Category: Urban Shadows RPG: Discussion

As our new game develops, it turns out Wizards get their power from a Dark Gift that was inherited generations ago. Using magic risks madness, as it connects you to the Outer World, a scary place full of scary things. 

With that in mind, I’m thinking about tweaking the Wizard’s Corruption move. We’ve established that the ritual and use of magical language in spellcasting is a way to “refine” the energy of the Outer World, making it more palatable to mortal minds. So I’m trying to come up with a corruption move that reflects this. Maybe something like:

When you cast a spell without spending one of your Hold from Channelling, mark corruption.

I hesitate, though, because other corruption moves don’t give you a direct in-game benefit like this. Does this corruption move seem legit? Any suggestions?

For those who’ve put in a fair few sessions of Urban Shadows: Do you generally use Session Intro for immediate or more mid-term plot threads?

My understanding of the Session Intro move is that it is primarily for generating immediate or short term plot propulsion. It’s stuff to do this session. 

This jars with my powergamer itch to always strive to engage the primary advancement mechanic. The Faction checked in the move can’t be checked again until the other three Factions are checked. So when I first read this move, I assumed (despite the evidence right there in the examples for the move) it was for generating “B” plots. Stuff to do NEXT session. For the current session, hammer on the remaining Factions to be checked (and resolve the related plot) so next session the rumor in the distance steps up. 

I’m wondering, though, if this interpretation of Session Intro might be really great for mid-late game. Once the ebb and flow of the plot is better understood by the group and can be more finely manipulated. 

Working on Vamp moves. Here’s what we have come up with for sunlight:

When you are exposed to direct sunlight for a short time, roll +Spirit.

On a hit, you’re fine, for now.

On a 7-9, chose one:

°You smolder visibly

°You take – 1 ongoing until you get out of the sun.

On a miss, you burst into flames. The MC will tell you how much ap Harm you take. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will automatically result in a miss.

I was listening to a podcast AP of Urban Shadows and they were using a rule where you could “Let it out” in order to access corruption moves you don’t have. Or you could just take a corruption and then use a corruption move you didn’t have. That’s… not a thing, right?