Maelstrom

A world where videos of the supernatural go viral every day.


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Latest World Events

Loyabard made a Move (foodoman GMed) 20 hours, 41 minutes ago. View Move

Oasis - The Best Restaurant in Town!

A well dressed reporter looks directly into the camera with the restaurant, Oasis, located in Maple Valley, Washington.  She's looks happy to be here.

 

"Hello!  I'm Kaylee with Local Channel 8 News!  I'm here today in front of a local treasure!  The Oasis!  It's run and operated by Penelope Varela.  Penelope has been running the Oasis for a bit of time now.  I have Penelope with me right here.  Penelope, what is your goal with the restaurant?"

The camera pans out to show Penelope Varela standing next to the reporter.

"Thank you for having me on the program today Kaylee!  My goal is to provide a safe place for the down and out for those people in our society!  Sustainability is another major goal of my restaurant."

"Fascinating!  Can you tell me what inspired you to start the restaurant?" Kaylee asks.

"Well, I didn't have the best start in life, but I managed to escape it.  I hope to give people who like me a chance to escape as well." Penelope answers the question.

"How noble of you!  What's the furthest you've ever seen someone come to visit your restaurant?" Kaylee asks.

"I'm not in the habit of asking about people's past.  I don't want to bring up bad memories they may be carrying.  However, I can say someone came all the way from Texas to pay a visit!"

"Really?  That's quite a ways!  Thank you for your time today Penelope," Kaylee finishes with a cute smile.

"Thank you for having me on your program today!" Penelope replies.

"This is Kaylee with Local Channel 8 News!  Back to you Tom!" Kaylee finishes the field report.

Chicot (Jean-Anthony d'Anglerais) made a Move (Higanbana GMed) 1 day, 4 hours ago. View Move

Clown report intensifying

A month after the initial wave of clown-related disturbances, the situation has escalated in a surreal and alarming direction. Reports are now emerging of individuals dressed as clowns with animal features; ears, tails, fur-covered suits... Some were visibly armed and moving in coordinated groups. Eyewitnesses describe them as a hybrid between street performers and paramilitary cosplayers.

These aren’t birthday party clowns,” said one shaken resident. “One of them had a wolf mask, a rainbow vest, and what looked like a real rifle.”

Authorities have yet to confirm the legitimacy of the weapons, but the tone has shifted from ridicule to concern. Investigators believe this could be an offshoot of the so-called Circus of Carnage, a radical performance gang previously dismissed as a joke.

Now, no one is laughing.

Latest Journals

6 hours, 32 minutes ago: Ms. Daisy Fortune wrote a Contract Journal for The Vermilion Manor

An untitled Journal

‎I don't know what's wrong with me... I did it again... I killed someone... or rather my bad luck did. And it felt... great.

‎It started like this: I was busy taking care of the Master of the house, I went to the other room just to settle down, and there was this strange person with a really big hammer. I will admit I was a little scared, uh, uh, um, they were just there to give me another job... And to be quite frank, I wanted another one. So soon after the last...

‎I met a couple of new people this time. I guess it's often you don't see the same people.

‎There was this person with a very heavy American accent? I didn't like them all too much; they were aggressive, very straight to the point, I guess, which I suppose is great for this job? Maybe? They just were very racist against fae folk? Fae-cist? OH, and I learnt he's gay though. Fun. Totally gay.... Very gay... Very, very gay. I think they were taking a sneak peek at one of those Yaoi books, but maybe that was just my imagination? I guess they weren't all too bad.

‎Uh, then there was this strange robot maid thing? They were kind of rude as well? So full of insults, I didn't hang around them much, but when I did, I tried not to talk. It was awkward. I played Mattaton's theme in front of them using a violin thingy, because it was funny though! I don't think they got that reference haha... 

‎OKAY, okay, last person: someone called Raine, fun name, very fun name— I do not know anything about them, apart from they can transform into this weird, creepy, eldrich, kinda weird, centipede thingy? I wasn't around them that much, didn't even see where they were for the whole job, but hey? I'm happy they are okay. 

‎UM, I guess I have to talk about that thing now huh? They... Just died. I did that thing you know? Where I make things unlucky? And then well, someone got really unlucky... I don't know what's wrong with me...

