New Box Set

A modest slipcover for

The Shab al-Hiri Roach

Note due to the perversities of life this is not the game I intended to write some three years ago when I first decided that Rock and Roll bands would be great fodder for a role playing game. It is also not the game I set out to write in the International Setting Challenge. But that's how things go; someone said something to me about a band, something clicked, and here you go. For the challenge I have decided to add as little as I can to SaHR; However Bands are not universities and new rules will be in Purple. I have imagined some rules that were outside the scope of this setting challenge the optional rules will be noted in Orange. I have also used the 1.2 version from 1KM1KT as that was the both the least intrusive and easiest to get. You will probably need to read those rules before you can play this game.

Conversions

The conversions are simple and mostly semantic,

Your character is a band member instead of a professor

You are an amateur or veteran Musician instead of an assistant or full professor

You have an instrument instead of an academic specialty.

Instead of Roaching you get Stars in your Eyes

All of these things are used exactly like they are used in SaHR, they are merely called by different names.

How to Play

In NBS you are playing members of a band through six stages in their career; from forming the band to creating their Box Set legacy. At the beginning of each stage each of the players will draw a card to guide their actions during the stage. Then, in turn, each player will set a scene withing the stage and other player, who want to be in the scene , can opt in as well. At the end of the scene, roll for your conflicts

Optional Rule If there are a larger number of people, or you want a faster game, play each stage a a single scene (with flashbacks if necessary) roll dice and the player with the highest sets the first scene. The other players are welcome to add encouragements and color but the final call for setting the scene falls to that person. The next scene will fall to the person on their left and so on.

Creating a Character

Make up a character, Pick veteran or amateur, pick an instrument. You get three points of reputation, you pick two enthusiasms from the list in the game(Change Research to mean a love of the history of music or instruments). Give the character a name and any other information you want them to have.

Optional Rule Normally, all the players will create there characters together, but it can lead to some interesting conflicts if the players roll their instruments instead of picking. roll 1D6, 1=Guitar, 2=Bass, 3-Drum, 4=Vocal, 5= Keyboard, 6=Other.

Enthusiasms

Creativity: Crafting works of beauty Maybe cover art or songs. Possibly art in some other medium.

Cruelty: You like to hurt people, with words or deeds. Nothing pleases you more than bringing someone low or destroying their career.

Debauchery: Drinking, smoking, and gambling. The ability to get along in mixed company and among sailors. Throwing dice, playing cards, holding your own in a bare-knuckle brawl, and knowing where to go to hear jazz.

Deception: Lying, cheating, and stealing of every description. You revel in deceiving others to advance your own agenda.

Gossip: Both spreading and gathering petty intelligence, accurate or wildly speculative. Trivia, disinformation, and smear campaigns may be personal specialties.

Manipulation: Persuasion in every form, from arguing to ego-stroking to seduction to threats of physical violence. You like to have your way. This Enthusiasm allows you to add a D12 in any conflict that is likely to turn the person manipulated away from something they obviously need.

Pleasure: Romance and furtive sex, sumptuous dinners, expensive art objects, all things hedonistic are important to you.

Research: A love for the history of music or fine points of instrument making or performance.

Self-Destruction: Taking your other Enthusiasm to dangerous extremes – not just a drinker, but a raging alcoholic, for example. This Enthusiasm allows you to add a D12 in any conflict that is likely to destroy you, literally or figuratively.

Sociability: Dancing, making small talk, cleaning up nicely and generally being charming. Making a good appearance and pleasing those around you is important.

Sport: Playing sports or following a sports team team obsessively. Can also be symptomatic of a need to win.

Subterfuge: Sneaking around, climbing fire escapes picking locks and rifling file cabinets are all familiar to you.

Status: You pursue wealth and power with single-minded sycophancy. Anything you can do to endear yourself to the powerful, further your interests, and build your reputation is fair game.

Technology: Fooling around with things like computers and effect boxes – you are probably building one or more of these things in your Garage.

Wit: You fancy yourself an artist, and indulge in clever self-promotion ranging from extempore oratory to scandalous poetry, employing the art of the clever put-down and stinging bon mot.

The Scenes

Forming the Band

Along with the normal scene stuff the player must decide the name of the band, How it came together, what type of music to play and who plays what instruments. This information can be done in each scene or played out before the regular scenes.

Phil & Doris - Some Band Members Parents
Doug - Somebodies friend
Kim - Somebodies girlfreind

Getting A Gig

This is the story of the band getting it's first gig. At the end of all of the scenes, all the players roll their characters dice, including dice from enthusiasms if they are pertinent and record the total. This reflects how the band did at the concert and will be compared to other rolls the band makes over time.

Kip Spendalopolis - A bar manager

Doug - A bartender

Renee - A girl who loves to dance

Hiring A Manager

This is the story of how the band lands Doris Philaczech as their manager. At the end of all of the scenes, all the players roll their characters dice, including dice from enthusiasms if they are pertinent and record the total. This reflects how the band did in impressing Doris and will define how she treats you in the future.

Doris Philaczech - A Manager of recording artists

Bonnie - Doris' Secretary

Kim - A delivery person

Cutting a Record

This is the story of the band's first record. At the end of all of the scenes, all the players roll their characters dice, including dice from enthusiasms if they are pertinent and record the total. This reflects how well the record was received. If the roll is not higher than the last roll the band is slipping in the public eye.

Doris Philaczech - A Manager of Recording Artists
Tony Bilsponte - A Recording Engineer
Doug Sperling - an A&R rep for Megamusic Records

Making the Arena Circuit

This is the story of the band moving up to the big time. At the end of all of the scenes, all the players roll their characters dice, including dice from enthusiasms if they are pertinent and record the total. This reflects how the concert went. If the total is not higher than the previous totals the concert is a failure and the band gets demoted back to small clubs.

