The Tatehome City Debacle

[LinkOnScepter]

It was five months ago when it started. People of all ages and walks of life started to develop powers for seemingly no reason whatsoever. In time, people would attempt to find a method to the madness. Engineer specific circumstances to see if it would trigger an "awakening", but all attempts failed.

And, as it always happens when powers beyond mortal understanding are suddenly delivered into the palms of our hands, the very fate of the civilized world was put on the precipice. When these supernatural beings clashed, cities trembled and armies shattered. They fought for their ideals, for their people, for pride, for greed. The battles they would wage left scars that would never heal.

However, that is not what this tale is about.

This is the tale of the life of one such person who gained these powers.

This is the story of one who would walk their life however they saw fit.

This is your story.

Let us begin.

---

First, what is your name?

[] Write in….

Your gender?

[] Male
[] Female

You're in high-school, because this is when you have the most potential to grow. What year are you?

[] Freshman
[] Junior
[] Senior

You live in Tatehoma City, an unremarkable city in the southeast of Japan. It was once three settlements, each distinct in their own way. Cultures, traditions, even dress code gave each one their own identity. The expansion of each town caused land to become scarce. It wasn't long before the three towns merged into one big city, and thus Tatehoma was born. Today, the three settlements make up the districts of the city. Which do you live in?

[] Zhui, the "District frozen in Time". Despite the times being decidedly modern, Zhui seems to have somehow kept its status as a rural area. It is the primary farming district, sending the harvested crops to the other two to keep them afloat. Many people still follow the old traditions, and the land itself is mostly rice fields.

[] Toro, the "Tatehome Main District". Named such as it is literally the center of Tatehome. It has the heaviest population of people, and acts as the main tourism center. It is here that all the social and economic classes clash in one big melting pot. The Tatehome University can be found here, along with the Tatehome Library and other public places.

[] Saki, "Downtown". Saki is much like Toro, but more focused on the "nightlife" part of the city. Hot springs, hotels, inns, casinos, you name it, you'll find it here. Of course this has caused quite a few...undesirables to set up shop here.

What is your home life like? Do you have any family living with you?

[] Yes. I live in a house with my mother, father, brother, and sister. Both my parents work to support us, so I'm normally the one who ends up having to cook for everyone at night. Other than that, it is a pretty normal family life.

[] Yes, but not living with me. I had to leave my family in order to go to school here. It gets kind of lonely without them, but at least I've got an apartment all to myself! Though I do have to work a part-time job in order to afford it.

[] No. I never knew my parents and if I have any siblings they haven't gone to any great pains to contact me. But, I won't let that get me down. I've got my entire life ahead of me after all! No point in wallowing in self pity! Especially since I've got an apartment to live in now, and a part time job to pay for it!

How is your social life?

[] I'm a bit of a butterfly. I've made lots of friends ever since I got here. I plan to make even more before I finish school.

[] Not too many, but not too little. I have a circle of about four people including me that I hang out with. However, each one of them is a close friend that I would do anything for.

[] What social life? I gave up on that a long time ago. Besides, who needs friends?! I've got studies to focus on!

---

Hey everybody!

It's me LinkOnScepter the guy who has too many threads he's made on this site!

Welcome to another Quest that I wanted to do. The primary inspiration for this is that I haven't really done an Anime-esque Quest yet. Raising a Monster is supernatural, but I try to keep it as down to earth as I can, while Alucard is….Alucard.

This the Quest where I am deliberately trying to go for the Anime feeling and tone. Now I won't go overboard and just chalk this full of tropes and references. However, I will be relying on the Rule of Cool and Sheer Audacity for a lot of stuff.

Outside of that, I hope you enjoy!

Oh, and as you can probably tell this is heavily inspired by @shibosho's "Stellar City Battle Records" Quest.

