mattmanganon

What kind of RP mood are you in?

I am still really jonesing to play some Star Wars Saga Edition.

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

So, how is everyone's next posts coming along?

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

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S P I D E R - M A N
S P I D E R - M A N

_{Location: Parker Industries HQ}

Post #3: Little Gremlins

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Normie slowly walked through the halls of Parker Industries, headed towards the Neogenics lab. The clacking of his walking stick echoing through the polished, metal halls. He frowned as some of the workers walked past him. For a moment, he found himself alone, before stopping dead in the hall and listening... He could swear he could hear something. He turned around, nobody there, just an empty hallway... That's when he heard a muffled snickering, before looking straight up and seeing the face of May-Day staring at him as she walked along the ceiling above him. "HEY NORMIE!!!" She screamed at him, Normie startled for a second by the sheer volume this little girl was capable of.

"Keep it down, neither of us are supposed to be here. It's just that nobody questions the crippled kid." Normie sighed, before slowly hobbling away, the clacking beginning to echo again. May skipped along the ceiling above him.

"Want me to carry you?" She asked, him, shooting a web from her wrist to his back and pulling him up to her.

"LET ME DOWN!!!" Normie roared, flailing wildly. May-Day found this, frankly, hilarious. That was until the flailing walking stick smacked her square in the forehead. At which point, she dropped him as she sat down on the ceiling, rubbing her forehead.

"OWWWW!" She moaned, not crying, but visibly distraught. Normie landed on his backside and rubbed himself, before staring up at the little girl. "WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR?!" She yelled at him.

"I've told you before, don't pick me up like that!" He replied. At that point, the sound of one of the laboratory doors opened and one of the scientists walked out to see what the commotion was. A web hit Normie on the chest and pulled him straight up to the ceiling out of harms way. The pair of them sat in the shadow of between 2 of the lights in the hallway. The scientist looked both ways, before shaking his head and closing the door. Normie looked at May who smiled smugly at him "Ok, when it comes to not getting in trouble, sure you can pick me up like that..." He sighed. She carried him over her shoulder as she walked down the wall and onto the ground.

"So, Whatchya doin' in here?" She asked, rocking back and forth between her heels and balls of her feet, arms behind her back. Normie shook his head and began to hobble away again.

"I'm doing research." He grunted. May-Day skipped beside him.

"Oooh, just like Daddy, what kind of research?" She beamed at him. "Can i help? Daddy won't let me do it after last time" She groaned, pushing her index fingers together.

"Uncle Pete isn't doing this kind of research..." Normie mumbled. May-Day continued to skip in her upbeat, chipper way. Normie didn't particularly dislike May-Day, but he had to admit that he was envious of her power. Not so much the super strength and the wall crawling, but just the fact that she could walk and pass for an everyday normal person. Eventually, they came to the Neogenics lab, Normie inserted the security card he had swiped from Peter's office and walked in. As he did so, he looked around the lab. Lots of computers, lots of test tubes, lots of experiments going on.

"Hehehehe, we're gonna be in trouble!" May-Day giggled. "It's been a while since I broke in here, although it was mean old Uncle Otto who caught me."

"Otto is in the Robotics division, this is Neogenics

"Indeed, this is my lab." They both stopped dead as they heard a familiar voice speak to them. The pair of kids turned to see Alistair Smythe staring at them.

"BUSTED!" May-Day yelled, before running towards the door, but being unable to open it. Smythe quickly advanced on Normie, towering over him.

"Young Norman..." He said, staring down at the boy.

"It's Normie. Normie responded. Alistair looked down at Normie's crutch, before looking him in the eyes. They stood, looking deep into each other for about 10 seconds.

"I know why you're hear. Trust me, it's not worth it." Smythe responded, turning around and walking back towards his experiments. Normie hobbled after him. but Mayday turned and looked at them.

"YOU READ MINDS?!" She asked, grabbing her own head.

"I recognize the look of a crippled boy contemplating doing something he's going to regret in a vain attempt at normality. There are days that i wake up and would trade anything for my wheelchair again." He sighed. "It is the reason i have agreed to work for your father. If i can mutate myself back to human, my legs will cease to work."

"Why would you ever choose that?" Normie asked.

"Young Normie, there are more things to life than just walking and running and..." He reached a hand up to the spikes raising from his shoulders. "Shooting laser beams... I want to be normal again. I would rather be stared at by people pitying the cripple, than people staring terrified of the mutated freak. Look, Normie, i'm currently working on something that, if it succeeds, it could cure BOTH of us. But let's take time and get it right. Neogenics has the power to do great good, but equally great evil and most of that evil has come from people refusing to have respect for that power. Your father always says that with great power comes great responsibility, well this is one of the greatest powers and it will require the greatest of responsibility to wield it for the betterment of mankind."

"And in the meantime?" Normie asked.

"In the meantime, we suffer and we learn to respect the power we seek." Smythe looked at Normie. He saw a kindred spirit. They had both lost their fathers in a super-powered plot and he remembered sitting feeling powerless as his Spider-Slayers were utterly useless at actually delivering the revenge he sought... But Normie didn't even have anyone to take revenge on. Harry died by his own hand. He knew that the boy needed something to latch onto to focus that anger. "Tell you what, why don't i show you how this works?" He said, the children followed Alistair over to his work station. Smythe pressed a few buttons and brought up a picture of a bunch of cells on the monitor. "These are my bodies cells." He said. The computer showed a breakdown of the chemical makeup of his body. "Neogenics is the science of breaking down our bodies cells and changing them to improve them"

"So... You made yourself a spiky guy?" May-Day asked.

"Precisely. Radiation can cause this at random, but Neogenics seeks to figure out how to do it targetted. Think of it like playing a Piano. If you press the keys randomly, you just create an awful noise, but if you press the right keys in the right order, then you make something beautiful."

"So, we need to press the piano keys in our bodies in the right order?" May-Day asked.

