Cortex TMNT – Master Splinter Datafile

So last time I talked about setting up a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game using the Cortex system. Today I’m going to build a datafile for Master Splinter, the father and mentor of the Turtles.

The datafile might not make much sense if you’re new to the Cortex system, but I’ll give a quick run down at the end to explain a few things.

Splinter (IWD Comic Cover)
Splinter (IWD Comic Cover)

Name: Splinter (alias: Hamato Yoshi, Master Splinter, Sensei, Father)

Affiliations: Solo d8 Buddy d6 Team d10

Distinctions: Mutant Rat, Master of Bushido, Father of the Turtles.

Power Sets:
Mutant Rat:
Enhanced Senses d8, Enhanced Reflexes d8, Enhanced Speed d8.

SFX: Claws & Fangs. Add a D6 to your dice pool for an attack action and step back the highest die in your pool by -1. Step up physical stress inflicted by +1.
SFX: The Nose Knows. Spend 1 PP to add Enhanced Senses (or step up by +1 if already in your pool) and reroll all dice on a reaction.
Limit: Mutant. Earn 1 PP when affected by mutant-specific Milestones and tech.

Ninjitsu
Weapon (Cane/Bow) d8, Enhanced Reflexes d8, Enhanced Stamina d8.

SFX: Focus. In a pool including a Ninjitsu die, replace two dice of equal steps with one die of +1 step.
SFX: Area Attack. Target multiple opponents. For every additional target, add d6 to your pool and keep +1 effect die.
Limit: Exhausted. Shut down a Ninjistu power to gain 1 PP. Recover power by activating an opportunity or during a Transition Scene.

Specialities:
Acrobatic Master d10, Combat Master d10, Covert Master d10, Medical Expert d8.

Master Splinter by Dave Rapoza
Master Splinter by Dave Rapoza

Design Decisions

Splinter has Team as his highest affiliation to represent his leadership of the turtles. Solo is his next highest, because he fights well by himself, while with a buddy he’s often forced to be the minder and teacher, effectively slowing him down somewhat.

His distinction Mutant Rat should work nicely when he meets humans for the first time and has to try and get past the “Ahh! You’re a talking rat” stage of the conversation. Master of Bushido will tie him to the code of Bushido nicely and represents his role as a ninja sensei, while Father of the Turtles will mean that his sons influence his decisions to a large degree, which is often a major driver of stories involving Splinter.

The power sets cover his mutation and ninja training and the SFX were mostly plucked from Marvel Heroic Roleplay’s Hero Datafiles. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment below.

His specialities are pretty self explanatory. You might want to add Mystic Expert to give him more esoteric ninja knowledge. I didn’t take that route, which is why he has Medical Expert instead. Splinter uses ancient Asian medical practices and has a deep understanding of the human (and turtle) anatomy, so Medical Expert seemed a better fit.

I didn’t create any milestone, but some major themes to explore would include raising and training the turtles as well as getting revenge against the Shredder.

Till next time
Tell Thrilling Tales

Best Selling RPGs - Available Now @ DriveThruRPG.com

Music video spectacular

The band OK GO is famous for their creative music videos that have taken the Internet by storm. Their recent one, ‘I won’t let you down’, directed by Morihiro Harano and filmed in Chiba, Japan, lives up to it’s expectations.

The song itself leaves more to be desired, but the video is definitely worth a watch. There are many remarkable things about it, including the co-ordination of the dancers, Honda’s Uni-cub (a motorized unicycle that stays upright), and that it was all filmed in one take!

It’s a good representation of the dedication, time, and hard work that so many Japanese put into what they do. This whole video could not have worked if everyone was not committed to mastering their role. Check it out.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Waaay back in the day someone in our role-playing group (called Bob’s Rent-a-Cult btw) owned a copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, a supplement for Heroes Unlimited. I don’t think we ever actually played it, but the idea of role-playing a ninja turtle has stuck with me ever since and that’s a gap I intend to fill.

