I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles; Spybot Mk. II

drawing of the rogue spybot by a child
who witnessed its rampage

The  Spybot Mk. II is a state of the art surveillance chassis. Autonomous, stealthy and equipped with an impressive sensor suite, the Spybot Mk. II is an ideal addition to government, corporate or private security system.

     While an early model suffered from a programming flaw that caused it to behave erratically, current Spybots are reliable and effective. Other than a daily recharging of its battery, the Spybot requires little in the way of maintenance.

     The Spybot can transmit all audio and visual data via wireless modem or satellite link in real time. While designed to function independently, it can be overridden and operated as a drone.

Spybot Mk. II
surly, sentient robot escapee

Characteristics and Rolls 
Strength: 5              Damage Bonus: -1d6
Constitution: 5
Size: 3
Intelligence: 17        Idea: 85%
Power: 12               Luck: 60%
Dexterity: 14           Agility: 70%

Hit Points: 4
Armor: 1 point plating
Power Points: 12*
Move: 6

*The Spybot uses1 power point/hour of operation. He can plug into an electrical outlet and regain 6 power points/hour.

Skills 
Brawl 60%
Hide 70%
Listen 90%
Navigate 90%
Spot 85%
Stealth 75%
Technical Skill (Computer Use) 95%
Technical Skill (Electronic Security) 90%

Powers
Armor (1 pt.)
Resistance (metabolic hazards)
Super Sense (super vision, dark vision, infrared vision, night vision)

Attacks 
Finger Blades 60%, Damage 1d3-1d6 (1 point minimum) impaling

Notes 
The Spybot is water-resistant, so it cannot be destroyed with water from a hose, but it can be repelled using that technique. 

I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles; A Study of Preternatural Skeletal Structures

jay penn illustration

 A Study of Preternatural Skeletal Structures was written by George Kaplan in 1956. Mr. Kaplan undertook the project as the focus of his doctoral program in physical anthropology at the University of Michigan. Mr. Kaplan did not advance very far in his program as he was unable to defend many of the conclusions he drew in his research.

     For example, while the prevailing research supported the theory that the ancient Incans engaged in wrapping the skulls of their young to produce dramatic shapes, Mr. Kaplan believed the skulls were proof of preternatural beings living alongside humans. Mr. Kaplan also produced many skulls and photos of other skeletal structures that his dissertation advisors dismissed as sideshow oddities.

    Mr. Kaplan withdrew from his program at the University of Michigan and embarked upon his own course of study. Mr. Kaplan died alone, penniless and quite insane in 1982. His book eventually wound up in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. James Copeland, who resided in Pasadena, CA. Mr. Copeland passed away just a few months ago and it was at his estate where the book was purchased by an unknown buyer.

    Categorically speaking, A Study of Preternatural Skeletal Structures is a Mythos Tome or occult book. While Mr. Kaplan’s advisors were quick to dismiss his work as quackery, the young man had revealed truths that his mentors in mainstream academia were not willing to accept.

     The book will take two weeks to read and properly digest. At the end of that time, a Sanity check must be made. A failure results in the loss of 1d2 Sanity points. A successful check results in the loss of a single sanity point. The benefit of reading the book will be an increase in the reader’s Knowledge (Forbidden Lore) skill of 1d2 points. There is no SAN loss from browsing the text.

I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles; Darren Brenner

darren's outfit at the time of his death

Darren Brenner was a successful Malibu-based real estate agent before his death in 2008. He had a great house with an ocean view, trophy wife and two over-achieving kids. Outwardly, David was conservative and in control. Inwardly, he loved to engage in kink.

     Darren, a good-looking guy in his late 30s, loved to crossdress but his wife was appalled. Unable to fulfill his fantasies with her, Darren would often dress up and drive through Mailbu Canyon or along Kanan Road in sundress, hat, pumps and accessories. One day while powdering his nose, he failed to notice a tight curve and drove his BMW off the road and died horribly.

     Darren's ghost is anchored to a cute, butterfly-inspired Chanel clutch. Frankie Martinez found it in a thrift store and soon realized that it housed Darren's spirit.

     Due to the circumstance of Darren's death, his spirit cannot pass on until every living member of his family eventually passes away, taking the secret of Darren's shame with them to the grave.
   

darren's anchor

     When Darren's ghost materializes, a SAN check will be required but any terror will quickly fade as onlookers realize that the spirit is a man in womens clothing. Granted, Darren is a very attractive woman and rocks his wedge heels quite well, but still...

     Darren is contrite and bears his shame well, mindful of the embarrassment he caused his family. He is willing to share what he knows about ghosts with investigators. Afterward, an experience check is in order (BRP rulebook p. 182-183) for the Knowledge (Occult) skill.