"It's more like we need to figure out what the keys are as well." He pressed a few buttons. "Radiation can be a little unpredictable. One wrong move and you're growing laser shooting spikes." He sighed. He typed a few buttons and the cell was blasted with something. It started to slowly shrink, slowly stabilizing towards something human... Except the shrinking didn't stop, until the cell burst and Smythe grunted. "My job is to figure out what instrument i'm playing, where it's keys are, what the keys do and how to make them do what i need them to do in order to play music." May-Day looked blank. Smythe had the feeling that none of this had set in.

"Can't you use Vita-rays to try and stabilize them? I've read a few papers, it's suspected that they had something to do with Captain America's transformation."

"Vita-Rays add energy to cells, i'm trying to take energy away from my cells." Smythe replied

"But they are somewhere to start. Neuton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. We know that Anti-matter is real and cancels out matter. Surely there is some kind of Anti-Vita-Ray out there?" He asked. Smythe looked a little surprised at the 10 year old seemingly being able to debate him in the ways of science.

"Precisely what i was thinking..." Smythe answered slowly, trying to re-rail his train of thought. "But it's finding it that's the problem. In the entire of recorded human history, we have yet to document any and then it'll be the problem of finding a way to generate them safely. Until then, i'm working with what i can." He shook his head "Elementary School Science didn't teach you about Neuton's Third Law."

"My father home-schooled me. Elementary school wasn't teaching fast enough for me." Smythe nodded, looking impressed.

"Reading level?" Smythe asked.

"12th grade" Normie responded

"Favourite book?" Asked in quick succession.

"Great Expectations." Normie said just as quickly.

"I found it a little disappointing." Smythe responded equally quickly. Normie then actually cracked an amused smile, before the pair of them legitimately laughed. May-Day shuffled nervously.

"I just finished reading Gemima Puddle-Duck with Mommy." She stated as a matter of fact. Normie turned to her and smiled condescendingly. Smythe however knelt down to her.

"I LOVE the works of Beatrix Potter." As Smythe began talking with May-Day about Mr Todd, Normie quickly pulled out a pen-drive and stuck it into Smythe's computer, before silently pressing a few things and downloading a number of files, before quickly retrieving the dive before Smythe could turn around. "I shall give your mother a few of the other books i have when i come into work tomorrow." He then turned around, seeing Normie stood looking unimpressed. "I will talk with your Uncle and see if he wouldn't mind me tutoring you. You seem rather interested in Neogenics and i think you have a bright future in the field." Smythe smiled at him. Normie was a little taken aback, he could have swore Smythe was humouring him before, but this offer seemed genuine.

"I... Would like that..." Normie said.

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

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S P I D E R - M A N
S P I D E R - M A N

_{Location: Oscorp HQ}

Post #2: Turnabout Is Fair Play

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Norman sat in his office, phone pressed against his ear. "Don't worry, Rob, i've got this... Hey, i understand perfectly, you've got a lot on your plate, but i'm here because limp-dick pissants like Creed and Krane have let you down FAR too many times before... Look, my 3:55 just showed up early, but trust me, we're gonna be laughing about this when we're in the Oval Office sipping whiskey together... Ok, bye." The moment Norman hung up, the smile on his face instantly disolved into his usual cold, emotionless, calculating face. "Officious little bureaucrat." He growled under his breath as he took a sip of Whiskey. Due to the Goblin Metabolism, it was pretty much impossible to get drunk, but he needed the taste in his mouth at the moment. Washing away the taste of defeat. It had been over a year and STILL, Parker had his grandson, almost a third of his companys wealth and his happy little family and here Norman sat, his fate was entirely reliant on a combination of word of Senator Kelly (Who he didn't trust) and the the stupidity of the American public (Which he trusted VERY much) A knock came at the door. His advanced hearing had allowed him to hear the heavy footsteps even when on the phone to Kelly. "Yes, come in." The door opened and Mac walked in.

"Hey, boss-" Mac began, but was interrupted by Norman.

"I was in a call with someone very important." Norman scolded in his dark and commanding way. Mac stopped dead in his tracks.

"Oh, sorry, boss." He stammered out. Mac was an unstoppable killing machine in a suit of nearly indestructible power armour and yet Norman still scared the bejesus out of him.

"Well, you're here now, what is it?" Norman sighed, swirling his whisky around the glass to lower the temperature as it splashed off of the ice-cube in the middle, before taking another sip.

"I, uhhh... I got a call from Parker." He scratched the back of his head. Norman didn't seem to register this, slowly spinning his chair around to look out of the window. "Said he was looking for someone with my specific skill set for something he was workin' on. You want me to take him up on it? Get some info from the inside?"

"Using your brain? How unlike you." Norman spat out. Mac clenched his fist at this response. He was sick of people treating him like a dumb animal. Norman, as if sensing that he had struck a nerve, span back around in his chair with a big, cheery smile on his face. "Kidding." He said, throwing his arms wide. Frankly the smile scared Mac even more than the scowl had. "Mac, i appreciate the sentiment, but i already have a guy on the inside who is getting me as much info on Parker's movements as i need. And it would look rather suspicious if you just up-sticks and join him without a fight. Look, buddy, i need you here." Once again, Mac was getting a little scared with how polite and friendly Norman was being. "In any case, that little thing on your leg is a stamp of ownership as far as the New York Supreme Court is concerned. Your parole is entirely based on you working your debt to society off in my care. Even if i was certain i had the political clout to get you transfered to Parker's care, he'd never trust that i let you go so easily. No, my friend, your place is here. Call him back, tell him as such, feel free to insult him, but make it clear exactly where you stand. Parker will feel more secure knowing where you are and i want him feeling as safe as possible at this very second."

"The old "False sense of security" thing, right boss?" Mac asked. Norman finished his drink before putting it on the table and letting out the signature "Whiskey wheeze" as it burned his throat on the way down, but in all of the most pleasant ways.

