[Mythic] Raven

[SKINer]

Alright, inspired by the entertaining 'Let's Play Spider-Man' Thread (viewtopic.php?p=513#p513), I decided to make this a go, detailing a character I always wanted to play as. With MHR mechanics, I can do so without having to constantly roll; check tables; roll again, etc (MnM worked with Mythic, but it had 'bits' to the system that made it tedious at times. The more narrative nature of MHR fits).

Raven's datafile-http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp_forum/viewtopic.php?p=692#p692

Now as I've already stated in the datafile, this is a rookie Raven. A woman who is trained up to the eyeballs by her father and has cutting edge equipment, but is still a teenager (17), still has yet to encounter the worst of human behavior (outside the death of her mother, but we'll touch upon that later), and still has yet to actually have the 'reality' sink in as to just how bad things can get for a person in the tights wearing business.

Anywho, time for prep as to how we starting things of.

I'm treating Events as 'Story Arcs' and Acts as 'Issues'. The First Story Arc will be treated as an introductery to Ravens forays in New York (Raven operated in New York before moving to Freedom City).

Because I suck at originality some times, this Arc will be named- Raven Begins. It'll be a five issue story arc and will represent Raven's first major offense in her war against crime after her rather extensive training with her father. She has no reputation (though some may recognize the Raven logo on her chest that her father wore as the Raven).

So Time to setup the first scene of issue one (and don't worry, Mythic has the tendency to need alot of windup, but once the engine gets going, it goes.):

Scene setup. Be aware, that since this is the beginning, there will be a lot of questions here

So we all know that the first story arc/event will consist of 5 issues/acts.

We're at Act One.

Random Event to start us off:

NPC Action.

Considering that we don't have any NPC's as of yet, I'm going to roll to see what the Action and Subject is going to be:

Action: Malice
Subject: Jeaousy

That helps. Someone is jealous of Raven. Someone who will want to do her harm. Considering that Raven is a heroine, it goes without saying that this person is a criminal.

So first question: Is this person a Criminal Mastermind? (Very Likely) No

Is this a corrupt government official? (Very Likely) Yes

Complex Question: Who? Persecute/Balance

I interpret that to mean that the corrupt official is a crooked cop (one who persecutes balance is someone who causes inbalance.)

Complex: Why is this cop jealous of Raven? Malice/Stalemate

I say he (she?) is mad due to the Raven stalling criminal operations somehow.

Final Complex Question: Does this corrupt cop work for a bigger fish? (Near Sure Thing) Exceptional Yes.

He doesn't just work for a bigfish, but a “very” big one...

BTW, This 'has' to be the commishioner or chief of the police force, possibly a former Moore administration lieutenant of some kind (In Mutants and Masterminds Iron Age source book, Moore was the mayor of Freedom City and he outlawed Vigilante actions. His cabinet was also corrupt.).

So issue one (and possibly the whole story arc, depending on how Mythic rolls with it) will consist of Raven tracking the corruption. We have a direction.

Scene Frame (opening action scene):

What is happening? Attainment/Goals (Someone found something they're looking for.)

What is that 'Something'? Malice/Home (Off the top of my head, Raven found a 'base' for criminal activity. This is obviously tied to the corrupt Police commishioner in some way.)

Where is this? Guide/Jealous (I got nothing. Re-rolling second) Guide/Hope (Muuuuuuch better. A church. A church is a front for something. Has to be catholic, which means Mafioso is involved (cliché, I know, but hey it works).

Final question before getting into the actual scene framing: What is Raven's goal of this Action Scene? Proceedings/Good (I guess this is a general house cleaning. Goes without saying that this meeting is somewhat important).

What are the three distinctions?

1. Oppress/Status Quo (We're in a church. In a church the 'Status Quo is everyday life. What would oppress that? Prayer, preacher, etc. From those thoughts, I decided on a Large Alter that is near the of the church on the pulpit.)

2. Haggle/War (This distinction completely changed my outlook of this scene. What the heck would a discussion of war entail? And In a church no less? Then it hits me: Weapon smuggling. And haggle usually means going for a lower price, so this smuggling is, in actuality, weapon 'selling'. The church is a front for the mafia to buy weapons under the nose of city officials and FBI. BTW, Crates ofWeapons and Ammunition are the second distinction.

