Las Peleas. The city of a billion dreams, or so they say.
There's about three million souls here, each trying to make it big. This is not a city for the content, everyone here wants to be a Hollywood actor, a superstar, a millionaire, something like that. Very, very few will make it, and those that do make it probably won't be any happier.
Among the most ambitious there is a special opportunity, the Wiki War. Some dismiss it as an urban legend, others call it Soviet propaganda meant to encourage Americans to kill one another. Each year about one hundred ambitious Las Peleasans will receive mysterious package, containing a strange wrist-mounted electronic device and a letter asking if they wish to enter a game of carnage and pandemonium for the shot at an ultimate prize: one wish.
Most disregard the letter as a hoax or a threat and toss it out. Others take it seriously but are unwilling to risk their lives or sanity, and so they never respond. A handful of the most ambitious and courageous will answer this call. This is their story. All will fight, all will suffer. One will win.
Welcome to WikiWars: Get rich or die tryin'.
WikiWars is a genre of forum games native to this board, although I've heard it has spread to others across the web. It has gone through several versions and incarnation, but the unifying principle is that they are games where Player Characters gain skills, powers and assets through randomly generated Wikipedia (or other Wikias) articles. Using these abilities, the Player Characters compete, often violently, towards a goal in which one or some are declared a winner.
d10 & Actions
WikiWars is centered around d10 rolls which are used to perform Actions. Each PC (Player Character) can generally perform 2 Actions a turn. An Action is anything an average adult human could attempt with a reasonable amount of success: following someone without being seen, shooting someone with a gun, fleeing someone in a car. Simple and easy things to do during a turn, such as opening a door, hailing a taxi or speaking a couple sentences, do not count as Actions are considered "free".
The relative success or failure of an Action is based upon what the PC rolls on the d10. Generally, a 5 is a halfway between a success and a failure, a 1 is an abysmal fumble while a 10 is a complete triumph. Particularly difficult actions, such as tightrope walking between two skyscrapers while juggling knives, or convincing a gang boss not to kill you after you've murdered his beloved brother, will impose a penalty on the roll.
Combat is a special situation of contested rolls, Attacking d10 vs. Defending d10. If the Attacker rolls higher, they land an attack on the Defender. If the Defender rolls higher, they are not attacked and may even put the Attacker in a worse position. On a tie the Defender is not damaged but the Attacker retains their position and momentum.
Combat rolls follow a rule of Exponential Magnitude, meaning that the degree of success for Attacker or Defender is based upon not just which dice was greater, but also by how much. In combat, you can consider the "true" value of each dice roll to be mathematically squared. A 1 is worth 1, a 2 is worth 4, a 3 is worth 9, and so on. So a combat roll of 8 VS. 4 means that the attacker didn't succeed by a degree of 4, but by a degree of (8^2) VS. (4^2) = 48. So in combat, a 9 VS. 5 is more devastating than 5 VS. 1.
The effectiveness of each Attack & Defense is reflected in the dice rolls. So while a 10 VS. 10 and a 1 VS. 1 are mathematically identical, in the game the first would be a breathtaking action-movie, anime-style duel between two equally focused opponents, neither one managing to land a decisive blow, while the latter would be two disoriented, fumbling buffoons failing to effect the other at all.
Modifiers can be applied to rolls based on Skills (see below) or situational factors, like trying to fire a two-handed firearm with only one hand. Modifiers can stack on top of one another. Even positive and negative modifiers can affect the same roll.
By default, Player Characters are assumed to have the capabilities of an average, adult human.
Most Skills, Powers and Assets at a PCs disposal will be determined by their Wiki Articles. However, during their creation each PC will be granted a chosen Attribute Bonus, a +1 to a broad attribute. This is so that players have a little control over the direction of their characters, and to make each a little more capable and unique. This single bonus can be applied to any of the following attributes:
Strength: Raw physical power. Used for lifting and moving heavy objects and other feats of musculature. In combat, affects melee attacks and grappling.
Dexterity: Agility of both the hands and feet. Used to move gracefully and quickly. Effects long-distance or difficult ranged attacks in combat. Also, with the hands, covers things like sleight-of-hand, pickpocketing and lockpicking.
Constitution: Toughness and physical stability. Effects being able to physically act for long periods or in tough conditions, like walking across the desert. Also effects ability to cope with physical maladies like pain and illness.
Intelligence: The ability for the mind to store new information and to solve problems. Effects memory recollection, mathematics and logic skills, as well as learning new things.
Wisdom: Knowledge of how the outside world functions. Broadly covers things like how people generally react to how to navigate new places, information that is taught through experience, not books. Also effects ability to cope with mental maladies like trauma, madness and mind control.
Charisma: Ability to be able to influence other people through words and body language. Effects everything from persuasion and bluffing to bolstering and seduction.
