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palace_zero [2020/04/07 19:42] mike_holmespalace_zero [2020/04/07 22:31] (current) mike_holmes
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 Welcome to the palace of the Prince. Why have you come? Will you get what you want, or end up paying a dark price? Welcome to the palace of the Prince. Why have you come? Will you get what you want, or end up paying a dark price?
  
 +====== Introduction ======
 +{{https://i.pinimg.com/564x/42/16/e4/4216e4f27abbb1e0165bea5bb763b21f.jpg }}
 +The Imperial Prince has many palaces, each one of them numbered and amazingly grand, but none that come close to the phenomenon that is known as Palace Zero. Nobody, not even the Castellan of the Palace, understands the full extent of Palace Zero, which goes on for many miles in every direction from the Prince's main quarters. 
 +
 +The Prince's Empire takes up half the world, it is said, and maybe someday it will encompass the whole globe. The Empire's dirigible air-fleet and the new invention of tanks makes it seem like an unstoppable juggernaut. But the Empire itself is creaky, straining under it's own weight, and the Prince has enemies from within. And something darker in the Palace as well. So perhaps world domination is less inevitable than it might at first seem. 
 +
 +There's a lot of spiritualism going on, and a lot of people believe in this or that form of the supernatural. Are magic and ghosts real? Only your characters know for sure. 
 +
 +(Note that the text uses the typically male term "Prince." To be sure the game will be at least as fun if the Prince is a Princess. But feel free to use whichever term you prefer, no matter what gender the player decides for the character.)
 +
 +
 +----
 ====== Characters ====== ====== Characters ======
 +Characters in Palace Zero are rated primarily by their proximity to his Grand Royal Highness the Imperial Prince. They also have a few abilities to describe them, including a primary role. Decide on a reason for your character to have been summoned to the Palace, or what their agenda is while they are there. Or decide your proximity and role first perhaps, and see what you may think works as their agenda then. Whichever order works best for you.
  
 +At some point during creating your character come up with things like sex/gender and a name for them. 
 +{{  http://universe-meeps.leagueoflegends.com/v1/assets/images/factions/image-gallery/piltover-treasury.jpg}}
 ===== Proximity ===== ===== Proximity =====
  
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 Pick a Proximity to the Prince: Pick a Proximity to the Prince:
  
-^Proximity^Secrets Points^Abilities^ +^Proximity^Secrets Points^Abilities^Target #
-|Prince   |5|1| +|Prince   |5|1|3
-|Family   |4|2| +|Family   |4|2|4
-|Relation |3|3| +|Relation |3|3|5
-|Staff    |2|4| +|Staff    |2|4|6
-|Courtier |1|5| +|Courtier |1|5|8
-|Outsider |0|6|+|Outsider |0|6|9|
  
 ===== Roles ===== ===== Roles =====
  
-Once you have selected a proximity, select one of the roles typical for that Proximity. Or if you have another idea, talk to the GM, and invent a new role. +Once you have selected a proximity, select one of the roles typical for that Proximity. Or if you have another idea, talk to the GM, and invent a new role. Your role is one of your abilities, and a broad one that encompasses a wide array of skills and such that go into such a role. Yes, the Prince's only ability is being the Prince.  
 + 
 +Only one player may take a particular role, unless otherwise noted in the description
  
 ==== Prince Roles ==== ==== Prince Roles ====
-The Prince has no options in terms of specialized roles, they are always the Co-GM.+The Prince has no options in terms of specialized roles, they are always the Co-GM, and their role is simply to be the Prince of the Empire
  
 ==== Family Roles ==== ==== Family Roles ====
Line 28: Line 45:
  
 === Vizier === === Vizier ===
-One player should probably play the vizier. The vizier must take some sort of skill related to spying or international relations, etc+This is the Prince's closest confidant, and advisor, very much a second-in-command, who speaks with the authority of the Prince on most matters. One player should probably play the vizier. 
  
 === Grand Duke === === Grand Duke ===
-Runs a large portion of the Prince's empire. +Runs a large portion of the Prince's empire. Invent the domain your character administers. More than one player may take this role.  
 + 
 +=== Grand Marshall === 
 +The commander of the Prince's armed forces worldwide. The Marshall has access to amazing military resources and might. Describe your military's doomsday weapon, with which the Empire has conquered half the world.  
  
