So now, Kim Whiskers has his job, to break back into Wylltech and retrieve a box. I skipped the conversation where he received the info so I could just get into the game. But long story short, he has to find a long white box with black straps around it and red lettering.
To find it, I'll be using Mythic's One Page Location Crafter (Mythic Magazine #31). This allows you to explore a location without much planning or paperwork. For it's size, I'll got with Medium because it is a building but not a town.
I'll also be using the Lists mentioned in Magazine #17. Lists are used usually for when you meet various characters, but they have other uses as well. For the Location Crafter, whenever I roll sn Encounter Descriptor (I'll explain this later), I'll roll instead on my List.
Here's my List (Yes, I know my handwriting leaves something to be desired):
I knew the building had security cameras, so first I rolled for them:
(Q) Do the security cameras have an Awareness of +1 (Likely) Exceptional Yes + Random Event.
This means the difficulty (also called Resisted Rank, though I tend to remember Diff better) is +2.
(Event) "Danger," "Harm."
Ooh, that doesn't sound too promising. I'm guessing that means the cameras fire a taser if they catch someone. To keep things simply, I use the +2 also for the cameras shooting and the Damage if they unfortunately hit. Later I rolled for Toughness and got -1. That means the cameras can dish it out but they're rather fragile.
(Q) Are there Laser Beams as well? (Likely) Yes.
Laser beams actually seemed like a better explanation than the cameras, but now I have a little bit of variety. The beams, which stay in place, have a lower difficulty but the base of them is still fragile.
(Q) Do the Security Guards have the same stats as police officers? (Unlikely) No.
(Q) Do they have Awareness of +1? (50/50 because I'm not sure) X-Yes (so +2).
So the guards have excellent vision and hearing but terrible combat ability. I guess worse case scenario, they just sound the alarm.
The final Encounter is a Puzzle, which I recently read about in Magazine #23. With the Mythic rules, you can easily generate puzzles to solve. I'll treat these as bypassing security and similar things.
Now you may have noticed Slots 5-10 are blank. If I roll those I'll instead roll on the Descriptors table that is included in the Location Crafter and just make it up from there.
I am doing one thing differently with the Location Crafter. When you enter each Area, you're supposed to roll 3 times on the Area Elements table. Instead, I'm only rolling once because when I tried this before, I kept forgetting how many times I had rolled before. It seems to work fine that way.
A recap of Kim's stats:
Kimmy Whiskers
Level 1 Villain (midway between hero and villain)
Body: 0, Agility: +1, Mind: +2, Talk: 0, Heart: -1.
Skills: Bluff: +2, Sneak +1.
Now onto the game . . .
Kimmy Whiskers drove his truck back through the gate. Surprisingly, the guard took one look at the truck and let him pass without another look. Maybe they were told they were done once the building was cleared out so the sooner the better. He pulled out a camping backpack from the truck and threw it over his shoulders.
Works for me, Kim thought, as he pulled up to the building. Reaching the back door, he entered the building.
I'm curious.
(Q) Is this the same room where Vyper fought Willard? (50/50) No.
After using the code Drab had given him, Kim entered the building.
First Area. Progress Points = 0.
Element: Encounter Descriptor (We're not wasting any time!): Laser Beams.
Kim found himself in a hallway. Lining the walls were beams of light. Probably not the best idea to touch them. Inching to the wall, he searched for the panel to disable them.
I'll use the Awareness, +1, for this to keep the game going quickly. Kim has Mind +2 versus the +1 diff.
(Ability) Does Kim disable to lasers? (+1 mean Likely) Yes.
Opening the panel, he pulled on some wires, and the lasers vanished. Well, that was easy, he thought with a sigh. Reaching the end of the hallway, he opened the door.
We now gain 1 Progress Point, which goes to Kim accomplishing his goal (finding the box for Drab).
Area 2. PP = 1:
Element: Object ("Suspicious," "Guidance.")
(Q) Is it a map? (Likely) No.
