The Team

[TheUdjat]

With characters finished, there is one more thing for you guys to do: design your team.

You need to decide several things. Did you form of your own accord? Did one of you decide to recruit the others? Were you instead formed by a corporate sponsor, or a nobleman seeking fame in the Games, or otherwise? Do you have an agent at all, or will you be handling publicity and acquiring invitations to different Crawls yourselves? Have any of you worked together before? (some of you are just starting the games, but a couple have some experience - Targon, for instance). Things like that.

Use this thread to discuss and figure it out amongst yourselves. By the end of this week (I hope), I'd like the following:
- Team name
- How the team formed (backstory, basically)
- Agent or No Agent (I will NPC if you choose to have one)
- Any corporate sponsors/endorsements/etc?

And then we can get this show going. Your first Crawl will be MemphisCrawl, the season opener, which will begin next Monday.

Also, we still have room for Substitutes, if anyone would like to belatedly jump on board.

[Deekin]

Hmm, the entire team has access to spellcasting or Su abilties, so how about a name that relates to magic, like

Spellstorm

Well, not sure how many people actually read through my background, but for my character publicity isn't a problem. His father was a famous XCrawler and by Jarel annoucing that he's going to also become on there has been a buzz of news.

I'd like to think that he doesn't have an agent. For right now, he's riding off his father's fame to get him started. Once he starts he'll establish himself as a contender.

I know I'm not going to have any personal sponsors, but if you guys wanted a team one that'd be cool. Also, not sure what people want the team name to be, any suggestions?

About how we formed, I'd think it'd be cooler if we were recruited over a corporate sponsor, or nobleman. If it's cool with people, my character Jarel could have scouted you guys and pulled you together, trying to form a team as his father did long ago. Depends on what you guys want to do I guess.



Edit: Spellstorm sounds good to me.

[Badasterysk]

My character just wants in the 'Crawl. He isn't really concerned with sponsorship (yet), but will do what he needs to to get in. If he has/needs sponsorship, it would probably be through the Specialist's Guild... but I'm not sure they do that.

I have no problem being recruited by Jarel.

Spellstorm. I like it...especially with some nice cantrips to jazz up the team intro...but doesn't it kinda give away our weakness? (Just playing devil's advocate!)

Other Names: Caster Crew, Spelljammers, The Somatic Six, That Team with the Armless & Blind Half-Orc, Arcanum, 'Crawlmeisters, Spellspit, sorry... long day .

I like Spellstorm.

[Toptomcat]

With my background, we might conceivably get the Chinese government to sponsor us.

I also like Spellstorm, and Wong would rather dislike the idea of having an agent. As for why I'm here, it could be that some functionary just picked an XCrawl team at random for Wong to join. He's kinda been press-ganged into this whole shindig.

Decided to randomly type up a background for our team. If you're cool with it just let me know or if there is any party you want me to change let me know that too.

--------------------------------------------------
Spellstorm

The beginnings of Team Spellstorm started the moment Jarel Lightning-Storm called a press conference to tell the world that he would be taking up his father's maul and join the ranks of XCrawl. It was a media frenzy as speculations begun flying around about who he'd be teaming up with. There were some vacant spots on some very powerful teams, and many thought that Jarel would find his way onto those ones. In fact, he did receive messages from many teams wanting him on theirs. Although Jarel did not reveal this in his press conference, he wanted to create and form a team just as his father did so many years ago.

Heading out into the XCrawl world wasn't exactly as he had planned. There were thousands of applicants into the world of XCrawl, and Jarel had no idea what to rank a particular fighter based on. Sifting through applications, which he had gotten from the public bulletins and some private ones thanks to some of his father's old friends, he found one that he thought would be perfect for his team. Targon. He had seen this Half-Orc in action before. It was strange to see him applying back into the XCrawl world considering the damage he had taken from previous crawls. However, to Jarel that meant the guy had guts. He'd of course have to see how Targon handled the blindness, but if he had overcome that, then he'd have him on his team.

After watching Targon's progress and seeing that he indeed had overcome his blindness Jarel asked him to join his XCrawl team. Targon had fame of his own, and had experience inside the XCrawl, which was something Jarel was looking for as he had none himself and was hoping to not look like a fool on national television.

Feeling confident about his decision, he then went back to the hordes of paper. Sifting through them again, he looked for other applicants that would help round out his team. He specifically wanted two things. Someone who could find traps, so Targon wouldn't have to keep doing it and he wanted someone who could heal. After hours of rummaging he found the two he was looking for. Gaius Lyonis, a Disciple of the Vine, which was perfect considering Jarel's love for the drink and an elf who went by the name Moonshadow. The person had some arcane talents, but the fact he could find and disable traps was the key there.

A few days later Jarel had convinced those two that his team was the way to go and he was back to the pile of papers. He realized that the one thing he was missing was someone who could dish out a lot of punishment from afar. Another elf caught his attention. Orodreth Vardamir, an elven warlock. His ability to continually fire blasts was once again what he was looking for. After talking him into being on the team, Jarel was satisfied with what he had. He had healing, damage, trap-finding, and experience on his side. Everything was looking up.