Renee - A Groupie
Kim Bespittle- The rep for TicketTron Promotions
Bud - A roadie

Making the Best Of Box Set

This is the story of the band moving up to the big time. At the end of all of the scenes, all the players roll their characters dice, including dice from enthusiasms if they are pertinent and record the total. This reflects how band will be remembered. If the total is not higher than the previous totals the band is included on a compilation of kitch acts by has-beens.

Tony Bilsponte - A Recording Engineer

Doug Sperling - A&R Rep for Megamusic Records

Kim - Somebodies Girlfriend

The Action Cards

Ruin: Cause another player character to lose two points of reputation.
I AM NOT WORTHY: You shall bleat the scream of suffering in your helplessness. (lower your personal die size by one for this scene.)

Receive Favorable write up award: Gain a point of reputation
You're the best Man: You must practice deception and betray this person.

Sabotage: Cause another player character to lose one point of reputation.
This person is dragging the band down: A shadow falls over this person – threaten him.

Compilation Inclusion: Gain a point of reputation.
You're Pissing Me Off: You must fight this person.

Impress: Increase the size of your die in all conflicts this scene involving power, privilege, knowledge, or status by one step – from d6 to d8, etc.
If someone doesn't stir the shit up...: You must make trouble among all known persons.

Boot-lick: Gain the support of the NPC of your choice in each conflict during this scene.
Needs: You must steal that which is useful and good.

Solo Efforts pay off: If you are an amateur this solo thing makes you a veteran. If you are already a veteran, become a luminary (D10/D4)
Gotta get this off my chest: In the proper way, you must confront this person.

Plead: Remove the support from an NPC of your choice in each conflict during this scene.
It's you or him: You must hate this person, and take away its destiny.

Receive good exposure: Gain two points of reputation.
It's my way or the highway: You must put the fear of God into this person, in fury and anger.

Cheat: Take two points of reputation from the player character you have chosen.
This business sucks: Handled as a puppet, you shall be confused and uncertain. (lower your personal die size by one for this scene.)

Expose: Publicize indiscretions and prevent a person of your choice (NPC or player character) from using an enthusiasm in any conflict during this scene.
I can't breathe: You are penned up like cattle; you cannot move. (lower your personal die size by one for this scene.)

Intimidate: Choose one individual or group that is supporting an opponent in each conflict during this scene, and add them to your side.
It's all a house of cards: It is disastrous and you shall know only terror. (lower your personal die size by one for this scene.)

Harass: Reduce the die size of the player character you have chosen in all conflicts this scene involving something other than power, privilege, knowledge, or status to d4. Ouch!
We're all so fake: you do not know who to trust or where to seek respite. (lower your personal die size by one for this scene.)

Slander: Tear down another’s ability in an interview. Reduce the die size of the player character you have chosen in conflicts involving power, privilege, knowledge, or status in this scene to d4.
I'm gonna break somebodies heart: You must hurt this person – it is so ordered.

Uncover plagiarist: Take a point of reputation from the player character you have chosen.
Under my thumb: Your task is to enslave this person.

Enthusiasm: Choose another Enthusiasm for use in this Event. Your interest is short-lived but intense(D12).
What they are saying is wrong for the band: Do not heed the evil ones; rather scream in an ear-splitting voice to drive them hence.

Genius: Your die size increases to d10 for every conflict during this scene.
Let's give 'em something to talk about: Feel sexual attraction toward this person. Copulate with it.

Decorum: Both you and the player character you have chosen gain a point of reputation.
They know more than you do: Obey this person at once. Follow its directions and initiatives.

Champ: Any enthusiasm you employ adds a d12 rather than your normal die size during this scene.
we gotta stick together: Protect this person.

Debate: Initiate a conflict with the player character you have chosen. The winner gains two reputation and the loser loses two reputation.
Without this person you are nothing: Love this person.

Shoving match: Both you and the player character you have chosen lose a point of reputation.
I got your back: This person is your ally now, so let it be.

Influenza: Your die size decreases to d4 for every conflict during this scene.
You are the eye of the hurricane: Should there not be peace? Rest, gather strength.

War of Words: Initiate a conflict with the player character you have chosen. The winner gains one reputation and the loser loses one reputation.
This person is going somewhere and you want to get there too: Befriend this person.

Prostitute your good name: Turn reputation into d12’s on a one-for-one basis.
Clean up your act:the fans are loosing interest in your sick behavior and want you to be more pure.

Letter of reprimand: Lose a point of reputation.
They love you tonight: You will have courage; it is good. (raise your personal die size by one for this scene, up to d12)

Break down: Lose two points of reputation.
The fans want you to be your best: you will be vigilant. (raise your personal die size by one for this scene, up to d12)

Praise: Surrender a point of reputation to another player character.
God, I feel like i could do anything: whatever you did it's working. (raise your personal die size by one for this scene, up to d12)

Sacrifice: Surrender two points of reputation to the player character you have chosen.
We're bigger than Jesus: The fear of the gods shall focus you. (raise your personal die size by one for this scene, up to d12)

Public scandal: You are unable to use any enthusiasms during this scene.
My god I get it: It is never seen by the eye, and yet you will have clarity. (raise your personal die size by one for this scene, up to d12)

Swagger: Increase the size of your die in all conflicts this scene involving something other than power,Music by one step – from d6 to d8, etc.
Just like Brian Wilson did. This is a place where your muse lives; do not leave it.