Underground Polis - Revision history

Max: /* The Slime */

2023-01-12T04:28:12Z

The Slime

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 12 January 2023
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	===== The Slime =====		===== The Slime =====

	A sickly yellow slime mold that sometimes starts to ~~grow~~ out from the neglected tunnels beyond the City's west wall, like a sudden fungal tide, known to cover at worst maybe a quarter mile per day. Brief exposure only causes a mild burning sensation, but people caught unaware by it (typically people sleeping in or under the streets) have sometimes been found ''digested'' to the bone; on some particularly disastrous occasions the slime has grown under and up into houses and entire neighborhoods before being noticed, with tragic consequences. Fortunately, burning and shoveling it back have always been sufficient to check its advance, and it usually only happens once a decade or three.		A sickly yellow slime mold that sometimes starts to spread out from the neglected tunnels beyond the City's west wall, like a sudden fungal tide, known to cover at worst maybe a quarter mile per day. Brief exposure only causes a mild burning sensation, but people caught unaware by it (typically people sleeping in or under the streets) have sometimes been found ''digested'' to the bone; on some particularly disastrous occasions the slime has grown under and up into houses and entire neighborhoods before being noticed, with tragic consequences. Fortunately, burning and shoveling it back have always been sufficient to check its advance, and it usually only happens once a decade or three.

	There's probably some significance to the way it spreads out from the direction of the old graveyard, just outside the walls, but everybody has a different theory on what this means (aside from the Pits usually getting the worst of it). Nobody's volunteered to go and explore - aside from that one brave squad, as the elder guardsmen are happy to tell, that never returned. You never met them, it was before your time.		There's probably some significance to the way it spreads out from the direction of the old graveyard, just outside the walls, but everybody has a different theory on what this means (aside from the Pits usually getting the worst of it). Nobody's volunteered to go and explore - aside from that one brave squad, as the elder guardsmen are happy to tell, that never returned. You never met them, it was before your time.

Max: /* Rats */

2023-01-12T04:27:36Z

Rats

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:27, 12 January 2023
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	===== Rats =====		===== Rats =====

	Half the guard will swear rats grow bigger, bolder and more cunning the deeper you go; the other half are quick to laugh off such nonsense~~, perhaps a bit nervously,~~ and change the subject. Some grizzled old veterans speak in hushed tones of an empire of rats, somewhere deep down, ruled by a giant white King Rat with a scepter of human bone, and a strange temple where the vermin swarm by the thousands to worship before a foul and beastly idol.		Half the guard will swear rats grow bigger, bolder and more cunning the deeper you go; the other half are quick to laugh off such nonsense and change the subject. Some grizzled old veterans speak in hushed tones of an empire of rats, somewhere deep down, ruled by a giant white King Rat with a scepter of human bone, and a strange temple where the vermin swarm by the thousands to worship before a foul and beastly idol.

	===== The Slime =====		===== The Slime =====

Max at 04:07, 12 January 2023

2023-01-12T04:07:40Z

Show changes

Max: /* District IV - the Grove */

2018-09-20T22:24:09Z

District IV - the Grove

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 20 September 2018
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	=====District IV - the Grove=====		=====District IV - the Grove=====
	A mishmash grouping of temples, shrines and religious fixtures of all sorts, erected around the site of an ancient sacred grove west of the river mouth. The grove itself is long gone - chopped down, says legend, for the funeral pyre of the last Artheian Emperor centuries ~~past~~ - but the name still sticks. A myriad lesser temples huddle close together in unordered clusters like the shelters of the homeless, mazy and slum-like, while the houses of more affluent deities tower above the masses, surrounded with ample breathing room.		A mishmash grouping of temples, shrines and religious fixtures of all sorts, erected around the site of an ancient sacred grove west of the river mouth. The grove itself is long gone - chopped down, says legend, for the funeral pyre of the last Artheian Emperor centuries ago - but the name still sticks. A myriad lesser temples huddle close together in unordered clusters like the shelters of the homeless, mazy and slum-like, while the houses of more affluent deities tower above the masses, surrounded with ample breathing room.

	Roughly in the center of the conglomeration stands the Temple of All Gods, a vast green copper dome on grey-veined marble pillars, housing shrines to every god worshiped in Artheia. Anyone who wants to start a cult is welcome to set up altar in here, although floor space is precious and bitterly contested; less popular contenders crowd in the open area around the Temple, trying to stir up enough sympathetic elbows to secure a space inside.		Roughly in the center of the conglomeration stands the Temple of All Gods, a vast green copper dome on grey-veined marble pillars, housing shrines to every god worshiped in Artheia. Anyone who wants to start a cult is welcome to set up altar in here, although floor space is precious and bitterly contested; less popular contenders crowd in the open area around the Temple, trying to stir up enough sympathetic elbows to secure a space inside.

