Hatoful GM Q&A: Birds, Brothers, Battlestar Galactica

[Hatoful GM]

Well! It was an honor to be on this side of things for Banner! It was also an honor to assist Boogiepop, who I consider to be one of the greats in many categories, and absolutely the best in event writing. I was very happy to free her up for more NPC work, more plots, and more development of Banner, which she's done a lot to make a fun and unique setting.

I'm happy to answer questions! Let me start off with a few:

Two brothers!

Initially, I had planned to play only filler NPCs. However, partially because of Boogie's encouragement, and partially because once characters were coming in I saw that this was going to be Dames Island, I decided to make a handsome man with a sword. That was Akiro, with Akito following shortly after. However, there was supposed to be a twist.

Akiro was supposed to die very early on, killed by the serial killer. Akito was the "real" character I would be playing all along. He had commissioned art, but I started him off with found art; otherwise, with one brother having art and the other not, who was "real" would be obvious. It was all planned out...

The problem was scheduling. The serial killer plot got moved back, and so Akiro got to live longer. Once it got pushed back enough, I could tell that it wasn't going to work that way any more. This was in large part because Akito had developed, and while it might have been fine D2 or D3, it felt like too big and depressing of a swing with not enough time to recover by D6. And so Akiro got to be captured and possibly crippled instead.

The two were supposed to be opposite poles, but it turned out a bit different than I expected. Akito was originally going to be more scoundrelly, a counter to Akiro straight-laced nature. After playing for a bit, they became the driven and the dreamer instead. And as a dreamer, Akito turned into something of an idealist. I think I had more fun with the two of them this way, so all's well!

Birds!

The jimen tori Special Place... gosh, I don't even remember how that came to be. Kiyoshi was talking to one, and I was suddenly like "huh, it would be funny if there was like a bird promised land." And then I was like "... actually, maybe there should be a bird promised land!" By the end of the IC bird conversation, I'd mapped out the mystery. I'm pleased that people were so into the birds!

Egrets! No, wait, regrets

My main regret is that I should have taken a government official NPC. Boogie had Ayame, Umiko, Magistrates... this was a lot for when people wanted to interact with the government. As such, I wasn't able to lighten her load in that area as much as I wanted to. I did have fun with the Daikoku monk, though.

If there are other questions, ask away!

[Suzume Hitomi]

Thanks for dropping Akiro into the temple thread for a chat. Was he still on the doomed list then? I kept meaning to find a way for Hitomi to note he'd been hurt in the Serial Killer Adventure Times so she could visit him in the hospital, but that was post-getting back to work, and finding posting energy was getting harder.

Glad you found some fun NPCs an plots so you weren't just the bookkeeping AGM. ^^ Did you have a favorite and least favorite event to read and score?

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

If the kidnapper players had met some insane rolls and the GM dice whiffed those bow shots, would you have derailed things into letting Akiro live?

[Yasuki Taraka]

Yeah, it skewed really heavy into female didn't it? XD When playing Romance, Nodoka, Kill with Kisha she was like , "Nearly everyone I've met here is a woman." So, thanks for being willing to take on the thankless job of literally nutting up XD

As has been pointed out multiple times, this game could not have nearly hit it's full potential without all the support you gave Boogie, so thank you for doing that.

The two brothers were definitely interesting, thank you for running me in to them. And I enjoyed visiting you during your hospital stay. Poor pretty Hiruma, dropped off in the completed quest box by uncaring players. I had hoped to see his other brother visit him, but I realize there's only so much bandwidth you have for these things, especially as the game was reaching it's mechanical climax.

As for taking up a government role, it's never too late to give someone a name and a random samurai picture Underkaro, yoriki...heck you could have grabbed my ally Yoriki Hida Genta, and drove him around.

But brewing up the Jimen Tori plot on the fly takes sharp gming skills. Not my interest group, but good work on supporting players in what they want to do.

Good job and thank you Craw!

[Bayushi Senshuken]

One of the best rp partners and internet buddies just turned into the best agm right in front of my eyes!

Thank you for doing this. It has been an awesome game!

[Kakita Haruhi]

I enjoyed the jimen tori plot so much!

Amazing that you just made it up on the fly.

[Susumu Sumiko]

*Prepares the fish cannon!*


Thank you for a wonderful game! The Jimen Tori plot was really cute and much fun to be a part of.

[Miya Kisha]

I'll add to the chorus of "This was awesome!" And I mean it.

