(Fate Accelerated) A Campaign Outline for Thursday Night Fight Club

Note: This is a campaign outline for a potential reboot of our "I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles" campaign.

The supernatural is real and the Los Angeles-based investigators in the story must help contain it. They convene every Thursday night at a dilapidated warehouse on Llewllyn St. near Chinatown. They share news, rumors, discuss artifacts and relics they've secured and receive people who come asking for help.

     Campaign Aspects: There’s a Lot of Weird Stuff Out There. and Someone Has to Save the World So It Might As Well Be Us.


CURRENT CAMPAIGN ISSUES

1) Restless Dead 
     The dead do not rest easily in Los Angeles. Starlets hungry for more attention, victims of violent crime and the tragically bored all haunt the metropolis. Some spirits are harmless attention whores, while others are deadly. One thing is constant and that is that the level of spiritual activity is steadily increasing.

     Related Aspect: This Town Is Coming Like a Ghost Town


2) Monster of the Week
     While violent crime is on the wane, no one keeps tabs on supernatural crime. It’s entirely fair to say that when it comes to monsters, there is no such thing as a safe neighborhood. Increasingly,
children, the elderly and the lonely are coming under increased predation.

     Related Aspect: There Are Wolves Among the Sheep


3) Vampires Think L.A. is an All You Can Eat Buffet
     Hollywood, Venice, Santa Monica and the City Walk at Universal Studios are a non-stop fast food restaurant for the city's vampires. The investigators know very little about them - they really know of two - but they are out there. How dangerous, powerful and twisted they really are is anyone's guess.

     Related Aspect: Vampires Have Their Fangs in Every Pie 


4) Drones Everywhere
     The government's aerial drone, wire-tapping and ground surveillance program is far more extensive and advanced than many realize. The government is using local industries - Mattel, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrup Gruman, etc. - to produce and test surveillance equipment that is increasingly deployed on the populace.

     Related Aspect: There's Always an Eye in the Sky


5) YouTube Stalkers 
     One of the club members, Frankie Martinez, posts video of club activities to YouTube. The videos have caught the attention of some colorful characters, who often seek out the investigators. The fans’ motivations for seeking out the investigators are numerous and varied.

     Related Aspect: I’m Your Biggest Fan!


IMPENDING CAMPAIGN ISSUES  

1) Let the Old Gods Lay
     Things slumber deep beneath the earth and in the infinitely small spaces between matter. Secret cabals and crazed practitioners operating alone are trying to wake them. If they succeed, the city will suffer on a scale that can be barely comprehended.

     Related Aspect: The Sleepers Must Not Awaken


2) Rival Organizations 
     Eventually, other supernatural investigators will become aware of the Thursday Night Fight Club. Will they want to collaborate with the PCs or force them into a premature retirement? Turf wars, petty jealousies and sabotage await!

     Related Aspect: This Town Is Not Big Enough for the Two of Us


LOCATIONS

1) The Snot Green Warehouse 
     The snot green warehouse on Llewellyn St. is where the investigators meet each Thursday night.

     Related Aspect: We Must Protect This House and Loaded for Bear


2) KaPow! Comics
     A regional classic among comic book shops, KaPow! Comics in Hollywood is a must for comic book aficionados. The shop's most notable feature is its vast selection of back issues. Within those old pages is a library of lore on the weird and bizarre. It is a go-to destination for supernatural investigators.

     Related Aspect: Not Your Average Library


3) Coach Bob's House
     Coach Bob, a former MLB catcher, has a modest home in Van Nuys. He could probably afford a nicer neighborhood, but the house is paid off and has a ton of equity. Lots of strange things land on Bob's doorstep, but he is somehow able to roll with it.

     Related Aspects: Shrine to Former MLBer Bob Staff and Home Field Advantage


4) Dr. Parker's Lab
     Dr. Parker's Lab at the UCLA Medical Center is buried deep in the bowels of the hospital. Bizarre and unusual corpses are sent to her for examination and discreet disposal. Quite a few factions are interested in the reports Dr. Parker assembles, but she is only aware of the vampires. From time to time they ask that a corpse receive special treatment.

