what kind of genres should we be expecting from this game? Is this going to be a gritty and real-world-real-consequences type of superhero game/setting in the vein of Invincible or the Boys or something out of the Iron Age? Or is this going to be a more hopeful outlook with something in the line of classic, almost four-color heroism with comedic moments and the occasional hijinks interspersed with classical superhero action and adventures? Somewhere in-between in the line of MCU Stage 1's movies about emerging superheroes? Or perhaps something more in line with X-Men where people with powers find themselves the subject of fear and discrimination and stuff?
jmucchiello
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Re: [MM3]Sunstormers - Recruiting and OOC

Post by jmucchiello »

Here's my mentalist (as usual) pitch for this game. Not sure if it works or not.

Deborah Stetson Gold
(Hero; PL: 8; PP: 120/120)

STR: 1; STA: 6; AGL: 0; DEX: -1; FGT: -1; INT: 0; AWE: 8; PRE: 5/0

Dodge: 8, Parry: 8, Fortitude: 8, Toughness: 8, Will: 8

SKILLS: Athletics +1; Deception +5; Expertise: Fitness/Hair/Makeup/Fashion +10 (10r); Expertise: High Society +10 (10r); Insight +10 (2r); Intimidation +5; Perception +10 (2r); Persuasion +10 (5r); Stealth +0

LANGUAGES: English

ADVANTAGES: Attractive 2 (free), Benefit, Status: Social Elite/Celebrity/Influencer (free), Benefit, Wealth 3 (millionare), Connected (free), Entourage (like Minions, but PL0 drivers, consultants, and hangers ons), Equipment 2, Fascinate (Persuasion) (free), Initiative based on Awareness, Luck 2

COMBAT
Initiative: +8; Close: -1; Ranged: -1
  • "Mind your own business": Burst Area Damage 7: (Will DC 22) Range: 30 feet radius sphere, dc 17
  • Mind Control: Cumulative Perception Range Affliction 7: (Will DC 17)
  • "What secrets do you hold?": Cumulative Effortless Mind Reading 7: -1 (DC 17)
  • Grab: -1 (Special DC 11) Range: Close
  • Telekinesis: Move Object 9: +7 (DC 24) Range: 225/450/900 ft.
  • Throw: -1 (DC 16)
  • Unarmed: -1 (DC 16) Range: Close
POWERS
  • Enhanced Ability: Enhanced Presence 5 +5 PRE - Ability: Presence; Advantages: Attractive 2, Benefit, Status: Social Elite/Celebrity/Influencer, Connected, Fascinate (Persuasion); Flaws: Limited: House Rules Free Advantage for Presence (10 PP)
  • Flight: Flight 3 Speed: 16 miles/hour, 250 feet/round - Flaws: Distracting (3 PP)
    She uses her telekinesis to fly. It requires far more concentration than her normal use of TK and it is obvious she is the source of her flight, unlike her other powers.
  • Mental Powers - (34 PP)
    At first, she has no idea she has any mental powers.
    • "Mind your own business": Burst Area Damage 7 - Extras: Alternate Resistance: Will, Area (Burst) (30 feet radius sphere, dc 17), Selective, Subtle 2 (Undetectable) (1 PP)
    • Mind Control: Cumulative Perception Range Affliction 7 - 1st degree: Entranced, 2nd degree: Compelled, 3rd degree: Controlled, Resisted by: Will; Extras: Range: Perception, Cumulative, Insidious, Subtle 2 (Undetectable) (31 PP)
    • "What secrets do you hold?": Cumulative Effortless Mind Reading 7 - Extras: Cumulative, Effortless, Subtle 2 (Undetectable) (1 PP)
    • Telekinesis: Move Object 9 12 tons - Extras: Accurate 4 (+8), Damaging (1 PP)
  • Mind Talking: Mental Communication 1 - (4 PP)
EQUIPMENT
  • Cell Phone (Smartphone) (2 ep)
  • Concealable Microphone (1 ep)
  • Flash Goggles (1 ep)
  • Undercover Shirt (2 ep)
  • Upper Floor apartment overlooking Lake Michigan (4 ep)
BACKGROUND
Deborah Stetson Gold stands out in a crowd. Not just because of well-toned body, golden tan, modest freckles, and fiery red hair. But because she has always been in the spotlight. Her parents are old money and are well-known in high society. Deborah runs in those circles too. She also has a strong following on social media, @GoldStd. Her bi-weekly product review vlog, The Gold Standard, can make or break fledgling hair or makeup products. She also releases a workout video once a week.

