So, when we last left off, I decided to do Maid RPG for the system to reflect a change... and it didn’t go so well... So instead, I’ve decided to switch back to the Ghostbusters system... even though I would do that already... But yeah.
We established a lot of characters in that story, which prompts the use of the Personal Theme. This time, the threads and NPCs that the Focus Table rolls on are gonna see if they relate to a certain player. Because of this, I’ve decided to assign Threads and NPCs to the five PCs that I have.
- Psyga
- Personal Thread: Find a way back home
- Personal NPC: Maliss
- Ken
- Personal Thread: Save Tsukasa
- Personal NPC: Tsukasa
- Hinako
- Personal Thread: Win Psyga’s Love
- Personal NPC: Hajiko
- The Doctor
- Personal Thread: Stop Malareth
- Personal NPC: Bane
- Dante
- Personal Thread: Ensure the maid’s safety.
- Personal NPC: Brenda
By the end of this part, one of the Personal NPCs will be promoted to The Sixth Ranger. Who will it be? It depends on a few factors, a random dice roll based on those factors, and my own personal input. In short... anyone can become the new member of the Go-Busters... but who? Let’s begin.
Previously on… One More Day Before The Storm...
{The group enters a mansion as Dante introduces himself}
“My name is Dante, but you can call me Dante, the Exterminator of Demons! Has a nice ring, no?”
{As the Doctor and Dante invent the Ghost Trap, but a calling card is left behind and Dante reads it}
“Not even the army could stand up to this machine... Would you guys be able to trust a machine that is using you people and playing you like puppets? Ask it its true intent.”
{Bane arrives}
“UVA!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?”
{Malareth arrives}
“Ah! Malareth! So nice to see you!”
“WHAT THE F- ARE YOU F- DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS!?”
“You have sent a scout to this area!”
“Wanna team up?”
{MYTHIC’s eye turns red}
“GET OUT OF THE SHIP! NOW!”
“EX-TER-MIN-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
{The UFO explodes, the group lands on Maliss, but are attacked by Ghuls, knocking them into the island.}
[Scene Roll: 3]
Psyga awakes on an island. He looks around and notices only one other person: Maliss, now back to his human form.
“Where the heck am I?” Psyga asked. He noticed the sand. “Oh.”
“Seems we gotten separated from the others.” Maliss said.
“Yeah. Looks like it... We gotta round up the others, or at the very least find a plant to cure Tsukasa. We can’t trust MYTHIC to help us here.” Psyga said.
“But what are we going to do? We’re stranded on a deserted island.” Maliss said.
“Yeah... And... Wait, does this place even have zombies?” Psyga asked.
[Odds: Very Unlikely. Chaos Factor: 9. Roll... 34]
He heard the moaning of zombies and pointed his thrower at rustling leaves in the foliage. He fired.
[Fire Weapon: 10. Move Skill: 4. Roll... 17]
The particles flung themselves into the shrubbery as it incinerated the zombies.
[Does it set the foliage on fire?]
[Odds: 50/50. Chaos Factor: 9. Roll... 22]
The blast caused a chain reaction, resulting in fire to spark. As that happened, thunder cracked.
THE EVENT FOCUS IS... NPC NEGATIVE! IS THE RECEIVING NPC GOOD OR BAD? ROLL... BAD. THE NPC RECEIVING THE NEGATIVE IS... MYTHIC... OVERRIDE! KEN IS THE ONE RECEIVING THE NEGATIVE! EVENT MEANINGS DECIDED! STRUGGLE... WAR!
“Oh shit! Come on, we gotta go find Ken!” Psyga said to Maliss as he ran off to search for Ken.
Scene Cleared!
Threads Added
- Bring the group together
Chaos Factor:
- Yeah, shit went really down. Fires, zombies, and Ken’s in danger. But, the Chaos Factor is so high up, I can’t increase it. Instead, I’ll bump up the Emotional Stress die to D4.
