[Recruiting] CBR+PNK Oneshot test (FitD)

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ClosedCBR+PNK (FitD)Public1 / dayvagueGM

CBR+PNK is a dual-pamphlet RPG for one-shot sessions in the cyberpunk genre. Player characters are a team of RUNNERS — mercs, criminals, activists living on the edge and running in the shadows of a gritty, ultraviolent world. In each game we play an entire new cast of characters during their LAST RUN.


Mar 21, 2022 12:05 pm
tl;dr Cyberpunk oneshot to test the CBR+PNK system. Trying to decide about backing the kickstarter.

I have had this game on the shelf for a while, finally read it after the kickstarter launched. It does look like it has some promise. I am wondering if anyone is interested in playing a oneshot to test out the system.

I would like to get it going (though no need to finish the /run) before the kickstarter ends in two weeks, as a test to see if I want to back the new version'.

• Since this is meant to test the system, I would prefer reliable, go-getter players who can post one or more times a day.
• The game (as with all 'rules-lite', or 'one-page' games) assumes we know how to play Forged in the Dark (like Blades in the Dark, for instance). I can teach the system, but some prior experience (even just reading the books) would be a boon.
• If this works out, we can do more oneshots with more focus on teaching instead of testing.
• We can experiment with the new dice pools feature once it goes live.
Last edited March 25, 2022 4:59 pm
Mar 21, 2022 12:22 pm
I'd love to, but I can't guarantee a constant post rate...

I'm looking forward to GM this myself with my RL group, but I pledged the KS on day one. The design alone was worth it, imho.

Good luck with this, and, if you make it public, I'll lurk.
Mar 21, 2022 12:25 pm
Consider me very interested!
Mar 21, 2022 12:40 pm
the_cava says:
... can't guarantee a constant post rate ...
What do you think you can manage? I generally ask for "most days", but FitD can require a lot of back and forth (even before the dice come out) so faster is better. :)
the_cava says:
... GM this myself with my RL group ...
Forged in the Dark is so much better in RL than on PbP.
the_cava says:
... if you make it public, I'll lurk. ...
Unless the players request otherwise it will probably be public.
Mar 21, 2022 12:40 pm
nezzeraj says:
Consider me very interested!
Consider yourself considered. :)
Mar 21, 2022 1:08 pm
It's a moment where work and other commitments can suddenly mess my schedule up, so I can disappear for a few days without notice, and it's already barely manageable posting once a day atm for me.

That being said, on paper I got the impression that FitD games would lend themselves well to pbp, but I trust the opinion of someone's experience over my impression.

I suggest you consider me a reserve, if necessary, but give precedence to other players for now.
Last edited March 21, 2022 1:15 pm
Mar 21, 2022 1:12 pm
vagueGM says:

• Since this is meant to test the system, I would prefer reliable, go-getter players who can post one or more times a day.
• The game (as with all 'rules-lite', or 'one-page' games) assumes we know how to play Forged in the Dark (like Blades in the Dark, for instance). I can teach the system, but some prior experience (even just reading the books) would be a boon.
• If this works out, we can do more oneshots with more focus on teaching instead of testing.
• We can experiment with the new dice pools feature once it goes live.
This looks cool but I don't match expectations 1 and 2 :(
5 times a week would be probably ok for me and never have I ever Forged in the Dark
Mar 21, 2022 4:41 pm
the_cava says:
... impression that FitD games would lend themselves well to pbp ...
They can... with the right group. Knowing the rules (even if this is only eventually, so willingness is more important than prior-knowledge:) can speed things up a whole lot. There quite a lot of rules and intricate rules-interactions (and they all work together like clockwork, so skipping parts makes things break), so getting past the phase where long discussions are needed for every action makes a big difference.
CBR+PNK is simpler than regular Blades, but there is still a lot of back and forth between the players and the GM.

The players say what they are doing, and propose what Action (what other games might call Stats or Attributes) they are using (in CBR+PNK this is Approach, Skill, Expertise, and Gear, combined into a pool), then we all discuss how that would work, and the player might change their mind and try another approach, and we start again; then (and between) the GM sets the Position and Effect (called Threat and Effect in this game), we discuss that to make sure everyone is on the same page (the GM has proportionally less power in FitD games), possibly starting the whole process over again; then --in CBR+PNK-- the player gets to adjust Threat and Effect in lockstep; only then do they pick up dice and include any Glitches; then we talk about Pushing for extra dice, or getting an Assist from another player... and then the player finally rolls.

