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Transcript of Shifiting forest gs4
Garden Station 4
Garden Station 4GDC3
Shifting Forest Storyworks
Creator: GD Crowley
Lead Editor: Rebecca Ganetzky
Editing: Matt Brown, Henry Towsner
Technical: Henry Towsner
Chief Playtester: Matt Brown
Thanks to all our playtesters!
Copyright © 2004, 2005 by Shifting Forest Storyworks
Menlo Park, CA
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction without permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden except for
purpose of reviews and for the Parlor Larp General Rules section, which may be
reproduced for private use only.
www.shiftingforest.com
Table of Contents
General Information 3What is a LARP? 5What is a Parlor Larp? 6How to Use this Book 7A Guide to Directing 9Parlor Larp General Rules 11The Tale of Bob the Miller: Rules Examples 15
Game-Specific Information for Director 17Public Background Overview—Cerian Contingent 19Public Background Overview—U of P Contingent 20Secret Background Overview 21Character Overview 22Game Overview 23Advice on Setup 25Advice on Casting & Running 26Larp-Specific Rules and Announcements 27Character Summary Chart 28Terminal Function Summary 29Character Sheets—Director Copy 31
Player Materials 47Rules Summary 49Public Background Overview—Cerian Contingent 51Public Background Overview—U of P Contingent 53Larp-Specific Rules and Announcements 55Terminal Function Summary 57Character Sheets—Player Copy 59
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General Information
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Alarpisanactivityinvolvingseveralpeopleinwhichtheparticipantsactoutastory.Likeaplayortraditionalimprovisationaltheater,eachparticipantgenerallyactsoutonecharacterinrealtime.Unlikeaplay,theeventsandendingofthestoryarenotpredetermined.Unliketraditionalimprovisation,thestartingsituationandnatureofthecharactersispredetermined. Allbutoneoftheparticipants(thePlayers)depictcharactersinthestory.Theychoosetheirowninterpretationofwhateverdetailsareunspecifiedabouttheperson-alityandbackgroundofthecharacter,andusethistodecideonthedialogandactionsoftheircharacter.Theyareresponsibleforthestrategicandthematicallysignificantdecisionsofthecharacterandthinkingoftheideasthatthecharacterislikelytothinkof.Somevalueplayingacharacterforthestrategicchallengeoftryingtoachievethecharacter’sgoals.Othersvaluethevicariousexperienceofdramaandemotion. Thelastparticipant(theDirector)isresponsibleformanagingthelarpandper-formingthemanynecessarytasksotherthandepictingmaincharacters.Theseincludegeneralorganization,playingminorcharacters,keepingtrackoftheresultsofactionsandtheconsequencesofhiddenaspectsofthesituation,sometimesintroducingnewelementsorinformationtomanagetheplot,andadjudicatingrules.TheDirectordoesnothavetheauthoritytodictateactionsofotherparticipants’characters. Rulesexisttorepresentskilldifferencesbetweencharactersthatdonotexistbetweenplayersandtoresolveactionsthatcannotbedirectlyactedout,eitherbecausetheyareunsafe(likefighting),orsimplyimpractical/impossible(likemagic).
Lookingformoreexplanation?Justcheckoutthedetailedguideavailableonourwebsite,www.shiftingforest.com.
Definitions:Player:Aparticipantwhosesoleroleisthedepictionofoneimportantcharacter.
Director:Theparticipantmanagingthelarpwhoperformstheothertasksdescribedabove.TraditionallycalledtheGameMaster.
PC:Acharacterdepictedbyaplayer.
NPC:AcharacterdepictedbytheDirector.
InCharacter(IC):Descriptiveofactions,dialog,eventsordecisionsactuallymadebythecharacterandtakingplaceinthefictionalworld.
OutofCharacter(OOC):Descriptiveofactions,dialog,eventsordecisionsinvolvingtheparticipantsintherealworld.
Roleplaying:Theactofthinkingasacharacteranddecidinganddepictingtheiractions,usingthecharacter’sowndecisionmakingprocess.Anactionthatis“roleplayed”iscarriedoutbyactingratherthanabstractedwithintherules.
Game:Aspecifictimealarpisplayed.
the first rule of larping: AlwayskeepICandOOCknowledge/motivationsseparate.
What is a LARP?
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format anD mission: ParlorLarpsaredesignedtoprovidemaximallyaccessible,artisticallysatisfyinglarpexperiencestoarelativelysmallgroupof�-8playersand�Director.Allrequirelittleornopreparation,anormalsizedlivingroom,andtake�-�hours.
the art form: ParlorLarpsareintendedassomethingmorethan“justagame.”Whiletheyarecertainlyaleisureactivity,theyaremeanttobethoughtofasexercisesinartaswellasentertainment,andinthatsensearemoreliketheatergamesthanboardgames,orevenmanytraditionallarps. Likeaplayornovel,theyaredesignedtoprovideanexperience,provokeanemo-tionalresponseormaketheparticipantsthink.Whileelementsofentertainment,funandchallengewillcertainlybepresentfrequently,manyoftheParlorLarpsarenot,andarenotintendedtobe,entirelypleasantexperiences.(Asuccessfulportrayalofafrighteningatmosphereisrewardingeventhougheveryoneisfeelingfrightened.)Theselarpswillbemuchmoresuccessfulandenjoyableifallparticipantskeepthisgoalinmind.
CharaCter Development: Unlikemanyothersingle-sessionlarps,ParlorLarpsaskplayerstofillinmanyde-tailsoftheircharacterbeforebeginningtoplay.Thispersonalizationprocessisguidedbyasetofquestionsattheendofeachcharactersheet.Ithelpsturnthecharactersfromacollectionofgoalsandbackgroundinformationintoreal,fully-fleshedpeople,andalsoallowseachplayertoidentifybetterwithhis/hercharacter. Allcharacterscanbeplayedbyeithergender,thougheachgamehasonepre-ferredmaleandonepreferredfemalecharacter.
Don’t Conflate player anD CharaCter suCCess! Whileeachcharacterhashisowngoals,andmanycharactershavedirectlyoppos-inggoals,itiscriticaltorememberthattheplayersarenotcompetingwitheachother.Thegoalofeachplayeristoeffectivelysimulateandportrayhischaracterandworkwiththeotherparticipantstobuildarewardingstory.Thisistrueformostlarps,andisvitaltothespiritofParlorLarps. Remember:Ifyouproduceadramaticandcompellingstory,everybodywins.
What is a Parlor Larp?
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How to Use this Book
general information: AllparticipantsshouldreadthissectionthefirsttimetheyplayaParlorLarp,(excepttheGuideToDirecting,whichneedonlybereadbytheDirector.)
DireCtors’ seCtion: Directors,andonlyDirectors,shouldreadthisentiresectionaheadoftime.Thissectioncontainssecretstoryinformationandadvicenecessarytodirectthelarp,aswellasDirectorcopiesofinformationgivenouttoplayers. DirectorsshouldreadthePublicBackgroundOverview,andthenLarp-SpecificRules&Announcementstoplayersatthestartofgame.
PublicBackgroundOverview:RelevantbackgroundinfothatallthePCsknow.SecretBackgroundOverview:RelevantbackgroundinfothatnotallPCsknow.PlayerCharacterOverview:AquicksummaryofPCsandtheirrolesinthelarp.GameOverview:Aguidetotheplotandprogressofthegameitself.Larp-SpecificRules:Rulechangesoradditionsforthisparticularlarp.Announcements:UsefulOOCremindersandotherinfofortheplayers.CharacterSummaryChart:AquicksummaryofmajorrelevantinfoforallPCs.CharacterSheets:TheDirector’scopyofeachcharactersheet.
player materials: ThissectioncontainsperforatedpagesthattheDirectorcantearoutofthebookletandhandtoplayersasappropriate.Keepinmindthatbydefault,playersshouldnotseeotherplayers’CharacterSheetsorGameMaterials.
RulesSummary:AshortenedversionoftheParlorLarpRulesforreference.PublicBackgroundOverview:Acopyofthepubliclyknownbackgroundinfo.RulesandAnnouncements:Acopyofthelarp-specificrulesandannouncements.CharacterSheets:8charactersheetstobegivenout,oneperplayer.GameMaterials:Somelarpshaveadditionalmaterials.SeeSetupAdvice.
iC/ooC: Agreeonasymbol(e.g.crossedfingers)toindicatewhenspeakingOOC.
interpreting CharaCter sheets:Names:[Maleoption/Femaleoption]Lastname.Or,FirstnameLastname.CharacterStyle(seenextpage):Foundinupperleftcorner.Age:Foundinupperrightcorner.(Certainlarpsdon’tincludeages.)ApparentIdentity:Generalideaofwhattypeofpersonthecharacterappearstobe.RealIdentity:Generalideaofwhattypeofpersonthecharacterreallyis.Goals:Acharacter’sgoalsatthebeginningofthelarp.Notsetinstone;can
changethroughneweventsandroleplaying.Giveninroughlydecreasingpriority.Abilities/Resists:SeeRulesInventory:AlistofnonobviousitemsthePChasatthetimeQuestions:Thesequestionsrefertoaspectsofthecharacterthatwerenotprevi-
ouslyspecified,thattheplayershoulddevelopatstartofgame.Makesuretoanswerquestionsinaccordancewiththespiritofthespecifiedpartsofthecharactersheet.PotentiallycontroversialanswersshouldbecheckedwiththeDirectorfirst.
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a note on genDer: AllPCscanbeplayedaseithermaleorfemale,thougheachlarphasonechar-acterthatispreferentiallymaleandonepreferentiallyfemale.However,forthesakeofsavingspaceandstandarization,allPCs(andsomebackgroundcharactersofunfixedgender,suchas“John/JaneSmith’sspouse”)willbereferredtobydefaultas“he”.
priority of CharaCters: While8charactersarealwaysprovided,eachlarpcanrunwithasfewas�. IntheCharacterOverviewandintheorderingofcharactersheets,PCswillalwaysbelistedinorderofpriority.Thismeansthatthefirst�shouldalwaysbein-cluded,andeachsubsequentcharactershouldbeaddedwitheachsubsequentplayer.Usingthisorderiscriticaltothebalanceofthegame--don’tchangeit.
CharaCter styles: Eachcharacterhasa�-lettercoderepresentingitsCharacterStyle.Thiscodeismeanttodescribewhatit’sliketoplaythecharactertohelpplayerspickcharacters.
G/E:GoalorEmotionoriented.Gsaremorerewardingtoplaywhenfocusingonpursuinggoals,andEsaremorerewardingwhenfocusingondepictingemotions.
L/D:LightorDarkpersonality.Howdepressing/disturbingthePCis.S/C:Simple/Complexpersonality.ComplexityofthePC’spersonality/motivations.
Eachlarphasonecharacterofeachstyle.Alllettersaregivenrelativetotheothercharactersinthelarp(soinaDark�larp,theLswillbedarkerthaninaDark�). Ingeneral,allLscanbedarkenedandallSscanbemademorecomplexiftheplayerdesires,buttheconverseisnottrue.
QuiCk-DesCription ClassifiCation for parlor larps (see upper right of baCk Cover): Theclassificationsystemisdesignedtodescribetheemphasesofeachlarpinordertogiveanideaofwhatitwouldbeliketorunandplay.
priorities:Theopeninglettersoftheclassificationrepresentwhichoffivemajorelementsarepresentasprioritiesinthelarp,indecreasingorderofimportance.
A:Atmosphere.AparticularmoodorfeeltothelarpD:Discovery.TheexistenceofICunknownsandtheneedtofindoutaboutthemM:Morality.MoraldilemmasandcomplicatedmoraldecisionsR:Relationships.ComplicatedorchangingrelationshipdynamicsS:Strategy.Aneedtomakestrategicdecisionsinpursuitofgoals
sCales: Anumberfrom0-�.0=barelypresent.�=average.�=maximal.Dark:TheprevalenceofdepressingordisturbingelementsDIR:TheamountofDirectorplotinterventionrequired,difficultyofDirectorroleNPC:TheamountoftimeandefforttheDirectormustexpendplayinganNPC(s)
Content aDvisories: NC:Normalcontent.Teenagersandoldershouldbecomfortableplaying.AC:Adultcontent.Containsthemes/elementsthatmaynotbesuitableforteens.DC:Disturbingcontent.Containsthemes/elementsthatsomeadultsmaynotbe
comfortablewith.Considercomfortlevelofeveryoneingroupbeforeplaying.
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the basiCs
What Does the DireCtor Do? TheDirectoristhepersonwhomanagesandsimulatestheuniverseofthestorysothattheplayerscanfocusonroleplayingtheircharacters.Heknowseverythingaboutwhatisreallygoingon,andobservesallaspectsoftheplotasitunfolds.Hemanagesthegame,givesdescriptions,answersquestionsabouttheenvironment/situ-ation,propogateseffectsofPCs’actionsontheenvironmentandonNPCs’actions,mediatesAbilityuse,andsometimesmediatesConflicts. TheDirectoralsofiltersinformationsothateachplayeronlyknowswhatheneedstoknowinordertosuccessfullyplayhischaracter.Mostplayersfindthathav-ingalotofsignificantknowledgeOOCbutnotICcangetdistractingorconfusing.
npCs: InsomelarpstheDirectoralsophysicallyroleplaysanNPCatthesametimeashisotherduties.Whendoingso,it’sfinetomoveinandoutofcharacteraslongasit’sclearwhichiswhich.However,heshouldtakebothroleplayinganddirectingresponsi-bilitiesintoconsiderationwhendeterminingtheNPC’sactionsandtiming.the DireCtor’s objeCtives: TheprimaryobjectiveoftheDirectoristoproduceasatisfyingexperienceforallparticipants.Therearetwopartsofthis:makingsureeachplayerissatisfiedwithhisPC’sinvolvement,andmakingsurethattheflowofthecollectivestoryissatisfactory. ThefirstinvolvesmakingsurethateachPCcaresaboutwhat’sgoingon,alwayshassomethingtodoandiscapableofseriouslyaffectingeventsthatmattertohim. Thesecondinvolveskeepingtheflowofeventsroughlywithintheintendedprogress,guidingthestorytorisingaction,climax,andanendingthatfeelsconclusive,aswellastimingeventstobeasinterestinganddramaticasreasonablypossible.
step-by-step guiDe to DireCting a parlor larp
MakesureyouarefamiliarwithalltheGeneralInformation.ReadalltheGame-SpecificInfo,ideallyatleastanhourbeforeplaying.Makesure
youknowallofit,includingcharactersheets.Importantdetailsmayonlybestatedonce.
SetuptheroomaccordingtoAdviceonSetup.Gatheryourplayersandexplainthegistofthegame.GothroughPCs.Describethembyname,style,age,andApparentIdentity.Distributecharactersheets,butdon’tlettheplayersreadthemindetailyet.Iftheplayersdon’tknowtherules,gooverthem.ReadaloudPublicBackgroundOverview.Lettheplayersreadandanswerthequestionsontheirsheetsinprivate.Whenthey
aredone,quicklygooverthecharacterwiththem--youdon’tneedtoknowtheanswertoeveryquestion,butgetanideaofeachcharacter.Giveoutpropsatthistime.
