[Fiasco] Penny Ante Wrestling: Down at the old Texas Rattlesnake... (Scene 1)

Matev

Welcome to Fiasco: A game of powerful ambitions and poor impulse control!






What is Fiasco?

Fiasco is a hard game to explain if you've never seen it in action before. What's easiest is to explain what it's like which the designers were lovely enough to do for us

Fiasco is a storytelling game which brings to life colorful characters and situations fleshed by the players, echoing at times filmmakers like the Coen Brothers, other times channeling comedies like Anchorman, Seinfeld, and Arrested Development. It's all about building up your relationships with your characters, then letting them crash and burn. The parameters of the game are determined by a playset chosen before the start of the game.

Sounds interesting. How do we play?

Well, for starters, unlike the normal rules, I will be acting in a GM/Host Role, facilitating play and keeping the action moving. To state this at the start, if you sign up, you are expected to make at least 1 post per day (The more the better as it will keep the action fun and furious!). Time to formulate posts and collaborate is good, but I will nudge you get things moving if need be.

Now, the real rules!

Setup!

First off, we will setup seating order. This will be determined by order of signups. After this, the collective pool of dice will be rolled. Using the dice, you will establish shared Relationships, Needs, Objects, and Locations between each of you. It is required that everyone have 2 shared things between each of them, one of which must be a Relationship. There must also be at least 1 Need, 1 Object, and 1 Location on the table (With 5 people, this will not be a problem) Throughout this process, you will build up your characters, who they are, what they want and the order of their own little world (Anything from a malfunctioning interrogation robot to a crochety old news reporter is possible!) Each person will go around, choosing 1 die from the pool and using the corresponding number to either define or flesh out a connection. Defining a connection is a giving it a general shape, such as romantic relationship, or sharing a household object. Fleshing out a connection is giving it a specific definition, like using the station's equipment after hours to shoot an "art film", or sharing a barrel of crystal meth. Everyone will get a chance to define and flesh out 2 connections. The last person has the added bonus of ignoring the number the last die and fleshing out the relationship anyway they want using the appropriate table!

1st Round

The first round is for opening salvos, establishing your voice, and your best chance to directly affect the other player's endings. Each turn is a scene, wherein players utilize their connections and attempt to accomplish a goal. If you cannot think of a scene, you may ask the other players to help work out a scene for you. Once the scene has been concluded, if it was a success, you give a white die to an opponent. If it was a failure for your character, you give a black die to the opponent. Everyone will get 2 turns in this round before the Tilt occurs.

Midgame and the Tilt

After 2 rounds, the players add up the dice they've accumulated so far, white and black dice cancelling each other out.

Example: If I have 3(W), 2(B), 2(B); My score is 1(B) Not looking to good for me so far. The players with the White and Black scores closest to Zero then select dice to determine the game's Tilt, where everything starts to go off the rails for the characters. The Tilt Table will be provided when the time arrives for it to be revealed

2nd Round

The 2nd round proceeds somewhat like the 1st, a little bit louder and a little bit worse, and in reverse order. This time though, you keep the dice you earn from writing out your scenes in this scene, direct success or failure adding to your score. Like in the Setup, the last die in this round is wild, and may count for either color. At any time during the round, one (or more) of the players may invoke the Tilt to better twist or enhance one of their scenes.

Final Scoring and Denoument

After 4 rounds have been completed, the players total up their dice (see midgame for how this works) and determine what kind of ending they have (hint: You want to trend towards either total success or total failure. Middling will end the worst for you). Then, you spend each dice you have in a round to give your characters brief denouments, a montage of epilogues showing the consequences of the actions taken during the game.

This time, we will be using a custom playset I created to simulate the triumphant and torment of professional Wrestling. I call it Penny Ante Wrestling. I tried to find a set based on pro-wrestling, and was shocked I couldn't find one. Here is the playset.


****

Penny Ante Wrestling:

The Score:

America: 1970-Present

From the early 60s onward, Men (And sometimes women) with larger than life personalities donned tights and assumed wild personas in an attempt to wow the crowds of America for a quick buck. A uniquely American endeavour, the idea of Professional Wrestling is part athletic contest, part morality play, and part carnival sideshow. It grew from humble, local beginnings, into interstate, national, and finally international phenomena. The 80s was considered by many to be the Golden Age of Wrestling, with many of it's memorable personalities and staying power in the popular consciousness coming from that era. Wrestlers building on the legacy of their forefathers have learned to play to crowds of thousands, sometimes millions with the advent of the Pay-Per-View event and internet streaming in the 21st Century. Big Men, Big Personalities, pressure to make yourself the best product you can be by hook or by crook. Some cope outside the arena, others take the job too seriously, and all behind the scenes, the Boss is raking in money hand over fist. No matter what era you choose to base it in, Penny Ante Wrestling Federation is a fiasco waiting to happen.

