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Department-88 (Read 9396 times)

Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Department-88 Sep 20^th, 2013 at 8:03pm	Print Post
	Remember about 8 or 9 months ago when I was asking you'se guys what you wanted to see in a Department-88 source-book? Well, the art is finally finished, and the book has been laid out, saved as a pdf and sent off to FGU headquarters. Now the part I love - the other contributors will now go through the book and find my every error (except for the really obvious ones that you'se guys find) It is sometimes painful being a V&V adventure writer, but it's totally worth it for all the fame, wealth, and accolades that comes along with it. But I digress... Once the review process is complete - it will be posted on the FGU site and (hopefully) made available through http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/ I only hope it was worth the wait. My next adventure has nothing to do with Japan...
	« Last Edit: Sep 20^th, 2013 at 8:03pm by Ironnerd »
	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #1 - Sep 25^th, 2013 at 3:45am	Print Post
	Can't wait to see the final product in print.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Hammer Justice Leaguer Offline Stranger in a Stranger Land Posts: 528 Location: McKinney, TX Joined: Aug 17^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #2 - Sep 29^th, 2013 at 6:11pm	Print Post
	Agreed!


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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #3 - Oct 2^nd, 2013 at 4:46pm	Print Post
	We're edging closer...

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #4 - Oct 12^th, 2013 at 1:08pm	Print Post
	From what I understand, the final draft of this is being edited for release, so hopefully everyone will get a chance to see it soon.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Kanonfodder Sidekick Offline Posts: 29 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: May 14^th, 2012 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #5 - Oct 18^th, 2013 at 2:04pm	Print Post
	So after a looong time. And being sooo close to release. I guess it's ok to post a teaser here.
	« Last Edit: Oct 18^th, 2013 at 2:05pm by Kanonfodder »
	ad.jpg ( 154 KB \| 10 Downloads ) You can check out other stuff I do here http://yadartworks.com or here http://kanonfodder.deviantart.com
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #6 - Oct 18^th, 2013 at 2:11pm	Print Post
	Uhm. Yeah. It looks a little like that ^^^

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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Ranger Justice Leaguer Offline Also known as Dracos! Posts: 1543 Location: East Indiana Joined: Aug 29^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #7 - Oct 18^th, 2013 at 7:56pm	Print Post
	freakin nice

	aka Dracos aka DarkStar aka Star Guard
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Display Name Justice Leaguer Offline I Love V&V! Posts: 1851 Joined: Jul 20^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #8 - Oct 19^th, 2013 at 1:22am	Print Post
	Cool! Does the Japanese security clearance system work differently?


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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #9 - Oct 19^th, 2013 at 7:13am	Print Post
	Ranger wrote on Oct 18^th, 2013 at 7:56pm: freakin nice Thanks! Yad did some nice work on the art, and on the teaser card. Display Name wrote on Oct 19^th, 2013 at 1:22am: Cool! Does the Japanese security clearance system work differently? The security clearance system for D-88 is covered in the book. The system used by the Japanese Federal Government is different.
	« Last Edit: Oct 19^th, 2013 at 7:14am by Ironnerd »
	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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Ramble Justice Leaguer Offline I Love V&V! Posts: 525 Location: Strand Joined: Aug 8^th, 2012 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #10 - Oct 22^nd, 2013 at 2:28am	Print Post
	That is a killer cover. Great job. Ramble


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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #11 - Oct 22^nd, 2013 at 11:45am	Print Post
	I hope you like the inside as much as the cover. Maybe Yad will post some of the original sketches one of these days. I had to pull the plug on a couple because they looked more like exotic dancers than government agents. Not that I don't appreciate that kind of art, but it just didn't fit the book. Maybe I'll do an adventure where the villains are evil dancers, cosplayers, and cheerleaders... feh... who would buy that... heck... who would I get to draw such a thing? Anyway... In my estimation, Department-88 will be up by Monday. Dunno which Monday yet, but it will be up on the WWW by a Monday. Seems like there will be a small explosion of new FGU material pretty soon. Ramble has a couple (plus one in the pipe), I have one (and two more in the pipe), and AK's almost always working on one or two projects. Dunno who else has stuff ready to go right now.
	« Last Edit: Oct 22^nd, 2013 at 11:46am by Ironnerd »
	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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Ramble Justice Leaguer Offline I Love V&V! Posts: 525 Location: Strand Joined: Aug 8^th, 2012 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #12 - Oct 23^rd, 2013 at 2:36am	Print Post
	Sorry I didn't chip in on the editing, YJ. My life is a juggling act lately. Strangely enough... I've got a few exotic dancers and a cosplayer / steampunk gal on the drawing board. And they aren't even joke characters. I love this game. RAMBLE


