The following is a transcript of Episode 9 of SuperIdols! RPG, which can be found here: https://superidolsrpg.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-9-zero-degrees
Eryn: Previously on SuperIdols RPG:
Luca: So it turns out that maybe there is a bit more to Queen Bee than meets the eye. They’ve always been an unassuming kid, uncomfortable in the spotlight. Never mind that Allen has been struggling a bit with the whole gender thing as well, which makes people’s criticism of their image hurt that much more.
Kyle: Look at those move… I taught you that move! You did it so perfect!
Angie: I almost did, yeah, it was almost perfect.
Kyle: No don’t cut yourself short! You did so good at it.
Allen: I didn’t really think about that much how the industry works with Rain Shadow. I don’t know enough about Idols.
Kyle: The company is like Crimson Signal or something like that. It even sounds sinister and stuff.
Tea: She pulls out her cell phone and types Crimson Signal in her notepad app. Just to look them up later. Yeah.
[electro music plays]
Eryn: Hey there everyone and welcome back to SuperIdols RPG. As always, I’m your GM, ErynCerise. And with me today are Tea.
Tea: Hi there
Eryn: And Luca!
Luca: Hello.
Eryn: We have a slightly smaller session today. But we do have a very special guest today. We have a writer, game designer, and very talented GM of the podcast The Talent Agency, it’s the internet’s very own Queer Android Gameshow Host, Nathan Blades.
Nathan: Why hello everybody! No, no, I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Hi, hi, hello, hi, hello. Pleasure to be here. I’m genuinely super excited to be on the show.
Eryn: Oh my goodness. I’m excited to have you. We have a fun little smaller session that I think you absolutely will be perfect for.
Nathan: Mm-hm. I already enjoy team super hero shenanigans. I enjoy magical girl shenanigans. And I enjoy performance as an art shenanigans. So this is all mushed together into something I am very, very down for.
Eryn: Rolled up into this big katamari of all the things.
Nathan: Yes. I look forward to adding some high-tension drama and strife into your lives.
Eryn: Excellent. Excellent.
[record scratch]
Eryn: Hey there, Eryn from the editing bay here. Just wanted to jump in to say Nathan has a brand new game that just came in this week. Are you a fan of ordinary people using flashy superpowers, transformation sequences, and emotional heart to hearts? Of course you are, why else are you listening to this podcast? Well what if I told you that you can bring all of that energy into your own games with Heartbeats in Perfect Sync, a Micro RPG by Nathan Blades. Inspired by urban fantasy RPGs like The World Ends With You, Tokyo Mirage Sessions, and Kingdom Hearts, you can fight otherworldly forces with a weapon summoned from your smartphone and indulge a darker side of yourself for forbidden power. Drama, tension, excitement! Ah! So yeah, just wanted to get in a quick plug for that because it looks like a really fantastic game. It’s only about 5 pounds and it’s available on Nathan’s Game Page at sixofspades.itch.io, link in the description. And now, back to the episode.
Eryn: And as for our characters that we have been following, Angie and Allen/Queen Bee, leading off from the ending of the solo sessions last time, we find ourselves on Labor Day afternoon. Allen, you are just coming off the heels of your visit to Karen, which has you in surprisingly pleasant spirits, all things considered. And to further boost your mood, you have decided to treat yourself to some new nail polish. And you have to travel a decent ways back to get home anyway. So you’ve decided to make the trip worth it and stop in at one of your favorite malls, the Paradise Shopping Center. And Angie, after your heart to heart with Kyle the other night, you’re feeling a bit more refreshed today and also in the mood for some retail therapy. If nothing else gets accomplished over this long weekend, you’re at the very least going to get yourself the best damn clipboard your modest allowance can buy. And the Paradise Center just happens to have a high-quality stationary store. More importantly it’s far away from wherever your parents are planning to be today. So, that sounds to a pretty good option to you as well.
Tea: It sure does.
Eryn: Oh yes. So the both of you find your way to Paradise Center. And I guess I should ask Luca, is Allen going to stay Allen for this shopping trip, or are they planning to transform somewhere along the way?
Luca: For the time being, they’re not going to transform. They just want to go in and check out the place. They don’t want any undue attention.
Eryn: Perfect. As you head to the mall with the intention of heading to a makeup store, there’s a nice little kiosk in there that you like called Phantom Cosmetics. Allen, you manage to catch a glimpse of Angie walking along the concourse not far ahead of you. What do you do?
Luca: Oh dear. Does she look angry? More than usual?
Tea: I think Angie looks determined. I wouldn’t say she looks scary or if somebody interrupts her she’s going to snap at them, and I think you’ve probably known her well enough at this point to know when she looks angry versus when it’s her normal scowl. Not her angry scowl if that makes sense.
Luca: Okay. I’m definitely not going to talk to her, but I’m going to keep an eye and see what she’s doing.
Eryn: Alright. Angie, are you heading straight for the stationary store or are there other pitstops you’re going to make first off?
Tea: I think she wants to get the stationary shop out of the way and it’s her favorite store so she goes there quite often, actually. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Part Time Staff knows her, actually. She spends a lot of her allowance on stationary stuff. Usually she’s looking for sales. That’s where she’s headed with very purposeful steps.
Eryn: Alright. As it happens both of the places you’re going are not too far away from each other. The Phantom Cosmetics Kiosk is located just across the way from Swan Song Stationary. And both of them happen to be near the center of the shopping center. The center of the center as it were. I should actually mention something about the way Paradise Shopping Center is laid out. You can see it in your map on Roll20, but for the folks listening at home, in the center of the mall there is one big area where all the stores in the mall kind of fan out around. This space is sometimes used for car shows, sometimes small conventions or other gatherings. But mostly it functions as a stage area. Cadence was one of the first cities in the world that started catering to SuperIdols after they became a thing. So of course a lot of Cadence’s architecture is built around SuperIdols having a place to perform. It’s hard to avoid in this city. The whole place is kind of just lousy with stages. And for this one, it seems there is a performer booked there for the afternoon with a sign on the stage reading; One day only, live performance and meet and greet with Zero Degrees, Monday September 7th at 4 PM. It is currently about 3:45 pm, so the show has not started yet. But you can see some tech people setting things up on the stage. They’re preparing equipment and safety barriers and such. There’s people gathering in the seating area already. There’s a lot of very excited people in the audience. And you can see there’s a curtained off area near the back of the stage where, presumably, the star of the show is getting ready.
[Zero Degrees hums and sings]
Eryn: I don’t know if you pay attention to that necessarily, it’s fairly normal occurrence in Cadence. What do you think you all are doing at the moment?
Tea: Shopping. I probably stride into the store and I go right into the sale section to see if I can find a nicer clipboard than the dollar store one I had purchased previously. Because my new, soon to be rival, had a very nice clipboard and I cannot be shown up. I always have to have the best stationary.
Eryn: Absolutely.
Tea: So she’s in there. And she – strode? Is that the word? Right to that section of the store. And she’s contemplating the clipboards.
Eryn: Allen, are you kind of keeping an eye on Angie from there or are you focused on your sort of thing right now?
Luca: I think I took a quick look at the polishes and then realized my get well soon gift for Karen set me back more than I Thought and I honestly can’t afford this.
Eryn: Aw, oh no!
Luca: So I think I’ll just stalk Angie. Will that help with my guilty condition? I have guilty and afraid marked from the last session.
Eryn: I forgot to say upfront, you can clear all your conditions from your solo sessions.
Tea: Okay.
Luca: Yeah with the last wistful look at the particularly nice, dark gold polish, I walk into Swan Song Stationary.
Eryn: Alright. You head in looking fairly non-chalant, Angie looking over the stationary. Angie is approached by one of the part time staff who definitely knows her. We’ll call her Lara. She walks over and gives her a wave like,
Lara: Hey girl what’s up?
Angie: Oh hey Lara. I’m looking for a new clipboard.
Lara: Say no more, we have the perfect deal for you today.
Eryn: And she grabs you buy the hand and takes you over to the clipboards and folders section. And gives a sweeping hand motion towards a nice feature rack towards some very nice sparkly gold folders and clipboards.
Tea: Very nice.
Lara: Ta-daaa!
Tea: So if this were an anime, there definitely would be a part where her eyes were shining while she’s looking at the clipboards. If this were an anime that’s definitely the kind of facial expression she has. She’s just so excited about stationary.
Eryn: The Steven Universe Star Eyes?
Tea: Exactly something like that. There’s so many fancy different kinds. But she has a budget. So she’s definitely looking at the cheaper ones first. But with determination.
Eryn: Right. And Lara catches you looking that way. The only unfortunate thing about Lara is she is very much into her job in the sense she’s always trying to upsell you. So she catches you looking at the cheaper rack and says,
Lara: Oh no, no, no, I think you are much, much more suited for the ones up here, don’t you think. These ones have the custom embossed patterns straight from Paris. I think you deserve only the best.
Angie: You’re right Lara, but unfortunately, I can’t afford the best. So I’m just going to look at these ones, okay? But thank you, thank you so much.