The day before he was to go sign up for the Memphis crawl, Jarel was approached by a representative of the Chinese government. He was completely taken aback by this, but they asked him if he would take on another member for his XCrawl group. Seeing as Jarel could easily ride off the fame of his father, the Chinese government wanted to plant one of their own martial artists in with him in order to further publicize Asian fighting styles. Jarel, thinking that taking on one more person wasn't a bad idea, and having a government behind him couldn't be a bad thing. So he agreed whole-heartedly.

That's how Team Spellstorm was formed.

[Toptomcat]

*stamp of approval*

[Deekin]

toptomcat said:

*stamp of approval*

*Elderich Blast of Approval*

[similar]

This all seems good

[TheUdjat]

So, my understanding, then is:

1. Team name: Spellstorm
2. Formed by Jarel Lightning-Storm, second-generation XCrawler, son of a world renown competitor. Has never competed, but is highly anticipated, and has a very interesting hand-picked team.
3. No Agent (Jarel handles all arrangements for upcoming events himself), although Wong is in fairly frequent contact with an official from the Chinese Empire assigned to monitor his overseas activities. (If anyone wants a personal agent, let me know)
4. No sponsors? (Undoubtedly some have contacted Jarel and expressed a desire to have them wear patches on their outfits, perhaps offering to pay for room and board for the duration of the Crawl. Yes, you pay for your own hotels and flights.)

I will also be assigned starting Fame, based on your backgrounds, and randomly rolling some starting GP. GP doesn't have a huge in-game effect, but it's useful for living the rich life, jetting across the country, etc.

Fame will vary, but keep this in mind: starting with higher fame means it's easier to lose (by doing badly in the Crawl, for instance). You basically have to live up to your reputation. Starting lower ensures that all your fame is earned for your ability. (In other words, folks like Targon, Jarel, and Wong have a lot of prestige to live up to, but Moonshadow, Gaius, and Orodreth will be measured strictly by their merits, rather than their reputation.)

You still have until tomorrow to finalize any team dynamics. Perhaps think about where in the country you're located (states are different, so focus more on city - can be anywhere in North America). It's just handy to know this for between-Crawl segments (and there will be some)

I know you've already went ahead and wrote up a section regarding Signature Moves, however I had another thought/idea. What about Double Team, or Team Signature Moves? Are those allowed? Where multiple people follow a strict pattern of moves to make an awesome finish?

You of all people understand the importance of team moves from wrestling (*coughdudleyscough*), so I wasn't sure if there was something in the XCrawl book about them.

Also, Jarel would turn down any personal sponsor. If someone wanted to sponsor his team, then he would go to them and ask the team if they wanted it, since that effects them and not just himself. So if any sponsor came to sponsor our team, just let me know and we can discuss it OOC or IC.

One more question. If you get sponsored is that looked down upon by the fans? Would that be considered "Selling Out"?m

[TheUdjat]

jolith said:

I know you've already went ahead and wrote up a section regarding Signature Moves, however I had another thought/idea. What about Double Team, or Team Signature Moves? Are those allowed? Where multiple people follow a strict pattern of moves to make an awesome finish?

You of all people understand the importance of team moves from wrestling (*coughdudleyscough*), so I wasn't sure if there was something in the XCrawl book about them.

Actually, yes, there is something like that. Basically it works the same as a standard Signature Move, excepting of course that every person involved has a pre-determined set of actions to take (all must Call, all must have back-to-back actions essentially rehearsed ahead of time). It's a little more tricky, of course, since things have to be done in the same order, too. That is, characters must act on the same initiative, or delay/refocus to get to the right place. It differs in the following ways:

1. Initiating a team signature move requires risking a point of Mojo. If all components of the move succeed, that point is returned to the pool and you acquire an additional point. If any part of the move fails, you lose the point of Mojo.

2. The competence bonus for performing signature move actions is determined by the number of people involved. Each person grants a +1 bonus; hence, a group of 4 people performing a move grants a +4 competence bonus. It is half this (round down) for DCs. For the sake of my personal sanity, I'm capping this out at +4 - while it would be cool for your whole team to do a complex maneuver and get a +7 to everything, it would be a bit unbalancing, I feel. The bonus only lasts as long as the move is being successful - i.e., if somebody screws it up in the beginning, the move fails, and the bonus is gone.

3. Each person may be a part of one multi-person maneuver for free; each move after that costs a feat, as with the standard signature moves. So you could all be part of a maneuver, or two of you could tag-team an enemy (but then not do moves with anyone else). Etc. Feel free to coordinate.

Also, Jarel would turn down any personal sponsor. If someone wanted to sponsor his team, then he would go to them and ask the team if they wanted it, since that effects them and not just himself. So if any sponsor came to sponsor our team, just let me know and we can discuss it OOC or IC.

Most of it is usually team sponsors, anyway. Endorsements (a commercial appearance, face on a cereal box, etc.) are often individual, but that's another story.