"Very good, you're learning." Norman laughed. Mac pretended to laugh, but he definitely knew Norman meant that and he had been a private detective long enough to know that Norman knew and didn't care that the laugh was fake. Because what choice did he have? It was be in Normans pocket or be in jail. "Anyway, I have a little something for you." Norman said, reaching under his desk for a briefcase, he pulled it out and slid it across the desk to Mac "A little trump card for when you inevitably come to blows with Spider-Man next." Mac popped the clips on the brief case before opening it and looking inside, his eyes lit up with pure awe and excitement. "We good?" Norman smiled a sinister smile.

"Oh yeah, boss, WE are VERY good." Mac laughed.

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

@ErsatzEmpress would you mind if the scenario between Kelly and Norman is an agreement that both of them will run and whoever fails at the presidential nomination will be the others running mate in order to get the Mutant Registration act pushed through?

In Kelly's Mind: "I'll use Norman's resources and public sympathy to my advantage, but he's not a politician, he has no idea how to navigate MY battlefield. There's no way someone who has never even held a public office will get elected President. Then i can get a leash around those damn mutants and deal with them at my leisure."
In Norman's Mind: "Kelly has the connections in the political world that i can exploit and abuse to my own benefit to get where i need to be. He's just a regular human being, no match for my superior intellect. And if he gives me any problems? Well, one "Rogue, unnamed mutant" can quickly make him a Martyr for my cause. Once i'm President and this Mutant Registration thing is through, Parker will have no choice but to come out as Spider-Man or give up wall-crawling for good. Either way, a few bribes here and there and before you know it, Parker Industries is gone and Parker will have no choice but to send Normie to live with me, then i can take my time crushing him like the bug he is."

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

@ErsatzEmpress I don't know exactly what your plans for Senator Kelly are, but i was thinking of maybe Norman working with him behind the scenes. Alternatively, i'm good with Norman just playing to the masses in an attempt to garner votes and their Anti-Mutant rhetoric's being unrelated.

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

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S P I D E R - M A N
S P I D E R - M A N

_{Location: Parker Industries HQ}

Post #1: Just a Friendly Board Meeting

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Peter sat at the head of the table wearing his business suit. It was a light grey Armani suit with black shirt and red tie, he personally hated frivolous spending on such an expensive suit when he still had a few of Uncle Ben's old ones that looked just as nice, but he remembered an old conversation with Harry where he mentioned about how your suit was your weapon in the business battlefield, it was a symbol of control and power. If you wanted to survive, you'd need the best weapon possible. "$1000 on a suit now, can potentially get you that extra $1,000,000 at the negotiating table." Well, as he sat here, waiting for the others to arrive, he hoped that Harry was right about that.

Alistair was the first to enter, he was clad in a suit that accomodated his shoulder talons. He sat down, there were a few polite words, pleasantries that Peter was expecting. Damn, he had faced every single man that was going to be in this room on the battlefield before, most of them at the same time, yet this time it was going to be different. This wasn't going to be a friendly "How's the wife and kids?" this was a "I'm gonna need you to put your lives on the line alongside your hated foe." and he wasn't sure he had any right to order them to do so. I mean, technically he did, it was part of their parole agreements that they agree to do "Community Service" but he knew that most of them assumed it was the science that they were doing for him.

Next to enter was Otto, he gave Peter a friendly smile. Otto and Michael were the only ones who would be at the meeting that knew he was Spider-Man. Then came Maxwell. That one looked rather shifty, but that was normal for Max. Peter just hoped that the money was enough to keep him onside. Next came Michael and finally Adrien in quick succession, not enough time for Peter to really mentally comment on them before they sat looking at him. Peter took a deep breath before tapping the side of his neck right under the edge of his Jaw. He had heard it was a calming technique.

"Gentlemen. I have called you in here today for something that you're not going to like." There were a few quiet murmurs among the group. He had confidence that Alistair and Otto would side with him, but the other 3 would be a problem. "Last year when i managed to get you paroled at my company, i said that there would be certain Community Services that the 5 of you would have to perform. New York is our home and it's not exactly the safest place on the planet. As such, i have taken some steps to bring our criminal population down. I have talked with the Police and they have agreed to allow me to trial something." He took out his Spyder Phone and tapped on it a few times, the television screen on the wall lit up and a picture of 5 of them stood there, cobbled together from various mugshots with the words "Superior 6" posted underneath them. "The police in this city have to deal with Super Powered individuals that they have no hope of dealing with, Rhino, Grizzly, Scorpion, but we can give them the edge that they need." There was already a chorus of discord in response to this from the 5 men.

"Ummm, Peter, dear boy. May i remind you how well that worked last time some of us came together to form a team?" Otto asked. "We ended up pretty much killing each other. Now, i appreciate what you ask, but are you sure that this is such a good idea?" Peter looked in Otto's eyes. He could tell that Otto wasn't actually opposed to the idea, but he was voicing the obvious response to this idea in the most civilized way anyone in the room would. Peter appreciated that.

"The thought crossed my mind a few times..." He replied sullenly.

"Hey, i'm good so long as there's moolah in it." Max responded. This caught Peter offguard. He wasn't expecting Max of all people to be the first to unquestioningly agree. He assumed he'd have to bribe the guy... But then again with his response, maybe Max was offering Peter a way to bribe him onto his side.

'Oh Max, never change.' Peter thought. He then tried to re-rail his train of thought in response to the blindside.

"In any case..." He paused to collect his thoughts and decide how to proceed now he had 1 of the 4. "We need to consider public image. Parker Industries is paying quite a sum to get you 5 onboard-"

"Which begs the question-" Toomes butted in "That says Superior "SIX" with an emphasis on the number SIX!" He sneered. "Who you brought in as number 6? Oh don't tell me it's Chameleon" There was a chorus of groans from Max and Alistair

"Oh not Chameleon, that jerk still owes me money."

