Work together to guide Lennox Tait as he strives to climb through the leagues and take the belt! Many challenges await him, and he will need your help. Believe in your dreams and reach for the sky! Then stand back up after stooping so low and get training, cuz that belt isn't getting any closer on its own.
This is a day that the multiverse will long remember. The day you finally got your license and became a Boxer in the Four Round Unlimited Circuit.
That's not WHY they'll remember it, of course. Today is also the day the Big Bad Polity betrayed Hell and launched a war the likes of which spacetime had never imagined. Oracles throughout history have slain themselves for merely glimpsing such a thing. Prophecy has bent like a bow, then snapped like a disco guy's fingers, at the slightest mention. But your thing is important too.
As long as you've been in existence, you've known that this would be your destiny. Every step, other than those extra steps that weren't and therefore don't count, was pointed towards this place, this time. This is an excellent idea, you are completely sure.
Well, you are pretty sure. That's probably fine.
You are taking the first step on a road that will lead you inexorably up*, throughout a legendary* career, to the very heights of the highest peak of the sweet science. Way to go, you! I'm a huge fan.
Let's get a basic idea of who you are, anyway. I mean, I know, of course, but maybe you could remind me, so if I have to describe you to someone, I wouldn't leave anything out.
Oh, dope, I can do the bold voice. Ahem. Just one question to start our correspondence.
What's your platform, young Boxer?
[] Cybeast
Sample subtypes: Steampunk Pigman, Woodfired Snakewoman, NUCLEAR MINOTAUR, etc Part animal, part man, the beastfolk are physical exemplars, the products of an ongoing and vigorous transhuman impulse. The machinery is just the mechanical perfection icing on the monstrous hybrid vitality cake.
Combat Stats 1st
Noncombat Stats 4th
Special Moves 2nd
Special Rules 3rd
[] Cryptid
Sample subtypes: Angel, Ghost, Mummy, etc Supernatural beings have many advantages in the squared circle, and throngs of them have come forth over the centuries to prove it. Their magic provides them with a daunting edge over opponents trapped by physics.
Combat Stats 2nd
Noncombat Stats 3rd
Special Moves 4th
Special Rules 1st
[] Human
Sample subtypes: Communist, Mafioso, American, etc Made, according to some, in the image of God. The unimproved children of earth are still a factor when it comes time to throw hands, and no sane observer would dare to sleep on their belligerence.
Combat Stats 3rd
Noncombat Stats 2nd
Special Moves 1st
Special Rules 4th
[] Corporation
Sample subtypes: Megacorps, Small Mom n Pop shops, franchises, etc Corporate personages have many advantages when it comes time to trade blows, and a long and distinguished history. If the belt can only be claimed by paying a price in blood, well, the corporations are eager to bid.
Combat Stats 4th
Noncombat Stats 1st
Special Moves 3rd
Special Rules 2nd
Here is a bit of a blurb about what those categories mean. Ultimately there will be a whole rules post about this stuff, but for the moment I hope this will give you something to go on. More important is to play what you want, but a lot of times people's wants are connected to their ability to navigate the rules system, which is more than fair.
Combat Stats: These stats (might, speed, defenses, stamina) are the basic ones that are used in Bouts. The system is, roughly, speed rolloff, then roll strength vs the other Boxer's defenses, with the loser of the speed rolloff taking a penalty. Then use the outcome to subtract stamina and potentially inflict damage/knockdowns/knockouts.
Noncombat Stats: These stats (reserves (called fuel/mana/willpower/budget depending on your platform and subplatform), cunning, charisma, resources) are used in Training turns, outside of Bouts. They help the Boxer book the best matches for their career, get the best Seconds, etc. Cunning and reserves are also used in bouts as part of some special moves. Note that this isn't exactly what's indicated by the name! Good job reading long enough to penetrate my deception.
Special Moves: Every Boxer has an array of sunday punches and secret techniques that they can use to claim victory. These cost stamina or reserves and apply to the particular clash (a clash is a minute of boxing, 3 clashes to a round) they are used in, plus sometimes more if they have a duration.
Special Rules: These are rules that apply to a Boxer all the time, not just during certain clashes. A werewolf's regeneration, a megacorp's flunky shield, etc. These tend to be very powerful, but a given Boxer will probably only have one or two.
I'll leave this open for a day, then post the next round of character creation tomorrow (subtype, name and description, dream, nemesis, etc).
okay aris is stunned speechless by the fact that you got ves to vote so ill handle this
cybeasts are cool on the face of it but being best in physical strength and worst out of combat is just boring
cryptids are cool and most likely to win but noncombat stats are still a third and also we worry people will insist on picking a boring subplatform
humans are by definition incredibly boring and thus should not even by considered
corporations on the other hand are unique and interesting
corporations have the the best noncombat stats and second best special rules
plus playing an entity with weak combat stats in a combat game by working around the limitations sounds fun as hell
probably not going to pass but id ask everyone to consider it
HeWhoAdds:
Yes, no problem with the Mothman, or similar one-off cryptid. Sky's the limit. 'under the hood', I'd be repurposing one of the templates I'd prepared for a monster subtype, but for story purposes it's fine.