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AlabasterKnight Justice Leaguer Offline Heroing since 1979. Posts: 1142 Location: Phoenix, AZ Joined: Jun 21^st, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #13 - Oct 24^th, 2013 at 12:53am	Print Post
	It's up there for sale....

	If it's not fun, we're not doing it right.
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #14 - Oct 24^th, 2013 at 5:38am	Print Post
	Huzzah! Link: http://www.fantasygamesunlimited.net/category/Villains-and-Vigilantes-8 (not yet under "new releases" section)

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #15 - Oct 24^th, 2013 at 10:46am	Print Post
	I'll start spreading the word.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Matt Justice Leaguer Offline Super hero role-playing & Bronze Age comics fan Posts: 525 Location: Lemon Grove, CA Joined: May 14^th, 2013 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #16 - Oct 24^th, 2013 at 10:04pm	Print Post
	I'm no fan of manga/anime, though I do like many other Japanese things...would I play Bushido otherwise? But if this is ever in print (as in paper), I'll get it just to read and see what all is in it...and to support FGU's continuing to release new stuff for V&V. Any idea if/when this will be in print?


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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #17 - Oct 25^th, 2013 at 12:01pm	Print Post
	I have no idea when it'll be in paper. It's numbered 2040b, which indicates it'll be the second section in Giant #10. That's three Giants away, so it'll take a while. You may be surprised to find that, to a degree, I agree with you on Anime and Manga. Much of what we see in the US utter garbage. Naruto, Poke/digi-mon, Dragonball Z (although the original was actually pretty fun), and Bleach - to name a few - all basically suck. I even made a few jabs at them in Great Bridge 1. But there is other stuff that is just wonderful! Studio Ghibli's take on "The Borrowers" was nice, as was their adaptation of "Earthsea" was just wonderful as well. Also wonderful is "Armored Trooper: VOTOMS", "Macross", and "Starship Troopers" (which was FAR better than the Hollywood turd by the same name). While some of the new stuff is entertaining ("Highschool of the Dead" was a pretty slick zombie series and "Linebarrels of Iron" was worth watching), a lot of it is just pretty Highschoolers and some fluff. Most of it is not as well done as current DC animated programming (not to include "Teen Titans GO"). It's a bit like the 1990's when american comics went from well-written stories, to pretty art. I stopped reading comics then (but I have read a few lately and been pleasantly surprised). I'm not trying to convert you. You either dig it or you don't. And just because you like one Anime, does not mean you "like anime". I'm just saying, I can see where you're coming from. And that I'm not offended. I knew the moment I proposed some anime-flavored work, I would be in a niche market and never have really amazing sales. I didn't even think I would be asked to do a second book, or anything like the Department-88 book. My next work, however, is a bit more "silver age"(?), and the one after will be more "Modern Age" comic book stuff.

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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John Galactus Offline The Master Cylinder Posts: 6693 Location: Selden Joined: Apr 11^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #18 - Oct 25^th, 2013 at 1:41pm	Print Post
	Avatar the Last Airbender was amazing. Not the shit turd movie, the cartoon.

	I am scary, very, very scary.
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #19 - Oct 25^th, 2013 at 7:47pm	Print Post
	Actually, it was a very well-done series. My whole family enjoyed it. Just a darn good story.