"It's... It's not Chameleon..." Peter swallowed hard before pressing a button and a picture of Spider-Man appeared in the center of the 5 of them on the screen. Max and Adrien immediately let out a great pained groan as both buried their faces in their hands. Alistair didn't seem to move. Otto and Michael simply stared at Peter.

"You know what, count me out." Max replied. "Ain't no way i'm working with Web Head. That jerk has beat me up too many times. Ain't no amount of money in the world could make me want to work with him. Peter stiffled a snicker, knowing that Max was unwittingly already doing that.

"Peter, we all have history with the guy." Otto stepped in as the villain liason again. "You should no more ask us to work with him than we should ask you to work with Norman Osborn. Too much bad blood." Otto had a point, and yes it was pretty common knowledge in the business world that Norman was utterly pissed at Peter for taking his money and his grandson. "Now, i don't personally have a problem with Web Head, sure the guy beat me up a couple of times, but let's face facts, i had it coming." There was a few murmurs of agreement. Peter suspected it was more them agreeing that Otto needed to be beaten than of them agreeing that Spider-Man was justified. "But..." He guestured around to the others. "Face facts, we are NOT heroes." Again, even though Otto was fighting him, Peter knew that this was a necessary fight that was going to happen one way or another and Otto was just getting in front of it to keep it civil.

"Alright, Alistair, Michael, neither of you have said anything, let's get an idea of where the room stands." He motioned to the pair of them. Michael talked first.

"I do not have a problem working alongside Spider-Man..." Michael began "But i am still... A little unstable at the moment. I cannot guarentee that i will not start... Feasting... If the opportunity presented itself. I will need more time in the lab to stabilize my condition before i can agree to this." Michael had a VERY good point. Peter was trying to change the public perception of these people and a vampire ripping a guys throat out with a big "Parker Industries" Label on him was probably not the best advertisement in the world.

"And you, Alistair?" Peter asked. Alistair looked down at his hands in response.

"I recreated myself as a machine to destroy Spider-Man..." He muttered in his deep, gravelly, mildly electronic voice "The Spider-Slayer i called myself. I wanted nothing more than to feel his heart beat its last in my hands... But now... I feel nothing towards him. No animosity, no hatred..." He looked at Peter. "I am willing to give Spider-Man a chance. I... I owe him that much for what i have done." Peter could see the genuine regret in Alistairs eyes. The man had turned himself into a spider-killing machine in the name of revenge for his father on a man who had never had anything to do with it. Alistair had played directly into the Maggia's hands and he could tell that it was eating him inside.

"Where is the bug anyway?" Adrien asked. "If you are so onboard with bringing in the bug to lead this team, then where is our oh so fearless leader?" The old man grinned.

"Spider-Man has agreed to join Parker Industries on the proviso that you 5 are all onboard. Naturally, he's afraid of this being a trap. I mean, last time..." Peter stopped for a second. He was about to say the wrong thing... It pained him to say the words, but appearances needed to be kept. "When Harry Osborn brought you together last time, he called Spider-Man in a similar manner. Can't blame the guy for being cautious..." There was a shift in Adrien and Max's demeanor. They both shifted a little uncomfortably... They both knew Harry wasn't the REAL Green Goblin. "I want to make sure that everybody is onboard before i bring him into the company first. I will not have my company becoming the battle ground of a Sinister 6 Reunion show." A quiet descended upon the room. "Alright, let's put it to a vote. Because of the nature of this, i will abstain and only a unanimous vote will carry." There was nods around the room. "All in favour?" Alistair, Max and Otto raied their hands. Peter was surprised, but then again, Max was probably thinking about the money and how it might dry up if he doesn't suck up to the boss. "All opposed?" Only Adrien raised his hand. Michael seemed to abstain. "Motion fails. Very well, is there any other business that we need to discuss?" He looked around the room. "Alright, meeting over. Adrien, can i see you for a minute?" The rest of them left. Adrien sat, elbows on table, fingers tented and chin resting atop them. "Strictly off the record, what do i need to do to turn that no into a yes? I need six people because alliterative names are a hassle and 4 already has a good one taken."

"I don't want to work with him, simple as. Find another." Adrien growled. "Maybe get Mac or Herman... Scorpion or Shocker, but not that guy." As Peter opened his mouth, Adrien butted in again "I'm not saying this because I hate him... Well, i do, but that's not the main reason. It's because you are trying to mix oil with water. It won't work. It's always been him vs us. And i'm still on the side of us and he's still on the side of him. And there's another reason. Web-head has it pretty good... Maybe give one of the other rogue's of New York a chance at something better." Peter wanted to argue and disagree, but Adrien did have a point. Maybe he should work on some of the others... At that point, Mary Jane walked in through the door.

"Pete- Oh hi Adrien-" She said, waving to Vulture who simply nodded. "I need to-

"MJ, Adrien here has had a good idea, can we maybe put out the feelers and see if we can get in touch with either Scorpion or Shocker?" The colour drained from Mary-Janes face as he said that. "What's wrong?" Mary-Jane looked down at her phone and tapped a few times, before up on the TV screen, a video appeared. Norman Osborn stood on a podium alongside Scorpion who was in a large coat that fitted over his battlesuit with the words "Security Detail" written on it.

"- too long, this country has stagnated and acquiesced to the wishes of the superhuman whilst completely ignoring US. Studies show that as few as 10% of this nations people are Mutants and yet with their freaky powers, they are able to take our entire nation hostage. Well we need to put a stop to that. Democracy is a system that benefits the many, not the few and it's what separates us from the dictatorships like Latveria and Madripoor... Such weak leadership led to... The death of my only, beloved son... As such, i officially announce today Peter's heart went through the floor as he realized the word that were about to come colourfully marching out of Normans mouth. "That I, Norman Osborn, will be running for President of the United States of America in 2024, for a better and safer America. Where Homo-Sapien need not live in fear of these so called "Homo-Superior" that the terrorist Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr would have you call them."

"Well... He ain't getting my vote." Adrien stated as Peter and MJ stood slack-jawed at each other, lost for words. The pair of them looked at him. "Convicted Felon." He shrugged.

