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[PTA] Voltage - Basically Pokemon Fanfiction At This Point
Marshmallow
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Greetings, young trainers! I'm Blaine, the Red-Hot Leader of the Cinnabar Gym! Or at least what's left of it these days. Since the volcano erupted all those years ago things haven't really been the same.
But enough about my troubles, what about a quick quiz? How can you throw a Poke Ball as hard as you can, and yet have it slowly stop and come back to you? Give up? C'mon, it isn't that hard! You just throw it straight up into the air and let gravity do the rest! Ha ha!
I used to be a pretty Red-H░t Researcher as well you know! That's why I like giving quizzes, to give peo#le something to think about. Even if those things might seem a b░t silly at first. A Pokemon jo▓rney isn't just about getting str▒nger, it's abut learning about yourself, your Pokemon, a▒d the world around you.
Keep a▒ eye ou= for thi▓gs tha✌ intere$t you, and l░arn from your mist▲kes, (I'm s▓re you'll make plenty!) Never g▣ve up, n#^er make the sme m░sta%e twice, a✈d if y▓u burn o#t, ri►e frm y░(r ashes a▒d keep trying! Th░t"s what b▒ing a true P◉kemon Mast░r is a░l ab!u✤!~✕-#
-T▣e Sve F▓le is C✤rru^t=d-
Who are you and what the hell is this?
My name is Marshmallow, and this is a spiritual successor to this heap over here, which got abandoned by some complete shitbag of a GM.
Elucidate further, Marsh of the Mallow.
This is a Play-By-Post game, set in the world of Pokemon. Specifically Kanto. The players will be taking on the roles of Pokemon Trainers. How exciting!
In addition, I'm switching to a brand new system, with a brand new attitude (but you still need to roll some dice, and be the best that you can be, naturally.)
Brand new system?
The [100%] system by some other complete shitbag of a GM. I will shed light on this beast down there.
Down here?
Yes, right here.
Creating a character in [%] is a grueling, harrowing process whereby you assign "traits" to the character you want to play. It's as much an art as a science, so I'm going to let someone better at explaining this, uh, explain this.
For this game, a Player Character (ie. your Trainer) will Possess one (1) [Major Trait], two (2) [Minor Trait]s, and one (1) [Flaw]. You will also get 40% in Focus to split however you wish between those four Traits.
Here we have a young Trainer with extensive knowledge of Pokemon facts, a sunny disposition, good awareness of his surroundings, and yet an unfortunately persistent belief that he is good at Pokemon Coordinating and has excellent fashion sense when he in fact only possesses these two things in negative amounts. Delightful, no?
Of course, since this is a POKEMON game, we will also have Pokemon, which will be individually statted in a similar manner. Each Player Character will have three Pokemon who will have one (1) Major trait that will be their SPECIES and not anything else, damn it. They will also have two (2) Minor traits (which will typically be a NATURE like "Bold" or "Sassy" and a standard ABILITY for that species like "Super Luck" or "Pressure", but exceptions are certainly allowed, and even encouraged for your "starter" Pokemon). Each Pokemon will also get 30% Focus, split between their 3 traits. You may reduce that 30% total by 10% in exchange for a significant change to that Pokemon, like evolving it past the base form, giving it a Dream World ability (or other non-standard ability), or creating a unique trait (making a custom "nature" for your Pokemon will not usually be significant enough to warrant a cost).
Here we have Zee's starter, a tiny Torchic who looks terrifyingly dreadful (thanks mostly to its Trainer's "fashion" choices) and tends to get stronger when something tries to set it on fire (which is a pretty common response to seeing what this Torchic looks like). Most excellent.
Probably Tommy wrote:Alright, so the the first thing you gotta know is that all characters are made up of Traits
There are more than a few kinds of these traits, but luckily they are all pretty self explanatory
-[Major Traits] are the big things about a character, they are the thing or things that define him, her, or it. When your character makes up his mind on what to accomplish, these are the things that will decide how tough it is for that thing to be accomplished.
ie. Ace trainer, Researcher, Capture Specialist, etc.
-[Minor Traits] are the details, things that jive with your Major Trait or Traits, while still making a character special. They provide a bonus to your rolls on a relevance basis.
ie Athletic, Daring, Rich, etc
-[Flaws] also define a character, but more often then not in a bad way. If that wasn't obvious.
ie. Naive, Selfish, Neurotic, Missing an Arm, etc.
-[Temporary Traits] are added to a character during play, typically for a short duration. While some temporary traits may be injuries (Twisted Ankle, On Fire, Blinded, etc.), they will also cover psychological phenomena (Angered, Confused, Lost, etc.), and maybe even a few positive benefits.
-Focus is a percentage that is inherent to one of your traits. Whenever that Trait is reasonably relevant to an action you are attempting, that percentage will be added to the success rate of said action.
For this game, a Player Character (ie. your Trainer) will Possess one (1) [Major Trait], two (2) [Minor Trait]s, and one (1) [Flaw]. You will also get 40% in Focus to split however you wish between those four Traits.
