The FluxJohn Wick

ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1“About .two .weeks .ago, .the .world .died .” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2How .to .Use .the .Flux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Recall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Magic, .Super .Science .and .Sorcery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Remembering .Who .You .Are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Gaining .Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Whiplash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Slippage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Narrator .Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9What .Changes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Mister .Finger/Lady .Auriculaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9The .Charming .Mary/Fogg, .Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

What .Doesn’t .Change? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Can .We .Force .it .to .Change? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10What .Happens .When .I .Throw .a .Fireball? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11How .Many .Worlds? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12How .Often .Should .I .Flux? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Finally… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Afterward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

IntroductionThe .Flux .is .an .idea .I’ve .had .for .a .long .time . .A .multiple .reality .roleplaying .game .where .the .players .

don’t .jump .from .world .to .world, .but .instead, .the .worlds .jump .to .them . .The .only .problem .was, .the .game .itself .could .be .summed .up .on .one .or .two .pages . .I .could .pad .the .game .out .with .worlds .of .my .own, .but .that .always .felt .like .padding . .Here, .in .this .book, .the .game .has .finally .found .a .home .

The .Flux .has .many .inspirations, .but .chief .among .them .was .a .deep .desire .to .run .every .game .sitting .on .my .bookshelves . .Chill, .Torg, .Inspectres, .Over .the .Edge, .L5R . .But .players .want .continuity . .They .liked .the .stories .I .was .telling .and .they .liked .the .characters .they .were .playing . .If .only .there .was .a .way .for .me .to .keep .continuity .between .games…

And .that’s .really .where .The .Flux .comes .from . .Players .want .continuity .and .I .have .short-attention .span .disorder .when .it .comes .to .roleplaying .games . .

(Even .now, .with .the .incredibly .wonderful .Changeling .game .I’m .running, .I’m .just .itching .to .run .Pendragon .)

My .solution .was .The .Flux . .Every .game .I .run .has .The .Flux .under .it . .Every .game .world .is .really .just .a .Fluxworld, .waiting .to .shift .into .something .else . .Similar .names, .familiar .faces, .but .slightly .different .circumstances . .

Also, .if .I .switch .to .a .new .world .and .that .magic .chemistry .isn’t .working, .I .can .just .flux .to .another . .Turns .out .we .really .didn’t .want .to .play .Shadowrun? .Flux . .We’re .playing .Ars .Magica .

I .also .consider .The .Flux .to .be .more .than .a .game . .It’s .a .gift . .It’s .a .gift .to .all .those .other .Narrators .who .are .just .like .me . .They .want .to .show .players .all .those .cool .games .on .the .shelves .but .the .players .don’t .want .to .give .up .their .characters . .Well .now, .you .can .have .both . .You .can .keep .playing .your .favorite .character . . . .he .just .shows .up .in .all .kinds .of .different .worlds . .Like .Michael .Moorcock’s .Eternal .Champion: .same .character, .just .different .names .and .faces .

So, .here .is .my .gift .to .you .

Use .it .wisely .

1

“About two weeks ago, the world died.”

That .sentence .hangs .in .the .air . .He .says .it .but .I .don’t .know .what .it .means . .I .look .at .the .beer .on .the .table .because .I’m .afraid .to .look .at .him .

“You .mean…” .I .start .to .ask .the .question, .but .he .answers .it .before .I .finish .

“I .mean,” .he .tells .me, .“that .two .weeks .ago, .the .world .died .”

I .pick .up .the .beer, .feeling .the .cold .glass .under .my .fingers . .I .take .a .drink . .“Okay,” .I .tell .him . .“What .does .that .mean .to .me?”

His .eyes .stared .at .me .from .across .the .table . .He .hadn’t .touched .his .beer . .I .was .ready .for .my .second .

“The .world .is .like .everything .else,” .he .told .me . .“We’re .all .part .of .the .same .system .” .He .started .with .his .hands .together .at .the .palms, .slowly .bringing .them .apart . .“We’re .born, .we .live, .we .grow .old .” .He .brought .his .hands .back .together . .“We .die .”

“Yes,” .I .said, .not .sure .what .to .say .

“The .world .is .the .same .way,” .he .told .me . .“And .just .two .weeks .ago, .it .died .”

