Espionage Roleplaying Game: Recruitment

[mordhiem]

Okay, I have decided to go ahead and run an RPG simmilar to (read: completley ripped-off from) WSUCougar's Fantasy RPG game. I have thought about doing this for a few days, but have finally summoned the guts to post it. :)

Rather than being a fantasy setting, this will be an espionage/secret agent game set in the modern world. The players will play opertatives for a shadowy, secret organisation, known only as 'The Agency', that hires it's services out to various 'clients' with the claim that it can solve any problem. The players will start as new recruits in this agency, arriving from various walks of life with various different skills at their disposal. The ragtag bunch of individuals will be required to work together to accomplish their mission objectives and can do so in any way they have avaliable, 'The Agency' doesn't care how as long as their organisation isn't revealed to the public and it satisfies their 'client'. At the operatives disposal are the very most technologically advanced gadgets and gismos around, a wide range of vehicles, one of the largest armories in the world and a seemingly unending supply of finance. Of course, The Agency is not going to let a team of newbies run around with all the best toys right away, so supplies of these high tech goodies will have to be earned. More information will be forthcoming later dependant on interest levels.

The game mechanics will be using the Spycraft D20 RPG, but as a player you will not need to know the rules, or even necessarily know that they are working behind the scenes. The style I am aiming for is James Bond/Mission Impossible, action/adventure movie concept, with some Dirty Dozen-esque character interaction (that's where you, the players, come in of course :)).

If you're interested, just post here and we'll go from there.

[WSUCougar]

Fair's fair...I'll give it go. ;)

[sachmo71]

I'm in, too.

[Barkeep49]

I'd be interested in giving this a shot.

[Franklinnoble]

Can I be Jim Brown?

[Nyarlahotep]

I'm down for this.

[Coffee Warlord]

Sure thing, I'll try it.

[Blade6119]

im in

[Chief Rum]

Sure, why not?

CR

[Swaggs]

Another opportunity to shoot Chief in the back while he's not looking?

I'm in. :)

[MacroGuru]

Im in.

[Blade]

I am very interested...don't know the system at all though...but I am up for it!

[Qwikshot]

How intensive is it? I'm interested but I don't spend a lot of time around anymore.

[damnMikeBrown]

I played "Top Secret" a few times when I was a kid. I never really liked the espionage part of it...I just kept whipping out my Mac-10 to deal with things :)

[mordhiem]

An excellent response! It looks like I we have enough players to run two teams, which gives me a terribly interesting idea...

I am a bit short for time at the moment, so I will post up more details re: background info, character generation etc. later tonight (GMT).

[mordhiem]

First, a few basic concepts about the system we'll be using.

Attributes: Your agent's basic mental and phyisical make-up.


Strength - Your agent's physical power and musculature. Especially valuable for agents who wish to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
Dexterity - Your agent's hand-eye coordination, reflexes, agility, balance, etc. Valuable to agents who want to be good drivers or skilled with firearms.
Constitution - Your agents toughness and ability to take punishment. Useful for those wishing to partake in any form of violence.
Intelligence - Your agent's ability to learn and reason. Valuable to agents who want a wide range of skills.
Wisdom - Willpower, common sense, intuition, perception and general real-world experience. Valuable for those who want to have a handle on the world around them.
Charisma - Strength of personality, persuasiveness, attractiveness and general likeability. For those agents who plan to lead, swindle or seduce others.


The score of each attriubute determines how good you are at using that particular ability of your person.

8-9 -1 modifier to related checks
10-11 no midifier to related checks
12-13 +1 modifier to related checks
14-15 +2 modifier ...
16-17 +3 modifier ...
18-19 +4 modifier ...