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #20 - Nov 1^st, 2013 at 5:08pm	Print Post
	So, how many of you guys have checked this out? And if so, what do you think of it? IMHO, it's very well thought out and written. I'm also really liking Yad's artwork and think it's his best stuff yet.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #21 - Nov 9^th, 2013 at 1:20pm	Print Post
	Hey, Everyone. The Department-88 sourcebook is now available through Drivethrurpg http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/121486/Villains-and-VigilantesDepartment-8... If you have already read the book (and like it) PLEASE leave a review. This is not just a book full of Japanese Villains. Its about how the organization is set up, how it operates, the equipment it uses, it limitations, and some underhanded stuff it does "for the greater good". It also includes a few vigilantes who work for the Department, along with "Handlers notes". The book also has information on the Agents of Department-88, what kind of stats they usually have, and some of the cover stories for Department-88 offices around the world. Oh... and the secretive "Agency" is also outlined. Due to their M.O., they can be very easily incorporated into any adventure outside of Japan (since they are an International Organization). Of course, this could be used as a springboard for creating your own shadowy agency in your games at home. As for the art, Yad made an effort to tone down the manga/anime flavor. He said his art is "almost MSG free". To be honest, it's some really nice work on his part, and there is a LOT of it! He shows the progression of the Samurai armor from the original CHESS Knight suits (purchased "pre-owned" Mk-I), to the latest variant that is still in testing (the experimental Mk-V). If you like spy stuff, and government agencies with solid equipment and dubious morals, then you 'll probably dig Department-88.
	« Last Edit: Nov 9^th, 2013 at 9:21pm by Ironnerd »
	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #22 - Nov 9^th, 2013 at 10:30pm	Print Post
	IMHO, the art is Yad's best work yet. I really like several of the character designs, especially the various suits of power armor.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Majestic Justice Leaguer Offline Guardian of Earth Posts: 5179 Location: Seattle Joined: Jun 8^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #23 - Nov 11^th, 2013 at 5:12am	Print Post
	Any chance of putting up a piece of sample art here?


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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #24 - Nov 11^th, 2013 at 7:42am	Print Post
	Majestic wrote on Nov 11^th, 2013 at 5:12am: Any chance of putting up a piece of sample art here? I'll inquire with Yad about that, BUT while we're waiting, Drivethrurpg has some preview pages with a bit of the art. http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/121486/Villains-and-VigilantesDepartment-8...

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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Thunderbolt Justice Leaguer Offline "Justice Like Lightning!" Posts: 745 Location: Indianapolis, IN Joined: Jun 5^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #25 - Nov 11^th, 2013 at 8:47am	Print Post
	Oh Ypslanti... you have missed so much Good anime' in your exposure... Bubblegum Crisis OVA Series, Silent Mobius, Mobile Suit Gundam {MSG}, MSG: Stardust Memories, MSG: 8th MS Team, Zeta Gundam, {eh some of Double Zeta Gundam}, MSG: Char's Counter Attack, Gundam Unicorn [all in the same universe], Gundam 00, {eh some of Gundam Wing... gets really confusing near the end and the writers Obviously lost focus}, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Cosmo Police Justy {yeah old school}, Ghost in the Shell {any of it}, Nausica/Laputa/Princess Monoke/Howls Moving Castle...~ {'choke!' ANYTHING Myazaki produces!!!}, Blue Submarine Number 6, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Fight! Iczer - 1, AKIRA... Gah!!! The list goes on on and on! Yes there is a lot of crap out there but there is also some VERY GOOD material... and Excellent story-telling in Anime'!
	« Last Edit: Nov 11^th, 2013 at 8:49am by Thunderbolt »
	"...No amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack not fission bombs, not anything - you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is Kill him."
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #26 - Nov 11^th, 2013 at 9:29am	Print Post
	YIPE! Well, i didn't wanna list every cool anime I ever watched All Gundam (up to "WING") is good stuff. I like the way they did living and fighting in space. VOTOMS is the series the mecha designer for Gundam (and Macross/Robotech) worked on prior to "Gundam". Bubblegum Crisis is wonderful, Bubblegum Crash is pretty good, BGC 2040 is steaming poo. Also AD Police files is very watchable. I never really liked Harlock... Dunno why, but I just never really liked it. Oddly, some of the NEW Harlock stuff is very nice. Iczer, Eva, Ghost in the Shell - all very nice. Though, of the three, I prefer Iczer (Eva fell apart at the end). And yes, everything Myazakisan touches is gold (although "Ponyo" was less than amazing). Go to Anime Seed and check out "Fang of the Sun Dougram" (cool old Mecha-war), "Dragon Half", "Gestalt", and "Ranma 1/2" (Comedy gold), the New VOTOMS stuff (very solid mecha-warfare). "Battle Angel: Alita" is just so darned good it must be watched over and over again. If you can find it, watch the original "Area 88". There are a few scenes that are "out there" but the rest of the work is just really danged impressive. And there is a French animation called "Corto Maltese" - excellent work. Also "Appleseed", "Dominion Tank Police", "Black Magic M-66", "Patlabor", "El Hazard", and "Tenchi Muyo" are all good (classic) works. What all of these have in common is "COOL STORY". It does not matter how pretty a new anime or comic book is, without story, it's "also ran". Hollywood makes a lot of very pretty garbage. I recently read "Deadpool" - where DP, Wolverine, and Captain America go to North Korea. It somewhat restored my faith in comic books. Maybe we need an "Anime/Manga" thread to discuss this stuff...