Current Chaos Factor: 9
Current Emotional Stress: 4
[Scene Roll: 4. Interrupt Scene]
[Who’s Getting Interrupted? Psyga or Ken? Roll... 64. Ken.]
Ken awoke next to an injured Tsukasa as thunder cracked.
THE EVENT FOCUS IS... NPC ACTION! IS THE RECEIVING NPC GOOD OR BAD? ROLL... BAD. THE NPC IS... SURVIVORS WHO STUCK WITH BILL! EVENT MEANINGS DECIDED! DEVELOP... JOY!
“There he is! The scientist who led our brethren to die! We kill him and our savoir will be happy!” One of the people said, pointing a gun to him. Ken realized what was going on and got up to take the pistol off the person’s hand.
[Guts Check: 10. Muscles Skill: 3. Roll... 11. The one that’s rolled was a Ghost Die.]
He took the gun from his hands, but in doing so, he caused the magazine to drop. Ken pointed the gun anyways.
“Who are you people!?” Ken asked
“Don’t you recognize us? We’re the people who will survive the apocalypse! You raided our tower and sent your bodyguard after our leader!” The person said.
“What the heck are you doing here, then? This is supposed to be a deserted island!” Ken said.
“God has told us to have faith in him. We did, and he took us away from the zombies... And to you people for us to have our vengeance!” He said.
“God?” Ken asked.
“Yes... Prepare for you to meet him!” The person said as he got out a knife and attempted to stab him.
[Move Check: 15. Moves Skill: 3. Roll... 16]
Ken dodged out of the way and...
[Guts Check: 10. Guts Skill: 3. Roll... 12]
Clocked him in the head with the pistol, knocking him out. He crouched down and loaded the magazine into the pistol, then pointed at the group of survivors.
“Now listen here! I have a sick girl here and I need to cure her! I can either kill you all here and now, or I can spare you and you help me find a plant that could save her! What do you say?” Ken asked.
[Orate Check: 20. Cool Skill: 3. Orate Bonus. Roll... 23]
The survivors talk it out for a bit, and then eventually nod to him.
“Good. When we’re done, you can go back to hating me for what Psyga did.” Ken said. Soon, Psyga and Maliss went up to Ken. “Speak of the devil.” Ken said.
“Ken! Thank God you’re alright!” Psyga said. He then looked to the survivors. “Who’re they?” Psyga asked.
“They’re from the building where we met Hinako. The people who stayed in there. They came here for some unexplained reason.” Ken said.
“God sent us here!” A survivor said.
“Wait, God?” Psyga asked.
“He is the voice in the sky who tells us when an event is coming our way!” He said.
“Oh. You mean MYTHIC. Look, he’s an Omnicidal Maniac. He isn’t the kind to deal in absolutes.” Psyga said.
“Look, we can talk about that later. Tsukasa may be dying and I have to save her!” Ken said.
“Why? You’ve only met Tsukasa for an hour... Fuck, I don’t even know who she is. Don’t you pull that ‘My Big Brother Best Friend Forever’ bullshit at me.” Psyga said.
“... It’s just...” Ken said. He closed his eyes as a tear slipped out.
“Brother!” screamed a mental voice in his head.
“... She reminds me of someone I should have saved long ago.” Ken said.
“... I see.” Psyga said. He then went over and picked up Tsukasa. “Let’s go everyone.” Psyga said to the group. The survivors nodded and head off with him.
Scene Cleared!
Threads Added!
- Ken’s Past
NPCs Added!
- Assisting Survivors
Chaos Factor!
- For once, the heroes got things under control, so it goes down a point. Emotional Stress still stays because... well, Ken has a dark past and all that.
Chaos Factor: 8.
Emotional Stress: d4
[Scene Roll: 3]
[Who Do We Focus On? 1-33: Hinako, 34-66: Doctor, 67-99: Dante, 100: Villains]
[Roll... 61]
The Doctor woke up in some woods next to Bane. Bane was contemplating what went on.
“My own men... betrayed me...” Bane said.