3. Extravagance/Dreams (I almost made the mistake of re-rolling, but it hit me at the last second. Extravagance was enough: Money. Lots of it. Suitcases of money.

The men she's facing are common mafia types. The people selling the weapons are unknown. One of her objectives, [Cleaning house], will necessitate her taking these guys down. No use rolling to see what the asset for this scene is, as it's rather obvious: Some of these guys are well armed. And if need be, they can use the Merchandise.

And because things are now writing themselves, I don't have to roll her goals.

And here is the complete scene framework:

Distinctions-
A Large Alter on the pulpit in front of the church.
Crates of Weapons and Ammunition
Suitcases of Money

Assets- [Men with guns d8] (Doom die can be spent to increase the Asset or replenish it to represent men using the merchandise)

Complications- [Cleanhouse d6]- Raven is to stop this deal from happening, by disabling all the men in the church; [Make them spill the beans d8]- Who are the weapon sellers? Where did they get the guns? And are there more?

So there we are. Next up: Act One, Scene one. Will probably post that tomorrow due to late shift at work tonight.

Also, thoughts and critique are greatly appreciated.

[SKINer]

Alright, before starting, a PM reminded me of one glaring ommision: Milestones.

So, let's do it. I'm going to randomly give Raven Milestones using the random datafile maker:

Okay, first milestone is based on a powerset. Rookie Teen Heroine is an obvious choice. The second is based on her Origin. Callie is a trained human.

So the two Milestones:

Life of an extraordinary High School Senior:

1xp- When life as a superheroine cuts into life as a teenager.

3xp- When she must leave or not attend something important in her civillian life to accomplish objectives as Raven.

10xp- When someone close to Callie's civillian life is placed in danger due to her being the Raven.

I like this one, and unless one of you catch something I didn't, It will stick.

Earning her father's trust:

1xp- When Raven takes stress as a result of taking an unecessary risk to impress her father.

3xp- When someone else is harmed due to Raven taking an extraordinary risk.

10xp- When Raven: Continues to be reckless; in pursuit of earning her father's approval, OR she grows overly cautious, overthinking her actions.

This one looks good on paper, but I have a nagging suspiscion that I could do better. Any suggestions?

Any who, a recap of yesterday:

We're about to embark into an opening Action Scene.

The Scene Framework:

Distinctions-
A [Large Alter] on the pulpit in front of the church.
Crates of [Weapons and Ammunition]
Suitcases of [Money]

Assets- [Men with guns d8] (Doom die can be spent to increase the Asset or replenish it to represent men using the merchandise)

Complications- [Cleanhouse d8]- Raven is to stop this deal from happening, by disabling all the men in the church; [Make them spill the beans d8]- who are the men selling? Where did they get the guns and are there more?

Now to make things interesting: Raven will start out with d6 emotional stress. Tonight, she made a study date with a couple of friends at school, including a boy she likes. Obviously, she can't make it ('Raven' business comes first). She does receive 3xp, though.

Doom Pool starts at 2d6

NOTE: You may notice that the [Cleanhouse] complication was increased from d6 to d8. Mythic altered the scene and the results were a setback to Raven's current goals. Mythic already throwing the curve balls.

((Start Session))

Her father was right, she should've worn the hooded cowl. Now she was getting drenched, already adding to her fowl mood.

Why did her teacher group her with a study group 'tonight' of all nights? What will she save to Clarisa and Steven tomorrow morning? She can't just...

“It's the appointed time, you see them?”

Her father's distorted voice whispered into her left ear courtesy of the radio link wedges there. It was uncomfortable at first, but she grew used to it. The link to her father has saved her life a good few times.

And with this being her first 'official' sting, she could use every advantage she could get.

Through the special lenses in her mask, she saw them. Two vans. Rusty brown and forgettable. They turned into a nearby ally, but Raven managed to take out her camera and take a shot of each of their liscense plates. “I think it's them. Took pictures of the plates.”

“Good girl. Confirm that they are the ones. Once you have a confirmation, happy hunting.”

Raven smiled. She stood from the gargoyle she was perched on and moved along the ledge to a better vantage point. This was it. No turning back...