Max: /* District II - the Market */

2018-09-20T22:21:56Z

District II - the Market

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 20 September 2018
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	The great town square and surrounding neighborhoods at the end of the City's main street, Victor's Way, downhill from the Citadel and next to the Seaport. The City's social and economical hub as well as its ''de facto'' political center, this is where most citizens and visitors gather for business and leisure, by day and night.		The great town square and surrounding neighborhoods at the end of the City's main street, Victor's Way, downhill from the Citadel and next to the Seaport. The City's social and economical hub as well as its ''de facto'' political center, this is where most citizens and visitors gather for business and leisure, by day and night.

	Right next to the square is the Batrios, or Batrian Circus, a huge amphitheater where public trials and executions are staged, along with grand plays, spectacular sporting events, major political debates and other such entertainment. Lesser productions take place in the City's many smaller theaters or just erect makeshift stages somewhere around the square where ever they can find the room.		Right next to the square is the Batrios, or Batrian Circus, a huge amphitheater where public trials and executions are staged, along with grand plays, spectacular sporting events, major political debates and other such big budget entertainment. Lesser productions take place in the City's many smaller theaters or just erect makeshift stages somewhere around the square where ever they can find the room.

	=====District III - the Seaport=====		=====District III - the Seaport=====

Max at 22:12, 20 September 2018

2018-09-20T22:12:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 20 September 2018
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	A Play-by-Post game of urban Sword & Sorcery, using houseruled Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Edition.		A Play-by-Post game of urban Sword & Sorcery, using houseruled Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Edition.

	''Underground Polis'' follows the exploits of a squad of the Sewer Guard, a police force tasked with patrolling the ridiculously vast network of sewers, catacombs, tunnels and caverns beneath the sprawling fantasy metropolis of Artheia. The game aims ~~to mix~~ dungeon crawling, Weird Tales ~~and~~ good old Sword & Sandal movies ~~with~~ action cop shows, set in an amalgam of a Classical Greek polis, Imperial Rome and fantasy cities from Ankh-Morpork to Zamora.		''Underground Polis'' follows the exploits of a squad of the Sewer Guard, a police force tasked with patrolling the ridiculously vast network of sewers, catacombs, tunnels and caverns beneath the sprawling fantasy metropolis of Artheia. The game aims for a mixture of dungeon crawling, Weird Tales, good old Sword & Sandal movies and action cop shows, set in an amalgam of a Classical Greek polis, Imperial Rome and fantasy cities from Ankh-Morpork to Zamora.

	__TOC__		__TOC__

Max: /* Weapons */

2018-09-20T22:09:30Z

Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 20 September 2018
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	=====Weapons=====		=====Weapons=====
	Weapons are bought with the Blast and Strike powers. Below are some guidelines for representing different kinds of weapons:		Weapons are bought with the Blast and Strike powers. Below are some guidelines for representing different kinds of weapons:
	* Melee weapons use the Strike power		* Ranged weapons that cannot be used in close combat use the Blast power.
			* Melee weapons use the Strike power.
			* Weapons that can be swung or thrown have the Thrown feat.
	* Most melee weapons have the Mighty feat; exceptions include things like whips.		* Most melee weapons have the Mighty feat; exceptions include things like whips.
	* Weapons that can be swung or thrown have the Thrown feat.
	* Ranged weapons that cannot be used in close combat use the Blast power.
	* Pointy blades, like most swords and daggers, have the Improved Critical feat.		* Pointy blades, like most swords and daggers, have the Improved Critical feat.
	* Polearms have the Extended Reach power feat.		* Polearms have the Extended Reach power feat.

Max: /* Powers */

2018-09-20T22:05:36Z

Powers

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:05, 20 September 2018
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	===Powers===		===Powers===
	Only PPs gained from drawbacks can be used to buy powers. We're all just human here in this setting, and possessing mystical powers makes you a rare and suspicious freak. There's always a mark, always a price to pay - even if it didn't cost you dearly to gain such inhuman abilities in the first place, you're paying just as heavily for having them now.		Only PPs gained from drawbacks can be used to buy powers. We're all just human here in this setting, and possessing mystical powers makes you a rare and suspicious freak. There's always a mark, always a price to pay - even if it didn't cost you dearly to gain such inhuman abilities in the first place, you're paying just as heavily for having them now. The Guard will take you, they'll take anyone, but even they don't have to ''like'' you.

