[Periodic] Crimes Against Nature Sign-Ups

[PhantasticPanda]

I'll sign Zanzan up for this. He would personally like to see and help end all this void nonsense and would maybe give some insight to things. While he may not know how this tale would finally end, he looks forward to finding out the best ending for this one.

[Leanne]

I'm going, I'm going! Thanks Reppu, for signing up a spot for me!

 

Leanne was there for the Shroud since the first event! And the entire campaign was a wild ride for her, becoming personal in various manners. Not only because she jumped in a void gate and had early brain probbing (snrk), but because of Guerrique and Ursuline, because of O-Rehn, the journey into Amdapor, amongst other things...

 

I'd like to be there for the last page of this book.

[Zelmanov]

Orrin's bedridden on the gamble the rest can be solved without him. Have fun!

[Verad]

This is the last event, and, understandably, there's going to be a lot of interest, well beyond the 5 allotted spaces. That being the case, let's make the following modification:

 

The scene is open. However, when time comes to put dice on the table for the final actions, it will be up to four participants. This can be either those who have already signed up, or left to the choice of the players who appear. We'll play that out as things proceed on Saturday.

[LiadansWhisper]

Orrin's bedridden on the gamble the rest can be solved without him. Have fun!

 

There are people who can fix that.

 

If he'd ask them.

[Zelmanov]

Severe consequences can't be magicked away, or they'd be meaningless, he's as healed as magick can manage

 

 

though with the modification to the scene, I may choose to become a silent onlooker

[Melkire]

Does the aforementioned spot-sharing still apply? I foresee myself wanting to make rolls, given character relationships, but then having to leave for work.

 

I'm willing to observe if not. Just curious.

[Knight Kat]

Kiht will be there so I can at least observe. I'd like to see how this ends.

[Reppu]

I think Verad took my decision to drop Gilgamesh on the event!

 

I mean what, no? Sounds good! Reppu will just be Leanne's bodyguard from potential shenanigans! Rawr!

 

... and then flee at the hint of danger.

[Anstarra]

Severe consequences can't be magicked away, or they'd be meaningless, he's as healed as magick can manage

 

 

though with the modification to the scene, I may choose to become a silent onlooker

 

"White Mages improve their ability to heal Consequences through the use of Succor. For a cost they may, upon successfully treating a Consequence, reduce its severity by one level, from Severe to Moderate, Moderate to Minor, or remove a Minor Consequence entirely. This cannot be used on extreme Consequences."

 

 

Also, Nihka's X-potions have in the past managed to reduce Consequence levels. But those are hard to make.

[LiadansWhisper]

"White Mages improve their ability to heal Consequences through the use of Succor. For a cost they may, upon successfully treating a Consequence, reduce its severity by one level, from Severe to Moderate, Moderate to Minor, or remove a Minor Consequence entirely. This cannot be used on extreme Consequences."

 

 

Also, Nihka's X-potions have in the past managed to reduce Consequence levels. But those are hard to make.

 

Situation was explained to me later, so I think that in this case, it's been dealt with as much as it can be. But yes, that was what I was referring to.

[Anstarra]

"White Mages improve their ability to heal Consequences through the use of Succor. For a cost they may, upon successfully treating a Consequence, reduce its severity by one level, from Severe to Moderate, Moderate to Minor, or remove a Minor Consequence entirely. This cannot be used on extreme Consequences."

 

 

Also, Nihka's X-potions have in the past managed to reduce Consequence levels. But those are hard to make.

 

Situation was explained to me later, so I think that in this case, it's been dealt with as much as it can be. But yes, that was what I was referring to.

 

Oh yeah, I was just explaining it to Orrin~ Of course, his OOC not knowing this is easily justified by a very real IC conviction that it's not possible. After all, how often has someone from Ishgard been healed by a White Mage in the past millennium? Gonna go with close enough to never to be undocumented. Any rare and isolated incidents would probably have been tweaked into scripture as legitimate miracles.