Lara: Are you absolutely sure? We have layaway plans.
Angie: Oh I know, I know. You can just go over there. If I need your opinion, though, I know I can come to you at any time. Don’t you worry.
Lara: Okay but if you need me you know where I am.
Eryn: And she taps her badge.
Angie: Yes, absolutely. Yes, absolutely, bye. And then she sighs a bit with relief after Lara walks away.
Eryn: And who should happen to be in the vicinity, as Lara turns around, the next person over is an unassuming young person in an oversized hoodie. So Allen, she turns to you with a pearly white smile and says,
Lara: And how can I help you today? Can I interest you in our fountain pens? We are having a special buy five get one free deal.
Allen: No thank you, I was just looking for some cards.
Lara: Absolutely I can help you with cards. We’ve got Labor Day Specials today so you can wish anyone in your family a happy Labor Day. We’ve got these great sets of 20 so you can give one to all of your family members.
Eryn: She’s talking your ear off. Angie, you can definitely still hear her.
Tea: So when I’m looking at Allen, Allen how are you looking right now? Do you look uncomfortable? Or are you listening with some interest? Does it seem like you just kind of want Lara to back off?
Luca: I absolutely want Lara to back off but I’m not going to say it.
Tea: Okay so I walk up to Lara and I say,
Angie: Lara, Hi.
Lara: Hello best customer.
Angie: Hi. Do you have any silver and pink clipboards?
Lara: I think I might have them in the back. Yes, absolutely, let me rush and get them now.
Eryn: And she dashes to the back store room to get as many as she can.
Angie: Okay thanks!
Tea: And then I look at Allen and I just say.
Angie: You might want to run if you’re feeling that way. She’s like that all the time. She just really loves her job. She’s nice but I don’t think they even earn commission here. So I’m not sure – anyway you might want to buy the pen you were looking for and get the hell out if that’s what you want, because she will not stop.
Allen: Yeah I don’t have that big of a family to need that many cards. Thank you.
Angie: You’re welcome.
Tea: And she probably spins on her heel and goes back to looking at the clipboards. And I Think she does find a nice one that’s in her personal budget, so she’s looking at that one very thoughtfully.
Eryn: One of the more sympathetic cashiers notices you’ve got something and like rushes you over to get back to the counter before Lara gets back. They know the deal.
Tea: I probably buy another set of gel pens that is also on sale. The pink is running out and I always have to have the whole new set. Even if just one color is running out. That just seems to be how I roll.
Eryn: Of course.
Nathan: Oh my God.
Tea: So I pick up one of those too. And I’m quickly cashing out before Lara comes back.
Eryn: I’m going to say you finish that up relatively quickly. The both of you are probably in a hurry to get out before Lara comes back. So you find yourselves going out of the store more or less together at this point. You can see there’s a bit of activity going on at the stage nearby. The show is just about to start.
Allen: Huh, who’s playing today?
Angie: Uh…
Tea: And I’m looking around for the sign because also me as a player forgot. Sorry about that.
Eryn: No worries. The sign you see says Zero Degrees. You do sort of know who this person is. They’re an up and coming Idol but they’ve already got a rabid fan base. So you definitely have heard the name around, even if you’re not terribly familiar with who they are specifically.
Tea: Okay, probably came across some fan cams on the IdolTube.
Eryn: For sure.
Tea: Yes. Okay.
Angie: Oh it’s Zero Degrees. A rookie but with a passionate fan base following already…
[movie theater surround sound audio plays]
Nathan: You can hear on the PA in the background as the show starts. The Whoosh and Hiss of dry ice. And somebody yelling into a headset mic.
Zero Degrees: Everybody freeze!
Nathan: And there is a almost one-second moment of applause and it stops abruptly. And if, from wherever you are, you can peer over the side of this upper lip of the more inner stage area, everybody has frozen in a pose simultaneously looking at the stage. On the stage is a young man in their early 20s. They have kind of a Dorian Electra meets Prince star aesthetic. They’re wearing an oversized business shirt that has been tactically shredded along the torso and the arms. So it hangs longer than it would otherwise. And incredibly skin tight rhinestoned ice skater-like trousers as they step out catwalk style. You can hear in this frozen moment where everyone is immediately quiet the click, click, click, of incredibly expensive shoes as they stop at the end of the stage and is like.
Zero Degrees: Thank you all for coming, I’m sure you already know who I am. But I am Zero Degrees and it’s so absolutely breathtaking to see you all here today. This first one, Absolute Zero, is for you in the third row. Hit it everybody.
[electronic New Jack Swing music plays over cheering crowd]
Nathan: And a kind of 90s R&B New Jack Swing style beat kicks in. Think “Finesse” by Bruno Mars as they start doing a dance routine.
Eryn: The crowd starts to go wild as you start up. Insert production sound effects here.
Nathan: Mm-hm. Mm-hm. I guess for a short period of time the animation budget increases.
Eryn: Oh there’s hella sakuga going on right now.
Nathan: There’s one particular type of pose where the shirt flaps up and you get a peak of abs. It’s just a little bit too detailed. The animator had a fun time working on this particular bit. They have the kind of non-threatening boyband style hair but the sex appeal that gets the older crowd interested in them as a band, that kind of vibe.
Eryn: And the two of you, how do you take this? Are you impressed or are you like whatever this happens all the time.
Luca: Definitely some interest. The way everybody around the stage froze for a moment when he came out, that was cool.
Nathan: That particular number comes to an end. And he says,
Zero Degrees: Oh, for those of you who don’t know me, I am the city’s newest solo and group act.
Nathan: You do not see anybody else on stage
Zero Degrees: How a group act, you say? Well, get a look at this.
Nathan: And their magical performer powers kick in. The temperature in the room drops significantly as a kind of starting to form out of the air large crystals of ice clumping together until they form two figures. And then they snap their fingers very Shiva Diamond Dust-style and the detail on these very vague, angular figures break away into two perfect replicas of Zero Degrees an they go.
Zero Degrees: [sing-songy] Hello, Hello, Hello! [three part chord sung] Hello.
Eryn: They can do their own three part harmony.
Zero Degrees: Mm-hm.
Luca: Nice.
Tea: Angie is standing there looking kind of stunned. She shivers because it’s cold a little bit. She’s still dressed for – it’s probably a hot September day. She’s wearing a tank top and shorts, last season of course. She’s holding her nice bag with her new stationary stuff but also you can tell the wheels are turning and she’s thinking of ideas of how to incorporate stuff for the school’s performance.
Nathan: As the performance continues, the temperature does not improve. In fact, you can see that Zero Degrees is getting really into the performance. Maybe a little too into it. They seem to be a very precise dancer, factoring in a very street or contemporary style dance. There is one point where they incorporate a couple of ice-dancing style of moves as well. But the more they get into these incredibly precise, you hear the click of shoes or ice on stage as they step exact perfect. But the more the dance continues, the colder it gets. The die hard fans in the row are already bundled up. They knew this was coming.
Eryn: Oh yeah, people know to bring parkas to these shows.
Nathan: It’s become actively unpleasant at this point and shows no sign of stopping.
Eryn: You’ve got the die hard fans in the front row cheering their hearts out and rubbing their mittens together, enjoying the show. And the people further back, some of them are not quite as die hard. They’re like eh but also rubbing their arms going oh jeez.
Nathan: Fortunately there is a merch stand that sells Zero Degrees Brand Knitted Jumpers and Scarves that have a blend between a Christmas jumper style stitching of snowflakes but it’s in like synth wave colors.
Eryn: Oh my god I want one.
Luca: I kind of want one.
Eryn: Those are selling – not like hot cakes – but very well.
Nathan: They’re selling like hot cocoa.
Eryn: Yes they’re selling like hot cocoa at a ski resort which is becoming increasingly the vibe that’s going on.
Tea: I think Angie’s starting to rub her upper arms a little bit as she’s watching. But she’s also watching where all the fans are because at this point she starting to get a bit concerned that everybody’s so cold. I think that’s where she’s at right now.
Nathan: Let’s kick this up a notch. You see somebody in the back row slump. They are now too cold. And a couple of people pick them up and get them away from the main stage.
Eryn: Yeah in addition to the usual SuperIdol cautions of barriers of tech around the area, you also have paramedics standing by who are prepared to treat hypothermia.
Luca: Oh my god.
Nathan: If this continues, it could maybe get dangerous, and he shows no sign of stopping. This number is really long, why is this song so long?
Tea: Yeah the song should be over already…
Eryn: Yeah you kind of feel like the song is starting to repeat itself, like it’s started over from the beginning. But he’s so into it, it doesn’t seem to matter. The hype just seems to keep on rising as the temperature keeps on lowering.
Tea: Alright I look at Allen and I say,
Angie: This can’t go on. Someone just… someone just…
Tea: And she’s pointing at the person who got carried off.
Angie: There’s paramedics! Par-A-Medics!
Tea: And she’s starting to get a little angry.