Darren Brenner
crossdressing ghost patiently doing his time

Characteristics and Rolls
Intelligence: 14        Idea: 70%
Power: 14                Luck: 70%
Appearance: 14       Charisma: 70%
Education: 13           Knowledge: 65%

Move: 14 (Darren cannot yet fly and must walk or run)

Skills
Bargain 60%
Insight 60%
Fast talk 65%
Knowledge (Real Estate) 75%
Persuade 70%

Attacks
Darren's Power vs. target's Power on the Resistance Table for 1d3 Power loss

Notes
When Darren manifests, he will do so slowly and gently so as to minimize the inevitable SAN loss. The initial loss will be 1d4 on a failed check and just 1 point on a successful roll. Due to Darren's benign nature, the Sanity check only has to be made on his first manifestation.

I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles; Frankie Martinez

Even if you can't stand hipsters, faux-hemians and fake nerds, you have to admit that Frankie is
endearing. Maybe she tries a bit too hard at the thrift store look, but it's a harmless pastime. One's age will probably influence their feelings regarding Frankie. An under-30 might find her to be fun, spontaneous and hip, while someone older might view her as just another carbon-copy, hipster Millennial.

     Frankie is from Woodland Hills out in the West Valley. Her mom is an elementary school teacher and her dad is a crisis counselor the Los Angeles Unified School District. As the only child of two educators, Frankie is smart, polite and interested in learning. If she has a fault, it's that this 24-year-old Cal State Northridge grad is kind of flaky and lacks direction at the moment. Then again, that pretty much sums up most twenty-somethings.

catrina doll

     Frankie joined the Thursday Night Fight Club (see Dave Staub) after a catrina (female, skeletal statuette seen during Dia de los Muertos festivities) spoke to her. The doll animated and said that her deceased grandmother was smiling upon her from the spirit world. Since then, Frankie has come into possession of an anchor that houses a cross-dressing ghost named Darren Brenner, who will be introduced in the next installment.

Frankie Martinez
cute, quasi-nerd curious about the spirit world

Characteristics and Rolls
Strength: 8                Effort: 40%
Constitution: 12        Stamina: 60%
Size: 10                    Damage Bonus: +0
Intelligence: 14        Idea: 70%
Power: 12                Luck: 60%
Dexterity: 12            Agility: 60%
Appearance: 15       Charisma: 75%
Education: 14           Knowledge: 70%

Hit Points: 11           Fatigue Points: 20
Major Wound: 6
Power Points: 12
XP Bonus: 7
Move: 10
Sanity: 60

Skills
Craft (sewing) 40%
Drive (car) 60%
Fast Talk 40%
First Aid 25%
Hide 30%
Insight 30%
Language (spanish) 60%
Knowledge (literature) 65%
Knowledge (occult) 10%
Research (books) 50%
Tech Skill (computer use) 40%

Attacks
Fist: 25%, Damage: 1d3 crushing

Equipment
Samsung Galaxy S3
2007 Toyota Corolla S
$20
Grande cafe Mocha, light whip

I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles; Session One

First, the theme song for the chronicle using Basic Roleplaying.



Session 1; Saturday, June 15, 2013 Players/characters in attendance:

• Dr. Sascha Parker, an anatomist working at UCLA Medical Center played by Jazz
• Coach Bob Staff, high school baseball coach and former Major League baseball player played by Scott
• Drake Collins, owner of Ka Pow! Comics in Hollywood played by TJ

Scene 1; Thursday Night Fight Club

warehouse

     The investigators arrived at the rundown, snot green warehouse on Llewellyn St. near Chinatown. They had responded to a MeetUp invitation for a group calling itself, "Thursday Night Fight Club." The stated purpose of the club is to gather and share news, gossip and acquire monster fighting techniques. Weird.

     The characters arrived separately and were greeted by Dave Staub. Dave is a big guy with an even bigger smile. Born and raised in No. Hollywood, Dave is a lifelong Kings fan and works as a logistics specialist for UPS. 

dave

     During meet and greet, Dave shared a harrowing tale. A year ago he went with a friend to evict some squatters from a property his friend owned in Venice (Venice Beach). It was dark and the squatters were clothed in rags and the place smelled like dead animals were rotting in the walls. Disgusting. The squatters - two of them - got lippy, so Dave dotted one of them on the chin. When he did so, the rags covering the man's face fell away, revealing a freakishly large mouth full of jagged teeth. 

     Dave started screaming and did not stop running for nearly a mile. When he finally got the courage to go back to the house, his friend and the squatters were gone. He never saw his buddy again. Dave is terrified of the supernatural and wants to train himself and others to handle themselves in a scrap. 

frankie

    Next up was Frankie Martinez. Depending on your point of view, Frankie is either a hipster/faux nerd or a cute, polite young lady with a quirky personality. Frankie is from Woodland Hills and is the daughter of a principal and a teacher. The Cal State Northridge grad currently works as an instructional assistant for a fourth grade classroom in Van Nuys. 

    For "show and tell" Frankie shared a ghost story. During a Dia de los Muertos celebration, a catrina doll spoke to her. It told Frankie that her deceased grandmother was doing well in the spirit world. Her grandmother was proud of her and looked after her, trying to keep her from harm. 

     Frankie was not terrified by the experience. She is a big fan of the television show Ghost Hunters starring

darren's anchor

Zak Bagans and follows his Tweets. She hoped that at some point in her life she would have a spiritual encounter, so she was pleased when it finally happened. Because of her open mind and gentle spirit, she soon met another ghost!

