Feature - Harley Quinn

"Some men make you laugh until you cry. My sweetie makes me laugh until you bleed."

Drives
Values
Duty: d8 -  Anything to help
Glory: d6 -  Joker deserves all the credit
Justice: d6 -  You always deserve what you get
Love: d10 - Our love is true
Power: d6 - Life's a big joke
Truth: d4 - Only suckers care about it

Relationships
The Riddler is a pale imitation - d6 
Poison Ivy my bestest girlfriend - d6 
Two-Face Never know which Harvey is around - d8
Morgan O'Neill can't be trusted - d6
The Batman keeps us from being truly happy  - d8
Catwoman is one tough broad - d8
What else is James hiding? - d6

Assets
Distinctions 
Agile - d8
Reroll a die in an Agile roll when you Choose to drop everything you’re carrying.
Spend a Plot Point to Decrease your opponent’s Injured or Exhausted Stress pool.

Likeable - d6
Give your opposition a d6 to Reroll a die in a Likeable roll.

Fool for Love - d8

Earn a Plot Point and Add d6 to Trouble when you do something stupid in the name of love.

Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to ignore your loved one treating you badly or someone trying to point it out to you.

Extras
Mista J: 2d12 (love, chaos)
Gilda Dent: 2d4 (love, normal)




Locations
Courthouse: 2d4 (law, criminals)
Arkham Asylum: 2d10 (tense quiet, twisted logic)

Recap - "Frozen Assets"

Opening Credits. The first verse features all of our leads, like Jason and Arthur.

James blocks Lisa's grab far too well
Arthur smarts off to Poison Ivy
Nika shudders during her conversation with the Penguin
James watches his own reflection in the Joker's cell wall
Morgan storms frustratedly off out of MCU
Jason holds up the door...and the other one falls over

The second verse features the more familiar residents of Gotham.
Batman swooping over the burning buildings
Poison Ivy looking into the security camera at the Pink Kitty
Gordon sits at his desk and quietly sips his coffee

The song ends with a great shot of the Bat Signal over Gotham. 

Recap - "Happy Endings"

Most tales in Gotham start on the rooftops. This series starts on the street. More specifically, it starts inside a strip club called the Pink Kitty as a man in a nice suit starts on one of those sad tirades that strip clubs see all the time.

The man's name is Tommy Goodspeed. He's there with his old friend Arthur Pembrose. Arthur and Tommy went to law school together but have gone their separate ways. Both are lawyers. Arthur is a public defender. Tommy has nice suits because clients like the Penguin pay him to keep them out of jail.

Arthur looks very uncomfortable. Tommy wants him to lighten up and enjoy himself. Tommy starts the type of bar argument that's a perfect fit for a strip club in Gotham City.

TOMMY: Which of the Batman villains would you fuck?
ARTHUR: Tommy, when are we leaving for dinner?
TOMMY: Fine. I'll put the male ones on the table too for a complete selection.

Arthur doesn't answer, instead looking like he wished Tommy would pass out. Tommy asks everyone around him since Arthur won't answer. He asks the waitresses, other patrons, even the girl on stage. He finally gets a satisfactory answer.

JASON: Catwoman or Poison Ivy? Why only pick one?

Jason Thorne connects with Tommy's bacchanal better than Arthur. Arthur can't seen to place who he is yet and feels Insecure about this guy. He presses for dinner once again, but a sudden burst of screams and  kills that idea.

JASMINE: Oh my God! The Joker! The Joker just killed some guy in the Champagne Room!

Opening Credits. The first verse features all of our leads, like Jason and Arthur. The second verse features the more familiar residents of Gotham. The song ends with a great shot of the Bat Signal over Gotham.

Location - Thorne Tower

Built by Jason’s Grandfather Rupert Thorne Sr., Thorne Tower is the center of all of the Thorne Empire’s dealings.  Rupert Sr. was often quoted as say “while my tower may not stand as tall as the monstrosity in the center of the city (Wayne Tower), it has class and a view that cannot be beat.”  And what a view, the tower is just one city block away from the harbor giving those fortunate enough to be granted access to one of the top floors a unique view of the Gotham skyline. 

Extra - Danny Smith

"You are not going to believe what I overheard ordering your cappuccino."

Danny is a paralegal and personal assistant to DA Veronika Hilton.  He is extremely smart which has allowed him rise above his upbringing in a poor and broken home on Gotham's East End.  His admiration of Veronika’s work and his aspirations to become a lawyer himself make him eager to aid her in any way he can.  Including keeping her secrets.