I .nodded . .“All .right . .But .we’re .still .here .”

He .pointed .at .me . .“That’s .because .the .world .lives .in .cycles . .After .it .dies, .it’s .born .again .”

“Like .a .phoenix,” .I .said .

He .nodded .again, .his .eyes .still .wide . .“Yes . .Like .a .phoenix . .Exactly . .Born .from .the .ashes .of .the .old .world . .Made .from .the .same .stuff .”

“I .assume .then,” .reaching .back .to .my .philosophy .classes .in .college, .“that .since .we’re .made .from .the .same .stuff, .a .lot .of .what .we .are .is .predicated .on .what .we .were .”

He .smiled . .“Yes,” .he .said . .“You’re .getting .it .now .”

“So .two .weeks .ago, .the .world .was .reborn . .Why .didn’t .anybody .notice?”

“Only .a .few .people .notice,” .he .told .me . .“And .only .a .few .people .remember .”

“I .don’t .remember,” .I .said .

His .eyes .grew .wider . .“I .know . .But .you .did . .The .world .made .you .forget . .You .lost .yourself .in .the .Flux .”

The .way .he .said .the .word .made .me .hear .the .capital .“F .”

“Is .that .what .it’s .called?” .I .ask, .drinking .more .beer . .The .jukebox .in .the .corner .changed .from .Ratt .to .Poison . .That .guy .with .the .mullet .who .put .his .dollars .in .the .box .couldn’t .let .go .of .high .school .

“That’s .what .we .call .it,” .he .said . .“Those .who .remember . .The .Flux .comes .and .the .whole .world .dies .and .is .reborn .in .the .span .of .a .heartbeat . .And .most .everybody .doesn’t .even .notice . .They .just .keep .on .going .the .same .way .they’ve .always .been .going, .assuming .the .whole .world .has .always .been .this .way .”

“So, .all .my .memories? .They’re .all .fake?”

He .shook .his .head . .“No, .they’re .real . .The .world .is .what .it’s .always .been . .Until .the .Flux .comes .along .and .changes .everything . .Then, .when .the .world .is .completely .different, .it’s .still .the .way .it’s .always .been .”

“But .you .remember .the .way .it .was?”

“Yes . .And .the .way .it’s .been .before .”

I .nodded . .“Tell .me .”

“Oh, .the .last .time .before .the .world .died, .it .was .full .of .airships .and .steam-powered .marvels . .Mad .scientists .and .mystery .men . .It .was .amazing .”

“Sounds .like .it .”

2

“The .time .before? .It .was .all .horror .show . .Secret .societies .and .occult .workings .and—oh, .it .was .just .like .something .out .of .Aleister .Crowley’s .wettest, .darkest, .bloodiest .dream .”

“And .the .time .before .that?”

“That’s .a .little .fuzzy,” .he .said, .frowning .just .a .little . .“I .remember .swords . .A .red .dress . .Something .about .revenge…”

I .nodded . .“I .see .”

He .paused . .Looked .at .me .strangely . .“I .don’t .think .you .do .”

“Oh, .I .do,” .I .told .him . .“I .honestly .do .” .I .got .my .purse .and .stood . .He .stood .with .me .

“I .don’t .think .that .you .do,” .he .said .again . .He .reached .forward . .I .tried .to .avoid .him, .and .he .grabbed .my .arm . .“But .you .will,” .he .said .

I .felt .it, .then . .A .rush .through .my .skin .like .lightning .and .fire . .I .tried .to .breathe, .but .the .whole .world .was .caught .in .my .throat .

Worlds .