You will select your character's attributes by using what is known as a 'point-buy' system. All your character's stats start off at 8 (-1 modifier) and then you have 36 points to spend on your attributes. Moving from 8 to 10 costs two points, 10 to 12 costs another two, 12 to 14 costs two more again, 14 to 16 costs four and going from 16 to 18 costs six. Essentially it boils down to:

8 score costs nothing (-1 modifier)
10 score costs 2 points (no modifier)
12 costs 4 (+1)
14 costs 6 (+2)
16 costs 10 (+3)
18 costs 16 (+4)

Class: Your agent's class determines his role in the field. There are six base classes to choose from:


Faceman - An expert 'con man' and master of disguise, the Faceman is often sent in to gather information before an operation. Charisma and trickery are his main weapons.

Fixer - This guy has what the team needs, when the team needs it. and if not, they know how to 'procure' it. The fixer doubles up as a burglar and an early warning system.

Pointman - Versatility is the key, pointmen are true 'jack of all trades'. This and their unique ability to assist other team members usually make them natural choices for leaders.

Snoop - A master of information and how to obtain it. Half hacker half electronic bloodhound, these guys can do wonders with a laptop and a few tools.

Solider - The muscle of the team, elimination is the name of the game here. A bit more than handy with a gun he proves formidiable in combat situations.

Wheelman - Aside from knowing how to drive anything with or without wheels, the wheelman knows his way around machinery and doubles as the teams mechanic/engineer.


Remember, just because you are not a Wheelman doesn't mean you cannot drive a tank, or that if you're not a Soldier you are useless with a gun in your hand. You are a secret agent after all, it's just that those in certain classes are even better than your average super spy at their speciallity.

Department: Your agent's department is essentially his background. There are many, many departments so for easiness, I will select your character's department myself based on the character bio you send me.

That is all the character creation info for the moment. What I now want anyone who is intereseted to do is to PM me with a) Your character's attributes b) Your character's class and c) A bio about your character's history and personality. The bio does not have to be an opus of any kind, a decent paragraph or two will be plenty and you are very free to develop your character later down the line. EDIT: Also include a codename by which you would wish your character to be known by. After you have PM'ed me, I will send a reply detailing how to continue with the next step of the creation process - skills (how good your character is at performing certain tasks) and feats ('special moves' your character can pull off, or specific advantages they posess). If you haven't already replied, don't think you're out of it! The more the merrier and the more we get, the bigger the possibility of a really cool idea I have come up with...

[mordhiem]

How intensive is it? I'm interested but I don't spend a lot of time around anymore.

the intesity level is up to the individual really. Some players can deiliberatley take a back seat role whilst others will want to be involved in every minute detail. If anyone is going to be away for an extended period of time I can play their character for the duration as an NPC (non-player character) if the player so wishes.

[Blade]

My character info has been sent!

[Qwikshot]

the intesity level is up to the individual really. Some players can deiliberatley take a back seat role whilst others will want to be involved in every minute detail. If anyone is going to be away for an extended period of time I can play their character for the duration as an NPC (non-player character) if the player so wishes.

I'll give it a shot, love spy games.

[MrBug708]

I'd like in...

[Barkeep49]

I sent mine in.

I hope we end up with a balanced group.

[Groundhog]

If I'm not too late, I'd like to be in.

[Travis]

Sent mine in.

(just in case your pm box is full).

[Franklinnoble]

I sent mine in yesterday.

[WSUCougar]

Mine's in.

[Qwikshot]

I sent mine in.

[sachmo71]

I expect to do mine tonight, if there is still time.

[mordhiem]

Yes, there is still plenty of time. Currently, I have recieved Char info from:

Coffee Warlord
Nyharlahotep
Blade
Franklinnoble
Barkeep49
Travis
Groundhog
Qwikshot
WSUCougar

If anyone out there still wants to join in, just send a PM with the afformentioned details. (Note: Currently, we have no Wheelman and another Faceman would be useful).

Soon, I will send out the PM's regarding the next stage of character building.

[Coffee Warlord]

Heh. Nobody wants to drive.

[Nyarlahotep]

Of course nobody wants to chauffer you backseat drivers around.

[Qwikshot]

I'll volunteer for the wheelman job...

[Barkeep49]

The system actually has a lot of cool stuff for drivers to do...

[Coffee Warlord]

Running over people in a Hummer *is* rewarding. :)

[Nyarlahotep]

Running people over while getting a hummer is more rewarding.