For several minutes, she watched as men left the van and then began carrying large crates into the back door of the church. This was dispicable... a holy place being the front for gun trafficing.

Well... it was time for these men to confess to their sins.

She stood up, fired her silenced grapple gun, and swung towards the largest of the stain glassed windows. With a loud crash, she broke through, stunning the men inside as she glided down in a rain of multicolored glass and rain from outside. Her landing was perfect, a large alter that she spotted from the corner of her eye.

Like an angel of vengeance, she stood up, her cape over her body like a cloak, the eyes of her mask glowing green against the darkness. Her makeupless face frowned. “...you dare to bring your corruption into this holy place? God may have mercy... but I won't.”

Lightning flashed behind her as the rain began to really come down.

((So, first panel is controlled by Raven (due to her having the element of surprise. Currently she is outside the Church, awaiting for all the Mafioso to show up.

Does she recognize any of them? (50/50) No.

So, she's swinging towards a window in the church feet first, smashing through it in an attempt to startle the men in true caped crusader form.

Action: Going for asset: [WHO THE HECK IS THAT!?]

Solo- d10 (By herself, duh!)
Large Alter- d8 (Landing on the alter like a dark shadow adds to the effect)
Enhanced Durability- d8 (Her boots smashing through the window)
Swingline- d6 (she swung in)
Acrobatic Expert- 2d6 (Her perfect Landing)

So her dice pool is

d10, d8, d8, d6, d6, d6

Results:

d10=9, d8=6, d8=5, d6=1, d6=3, d6=3

Total [d10=9, d8=6 (15)]; Effect [d8=5]

Does Watcher activate opportunity? (near sure thing) Yes. 1Pp to Raven; a d6 is stepped up in doom pool and now it's 1d8+1d6

Reaction

Doom Pool- 1d8, 1d6
Men with guns- d8 (because nothing gives false courage better than a gun!)
Raven's emotional stress- d8

Dice Pool is

d8, d8, d6

Results:

d8=1, d8=1, d8=7, d6=3

Total [d8=7,d6=3 (10)]; Effect [d4]. Raven spends a pp to hang on to one opportunity.

Extraordinary success means her d8 effect is stepped up to d10.

Asset [Who the heck is that!? D10] is active.))

“What the heck...”

“Shoot her, you morons!”

Raven had to fight back her smile. They played into her hands.

Her father taught her that a fight is just like speed chess. Just because there is a timer, doesn't mean you don't plan ahead. It means you think faster. Think faster then your opponent, you win.

And it was proven here. She knew the men next step just by the way they reached into their jackets. Things gone into slow motion and she managed to mentally tag each man in the room who was pulling out a weapon of some sort. By then, of course, she had already pounced on one of them, slamming the back of his head into the concrete floor.

Staying low and close to the ground, she began to fight the men close up. Knees and elbows, all helped by the lead enforced braces on her knees and forearms. She snapped elbows, smashed jaws and ultimately took out all the men who tried to fire on her.

Like a shadow, she flowed between the bodies, slaming them into each other, or onto the floor with judo locks and holds of every description. All the bruses she gained from those advanced judo classes and tutors her father had hired paid off in spades.

It was finished less then a minute later, both of her fists stained with blood from the cracked teeth and jaws. Bodies, either unconscious or disabled due to breaks or dislocations were scattered all over the church. Too easy.

((As expected, the men with guns open fire!

Doompool- d8, d6
Men with guns- d8
Stress- d8

Pool

d8, d8, d8, d6

Results:

d8=3, d8=3, d8=5, d6=4

Total [d8=5, d8=3, d6=4 (12; -1d6 from doom pool)]; Effect [d8=3 (Physical Stress)]

d6 returned to doom pool. +1pp to Raven

Reaction: Raven leaps into the crowd of men and begin uses her weapons in an attempt to disarm them or even better, knock out the weapon holders.