Her parents are extremely wealthy and while not famous to the public, those who know high society are well aware of Mr. Barrymore Winsmoore Gold (50) and Tammy Anne Gold, nee Harding (52). She has an estranged younger brother, Alfred Rawling Gold, who has renounced wealth (and middle name) and disappeared into Tibet three years ago.

Deborah is a minority owner in many of their businesses and stands to inherit those holdings when her parents die (many years from now, they're barely into their 50s). Her own companies have only one important employee, her.

Deborah did some runway modelling when she was a teen and has appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue several times. She has made use of her fame to land a few walk-on roles in popular movie franchises.

Deborah has not had a lot of success romantically. Every red carpet she's appeared on she has been paired with a different up and coming hot actor or musician. But those never even reach the level of being called relationships. She is not looking to settle down any time soon.

A small Entourage of people can be found with Deborah whenever she leaves her apartment. Enrico Delgado has been her driver for many years, he usually rents a car when she arrives in a new city. Tasha is her personal bodyguard only for the last couple months. Becca Hanson is her best friend from boarding school and is usually the last person to check Deborah's hair and makeup before Deborah makes an appearance. Anne Yoskov is her current press relations person.

Becca is engaged and will be settling down soon. Deborah is not happy about losing Becca but is also happy for her. Becca has not told Deborah yet that she doesn't want Deborah in her wedding party because she doesn't want to be the bride who was upstaged by one of her bridemaids. The wedding is in four months.

"Three days unconscious? How many followers have I lost." That was her reaction to waking up from her coma. People must have been worried about her. They seem to do things for her as soon as she thinks about wanting something done.
Gender: Female Age: 28
Eyes: Sky Blue Hair: Red
Height: 5' 10" Weight:122 lb.

COMPLICATIONS
  • Entourage: Hangers ons, old friends, hair and makeup checkers, PR consultants, videographers, etc. Some number of these people are always nearby when she's out in public. Do they get into trouble? In the way? Who knows?
  • Fame: Deborah has millions of followers on all the right social media platforms. Her OnlyFans following is rather high for someone who doesn't do nudes. She posts workout, hair, makeup, and fashion vids.
  • Motivation: Recognition: Deborah is a spotlight seeker. She wants everyone to know her name.
  • Rivalry: Any number of other influencers are rivals. But none are rivals like Renata Stands. Renata doesn't have Deborah's inherited wealth. But in terms of fitness, hair, makeup, and fashion, the two of them probably share a lot of followers and try to convince those followers to be exclusive with them.
HEADQUARTERS
Upper Floor apartment overlooking Lake Michigan
(- Custom Headquarters -; PL: 8; PP: 4/150)

Size: Tiny; Toughness: 6

Features: Communications, Living Space, Personnel

EQUIPMENT
  • Video Camera (2 ep)
TOTALS: Abilities: -1, Powers: 0, Advantages: 0, Features: 3, Skills: 0, Defenses: 0, Equipment: 2, Weapons & Armor: 0 = 4
MOVEMENT AND STRENGTH DATA
Size: Normal size ~6 ft.
Flight: 16 miles/hour; 250 feet/round
Walking: 2 miles/hour; 30 feet/round; Running: 4 miles/hour; 60 feet/round
Swimming: 1/2 mile/hour; 6 feet/round
Jumping: Running 10 ft.; Standing 5 ft.; Vertical 2 ft.; Standing Vertical 1 ft.
Throwing Distances: 400 lbs. up to 6 ft, 100 lbs. up to 30 ft, 25 lbs. up to 120 ft
TOTALS: Abilities: 26, Powers: 51, Advantages: 9, Skills: 15, Defenses: 19 = 120
Last edited by jmucchiello on Tue Jan 02, 2024 2:13 am, edited 5 times in total.
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