Eryn: Mmm.
Nathan: Good.
Eryn: As Bulls often do.
Tea: Yes. Also this is a little fresh for her for obvious reasons. Her vision of an Idol is one that does not hurt the audience. So she looks at Allen and, at this point, she does not know Allen is Queen Bee, right?
Eryn: Mm-hm
Luca: Yep.
Tea: So she tries to pass Allen her bag, where her stationary is. And she’s like.
Angie: Do you mind holding this for me?
Luca: I disentangle my hands from my hoodie where I was trying to keep them warm and take the bag.
Allen: Yeah sure.
Angie: Okay, great. I’ll be right back.
Tea: And she starts storming into the audience. And she’s saying,
Angie: Hey! Hey!
Tea: Over and over, trying to get Zero Degrees’s attention.
Nathan: On the third Hey there is a small catch in the next step that he makes. He doesn’t hit his mark. He stops, the music stops.
Eryn: And the audience goes oooh because they don’t like that. The reason they like you so much is because you’re so laser perfect in everything that you do.
Nathan: Mm-hm. There is a pause with his arms dramatically spread wide as part of the step. He doesn’t correct it. You can see that he’s breathing heavily. The sweat off his brow immediately crystalizing, turning into vapor.
Zero Degrees: [breathing heavily] Oh sorry.
Nathan: He fans himself.
Zero Degrees: I seem to lost myself for a little bit, for a moment. I just get so enraptured in the music, in the performances. But I must say, working for this new company, working for Crimson Signal, is doing absolute wonders for my focus lately. You too can be an incredible dancer with laser focus by tuning into the line of Crimson Signal Brand products.
Nathan: And seamlessly, seamlessly transitions from that step error into a company sales pitch.
Eryn: You get a nice projection on the back wall with their logo and PowerPoint presentation of their latest line of Idol-themed equipment and merchandise.
Zero Degrees: With a series of dance instructor BluRays hosted by yours truly.
Angie: Seriously?
Zero Degrees: Oh excuse me.
Angie: I’m pretty sure that person over there could have died.
Zero Degrees: Oh?
Nathan: He kind of mock holds his hands over his eyes as if he’s looking into the distance and sees the collapsed person over there.
Zero Degrees: Oh! Well this performance did come with a general attendance warning. There is a splash zone, as it were.
[jeering fans]
Eryn: Yeah lady, what are you talking about? We want to see Zero Degrees, get out of here! You’re holding up the show. The audience is turning around sort of berating you, trying to pressure you into backing up.
Zero Degrees: Oh Audience, you don’t need to be like that. This is just somebody who is yet to become a fan.
Nathan: He snaps his fingers and summons a chair of ice which he then sits in.
Eryn: They sort of – there’s a hubbub among them. Yeah, you’re right Zero Degrees, we shouldn’t be so judgmental. We want to be more like you.
Zero Degrees: In fact, in fact, in the second part of the show, I was going to invite two lucky performers to do a group dance routine with me. She looks like she’s athletic and can follow my steps. What do you say everybody?
[audience cheers]
Eryn: Yeah! And there’s clapping around you. And a chant starts to form like do it, do it, do it.
Nathan: Zero Degrees smiles so wide. There are so many teeth, they are all immaculate.
Tea: Okay so at this point when Zero Degrees sits down in their chair, and they’re talking about their next spiel for the second half of the show, Angie has her arms crossed and is getting progressively angrier as this is going on. Is this guy serious right now? So she says,
Angie: Fine!
Tea: After the chanting is going on.
Eryn: Oh goodness.
Tea: Yeah, fists clenched and everything.
Zero Degrees: Oh good, good. Amazing, amazing. I love dancing with new performers. You learn so much by dancing with new people.
Nathan: Which resonates with you for reasons that Zero Degrees is not aware of.
Zero Degrees: However, however, it wouldn’t be fair for me to just summon a random member from the audience onto stage to go against someone of my caliber. It would be more fun if it was two on one, wouldn’t you say? Do you have a duelist second, maybe?
Tea: She’s looking around. And she’s like…
Angie: Uhh…
Zero Degrees: You didn’t come to a mall with no friends did you?
Audience: [muttering] No friends, no friends, no friends.
Nathan: This is so mean, I’m sorry.
Tea: No, it’s okay.
Nathan: That was meaner than I was expecting to be, but yes.
Eryn: You do literally have a move called Cold and Cruel.
Nathan: Should we turn that into a move maybe?
Eryn: I think it would be appropriate since Zero Degrees is obviously trying to put some pressure onto Angie to either put up or shut up.
Nathan: Mm-hm.
Tea: Yeah. I just want to check in with Luca for a quick second, just to make sure this is okay.
Eryn: Go ahead. That’s what I was going to say too.
Tea: What I want Angie to do is to point at Allen and just because Allen’s the only person that she knows around right now. And…
Luca: That is okay.
Tea: That is okay?
Luca: I was trying to bring themselves to step up.
Eryn: Before we continue into this scene actually, I want to get into Allen’s head a bit about this. Allen, how have you been feeling about this whole exchange that’s going on?
Luca: Honestly, I felt like Angie was going a bit too far because these people know what they’re in for. They’re a good dancer, I’ve been taking notes. And then Zero Degrees started being really mean and uncaring. And that sales pitch was kind of gauche?
Eryn: That’s the word for it.
Nathan: Incredibly gauche, yeah. Absolutely.
Luca: So yeah. I think could use to be taken down a notch or two.
Eryn: So Angie frantically looks around for someone, anyone, she could invite on stage. Really the only kind of familiar face in Allen. So not really in a great state of mind to be thinking very quickly, just being really angry right now. In fact, I’m going to GM say you’re probably angry enough to mark angry at this point.
Tea: Sure.
Eryn: Which should help you Bull moves if you need them. You point out to Allen in the crowd like them, fine.
Zero Degrees: Okay. Two contestants, well, performers. Come on down!
[game show music plays]
Nathan: And a game show remix kicks in as alternating light bulbs around the stage flash on and off.
Eryn: Yeah and there’s still sponsored images from Crimson Signal playing in the background up above.
Tea: Yeah. Angie is looking a little apologetic at this point because she invited somebody who she, as far as she knows, is a civilian, impulsively. She’s like oh my god, how am I going to get us out of here. But she doesn’t want to show Zero Degrees that. You’re inviting us up on the stage?
Nathan: Indeedy.
Tea: Okay yeah that’s where she’s going. She doesn’t use the stairs and she just jumps on there.
Nathan: Yeah.
Eryn: Awesome. I know that you’re not one to be very precious about your secret identity. Are you transforming for this?
[intimidating music plays]
Tea: She’s going to do a thing where she rolls her shoulders and cracks her knucnkles. And then, yeah, she’s going to punch the floor and transform.
Eryn: Alright so you get to do your transformation sequence. I know we’ve done how it looks a couple times so we don’t have to unless you have a specific thing that you want to show off for this one.
Tea: I don’t think so. Just the usual steps and fireworks. And poof basically. The new outfit is there.
Eryn: Alright. You get access to all your powers. You get to shift two of your labels. And you add lose sync with your powers to the seven to nine options on take a powerful blow.
Tea: Okay, what does that last one mean, sorry?
Eryn: Oh that means if you take a powerful blow then one of the options you would take if you rolled a 7-9 on it would be to lose sync with your powers and detransform.
Tea: Got it. I’m going to put my Danger up and I guess I’ll move Superior down. And that’s probably because her Mundane is already at -2. So that’s what I’m going to go with is her ability to Assess the Situation.
Eryn: I think that makes sense because you’re kind of seeing red right now. And also, in the wake of everything from the weekend, you’re feeling a little bit better after having your talk with Kyle. But you’re still not feeling like the top dog in the situation, for sure.
Tea: Yeah. Absolutely.
Eryn: And how about Allen? How are you approaching this?
Luca: In a very, very self conscious way. Climbs up the stairs with eyes lowered trying not to look at the audience.
Eryn: Oh boy.
Luca: Glance uncomfortably to the side.
Allen: Yeah, let’s do this.
Zero Degrees: Oh don’t do that. You act like you’ve been defeated already. And that would be no challenge to me.
Angie: You’re such a dick!
Nathan: You get the huge smile again.
Eryn: And you get the audience going boo! Don’t call our Idol a bit.
Nathan: In a stage whisper, he moves his mic out of the way.
Zero Degrees: You do realize that in the world of performance, there’s been a bit of overlap with other televised forms of performing arts. How familiar are you with wrestling?
Angie: Uh…
Zero Degrees: It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m sure you wouldn’t be aware of other types of performing arts, other than the one you’re doing now. Anyway. In wrestling there are usually two types of performers. There are baby faces or faces that act as heroes. And then there are heels. And sometimes, it’s good to be bad. [snaps]
[robotic noises]
Robot Voice: One, two three.