That is every time an action requiring dice is done. Skipping any of this breaks the way things work.

After the dice: The GM collaborates with the players to determine the outcome and Consequences; then the affected players have to decide if they are willing to accept the Consequence or if they want to start the process of Resisting each of them them in turn.

So there is a lot of discussion before and after the dice are rolled. This is slow at the table, but can be a problem in PbP if everyone is not responsive, (or if we have to explain every option each time).
As I say: with the right group, FitD can work in PbP. But it is much smoother when people can talk realtime.

Part of the reason I had not read this game earlier is that I was 'saving it' for when I get to a live game again. There are other cyberpunk systems that I can run PbP. Being a oneshot makes me more willing to try make this work, though.
Mar 21, 2022 4:43 pm
CESN says:
... never have I ever Forged in the Dark ...
That is not a deal breaker. We can teach as we go along. If players don't have access to a full set of rules (from another game, since they are not included in CBR+PNK) the SRD looks like a good enough substitute.

Point 1's 'reliable, go-getters' was more important, and should not have been conflated with posting rate point. I may edit that.
Mar 21, 2022 10:27 pm
I would love to play CBR+PNK, and I've been trying for a while to convenience some friends to give it a try. I can post daily, but I don't have experience with FitD, although I've read BitD for fun without actually playing it. If you don't mind having a beginner in the party, I can read through the SRD fairly quickly and join you.
Mar 21, 2022 10:31 pm
I got a couple of emails for this since it's apparently by the same publisher as Wildsea. If WS is any indication, this must be great as well 😄

I'll skip because I don't know FitD and I'm already in too many games for my own good. But I'm sure it'll be great
Mar 22, 2022 6:32 am
nikos says:
... can read through the SRD fairly quickly and join you.
We don't need to read the book/SRD before we start. Being willing to read it is what's important. :)
Mar 22, 2022 1:10 pm
Following because I backed the new Kickstarter!
Mar 23, 2022 4:32 pm
BedzoneII says:
Following because I backed the new Kickstarter!
Just 'following', not joining?
Mar 23, 2022 4:37 pm
I think I will get this started with nezzeraj and nikos, and hopefully one more.

bowlofspinach, you are welcome to join and learn as we go, we will all be leaning a new system.
the_cava, and CESN: Do you two maybe want to join as well, we can run two teams simultaneously and at different speeds. That way you don't slow down the fast group.

We can discover later that the two (or more?) teams are on the same job. Ideally they can end up working together rather than competing, but that will be up the players if it happens.
Mar 23, 2022 4:45 pm
Since the system's meant for oneshots, I imagine this test run isn't going to last that long, so I'll do my best to keep up with the intended posting rate for now.

Count me in!
Mar 23, 2022 6:46 pm
Thanks for the invitation but I'll pass. I might have joined at a different time but right now, I'm already joining too many things for my own good 😅
Mar 23, 2022 7:25 pm
bowlofspinach says:
... different time but right now, I'm already joining too many things for my own good
Understood. If it works I may just keep it open for more oneshots later.
Mar 23, 2022 10:35 pm
I might be interested for later one-shots!

I wish I could join now, but I'm just a bit too busy, especially a game that requires a little extra OOC transactions to keep it running smoothly. But I'd really like to try FitD and I've been craving a cyberpunk setting recently, so this scratches both itches. Maybe I'll check back in a month or so.
Mar 23, 2022 10:38 pm
Chalrytharendir says:
... like to try FitD ... craving a cyberpunk ... Maybe I'll check back in a month or so.
Cool. If this (FitD) does not work out we can always look at other cyberpunk systems.
Mar 24, 2022 3:12 am
I'm down for almost any cyberpunk system but I hope this one works out.
Mar 25, 2022 7:08 pm
I basically insta-back cyberpunk games. Already playing in a different PbP cyberpunk at the moment, so I don't think I can commit.
Mar 25, 2022 7:33 pm
rossum says:
... Already playing in a different PbP cyberpunk at the moment, so I don't think I can commit.
Maybe next time.
Mar 25, 2022 7:40 pm
Game is live. Head on over.

