EDIT: So this has been up forever and apparently is still a thing?

EDIT: So this has been up forever and apparently is still a thing?

EDIT: So this has been up forever and apparently is still a thing? I have no idea how G+ works, should probably learn. Just in case, a message – I’m leaving this as it is. In hindsight, it obviously needs a naming convention that matches the rest of MH for more than just thematic reasons. However, I think it would work better as a plot point or short campaign centered around a horrifically manipulative individual, perhaps a faerie heir/ess, or a magical artefact grown sentient, using Challengers and Precious to turn Monsterhearts into an arena of sorts. Hopefully. Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Hey all, I’ve been poking and prodding at a… well, to be perfectly honest, it was directly after watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World again, and I decided to create a Ramona Flowers-esque character. It turned out… ok? I think? Parts of it feel clunky, but here it is at the moment, warts and all:

THE DAMSEL

You’re a bystander. A prize. A plaything. A toy. Something for the rich and powerful to desire and covet, once they have all the wealth and control they can stomach. You are something to be bought and sold, won and lost. So what of the chains round your neck, they will always underestimate you. They want to fight over you? They’ll fight. They’ll bleed.

Playing the Damsel [Very WIP]:

Aloof and austere to those deemed unworthy, kind and compassionate to those who rise above, the Damsel is both the ringleader and the prize of a battle-royals of villains, heroes, captors and lovers.

You status is firmly locked into both your Sex Move and the mandatory Precious move: Waking up next to you is invigorating, inspiring, energising, and sometimes fatal. Connections can mean someone you have a string on, a friend, a family member, a lover, another Challenger, or something different.

Keep track of both those with the Challenger title, and those who have lost it. A comprehensive and readily available list will make adding additional Challengers to the roster much simpler

When using Rooting For You, you needn’t be present or aware of the circumstances, but the fight must definitely be about you specifically.

Ivory Tower implies a lot about your status as a Damsel, quite literally in distress. While trying to walk, talk or fight your way out is as challenging as ever, those that try and interrogate, seduce or resist your advances are in for a terrible time.

Name: Mulan, Arielle, Belle, Tiana

A sweet name, a commanding name, an old-sounding name

Look:

Doe eyes, kind eyes, piercing eyes.

Gold and silver chains, spiritual chains, invisible chains, chains of family, chains of friendship

Stats:

+1 Hot, 1 Volatile, 0 Cold, 0 Dark

Special [Yes, this is very wordy]: A few days after having sex with someone for the first time, they are marked as a Challenger. Every current Challenger gains two strings on them, and they gain one string on every other Challenger. If one Challenger kills or humiliatingly defeats another, both you and the victor gain 1 XP, while the loser is permanently stripped of their Challenger title and can never benefit from the Precious move again.

Darkest Self [Suggestions wanted]: You’re done dealing with this mess. They’re all fools, all of them, so lead them on a merry chase. Seduce one, be ensnared by another, then leave them all to squabble in the mud. Play the game, and make them all lose. You leave your Darkest Self when the death or permanent maiming of a Challenger leads you to realise the horror of the situation.

Moves (Take Precious and two others):

Precious – Whenever you wake up, whoever is closest to you at the time gains two strings on you, or anyone who has a connection to you. They also take +1 forward. You may ask them any three questions, they must answer honestly or give you a string for each.

Nut Shot – When you suddenly attack someone who is emotionally vulnerable, like staring deep into your eyes, you can roll to Lash Out Physically with Hot, and they are stunned for a moment

Rooting For You – Whenever someone fights for, or because of you, you can spend any of your strings on their behalf. If two or more people are fighting over you, you may choose to grant any of them +/ 1 ongoing for the duration of the fight.

Blinding – While you are pure, you can roll to Shut Someone Down with Hot. Anyone that lays a hand on you can decide to give you the condition Tarnished , and while you have it, you can’t use this move

Ivory Tower – When someone has you imprisoned against your will, they take -2 to do anything to you that doesn’t involve keeping you there.

Femme Fatale – After spending a night close to someone, you can choose to give them the condition Secret Weakness.

The Kitsune – PP Edition

The Kitsune – PP Edition

The Kitsune – PP Edition

In an effort to help do something about the current state of the US from over here in Japan, I have revised my Kitsune Skin for Monsterhearts. It is now up on PayHip for $4 and, until further notice, 50% of all the proceeds made from sales will be donated to Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/).

You are more than welcome to share this post. Thanks very much.

http://payhip.com/b/fcvg

The Oni – SPLC Edition

The Oni – SPLC Edition

The Oni – SPLC Edition

In an effort to help do something about the current state of the US from over here in Japan, I have revised my Oni Skin for Monsterhearts. It is now up on PayHip for $4 and, until further notice, 50% of all the proceeds made from sales will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Canter (https://www.splcenter.org/).

You are more than welcome to share this post. Thanks very much.

http://payhip.com/b/sLkp

Feedback Wanted

Feedback Wanted

Feedback Wanted

Several years ago I made my first Monsterhearts Skin: The Oni. The red-skinned demon/ogre from Japanese mythology dovetailed nicely with the teenage issue of bullying, and I thought the Skin was pretty well received.