[Jana]

[Verad]

As of last night's event, Crimes Against Nature is complete. Experience and a post mortem will follow next week. 

 

Participants are welcome to continue posting in the IC thread for any final thoughts and epilogues.

[Anstarra]

Even as we mourn the end, we celebrate all we've accomplished. An epic journey! And an epic, period. Another round of applause, for our dedicated GMs, Nihka Mioni, Spahro Llorn, and of course the man himself, Verad. Well done <3

[Knight Kat]

Thank you, Verad, for running another lengthy Fate-14 plot. I am so glad this story got to center in the Twelveswood. It feels like I just completed the reading of a novel, and my character was part of it.

[Zelmanov]

I want to congratulate Verad not solely for his story crafting but for his (and other GMs for this event) ability to cater towards players new and old, combat chainsaws and social intellectuals. Congratulations on what can be called superb balancing of making each person have moments of power and powerlessness. 

 

I almost hope another Verad campaign doesn't happen too soon or else Orrin may be considered a deserter for his extended stays out of Ishgard.

[Verad]

Milestones and Character Advancement

 

If your name is listed below, you qualify for the appropriate benefits of the milestone. Please bear in mind that we will be using the pyramid structure for improving skills; I will explain this below.

 

For this plotline, experience is being given out based on involvement throughout the length of the storyline as well as character development. If your character substantially changed through the course of the plot, you are much more likely to get a Major than a Significant milestone.

 

Minor Milestone

Ashmira Honzen

Edda Eglantine

Franz Renatus

Ginshaw Ihrnachtwyn

Jil'enkette Denma

Kestya Nolan

Klynzahr Ihrnachtwyn

Mholi Mujuuk

Nheu'a Polaali

Odile Dornier

Qara Htgo

Spahro Llorn

Tiergan/Lurial Vashir

V'aleera Lhuil

Verad Bellveil

 

Minor Milestones grant one of the following benefits of the player's choice:

• Rewrite any Aspect except your High-Concept Aspect
  
• Swap the placement of any two skills on your sheet.
  
• Replace a +1 skill with a skill not on your sheet.
  
• Buy a new stunt, reducing your FP refresh by 1.
  
• Rewrite one of your existing stunts with a new one.
  

Significant Milestone

Aya Foxheart

Enju Abbagliato

Gallien Vyese

Jana/Khena Ridah

Leggerless Hanzou

Orrin Halgren

R'elend Tia

Reppu Hijiri

R'Shesha Otharn

 

 

Significant Milestones grant the benefits of the Minor Milestone above and all of the following:

• Add +1 to a skill up to the limit of +4, or add a new +1 skill. The skill pyramid must still be maintained (see below)
  
• If you have an untreated Severe Consequence, rewrite it so it's in recovery.
  

 

Major Milestone

Anstarra Silverain

Kiht Jakkya

Leanne Delphium

Liadan Summerfield

Nihka Mioni

Tengri Moks

Zanzan Yanzan

 

Major Milestones grant the benefits of the Minor and Significant Milestone above and all of the following:

• Gain a permanent point of Fate Point Refresh. You may immediately cash this in to buy a new stunt if you wish.
  
• Your +1 to a skill of your choice may now break the +4 limit. The skill pyramid must still be maintained (see below)
  
• You may rewrite your High-Concept Aspect if you wish.
  
• If you have received an Extreme Consequence, you may now rewrite it so it's in recovery.
  

