Wee-oo, wee-oo.
The Game: Flatline
The Publisher: Gallant Knight Games
Degree of Familiarity: None with this particular game, plenty with FAE
Books Required: I think just the one, but it might need Fate Accelerated
So, in Flatline, we're in a dystopian future where top-of-the-line health care is only available to those who can afford it (that's in the game, right?). It's basically a cyber-punk sort of game but instead of stealing shit or blowing shit up or killing people, you're trying to protect your clients and keep them alive.
I really like the idea, and the setting has some interesting points. The descriptions of how EMTs live is nicely evocative (they basically live like cult members, if we're being honest, and are encouraged to eschew contact with their families for the camaraderie of their fellow EMTs).
My problem with the game is that it's missing some at-the-table context. Like, I really like the idea of EMTs that might have to fight their way into a corporate turf war to save their client. I even like the idea of the conflicts that might arise when EMTs realize they're putting their lives on the line to save obscenely rich people. The book just doesn't get into a lot of that, we don't see what a run would look like in context. And sure, I can do that work, but then I think of games like Red Markets where the themes and the mechanics are tighter than a duck's butt, as the saying goes.
Well, anyway, I'm running a Fate game this weekend, so it'll do me some good to practice making up some Aspects and so on. On we go!
So, a Sammie team (short for "Samaritan") is composed of four basic roles: Hauler (drive), FACDoc (doctor), Crasher (ex-fil/combat expert), and Scanner (hacker and comms). I don't have a concept handy, though, so I think I'll grab a theme song. I was gonna go random, but then this song jumped into my head. It's a song about jealousy and unrequited love, but with that inimitable Amigo the Devil touch. So I'm gonna make a FACDoc character who very nearly married money - his ex-fiancee was a society gal, a reality vid star, and a multi-lots-of-money-aire. And then fucking Rod swooped in and seduced her (at least that's how my character sees it), and my guy had to go back to work in the Sammie wagon.
My High Concept, then, is Bitter FACDoc. My Trouble Aspect is "I hope your husband dies;" this guy is defined by his resentment and loss to an alarming degree. For my third Aspect, I definitely need something that doesn't tie back to this part of the dude's life, I think. Hobby, specialty, family? Oh, how about Won't Get Fooled Again - he's a cynic and a skeptic, but that means he doesn't take anything for granted.
Now I'm meant to do a name and a description. His name is Luther Bates. He's in his late 30s, black hair, always a bit of stubble (with perhaps some silver in there?), well-toned, broad chest. I think Luther could have been played by a young Tom Selleck.
Approaches! Standard FAE arrangement, I get one Good, two Fair, two Average, one Mediocre. Well, I think Flashy gets the Mediocre. Forceful and Quick can get the Averages. Clever gets a Fair, and then...hmm. Better at Sneaky or Careful? I think Careful should be his Good; fits the whole "once bitten" thing he's got going.
Set my Refresh at 3, sure, and then I can take two more Aspects and three Stunts (rather, the book says one Stunt and then suss the rest out in play, but y'know). Well, I think that Luther is pretty skilled at using medicine to fuck with people in unpleasant and untraceable ways, so I'll give him a Stunt called Do Harm: Because of my medical knowledge, I get +2 to Carefully Attack a target provided I am aware of their medical history and can get close enough to touch them.
But I don't want Luther to be a total ass, so perhaps a Stunt related to healing or keeping his team in good shape? Or his former connection to the rich folks? Yeah, let's give him one called Dr. Feelgood: Because I used to supply drugs to the Upper Crust, once per session I can call in a favor from a rich acquaintance.
(This, by the way, suggests an Aspect of Can't Go Home Again.)
Finally, I'll give him a Stunt called Ready for the Big Ride: Because I am empty inside, I get a +2 to Forcefully Create an Advantage by intimidating or shouting someone down.
I can take one more Aspect. I want something admirable in Luther, though, so I'll say he's Always First out of the Wagon. He doesn't want anyone gets getting hurt for him. Sure, that's less about loyalty and more about how damaged he is, but the effect is much the same.
And that'll do it! Tap that Aspect!