Veronika, recognizing Danny’s potential  not only as a protégé, but also as an ally, treats him with a respect that she saves for very few people.  She also has been secretly paying towards his law school tuition.  Danny believes this money is actually coming from a scholarship through the Carson Hilton foundation - a program set up to help bright, under privileged youth pursue legal and law enforcement degrees.

Extra - James Gordon

"...that will be all, Detective."

Gotham's Police Commissioner and top cop, James Gordon is a military veteran and career policeman.  His uncompromising integrity and  fierce devotion to his men have won him the admiration of all but the most corrupt members of Gotham City's government.  A devoted father and brave veteran of various crises, Gordon is perhaps most famous for his often uneasy friendship and alliance with the Gotham's Dark Knight, the Batman.  However, this is only one facet of a man who is a capable crimefighter in his own right.  Gordon is too saavy to be blind to the corruption of his own department, causing the aging policeman to often handpick officers for difficult assignments, such as the Major Crimes Unit.

Gordon has lost many fine officers under his command, but few struck him as hard as the death of his partner from his early days as a GCPD detective, Ted Lane.  After Ted's death in the line of duty, Gordon took great interest in Ted's son and Gordon's namesake, James Lane.  He never showed the young man favoritism and in fact pushed him harder than most, but his guidance and wisdom helped make James Lane one of the most promising members of the GCPD.  Since selecting Lane for MCU, Gordon uses Lane's background in psychology and lifelong familiarity with police traditions and lifestyle to help keep a friendly but watchful eye on his fellow officers.  Gordon does this not out of paranoia or malice, but to help keep the MCU free of mishap and corruption.

Feature - Mister Freeze

"If I could feel anything, I would be jealous of your pain."

Drives
Values
Duty: d8 -  Anything for Nora
Glory: d6 -  None of this matters
Justice: d6 -  Fate is cruel
Love: d10 - My heart is cold
Power: d6 - Take what you can

Truth: d6 - Words are empty lies

Relationships
Poison Ivy has a heart colder than mine - d6 
Two-Face knows the pain of cruel Fate - d6 
Catwoman is a viable source of diamonds - d8
The Batman knows the chill of loss - d6
Dr. O'Neill could be a worthy peer - d8
Lisa has a fool's bravado - d6


Jason would be wise to keep me happy - d4

Assets
Distinctions 
Cryogenic Gun - d10 Limit: Gear
Spend a Plot Point to encase a character in ice in part or whole.

Cryogenic Suit - d6 Limit: Gear

Spend a Plot Point to Decrease an Exhausted or Angry Stress pool.

Genius - d8
Spend a Plot Point to Reveal that you’ve studied a subject and know its basics.
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you assume others can’t follow your complicated thinking.

On a Mission - d10
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you foolishly pursue your mission despite the risk. 
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in a roll that directly contributes to your mission.

Extras
Nora Fries: 2d8 (research, love)



Locations
Arkham Asylum: 2d6 (twisted logic, eerie quiet)
Icehouse Laboratory: 2d6 (research cold)

Feature - Tommy Goodspeed

"Jesus, Arthur, do I have to give you a manual on how to have fun at a strip club?"

Drives
Values
Duty: d6 -  Your job is not your life
Glory: d10 -  Look out for yourself because no one else will
Justice: d4 -  is as real as Santa Claus
Love: d8 - is harder than it looks
Power: d8 - is intoxicating

Truth: d6 - Two sides to a story

Relationships
Nika is a complicated woman - d8
Arthur is going to get chewed up and spat out in this city - d10
The Bat keeps me in business - d6
At least Jason knows how to have fun - d4
Victor needs my help - d6
Oswald stopped returning my calls - d4

Assets
Distinctions 
Drunk -d10
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when your addiction clouds your judgment
Add a d6 to Trouble to Increase your Insecure or Angry stress pool for anyone that enters into a contest with you while you've been drinking

Backhanded -d8
Earn a Plot Point for another Lead and Increase your Angry or Insecure stress pool against them
Spend a Plot Point to Decrease another Lead or Feature's Angry or Insecure stress pool against you


Shameless Flirt -d8
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to trouble when you flirt with someone you shouldn't
Spend a Plot Point to Reveal a new facet of your life as a D8 Useful Detail

Extras
Melissa or Miranda or Whatever 2d4

Locations
My Limo: 2d4
Goodspeed and Loeb: 2d8
The Diner: 2d4

Extra - Judge Carson Hilton

"Gotham City doesn't belong to people like us anymore."

Carson Hilton is a recently retired Gotham City judge.  During his time on the bench, he presided over many high profile cases, including those of Harley Quinn and Rupert Thorne.  He was set to preside over the trial of Harvey Dent, but recused himself, citing it as a conflict of interest. 