Movie Night

Suggest Viewing for this playset includes old Pro Wrestling Events (Most prominent being WWF/E Wrestlmanias), Interviews (Various), Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, Wrestling Road Diaries, and Louis Theroux's Weird Weekend


***

Relationships

1. Part of the Biz
-1. Promoter/Bread and Butter
-2. Part of the Road Crew
-3. Jobbers looking to climb the Card
-4. Booker/Wrestler they're booking for
-5. Part of the Road Crew
-6. Sports Doctor/Patient




2. Match Made in Heaven
-1. Crush/Unrequited Loves
-2. "Roommates" on Road Trips
-3. Married
-4. Only Married for the cameras
-5. Formerly Married
-6. Non-Wrestling Spouse/Wrestler





3. In the Ring
-1. Commentary Team (play-By-Play/Color)
-2. Tag Team Partners
-3. Wrestling Rivals
-4. Manager/Wrestler
-5. Reluctant Partners for the next feud
-6. Champion/Aspiring Champion



4. Outside the Ring
-1. Boss/Employee
-2. Roommates on Road Trips
-3. Can't stand each other
-4. Best of friends
-5. Run a successful side business no one knows about
-6. Legend of the Business/The one who brought them back.



5. The Fringe
-1. The Fans who think it's all real
-2. Writes a blog (newsletter/magazine)/source for their leaks
-3. Fans looking to break into the business
-4. Obessive fan/object of their desire
-5. Relative of the Wrestler/Wrestler
-6. What are those 2 idiots doing here?



6. En Espanol!
-1. Valet/Luchador
-2. Parejas Increibles
-3. El Tecnico/ El Rudo
-4. Los Luchadores!
-5. Luchador/Retired Family Member
-6. Crossover Star/El Gringo

Needs

1. To get Paid.....
-1. ....by suing those negligent assholes
-2. ....by robbing this place blind
-3. ....by working the Main Event
-4. ....to pay off my loan sharks
-5. ....because this alimony ain't gonna pay itself
-6. ....because I've got a business to run




2. To Get Laid.....
-1. .....by as many groupies as possible
-2. ....because it dulls my aches and pains
-3. ....to prove I'm still attractive
-4. ....because I can't drink anymore
-5. ....before the steroids do their work
-6. ....to show my spouse/lover





3. To get Famous....
-1. ....so they'll finally notice me
-2. ....to get a t-shirt with my name on it
-3. ....by getting a real acting career
-4. ....for that one big match
-5. ....to get a better gimmick
-6. ....to impress everyone back home



4. To Win....
-1. ....the fans over
-2. ....otherwise, I'm fired
-3. ....ONE! LAST! MATCH!
-4. ....the respect of my peers
-5. ....the main event
-6. ....my ex's heart



5. To Get Out...
-1. ...before I get killed doing this
-2. ....because I'm tired
-3. ....before someone finds us out
-4. ....and go to a better promotion
-5. ....to spend more time with my kids
-6. ....to pass the torch



6. To Get Over....
-1. ....myself
-2. ....my booking
-3. ....with the fans
-4. ....my ex
-5. ....the new guy
-6. ....my feud with the boss

Locations

1. World Tour!
-1. The Tokyo Dome! (We're big in Japan!)
-2. L'Arena, Mexico City! (Muchas Luchas!)
-3. Montreal (Man they really hate us here)
-4. Madison Square Garden (The Grandaddy of 'em all!)
-5. The USO Arena in scenic Baghdad (We support our Troops!)
-6. Live feed from the Bahamas (Totally via satellite!)




2. Around Town
-1. Ex's house
-2. The Champ's house
-3. My house
-4. PAW Offices
-5. The Graveyard
-6. Crazy Vaclav's Used Cars





3. Pennsatucky Arena
-1. In the rafters
-2. On the Entry Ramp
-3. In the Ring!
-4. Ringside
-5. Among the fans!
-6. On top of the Megatron!



