Battle of the Bands

More than any other event that defines Ed town is how bands clash in a bizarre combination of song and fury.

Battle of the Band Skill Montage

Trigger Points:

• When it is declared between band.  It is essentially a duel.

Complexity: Participants (size of on looking crowd),

DC: Based on the CR of the rival band.

Modifiers: Conditional, Environmental; General, Social

Base Skill:  Perform

Secondary Skills (+5 to DC): Animal Handling, Diplomacy, Gunplay

Other Actions during Skill Montage: Spellcasting

Total Success: The band wins so overwhelmingly that the combat that usually happens afterwards doesn’t occur.

Success: Every individual success allows a free attack on the rival band without acting as a failure.  If they succced, they win.  If a fight occurs they get a gets a +2 morale bonus if it degenerates into a combat afterwards.

Failure:  Every failure means that the rival band gets an attack on a party member that failed the roll that doesn’t act as a failure.  If they fail, their opponent wins. If a fight occurs they get a gets a +2 morale bonus if it degenerates into a combat afterwards.

Total Failure:  The band is booed off stage.  This may have saved their lives as the fight afterwards won’t occur.

Retry: No; it’s all or nothing.

Other Notes:  This is a Skill Montage where the alternative rule Skill DCs- Dynamic (See book of adventure) could add more oomph.

Attacking the crowd is bad form and gives a -4 morale penalty to any future rolls, including the combat afterwards.

Battle of the Band Equipment

Battle Stage

Costs: 4000 GB

Effect: This location adds a wire screen to the stage that adds cover to the band.

Special: Can be put on a vehicle that is size huge or larger.  The vehicle can no longer use a weapon arm (see book of progress) or turret.

Launchable Speakers

Costs: 5000 GB

Effect:  This fires speakers on the fly allowing for battle of the bands to happen in places other than stages.

Psychic Amplifiers 

Costs: 1000 x the maximum bonus it can give in GB.  For example a psychic amplifer that can give up to a +4 (maximum 1 psychic point) costs 4000 GB

Effects: Because of the inherently psychic quality of music, Psychic Amplifiers are often put onto stage to enhance the performance. 

Such a device gives: a base +2 to any Skill perform checks.  However, if a psychic point is put into it, it adds an additional +2 per psychic point spent.  A maximum of the character’s level divided by four can be added to the roll

Weight: 40 lbs.

Special:  It needs to be selected for whatever Psychic power will be used in the performance.  The following will give a some examples of what it will do:

·         Astral:  This psychic amplifier gives the stage an ethereal feel as it distorts everything.

·         Cryokinesis:  An ice stage show occurs at the same time as long as the music plays.

·         Ectoplasmic Projection:  Ectoplasm morphs and projects and in some cases can act as subtitles so the audience can sing along.

·         Electrokinesis: electricity always provides a draw.

·         Empathy:  This enhances the love of the audience for the band.

·         ESP:  This is often used to point out “a very special someone” in the crowd.

·         Photokinesis:  This power allows the stage to be reshaped to fit the needs of the band.  It also makes for great laser light shows.

·         Telekinesis:  Band Members and equipment can float anywhere on stage.  It also can be used to seed the audience with “merchandise”

·         Telepathy:  This is good for causing the music to not only be heard, but projected into the minds of the audience.

·         Teleportation:  Ever see a music video where the band members appear out of nowhere.  This is how it is done.

·         Vibrokinesis:  Music is enhanced by the natural psychic powers to give it a distinctive feel.

#drevrpg #d20 #apocalypse #psychic #skills