Transformers: Something Evil's Watching Over You (Essence20)

"My name is Optimus Prime. You have been sent to this planet as advanced scouts for The Arc. Cybertrons last, best hope for survival. I cannot guarantee your safety, i cannot guarantee that what you find on this planets local wildlife to be accommodating, i cannot even guarantee that you will ever see our beloved Cybertron again, but what i can guarantee is that your mission is of utmost importance to all Cybertronians, a fighting chance at survival. Your mission will be to arrive, evaluate the locals and survey. You are not to message home, lest the Decepticons find the location of our new colony, you are to gather intelligence and await further orders until contacted. May Primus protect you."

For those of you unfamiliar with it, Essence20 is Renegade Systems' D20 RPG system that is all about rolling bigger dice, as opposed to rolling the same dice with bigger modifiers.

The crux of this is going to be a "Kids on Bikes" Style RP where you all play as a bunch of kids living in a small city in England that one day, stumble upon some Autobots that have come to Earth after escaping The War on Cybertron in order to build a new colony that the Autobots can use to live in peace. You befriend these Robots who then disguise themselves as vehicles around the town and work with the kids to defeat Decepticons and other threats to this little city. Of course, being that you have 2 characters, a kid and an Autobot, obviously, the 50 ton armour-plated warmachine is going to be better at most things than their human counterpart, but that doesn't mean your human is worthless.

Those who know the rules

pretty much your Autobot will get the "Human Companion" feat for free at level 1, but with a few little upgrades to make your companion feel more like an actual player character:

*You get an Origin from the Power Rangers book (Brainy, Athletic, Comedic, Rebel, etc.)
*You get access to Influences
*Your human will get access to Feats and Perks as your characters level up.

Those who know nothing about Essence20

interested in something that isn't D&D and want a more sci-fi based tabletop. I am happy to teach you how to play.

How to build a Character step by step

Step 1: Getting the character sheet

Go here and fillable character sheet PDF it is free, despite it being on a pay site, most RPG's do this, to be fair. In fact, Chaosium is one of the only ones i know who just have the download straight from their website. In any case, do not be afraid because it says "Add to Cart" because it will never ask for any pay information, it'll just give you a download link after checkout.

Step 2: Understand your Essences

There are 21 different Essences, these are just fancy words for your Skill Proficiencies. How good are you at something? Each Essence is in one of the "Four S'" These are Strength, Speed, Smarts and Social. Whenever you gain a point in that essence, you add a point to one of the skills in that associated essence. So, when you get a point in Strength, you immediately spend that point in either Athletics, Brawn, Conditioning, Intimidation or Might, or getting a specialization in one of those skills (More on that later)

In this system, similar to D&D 4e, you don't have a flat Armour Class, but 4 different defences that enemies have to beat in order to hit you with things. You start with a flat 10 in those defences and gain an additional point for each skill point you put into it. So, if you have 6 points in Strength, then you have a Toughness of 16. If you have 9 points in Smarts then you have a Willpower of 19. Here is the basic breakdown of your Essences

Strength:
Defence: Toughness (Someone punches you in the gut, the higher this is, the less likely you are to care)
Athletics (Running, Jumping, Climbing, Swimming, stuff like that)
Brawn (Do you even lift? This is about using your strength to move things or overpower others)
Conditioning (You don't ever test for Conditioning, but every point in Conditioning is an additional HP your character has)
Intimidation (Using your imposing physique to convince others to do things or see things your way?)
Might (Punching people in the face, using melee weapons to just beat others)

Speed:
Defence: Evasion (Instead of tanking the shot, you jump out the way)
Acrobatics (Flippy shit, squirming your way through tight spots, etc.)
Driving (Your ability to drive a vehicle. Of course, this will be a big one being that you pretty much always have access to a vehicle.)
Finesse (Hitting people with more agile weapons. Daggers, nunchucks, rapiers, etc.)
Infiltration (Sneaking about, pickpocketting, generally not making noise)
Initiative (When combat starts, how on the ball are you?)
Targetting (Utilizing ranged weapons)

Smarts:
Defence: Willpower (An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded. How open are the gates of your mind to attacks?)
Alertness (Spotting things happening around you, investigating, seeing people sneaking up on you.)
Culture (Art, History, Law, Music, how well do you know the place you are?)
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine)
Survival (Tracking, Camping, living off the land)
Technology (Hacking, building machines, figuring out alien technology)

Social:
Defence: Cleverness (Thinking quickly to defend yourself)
Animal Handling (Exactly what you think)
Deception (Pulling the wool over people's eyes. Disguising yourself)
Performance (How good are you at your art? Singing, dancing, painting, etc.)
Persuasion (Convincing people of the truth is just as hard as convincing them of a lie)
Streetwise (How well can you make connections and gather info?)

For each point you put into a skill, that is 1 higher dice you roll when you make a skill check. Like in D&D
you always roll a d20 for skill checks, but unlike D&D you don't add higher scores to you skill checks the better you are. Instead, you roll bigger dice, depending on how many points you have in a score.

0 Points = 2 D20 take the lowest.
1 Points = 1d20+1d2
2 Points = 1d20+1d4
3 Points = 1d20+1d6
4 Points = 1d20+1d8
5 Points = 1d20+1d10
6 Points = 1d20+1d12

Abilities, Equipment's and other things can cause you to "Shift Up" or "Shift Down". When you do this, you increase or decrease the dice you roll. So, 1 shift up means your 1d20+1d4 becomes 1d20+1d6, but a shift down turns it into 1d20+1d2.

When you choose to invest points in a skill, instead of investing points in better dice, you can instead invest in a "Specialization" There is no definitive list of Specializations, because it can be anything.

Example: You get a Smarts essence increase, you may put that point into your Technology increasing your 1d20+1d6 to a 1d20+1d8. Or, you could put that into "Hacking" as a Technology Specialization. Now, whenever you roll a technology roll to do with Hacking, you instead can roll your d20, your d2, d4 and d6, taking whichever is the highest result of the d2, d4 and d6.