KreenWarrior:
Yep, corporations can be Boxers. The laws around exactly what a corporate personage puts into the ring are pretty complicated, and the subject of constant legal wrangling, but 'employees and products' covers most of it. They only get the one set of gloves, however, and punching with those gloves is the only way they can directly interact with the other Boxer.
I like the fae concept, but really like the idea of an Asura/Rakshasa. Why? More limbs! Arms for defending and punching at the same time! Illusion magic too! This kind of assumes of course that we can go with this race, but im sure I can find another multi armed monster to pick for this.
Alright, looks like we've got our winner. I'll get working on the second phase of character creation, should go live later on tonight, around midnight EST.
I see, a supernatural entity, eh? I should've known, you definitely have that vibe about you. You'll be in good company, cryptids are the second most populous group on the local Circuit, and the 4 Round Champ is actually a Demon, as is one of her Elite Four!
Hang on a tic, feel the old italics stirring. Maybe time for a bit of exposition, eh?
The massive collection of entities within the BBP known simply as 'cryptids' utterly defy tidy categorization. Choirs of Angels, the Legions of Hell, the once-living Undead... these well known subgroups barely scratch the surface of these beings' true diversity. There are one of a kind spirits, great hosts of elementally empowered surges and impossibly distant eldritch monstrosities. The Cryptids of the BBP are truly a marvel of the multiverse.
As Boxers, they have had great success, with many champions arising from their endlessly varied ranks. Their very natures make up their greatest weapon, giving them without any effort innate abilities that no amount of training or augmentation can grant to a mortal. Their greatest weakness is tied up in this same nature, as many of them have vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable foe can exploit, often without even breaking the rules.
There we go, phew, I do go on a bit. Anyway, let's say you remind me of a few more details, yes? And this time we are going to use 'plan format', by which I mean I'll go with the most popular distinct set of choices as a whole, rather than picking the most popular answer to each question.
One quick clarifier, before we go on. Don't worry about your nature being strong or weak in terms of how well you'll do in the ring. These choices will flavor your moves, and drive your story, but the overall system will work pretty much the same regardless. Vote for what you want to play, leave it to me to challenge and entertain you.
What is your deal, basically? Sum up your nature, and the concept of you, in a sentence. I can already tell you (or maybe your local manifestation) basically fit in a standard boxing ring. You might be an Ogre or a Dwarf, but you definitely aren't a Pixie or a Titan.
[]Write-In
What's your name and pronouns?
[]Write-In
Appearance?
[] Write-in
Attitude/energy? (Are you a cocky showoff, a studious and disciplined athlete, a raging brute or something else entirely?)
[] Write In
What is your relation to mortal beings, at its most basic level?
[] I'm a fancy one of them, only big difference is I can use magic (Elf, Mermaid, etc)
[] I prey on them (Vampire, Brain Eater, etc)
[] I support them (Golem, City Spirit, etc)
[] I have a very structured and ritual way of relating to them (Genie, Contract Devil, etc)
[] I am utterly beyond their understanding (Certain Fae, Lovecraftian monstrosities, etc)
How long have you been around? I can tell that it's at least long enough that shipping you with like age people isn't gross.
[] Normal human lifetime, a few decades so far
[] Transhuman lifetime, hundred plus years
[] Elfy lifetime, hundreds of years
[] Eternal lifetime, thousands and thousands, well beyond count
[] Question has no meaning, I'm a part of the infinite fabric of spacetime
What part of the Big Bad Polity have you been living in/manifesting in/observing most recently? What is 'your neighborhood', essentially?
[] Cyberpunk Cityscape
[] Medieval Kingdom
[] Sparsely inhabited wilderness
[] Write-In
You've obviously been planning this for a long time now...why did you originally want to be a Boxer?
[] Strength Seeker: Being a Boxer is its own reason. This is my purpose.
[] Status Seeker: Boxers are the top men in the BBP, I'm clout chasing!
[] Social Seeker: The actions of another Boxer drove me here (write in elaboration as to whether this is a rival, an inspiring figure from your past, a love interest, etc).
[] Situation Seeker: The Champ of Champs is handed their belt by the Big Bad Boss itself. That must be me...for reasons...
Why did you finally finish preparing, and step into the ring? Was there a recent, motivating event that made you say... this is the year?
[] The Empty Throne: With the CHAMP enlisting, the belt is attainable for the first time in a decade.
[] The War: I need to influence BBP policy, which I can only do as a popular Boxer
[] It's Personal: Something happened recently, which pushed me to go (write in elaboration on basically what this was).
[] No: I just finished my preparation, it's a coincidence that it was the same day as the war.
Aside from your Seconds, which is to say, the people who are gonna help you as a Boxer (who we'll go into a bit later), do you have any other beings in your day to day life?
[] No, I'm a loner, or maybe that question isn't meaningful for someone like me.
[] A few close friends and family, I keep my circle tight.
