Mythic RPG Project: Chapter 4b: Resolution Table and Unskilled Tasks

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Fate Chart and Character Sheet

One of the most delightful things about the Mythic RPG is that while your character is out there doing quest, risking there lives, or just enjoying some down time at the local coffee bar, you are in fact building the setting.

Back at the beginning of the project I encouraged you folks to record baseline Attributes, Abilities, etc., because they are the measuring stick by which you can judge the power level of the character. If super strength is the norm for most NPC then that becomes the Average. If a typical hacker can crack a bank security system, that becomes the Average, if a scavenger in a post apocalyptical game can gather enough food and water in 1 day to support 1 person that becomes the Average. The degree of how much better, or worse your character is from that defines the Rank of the Detail (tag) which imbuing them with. 

But, there is another "baseline" that needs to be covered, and that is Tasks. Fortunately the author provided us with tools to easily record Task difficulties, complications, results. 

(click on image to expand)

These are Resolution Tables. As you play you fill out the details of these cards. 
(if you don't have access to a computer with a printer or a woodcut press in your garage, these can easily be made on a double sided index card, or a word processor document).

There are great detailed examples in the Mythic RPG of these getting filled in on page 39 of Mythic RPG

Mythic RPG has a great example of these cards that have been filled in starting on pgs. 36 and 39, fully filled out copies on pg. 41.

Lets go through the process real quick, using Mr. Quin as our example. Mr. Quin's best ability is designing drones and vehicle, but what does that process look like?

Question:

• Is an engineer successful at designing a new snooping drone?

Notes:

• The end result will have a unique design and custom, chasse, OS,  signaling system, firewall, etc. to make it resistant to other hackers.

Acting Rank:

• Drone/Vehicle Design

Difficulty Rank:

• Abstract quantification of unique design (Ranges from High to Awesome)

Modifiers:

• Library of drone design schematics +1RS
• Machine shop to work with hands on design +1RS
• Lack of parts or software necessary for prototype -2RS
  
• Inferior work environment (hardware or software) -2RS

Results

Yes:

• Fabricator ready schematic and software bundle, and a 1 use prototype.

No:

• Flawed product of lower than expected quality in one or more areas, +1SR to hack attempts by other pilots.

Exceptional Yes:

• Design exceeds expectations and is of a quality rank 1 higher than original design

Exceptional No:

• Time and money wasted, this drone will never fly.

Now lets look at something Mr. Quin is less proficient with.

Question:

• Can drone pilot hacker seize control of opposition's active drone

Notes:

• Impossible without vehicle control deck (VCD) or a Cyber Deck (CD), and cracking software
• Success by Hacking doesn't allow Remote Drive, it just allows the Hacker to use the listed commands.

Acting Rank: 

• Remote Drive or Hacking (or similar skill at -3SR penalty)

Difficulty Rank: 

• Higher of opposed Pilots Remote Drive (if actively controlled) or Firewall of attacked drone.

Modifiers:

• Quality of  Vehicle Control Deck's Signal module +/-1RS
  
• Familiarity with drone model +/- 1RS
• Distracting conditions -1RS

Results:

Yes:

• gain control of oppositions drone for 1 minute until it senses the intrusion and reboots.

No:

• Cannot try to gain control now and must wait 1 round to try again with -1RS (cumulative).

Exceptional Yes:

• This is your drone now to do with as you please.

Exceptional No:

• Signal interference shuts down your your VCD's signaling capability until a system reboot (minimum 1 round), All your drones go on auto pilot.

One last topic to wrap up Chapter 4: 

Unskilled Tasks

Ideally your character knows what they are doing, but there are only so many points go around and nobody knows how to do everything. Not to worry though there are ways to work around this (maybe).

Unskilled simple tasks

If a task is just an expression of an Attribute then you can just roll the attribute with no penalty. 

Semi-specialized tasks

If you are attempting a simple task that could be assisted by training, default back to the Attribute with a -2SR for the unfamiliarity.
If the character has a similar ability the penalty is only -1SR and uses the Ability as the default. 

Specialized tasks

If you are a fish out of water when it comes to a very specialized Ability there are three ways it could go. First is simply you can't perform it. Secondly if you have a very tangentially related ability you could attempt it at -3RS. Lastly if you are the sort that believes any player should be able to try anything you can attempt it at a -4RS or larger penalty. Keep in mind every negative RS brings you that much closer to an Exceptional No result.