With the upcoming release of Monsterhearts 2e I’m looking to revise The Oni (and my other Japanese mythology-themed Skins, The Kitsune and The Tengu). If anyone has any feedback to share from either playing as or with The Oni Skin, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hello fellow monsters

Hello fellow monsters

Hello fellow monsters,

I’d like to ask you for your creative powers for some advice on the Fury’s Darkest Self.

TLDR: How would you play the Fury (originally by Topher Gerkey ) in her Darkest Self when she’s her own Betrayer? Any cool ideas that would allow her to take vengeance on herself, maybe in some social suicide kind of way?

I think some background is in order.

The Fury became her Darkest Self in the last session to survive a house collapsing on her.

The Fury is played according to Topher „All-Demon-Flirt“ Gerkey ‘s version 2 of the Skin (https://docs.google.com/document/d/158pucrXLNzcRt4P87B-X8PQ0R-cNBkCSRWGMpjbCkwE/edit?usp=sharing).

We have an arrogant Vampire, a rather grown-up Werewolf, and a kind-hearted Mortal in the group, too, who are all in the same homeroom of course.

Generally, the Fury’s rather stand-offish and has trust issues (been Betrayed a few times too often before the campaign started). So, she hasn’t many friends. She has a recent crush, though. Besides, the Mortal (the crush’s brother), has been very sympathetic and forgiving. The Werewolf has been a voice of reason. The Vampire doesn’t take any lip from her and has shown a sexual interest.

Her parents who’re too scared of the things their child can do, have left her in the care of an old aunt who’s doing her best to be a loving guardian.

The Fury’s just learning her powers (= Moves, esp. Phenomenon) that stem from an unknown genetic mutation (think X-Men without the school). When she thought she finally did gain some control thanks to training with the crush, in the heat of battle, she accidentally killed a NPC who’s been a friend to the Vampire and the Mortal. She’s started getting acquainted with some Fae and Werewolves (NPCs) and promised them to track down a demon-summoning serial killer, the big bad.

She lost her Hopefull condition and became her own Betrayer then. Since then she’s been hating herself. (BTW, the Werewolf and the Vampire, who’s been rubbing her nose in it, were there at that time. She also confessed to the crush, and an old flame + betrayer). Now she’s just turned into her Darkest Self, too.

Here’s the description of the Darkest Self from the Skin:

“Nobody loves you. Nobody ever will. It’s all pain and loneliness and watching other people from the outside, and it will never change. They only pretended to like you so they could hurt you even more. There’s nothing left for you here but revenge, so burn it all down. Smash everything to pieces. Rip their secrets out and make them dance like dolls for your amusement. Your Fury moves are amplified and can affect groups of victims in the immediate area, and your destructive powers can affect large structures like buildings. Escape your Darkest Self when you have gotten vengeance on your latest, oldest or closest betrayer, or are shown an act of genuine kindness.”

I’ve been using her Phenomenon Move (vaguely like telekinesis, that is actually particle acceleration) a few times already to destroy things or hurt people in the spirit of vengeance even for little slights. Additionally, I’ve been gathering secrets for later ‘amusement’. The thing is, always smashing or blasting things and people gets old pretty fast. And, because we’re going to end the campaign soon, there isn’t much time for intrigue to use the secrets in.

What I’m looking for is something that the Fury could do to take vengeance on herself in a very self-destructive manner that would hurt her the most and involves other people.

What comes to your creative minds, fellow monsters? What would you guys do with the Fury in such a situation?

Does anybody have any recommendations for Skins that could represent:

Does anybody have any recommendations for Skins that could represent:

Does anybody have any recommendations for Skins that could represent:

– a Jekyll & Hyde / Hulk like character

– a Terminator / robot-in-disguise character

(I’m plotting something.)

I am contemplating more fully a Monsterhearts MU.

I am contemplating more fully a Monsterhearts MU.

I am contemplating more fully a Monsterhearts MU. I think I would want a few more skins that are “mundane” in character, like the Mortal and the Queen — I think the contrast is helpful, especially when player interaction will be doing some of the heavy lifting.

I haven’t sat down to write skins, but I am considering maybe some sort of Jock skin, some sort of Rich Kid skin, and maybe some sort of Outsider skin.

The Jock might be designed to tell stories about how sometimes, being physically strong just isn’t enough.

The Rich Kid (maybe “The Entitled”) might have some move that gives her access to wealth — and much like the Jock, be designed for stories about how mortal wealth isn’t enough.

The Outsider I imagine as the geek or goth or pagan — the outcast — and they might have some moves and stories about learning the secrets.

I’m not sure, though. What do you all think?

London Indiemeet regular Helen Gould has written these excellent skins based on Greek myth and tragedies.

London Indiemeet regular Helen Gould has written these excellent skins based on Greek myth and tragedies.

London Indiemeet regular Helen Gould has written these excellent skins based on Greek myth and tragedies. Check them out!

http://www.londonindierpg.com/2016/07/helen-goulds-classical-monsterhearts/