… .I .was .in .a .long .dress .on .the .deck .of .a .ship . .A .skyship . .And .it .was .mine . .Stolen .from .a .man .with .a .broken .heart . .I .was .surrounded .by .lovely .men . .The .sky .was .orange .and .red .and .the .sun .was .plump .and .sinking .below .the .horizon…

… .where .a .black .castle .stood . .I .had .a .sword .strapped .to .my .waist .and .a .horse .beneath .me . .The .dust .of .the .road .in .my .long, .braided .hair . .I .had .only .half .a .day .left .to .go . .And .when .I .reached .the .castle, .I .would .have .my .revenge . .Finally, .I .would .have…

… .the .Opal . .Once .and .for .all . .It .belonged .to .my .father .and .it .belonged .now .to .me . .But .the .man .who .stole .it .demanded .a .sacrifice . .I .let .the .gown .fall .from .my .shoulders .and .he .watched .in .that .dark .room . .The .bed .loomed .between .us .like .an .omen . .Standing .naked .in .the .moonlight, .he .held .the .Opal .in .his .fingers . .And .I .would .have .it . .And .I .would .make .him .pay .for .making .me…

… .kiss .him . .That’s .what .my .mind .told .me .to .do . .“Kiss .him!” .I .reached .forward .and .put .my .lips .against .his . .His .hands .reached .up .and .his .fingers .ran .through .my .hair . .We .stood .together .on .the .deck .of .the .ship . .Stars .looked .back .at .us .from .the .view .screens . .“The .AI .can .pilot .us .to .Cygnus .VII,” .he .said . .I .smiled . .“Yes,” .I .told .him…

… .yes .

That .word .hangs .between .us . .From .my .lips . .I .say .it .again .

“Yes .”

His .hand .still .on .my .arm . .“Now,” .he .says . .“Now, .you .see .”

“Through .all .the .worlds,” .I .tell .him . .“You .and .I .are .together .”

He .nods . .“Yes .”

“Sometimes .enemies,” .I .tell .him .

“Sometimes .lovers,” .he .says .

“Sometimes .both .” .One .of .us .said .that . .I .can’t .remember .who .it .was .now .

“What .is .it .this .time?” .he .says .

I .smile .

3

Imagine .for .a .moment .that .every .roleplaying .game .you .own .is .not .a .separate .world .but .only .an .expression .of .a .single .world . .The .world .of .cosmic .horrors .lurking .on .the .edge .of .reality .is .really .the .world .of .steampunk .sorcery .is .really .the .world .of .ninja .and .samurai .is .really .the .world .of .transhuman .science .fiction… .and .on .and .on .

It’s .all .the .same .world . .Every .once .in .a .while, .however, .the .world .fluxes . .It .changes .into .something .else . .The .world .changes .and .nobody .notices . .As .far .as .the .world’s .conscious .population .is .concerned, .this .has .always .been .the .world .of .cosmic .horrors, .has .always .been .the .world .of .dragons .and .spells, .has .always .been .the .world .of .nethacks .and .cyber-samurai, .has .always .been .the .world .of .swashbuckling .sorcerous .pirates . .

Nobody .notices .the .change . .They .just .keep .on .living .their .lives .with .the .memories .that .came .built .in .with .the .current .world . .The .world .around .them .provides .back .stories .and .continuities . .But .if .you .were .to .look .with .an .objective .eye, .if .you .were .to .look .with .knowledge .of .what .came .before .and .what .came .before .that .and .what .came .before .that… .you’d .see .a .deeper .continuity .

Romances .that .span .worlds . .Revenges .that .cross .realities . .The .seeds .you .sew .in .one .existence .you .soon .come .to .reap .in .another .

This .is .the .world .of .The Flux . .A .place .where .reality .changes .and .nobody .notices . .Well, .almost .nobody .

There .are .a .few .who .notice . .A .few .who .have .a .memory .that .stretches . .A .few .who .can .recall .who .they .were .when .the .world .was .different . .

Also, .sometimes .the .Flux .doesn’t .quite .wash .over .everyone . .Every .once .in .a .while, .things .slip .through . .People .slip .through . .Places .slip .through . .Sometimes, .monsters .slip .through .

How to Use the FluxThe Flux .isn’t .quite .a .roleplaying .game .unto .itself . .I .have .enough .rules .here .for .you .to .run .

it .as .a .self-standing .RPG, .but .I’ve .always .used .it .as .a .kind .of .“meta-roleplaying .game .” .A .game .underlying .any .game .I’ve .ever .run .

First, .start .running .any .roleplaying .game .you .like . .Run .it .for .a .few .sessions . .Make .sure .the .players .are .comfortable .in .their .new .skins . .They’ve .made .contacts, .they’ve .established .relationships . .They’re .emotionally .invested .