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness
The Book That Started It All

How? Well, If you haven’t already heard about Marvel Heroic Roleplay (MHR) then you’re already too late, since it’s become so hard to get the books after their short print run. Anyway, the fan base is still huge and people are playing. Besides, the standard Cortex System is still available, which MHR is based off. It’s a perfect system for some turtle powered action. Cowabunga!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by theCHAMBA
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
by theCHAMBA

Datafiles, the game’s character sheets, are easy to build from scratch, but here is some inspiration from RPG.net.

That just leaves the Events (adventure), and I think there are some great resources, namely the original and reboot comics as well as all the numerous TV series runs and all the movies. My favourite would have to be the 2003-2009 run, which was the second series and is closer to the comics.

If your interested in playing, or just want to know more about Marvel Heroic Roleplay, why not join the Google+ group and let’s talk turtles. If you’d like to see campaign notes and other articles about the sessions here, leave a comment below.

TURTLE POWER!!!

 
Superheroes - Available Now @ DriveThruRPG.com

Huge Print Sale

I know, I know, I’ve been mostly been posting about sales lately. There are a few reasons for that, some personal, some professional, but all good. Unfortunately I’ve had to put blogging on the back burner for the mean while, but things will get back on track in time. For now though, another sale!

HUGE PRINT DISCOUNT: NPC Strategy Cards

Rising Phoenix Games is offering you a huge saving on Printed NPC Strategy Cards till October 10th. This is your chance to stock up on extra cards for your GM kit or as a gift for your GM buddies. Remember, the cards are compatible with a number of systems, you can read more by downloading the free PDF off the product page.

NPC  Strategy Cards

 

Till next time
Tell Thrilling Tales

Rodney

SOUTH AFRICAN 2015 JET PROGRAMME APPLICATIONS

Want to come join us in Japan and you’re a South African? Here’s what you need to know.

2015 JET PROGRAMME  APPLICATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE!
Basic Requirements:
·        A bachelors degree in any field
·        Be under the age of 40
·        Be a South African Citizen (to be able to apply though the Embassy of Japan in South Africa)
Process:
·        September 2014 – Application forms will become available on the Embassy website:
·        Application Deadline:  Friday 14 November, 2014.
·        Jan/Feb 2015- Tests and interviews in Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Interviews are strictly done face to face – no telephonic or Skype interviews will be permitted.
·        April/May 2015- Short listing
·        July 2015 – Departure for Japan
Other Links:
Contact:                                             
Ryan Keet
Tel: 012 452 1607

Grazers for grass.

This TED talk blew my mind, and I really wanted to share it with anyone who is interested in nature, Africa, conservation or global warming. My hope is that you will share this video too.

Heritage Day the Japan Way

September 24th is Heritage (aka Braai) day in South Africa, but we had the 23rd off, so we celebrated with a Japanese BBQ.

Note the rice, pickles and miso soup. The meat is lamb, which you never see, but was tasty and a little cheaper too.

Now all I need is my Windhoek and boerewors.

Books and black burgers

For a limited time, Burger King is selling black burgers. Yes, black. Like night. Like goth.

The bread roll contains charcoal, the cheese and sauce are made with squid ink, and in the middle is a peppery meat patty. As disgusting as it sounds (and looks), it’s actually quite tasty. For ¥480 (about R50) you can get this “pearl” version, or for a little more you can add lettuce and tomato. And in keeping with the colour theme you can wash it all down with coke.

The black pearl in all its glory

After this unique, sensory experience, Alice and I made our way to the annual Tokyo Art Book Fair. There were people from all over and surprisingly, English seemed to be the default language. It was marvelous to be in a hub of so much creative energy. Besides beautiful and crazy books, there were paper and print production exhibits, photography, and various creative knick-knacks like stamps, stickers, buttons and paper dolls on sale.

Be the Hero