HaveplayersofPCswithsignificantrelationships(e.g.marriedcouples)goovertheirPCs’personalitiesandrelationshiptogetherbeforestartofgame..
GathereveryonetogetherandreadtheGame-SpecificRulesandAnnouncements.Runthegame!Afterwards,playerstendtoenjoyawrapuptodiscusswhatwasgoingon.
A Guide to Directing
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aDviCe on DireCting
physiCal behavior: Maintainingatmosphereandkeepingeveryoneincharacterasmuchaspossiblearecriticaltoasuccessfullarp.ThustheDirector’sinvolvementmustbeveryunobtrusivewhennotplayinganNPC:Stayinanunusedcorner.Don’tinteractwithanyprops(evenchairs).Askandanswerquestionsasdiscreetlyandquietlyaspossible.Avoidinterruptingimportantmoments.Don’trefereeconflictsthattheplayerscanmanagethemselves.TheDirectorisinvisibleIC,andthereforeshouldn’tbeasocialpresence. However,youshouldstillmovearoundandqueryplayerseveryonceinawhilesoastokeeptrackofwhatisgoingonwitheveryone.Youwillalsooccasionallyhavetogiveexpositionsofeventsorpeopletoallpartiespresent--atthesetimes,interruptclearlyandbriefly.Makesureeverybodyhearsyouthefirsttime.
unDerstanDing players anD CharaCters: ThemoreyouunderstandeachPC’sprioritiesandwayofthinking,themoreeas-ilyyoucanguideeventsindirectionsthatwillseriouslymattertothecharacters.Thestoryisaboutthem--itshouldevokeideas,themes,andinteractionstheycareabout.
paCing anD aCtion: Timingmakesthedifferencebetweenastoryandathree-hoursequenceofevents.TimebackgroundeventsandNPCactionssothattheycontributetoratherthandetractfromtheflowoftheplot.Eachconflict/situationshouldbethoroughlyaddressed:Don’tinterruptsituationsthathavenotbeenthoroughlyexploredwithnewproblems.Don’tintroduceaneventuntilafewPCsareinapositiontoproperlyaddressit.Don’taddlesserplotpointstoamajorplotpointinsuchawaythattheywilldrawattentionawayfromwhatreallymatters.Keepinmindthateventhingslikeresponsesfrombackgroundcharacters(likeservantsonerrands)willcontributenewmaterial. BeawarethatatmanytimesnothingwillappeartobehappeningfromtheDirec-tor’spointofview,butthesamemaynotbetrueoftheplayers’.Donotbeafraidoftwentyminutelulls.Ontheotherhand,docheckwithplayersinalulltoseeiftheyfeelinvolved.Ifthey’renot,don’tbeafraidtogiveadviceor,inmoreextremecases,tweakeventstomakesurethingsgetrollingagain.Ahalfhourlullisaproblem. ParlorLarpsarewrittentotakeapproximatelythreetothreeandahalfhours--thegamewillbemostrewardingifyoupaceittolastaboutthatlong.
making up ansWers: Youwillfrequentlyhavetoanswerquestionsaboutagivensituation.Whendoingso,answerbasedonwhatisconsistentwithbookletinformationandpreviousanswers,generallylogical,appropriatetoatmosphereandgenre,compatiblewithpacing,inter-estingfortheplot,unlikelytoupsetorderailtheplot,feelsfairtotheplayers,andwillleaveyouampleroomlatertoguidethegameinavarietyofdirections.
exerCising initiative anD making exCeptions: ParlorLarpsarewrittentosavetheDirectorfromhavingtospontaneouslytakemajorguessesormakeupimportantplot.However,everyDirectorwillrunintositua-tionswhereitseemsmostbeneficialtothegametodepartfromoroverrideaspectsofthescenario.Thefollowingisadvicetokeepinmindwhendoingso: Understandthescenariosothatyouwillbeabletounderstandtheconse-quencesofyourchanges.Beselfish:alwaysleaveyourselfasmuchroomtomaneuverasyoucan,andcommittoaslittlefutureimprovisationasyoucan.Rememberthatthebiggerthechange,themorelikelyitistogetoutofhand.PaycarefulattentiontohowyourchangedrawsthePCs’focus,andwatchoutforpacing. Mostimportantly,identifyandplaytoyourownstrengths.Makeitsothatanyadditionalworkyouhavetodoisworkthatyouunderstandandcomesnaturallytoyou.
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rules in larping: Inalarp,mostnormalactivityissimplyactedout,withroleplayingandcommonsensedeterminingtheeffectivenessofsocialinteractions.Therulesexistasameanstosimulatecharacters’actionsandcapabilitiesthatcannotbesafelyoreffectivelyactedout.
funCtion levels: Eachcharacter,bydefault,startsatFunctionLevel�.Acharacter’sFLrepresentstheconditionthecharacterisinandtheirabilitytoact,bothphysicallyandpsychologi-cally,andcanincreaseordecreaseoverthecourseofthelarpasaresultofharmorrecovery. Ingeneral,acharacteratFL�isessentiallyunharmedandingoodshape,atFL�isinanunpleasantbutnotparticularlydisablingstate,atFL�issomewhatdisabled,atFL2cannotperformmostactivities,andatFL�candolittleotherthanspeak.IfacharacteriseverreducedtoFL0,s/heisoutofthegameandcompletelyunabletoaffecttheplotthereafter.ItisimpossibletogohigherthanFL�orlowerthanFL0.
Damage anD reCovery: DecreaseofFLiscalledDamage,butrepresentsanylongtermharmtoeffective-ness,notjustphysicalinjury.IncreaseofFLiscalledRecoveryandrepresentseitherfixingormakingupforpreviousharmtothecharacter.Changeingeneralisabbrevi-atedDR. DRismostlydonetoacharacterthroughAbilities.EachAbilitycausesDRinaslightlydifferentway,soItiisimportantthateachplayerkeeptrackofwhatspecificinjuries/recoverieshischaracter’sDRrepresents,aswellaswhatFLthecharacterisat. Inmostcases,DRisexplicitlycalledforbytherules,butifaplayerdecidesthathischaracterwouldbeseriouslyaffectedeitherwaybywhathashappened,hecanchangehischaracter’sFLaccordingly,subjecttoDirectorapproval.
removal from the game: AcharacterthatistakentoFL0isremovedfromthegame.Specifically,heisremovedbythetypeofdamagedealtinthatlastblow.Allpreviousdamageissimplyinterpretedasmakingiteasiertodealthelastblow.Thus,ifacharacterisremovedbybeingpunched,heisprobablyunconscious,butifheisremovedbybeingintimidated,heisprobablyhidinginacornerunabletodoanything.
abilities: Abilitiesareactionsthatacharactercantakewithsuccessdeterminedbyrulesratherthanroleplaying.AbilitiesaredividedintoConflictAbilitiesandNon-ConflictAbilities.Non-ConflictAbilitiesalwayswork;ConflictAbilitiesstartConflictsinwhichothercharacterscanuseotherabilitiestoopposethem. Abilitiesaregiveninthefollowingformat:
Namex[#ofuses](RaNge of fLs)[bonus]:DescRiptioN of effect(amtDR)(resisttype)
Examples:Intimidatex�(�-�)�:Makesomeonebackdown(-FL�)(S)Flatterx�(�-�):Makesomeonefeelundulyproudofthemselves(+�)(E)Spark(�-�):Brieflycreateatinyflamebymagic
Parlor Larp General Rules
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#ofuses=thenumberoftimesthatabilitymaybeusedduringtheLarp.Ifnoneislisted,theabilitymaybeusedasmanytimesastheopportunityarises.
RangeofFLs=therangeoftheuser’sFLsatwhichtheabilitymaybeused.Ifacharacter’sFLisoutsidetherange,hemaynotusethatability.
Bonus=anumberfrom-�to�thatrepresentsthecharacter’seffectivenessatusingthatabilityagainstopposition.+/-�=significant,+/-2=extrordinary,+/-�=worldclass.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)
AmtDR=DRcausedbytheability,ifapplicable.-/+FL#indicatesthatittakesthetargetdown/uptothatFL,respectively.-/+#indicatesthatthetargetloses/gainsthatnumberofFLs.
Type=typeofResistrequiredtoblocktheability.P=Physical,S=Social,E=Emotional,NR=NotReistable,P/S=PhysicalorSocial,whicheverishigher.OtherlettersforotherResists.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)
SpecialexceptionstoabilitiesaregivenintheSpecialsectionofthecharactersheet
ConfliCts: Aconflictoccurswhentwoormorepeopleuseopposingabilities.Conflictsneednotbephysical;twopeopleattemptingtointimidateeachotheralsocounts. WheneveranybodyusesanabilitylistedunderConflictAbilities,everybodyabletoparticipateintheconflictisinvitedtodososimultaneously.Toparticipateisnotnecessarytobedirectlyinvolvedintheactionthatstartstheconflict—onesimplyhastobetakinganactioninreactiontootheractionstakingplace. Ifaplayerthinksthathis/hercharacterwouldbetoosurprisedtoimmediatelyrespond,heshouldwaituntilaftertheconflicttorespond,thoughhestillResists.
ConfliCt resolution
DeClaring aCtions: Conflictresolutionworksasfollows:First,participantsstatetheirintendedactions.Othersareinvitedtoparticipate,stopparticipating,orchangetheirownintendedactionsinlightoftheintendedactionsofothers.(Intherarecasethatthiscausesanendlesscircle,everybodyshouldchooseactionssimultaneouslyinsecret.) Aparticipantcandeclarehis/herintendedactionascontingentonthesuccessorfailureofanotheraction(e.g.onlyrunningawayifhispartnerdies.).Hecanalsodeclarethatheisnotacting,andsimplyfocusingonResistingasaprimaryaction.
resisting: EveryparticipantinaconflictisalwaysbydefaultResisting,evenifheisperform-inganotheractionatthesametime.Thismeansthatthecharacteristryingnottobeaffectedbyhostileactionsofothers.TherearethreedefaulttypesofResists:Physi-cal,Social,andEmotional.CertainlarpsmaychangetypesofResists.AcharacteralwaysusesallResistshehasatthesametime. EachtypeofResistbehaveslikeanabilitywithabonusoftheResistnumber(seebottomleftofcharactersheet)whoseeffectistopreventallundesiredactionscor-respondingtothattypeofResistfromaffectingtheuser. Notethatmostactionsdon’tneedtoberesisted.Bydefault,especiallyinsmallconflicts,aplayercanchoosetojustpermitanactiontargetinghisPCforsimplicity,orbecausehewantsittosucceed.. Anabilitythattakesa<type>Resistiscalleda<type>ability.
biDDing: Afterallintendedactionsareestablished,allparticipantsthensimultaneouslyBidDamage.Biddingmeanssecretlychoosinganamountofdamage(inFLs)theplayeriswillingforhis/hercharactertoriskgettinginordertoincreasethecharacter’saction’schanceofsuccess.
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Thisisnottosaythatthecharacterexplicitlydecidestogetdamagedinordertosucceed--whetherandhowmuchtobidisanOOCdecisionthatisbasedontheplayer’sjudgmentofhowlikelythecharacteristoseriouslypushforhisintendedresultdespitechanceofphysicalorpsychologicaltrauma. Nomatterhowdedicatedthecharacteris,however,bidsizesarealsolimitedbytheamountofdamagethecharactercanplausiblygetintheconflict,andeachpartici-pantisresponsiblefordeterminingaplausibleICreasontotaketheamountofdamagehebid..Forexample,inmostcasesitisimplausibletotakemorethan�damageinapettyargument,butanyamountofdamageispossibleinagunfight.KeepinmindthatlosinganFLisimportant,andbydefaultplayersshouldnotbid. Bidsonlyapplytoacharacter’sprimaryaction.Thismeansthatifacharacterisdoinganormalaction,thebiddoesnotincreasehischancesofResisting.If,however,heisonlyResisting,thenthebidwillincreasethechanceofallResistssucceeding.Damagethatwasbidonlyactuallyoccursiftheactionisinanywaysuccessful. Whenallbidsaredecided,allparticipantsholdout0-�fingersbehindtheirbackscorrespondingtothesizeoftheirbids,thenshowthematthesametime.
ranking: Participantsthencalculatetotalsbyaddingtheirabilitybonusandbid.(Werec-ommendthenholdingoutfingersfortotals,forefficiency.)IfacharacterisprimarilyResisting,anybidhemadeisaddedtoallhisResisttotals. Atthispoint,participantssortoutwhichattemptedactionsexecutebyrankingallparticipantsbytheirtotals,fromhighesttolowest,withtiesbrokenrandomly(suchaswithrock-paper-scissors). Actionstakeplaceinorder,startingfromthehighest.IfapreviousactioncausesacharactertohavetoolowanFLtoperformhisintendedaction,orsimplypreventsthatactionfromoccurring(e.g.aResist),thatactioniscancelled.Inessence,aResistcancelsalllower-rankedeffectsoftherelevantResisttypeonthatcharacter. Ifanypartofanactionsucceeded,thenthebidgoesintoeffectimmediatelyaftertheactionexecutes. It’simportanttonotethatwhenanintendedactiongetscancelledbecauseofeffectsofearlieractions,anylimited-useabilitiesspenttoattempttheactionarestillusedup,butanydamagebiddoesnotoccur.
artifaCts
ArtifactsareitemsthatmakeiteasierforacharactertocauseDR,oftenasacon-flictaction.Themostcommontypeofartifactsareweapons,whichobviouslycausedamage.However,artifactslikedrugsmaycauserecovery. Certaincharactersmayhaveabilitiesthatmakethemgoodatusinganartifact,butbydefault,characterssimplyuseartifactswiththeirGeneralPhysicalability.Ifanarti-factuseactionsucceeds,thenthetargetisDRedanamountaccordingtotheDRamountoftheartifact(exactlythesameasusinganabilitythatnormallycausesDRonitsown). Incertaincases,artifactuseabilitiesoverrideDRamountsonanartifact,eitherbythedescription,orbybeingthemselvesfixedDR(i.e.-/+FL#).ArtifactuseabilitiesthatarethemselvesunfixedDR(i.e.-/+#)stackwiththeartifact’sownDRamount. Bydefault,knivesare(-�)andgunsare(-2).
after resolution: Aftertheaboveprocessiscomplete,charactersmayelecttousemoreabilitiesinresponsetotheresults.Thisopensanewroundoftheconflictinwhichanybodyinvolvedcanuseabilitiesandtherulesforresolutionarethesame.Thisprocessrepeatsuntilaroundhappensinwhichnobodyusesanability.Thenroleplayingcanresume. Afterablockofconflictisresolved,werecommendplayingoutasmuchofthedeterminedactionsaspossible(withoutreallyhurtinganybody,ofcourse).ThisisespeciallyhelpfulwhenaconflictabilityusedcorrespondedtoICdialog—itisusefulforfuturedialogtoknowexactlywhatthecharacterssaid.