     Related Aspects: World Class Lab Facility and The M.D. at the End of My Name Tag Makes Me God in this Lab


NOTABLE NPCs  

1) Dave Staub 
     Dave is a big, lovable galoot and sports fanatic. He’s also the founder of the Thursday night Fight Club Meetup group. He’s easy going, but if you ever need a big man in your corner, dave’s your guy.

2) Frankie Martinez 
     Frankie is a perky young woman with a penchant for vintage clothing. She is an avid ghost hunter and kindergarten teacher, too. She is the club’s videographer and the one responsible for maintaining the group’s YouTube channel.

3) Darren Brenner 
     Daren is a cross-dressing ghost. It’s important to state that right up front because it’s hard to miss when people meet him. Darren is submissive and rather pouty, but he/she/it is indispensable to have on an investigation where ghosts are concerned.

4) Katie Harmon 
     No one really likes Katie, who is the cos playing assistant manager of KaPow! Comics in Hollywood. Nevertheless, she has access to KaPow! Comics’ vast store of back issues, so that’s a plus.

5) Barbara Schwartz and Anthony 
     Barbara is the rather annoying twelve-year-old sorceress who has adopted the members of the club as her extended family. No one knows why she is so fond of the club members, but she is and is very much like an annoying little sister, albeit an annoying little sister with a massive trust fund, armed bodyguard (Anthony) and an ability to cast spells.

6) Ms. Drew
     Ms. Drew is head of security for Mattel's secret projects. Currently she is overseeing the deployment of a small surveillance robot. They have been produced and deployed in large numbers under the guise of a cutting edge toy. Ms. Drew has a checkered past and is currently dating Coach Bob.

7) Miguel Ceballos
     A beleaguered non-year-old neighbor of Coach Bob. Miguel is forever being hassled by strange and unusual oddities, most recently a 7' tall blue dinosaur with a chainsaw.

8) Charles McCollough
     Seemingly ageless, Charles handles many legal issues for the investigators. He lives in a large, beautiful home in Pacific Palisades. The investigators suspect that his house is haunted.

9) Gregory the Ghoul King
     Gregory is the leader of the coastal ghoul pack that hunts between Venice and County Line. They live near teh rundown cottages near Topanga State Beach. The ghouls are on very uneasy terms with the Thursday Night Fight Club.

10) David Reid
     The "Day Man" of the Virgo Family, a vampire clan, David Reid often meets with Dr. Parker to discuss business at the lab.

The Lessons of Fate

We played Fate Accelerated today to fuel our modern day supernatural game. It was formerly powered by BRP, but we switched over as an experiment.

     All in all we liked it. I think it will take a while to get used to the rules-light nature of the system. For example, since our game is primarily role-play with lots of social combat and scary things, we struggled at times to figure out a way to model persuasion, flirtation, intimidation, fear, etc. I wonder if David L. was on to something when he suggested an Apocalypse World hack, since something like Monster Hearts is all about social compulsion and manipulation.

     Combat was easy-peasy to run. Very simple and very fast. Flawless.

     Compelling aspects was a lot of fun. Unexpectedly, it was interesting to see players throw a wrench in one another's scenes by way of compels. In the hands of a particularly cranky player, compels could be very frustrating. However, it would largely be self-policing as that character might put himself at a disadvantage when he runs out of fate points to power his own stunts.

     The biggest lesson I took away from today's session was that it's very important to take the time to create the setting and characters together. This process is outlined in Fate Core and I think it would add an awful lot to our gaming experience.

     At the end of the session it was decided that we will take a break from the chronicle to regroup and to give me time to figure out the setting creation rules. In the meantime we will play some AD&D 2e. I have the first session already prepped. I am very excited to play, although we did lose one player who cannot stand D&D in any form.

     Even if we do not ever pick up the "I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles" chronicle I will be satisfied. I had those characters in my head for a long time and it was nice to let them out, even if it was for only five sessions,

After I Saw Through This Door I'm Gonna Cut Ya in Half!

