Do You Wanna Be A Magical Girl?- Magical⋆Burst (now playing)

Magical Burst is a tabletop system based pretty heavily on Madoka Magica, where the players are a group of magical girls just trying to make it against the rest of the world. It can be as dark as its source material, but doesn’t have to be- although there is going to be an element of the cute grotesque no matter what you do. I’m planning to run a campaign off of the Fourth Edition, with a lot of setting modifications to try and take it away from Madoka. You will all be playing as teenagers in Saigono City who become magical girls belonging to one of seven factions that fight the monstrous Youma.


I’m not sure if I want to run this play by post or over roll20- play by post will take longer and probably be awkwarder in parts, but it doesn’t require everyone to have a consistent time to meet up. In addition, I’m unsure if I want to limit all players to a certain faction, or give you all some information and let you choose individually.

Spoiler: Basic Rules Summary

Combat is divided into two rounds- the Major and Minor actions. Major actions are attacks on the enemy, disengaging with the enemy, and reviving, while minor actions are movement and recovery. Both magical girls and their youma enemies are defeated by depleting their Resolve. Youma will be destroyed if their resolve runs out, while magical girls will be reverted back to their mundane forms- in the middle of a battle. The system is d6 based, meaning that you’ll only need d6s to play- ideally more than one. Magical girls have six attributes- three mundane (Charm, Insight, and Tenacity), and three magical (Magic, Heart, and Fury.) Mundane attributes are used in non magical matters while magical ones express how the magical girl expresses her power.

The player assigns each magical attribute as their combat stat Attack, Defense, or Support stat- each attribute will have different effects and different implications in each role, so choose what you think will be most interesting. After that you choose your magical specialization- Witch for Attack, Knight for Defense, and Priestess for Support. Each of these specializations have access to different abilities (Talents). Talents are more powerful/useful than your basic die rolling, but many come with a cost-Overcharge. When a talent gives you Overcharge, you add one more point onto the relevant attribute- and when that number gets too high, interesting things happen.

Most die rolls will be 2d6. For a mundane challenge, you simply add the relevant mundane attribute, but in magical challenges the die explode, meaning that on any roll of a 6 you may roll another die and add that on your total. There are other action types that a player can make, but it often isn’t necessary to state “I roll to disrupt [x],”- simply roleplay it out!

When a magical girl gains a good deal of Overcharge in one stat, then some serious Fallout can occur. Fallout varies on the stat it’s attached to and how much Overcharge was discharged to cause it. The more Overcharge spent, the more detrimental and permanent the effects. Generally, it is up to me as the GM to decide when Fallout occurs- often at times at are detrimental but not disastrous, or depending on if some in character strife or troubles seem to coincide. Often, if a player says they want to relieve Overcharge soon, I’ll take it into account, along with the character. If the magical girl tends to have fits of passion and intense emotions often, they will probably experience common but minor Fallout. If they’re the type to bottle things up, then things will be a lot rarer and a lot more serious.

The last important mechanic is relationships. Each girl gets 12 relationship ranks to place at character creation. Relationships can be made between magical girls, between new NPCs, and between pre-existing NPCs. Relationships are important to a magical girl, as they represent her connection to this world. They can be created, hurt, healed, and built on- it all depends on your actions.

The game itself is divided into episodes- one session- and scenes- parts within the episodes. In general, a scene ends whenever you go to a new location, switch to a different location, or switch to summarizing instead of actively roleplaying. Most Talents can only be used so many times a scene or an episode, which makes them a fairly limited resource. Episodes are also supposed to have a general arc like an episode of an anime- introduction, learn of some probably youma-related issue, and take out the baddie. This format can be played with, but the basics are there.

I’d probably be comfortable GMing for up to 5 or 6 players. Ask me any questions you have, I'll be happy to answer!

 

Spoiler: Character Creation

Most aspects of character creation can be randomized using the tables in the rules book. If you are having trouble, I encourage you to use them, at least for ideas and inspiration.