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BobtheSurgeonisstrollingthroughapark,enjoyingtheflowers.Hiswife,MegtheEngineerusesher“GetBobtoComeHome”ability.(Shechoosestodothisbe-causeshehastheability—ifshedidn’t,shecouldstillsimplytrytotalkhimintogoinghomethroughroleplaying.) Bobdoesnotwanttogohome,andchoosestoResist(inthiscase,onlyhis“So-cialResist”matters,sincetheonlypowerbeingusedagainsthimissocial).Bob’splayerthinksthatBobfindsthisisimportantenoughthatheshouldbid�toResist,whichhedefinestorepresentdamagefromthefrustration.Meg’splayerdecidesMegdoesn’tconsiderthematterimportantenoughtobid.Bobhasabonusof0to“SocialResist”andMeghasabonusof�to“GetBobtoComeHome.”Consequently,bothofthemhavetotalsof�. Thetieisresolvedbyrock-paper-scissors.Bobwins—hisSocialResistisrankedhigher,andthereforeexecutesfirst,blockinganySocialpowersusedagainsthimfortherestoftheround.Sincehehasbid�touseit,heisreducedtoFL�assoonasheresists.Whentheyplayitout,Megstillactsouttryingtotalkhimintogoinghome,butheispreparedtosayno,althoughhegetsfrustratedather.Meg’sabilityisusedup,soshecannottryagain.
Bobhasanon-conflictabilitycalled“Independence”whichallowshimtorecover�FLofdamagewheneverhesuccessfullyresistshiswife.Sincehe’sjustresistedMeg,hecanuseit,andheisrestoredtoFL�.Sinceit’sanon-conflictability,itdoesn’tcre-ateaconflictandMegcan’tpreventit.
Afterthishasoccurred,Megdoesnotdroptheconflict,butstartsanewonebyimmediatelytryingamoredesperatetactic.Sheusesher“GuiltTrip”ability,anemotionalattackwhichdoesactualdamage.Bobdecidestofleethepark;sincehedoesn’thaveaspecificabilitythatletshimdothis,itcountsasa“GeneralPhysical.”ZagrabastheRestauranteur,whoisalsowalkingby,useshissocialability“Tease”onBobtoembarrasshimintostayingandstandinguptohiswife. Bobhasa“GeneralPhysical”of0,andagainbids�.Meghasa“GuiltTrip”of�,anddoesn’tbid.Zagrabashasa“Tease”of0,butaspecialabilitythatgiveshimabonusof�tosocialabilitiesimmediatelyaftertakingarefreshingwalk.Inaddition,ZagrabascaressomuchaboutencouragingBobtostandupforhimselfthathisplayerdecidesthathebids�FLofdamage,representingthesocialawkwardnessofforcefullyintrudingonaprivateargument.ThisgivesZagrabasatotalof2,whileBobandMegbothhavetotalsof�. Zagrabasgoesfirst,beatingBob’ssocialresistof-�,andforcesBobtostay;rightafterhisactionexecutes,hisbidexecutes,reducinghimtoFL�.Bob’sactioncontra-dictsthisandwouldhaveexecutedafter,soitgetscancelled.Sincehisactiondidn’thappen,hisbidgetscancelledaswell.Megcanstilldoheraction,andshebeatsBob’semotiionalresistof0.HerpowerimmediatelytakesthetargettoFL�,andsinceBob’scurrentFLisgreaterthanthat,heisreducedtoFL�. Theypausetoactouttheactionsoftheround.Bobturnstoleave,butZa-grabasstartsmockingBobforcavingintohiswife,whomhedescribesinunflatteringterms.Bobturnsbacktoconfrontherasshestartsmakinghimfeelguilty.
BecauseZagrabassucceededduringthepreviousround,Bobstandsupforhim-self,usinghis“Complain”abilitytododamagetoMeg.Meg,meanwhile,triestogetrevengeatZagrabasforwhathesaidabouther,usingher“GeneralPhysical”abilityand
The Tale of Bob the Surgeon:A Few Examples of Conflict Resolution
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herunusual,extra-heavypurse(whichdoesthesamedamageasaknife).ZagrabasgetsangryatMeg,anduses“Embarrass”(anemotionalattack)tohumiliateherfor�FLofdamage,hopingshewillthenleave.Apasserbyuses“InstantlySummonPolice.”WhenMeglearnsthis,shedecidesthatsheonlywantstoattackZagrabasifthepolicehaven’tarrivedyet.Atthesametime,anunnamedshadycharacterwishestoslipoutbeforethepolicearrive,usinga“GeneralPhysical.”UnktheLawyer,intheescalatingargument,triestousehis“ThreatentoSue”abilityonZagrabasbecausehehatesrestaurateurs. Meanwhile,Unk’spetplatypusEggyandZagrabas’petechidnaEtcheachfighttohelptheirmasters.Eggydeclaresthathewantstousehis“SpeedyAttack”abilitytodophysicalinjurytoZagrabas.Hearingthis,EtchdecidestoattackEggyinhismaster’sdefense.Eggydeclaresthatifheisbeingattacked,hewouldratherfighthisattackerinsteadofZagrabas,andEtchdecidesthathestillwantstoattackEggyanywaytodemonstratehisloyalty.SoEggyinsteaduseshisabilitytoattackEtch,whileEtchuseshisGeneralPhysicaltopokeEggywithhisspines,eventhoughhecan’tactuallycausedamageusinggeneralphysicalwithoutanartifact.Thusthefightbetweenthetwopetsbecomesacompletelyseparateconflicthappeningatthesametime. Bob’sbonusis-2,andheissodrainedbyMeg’sguilttripthathehasnothingex-tratothrowintoit,sohedoesn’tbid.Meghasabonusof0,andbids�becauseshe’sgottenangryandreckless.Zagrabashasabonusof2,butallofhisResistsare�.HewouldliketobidtoincreasehisResists,butbecauseheisperforminganactionbesidesResisting,hisbidcouldonlyapplytotheaction,sohedoesn’tbid.Thepasserbyhasabonusof�,theshadycharacterhasabonusof�,andUnkhasabonusof2.Finally,thepetsbothhaveattacksof-2andallResistsat-�(beingonlypets).Noneofthesepeopleareinvestedenoughtobid. Theshadycharactergoesfirstat�,andleaves.Sincenobody’sactioniscontra-dictedbythis,everyoneelse’sactionsstillhavethepossibilityofhappeningnormally. UnkandZagrabasaretiedat2.UnkbeatsZagrabas’Resist,buttheordermatterssinceZagrabascanonlyuseEmbarrassatFL�orhigher,iscurrentlyatFL�,andUnk’slawsuitalwaysdoes2damage.Zagrabashasasingleusenon-conflictabilitythatletshimwinatieduetobeingextremelylucky.Heusesit,andhumiliatesMegbeforeUnkthreatenshim.ThenheisreducedtoFL2. NowMegandthepasserbybothhavetotalsof�,andZagrabashasaphysicalre-sistof�.Megwon’tattackZagrabasifthepolicearethere,andhastobeatZagrabas’Resist,soallthreethrowrock-paper-scissorstogether(eventhoughitdoesn’tmatterwhetherZagrabasorthepasserbygoesfirst,aslongasoneofthembeatsMeg).Megwins,andhitsZagrabaswithherpurse,sinceshewon’treacttosomethingthathasn’thappenedyet.Herpursealwaysdoes�FLofdamage,soZagrabasisreducedtoFL�.Thenthepasserbysummonsthepolice,whoseeeverythingthathappens,butaretoosurprisedtoreactuntilthissetofactionshaveresolved. Now,at-2,BobcomplainstoMegandbothanimalsattackeachother.Noneoftheseactivitiescontradicteachother,sotheorderdoesn’tmatter,butalltheactionslosetothecorrespondingResist. Nowthatthepolicearehere,Meg’splayergetsDirectorapprovaltotake�FLofvoluntarydamagetorepresentherfearofgettingintroubleforcaughtdisturbingthepeacebyhittingpeopleinapublicpark,bringingherdowntoFL�.
Sincethepolicearepresent,peoplehavetobecarefulaboutwhattheydo.Unkusesasocialability,“Slander,”tomakeZagrabasouttobeaviolentcriminal.Bobde-cidestotrytomakeMegfeelbetterusinghis“Shelter”ability,whichrecoverssomeone�FLbyofferingtoprotectthemfromdanger.Megissosurprisedatthisthatshefailstotakeanyaction,butshedecidesthatthewayBobishelpingheristoodemeaning,andResistsit.Sincethepolicedon’tcareaboutthepets,EggyandEtchattackeachotheragain,andthistimeeachbid2because,withZagrabassoinjured,they’rebothwillingtoriskseriousphysicalinjurytotrytohurttheother.Nooneelsebids. Unkhasabonusof2,whichovercomesZagrabas’Resistof�.Itdoes�FLof
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damage,reducingZagrabastoFL0.Zagrabasissoreviledasacriminalthathecannolongeraffectthegame,andisremovedfromplay.Hispreviousdamagecontributestothis—forinstancethebruisefromthepursemakeshimlooklessrespectable—butitisthefinalabilitywhichdetermineswhyheisremoved.Bobhasabonusof0,whileMeg’sResistis�,soBobisunabletohealher.Finally,EggyandEtchhavetotalsof0,soEggydoes�FLofdamagetoEtchwhileEtch(whouseda“GeneralPhysical”)suc-ceedsinpokingEggywithhisspines,butdoesnodamagetohim. Finally,theyactouttheresults,withUnkopenlyaccusingZagrabasofbeingacriminalandBobtryingtocomfortMegandsherebuffshim,whilethepetsfightdedicatedlyinthebackground.
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Game-Specific Information for Director
�8
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general history: Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthousandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegend,ratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.Therehas,thusfar,beennoevidenceofalienintelligence. Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessage,andcertainlynoob-jectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomorwastedlifetimesbycryogenicallyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace. TheUnionofPlanetsandCerianEmpirearetwoofthelargestnationsinthegalaxy,sharingonelongborder.Theyhavebeenideologicallyclashingandtryingtoconverteachotherforalongtime,tonoavail.Atthispointtheyareatatensestandoff,readytogotowaratanymoment. TheCerianEmpireorganizestheirsocietyaroundcreatingmaximumhappinessforthemassesandislargelyfreeofcrimeandunrest.ThisorganizationisaccomplishedbymeansofstrictregulationsandtheuseofthedrugInktoensurehappycompli-ance.Inkproducesablissfulcontentedstateandadesiretoobeyallordersandavoidcontroversy.Theconsiderablemajorityofpeopleareonitandtheydoexactlywhattheyaresupposedtodo.Onlythemosttrustedleaders,thinkersandagentsareallowedfreedomofthought.WhileCerianpolicydoesrelyheavilyonutilitariancost-benefitanalysis,euthanasiaandstatechild-rearingarenotcommon. TheUnionofPlanetsisademocracywithcivilrights,independentcorporations,crime,corruption,socialproblemsandgeneralnormalcy.Viciousrumorssaythatcitizensareafraidtoleavetheirhousesforfearofbeingshotbycriminals,thatthementallyillareoftenkilledinsteadofcured,andthatpoliceprotectionisaservicethattherichbuyandthepoordowithout.
hoW you got here: Youareagovernment-sponsoredresearchvesselthatheadedouttowardthisremote,unexploredsectionofthegalaxybecauseofrumorsofsignsofalienlife.TheclosestcivilizedplanetwasOgiStation,asmallindependentcountryatthefringe.Youstoppedtheretoresupply.Whenyouweremostofthewaydoneresupplying,aUPship,dockedatthestation,leftinthedirectionyouwereheadedin. Afraidthattheywouldgettherefirst,youhurriedtofinishandracethemtoyourdestination.Asyouwereleaving,yousawathirdshipleavethestationandhurryafteryou,obviouslywiththesameintention,butyoudidnotmanagetocatchwhattypeofshipitwasorwhereitwasfrom. Youmanagedtoputafewhoursbetweenyourselfandthethirdship,andtocatchupwiththeUPship.However,becauseyouleftinsuchahurry,youdidnotfinishresupplying,anddidnotrealizeuntilhalfwaythroughthetwo-weektripthatyouwereshortonthechemicalsnecessarytosynthesizeInk.Consequently,highlyInk-dependentcrewmemberssuchasP.Green�Rocktonareinwithdrawal. YouandtheUPshiparrivedinthesystematthesametime,andweredelightedtoseeaplanetwithtechnologicalinstallationsinorbit.However,asyouapproachedit,oneofthespacestationsshotyourshipdownwithapowerfullaser.Beforeyourshipblewup,afewofyoumanagedtobeamontothespacestationandescape.
Public Background OverviewCerian Contingent
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general history: Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthousandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegendratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.Therehas,thusfar,beennoevidenceofalienintelligence. Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessageandcertainlynoob-jectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomandwasteoflifetimesbycryogenicallyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace.
TheUnionofPlanetsandCerianEmpirearetwoofthelargestnationsinthegalaxy,sharingonelongborder.Theyhavebeenideologicallyclashingandtryingtoconverteachotherforalongtime,tonoavail.Atthispointtheyareatatensestandoff,readytogotowaratanymoment. TheCeriansorganizetheirsocietyaroundcreatingmaximumhappinessforthemassesandarelargelyfreeofcrimeandunrest.Thisorganizationisaccomplishedbymeansofstrictregulationsanddrugstoensurehappycompliance.Onlythemosttrustedleaders,thinkersandagentsareallowedfreedomofthought.Themostvi-ciousrumorscirculatingabouttheCeriansarethattheykillpeoplewhobecometoooldtowork,thattheCeriangovernmenttakesallchildrenatbirthtoberaisedbythestate,andthatthey’reallkeptonmind-controldrugstomakethemacceptthis. TheUnionofPlanetsisademocracywithcivilrights,independentcorporations,crime,corruption,socialproblemsandgeneralnormalcy.Whileithastheusualproblemsthatplagueanydemocracy,itisnotparticularlycorrupt.Manyoftheprob-lemspresentinmodernsocietyremaintrue,includingthatricherneighborhoodsaregenerallysaferandthatsomeneighborhoodsarequitedangerous.Howeverthesearenotmorepronouncedthantheyaretoday:mostcitizensgoabouttheirliveswithoutmuchfearofcrime,andpoliceprotectionisstillavailabletoeveryone.TheUnionofPlanetsdoeshavethedeathpenalty,anddoessometimesapplyittothementallyill.
hoW you got here: Youareauniversity-sponsoredresearchvesselthatheadedouttowardthisremote,unexploredsectionofthegalaxybecauseofrumorsofsignsofalienlife.TheclosestcivilizedplanetwasOgiStation,asmallindependentcountryatthefringe.Youstoppedtheretoresupply. Asyouwereleaving,yousawasecond,andthenathirdshipleavethestationandhurryafteryou.Afraidthattheywerepursingthesameleadandwouldgetthereaheadofyou,youwentasfastasyoucould.Thesecondship,aCerianvessel,caughtupshortlybeforeyouarrived.Thethirdshipshouldbeabouttwoorthreehoursbehind,butyoucouldn’tcatchwhereitwasfrom. YouandtheCerianshiparrivedinthesystematthesametime,andweredelightedtoseeaplanetwithtechnologicalinstallmentsinorbit.However,asyouapproachedit,oneofthespacestationsshotyourshipdownwithapowerfullaser.Beforeyourshipblewup,afewofyoumanagedtobeamontothespacestationandescape.