Solo- d10
Thoroughly Trained- d8
Refexes- d8
Weapons- d6
Combat Expert- 2d6
Stunt (Advanced CQC against armed men)- d10 (Stepped up due to opportunity)
Asset- d10

Pool

d10, d10, d10, d8, d8, d6, d6, d6

Results:

d10=6, d10=4, d10=6, d8=7, d8=3, d6=4, d6=3, d6=2

Total [d10=6, d8=7 (13)]; Effect [d10=4] Effect [d10=6]

Raven spends a pp to use effect against [Men with guns- d8] asset. It is now wiped out! She uses a second to use a second d10 against the [Clean house] complication. That's taken out as well!))

Breathing heavily through her nose, Raven barely heard the scrapping sound of one of the men getting up. She slipped out a Raven-feather ((Think batarang)) out of her belt. This was a special one.

Pressing a button on it, she tossed it. When it nailed the man between the shoulder blades, it not only stuck to him, but it produced a mild, continuous shock. A taser mobile taser.

“...p-please... m-make it stop...”

Raven walked up to him. “That depends on you. Where did these guns come from?”

“...I-i... p-please...”

“WHERE!”

“....i-Igor! He runs a strip club... heav-heavenly g-g-gates! Down in the red light district!”

Raven stood.

“Wait... you're not going to j-j-just...”

“No.”

She slammed her foot into the side of his head. The shock would stop long before he woke up. She touched her communicator. “Alright. I'm done here. Call the police. I'm headed back to the Rookery.”

And with that, she pointed her grapple gun towards the rafters and was up into the shadows...

((New page.

One of the gun runners is attempting to run away!

Doom Pool- d8, d6
Stress- d6
Complication [make them spill the beans]- d8

Pool

d8, d8, d6, d6

Results

d8=5, d8=1, d6=2, d6=1

Total [d8=5, d6=2 (7)]; Effect [d4 (Asset [Running away])]

Reaction: Gadget time.

Solo- d10
Thoroughly Trained- d8
Reflexes- d8
Gadgets- d6
Combat expert- 2d6
Stunt: Electro Raven-feather- d10 (-1pp, stepped up due to opportunity)

Pool

d10, d10, d8, d8, d6, d6, d6

Results:

d10=5, d10=3, d8=2, d8=6, d6=6, d6=2, d6=6

Total [d6=6, d6=6 (12)]; Effect [d12 (stepped up from d10=5 due to x-ordinary success)]

To take advantage of the awsome roll, Raven activates her limit [Exhaustion], choosing to shutdown her reflexes. The one pp is spent to activate the d12 and use it against [Make him spill- d8]. She learns where the guns come from.

...so, where 'does' the guns come from? (Complex) Fascinating/Laziness

I went with the first thing that popped in my head: Strip Club (lazy men/women/whatever sitting around looking at men/women/whatever shake their whatevers. It's sleezy enough to be a front.

So, Raven's next goal is in sight... after a Transition to rest her mind and body. Why not set it at her school the next morning? She got some explaining to do to her friends...

By the way, Mythic altered the next transition... but you all will have to wait to find out how. Mwahahahaha!))

[kipling]

I do hope you'll continue; I've always liked Raven, and it's interesting to see what's going on. It's also a great learning experience.

As a first stab at actually trying, I used the GME for a brief fight between an original creation and the Hulk (because everybody in Marvel has to fight the Hulk once!). My only issue was that I didn't have actual dice handy so I was using the little dice roller on my iPhone, which wasn't meant for pools like MHR uses. So it was tedious on that side, but I can see where players would get faster at building their dice pools, and actual dice or better software would help me.

Anyway: I'm reading it, and enjoying it, and I hope you don't quit.

[SKINer]

Real life encroaching, but I didn't quit by any means. ^_^

I will add on soon.

[TheAsylum]

I agree, this is great! I'm also enjoying it.

[SKINer]

Alright, I'm back! I will use quotes to separate OOC and Mechanics from the narrative.

Before continuing, need to clarify something here: Lists.

As some of you who use Mythic know, Mythic requires lists to help shape a story. I had these lists, but never posted them. Here they are now:

Character List (npcs)

1. Callie's Father
2. Callie's school friends
3. Gunrunners
4. Corrupt Chief of police
5. Criminal Empire (if you recall, the Chief is under the thumb of someone.)

Second list is the Thread list. Objectives currently outstanding. The Act ends when all of these threads close up:

1. Find the source of the gunrunning and shut it down.
2. Investigate Heavenly Gates and discover it's link to the gunrunning.