[Franklinnoble]

Running people over while getting a hummer is more rewarding.
Hey... now *I* wanna be wheelman....

[Nyarlahotep]

Hey... now *I* wanna sit next to the wheelman....

Don't scare off our potential drivers.:p

[Ragone]

I'm in :)

[Barkeep49]

Bump.

[mordhiem]

Don't worry. Things are still moving forward. I am just finalising everything on the GM side with what the scenario will be etc.

We will move onto the stage of selecting feats and skills as soon as I finish writing up the post to let you choose them. It is fairly difficult without without just copying copius amounts of copyrighted material!

[Ragone]

What should we call our team?

Mission Improbable? :)

[Barkeep49]

Mission Difficult always had a ring to it for me.

[Ragone]

B-Team!

[sachmo71]

The Divergers!

[Franklinnoble]

Lambda Lambda Lambda?

I got nothing.

[mordhiem]

Hint: You will need two team names... ;)

[Ragone]

can we get the layout of the teams or who is on what team so we can decide on such? :)

[Nyarlahotep]

All I know is whatever team I'm on is numba one in the hood g.

[Ragone]

Thats kinda long to say on the 2 way's.. hah

[Nyarlahotep]

Thats kinda long to say on the 2 way's.. hah
Ain't no step for a stepper.

[WSUCougar]

The Tal Shiar.

[Coffee Warlord]

The Plaid Hand

[Ragone]

Man wsu.. i didn't wanna be a part of the romulan empire..

I know nyarlahotep.. we can name the team after the supercomputer frylock makes

OoGhiJ MiQtxxXA

[Nyarlahotep]

I am mostly messing around just to keep this near the top. I wasn't suggesting a name. I was saying we ARE numba one in the hood.

[sachmo71]

So....what's up? I like my guy! I want him to LIVE!!!

[mordhiem]

Hooray, exams are over!

What are Skills?

Simply put, Skills are what your character is good at doing. Skills are used and tested against by the following method:

Roll of 20 sided dice + any relevant modifiers VS score set by GM depending on difficulty (the DC)

This is the basic way of resolving actions in Spycraft and is used in combat also. The relevant modifiers for skill checks can include:

Ability modifiers (e.g. Strength 14 gives a +2 bonus to trying to bash down a door)
Number of ranks in a skill (4 ranks give +4, 7 give +7 etc.)
Favourable or unfavourable conditions (e.g. +2 when attempting heat bypass surgery with the finest tools, -4 if attempting it with a knife and fork)

The difficulty check (DC) of a test is set by me, the GM, and depends on how difficult it is:

Simple everyday tasks require no check at all (riding a bike, using a search engine to find information, driving a car quickly because you're late etc.)
Tasks that are easy, but require concentration or a little extra effort: DC 10 (walking along a very slippery surface, solidly tying a boat to a mooring with a rope etc.)
Tasks that require some skill and can be challenging: DC 15 (fixing a broken radio transmitter with no manual or documentation, convincing a security guard that you need to go back into the office after hours only to pick up some documents you accidentally left there)
Pretty difficult tasks that even skilled can people find tough: DC 20 (Bypassing an electronic security lock, hacking into the CIA mainframe)
Extremely challenging tasks that need very skilled people to even attempt: DC 25 (weaving through urban traffic at 120 mph in a pick-up truck, lip reading a conversation from 20 meters where you can clearly see only one persons face)
Feats of truly heroic magnitude: DC 30+ (chiseling your way out of a cell with only a set of car keys and some deodorant, getting past security at Buckingham Palace by saying you are Prince Charles' long lost half-brother)


Note that you will never know the DC of any action you attempt, only that you failed or succeded.

The most basic 'skills' are simply attribute checks. These use your basic attributes (Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma and Wisdom) to act as modifiers in a check. If your character downs 8 shots of vodka in 90 seconds, make a CON check to see if he's still standing. Can your character name the greek god of wine? Make an INT check. For more advanced activities however, you require the use of specialist skills, which you must acquire ranks in.