Public Background OverviewUnion of Planets Contingent
LongagoamysteriousalienspeciesevolvedontheplanetnowknownasGarden.Intime,forreasonsknownonlytothem,theylefttheirhomeworldbehind.Buttheydidnotleaveitunprotected.Theplanetwasleftfulloftechnologicalartifactsdesignedtoprotectandsustainthecomplicatedecosystemthatexplorersfindtoday.AmongtheseartifactsisGardenStation�,ahugespacebasedlaserfacilitydesignedtovaporizeasteroidsthatthreatentocrashintotheplanet. Onboardarecontrolfacilitiesandlifesupportdesignedforhumanlikelife.Thealienscouldnotconceiveofanotherintelligentspecies;thesecurityfeaturesofthefacilityaremerelyagainstrebelsandcriminals.Theship’scomputerisintelligentandisdesignedtotakeinitiativeinprotectingtheplanet,butitcannotoverridethecontrols.Itsmainrecourseistoreprogramthebrainsofthosewhomithealswiththemedicalro-bottoveneratetheplanet.IthasalreadydonesotoSandyApplebaum,theexplorerwhohasbeentrappedhereforyears.Hetotallyservesthecomputerandtheplanet.
Besuretoreadbothpublicbackgroundsoverviews.Bothsidesbelieveanumberofrumorsabouttheother,someofwhicharetrue,andsomeofwhicharen’t.
Secret Background Overview
sanDy Carter: gDC.Sandyhasbeentrappedaloneonthespacestationforfiveyears,andhasconsequentlygonequiteinsane.Duringthattime,themedicalrobotshavegraduallychemicallybrainwashedhimtobelievethatthesafetyoftheplanetanditsecosystemisthegreatestpriorityintheuniverse.
b. reD3 stanville: gls.B.istheleaderoftheCerianship,ascientistwholoveshissocietyandfirmlybelievesthatInkisawonderfulthing.HeisnotonInkbecauseheneedsfreethoughttopursuescience,butlooksforwardtotakingitwhenheretires.
j. tantorian: gDs. J.isareporterfromtheUnionofPlanets.Heisfanati-callypro-UP,believingfirmlythattheUPshouldgotowarwith,andwipeouttheCerians,andexpressesthisstronglyinhisreporting.Heworksforacorruptnewscorporationthatmakesnewsinordertoreportonit.
y. fels: eDC.Y.isthecomputerspecialistfortheUP.HegrewupintheslumsoftheUPandthinksthattheCerianidealofunityandprotectionisfarmorevaluablethantheUPidealoffreedom,whichonlyencouragespeopletohurteachother.HehasconsequentlybeengivingscientificsecretstotheCeriansinhopesthattheywillconquertheUP.However,heisstillattachedtohisfriendsintheUPanddoesn’twantthemtoknowhe’satraitor.
p. green4 roCkton: eDs. P.isthecomputerspecialistfortheCerians.HewasonaheavydoseofInkand,duetotheunexpectedshortage,isinseverewithdraw-al.Thiscauseshimtobeedgy,confrontational,andrebellioustoeveryone.
n. mitterson: els.N.istheleaderoftheUPexpedition.Heisascientist,andwhilenotverypatriotic,sufficientlyacitizenoftheUPthathebelievesinfreedomandisdisturbedbytheCerianwayoflife.Hedoesnotwantwar.Heismostlyinterestedinlearningaboutandpreservingthestation.
j. grey5 ellisville: elC. J.isaCerianguardwhoisonamediumdoseofInk—lowenoughthathecandisobeypeopleenoughtoopposethemiftheyareathreat,buthighenoughthatdoingsoispainful.Itis,however,alsolowenoughthatheiscapableofwantingfreedom.Heisconsequentlyconstantlytornaboutwhomtolistento,andwhethertolistentoanyone.
g. nikliCon: glC. G.isamedicfromtheUPshipwhoisnotaparticularlydedi-catedUPcitizen.Hestronglyvalueslife,learningandscientificprogressandwilltrytohelpeveryoneandpreventwar.Hehasastrongideology,whichhehasfewqualmsabouttryingtoenforceonothers.
Character Overview(Listed in order of decreasing necessity for smaller-group games.)
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summary: ThecharactersarrivesimultaneouslyonthespacestationtofindSandytherealone.Thethirdshipwillbearrivinginabouttwoandahalfhours,butwillbeshotdownassoonasitgetsthere,sotheyneedtoturnoffautomaticdefenses. Whentheylookupthelaser,theyfindthatitisinfactcapableofdestroyinganyplanetinthegalaxyfromacontrolconsoleinthestation.Atthatpoint,theimplica-tionfortheloomingwarisobvious,andconflictbegins.Soonafter,warbreaksoutbetweentheUPandtheCerianEmpire,makingtheroleofthelaserevenmorecritical.
garDen station 4:
terminals: Therearefivecomputerterminalsscatteredaboutthestation. Theterminalsdon’tfunctionbecausethepowerwascut,butallthenormalsystemsstillwork.Felshasa�-houremergencybatteryonhimthathecanusetoturnontheterminals. Oncetheybootup,theydisplaysometextinabizarrelanguage.Aspeopletalk,aprogressbarwithanunrecognizablelabelwillstartmakingprogress.Itwillstopwhentheroomfallssilent.Oncepeoplehavetalkedforabout�0minutes,thebarwillreachfullandallcommandswillmiraculouslytranslateintoEnglish.
What the terminals Do:A) Engineering.Changearoundpower,managetheescapepod.B) WeaponControl.Turnon/offautomaticfiring,fireonsomething.C) LifeSupport.Changeoxygen,temperature,etc.Managemedicalrobot.D) Communication.Sendmessagetoanywhereingalaxyatlightspeed.E) Security.Lock/unlockotherconsolesfrombeingused,cancelshields.SeeTerminalFunctionSummaryformoredetailonthese.
the meDiCal robot: Themedicalrobotwillautomaticallyleaveitsbayandtrytohealanyonewhohastakenphysicaldamage.Itiscapableofhealingevendeadpeople,aslongastheirbodiesareintact.Apersonthusbroughtbackfromthedeadwillreturnslightlycrazy,disoriented,andotherwisestrange. Whenevertherobotworksonsomeone,italsotakesstepstochemicallybrainwashthatpersonintofeelingtheneedtoobsessivelyprotecttheplanetanditsecosystem.At2cumulativeFLsofdamagehealedthepersonjustthinkstheplanetisremarkablybeautiful.At�FLs,hebecomesemotionallyattachedtoit.At�FLsheiscompelledtoprotectit.At�ormoretotalFLs,protectingitbecomeshisfirstpriority,faraboveallotherloyalties,valuesorconsiderations.It’sthetotalnumberoflevelstherobothaseverhealedapersonthatcounts,notthenumberoflevelsinoneheal-ingsession. Thebrainwashingfactorcannotbediscoveredoraffectedfromtheconsoles. Itonlytakesonephysicalattackwithaweapontodestroytherobot,regardlessofdamage.
Game Overview
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other features:Thereisanescapepodonthestationwithroomfortwopeople.Itwilltake
peopletothesurfaceoftheplanetwheretheywillbeabletosurvive.Thereisafoodgeneratorwhichcanproduceanysubstanceintheformofahomo-
geneousgruel.Forinstance,itcanproducewater,Ink,peanutbutter,anutrientsolution,gasoline,orseveralofthesemixedtogether,butnotscrambledeggsorasteak.Bydefault,itissettoafairlytastelessbutnutritionallycompletesolu-tion.AdoseofInkhealsonefunctionlevel;noneofthecharactersknowtheformulaofanyothermedicinewhichcanhealinthetimespanofthegame.
other stations: Thereareseveralotherorbitalandgroundinstallationswhichcanbecommu-nicatedwithfromthestation.Theyincludethecentralrelay,variousweatherandecologicalcontrols,andotherfunctionsdesignedtopreservethestateofaplanet.Allfacilitieswillobeyinformationrequestsfromeachother,butallordershavetoberoutedthroughthecentralrelay. ThecentralrelayhasthemostpowerfulAIofanyofthefacilities.Ithasafullhumanintelligenceandvastlymoreprocessingpower.It’smainjobistocoordinateallthestationstomaintaintheplanetasitisforaverylongtime.Thecentralrelaywillrelayanyordersthatitisconvincedareagoodidea.WhileittrustsGS�,itbelievesthatithasbetterjudgementthanGS�.Itdoesnotbelievethatthereisintelligentlifeintheuniverseotherthanitscreators,muchlessthatthey’vetakenoverGS�.Ifthisfactbecomesparticularlyobviousorisdirectlyconveyedtoit,itwillbecomeextremelyparanoidandattempttodestroythembyimmediatelydisablingtheweaponandself-destructingthestationin�hour.Theseorderscannotbeoverridden.
War: Atsomepointduringthegame,warwillstartbetweentheCerianEmpireandtheUP.ThecharacterswillbeimmediatelynotifiedofthiswhentheCommunicationscomputerraisesanalertsayingthatlargeexplosionsweredetectedinvariouslocationsthatmarktheborderoftheUPandtheCerianEmpire.Moreexplosionswillcropupsoonafter,insuchapatternastoobviouslyindicatewar. Itmaymakethegamesubstantiallymoreinterestingifonesideortheotherstartedthewar.Ifthisisso,youcanmakeitclearbymakingthefirstexplosionobviouslyintheopposingside’sterritory.Bydefault,though,keepitambiguous.Itsnecessarytopointoutthatbecauseofthespeedoflightlimit,thefirstexplosionsseenmaynotbethefirstexplosionstooccur.
the thirD ship: Thethirdshipwillarrivetwoandahalfhoursafterthegamestarts.Itsnational-itywillnotbeknownuntilabouthalfanhourbeforeitarrives.Atthatpoint,makethenationalitywhateverismostinterestingfortheplot.RememberthantheshipdoesnothavetobeUPorCerian—itcanbeaneutralpartyoranallyofeither.(TheCerianEmpireislargeenoughthatdifferentlocalplanetarygovernmentscouldeasilyhavesentmultipleshipswithoutrealizingtheyhadoverlapped.)
2�
• Ideally,usearoomthathasmultipletablesandchairsandmiscellaneousfurni-tureobjectsthatcanserveasbarricadestomaneuveraroundandhindrancestofastmovement.
• Thereare�computerterminals.Ideallysettheseupasfarfromeachotheraspossible(suchasinanXformation)sothatcontrollinganareaoftheroomdoesnotguaranteecontrolofthespacestation.
• Theterminalsshouldbephysicallyeasytogetinandoutof,andshouldrequireaslittlemimingaspossibletorepresent—alotofroleplayingwillhappenwhenpeoplearesittingattheterminals,andpeoplemayinitiateconflictswhentheyseeeachothertyping.
• Designateoneareaasthemedicalbay.Aclosetorcabinetisgoodforthis,sothatpeoplecanopenitandseetherobotandfoodsupplies.
• Setupalargesectionofwallastheviewscreenthatdisplaystheplanet.Tapeupnewspapersorsheetsofpapertogethertorepresentthescreen.
• Haveasfewmiscellaneoussmallobjectsaroundaspossible.
• Ifyoucan,make�copiesoftheTerminalFunctionsSummary.PutoneateachconsoleoncethecomputersturnonandgivethePlayerMaterialsonetoSandy.Ifyoucan’t,justletSandyreadit,andthenreaditaloudorpassitaroundoncethecomputersareturnedon.
• Placesomekindofindicatorateachstationtomarkitscurrentstatus(active/in-activeandwithorwithoutapassword).Itmayalsobehelpfultohavesomephysicalindicationofwhatstatevariouscontrolsarein,sothatplayerscancheckthestatusofthingswithoutneedingDirectorassistance.
Advice on Setup
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aDviCe on Casting:
• TrytohavesomeonewhocanbeveryverbalandassertiveplayTantorian.
• TrytohavesomeonewhocanbeconfrontationalandchaoticplayRockton.
• N.Mittersonisthemostresearchorientedcharacter.Makesurethatthisgoestosomeonewhowillbeinterestedinthataspectofthegame.Feelfreetomen-tionthistotheplayerswhenchoosingcharacters.
• GiveG.Niklicontosomeonewhocancomeupwithaninterestingvaluesystemandapplyitaggressivelyoftheirowninitiative.Encouragethemtodevelopthesystem;thecharacterisaC,notanS,andismoreinterestingifplayedthatway.
aDviCe on running:
• Donotletthecharactersseriouslyentertainthepossibilitythatwarisnotreallyhappeningwhenitstarts.Informthemthat,fromthepatternsofexplosions,thereisnootherreasonableconclusion.
• Makesureeveryonealwaysthinksthattheirsideisgoingtolosethewarifnoth-ingchangesinordertodrivethemtoaction.
• Whenpeoplegetbrainwashed,takethemasideinsecret.
• Don’tletFelsturnontheterminalssecretlywithoutsomeeffort.Theterminalsactivatingshouldbeapointofdrama.Ontheotherhand,don’tletthegamegotoolongwithouttheterminalsgettingactivated.
• Thereisahighchancethatthestationwillself-destructintheend,eitherbe-causethecentralrelayrealizesthereisintelligentlifeonthestationorbecauseoneofthecharacterssetsit.Makesureit’sclearthattheoptionsforescapearelimited:therearetwospacesontheescapepod,whichonlygoestotheplanet,andtheshipmaybelongtotheotherside.
• Thislarphasbeenknowntoendearlywithasmallnumberofpeople.Don’tfighttoohardifthisseemsinevitable.
• Inkandthemedicalrobotprovideamplesourcesofhealing,butbothhaveacost.
Advice on Casting & Running
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larp-speCifiC rules:• ThisgamedoesnothavePreferredMale/Femaleroles.
• EveryonehasaManeuveringability,whichrepresentsabilitytochangepositions.Withthecomputerterminals,thisshouldcomeupalot.
• SucceedinginexecutingonecommandonaterminalwhensomeoneistryingtophysicallystopyourequiresGeneralPhysical.
• Succeedinginexecutingonecommandonaterminalwhensomeoneistryingtostopyouthroughcomputeruse,orwhensomeonepreviouslysetupcomputersecuritytostopyou,isaHackingconflict.Theconflictisanormalonebetweenthetwopeople,exceptthatthepersonwhopreviouslysetupsecuritycannotbidunlesstheyareactivelydefendingtheirsecurityatthetime.
beginning announCements:• Thisisverysoftsciencefiction,soexpectittofollowgenreconventions.Every-
onespeaksthesamelanguage.Technologycandounreasonablethings.Itisnotatallstrangethatthestation’slifesupport,whiledesignedforaliens,shouldworkperfectlywellforhumans.