Then, .one .day, .in .the .middle .of .the .game, .describe .a .sound . .Like .a .ringing .in .your .ears .after .you’ve .gone .swimming .

Then, .slowly, .the .sound .grows . .Like .horns . .Distant .horns . .A .symphony, .out .of .tune . .The .sound .gets .louder . .Impossible .to .ignore . .It’s .coming .from .everywhere .

Too .loud .now . .You .can’t .hear .anything .else . .Nobody .else .can .hear .the .sound .but .you . .It’s .like .a .knife .in .your .skull .now . .Make .it .stop! .Please…

Make .it .stop!

Gone .

You .open .your .eyes .

The .world .around .you .is .no .longer .the .world .that .once .was . .Instead, .it’s .something .else . .You .remember .the .world .you .once .knew, .and .everything .around .you .looks .familiar . .The .people . .The .circumstances . .They .match .the .world .that’s .gone .now . .But .they’re .different . .Slightly .different .

4

You .look .down .at .yourself . .You’re .transformed .as .well . .But .you .remember . .You .remember…

Now’s .the .time .to .hand .out .ringed .binders .to .your .players . .Get .those .plastic .slips .that .you .can .fit .inside .the .binder . .Tell .the .players .to .fit .their .character .sheets .into .one .of .those .slips . .And .then, .produce .new .character .sheets .for .a .different .roleplaying .game .

(Yes, .you .make .the .characters . .They .can .change .the .characters .up .if .they .want . .That’s .part .of .the .Flux .Memory .rule .we’re .going .to .learn .about .soon .)

Base .the .characters .you .make .on .the .current .characters . .Make .analogues .for .the .sneaky .character .and .the .combat .character .and .the .magic .character .and .the .knowledge .character… .you .know .what .I .mean . .Hand .them .out .

And .then .tell .the .players, .“This .is .you .”

Put .the .last .world’s .character .sheet .under .the .present .world’s .character .sheet . .

This .is .always .the .procedure .whenever .the .Flux .arrives:

Take .the .present .world’s .sheet .from .the .stack .of .worlds—wherever .it .may .rest—and .place .it .on .the .top . .That .way, .the .last .world .is .just .under .the .present .world . .And .whenever .you .put .the .present .world .on .top .of .the .stack, .worlds .get .pushed .down .further .and .further .away .from .the .present, .making .them .more .difficult .to .remember .

MemoryNow, .give .each .player .a .Flux .Sheet .from .the .ones .I’ve .provided .in .this .book . .You’ll .notice .

each .has .a .space .for .“Memory .” .Tell .them .to .stick .this .on .the .inside .of .the .binder .and .write .the .number .“3” .in .the .space .provided .

(If .you .want .to .be .a .little .unfair, .have .each .of .them .roll .a .six-sided .die . .The .number .they .roll .is .their .Memory .)

Memory .represents .your .character’s .ability .to .remember .past .worlds . .With .that .memory, .you .can .draw .from .skills .your .character .had .in .past .worlds .as .well .as .powers .and .abilities . .In .other .words, .your .samurai .from .Old .Japan .can .reach .into .his .Memory .and .draw .skills .from .when .he .was .a .spy .working .for .a .covert .organization .known .as .Olympus .7 . .Or, .your .Blooded .ven .noble .can .reach .into .his .Memory .and .draw .abilities .from .when .he .was .a .cat .protecting .humans .from .monsters .they .can’t .see . .

Memory .provides .each .character .with .a .few .little .advantages .in .this .new .environment . .

Modification

Whenever .the .Flux .changes .everything, .players .can .modify .a .number .of .things .on .their .new .character .sheets .equal .to .their .Memory . .If .you .have .a .Memory .of .3, .you .can .change .three .things .on .the .character .sheet . .They .can .add, .subtract, .switch .or .otherwise .alter .their .character .sheets .to .their .liking . .Issues .such .as .character .points .and .balance .are .handled .entirely .by .the .Narrator . .Every .game .is .different .and .every .game .group .is .different, .so .I .leave .it .up .to .you .