[] Everybody knows me, and I know everybody! Wide circle of acquaintances, big extended family I keep close, etc.
All right, that should tide me over for another day! I'm aiming to do the third part of character creation tomorrow, and also to have the rules document up by then.
In line with our policy of favoring the most interesting choices at chargen, here are the points I have opinions on:
Attitude/energy? (Are you a cocky showoff, a studious and disciplined athlete, a raging brute or something else entirely?)
I don't have good ideas for the right in ones, but I'm begging whoever comes up when them, especially this one, to be interesting about it. Also for the species question, see my position on relationship to mortal beings below.
Attracted to?
Preferably "Anyone, potentially", second choice people of the same-gender as the character. "No." works too, if we just don't want to focus on romance stuff.
What is your relation to mortal beings, at its most basic level?
Hmmm. All of these are cool, except the first one. Top choices are "I support them (Golem, City Spirit, etc)" or "I have a very structured and ritual way of relating to them (Genie, Contract Devil, etc)", probably in that order. These ones have the most interesting and unusual flavor. Vampires are fun too though. I am obliged to stand up for vampires for... reasons.
You've obviously been planning this for a long time now...why did you originally want to be a Boxer?
Top choice is "Situation Seeker", which sets up a fun goal for the story. Second choice is "Social Seeker", for similar reasons. The others look atrociously boring.
Why did you finally finish preparing, and step into the ring? Was there a recent, motivating event that made you say... this is the year?
No preference between the first three options — the final one is out.
Aside from your Seconds, which is to say, the people who are gonna help you as a Boxer (who we'll go into a bit later), do you have any other beings in your day to day life?
There are pros and cons to both "No, I'm a loner" and "A few close friends and family". The former means all of our relationships are new, whereas the later brings us in with a few close relationships to develop throughout the story. Paradoxically, having a large circle generally means one has too many relationships for any of them to be truly interesting, so that one is out.
Edit: Also, we don't need to do everything on here — it would be good if we did several of the things at least though. After all, having a few interesting traits is good, but having too many has the same problem as having too relationships.
[X] plan did cthulhu just punch you out!?
-[x] cthulhu.
-[x] calm and stoic.
-[x] No.
-[x] I am utterly beyond their understanding (Certain Fae, Lovecraftian monstrosities, etc)
-[x] Question has no meaning, I'm a part of the infinite fabric of spacetime
-[x] Sparsely inhabited wilderness
-[x] Strength Seeker: Being a Boxer is its own reason. This is my purpose.
-[x] It's Personal: Something happened recently, which pushed me to go (write in elaboration on basically what this was).
--[x] i just got freed from my eternal prison.
-[x] A few close friends and family, I keep my circle tight.
I just liked the idea as playing as cthulhu. I could've gone the cult leader method of making cthulhu but remember that cthulhu is beyond mortal minds or worries. They do what they want for the sake of it. So i made the calm stoic type.
[X] Plan Spirit of Aid
-[X] City Spirit, possessing both four arms and magical power.
-[X] Tallens (the same as the name of the city he is bound to protect), he/him
-[X] Tallens is about as dashing as anyone with four arms could be. He is muscular, though less so than one would think for someone of his strength, and has chestnut brown hair and olive skin. He looks like he could be human, apart from his four arms and tendency to sometimes be partially translucent and incorporeal. His form is tied to the city of Tallens, which has a gate in each of the four cardinal directions.
-[X] Studious, thoughtful, and duty driven, Tallens has often had to think outside the box over the centuries to defend his city from those stronger than himself.
-[X] I support them (Golem, City Spirit, etc)
-[X] Anyone, potentially
-[X] Eternal lifetime, thousands and thousands, well beyond count
--[X] Though his life has lasted thousands of years, he did not acquire purpose until he swore himself to protect the City of Tallens, some hundreds of years ago
-[X] Medieval Kingdom
-[X] Situation Seeker: The Champ of Champs is handed their belt by the Big Bad Boss itself. That must be me...for reasons...
-[X] The War: I need to influence BBP policy, which I can only do as a popular Boxer
-[X] No, I'm a loner, or maybe that question isn't meaningful for someone like me.
[X] Come at the King, You Best not Miss
-[X] You're an Ogre, strong as an ox and hit twice as hard.
-[X] Lennox Tait He/Him
-[X] Eight Foot Tall, pale green skin, you have four arms, each as capable mangling whoever dares come in your reach. Two missing teeth lost in a carefree youth and an eye that clouds up when it's been hit too hard.
-[X] Cocky, confident, you came to hit something and something will be hit. You're the champ already, and in your mind getting the crown is just formality
-[X] You have no time for flings or, the only thing you love is Victory
-[X] I prey on them (Vampire, Brain Eater, etc)
-[X] Transhuman lifetime, hundred plus years
-[X] Sparsely inhabited wilderness
-[X] Strength Seeker: Being a Boxer is its own reason. This is my purpose.
-[X] The Empty Throne: With the CHAMP enlisting, the belt is attainable for the first time in a decade.
-[X] A few close friends and family, I keep my circle tight.