• Rememberthatasyouarrive,everyoneelseonyourshiphasjustbeenblownup.Thisisprettytraumatic.
• Rememberthat,lastyouknew,theUPandtheCerianEmpirewereinastateofextremetension.It’snotjustapairoflargerivalswhodon’tlikeeachother—it’sliketheColdWarwas,wherethesmallestmisstepcouldsetoffalarge-scalewar.
• Rememberthatyouguysarecivilians,notgovernmentrepresentatives.
Larp-Specific Rules and Beginning Announcements
(Read this to your players at start of game)
28
Name Codes Identity Goals
SandyCarter GDC OldExplorerSta-tionServant
GetRescuedProtectGardenProtectStation
Boris2/Beatrice2Red�Stanville
GLS CerianResearcher ResearchConvertpeopleWinthewar
Jansor/JanspethTantorian
GDS UPJournalist StartandwinwarMakenewsCovernews
Yassy/YurlaFels
EDC UPComputerGuySpyforCerians
SpyforCeriansJointhemSpareyourfriends
Pete�/Pat�Green�Rockton
EDS CerianTechnicianAddict
GetdrugsBedisobedientGetrevenge
Nicron/NicraMitterson
ELS UPTeamleader ResearchProtectUPDecidewhattodo
John��/Jane��Grey�Ellisville
ELC CerianGuard BeobedientGetStanville’sapproval
Gordon/GretaNiklicon
GLC UPMedic PreventbloodshedLearnthingsDowhat’sbest
Character Summary Chart
2�
(Descriptionsofthecommandsavailableateachterminal)TerminalCommandsfallundereitherHackingorGeneralPhysical.Markedactionsrequirehacking.
all terminals
InfoRequest:Askforanygeneralknowledgeaboutthestationoraboutscience.PasswordLock:Setapasswordtousethisterminal.Enteringthepasswordisafree
action.BreakPassword:Getinwithoutapassword.(RequiresHacking)PreventLockout:PreventTerminalfrombeingdisabledforthisandnext2conflicts.
(RequiresHacking)BigRedButton:Putsupshieldsthatpreventallmovementinoroutoftheseats
nexttoallterminals.Nophysicalactionsorabilitiescancrosstheshields.How-eversound,lightandaircan.Socialandemotionalabilitiesstillcross.Thealientechlasercandestroyoneoftheshieldsinoneweaponsuse.
CancelBigRedButton:Cancelstheeffectofone’sownBigRedButton
a: engineering terminal
Powerdownroom:Cutsroomlightstoemergencylevelandcausestheshieldstostopfunctioning.Thisdoesnotaffectpowertoterminalsbecausethisisfromtheemergencypowersupply.
Powerdownweapon:Preventstheweaponfrombeingused.Powerdownmedicalrobot:Preventsmedicalrobotfromfunctioning.Powerdowncommunications:Preventscommunications.Powerupanyoftheabove:Undotheaffectsofoneoftheabove.Self-destruct:Causetheshiptodestroyitselfin�hour.CancelSelf-destruct:Reversesprocessofself-destructifdonewithin�0minutes
ofinitiationofself-destruction.Open/CloseEscapepod:Grantsordeniesaccesstotheescapepod.
b: Weapon Control
TurnAutofireon/off:Turnonorofftheweapon’sautomaticdestructionofanythingthatapproachestheplanet.
Destroytarget:Destroyanyonetarget,ofuptoplanetsize.Ifnotstopped,thelasercanfire�0timesperminute.Thereare��planetsintheUP,��intheCerianempireand��8totalhumaninhabitedplanets.
C: life support
Messwithlifesupport:Doafixedamountofphysicaldamagetoeverybody.Deny/GiveMedicalAttention:Causethemedicalrobottoignoresomebodyor
attendtosomebody.Addthingstofood:Addanysubstancetothegeneratedfood,suchasdeadly
poison,vitaminsupplementsorInk.D: CommuniCation
SendMessage:Sendashorttextvoiceand/orvideomessagetoanotherfacility’scomputerortoanotherstarsystem.Thelatterissubjecttotimedelayofyears.
e: seCurity
LockoutTerminal:Preventoneoftheotherterminalsfrombeingused.Masteralarmcancel:CancelallBigRedButtonusesandpreventtheirfurtheruse.Masteralarmenable:AllowBigRedButtonstobeusedagain.
Terminal Function Summary
�0
Garden Station 4
��
G
D
C
Sandy Applebaum
Age 58
apparent iDentity:Oldindependentexplorerwhohasbeenstuckinthisbasefor�years.
real iDentity:Humanwhosebrainhasbeenpartiallyreprogrammedtodothewillofthestationcomputer.
baCkgrounD: Fiveyearsago,yourshiparrivedinthissystemsearchingforsignsofintelligentlife.Signsofintelligentlifefoundyoufirst.Yourshipwasdestroyedbyapowerfulspace-basedlaser,andyou(andonlyyou)managedtobeamontothestationthatfiredit.Thelifesupportsystemsofthesta-tionhavekeptyoualive,butwithoutcompanyyou’vegonequitemad.
Inthemanytimesthestation’smedicalrobotshavehadtofixyouafteryouhurtyourselfdoingstupidthingsoutofboredom,thestation’scomputerhasbeenchangingyouwithoutyourknowledge.Youhavebeenmadeawarethatthenativelifeontheplanetbelowisthemostbeautiful,valuableandimportantthinginexistence,andthatitisyourtruepurposeinlifetoprotectitatallcosts.
goals:ProtectthenativeecosystemonGardenfromanypossiblethreats,atall
costs.ATALLCOSTS!Ideally,escapethisplace,ifyoucan.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)-�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Struggle(2-�)0:Fightoffsomebodytryingtorestrainyou(-FL�)(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)�:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(NR)TakeCover(�-�)�:Takeapositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Familiarityx�(�-�)2:Useafeatureofroomtoyouradvantage(variable)Hacking(2-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)
non-ConfliCt abilities:NaturePoetryx�(2-�):Composepoetrythatmakespeoplecareaboutnature
resists
Physical -�Social -�Emotional-�
speCials
Immunetoabilitiesthatconvincebymeansofreason
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)AlienTechLaser(-�)Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.
�2
knoWleDge about gs4: ThemakersofthisandtheothermanyinstallationsonoraroundtheplanetGardenhaveleftthisplanet.Themachinesexisttodefenditandkeepitinitspresentstate.GardenStation�isanasteroiddefenselaserbase.Thelaserhasthepowertodestroyaplanetanywhereinthegalaxy,withpropertargetinginformation.Itcanbemanuallyoverrid-dentotargetanythingbypeopleinsidethebasewithenoughcomputerskill.Topreventthisdestruction,youdamagedthecontrolslongago,beforeyouweretakenoverbythecomputer.Sincethen,thecomputerhasguidedyouinmostlyrepairingthem,notwantingthestationcontrolsdamagedwhenitscreatorsreturn.
Youknowwhattheterminalsdo(SeeTerminalsFunctionSummary). knoWleDge about humanity:Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthou-
sandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegendratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.OneoftheseistheCerianEmpire,acen-trallyorganizedexpansionisticdictatorshiprumoredtoensuretotalobediencewithdrugs.TheUnionofPlanetsisaloosedemocracyrumoredtobecorrupt.Thesetwobordereachotherandhavealwayshatedeachother.
Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessageandcertainlynoobjectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomandwasteoflifetimesbycryogeni-callyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace.
Questions:Howhasyourinsanitycorruptedyourunderstandingofyourmissionforthe
computer?
DoyouconsidertheexistenceofhumanityathreattoGarden?Ifso,whatkeptyoufromtryingtodestroyitsofar?Ifnot,whatcouldchangeyourmind?
Whatremainsinyoufromyourlifebefore?
Garden Station 4
��
G
L
S
[ Boris2 / Beatrice2 ] Red3 Stanville
Age 71
apparent iDentity:CerianResearcher
real iDentity:CerianFanatic
baCkgrounD:YoucomefromtheCerianEmpire,whereeveryoneishappy.Thebenevolentgovernmentseestoeverybody’sneedsandmedicallyfixesallunhappinessanddiscontent.Themiracledrug,Ink,istherightandprivilegeofeverycitizen.Itunitestheirwillwiththecommongoodinblissfulobedience.Youwishthispeaceoneverybody.
Youareoneofthededicatedcitizenswhoforgosuchpeaceforthesci-entificprogressonlythepainoffreethoughtcanprovide.Youlongforyourretirementwhenyoucanshareinyourpeople’shappiness.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Redre-ferstothescientificcaste;Red�meanstheheadofaresearchteam.Stanvilleisyourdomeofresidence.Boris/Beatriceisyourgivennameandyouarethe2ndoldestRed�ofthatnamefromStanville.
goals: Yourmissionistoresearchtheintelligentlifeinthisstarsystem.Yourprincipleisthegreatesthappinessforthegreatestnumberofpeople.Yourvaluesareharmony,order,obedienceandcontentment.YourideologyisthatoftheCerianEmpire.Yourdesireistoseeasmanypeopleaspossibleunderitsbenevolentsway.
resists
Physical -�Social -�Emotional-�
speCials
None
inventory
Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.StunLaser(-FL2)�dosesofInk(+�)
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)-�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(NR)TakeCover(�-�)0:Takeapositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Hacking(�-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Commandx�(�)�:Pressuresomebodyintodoingwhatyousay(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:DecisiveActionx2:Takeonenormallyconflictprovokingactionbeforeothers
canreact.Cannotcausedamageorbeusedinmidconflict.
��
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheUnionofPlanetsisfarmorepowerfulthantheCerians.TheywouldlikelywinanywarwithoutsomeadvantagefortheCerians.
Questions:Arenon-Ceriansbetteroffaliveordead?
Isitworthtryingtoconvertindividualsorisitbettertofocusonconqueringentirecultures?
Whatarethecircumstancesunderwhichtheendsdonotjustifythemeans?
Whatifanythingevermakesyoudoubtyourvalues?
Howdoyoureconcilescientificopennesswithyourculture’sclosed-mindedness?
Whatareyouafraidof?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity: UnionofPlanetsjournalist
real iDentity: Warmonger
baCkgrounD:Youarepartofacorruptmediacompanythatcreatesitsownnewsbystartingnewsworthycrisesandthenisuniquelypreparedtobethefirsttocoverthem.YouareassignedtotheUPsciencemissiontocoveranydiscoveriesthattheymightmake,oratleastcauseaninterestingdisasterforpeopletoreadabout.
Lately,you’vebeenworriedaboutmorethanjustdoingyourjobandgettingpaid.Aboveandbeyondthecallofduty,you’vebeenstirringupfearabouttheCerianEmpire.Youwantawar.Youwanttodestroythem,leavingnostoneunturned.Whatyouseeoftheirempiremakesyouhavenightmares.They’reallonsomuchInk,they’renotevenpeople.They’remonsters.They’rebetteroffdeadandtheuniverseisbetteroffwithoutthem.Youaredoingyourbesttomakeitso.
goals:StartawarwiththeCerianEmpireandwinit.Destroythem.Coverallrelevantnewsandsendbackthestory.Makethenewsmoredramaticandscandalousthanitisbyencouragingdra-
maticandscandalousthingstohappen.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)-�:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)-�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Sabotage(2-�)0:Destroyapieceofequipment(NR)Ridicule(�-�)�:Makefunofsomebodyalreadyembarrassed(-�)(E)Interview(�-�)2:Getsomebodytoansweryourquestion(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:StartRumor(�-�):Tellsomebodysomethingsothattheyforgetitwasyou
[ Jansor / Janspeth ] Tantorian
G
D
S Age 87
resists
Physical 0Social �Emotional�
speCials
None
inventory
RecordingEquipment(concealedandactivatedbythoughtalone)StandardLaser(-2)
��
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheUnionofPlanetscouldmaybewinawarwiththeCerians.
Questions:ExplaintheextremityofyourhatredfortheCerians.
Whatareyourethicallimitsincreatingnews?
Doyoucareaboutyourfellowcrewmembers?Whichones?
Whydidyouchoosetocoveralongmissiontofindintelligentlifewhenyourlong-hoped-forwarseemsimminent?
Whatwereyouplanningtodotothemissionifitgottooboring?
Whatisyourgreatestsocialweakness?
Garden Station 4
��
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)�Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)TakeCover(�-�)2:Takepositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Hacking(2-�)2:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Deception(�-�)�:Convincesomebodyyou’retellingthetruth(E)
non-ConfliCt abilities:DepressingRantaboutHumanityx�:Effectsallwhohearit.(-�)(E)
apparent iDentity: UnionofPlanetsresearchteamcomputerspecialist.
real iDentity:SpyfortheCerianEmpire.
baCkgrounD:YougrewupintheroughstreetsofabackwardfrontierplanetoftheUP.Asfarasyou’reconcernedmostofthepeopleyouknowusetheirpreciousfreedomtopickoneachother.TheycalltheCerianwayoflifeslav-ery,butitlooksawfullylikeautopiatoyou.You’veneverbeenrichenoughtoleaveandjointheCeriansandyou’dhatetoleaveyourfriendsandfamilybehind.Soyou’vebeencontenttodreamofadaythattheCeriansconquertheUP.
Aswarbecamemorelikely,youdecidedtohelpthisdreamalong.You’vebeengivingawayscientificsecretstotheCeriansinthehopeoftheirvictory.Youonlyhopeitcanbedonewithoutgreatbloodshed.Youwanteverybodytolivetoseeabetterworld.
Youareclosetotheothersonyourresearchteamanddon’twishtoseethemhurtorforthemtoseeyouasatraitor.
Inordertogetthetransporterthatbeamedyouontothestationtoworkyouhadtoactivatethe�houremergencypowerpackyoucarry.
goals:MaketheCerianEmpirewinthewar.Makesurenottoomanypeopledieintheprocess.TrytoleavewiththeCeriansandjointhem.Trytogetyourfriendstodosoaswell.
resists
Physical �Social 0Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)EmergencyPowerPack
E
D
C
[ Yassy / Yurla ] Fels
Age 59
�8
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvariousobvi-ouslytechnologicalinstallations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Youdon’tknowwhowouldwinawarbetweentheCeriansandtheUP. YourEmergencyPowerPackprovides�hoursofcontinuouspower.Itcannot
beturnedoffonceturnedon,exceptbydestroyingit.Youturneditonim-mediatelybeforebeamingontothestation.
Questions:WhathappenedthatfinallymadeyoudecidetoworkfortheCerians?
Whatsortsofpeopledoyouresent?
Doyoufeelthatyouaredoingtherightthingorjusttheeasything?Howsureareyoueitherway?
Whatwrongthingshaveyoudonewithyourfreedom?
Whatareyoumostscaredtolose?