‎ I just did it knowing they would get hurt, another little bit of me wanting them to go... and then soon afterwards, I did it again? With someone else. I wanted them to go... And... I didn't see it happen, but it did. I tried again, without thinking of it, and they got away, I was... Disappointed?

‎I don't want to become a monster, but I feel like these jobs... Are making me into one.

‎ Is this what Dad meant? I need answers.

8 hours, 15 minutes ago: Ms. Daisy Fortune wrote a Downtime Journal for A Date to Remember

Tbd

Tbd

1 day, 11 hours ago: Ms. Daisy Fortune wrote a Downtime Journal for The Karpowski Procedure

Dear Daisy 2

Daisy. I know things are strange right now, but hear me out? I know this will come out, as weird... but I feel as if I can talk to you. Right now.

‎I am going to have to ask you to keep playing these recordings every month and don't get too excited, or feel like this is a joke.. DO do not listen to these recordings too early. I feel like you are doing something dangerous and you are doing it for my sake. 

‎I just want you to know, that I want you to be safe. I want you to realize, that whatever you are doing; I am begging that you won't be too hasty with your decisions.

‎Y-you did something painful. You and a couple of others did something. I don't know if it will make any sense and I really hope it doesn't. If I really am seeing the future. Then, please Daisy.

‎ Don't become what your mother has.

‎DON'T lose yourself.

1 day, 12 hours ago: Ms. Daisy Fortune wrote a Downtime Journal for "Mankind is dead, so says Emperor Grungo!"

Dear Daisy Recording

‎Dear Daisy.

‎I know things have been tough with your mother and I, but I just want to let you know, that no matter how many times you hear us argue with each other... No matter how many times she storms out of the house mad, it's not it's not your fault, it's no one's fault. Your mother has a sickness in her head, and I don't know how best to say it, but it's a sickness of which she is losing. 

‎I've tried my best to help her, let her get help, but unfortunately it doesn't seem like anything is working. I know you're too young right now to understand what's going on, and maybe in the future you'll look back at these audio recordings, and you'll try to piece together what happened, but I implore you, Daisy... No matter what happened in the past, no matter what it's seems like, your mother did nothing wrong. You did nothing. The world has just cruel, and I hope and pray that you won't have to be as cruel as it is to you.

‎I have to go now just remember. Every month, okay? And when it all ends, I hope we see each other again.

2 days, 9 hours ago: Amy Lightner wrote a Downtime Journal for A Groom for the Queen

Performance practice

Well.. at least this time I didn't get very injured.  Even if I didn't win again.  Just more failure.  A little demoralizing, but I'm trying to do my best to not let it get me down.  Even if I didn't.. I don't know, make the world any better on the last few missions.  On my first few, I was making the world better every time.  The last two.. not so much.  But I don't know.   I hope the next one will be.  I really do.  Otherwise... I don't know. Why else am I doing these?  I can fight the darkness in my back yard, make the city better without going out to be a plaything for the darkness. 

What I've been working on?  Performance.  Acting. Talking.  I'm already good at talking with people one on one, so... I've been practising crowds. You know, controlling people at the food kitchen more. 

2 days, 9 hours ago: Amy Lightner wrote a Downtime Journal for Happy Eastre

Not much has happened.

It's been a pretty lazy month, really.  I  guess I lost the lost contract, which... well, I don't know. I kinda consider surviving a win in that case, I guess.  But past that, I guess it was a loss, even if I'm not even sure what I was supposed to do to win. 

I've just been kind of doing my routines, going to the soup kitchen, helping at the afterschool clubs.  I haven't had a lot of time to do training or anything like that, so... I've just been going along. I still go out to try to fight the darkness at night sometimes, but.. it's been hard with the injuries I got last time.  I guess that's another reason I've been taking it.. relatively easy.  I lost a lot of blood on the last one, and.. well, I'm already pretty pale, but I know it was bad when my friend started joking about me being a vampire.

4 days, 14 hours ago: The Sparkman wrote a Downtime Journal for The Serbian Gamble

Charging...

