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

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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.)

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• 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

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


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


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


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


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)

��


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


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.

��



Questions:Whenisprogressworthcausingsuffering?

What,ifanything,countsasaneviltechnology?

Whenislifenotworthsaving?

WhichoftheothermembersoftheUPcontingentdoyousecretlydisapproveof,andwhy?

Howdoyouchooseifyoucannotsaveeverybody?

Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirlivesforagreatergood?

Isitrighttoforcepeopletogivetheirfreedomsforagreatergood?

��

Player Materials

��

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

�0

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)

Garden Station 4

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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


speCials

Immunetoabilitiesthatconvincebymeansofreason

inventory

StandardLaser(-2)AlienTechLaser(-�)Scanner:Determinespropertiesofobjectsandhealthofpeople.

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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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[ 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


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.

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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


speCials

None

inventory

RecordingEquipment(concealedandactivatedbythoughtalone)StandardLaser(-2)

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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


speCials

None

inventory

StandardLaser(-2)EmergencyPowerPack

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[ Yassy / Yurla ] Fels

Age 59

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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

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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.

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Questions:WhatindependentdesireshaveemergedintheabsenceofInk?

Whatstyleofrebellionismostsatisfying?

Whatwouldyouliketodotoyourcommandingofficer?

Whatloyaltiesdoyoustillretain?

Garden Station 4

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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


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



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


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


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.

��



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

shifiting forest gs4

Documents

rules summary

larpspecific rules

character overview

rules examples

character summary chart

secret background overview

terminal function summary

gamespecific information