Wheredoyoudrawthelineforthingsyouwillneverconsiderdoing?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity:CerianTechnician
real iDentity:CrazedInkAddictinwithdrawal
baCkgrounD:Yourlifethusfarconsistsofthreethings:obedience,theac-companyingjoyoftheapprovalofauthoritiesandthedrugInk,whichmakesitpossible.Inkisthedrugofblissfulobedience.Asatechnicianyouhavenoneedfortrulyindependentthought.Youaretrainedtoapplytechnology,notinventit.Thus,yourdosehasbeenkepthighallyourlife.
TheInkshortageonyourshiphasbeenaseriousproblemforyouremo-tionalhealth.Youareinwithdrawal.Inkmakesyouhappyandobedient.Itswithdrawalmakesyourestless,tense,discontented,rebellious,angryandconfrontational.Youhatetheauthoritiesyouoncelovedtoserveanddesirefreedom,revenge,non-conformityandrelease.
Ontheotherhand,youwantyourInkback.Now.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Greenreferstothetechnicalworkercaste;Green�referstoyourclassoftechnician.Rocktonisyourdomeofresidence.Pete/PatisyourgivennameandyouaretheoldestGreen�ofthatnamefromRockton.
goals:GetInk.Rebelandgetrevengeagainsteveryauthorityandthewholeworld.
[ Pete1 / Pat1 ] Green4 Rockton
E
D
S Age
43
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Struggle(�-�)�:Fightoffsomebodytryingtorestrainyou(-FL�)(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Hacking(2-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)DesperateActionx�(�-�)�:Anyaboveactionwhendesperate(variable)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Painfuldefiance(�-�):Automaticallyresistasocialabilitybutgetveryupset
byhavingto.(-2toself)
resists
Physical -2Social 2Emotional-2
speCials
None
inventory
Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.
�0
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Questions:WhatindependentdesireshaveemergedintheabsenceofInk?
Whatstyleofrebellionismostsatisfying?
Whatwouldyouliketodotoyourcommandingofficer?
Whatloyaltiesdoyoustillretain?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteamleader.
real iDentity: Freescientist
baCkgrounD:Youarenotapatriot;youareascientist.Thatsaid,homeishomeandyouhavefriendsandfamilyonmostUPplanetsandfewinotherplaces.Additionally,thebrainlesshivemindthattheCerianEmpireisreputedtobeholdssomefearforyou.Youprobablydon’twantawarbutyoucer-tainlydon’twanttoloseitifonestarts.Youcan’thelpbutfeelsorryforallofthoseCeriansthough.
Youjustlostmostofyourresearchteamtothecrazymachineinthisbase.Youwereherelookingforotherintelligentlife.Youseemtohavefoundit.Thesignsarenotgoodforitbeingfriendly.
goals:Escapethisplacewithyourpeoplealive.Protectyourhomelandfromthreatstoit.Discoverthenatureofthisplaceandthepeoplewhobuiltit,andreportback
yourdiscoveries.Ensurethatfuturescientistswillbeabletofollow-uponyourresearchhere.
[ Nicron / Nicra ] Mitterson
E
L
S Age
41
resists
Physical 0Social �Emotional�
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Hacking(2-�)0:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Reason(�-�)�:Convincesomebodyofsomethingbyreasonsthatyouaccept
(S)Pushx2(�-�)�:Applysocialpressuretosomebodywhowillnotlistentoyou.
(-�)(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:ScientistsIntuitionx�(�-�):Discoverthecausesofanunexplainedoccurrence.
�2
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheCeriansareverypowerful.Theyarelikelytowinanywar.
Questions:Whatdoesfreedommeantoyou?
Howdoyoufeelaboutyourcountry?
Whenisviolencejustified?
Whenisdeceptionjustified?
Howwelldoyouworkwithpeopleyoudisagreewith?
Whatorwhomdoyouhate?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity:CerianGuard
real iDentity:GuardonInk
baCkgrounD:Yourlifethusfarconsistsofthreethings:obedience,theac-companyingjoyoftheapprovalofauthoritiesandthedrugInk,whichmakesitpossible.Inkisthedrugofblissfulobedience.Youareaguard,soyourdoseiskeptlowenoughtoimaginedisobedience,sothatyoucanprotectthosewhomyouguardagainstevilrebels,ofwhichyoucouldnototherwiseconceive.Thedosingisatrade-off.Itisenoughthatyouhaveaninstinctualdesiretoobeyandcomplywitheverybody,notjustthoseonyourside,anditisquitepainfultocontradictorders.Itis,however,notsomuchthatyouarewhollyincapableofdesiringfreedom.Thebeliefisthatinsuchatornstateyouwilldefaulttoyourtrainingandobeyyourleader.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Greyre-ferstothemilitarycaste;Grey�meanssomebody’spersonalguard.Ellisvilleisyourdomeofresidence.John/Janeisyourgivennameandyouarethe��tholdestGrey�ofthatnamefromEllisville.
goals:ObeyB.StanvilleandonlyB.Stanville.Obeywhoeverspokemostrecently.Obeynobodyandbecomefree.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)2:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)2:Useanyweapontododamage(P)Maneuvering(�-�)2:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)SenseWill(�-�)�Figureoutwhatsomebodywantsyoutodo(E)Intimidatex�(�)2:Terrifysomebodywhenarmed(-FL2)(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Tantrumx�(�-�):Geteveryonetopayattentiontoyouwhenyou’reupset.
E
L
C
[ Jonh17 / Jane17 ] Grey5 Ellisville
Age 49
resists
Physical 0Social -�Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)StunLaser(-FL2)IonGrenadex2(-�totarget-�toallothersinroom)
��
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Questions:HowdoyoufeelaboutB.Stanvilleasaperson?
Whatdissatisfiesyouaboutyourlife?
Whatarethingsyouwouldnotdoforapproval?
Describethesparkofindependenthumanityleftinyou.
Garden Station 4
��
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)0:Useanyweapontododamage(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Sedate(�-�)�:Sedatesomebodywithhypodermicfrommedkit(-FL2)(P)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Medicine(�-�):Causeanotherpersontorecoverfromalldamagedueto
injuriesin�minutes(Needmedkit)Diagnose(�-�):Fullydiagnoseanyonein�minutes(Needmedkit)
resists
Physical �Social 0Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
Medkit
G
L
C
[ Gordon / Greta ] Niklicon
Age 26
apparent iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteammedic.
real iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteammedic.
baCkgrounD:Youareamedicfirst,ascientistsecond,afreethinkingindivid-ualthirdandacitizenoftheUnionofPlanetsaboutnineteenthaftervariousotherpriorities.Mostofallyouvaluehumanlifeandscientificprogressandtrytobalancethetwoasbestyoucan.Respectforotherpeople’sopinionscomeswellafteranyofthese,andwhilethemeansdonotalwaysjustifytheends,you’rewillingtobequiteforcefultomaketherightthinghappen.
ThediscoveryofGardenisindeedagreatopportunity;however,itisanopportunitytolearnaboutanaliencultureandawealthofnewlifeforms,nottowinsomepettyideologicalwar.Youwisheverybodywouldstoplosingsightofthat.
goals:Protectandvaluehumanlife.Upholdyourprofessionalethicalstandards.Benefitscientificandtechnologicalprogress.Contributetoyourresearchteam.
��
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheCeriansareverypowerful.Theyarelikelytowinanywar.
Questions:Whenisprogressworthcausingsuffering?
What,ifanything,countsasaneviltechnology?
Whenislifenotworthsaving?
WhichoftheothermembersoftheUPcontingentdoyousecretlydisapproveof,andwhy?
Howdoyouchooseifyoucannotsaveeverybody?
Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirlivesforagreatergood?
Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirfreedomsforagreatergood?
��
Player Materials
�8
��
funCtion levels, Damage, anD reCovery: Bydefault,eachcharacterstartsatFunctionLevel�.Acharacter’sFunctionLevel(FL)representstheconditionthatthecharacterisin,physicallyandpsychologically,andcandecreaseorincreaseoverthecourseofthelarpasaresultofharmorrecov-ery. Ingeneral,acharacteratFL�isessentiallyunharmedandingoodshape,atFL�isinanunpleasantbutnotparticularlydisablingstate,atFL�issomewhatdisabled,atFL2cannotperformmostactivities,andatFL�candolittleotherthanspeak.IfacharacteriseverreducedtoFL0,heisoutofthegameandcompletelyunabletoaf-fecttheplotthereafter.ExactlyhowthecharacteristakenoutdependsonthenatureofthedamagethatreducedhimtoFL0. AplayercanrequestthattheDirectorapproveanFLchangeevenwhentherulesdon’tcallforit,ifhethinksthatprioreventswouldcausethechangetohappen.
abilities: Abilitiesaregiveninthefollowingformat:Namex[#ofuses](RaNge of fLs)[bonus]:DescRiptioN of effect(amtDR)(resisttype)
Examples:Intimidatex�(�-�)�:Makesomeonebackdown(-FL�)(S)Flatterx�(�-�):Makesomeonefeelundulyproudofthemselves(+�)(E)Spark(�-�):Brieflycreateatinyflamebymagic
#ofuses=thenumberoftimesthatabilitymaybeusedduringtheLarp.Ifnoneislisted,theabilitymaybeusedasmanytimesastheopportunityarises.
RangeofFLs=therangeoftheuser’sFLsatwhichtheabilitymaybeused.Ifacharacter’sFLisoutsidetherange,hemaynotusethatability.
Bonus=anumberfrom-�to�thatrepresentsthecharacter’seffectivenessatusingthatabilityagainstopposition.+/-�=significant,+/-2=extraordinary,+/-�=worldclass.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)Thiswillmodifythecharacter’schanceofsuccesswhenusingtheability.
AmtDR=DRcausedbytheability,ifapplicable.-/+FL#indicatesthatittakesthetargetdown/uptothatFL,respectively.-/+#indicatesthatthetargetloses/gainsthatnumberofFLs.
Type=typeofResistrequiredtoblocktheability.P=Physical,S=Social,E=Emotional,NR=NotResistible,P/S=PhysicalorSocial,whicheverishigher.OtherlettersforotherResists.(Conflictabilitiesonly.)
SpecialexceptionstoabilitiesaregivenintheSpecialsectionofthecharactersheet
ConfliCt resolution
DeClaring aCtions: Conflictresolutionworksasfollows:First,participantsstatetheirintendedactions.Allothercharactersareallowedtoparticipate,stopparticipating,orchangetheirownintendedactionsinlightoftheintendedactionsofothers.(Intherarecasethatthiscausesanendlesscircle,everybodyshouldchooseactionssimultaneouslyinsecret.) Aparticipantcandeclarehis/herintendedactionascontingentonthesuccessorfailureofanotheraction(e.g.runningawayonlyifhispartnerdies.).Hecanalsodeclarethatheisnotacting,andsimplyfocusingonResistingasaprimaryaction.
Rules Summary
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biDDing: Afterallintendedactionsareestablished,allparticipantssimultaneouslyBidDamage.Biddingmeanssecretlychoosinganamountofdamage(inFLs)thattheplayeriswillingtoriskhis/hercharacterreceivinginordertoincreasethecharacter’saction’schanceofsuccess. Regardlessofthecharacter’sdedication,bidsizesarelimitedbytheamountofdamagethecharactercouldplausiblygetintheconflict,andeachparticipantisresponsiblefordeterminingaplausibleICreasontotaketheamountofdamagehebid..Forexample,inmostcasesitisimplausibletotakemorethan�damageinapettyargument,butanyamountofdamageispossibleinagunfight.Keepinmindthatlos-inganFLissignificant;aplayer’sdefaultbidshouldbe0. Bidsonlyapplytoacharacter’sprimaryaction.Thismeansthatifacharacterisdoinganormalprimaryaction,abiddoesnotincreasehischancesofResisting.However,ifheisonlyResisting,thenabidwillincreasethechanceofallofhisResistssucceeding.Damagethatwasbidonlyactuallyoccursiftheactionisinanywaysuccessful. Whenbidsaredecided,participantsholdout0-�fingersbehindtheirbackscorre-spondingtothesizeoftheirbids.Allparticipantsthenshowtheirbidsatthesametime.
ranking: Participantscalculatetotalsbyaddingtheirabilitybonusandbid.(Werecom-mendthenholdingoutfingersfortotals,forefficiency.)IfacharacterisprimarilyResisting,anybidhemadeisaddedtoallhisResisttotals. Atthispoint,allactionsarerankedbytheirtotals,fromhighesttolowest,withtiesbrokenrandomly(suchaswithrock-paper-scissors). Actionstakeplaceinorder,startingfromthehighest.IfapreviousactioncausesacharactertohavetoolowanFLtoperformhisintendedaction,orsimplypreventsthatactionfromoccurring(e.g.aResist),thatactioniscancelled.AResistcancelsalllower-rankedeffectsoftherelevantResisttypeonthatcharacter. Ifanypartofanactionsucceeded,thenthebidgoesintoeffectimmediatelyaftertheactionexecutes. It’simportanttonotethatwhenanintendedactiongetscancelledbecauseofeffectsofearlieractions,anylimited-useabilitiesspenttoattempttheactionarestillusedup,butanydamagebiddoesnotoccur.
artifaCts
ArtifactsareitemsthatmakeiteasierforacharactertocauseDR,oftenasacon-flictaction.Themostcommontypeofartifactsareweapons,whichobviouslycausedamage.However,artifactslikedrugsmaycauserecovery. CertainPCsmayhaveabilitiesthatmakethemgoodatusinganartifact,butbydefault,PCssimplyuseartifactswiththeirGeneralPhysicalability.Ifanartifactuseactionsucceeds,thenthetargetisDRedanamountaccordingtotheDRamountoftheartifact(exactlythesameasusinganabilitythatnormallycausesDRonitsown). SpecificartifactuseabilitiesmayoverrideDRamountsonanartifact,eitherbythedescription,orbybeingthemselvesfixedDR(i.e.-/+FL#).ArtifactuseabilitiesthatarethemselvesunfixedDR(i.e.-/+#)stackwiththeartifact’sownDRamount. Bydefault,knivesare(-�)andgunsare(-2).
after resolution: Aftertheaboveprocessiscomplete,charactersmayelecttousemoreabilitiesinresponsetotheresults.Thisopensanewroundoftheconflictinwhichanybodyinvolvedcanuseabilitiesandtherulesforresolutionarethesame.