I have added those definitely interested, and would like one more to round us out to three (a good minimum number). If the rest of you who could not quite commit want to join up and /run an extra-expendable-crew, I can do more than one simultaneous group.

The game is public if y'all want to just lurk. No promises, though.

This is a test, this is a test...
Mar 25, 2022 9:40 pm
vagueGM says:


the_cava, and CESN: Do you two maybe want to join as well, we can run two teams simultaneously and at different speeds. That way you don't slow down the .
Completely forgot to reply! That sounds good. I don’t have a lot of time to read long rules at the moment but this is short right? I’ll do my best :)
Mar 25, 2022 9:55 pm
CESN says:
... I don’t have a lot of time to read long rules at the moment but this is short right? I’ll do my best
The player PDF is 1308 words long! Does that count as 'short'? :)

As with most such short games, it kinda does assume prio-knowledge of all the stuff it leaves out. Blades in the Dark is not a short book, but a large portion of that is setting related, and it contains a lot of GM advice --advice that is worth the read for GMs of any system, even if they don't plan to run BitD. Presumably the free SRD is a lot shorter since it does not include the setting stuff.

I will look through the SRD as we play and may point people to relevant pages there, rather than copying explanatory text for them to read here. But there are changes to the rules, and things are called by different names, so that may be confusing, we shall see.

Reading the rules this is based on is not required, we can teach each element as it comes up in play. FitD gives a basic task resolution and suggests falling back to using just that if the actual rule is not remembered during play.
Mar 26, 2022 3:10 am
Hi there. I'm new to this site (but not to PbP) so hopefully this is the right place the post.

I think this system looks very cool. I am a big fan of cyberpunk. I've played the OG Cyberpunk 2020 and the new Cyberpunk Red.

I could post at least once a day. I'm only in one other PbP currently, on a different site, and really want to get back into it.

Please keep me in mind if you need another player!
Last edited March 26, 2022 3:21 am
Mar 26, 2022 8:37 am
Bananabread says:
Please keep me in mind if you need another player!
Welcome abaord.

Invite sent. You can accept it here, and look at what we currently have (maybe do those in reverse order, but you can always leave after accepting if you don't like it:).

Have you played or read any Forged in the Dark games before? No worries if you haven't, we can teach as we play. You can also answer this in the welcome thread in game, so we have it all in one place.
Mar 28, 2022 7:37 pm
vagueGM says:
The game is public if y'all want to just lurk.
Thanks! I'm lurking XD

If you make one of the threads public, I might pop in to comment/discuss points of interest occasionally. Although, no promises, not sure I'll have time to keep up with the game, but definitely interested.

I think the Lady Blackbird game that CESN mentioned was the one I ran :) We had flashbacks because Refreshment Scenes can take the form of a flashback, but it definitely distracted from the main story thread at a point when people were struggling with post frequency, which probably caused it to die. But it was a fun game before it died.

I had no idea LB is supposed to be the same universe as Blades ... Is Doskvol supposed to be on a world lost in the mists of the Lower Depths of the Wild Blue or something?
Mar 28, 2022 7:59 pm
Chalrytharendir says:
... If you make one of the threads public, I might pop in to comment/discuss points of interest occasionally. ...
I might think about that, after talking to the players.
I don't really see how that is all that much different to people commenting here, in this thread, though.
Chalrytharendir says:
... Lady Blackbird ... Refreshment Scenes can take the form of a flashback ...
Yes, they definitely can.

