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Hidden 5 days ago 3 days ago Post by RickyG85
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Endless Autumn



"Welcome, visitors and newcomers, alike! To the former, please, follow the rules, and enjoy your stay!
To the latter, by all means, settle in, put down some roots, and make some memories!"

That's what's written on the welcome sign, coming off the ferry. It's hard to imagine, a place so unique, yet not very busy, even during peak season for tourism. The mainland doesn't even advertise it, nobody claims it for fame- 'The Island where it's always October'.

And that's not new, either- when settlers came west, nobody put up a struggle over who owned it, no agreement, no barter, no questions.

Even today, nobody really talks about Autumn, or how it came by that name- it's the trees, they say. The whole island, really- it always looks like what you expect to see during the autumn. Nobody knows why, somehow, nobody seems too concerned about it, either.

It's not much, but it's theirs, those folks who live there. Oh yes, a whole town! Mostly clustered at the North end of the island, but there's a few neighborhoods spread out. Stop by the local historic society, I'm sure someone there will talk your ear off, and if you visit often, you'll get familiar with the locals, pretty quick. Not even 10k; trust me, you'll stand out.

Funny... Now that I think about it, there is something a tad peculiar... Driving the ferry as long as I have, I can't help but overhear a tale or 2... The one that stood out to me was what they called 'The Old Cemetery'; it's included in the local history, but... Nah, I'll let you all figure it out! 'Be more interesting, that way!

Well, all ashore, that's going ashore! Enjoy your stay, and welcome to Autumn Island!





Behold, the OOC! A couple details I wanted to get out of the way, I would really like it if only 1 player was a new resident of the island, other than that, I don't mind player characters being vaguely aware that something about the island isn't quite right. Nobody knows the full and terrible truth, and that is for plot reasons.

I strongly encourage players to communicate and coordinate, but I still expect to know any character secrets in order to help craft a story around them.

And, of course, feel free to ask me any questions, and I'm happy to help however I can!

Here are the 2 key resources, you'll primarily need the core rulebook for character creation, and the horror companion includes some other options for setting specific flavor! This is a direct link to a specific folder I created on my google drive for this game, and populated it with the sourcebooks, both of which include a printable page for a character sheet, which I will want a copy of for reference.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1-RvEQfPQjPacVG2BlOMX9-qVnxvzF-Hi

I still claim final say on characters, and expect things that I would hope go without saying, but, here we go:

  • A key element of horror is uncertainty and danger/threat; when making characters, please, think "Tommy Jarvis", not "Burt Gummer".
  • I am not your enemy; we all want to craft and experience this chilling tale together, I won't go easy on you, but, that doesn't mean we're against each other.
  • With rare exception, your fellow players are not your enemies; I will do my best to ensure everybody get's some spot light, and except where it enhances a scene, I'd rather avoid PVP.
  • When it comes to horror, I'm an 80's kid; I intend to include some explicit gore, maybe not that often, but it WILL happen. If that's not your thing, maybe reconsider this game. ^_^U
  • We will be using the on-site dice roller, please do not make rolls unless prompted to do so.
  • Once a character/sheet is approved, please don't modify unless prompted to do so, in which case the new, updated sheet should be shared with me.


With all that out of the way, I'm available for any questions, and I'll do my best to be helpful!

Update:
Humans are the only option for race, bonus edge is still applied
No "Veteran of-" edges
We are using the Wealth score system, rather than tracking money.
Don't Power-Game.
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Hidden 5 days ago Post by RickyG85
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silly detail, not important: For this setting, Bennies are called "Odds", as in, "Odds of survival" :P
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Hidden 5 days ago Post by ctrlsaltdel
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Anyway--pending getting a peek at the horror splatbook, but I'm leaning towards playing a flake-type character. Weird guy, smart but not very pleasant interpersonally, came to the island some years ago to "investigate" because he was convinced something supernatural was happening and wanted to uncover the truth. Has a youtube channel with thirty subscribers, that kind of thing.
Hidden 4 days ago Post by RickyG85
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Anyway--pending getting a peek at the horror splatbook, but I'm leaning towards playing a flake-type character. Weird guy, smart but not very pleasant interpersonally, came to the island some years ago to "investigate" because he was convinced something supernatural was happening and wanted to uncover the truth. Has a youtube channel with thirty subscribers, that kind of thing.