The Skill Pyramid (Mostly Copied from the Main Rules)

Under these advancement rules, there can never be more skills at a higher level than those at a lower level. So if Verad's skills look like this:

 

+4: Rapport

+3: Contacts, empathy

+2: Deceit, Rogue, Provoke

+1: Will, Notice, Stealth, Resources

 

Verad can't use a point from a Milestone to push Empathy to +4, since that would break the rule above. Instead, he would have to get a new skill at +1 and then use other milestones to push Empathy up to +4 like so:

 

+4: Rapport, Empathy

+3: Contacts, Resources

+2: Deceit, Rogue, Provoke

+1: Will, Notice, Stealth, Physique

 

Some of you may have sheets that already break the pyramid from other plots. That's fine, but your skill choices in the future will need to rebuild the pyramid. If your pyramid is out of order, you may take this opportunity to reorganize your sheet entirely, or you may keep your pyramid locked as is until future milestones give it the pyramid shape.

 

Awards

Awards have no bearing on advancement and are entirely for player amusement. Wear them with pride.

 

Expert Goose Chaser - Orrin Halgren, whose lust for Amdapor ended the threat of the dread voidsent Diabolette and sent the group on a tangent.

The Hand of Fate-14: Leanne Delphium, who is the #1 most-frequent participant of events, signing up for 15 when most people have an average of 6-7 events in total.

Least Likely To Blow Up Anything - Zanzan Yanzan, who, despite having the powers of pure fire and destruction at his command, has Rapport as his most-rolled skill.

Most Overblown Threat - Kuru, whose frustrating cuteness thwarted the efforts of several nightmarish horrors to kill everybody else in the party.

Mercy Award - Pretty much everybody for consistently choosing not to kill NPCs I was sure weren't going to make it out of their first event alive. Special mention to Leanne Delphium.

Artificial Plot-Extender - Liadan Summerfield, who spent so much time hanging around the villain that he actually changed his mind when I expected him to die in a bossfight.

 

Edit: Adjusting the tally to shift Kiht Jakkya from Significant to Major after discussion with her and the other DM.

[LiadansWhisper]

I'm a huge nerd, so I actually made a list of the songs that inspired me and formed my playlist during events in this storyline. I'm hiding them behind spoilers so you are not overwhelmed. I hope you are entertained!

 

Overall Theme:

 

The War Inside - Switchfoot

[video=youtube]

 

Yeah, every thought or deed

Yeah, every tree or seed

The big things come from the little dreams

 

Every world is made by make believe

 

 

O-Rehn Fahn:

 

Set Me Free - Casting Crowns

[video=youtube]

 

It hasn't always been this way

I remember brighter days

Before the dark ones came

Stole my mind

Wrapped my soul in chains

 

Now I live among the dead

Fighting voices in my head

Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away

 

Set me free of the chains holding me

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free

 

Grace Wins - Matthew West

[video=youtube]

 

In my weakest moment I see you

Shaking your head in disgrace.

I can read the disappointment

Written all over your face.

 

Here comes those whispers in my ear,

Saying, "Who do you think you are?

Looks like you're on your own from here,

Cause grace could never reach that far."

 

But, in the shadow of that shame,

Beat down by all the blame,

I hear you call my name sayin, "It's not over!"

And my heart starts to beat

So loud now, drowning out the doubt.

I'm down but I'm not out.

 

There's a war between guilt and grace,

And they're fighting for a sacred space,

But I'm living proof

Grace wins every time.

 

It's Not Over Yet - For King and Country

[video=youtube]

 

They are inside your head

You got a voice that says

You won't get past this one

You won't win your freedom

 

It's like a constant war

And you want to settle that score

But you're bruised and beaten

And you feel defeated

 

This goes out to the heaviest heart

 

Oh, to everyone who's hit their limit

It's not over yet

It's not over ye-et

And even when you think you're finished

It's not over yet

It's not over ye-et

 

Keep on fighting

Out of the dark

Into the light

It's not over

Hope is rising

Never give in

Never give up

It's not over

 

Free - Switchfoot

[video=youtube]

 

I've got my back against the wall

But I still hear the blue sky call

The chains that hold me back inside

Are the prisons of my mind

 

Free, come set me free

Down on my knees

I still believe

You can save me from me

 

Come set me free

Come set me free

Inside this shell

There's a prison cell

 

 

On Empathy:

 

Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns

[video=youtube]

 

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name, but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You, but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up, I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

 

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

 

Forgiveness - Matthew West

[video=youtube]

 

It’ll clear the bitterness away

It can even set a prisoner free

There is no end to what it’s power can do

So, let it go and be amazed

By what you see through eyes of grace

The prisoner that it really frees is you

 

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

 

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness

 

I want to finally set it free

So show me how to see what Your mercy sees

Help me now to give what You gave to me

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

 

 

Personal Journey/Struggle:

 

Firefly - Shawn McDonald

[video=youtube]

 

Face down lying there on the pavement


Your head’s spinning and you wonder where your faith went

Your heart’s heavy and you don’t what to say

I know it’s hard ‘cause you’re trying to believe it

So close your eyes and maybe you can see it

There’s a blue sky just beyond the gray

 

You were born to fly

Like a firefly, like a firefly

Lightin’ up the sky, lightin’ up the sky

You were made to soar

You were made for more, you were made for more

You were born to fly, you were born to fly

 

Multiplied - NEEDTOBREATHE

[video=youtube]

 

Your love is like radiant diamonds

Bursting inside us we cannot contain

Your love will surely come find us

Like blazing wildfires singing Your name

 

God of mercy sweet love of mine

I have surrendered to Your design

May this offering stretch across the skies

These Hallelujahs be multiplied

 

Believer - Audio Adrenaline

[video=youtube]

 

I can push back the mountains, can stand on the waves

I can see through the darkness, I'll hold up the flame

Take me to the ocean, I want to go deeper

I'm not afraid, no, I'm a believer

 

Shoulders - For King and Country

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiYWaeAcRw

 

When confusion's my companion

And despair holds me for ransom

I will feel no fear

I know that You are near

 

When I'm caught deep in the valley

With chaos for my company

I'll find my comfort here

‘Cause I know that You are near

 

Move (Keep Walkin') - TobyMac

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX1G71WK-FA

 

I know your heart been broke again

I know your prayers ain’t been answered yet

I know you’re feeling like you got nothing left

Well, lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet so

 

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on

Move, keep walkin’ until the mornin’ comes

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on

And lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet

 

 

On Redemption:

 

Lift Your Head Weary Sinner - Crowder

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgEAhVTjV44

 

All who've strayed and walked away,

Unspeakable things you've done

Fix your eyes on the mountain,

Let the past be dead and gone

Come all saints and sinners,

You can't outrun God

Whatever you've done can't overcome

The power of the blood

 

If you're lost and wandering

Come stumbling in like a prodigal child

See the walls start crumbling

Let the gates of glory open wide

 

The River - Jordan Feliz

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4

 

I know a place

Where we can go

To lay the troubles down eating your soul

I know a place

Where mercy flows

Take the stains make you whiter than snow

 

Like a tide it is rising up

Deep inside

A current that moves and makes you come alive

Living water

That brings the dead to life

 

We’re goin down to the river

Down to the river

Down to the river to pray

Let’s get washed by the water

Washed by the water

And rise up in amazing grace

Let’s go down, down, down to the river

You will leave changed

Let’s go down, down, down to the river

Never the same

 

It's Not Over Yet - For King and Country

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maSQ3cgvta0

 

Oh, to everyone who's hit their limit

It's not over yet

It's not over ye-et

And even when you think you're finished

It's not over yet

It's not over ye-et

 

Keep on fighting

Out of the dark

Into the light

It's not over

Hope is rising

Never give in

Never give up

It's not over

 

Grace Wins - Matthew West

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQqZltmA0eM

 

For the prodigal son, grace wins

For the woman at the well, grace wins

For the blind man and the beggar, grace wins

For always and forever, grace wins

For the lost out on the street, grace wins

For the worst part of you and me, grace wins

For the thief on the cross, grace wins

For a world that is lost

 

There's a war between guilt and grace

And they're fighting for a sacred space

But I'm living proof

Grace wins every time

 

 

Those Taken By the Void:

 

Set Me Free - Casting Crowns

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2HwtWLokSc

 

It hasn't always been this way

I remember brighter days

Before the dark ones came

Stole my mind

Wrapped my soul in chains

 

Now I live among the dead

Fighting voices in my head

Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away

 

Set me free of the chains holding me

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free

 

 

Battle Music:

 

Not Gonna Die - Skillet

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgmpWkUcpjo

 

Death surrounds

My heartbeat’s slowing down

I won’t take this world’s abuse

I won’t give up, I refuse!