As .for .myself, .I’m .always .very .liberal .about .what .the .players .change . .I .really .don’t .care .too .much .about .“game .balance .” .In .my .eyes, .balance .always .lands .in .the .Narrator’s .hands, .not .the .game .system . .“Game .balance” .means .giving .every .player .an .opportunity .to .do .what .they .want .their .character .to .do . .

Allow .each .player .an .opportunity .to .shine . .Multiple .opportunities . .Likewise, .sometimes .you .have .to .pull .players’ .leashes .to .allow .other .players .an .opportunity . .That .has .nothing .to .do .with .game .design .and .everything .to .do .with .Narrator .techniques .

5

Recall

Characters .can .recall .past .lives .and .pull .memories .and .abilities .from .them . .Knowledge .a .character .once .had .in .a .past .world .may .prove .useful .in .a .present .world .

If .a .character .wants .to .recall .a .skill .or .ability .from .a .past .world, .the .target .number .is .5 .x .pages . .That .is, .the .target .number .is .the .number .five .times .the .number .of .pages .you .have .to .turn .to .get .to .the .world .you .want .to .remember .

For .example, .if .a .player .wants .to .remember .how .to .use .a .sword .from .a .past .world, .he .must .count .the .number .of .pages .in .his .book .he .must .turn .to .reach .that .world . .In .this .case, .the .number .of .pages .he .must .turn .is .three . .Each .page .he .turns, .he .adds .five .to .the .target .number .

First .page .turned .= .5 .

Second .page .turned .= .10 .

Third .page .turned .= .15 .

Fourth .page .turned .= .20 .

And .so .on .

The .player .makes .this .roll .using .a .number .of .six-sided .dice .equal .to .his .Flux .Memory .score . .If .he .succeeds, .he .can .draw .upon .that .memory . .If .he .fails, .he .cannot .draw .upon .that .memory .and .his .Flux .Memory .score .goes .down .by .one .rank .

Because .a .character .is .literally .breaking .the .rules .of .reality .to .accomplish .this .goal, .if .he .succeeds .in .his .Flux .Memory .roll, .he .succeeds .in .the .skill .roll .as .well . .The .Game .Master .narrates .the .outcome .of .the .roll .as .usual, .but .may .throw .in .a .few .details . .You .see, .not .only .does .the .character .succeed, .but .he .also .draws .attention .to .himself .

Reality .doesn’t .like .to .be .broken . .And .it .reacts .in .very .violent .ways . .This .is .called .Flux .Whiplash . .We’ll .talk .about .that .in .a .moment . .Suffice .to .say .for .now .that .whenever .a .character .succeeds .in .a .Flux .Recall .roll, .he .gains .a .point .of .Flux .Whiplash .

Magic, Super Science and Sorcery

Sometimes, .a .character .wants .to .summon .an .ability .or .skill .that’s .so .far .beyond .the .rules .of .the .current .world .that .it .creates .terrible .contradictions . .A .private .eye .throwing .fireballs . .A .

medieval .monk .building .suspension .bridges . .Those .kinds .of .things .

Whenever .a .character .uses .Recall .to .bring .an .ability .or .skill .that .is .inappropriate .to .the .current .reality, .the .world .notices . .It .notices .big .time .

Regardless .of .success .or .failure, .the .character .gains .two .Whiplash .points .and .must .immediately .test .for .Whiplash .(using .the .rules .below) .

Remembering Who You Are

Finally, .Memory .is .used .to .hold .on .to .your .identity .when .the .Flux .wipes .away .the .world .and .rebuilds .it .into .something .new .

As .the .world .changes, .the .Narrator .rolls .a .six-sided .die . .She .multiplies .that .number .by .five . .The .result .is .the .target .number .the .players .must .roll .with .their .Flux .Memory .to .keep .their .current .memories .into .the .new .world .

If .they .succeed, .they .get .to .remember .the .world .that .was .

6

If .they .fail, .they’ve .forgotten .everything .

Characters .make .this .roll .even .if .they .failed .the .last .Flux .Memory .check . .For .example, .the .world .Fluxes .and .my .character .fails .his .roll . .Then, .ten .sessions .later, .the .world .Fluxes .again .and .I .make .my .roll . .I .remember .everything .that .happened—even .from .the .world .where .I .was .not .aware .of .the .Flux .

