R-SOLAR

Custom system designed for use in Mai Otome: Blue Sky Liberation. It is still currently in-development.

System Overview

R-SOLAR is a system designed to support playing characters that have transformation as a core mechanic, where the transformation unlocks spectacularly improved abilities. in Mai Otome it wasn't uncommon for even the least impressive transformations to be able to snap giant stone pillars in half, lift airliners and create tornadoes just by moving quickly. The high end, which the PCs will typically be a part of, was just pretty ridiculous all up. This rule set is an attempt to convey that.

The objective is something with relatively simple mathematics and a number of clear rules with consistent application. However there are elements of more Mage-esque freeform design which might prove to be problematic in meshing with the clearer rules, but most people in #lords are adept with this kind of thing. Let us struggle together.

Finally there is a different approach to combat and combat resolution, as there is no 'health' in the game, as it were. The ideal is to create a faster resolution of combat which is still rewarding to take part in, while also having real potential for loses. We'll see how that goes.

Character Creation

As R-SOLAR doesn't support exp gain, it has a relatively heavy, and generous, front end. Though characters will gain new abilities and powers in the course of the game, these are rewards and results from dramatic content as opposed to bought from a list as in other games.

A Few Questions From Monthly Otome

The Monthly Otome is a high quality magazine published by Galleria Academy through its Journalism Club, one of the notorious school clubs operating out of the Quartier Latin. The Monthly features articles, essays, poetry and photographs collected from around the school - usually students, but occasionally the faculty. One of the big draws for the public are the student profiles, which feature as their centerpiece 'Just a Few Questions ...', a 100 question survey. The questions range from the serious to the irreverent to the personal. Some of the questions are reproduced here. Naturally they should be answered in the mode of your character, though what that mode is might only be apparent after you're finished.

Question 1// What is your name?

Question 2// What year are you in?

Question 3// When is your birthday?

Question 4// What is your blood type?

Question 6// How tall are you?

Question 7// Where are you from?

Question 8// What's your family composition like?

Question 10// Do you enjoy school?

Question 11// What's your favourite subject?

Question 12// How about your least favourite?

Question 13// Are you in any clubs or societies?

Question 16// Do you play any musical instruments?

Question 18// Is there anybody you've been thinking about lately?

Question 19// What's your room attendant like?

Question 20// What's the nature of your relationship with your room attendant?

Question 25// Do you have any dreams for the future?

Question 26// What's your forte?

Question 27// How about your shortcomings?

Question 30// What's your personal motto?

Question 32// Do you have a favourite food?

Question 33// And a favourite drink?

Question 34// Favourite colours?

Question 37// How about a favourite saying or idiom?

Question 42// What comes to mind when you think about spring?

Question 43// And summer?

Question 44// And autumn?

Question 45// And finally winter?

Question 52// Have you ever been asked out?

Question 53// Do you have any marriage desires?

Question 62// Is there anything you cannot forgive?

Question 64// What's the most interesting thing to happen to you so far?

Question 65// And the saddest thing?

Question 66// If I told you the world would end tomorrow, what would you do?

Question 72// What's your favourite holiday?

Question 81// Do you have a special job in school?

Question 82// How much time do you devote to study?

Question 83// What do you do on your weekends?

Question 95// Do you have many friends?

Question 96// If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to be?

Question 100// How did you find our Q&A?

Report Card

Every Otome has her own attributes that exist independently of her Robe. These are reflected here in Personal Characteristics and Educational Development. These are numerical and represent the base dice pools which will inform your character's abilities with a materialised Robe.

Personal Characteristics/

These are the 'Five Ps', essentially the five most important things for an Otome to have. Due to the nature of society on Arl, everyone in the world uses the Five Ps as a measure of their attributes. They are:

Power// A measure of physical strength and vitality. It is not just raw strength, but also the ability to perfectly control one's body to produce maximum force.

Poise// A measure of physical grace, dexterity, and posture. Like power, poise is a measure of physical control: if one is poised, they move more quickly.

Perspicacity// A measure of intellect. A generic kind of intelligence that encapsulates intuitive reasoning, ability to study and quick wits.

Pluck// A measure of personal fortitude. This is 'true grit', the willingness to stand up against adversity and not back down. In an Otome's line of work this can be said to be very critical.

Pizazz// A measure of personal charisma and glamour. Those with Pizazz are better able to capture hearts and minds, and are cool and elegant under pressure.

Educational Development/

As all the player characters attend Galleria Academy, they all have a similar education. As such, they all have broadly the same skill set. However, their aptitude in these skills will depend on their Personal Characteristics. As such, all skills in R-SOLAR are derived from attributes. The five skills are:

Butou// Hand-to-hand combat in the manner of Otome. While various Otome have developed and varied CQC based on their experience or traditional skills from their homelands, the basic principals are similar. It is derived from Power and Pizazz.

Sen// The ability to properly channel the exceptional speed of Otome into evasion: dodging with the greatest economy of movement. It is said that a perfectly executed Sen can dodge anything. It is derived from Pizazz and Poise.

Miryoku// The 'beautiful power'. The Z-type nanomachinery in an Otome's body can be used in ways that go beyond simple physical enhancement. Miryoku is the skill in harnessing the esoteric abilities of that machinery. It is derived from Perspicacity and Pluck.

Roku// An Otome is capable of producing incredibly strong barriers. Roku is a skill which represents greater efficiency in defense, as well as the ability to deflect and absorb damage. It is derived from Pluck and Power.

Ketsudan// The skill of decisiveness: representing an Otome's mental ability to take action quickly. It is the basis for both turn initiative and the number of full actions a character can take in one turn. It is derived from Poise and Perspicacity.

GEM Design

The final stage of character creation is GEM design. The GEM operates in tandem with the Z-type nanomachines and materialises their full abilities, transforming an exceptional woman into an unstoppable weapon. Coral and Pearl GEMs are all identical, but Meister GEMs are all unique, and so customisable by the player. Unlike the Report Card, GEM stats are letter Ranks that apply different modifiers. Ranks are as follows:

S//

A// n points. A 5x multiplier.

B// n points. A 4x multiplier.

C// n points. A 3x multiplier.

D// 0 points. A 2x multiplier.

Name/

Every Meister GEM has a name, which tends to serve as a title. The usual style is an adjective paired with the name of an actual gemstone. Examples include the Flowing Water Diopside and the Pure Heart Malachite. Players are prohibited from using diamond, sapphire, emerald or ruby.

GEM Characteristics/

The characteristics of a GEM provide an Otome with her raw physical enhancements. GEM Characteristics are based on a specific Personal Characteristic. Apply to a Rank's multiplier as appropriate.

Valour// Valour focused GEMs are those that enhance pure physical strength. Based on Power.

Vector// GEMs which are focused on Vector are those which best enhance an Otome's flight capabilities. Based on Poise.

Fortification// GEMs focused on Fortification provide immense endurance. Based on Pluck.

Energy// The reserves of materialising energy available to an Otome, fueling their Miryoku and Element. Based on Perspicacity.