From: ex_planewalk419	Date: November 2nd, 2005 06:12 pm (UTC)		(Link)

How does "dream-tech"--gear like the Lacuna Device--get researched and made? It's a collective subconcious, so the device isn't manufactured in the real world (or is it?) However, there needs to be some way to translate that "concept of thingy that sends evil to the Lacuna" into "here's what you need to do subconciously to make it work."

I also think it might be helpful to have different levels of play, ala octaNe. You mentioned in my Actual Play thread on RPG.net that you play the game very realistic until the evil shows up, whereas I played it surreal from the start.

The book says that the folks in Mythography aren't allowed into Blue City. Does this mean "ever?" Because it would be very interesting indeed i mythography is populated by people who aren't allowed to enter a certain level of sleep because they could enter Blue City.

What does the Slab look like? I always made it into some grotto-type of lair where all the different pieces of the Company sit for instertion. Is it a warehouse? A series of clinical waiting rooms, each whith it's own tech? That could be helpful.

Can the characters get inserted with gear? I allowed my PCs one piece of equipment each. Likewise, can equipment from one mission be carried over into the next? One game I ran had a character find an aluminium baseball bat that was curved like a scimitar, and her really liked that. Some guidelines for that would be nice.

What happens to lucid dreamers in Blue City? Are they essentially like Mystery Agents, only without the Company? Would they be like rogue Agents?

Is there anything beyond the city limits? Is it like Dark City, where the walls keep you in the city, or is there some sort of dreamer's wasteland beyond the city?

Is there a governmnet in Blue City? I always sort of played it as an "everyday life" scenario where the people acted like the government was there, but no one really interacted with it. Police were pretty vagely defined, usually seen more with speeding cars and flashing lights than an actual uniformed cop patrolling the streets. Again, this might be something that gets handled if you have varying levels of play.

What is your ideal soundtrack for Lacuna? That's just out of curiosity. =)

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more later.

	From: memento_mori	Date: November 2nd, 2005 06:22 pm (UTC)		(Link)

What is your ideal soundtrack for Lacuna? That's just out of curiosity.

I use a mix of CD's by the ambient electronic group Scorn ("Gyrla" and "Logghi Barroghi" in particular) and the "Devlab" project by Devin Townsend.

	From: madmoses	Date: November 2nd, 2005 09:51 pm (UTC)		(Link)

The book says that the folks in Mythography aren't allowed into Blue City. Does this mean "ever?" Because it would be very interesting indeed i mythography is populated by people who aren't allowed to enter a certain level of sleep because they could enter Blue City.

[...]

What happens to lucid dreamers in Blue City? Are they essentially like Mystery Agents, only without the Company? Would they be like rogue Agents?

Pretty cool ideas!

Is there a governmnet in Blue City?

In my Blue City, yes. One time my agents found out that the HP they were searching for was the major of Blue City. The city hall was never the same afterwards...

From: bperris	Date: November 4th, 2005 02:17 am (UTC)		(Link)
Point me in the right direction ...

>>You mentioned in my Actual Play thread on RPG.net that you play the game very realistic until the evil shows up, whereas I played it surreal from the start.<<

Could you possibly point me in the direction of your Actual Play Thread? I would very much like to see it.

	From: madmoses	Date: November 2nd, 2005 09:44 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Some rules stuff

Don't forget to mention how often an agent can lower his heart rate. IIRC this would be dependant on his Force rating. If depending on Force, make it clear that it doesn't give you more tries just because you are in your target heart rate zone which might give you a Force bonus.

In addition "make a generic Talent roll" is unclear. Does that mean "just roll 3 dice", then get rid off the "Talent" and write "just roll 3 dice", or does it mean make a generic roll depending on your Primary Attribute "Talent"?

Does rolling Access for ejecting while in the presence of Spidermen get an autommatic x2 risk multiplier?

	From: memento_mori	Date: November 2nd, 2005 09:49 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Some rules stuff

Relaxtion techniques were/are based on Talent and they work a little differently now. In fact, Each of the four Primary Attributes has a specific function within Blue City, as well as more general uses.