This miniature is a thing of beauty. He towers over other 25mm figs and looks quite deranged with his chainsaw. A child NPC in our Fate Accelerated chronicle has recurring nightmares about this beast. When he does, anti-Barnie appears in the flesh somewhere in the neighborhood and starts wreaking havoc. It can be dispelled through normal - violent - means, but little Miguel Ceballos will have to put it down himself for it to be vanquished permanently.

BIG BLUE NIGHTMARE
He'll cut ya in half!

Good (+2) at: Chainsawing things and people
Terrible (-2) at: Everything else

Extras 
His chainsaw is wicked sharp and powerful, so he gets an extra 2 shifts when he attacks with it. 

His thick, rubbery hide reduces an attack by two shifts.

Stress: [_][_][_]

Best Friends Forever Means FOREVER!

"Best Friends Forever Means FOREVER!"
     -Katie Harmon

Katie, the assistant manager at KaPow! Comics in Hollywood, has a thing for Harley Quinn cosplay. While her success in that department is open for debate, what is quite clear is that she has developed an unhealthy fixation with one of the investigators in our chronicle.

     Her obsession is particularly troublesome since Katie has a forceful personality that allows her to dominate the weak-minded and impressionable. Next session, the investigator upon whom Katie fixates (Narine) will have her sleep disturbed when Katie attempts to put a tracking device around her ankle. "If you won't return my texts or calls, then I need to at least know where you are!"

KATIE HARMON 
obsessive best friend

ASPECTS 
High Concept: She dreams of being just as powerful and beautiful as the characters in comic books.
.
Trouble: I've received a few restraining orders in the past.
.
Other Aspects: You say passive aggressive like it's a bad thing.

APPROACHES 
Careful: +2, Clever: +3, Flashy: +0, Forceful: +1, Quick: +1, Sneaky: +2

STUNTS 
Hanging Out with Me is like a Vacation to Stockholm (Syndrome)
     Because Hanging Out with Me is like a Vacation to Stockholm (Syndrome), I get a +2 when I Cleverly create advantages in social situations.

I Found the Key to Your Apartment Under the Front Mat
     Because I Found the Key to Your Apartment Under the Front Mat, I get a +2 when I Sneakily try to overcome an obstacle (locked door).

I Make This Harley Quinn Costume Look Good
     Because I Make This Harley Quinn Costume Look Good, I get a +2 when I Flashily create advantages in social situations.

EXTRA
Forceful Personality
     When attacking in social combat, Katie gets one free shift. This costs 1 refresh.

STRESS: [_] [_] [_]

CONSEQUENCES 
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6):

REFRESH: 2

Current FATE Points: 3

Oh. My. Garage. You guys are SO dumb!

"Oh. My. Garage. You guys are SO dumb!"
     -Barbara Schwartz

Barbara Schwartz is a frequent pest in our "I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles" chronicle. She's young (twelve or thirteen-years-old), obscenely wealthy and appears to have an impressive talent for magic. She's latched on to the investigators because they are about the only people in the city willing to put up with her.

     She's never without her manny, Anthony, who drives her around and smooths over the problems she causes. Barbara is largely on her own as her parents, who recently divorced, are busy with their own lives and businesses.

BARBARA SCHWARTZ
tween sorcerer

ASPECTS 
High Concept: Every dummy in this stupid city is going to know my name.
.
Trouble: People think I'm just an annoying kid.
.
Other Aspects: My manny will shoot you in the face!; I know a lot about scary stuff.; My trust fund is crazy big.

APPROACHES 
Careful: +3, Clever: +2, Flashy: +1, Forceful: +0, Quick: +2, Sneaky: +1

STUNTS 
Summon Lesser Avatar of Shuddde Me'll
     Because I can Summon Lesser Avatar of Shuddde Me'll, once per day I can summon a frightening tentacle from the earth to do my bidding for one scene.

Summon Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell
     Because I can Summon Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell, once per day I can summon a freakish monster to do my bidding for one scene.

I'm Loaded
     Because I'm Loaded, I get a +2 when I Cleverly try to create an advantage.