*Vote Closed*

 

[LinkOnScepter]

Name: Urara Hiroko
Gender: Female
High School Year: Freshman
Age: 13
Home District: Zhui
Family:
- Mother:
- Father:
- Sister:
- Brother:
School: Meada Academy
Base Will: 5
Willpower: 9
Archetype:

Spoiler: Stats

Body: 3d
Coordination: 5d
Sense: 3d
Mind: 2d
Charm: 2d
Command: 3d

Spoiler: Skills

Athletics: 1d
Brawling: 1d
Dodge: 2d
Stealth: 2d
Empathy: 2d
Perception: 3d
Knowledge (Forgery): 2d
Lie: 3d
Intimidation: 2d

 

[LinkOnScepter]

Friends:
-
-
-

 

[LinkOnScepter]

[X] Urara Hiroko
[X] Female
[X] Freshman
[X] Zhui, the "District frozen in Time". Despite the times being decidedly modern, Zhui seems to have somehow kept its status as a rural area. It is the primary farming district, sending the harvested crops to the other two to keep them afloat. Many people still follow the old traditions, and the land itself is mostly rice fields.
[X] Yes. I live in a house with my mother, father, brother, and sister. Both my parents work to support us, so I'm normally the one who ends up having to cook for everyone at night. Other than that, it is a pretty normal family life.
[X] Not too many, but not too little. I have a circle of about four people including me that I hang out with. However, each one of them is a close friend that I would do anything for.

Click to shrink...

You are Urara Hiroko, a thirteen-year old Japanese high schooler. Unlike many your age, you have never really attempted to become one of the "popular" kids in school. Not many people know you personally, but those that do see you as a kind and loyal person. Though you are rough with people when you need to be, you do it out of the kindness of your heart not malice.

You are apart of a five person family living out in the Zhui district of Tatehome. Your house is one of the closest to the Toro district, letting you and your siblings enjoy the luxury of walking to school while still enjoying the much simpler country life. The downside is that land this close to the city is expensive to pay for, but that hasn't stopped your parents.

Both of them work tirelessly at their jobs to support your household. Your father is the main source of income for the family, but your mother makes about as much. Not just that, but she's also the one whose frugal spending and saving practices make many companies scratch their heads with how much money she can shave off the bills. Your siblings may not yet understand why your parents must do this, with how young they are, but they will some day.

This is who our tale is about.

But, we must know a few more things before we begin.

In Tatehome there are four schools, one in Zhui and Saki with two in Toro.

There are two schools in the Toro area: Fukiyama Public High and Butzen Academy. They are both considered the two main schools of Tatehome. About half the population of the city attends one of these schools. Both are considerably above average in terms of just about everything. They are not easy to get into, both having very high expectations placed on their students. This has caused an unspoken rivalry to develop between the two schools. Thankfully, it hasn't ever gone past the annual Kendo and Archery Tournaments the schools are known for.

Gongenzan High, located in the Zhui area, is considered the "safe" option in terms of education. Being based in a rural area, the school is very secular with a student/teacher body that treat each other like family. This has led to the school having a rather lax air about it. Compared to Fukiyama and Butzen, it is a very below average school. It makes up for this by having many programs dedicated to giving the students many job and college opportunities once they graduate.

Finally, there is the Meada Academy in Saki. Named after the legendary wild samurai of the Sengoku Jidai period, the Academy in Saki is known for breeding "delinquent" students. Many attribute it to the fact that it is located in the de-facto "Red Light District" of the city, but most of the students come from Toro or Zhui. This has given the school the reputation of being a place where Might makes Right, and the school has done nothing to dissuade the public of this claim.

So, Urara Hiroko, which school do you attend?

[] Gongenzan High: You live in the Zhui area, so this is pretty much a given. Sure the place doesn't have the best curriculum, but it's close by. On top of that the tuition cost are the lowest in the city! The student population is rather small, but close knit. You'll probably make some friends for life here, though your life will be decidedly average.