As a result of his often strict sentencing, over the years Hilton and his family have been targets of threats and harassment.  His family is very important to him and he has fought diligently to keep them safe, though at times has failed in that aim.

Hilton is a firm believer in justice by the book, and did his best to raise his only child, DA Veronika Hilton, to believe in the same.  He sees Batman as a dangerous vigilante in a Halloween costume, and finds Gotham’s reliance on him very disturbing.

Hilton would love to see Veronika successfully follow in his footsteps and has high hopes of her becoming the youngest judge in Gotham’s history.  He is always quick to offer advice in anyway he can, often stopping by her office under the guise of a social visit.  Veronika repays her father’s kindness by trying desperately to live up to his expectations of her, even if not always in the way he would prefer.

Extra - Hope Lane

"Daddy, you're funny."

Hope Lane is James Lane's eight year old daughter.  This bright, cheerful child is the most important person in Lane's world and threats or potential harm to her is one of the few times the cheerful detective's demeanor slips.  

Hope's mother is unknown to the girl.  The child only knows "mommy got sick and l had to go away."  A bright young thing, Hope is starting to realize that her mother's illness is probably akin to the same "sickness" that afflicts her paternal grandfather, Charles Lane.  Hope loves her father dearly and sees him as a hero who keeps people safe, even if she doesn't fully understand everything about his job.  Hope also has a soft spot for her "Auntie Morgan", who she knows was a good friend of her mother and whom looks out for the child in her own weird way.

Feature - Poison Ivy

"Am I forbidden fruit or bitter nightshade? What will you think of yourself if you never risked a taste?"

Drives
Values
Duty: d10 -  Protect the earth at all costs
Glory: d6 -  I am one flower in many
Justice: d4 -  A silly human concept
Love: d10 - No man can resist me
Power: d8 - Let men think they have it
Truth: d4 - Lovers are liars

Relationships
Mr. Freeze is an unlikely ally - d6 
Harley Quinn needs me to protect her from herself - d6 
Two-Face is barely worth my kiss - d4
The Batman is only a matter of time  - d4
Catwoman should stay out of my way - d4
Arthur is too good to be true -d4

Assets
Distinctions 
Attractive - d8
Earn a Plot Point when your looks draw you unwanted attention.
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in an Attractive roll.

Plant Control - d12 Limit: Cold 
Spend a Plot Point to make vines burst from below, binding a character to the ground. Anyone but the target may use the vines as a d8 Useful Detail for the rest of the scene.

Manipulative - d8
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when you ask them to trust you, even if you don’t mean it.
Spend a Plot Point to Gain a d8 Relationship for one scene with a Feature with whom you don’t already have a Relationship.

Mind Control - d10 Limit:Men
Spend a Plot Point to make a target into your stalwart defender without having to maintain control over every action.

Extras
Dr. Jason Woodrue: 2d6 (love, chemistry)
My Babies: 2d6 (attack, defense)




Locations
Greenhouse: 2d12 (plants, recovery)
Arkham Asylum: 2d6 (tense quiet, twisted logic)

Lead - Arthur Pembrose

"I know they aren't all innocent. But they all still deserve a chance."

Drives
Values
Duty: d12 -  Innocent until proven guilty
Glory: d4 -  The brighter the picture, the darker the negative
Justice: d8 - The system works but people screw it up
Love: d4 - Respect is earned, humanity is inherent
Power: d10 - A double edged sword

Truth: d4 - will come out

Relationships
Lisa belongs in Arkham - d4
Batman keeps the system from being overwhelmed - d8
Jason is one step away from being a crime boss - d6
James is a good cop from a good family - d4
Morgan has my mutual respect - d8
Veronika cares about rules more than people - d8
Tommy had changed...and not for the better - d8
Harvey is a tortured soul - d4
Poison Ivy protects plants like I protect clients - d4

Assets
Distinctions 
Work Ethic - d10
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you put your foot down
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in a roll where you're defending someone else

Genius - d4
Spend a Plot Point to Reveal you've studied a subject and know its basics

Connected - d4
Spend a Plot Point to Gain a d8 Relationship with a Feature for the rest of the scene

Smartass - d10
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when you are being a Smartass in a dangerous situation
When you Give a die to your Opposition, it's now a d10. However, if you inflict Angry or Insecure Stress in the Contest, Increase your Stress pool.