You'll get the standard proposals for beginners: Equipment sponsors asking you to use their backpacks or boots and such. A company wanting to put a patch on everyone's sleeve. That kind of thing. Local businesses will be the ones most interested in your group at present (another reason your location is important). There are basically two types: Companies that give complementary equipment that you MUST use, or companies offering a patch in exchange for paying for expenses. The former tend to be XCrawl-related (obviously), the latter - not necessarily. Think like Nascar sponsors.

One more question. If you get sponsored is that looked down upon by the fans? Would that be considered "Selling Out"?m

Some fans look down on it, most probably don't. Different people like different companies. If you wear Coca-cola, pepsi lovers will sneer a little (not that you guys are big enough for them). The more sponsors and endorsements you get, the more likely it is you'll be seen as a Sellout. But then, you also make more money and fame that way. Many fans don't care (they're in it for the blood - what do they care whose patch you wear?). A certain amount of sponsorship is expected and unremarkable in the XCrawl world.

For the sake of reference, your father was fairly old-fashioned. He carried one or two big-name patches in his time (for the sake of the team), but mainly touted dwarven crafters and artisans. He didn't do many commercials or appearances, sticking more to the local scene or, again, dwarven work. But he did do a fair amount of charity work.

But that's hardly surprising for someone who was an adult before television and mass-marketing even came around.

[Badasterysk]

jolith said:

You of all people understand the importance of team moves from wrestling (*coughdudleyscough*)

Am I to understand that Udjat is a fellow wrestler? (Not the fluffy fake WWFETNA- or whatever-shite, but the real deal. I coach varsity wrestling.)

[TheUdjat]

tembo said:

jolith said:

You of all people understand the importance of team moves from wrestling (*coughdudleyscough*)

Am I to understand that Udjat is a fellow wrestler? (Not the fluffy fake WWFETNA- or whatever-shite, but the real deal. I coach varsity wrestling.)

(OOC) I've done both. More of the real vs. the fake, though. Like 10 years vs. 1 month.

Used to do a bit of reffing for high school/youth matches, too. Never really coached, though.

[Badasterysk]

theudjat said:

Perhaps think about where in the country you're located (states are different, so focus more on city - can be anywhere in North America). It's just handy to know this for between-Crawl segments (and there will be some).

Have we decided yet?

Doesn't matter to me. All I know is that my character will probably be from the Rocky Mountain area (considering he's a dwarf and I'm going to assume that in North America that's where they live predominantly).

[Badasterysk]

The Rockies are fine with me. Since Jarel recruited all members, it would make sense to bring them to him. It's pretty much Jarel's team (a fact that I have absolutely no problem with), but that would also assume that Jarel was $pon$oring (or had $pon$or$ for) his assembled 'Crawl team. I'm assuming we will need training facilities and what-not during down-time... not cheap!

[TheUdjat]

Alright, it's settled. Spellsword is based in, say, Denver (as a tribute to the board founders), where Jarel makes his home. You don't really have oodles of cash for a major training facility, but for the sake of ease, we can assume you have a gym and bare-bones athletic equipment, maybe a conjuration-driven battle room for practice. You're all members in good standing (unless you want bad standing) with the Adventurer's Guild - even Wong.

You have no agent - Jarel handles everything. I've listed basic sponsors that can be picked from, but unless you pick something (feel free to be a little inventive with local businesses) I'll assume there are no sponsorships accepted yet. It will mean all burden of costs will fall to you.

Speaking of costs, because we're using a non-wealth based system for special items, I think I'm going to change monetary Wealth to the d20 modern system - that is, a wealth bonus, which is representative of the money you have. Therefore you won't have to keep track of all your specific expenditures like food, hotel, travel, etc - which would quickly become tedius. And I don't have to say 'you gain X GP' - I can just throw out a glittering pile of gold and be happy with it.

More details on that and starting Wealth in the rules section. I'll post something up in a bit.

And, more importantly, your first in-game post will be coming up later today. Stay tuned!

m

[TheUdjat]

Oh yeah, starting Fame:

Jarel: 15 (+2)
Targon: 16 (+2)
Wong: 10 (+1)
Orodreth: 3 (+1)
Gaius: 0 (+0)
Moonshadow: 5 (+1)

These are based on Backgrounds. As mentioned, there are pros and cons to having a higher starting background. But please keep track of these numbers on your sheet - I will mention whenever you gain/lose a point of Fame in-game.

[Rojito]

Ok guys, new guy comin into the fray. I figure him to be a rounded out character, to kinda fill in whatever gaps need be filled. As a bard he has both Divine and Arcane spells, but then as Chameleon i get more of the same as well, or i can go physical or stealthy even, but i am not good at stealth. Lemme know what you need me as so i can choose accordingly, for right now i have to choose once a day so i assume that means one encounter per day (roughly) right? so I needa know what you need before going into combat so i can set up my character correctly, i still have to memerize spells the morning i choose my setup. Or if i go physical, i am a very good archer