4. Backstage
-1. The Boss' Office
-2. The Parking lot
-3. Dimly Lit Corridor #4
-4. Right outside the entry ramp
-5. The Women's locker room
-6. The Champ's private locker room



5. Unsavory Places to be found
-1. Ramford's Grocery Store
-2. Madame Chin's House of Ill Repute
-3. The Sleep Eazey Motel
-4. The Corner of 9th and Wilma
-5. The Texas Rattlesnake Bar and Grill
-6. Steadman Pharmaceuticals



6. Working the Indies
-1. At Billy Jo Bob's Hardcore Backyard
-2. At a Make a Wish! Event
-3. Looking in on PAW Academy
-4. At the opening of the Indinola Dome
-5. At a Warrior's Code Wrestling Taping
-6. The Street Fight behind the Pretty Kitty Club

Objects

Illicit Items
-1. Sex video involving one of the female wrestlers
-2. The harness they died in
-3. Duffel bag full of sex toys
-4. Bottle of anabolic steroids
-5. Used wrestler's trunks (Male)
-6. Colt .45 (Fully loaded)




2. Ringside
-1. A fan's drink
-2. The bell
-3. The championship belt
-4. The Spanish announcer's table
-5. A Ladder
-6. Padlock with key





3. In the ring
-1. Can of Gasoline
-2. Referee's jersey
-3. Steel Chair
-4. Microphone
-5. THE CAGE!!!
-6. Barbed Wire-wrapped baseball bat



4. Gimmick Props
-1. Mister Mad's Straitjacket
-2. Longhorn's cowboy hat
-3. Ring King Crown
-4. Contract for a title match
-5. Sarge's Megaphone
-6. The Boss' briefcase



5. Serious Business
-1. The company jet
-2. Contract for sponsorship with Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs
-3. Divorce papers
-4. Champ's Paycheck
-5. The Boss' cell phone (Planner/Schedule)
-6. Duffel bag full of cash



6. The Supernatural?
-1. Book of magic rituals actually signed by Aliester Crowley
-2. Rug with a pentagram on it
-3. Demonic Makeup kit
-4. Fake vampire fangs
-5. Life Size Ankh (Big enough for crucifixions!)
-6. Dr. Skull's actual skull

***


Signs up are open to the first 5 people to sign up in Lime Green. The game isn't much balanced past that point, but if this is a hit, sequels

will definitely be in the offing.

Reynolds

I kinda feel bad for signing up first, since I don't hang around this place much anymore, after the name change. And I've never played this game (although it looks really interesting from some searches). But I'm interested in playing and I happened to be up late when this was posted, so here we are. Hopefully I don't screw anything up...and if things are done in any sort of order, you can bump me down a spot or two, if that extra time might help me better see how things work.

The Brayster

Fiasco is a fantastic social game.

Sign me up

Kirindal

Sign me up! It's the perfect time for a little wrestling fun.

vertroue

Im game

vertroue

sign up fiasco is awesome

Matev

Excellent and wonderful! Only 1 slot left! While we could start with 4 people, it really is that much better with 5. To that end, sign ups will be open until I get home from work. (around 5 PM PST) Drag a friend into this, what's the worst that could happen?

DeamonIzual

Never played fiasco before but sign me up

Matev

Never played? No worries, we'll help you out! That's the last slot filled! I'll roll up the dice pool once I get home in a couple hours.

vertroue

Woooot

vertroue

Btw if anyone needs/wants to books let me know in pm.

Matev

All right players! Here's the dice pools

White:
5, 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 5, 4, 6, 2, 1, 3, 5, 2, 3

Seating order is as follows:

Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|
DeamonIzual
|
Reynolds


Using a complex system of lotteries (Ok, just our fine friends over at Orokos) it has been determined @Reynolds will get 1st pick. Choose a connection to set up.

Reynolds

This is why I wasn't so sure about going first...you're going to have to explain exactly what you need me to do here.

Matev

So, if you look in the OP, there are relationships, needs, locations, and objects. All the numbers correspond to the faces of a 6 sided die. You choose one of those things to either define a connection between you and someone, or two other people in the game, using one of the die numbers rolled

Example: Say you want to create relationship between you and Brayster. You can use one of the 6s rolled in the pool to have the broad relationship "En Espanol!" or you can use a 3 for "In the ring" once you've selected the broad relationship, it's someone else's turn. They can either create a new connection between 2 people, or further flesh out the connection you created using the broad idea you selected. Make sense?

Reynolds

Alright, I think I understand. So, I want to use a 6 to pick Objects: The Supernatural? for The Brayster and vertroue. I have a feeling they'd be the types to try to scare us with their sorcerous ways, and find everyone else's lack of faith disturbing...

Matev

Well, that would be great, except Brayster and vertroue don't have connections. The order I posted is important



Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|
DeamonIzual
|
Reynolds


This means connections can be had between Kirindal and vertroue, vertroue and DeamonIzual, The Brayster and Kirindal, or The Brayster and yourself. (If you want someone from that combination) It makes more sense when you're sitting around a physical table, basically you form connections with the 2 people to your left and right. So choose another pairing to set up a connection for (Otherwise though, you've got the selection process correct)

Reynolds

Yeah, you're really going to have to be really specific with what you need me to do. I was out running errands the entire day or else I would have responded sooner.