Wiki Articles
Other PC abilities will stem from Wiki Articles, randomly selected from Wikipedia. Each PC will begin with 4 of these random articles which will outline everything else they begin with. Because of this random process, PCs will have highly varied abilities between them.
After researching other WikiWar games and talking to their Game Masters, I have decided on some alterations on how Wiki Articles function in this game, to make it more exciting and fun for all.
Every Article will confer to its PC a Skill at least +1, and at least one additional feature whether that's a Power, Ally or Asset.
Skill: Positive modifiers when the PC performs a specific type of action. For balance, smaller skill modifiers will be broader while larger skill bonuses will be more specific. Ex. "Driving" gives +1, "Driving Trucks" gives +2, "Driving Japanese Trucks" gives +3, and so forth.
Power: Grants the PC an ability that a normal human being could not achieve. Ex. Conjuring fireballs, telekinesis or speaking with animals. More powerful Powers have a CD (Cooldown) which shows the number of turns that the PC will need to wait before performing it again, ex. Blizzard (CD:3). When the CD is complete it will be displayed as "Ready!": (CD:!)
Ally: A person or group of people who will loyally follow and assist the PC. If the Ally has notable features, it will be noted. Ex. Cossack Horseman -+2 Horseback Riding, +1 Spears, Leather Armor, Class of Graduate Math Students - +1 Advanced Mathematics, School Clothes. Each Ally can perform a single action on a turn when instructed by the PC. Allies are loyal but not fanatic, if they are abused or betrayed they can leave or even mutiny.
Assets: All sorts of stuff that the PC can utilize from weapons and armor to vehicles, currency, medicine and much more. Ex. AK-47, Full Plate Mail, $52,000, Magic Skeleton Key (opens any lock), etc.
Some weapons, especially ranged ones, will have Reload feature. Instead of tracking individual ammunition, these weapons will have a simple static number. Once that number hits "R", an Action will have to be spent Reloading it before it can be used normally again. Ex. Glock (4), Double Barreled Shotgun (2), Laser Sword (5). A Reload weapon can be reloaded and used in the same turn, which would count for both Actions.
Las Peleas is a huge city, with millions of people dispersed over hundreds of miles. To make WikiWars more interesting, the mysterious Powers That Be have decreed there are a specific set of Locations that the game can be held in. PCs are meant to spend most of the time in these Locations, although they are allowed to move between them solely for the purpose of travelling from one to the other. If a PC exits the Los Peleas area, they are killed. If a PC forces another PC out of the Los Peleas areas, the first PC is accredited with the kill, like in Smash Bros. rules.
Gangs
This city is a hub for crime and violence (the events of WikiWars isn't that different from day-to-day life from most citizens) and so major Gangs rule over many of these Locations. There are 4 major Las Peleas Gangs: The Tortino Family, La Pantera Cartel, The Death Riders and The Las Peleas Police Department.
The Tortino Family - Mafia Outfit
Specialties: Arms Dealing, Kidnapping
Style: Fancy Suits, Fedoras
The Tortino Family is a Mafia family that has been in Las Peleas since the 1930's when they were exiled from their Chicago home. After intense fighting, The Tortino's finally destroyed the rival Supposo Family in the 50's, and managed to absorb all the other smaller outfits into their ranks. Their most infamous moment came in 1971, when they kidnapped the mayor's daughter, a situation which ended with dozens of police and mobsters dead. In recent years, some people think that the Tortinos have gone "soft", which has allowed other gangs to enter the area.
La Pantera Cartel - Mexico-based Syndicate
Specialties: Drug Dealing, Assassinations
Style: Streetwear, Sports Clothes
This is the American division of a Mexican Cartel stationed in Baja California. In the 80s, La Panteras took some local American gangs under their wing to make the process of smuggling contraband more streamlined. Other gangs and the police took notice when La Panteras began getting rich, so this Cartel responded with brutal assassinations, willing to take out not just rivals, but their families and loved ones as well. This moral depravity has caused La Panteras to be both feared and loathed.
The Death Riders - Motorcycle Gang Offshot
Specialties: Extortion, Grand Theft Auto
Style: Biker Clothes, Hellish Skeletons
The Death Riders were originally just the Las Peleas branch of a nationwide motorcycle gang. When that gang began to fall apart in the 90s due to infighting and mass arrests, The Death Riders decided to go independent and establish themselves as their own organization based in Las Peleas. They have evaded the fate of their predecessors by claiming to be a legitimate biker club, not a vicious criminal gang. They offer "protection" to several local businesses and groups, and are skilled at swiftly stealing vehicles, especially motorcycles, and then chopping them up for the black market.
