Hello Racing Fans, and welcome to this special pregame edition of the Mushroom Sports Network, presented by HFS Inc! Reporting live from scenic Cerulean City, I'm Jim!
And I'm Bob!
And we're the Lakitu brothers!
First, news from MKL! To the surprise of nobody, Counselor Grimtoad has won the Driver of the Week Award for his defiant stylings at the close of last week's race!
That should go a long way toward convincing HFS Inc- the sponsor of today's race- to help him repair his Kart.
Oomph, the dogged Koopa who featured prominently on the Yoshi Falls circuit but went home with the bronze medal, has also accepted an endorsement for Koopa Flakes. Koopa Flakes- a nutritionally fulfilling part of this balanced breakfast!
While rumor has it that there is still buzz in the Corporate world, most of the negotiations are being conducted secretly, with walls of nondisclosure firmly in place.
Keep an eye on the news ticker, racing fans! For now, let's get to the course!
Cerulean City is located in northern Kanto, from the world of Pokemon! A beautiful town nestled against the Lunar Mountains, Cerulean City straddles the Cascade River as it winds its way to the Sapphire Sea. Cerulean Speedway takes us on a tour of this beautiful landscape, past such local landmarks as Nugget Bridge, Cerulean Gym, and Bill's Seaside Cottage.
Drivers start on the
RED segment, which takes them from Cerulean City proper onto Nugget Bridge. Nugget Bridge has small Dash Panels scattered on its length- aggressive drivers can pick up a lot of speed here, and
Aggressive Driving actions gain a
+1 bonus.
The sturdy walls of the bridge prevent anyone from falling into the Cascade River- at the end of the bridge is a small, scattered group of
Item Boxes. Checks to hit an Item Box start at
+1, and each success imposes a cumulative
-1 Penalty to following drivers.
After crossing Nugget Bridge, drivers parallel the Lunar Mountains through the
PURPLE section. Here, the course goes through a lush forest- drivers must avoid hitting the trees by making a
+1 Hazard Check. There are some
Item Boxes sown among the trees, though they are few and far between- checks made to hit them receive
neither bonus nor penalty.
GREEN brings us past the Seaside Cottage of local luminary Bill the Pokemaniac, inventor of the Pokemon Storage System. Here, the path splits- the safe path is the
long way, a broad curve that provides
+1 to Powerslides and has a tight cluster of
Item Boxes (+2 to hit.)
However, daring racers may elect to take the
short way- a narrow bridge that cuts across Bill's Pond! The short path provides
TWO Momentum, but the pond is teeming with playful Goldeen who spray water across the bridge at one another and at passing racers! Drivers must succeed on a
+1 Hazard Check to avoid flipping from the blast of water, and a driver who
Spins Out or Flips for any reason must pass on a
+2 Hazard Check or Fall Back as they splash into the pond!
BLUE is the home stretch, as the racers wind down a narrow coastal path toward the Gym and the finish line. This section requires supreme concentration on the part of the racers; At the start of their Movement Phase, each racer makes a
Racing Check to try and take an optimal line through the curves- on a success, they receive a
+1 bonus to Pass Checks.
While the safety measures at the cliff's edge are sufficient to protect civilian foot traffic, they are unlikely to stand up to a runaway Kart! Any driver who
Spins Out or Flips must pass on a
+2 Hazard Check or Fall Back as they plummet off the cliff! Drivers attempting to
Power Slide on this section receive
neither bonus nor penalty.
This could be another costly race for some drivers, Bob! Now, let's head down to Cerulean Gym, where the drivers are readying for the green flag!
Our first rookie is MonkeyKong- no relation to Donkey, or so our investigative team says. His Kart is quite
Speedy with a higher Cruising Speed than most, but unfortunately he seems to have trouble pulling ahead!
Beside him is Vaati, the Great Wind Sorcerer of Hyrule! Only time will tell whether his racing accomplishments measure up to his past feats of magic. Vaati drives the Hurricane Eye, a
Speedy Kart that is quite lightweight and at a disadvantage in Rams!
Next up is Boss Form Amadeus- another contestant plucked from a mirror-Mushroom Kingdom, Amadeus experienced incredible gains in power upon entering our universe! Fortunately for us, he elected to put those powers to use on the race course- his Kart is unmodified, as he relies on pure skill to win the day.
The lovely lady who is approaching the starting line is Princess Zelda, one of the preeminent members of the Hyrulian Royal Family. She is taking the safe route this race, bringing a
Compensator with her onto the track!
Dry Bones is in the Kart beside her- a skeletal Koopa of Dark Land, DB is racing a basic Kart today.
The final rookie making his MKL debut today is Shy Guy, originally of Yoshi's Island. His Kart is quite
Speedy, but rumor has it that his weapons systems are faulty!
Hopefully we'll have a clean race today, Jim. We'll be ready to start today's race right after a word from our sponsor, HFS Inc! Stay tuned, racing fans!