Gaining Memory

Whenever .a .character .encounters .another .character .who .still .has .his .Memory .intact, .he .gains .a .Memory .point . .In .fact, .whenever .a .character .encounters .anything .that .may .remind .him .of .the .past, .he .gains .a .Flux .Memory .point . .Even .if .that .item .exists .in .the .current .world . .Any .item—mundane .or .otherwise—can .get .your .character .more .Flux .Memory .

Don’t .abuse .this .rule . .I’m .being .generous .here . .And .if .you .try .taking .advantage .of .my .generosity, .the .Narrator .will .let .me .know .(via .my .website) .and .I .will .get .on .a .plane, .I .will .show .up .at .your .game .and .I .will .kick .your .ass .

Serious .

WhiplashEvery .world .has .its .own .rules . .When .you .break .those .rules, .the .world .notices .and .attempts .

to .fix .the .problem . .The .fix .is .getting .rid .of .the .source .of .the .problem . .That’s .you .

We .call .this .“whiplash .”

Whiplash .occurs .when .the .world .notices .you .breaking .the .rules . .You .gain .one .Whiplash .for:

• . Using .a .skill, .power .or .ability .from .a .past .world,

• . Restoring .another’s .lost .Memory, .or

• . Altering .a .current .world

Every .time .you .gain .a .rank .of .Whiplash, .add .it .to .your .character .sheet . .(You .should .start .out .with .zero .Whiplash .ranks .) .The .Narrator .secretly .rolls .a .d6 . .If .his .roll .is .lesser .than .your .current .Whiplash .rank, .the .world .hits .you . .Hard . .Then, .after .the .catastrophe, .your .Whiplash .goes .back .down .to .zero .

Whiplash .is, .essentially, .an .open .license .for .the .Narrator .to .throw .stuff .at .your .character . .A .car .wreck . .A .rope .snapping .when .you’re .climbing .a .tall .wall . .A .bomb .going .off .at .the .very .last .moment . .Losing .the .one .thing .that .gave .the .world .any .meaning .at .all .

In .short, .Whiplash .is .the .world’s .effort .to .get .rid .of .you, .once .and .for .all . .You .are .an .unwanted .virus .and .the .world .sends .antibodies .to .take .care .of .you . .Remove .you .from .the .system . .It .may .fail . .It .may .succeed . .But .it .is .going .to .do .its .best .

Whiplash .may .not .occur .immediately . .The .world .may .wait .for .the .best .opportunity .to .get .rid .of .you . .That .may .be .a .moment .after .you .earn .the .rank, .it .may .be .an .hour .after .you .earn .the .rank .or .it .may .be .a .day . .Generally, .the .world .tries .to .get .rid .of .you .as .soon .as .possible .

But .worlds .are .patient . .They .can .wait .for .you .to .be .careless .

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SlippageOccasionally, .things .slip .through .from .one .world .to .another . .A .vampire, .a .lake .monster, .a .cybernetic .

assassin, .a .sex .witch… .some .things .slip .from .the .old .world .through .the .Flux .into .the .new .world . .This .is .dangerous .on .many .fronts . .Those .who .know .about .it .call .it .“Slippage .” .

It .is .dangerous .for .the .Slippage . .The .new .world .keeps .an .eye .out .for .things .like .this .and .tries .to .get .rid .of .them .fast . .

It .is .dangerous .for .the .world . .Walking .contradictions .capable .of .things .that .make .no .sense .in .the .current .world .

Whenever .a .Slippage .character .uses .powers .or .abilities .that .don’t .fit .in .the .current .world, .they .must .make .a .Whiplash .roll, .as .usual . .However, .the .Narrator .always .subtracts .one .from .the .roll .

It .isn’t .always .other .people .or .things .that .slip .through .the .Flux . .Your .character .can .slip .through . .When .you .make .your .Flux .Memory .roll, .if .you .roll .more .sixes .than .anything .else, .your .character .slips .through .the .Flux .as .your .current .character .

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Narrator AdviceWhen .I .first .presented .The .Flux .to .my .players, .they .had .a .lot .of .questions . .This .section, .for .Narrators, .

addresses .some .of .the .more .persistent .questions .players .have .about .the .game, .how .to .address .them, .and .how .to .use .The .Flux .in .ways .your .players .will .never .anticipate .