[] Fukiyama Public High: Through hard work on your part, you were able to get a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in Toro. Fukiyama has a reputation as the "easier" school to get into, but it certainly isn't the easiest to stay enrolled in! If it wasn't for your scholarship, you'd be struggling to make ends meet! On the bright side, you'll get a good education and will meet up with plenty of interesting people!

[] Butzen Academy: You have no idea how you were able to get a scholarship for this place. It is one of the hardest schools in Tatehome to get into, but you've made it! The curriculum itself is very demanding, with higher performing students being separated into Classes. You are currently in Class C, but your parents are hoping to see you soar. To be honest, you're really only here for them and to set a good example for your siblings. If it weren't for their support you'd probably go crazy from the extremely competitive attitude that has been drilled into the student body.

[] Meada Academy: No one would have expected someone like you to go to a school filled to the brim with violence where the teachers aren't afraid to literally beat some sense into their students. In truth, it's a place you fit right in at. You've cemented yourself as one of the top dogs in the school, especially after you taught that one jackass a lesson after he tried to hold one of your siblings hostage. Though it does mean that students are constantly trying to take you down for rep gain or recruit you into their gang. Your parents want you out of the school, but you've been able to make some real friends here most of which will stick with you to the end. You do hope you can get some kind of education out of here, even if the teacher's lesson are pretty….aggressive.

Next, tell us what you're good at. What kind of skills and experiences have molded you into who you are?

(You have 100 Points to spend on Stats, Skills, Base Will and Willpower)

Cost:
Stat = 5pts per die
Skill = 2pts per die
Base Will = 3pts per point
Willpower = 1pt per point
Expert Dice = 10pts per die
Wiggle Dice = 20pts per die

Stats (Each starts at 1d):
[] Body (Sheer Physical Power and the ability to use it)
[] Coordination (Hand-eye coordination/Controlling your body)
[] Sense (Observation/Hearing/Perception)
[] Mind (Natural Intellect)
[] Charm (Diplomacy/Charm/Magnetism)
[] Command (Composure/Leadership)

Skills

Spoiler: Body Skills

[] Athletics: You excel at athletic feats like climbing, jumping, swimming, running and throwing.
[] Block: You know how to defend yourself against hand-to-hand attacks.
[] Brawling: You are a bruiser and know how to attack with your hands, feet, and head.
[] Endurance: You can pace yourself, hold your breath, run, or resist the ill e ects of environment and exertion longer than most people.
[] Melee Weapon (Type): You are skilled with a particular type of hand-to-hand weapon. If you don't have dice in a particular weapon. Example Types: Club, Knife, Bayonet, Sword, Axe.

Spoiler: Coordination Skills

[] Dodge: You are adept at dodging attacks, ducking out of the way of projectiles (or catching them if they're slow), and keeping your footing when unbalanced.
[] Driving (Type): You can drive or pilot some particular type of vehicle. Example Types: Sailboat, Car, Motorcycle, Tank, Jet Aircraft, Helicopter, etc.
[] Ranged Weapon (Type): You are skilled with a particular type of ranged weapon. Example Types: Crossbow, Hand Grenade, Machine Gun, Pistol, Rifle, Rocket Launcher, Submachine Gun, Tank Gun.
[] Stealth: You are light on your feet and know how pickpockets and remain unheard and out of sight. is typically means a dynamic contest between your Stealth and the target's Perception.

Spoiler: Sense Skills

[] Empathy: You have a keen sense of the emotional states of others.
[] Perception: You observe things that escape the notice of others.
[] Scrutiny: You are expert at searching for hidden or obscure things, from tracks to small clues at a crime scene.

Spoiler: Mind Skills

[] First Aid: With the proper equipment, you can treat minor wounds and help a badly injured patient survive long enough for more intensive treatment.
[] Knowledge (Type): You have some particular area of expertise. is is a catch-all Skill that can cover just about anything not already listed. Example Types: Computer Systems, Criminology, Cryptology, Demolitions, Electronics, Engineering, Forgery, Mechanics, Surgery, Archeology, Bavarian Court Etiquette.
[] Language (Type): You can speak, read, and write a particular language. When using a Skill that requires you to speak or understand a foreign language, you must use the lower of your Language dice pool and the regular Skill dice pool. You can always speak and read your native language without having to roll. Example Types: Alien Language [specified], Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish.
[] Medicine: You can treat illness and wounds through surgery and long-term care if you have access to the proper equipment. This Skill can't be higher than your First Aid Skill.