• For Mundane Attributes- Charm, Insight, and Tenacity- there are 14 points you divide among them, with a min value of 2 and a max value of 7 in each
• For Magical Attributes- Magic, Heart, and Fury- there are 18 points to divide, with a min of 3 and a max of 9.
• After you have chosen the values, you also assign a Combat Stat- Attack, Defense, and Support- to each of the Magical Attributes. Each of those Stats are used for certain actions and Talents you can use in battle, and Support is also used for Sorcery. From here you also choose your specialization- Witch for Attack, Knight for Defense, and Priestess for Support. The Attribute you chose for each Stat will affect the type of Fallout it produces- Magic is pure magic, Heart is love and affection, and Fury is rage and violence. Choose carefully, based on what you think will be most interesting/appropriate for your character.
• You can choose three Talents- one Basic Talent, one Talent from your Specialization, and one from either list. The lists are available in the rules book.
• Your Base Resolve is 18, no matter what

Name:
Faction:

What Kind of Person Are You: You can put a basic Archetype here- this is a very anime game. Descriptions don't have to be very complex!
What Convinced You To Make a Pact: What in your backstory or character pushed you to this? As always, there are examples in the book.
What Is Your Wish: Although there is no exact system for wishes- the Oblivion Seeds from the book don’t exist here- your Mentor has certainly implied that if you regain all the Crystals, your dreams could come true
Magical Element: Anything from the classical earth, water, wind, and fire, to something more esoteric.
Magical Weapon: I will allow you to put anything here.
Magical Power: Some special ability you can use. Usually these will be used for flavour in your battles, but they can become important.
Magical Girl Costume: Any special colors, styles, or motifs

Charm:
Insight:
Tenacity:
Magic:
Heart:
Fury:
(Please mark which Magical Attribute is which Combat Stat)
Resolve: 18

Specialization:
Talents:

Crisis: The immediate reason for becoming a magical girl. It can be related to long term problems, but it must be an immediate issue we can start the scene off with.

Spoiler: Actions and Moves

• Disrupt- If someone is making a challenge for something and another character wants to try to interfere, they can attempt to Disrupt. They make a Tenacity vs. Tenacity challenge (if it is a mundane action), or a Support vs. Support challenge (if it’s a magical action). If the character who is disrupting wins, the target takes a –2 penalty to their challenge.
• Help- If a character aids someone else on making a challenge, they give them a +1 bonus to a challenge, or a bonus equal to the helper’s relationship rank if they have a relationship with them. Only one person can help on a given action.
• Stay Calm- When a character tries to stay calm in the face of things that are unnatural or severely frightening, they make a Tenacity challenge. On an 11 or less the GM makes them take 2 of the effects below. On a 12-14 the GM makes them take one of the effects below. On a 15+ they’re fine.
  • Take 1 point of Overcharge on any Magical Attribute (can be taken twice)
  • Lose 1d6 Resolve
  • Get away from the threat, if you can
  • Do something humiliating
  • Activate a Change that you have
  • If the character has a relationship with whoever caused them to have to use this move, reduce the rank of the character’s relationship with them by 1.

• Locate Someone or Something- When a character searches for someone or something in the city, they make an Insight challenge. On a 15+ they find a lead. On a 12-14 they find a lead, but the GM picks one of the options below.
  • • Whoever or whatever they’re searching for suspects they’re looking for them.
    • The clue they find is somewhat misleading.
    • Someone they care about gets concerned about what they’re doing.
    • Someone they care about is tied up in the lead they find.
  • On an 11 or less the character is unable to find anything, and the GM picks one of these:
    • They attract unwanted attention.
    • They run into a complication unrelated to what they’re looking for.
    • Someone they care about gets concerned about what they’re doing.
    • Someone they care about gets caught up in the thing the magical girl is investigating.
  • How many leads you need will depend on what you’re looking for. For normal people it’s one or two leads, for youma or a person who is hiding three, and for a youma or magical girl making an exceptional effort to hide themselves it can take four or more.

• Dominate When a character tries to dominate someone by force of will, intimidation, etc., they make a Tenacity challenge. On a 12-14 pick one, and on a 15+ pick two.
  • • Take an object from them.
    • Get +1 on the next challenge against them.
    • The target suffers a wound.
    • The target says what they think the character wants to hear.
    • They back down.
  • Humans, even magical girls, cannot dominate youma.

• Bond- If a magical girl has a positive social interaction with someone, they make a Charm roll. On a 12-14 they can increase the rank of their relationship with that person by 1. On a 15+ it increases their relationship rank by 2. Relationships cannot go higher than level 4. If the magical girl does not have a relationship with them, she starts a new relationship at rank 1 or 2.
• Escape- When a character tries to run away from someone or something, they make a Tenacity or Support challenge. On a 12-14 they leave something behind or something follows you, them, and on a 15+ they get clean away.

Spoiler: Factions

Garnet Faction-

Leader: Yokubo Kuroyuri

Base: Amaririsu Shrine in Furuie, the southeast area of the city

Description: The Amaririsu Shrine, which lies to the southeast, is known for two things- the beautiful flowers grown there, and it’s reputation as a place that grants luck in love. The demure miko, Yokubo Kuroyuri, doesn’t do much to attract attention to herself- but she is always watching. She comforts those who have been hurt, cheated on, ignored, or bullied, and to those she thinks deserve it, she offers the power to take their fate into their own hands.