Gave you access a couple hours ago. I like your enthusiasm lol

I think... I can work with that character concept, I get a vibe of the "Cabin in the Woods" stoner; he didn't really know just what was going on, simply his own instincts wouldn't stop telling him that something wasn't right

Also that one guy from Steven Universe
Hidden 4 days ago Post by student of life
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Two ideas came to my mind:

1. A born resident of Autumn, a herbalist woman running an organic food / alternative medicines shop, around forty. Divorced, got rid of her drunkard, womanizing husband, who is a wreck of a person sinking in cheap booze. May or may not have children, I don't yet know. She is logical, practical, and not bad socially. Have a wide circle of friends.

2. A drifter type 50-something guy, physically and socially good, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Arrived to Autumn 0-6 months ago (whatever is best for the story). Doesn't know many people yet, but it's easy for him to connect to people.
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<Snipped quote by ctrlsaltdel>

Gave you access a couple hours ago. I like your enthusiasm lol

I think... I can work with that character concept, I get a vibe of the "Cabin in the Woods" stoner; he didn't really know just what was going on, simply his own instincts wouldn't stop telling him that something wasn't right

Also that one guy from Steven Universe


yeah, that's about the vibe i'm going for--like, he's convinced something's up, but he thinks it's the CIA or the Greys or smth likr that. that said I don't mind shifting to something else if that concept doesn't work with the group.
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I myself am leaning towards being the elderly mayor of Autumn Island. He'd be the physically weakest of the group, but would make up for that by possessing all the intelligence, wisdom, and charisma of an elder statesman. He's lived his whole life on the island and has dedicated himself to leaving his home and its people better than he found it.
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Hidden 4 days ago Post by RickyG85
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Two ideas came to my mind:

1. A born resident of Autumn, a herbalist woman running an organic food / alternative medicines shop, around forty. Divorced, got rid of her drunkard, womanizing husband, who is a wreck of a person sinking in cheap booze. May or may not have children, I don't yet know. She is logical, practical, and not bad socially. Have a wide circle of friends.

2. A drifter type 50-something guy, physically and socially good, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Arrived to Autumn 0-6 months ago (whatever is best for the story). Doesn't know many people yet, but it's easy for him to connect to people.


I personally like the first one better, but both can work.

@rush99999 I already have plans for the mayor, but I wouldn't stop you from being older if you have your heart set on it?
Hidden 4 days ago Post by RickyG85
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Got my third request, I assume that was one of y'all?
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@rush99999 I already have plans for the mayor, but I wouldn't stop you from being older if you have your heart set on it?


Understood. And yes, I still plan on taking the elderly hinderance.

Hidden 4 days ago 4 days ago Post by ctrlsaltdel
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@RickyG85, given that this is a modern horror setting, do we still get the free edge from being human? Or is that bit just a wash?

ETA: Also, how are we handling starting money/gear?
Hidden 4 days ago 4 days ago Post by rush99999
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I'll be taking Veteran of the Dark World as an Edge. Since I rolled a 1 for that, I'll be taking an extra Major Hindrance.
Hidden 4 days ago Post by RickyG85
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@RickyG85, given that this is a modern horror setting, do we still get the free edge from being human? Or is that bit just a wash?

ETA: Also, how are we handling starting money/gear?


We'll be using the Wealth system; you each start with Wealth D6, mechanics for that are in SWADE page 145/146. Use your Wealth to obtain starting equipment/gear, just remember you're already extraordinary for being player characters; "not Burt Gummer".

I'll be taking Veteran of the Dark World as an Edge. Since I rolled a 1 for that, I'll be taking an extra Major Hinderance.


Let me get back to you on that, I'm at work and can't look that up atm. If it's anything like Veteran of The Weird West, I would discourage that without a really good reason, but let me look into it before you commit it to paper, please
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Hidden 4 days ago Post by rush99999
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I would discourage that without a really good reason


Would my guy having lived his entire life on Autumn Island up to this point, coming down firmly on the "doesn't question it" end of the spectrum regarding the island's supernatural elements, and having had his fair share of adventures in his younger days be reason enough to justify the Edge's presence?
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<Snipped quote by ctrlsaltdel>

We'll be using the Wealth system; you each start with Wealth D6, mechanics for that are in SWADE page 145/146. Use your Wealth to obtain starting equipment/gear, just remember you're already extraordinary for being player characters; "not Burt Gummer".