 

This is how it feels when you’re bent and broken

This is how it feels when your dignity’s stolen

When everything you love is leaving

You hold on to what you believe in

 

The last thing I heard was you whispering goodbye

And then I heard you flat line

 

No, not gonna die tonight

We're gonna stand and fight forever

(Don’t close your eyes)

No, not gonna die tonight

We're gonna fight for us together

No, we’re not gonna die tonight

 

Awake and Alive - Skillet

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aJUnltwsqs

 

I'm at war with the world and they

Try to pull me into the dark

I struggle to find my faith

As I'm slippin' from your arms

 

It's getting harder to stay awake

And my strength is fading fast

You breathe into me at last

 

I'm awake I'm alive

Now I know what I believe inside

Now it's my time

I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life

here (right here), right now (right now)

I'll stand my ground and never back down

I know what I believe inside

I'm awake and I'm alive

 

 

Requiem:

 

If We're Honest - Francesca Battistelli

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySa3Vu4FUW8

 

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine

'Cause love can heal what hurt divides

And mercy's waiting on the other side

If we're honest

If we're honest

 

Where I Belong - Switchfoot

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3-7fjhYm2g

 

Until I die I'll sing these songs

On the shores of Babylon

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong

 

Where the weak are finally strong

Where the righteous right the wrongs

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong

 

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

 

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

 

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

 

[Verad]

Crimes Against Nature Post-Mortem

As with The Scales in the Sands, this is an analysis of what I think worked particularly well about the plot over the past six months, as well as some thoughts on where to proceed in the future.

 

A brief overview: My original plan for this plot involved expanding on the number of opponents who could stand toe-to-toe with the players after dealing with the problem of large, single bosses being very easy to beat for a savvy group in Scales. The plan was to have the twelve prisoners as a regular threat, each posing an individual challenge, and each death slowly revealing the corruption of the real villain, to lead to a climactic boss-fight.

 

I estimated it would take about three months.

 

Since all involved know how off-base almost everything in my projections turned out to be, let's look at what worked.

 

Strengths

Theme: The concept of taking a closer look at the problems inherent in Gridanian governance - specifically that it used to be based on some pretty brutal suppression of groups marked as outsiders as recently as a generation ago, and that it is based around a kind of living child sacrifice - hit hard for a number of players, and generally everybody was sympathetic to at least one of the prisoners or O-Rehn Fahn with a few exceptions.  It hit so hard that I hadn't considered the roleplayer capacity for mercy. That was part of what made the plot last so long - since nobody killed any prisoners, O-Rehn remained uncorrupted for longer. If even one had died earlier in the story, it would have taken a very different turn.

 

Flexibility: The above necessitates discussing another element: This story could have been very different, insofar as it was "scripted." My plans for it presumed what would happen if characters killed NPC X or Y, but did not rely on them for the plot to continue. There are notes for events written up that either never came to pass or played out differently. The dungeons were different based on the order in which they were tackled. There was a third dungeon that I'd never considered but everybody seemed eager to try, so why not write it up? As a general rule of advice for budding Fate-14 DMs, it's useful to not get too attached to a specific set of outcomes in order for the story to progress.