(Q) Is it a computer terminal with a layout of the building? (Very Likely) Yes.
Entering an almost empty room, Kim noticed a table against the wall with a computer on it. Hanging from the wall was a monitor. As he peered closer, he noticed it had a map of the building (I guess Willard didn't believe in screen savers). After staring at the screen for a minute or two, Kim decided on which route to take. Still, he decided to be a little extra cautious, considering whoever left the computer on could be nearby.
+1 PP.
Area 3. PP = 2:
Element: Object ("Bizarre," "Mundane.")
(Q) Is it another computer? (50/50) X-Yes.
After walking a ways down a hallway. and entering a similar room, Kim found a second computer. This one was huge and took up the entire wall. This looked like an office, but one that may have been occupied recently.
(Q) Are there pictures on the wall? (Likely) No.
(Q) Are there books or notebooks in the room? (Very Likely) X-No.
(Q) Are there disks of any kind in the room? (Very Likely) No.
(Q) Are there boxes in the room? (Likely) Yes.
(Description) What's in the boxes? ("Heavy," "Lacking")
He also noticed several boxes stacked against the bare walls. They were taped pretty tight, and when he tried to nudge one of them, he noticed it was rather heavy. Kim decided to see what was on the computer.
(Q) Is the computer on? (50/50) Yes.
(Desc) What's on it? ("Mysterious," "Light")
The computer seemed to set up the various lighting in the different rooms of the building. some were blinking while others were completely off. Kim couldn't understand the language on the computer so he left it.
Area #4. PP = 3:
Element: Expected, Return.
The hallway looped around and Kim found himself back to the first room. Searching around, he located another door and gave it a try.
Area #5. PP = 4:
Element: Expected. (Screw it, I'm rolling 2 more times).
Element: Location ("Lonely," "Fragrant.")
Element: Location ("Artistic," "Loud,.")
Kim found himself inside what appeared to be a break room. He saw two doors leading to bathrooms to his left. The walls were covered with bright colored drawings and designs. Reaching the opposite door, he went through.
Area #6. PP = 5:
Element: Location ("Valuable," "Threatening.")
Element: Expected.
Element: Encounter.
Finally, an encounter!
I roll first on my list: Descriptor. (Okay, fair enough).
Desc: ("Impressive," "Mechanical.")
The lab had an assortment of robotic parts. Some of which looked like dangerously sharp objects. At least they did to Kim. Lying on a table was a humanoid robot.
(Q) Is it human-size? (50/50) No (so half size)
(Q) Is is complete? (Unlikely) No.
(Q) Is it operational at all? (Very unlikely) No.
The robot was missing a leg and its head and chest were missing a number of parts. No lights could be seen on the robot, and it wasn't hooked up to any power sources. Most likely, it was abandoned before being finished. While the robotic parts did seem like could be worth selling, the real reward was the box he was sent for, so Kim continued on.
Area #7. PP = 6:
Element: Encounter ("Fragile," "Equipment.")
Element: Expected.
Element: Object ("Atmosphere," "Familiar.")
Entering another equipment room, Kim saw walls filled with a bunch of spare parts. Bumping into one, he caught it before it hit the ground, but the piece fell apart in his hands. Must be either old or worthless, he thought.
Get ready for some rapid-fire questions:
(Q) Is there anything valuable in here that easy to take? (50/50) Yes.
Since I rolled a solid yes, I'm going to make a Difficulty of +1 to search. He has Mind +2, so I'll use that to search.
(Ability) Does Kim find the valuable item? (+1 means Likely) Yes.
(Desc) What is it? ("Character," "Move.")
(Q) Is it a teleporter? (Likely by the desription) Yes.
(Q) Is it portable? (Unlikely) Yes - Random Event.
(Event) ("Start," "Delay.")
(Q) Does it work? (50/50) Yes.
(Q) Is the Difficulty of it +2? (Likely) Yes.