Stereotypes: Garnet has kind of a reputation of being duplicitous. They don't instigate violence, not really, but the stereotype goes that they will absolutely pretend to be helping you and then abandon you up shit creek when it suits them. Garnet has a reputation of being fairly weak and cracking easily under pressure/trauma.


Amethyst Faction-

Leader: Hokori Ajisai (Hokori-sensei)

Base: Sumire High in Kawamura, the southwest area of the city

Description: Students at Sumire High School in the southwest portion of the city live in fear of the terrifying history teacher Hokori Ajisai. With her stern attitude, sharp looks, and cool demeanor, most shy away from joining the girl’s kendo team she runs. However, those that catch her eye- those that seem to have the most will, the most drive, the most determination to improve themselves and the world, may find themselves being approached with a far greater responsibility than schoolwork.

Stereotypes: Amethyst mostly keeps to themselves, patrolling their own area and also occasionally Sapphire's. Sapphire and Garnet tend to see them as busybodies, who try and meddle with everyone else. The other factions see them as kids with inflated egos who think they are tougher and more important than they are.


Sapphire Faction-

Leader: Madame Buruberu

Base: The Bluebell House in Nishitaun, the southern area of the city

Description: Once, the southern part of the city was home to the beautiful mansions of an upper class elite that styled themselves after visions of European splendor. As those families moved away from their Western trapping, the opulent houses were torn down- except one. Teens dare each other to sneak in and find ghosts- but only those who are most frightened meet the real wraith, the enigmatic Madame Buruberu, and receive her offer- a place free of fear, and the power to make your fears go away.

Stereotypes: Everybody knows Sapphire as kind of a do nothing faction. Buruberu herself is called a coward who collects magical girls to make herself feel better/ as meat shields. Amethyst in particular looks down at Sapphire and gets salty because they think they patrol Sapphire territory more than the Sapphire girls do.


Aquamarine Faction-

Leader: Senbo Asgao (Senbo-sensei)

Base: Wasurenagusa Theatre in Kogai, the eastern area of the city

Description: The eastern side of the city houses Wasurenagusa Theatre, an elite place of dance, music, and acting. Although it is seen as a high class establishment, it offers class for high school girls, ranging from ballet to idol singing. Though some have high talent, graduate easily and find jobs in the industry, those aren’t who Senbo Asagao is looking for. She finds those who are bitter, angry, and want more- and she gives them the power to take what they always wanted.

Stereotypes: Aquamarine has a reputation as a more reasonable Ruby, basically. They don't attack other girls nearly as often but they do have a very strict system and a kind of hierarchy most of the other factions lack. With that comes a propensity to being run ragged, and Aquamarine is thought of as very unstable and prone to....blowing up.


Emerald Faction-

Leader: Goyoku Ran

Base: The Ran Cafe in Ranta, the center of the city

Description: The Ran Cafe lies at the center of the city. It is a quaint little place, popular enough, and fairly new in the grand scheme of things. It’s owner, Goyoku Ran, doesn’t like to attract attention, but nonetheless she has acquired a reputation of a sweet, if odd, young lady who does her best to help those around her but tries to stay out of the spotlight. She doesn’t like to get involved- unfortunately for her, there are people who, for better or worse, won’t let her fade away.

Stereotypes: Nobody knows that Emerald faction exists! There are some rumors of a few magical girls unaffiliated with other factions active in the city center, but nobody takes them too seriously. Technically that area is claimed by other factions, but because of its small size and proximity to so many other factions nobody bothers patrolling it much.

Notes: At this time, players cannot join Emerald Faction


Citrine Faction-

Leader: Okui Himawari

Base: Furijia Shop in Mizukosa, the western area of the city

Description: To the west is a strange shop, with strange wares, and an even stranger owner. Okui Himawari wears exclusively sundresses, acts snide to customers, and gets way too familiar, way too fast. She sells everything from books of magic, crystal balls, and tarot cards to novelty t shirts- all bogus. Her shop rarely gets customers, but she knows what she’s looking for, and it’s not money. Those that desire something real, something permanent, something powerful- she has just the thing.

Stereotypes: Citrine is wild. It's girls are known to attack other magical girls more than anybody but Ruby, and they tend to have a very single-minded pursuit of whatever they want. However, they are thought of as having honor- if you make a pact or a deal with a Citrine girl, they will follow through. They seem to be the most stable, probably on account of usually being the ones having the most fun.