Gaining Ranks in Skills

At every level a character gets a certain number of skill points depending on his class and his INT attribute. These points he spends on gaining ranks in skills. Some skills come more naturally to certain clasess (e.g. electronics for snoop, bluff for faceman), so those skills are class skills. Some skills however are more difficult for certain classes to gain (e.g. diplomacy for soldier, cryptography for wheelman) these are called cross-class skills. It costs 1 skill point per rank in class skills and 2 skill points per rank in cross-class skills skills. For every rank that a character has in a skill, he gains a +1 modifier to any checks involving that skill. So someone with 12 ranks in Computers would get (at least) a +12 bonus when trying to hack the FOFC server.

Each skill also has a related attribute, Swim uses strength for example, which also provide bonuses. If a char has 2 ranks in Open Lock and a score of 14 (+2 modifier) in DEX, they get +2 from their ranks and +2 from the skill's related attribute bonus for a total of +4.

One final point, some skills are only usable when you are 'trained' in their use, whilst others are usable by anyone. For example, any agent can use the skill Listen or Intimidate even if they have no ranks in it, but in order to use a specialised skill such as Cryptography or Pilot they must have at leat one rank in the skill. These special skills are 'trained' skills.

Now there is little more to do than list all the skills, what classes consider them class skills, whether it can be used untrained and a brief outline of what the skill encompasses:

Skill List

APPRAISE (INT, Untrained)
Judging and estimating the value of items and objects.

BALANCE (DEX, Untrained)
Keeping your balance on a tightrope, uneven beam, uneven floor or otherwise unstable surface.

BLUFF (CHA, Untrained)
Convincing people and making unlikley claims seem reasonable. Uses a mixture of acting cunning, misdirection, body language etc.

BOATING (DEX, Untrained)
Steering all watercraft of all shapes and sizes.

BUREAUCRACY (CHA, Untrained)
Cutting through red tape and navigating the treacherous halls of a bureaucracy.

CLIMB (STR, Untrained)
Climbing walls, scailing cliffs and generally traversing tall obstacles.

COMPUTERS (INT, Untrained)
Accessing and operating computer systems. Writing and modifying computer programs. Repairing and constructing computers.

CONCENTRATION (WIS, Untrained)
Focusing on completing a task, even when badly injured or distracted.

CRAFT (INT, Trained Only)
Skill used in order to build a particular category of object, e.g. Craft (furniture) or Craft (firearms). Craft must be taken in a specific category and it can be taken multiple times in different categories.

CRYPTOGRAPHY (INT, Trained Only)
Cracking and creating encryption and codes.

CULTURES (WIS, Trained Only)
Blending into foriegn cultures and knowledge of foriegn customs.

DEMOLITIONS (INT, Trained Only)
Creating, setting and disarming explosives.

DIPLOMACY (CHA, Untrained)
Negotiation in a calm and respectful fashion. Knowing what to say, how to say it and when and where it needs to be said.

DISGUISE (CHA, Untrained)
Chainging a persons appearance, ajusting features, adding or covering distinguishing marks etc.

DRIVER (DEX, Untrained)
Steering land vehicles, from motorbikes to tanks.

ELECTRONICS (INT, Trained Only)
Repairing, modifying and disarming electronic devices.

ESCAPE ARTIST (DEX, Untrained)
Sliding limbs from manacles, escaping an enemy's hold, squeezing through a small window and the like.

FIRST AID (WIS, Untrained)
Administering emergency aid to someone who has been poisoned, injured or affected by disease.

FORGERY (INT, Untrained)
The creation of counterfieted documents or objects, including forging handwriting. Also useful for detecting forgeries.

GATHER INFORMATION (CHA, Untrained)
Fostering important contacts, soliciting rumours, spreading misinformation and the ability to pick up useful information out of seemingly trivial conversation.

HANDLE ANIMAL (CHA, Trained Only)
Training and riding animals.

HIDE (DEX, Untrained)
The ability to slip away into the shadows or behind objects.