[techno music plays]
Nathan: They kind of straight. They pose a hand in the air like an ice skater, as ice crystals cover both their legs up to almost thigh-high boot length. And that then shatters away. And instead of regular feet, he now has two incredibly long ice spikes that he kind of balances on onpointe like a ballet dancer. Another goes along his arm and breaks away to large cruel-looking claws. And just to go along with this, a little ice tiara appears around their forehead. Otherwise their outfit is the same.
Eryn: I’m going to say you were technically transformed before, but this is part of your powers to add this to your form.
Nathan: Mm-hm. Chyrokensis is generally Zero Degrees’s stuff. Maybe this is just playing to the crowd at this point.
Eryn: But yeah. Angie just transformed. You’re not going to let her have all the fun with the flashy light show going on.
Nathan: Mm-hm. Absolutely. I think the stagehands were – because this is a show, were playing up her transformation as well. You got spotlight. They changed the color cue of the lights to match her arrival like this was all supposed to happen.
Eryn: Yeah. And they get the vibe that Allen is uncomfortable on the stage so they put a very simple, bare spotlight for now. Just for if they do anything, maybe they can change that up as they go.
Zero Degrees: In your own time darling, in your own time. But, since this is a dance competition and we value three things audience, don’t we? We value poise!
Audience: Poise!
Zero Degrees: We value grace!
Audience: Grace!
Zero Degrees: And we value perfection.
Audience: Perfection!
Nathan: And I would like to start this, I guess, combat off to use a single and only instance of Wield your Powers, an adult move.
Eryn: Yeah for this session we have allowed exactly one use of an adult move for your character. So when you Wield your Powers with Precision or Grace, roll +Freak. On a hit, choose one. On a 10+ choose two. And we’ll get into the options once you’ve rolled.
Nathan: Okay, let’s roll freak.
Eryn: Oh….
Tea: Oh no.
Nathan: Oh yes!
Eryn: That is a 13.
Nathan: I guess it’s two, two of these things. Take hold of something vulnerable to you. The stage on the floor turns into ice as you notice very specific bare spots that are not covered in ice in a pattern across the entire space. And an additional clone appears. There are now three ice clones.
Zero Degrees: Follow my steps. And if you don’t. Well, it would be embarrassing to fall over in front of all these people, wouldn’t it?
Tea: So when Zero reaches their final form, Angie does like a slow clap but looks a little nervous when the ice stuff happens. But she thinks back to all of her lessons with Kyle and stuff like that. And she’s just like channel your inner Kyle. Channel your inner Kyle. And she just puts her hands on her hips and says,
Angie: Let’s do this.
Zero Degrees: Mm-hm. Very good, very good. Are you ready, player two?
Allen: Yes.
Luca: I’m still holding the stationary bag.
[Eryn laughs]
Eryn: Poor Allen.
Zero Degrees: Unfortunately.
Nathan: Gesturing.
Zero Degrees: It seems your backup dancer isn’t quite warmed up yet. But it’s fine. Let’s get into it. Hit it.
Nathan: And music starts again. And yeah, Zero Degrees starts doing a simple box step. You can see that their little ice spikey legs are landing perfectly within these bare patches on the ice. And after doing that for about four bars they pause.
Zero Degrees: And now you.
Tea: Okay so how does this work for me?
Eryn: I’m going to call this either directly engaging a threat or our special it’s time for my solo move. Since it’s not the crescendo of the performance yet, I’m going to call it directly engage a threat. Because you are engaging, and they are a threat.
Tea: Absolutely. I’m on the same page, that makes sense to me. So I will…
Eryn: Haha! Wow so you got a 14 on that. So on a 10+ on that you get to choose two out of resist or avoid their blows, take something from them, create an opportunity for your allies, or impress, surprise, or frighten.
Tea: I’m going to go with impress, surprise, or frighten, and get an opportunity for my allies.
Eryn: Alright. What does that look like for you?
Tea: This is a pretty phenomenal roll, so she’s going to do the box step effortlessly. Box step? She’s been dancing ballet since she was three. This is nothing. And she does it effortlessly. But then does a little something extra.
Eryn: Ooh.
Nathan: Yeah. The animation bumps up a second time.
Tea: Yeah. Does a pose at the end. And then raises an eyebrow. The only think I can think is how to make an opportunity for Allen.
Eryn: What if you… sorry, go ahead. Yours first.
Tea: No go ahead.
Eryn: I was going to say, maybe something to do with your fireworks possibly?
Tea: That’s exactly what I was thinking, we’re on the same page. As she does her final pose, she does really bright fireworks. She wants all the attention on her.
Eryn: Ah.
Tea: Yeah.
Luca: Appreciate it.
Nathan: The audience is super into that. The thought of going toe to toe is definitely a thing. Zero Degrees is still smiling, but not smiling in the eyes anymore. And is like,
Zero Degrees: Oh, you’ve done this before. So let’s see if your dance partner is able to keep up.
Eryn: Alright, so now Allen.
Luca: Eyes firmly closed to avoid looking at the audience, Allen tries.
Eryn: You get to directly engage a threat as well.
Tea: How does create an opportunity work, sorry?
Eryn: Oh yes, I will give you a +1 on this if you want to put that into the modifier.
Luca: That’s wonderful. I’ll add +1 and oof.
Eryn: Ooh just barely, you needed that +1. You got a 7 on that. So you get to pick one from the list.
Luca: I think it’s a good idea to impress. Because I didn’t look like I could do any of that.
Eryn: Yeah. Give us a slice of that. What does your box step look like with your eyes closed?
Luca: It’s extremely precise, almost mechanic. But very fast and very good. And at the end, I almost slip on the ice by I recover.
Eryn: Very good. And the audience is super impressed as well because that was for sure what you were going for. They didn’t expect that out of you and they’re going wild like woah! Look at them go!
Zero Degrees: That is astounding precision!
Nathan: Zero Degrees marks angry.
[Eryn laughs]
Eryn: And the tech people correspondingly brighten Allen’s spotlight. I will say, though, since neither of you marked resist or avoid their blows, I am going to have the both of you mark conditions because you’ve got some adrenaline flowing and you’re not sure how this situation is going to resolve. So I’m going to have you mark insecure.
Tea: Okay
Luca: Okay.
Zero Degrees: Ooh, okay.
Nathan: And taking a big stretch.
Zero Degrees: Let’s kick this up a notch, shall we?
Nathan: And I think this time – this dance move goes…
Zero Degrees: Let’s do some Vogue Femme, shall we?
Eryn: Yeah.
Nathan: Yeah. We get some handwork. And then it dips into kind of floor work. Lots of legs kicking in the air. And this is a direct appeal to the crowd. Ending in a spin and dip one leg sticking up in the air. And the audience hopefully loves it. I would like to use Time for the Show. When you put on a flamboyant display of your powers, roll superior.
Eryn: I should probably ask, what was the powers component of that again.
Nathan: I see what you mean, I have to elaborate specifically in the move.
Eryn: Yeah in the move it’s specifically a display of your powers and not your dance abilities.
Nathan: Yes, I have my three ice puppets. So they are working in unison. It’s probably a feat to control one clone of yourself with pinpoint accuracy. And trying to do three is maybe starting to move into silly territory. You wonder how long Zero Degrees might be able to maintain that for.
Eryn: Alright. You definitely get to roll Superior on this.
Nathan: Ooh. We continue to have real numbers.
Eryn: Perfect.
Tea: Oh boy.
Eryn: So that is a 10. On a 10+, you get to name two NPCs present. The named NPCs must either volunteer help or information, express admiration, or ask for your help, GM’s choice. Uh, what would make sense here. First tell me what the NPCs are, that will probably influence my choice.
Nathan: There is an Instagram superstar in the audience. Papaya. Just Papaya, no surname.
Eryn: Oh IdolGram, yeah.
Nathan: Mm-hm. It’s IdolGram. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.
Eryn: Sure Sure.
Nathan: It’s Twinstagram in the Talent Agency. I can’t name the product in the other thing. That makes no sense. Just Papaya is apparently present in the audience. She is known for causing a scene, just in general. She likes to be in the cool environment such as this but also drawing attention to herself is something she’s a fan of. And then in the stage crew, Kyoto Joe is one of the stage hands. The co-choreographer. When Zero Degrees is practicing he always performs beside Kyoto Joe.
Eryn: Okay. Let me see. Do you get help or… Probably some kind of help
Nathan: This could be bad for Zero Degrees too. That’s entirely possible.
Eryn: I’m going to say Papaya is going to – she’s already had her phone out this entire time on a selfie stick above the entire crowd so she can get the best possible angles. And now she’s sort of rallying the crowd around her.
Papaya: We can turn up the cold on this!
Eryn: Yes, exactly. And she’s turning on the light function of her phone – like the flashlight function. And now there’s lights starting to flare up from the audience of all these individual pinpoint lights from people’s cellphones creating a disco light effect on the stage.
Nathan: Ooh and it’s reflecting on the ice clones. And now it’s just big nonsense.
Eryn: Yeah and Kyoto Joe recognizes this from off stage and signifies the lighting to emphasize this effect, turning this into basically a technicolor disco wonderland.