[CHARGING: 15%]

Why do I keep doing this to myself? I don't have the time anymore to care, nor any reason to do as I do. I mean, fuck, the security contracting business isn't even that worth it half the time compared to these... gigs.

Sometimes I wish there was a world out there where I wasn't just stuck in bumfuck nowhere half the time and facing death every single day. But who out there really does give a damn about their work if the pay is worth it?

[CHARGING: 25%]

I wonder sometimes if things would be different if I was just a robot... or I wasn't such a stuck-up piece of shit content on being apart of a system of police violence. Sometimes I wonder if all of this is worth it, If I'm making it easier for myself to forget everything and anything I do is for the singular purpose of employer-supported murder. 

[CHARGING: 43%

There's gotta be a reason, fuckin' anything at this point. I want so bad just to rip everything a new one... lash out and just... kill every single conductive piece of shit scumbag I see. But I can't. My life is constantly shit on by people who just act unreasonably to anything and everything. What am I supposed to do about that? 

[CHARGING: 65%]

I'll figure it out later... I got a job to do.

[CHARGIN-

 

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The Illumination

Illuminated Earth is a twisted reflection of the modern world where the advent of smartphones and the internet confirmed the existence of the supernatural instead of disproving it. Here, witch hunts have merit. Billionaires and Senators employ paranormal advisors and bodyguards, and everyone knows. Charlatans become pop culture icons, and each revelation inspires a new cult. The world is changing. The secret societies that pull humanity's strings scramble to adapt.

Now's a good time to move up.

House Rules

Contractors from Maelstrom Are portable, and may play in Contracts in other Playgroups.
Maelstrom grants 6 Experience points to GMs who achieve the Golden Ratio.

Contractor Creation Rules

  • New Contractors must be submitted for approval in The Contract Discord server's #approvals channel before their first game.
  • At creation, Contractors cannot take more than a combined 5 Assets and Liabilities that cost/grant Exp. Free Assets do not count toward this limit.
  • Contractors cannot be direct ripoffs of pop-culture concepts, to the point that NPCs in-game would notice the similarity. For example: you could play a heroic strong-man or a famous weapons-developer but not specifically Superman or Iron Man.
  • Contractors may not start out as a concept that is likely to disrupt Contracts (e.g. being a walking, talking fox, being as notorious as Osama bin Laden, having a bomb in their chest that detonates when they die, etc).
  • Contractors are mundane people who would see their ambitions through regardless of access to powers. That is why a Harbinger offers Gifts, and why they are willing to risk their lives for the power to make their dreams come true.
    • Your Ambition must be a core driver to your character's actions, is a large point of tension for their story, and is likely to get them into trouble. Craft your Ambition carefully and be open to suggestions and changes from Endorsed GMs in order nail it.
    • Keep in mind, however, that Ambitions can (and will) change over time as your Contractor develops. It's simply part of character development! No matter what, Ambitions are why a Contractor risks their life continuing to participate in Contracts. 

 

Maelstrom Contractor Limits

  • In order to facilitate more focused character concepts, Maelstrom has a hard limit on the number of Newbies and Novices per Player. At Maximum, a Player can only have 2 Newbies and 3 Novices active in Maelstrom at once.
  • Any Contractor housed in the Playgroup is considered active. Remove them from the Playgroup if you don't want to play them. Moving Contractors back into the Playgroup requires Judge approval. 

 

Power Creation Rules

  • Cohesive Powers: Manifested Gifts must be in-line with Character Concepts and requires Endorsed GM approval.
  • Logical Flavor: Players must be able to explain how and why their power works in a given situation, otherwise GMs have license to cause them to fail.
    • For Example: a Blast flavored as a ball of fire might not work underwater. But at the same time, that same Blast power might do extra damage to enemies vulnerable to fire. GMs always have final say, but must remember to make Powers feel powerful. 

 

Citizenship

  • Active Players are expected to GM Contracts from time to time. If you have played as a Contractor 6 Maelstrom Contracts, you are barred from playing in Maelstrom again until you GM a Contract yourself.
    • This limit can be temporarily lifted if an Endorsed GM gives explicit approval to allow you to play in their game.
    • If at this limit, you may attend a game run by another GM fulfilling Citizenship.