“I know... What were you thinking with the Daleks though?” The Doctor asked.
“They were the best at two things. Exterminating and cheating death. You of all people should know that.” Bane said.
“So... You heard of my experiences?” The Doctor said.
[Odds: Likey. Chaos Factor: 8. Emotional Stress: d4. Roll... 99. The 2 from the D4 makes a Random Event]
“Not entirely. Just myths and legends. To us, you’re just a name to fear. And... I hate to say it... But I feel blessed and privileged to be in your presence.”
“Why? Are my feats that much of importance? I am the man who was told that what I did was not in the name of the Doctor. I am every Doctor’s worst nightmare.” The Doctor said.
“You may have been, but to me, you’ll be every alien’s worst nightmare.” Bane said.
“I’m flattered. Until now, I have always been brushed aside, even by myself. Now with the boy and his friends... I feel... important.” The Doctor said.
“That boy... Is there a reason why he is involved in this?” Bane asked.
“He told me that he lost a battle against Malareth.” The Doctor said.
“A battle? Heh. Well, we better get going. We should have our own battle.” Bane said.
“You’re right. Let’s go find the others.” The Doctor said. He got up and left with Bane.
Scene Cleared!
Chaos Factor!
- I didn’t really need to do anything other than write the Doctor and Bane talking, so of course the Factor goes down. As for the Random Event, I actually forgot to add in the stress when doing that Mythic Question, so it will come in the last scene.
Chaos Factor: 7.
Emotional Stress: d4
[Scene Roll: 5]
[Who Do We Focus On? 1-50: Hinako, 51-100: Dante]
[Roll... 81]
Dante awakes with him on Brenda’s back, strolling across the forest.
“Uh... Brenda? Where are we?” Dante asked.
“I, Brenda, am taking you somewhere safe. At least, what I think will be safe for you.” Brenda said.
“What do you mean?” Dante asked.
“Ever since we got out of the mansion, we’ve been put in peril. I, Brenda, will try to protect you.” Brenda said.
“Where’s Hajiko and Tsukasa?” Dante asked.
“Possibly dead. Who’s to say?” Brenda said.
[What Group Do They Encounter? 1-25: Psyga and Ken, 26-50: Doctor, 51-75: Hinako, 76-100: Villain]
[Roll... 46]
They soon bump into the Doctor and Bane.
“Ah! Dante! Glad to see you’ve made it!” The Doctor said.
“Hello, bug monster.” Brenda said to Bane.
“I’m sorry about the Ghuls attacking us. I have no idea why they did that.” Bane said.
“In any case, I, Brenda, have learned to distrust any of you people. You served to make our master’s and my colleagues’ lives miserable. I best be on my way now.” Brenda said, trying to leave with Dante.
“Wait! Brenda! Stick with us! If we manage to defeat whoever’s causing the zombies to appear, be it the Dalek or the Necromancer, then there may be a chance that you’ll live a normal life! If you just run away, you’ll put Dante’s life in peril.” The Doctor said.
[Speech Check: 15. Doctor’s Cool Stat: 4. Roll... 10.]
“Thanks, but no thanks. I, Brenda, have to tend to my master now.” Brenda said, leaving with Dante.
“... Damn.” The Doctor said.
“Don’t worry about them. There’s others we must find.” Bane said. The Doctor nodded and left with him.
Scene Cleared!
Chaos Factor!
- Well, Brenda didn’t help out in any matter, though the story is still in some form of control. The Chaos Factor is stagnated.
Chaos Factor: 7.
Emotional Stress: d4
[Scene Roll: 6. Interrupt Scene, plus with the Random Event means double Random Events]
Psyga and Ken moved through the forest, when suddenly, thunder boomed.
“God damn it!” Psyga said.
THE EVENT FOCUS IS... REMOTE! EVENT MEANINGS DECIDED! KILL... TACTICS!
THE REMOTE EVENT IS... AMBIGUOUS EVENT! EVENT MEANINGS DECIDED! DECREASE WOUNDS!