Ruby Faction-

Leader: Gekido Hinageshi

Base: Higanbana Academy in Akatani, the northern area of the city

Description: The north is dominated by the austere Higanbana Academy, an all girls school that boasts some of the top students in the nation. It’s run by the young, charming headmistress Gekido Hinageshi, who rules with the help of her powerful Student Council. Getting on the Student Council is an honor above all others, a path to success and power that all the Higanbana girls dream of- although maybe a few too many of the officers disappear. That can’t be too much to worry about, right?

Stereotypes: It's pretty well know that Ruby a) has the most territory and the most gems b) is somehow associated with Higanbana Academy and c) is absolutely vicious. Ruby girls spread out all over the city, leading many to wonder how the hell they keep their own area protected. While it isn't technically common knowledge that the Student Council is Ruby Faction, any that go to Higanbana can probably figure it out.

Reference Sheet

 

Sounds fun! What are the differences between the factions?

 

Ya know I knew there was something I was forgetting.

Spoiler: Factions

• Garnet Faction- The Amaririsu Shrine, which lies to the southeast, is known for two things- the beautiful flowers grown there, and it’s reputation as a place that grants luck in love. The demure miko, Yokubo Kuroyuri, doesn’t do much to attract attention to herself- but she is always watching. She comforts those who have been hurt, cheated on, ignored, or bullied, and offers them the power to take love into their own hands.
• Amethyst Faction- Students at Sumire High School in the southwest portion of the city live in fear of the terrifying history teacher Hokori Ajisai. With her stern attitude, sharp looks, and cool demeanor, most shy away from joining the girl’s kendo team she runs. However, those that do, if they catch her eye and don’t disappoint her, might find themselves with some unusual club responsibilities.
• Sapphire Faction- Once, the southern part of the city was home to the beautiful mansions of an upper class elite that styled themselves after visions of European splendor. As those families moved away from their Western trapping, the opulent houses were torn down- except one. Teens dare each other to sneak in and find ghosts- but only those who are most frightened meet the real wraith, the enigmatic Madame Buruberu, and receive her offer.
• Aquamarine Faction- The eastern side of the city houses Wasurenagusa Theater, an elite place of dance, music, and acting. Although it is seen as a high class establishment, it offers class for high school girls, ranging from ballet to idol singing. Though some have high talent, graduate easily and find jobs in the industry, those aren’t who Senbo Asagao is looking for. She finds those who are bitter, angry, and want more- and she gives it to them.
• Emerald Faction- In the center of the city lies a little cafe, run by a sweet lady named Goyoku Ran. She is pleasant to her customers, kind to those who need help, and if she acts odd to people? Speaks archaically, seems paranoid, smiles first and trusts far, far later? Those that know her best know why. (Note: Players aren’t allowed to choose Emerald, at least for now)
• Citrine Faction- To the west is a strange shop, with strange wares, and an even stranger owner. Okui Himawari wears exclusively sundresses, acts snide to customers, and gets way too familiar, way too fast. She sells everything from books of magic, crystal balls, and tarot cards to novelty t shirts- all bogus. But she knows what she wants, and those that desire something real, something permanent, something powerful- she has just the thing.
• Ruby Faction- The north is dominated by the austere Higanbana Academy, an all girls school that boasts some of the top students in the nation. It’s run by the young, charming headmistress Gekido Hinageshi, who rules with the help of her powerful Student Council. Getting on the Student Council is an honor above all others, a path to success and power that all the Higanbana girls dream of- although maybe a few too many of the officers disappear. That can’t be too much to worry about, right?

This'll be added to the 2p as well

 

i'm tentatively interested but i'm also kinda... confused. a lot of the setting stuff seems to have basis in japanese culture things that i don't know much about (like kendo and student councils) and that seems like it would make playing and creating a character difficult for me.

 

The setting is very heavily based in a very anime-ified version of Japan. Most vocab would be pretty easy to explain (kendo is a Japanese swordfighting style/marital art, Student Councils are basically like US Student Governments, except it is a trope in anime that they are unreasonably powerful within the school) but there will definitely be a very magical-girl-tone kind of like...well, early episodes of Steven Universe were based off of many magical girls shows, except there isn't a school involved. It'll definitely be a hard game to get into if you haven't seen any magical girl shows! In the end it is up to you, and I am totally cool with providing all the culture notes anyone needs.

 

i've seen some magical girl shows but not many.

 

Which ones in specific, if you don't mind me asking?