Nathan: Either it’s hard to concentrate, maybe both, or it’s hard to see where the non-ice patches are with the light show going on.
Eryn: For sure. And as you’re going, because you’re still using your clones or whatnot and this is still a use of your powers, the ice is slowly starting to creep off the stage and into the seating area as well.
Nathan: It’s getting bad people.
Eryn: Even the people in the splash zone are starting to back up a bit like, hang on, but they’re still cheering.
Nathan: We’re still into this, kind of.
Eryn: Yes, don’t stop.
Zero Degrees: I don’t suppose the two of you know how to Vogue. Work for me, hunties, yaasss.
Tea: Angie’s never vogued before, but she’s not one to take a challenge lying down. I’m going to try the dance moves again.
Eryn: Okay that’s another directly engage.
Tea: Mm-hm, so here we go. Okay that’s a hit.
Eryn: You get to just pick one from that list, then.
Tea: This time I’m going to defend myself from the blows because I can see all the other stuff going on and it’s a bit distracting. So I’m also in self-preservation mode.
Eryn: You manage to do the move okay and make sure that you’re fovusing it on it well enough, but because you’re in your own head about it, it’s not as impressive as your last move. You’re not getting boo-ed or anything, but you’re not getting cheers of excitement either. How about for Allen?
Luca: Allen knows how to vogue, loves voguing, and a little pissed at this point. So they’re going to try to get into Zero Degrees’s face and provoke him.
Eryn: Yeah let’s do it.
Nathan: Yes. Come at my brah.
Eryn: What does this look like?
Luca: I get close and straight in the face, daring them to respond.
Eryn: For sure. This is the language of dance. We’ll say this is how you’re provoking someone with your words. So go ahead and roll superior on that.
Luca: I really wish I hadn’t lowered that.
Eryn: Ooh! You still got an 11.
Luca: Yes. I got moves.
Eryn: This is great. So for PCs, if they do what you want, you add a team to the pool. If they don’t do it, they mark a condition.
[Nathan Chuckles]
Luca: I do the last move and when I get really close, I want you to flinch.
Nathan: Ooh.
Eryn: Ooh.
Nathan: Oof. I would like to, because I don’t know I have a reputation of never playing any RPG correctly, may I do both of those things? Can I do what they want and also take a condition?
Eryn: Sure.
Luca: Yeah.
Nathan: Yeah the last two actions that you do you go for a flick of the wrist that is just millimeters away from Zero Degrees’s nose.
Eryn: Oh I should probably say, I probably should have done this at the beginning of the encounter, this counts as entering battle against a dangerous foe as a team so we’re adding two additional team to the pool and we can add more depending on the following options.
Tea: Okay.
Eryn: If the leader has influence over every teammate, nope. If everyone has the same purpose in the fight, add another team.
Tea: I think my intention going into the fight was making sure nobody else was getting hurt.
Eryn: Alright and Allen, is it the same or are you just kind of trying to keep your head above water?
Luca: No it’s either support Angie and/or show up this jerk.
Eryn: Okay not quite the same in that case so you won’t get that team. If any team member distrusts the leader of the team, remove a team. I think in this case Angie would be the leader. Allen, do you distrust Angie?
Luca: Oh no, she kicks ass.
Eryn: Alright so we’re good there. And if the team is ill-prepared or off balance, remove a team.
Tea: I would say yes.
Eryn: Alright so based on what I just added, that leaves you at three team.
Nathan: Nice. With that last kind of flick of the wrist of your routine, millimeters from Zero Degrees’s nose, you see their pupils shrink in that kind of anime outrage expression as they lean back a little bit and I mark insecure.
Zero Degrees: [laughs] Oh this is so. Much. Fun. But I’ve been practicing for longer than you’ve even been alive. Let’s bring this to the big finale, shall we?
Nathan: I would like to Unleash my Powers, because I’ve already Wielded my Powers.
Eryn: Alright.
Nathan: All of the ice clones start doing routines simultaneously. They form a ring so it’s like four people. One human and four clones. Form a ring around you two. And start doing big, elegant ballet moves. But we’ve got pointy feet and a claw hand, so it becomes things you might need to dodge, otherwise it might hurt.
Eryn: Alright so you get to roll +Freak on that.
Nathan: Just a hit.
Eryn: Alright. So on a 7-9 you get to mark a condition or the GM will tell you how the effect is unstable or temporary. I guess you probably get to choose which one you want.
Nathan: Hmm, hmm, hmm, I’m going to mark afraid.
Eryn: Alright.
Luca: Hm.
Nathan: As this onslaught begins, there’s a brief bit of slo-mo and we get the thoughts of Zero Degrees being like,
Zero Degrees: Am I taking this too far? I, am… No it’s what the company wants. I am supposed to be the heel. I’m going to be the heel. I’m going to be the heel.
Eryn: You imagine a cabal of shadowy faces in your mind’s eye.
Nathan: Mm-hm. And in the space all that can be heard is – I’m imagining the sound of ice in the slushy machine. It’s kind of a grinding sound at this point as all the ice clones are whizzing around you and thrashing about.
Tea: Oh gosh. I feel like Angie would probably try to protect Allen because she doesn’t want another Karen situation.
Eryn: Mm-hm.
Tea: I think that’s where she’s at.
Eryn: Cool. That would definitely be Defend Someone. So you get to roll Savior.
Tea: Okay.
Luca: Allen would probably just realize that they don’t have their powers on and desperately try to dodge.
Eryn: Alright I think we’ll see how the Defend goes and see how that goes after.
Tea: Here we go, that’s a hit.
Eryn: So on a 7-9 it costs you. You expose yourself to danger or escalate the situation. You get to choose either add a team to the pool, take influence over someone you protect, or clear a condition.
Tea: I’m going to choose clear a condition.
Eryn: What are you clearing?
Tea: I’m going to clear Angry.
Eryn: Alright, cool. So you lose your Bull bonus but that makes sense in what’s going on in the situation. You’re more interested in protecting Allen than staying angry at Zero Degrees.
Tea: Yeah. Yeah. She’s learned a little bit about what happened last time.
Eryn: [singing] Character growth you love to see it. Yeah. [spoken] But you did expose yourself to danger. So I’m going to say what’s going to happen here is you manage to get between Allen and one of the clones coming towards them and you get to protect them okay because your bomber jacket is kind of thick enough that you can fend off whatever hits they’ve got. But you’re not keeping great track of patches of ice versus floor below you, so you’re going to take a big, hard slip and you’re going to go sliding directly off the stage and into the crowd.
Tea: Oh dear.
Eryn: I’m not going to give you a condition but that does put you at a disadvantageous position.
Nathan: You definitely notice from down there that the ice is getting quite far from the stage now.
Eryn: Yeah the ice has gone into the seating area and it’s starting to go to the store fronts around it.
Nathan: There’s a fountain that’s just frozen now.
Eryn: Yeah.
Luca: Oh gosh.
[Zero Degrees breathes deep and chuckles]
Eryn: Yeah so Allen, you don’t have to dodge, you were successfully protected. Is there anything else you are doing in this moment to deal with the rest of the clones.
Luca: I can’t think of anything. I think I’m a bit paralyzed seeing that Angie’s out of commission.
Zero Degrees: [laughs] Oh does this mean that I win. You aren’t giving up. Don’t give up. Don’t give up!
Nathan: I guess I’m provoking you.
Eryn: Yeah, it sounds like it.
Tea: Yeah.
Luca: Yeah.
Zero Degrees: Even if your friend has stepped away.
Eryn: You’re either provoking or you’re using your cold and cruel move. Whichever you think will give you more benefit.
Nathan: They’re Superior either way. Ooh, Cold and Cruel has the potential for things going deliciously wrong if I roll low, so let’s do that.
Eryn: Alright.
Nathan: Love to put myself in danger. Alright, Cold and Cruel.
Eryn: Alright so when you shut someone down, roll +Superior. On a 10+ you either inflict a condition on them, make them lose influence over you, or take influence over them. On a 7-9 you either inflict a condition on the other or both lose influence over each other, your choice. On a miss, they gain influence over you.
Nathan: Mm-hm. It’s a miss!
Eryn: Yes.
Luca: Ooh.
Nathan: Hell yeah.
Eryn: That’s a 6.
Zero Degrees: You’re not going to give up, are you? I’m still dancing even if your partner has decided to leave the stage. This is your time to shine. You don’t have anyone upstaging you, aside from me. [laughs evilly].
Allen: Oh please. What’s that? That’s just some dime store bad guy act. You want to see a heel? I’ll show you a heel. Hmph.
Luca: Allen’s going to transform.
[Tea Gasps]
Tea: Oh my gosh!
Eryn: Yes! And I’m going to add Allen/Queen Bee to Zero Degrees’s Influences.
Nathan: So hot.
Eryn: So please describe your, I don’t think we’ve seen your transformation sequence in detail.
Luca: No. I’ve never transformed on camera before.