STRESS: [_][_][_]

CONSEQUENCES 
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6):

REFRESH: 3

Current FATE Points: 3


Anthony is Barbara's manny/bodyguard. He is an easy-going, good-looking guy in his mid-twenties. Anthony enjoys his work, seeing Barbara as the kid sister he never had. He and Barbara often make funny videos of all the weird stuff they encounter. Contrary to Barbara's wishes, he never shoots anyone at her request and always tries to smooth the feathers she ruffles with her angry outbursts.

     Anthony cannot talk at the moment. Barbara tried to add a magical element to the NDA she had him sign as part of his employment. Ideally, it would have prohibited him from speaking about his time with her to others. Instead, the spell didn't go so well and now he's mute for the next six months or so. It's okay, though. Barbara's dad bought him a Mercedes Benz G-Class for compensation.

ANTHONY
Easy-going manny to a tween sorcerer

Great (+4) at: Making funny Vine videos
Good (+3) at: Driving, bribery, cooking
Fair (+2) at: Shooting, hiding
Terrible (-2) at: Hand to hand combat, relationships

Extras
     Anthony carries an S&W Bodyguard 380, so he gets an extra shift when he attacks with it.

Stress: [_][_]

The Warehouse on Llewellyn Street

At least one or two scenes per session take place at this dilapidated old warehouse on Llewllyn St. near Chinatown. There have been a few pitched battles there, so I thought I'd quickly build a piece of terrain. I just need a basic model to emulate the first floor. The model is ugly and crude, but I think it might work.

     A top down view. Very few frills. Just something to add a bit of atmosphere to a recurring location.

     Coach Bob emerges from the head with bat in hand. He's always ready to lay the wood to errant robots, ghouls and other hooligans.

     Last session Dr. Parker used that desk behind her for cover when a group of ghouls rushed the warehouse.

     Narine has her back to the soda machine. She is unlikely to actually drink any of the high calorie soda as she has the "I look good in yoga pants" aspect.

     Another view. I know the model is ugly and primitive, but I just wanted to craft a little something to enhance our next session.

Thursday Night Fight Club Warehouse
Aspects: Home Court Advantage; What a Dump

Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell

"Hey, dummies! I have something new for you. Ready or not, here it comes!"
     Barbara Schwartz, tween sorcerer

Proud of her success with summoning the Lesser Avatar of Shudde M'ell. Barbara has researched another ritual, Summon Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell. The "greater" spells elude her and frankly, Barbara is a little nervous about driving herself cuckoo. For now, less is more.

re-based Monsterpocalypse mini

     A Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell begins as a grub, insect or some other burrowing critter that undergoes a dramatic transformation when exposed to the energy given off my Shudde M'ell as it slumbers beneath the San Andreas fault. The more fitful Shudde M'ell's dreams, the more spawn that are created.

     The lesser spawn are about 5' long and are a sickly green and purple. Their tentacle-lined maws are full of jagged, ripping teeth reminiscent of a garbage disposal. They can attack by biting or by projecting a stream of acidic goo in a 15' long, pencil-thin jet. The acid is highly corrosive and can cause terrible burns.

Lesser Spawn of Shudde M'ell 
Disgusting aberration from the earth

Good (+3) at: Biting, spitting acid at people
Fair (+2) at: Scaring people, absorbing damage
Terrible (-2) at: Everything that does not involve biting, spitting acid or scaring people

Stunt 
Corrosive Goo
     Because it can spit Corrosive Goo, it gets +2 when it attacks targets at a distance.

Garbage Disposal for a Mouth
     Because it has a Garbage Disposal for a Mouth, it gets a +2 when it bites people.

Revolting Presence
     Because it has a revolting presence, it gets a +2 when it tries Create an Advantage.

Stress: [_][_][_][_]

Lesser Avatar of Shudde M'ell

"Careful, Dr. Parker. I think it likes you!" 

Barbara Schwartz, a precocious, twelve-year-old sorcerer in our LA-based supernatural campaign, has made a breakthrough with her summoning skills. After obtaining a text written by Nathaniel Eisen, a supernatural investigator from the 1930s, she has been able to learn a new spell - Ritual for Summoning a Lesser Avatar of the Sleeper Beneath Our Feet, Shudde M'ell.

     The avatar is a burrowing, 10' long tentacle that erupts from the earth upon completion of the summoning ritual. It follows the summoner's instructions, but that is largely limited to whom to attack and when to burrow back into the ground.