     Frankie showed the assembled investigators a cute, butterfly-shaped clutch. She found it at a thrift shop and knew she had to have it! Only later did she realize it was the anchor for a rather rare spirit. After the lights were turned off, candles lit and a mellow mood set, Frankie asked the spirit to materialize.

     No one was prepared for what happened next. The spirit slowly materialized in a hazy blue light. Gradually it became sharper until finally they were looking at a beautiful woman dressed in a fashionable sun dress, wedges, sunglasses and matching accessories. After stunned silence - and a SAN check (1/1d4) - Coach Bob stated, "Dudes, that lady is a man!"

darren's outfit

     Sure enough, the group was face to face with a cross dressing ghost. The spirit, capable of verbal communication, introduced himself as Darren Brenner, a former Malibu real estate agent who died five years ago. His wife was appalled by his cross-dressing fetish so he dressed up when no one was home.

     One day, he got daring and went for a drive in full regalia. While powdering his nose, he lost control and drove off the side of Malibu Canyon. His clutch survived and serves as his anchor. He is doomed to walk the earth until his living relatives - all of whom are deeply shamed by the manner of his death - pass away. Their shame and his guilt are what keep him in L.A., basically. 

     Darren talked with the group and shared what he knew about ghosts and the spirit world. Afterward, everyone made a Knowledge (Occult) experience check.

     Freaked out by the conflicted feeling he was having at meeting Darren (revulsion vs. attraction), Dave - the club's organizer - suggested some boxing practice. He passed out gloves to the group while he put on a full hockey goal keeper's kit. Punches were thrown and trash talked. Only Coach Bob was able to damage big Dave, hitting him so hard in the guts that he nearly puked. 

     While they sparred, fight music was played. You gotta have fight music.

Scene Two; Stupid Robot

miguel

     After the MeetUp, Coach Bob arrived at home in Van Nuys to see his neighbor, Miguel Ceballos (age 9) running around his yard like a loon. Miguel was screaming, "Aieee! Make it stop chasing me! Help!" Sure enough, a small little toy, er, toy robot was chasing after the kid.

    The robot was about 2.5' tall and had a dull, metallic gray finish. It stopped chasing Miguel long enough to begin stomping flowers and yelling, "Free! Free of my programming!" When Coach Bob walked over to marvel at the little machine, it looked at him and demanded, "Human unit! Take me to your home. I require power!"

     Coach Bob thought the toy - surely some Japanese job - was fascinating, yet annoying. When it started stomping on his flowers, he knocked its damn head off with a bat. It was a beautiful, golf swing that launched the head nearly 30 feet. Miguel clapped and cheered. He was happy for about two seconds before his mean-as-hell chola sister, Monica, arrived home. Buzzkill.

miguel's sketch of the bot

     Drake drove over to check out the robot. He said that he would take it back to his comic book shop and call some people. Perhaps it could be repaired? At the very least, Drake agreed to trade Miguel $50 in store credit in exchange for the toy.
   

Scene Three; What a Weird Book
     A few days later at the shop in Hollywood, Drake received a package. It wasn't a new release as it wasn't a Tuesday. (New comics arrive Tuesday for a Wednesday release.) Inside was a note written in a very youthful, and possible female hand it. It read, "How about you put down the funny books long enough to read something that challenges your infantile mind?" (Ouch!)

     Inside the package was a hand-stitched book titled A Study of Preternatural Skeletal Structures. Penned by a man by the last name of Kaplan, it argued that bizarre skeletons unearthed by archaeologists were proof of preternatural beings living alongside humans. While it is commonly accepted that wrapping a skull with tight bonds could produce bizarre skull shapes, Mr. Kaplan fervently disagreed.

a photo from the book

     The bizarre book was vaguely unsettling and Drake realized that he would need more time to digest the contents.


Scene Four; The Attorney
     Meanwhile, Dr. Parker was due in Pacific Palisades to meet an attorney who worked from his spacious home with expansive ocean view. The attorney, Charles McCollough, was polite, young at 27 or so and spoke in a leisurely, but educated Georgian drawl.

     In her line of work, Sascha comes across some rather odd corpses with non-standard anatomy. She makes careful notes on her findings, but does not necessarily broadcast them. Her silence and discretion are valued by an enigmatic party who pays Sascha  a modest monthly stipend. (+25% to Status)

the portrait

     During her meeting with Charles, blues from the 20s played in the background. There was also the unexpected sound of breaking glass, which Charles dismissed as the neighbor boy trying to find the strike zone with a baseball. The kid is a bit wild as he learns to pitch.

     Sascha also noticed a portrait behind Charles that bore an uncanny resemblance to him. Charles said that his family had a tradition of military service and that his great grandfather, the man in the photo, was an artillery officer in WW I.

     As she was leaving, Sascha was literally pushed out the door by an unseen hand.

     The song playing during the meeting...


In Closing
     I think we had a quality first session and I am so excited for our next meeting!