You will all be starting as Level 1 characters, meaning you will have 16 points to spend across all of your Essences, with 1 coming from your Origin and 3 coming from your Role, the other 12 you may spend as your please. But they come with a few rules:

• You cannot have more than 1d6 in a skill from Level 1. This does not count skills that give you upshifts.
• You have to have at least 1 point in each Essence

Step 3: Choose your Origin

Your Origin is essentially your Racial feature. What do you get just on the virtue of how you came here to begin with? In Transformers this also denotes your Alt-Mode (How many people can fit in you, how fast you go, how many of your armed occupants can fire out of the window, what kinds of movements you can have, ETC) At this point, you will notice that this is a Low-Health, Low Damage system. Think of 1 point of damage being "How much it takes to knock out a regular human civilian" So, minor scratches and bumps won't cause actual damage points. The only other thing to note is that every bot has "Fine Motor" in Bot Mode and "Limited Articulation" In Alt-Mode, this just denotes that Cars tend to not have hands so you can't do stuff that requires hands when in Alt-Mode. The Origins that are available are:

Champion:

Sports cars, luxury sedans, even limousines, you chose an Alt Mode that is sleek, fancy, and cool. Although you have a reputation for being egotistical, others can’t help but gravitate toward your beauty. As a Champion, you may be ideal for leadership, well-spoken and witty, or so full of yourself that others don’t take you seriously. Guys like Hot-Rod, Jazz and Sunstreaker.

HP: 3
Essence Increase: Social +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra language for every 3 points in Social
Origin Benefit: "I Know A Bot" You can spend an Energon Point to declare that you have a previously positive relationship with an NPC. This can be an enemy. Although this is not likely to change their objectives, they may still go easy on you or secretly help you with one of your goals.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 40ft Ground
Size: Large (2x2 Squares)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 60ft Ground
Size: Long (1x2 Squares)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 2
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Cutter:

Aquatic, amphibious, and submersible, when a situation calls for a Cutter, no other Chassis will do. From battling Decepticons at sea to searching the depths of underground rivers for Energon, you have a reputation of being quirky and only comfortable at sea. Guys like Broadside, Tidal Wave and Seaspray.

HP: 3
Essence Increase: Strength +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra language for every 3 points of Smarts you have.
Origin Benefit: "Surface Invasion" Once per scene, after Moving in your Alt Mode, you can Move an additional 10ft Ground Movement. If you do, you can also make a single attack as a Free action with the benefits of Surprise, even if this isn’t the first turn of Combat.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground, 30ft Water
Size: Common (1x1) or Large (2x2)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Aquatic
Size: Common (1x1) or Long (1x2)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 2
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Lookout:

You take infiltration to another level. Focused on spycraft, theft, and reconnaissance, you put yourself at great risk to gain invaluable information on enemy plans. These duties often put you in similar battlefield roles as the Outrider. Like the Outriders, you make an excellent scout, but many consider you to be less trustworthy due to your more duplicitous nature. The truth is that you’re often friendly and fun, with a strong sense of humor. Despite their shady practices, they get a lot of mileage out of their charm and can win over the steeliest of hearts. Your Alt Mode can appear as nearly any vehicle or piece of equipment, though rarely a large one, usually nondescript and functional. If your Alt Mode isn’t a vehicle, you deploy emergency jets to fly off. Your flight may not be as fast as when you’re on the ground, but it’s more maneuverable. Guys like Bumblebee, Goldbug and Mirage.

HP: 2
Essence Increase: Speed or Social +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra language for every 2 points of Social.
Origin Benefit: "Look Out!" You gain a +2 bonus to Evasion and can defend with Evasion even if you’re unaware of an attack.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground
Size: Common

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Ground or 20ft Aerial
Size: Common
Crew: 1
Firepoints: 1
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Monolith:

You disguise yourself as the biggest, toughest, and mostimpressive vehicle you can find, from vans and sports utility vehicles to big rigs and military trucks. Built for battle, you use your power to lay into the enemy, and your bulk to protect your friends. Many of your kind are gentle giants, and others become soldiers, bodyguards, or selfless leaders. While you have a reputation for being slow and meandering, no one ever doubts the impact you’ll make when you arrive. Guys like Optimus Prime, Bulkhead and Ironhide.

HP: 4
Essence Increase: Strength +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra language for every 3 points of Smarts.
Origin Benefit: "Large And In Charge" Choose a Social Skill or Intimidation. You gain ↑1 on Skill Tests with that Skill if the target is smaller than you.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 20ft Ground
Size: Huge (3x3)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Ground
Size: Extended (2x4)
Crew: 6
Firepoints: 4
Ram Attack: 2 Blunt

Outrider:

Adventurous by nature, you are a natural explorer capable of navigating the most challenging terrain and tracking down enemies, traps, and rare materials. You prefer allterrain vehicles, including four-wheel drive, SUVs, and even the occasional amphibious vehicle. Despite not being the most durable of warriors, you have a reputation for being quick on your feet and impossible to pin down. Guys like Hound, Prowl and Trailbreaker.

