Band

A Band's Purpose A Band is drawn together for a specific purpose that thematically connects the characters and the game as a whole. The referee may choose a purpose when starting up the game, or invite the players to discuss and select one of their own. Either way, everyone should be aware of the purpose before creating a character, and everyone should create a character compatible with that purpose. Below are some archetypical campaign purposes. Different game worlds suggest entirely new purposes, or put distinct spins on those outlined here. Anomalies: The Band is different from everyone else. They come together for safety and company, and perhaps to unravel the mystery of why they are anomalies in the first place. Architects: The Band has allied with one another to build something: an organization, a faction, or a community. The architects' efforts will live on after them, affecting the game world and future characters. Avengers: A nemesis has done something horrible, and now every member of the Band has a personal stake in making it right. An army of lackeys and lieutenants stand in the way of justice. Family: The Band is bound by blood, history, and friendship. Sagas are often family affairs, even if the first generation starts with a different purpose. Pawns: The Band is drawn together by an outside force, and bad things seem to happen if they drift apart. The members face a choice: to embrace their destiny or rebel against it. Pioneers: The Band volunteers to go (boldly) where no one has gone before. The Band is always driving forward, either for the joy of exploration or from some dire threat looming behind them. Specialists: An important job needs to be done, and the Band is recruited to do it. Each member has a role to fulfill to get this job done. Celebrities: The Band seeks fame, fortune, and everlasting glory. Rivals are always competing for the same spotlight. Survivors: The Band is forced together just to survive a harsh world. Rivals are competing for the same resources, or trying to take what the characters have.

Adventure Frameworks is played by a group of people, each with a character. Though each player's individual character is important, the alliance of these characters has a life of its own and is called your band. Individual characters gain reputations and assets, but the the band as a whole grows in power. Just like a character, a band has a name and a sheet to track accomplishments and properties.

Formation

How a band is formed varies. You could start with a purpose (see sidebar) and create characters that fit that purpose. You can simply assume that the band has formed before the first adventure begins, and either detail that formation as background information or discover it during play. You can make the formation of the alliance the focus of your first game session. A band must have a name and a leader, but you can change both as you go. Naming a band is deceptively important and will have strong impact on how your characters and the game develops over time. Take the time to think through the band's name, how it relates to your purpose and to the characters. If you can't come up with a fitting name the gossiping masses will come up with one for you, so don't leave your immortal legacy in their hands. Any player's character may be the leader, and is responsible for updating the band's sheet and tracking goals and advancement. The band must always have a leader present, and the role may be traded as desired. Being the band's leader doesn't give any mechanical benefits, but players will often give extra weight to a leader's decisions or allow the leader to break ties.

Advancement

Every individual character within a band has the same number of points to spend, based on the band's advancement. Most games will start at either the adept or accomplished level, and you get assets to match. When the band advances you gain the benefits whether you were present or not, and new recruits will only gravitate to the band if they are the same power level. You don't have to spend all your points, and unspent points remain available to spend during a respite or a crucible. When you resolve a goal, the leader will check it off on the Band Sheet. Each time a goal is checked off the members of the band gain focus. Once a goal is checked you don't get any additional advancement benefit, but you do still gain focus each time. Assets are for starting characters only, so when you advance you get more points to spend but your assets remain as whatever you have gained or lost in play.

• Raw: 5 points. One tier 1 asset. 5 goals to advance.
• Adept: 10 points. Two tier 1 assets. 10 goals to advance.
• Accomplished: 15 points. One tier 2 asset, two tier 1 assets. 15 goals to advance.
• Remarkable: 20 points. Two tier 2 assets, two tier 1 assets. 20 goals to advance.
• August: 25 points. One tier 3 asset, two tier 2 assets, two tier 1 assets. 25 goals to advance.
• Supreme: 30 points. Two tier 3 assets, two tier 2 assets, two tier 1 assets.

Dissolution

Since the band is the core of the game, a dissolving band marks the end of that game. A band could collapse due to all the members being killed, or even due to a fundamental disagreement that separates all the members. In either case you can start a new game with a new band. It is recommended that the new band have the same advancement as the old band, and already has checks for repeating goals that the old band gained so there is no need to grind back through the same goals all over again. A band should be working together towards common goals, each character should have a reason to be there, and each character should like or trust the other members. Exceptions are possible, but make it more likely that the band will dissolve. If a new band forms with more than one character from the original band it is considered the same band.

Crucible

Once per character you may use a crucible. A crucible is instant and grants you a rest and allows you to spend points. During this rest you experience a flashback, montage, or some new understanding about yourself and your abilities. You gain points to spend based on how far you've advanced towards the next power level. So if you are accomplished and need 15 goals to get 5 points, every 3 goals you have achieved gives you a point to spend right now. When the band reaches the next power level you only get points you haven't already spent, so for a short time you'll be a few points ahead but eventually everyone will have the same number of points again.

See Also

• Asset
• Band Sheet
• Character Creation

Version 2.5.2
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