[TSOY] The Shadow of the Abyss

[Mark Causey]

url=http://www.story-games.com/forums/comments.php?DiscussionID=4490]Story Games[/url], if you prefer.

The Shadow of the Abyss
"What kind of inhumanity will emerge when fighting the inhuman?"

Pools:
Danger - Abilities based on getting into and out of danger
Refreshes by: Sharing a moment of peace with someone

Conspire - Abilities based on conspiring and maintaining conspiracies
Refreshes by: Enjoying a spontaneous act with someone

Abyss - Abilities based on learning the truth and anything supernatural or alien in origin
Refreshes by: Stepping back from the Abyss and becoming intimate with someone


The Shadow of the Abyss
"What kind of inhumanity will emerge when fighting the inhuman?"

Pools:
Danger - Abilities based on getting into and out of danger
Refreshes by: Sharing a moment of peace with someone

Conspire - Abilities based on conspiring and maintaining conspiracies
Refreshes by: Enjoying a spontaneous act with someone

Abyss - Abilities based on learning the truth and anything supernatural or alien in origin
Refreshes by: Stepping back from the Abyss and becoming intimate with someone

[oliof]

Are the other pools also limited to a maximum of 10? Can you have an Abyss pool of 11 or more without the Shadow of the Abyss secret? What happens if someone has an Abyss pool of 11 or higher when they buy the Secret of the Shadow of the Abyss?

[Mark Causey]

I had thought of making the maximum for Pools 10 in this scenario.It would be as close to making the PCs 'limited' as I'd care to go. I think it would fit the scenario. What do you think?

[Eero Tuovinen]

Well, if I was in your pants I'd simply combine the Abyss and Shadow Pools:

Secret - Shadow of the Abyss
You stared into the Abyss, and it stared back. Your Abyss Pools no more refreshed by the normal means - instead, you refresh by revealing the horrible secrets of the Abyss to other people. You may also use the kewl powerz that come with being one the cool evil dudes.

Much simpler, isn't it? I at least have difficulty appreciating the practical differences of an Abyss and a Shadow Pool enough to justify their separateness.

Other than that, looking good to me. I like the Pools and refreshes.

[Mark Causey]

As for the two separate Pools, I was hoping to indicate three things:

1. Abyss Abilities and Shadow Abilities are different
2. Taking on the Shadow was a potentially limiting effect as time went on
3. Abyss Pool points and Shadow Pool points could be used on the same roll - i.e., two Bonus dice if you so choose

Still, I'm not married to the idea. Thanks for all of the feedback so far!

[oliof]

I just wanted to know if the pool limit is explicitly for all pools. Revelation is a cool ability, but I like Eeros Secret as well; it could possibly exist aside your one; calling one "Secret of the Abyssal Stare" and the other "Secret of the Abyssal Shadow".

[Mark Causey]

Now I just need to work on how the disturbed, alien needs of the supernatural will cross with the normal desires of humans. That is, I need to have a model for how the typical 'big bad creature' is more than just a monster - TSOY doesn't allow single-minded monsters.

[Mark Causey]

It doesn't support them, I mean.