Oracle Smartphone - d10 Limit: Gear
Spend a Plot Point to send a distress signal to Batman

In Over My Head - d6
Earn a Plot Point and add a d6 to Trouble when you jump into a situation over your head

Extras



Locations
Library: 2d8
Goodspeed & Loeb: 2d4
Gotham Courthouse: 2d4

Lead - Jason Thorne

"The main thing I learned from The Bat? Reputation makes the man."

Drives
Values
Duty: d8 -  Rebuild my family's empire...
Glory: d8 -  ...but do it my way

Justice: d6 - Necessary theater
Love: d8 - Damn it!
Power: d8 - Must claim my own

Truth: d6 - is relative

Relationships
Lisa was fun while it lasted - d10
Batman made a path to his own success - d6
Arthur is a local do-gooder - d6
Morgan is worth watching - d6
Will Cyndi bring me down? - d8
James is a good cop and a potential problem - d6
Veronika is a ticket to the Penguin - d6
Tommy knows how to party - d4
Freeze taught me a new definition of cold - d4

Assets
Distinctions 
Family Reputation - d12
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when your family reputation proceeds you
Add a d6 to Trouble to Reveal you have access to somebody that owes your family a favor, allowing you to buy your way out of a situation
Add a d10 to Trouble to Reroll a die in any social situation connected to your family

Wealthy - d6
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in a roll swayable by money

Vicious - d12
Add a d6 to the Trouble pool to Increase your Angry or Afraid Stress pool
Add a d6 to the Trouble pool to Increase your Insecure or Exhausted Stress pool
Spend a Plot Point to Increase your Injured or Angry Stress pool. You may combine this with another trigger to Increase two dice in an Afraid Stress pool

Backhanded - d4
Earn a Plot Point for another Lead and increase your Angry or Insecure Stress pool against him or her

Extras
Rupert Thorne: 2d8


Locations
Thorne Tower: 2d8 (security, power)
Oxford University: 2d4
MCU:  2d4
The Boneyard: 2d4

Lead - Detective 2nd Grade James Lane

"I'm sure we can work this out without anyone getting hurt.  Especially me, I'd really hate that..."

Drives
Values
Duty: d8 -  To serve and protect
Glory: d4 -  It's not about you...or me...or him
Justice: d10 - I need to make things right
Love: d8 - Family and friends are important
Power: d4 - Power corrupts and that pretty much sucks

Truth: d8 - A matter of perspective

Relationships
Jason is the good son? Wow, that's depressing... - d6
Batman is not the problem in Gotham - d4
Arthur believes in the system. Shame is doesn't always work - d4
Morgan is weird, but we've been through a lot - d10
Lisa is on the edge and needs to be watched - d8
I'm sorry things with Quinn turned out like this - d10
Veronika means well but is more concerned with herself than law - d6
Cyndi is okay despite her family - d4
Barbara is like a little sister to me - d4
Hope is the person in my mind - s12
Assets
Distinctions 
Likeable - d8
Give your opposition a d6 to Reroll a die in a Likeable roll
Earn a Plot Point when you Decrease your own Afraid or Insecure Stress pool


Daring - d8
Add a d6 to Trouble to Reroll a die in a Daring roll
Add a d10 to Trouble to Reroll two dice in a Daring roll

The Last Laugh - d8 Limit: Gear
Spend a Plot Point to render a person unable to move, speak or act from laughing too hard

Krav Maga - d6
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die when you target a vulnerable part of the body, such as the eyes, throat, or back of the knee.


Manipulative - d8
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when you ask someone to trust you even if you don't mean it.Spend a Plot Point to Gain a d8 Relationship for one scene with a Feature with whom you don't have a Relationship


On A Mission - d4
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you foolishly pursue your mission despite the risk

Extras
Charles Lane 2d6
James Gordon 2d6 (investigation, resources)

Locations
MCU Bullpen: 2d8

Lead - Dr. Morgan "Morgue" O'Neill

"Trust me, Kenny, you want to make sure the gas mask fits."

Drives
Values
Duty: d10 -  protect the unprotected
Glory: d6 -  unnecessary distraction
Justice: d8 -  is not always served in the courts
Love: d4 - seen it do terrible things
Power: d8 - might should not make right

Truth: d6 - in the eye of the beholder

Relationships
Jason is not all bad? - d6
Batman, sometimes fire needs fire - d4
Arthur is on the same page - d6 
James is a painful reminder - d8
Anything for Lisa's cause - d8
I want my friend Quinn back - d6
At least Veronika is trying - d6
How does Cyndi know what kind of coffee I like? - d4
Hope makes me proud - d6
Only 98.6 degrees of separation between me and Freeze - d6

Assets
Distinctions 
Inquisitive - d4
Earn a Plot Point when you pry too much in a delicate situation


Genius - d6
Spend a Plot Point to Reveal you've studied a subject and know it's basics.