What Changes?When .the .Flux .hits .the .world, .what .changes? .How .does .it .change?

The .Flux .offers .a .lot .of .narrative .opportunities .for .both .the .players .and .the .Narrator . .First, .it .offers .the .opportunity .to .get .rid .of .some .in-game .problems .and .introduce .new .in-game .fun . .Also, .it .allows .players .who .are .frustrated .with .the .game .to .re-invent .parts .of .their .character .

Mister Finger/Lady Auriculaire

For .example, .in .my .Changeling .game—the .one .that’s .all .women—one .of .the .main .antagonists .was .a .horrible .vampire . .I .mean, .a .guy .who .just .made .the .players’ .skin .crawl . .He .had .full .on .stalker .vibe, .kidnapped .the .girls, .maimed .them, .terrorized .them, .murdered .their .friends .and .did .unspeakable .things .to .their .families .

But .when .the .game .Fluxed, .I .put .them .in .the .middle .of .a .Pendragon .campaign .and .that .very .same .horrific .vampire .fluxed .into .the .epitome .of .chivalry, .honor .and .courage . .Except .that .she .was .a .woman . .She .was .a .Lady .Knight . .Lady .Auiculaire .(which .is .French .for .“little .finger”) . .Someone .for .the .other .girls .could .admire .and .respect . .She .was .brave .and .valorous . .She .put .her .life .at .risk .to .protect .others .and .even .though .she .was .smaller .and .weaker .than .the .men, .she .compensated .for .it .with .cleverness .and .pure .selflessness .

Why .did .this .happen? .Because .Mister .Finger .(yes, .him) .was .the .ultimate .vampire . .When .the .world .Fluxed, .he .became .the .ultimate .knight . .He .did .not .recognize .or .remember .who .he .was .in .the .previous .world . .But .the .players .did . .They .remembered .who .he .was .and .it .influenced .how .they .treated .Lady .Auriculaire .

The Charming Mary/Fogg, Inc.

I .had .a .Yesterday’s .Tomorrow .game .(pulp .adventure) .where .the .Flux .came .in .and .changed .everything .over .to .a .cyberpunk .world . .In .the .pulp .adventure .world, .they .were .pirates .serving .under .Captain .Odysseus .Fogg .on .his .ship .The .Charming .Mary . .When .the .world .Fluxed, .they .were .spies .working .for .a .powerful .corporation, .Fogg, .Inc . .Odessa .Fogg, .the .CEO .and .inheritor .of .the .corporation .from .her .father .(Odysseus) .gave .them .missions .of .a .highly .dubious .and .dangerous .nature . .They .still .had .the .same .job: .raiding .and .pillaging . .They .were .spies .and .saboteurs . .Pirates .in .business .suits . .Corporate .raiders .

Shadow Corps: “The Stupid World”

There .was .one .world .my .players .always .hated . .It .was .a .world .that .was .aware .of .the .Flux .and .those .who .retained .memory .through .the .change .

This .world .is .ruled .by .shadow .organizations: .private .espionage .corporations .who .provide .freelance .espionage .to .various .countries .in .exchange .for .money, .power, .technology .and .influence . .They’ve .captured .individuals .who .retain .Flux .Memory .and .use .them .as .agents .for .their .cause . .These .agents .have .skills .and .

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abilities .above .and .beyond .the .norm . .And .these .shadow .corps .do .everything .in .their .power .to .keep .the .Fluxers .from .escaping .their .control .

Whenever .the .characters .awoke .in .this .world, .they .immediately .felt .sick . .Throwing .up, .fever, .shaking .hands . .They .were .going .through .severe .withdrawal .symptoms .from .a .drug .that .only .the .shadow .corps .even .knew .existed . .The .characters .had .no .choice: .they .could .either .find .those .people .who .had .the .drug .or .die .from .withdrawal . .Those .were .their .only .two .choices .

This .was .the .world .my .players .called .“the .Stupid .World .” .They .hated .it . .And .it .showed .up .every .once .in .a .while .just .to .screw .with .them . .I .suggest .you .do .the .same .