Now the next scene was supposed to be a simple transition, the morning with her friends to explain why she missed the study date (and in the process, get rid of her emotional stress).

However, the scene has been randomly altered.

So, she _can't_ talk to her friends.

Mythic Complex Question: Why can't she talk to her friends? Failure/News

I interprate that with the first thing that popped in my head... Also forgive the familiar scene enactment.

Bliss. Callie felt nothing like this, enraptured in the arms of such beauty that sensually held her in it's arms. Her sore muscles were forgotten, the strain of last night gone, even the guilt of her friends abandonment couldn't reach her...

Then her father stripped it all away when he opened the window curtains, the bright sunlight flooding her room and breaking her away from the blessed sleep. Even when she managed to block the sunlight but placing the pillow over her face, she knew sleep wouldn't come back. Not fair.

Her father, leaning forward in his wheel chair, smiled as he laid something down next to her.

Callie wasn't amused. "...come on, Raven's are nocturnal."

"No they are not, my dear, Ravens operate quite well in daylight. You're thinking of bats." The sweet smell of pancakes all but made up for the rude awakening. "...and even if they were, a school girl staying in bed till 8 o'clock on a school morning is pushing it. Up with you honey bunny."

She hated when he called her tha...

Wait. Breakfast in bed? And he allowed her to sleep in on a school morning? Crud. She could almost sense the negative energy he was trying to withhold.

She sat up and when her eyes adjusted, she saw breakfast... and the morning paper. She didn't like what she saw.

<b>LOCAL CHURCH VANDALIZED BY MYSTERIOUS MASKED CRIMINAL</b>

Ignoring the pancakes, she practically stuffed the accompanying toast in her mouth as she read the article. No mention of guns. No mention of Mafia. How could they get it so 'wrong'!?

"What happened, dad?" She asked, tossing the paper to the foot of the bed. "I did everything right! I tied them all up, took pictures and left them for the police to find... they had enough to at least question them..."

"It's not your fault. As you said, you did everything right. Which makes me wonder how the story got so wrong." Her father wheeled away from the bed. "I had a suspicion that your mind would be rattled by this. Now I'm sure. I'll make the necessary calls to excuse your absence from school. Meet me in the Rookery. After breakfast, of course."

Her father rolled out of the room, and it took all of five minutes for Callie Summers to take control of her shaking hands to grab the utensils and eat the pancakes. She tasted blueberries and a touch of honey. In a better time, it would've brought a smile to her face... instead, she was full of rage.

Her first night out... and she was a criminal.

So the Thread list is updated:

3. How did the police get this wrong?

So anywho, she can't talk to her freinds, heck they probably be worried about her. Nothing to do now but to focus on her only lead: The strip club, which she will hit later in the evening.

Using Covert d8, she generates [Known Stealth Entries, Exits, and everything in between- d6] Resource. This will narratively last for as long as she's in the building.

The next couple of hours, her father split time between teaching/reminding her how to properly scout out buildings and reading blueprints and having her plan out her approach and contigencies as she entered Heavenly Gates. The time was going to be 1 a.m., where either it'll be the most crowded, or the least, depending on how 'seedy' the joint was. Both situations worked.

She was then forced to meditate, her father forcing her to try and empty her head of any anger or doubt from her councious.

Action: Heal from d4 Emotional stress (stepped back from d6 due to this being transition)

Solo d10
Thoroughly Trained d8
Still have alot to learn d4

Embarassingly small Pool. :p

d10, d8, d4
3, 2, 2

3+2=5 Effect d8

Oh dear...

Doom Pool d8+d6

d8, d6
5, 6

5+6=11 Effect d4

...yet she couldn't drop her emotions. Her freinds were one thing (it was just one study date, why was this bothering her!?), but now... she was doing this to help people... to be a hero like her father! Instead she was now a criminal...

Her eyes opened, staring out into the caverenous basment under her father's mansion, the Rookery, wondering if she was in over head...

Was she truely ready for this?

And we'll end it here! (It's a transition scene, so ofcourse it's short.

Already we see signs of a conspiracy. Is it linked to the corrupt Police Chief, or is this something greater. It'll be fun to see where this goes! XD