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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Thunderbolt Justice Leaguer Offline "Justice Like Lightning!" Posts: 745 Location: Indianapolis, IN Joined: Jun 5^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #27 - Nov 11^th, 2013 at 10:53am	Print Post
	Wow. Yeah, I'd love to hang out with you "Yps" and watch movies together.. you hit on EVERY point I agree with on your critiques of the anime you just listed - most of which I have seen and have the exact SAME opinions of ... TO THE LETTER! By the way.. check your mail. I've sent my report...in technicolor... sorry it took so long to get it to you! Enjoy!
	« Last Edit: Nov 11^th, 2013 at 10:54am by Thunderbolt »
	"...No amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack not fission bombs, not anything - you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is Kill him."
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #28 - Nov 15^th, 2013 at 6:28am	Print Post
	Just out of curiosity, how many of you have picked this up, and if so, what do you think of it.

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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Free-Born Sidekick Offline I Love V&V! Posts: 43 Joined: May 6^th, 2013 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #29 - Nov 15^th, 2013 at 10:04am	Print Post
	Matt wrote on Oct 24^th, 2013 at 10:04pm: I'm no fan of manga/anime, though I do like many other Japanese things...would I play Bushido otherwise? But if this is ever in print (as in paper), I'll get it just to read and see what all is in it...and to support FGU's continuing to release new stuff for V&V. Any idea if/when this will be in print? I agree with you and will support them once it hits the Giant Book #10


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Lord Inar Justice Leaguer Offline Posts: 569 Location: Boulder area Joined: Mar 9^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #30 - Nov 15^th, 2013 at 2:21pm	Print Post
	Ironnerd wrote on Nov 9^th, 2013 at 1:20pm: ...This is not just a book full of Japanese Villains. Its about how the organization is set up, how it operates... This description is much more compelling than the blurb on DriveThruRPG! Any way to get it changed to something like what you wrote here? Honestly I read what you wrote and immediately went to DriveThruRPG to check it out. After I read the description, I had to come back here to make sure I was looking at the same product!
	« Last Edit: Nov 15^th, 2013 at 2:23pm by Lord Inar »

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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #31 - Nov 16^th, 2013 at 1:40pm	Print Post
	DANG IT! I had this nice long reply, then my internet dropped out and I lost it. I didn't write the blurb and don't know how to change it. The absolute BEST thing would be for someone to read the entire book and then post a shining review of it on the drivethru page. Just trust me, everything in the book (except for a couple of locations and names) is very portable to other Alphabet organizations anywhere in the world.

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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dsumner Justice Leaguer Offline Oppresser of worlds Posts: 5284 Location: On High Joined: Apr 20^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #32 - Nov 16^th, 2013 at 3:44pm	Print Post
	Gents, for those of you who haven't read the book, I really recommend checking it out. The Dept. 88 write-up is SOLID. Even if you don't use it for V&V, it can get ported over to any super/espionage RPG with very little modification (just tone down the super/sci-fi elements).

	"There is no such things as a dangerous weapon, only dangerous men." "Nemo me impune lacessit"
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John Galactus Offline The Master Cylinder Posts: 6693 Location: Selden Joined: Apr 11^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #33 - Nov 17^th, 2013 at 10:45am	Print Post
	When its out in paperback, I will grab it.

	I am scary, very, very scary.
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Ironnerd Justice Leaguer Offline Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Posts: 833 Location: Atlanta, GA Joined: Aug 30^th, 2009 Gender:	Re: Department-88 Reply #34 - Nov 17^th, 2013 at 7:24pm	Print Post
	The funny thing is that I don't get a copy until it's out in paper back. I guess we'll all get our about the same time

	John "Ironnerd" Adams "The GM is the balancing mechanic" - Klystron
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