Victor Fries' Medical Journal - d10 Limit: Gear
Spend a Plot Point to Shutdown an Ability possessed by a Feature or Lead in a scene. Your die rating must be equal to or greater than their Ability rating

Doctor - d8
Earn a Plot Point when you Reveal that's there's nothing more you can do to help
Spend a Plot Point to reroll a Doctor roll when Decreasing another character's Injured or Exhausted Stress


Rogue's Murder Expert - d10
Earn a Plot Point when you Reveal you know too much about the Rogue's Gallery
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die associated with investigating a victim


Thick-Skinned - d6
Give your opposition a d6 to Reroll a die in a Thick-Skinned roll

Extras

Locations
Arkham Asylum: 2d6
MCU Morgue: 2d8
The Boneyard: 2d6

Lead - Veronika "Nika" Hilton

"Justice is always done in Gotham. Even to those who think they've won."

Drives
Values
Duty: d12 -  Punish the wicked
Glory: d4 - corrupts
Justice: d12 -  always gets done...somehow
Love: d4 - I don't cuddle and I don't do breakfast
Power: d4 - is merely an illusion
Truth: d6 - has many versions

Relationships
Jason is only a matter of time - d6
I wish I could respect Batman publicly - d8
Arthur is a pain in my ass - d8
James is a good cop - d6
Morgan is creepy - d4
Bruce has his uses - d8
Lisa is a love struck fool- d4
Harvey Dent was a tragedy - d6
Tommy is more than just a pretty face - d10
Must have Danny renew Penguin's restraining order - d6


Assets
Distinctions 
Clever - d8

Earn a plot point when you choose to show off your smarts in a frustrating manner. 

Spend a plot point to reveal you know a piece of useful trivia.

Family Reputation - d6
Earn a Plot Point and Give your opposition a d6 when your family's reputation proceeds you


Connected - d8
Spend a Plot Point to Gain a d8 Relationship with a Feature for the rest of this scene
Spend a Plot Point to Reveal you "know a guy" that can provide you with information or goods

On A Mission - d8
Earn a Plot Point and Add a d6 to Trouble when you foolishly pursue your mission despite the risk
Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die in a roll that directly contributes to your mission

Extras
Judge Carson Hilton 2d8 (advice, connections)
Danny Smith 2d4 (research, gossip)

Locations
DA's Office: 2d8
Remodeled Apartment: 2d6

Lead - Detective Lisa Yung-Li

"Batman has such a strong jawline..."

Drives
Values
Duty: d10 -  not in black and white
Glory: d6 -  is not important in life
Justice: d6 -  is blind, which is why we have sight
Love: d8 - Old embers still burn
Power: d6 - I know how to use it

Truth: d6 - Everybody has something to trust about them

Relationships
Being away from home has changed Jason - d8
What does Batman expect from me? - d12
I don't understand how Arthur sleeps at night - d4
James has buttons. Don't push them - d10
I see why Morgan works with the dead - d8
If only Bruce would notice my feelings - d10
Do the ends justify Veronika's means? - d4
Barbara is still very young - d6
Harvey is trapped, poor man - d4
Die in a fire, Mr. Freeze - d4
Assets
Distinctions 
WayneTech Prosthetic Leg - d10 Limit: Gear
Spend a Plot Point to cling to a wall 
Spend a Plot Point for a hidden pistol as a d8 Useful Detail

WayneTech Body Armor - d8 Limit: Gear

Spend a Plot Point to Reduce an opponent’s Injured/Exhausted Stress pool

Daring - d6
Add d6 to Trouble pool to reroll one die in a Daring roll

–

Big Hearted - d4

–Earn a Plot Point when you Choose to buy someone's sob story.

Martial Artist - d6

–Spend a Plot Point to Reroll a die when you redirect someone's momentum

Extras




Locations
WayneTech Labs: 2d6
MCU Bullpen: 2d4

A pathways preview

Welcome to my Batman blog. You'll find information on Features, Leads, Extras, recaps and more here.

This blog is for my game using the Smallville RPG rules over Summer 2011. Everything before this post refers to the 'pilot' version of this chronicle. For those of you coming back, thanks for returning!

The game is about a fictional TV show set in Gotham City. It focuses on some of the more normal inhabitants of Gotham and how they clash with each other as well as Gotham's more famous denizens. These are the cops, lawyers and crooks in the City of the Bat.

More preview info after the jump!