Las Peleas Police Department
Specialties: Public Arrests, Blitzkrieg Raids
Style: Uniforms, Regular Clothes (Undercover)
The Las Peleas Police Department might be funded by tax dollars, but that doesn't mean the average citizen doesn't see them as another gang. For decades the LPPD has been notoriously brutal and corrupt. The LPPD will shut down any gang, so long as that gang isn't willing to pay bribes. This situation means that LPPD are often content to let gangsters walk around freely while they attack and rob citizens who they label as "suspected criminals". There's too much money to make as an officer to be concerned about "justice" or "safety". The LPPD will readily respond to crime, so long as that crime is endangering their personal interests.
PCs will have a relationship with each of these gangs, which can range from Hostile - Unfriendly - Neutral - Friendly - Loyal. Their relationship starts at Neutral with all, and can shift up or down depending on their actions towards a given Gang.
Hostile - Will actively pursue and try to kill the PC.
Unfriendly - Will usually prevent the PC from coming to their Locations, and will be quick to use violence against them. Generally will greet the PC with insults and distrust.
Neutral - Ambivalence towards the PC. Will treat them the same as they do most people.
Friendly - Will welcome the PC at their locations and potentially offer them things like Assets, Allies, and backup.
Loyal - Will consider the PC to be a partner and will actively aid them in their activities.
Locations
Locations are the main stage of the WikiWars and consist of several important locations throughout Las Peleas. Each Location will have an associated Level from 1-3, and a Gang running it. The higher a Location's level, the more popular and profitable it will be, and therefore will have more protection from its Gang.
Each location will be run by 1 Lieutenant and at least 1 Squad. A Lieutenant is a powerful mini-boss who runs gang operations at the location and has notable features, like the PCs. A Squad is about a dozen goons who do the hard grunt gang work, bossed around by their Lieutenant. In a fight, a Squad is a only a moderately powerful enemy when they all fight together, they are the gangster version of Stormtroopers.
Lieutenants at locations with higher levels will be tougher, smarter, and generally more powerful. Each Gang also has a Leader who is typically difficult to find. If a Gang Leader is killed, their Gang spirals into chaos and infighting.
Some locations are run by Independent Gangs. These are Gangs who are only big and powerful enough to control one or two locations, rather than several like the Major Gangs. Independent Gangs regularly form and get destroyed, like small businesses. If an Independent Gang manages to survive and thrive, it can eventually become a Major Gang, especially if one of the Major Gangs begins to fall.
Location Levels & Gangs
(Italicized Gangs are Major)
Level 1:
Outskirts Dive Bar - Death Riders
Skate Park - Skate N' Die Punks
El Fuego Taqueria - Las Panteras
Overhill Graveyard - Satan's Legion
Palandier Community Park - LPPD
Pepito's Pizzeria - Tortino Family
Holey Doughnut Shop - LPPD
Muntford Avenue Dojo - Dragon Fist
Mar Bayo - Da Beach Boys
Level 2:
Double Gallop Horse Track - Tortino Family
De Muerto Trap House - La Panteras
Michael's Used Car and Bike Lot - Death Riders
Esta Luxuria Shopping Complex - LPPD
Renaissance Fairgrounds - Knights of Incontestable Swagger
Level 3:
Las Peleas University - LPPD
Tragicomico Opera House - Tortino Family
Costa Vista Beachside Resort Tower - Las Panteras
Paperclips Sporting Arena - LPPD
San Marco Mega Raceway - Death Riders
PCs will start randomly distributed between all Locations. Players can Travel to a new Location as an additional free Action during their turn. They will only travel once all other characters at their current Location resolve their Actions.
A PC can Pursue another PC travelling to a new Location, this also is a free end-of-turn Action. Pursue rolls are contested like combat rolls, with the Pursuer acting as the attacker. Relevant modifiers apply, ex. the Pursuer has +2 Tracking, or the Traveler has +2 Fleeing. Modes of Travel will also effect rolls, ex. a Pursuer in a Car gets a +2 to someone Travelling on Foot, or +1 on a Bike or Scooter.
If the Pursuer wins the contest they follow the Traveler to their exact starting position in the new Location. If they win by a roll of 4 or more they will get a free bonus attack on the Traveler during their next turn in addition to their two standard Actions. If the Traveler wins, the Pursuer loses track of them when they arrive at the new Location. If they win by a roll of 4 or more, they get a free bonus "surprise" attack on the Traveler when they arrive, and will still elude the Pursuer after the attack. Ties are won by Travelers.
Hostile NPCs can Pursue as well.
Getting Points
Killing other competitors in cold blood has always been central to WikiWars. While this will still be a major component of the game, it will not be the only means to achieving victory.
Victory is achieved by accruing Points. First to 12 Points wins! If two or more players reach 12 Point in the same turn, they will be transported to a small arena approximately the size of a wrestling ring. Last one standing ultimately wins.
There are multiple ways to gain points:
Killing a Competitor or Lieutenant is worth 1 Point.