 ==== Relation Roles ==== ==== Relation Roles ====
Line 37: Line 58:
  
 === Foreign Minister === === Foreign Minister ===
-Works closely with the Vizier. +Works closely with the Vizier, and interacts with all manner of foreign dignitaries
  
 === Chancellor of the Exchequer === === Chancellor of the Exchequer ===
-Deals with money matters for the Prince.+Deals with money matters for the Prince, and handles economic policies for the Empire worldwide
  
 === Minister of Intelligence === === Minister of Intelligence ===
-Also works with the Vizier, this minister is in charge of the various spy organizations that the Prince has in place. +Also works with the Vizier, this minister is in charge of the various spy organizations that the Prince has in place. Only one player may take this role. 
 + 
 +=== Minister of Justice === 
 +Essentially the Supreme Court for the Empire, this individual interprets the Prince's law.  
 + 
 +=== Minister of the Imperial Court === 
 +A relation given the duty of overseeing the affairs of the courtiers at court at the Palace and beyond.  
  
 ==== Staff Roles ==== ==== Staff Roles ====
Line 52: Line 80:
  
 === Major Domo === === Major Domo ===
-The Major Domo runs the household in terms of seeing that operations work smoothly. Everything from state dinners, to travel arrangements.+The Major Domo runs the household in terms of seeing that operations work smoothly. Everything from state dinners, to travel arrangements. 
  
 === Head Gardener === === Head Gardener ===
Line 62: Line 90:
 === Quartermaster === === Quartermaster ===
 The Palace is an amazingly complex place, and maintaining supplies for it is a daunting task. The Quartermaster reports to the Chancellor of the Exchequer who ensures that there is money for supplies.  The Palace is an amazingly complex place, and maintaining supplies for it is a daunting task. The Quartermaster reports to the Chancellor of the Exchequer who ensures that there is money for supplies. 
 +
  
 ==== Courtier Roles ==== ==== Courtier Roles ====
-Courtiers serve less formal roles in the palace, mostly being minor nobility who the Prince tends to allow around himself occasionally, a means by which to keep an eye on them all. +Courtiers serve less formal roles in the palace, mostly being minor nobility who the Prince tends to allow around himself occasionally, a means by which to keep an eye on them all. All Courtiers report to the Minister of the Imperial Court
  
 === Dandy === === Dandy ===
-The Dandy is a foppish type. +The Dandy is a foppish type. Often this sort of character is under-estimated, and can get more done than one would think. More than one player may take this role
  
 === Gossip === === Gossip ===
-The gossip is the courtier one goes to in order to get all of the knowledge they need about others at court. They have a knack for finding out the secrets of others. +The gossip is the courtier one goes to in order to get all of the knowledge they need about others at court. They have a knack for finding out the secrets of others. More than one player may take this role
  
 === Rake === === Rake ===
-The rake is the party animal of the court, carousing, gambling and generally upsetting the peace at all hours. Fortunately for the Rake, the Prince has a fondness for their tomfoolery, and thus lets them remain at court.  +The rake is the party animal of the court, carousing, gambling and generally upsetting the peace at all hours. Fortunately for the Rake, the Prince has a fondness for their tomfoolery, and thus lets them remain at court.  More than one player may take this role. 
  
 === Lover === === Lover ===
Line 83: Line 112:
  
 === Business === === Business ===
-A business person who has some contracts or deals, discussions of which have required them to come to court. +A business person who has some contracts or deals, discussions of which have required them to come to court. More than one player may take this role
  
 === Media === === Media ===
-Some media hound has written an article that has drawn the attention of the government, or have proposed writing such a story, and thus have been allowed into the palace. +Some media hound has written an article that has drawn the attention of the government, or have proposed writing such a story, and thus have been allowed into the palace. More than one player may take this role
  