	The Guard will take you, they'll take anyone, but even they don't have to ''like'' you.

	The drawbacks should be related to the powers in some way: light allergy for darkvision or blindness for precognition, a weakness or vulnerability to one thing for an immunity against another, etc. Associated complications like phobia, obsession, bad reputation or prejudice would also be good.		The drawbacks should be related to the powers in some way: light allergy for darkvision or blindness for precognition, a weakness or vulnerability to one thing for an immunity against another, etc. Associated complications like phobia, obsession, bad reputation or prejudice would also be good.

Max: /* Character Creation */

2018-09-20T21:59:24Z

Character Creation

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 20 September 2018
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	Bonuses granted by equipment ''do not'' count towards PL limitations.		Bonuses granted by equipment ''do not'' count towards PL limitations.

	'''NOTE!''' 15PP of this starting total should be used on abilities and possessions that either come with the job ~~or are required for getting in~~. This includes:		'''NOTE!''' 15PP of this starting total should be used on abilities and possessions that are either required for or come with the job. This includes:
	* no physical abilities below 10; 0PP		* no physical abilities below 10; 0PP
	* +2 Attack bonus; 4PP		* +2 Attack bonus; 4PP
	* +2 Defense bonus; 4PP		* +2 Defense bonus; 4PP
	* 20 skill ranks total~~, and at least 1 rank~~ in ~~each, between~~ ''Climb'', ''Knowledge (streetwise~~)'', ''Knowledge (tactics~~)'', ''Notice'', ''Profession (soldier)~~'', ''Stealth~~'' and ''Swim''; 5PP		* 20 skill ranks total in ''Climb'', ''Knowledge (streetwise)'', ''Notice'', ''Profession (soldier)'' and ''Swim'', with at least 1 rank in each; 5PP
	* 2 ranks of the ''Equipment'' feat (see [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Underground_Polis#Equipment Equipment], below); 2PP		* 2 ranks of the ''Equipment'' feat (see [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Underground_Polis#Equipment Equipment], below); 2PP
	You can choose not to pay all that, saving some PP for other uses, but ~~unless you have some significant redeeming qualities to make up for your shortcomings,~~ you'll likely be seen as a slacker not worthy to bear your shield; you'll be on thin ice with your superiors and looked down upon by your peers. Personal friends and other PCs ''probably'' excluded, naturally.		You can choose not to pay all that, saving some PP for other uses, but you'll likely be seen as a slacker not worthy to bear your shield unless you have some significant redeeming qualities to make up for your shortcomings; you'll be on thin ice with your superiors and looked down upon by your peers. Personal friends and other PCs ''probably'' excluded, naturally.

	===Abilities===		===Abilities===

Max: /* The Slime */

2017-08-25T15:47:49Z

The Slime

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:47, 25 August 2017
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	=====The Slime=====		=====The Slime=====
	A sickly yellow slime mold that sometimes starts to grow out from the neglected tunnels beyond the City's west wall, like a sudden fungal tide, known to cover at worst maybe a quarter mile per day. Brief exposure only causes a mild burning sensation, but people caught unaware by it (typically people sleeping in or under the streets) have sometimes been found ''digested'' to the bone; on some particularly disastrous occasions the slime has grown under and up into houses and entire neighborhoods before being noticed, with tragic consequences. Fortunately, burning and shoveling it back have always been sufficient to check its advance, and it usually only happens once a decade or ~~two~~.		A sickly yellow slime mold that sometimes starts to grow out from the neglected tunnels beyond the City's west wall, like a sudden fungal tide, known to cover at worst maybe a quarter mile per day. Brief exposure only causes a mild burning sensation, but people caught unaware by it (typically people sleeping in or under the streets) have sometimes been found ''digested'' to the bone; on some particularly disastrous occasions the slime has grown under and up into houses and entire neighborhoods before being noticed, with tragic consequences. Fortunately, burning and shoveling it back have always been sufficient to check its advance, and it usually only happens once a decade or three.

	There's probably some significance to the way it spreads out from the direction of the old graveyard, just outside the walls, but everybody has a different theory on what this means (aside from the Pits usually getting the worst of it). Nobody's volunteered to go and explore... aside from that one brave squad, as the elder guardsmen are happy to tell, that never returned. You never met them, it was before your time.		There's probably some significance to the way it spreads out from the direction of the old graveyard, just outside the walls, but everybody has a different theory on what this means (aside from the Pits usually getting the worst of it). Nobody's volunteered to go and explore... aside from that one brave squad, as the elder guardsmen are happy to tell, that never returned. You never met them, it was before your time.