 

Co-DMs: Credit needs to be given to Nihka Mioni and Spahro Llorn for helping with this, addressing a problem I'd had with Scales. The two of them did a great job handling sideplots, and Nihka's storyline expanded into a mini-plot of its own. They were also extremely helpful for answering sheet questions, handling rules disputes, and introducing new players. I would be a wreck right now if it were not for their assistance.

 

Office Hours: Taking a cue from academia and setting specific office hours where I could answer questions about the rules or help people with adjusting their sheets lightened my workload considerably as DM. Prior to that, I would field questions from players nearly constantly, and while I can't fault the enthusiasm, it did mean it was my main activity whenever I logged on. If you plan to DM and manage a larger storyline of your own, I highly recommend this.

 

Weaknesses

Too Many Hooks (Too Many Hooks . . . ): While having a lot of prisoners and the mystery of how they got out and where they came from gave many, many opportunities for players to get involved early in the plot, there were so many different angles to consider that I couldn't give appropriate attention to all of them, and could easily have shaved several. Some of these hooks were not developed through player choice: Hamond Wolfedge, the Ala Mhigan monk from before Theodric's rise to power, was largely ignored. Others were present, but weren't well-developed due to lack of time. In particular, I think I could have cut out Pelderain Dornier, the Duskwight quack, and the Horse Oil plot at large without affecting the overall storyline. 

 

Information Sharing: In Scales, one of the things I liked about the plot was that small event sizes required players to RP out of events in order to pool information and come up with plans of action. Crimes has shown me the downside of that in what happens when players won't pool information. There were several instances where players were at an impasse because their characters, for legitimate in-character reasons, did not trust each other and wouldn't share information they'd gained. This was another cause of the plot's length because it could lead to OOC delays as people argued over whether they should be working together or not, and I was not a fan of using the Fate-14 system to compel people to talk to each other. In future storylines I'll need to find some means for players to communicate effectively on the OOC level without compromising what they feel they would do in-character.

 

Kidnapping Nihka Mioni: I need to qualify this by saying that I feel the kidnapping was the correct move for the plot as a whole. We had telegraphed the possibility of it at several points throughout the storyline by including her kidnapper from very early in the plot, and several people were aware it was a possibility. The resolution of the kidnapping also tied into the themes of the plot mentioned above, and primed some characters to be in a very dangerous mental state when they confronted Neruhm.

 

That said, the practical act of managing the kidnapping was messy because many people were very invested in finding her as soon as possible, which made the larger storyline grind to a halt for a week or two. and in part because there was a conflict between what people were trying to do to find the character and what Nihka and I had deemed plausible methods. I found myself in a position where people were getting angry because their actions were not producing results, but I was unwilling to compromise on the difficulty of trying to find her based on the means described. It led to a lot of frustration on all sides, and I will be much more careful about attempting any plot development of such nature in future storylines.

 

What's Next?

For me, a break.

 

I've been tinkering with the Fate-14 system for a year and a half. In that time I've run four storylines - two while I was testing out the basic system in Harbingers of Dawn and two more on my own, here in the forums. In that time a lot of people have taken interest, the popularity of the system has expanded enough that I know of at least one FC using a version of it for their own storylines, and other members of the Roll Eorzea linkshell are already planning new stories in the wake of Crimes' ending.

 

In that time I've experienced the problem everybody who spends most of their time DMing experiences - the inability to play my own character. I've been fine with this; Verad is a bit player in the world, and I'm happy to take a backseat IC while other people do bigger things. But I'd like to get back to playing him and a few alts in earnest.

 

To that end, I'm going to be stepping down from managing the Roll Eorzea linkshell in favor of other members as significant staff. The Fate-14 rules are finished with the single document Fate-14 Complete, and that will replace the document links in the linkshell's page. The only other document I will be adding is a bestiary of common Eorzean critters for ease of DM use. 

 

It's been a pleasure running storylines for everyone; no doubt in the future I will get the itch again. I cannot thank the RPC and Balmung community enough for taking so much of an interest in these plots that the system could grow the way it did. It's yours, now. Please look forward to it.