Shout Outs
In a game of heroes, it's important that everyone gets a spotlight moment. As such, Pantheon is using the Shout Out system, an opportunity for staff members and players to highlight key moments players had in games
Pantheon has two forms of Shout Outs:
- Staff Shout Out: Given at the end of game by Pantheon Staff Members
- Player/Forum Shout Out: A player vote given between games by Pantheon players.
- Renown: 1 point of temporary renown in Glory/Honor/Wisdom.
- Downtime: +1 Downtime Action that exceeds normal downtime limits.
- Plot Cookie: 1 physical token that may be turned in for various effects.
Gaining Shouts
The Staff Shout Out is acclaim from the storytelling staff at the end of each game night for things witnessed and worthy of praise. Every staff member has 2 shout outs to give to players, meaning a total of 10 shout outs per game.
Staff has a policy of not giving the same player shout outs two games in a row to ensure that due attention is given to all players, not the ones that take the most of an ST's time at game.
The Player Shout Out is acclaim from players to each other in the form of a vote posted between games. This vote runs (staff sanity depending) from the Saturday following a game to the next Friday, giving players ample time to utilize their rewards. Votes can be found in the OOC Forum here. If it's been a few days and you don't see the poll up, or you're having trouble voting for whatever reason, please contact staff.
Every player has 3 votes they can give other PCs, and if necessary, your vote can be switched around at ay point. We ask you to likewise respond to the poll with a more detailed shout out of the players you voted for and what it is that warranted your vote.
Shout Out Rewards
Renown
You will be given a renown card with your character's name, "Shout Out" as the deed, and 1 temporary point of Glory, Honor, and Wisdom. You may add this to any stack of renown cards to help complete a set.
Upon turning the card in, the permanent renown post will list this as "general acclaim of the spirits/gods" based on whether you choose Gaian or Divine renown. At the next game, you will receive 1 temporary renown of the other two types in change. (i.e., if you add Shout renown to a permanent Glory gain, you'll have 1 temp Honor and 1 temp Wisdom waiting for you)
You may also split this if you submit multiple stacks of renown at once: if you have one stack of 9 Honor and one stack of 9 Glory, attach the shout renown to either stack, and next game you'll get 1 temp Wisdom back.
Downtime Action
You gain an additional Downtime Action you may submit between games. DTAs are detailed here. While there is usually a cap of 5 actions, your Shout DTA can exceed this limit and offer a 6th. Otherwise, this is indistinguishable from any other DTA.
Plot Cookie
Plot cookies are small, clear tokens given by staff (at end game for ST Shouts and check-in for Player Shouts). These tokens have a zodiac symbol and an elemental symbol on each of them. For the best effect, you (or you and other players) may combine plot cookies for the tiered effects below. This will be expanded on later.
In these write ups, you will see the term "qualifying plot" occurring several times. A qualifying plot is any active plot that is not a personal plot (i.e., developed from someone's backstory or Flaws), unless you have the focal player's express permission. Plots that have been resolved cannot be targeted.
Possessing a plot cookie is a soul-bound effect. Players cannot steal plot cookies, and they cannot be given away. However, two individuals with plot cookies may trade their cookies with staff oversight. This comes in handy when trying to complete sets, as detailed under Spend 3 Plot Cookies. In addition, players may choose to combine their plot cookies: two players may turn in their plot cookies (even if unmatched) to gain a Plot Hint on the same plot. Multiple players may also combine plot cookies to match and fit the requirements of Spend 3 Plot Cookies (below).
Plot Cookies have tiered effects, as described below.
Spend 1 Plot Cookie
Tie-In: You may spend a plot cookie to ask staff to tie you in to any qualifying plot/rumor you are aware of OOC, or to any qualifying plot staff thinks you'd enjoy (even if you don't now about it yet).
Spend 2 Plot Cookies
Plot Hint: You may spend two plot cookies of any combination to ask staff to point out the best angle to find answers on any qualifying plot.* This conversation will proceed until you are satisfied you have a worthwhile path to engaging the plot and getting results. Because of the plot cookie, staff may also carve out simpler paths for you than would be otherwise available.
* - Please note that Staff is more than willing to help you figure out how to tackle a plot if you're stumped, and will help even if you don't have plot cookies and just need a little perspective. This Plot Hint cookie exists to tweak the plot to your access, rather than tweak your perspective of the plot.
Spend 3 Plot Cookies
In order to spend 3 plot cookies, they must all share the same elemental sign (the triangle at the top). You may choose to cash in 3 of your own plot cookies, or combine them with the plot cookies of others to complete this set. If turning in 3 of your own, you will be able to choose either Question or 1 of the Effects you have a matching symbol for. If turning in 3 between multiple players, each player may choose Question or 1 of the Effects represented by the symbols in the pool.
You may spend 3 plot cookies for either Question or Effect.