 

Downtimes

Interacting and addressing Loose Ends, Conditions, and/or Circumstances require Moves during the Downtime between Contracts. This connects your contractor with the world in some tangible way.

  • Treacherous Loose Ends: A Contractor who waits for a Loose End's threat to manifest without taking any precautions against it during their Downtimes will see the threat revealing itself at the worst possible moment during downtime. Ask Endorsed GMs and Playgroup Leaders for Moves to help control Loose Ends before they control you.
  • Neutral/Unknown Loose Ends: Some Loose Ends are Unknown, meaning that they give the *Player* a hint of moving parts behind the scenes, but not necessarily the *Character*. A Neutral Loose End usually means that the dangers or benefits of the Loose End are obscured or up to the Character's actions once it manifests.
  • Investments: Some Loose Ends bestow benefits at the end of their clock. Investments are usually rewards for Moves and Hustles, but they might come from other sources as well. Ask Endorsed GMs and Playgroup Leaders for Moves to further your Contractor's goals.

 

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Notes on GMing in Maelstrom

  • All members of Maelstrom are encouraged to GM and run Moves, and no approval is required. Custom Scenarios likewise do not require pre-approval. 
    • Feel free to ask Endorsed GMs and Playgroup Leaders for feedback on your custom scenario before running it. 
    • By default, you cannot run Games or Moves for a tier that you have not played in yourself. For example, if you would like to run a Novice game, but have never played a Novice game, you must wait until you have had some experience in Novice as a Player.
  • Use GM Notes on the Story tab of the Contractor Sheet! This is a place to provide more detail about Circumstances, Conditions, and Loose Ends as well as important developments behind the scenes. Good GM notes makes it easier to run relevant Contracts and Moves for characters.
  • Keep intros concise during game time. If you want to run more extensive introductions, try to do it before playtime. Players, in general, should not need to be wheeled-and-dealed to agree to a Contract. A simple message sent to them should suffice.
  • In general, Contracts and Moves are subject to an "Exposure" criteria, especially when it comes to posted World Events. Contractors in higher Gift ranges have more freedom to affect the playgroup as a whole. At Newbie/Novice, however, the outcomes games will not ever have an international reach. Though Contractors might remember terrible things happening during their Contract, World Events might be scaled back due to meddling from The Powers That Be.
    • Don't take it personally if your World Event gets edited by a Playgroup Leader. It's part of the game and our efforts to keep consistent tone within the Playgroup.
  • GMs are encouraged to build interesting, consistent locations and organizations for Contractors to explore and engage with through Contracts and Moves. Talk to a Playgroup Leader about location development, they are happy to delegate the development of content.

 

Full Setting Description

This Playgroup uses the official Illumination Setting with slight tweaks.

Very small supernatural phenomena are rare, but not completely unknown. Fewer than 20,000 people in the US are born with some kind of basic supernatural abilities. Think, a guy who can snap his fingers to light a cigarette, slightly glowing eyes that help to see in the dark, or the ability to make a small electric spark. Very niche, not terribly useful, a cool party trick. The big supernatural phenomena are what makes the news, and what creates Illuminations. A bona-fide werewolf, an insect disguised as a human, a monstrous cryptid, or other similar intense anomalies will absolutely catch the attention of the media if they are found.

World Events

Loyabard made a Move (foodoman GMed) 20 hours, 41 minutes ago. View Move

Oasis - The Best Restaurant in Town!

A well dressed reporter looks directly into the camera with the restaurant, Oasis, located in Maple Valley, Washington.  She's looks happy to be here.

 

"Hello!  I'm Kaylee with Local Channel 8 News!  I'm here today in front of a local treasure!  The Oasis!  It's run and operated by Penelope Varela.  Penelope has been running the Oasis for a bit of time now.  I have Penelope with me right here.  Penelope, what is your goal with the restaurant?"

The camera pans out to show Penelope Varela standing next to the reporter.

"Thank you for having me on the program today Kaylee!  My goal is to provide a safe place for the down and out for those people in our society!  Sustainability is another major goal of my restaurant."