HP: 3
Essence Increase: Smarts +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra language for every 3 points of Smarts.
Origin Benefit: "Take Point" You never suffer the negative effects of Rough Terrain, and on any turn in which you end your move in Rough Terrain, you are considered to be in Cover until the beginning of your next turn.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground
Size: Common (1x1) or Large (2x2)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Ground
Size: Common (1x1) or Long (1x2)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 2
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Rainmaker:

You are built for one thing: war. Your Alt Mode is most likely a military vehicle packing massive firepower. However, it is not unheard of for those of your kind to choose a less obtrusive Alt Mode that is still bristling with shoulder-mounted cannons and torso-mounted missile launchers in Bot Mode. Whether aggressive or simply defensive, no one wants to get on the wrong side of you. Guys like Hardhead, Omega Supreme and Roadbuster

HP: 4
Essence Increase: Speed +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra for each point of Smarts
Origin Benefit: "The Fiercest Among You" You have an additional Reinforced Integrated Weapon Hardpoint. Additionally, at 1st level you are trained to use Machine Guns, at 7th level you are trained to use Heavy Machine Guns and Rocket Launchers, and at 14th level you are trained to use Artillery Cannons and Missiles. You always suffer a Snag on Skill Tests to blend in unless you are in places a military vehicle is expected to be.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground
Size: Large (2x2)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Ground
Size: Long (1x2)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 2
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Seeker:

More common among Decepticons, your chosen Chassis is the rarest seen among Autobots. Aerial superiority provides you an incredible tactical advantage, but at the expense of subtly. Every nation on Earth carefully monitors its air space, dealing with unidentified flying objects immediately and efficiently. However, despite this risk, the allure of taking to the sky makes many landbound Cybertronians jealous of your freedoms. Guys like Jetfire, Starscream and Windblade.

HP: 3
Essence Increase: Speed +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra for every 3 points of Smarts
Origin Benefit: "Hover" When flying you don’t have to move on your turn.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground, 30ft Aerial
Size: Large (2x2)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 60ft Aerial
Size: Long (1x2)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 0
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Support:

Like the structures you’re named after, Supports prop others up. Though you don’t tend to participate in the fighting actively, you brave the thick of battle in the name of helping your allies. That said, like any Cybertronian since the war broke out, you typically carry a weapon at all times and know how to use it. You’re likely to choose Alt Modes that let you assist humans in emergencies between missions, like ambulances, rescue helicopters, fire trucks, and bulldozers. Guys like Grapple, Inferno and Hauler.

HP: 4
Essence Increase: Smarts +1
Languages: Cybertronian, English and 1 extra for every 2 points of Smarts.
Origin Benefit: "In Case of Emergency" You have two additional Internal Hardpoints (NonWeapon) and may choose to begin play with two attached options from the Support Equipment list.

Bot-Mode
Movement: 30ft Ground
Size: Large (2x2) or Huge (3x3)

Alt-Mode
Movement: 45ft Ground or 30ft Aerial
Size: Long (1x2) or Extended (2x4)
Crew: 2
Firepoints: 2
Ram Attack: 1 Blunt

Step 4: Choose a Role

Roles are your Classes in Essence20. Sadly, there is no Multiclass option yet, but i think we want to keep things simple anyway. So, here's the classes and their basic features for Level 1 anyway. So, at level 1, you get 2 Essence increases, some perks, your training (What weapons and equipment you know how to use) and you get to choose a Focus (Subclass) Your Focus also gives you an additional Essence increase. You also get "For The Allspark" Which is the standard Autobot abilitys:

• Always gain 1 Upshift on Infiltration checks when in Alt-Mode, but if you are in an appropriate area, gain 2 upshifts instead. (A Schoolbus will look rather inconspicuous outside of a school, but in the middle of a military base will stand out)
• Immunity to Carbon-Based Diseases, but susceptibility to Electronic viruses and electromagnetic weapons.
• Access to standard issue equipment.
• "Roll Out" Which allows you to mode-shift at the beginning of combat without spending an action, but only works if you are not surprised.

Analyst

Everything is data and code that just has to be processed. Their processing power grants allies an advantage and opens up new outlets for victory. Examples include Jazz, Hubcap and Mirage.

Essence Increases: +1 Speed, +1 Smarts
Training: Standard Armour and 1 handed weapons (Including weapons that can be used in both 1 or 2 hands)
Perks:

• Work The Numbers

At the beginning of every round of combat after the first, you can spend an Energon Point to move a creature in the combat up or down one place in the Initiative order. For example, Astrotrain rolled a 16 for Initiative, going first in a combat that also includes Hubcap, an Analyst who rolled 14 Initiative and therefore goes second, and Hoist, who rolled a 3 and is going third. At the beginning of Round 2, before anyone has gone, Hubcap could spend an Energon Point to move himself up in initiative order, going first regardless of how much higher Astrotrain’s Initiative result was. Hubcap could instead move Hoist to second in Initiative order, even though Hubcap’s Initiative result was 11 higher than Hoist’s.

• Analyze Target

As a Standard action, make an Alertness Skill Test against the Willpower or Cleverness of a Target you can see. On a success, you can learn a valuable piece of information of your choice about them, such as their Rank in a specific Skill, or a Defense score.

• Informed Accuracy

When you attack a creature that you’ve used Analyze Target on in this combat, you gain a number of Upshifts on the attack equal to the number of times you succeeded on Analyze Target on them.

• Unsurprising

If you would be Surprised, you instead can act, but treat your Speed score as though it were equal to your level (up to your actual Speed score). For example, at 1st level, when Surprised, you act as though you have Speed 1, meaning you can only take a Move or Standard action. If at 10th level you have 9 Speed, you act normally when Surprised, and are able to take a Move action, Standard action, and 7 Free actions (not 8, like a Speed 10 character)
Focuses:

• Manipulator (Using tactics to deceive the enemy and orchastrate how battles go)

+1 Social and gain "Diversion" You can roll a Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion Skill Test against a target’s Willpower or Cleverness as a Standard action. On a success, if they attack you on their next turn, they suffer a Snag. If they don’t attack you, your allies gain an Edge on attacks that target them. This lasts until the end of the next round.

• Spec-Ops (Gain the enemies trust and then use it against them, whether that means having a friendly chat over a bottle of Visco or infiltrating a criminal organization for years.)

+1 Social and gain "Unassuming" You gain 1 Upshift on Deception and Infiltration Skill Tests. Additionally, you’re Trained with all one-handed Limited Weapons.

Field Commander

The orders and assistance given on the battlefield motivate allies to fight their best. They inspire new actions and make opportunities for them with their efforts. Examples are Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime.

