Category: Masks: A New Generation RPG

So my players are gearing up for a massive Gala event that has all the makings of a heist/intrigue Issue. Two of my players have decided that to facilitate this heist they need fake identities. I suggested they play well known heroes and have worked on a Mechanic to make the stakes reasonable and not just about the RP. I’d appreciate some thoughts on this mechanic.

Alias:

Suspicion: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

You have an assumed identity. You must act in a manner which comports with your facade and failure to do so will raise suspicion. Whenever you fail to meet one of the assigned manners of your Alias, mark one on the Suspicion Track.

Well Known but not Well Researched: You’ve studied your Alias prior to using them as a disguise. You’ve learned some of their various tics and mannerisms. Pick Two.

Physical Ailment (Danger/Superior): Your Alias has suffered from a malady for some time. A debilitating virus, battle wounds from a fight with a rival or simply the march of time. Take -1 to Directly Engage or Assess the Situation while acting under your Alias. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion while playing up your disability or ailment after a failed roll.

Incompatible (Freak): Your powers and the powers of your Alias are wholly distinct from one another. You’ll need some fairly good bluffing to make the square peg fit the round hole. Take -1 to Unleashing your Powers while acting under your Alias. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion by solving a problem without your abilities.

Callous (Savior/Mundane): Your Alias is not known for their good reputation. Perhaps they’re a villain who wantonly disposes of their minions. Perhaps you’re a hero that punished harshly and praises rarely. Either way, you’re not the sort to stand up in defense of anyone or anything but yourself and your cause and everyone knows it. Take either -1 to Defend or Comfort/Support while acting under your Alias. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion by rejecting or otherwise acting harshly to a teammate or someone you have Influence over outside your Alias.

Burned Bridges (Superior): The person you are emulating is either not respected, feared or otherwise an outsider to the wider hero community. Your words carry little weight with your peers. Take -1 to Provoke while acting under your Alias. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion by further acting in a manner that would make your peers ostracize you.

Detached (Mundane): Your Alias, for whatever reason, is well known for their public persona at the expense of their more private reservations and feelings thus making it difficult to relate to others. Take -1 to Pierce the Mask rolls while acting under your Alias. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion by actively opening up to someone you’ve spurned in the past.

Center of Attention: You’ve picked a popular or famous Alias and the world, regardless of why, has expectations and exceeding Influence over you. Take -1 to rejecting the Influence while acting under your Alias. At any time you may declare you are using your status to distract or place yourself at the forefront of the scene. Roll + Suspicion. On a miss, you may lower your Suspicion by 1 to a minimum of 0. On a hit you’ve got their attention, take +1 forward to your next action but increase your Suspicion by 1. On a 10+, you’ve misstepped, your enemies gain an opportunity and increase your Suspicion by 1. You may burn one Potential either on your track or earned in the scene to lower Suspicion by playing to your beloved status when it is least appropriate.

In the Moment: Any time, until your cover is blown, you may expend a single Suspicion to use an Adult Move associated with your choices from Well Known but not Well Researched. You may use this once per scene.

Facade: Maintaining an Alias is difficult. At the end of the scene or when time passes, roll + Suspicion to see how well you are keeping up your ruse. On a miss, you’ve kept your ruse up and no one seems to suspect a thing. On a hit, you’ve bungled some important detail. What is it? Take an additional -1 to a single Well Known but not Well Researched choices until the end of the following scene. On a 10+, someone knows and they’re bound to sound the alarm. Indicate one person in the scene and say how they know.

If masquerading as an Adult persona, you are considered to have Influence over teenage heroes. If they reject that Influence, instead of removing your or your Aliases Influence over them gain 1 Suspicion instead. Once all five Suspicion points have been marked, your cover is blown. Mark a Condition and prepare for the worst.