Example: Zee Heuvalman - [Researcher 20%] [Cheerful 15%] [Perceptive] [Delusional 5%]
Here we have a young Trainer with extensive knowledge of Pokemon facts, a sunny disposition, good awareness of his surroundings, and yet an unfortunately persistent belief that he is good at Pokemon Coordinating and has excellent fashion sense when he in fact only possesses these two things in negative amounts. Delightful, no?
Of course, since this is a POKEMON game, we will also have Pokemon, which will be individually statted in a similar manner. Each Player Character will have three Pokemon who will have one (1) Major trait that will be their SPECIES and not anything else, damn it. They will also have two (2) Minor traits (which will typically be a NATURE like "Bold" or "Sassy" and a standard ABILITY for that species like "Super Luck" or "Pressure", but exceptions are certainly allowed, and even encouraged for your "starter" Pokemon). Each Pokemon will also get 30% Focus, split between their 3 traits. You may reduce that 30% total by 10% in exchange for a significant change to that Pokemon, like evolving it past the base form, giving it a Dream World ability (or other non-standard ability), or creating a unique trait (making a custom "nature" for your Pokemon will not usually be significant enough to warrant a cost).
Example: Celsius - [Torchic 10%] [Horrifying 10%] [Blaze] (-10% for non-standard trait)
Here we have Zee's starter, a tiny Torchic who looks terrifyingly dreadful (thanks mostly to its Trainer's "fashion" choices) and tends to get stronger when something tries to set it on fire (which is a pretty common response to seeing what this Torchic looks like). Most excellent.
That's a lot of text.
Yep, sorry about that. On the plus side that's pretty much all you need to know about the system.
It seems a bit... rules lite.
I personally like referring to it as "GM Fiat: The System", but you shouldn't let that scare you away. You can't not have fun with Pokemon in my experience.
Against my better judgement, I wish to experience this... "thing"... first hand. What do I need to do?
Good on you, brave pilgrim. I'll probably be giving preference to the people who got shafted in the last game I ran (keep your expectations high, folks!), but new people are welcome as well. Why not.
Go ahead and make a character and three Pokemon using those [100%] rules that were more or less explained up yonder, and post it in this here thread. Possibly with the color "seagreen" and the font "Courier New" if you feel like being hip, cool and/or fancy. If you make one of your Pokemon a legendary I will be seriously cross with you. On the other hand, feel free to have stuff from regions other than Kanto. If I have an issue with whatever you make, I will politely let you know how to fix it.
Said character will be attending this year's Kanto/Johto Pokemon League. So unless they are gonna be sitting in the stands or pursuing various mysteries elsewhere during the events of aforementioned championship, you may consider making them suitably badass to have earned 8 badges. Or being capable of stealing 8 badges. Or able to purchase/craft passable fakes of 8 badges. It'll work out, I'm sure!
Hey asshole, I was playing in your last game before you disappeared. What. the. hell.
First put down that 2x4 with nails hammered through it. Also get rid of that noose. And what did I say about having lit torches in the house, you wanna burn the place down?
Alright, in case it wasn't obvious what with all that lovely voltage text up there, this game is going to be taking place in exactly the same world as good 'ole [Alpha] and [Beta]. Seven months after the "events" in Cerulean, a delightful time skip to distance me from my embarrassment. Feel free to make a new character, or update an old one subject to the same stuff in the third paragraph up (the one about the League stuff). If you choose to continue an old character who already had more than 3 Pokemon in that game, go ahead and convert three of them. I'll take care of the rest.
I have a lot more questions, including "why are you so goddamn terrible?".
Ask away! I'd be happy to explain as much as I can about the setting, system, creating characters, and all that wondrous jazz. Technically I could preemptively do so in this OP, but that would be, like, work, and probably take more text characters then you're allowed to have in a single post.
ANOTHER long OP. What the HELL is WRONG with YOU?
[vidURL="
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOhefYhG8h0"]I have no idea what you are talking about.[/vidURL]Marshmallow on
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Posts
Steam
Where's that 2x4 with nails in it?
ain't so sure about analytic, but I do like how most of my traits rhyme
E: and lets make some 'mons
[Hun] [Duskull] [Devious] [Levitate]
[Visigoth] [Croagunk] [Stoic] [Anticipation]
[Zuni] [Natu] [Steadfast] [Magic Bounce]
Steam
You could limit it a bit. "Psychometry" would work well considering Sly's PTA build. Or Telepathy or Telekinetic or something.
Edit: Those are some good pokemon, be nice to see the Natu back in action.
Does this game have a definitive end-point, or are you just going to GM until you get bored again?
(that sounded way less cynical in my head)
I tend to GM in broad strokes, so plot-wise you are probably looking at the latter option there. With luck I will be able to muster up some decent wrapping up before I go and get bored. You know, again.
And honestly, if you've dealt with me and my games before and aren't cynical in regards to my abilities you probably weren't paying much attention.
Steam
Is there a list of Traits that Focus points are assigned to, or is that something that the GM just makes judgment calls on? Seems to be the latter, but I'm exacting in my curiosity.
Also, what does the % mean with regards to the Pokemon's species?