The Target Heart Rate mechanic is much more streamlined and Risk multipliers are now gone. Instead, you can re-roll if you don't like the result, with each roll making success easier (but of course, each roll adds to your heart rate).

	From: madmoses	Date: November 2nd, 2005 09:53 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Some rules stuff

Risk multipliers are now gone

Good news. They were too complicated for what they achieved anyway.

	From: weerdbeard	Date: November 2nd, 2005 10:50 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Awww I LIKED Risk multipliers. You just have to encourage your players to "think outside the box" give them examples of a risk multiplier for each of the atributes. (Super-human strenth for Force, ESP or extream intuition for Instict, super human dexterity, aim, or innovation for Talent. For Access I usally impose the multiplier when the player asks for somthing "too good".

This sounds like a good idea, but also part of me fears it. You have a TOP-Notch RPG, and some SERIOUS fans in my group. I hope it still keeps "that feel"

If anything I can pick and choose from the new and old versions.

I have some things to ask as well, but no time tonight.

-Weer'd Beard

From: (Anonymous)	Date: November 2nd, 2005 11:48 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Dream-reality connection

What effects on society have been documented due to dream technology?

From: (Anonymous)	Date: November 3rd, 2005 12:04 am (UTC)		(Link)
Re: Dream-reality connection

You have no clearance for this information.

Sincerely,
Control

From: (Anonymous)	Date: November 3rd, 2005 06:11 am (UTC)		(Link)

Great game just having purchased a copy 2 weeks ago!

1. What about a more indepth description of clearances and the types of missions involved for each?

	From: memento_mori	Date: November 3rd, 2005 11:23 am (UTC)		(Link)

Good question. I'll add that to the main text...what kind of information would you like?

Just a note: because of the Nasrudin Institute's success with the Lacuna program, it has recently expanded the Mystery Agents' work to cover violent/destructive criminal behavior of all kinds rather than just the most heinous offenses. The Institute's motto: "A world without fear."

From: bperris	Date: November 4th, 2005 02:44 am (UTC)		(Link)

Now that I am all logged in, maybe I can elaborate.

What constitutes a Deep-Blue assignment versus a Blue one? Give some examples or short story pieces. Are some Blue Insertion assignments dealing with the "people" of Blue City rather than those inserted into Blue City?

With the Mythography teams not allowed in, are some Blue assignments gathering information on what makes the natives "tick"?

This is some very interesting and thought provoking stuff on many levels. While I like the game mechanics, I am more interested in Blue City and its inhabitants. Peel away more layers of the mystery until we are completely sucked in.

From: ex_planewalk419	Date: November 4th, 2005 05:03 am (UTC)		(Link)

>>Just a note: because of the Nasrudin Institute's success with the Lacuna program, it has recently expanded the Mystery Agents' work to cover violent/destructive criminal behavior of all kinds rather than just the most heinous offenses. The Institute's motto: "A world without fear."

(I've never gotten the hang of quotes in LJ)

It's hard to believe that the Nasrudin Institute is a world-spannning organization. Are there other programs out there with other countries? Or is that part of the reason the Spidermen exist?

From: bperris	Date: November 4th, 2005 05:16 am (UTC)		(Link)

For some reason, I picture an old Soviet program with agents in the large, padded cosmonaut-like outfits

From: ex_planewalk419	Date: November 4th, 2005 05:18 am (UTC)		(Link)

Yeah, me, too. But at the same time, that's sort of what the Spidermen do in the game.

From: bperris	Date: November 4th, 2005 05:36 am (UTC)		(Link)

I was thinking along the lines of a Russian version of the N.I., setting off a cold war in the Blue City. Agents trying to outgather information of the other organization.

With the Spidermen dressed in old Soviet uniforms, one would assume they must be working together, however, to the Russian agents, the Spidermen might appear to be wearing American uniforms?

	From: IMAGinES [herstik.com]	Date: December 2nd, 2005 02:52 am (UTC)		(Link)

Would it be worthwhile re-naming either the Exceptional grade of success or the Exceptional attribute key? I can see some confusion arising form those.

Then again, you've used Nominal for both key and grade.

	From: siamhussein	Date: December 21st, 2005 02:02 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Comapny FAQ

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