I preferred to not have them during the action though, since they are a rest/reset/heal mechanism with no built-in limit on number of uses. I usually only allowed (not that I recalled needing to deny them) them during quiet moments, where such interpersonal connection building was apropos, but did allow players to narrate such connections having happened in the past.
Chalrytharendir says:
... no idea LB is supposed to be the same universe as Blades ...
Both are 'victorianish steampunk', with a few other connections (phlogiston/aether comes to mind). The biggest hints are in the names, Lord Scurlock, for instance, is in both... and even has their own game in the Wild Blue Yonder.
Chalrytharendir says:
... Is Doskvol supposed to be on a world lost in the mists of the Lower Depths ...
I think the connection is a lot more tenuous than that. LB does not define when it is happening (or much at all (which adds to the replayability)), so it could be before or after the events of the Cataclysm. I believe John mentioned it was after, but I can not say for sure.
Mar 28, 2022 8:07 pm
Quote:
I don't really see how that is all that much different to people commenting here, in this thread, though.
Well, one difference is that here, everyone gets alerts for it on their forums page. In an in-game thread, only those interested in the game or those watching the public feed will get them
Mar 28, 2022 8:10 pm
bowlofspinach says:
... everyone gets alerts for it on their forums page ...
True.

I am not sure how common it will be, but I suppose avoiding that public notice may make it some feel easier about commenting. I will see if the group wants to add public commentary (and what to call it:).
Mar 28, 2022 8:29 pm
Either way works for me. I'm not sure I'll have a lot of comments, so might not be worth a public OOC thread in game, but thought I'd mention it as a possibility since you made the game viewable to the public.
vagueGM says:
... Lord Scurlock ...
Interesting, I've only played the original, which doesn't mention Scurlock, but I see that name is showing up in later chapters now that I search.
Quote:
I think the connection is a lot more tenuous than that. LB does not define when it is happening (or much at all (which adds to the replayability)), so it could be before or after the events of the Cataclysm. I believe John mentioned it was after, but I can not say for sure.
Cool, thanks for the info, it's interesting to know.
Mar 29, 2022 3:09 pm
The game now has a Public BBS for all you not-so-subtle-lurkers out there who want to get involved.
Mar 31, 2022 5:36 pm
Hello! If you're one open spot is still truly open I'll join up! I've never played BitD but I read the CBR+PNK one page and it's looks straight forward--I'm also aware of FitD as a system and what it brings to the table, for the most part.

Let me know if you'd like me to apply! Thanks!
Mar 31, 2022 8:10 pm
Dunko says:
... If you're one open spot is still truly open ...
Yes, I was holding it open till the game actually started.

I am also thinking about keeping it 'open' for as long as I am still thinking about running another oneshot. That way we might put together a group in the meantime.
Dunko says:
... aware of FitD as a system and what it brings to the table, for the most part ...
A lot of qualifier in there. :)
I am 'aware' of dark matter and what it brings to the table, but could not play with it (that I know of). :)

Have you read Blades in the Dark or any FitD games, or the free SRD? We have other newbies, so we are going to be teaching the game, so this is more about calibrating expectations than being a requirement.

Go ahead and join.
Mar 31, 2022 9:25 pm
OK, yeah I just read the SRD, and I own and have read the CBR+PNK rules.

Cool, I'll hop on in!
Mar 31, 2022 9:30 pm
See you in the Welcome thread. :)

Let us know if you need any help getting caught up with all that has gone before.
Sep 20, 2022 6:23 am
Thanks for making this game public! I am mulling over the idea of using CBR+PNK to play an old published module of Cyberpunk 2020, this will help to check how suitable is this combination for pbp.
Sep 20, 2022 8:21 am
We struggled with the Forged in the Dark system on PbP and the game faded, but I did really like what they did with it and how it worked in principle. If I were running Cyberpunk live, this would be near the top of my list of systems.

For PbP my first instinct would be to reach for Yesterday's Tomorrow as I think PbtA is a much better fit than FitD.
Sep 20, 2022 8:50 am
Thanks for your insight into the system-game compatibility!
Indeed, I was a bit afraid that the gm-players bargaining in FitD would be challenging for the flow of a pbp game.

I will definitely check a PbtA option instead, either what you suggested or Cybersworn (a Starforged hack).
Sep 20, 2022 9:03 am
Starforged works pretty well in PbP, though there are more moves than are really ideal if you also have a GM. Co-op Cyberpunk is an intriguing idea.

I have thought about hacking Starforged to Cyberpunk, so I will take a look at Cybersworn.
Sep 20, 2022 9:04 am
I can confirm FitB is difficult to run PbP. I would also suggest Cy_borg from the Mörk Borg people. It's very good if you like OSR style cyberpunk

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