"Fascinating!  Can you tell me what inspired you to start the restaurant?" Kaylee asks.

"Well, I didn't have the best start in life, but I managed to escape it.  I hope to give people who like me a chance to escape as well." Penelope answers the question.

"How noble of you!  What's the furthest you've ever seen someone come to visit your restaurant?" Kaylee asks.

"I'm not in the habit of asking about people's past.  I don't want to bring up bad memories they may be carrying.  However, I can say someone came all the way from Texas to pay a visit!"

"Really?  That's quite a ways!  Thank you for your time today Penelope," Kaylee finishes with a cute smile.

"Thank you for having me on your program today!" Penelope replies.

"This is Kaylee with Local Channel 8 News!  Back to you Tom!" Kaylee finishes the field report.

Chicot (Jean-Anthony d'Anglerais) made a Move (Higanbana GMed) 1 day, 4 hours ago. View Move

Clown report intensifying

A month after the initial wave of clown-related disturbances, the situation has escalated in a surreal and alarming direction. Reports are now emerging of individuals dressed as clowns with animal features; ears, tails, fur-covered suits... Some were visibly armed and moving in coordinated groups. Eyewitnesses describe them as a hybrid between street performers and paramilitary cosplayers.

These aren’t birthday party clowns,” said one shaken resident. “One of them had a wolf mask, a rainbow vest, and what looked like a real rifle.”

Authorities have yet to confirm the legitimacy of the weapons, but the tone has shifted from ridicule to concern. Investigators believe this could be an offshoot of the so-called Circus of Carnage, a radical performance gang previously dismissed as a joke.

Now, no one is laughing.

Ware made a Move (RNGrant GMed) 3 days, 20 hours ago. View Move

Eccentric Millionaire buys Island

// A local paper in San Francisco reports on some activity from a local millionaire. This is covered in small papers, not a national headline

"In other news, Local Millionaire owner of Waretech has purchased an Island over this last week. Reporters reached out to the company, attempting to determine the reason for the purchase, and if this is a sign of potential future offshoring.

A PR representative from Ware tech stated 'This Island is for a small number of operations and research but will in no way displace the employees or facilities currently employed at Waretech. All employees will be hired from moved from existing branches.'

Our network reached out for details on what type of operations are expected, and if the construction would use American labor, and got no response."

Zhòng de piànzǐ made a Move (Lord_of_Clueless GMed) 4 days ago. View Move

Breaking News: Cult leader of the Golden path gone missing out of prison

BBC News States:

Famous Cult leader of the Golden Path Zhòng de Piànzǐ has gone missing. He was placed in the United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility for his crimes including: human trafficking and the distribution of narcotics. Insider information has been revealed that Zhòng was seemingly transferred after some conflict in the prison, but nobody knows his current where abouts. Insiders told us, that he had been on good behavior for the two months he has been there, which makes the whole occurrence even more odd. 

The prison warden has not yet made a statement in regards of what happened to Zhòng. 

We will let you know if anything new arises in this story.

Posted by Polymorph, 5 days, 9 hours ago. Permalink

Another Atrocity in Goshen, Indiana

FOX NEWS

[Video footage:  Goshen General on fire in the distance.  Tracer fire is visible.  An explosion goes off in the distance.]

[Video byline: Another tragedy strikes Goshen, Indiana.]

"Once more, our hearts go out to Goshen, Indiana, as another terrible attack from magical creatures occurs.  Goshen General was attacked by supernatural creatures earlier this night, and the national guard response was swift and brutal.  Large parts of Goshen General have been destroyed.  But here, we have a citizen of Goshen..."

[Video footage:  Older woman in nurse outfit, partly singed.]

"WE WON'T GIVE UP OUR CITY TO THESE DAMN NAZI WEREWOLVES.  WE'RE AMERICANS! WE WILL REBUILD, AND WE WILL CRUSH THEM AND EVERYONE WHO SYMPATHIZES WITH THEM BENEATH OUR BOOTS!"

[Video footage: Goes back to the announcer]

"And that's that, folks.  Good old American determination.  Next up, why empathy is a weakness in America..."