Any thoughts of running a side-game?

[Hatoful GM]

Thank you, everyone, for the kind words!

I'll answer the questions.

Thanks for dropping Akiro into the temple thread for a chat. Was he still on the doomed list then? I kept meaning to find a way for Hitomi to note he'd been hurt in the Serial Killer Adventure Times so she could visit him in the hospital, but that was post-getting back to work, and finding posting energy was getting harder.

Glad you found some fun NPCs an plots so you weren't just the bookkeeping AGM. ^^ Did you have a favorite and least favorite event to read and score?

I believe that was still early enough that Akiro was still doomed. As far as visiting, I made sure to put his name in the rumors for people too see (side note: I put a lot of effort into the rumors, so I hope people appreciated those!), but that doesn't solve all your irl stuff, of course!

Gosh, hmmm. In retrospect, I think the fan con was my least favorite event to score, while being a solid one to read. Varying Glory awards available to everyone, with additional variables based on how they'd done in individual events... this was back when I was trying to manually update Glory every time, so I updated almost every sheet. Favorite... I think I enjoyed reading First Market the best.

...

Glad you liked them! Akiro definitely enjoyed the company, as I'm sure you could tell. His family did visit, as they referenced watching the race together, and the flowers came from them... I guess I could have written a brief piece of them making up just like the sisters did, but I don't think that would have had the widespread appeal.

With Boogie having so many NAMED government NPCs, I really needed to create one AND leap in front of scene requests like taking a bullet. "Can I do a scene with Umik-" "NO, you get Yasuki Chad instead!" Ah well. Next time!

I'll add to the chorus of "This was awesome!" And I mean it.

Any thoughts of running a side-game?

Mmm, I don't think I'm strong enough in Banner lore, and I'm not great at playing multiple NPCs in multiple scenes. We do hope that Banner inspires some talented people to run, though!

[Tamori Kanna]

Thank you for being a GM! I enjoy the peek behind the curtain for the two brothers, and I'm glad we ended up being able to save Akiro from the serial killer.

I always intended to visit him in the hospital, but didn't want to demand more attention. ^^;;

Also enjoyed reading the Promised Birb Land-story arc! You've always been good at thinking up story-stuff on the fly! <3

What ended up being your favorite NPC or story-moment for you?

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

I'm so glad to have accepted your invitation into this game, you and Boogie made this definitively a stellar experience!

Despite having known each other for a while, I find it mighty curious how in the end I didn't interact much with your NPCs, but hopefully that changes next time!

[Kakita Hiroki]

I will remember that accent you gave the birbs, and when you least expect it . . .

[Hatoful GM]

If the kidnapper players had met some insane rolls and the GM dice whiffed those bow shots, would you have derailed things into letting Akiro live?

Missed this before. Had we stuck to the original plan, Akiro would have died or at least gone missing between D1 and D2, off-screen, as foreshadowing for the serial killer. I believe in the conversation Boogie and I had about it, "Drew Barrymore" was used as a verb. Akito would not have showed up before Akiro was gone. But then it was pushed back, Akito showed up, and things changed as above.

Kaito was the one who ended up dying in the serial killer sequence, and I don't think that was so much planned as just an acceptable thing that happened.

Thank you for being a GM! I enjoy the peek behind the curtain for the two brothers, and I'm glad we ended up being able to save Akiro from the serial killer.

I always intended to visit him in the hospital, but didn't want to demand more attention. ^^;;

Also enjoyed reading the Promised Birb Land-story arc! You've always been good at thinking up story-stuff on the fly! <3

What ended up being your favorite NPC or story-moment for you?

I know, it's always awkward to ask, and I lost some energy myself near the end. But from the other side, it's also easier for me to respond to NPC requests than to make open threads. I encourage you to make those requests next time!

Hmmm, NPC or story moment... I liked seeing how things ended up playing out between the two sisters. I feel like the serial killer sequence was properly tense and exciting, and had a great actiony rescue sequence! I had fun with the Daikoku monk and Kanna. And, of course, Akito and Suh-Hyun had some great stuff

I'm so glad to have accepted your invitation into this game, you and Boogie made this definitively a stellar experience!

Despite having known each other for a while, I find it mighty curious how in the end I didn't interact much with your NPCs, but hopefully that changes next time!

We were quite glad to have you, and I think you fit in very well!