Question means you will have a scene with an entity corresponding to the element in question, where they will give you one straight answer (within reason) on any qualifying plot. The first time you encounter this entity, you must go alone, with two exceptions. If you turned in your elemental set as part of a group, you may choose to invite the others who contributed set. While they will not get to ask their own questions (unless they also chose Question), they can participate on the scene. Second, if you have another 3 fire-themed plot cookies (including Leo) and want to opt to Bring A Friend, they can also come.
While it is possible you may speak to them again without plot cookies, it is not guaranteed by staff. In this scene, you may ask one question and gain as direct an answer as staff can give without overtly ruining the fun of the plot. If you are not satisfied with the answer you receive, please let staff know so we can rectify the scene.
Questions will be made available to the following individuals:
- Mystery Person 1 - Associated with the element of water, this individual is ideal for asking questions about divinity and the past.
- The Moirai - Associated with the element of air, this triple-aspected goddess is ideal for asking questions about the future and the supernatural.
- Mystery Person 2 - Associated with the element of fire, this individual is ideal for asking questions about the unearthly and metaphysical.
- Great Trash Heap - Associated with the element of earth, this spirit is ideal for asking questions about the mundane and forgotten.
Effect is a perk from the table above that you can apply to your character. Upon turn-in, if you want access to an effect instead of using it right now (say a temper refresh or invoking a magical effect), you may receive a token card that will allow you to cash it in later. Most plot cookie Effects will be able to be used at the time of turn in.
Upon turning in 3 plot cookies of the same elemental type, you may choose any Effect corresponding to one of the tokens turned in. For instance, if you've collected 3 Earth plot cookies in the form of "Taurus, Taurus, Virgo", you may choose either the Taurus or Virgo effect, but not Capricorn.
Effects function as follows:
Water
- Cancer - Information on a qualifying NPC
You may choose to learn what emotion drives an NPC, or a secret about them. This may not be used on an NPC tied to another character's backstory/flaws without the player's express permission. You do not need to know the name of the NPC, but staff must be able to deduce who you're asking about. - Pisces - Introduce a new NPC
Add a new NPC to the setting accessible to your PC, and tie them to the qualifying plot of your choice. This may be used to offer a new angle to explore a plot you're interested in, or just flesh out your PC's circle of associates. You may opt out of having them tied to your PC if you wish. - Scorpio - Befriending an expert NPC
You gain access to an NPC who is an expert at something. Maybe you want to learn Minoan or a Fighting Style, or just have a consultant on something going on. Staff will either link you to an existing NPC that qualifies, or add a new NPC to the setting to fill this niche.
- Aquarius - Learn a ritual instantly
The ritual must be within your usual limits: nothing higher than your level in Rituals and nothing restricted to your PC (so no tribal rituals without someone willing to teach it to you). With that said, this Effect will have any qualifying ritual immediately added to your sheet. - Gemini - Invoke a magical effect
Very much in the style of Schmendrick's "magic, do as you will" from The Last Unicorn or Unleashing in C20, this is a moment where you open yourself up to the universe to channel a magical effect to assist you in your goal. SOMETHING will happen, and it will benefit you. - Libra - Send a message to anyone anywhere
A game without cell phones is hard! You may use this to send a message to any PC or NPC, from anywhere and to anywhere. From different cities to different planes of existence and beyond, you are guaranteed to get a successful message to your target, and receive 1 reply. This is instant for PCs and ASAP for NPCs.
- Aries - Increase the strength of your totem spirit
While this doesn't add any dots of the Totem Background to your sheet, it does considerably beef up the actual spirit that is your totem. You may use this to either make the spirit physically stronger, or to have staff brainstorm some neat, unusual power for them. - Leo - Bring a friend
Gain a token for a one time use that allows you to safely add an extra individual to any situation that limits by number. Did the bad guy say you have to come alone? Does this gift only affect packmates? Can this entity or person not access the realm you're in? Here's your cosmological +1! - Sagittarius - Imbued from Beyond
An item in your possession can mystically gain the Masterwork effect: This is a magnificent, one-of-a-kind item. It may have a story-related (non-combat) effect, such as the ability to create a soft musical sound when wielded. Such a unique object serves excellently as the basis for a fetish. The Masterwork tag does not consume a tag slot. A weapon with this quality sells for 5 times its normal value. You may use this on an item that already has the Masterwork tag.
- Capricorn - Increase a Background or Influence
This allows you to immediately gain +1 to a Background or Influence of your choice. This cannot bring you above your cap. - Taurus - Refresh all tempers
You gain a one-time-use ability to refresh all of your tempers: Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower. If you don't wish to use the effect immediately, you may cash it out for a token to turn in later, allowing for a refresh at the time of your choosing. Refreshing all of your tempers in this fashion takes a standard action. - Virgo - Located a convergence of leylines
Find a location where multiple leylines intersect. Typically, these are places of some degree of mystical power, ranging from an area of unusual occurrences to a full blown caern. Please note that, while you have a location, it may or may not be occupied already when you get there.