END WEEK THREE
HFS Inc
-6 CoinZelda
-1 CoinVaati
-1 CoinBoss Form Amadeus
-1 CoinDry Bones
-1 CoinMonkeyKong
-1 CoinShy Guy
-1 CoinHFS Inc
+2 PrestigeCounselor Grimtoad
+1 FameOomph
+1 CoinHFS Inc
+2 Relationship Riras NodHFS Inc
+1 Relationship Counselor GrimtoadKoopa Korporation
+1 Relationship OomphNookington's Department Store- 7 Coin, 4 PrestigeCEO- Alligator Executive
Industry- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness. Driver-
CrankImage- None
Relationships-
Alligator Executive +2,
Crank +2Tom Nook built his commercial empire up from a small backwater store. Nookington's is known as a respectable but profit oriented business that deals fairly with its employees and rarely stoops to dirty tricks- at least, they've never been caught before.
Nightmare Enterprises- 4 Coin, 4 PrestigeCEO- NME Executive
Industry- Military. Favors Low Straightfowardness, Low Family-Friendliness and High Glamor. Driver ->
The Mysterious Mr. LBranch- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly.
Branch- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness.
Image- None
Relationships- NME Executive +4, Mysterious Mr. L +2
Nightmare Enterprises is a conglomeration of different products wrapped in an internet startup. NME's principle product is genetic engineering and the creation of monsters for a variety of purposes, as well as the transformation of living things. NME is also involved in arms dealing, clothing, toys, and a draconian entertainment network that features big budget movies and television shows as well as independent startups- provided they can fulfill their contracts. NME is well known for their underhanded tricks, but they always honor their contracts. A driver sponsored by NME must be wary not to cross them, however, for their wrath is legendary!
HFS Inc- 6 Coin, 3 PrestigeCEO-
Riras NodIndustry- Entertainment. High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly Driver-
Counselor GrimtoadImage- None
Relationships-
Riras Nod +3,
Counselor Grimtoad +1A rather old company that specializes in extravagant circuses. Mostly famous for its clowns.
Silph Co- 8 Coin, 2 PrestigeCEO-
President of Silph CoIndustry- Technology. Favors Low Marketability, Low Straightforwardness, High Education. Driver-
Mario &
LuigiImage- None
Relationships-
President +2,
Luigi +2,
Mario +2The wealthiest of the sponsors, Silph Co specializes in technical marvels and is increasingly invested in the sport of Kart Racing. However, past troubles with treacherous employees and rival businesses has made Silph Co extremely conservative and distrustful of outsiders. They prefer to sponsor a single driver and make them the face of the franchise- for as long as they are trustworthy. Silph Co refuses to consider any affiliation with Team Rocket, or any driver who has had dealings with Team Rocket.
Pengu Games- 14 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO-
Mr. PenguIndustry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly
Image- None
Relationships- Mr. Pengu +1
Pengu Games: We'll have you shivering in excitement!Pengu Games originated as a penguin living in sherbet land who realized how cute people think penguins are. From then on, that penguin gathered a group of friends to start making games about various adventures penguins had had. It was a huge success, and soon after penguins came from everywhere to try and get a piece of the fame. They like keeping a clean image, and generally won't undertake scandal.
Waluigiware Inc- 11 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO-
WaluigiIndustry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly
Image- None
Relationships-
Waluigi +1,
Wario -1Warioware was founded by none other than Wario that specializes in coming up with unique, interesting properties from a variety of developers. Unfortunately, Wario's abrasive personality drove off most of his friends and Waluigi ultimately betrayed him, forcing Wario out of the company. The new management of Waluigiware has since gone on to achieve enormous financial success, buying out smaller developers and sucking the life from their ideas. These unscrupulous business practices have translated to their foray into Kart Racing, and they will do anything for notoriety or Coin.
Rez Media Corporation- 9 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO- TV on a Hand Cart
Industry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly. Driver-
King HarkinianBranch- Rez Cinema- Entertainment.
Image- None
Relationships-
TV +1,
King Harkinian +2[/color]
Known for churning out mass market garbage specked with the occasional gem, Rez Media is the largest single media outlet in the multiverse, focused mainly on television and movies. Not much is known about their shadowy owner, but judging by the actions of the company he has a cold-hearted eye on the bottom line.
Team Rocket- 8 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO- Rocket Executive
Industry- Technology. Favors Low Marketability, Low Straightforwardness, High Education.
Branch- Military. Favors Low Straightfowardness, Low Family-Friendliness and High Glamor.
Branch- Foods. Favors High Straightforwardness and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships-
Rocket Executive +1,
Counselor Grimtoad -1,
Luigi -1Team Rocket's primary operations are scientific research, but also has significant investments in the meatpacking and candy industries, as well as a healthy treasure-finding department. Team Rocket's dubious business practices and outright defiance of the law has outlawed their operations in many nations, including their native region of Kanto. Team Rocket has emerged as an unlikely sponsor of MKL due to a desire to improve their public image and make some quick Coin, but their management of their drivers indicates that they are the same old Team Rocket.