Spoiler: Charm Skills

[] Lie: You can bluff your way past obstacles and contrive convincing falsehoods.
[] Performance (Type): You have an entertaining Skill and the confidence to perform it in front of large groups. Example Types: Acting, Flute, Guitar, Public Speaking, Singing.
[] Persuasion: You can convince people to do what you want and to see your side of an argument.

Spoiler: Command Skills

[] Interrogation: You know the best ways to trick or coerce the truth out of a subject.
[] Intimidation: You can cause a person to fear you through physical or psychological threats. This usually means a contest between Intimidation and Stability.
[] Leadership: You can inspire, guide, calm and direct others in stressful situations.
[] Stability: You are not easily shocked, can function even in the most stressful or grotesque situations, and can resist psychological and physical coercion such as torture, telepathic attack, and brainwashing.

[] Base Will (Charm + Command Stats): Innate strength of character.
[] Willpower (Base Will): Self confidence and inner drive.

---

For this vote I will ask people to vote in Plans.

Spoiler: GM Notes

Anyone who has used this system before can probably tell what it is. For those of you that can't, it is the O.R.E (One Roll Engine) developed by Arc Dream Publishers used in games by the same company such as Wild Talents, NEMESIS, and Godlike. It is designed in a way where you only ever have to roll once in order to solve complications.

To not go into a long tangent on this here's how it basically works:

First, you add your relavent Stat + relavent Skill/Power. Then you roll that many d10s. You look for any matching numbers and add them up. This is your "Set". As long as you have at least one Set in a roll, you pass whatever it is you are doing.

Sets are described like this: 3x2 (3 dice that showed up 2). The first number is the Width of the roll which determines how fast you were in completing the task. The second number is the Height of the roll which determines how well you succeeded. So a set of 4x3 is a pretty fast, but low performing roll, while a set of 2x6 is a well performing but slow roll.

Things to keep in mind:

• You never roll more than 10d10s. You can have more than that, but those excess dice will turn into:

• Expert Dice: Dice that represent a selective mastery over an ability. When you have an Expert Die, you set the number before you roll for the test. But, no two Expert Dice can be the same number. You have to roll a matching number for the Expert Die.

• Wiggle Dice: Wiggle Dice are more powerful than Expert. Instead of rolling them, you just set them to whatever number you want. You can succeed, fail, succeed harder, or fail harder. Whichever you want!

• Willpower is important. If you run out of Willpower, your powers stop working (unless they are connected to an external item or are intrinsic to you), your Expert and Wiggle Dice become normal dice, and all of your Stats are cut in half. You lose Willpower when you:

• Fail to support the subject of your Loyalty/Passion

• Fail a Stablity roll for Mental Trauma

• If a personal Tragedy occurs in your life

• If you lose in real combat (sparring does not count)

• If you attempt to save someone and fail

• If you only have 1 Willpower left and something cause you to lose it.

• You gain Willpower when you:

• If you do something difficult on behalf of the subject of your Loyalty/Passion

• If you voluntarily place yourself in harms way to defend another

• If you do something particularly spectacular

• If you roll a set of Nat 10s

• If you subdue a superhuman in combat

• If you have a good nights rest

• Yes, you can min-max this. Just keep in mind, I can min-max your foes

*Vote Closed*

 

[LinkOnScepter]

Are there examples to use as a baseline? Besides superheroes, of which I know nothing anyway.

I'd go with pre-made anyway, for safety sake. Wouldn't want to end up with something so specific as to be unusable.

Click to shrink...