Essence Increases: Strength +1, Social +1
Training: Standard and Limited Armour, All Ballistic and Melee weapons.
Perks:

• Never Foresaken

Once per scene, when an ally no further away from you than your fastest Movement in your alt mode takes Damage, you can spend an Energon Point to move adjacent to that ally, converting if you need to, and take the Damage instead, even if the attack would not normally penetrate your Defenses.

• Issue Commands

As a Move action, you can issue a command, granting allies who follow your command 1 Upshift to a Skill Test or +1 bonus to a Defense based on certain circumstances. You set the terms and the bonus allies receive. This bonus lasts until the beginning of your next turn.
Example Commands:
"Fire on my target!" Allies gain 1 upshift to Targetting attacks against the specified enemy.
"Incoming! Take Cover!" Allies get +1 Evasion if they use their move action to move into cover.
"Don't let him get away!" Allies get 1 Upshift to Brawn attempts to grapple specified target.
"Don't fall for his trick!" Allies gain +1 Cleverness bonus against target enemies ability.
"Hold your ground!" Allies who don't move during their turn gain +1 Toughness.

• Prepare for War

When you roll for Initiative and you are not Surprised, you gain an Edge on your Initiative Skill Test.
Focuses:

• Ambassador (Wars are won and lost in negotiations, and you intend to win this war.)

+1 Social and gain "Bend A Knee Or Stand Tall" When in discussion with a creature of a different Size Class, you gain upshifts on Intimidation or Persuasion Skill Tests equal to the number of Size Class differences between you. For example, when the Common sized Bumblebee stands up to the Gigantic Omega Supreme, the little yellow bug’s gumption impresses the Autobot’s first and last line of defense. Bumblebee gains 3 upshifts on his Persuasion Skill Test.

• Strategist (A tenacious commander whose presence and keen mind dominate the battlefield.)

+1 Smarts and gain "Strategize" You can set a number of Contingency actions as Free actions up to your Smarts score. Each Contingency action must trigger on a different condition. Only one of these Contingency actions can be used to Attack.

Gunner

A walking arsenal with the aim to take full advantage of it. Foes can’t hide behind cover for long, their aim can still find its mark even if it misses initially. Examples include Brawn, Chromia and Jetfire.

Essence Increases: Speed +1, Smarts +1
Training: Standard and Limited Armour, All Projectile weapons as well as Standard and Limited Balistic Weapons.
Perks:

• Imprompturret

When you convert from your Bot Mode with ballistic weapons in your External Hardpoints, you can spend an Energon Point to treat the firearms as Integrated Hardpoint weapons in your Alt Mode for the rest of the scene.

• Armament

Gain 1 additional Integrated Hardpoint.

• Pistol Whip

When you have a Ballistic weapon in an External Hardpoint, it also counts as a Close Combat Bludgeon. You do not add any benefits you normally gain from attacks with a Ballistic weapon when you use it as a Close Combat Bludgeon.

• Rapid Reload

You hot swap ammo faster than most pull a trigger. Reloading weapons with the Reload trait is a Free action for you.
Focuses:

• Gunslinger (Quick on the draw, with an arsenal at your hip, you cut your way through a battlefield drawing and stowing firearms as you go.)

+1 Speed and gain "Quick Draw" You gain a pair of holsters as special External Weapon Hardpoints. You can still only wield two hands of weapons at a time in your External Hardpoints, but you can switch two hands of weapons between your External Hardpoints as a Free action.

• Sharpshooter (Hidden away from the heat of battle, you take your time to line up your shot and attack with precision.)

+1 Speed and gain "Long Shot" You do not suffer a Snag when attacking from long range with a ranged weapon.

Modemaster

A standard Chassis isn’t enough for a Modemaster, either adopting an additional Alt Mode or housing a Minicon ally on their frame.

Essence Increases: Choose 2 different Essences and gain a point in each of them.
Training: Standard weapons only. No Armours.
Perks:

• Fully Hybrid

You can spend an Energon point to partially convert as a Free action. You gain the benefits of both your Bot Mode and your Alt Mode, your choice of either Mode’s Movement, and your choice of the Size of your Hybrid Mode.

• Custom Frame

Put your Essences in order of importance to you (E.G. First = Strength, Second = Social, Third = Smarts, Fourth = Speed.) When you level up, you will gain essence increases based on your choices.

• Mass Shift: Once per scene as a move action, you can gain one of the following benefits:
  • +1 to a Defence of your choice.
  • 1 Upshift to a skill of your choice.
  • Double your Reach
  • Gain 1 Temporary health.

• Quick Change

Choose 1 form of Mode change (Bot to Altmode, Altmode to Bot, Altmode to Altmode) You can now do that change as a Free action, as opposed to a Standard action.
Focuses:

• Microlinked

+1 Essence of your choice and gain "Minicon Ally" Much like Blaster and Soundwave, you have a Minicon ally who you can deploy to assist you. Build it using These rules

• Triple Changer

+1 Essence of your choice and gain "Everything in Three's" You get to choose an Altmode from another Origin and gain the ability to change into it. You may choose the form it takes.

Scientist

An intimate knowledge of science is vital for a Cybertronian, especially given they’re made of technology. The Scientist doubles as an engineer with an understanding of fundamental mechanics.

Essence Increases:
Training:
Perks:

Focuses:

Scout

Someone has to move ahead to see what comes next, and the Scout does it with little hesitation. If a mission needs to get somewhere quiet and hidden, send in a Scout.

Essence Increases:
Training:
Perks:

Focuses:

Warrior

The Warrior stands tall and charges into battle with boldness like no other. However, if they become injured, they harness abilities that keep them fighting and standing until help arrives, or they can defeat their foes themselves.

Essence Increases:
Training:
Perks:

Focuses:

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

Thanks very much, can't wait for it to start.

(NOW CLOSED:) Marvel RE: Imagine - A Marvel Comics Roleplay

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