Koopa Korporation- 6 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO- Koopa Executive
Industry- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness. Driver-
LinkBranch- Consumer Goods.
Image- None
Relationships-
Koopa Executive +1,
Link +2Koopa Korp is a leading producer of cheap consumer goods in the Mushroom Kingdom and is based in Dark Land, the domain of Lord Bowser. Low quality goods are compensated for by high quantity, and Koopa Korp adopts a similar philosophy in the sport of Kart racing, signing as many drivers as they can to truly meager contracts.
Diamond Software- 6 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- Diamond Executive
Industry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly
Branch- Entertainment.
Image- None
Relationships- Diamond Executive +1, Waluigiware -1
Another video game developer from Diamond city, with interests in records and comic books as well. They are the principle rival of Waluigiware Inc, opposing their business practices out of principle- when Warioware announced its sponsorship of MKL, Diamond Software was right behind them. Diamond Software is known as a fairly good place to work with a hatred of all things Waluigiware.
Hocotate Freight- 5 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- President of Hocotate Freight
Industry- Transportation. Favors High Marketability and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships- President +1
Hocotate Freight is an interstellar shipping company hailing from the planet Hocotate. Perennially in financial difficulties, a windfall of treasure scavenged from Planet Pikmin gave the company enough capital to sponsor MKL in the hopes of long term financial security for the company. While not known for the fantastic treatment of his employees, the President of Hocotate Freight is reputed to be a risk-taker willing to sponsor drivers nobody else will touch. Whether his foolishness will sink the company remains to be seen.
Lakitu Travel Agency- 4 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- Lakitu Executive
Industry- Transportation. Favors High Marketability and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships- Lakitu Executive +1
The Lakitu Travel Agency is a long-time sponsor of MKL, and orchestrates journeys across worlds, solar systems, galaxies, and even dimensions. Known far and wide as a fair sponsor, LTA has found itself being out-muscled by the newer, larger sponsorship groups.
Pappy's Pizza- 4 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- Pappy
Industry- Mom & Pop. Favors Low Marketability.
Image- None
Relationships- Pappy +3
Pappy's Pizza started out as a small pizza parlor in Brooklyn before the endorsement of the (newly famous) Mario Brothers vaulted them into the big time. Now, Pappy's Pizza Parlors are springing up across the Mushroom Kingdom, and Pappy has decided to endorse MKL to bring his product to the multiverse, as well as to sponsor the sport he loves. Pappy is widely regarded as a kind and generous employer, although with far smaller Coin reserves than the other big companies.
CrankSponsor- Nookington's
Points- 9
Fame- 2
Coin- 7
Last Race- 1-1
KartModule Installed-
High Acceleration,
Sticky Wheel The Mysterious Mr. LSponsor- NME
Points- 9
Fame- 2
Coin- 6
Last Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
Dirty Weapons,
Banana Magnet LuigiPoints- 7
Fame- 1
Coin- 7
Last Race- 1-1
Poltergust 4000Module Installed-
High Acceleration,
Rubber Band Back Captain FalconPoints- 7
Fame- 1
Coin- 3
Last Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
CompensatorKart Damage-
Sticky Wheel Link
Points- 5
Fame- 0
Coin- 3
Last Race- 1-1
Kart
Module Installed- Free Item, Not Aerodynamic
Oomph and BradleyPoints- 5
Fame- 0
Coin- 5
Last Race- 1-2
KartKart Damage-
Rubber Band Back King Harkinian
Points- 3
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-1
Kart
Module Installed- Rubber Band Forward, Faulty Weapons
MarioPoints- 3
Fame- 0
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
Item Bonus,
Banana Magnet KirbyPoints- 1
Fame- 0
Coin- 5
Last Race- 1-1
KartKart Damage-
Low Item (3 Coin to Repair)
Bill RyzerPoints- 1
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Last Race- 1-2
The Spread-ShotModule Installed-
High Acceleration,
SlowKart Damage-
Sticky Wheel Fox McCloud
Points- 0
Fame- 1
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-1
Kart
Module Installed- High Acceleration, Not Aerodynamic
Counselor GrimtoadSponsor- HFS Inc
Points- 0
Fame- 1
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
FeatherweightKart Damage-
Banana Magnet,
Not Aerodynamic MonkeyKongPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
Rubber Band Back VaatiPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Hurricane EyeModule Installed-
Speedy,
Featherweight Boss Form Amadeus
Points- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 4
Kart
Basic Kart
Zelda
Points- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Kart
Module Installed- Compensator
Dry Bones
Points- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
Kart
Basic Kart
Shy Guy
Points- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Kart
Module Installed- Speedy, Faulty Weapons
PikachuPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
Faulty Weapons Alrighty! There's still a couple sponsorship offers that have been sent- when they get accepted/rejected/whatever, they'll take effect immediately. Note that I don't have emblems ready to go for... most of the racers, so if you care about that get me a square picture to use.
Monkeyhead, adwarf, Taricus, Tiruin, Remalle, Dirg- post actions for your first turn! Do you Rocket Start, or play it safe?