HOBBY (WIS, Untrained)
A hobby the character has such as Hobby (Footbal Games) or Hobby (Message Boards). Hobby must be taken in a specific category and it can be taken multiple times in different categories. It can be used untrained however.

INNUENDO (WIS, Untrained)
Combining body language, hand signals and your own personal code to communicate and understand secret message while appearing to talk about something completley different. Nothing to do with cheesy 70's humour.

INTIMIDATE (STR or CHA, Untrained)
Insiring fear and insecurity in someone so they comply with your wishes. Either via harsh physical threats (Strength) or casual discussion of unpleasant outcomes (Charisma).

JUMP (STR, Untrained)
Attempting horizontal or vertical learps.

KNOWLEDGE (INT, Trained Only)
Expert knowledge in a particular area, such as Knowledge (American History) or Knowledge (Asian Cuisine). Knowledge must be taken in a specific category and it can be taken multiple times in different categories.

LANGUAGES (WIS, Untrained)
Ability to pick up a language you are previously unfarmiliar with. Special: for every rank in this skill your character gains an additional language to your starting languages of English, any native languages and a number of additional languages totaling your intelligence modifier plus one.

LISTEN (WIS, Untrained)
How well you pick up distant or particularly quiet noises.

MECHANICS (INT, Trained Only)
Repairing, modifying and disarming mechanical devices.

MOVE SILENTLY (DEX, Untrained)
Moving whilst making as little sound as possible.

OPEN LOCK (DEX, Trained Only)
Picking padlocks, combination locks and similar tasks.

PERFORM (CHA, Untrained)
Performing in public, including singing, dancing, modelling and anything lese you could think of. Special: One form of performance per rank in this skill.

PILOT (DEX, Trained Only)
Manuvering all aircraft.

PROFESSION (WIS, Trained Only)
A profession or job that your character had before moving into espionage, e.g. Profession (Soldier) or Profession (Lawyer). Profession must be taken in a specific category and it can be taken multiple times in different categories.

READ LIPS (INT, Trained Only)
Watching someone' lips and understanding what they are saying.

SEARCH (INT, Untrained)
Rifiling through a desk, feeling a wall for a secret passageway, frisking a suspect. Generally, looking for items that are not currently visible.

SENSE MOTIVE (WIS, Untrained)
Observing mannerism, body language and other syptoms to rooughly gauge someone's intentions.

SLEIGHT OF HAND (DEX, Untrained)
Perfomring simple card tricks, palming small objects, sliping something into or out of people's pockets without being spotted etc.

SPORT (STR or DEX, Untrained)
You are especially skilled at one specific sport. Sport must be taken in a specific category and it can be taken multiple times in different categories. Use Strength or Dexterity, depending on which is more relevant. This skill can be used untrained.

SPOT (WIS, Untrained)
Noticing things out of the ordinary. Glimpsing anything not noticable to casual observers.

SURVEILLANCE (WIS, Trained Only
Analysing and enchancing intelligence photographs and video. Noticing important events at a long stakeout or spotting signs of someone watching you.

SURVIVAL (WIS, Trained Only)
Living and surviving in wild, hostile, non-urban conditions.

SWIM (STR, Untrained)
Swimming, diving and navigating unerwater.

TUMBLE (DEX, Trained Only)
Landing softer than others. Using acrobatic movement in combat.

USE ROPE (DEX, Untrained)
Tying and untying knots, binding prisoners etc.