Sure.

In Wild Talents, Superpowers are divided into Archetypes. Archetypes are basically the foundations of a character. They are made of three parts called Meta-Qualities:

• Source: The Origin of your powers. This is where your powers come from. This can be anything from Green-Lantern Ring powers to Gurren Laggan Spiral Power. This is the why of your powers. You can have as many Sources as you want, but any after the first one isn't free.
• Permission: What your powers are/what powers you can use. These are the ones that basically open up what kind of powers you can use. For example, the Super Permission allows you to have just about any power under the sun. From Superman's Eye Beams to Scarecrow's Fear Toxin. This is the what of your powers. These cost points.
• Intrinsic: These are different from the above two Meta-Qualities. These are more like powers intrinsic to your character as a person. These are things like mutations that are in a character. They can give them strengths or even weaknesses. This can include powers that come out of no where and constantly change like in X-MEN or even a deadly allergy to something like Kryptonite or even Flowers. Intrinsic Qualities are completely optional and you never need to get them. These can sometimes subtract points.

Sample Archetypes:

Alien (5 Points)
Source: Extraterrestrial/Extradimensional Permission: Power Theme
Description: You are not of the Earth. Whether you are from an alternate dimension, another planet, or a paranormal continuum, you're just not human. In this most basic form, you are assumed to be humanoid and your hit locations and wound boxes are assigned just like a normal human. If you wish to be completely alien, purchase the Custom Stats or Globular Meta-Qualities.
Additions: Common modifications include the Allergy, Brute, Conduit, Custom Stats, Cyborg, Genetic, Globular, Inhuman, Inhuman Stats, Inventor, Life Force, Mutable, No Base Will, One Power, Paranormal, Prime Specimen, Power Focus, Psi, Super-Equipment, Technological, and Unknown Meta-Qualities.

Human+ (15 Points)
Source: Genetic, Psi or Technological Permission: Super
Description: You're a human modified by science, or something else, to be something more. Whatever experiment or accident befell you, it granted you powers beyond the rank and file of humanity. Additions: Common modifications include the Allergy, Brute/Frail, Conduit, Custom Hit Locations, Custom Stats, Hypertrained, Genetic, Inventor, Life Force, Mutable, No Base Will, Para- normal, Psi, Power Focus, Super-Equipment, Technological, and Unknown Meta-Qualities.

Super-Normal (5 Points)
Source: Driven
Permission: Peak Performer
Description: You're an exceptional member of your species, so exceptional you're considered superhuman by the rank and file of your native population. Additions: Common modifications include the Divine, Extraterrestrial/Extradimensional, Inventor, Life Force, Mutable, Paranormal, Psi, One Power, Power Focus, Super-Equipment, Technological, and Unknown Meta-Qualities.

Keep in mind, these are only guidelines. You can customize them to your heart's content. The Alien could be a typical "Grey" like in the movies or it can even be a Sayain from DBZ. While a Super-Normal could be someone like Doomguy or even Rick from Rick and Morty.

 

[LinkOnScepter]

Well, it's pretty obvious what people want, so I'll go ahead and make a couple of Pre-Made Archetypes to choose from.

In the meantime, I'll explain how Powers work, what they are made of, and how to make your own.

There are three types of Powers:

• Hyperstats: A power connected to a certain Stat (Hyperbody, Hypercommand, etc.)
• Hyperskill: A power connected to a certain Skill (Hyperbrawling, Hyperdodge, etc.)
• Miracles: The real superpowers (Flight, Super Speed, Cosmic Power, etc.)

Each Power has three parts to it: Power Qualities, Power Capacities, and Extras/Flaws.