 

madoka, magical girl raising project, some sailor moon, some revolutionary girl utena and vivid strike (which might not count but it's a spin off of nanoha, which i haven't actually watched yet) so i'm listing it anyway

 

Man I need to keep going on the nanoha streams, I feel bad I've let them slip...

 

Mk! The system itself is based off of Madoka, and has a similar feel? Battles against youma are definitely supposed to look and feel like the witches labyrinths. I am bringing it to a less dark place (plus adding a dash of Utena. Maybe more than a dash of Utena. Utena is one of my formative influences.) It is like Sailor Moon in that part of it is going to be in the city, relationship building and figuring out where the Youma are, and that is where more Japanese culture bits will come in, but if you are cool with that I would be happy explaining any terms you don't understand, and I'm not going to force everyone to use honorifics or something like that.

 

thanks!

and it's not exactly honorifics and terms that i'm worried about. more... having enough of a sense of the culture that the characters are in and how to make characters within it. i dunno, it's hard to explain, really.

 

I'm going to go ahead and express tenative interest, though I'm not able to actually look over the rules just yet.

 

I've got interest, I definitely want to play a witch, though I'm still waffling on the powers-element-weapon stuff. So many options...

 

Hmmm
Well, the system does allow for completely randomizing characters, and so maybe playing around with that can give you ideas? I hate to say these words, but tv tropes can help for stock anime character types. And the game is going to be far, far more anime than actually Japanese. You could start with a recreation of a character from one of those shows and use that as a base to go off on! As an example, here's a sheet for Usagi from Sailor Moon?

Spoiler

Name: Usagi Tsukino
Magical Girl Name: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon

What Kind of Girl Are You: Ditz
What Convinced You To Make a Pact: She doesn't get much of a choice, but often she keeps going because she wants to prove herself
What Is Your Wish: Probably first arc Usagi would say she wishes for love or beauty
Magical Element: Moon
Magical Weapon: The Moon Rod/her Tiara
Magical Power: Transformation (her disguises)
Magical Girl Costume:

Charm: 5
Insight: 4
Tenacity: 5
Magic: 6
Heart: 8
Fury: 4
(Please mark which Magical Attribute is which Combat Stat)
Resolve: 18

Specialization: Priestess
Talents: Rouse, Bonus Action, Courage Aura

(this is probably not all completely accurate but it's what I thought would fit her best)

Crisis: Best friend's mother was impersonated by a monster

So yeah! I think if you've seen enough anime, you will probably be able to play in this game.

 

thanks! :D

 

fucking SLAMS INTO THE THREAD i haven't read anything but i am IN

eta: ok I read things and I'm coming up w/ a character. @Arxon didja decide if everyone's gonna be in the same faction or can we pick any? I'm tossing up Sapphire/Aqua and I know Karrin's going Aqua

eta2: I am also on hand to infodump about Japanese culture should anyone require it

 

I think I'll allow you all to be in different factions- there are only, like, two high schools in the city, after all, it's not like you'll lack opportunities to meet each other. It might also make it easier for people to miss sessions. Plus it'll be more dramatic.

Also, a helpful list of the factions (that players can join), ranked from best to worst intentions. Different factions are definitely going to be harsher and crueler (as well as less understanding of humans), which is definitely important info to have

- Amethyst
- Garnet
- Sapphire
- Aquamarine
- Citrine
- Ruby

 

Name: Suzuki Kirika
Faction: Aquamarine

Spoiler

What Kind of Girl Are You: Driven Warrior
What Convinced You To Make a Pact: "I was hurt in a magical battle, and my Mentor made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
What Is Your Wish: Kirika has not considered it very much. She doesn't think she'll manage to survive long enough to collect all the gems, so it's no use thinking about it.
Magical Element: Light
Magical Weapon: Sword
Magical Power: Magical Pet - Kirika can summon various magical-looking creatures to aid her, though she can only summon one at a time. They are not sentient, though they can function independently of Kirika's conscious thought if given clear instructions (go to this place, follow this person, and so on.) With concentration, Kirika can use their senses if she ignores most of what's going on around her.
Magical Girl Costume: Mostly white, iridescent armor pieces, short cloak

Charm: 3
Insight: 5
Tenacity: 6
(Offense)Magic: 9
(Support)Fury: 5
(Defense)Heart: 4
Resolve: 18

Specialization: Witch
Talents:

• Hex
• Teleport
• Hamstring
• Killing Blow

​

Crisis:

 

SLOWLY BUT SURELY I AM MAKING MY WAY THROUGH THE RULES but I'm definitely leaning towards Knight. Hmmmmmm.