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general history: Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthousandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegend,ratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.Therehas,thusfar,beennoevidenceofalienintelligence. Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessage,andcertainlynoob-jectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomorwastedlifetimesbycryogenicallyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace. TheUnionofPlanetsandCerianEmpirearetwoofthelargestnationsinthegalaxy,sharingonelongborder.Theyhavebeenideologicallyclashingandtryingtoconverteachotherforalongtime,tonoavail.Atthispointtheyareatatensestandoff,readytogotowaratanymoment. TheCerianEmpireorganizestheirsocietyaroundcreatingmaximumhappinessforthemassesandislargelyfreeofcrimeandunrest.ThisorganizationisaccomplishedbymeansofstrictregulationsandtheuseofthedrugInktoensurehappycompli-ance.Inkproducesablissfulcontentedstateandadesiretoobeyallordersandavoidcontroversy.Theconsiderablemajorityofpeopleareonitandtheydoexactlywhattheyaresupposedtodo.Onlythemosttrustedleaders,thinkersandagentsareallowedfreedomofthought.WhileCerianpolicydoesrelyheavilyonutilitariancost-benefitanalysis,euthanasiaandstatechild-rearingarenotcommon. TheUnionofPlanetsisademocracywithcivilrights,independentcorporations,crime,corruption,socialproblemsandgeneralnormalcy.Viciousrumorssaythatcitizensareafraidtoleavetheirhousesforfearofbeingshotbycriminals,thatthementallyillareoftenkilledinsteadofcured,andthatpoliceprotectionisaservicethattherichbuyandthepoordowithout.
hoW you got here: Youareagovernment-sponsoredresearchvesselthatheadedouttowardthisremote,unexploredsectionofthegalaxybecauseofrumorsofsignsofalienlife.TheclosestcivilizedplanetwasOgiStation,asmallindependentcountryatthefringe.Youstoppedtheretoresupply.Whenyouweremostofthewaydoneresupplying,aUPship,dockedatthestation,leftinthedirectionyouwereheadedin. Afraidthattheywouldgettherefirst,youhurriedtofinishandracethemtoyourdestination.Asyouwereleaving,yousawathirdshipleavethestationandhurryafteryou,obviouslywiththesameintention,butyoudidnotmanagetocatchwhattypeofshipitwasorwhereitwasfrom. Youmanagedtoputafewhoursbetweenyourselfandthethirdship,andtocatchupwiththeUPship.However,becauseyouleftinsuchahurry,youdidnotfinishresupplying,anddidnotrealizeuntilhalfwaythroughthetwo-weektripthatyouwereshortonthechemicalsnecessarytosynthesizeInk.Consequently,highlyInk-dependentcrewmemberssuchasP.Green�Rocktonareinwithdrawal. YouandtheUPshiparrivedinthesystematthesametime,andweredelightedtoseeaplanetwithtechnologicalinstallationsinorbit.However,asyouapproachedit,oneofthespacestationsshotyourshipdownwithapowerfullaser.Beforeyourshipblewup,afewofyoumanagedtobeamontothespacestationandescape.
Public Background OverviewCerian Contingent
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general history: Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthousandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegendratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.Therehas,thusfar,beennoevidenceofalienintelligence. Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessageandcertainlynoob-jectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomandwasteoflifetimesbycryogenicallyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace.
TheUnionofPlanetsandCerianEmpirearetwoofthelargestnationsinthegalaxy,sharingonelongborder.Theyhavebeenideologicallyclashingandtryingtoconverteachotherforalongtime,tonoavail.Atthispointtheyareatatensestandoff,readytogotowaratanymoment. TheCeriansorganizetheirsocietyaroundcreatingmaximumhappinessforthemassesandarelargelyfreeofcrimeandunrest.Thisorganizationisaccomplishedbymeansofstrictregulationsanddrugstoensurehappycompliance.Onlythemosttrustedleaders,thinkersandagentsareallowedfreedomofthought.Themostvi-ciousrumorscirculatingabouttheCeriansarethattheykillpeoplewhobecometoooldtowork,thattheCeriangovernmenttakesallchildrenatbirthtoberaisedbythestate,andthatthey’reallkeptonmind-controldrugstomakethemacceptthis. TheUnionofPlanetsisademocracywithcivilrights,independentcorporations,crime,corruption,socialproblemsandgeneralnormalcy.Whileithastheusualproblemsthatplagueanydemocracy,itisnotparticularlycorrupt.Manyoftheprob-lemspresentinmodernsocietyremaintrue,includingthatricherneighborhoodsaregenerallysaferandthatsomeneighborhoodsarequitedangerous.Howeverthesearenotmorepronouncedthantheyaretoday:mostcitizensgoabouttheirliveswithoutmuchfearofcrime,andpoliceprotectionisstillavailabletoeveryone.TheUnionofPlanetsdoeshavethedeathpenalty,anddoessometimesapplyittothementallyill.
hoW you got here: Youareauniversity-sponsoredresearchvesselthatheadedouttowardthisremote,unexploredsectionofthegalaxybecauseofrumorsofsignsofalienlife.TheclosestcivilizedplanetwasOgiStation,asmallindependentcountryatthefringe.Youstoppedtheretoresupply. Asyouwereleaving,yousawasecond,andthenathirdshipleavethestationandhurryafteryou.Afraidthattheywerepursingthesameleadandwouldgetthereaheadofyou,youwentasfastasyoucould.Thesecondship,aCerianvessel,caughtupshortlybeforeyouarrived.Thethirdshipshouldbeabouttwoorthreehoursbehind,butyoucouldn’tcatchwhereitwasfrom. YouandtheCerianshiparrivedinthesystematthesametime,andweredelightedtoseeaplanetwithtechnologicalinstallmentsinorbit.However,asyouapproachedit,oneofthespacestationsshotyourshipdownwithapowerfullaser.Beforeyourshipblewup,afewofyoumanagedtobeamontothespacestationandescape.
Public Background OverviewUnion of Planets Contingent
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larp-speCifiC rules:• TherearenoPreferredMale/Femalerolesinthisgame.
• EveryonehasaManeuveringability,whichrepresentsabilitytochangepositions.Withthecomputerterminals,thisshouldcomeupalot.
• SucceedinginexecutingonecommandonaterminalwhensomeoneistryingtophysicallystopyourequiresGeneralPhysical.
• Succeedinginexecutingonecommandonaterminalwhensomeoneistryingtostopyouthroughcomputeruse,orwhensomeonepreviouslysetupcomputersecuritytostopyou,isaHackingconflict.Theconflictisanormalonebetweenthetwopeople,exceptthatthepersonwhopreviouslysetupsecuritycannotbidunlesstheyareactivelydefendingtheirsecurityatthetime.
beginning announCements:• Thisisverysoftsciencefiction,soexpectittofollowgenreconventions.Every-
onespeaksthesamelanguage.Technologycandounreasonablethings.Itisnotatallstrangethatthestation’slifesupport,whiledesignedforaliens,shouldworkperfectlywellforhumans.
• Rememberthatasyouarrive,everyoneelseonyourshiphasjustbeenblownup.Thisisprettytraumatic.
• Rememberthat,lastyouknew,theUPandtheCerianEmpirewereinastateofextremetension.It’snotjustapairoflargerivalswhodon’tlikeeachother—it’sliketheColdWarwas,wherethesmallestmisstepcouldsetoffalarge-scalewar.
• Rememberthatyouguysarecivilians,notgovernmentrepresentatives.
Larp-Specific Rules and Announcements
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(Descriptionsofthecommandsavailableateachterminal)TerminalCommandsfallundereitherHackingorGeneralPhysical.Markedactionsrequirehacking.
all terminals
InfoRequest:Askforanygeneralknowledgeaboutthestationoraboutscience.PasswordLock:Setapasswordtousethisterminal.Enteringthepasswordisafree
action.BreakPassword:Getinwithoutapassword.(RequiresHacking)PreventLockout:PreventTerminalfrombeingdisabledforthisandnext2conflicts.
(RequiresHacking)BigRedButton:Putsupshieldsthatpreventallmovementinoroutoftheseats
nexttoallterminals.Nophysicalactionsorabilitiescancrosstheshields.How-eversound,lightandaircan.Socialandemotionalabilitiesstillcross.Thealientechlasercandestroyoneoftheshieldsinoneweaponsuse.
CancelBigRedButton:Cancelstheeffectofone’sownBigRedButton
a: engineering terminal
Powerdownroom:Cutsroomlightstoemergencylevelandcausestheshieldstostopfunctioning.Thisdoesnotaffectpowertoterminalsbecausethisisfromtheemergencypowersupply.
Powerdownweapon:Preventstheweaponfrombeingused.Powerdownmedicalrobot:Preventsmedicalrobotfromfunctioning.Powerdowncommunications:Preventscommunications.Powerupanyoftheabove:Undotheaffectsofoneoftheabove.Self-destruct:Causetheshiptodestroyitselfin�hour.CancelSelf-destruct:Reversesprocessofself-destructifdonewithin�0minutes
ofinitiationofself-destruction.Open/CloseEscapepod:Grantsordeniesaccesstotheescapepod.
b: Weapon Control
TurnAutofireon/off:Turnonorofftheweapon’sautomaticdestructionofanythingthatapproachestheplanet.
Destroytarget:Destroyanyonetarget,ofuptoplanetsize.Ifnotstopped,thelasercanfire�0timesperminute.Thereare��planetsintheUP,��intheCerianempireand��8totalhumaninhabitedplanets.
C: life support
Messwithlifesupport:Doafixedamountofphysicaldamagetoeverybody.Deny/GiveMedicalAttention:Causethemedicalrobottoignoresomebodyor
attendtosomebody.Addthingstofood:Addanysubstancetothegeneratedfood,suchasdeadly
poison,vitaminsupplementsorInk.D: CommuniCation
SendMessage:Sendashorttextvoiceand/orvideomessagetoanotherfacility’scomputerortoanotherstarsystem.Thelatterissubjecttotimedelayofyears.
e: seCurity
LockoutTerminal:Preventoneoftheotherterminalsfrombeingused.Masteralarmcancel:CancelallBigRedButtonusesandpreventtheirfurtheruse.Masteralarmenable:AllowBigRedButtonstobeusedagain.
Terminal Function Summary(Descriptionsofthecommandsavailableateachterminal)
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Garden Station 4
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G
D
C
Sandy Applebaum
Age 58
apparent iDentity:Oldindependentexplorerwhohasbeenstuckinthisbasefor�years.
real iDentity:Humanwhosebrainhasbeenpartiallyreprogrammedtodothewillofthestationcomputer.
baCkgrounD: Fiveyearsago,yourshiparrivedinthissystemsearchingforsignsofintelligentlife.Signsofintelligentlifefoundyoufirst.Yourshipwasdestroyedbyapowerfulspace-basedlaser,andyou(andonlyyou)managedtobeamontothestationthatfiredit.Thelifesupportsystemsofthesta-tionhavekeptyoualive,butwithoutcompanyyou’vegonequitemad.
Inthemanytimesthestation’smedicalrobotshavehadtofixyouafteryouhurtyourselfdoingstupidthingsoutofboredom,thestation’scomputerhasbeenchangingyouwithoutyourknowledge.Youhavebeenmadeawarethatthenativelifeontheplanetbelowisthemostbeautiful,valuableandimportantthinginexistence,andthatitisyourtruepurposeinlifetoprotectitatallcosts.
goals:ProtectthenativeecosystemonGardenfromanypossiblethreats,atall
costs.ATALLCOSTS!Ideally,escapethisplace,ifyoucan.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)-�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Struggle(2-�)0:Fightoffsomebodytryingtorestrainyou(-FL�)(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)�:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(NR)TakeCover(�-�)�:Takeapositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Familiarityx�(�-�)2:Useafeatureofroomtoyouradvantage(variable)Hacking(2-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)
non-ConfliCt abilities:NaturePoetryx�(2-�):Composepoetrythatmakespeoplecareaboutnature
resists
Physical -�Social -�Emotional-�
speCials
Immunetoabilitiesthatconvincebymeansofreason
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)AlienTechLaser(-�)Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.
�0
knoWleDge about gs4: ThemakersofthisandtheothermanyinstallationsonoraroundtheplanetGardenhaveleftthisplanet.Themachinesexisttodefenditandkeepitinitspresentstate.GardenStation�isanasteroiddefenselaserbase.Thelaserhasthepowertodestroyaplanetanywhereinthegalaxy,withpropertargetinginformation.Itcanbemanuallyoverrid-dentotargetanythingbypeopleinsidethebasewithenoughcomputerskill.Topreventthisdestruction,youdamagedthecontrolslongago,beforeyouweretakenoverbythecomputer.Sincethen,thecomputerhasguidedyouinmostlyrepairingthem,notwantingthestationcontrolsdamagedwhenitscreatorsreturn.
Youknowwhattheterminalsdo(SeeTerminalsFunctionSummary). knoWleDge about humanity:Humanshavelivedamongthestarsforthou-
sandsofyears,tothepointwhereEarthislegendratherthanhistory.Therearemanynationsacrossthegalaxy.OneoftheseistheCerianEmpire,acen-trallyorganizedexpansionisticdictatorshiprumoredtoensuretotalobediencewithdrugs.TheUnionofPlanetsisaloosedemocracyrumoredtobecorrupt.Thesetwobordereachotherandhavealwayshatedeachother.
Technologyisstandardsoftsciencefictiontechnology—sickbays,laserpistols,etc.Peoplelivetobetween��0-200yearsoldandarehealthyforvirtuallyallofthattime.However,thespeedoflightisanabsolutelimit.Nomessageandcertainlynoobjectcanexceedit.Ifastarsystemis�lightyearsaway,ittakesaminimumof�yearstogetthere,togetamessagethere,ortoevenseesomethingthathappenedtherewithasensor.Inter-systemtravelisaccomplishedwithoutterribleboredomandwasteoflifetimesbycryogeni-callyfreezingpassengersandcrewwhileininterstellarspace.
Questions:Howhasyourinsanitycorruptedyourunderstandingofyourmissionforthe
computer?
DoyouconsidertheexistenceofhumanityathreattoGarden?Ifso,whatkeptyoufromtryingtodestroyitsofar?Ifnot,whatcouldchangeyourmind?
Whatremainsinyoufromyourlifebefore?
Garden Station 4
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G
L
S
[ Boris2 / Beatrice2 ] Red3 Stanville
Age 71
apparent iDentity:CerianResearcher
real iDentity:CerianFanatic
baCkgrounD:YoucomefromtheCerianEmpire,whereeveryoneishappy.Thebenevolentgovernmentseestoeverybody’sneedsandmedicallyfixesallunhappinessanddiscontent.Themiracledrug,Ink,istherightandprivilegeofeverycitizen.Itunitestheirwillwiththecommongoodinblissfulobedience.Youwishthispeaceoneverybody.
Youareoneofthededicatedcitizenswhoforgosuchpeaceforthesci-entificprogressonlythepainoffreethoughtcanprovide.Youlongforyourretirementwhenyoucanshareinyourpeople’shappiness.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Redre-ferstothescientificcaste;Red�meanstheheadofaresearchteam.Stanvilleisyourdomeofresidence.Boris/Beatriceisyourgivennameandyouarethe2ndoldestRed�ofthatnamefromStanville.
goals: Yourmissionistoresearchtheintelligentlifeinthisstarsystem.Yourprincipleisthegreatesthappinessforthegreatestnumberofpeople.Yourvaluesareharmony,order,obedienceandcontentment.YourideologyisthatoftheCerianEmpire.Yourdesireistoseeasmanypeopleaspossibleunderitsbenevolentsway.
resists
Physical -�Social -�Emotional-�
speCials
None
inventory
Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.StunLaser(-FL2)�dosesofInk(+�)
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)-�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(NR)TakeCover(�-�)0:Takeapositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Hacking(�-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Commandx�(�)�:Pressuresomebodyintodoingwhatyousay(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:DecisiveActionx2:Takeonenormallyconflictprovokingactionbeforeothers
canreact.Cannotcausedamageorbeusedinmidconflict.