(Ability) Does Kim figure out the teleporter? (0 means 50/50) Yes.
Sitting in a metal box, Kim found what looked like an old handheld computer attached to a hexagonal dish. Also in the box he found instructors for a matter-transfer device. Kim's eyes lit up. An actual teleporter? Awesome! He didn't have time to figure it out as he still had his main goal to seek.
Area #8. PP = 7:
Element: Expected.
Element: Object ("Bizarre," "Large.")
Element: Encounter: Camera.
Moving through the door to the next room, Kim froze in his tracks and saw the camera hanging from the ceiling. It shone a red light onto the floor, and Kim also noticed scorch marks along the floor and opposite wall. This camera didn't just spot intruders; it also shot them! Holding his breath, Kim prepared to navigate past the lights.
The Difficulty is +2 versus Kim's +2 Mind and +1 Sneak for +3 total.
(Ability) Does Kim sneak past the camera? (+1 means Likely) X-Yes.
Flattening against the wall, Kim easily slipped under the camera. As he did so, he noticed it moved in a predictable pattern. Maybe the next one did the same.
(I'm counting the Exceptional result as a +1 on his next roll).
Area #9. PP = 8:
Element: Object ("Rare," "Useful.")
Element: Object ("Artistic," "Natural.")
Element: Location ("Creepy," "Business.")
Finding an office adjacent to the labs, Kim looked around and saw pictures of various women. Nothing new there, people have interest. That is until he noticed they were photographs, not of models, but of ordinary women in the world. Someone had taken subtle pictures of these women and displayed them in his office. At least it might be a he.
(Q) Is it a he? (Likely) Yes.
The name plate read 'Ronald Dalton.' Okay, a wee bit unsettling. Kim also found some flash cards in a small container on the desk. Not wanting to get noticed though, he left them right where they were.
Area #10. PP = 9.
Element: Expected.
Element: Expected, Exit.
Element: Expected.
Opening the door to the lab, Kim looked around. Most of the lab was empty, having already been cleared out recently. The room was pretty desolate. However he did see an emergency exit door. Good to know in the near future. Time to check out the next lab.
Area #11. PP = 10.
Element: Location ("Business," "Resource.")
Element: Encounter: Security Camera.
Element: Expected, PP-6.
Instead of a lab, Kim found himself in an office. Another security camera hung from the wall.
(Ability) Does Kim bypass the camera? (+2 means Very Likely) Yes.
Kim slipped past the camera and reached the next door. Looking back, though, he saw more than one door behind him and couldn't remember which way to go for the exit. Uh oh.
Area #12. PP = 4.
Element: Location ("Enclosed," "Bleak.")
Element: Encounter: Laser Beams.
Element: Positive ("Weapon," "Bright.")
Finding an incredibly dark hallway, Kim noticed more lasers separating him from the next door. Reaching the familiar wall panel, he set out to investigate it.
(Ability) Does Kim bypass the lasers? (+1 means Likely) No - Random.
(Event) "Communicate," "Move."
Unfortunately, Kim's finger slipped and he saw a spark. Jumping back, he avoided getting shocked, but then the lasers disappeared. Well that's promising, he thought, until red slights began flashing and alarms began to blare. Spinning to the door before him, Kim raced forward and through it.
I counted the weapon part of the previous roll as Kim avoiding getting hurt. However, from here on, all Object rolls will be treated as Encounter rolls, and I'll roll twice on my list if I get 5 or higher, since now security may be a little curious.
Area 13. PP = 5.
Element: Expected, Return.
Element: Encounter: Security Guard.
Element: Encounter: Security Guard.
Kim found himself in a previous room, with multiple doors. He couldn't remember which room this was, but then two guards entered the room. Luckily, they hadn't noticed him yet.
Kim's going to try to sneak into the closest door before the guards see him. The guards have +2 Awareness, so collectively it'll be +3 total, versus Kim's +3 sneaking. I'll treat this as an Ability check and a Clash if he fails.