 === Petitioner === === Petitioner ===
-The ancient rite of commoners being able to petition the Prince still exists. No, you might not get to see much of the Prince, if at all, but somebody will be assigned to deal with your petition. +The ancient rite of commoners being able to petition the Prince still exists. No, you might not get to see much of the Prince, if at all, but somebody will be assigned to deal with your petition. More than one player may take this role
  
 === Military === === Military ===
-A member of one of the Prince's armed services, you are probably at the palace to discuss a military operation, or observations made during a military operation or some such.+A member of one of the Prince's armed services, you are probably at the palace to discuss a military operation, or observations made during a military operation or some such. More than one player may take this role.  
 + 
 +=== Foreign Dignitary === 
 +You've been assigned by your government to treat with the Empire, and now you've been summoned to the Palace for some reason.  
 + 
 + 
 +===== Second Abilities ===== 
 +The world in which Palace Zero exists is one of action and adventure. Consider taking one of the following as your second ability; these are often parallel professions or previous positions: 
 + 
 +|Two-Fisted Adventurer|Rich Dilettante|Charismatic Sailor| 
 +|Military Training|Circus Performer|Adventuresome Kid| 
 +|Successful Antiquarian|Intrepid Archaeologist|Retired Officer| 
 +|Fencing Champion|Gifted Spiritualist|Salvage Operator| 
 +|Daring Pilot|Crusading Attorney|Private Investigator| 
 +|Wise Librarian|Gallivanting Aristocrat|Talented Assassin| 
 +|Submersible Commander|Dastardly Ruffian|Fast-talking Huckster| 
 +|Big Game Hunter|Raised by Wolves|Wealthy Entrepreneur| 
 +|Aristocratic Burglar|Canny Conman|Tribal Warrior| 
 +|Psychologically-Challenged Scientist|Rugged Mercenary|Tricky Smuggler| 
 +|Intelligence Agent|Imperial Guardsman|Brawny Brawler| 
 +|World Traveler|Dispossessed Noble|Rustic Woodsman| 
 +|Crime Boss|Maverick Police Officer|Engaging Charlatan| 
 +|Bold Explorer|Proselytizing Priest|(come up with your own!)| 
 + 
 +===== Other Abilities ===== 
 +If your character is a Relation or further in proximity from the Prince, they will have even more abilities. These should be a bit narrower than the second abilities above, and often are like skills or abilities from other RPGs. Things such as acrobatics or botany or wealth. Be sure that one of your other two abilities doesn't already cover your third or more abilities.  
 + 
 +You can decide on these other skills before play, or you can reveal them during play as you find convenient.  
 + 
 +==== Rusty Ability ==== 
 +Your character also has one other ability that they've let fall into a lack of maintenance, such that they're "rusty" at it.  
 + 
 +===== Free Secret ===== 
 +Lastly, invent something secret. You may well want to invent something that helps your character's agenda; but don't invent something that resolves it before play begins.  
 + 
 + 
 +---- 
 +====== Resolution ====== 
 +Roll 2d6 and multiply the results of each die together. Then compare to your character's TN, depending on the type of ability below: 
 + 
 +^Ability Type   ^Succeed If  ^ 
 +|Regular Ability|Roll >= TN  |  
 +|Rusty Ability  |Roll < TN   | 
 +|No Ability     |Roll < TN -1| 
 + 
 +---- 
 +====== Secrets Points ====== 
 +{{https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fc/45/ee/fc45eeb7ae3a2d256cc3083953dc26d8.jpg }} 
 +Spend secrets points to invent secret things. Send a note to the GM to indicate what you've created. 
 + 
 +[Can more be obtained? For a one-shot, maybe no?] 
 + 
 +---- 
 +====== Optional Rules ====== 
 + 
 +===== Multiple Princes ===== 
 +For a large game with a lot of players, there may be two Prince players (or even more), each vying for sole occupancy of the throne.  
 + 
 +===== The Emperor ===== 
 +You didn't think that a Prince ruled the Empire, did you? In this scenario, the Prince is beholden to his father 
 + 
 +---- 
 +====== Actual Play ====== 
 +[[Palace Zero:Palace Zero Play]] in actual play. 
  
palace_zero.1586313759.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/04/07 19:42 by mike_holmes