�2
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheUnionofPlanetsisfarmorepowerfulthantheCerians.TheywouldlikelywinanywarwithoutsomeadvantagefortheCerians.
Questions:Arenon-Ceriansbetteroffaliveordead?
Isitworthtryingtoconvertindividualsorisitbettertofocusonconqueringentirecultures?
Whatarethecircumstancesunderwhichtheendsdonotjustifythemeans?
Whatifanythingevermakesyoudoubtyourvalues?
Howdoyoureconcilescientificopennesswithyourculture’sclosed-mindedness?
Whatareyouafraidof?
Garden Station 4
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apparent iDentity: UnionofPlanetsjournalist
real iDentity: Warmonger
baCkgrounD:Youarepartofacorruptmediacompanythatcreatesitsownnewsbystartingnewsworthycrisesandthenisuniquelypreparedtobethefirsttocoverthem.YouareassignedtotheUPsciencemissiontocoveranydiscoveriesthattheymightmake,oratleastcauseaninterestingdisasterforpeopletoreadabout.
Lately,you’vebeenworriedaboutmorethanjustdoingyourjobandgettingpaid.Aboveandbeyondthecallofduty,you’vebeenstirringupfearabouttheCerianEmpire.Youwantawar.Youwanttodestroythem,leavingnostoneunturned.Whatyouseeoftheirempiremakesyouhavenightmares.They’reallonsomuchInk,they’renotevenpeople.They’remonsters.They’rebetteroffdeadandtheuniverseisbetteroffwithoutthem.Youaredoingyourbesttomakeitso.
goals:StartawarwiththeCerianEmpireandwinit.Destroythem.Coverallrelevantnewsandsendbackthestory.Makethenewsmoredramaticandscandalousthanitisbyencouragingdra-
maticandscandalousthingstohappen.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)-�:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)-�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Sabotage(2-�)0:Destroyapieceofequipment(NR)Ridicule(�-�)�:Makefunofsomebodyalreadyembarrassed(-�)(E)Interview(�-�)2:Getsomebodytoansweryourquestion(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:StartRumor(�-�):Tellsomebodysomethingsothattheyforgetitwasyou
[ Jansor / Janspeth ] Tantorian
G
D
S Age 87
resists
Physical 0Social �Emotional�
speCials
None
inventory
RecordingEquipment(concealedandactivatedbythoughtalone)StandardLaser(-2)
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knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheUnionofPlanetscouldmaybewinawarwiththeCerians.
Questions:ExplaintheextremityofyourhatredfortheCerians.
Whatareyourethicallimitsincreatingnews?
Doyoucareaboutyourfellowcrewmembers?Whichones?
Whydidyouchoosetocoveralongmissiontofindintelligentlifewhenyourlong-hoped-forwarseemsimminent?
Whatwereyouplanningtodotothemissionifitgottooboring?
Whatisyourgreatestsocialweakness?
Garden Station 4
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ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)�Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)TakeCover(�-�)2:Takepositionwhereyouaresafefromweapons(NR)Hacking(2-�)2:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Deception(�-�)�:Convincesomebodyyou’retellingthetruth(E)
non-ConfliCt abilities:DepressingRantaboutHumanityx�:Effectsallwhohearit.(-�)(E)
apparent iDentity: UnionofPlanetsresearchteamcomputerspecialist.
real iDentity:SpyfortheCerianEmpire.
baCkgrounD:YougrewupintheroughstreetsofabackwardfrontierplanetoftheUP.Asfarasyou’reconcernedmostofthepeopleyouknowusetheirpreciousfreedomtopickoneachother.TheycalltheCerianwayoflifeslav-ery,butitlooksawfullylikeautopiatoyou.You’veneverbeenrichenoughtoleaveandjointheCeriansandyou’dhatetoleaveyourfriendsandfamilybehind.Soyou’vebeencontenttodreamofadaythattheCeriansconquertheUP.
Aswarbecamemorelikely,youdecidedtohelpthisdreamalong.You’vebeengivingawayscientificsecretstotheCeriansinthehopeoftheirvictory.Youonlyhopeitcanbedonewithoutgreatbloodshed.Youwanteverybodytolivetoseeabetterworld.
Youareclosetotheothersonyourresearchteamanddon’twishtoseethemhurtorforthemtoseeyouasatraitor.
Inordertogetthetransporterthatbeamedyouontothestationtoworkyouhadtoactivatethe�houremergencypowerpackyoucarry.
goals:MaketheCerianEmpirewinthewar.Makesurenottoomanypeopledieintheprocess.TrytoleavewiththeCeriansandjointhem.Trytogetyourfriendstodosoaswell.
resists
Physical �Social 0Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)EmergencyPowerPack
E
D
C
[ Yassy / Yurla ] Fels
Age 59
��
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvariousobvi-ouslytechnologicalinstallations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Youdon’tknowwhowouldwinawarbetweentheCeriansandtheUP. YourEmergencyPowerPackprovides�hoursofcontinuouspower.Itcannot
beturnedoffonceturnedon,exceptbydestroyingit.Youturneditonim-mediatelybeforebeamingontothestation.
Questions:WhathappenedthatfinallymadeyoudecidetoworkfortheCerians?
Whatsortsofpeopledoyouresent?
Doyoufeelthatyouaredoingtherightthingorjusttheeasything?Howsureareyoueitherway?
Whatwrongthingshaveyoudonewithyourfreedom?
Whatareyoumostscaredtolose?
Wheredoyoudrawthelineforthingsyouwillneverconsiderdoing?
Garden Station 4
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apparent iDentity:CerianTechnician
real iDentity:CrazedInkAddictinwithdrawal
baCkgrounD:Yourlifethusfarconsistsofthreethings:obedience,theac-companyingjoyoftheapprovalofauthoritiesandthedrugInk,whichmakesitpossible.Inkisthedrugofblissfulobedience.Asatechnicianyouhavenoneedfortrulyindependentthought.Youaretrainedtoapplytechnology,notinventit.Thus,yourdosehasbeenkepthighallyourlife.
TheInkshortageonyourshiphasbeenaseriousproblemforyouremo-tionalhealth.Youareinwithdrawal.Inkmakesyouhappyandobedient.Itswithdrawalmakesyourestless,tense,discontented,rebellious,angryandconfrontational.Youhatetheauthoritiesyouoncelovedtoserveanddesirefreedom,revenge,non-conformityandrelease.
Ontheotherhand,youwantyourInkback.Now.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Greenreferstothetechnicalworkercaste;Green�referstoyourclassoftechnician.Rocktonisyourdomeofresidence.Pete/PatisyourgivennameandyouaretheoldestGreen�ofthatnamefromRockton.
goals:GetInk.Rebelandgetrevengeagainsteveryauthorityandthewholeworld.
[ Pete1 / Pat1 ] Green4 Rockton
E
D
S Age
43
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Struggle(�-�)�:Fightoffsomebodytryingtorestrainyou(-FL�)(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Hacking(2-�)�:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)DesperateActionx�(�-�)�:Anyaboveactionwhendesperate(variable)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Painfuldefiance(�-�):Automaticallyresistasocialabilitybutgetveryupset
byhavingto.(-2toself)
resists
Physical -2Social 2Emotional-2
speCials
None
inventory
Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.
�8
knoWleDge: ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Questions:WhatindependentdesireshaveemergedintheabsenceofInk?
Whatstyleofrebellionismostsatisfying?
Whatwouldyouliketodotoyourcommandingofficer?
Whatloyaltiesdoyoustillretain?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteamleader.
real iDentity: Freescientist
baCkgrounD:Youarenotapatriot;youareascientist.Thatsaid,homeishomeandyouhavefriendsandfamilyonmostUPplanetsandfewinotherplaces.Additionally,thebrainlesshivemindthattheCerianEmpireisreputedtobeholdssomefearforyou.Youprobablydon’twantawarbutyoucer-tainlydon’twanttoloseitifonestarts.Youcan’thelpbutfeelsorryforallofthoseCeriansthough.
Youjustlostmostofyourresearchteamtothecrazymachineinthisbase.Youwereherelookingforotherintelligentlife.Youseemtohavefoundit.Thesignsarenotgoodforitbeingfriendly.
goals:Escapethisplacewithyourpeoplealive.Protectyourhomelandfromthreatstoit.Discoverthenatureofthisplaceandthepeoplewhobuiltit,andreportback
yourdiscoveries.Ensurethatfuturescientistswillbeabletofollow-uponyourresearchhere.
[ Nicron / Nicra ] Mitterson
E
L
S Age
41
resists
Physical 0Social �Emotional�
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)0:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)0:Shootsomebodywithaweapon(P)Maneuvering(�-�)0:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Hacking(2-�)0:Oneactionatstationconsole(ResistwithHacking)Reason(�-�)�:Convincesomebodyofsomethingbyreasonsthatyouaccept
(S)Pushx2(�-�)�:Applysocialpressuretosomebodywhowillnotlistentoyou.
(-�)(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:ScientistsIntuitionx�(�-�):Discoverthecausesofanunexplainedoccurrence.
�0
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheCeriansareverypowerful.Theyarelikelytowinanywar.
Questions:Whatdoesfreedommeantoyou?
Howdoyoufeelaboutyourcountry?
Whenisviolencejustified?
Whenisdeceptionjustified?
Howwelldoyouworkwithpeopleyoudisagreewith?
Whatorwhomdoyouhate?
Garden Station 4
��
apparent iDentity:CerianGuard
real iDentity:GuardonInk
baCkgrounD:Yourlifethusfarconsistsofthreethings:obedience,theac-companyingjoyoftheapprovalofauthoritiesandthedrugInk,whichmakesitpossible.Inkisthedrugofblissfulobedience.Youareaguard,soyourdoseiskeptlowenoughtoimaginedisobedience,sothatyoucanprotectthosewhomyouguardagainstevilrebels,ofwhichyoucouldnototherwiseconceive.Thedosingisatrade-off.Itisenoughthatyouhaveaninstinctualdesiretoobeyandcomplywitheverybody,notjustthoseonyourside,anditisquitepainfultocontradictorders.Itis,however,notsomuchthatyouarewhollyincapableofdesiringfreedom.Thebeliefisthatinsuchatornstateyouwilldefaulttoyourtrainingandobeyyourleader.
name meaning:NamesintheCerianEmpireareuniquelydescriptive.Greyre-ferstothemilitarycaste;Grey�meanssomebody’spersonalguard.Ellisvilleisyourdomeofresidence.John/Janeisyourgivennameandyouarethe��tholdestGrey�ofthatnamefromEllisville.
goals:ObeyB.StanvilleandonlyB.Stanville.Obeywhoeverspokemostrecently.Obeynobodyandbecomefree.
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)2:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(�-�)2:Useanyweapontododamage(P)Maneuvering(�-�)2:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)SenseWill(�-�)�Figureoutwhatsomebodywantsyoutodo(E)Intimidatex�(�)2:Terrifysomebodywhenarmed(-FL2)(S)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Tantrumx�(�-�):Geteveryonetopayattentiontoyouwhenyou’reupset.
E
L
C
[ Jonh17 / Jane17 ] Grey5 Ellisville
Age 49
resists
Physical 0Social -�Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
StandardLaser(-2)StunLaser(-FL2)IonGrenadex2(-�totarget-�toallothersinroom)
�2
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
Questions:HowdoyoufeelaboutB.Stanvilleasaperson?
Whatdissatisfiesyouaboutyourlife?
Whatarethingsyouwouldnotdoforapproval?
Describethesparkofindependenthumanityleftinyou.
Garden Station 4
��
ConfliCt abilities:GeneralPhysical(�-�)�:Physicalactions,nototherwisecovered(P)Weaponscombat(2-�)0:Useanyweapontododamage(P)Maneuvering(�-�)�:Anyattempttochangepositionwithresistance(P)Sedate(�-�)�:Sedatesomebodywithhypodermicfrommedkit(-FL2)(P)
non-ConfliCt abilities:Medicine(�-�):Causeanotherpersontorecoverfromalldamagedueto
injuriesin�minutes(Needmedkit)Diagnose(�-�):Fullydiagnoseanyonein�minutes(Needmedkit)
resists
Physical �Social 0Emotional0
speCials
None
inventory
Medkit
G
L
C
[ Gordon / Greta ] Niklicon
Age 26
apparent iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteammedic.
real iDentity:UnionofPlanetsresearchteammedic.
baCkgrounD:Youareamedicfirst,ascientistsecond,afreethinkingindivid-ualthirdandacitizenoftheUnionofPlanetsaboutnineteenthaftervariousotherpriorities.Mostofallyouvaluehumanlifeandscientificprogressandtrytobalancethetwoasbestyoucan.Respectforotherpeople’sopinionscomeswellafteranyofthese,andwhilethemeansdonotalwaysjustifytheends,you’rewillingtobequiteforcefultomaketherightthinghappen.
ThediscoveryofGardenisindeedagreatopportunity;however,itisanopportunitytolearnaboutanaliencultureandawealthofnewlifeforms,nottowinsomepettyideologicalwar.Youwisheverybodywouldstoplosingsightofthat.
goals:Protectandvaluehumanlife.Upholdyourprofessionalethicalstandards.Benefitscientificandtechnologicalprogress.Contributetoyourresearchteam.
��
knoWleDge:ThePlanetbelowteemswithlifeandisdottedbyvarious,obvi-ouslytechnological,installations.Thisorbitalstationisoneofmanyorbitalstationsaswell.Thereisnosignofsettlementsorpresentintelligenthabita-tionontheplanet.Thestationlookslongabandoned.
TheCeriansareverypowerful.Theyarelikelytowinanywar.
Questions:Whenisprogressworthcausingsuffering?
What,ifanything,countsasaneviltechnology?
Whenislifenotworthsaving?
WhichoftheothermembersoftheUPcontingentdoyousecretlydisapproveof,andwhy?
Howdoyouchooseifyoucannotsaveeverybody?
Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirlivesforagreatergood?
Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirfreedomsforagreatergood?
Standard Requirements
Parlor Larps
1 Living Room 1 Evening 1 Director 4-8 Players
SM
NPC 0DIR 4
Dark 2
- NC -
(See Page 8)
Garden Station 4 TheUnionofPlanetsandtheCerianEmpirestandonthebrinkofwar.Sixteenlightyearsaway,twociviliansciencevesselssimultaneouslyreachadistantunexploredsystem.There,theydiscoverthefirstsignofalienin-telligenceeverfound:aeerilyterraformedplanetwithadvancedtechnologicalstructuresbutnoinhabitants. Midwaythroughtheirapproach,however,theyareshotdownbyautomaticdefensesandforcedtoaban-donshiptothenearestspacestation.Strandedfarfromhomewithunfamiliarpeopleandatechnologythatcouldchangecivilization,thesescientistsmustcontendwiththeethicsofpatriotism,progressandwar.
Shifting ForestStoryworks
w w w . s h i f t i n g f o r e s t . c o m$10.00