Just to make sure I understand how this works--anything below ~$60 is fair game, but anything higher than that we have to roll (d6+Wild Die). On a raise, we get the item; on a hit, we get the item but our wealth die goes down a type; on a miss we can get the item but we "go broke".

...if my character "goes broke" in character creation, does he start broke in the game?

(Also, to clarify--is this set in present time/2020s?)
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According to page 55, you start with $500 worth of stuff.
Hidden 4 days ago Post by RickyG85
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Ok, quite a bit to address here-@ctrlsaltdel I believe you have it right, regarding the Wealth score. You are also correct, it is modern world, current year. Oh, also, because I'm not allowing the Veteran Of The Shadow World, as consolation I'm still allowing the bonus Edge for being human, since I didn't answer that question from before.

@rush99999OK, so, I'm concerned that I have not effectively communicated the setting, and I'm going to try and clarify.

Modern Horror. In particular, aiming to emulate modern horror stories/films. If you don't know who Burt Gummer is, he's a reoccurring character in the Tremors franchise and basically a Monster Hunter. So when I say "No Burt Gummer", it's because I don't want the sole focus to be "there it is, let's kill it".

Which brings me to my next clarification: It's not that the islanders don't question supernatural happenings, it's that they don't really acknowledge it, at most dismissing things with "plausible explanations". People who somehow claim stranger things aren't taken all that seriously. Figuring out why is meant to be part of this adventure. A player character who already knows what's up and has many adventures under their belt doesn't really mesh with that. I'm down to work with you in pm's if you want to, but so far I'm getting worried you're starting to metagame and build a character to "win".

now time for the next couple things-

The veteran edge. I've looked it up, and the wording suggests (to me) it's meant for a setting different than what I'm going for here. I also dislike it on the grounds that it throws off party balance in any setting for one character to be significantly more advanced than the rest of the party.
The money. I already made the call on that, it's not D&D, or a homebrewed Castlevania. The pc's aren't traveling adventurers/monster hunters, money isn't going to be an issue most of the time, so I'm using the optional alternative to handwave it. So, when I already made the call as the GM/Marshal, and then you post something like that? You're kinda stepping on my toes and I need you to please not do that.
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Hidden 4 days ago 4 days ago Post by student of life
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Are we using Sanity rules?

Also, Veteran of the Dark World is basically four advances for the price of one hindrance. It feels very un-SWADE for me, but if it's available, shouldn't it be a default for all characters, to keep them on par?
Ok, it's moot because of the previous post, which I read after posting mine.
Hidden 4 days ago 4 days ago Post by rush99999
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Modern Horror. In particular, aiming to emulate modern horror stories/films. If you don't know who Burt Gummer is, he's a reoccurring character in the Tremors franchise and basically a Monster Hunter. So when I say "No Burt Gummer", it's because I don't want the sole focus to be "there it is, let's kill it".


Rest assured, I'm not planning on making anyone like that. As I said before, my guy is going to be the physically weakest player character in favor of focusing on Smarts and Spirit. The closest he is likely to come to the scenario you just described is "there it is, let's reason with it".



Which brings me to my next clarification: It's not that the islanders don't question supernatural happenings, it's that they don't really acknowledge it, at most dismissing things with "plausible explanations". People who somehow claim stranger things aren't taken all that seriously. Figuring out why is meant to be part of this adventure. A player character who already knows what's up and has many adventures under their belt doesn't really mesh with that.


Would taking Doubting Thomas as a Hindrance clear that up?



I'm getting worried you're starting to metagame and build a character to "win".


I'm willing to admit that it's entirely possible I'm doing that unintentionally. I do derive most of my enjoyment of games from at the very least not losing.



The veteran edge. I've looked it up, and the wording suggests (to me) it's meant for a setting different than what I'm going for here.


What exactly is sort of setting that you're going for? Because in a setting where "the supernatural is a regular occurrence, fatalities and all" and "Survival is the priority" as the reddit post put it, I feel a case could be made that someone who lives to see 87 under these conditions could reasonably acquire such an Edge in that time.
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