Golden Gate Guardians: Player Resources

What's expected:

Players are expected to not only interact with one another and NPCs during the duration of a turn (from Monday through Thursday), but also to write what I call "turn responses," which are due in to me by Thursday evening. I award EPs based on the quality of both turns and responses.

Guidelines for writing turn responses:

Because of the nature of PBEM, obviously a turn can't always address what's going on in each character's life. The players have significant leeway to decide for themselves how their lives are going outside of the main plot, and are urged to write scenes in which their character interact with their NPCs.

There is an exception to this: players shouldn't write dialogue for main NPCs or law enforcement types (like PRIMUS or individuals in potential positions of authority over the character.) If the PC needs to speak to someone like this, initiate the conversation with me, and describe your character's demeanor as they approach the person they need to speak with, and we'll conduct the conversation via mail.

Be creative! Deal with the character's mental state, and how the events in the game are affecting his or her personal life. It's hard to hold down a job and go adventuring at night -- write it out. Also, be realistic: PCs who suddenly acquire a "perfect" life this way will be in for a surprise!

By writing for your character what's going on in their lives, you will not only get to develop your character in more depth, but you will also give me all sorts of plot ideas. Feel free to make up the people who round out your character's day -- the secretary, babysitter or mail carrier -- because it will lend the game an even greater air of authenticity.

Character Basics:

The game is set in San Francisco in the present. The players will be paranormals, of 400 points, (200 base, 200 disads). The active power limit is 80 points, and the PCs should be characters who feel a strong call to uphold the good. There's no limit on one type of disadvantage, but diversity is good. No redundant psych lims, please. Average DEX and SPD are 23/6, though naturally martial artists and speedsters should be faster. The only real stipulation in terms of TYPE of character is that heroes should be, well, heroes.

Character creation should include a detailed history and explanation of powers. Please make sure your character write-up answers the following questions. These are adapted from "Twenty Questions" in the Shadowrun book.

What is the color of the character's hair, eyes, and skin?
What is the character's general appearace? Does the character stand erect or stooped? Dress anachronistically, stylishy, or inauspiciously? Look intimidating or casual? What might someone seeing the character for the first time think?
Where was the character born?
What is the character's age?
What was the character's family?
Has the character begun his own family?
When or how was the character educated?
Has the character ever done anything else for a living?
What about the character's political and religious beliefs?
What is the character's moral code?
Does the character have any goals?
What is the character's personality?
What special qualities does the character posess? This doesn't necessarily refer to skills, but to what the character can do well. Does he get along well with other people? Is he skilled at taking care of business? Prioritizing tasks? Planning ahead?
Are there certain things the character just cannot do? Get close to people? Perceive himself realistically?
What does the character hate?
What does the character love?
What is the character's full name? Nicknames?
How does the character percieve government? Those who are opposed to the government?
How did the character gain his abilites? What was his first reaction? What motivates him to act as a hero now?

House Rules:

I have a few House Rules regarding character generation/play. Most of these won't affect PBEM, but, for your enjoyment:

Luck is as per GURPS -- fifteen points, and the player gets to reroll (twice) one roll per hour and take the best of the three. In my games, that is once every chronological hour (i.e., 2-3, 5-6, 9-10). If a player uses his luck at 8:57, it can be used at 9:00, but he then must wait until after 10.
All players have their base mental defense without paying points. However, there is no bonus once points are paid for mental defense.
Dive-for-cover only works against area affect/explosions.
Most professional skills are based from Characteristics (Lawyer: PRE, Doctor: INT, Racecar driver: DEX).
Electronics and most other general skills are INT based. This doesn't include Ventriloquism or Mimicry, however.