Lesser Avatar of Shudde M'ell
Horrifying tentacle from the earth

Good (+3) at: Smashing people and things
Fair (+2) at: Scaring people, absorbing damage
Terrible (-2) at: Everything that does not involve smashing or scaring

Stunt
Tentacle Monster from the Bowels of the Earth
     Because it is a Tentacle Monster from the Bowels of the Earth, it gets a +2 when it it attempts to Create an Advantage.

Stress: [_][_][_]

Notes:
     When the avatar attempts to Create an Advantage with its stunt, I was thinking that it might destroy the environment around it to create aspects like Rubble, Broken Ground, etc. Alternatively, it might try to terrify the investigators directly by creating a temporary aspect like Scared.

Coach Bob

Coach Bob fends off some ghouls

COACH BOB STAFF
a big man (in small gym shorts) with a heart of gold 

ASPECTS
High Concept: ...for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children
.
Trouble: My girlfriends are just a little crazy
.
Other Aspects: Do you want me to autograph my rookie card for you? 

APPROACHES Careful: +2 Clever: +1 Flashy: +1 Forceful: +3 Quick: +2 Sneaky: +0

STUNTS
Swing for the Fence 
     Because I Swing for the Fence, I get a +2 when I Forcefully attack opponents with a bat.

I’m in Your Trunk
     Because I’m in Your Trunk, once per session I can show up at any location where a fellow member of the Thursday Night Fight Club is to be found.

(Take one more stunt without reducing stress.)

STRESS: [_][_][_]

CONSEQUENCES 

     Mild (2):
     Moderate (4):
     Severe (6):

REFRESH: 3

Current FATE Points: 3

Fake Zombie Apocalypse

During today's "I want to live in Los Angeles - Not the one in Los Angeles" session, the organizer of the monster hunting Meetup group has set up a faux zombie apocalypse to be fought off with paint ball guns. Later, a pack of real ghouls will show up and paint balls just aren't going to do a whole lot. 

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

Dave Staub

Dave Staub hates bullies. As a kid he was teased without mercy because of his weight. As an adult, he still carries a few extra pounds but these days he'll put his workboot in someone's ass if they make fun of him.

     This isn't to say that Dave is aggro. He's got a kind face and gregarious nature. He loves hockey (Go, Kings!) and works hard as a warehouse manager at a UPS distribution center downtown.

     In our story, Dave is the guy you go see when you need a bit of muscle or a sparring partner. This North Hollywood native will not fight your battles for you, but if you need a confidence boost when you have to tell a ghoul squatter to vacate your property, he will be there for you.

     Dave is also the founder of the Thursday Night Fight Club, a Meetup he started. The club meets at a snot green, dilapidated warehouse on Llewellyn St. near Chinatown. Twice a month the club meets to share rumors and stories about the supernatural and to develop their monster fighting skills.

DAVE STAUB
a good guy to have in your corner

ASPECTS 
High Concept: I want to be the hunter and not the hunted.
.
Trouble: If I didn't party too much, I might actually get something done.
.
Other Aspects: I will never let my friends down again.; I have seen some stuff at the Thursday Night Fight Club.

APPROACHES
Careful: +1, Clever: +2, Flashy: +1, Forceful: +3, Quick: +2, Sneaky: +0

STUNTS 
Five for Fighting
     Because I took a lot of Five for Fighting penalties in youth hockey, I get a +2 when I Forcefully attack opponents with my fists.

Two for Slashing
     Because I am often penalized Two for Slashing, I get a +2 when I Forcefully attack an opponent with my hockey stick.

I Know How to Have a Good Time
     Because I Know How to Have a Good Time, I get a +2 when I Cleverly try to create advantages in a social situation.

EXTRAS
Ian Laperierre Game-used Stick
     This hockey stick provides an extra shift whenever it is used in combat.

STRESS: [_][_][_]

CONSEQUENCES 
Mild (2):
Moderate (4):
Severe (6): PTSD from time as a captive of the Topanga State Beach ghoul pack.

REFRESH: 3

Current FATE Points: 3

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!