Eryn: I should say this stage show isn’t being recorded.
Luca: It’s not being recorded and I expect a good amount – how much audience is there?
Nathan: I think it’s probably die hard fans at this point.
Eryn: Yeah actually a lot of the crowd has kind of started to disperse at this point because the ice has spread so far. So really there’s only a small group of die hards around you at this point.
Luca: OK I can do that. I had the hood over my head to keep warm so probably not many people have seen my face.
Eryn: Cool so you begin your transformation, tell us what it looks like.
[upbeat electro music plays]
Luca: Allen tosses their head back as the bees glow all around them in a spiral, lifting them up in the air. Then a golden glow starts emanating from their chest into their whole body. The clothes will dissolve in the light, leaving a little silhouette in the air dancing with the bees. Raises a hand to the skies and a strappy gold and black outfit appears in a flash of light. Lowers their hands down in front of her face like in Pulp Fiction, making the makeup and hair appear. In a pirouette, arms wide as the jacket flares into existence. A couple high kicks to materialize the heels. Then Queen Bee lands with grace on the stage, ready to show you who’s boss.
Eryn: Hell. Yes.
Tea: Aah.
Nathan: This is so hype. Oh my god.
Eryn: Yeah you haven’t seen Queen Bee on the show yet.
Nathan: This is all spoilers.
Tea: Oh my gosh.
Eryn: And you get to shift any two of your labels.
Luca: I’m going to lower Mundane and I’m going to raise Danger.
Eryn: Perfect. So you stand resplendent in your black and gold glory, staring down the barrel of Zero Degrees with the most powerful smirk imaginable.
Queen Bee: Come on, Popsicle. Show me what you’ve got.
Nathan: Zero Degrees does a freeze of the dance step you’re currently in the middle of and is like,
Zero Degrees: Okay, fine.
Nathan: And their demeanor and poise changes. It’s much lower. Almost feral as they kind of flex the fingers in their hand that is currently extended icy claws.
Zero Degrees: Let’s finish this in one dramatic blow, shall we?
Eryn: Oh man. And also, Angie, do you see much from below the stage? How are you reacting to all of this?
Tea: I’m slack jawed. That’s the best I can say is that there’s a moment there she’s a bit disoriented because she fell of the stage. And then she’s grunting and trying to get herself back up. And just in time for her to see enough to see Queen Bee turn into Queen Bee.
Eryn: Oh my.
Tea: So yeah, slack jawed.
Eryn: Zero Degrees, you’re bearing down on Queen Bee at this point. I would say that most certainly is directly engage a threat at the moment.
Nathan: Yeah which one of us is rolling that?
Eryn: Oh good question. Since you’re a PC that might make for Zero Degrees to roll that.
Nathan: Yeah yeah.
Eryn: Because you’re the one engaging currently.
Nathan: True that. My Danger is -1. Zero Degrees is actually bad at directly engaging threats which I think is perfect for this scenario.
Eryn: What?
Luca: Oh.
Eryn: How did you…?
Nathan: [laughing] I’m dying. I’m actually dying. It’s a minus one. It’s a minus one everybody.
Eryn: How did you manage that?
Luca: I’ve never seen a minus one before.
Eryn: How did you get a zero?
Nathan: I had the condition of directly engaging a threat because I’m afraid. So I had a -3.
Eryn: Oh yeah so you had a -3 total modifier.
Tea: Oh my gosh.
Nathan: Okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay. So, yeah. Zero Degrees crouches low and then kind of dashes towards. We’ve got a close up with speed lines as Zero Degrees is yelling,
Zero Degrees: Poise! Grace! Perfection!
Luca: Oof. Can I…
Nathan: How do you embarrass me? Please, please embarrass me.
Luca: Yes. You lunge at me and I just grab your wrist, flip you around, and dip you, like it’s a tango.
Nathan: Oof
Eryn: Holy shit.
Luca: And then kick your legs from under you and let you fall.
Nathan: In the moment that there’s the hold, a bunch of rose petals made of ice flutter across the screen. As Zero Degrees Goes…
Zero Degrees: Oh, Shi—
Nathan: And you drop him and he hits the ground.
Eryn: I’m going to have Zero Degrees mark Hopeless.
Nathan: Absolutely.
Tea: Oh no.
Eryn: You are one condition away from being out.
Nathan: Um yeah.
Eryn: Well I guess two conditions. Technically it has to be six.
Nathan: If I try and take damage again while maxed, right. Amazing.
Eryn: So as Zero Degrees goes down, there’s gasps from the remaining die hards. The people who are left are kind of scattered around the edges. They can get through the safety barriers around. The paramedics and whatnot have let people out. But because the ice is spreading so quickly and because they had to let people out through the barriers, the ice is starting to spread even beyond the bounds of the safety barriers and is getting into surrounding stores and whatnot now.
Nathan: Zero Degrees at this point is not currently dancing but the ice is still spreading?
Eryn: Yeah.
Nathan: That’s not great.
Eryn: Yeah the ice is starting to spread much faster now and it’s starting to get out of control and climb walls and stuff.
Zero Degrees: No this Crimson Signal tech was supposed to be perfect. It was supposed to take me one step beyond. Work, damn you!
Eryn: Yeah there’s frantic movements from the techies backstage trying to get something working again. But their stuff doesn’t really extend beyond the boundaries of the performance area.
Nathan: I think at least one of the ice clones shatters upon impact of Zero Degrees hitting the floor. This is very not perfect. They slowly drag themselves to their feet. I haven’t really described their hair much. I described it as non-threatening boyband hair. It’s falling in front of their eyes so you can’t see his face as he stands up again, shoulders slumped forward.
Zero Degrees: This is no longer perfect.
Queen Bee: It never was.
Tea: Ohh….
Eryn: Yeah and your audience is starting to look kind of pissed because this is not what they expect of you.
Nathan: I don’t think Kelvin Wyatt the person is capable of hurting a teenager. So he doesn’t do that. But he drops personae for a moment. He looks up slightly and you get a peak of his through the bang of hair staring directly at you, Queen Bee.
Zero Degrees: [under his breath] Get the fuck off my stage. This is over.
Nathan: I would like to try and use provoke someone, which is the only thing I don’t have a penalty to, to try and save face to end this performance.
Eryn: I think it makes sense regardless. You get to roll +Superior which you’re still doing pretty well in stat-wise.
Nathan: Mm-hm, I don’t have a negative modifier to it so, well it’s a hit.
Eryn: Yep.
Tea: Ooh.
Eryn: You got a 9 on that. So for PCs, same sort of deal as before. You get to choose one of these two. You choose, if they do what you want, add a team to the… your team is you and your clones I guess. If they don’t do it, mark a condition. The latter might be more fitting considering.
Nathan: Yeah if you don’t get off the stage immediately, please mark guilty.
Luca: Yeah I’m marking guilty.
Queen Bee: Your stage? The stage is of the person who can keep it.
Tea: Angie says,
Bane Raven: I agree.
Tea: And she vaults back on the stage. I think I’d like to do Time for my Solo.
Eryn: Yeah. So for our custom It’s Time for my Solo Move. Whenever you put your heart into your performance or impassioned speech with the intent to evoke a specific action out of one or more people, roll +Savior. You cannot use this move again until a new scene starts. And we’ll go into the options depending on what you get.
Tea: Okay I’m going to roll Savior. Hopefully works. I’ve been pretty lucky with rolls today. Oh no.
Eryn: Ooh, oh no, oh no, oh no. So, on a miss, unfortunately you bomb. You have to mark two conditions and your audience may start spreading the word about your screw up. Any enemies in your audience are unphased and continue doing whatever they were doing before.
Tea: Oh my gosh.
Eryn: So please describe how this goes.
Tea: Yeah. So basically what happens is she says I agree and she jumps on the stage but there’s so much ice everywhere that she just wipes out embarrassingly. And it’s the kind of thing where she tries to save it and does the breakdance move where you scissor your legs up in the air and spin around and go back up on your feet. She tries that but it’s just a disaster.
Eryn: At this point Papaya, in the audience. She had stopped recording before because she ahd to deal with the ice so conveniently missed Queen Bee’s transformation on her phone. But she’s gotten her phone back together and has gotten to recording and has recorded your slip and fall for the glory of IdolGram.
Tea: Ugh, I guess this is Idolcy.
Eryn: Hashtag Wipeout.
Nathan: Upon you hitting the floor, there’s actually an immediate flash of concern in Zero Degrees’s face. You were supposed to be humiliated but not injured. And slipping on the ice actually can be really dangerous. So he has a moment of clarity. I’m happy to roll for this but in having dropped performance personae he’s like Oh my God and he snaps his fingers and all the ice shatters in the space. Which may or may not be a very dangerous thing to do because ice shards could go everywhere.
Eryn: Oh no. Oh for sure.
Nathan: But hopefully if this goes right it will just clear the ice and not impale people.
Eryn: Alright before you roll this, Tea, I need you to mark your two conditions. Which ones are you picking?
