Hello!
A fusion of several ideas I had bouncing around happened, and here I am offering you something a bit different.
Of all the incarnations it would most closely resemble the recent Prime Wars trilogy (Combiner Wars, Titans Return, Power of the Primes). Bots-centered (no organics in sight). Decepticons and Autobots working (gingerly) together against a large threat.
Things that I'm set on:
- Original characters only (canon bots can be referenced, but they won't appear.)
- A lot of action (not necessarily combat) and scarce resources
- Characters of variable levels of experience
- Moderate posting rate (2-3 / week)
System:
- Anti-pool base with significant tweaking (fine tuned during the game if needed, with feedback from players)
- Action results are very player driven (with GM help if needed), be ready to make an interesting story over constantly favoring your character
- Will likely require characters to function in smaller groups on separate tasks with periodic meetings (and possible redistribution)
I'm aiming for a serious and gritty feel, with significant (and hard) choices over mechanics and details. I.e. I don't care what is the exact land speed of your vehicle form, I want to know if you take a shortcut through hostile territory or take the long way around it.
Pool system is very descriptive, with rolls being made only for very important Events or Ideas. Characters have a short description/background (which expands with play), and a few attributes and traits which define them.
What's open to discussion, apart from whether you're interested in the concept at all:
1. Location - planetside or in space (ship or station)
2. Group type - military companies or wardens and prisoners (or something else?)
A few examples of character creation (don’t worry about how the numbers are determined yet):
Dinobots:
Dinobots liked wandering the Primal Swamp, occasionally battling it out with Predacons. Then the Prima Wars came to their land and they had to join the ragtag heroes, or face certain destruction.
Affiliation: Dinobot (tentative Autobot)
Attributes: Experienced Daring Loaner
Traits:
I am Grimlock (1+1) - drawback: pride
Slug, Snarl, Swoop, Sludge (1)
Mode: T-rex (Grimlock) (2)
Mode: Triceratops (Slug) (1)
Mode: Stegosaurus (Snarl) (1)
Mode: Pterodactyl (Swoop) (1)
Mode: Brontosaurus (Sludge) (1)
Volcanicus (2+2) - limit & drawback: combiner
Megatron:
Megatron, the once leader of Decepticons, is tiered of war and battle. But his retirement doesn’t last long when he is called upon by Optimus, his once-nemesis, to help them destroy the Enigma of Combination.
Affiliation: Decepticon
Attributes: Cautious Cooperative Veteran
Traits:
Power flows to the one who knows how. (4)
Mode: Tank (3)
Mode: Blaster (2+2) limit: wielded; drawback: power-hungry
Still feared by Decepticons (1)