Akito and Ichitaiyo did hang out a bid D...2? But ultimately I didn't spend a huge amount of time playing NPCs. There were times that I was like "Hmmm, if I was a player, I'd join this scene here", and then instead of doing that, I scanned through PFs looking for something that required GM attention again. Ah well, such is the nature of GMing!

I will remember that accent you gave the birbs, and when you least expect it . . .

Cor blimey, I'm proper bolloxed now.

[Boogiepop]

Thank you so much for helping in the game. I know I've thanked you a lot in this game. Each of those thanks is not just me being polite or out of Canadian custom. Honestly, thank you for everything you've done. You've done a lot to keep my energy meter up, reduce my sanity point loss, replenish my mana, conserve my action points, unveil the fog of war, keep score, dodge bullets, and so much more.

With Boogie having so many NAMED government NPCs, I really needed to create one AND leap in front of scene requests like taking a bullet. "Can I do a scene with Umik-" "NO, you get Yasuki Chad instead!" Ah well. Next time!

Aha, yeah, that's a bit of a blind spot we realized when it was too late. I fully admitted that I hoarded those roles because I've attached quite a of stories and plot points to them, while forgetting that they might be needed for their actual jobs. A general karo and a general yoriki would have helped tons.

Any challenges and/or learning experiences you've picked up in this game?

[Hatoful GM]

Thank you so much for helping in the game. I know I've thanked you a lot in this game. Each of those thanks is not just me being polite or out of Canadian custom. Honestly, thank you for everything you've done. You've done a lot to keep my energy meter up, reduce my sanity point loss, replenish my mana, conserve my action points, unveil the fog of war, keep score, dodge bullets, and so much more.

Aha, yeah, that's a bit of a blind spot we realized when it was too late. I fully admitted that I hoarded those roles because I've attached quite a of stories and plot points to them, while forgetting that they might be needed for their actual jobs. A general karo and a general yoriki would have helped tons.

Any challenges and/or learning experiences you've picked up in this game?

You are very welcome! The world needed more Banner, and I figured every bit of stress I relieved from you would help you to achieve that. For the greater good!

Haha, and I'm glad you agree. That is definitely something learned for next time: make sure both GMs can deal with players wanting to speak to officials, and make sure they have names. Letting players track their own Glory was another thing I wish I'd done earlier. Finally, I do think that the meta did develop in some ways you and I didn't anticipate. Maybe some tweaking to make that work a bit better? Something we can discuss in the future!

[Tamori Kanna]

I almost forgot...

HOW DANGEROUS WAS THE JIGOKU FLOWER?!

[Hatoful GM]

For a group of 4, especially one with Ochiba? Not very. For 3 or less, extremely.

"Jigoku Flower"

Air: 2
-Reflexes 3
Earth 4
Fire 1
-Agility 3
Water 1
-Strength 3

Initiative: 4k3

Attack (tendril, simple): 6k3 Damage: 4k2

Once per round, the creature may grapple a creature hit by one of its tendrils. If it maintains control of the grapple next round, it may damage it once as a simple action for 4k2. If it maintains control of the grapple in the round after that, it may damage it as a complex action for 6k6 as it drags it to its maw and chomps it.

A called shot to a tendril (2 raises) doing at least 10 damage after reduction will cause it to let go of its grapple. However, the main body will only take a maximum of 10 wounds from this.

ATN: 20 Wounds: 40: +5; 75: +10; 100: Dead

Reduction: 6

Skills: Jiujutsu 3

Abilities:
Fear 2
Huge

[Bayushi Hinata]

It's been a blast to play this game, I once again take the opportunity to thank you for trusting me with a piece that Iam realizing has been a staple of your life for years if not over a decade.

Seeing your posts brought a smile toy face every single time. The Pillar Hida, the Water Kami, Jimen Tori promised land, it helped reel the tone back to lighthearted fun without fail and made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience!

Also that plant block is fucking evil shame on you

[Tamori Kanna]

For a group of 4, especially one with Ochiba? Not very. For 3 or less, extremely.

"Jigoku Flower"

It truly would make an excellent guard-plant. *sagenods*

LET'S GET 'IM!

[Agasha Sorato]

For a group of 4, especially one with Ochiba? Not very. For 3 or less, extremely.

"Jigoku Flower"

It truly would make an excellent guard-plant. *sagenods*

LET'S GET 'IM!

Oh, we both totally need to collect some evil plant seeds before leaving...