Tea: Probably hopeless and guilty. That’s where she’s at.
Eryn: Alright.
Tea: That is so embarrassing. And I’m actually going to change it from guilty to afraid because if anybody saw that – her fear isn’t so much of Zero Degrees it’s anyone who would be watching with a cell phone. She’s a teenager in the cell phone era and we’ve been recorded doing embarrassing stuff before so she’s like Oh God.
Eryn: Oh no.
Tea: Oh no!
Zero Degrees: Oh god.
Nathan: We try and shatter ice which I guess is unleash your powers.
Eryn: Definitely is.
Nathan: Freak but I have negative modifiers. Let’s see how this goes. It’s still a full hit! Okay.
Tea: Wow.
Eryn: It is still a full hit. So you get to reshape your environment however you want.
Nathan: Mm. Upon you hitting the ground, Zero Degrees jumps in alarm.
Zero Degrees: Oh my god!
Nathan: And snaps their fingers. There’s a couple frames where the animation stops entirely and then suddenly there’s a big flash of light as all of the ice in the space simultaneously evaporates into powder snow as he rushes over to you and kind of checks the back of your head and neck.
Zero Degrees: Are you alright? Can I get an EMT here? Can we have – we have stage crew, right?
Eryn: Yeah you have one of the paramedics from the back rushing up to the area where Angie is.
Zero Degrees: Oh good, good, good, good, good. Sit up, sit up, are you okay?
Tea: Yeah and she sits up okay. It’s more like I think we mentioned before in the canon it’s a little harder to hurt someone with powers, right?
Eryn: Yeah you’re more or less fine but it’s good to check in.
Tea: It’s all just mortification. So I think she does take the help and she sits up. But when she sits up, she has a beeline sightline of Papaya recording the whole thing on her phone. And she just flips over backwards again.
[Eryn laughs]
Bane Raven: My life is over.
Zero Degrees: Hoo… mm… mm.
Nathan: Think there is a slight cut in of Zero Degrees’s thoughts of.
Zero Degrees: [thinking] Be the heel. Be the heel.
Nathan: And then they’re like,
Zero Degrees: There’s no point, the show’s over.
Nathan: And Zero Degrees says again, but warm this time, stands up, steps off the stage, and walks towards Papaya.
Zero Degrees: Papaya, darling!
Nathan: Having the voice accent kind of kicked back in again.
Zero Degrees: You’ve come to the show as well, thank you so much for coming!
Papaya: Yes! Yes of course. I always try to make it.
Eryn: She certainly seems unsure at this point because she’s never seen you falter this badly and is unsure how to react to all of this other than keep filming.
Zero Degrees: Yes indeed. I have a special offer for you, if you’re interested.
Papaya: Sure. Yeah, absolutely. Something for me or for all my lovely followers?
Eryn: And she turns the phone around briefly to get a nice selfie grin and a peace sign and turns it back to you.
Zero Degrees: Well!
Nathan: And Zero Degrees leans in real close, like, ear whispering distance, gracefully putting a finger over the camera on the phone.
Zero Degrees: How about you have a one on one tour of Crimson Signal Studios with me in exchange for, um, deleting a piece of footage.
Papaya: Oh, aye.
Eryn: And this is someone from your audience. Let me see how your moves affect that. So when you seek help from your audience, roll +Superior and on a hit, someone from your audience can hook you up.
Nathan: Right, here’s hoping it’s a hit. RIP. It’s a 6. I have no team. So yeah. That just, she declines the offer I guess.
Eryn: She thinks about it for a sec and frowns and says.
Papaya: It’s unfortunate, I was just invited the other day for a tour by Crimson Signal themselves.
Eryn: And she gives you a surprisingly menacing look.
Papaya: I think they’re not going to be very happy with what they’ve seen today.
Nathan: The performer expression drops for a second and then comes back.
Zero Degrees: Oh that’s too bad. Aw. How unfortunate. Still, I’m so glad you get to have a tour of the studios. You’ll get to see me recording my new single. There’s a new choreography. Heelys are involved. Anyway.
Papaya: Yes of course. Don’t worry darling. Only the most flattering footage will go out. But it’s certainly not for anything that you’ve done today.
Zero Degrees: Yes, well, that’s too bad. Uh, have a fantastic afternoon and please do enjoy the Paradise Shopping Center.
Eryn: Yeah and she turns on her heel and leaves at that point.
Nathan: Zero Degrees goes back over to Evangeline.
Zero Degrees: I tried.
Tea: At this point she’s getting to her feet and brushing stray dust off her super hero outfit. And she’s like,
Bane Raven: Story of my life at this point.
Zero Degrees: That’s show biz. Ha, ha, ha.
Eryn: How’s Queen Bee taking this all in over there?
Luca: Arms crossed, walking slowly towards Kelvin and Angie.
Queen Bee: Well that was surprisingly decent of you. I mean, you failed, but I can appreciate the effort.
Nathan: I guess at this point in the panic there’s probably a detransform. Stats wise it doesn’t matter much, my stats didn’t change. But Kelvin, I guess, addresses you.
Kelvin: I was going to say that actually you have superior precision and you should look into doing more advanced forms of choreography, but with that snide jab I’m just going to say good game and go and make sure the rest of my crew are okay.
Eryn: Out of curiosity, just because you have detransformed. How does Kelvin’s untransformed look different from his regular transformation?
Nathan: Hm, it’s a businessman suit. IT’s a Couture in a deep steel blue but with an ice blue lining on the inside. No tie. Top three buttons undone.
Eryn: Very good. Any differences in face or hair or anything?
Nathan: No I think the face and the hair stay roughly the same. I kind of pictured them as a mixed race Turkish/Czech so their hair probably goes a couple shades darker. The 90s are for whatever reason back and everyone is interested in frosted tips. But that’s not for him personally.
Eryn: SuperIdoldom is very flashy so that makes sense.
Nathan: That ostentatious hair coloring goes, but their face style and everything remains the same.
Eryn: Alright.
Kelvin: Yeah, this was interesting. I hope to see more of your dancing performances. And, uh,
Zero Degrees: Remember.
Nathan: He says, dropping back into voice again.
Zero Degrees: Three things. Poise, Elegance, Perfection. Have a good afternoon now.
Eryn: And Kyoto Joe comes out to meet you and make sure you’re okay and fawns over you a little bit. Makes sure your hair is looking okay and you haven’t broken any bones.
Kelvin: I need a drink so badly.
Eryn: Absolutely he’s got two tumblers ready for you.
Nathan: Mm-hm, ones full of water the other is just vodka.
Eryn: Exactly.
Nathan: And Kelvin Wyatt exits the scene.
Eryn: And as everybody, the techs are kind of dismantling all the stuff in the area. The EMTs are making sure nobody’s got hypothermia or been injured on the ice, that leaves you two standing alone on the stage with the die hards kind of starting to disperse as well. What are you going to do?
Queen Bee: So, would you like me to go get that phone?
Tea: At first Angie probably had this whole speech like you don’t have to worry, I’m not going to tell anyone. But then when Queen Bee asks that question, she just narrows her eyes and says.
Bane Raven: Yes.
Eryn: You can see that Papaya has not left the area yet. She’s talking to other fans in the area near the bookstore further back.
[bees buzz in the background]
Luca: Is there enough space for me to run along the wall over to there?
Eryn: Yeah definitely you can run along the display of the Pheonix Fire Records Music Store next-door.
Luca: Perfect, I run really fast. I land in front of her with a flip and I say,
Queen Bee: Hi, Papaya, right?
Papaya: Oh, yes. You were magnificent today. I must say, I do believe. Have you heard of Crimson Signal? We’re a new group on the scene but I Think we’d be very interested in taking on someone of your talent level.
Queen Bee: Well that is to be expected, always nice to hear it. I will certainly consider you.
Papaya: Fabulous.
Queen Bee: But can I ask you for a tiny, tiny favor?
Papaya: What can I do for you, darling?
Queen Bee: Content exchange? You take a little something out of your phone and we put something else. Like selfie, personalized dance. Name your price.
Papaya: What exactly do I want from you? Someone I barely know but clearly has talent. I think…
Eryn: She gives you a little smile.
Papaya: I meant what I said about Crimson Signal being interested in you. I don’t know if you heard but there’s a tour of the Crimson Signal headquarters coming up soon and I would be most obliged to see you there. Coming up, let’s say, this Saturday?
Queen Bee: Hm, I would have to check with my people of course, but I think I could make it.
Papaya: Perfect. Definitely you’ll have to give me your number but we can do that while we’re exchanging the content.
Queen Bee: Absolutely, so this of course, this is for my personal use. So I would be very obliged if you could erase it and make sure it’s actually erased. Don’t put anything into the bin and then empty it out.
Eryn: You watch as she does this to make sure she’s actually doing it. So she deletes the clip of Angie falling on her butt. And trims out a few unflattering pieces from the rest of the performance. And then she sets up her phone to record you doing the move. This is going to be a statement of intent, so I’m going to have you roll for It’s Time for my Solo.