GT: HitoriLionheart or dailydro
Why would you want a % on a flaw? Wouldn't that hurt you?
Like, if I make characters as follows:
[Breeder 5%] [Righteous 10%] [Well-Spoken 5%] [Reckless 20%]
versus
[Breeder 15%] [Righteous 10%] [Well-Spoken 15%] [Reckless]
those two would be very different characters.
I think the best way to play with this "GM Fiat: The System" is to pick relatively ambiguous traits that could potentially swing both ways - they might be strengths or liabilities in certain situations.
GT: HitoriLionheart or dailydro
the more vague a trait is, the more often it will apply but the less potent it will be
Steam
We were talking in IRC about how Hot-blooded could be a minor trait, or a flaw, also. Generally, if you put something as a trait, I as a GM am gonna assume you want that to help you out most of the time. If you put something as your flaw, I'm gonna use that to hinder you on occasion. You are communicating via a character the kind of stuff you want to happen.
A percentage in a flaw can be a good thing if you want something to happen related to that Flaw. A [Wrathful 15%] guy is gonna get those Focus whenever he loses his shit and punches someone in the face for knocking over his drink. It may not be a good idea, but it could very well be a fun idea. ie. something you want to happen, despite the inherent drawbacks.
Creative use of Traits and Flaws is encouraged.
That Focus gets applied in a way similar to STAB, albeit broader. A Pikachu with a lot of [Pikachu] Focus is going to be good at zapping things, being a agile little bastard, chewing through expensive electricity cords, and possibly even being alert and attentive, depending on what pokedex entry you're reading.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
Maybe have a -10% cost to bump them up an evolution, have a dream world trait, a sweet hold item, or a non-Nature/Ability [Minor].
-20% focus to get one of your [Minor]s upgraded to a [Major], so Shock could have that full suite of Psychic crap if he wanted or what have you.
If you wanna do something like that just ask, GM Fiat: The System, etc.
but you know I'd like in on this
gimme some time, I'll have a thing up at some point
dick
There ain't any sorta rush. You can jump in whenever you got time.
And there, credited you for that explanation.
And I think 30% Focus is good for each pokemon, split however. With a -10% cost for each major thing you do like evolving it beyond a base form, messing around with it's traits beyond Nature/Ability, and so on.
[Larvitar 15%] [Bold] [Guts 15%]
[Pupitar 20%] [Sassy] [Sand Veil] (one evolution, -10%)
[Tyranitar] [Waterproofed] [Sand Stream] (Two evolutions + a non-standard trait, -30%)
etc, etc.
[Commander] [Soldier of Fortune 25%] [Professional] [Tough 10%] [Ignorant 5%]
And anything involving him being a mercenary would get a large boost, anything about being Tough would be a moderate boost, anything he does that could be harmed by his own ignorance would be slightly worse than normal, and situations where he would benefit from being Professional are slightly in his favor?
[Locke Khan] [Ace Trainer 15%] [Inspiring 10%] [Perceptive 5%] [Neurotic 5%]
[Nex] [Sableye 10%] [Brave 10%] [Prankster]- 10% (Dream World Ability)
[Echo] [Honchkrow 5%] [Impish 5%] [Insomnia 10%]-10% (+1 Evolutionary Stage)
[Byte] [Joltik 20%] [Rash 5%] [Compoundeyes 5%]
Did I do that correctly?
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
Its cool, he's Alexander see. Not some low-class Alex.
EDIT: And yes, you did that perfectly, first try. Well done!
[Ranger 5%] [Force of Personality 15%] [Perceptive 10%] [Confrontational 10%]
[Spore Man]
[Breloom] [Jolly 10%] [Poison Heal 10%]
[Scarhawk]
[Staraptor 5%] [Serious] [Intimidate 5%]
[Gemini Man]
[Starmie 10%] [Timid 5%] [Natural Cure 5%]
Consider the above a WIP. It would really depend on whether Marsh wants to do stuff like fear checks, because a lot of what I initially put down was stuff that would just manifest via RP and wouldn't be particularly relevant to mechanics.
It's really annoying me to try and find a trait that fully encompasses (as much as I want it to, at least) what I want my character to be good/bad at.
GT: HitoriLionheart or dailydro
Using a thesaurus helps sometimes, and if all else fails just go with something generic. It may seem like a cop out but you can breath some life into a set of simple traits just by roleplaying them well.
Calcifer [Kabuto 20%] [Cocky 10%] [Swift Swim]
Chiter [Paras 10%] [Apathetic 10%] [Effect Spore 10%]
I'm thinking on subbing a PC that likes to tag (or double) battle with and against other trainers, but just want to know.
Just so long as it has a broad category of things it should be able to do well it should be fine. It is probably the most definitive trait you'll have in terms of what your character can accomplish, so make sure you choose something you will enjoy working with.
See, last time, we had an Aleksandr (my dude, who is incidentally pretty close to yours in design!), an Alex, and two Alexanders.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
... Alright well he's now named Locke.
Also that is hilarious.
The shower was nice, though. [Water Affinity 10%]
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991