[Magical Psychopomp Lotus Guardians] Power 19

[Elliott]

Just as long as I posted the sitch, I may as well post the Power 19.

If anything looks like it doesn't do what I think it does, let me know, please.  Thank you.

MAGICAL PSYCHOPOMP
LOTUS GUARDIAN

a magical girl manga storytelling game

[Elliott]

Sorry to reply to my own post so soon, but:

I would like to playtest this, if possible.  Any volunteers?  I live in the Bay Area, California. 

I could probably hold a playtest myself at Endgame, It's Your Move, Games of Berkeley, Eudemonia or Green Griffon.

The Intarwebs, particularly PBP on RPG.net, are also possible.

Or I could give out playtest docs.

[Filip Luszczyk]

As I've been reading this, I kept wondering how competitive the game is supposed to be, actually.

I get the impression that there's a somewhat narrow scope of "proper" choices, and that the game harshly penalized "bad" choices, discouraging the players from doing certain things to the point that there's only one viable way to go. Dunno if that's really the case here, might be just an impression.

I'm not sure if I buy the importance of the goddess and her actual role in the game.

The title sounds good. It didn't the first time I saw it, but after repeating it a few times in my head, it has kind of a nice sound to it.

Also, playtesting the game via PBF isn't very reliable, if it's meant to be played tabletop.

[Elizabeth P.]

As the Magical Psychopomp Lotus Guardians, these magical girls (and rarely, boys) are empowered by Kwan Yin, a beautiful Chinese dim-sum delivery girl and the godess Compassion Herself, and charged to send a Hungry Ghost beyond and help those that the Hungry Ghost has inflicted suffering upon. 

Overall, I like the concept.  My one hang-up is with the Kwan Yin as you've described here.  The thought of the Kwan Yin being the one to initiate actions towards the Hungry Ghosts (or their victims) seems a little "Charlie's Angels" for me.  I can understand the need for it, but are you also considering a way for the players to beginning initiating searches on their own, without being led each time? 

Also, (and maybe I'm just stuck on the Kwan Yin thing) are you considering bringing in other Bodhisattvas as leaders for the MPLGs?  While Kwan Yin maybe the most reconizable by the masses, I think it'd be pretty interesting to be able incorporate some of the others (like Tara).

[Elliott]

Overall, I like the concept.  My one hang-up is with the Kwan Yin as you've described here.  The thought of the Kwan Yin being the one to initiate actions towards the Hungry Ghosts (or their victims) seems a little "Charlie's Angels" for me.  I can understand the need for it, but are you also considering a way for the players to beginning initiating searches on their own, without being led each time? 

Also, (and maybe I'm just stuck on the Kwan Yin thing) are you considering bringing in other Bodhisattvas as leaders for the MPLGs?  While Kwan Yin maybe the most reconizable by the masses, I think it'd be pretty interesting to be able incorporate some of the others (like Tara).

Does sound like Kanchan's Angels the way I wrote it, don't it? 

That's not what I intended.

Rather, the close personal friend of all the PC's, Kanchan, properly Kwan Yin (the goddess Compassion Herself), helped them to fight off the first Hungry Ghost that they perceived, and empowered them to fight the rest, and sometimes helps them do so and heals them between ghosts.

Better?

Also - The game, as written, is more subtle and less punishing than I made it sound.  Playtests, playtests, I must playtest.

As for the name, I'm now thinking of calling this game Reaper Girls - A Shoujo Manga Style-Storytelling Game, with a Japanese name at the top: Kanchan no Shoujo Shinigami.

[Elizabeth P.]

Rather, the close personal friend of all the PC's, Kanchan, properly Kwan Yin (the goddess Compassion Herself), helped them to fight off the first Hungry Ghost that they perceived, and empowered them to fight the rest, and sometimes helps them do so and heals them between ghosts.

That sounds much better.  It definitely gives it a more open feel for future gaming.