Alright, so then I'll keep it simple and use a 3 to pick Relationships: In The Ring for myself and DeamonIzual.

Matev

All right, I'll keep that in mind!

@The Brayster you're up!



Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 5, 4, 6, 2, 1, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:
3

The Brayster

I'm gonna use a 1 to form Relationship: Part of the Biz between me and Kirindal

Matev

@Kirindal , your turn! (Also folks, start discussing amongst yourselves what kinda of characters can be formed here, what kinds of stories can be told. This game thrives on communication!)

Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 5, 4, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3

Black:
1

DeamonIzual

Well if the wrestling match is going to be the focus of our story, I can see a few scenarios set up here. First would be a 1v1 with each wrestler having a coach and the fifth person being a wildcard. Second, a tag team match with a wildcard. And last, a 5 person royal rumble. In the cases with the wildcard, that could be a ref, a crazed fan, a surprise wrestler or whatever we come up with.

I'm not partial to any setting but with my relationship "In the Ring" with Reynolds, that nicely sets us up as a tag team or coach/wrestler combo.

Also feel free to throw my ideas out if I'm on the wrong track for the game or if there is a better setting!

Kirindal

Spending a 4 to establish a Relationship: 'Outside The Ring' between vertroue and DeamonIzual.

Matev

Speaking of, @vertroue your go!

Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|

Relationship: Out of the ring

|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3

Black:
1, 4

vertroue

Black 5 on needs for demon and reynolds

vertroue

To get out.

Matev

Oh boy, a need to get out.... Of what though? @DeamonIzual , your move!

Reynolds
|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|

Relationship: Out of the ring

|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring
Need: To get out...

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3

Black:
1, 4, 5

DeamonIzual

I'll use a 2 to say that Reynolds and The Brayster have the relationship "Match made in Heaven"

Matev

Oooh, wonder what sparks with fly between the Brayster and @Reynolds . Speaking of, you're back up Reynolds!

Reynolds
|

Relationship: Match made in Heaven

|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|

Relationship: Out of the ring

|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring
Need: To get out...

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 1, 6, 2, 2, 6

Black:
6, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3, 2,

Black:
1, 4, 5

Reynolds

Alright, if I understand this right, I can use a 6 to further define that Relationship: Match Made in Heaven with Non-Wrestling Spouse/Wrestler. Right?

vertroue

Yup

Matev

Reynolds wrote: »

Alright, if I understand this right, I can use a 6 to further define that Relationship: Match Made in Heaven with Non-Wrestling Spouse/Wrestler. Right?

Correct, is that what you would like to do?

Reynolds

Yes, sorry, I was just posting at work to try to let you guys move on early, didn't have time to look at everything too closely so wasn't sure it was right.

Matev

No sweat! All right, a wrestler and their non-wrestling spouse who's also a part of the biz! How does that work? @The Brayster your turn!

Reynolds
|

Relationship: Match made in Heaven - Non-wrestling spouse/Wrestler

|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|

Relationship: Out of the ring

|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring
Need: To get out...

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 6, 1, 6, 2, 2

Black:
6, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3, 2, 6

Black:
1, 4, 5

The Brayster

I'm gonna flesh out the 'Part of the Biz' with Sports Doctor/Patient (Kirindal being the patient).


Given my two relationships so far, I'm picturing myself having a female sports doctor on my end, who met her spouse in the business and stayed because she loves her job, despite some potential drama that could ensue.

DaMoonRulz

@Reynolds are you trying to be Macho Man and Ms Elizabeth

Matev

A doctor and her patients, how can that end well? @Kirindal work your magic. Don't stand on ceremony folks, feel free to pick your stuff and I'll update as I can


Reynolds
|

Relationship: Match made in Heaven - Non-wrestling spouse/Wrestler

|
The Brayster
|

Relationship: Part of the Biz -Sports Doctor/Patient

|
Kirindal
|
vertroue
|

Relationship: Out of the ring

|
DeamonIzual
|

Relationship: In the Ring
Need: To get out...

|
Reynolds

Dice Pools:

White:
5, 5, 1, 6, 2, 2

Black:
6, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 3

Used:

White:
3, 2, 6, 6

Black:
1, 4, 5

Reynolds

DaMoonRulz wrote: »

Reynolds are you trying to be Macho Man and Ms Elizabeth

That's what I was picturing as the best example, yeah, although it's not really what I was aiming for at the beginning.

vertroue

this is why it is called fiasco. Nothing works out how you think it will.

vertroue

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXJxQ0NbFtk

part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7NcdDh-WM

Kirindal

Use a Black 6 to establish Relationship: En Espanol between me and Vertroue.

@vertroue

vertroue

White 2 to further define me and kirindals. ¡¡Parejas Increibles!!