Killing a Competitor with a score of 6 or higher is worth 2 Points.
[Note: Competitor and Lieutenant Kills are subject to killstealing. If Player A spends three turns knocking a Lieutenant unconscious, but then Player B shoots the unconscious Lieutenant in the head, B gets the point.]
Killing a Boss is is worth 3 Points. If 2 Players equally contribute to killing a Boss, they each get 2 points. If 3 or more Players equally contribute, they all get 1 Point each.
[Hint: Bosses usually will not appear in the available Locations. Getting information or clues from certain NPCs or Locations will help you draw out a Boss. Ex. A Boss might appear if his favorite celebrity is kidnapped, or if his favorite band comes to town.]
Controlling a Location is worth points equal to its Level, ex. controlling a Level 2 Location is worth 2 Points. To Control a Location, whatever gang is currently controlling it must be driven out. After that, the citizens at the Location must be convinced that you are in charge. This can be done through many ways, from intimidation and charisma to bribery and magic. Once this happens, you Control the Location. If you leave the Location unprotected, another Competitor can come in and attempt to take Control of it themselves. Ex. Player A is in control of a Level 1 Location and gets 1 Point for it added to their score. When they leave, Player B goes there and successfully convinces the occupants that he would be a better leader. Player B takes Control of the Location, so he gains 1 Point and Player B loses 1 Point.
Because of this, when you leave a Controlled Location it is a good idea to leave a garrison, which could be an Ally or a capable and armed militia of loyal citizens.
Whenever you get Points, you also get an equal number of WikiBucks, a currency which allow you to upgrade your PC. WikiBucks can be spent in two ways:
For 1 WikiBuck you will gain an additional Random Article.
For 2 WikiBuck you can add an additional +1 to any Skill, including any of the starting Attribute Bonuses, up to a maximum of +4.
Whenever you get WikiBucks you will always get 1 free Random Article on top.
Death
Death is not the end of your competition! When you die, you will be Respawned somewhere within a Random Location. You will not be able to act during your Respawn turn, due to "summoning sickness", and will only be able to perceive your surroundings. Other Competitors will not be able to directly interact with you during this Respawn turn.
You do not lose any Points, WikiBucks, or any other aspects of your PC on death. However, any assets that were on their person will be left on the original corpse, and can be looted by PCs and NPCs.
Name: Can be anything from your screename to a character's name to something completely unique. If left blank a random name will be provided.
Age: From 13 to 70. If left blank a random age will be provided.
Nationality: Can be real or fictional. If left blank a random nationality will be provided.
Trivia: Random facts about your character that don't effect their stats but make them stand out among the crowd. If left blank a few random fun facts will be provided.
Bonus Attribute: Choose +1 [Strength/Dexterity/Constitution/Intelligence/Wisdom/Charisma]
Articles:
Skills:
Powers:
Allies:
Assets:
Status: Normal
Points: 0
Name: Marcolo Antoni
Age: 32
Nationality: Italia
Trivia: Has a big bushy brown mustache. Can cook a mean mushroom casserole. Memorized the entire script of
Aladdin. Is competing so that he can get revenge on the corrupt politician that destroyed his family.
Bonus Attribute: +1 Constitution
Articles:
"Pyro" by Kings of Leon: +Power: Firebolt, +2 Fighting Cops
Let's Eat 2: +2 Korean Cuisine, +2 Insurance
Roayl Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade: +2 APC Driving, +Loyd Carrier APC, +Dutch WWII Crew
Eric Idle: +3 British Comedy, +2 Musical Theater, +Helluva One Liner
Skills: +3 British Comedy
+2 Fighting Cops, +2 Korean Cuisine, +2 Insurance, +2 APC Driving, +2 Musical Theater
Powers:
Firebolt - Point a finger and shoot a bolt of burning hot flame at a target up to 100 meters away. Causes severe burns and ignites flammable material.
Helluva One Liner - Tell a hilarious and witty one liner response to a situation. Everyone who hears it must make a Wisdom roll. They may end up getting distracted, or even stunned with hysterical laughter or shock.
Allies: Dutch WWII Crew [4/4] (Trained, Rifles, Military Helmets)
Assets: Loyd Carrier APC (Armored, Unarmed, 30 MPH Top Speed)
Status: Normal
Points: 0
New Turns will be posted roughly every 72 hours or when each player has responded, whichever comes first. If you post while I am writing up a new turn I will fit in your PCs actions towards the end of the Turn. If you do not post by the time a new Turn is up, your character will not perform Actions but they will continue doing whatever they were doing from the previous turn and will generally try to stay alive.
During the game if you have any questions, suggestions or clarifications please post them and I will try to respond as quickly as possible.
I hope you have fun! 
Author
Topic: WikiGangWars - Episode 5: The Lorax Gets Beaten Up (Read 6476 times)