Luca: Sure, is there any chance I can call some bees?
Eryn: Yeah I think it will take them a sec to get there. But there’s probably some in the area.
Luca: I’ll start calling them. In the meantime I’ll do a little small talk and ask if she can send me the movement too where I dip Kelvin because I want to keep that.
Papaya: Oh yes.
Eryn: She does the little trim and air drops it to your phone.
Queen Bee: That’s so good. Thank you so much, Papaya, you’re as sweet as your namesake.
Papaya: I do try
Eryn: And she gives you a little Southern Belle Type smile.
Queen Bee: Ready to record?
Papaya: Absolutely.
Eryn: She’s got her selfie stick tripod thing ready to record so the camera is steady. And now I’m going to have you roll +Savior for It’s Time For My Solo.
Luca: Let’s see what I can do. Oh.
Eryn: Hm.
Tea: Oh gosh.
Luca: I got no bees.
Eryn: You didn’t get your bees, unfortunately.
Queen Bee: So Cadence, just an FYI, there’s a new Idol in town. The name is Queen Bee, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll bow.
Eryn: Alright. And since this is obviously just a recording, you’re not going to get a reaction right away. But you are going to have to mark two conditions because you’re not sure how this is going to be received.
Luca: Yeah.
Eryn: And Papaya certainly looks unphased and, in fact, is still smirking to herself.
Luca: I’m marking hopeless and I’m marking afraid. Wow, I’ve got just one condition left.
Eryn: Yep. Alrighty then. You finish that up. You confirm the footage you don’t want is gone and the footage you do want is on your phone. You finish that up with much uncertainty in your heart as you head back over to Angie.
Luca: I just toss her my phone.
Queen Bee: There it is, all gone.
Tea: She catches it, so good reflexes. And she gives it back.
Angie: I trust you. Thanks.
Queen Bee: I mean, we’re teammates. And, uh, I feel like I owe you for the way you put yourself in that place.
Angie: I appreciate it. At least my dignity is spared this time.
Tea: And I’m going to say I’m going to give Queen Bee influence over me.
Eryn: Okay.
Luca: Alright. Ooh, I get to mark potential because I revealed my identity.
Eryn: Yes, for any missed moves you got during this session you should add any corresponding amount of potential.
Luca: Mm-hm.
Eryn: I’m going to double check and make sure if any of these team moves apply right now. It’s not exactly sharing a triumphant celebration. It might be sharing a vulnerability depending on what gets said.
Tea: I would argue Allen transforming in front of Angie would be a vulnerability, but it’s up to what you think, Luca.
Luca: I would think so.
Eryn: Alright so for your playbook when you share a vulnerability or weakness from someone, you tell them a secret about who you really are, give them influence, and shift your Mundane up and your Masks label down.
Queen Bee: So I was kind of hoping I was going to be able to keep this up for longer, but this is it. I… I detransform.
Allen: So yeah, my name’s Allen, nice to meet you.
Tea: Angie detransforms as well.
Angie: Nice to meet you Allen.
Eryn: And because you just detransformed, I’m going to shift Allen’s labels. I’m going to shift Savior up and Danger down. For Angie, oh, what makes sense here? I’m going to give Angie actually Freak up and maybe Superior down.
Angie: Uh, do you prefer she, or he, or they?
Tea: She’s asking Allen this.
Luca: That’s probably the first time someone asked Allen that. They’re a bit conflicted.
Allen: When I’m Queen Bee, it’s she. But now, anything goes. They?
Angie: Okay, yeah, I can do that.
Allen: Thank you.
Angie: Okay, so, heh. Okay, who the hell is Crimson whatever?
Allen: That’s a good question. Like, popsicle guy said something about some tech?
Nathan: Popsicle guy, Jesus Christ.
Allen: Sounded like his powers were being amplified. I didn’t know people could do that.
Angie: I didn’t know either. And they were super obsessed with precision or whatever.
Allen: That’s just a dancer thing.
Angie: I mean, I’m not that obsessed.
Allen: Because you’re good.
Angie: You’re good too.
Allen: Thank you.
Angie: You really helped me out back there.
Allen: I just got lucky, I took him by surprise.
Angie: Yeah. But I know you risked something by doing that. So I want to say I see you.
Allen: Thank you. Oh, oh Jesus. Oh gosh. Where did I put the bag?
Angie: Oh my god.
[cheerful gameshow music plays]
Eryn: So, backstage, with Kelvin and Kyoto Joe and everyone else who’s recouping after the session, once it becomes clear that Kelvin is okay and everything seems to be, things are being cleaned up out there, things are on the up and up as much as they can be, we find Kelvin in a corner of the backstage area, by himself, in front of a mirror or something. And in the mirror behind him you see a dark, grey, thick fog starting to form behind them. And out of the fog steps an imposing figure in a cloak that seems to be partially made out of this fog.
Kelvin: [sighs] Oh god, that was a performance. But it’s all good. I’m looking forward to going forward and drawing a nice, warm bath and, huh? What? Wha—
Eryn: As you turn around, the figure flicks out from their robe something that flashes bright red and sticks to your chest. It looks like a red and black card that lands there and sticks there like a magnet. And there’s an erratic yellow glow that pulses around Kelvin. Sort of making him collapse. And the figure curls two pale fingers, beckoning Kelvin towards them. And you sort of hobble off after them into the fog. And both of you disappear.
[ominous ambient sound plays the scene out]
Nathan: He’s dead now.
Eryn: I will say off-podcast he’s not dead, but he’s certainly in trouble.
Nathan: Yeah, that was sick. Oh that was so good.
Luca: That was so much fun.
Eryn: That was great.
Nathan: I hope I was a worthy villain of the week for you all.
Luca: He was such a dick, I loved it.
Eryn: That’s the best thing you can say about a villain.
Tea: Yeah once again, thank you everyone. Especially Nathan for guesting on the show. It was a really fun session. Hopefully we have a chance to work with you again.
Nathan: Oh yeah, not at all. Thank you so much for having me. This has been dope.
Eryn: For sure. We will eventually save Kelvin from the fog dimension at some point.
Tea: I hope so.
Nathan: Yeah, yeah. I will be interested to see whether he comes back as an ally or a mode version 2 even more powered villain. Either would be delightful. But yeah, would love to return if you’ll have me.
Eryn: Lovely, alright.
[upbeat power music plays]
Eryn: Thank you so much for listening to SuperIdols RPG. Our cast for today was Theawinde as Evangeline Blake, Luca as Queen Bee, ErynCerise as the GM, and special guest Nathan Blades as Zero Degrees. Special thanks go to today’s featured VIP Patrons: Jordan Cuddlefish, Blake1995, Matthew F, and IciclePrism. This campaign is played using Masks: A New Generation, written by Brendan Conway and published by Magpie Games, with custom moves by ErynCerise and Zak P. Our opening theme is “Le Chevalier Noir (Instrumental)” by Cyborgjeff and is used under license from Jamendo Music. Our ending theme for this episode is “Born to Drive Me Crazy” by Lance Conrad, and is under license from Storyblocks.com. This episode also features the following Creative Commons tracks: :The Full Moon Boys”, “Buns and Guns”, and “Tubular Turmoil Zone, Act I” by Firage found at soundcloud.com/firage and “Right Now” by Masks, found at soundcloud.com/m45k5. All other incidental music and sound effects for this episode are licensed from storyblocks.com, freesound.org, and the YouTube Audio Library
If you liked this episode, please consider liking and commenting on the YouTube upload, or leaving us a review on your podcasting platform of choice. You can also support this podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/eryncerise. All SuperIdols patrons get access to behind the scenes content, like session after talk, as well as our Session Zeros for all new player characters. VIP Patrons get that as well as early rough-cut episode releases, rotating shout outs in our ending credits, and access to bonus episodes. SuperIdols RPG is now a proud member of Be Gay Roll Dice, a network for RPG podcasts made by LGBTQIA+ creators. You can check out all the great independent queer shows on our network at Twitter.com/begayrolldice. Today we’re featuring our Network Partner, Goblets and Gays, a fantastically queer Pathfinder 2e podcast. Thank you all for listening, stay well, and goodbye until next time.
Announcer: Have you ever wanted a podcast that tackles the hard questions, like why do Wizards wear those pointy hats? Is it morally okay to burn your name into a table? Is there a difference between dead and never waking up? Well if you’ve ever wanted to know the answers to any of these questions, then I have a podcast for you. We are Goblets and Gays, a biweekly Pathfinder 2e Podcast. Join our cast of an angsty Barbarian, a pyromaniac Goblin, a girl whose family loved astrology a little too much, a cultist, and a Hot Topic reject as they journey to a lost city and try to keep a Twink alive. Follow us all of on your social media @GobletsandGays, join our Discord as well, and we hope to keep you out there, goodbye.
Transcription by Cassie Hauschildt: https://www.chtranscription.com/
Proofreading by ErynCerise
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SuperIdols! RPG 