Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 15:56:41 GMT -8
Having actually listened to the show now, and yes, though I was joking with my earlier “goths” post, there is a tendency for players that like to draw attention to themselves and grab more than their share of spotlight time to choose Scorpion characters so that they can get extra sidebars while they are ninja-ing. It’s not generally a problem for me as GM (I can get scrupulously fair with spotlight time, calling scene on a Scorpion if their are fannying about) but I always feel that scorpions in my game are missing an opportunity. Basically Scorpion Infiltrator players are doing it wrong - turning up to winter court in their masks and then getting dressed up in their Ninja suits to creep about. If I were playing a Scorpion, my “mask” would be my Lion (or whatever) identity. I’m always encouraging Scorpion players to take, say, the “other school” advantage, and “dark secret” disadvantage to fake being from another clan as a “sleeper”. I haven’t succeeded in getting anyone to go that far, but one did become a monk, and another a ronin. I'd highly recommend the Shosuro Actor school. First couple ranks are identical to the Assassin school, but rank 3-5, you learn a cover identity so tight that with ten minutes of meditation, you can literally swap out your skill lists and be that Lion, be that monk, etc.
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Post by joecrak on Oct 16, 2017 20:02:26 GMT -8
I feel like the pbp was bound to fall apart whether the problem player in question was playing a Scorpion or not.
I remember the whole process of the dude asking, and I immediately rolled my eyes. The Post said
"Unlikely clans(Chances are you won't play one of these unless you come up with a stellar back story) Scorpion Crab Minor clans"
Player answers Guido's questions, and Guido allows it once he got to the point of the matter of why he wanted to play a scorpion, and what he thought they represented. Another player played a crab after the same fashion.
Hell, I didn't even bother trying to play my favorite clan cause of the restrictions, after seeing the guy pitch his Scorpion i was half tempted to try and pitch, but I like Crane too, 2nd best Great Clan, right after Mantis.
Crab player wasn't a jerkface in all the goings on. Scorpion player was. I bet Scorpion player would have created the same problems regardless of the clan he got to play. I remember a lot of complaining about a house rule that was decreed early on, and I'm like: "Dude...we already discussed this, it can't be situational."
I was in the game, barely, and I was looking forward to preventing their marriage into the Crane clan. But then the crane they were supposed to marry left the game, along with them, and then i realized I don't enjoy pbp's, and it all began to fall apart.
Now that that's all out of the way, Scorpion are great in the fiction, my favorite types of scorpion to play are their witch hunter shugenja. Them and the crab are they best and super dedicated to hunting down those tainted by Jigoku's evil!
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Post by yojimbohawkins on Oct 17, 2017 4:50:43 GMT -8
The rank-and-file Scorpion samurai don't need to know the big picture, or even why they have been given a particular task. They generally have complete trust and loyalty in their Clan Champion It's why Duty is the Scorpion's favoured tenet of Bushido, and why there's a quite horrific Traitors' Grove.....
A Scorpion-only game can work really well as a Mission Impossible-style espionage game, as mentioned above. I listened to a good recent example on The Shadow of the Cabal podcast where one of the main characters, a Scorpion bushi, called in a favour from the Shosuro family, and the GM ran a side mission of Shosuro characters stealing an artifact from the Yogo Towers.
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Post by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE on Oct 17, 2017 7:17:50 GMT -8
For my birthday I picked up the L5R card game that just came out. I can see why people would be attracted to the clan and GMs would want to shun playing the clan. It's the difference between a player who plays a Rogue in D&D and someone who plays, well, any character in Blades in the Dark. That difference being "meaningful nuance". The Scorpion Clan can absolutely be the horrible sabotaging jerks as well as the self sacrificing force that keeps the Empire afloat. But as we all know players are pretty hesitant to sacrifice their character if they aren't in the right mindset and having a clan who can insta-kill and get away with it is very alluring to a particular kind of gamer. So moral of the story, if you're going to play L5R make sure that your players know the tone of the setting and what is and isn't allowed at your table. Personally, the moment you ( SirGuido) said "yes, and..." to his idea instead of reinforcing your original request for specific clans I feel like you signaled to that player that your authority as GM can be ignored with the right social engineering. And I don't mean that in an insulting way because I'm just as guilty of it at the table (See: The tale of the Invisible Intangible Super Sorcerer E-Mail). Stick to your guns for that Session Zero and make sure the tone is understood, it's helped me wrangle players in from time to time.