Class Skills

Faceman: Bluff, Craft, Cultures, Diplomacy, Disguise, Driver, Forgery, Gather Information, Hobby, Innuendo, Knowledge, Languages, Open Lock, Perform, Profession, read Lips, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot.
Fixer: Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Boating, Climb, Craft, Demolitions, Driver, Electronics, Escape Artist, Forgery, Hide, Hobby, Innuendo, Jump, Knowledge, Languages, Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Profession, Search, Sleight of Hand, Spot, Tumble.
Pointman: Bluff, Bureacracy, Craf, Diplomacy, Driver, First Aid, Knowledge, Profession, Sense Motive, Spot, And 6 others at the player's discretion.
Snoop: Appraise, Bureacracy, Computers, Concentration, Craft, Cryptography, Cultures, Diplomacy, Driver, Electronics, First Aid, Gather Information, Hide, Hobby, Knowledge, Languages, Listen, Mechanics, Move Silently, Profession, Read Lips, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Surveillance.
Soldier: Balance, Climb, Craft, Demolitions, Driver, First Aid, Intimidate, Jump, Profession, Sport, Spot, Survuval, Swim, Tumble, Use Rope.
Wheelman: Balance, Boating, Craft, Demolitions, Disguise, Drriver, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Mechanics, Open Lock, Perform, Pilot, Preofession, Sport, Spot, Surveillance, Survival, Swim.

Player Skill Points

Coffee Warlord AKA Loki - Soldier - 24 skill points
Nyarlahotep AKA Master Shake - Fixer - 40 skill points
Blade AKA Zero Cool - Snoop - 48 skill points
Franklinnoble AKA Ferret - Snoop - 44 skill points
Barkeep 49 AKA Godfather - Faceman - 32 skill points
Travis AKA Hunter - Soldier - 28 skill points
Groundhog Groundhog - Fixer - 44 skill points
Qwikshot AKA Kyzikes - Pointman - 36 skill points
WSUCougar AKA Badger - Pointman - 36 skill points
DeToxRoxDVHStyle AKA DeToxRox - Faceman - 36 skill points
Sachmo71 AKA Twister - Faceman - 36 skill points
Ragone AKA Cardinal - Faceman - 28 skill points

Before you all go off spending them, there is a limit of 4 ranks per skill at first level.

Any questions, don't hesitate to send me a PM.

[Coffee Warlord]

Two soldiers, eh. Whoo!

Attention Hunter. Repeat after me.

"We Kill Things."

[Qwikshot]

Could you PM me my attributes...and do we still need a wheelman?

[Nyarlahotep]

Happy happy joy joy.

[Blade]

Just sent mine in...let me know if I screwed it up...

[WSUCougar]

Sent!

[Travis]

We.....

kill....

maim....

destroy...

mutilate...

dominate..

things.

[WSUCougar]

Hey man, get Travis a Panzerjager and he's almost unstoppable.

;)

[Coffee Warlord]

Hack and Slash and Hack and Slash and Hack and Slash and Hack and Slash!

Shock and Awe and Shock and Awe and Shock and Awe and Shock and Awe!

We Kill Things.

[Travis]

I like your thinking Cougar, might not be exactly inconspicuous, but I'm up for it.

btw, I'll get my skills in tonight after my ball game.

[Ragone]

sent in as well.. i went pretty diverse since i plan to be doing alot of things.. hope my listed profession was okay :)

[WSUCougar]

hope my listed profession was okay :)
Pop singer? Game show host? Used car saleman? Gigilo? :confused:

[Nyarlahotep]

Pop singer? Game show host? Used car saleman? Gigilo? :confused:
Lady truck driver.

[Poli]

I take it it's too late to get in on this one?

[Franklinnoble]

Pop singer? Game show host? Used car saleman? Gigilo? :confused:
I don't see much difference between these four professions...

[mordhiem]

Still wating for submissions from a few peeps.

[Coffee Warlord]

Bah, sorry. Get to it tonight.

[Qwikshot]

Me too, I'll have it by tonight, sorry

[Poli]

Still wating for submissions from a few peeps.

Umm, I mentioned this earlier...are you taking late entries?

[WSUCougar]

You can be my familiar, AE. Please wear a #27 Rolen Cardinals jersey and those cute "Go Navy!" shorts.

:D

[Poli]

I smell sarcasm. :D

[mordhiem]

Umm, I mentioned this earlier...are you taking late entries?

Yes, of course! Sorry if I missed it earlier.

The instructions are of course detailed in this thread, so just send a PM when you are ready.

Anyone else, it isn't too late to join!

[sachmo71]

Eh?