Karma Police: A City of Mist Noir Adventure [Play By Post]

Creating your character

💯System & Starting Point We will use the standard City of Mist character creation rules. All characters begin as starting Rifts, with: * 4 Themes (a mix of Mythos and Logos) * Power Tags and Weakness Tags assigned as usual * No advanced improvements at the start If you’re unfamiliar with the system, don’t worry—I can guide you through creating your Themes, tags, and backstory. 👨🏽👩🏽Concept First, Mechanics Second Before diving into mechanics, I ask that you start with a strong character concept. Think about: * Who were you before becoming Karma Police? * What Mythos (legend, deity, concept, etc.) lives within you? * Why were you chosen—or why did you accept this role? * How do you personally define justice? Your character should feel like someone who belongs in a noir story: flawed, driven, and carrying something unresolved. ☯Karma Police Integration All characters must be connected to the Karma Police organization in some way. This can take different forms: * A willing agent who believes in the mission * Someone bound or forced into service * A skeptic who questions the system from within * A former criminal seeking redemption We’ll work together to tie your character into the group and ensure strong narrative hooks for future cases. 🤚🏽Tone & Boundaries This is a noir, investigation-focused game with mature themes such as crime, moral ambiguity, and consequence. Characters should fit this tone. * Avoid overly comedic or “chaotic for chaos’ sake” concepts * Give your character motivations that can engage with investigations and tough decisions * Be open to internal conflict and growth We will also respect player boundaries—if there are themes you’d prefer to avoid, we’ll discuss that during setup. 🆗Allowed Material We will primarily use: * City of Mist Core Books (Player’s Guide) * Official supplements, if discussed beforehand If you want to use something unusual or experimental, just check with me first. 🤝🏽Collaboration & Finalization Once you have a draft, we’ll refine it together: * Adjust tags for balance and clarity * Strengthen connections to the setting and other characters * Ensure your character has meaningful narrative hooks The goal is not just to build a functional character, but one that will shine in investigation scenes and difficult choices. If you’re unsure about anything, bring your idea anyway—we’ll shape it together.

Preparing for the session

🧭 Required Accounts & Access * Create or have an active Discord account * Join the private 'War Room| TTRPG' Discord server provided after signing up 📚 Reading & Familiarization * Read the City of Mist core rules (character creation sections at minimum) * Review the campaign’s themes, tone, and content boundaries (Lines & Veils) * Read the PbP posting guidelines and expectations shared on Discord 🧙 Character Preparation * Create a character using CIty of Mist standard rules * Prepare a short character concept (1–2 paragraphs) *Share your character sheet for MC approval 📝 Technical Setup * Be comfortable posting in-character prose and short OOC clarifications * No VTT or voice software is required * Optional: use Google Docs or PDFs for character sheets ⏳ Time & Commitment * Be ready to post consistently (frequency expectations will be clearly stated) * Notify the group in advance if you expect absences Completing these steps ensures everyone starts on the same page and helps maintain the tone, pacing, and emotional continuity of the story from the very first scene.

What War_Master brings to the table

As your Master of Ceremonies, my goal is to deliver a game that feels like a neo-noir series unfolding in slow motion—full of tension, mystery, and hard choices. In a Play-by-Post format, that means focusing on strong narration, meaningful scenes, and player-driven storytelling rather than speed or mechanical crunch. 1.Narrative-First, Cinematic Play I lean heavily into cinematic description and atmosphere. Scenes will be written with a noir tone—rain-soaked streets, flickering neon, quiet conversations that carry weight. I don’t do voice acting (since this is PbP), but I *do* differentiate characters through writing style, rhythm, and dialogue. Expect: * Vivid scene framing and transitions * NPCs with clear personalities, goals, and secrets * A focus on mood, tension, and storytelling 2.Investigation That Matters This is an investigation-heavy game, and I take that seriously. Clues won’t be random—they will form a trail you can follow, question, and interpret. I won’t hide progress behind impossible rolls, but I will challenge you to connect the dots. * You will always be able to move forward * The *meaning* of clues is what matters * Your theories and decisions shape the direction of the case 3.Player Choice & Consequences Your decisions matter—especially when it comes to judgment. I won’t push you toward a “correct” outcome. * Multiple valid resolutions to each case * Consequences that persist across the campaign * NPCs who react to your actions over time 4.Rules Approach I follow the spirit of City of Mist: fiction-first, flexible, and collaborative. * I respect the rules, but I’m not rigid about them * “Rule of Cool” is welcome—if it fits the tone and fiction * Mechanics support the story, not the other way around If something slows down the narrative or doesn’t fit the scene, I may adapt it. 5.Combat & Conflict Combat exists, but it’s not the focus. When it happens, it will be: * Fast, narrative-driven, and impactful * Focused on stakes rather than tactics * Integrated into the story, not separate from it Fights should feel like scenes from a noir series—not long tactical simulations. 6.Play-by-Post Structure To keep the game flowing: * I’ll post regularly and keep scenes moving * I’ll spotlight different characters to share focus * I’ll summarize when needed to maintain clarity Patience and consistency matter more than speed. 7.Support & Collaboration I’m here to support you as players: * Helping refine character arcs and personal stories * Bringing your Themes, Mythos, and relationships into the spotlight * Adapting the game to what engages the group most This is a **collaborative story**, not a pre-written script. In short, you can expect a game that prioritizes **story, character, and meaningful choice**, with a strong noir atmosphere and an emphasis on investigation and consequence.

How War_Master creates a safe table

Before the campaign begins, I host a Session 0 to discuss expectations, tone, and personal boundaries. During this session, we review a Lines and Veils document (shared digitally) so players can set clear limits on what content is off-limits or fade-to-black. I use X, N, and O cards digitally — players can message me privately or use simple text indicators in chat at any time. All concerns are addressed immediately and respectfully, no questions asked. After major narrative moments, I check in through private messages or group posts for aftercare, making sure everyone feels comfortable and supported with where the story is going. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful space where players can explore heavy themes with trust and creativity — knowing that the real world’s comfort always comes before the game world’s tension.