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mysticfedora
Supporter
The truth lies somewhere in between.
Posts: 281
Preferred Game Systems: 5E, PbtA, OSR
Currently Playing: LotFP, 5E
Currently Running: 5E, PbtA, Stars Without Number, CoC 7e
Favorite Species of Monkey: Kong
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Post by mysticfedora on Oct 17, 2017 7:39:21 GMT -8
Really enjoyed this episode. Firstly Stu Venable I would LOVE to play in that game--it's a serious and authentic approach to the idea "if angels and demons were real." Take my money!! Also, I really want to play that horror one shot after you guys broke it down. Underscore the man v man part of that scenario. I would take it old school zombie movie.
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Post by yojimbohawkins on Oct 17, 2017 11:32:22 GMT -8
One thing I do think that some players, especially beginners, misunderstand about the Scorpion is Honour. Scorpion characters aren’t immune to losing honour, because the Honour system in 4E applies to every character regardless of clan or school. Unless you have a technique that allows you to ignore honour losses in certain circumstances (like the Ikoma Lion Shadow school), you still lose honour for acting dishonourably. The Scorpion are just willing to take the hit; it’s what they’re all about, as mentioned above. The number of times I’ve had to have that conversation.....
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 17, 2017 12:14:26 GMT -8
Dear KimiDo you have a moment to talk about the glory of the Crab clan? ^.^
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mysticfedora
Supporter
The truth lies somewhere in between.
Posts: 281
Preferred Game Systems: 5E, PbtA, OSR
Currently Playing: LotFP, 5E
Currently Running: 5E, PbtA, Stars Without Number, CoC 7e
Favorite Species of Monkey: Kong
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Post by mysticfedora on Oct 17, 2017 13:19:39 GMT -8
Dear Kimi Do you have a moment to talk about the glory of the Crab clan? ^.^ Hello! My name is Elder Crab and I'd like to share with you the most amazing book!
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Post by Stu Venable on Oct 17, 2017 19:51:18 GMT -8
Take a whiff: Crab is the poo.
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 17, 2017 20:08:41 GMT -8
Take a whiff: Crab is the poo. Jealousy is an ugly emotion.... It'll eat your soul. *nods sagely*
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Post by Stu Venable on Oct 17, 2017 21:20:06 GMT -8
No no. You misunderstand.
I was paraphrasing Bring It On.
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 18, 2017 4:39:13 GMT -8
I was previously unfamiliar with that.... I think I could have happily gone the rest of my life ignorant... Hate you Stu... Hate you with all of my cold, dark heart. ^.^
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Post by akavidar on Oct 18, 2017 15:19:35 GMT -8
I was previously unfamiliar with that.... I think I could have happily gone the rest of my life ignorant... Hate you Stu... Hate you with all of my cold, dark heart. ^.^ Dude, Bring It On is awesome! I especially like the scene with the thumb.
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 18, 2017 15:32:04 GMT -8
I was previously unfamiliar with that.... I think I could have happily gone the rest of my life ignorant... Hate you Stu... Hate you with all of my cold, dark heart. ^.^ Dude, Bring It On is awesome! I especially like the scene with the thumb. I will take your word for it. Considering all the drek that my brother has subjected me to, I’ve earned a reprieve. This alone gives me all the passes ever. www.imdb.com/title/tt0229482/
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Post by joecrak on Oct 18, 2017 18:54:33 GMT -8
Bring it On is great Mantis clan is better though Crab clan are okay.
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