Just then, they saw a shrubbery nearby. Ken ran towards the shrubs.
[Is it that easy?]
[Odds: 50/50. Chaos Factor: 7. Emotional Stress: d4. Roll... 18]
Ken went over to grab several fruits. He then ran back and gave them to Tsukasa.
“Ken, what are you doing?” Psyga asked.
“This must be the shrub that Bane was talking about!” Ken said.
“How do you know? There may be millions of other shrubs!”
“This has to be the one! IT HAS TO BE! Come on, Barb... Please...” Ken muttered the last part as he shoved some of the fruits, which looked to be strange white berries, into Tsukasa’s mouth.
“Barb?” Psyga asked.
[Does it work?]
[Odds: 50/50. Chaos Factor: 7. Emotional Stress: d8 (It doubled due to Ken’s Desperation) Roll... 11. Exceptional Yes]
Tsukasa bit into the berries and her eyes fluttered up.
“Huh? Wh-where am I?” Tsukasa asked. Thunder boomed again.
THE EVENT FOCUS IS... NPC POSITIVE! IS THE NPC THAT’S RECEIVING THE POSITIVE TRAIT GOOD OR BAD? ROLL... GOOD! THE NPC RECEIVING THE POSITIVE TRAIT IS... BANE! EVENT MEANINGS DECIDED! BEFRIEND... AMBUSH!
Just then, several Ghuls emerge from the bushes, each of them pointing their stingers at Psyga. Psyga points his Proton Pack, but just then, several bolts of green electricity zapped the Ghuls. Bane flew in, with the Doctor in tow.
“Ghuls! Why have you betrayed me?” Bane asked.
“Because... You failed the directive!” The Ghuls asked.
“Directive?” Bane asked.
“Never make alliances with other races!” The Ghuls said.
“Oh... That. Look, I needed to form one with the humans. If not, they’ll use our AI to destroy all of us!” Bane said.
“...” The Ghuls look to each other.
[Speech Check: 15. Bane’s Cool Rating: 6. Roll: 18]
The Ghuls then nod to him.
“I’m glad we got that settled.” Bane said.
“Sweet... We got ourselves a Badass Army... TWO of them! If only we could make the zombies and the demons follow us.
[Would that happen?]
[Odds: Very Unlikely. Chaos Factor: 7. Emotional Stress: D4. Roll... 59]
“I don’t think that’d be possible.” Bane said.
“So now what do we do? Have you seen the others?” Psyga asked.
“Only Dante and Brenda. They left, however.” Bane said.
“So... All that’s left is Hinako...” Psyga said.
[Did she get kidnapped?]
[Odds: Very Likely. Chaos Factor: 7. Emotional Stress: D4. Roll... 95. Not gonna use any Brownie Points for this since this will set up the next part.]
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” Psyga heard a scream. Psyga turned to the forest and saw Hinako being dragged away by some skeletons. Just then, he saw another bug monster
◊ next to Hinako, staring blankly at the heroes.
“Joker?” Both Psyga and Bane said at the same time.
“It can’t be... Joker... HAVE YOU REALLY BETRAYED US!?” Bane said. Just then, a horde of zombies crawled towards the group.
Scene Cleared!
Threads Added
- Save Hinako!
Threads Cleared
- Save Tsukasa (+10 Brownie Points for everyone, +25 for Ken)
NPCs converted
Face–Heel Turn
- Joker
Heel–Face Turn
- Ghuls
Chaos Factor:
- No going around this one, it was gonna get cleared, but things were out of control. So, it stays at 7 because it was both in control and out of control.
Current Chaos Factor: 7
Current Emotional Stress: d4
Will our heroes be able to save Hinako? Who is the mysterious Joker? Where exactly are they? All these questions and more on the next episode of One More Day Before The Storm.
And I think it's obvious by now, but I decided on Bane being The Sixth Ranger after I statted him up for convincing the Ghuls.
