This is a space for general questions that have been asked and answered.
Link to Virtual Question Session(From APC round)
Hey, wanted to get a better picture of what the responsibilities/narrative niche of APCs are, exactly—sort of like a dedicated NPC for STs to introduce plot through, is how I'm reading it? Are there expectations for behavior, how many games an APC player would need to be able to make, etc?
APCs will serve as a sort of faction middle management, with relations both to the mortals doing the work of the tether on the ground and to the heavenly chain of command that provides very general guidance. They will coordinate missions undertaken by mortals, but not be able to go on them themselves.
As for behavior, they would definitely be encouraged to attend as many games as possible, so that we would have a representative from each tether at each session, but there is some overlap and we would be able to cover with NPCs if all the APC representatives from each tether had to miss a game. Beyond that, there is some behavior encouragement. APCs should be good at setting up other characters for the spotlight and helping funnel plot around.
Where do you envision the content of game coming from? From PC backstories, downtimes, player goals, ST story goals, or a mix?
The content of the game will be a mix. There will be events happening in the larger world that require response, and actions and reactions of the local world that provoke player actions. However, many of the specifics of how this manifests will be based on PC backstories, goals and downtimes.
We're still in the process of building out the world and the character pitches will help create content.
how many pitches are we limited to?
I would try to limit to 3 or less, just because there's a serious chance of overwhelming the STs if everyone pitches multiple ideas.
how will pitches be evaluated?
As for how they will be evaluated, the STs will be looking over them and trying to fill out the required slots for each tether with characters that bring different things to the table, provide an interesting variety of mortal hooks and would have interesting potential for interactions with other pitches.
How would you feel about partially-complete pitches? For example, a pitch for an APC with full details but saying “I’m fine with any of these XYZ jobs”
I think a list of potential hooks and/or potential superiors could be just fine for a character. I would say try to find some places to hook onto the world, but being open to possibility is also good. We may end up suggesting slightly different hooks if something jumps out at us in the review process.
Would you prefer we send you our thoughts/ideas via email (mini-pitch style), discuss, and then do a full pitch? Or just do that full pitch noting places where we’re open to input?
I'd say the latter, though if you have more specific questions about mini-pitches, feel free to email them
how much leeway do APCs have in creating their own backstories?
I would say that APCs can suggest backstory elements and we will do our best to weave them into the world and have them be relevant.
Also, I guess a clarification—for players looking into pitching APCs, would I be correct in thinking that Seraphim are _not_ viable, since by the setting info the inciting event of the game is the Seraphim being recalled from the city?
Correct, Seraphim are not available characters.
Are angels who have fallen and been redeemed playable characters?
yes, an angel who has been redeemed is an eligible character type, so long as they are currently in the service of an archangel.
It can be different based on the circumstances of redemption. A demon in the process of redeeming is treading a dangerous path. They need to steal their heart from the possession of their superior and destroy it. Then they need to find an archangel willing to make a new heart for them.
As to why, there are a lot of different reasons. Some become disillusioned with the mission of hell, some displease their superior and flee out of fear and turn to heaven for protection. Some spend some time as a renegade, a demon no longer in the service to hell.
that is an allowable option for angels. They are not common. Few demons survive the attempt at redemption. we will probably only accept one or two
Since it sounds like you’re looking for a broad range of roles to fill and don’t want doubling up on any concept niches, is it recommended to pitch a couple different things so we have an alternate ready to go, or would you prefer to not get a bunch of pitches and if so, would we get a heads up that we may want to reconsider the pitch due to overlapping interest?
I'd say it may be worth submitting multiple pitches and discussing some of the ideas in the apc-brainstorming channel to avoid too much overlap. We may in the process of accepting pitches suggest some shifts to avoid overlap.
When looking at the different Tethers, are the Archangels present in the description the only options for characters? Like an angel in The Celestial Beauracracy could not serve Yves, for instance?
Generally correct. There might be an opportunity for an angel in service to one archangel on long-term loan to another archangel, this is especially true for those in service to Eli, who almost all are in service to other Archangels, given that Eli has become an absentee archangel.
Are the two upcoming info/social sessions going to largely have the same information/will answers to questions asked be made available somewhere? Basically, is it advisable to go to both, or is it ok if we can only make one?
the prepared content should be pretty much the same, the questions will be listed as much as possible in the questions answered page of the webpage.
i'm a little confused as to what OOC consent actually entails. do you need permission to have it happen to your character? to have it happen around your character? to happen to an NPC you interact with?
for OOC consent, there are questions as to the specific borders, but we would try to make it so that it would be as avoidable as possible. Which would mean that a player would need to consent for it to happen to their character or any primary NPCs that are part of their character's story.
And we plan to encourage players to confidentially submit any content they are uncomfortable with so that we can work to make sure it does not come up. The form is located Here
Are there any plans by the team to simplify or streamline the powers in game? There seem to be over 100 distinct powers combined with a FATE style character sheet if I haven't misread things (which is not only possible but likely)
We are not currently planning to reduce the number of available powers. Characters will likely have a small range of powers in game, but with a significant number of characters, this will hopefully reduce redundant overlap.
Based on the glossary of terms I get that a Disturbance is a disruption in the “correct” flow of creation, but what are examples of how a Disturbance manifests in the world? What does it mean to create a “loud” Disturbance, as mentioned in one of the Songs?
So, the level of disruption defines how loud a Disturbance is. Small disturbances like breaking a plate are only audible within a few feet, louder ones like wounding an animal may be audible within a building. A fight with a mortal may be audible within a city block. The murder of a human within a mile.
Disturbance manifests basically like a loud noise that cuts through everything around you. It is only audible to those who are aware of the symphony(Angels, Many Supernaturals, Mortals with Songs or Sorcery)
Would PCs generally be invested in preventing or not causing Disturbance, then?
Disturbance is frowned upon by the leadership of Heaven. Make too much and Hell will know what you’re up to, so the Heavenly Inquisition will come and ask you questions.
Also, is breaking a plate always a Disturbance or only under certain circumstances?
For the record, only certain beings cause Disturbance, a human can break as many plates as they want and only make a mess. Angels and Demons often have roles that mimics a mortal presence in the symphony. An Angel with the role of waitstaff could drop a plate while at work and create no disturbance. But a basic role will only reduce the distance by a degree(Disturbance Range Chart on System page), added status will make roles more effective at reducing range.
What are the sorts of things that will be happening onsite? I want to make sure to don't take any powers that would end up not being useful because I prefer not to do downtimes as a player.
the game sessions are basically the monthly check-in among the tethers, where the different groups come together to share information, plan joint operations and meet with any important parties visiting town. They are places to discuss the fallout of recent events and plan for anticipated ones, to make allies and make enemies, to commiserate and to celebrate. A more complete description of a game is available in Descriptions of Play.