• Spoiler: Power Qualities, Power Capacities, Extras/Flaws

  • Power Qualities are what the Power can do in gameplay. There are three of them:
    • Attack Quality: The Power is used to attack things, hurt people, destroy shit, etc. Wolverine's Claws can be considered a Power with the Attack Quality.
    • Defend Quality: The Power is used to defend yourself. A Magical Shield can be considered a Power with the Defend Quality.
    • Useful Quality: This Power is used specifically to do something besides attacking or defending. Powers with this Quality can't attack or defend, but can used in other ways. Flight can be considered a Power with a Useful Quality. Now Useful Qualities can be used in combat, but you can't directly attack the enemy or defend yourself. You need to get creative.
  • It is possible to have multiple Qualities and you can buy multiple levels in them to give them a boost. Hyperstats have all three Power Qualities. Hyperskills have one Quality based on what they do (Hyperbrawling has the Attack Quality, Hyperdodge has the Defend Quality, etc). Miracles can have multiple Qualities, but you'll need to buy them.
  • Power Capacities are how you use the power and the scope of the effect you can make on the world with it. There are 5 Capacities:
    • Mass: The Power can effect the mass of either you or a target. You don't have any fine control over mass (unless you give the Power a Useful Quality), but it lets the Power effect that a certain amount of mass. Attack Powers with Mass will inflict knockback.
    • Ranged: Your Power can effect things over a large distance.
    • Speed: Allows you to move at certain speeds (and if you get the Touch or Ranged Quality, you can effect someone else's speed).
    • Touch: You affect anything you touch with this Power.
    • Self: This Power effects you and you alone.
  • Power Quality determines your default Power Capacity. For Attack it's Mass and Ranged, Defend gets Self, and Useful can have all of the Capacities. You can have more than one Capacity if you wish, but you must buy it. Hyperstats and Hyperskills don't get Capacities, but you can buy them for the Powers as Extras (explained later). Exactly how much you can effect depends on how many Dice you put into the Power. It cost 2 pts per die to put Dice into a Power. So if you have a Mass Power with 6 Dice you can effect 1,600lbs of mass.
  • Extras/Flaws are the things you add to make your Powers do more than the standard stuff. This includes defying physics, always being on, penetrating through armor, looking hideous, only activating under a specific condition, or costing you Willpower. Whenever you want to add an Extra/Flaw to a Hyperstat or Hyperskill, just add it to the Stat that it's for.
  • If you want your power to be connected to a specific item (say a Magical Girl's Wand), then you can go ahead and do that. In fact, you can put as many powers into that item as you want, at half the cost! However, if that item is taken away from you, then you lose all those powers....unless you make them permanent.

Using a Power is simple. Just declare you are going to use it during the Declaration (Read First) Phase of Combat. Then roll your appropriate Stat + Power (i.e. Hyperbody with Body, or a Ranged Power with Coordination). That's it.

Now, to give an example of Power Creation.

I'm going to create the Unlimited Blade Works attack that Gilgamesh from the Fate Series uses.

Name: Unlimited Blade Works
Dice Pool: 5d (10pts)
Power Quality: Attack; Defend (Cost 1pt) (I want to be able to both Attack and Defend with this power, so I take both Qualities)
Power Capacity: Ranged; Self (Cost 1pt) (Ranged means I can use it as a Ranged Attack and Self let's me use it to defend myself)
Extras: No Physics (Cost 2pts); On Sight (Cost 1pt); Endless (Cost 3pts) (This means that my Power doesn't need to follow the Laws of Physics, can hit anyone/anything as long as I can see them (yes this includes through reflective surfaces), and won't stop going until I say so.)
Flaws: Obvious (Subtracts 1pt from Cost); Willpower Cost (Subtracts 2pts from Cost) (This means that my attack is Obvious (so anyone can see me using it) and it cost me Willpower to use)

And like that, I've made a power that's like Gilgamesh's from Fate that's cost me a total of 15pts. Not just that, but since I've put 5 Dice in it and it has the Ranged Capacity, that means that I can hit anything up to 160 yards of me.

Edit: Of course if you don't want to go that in depth, you can just shoot for a Hyperstat.

Name: Hyperbody
Dice: 5d (10 pts)

Bam, done.