Introduction
This will be a closed session play tabletop style game based in the FM universe, but with MMBN elements. The world map is the Earth's globe. Places and names you are familiar with now do in fact exist largely unaltered in this setting, which occurs in the early 22nd century. In this time period, the technology to seriously develop and deploy mechs called Wanzers (short for Wanderpanzer, which is German for Walking Tank) exists. And they do live up to that moniker in every way implied. More on that later.
It is more important to note that the technology of the time is much like the technology of today, only... more so. Cars and such still exist, although the reliance on oil and petrol to make them work does not (more on the interesting aftereffects of that later, too). There are space stations, a station on Mars, and a station on the moon, while asteroids are being mined to supply resources to keep everything going. But there is no serious space colonization effort underway at this time. Power has moved towards the 'green' side in a radical way, too.
Computers have advanced at the same ridiculous pace, and the general unit of measurement for drive space is something I can only guess at... say an Exabyte. Realistically speaking, AI development, and software development in general, should have advanced to the point that what we know here as Navigators could feasibly exist in this setting. As such, I am including them, because... why not? Just know that they are not called Navigators, and are referred to as AIs. They are not used for merely surfing the web, and are used for quick and intelligent command executions across a broad spectrum of practical applications. They are also expensive, and not everyone owns one. They are also customized specifically for the user's needs, and the very idea of a generic AI assistant is... not a thing. Not yet, anyway.
In this age, medical tech has also advanced to the point that cybernetic implants, replacement limbs, and robotic organs are a fact of life. Cybernetics are expensive, although they are much more readily available in this setting than they are today. They're also far more advanced. Even so, nobody sane is going to replace large portions of their body mass with cybernetic gear. This is not shadowrun, and street samurai do not run about with more hardware than human flesh. That simply is not a thing. Magic is also not a thing. Just wanted that out of the way.
Beyond the tech of the era is the feel and political climate of the era itself. The world is neither in a state of utopia, nor a state of dystopia. The problems of the average person vary by where they live, and, while different in focus, are not terribly different overall from the trials and tribulations of someone living today. Medicine and technology have evolved to make life better, sure, but it's not a giant leap forward. The politics of the era have advanced along the lines of how many predicted they would today, with some silly twists in places. Many first world nations have banded together to form larger meta-nations and economic blocs, or have simply absorbed nearby nations and renamed themselves in the process. I could write about this all day, but really... Wikipedia does it better.
The starting point for the game is Toronto, Canada, U.S.N. The in-game start date is February 2nd, 2112 A.D.
Modus Operandi
MGX will operate in two ways: play by post and session play, with the former being the main mode of game play due to extreme scheduling issues. As these issues have slowed down an otherwise quick tabletop game, the following will be expected of each player in order to keep gameplay running at a decent pace:
- Posts asking for direct GM feedback should be marked with [Interjection] at the bottom of the post. This tells me I need to respond immediately, and lets every other player know to hang back and let me post. I will inform the next player of who needs to post when I am done responding. The turn order reverts to whatever it should normally have been after that player's response.
[li] All players are required to roleplay in some way every turn (unless some exception comes up). Unlike, say, an RE:RN post, a roleplay post for MGX can be just a few words (though realistically, most roleplay is going to be a few sentences). There is no minimum word count or anything observed in this game. You are not going to be pumping out 2+-pages-in-word roleplay posts... possibly ever. In fact, posting a couple of paragraphs is pretty big, much less a page or more. This is a tabletop, so you are expected to roleplay all the time, but you aren't expected to write a novel doing it. :'D
[li] Posts in MGX are short and not particularly taxing, thus each player will be required to post once per day to keep game flow at a steady pace. Failure to do so will lead to eventual ejection from the game.
[li] Players may be reminded or told that it is their turn to post, but they may not badger other players about posting more than once per day. Being told once, usually by the GM or the player who posted before them, is all that is required. Ditto only one post per day is required.
[li] Be respectful to your fellow players. It's hard to want to work together with a player who is always telling everyone off when they don't feel like posting, or a player who is insulting to one or more other players for some reason or another. Ditto for people badgering others to post. This game is going to be difficult for a group of people working together, so a group of people at odds with each other? Totally doomed. I also won't put up with repeated bad conduct, so keep that in mind.
[li] Players who have other activities, trips, etc. that may prevent them from posting should let me, the GM, know by Forum PM in advance. I will, in turn, let everyone else know. Life comes first, sure, but don't leave me thinking you're just skipping out. Likewise, I will also let everyone know if I am going to be unable to post in advance. Communication is key.
[li] If an emergency comes up, and they do, please inform me as soon as you are able. Many unexplained lapses in activity will result in expulsion from the game. Likewise, I will inform everyone if something came up. Stuff happens, so let everyone know.
Session play, known to some as speed posting, will be less common. Session play can occur only if all players are free to attend a session at a given time. Determining when a session will be held will happen well in advance of said session, and will require that all players communicate with me about their schedules. If I am able to find a time slot that works for everyone, I will then officially announce a date and time through Forum PM and update the bottom of this post as a public backup. With regards to session, the following is expected of every player:
- This isn't a rule, so much as a strong suggestion: work together. The game world is already going to be trying to kill your characters off, so don't make my job easier, as it were.
[li] Please be respectful to other players and do not multitask (such as playing a game, watching youtube, or chatting elsewhere and ignoring our session) while a session is being held (or I will toss you out and replace you). The game needs to flow, and having to constantly wait for an inattentive player is irritating. You wouldn't go to a tabletop session, then run off to the bathroom to sit with your iPhone most of the time, so don't do that kind of thing here, please.
[li] If you cannot be at a session, tell me as far in advance as possible, preferably days ahead of time, please. Stuff does come up, and I understand that, but try not to turn that into a regular thing because I will then be forced to replace you to keep the game running. Just like any tabletop.
[li] Show up on time. I'll allow some leeway, since stuff does happen, but don't be late or MIA on a constant basis. That's just disrespectful to the other players and me.
[li] Posting order will be determined by initiative (combat) or player consensus (all other times). I generally wait until all players have acted before responding unless it is appropriate that I respond sooner. In instances where the players would like a quicker response from me, they may request an [interjection] in the chat. After my response, the turn order resumes where it left off. I may also interject in the middle of a turn if necessary, but I tend to keep that to a minimum.
[li] All players are required to roleplay in some way every turn (unless some exception comes up). Unlike, say, an RE:RN post, a roleplay post for MGX can be just a few words (though realistically, most roleplay is going to be a few sentences). There is no minimum word count or anything observed in this game. You are not going to be pumping out 2+-pages-in-word roleplay posts... possibly ever. In fact, posting a couple of paragraphs is pretty big, much less a page or more. This is a tabletop, so you are expected to roleplay all the time, but you aren't expected to write a novel doing it. :'D
In addition to the above, solo or smaller group session play is possible, as are multiple threads of simultaneous play. These things will be worked out as the need arises, but the above rules and guidelines do still apply. Just know that you are expected to attend sessions, follow the above guidelines, and play as a team. Above all else, have fun. (If you are not having fun, tell me. I want to know. Though if you are having fun, I also want to know that. It's a great motivator. :'D )
That about covers it.
The current player roster:
- Chardes
- Raikou
- Harbin
- Fera
The main current posting order:
- Fera
- PaladinGC (GM)
The next game session:
Whee~♪