(Ability) Does Kim succeed in sneaking past the guards? (50/50) Yes.
Making barely a sound, Kim stayed low, silently opened a close-by door, and slipped in.
Area #14. PP = 6.
Element: Location ("Full," "Unpleasant.")
Element: Expected.
Element: Expected.
Kim again found himself in a room with lots of gurneys. Each one had a sheet covering a familiar shape. Feeling a chill down his spine, Kim rushed through the room and to the next door.
Area #15. PP = 7.
Element: Encounter: Puzzle.
Element: Expected, Complete.
Element: Expected.
Puzzle Descriptor: "Timed," "Barrier."
Puzzle Reward: "Help," "Joy."
Puzzle Consequence: "Enemies," "Physical."
(Q) Is the puzzle Difficulty +2 (Likely) Yes.
Kim found another lab, with boxes on several tables. On one table, he saw the white box he was looking for. Unfortunately, it was locked in a clear safe. As he pressed the main button, the phrase, "Passcode needed," appeared on the screen. Above it, however, a timer began to descend.
I'm combining all of the above to mean Kim must figure out the code or (on an X-No) it'll alert a lot of guards. Kim's Mind is +2, giving him a 50/50 chance to bypass it. For the timer, I'll raise the Difficulty each time and count Doubles as the keypad going into lockdown.
(Ability) Does Kim bypass the puzzle? (50/50) No, but he can try again,
(Ability) Does Kim bypass the puzzle? (Unlikely) No.
(Ability) Same. (Very Unlikely) Yes.
The first two times, Kim got an 'Incorrect Code,' result. Finally, however, he figured it out. Opening the safe, he pulled out the box and stuffed it into his backpack. Then he raced to the door to find a way out of the place.
Area #15. PP = 8.
(Now I'm just looking for the exit.)
Element: Expected.
Element: Encounter: Guard.
Element: Encounter: Guard.
Kim opened the next door but saw several guards running in. Shutting the door, he looked around. Guards would probably be entering the previous room as well. He was trapped. Unless . . . Opening his backpack, he looked over the teleporter. He had no idea how it worked, but the best things sometimes came about from desperation.
Before, Kim made a check to notice the object was a teleporter. Now he's going to try and use it. I'm making the difficulty +2 again.
(Ability) Does Kim figure out the Teleporter? (50/50) Yes.
Tapping a few keys, Kim noticed a map of the room appeared on the screen. With his fingers, he moved the map until he saw the outside door and his truck. Then he pressed 'Send.' A glowing light appeared before him. Just as both doors to the room burst open, Kim leaped into the light. He then found himself next to his truck. Jumping in, he headed for the exit.
(Q) Is the guard at the gate suspicious? (Likely) Yes.
As he reached the gate, the guard stopped him. "What's going on with the alarms?" he asked.
Kim pretended to shrug. "I don't know. I was loading up when they went off. Honestly, if there's trouble, I'd rather be out of here, especially if someone's trying to steal this stuff."
This is a Bluff attempt. Kim has Bluff +2. The guard has Awareness +2.
(Clash) Does Kim succeed in bluffing the guard? (50/50) Yes.
The guard waved him through. "Go ahead."
Kim pretend to be relieved. "Thanks." He drove away as the alarms continued in the background.
So Kim succeeded with his mission, acquired the device for Drab, but also got a new toy for himself.
Kim earned 2 Hero Tokens. That also means he can roll to improve his Level. Since he's going to Level 2, the Difficulty is -2. I'm going to have him spend both his Hero Tokens to give him an even chance.
(Level Up) Does Kim improve to Level 2? (50/50) Yes.
Kim is now Level 2, with 3 more Ability Points.
His new stats are:
Body: 0. Agility: +3, Mind: +3, Talk: 0, Heart: -1
Skills: Bluff: +2, Sneak: +1.
Power: Teleport (Since it’s a device, I’ll use Mind instead of Heart)
Next time, we'll be seeing another character making an introduction.
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