 

Sir Arthur King made a Move (RNGrant GMed) 1 week, 2 days ago. View Move

Masked man seen breaking into apartment

Police last week were called to a break in upstate New York. A basement apartment was broken into by a man fully covering his face, including his eyes. 

Police found at the scene a young man, Samual "Skeever" Dark. He had several serious injuries caused by arrows, but by some miracle, all of them look like they will heal without any complications.

"Yeah, it was really weird." Reports Samual from the hospital.

"He woke me up by whispering in my ear and then shot me. He took some of my things and left.... But he also poured a bowl of milk for my cat and told me to get my act together for my cat.... It was very strange, but also a very clear sign that I had hit rock bottom."

Samual has since entered into a heroin rehab program voluntarily. 

Chicot (Jean-Anthony d'Anglerais) made a Move (Higanbana GMed) 1 week, 4 days ago. View Move

Worrying clown reports

In a bizarre and unsettling trend, local reporter Anna Kresnik warns of a disturbing rise in what authorities are calling “vomiting crimes”, offenses committed by individuals dressed as clowns, often accompanied by theatrical bouts of vomiting.

Over the past two weeks, witnesses have reported clowns throwing up confetti, paint, or glitter before vandalizing property or stealing items in a chaotic frenzy.

“It’s performance art turned criminal,” Kresnik writes, urging officials to take the threat seriously.

Some fear it’s part of a larger, organized movement, advising to be careful at night from now on and until further notice. 

Police remain baffled and cautious.

Freddy Newman made a Move (Higanbana GMed) 1 week, 5 days ago. View Move

Russian genius

Natasha Volkova, a known and respected teacher, has recently been talking to her friends about her last student.

A man able to master Russian in less than a month. 

A lot of people are accusing her of propagating rumors to make her look like a genius teacher but some researched about the man in question and thought it normal for an FBI agent to be exceptional.

She is now looking for another teacher for the same man, but this time to teach him French.

She is even saying he wants to learn other well spoken languages like Spanish, Serbian and Croatian.

Posted by foodoman, 2 weeks, 3 days ago. Permalink

100 Families Missing / Restaurant Disappears & Reappears!

100 Families Missing

Last Night 100 families disappeared from the small Irish town of Birr, Ireland.  The local community is devastated.  Only one child has turned up.  The child is being held at a local hospital for treatment.  The child was found covered in blood, cuts, and bruises.  The search for the families is on going.

 

Restaurant Disappears then Reappears

The restaurant, Oasis, in Maple Valley, WA has reportedly disappeared for about 10 minutes Sunday morning local time.  The exact cause is unknown.  However, a homeless man near the scene of the incident has reported that the restaurant was stolen, then returned, by tiny lizard people.

Ware made a Move (baeowulf GMed) 2 weeks, 5 days ago. View Move

Missing Person Count Rising as Rash of Disappearances Continues Unabated

The once-sleepy town of Maple Valley WA has become a hotbed of dread and anxiety. Recent weeks have seen an epidemic of disappearances rip through the archetypically calm and safe community. Over the past two weeks, more than 70 missing persons reports have been filed with the Maple Valley Police Department - an amount which exceeds the total number of missing persons reports previously filed over the course of the last five years.

"At first," said Office Danny Buspecci, 34, "we thought we were dealing with some kind of cult - you know, a bunch of folks get caught up in some bad business, get convinced that whatever charlatan they've met is some kind of old god or fairy prince or what have you, and run off from home without saying goodbye." The police department's opinion changed, however, when after a week, no witnesses had come forward for any of the reported cases. "See, with cults, people always talk. They try and spread. Marge's missing teenager shows up at the library with a shaved head, a pamphlet, and a blue robe. None of that this time. This time, it's quiet, and that means something serious is going on."

Despite intensive investigation, there have been no bodies found and no suspects identified. The Maple Valley police department advises residents to travel in groups and to stay home after dark, while other groups claim that the police - inundated with missing persons reports - are unequipped to handle the ongoing disaster, and push for involvement from either the state or, in some cases, independent vigilante organizations including the Sons of Salem. Whether this threat is mundane or supernatural, we urge anyone with any information about these disappearances to contact the Maple Valley Police Department as soon as possible.

View all World Events