What Doesn’t Change?Everything .changes, .but .the .new .world .has .echoes .of .the .old . .Enemies .are .still .enemies .and .friends .

are .still .friends . .But .motives .change . .Relationships .change . .Someone .who .has .a .close .brother .in .one .world .may .have .a .close .sister .in .another . .Or, .even .more .drastic, .a .close .brother .becomes .a .wife .or .a .lover .

Things .change .when .you .need .them .to .change . .Or .when .a .player .wants .them .to .change . .If .a .player .tells .you .that .they’re .tired .of .their .current .character, .talk .to .them .about .what .they .want .in .the .new .world . .They .don’t .get .to .make .their .new .character, .but .you .can .certainly .listen .to .what .they .do .want .and .help .them .get .there . .You .can .even .use .the .current .character .to .set .up .the .new .character . .

Sometimes, .players .get .bored .with .their .characters . .The .ideas .they .initially .thought .were .intriguing .just .don’t .work .out . .Usually, .I .encourage .the .player .to .make .a .new .character . .But, .with .The .Flux, .you .can .do .something .different .

Let .the .player .know .the .Flux .is .coming . .Then, .encourage .the .player .to .make .a .new .character .that .better .fits .what .they .want . . . .but .make .the .character .from .the .new .world, .not .the .current .one . .Lastly, .take .actions .to .drastically .change .the .character .in .the .current .world .to .better .fit .the .new .character .from .the .new .world . .This .way, .the .current .character .gains .dynamic .energy . .The .player .feels .the .character .evolving .into .something .new .and .has .new .enthusiasm .for .the .world .yet .to .come .

Can We Force it to Change?One .of .my .players, .my .buddy .Lee, .got .a .rather .dangerous .idea . .He .saw .that .the .Flux .was .a .kind .

of .self-correcting .system . .If .he .did .things .that .didn’t .belong, .the .world .tried .to .fix .it . .He .then .speculated .that .perhaps .using .powers .and .abilities .and .knowledge .from .a .past .world .damaged .the .current .world .in .some .way . .Perhaps, .when .the .world .took .too .much .damage .to .repair, .it .Fluxed .

Is .his .hypothesis .correct? .Can .those .who .are .aware .of .it .force .the .Flux .to .happen? .I .have .two .answers . .

Answer .#1: .Yes . .You .can .force .the .Flux .to .happen . .You .can .“damage” .the .world .to .such .an .extent .that .it .must .repair .itself .by .Fluxing . .However, .the .world .pays .special .attention .to .you .when .you .try .this .kind .of .stuff .and .makes .a .concerted .effort .to .remove .the .problem . .Be .warned .

Answer .#2: .No . .The .players .cannot .do .enough .damage .to .the .world .to .force .it .to .Flux . .But .the .world .does .sense .when .you’re .trying .to .screw .with .it .and .it .will .come .after .you .with .a .vengeance .

Personally, .I .like .the .first .answer .more .but .I .can .see .how .revealing .such .a .truth .to .the .players .may .encourage .them .to .try .changing .the .world, .thus .distracting .from .the .game .at .hand . .“We .don’t .like .this .game .so .let’s .just .screw .with .things .until .it .changes!”

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Lee .recognized .that .his .plan .was .probably .foolhardy .and .definitely .dangerous . .When .he .suggested .trying .to .force .the .Flux, .he .also .knew .it .could .doom .his .character . .He .was .okay .with .that . .He .just .liked .the .idea .of .the .question . .So, .I .let .them .explore .that .option .

In .fact, .they .were .playing .Pendragon .at .the .time .and .they .thought, .“If .we .murder .baby .Arthur .in .his .crib, .maybe .the .world .will .Flux!” .The .game .became .finding .baby .Arthur . .And, .along .the .way, .half .the .group .was .thinking, .“We’re .gonna kill a baby. .I .have .to .stop .this!” .It .became .a .fascinating .intra-party .conflict . .As .of .this .writing, .they .haven’t .found .baby .Arthur .yet . .I’ll .let .you .know .what .happens .when .they .do .

What Happens When I Throw a Fireball?

Whenever .the .players .reach .into .another .world .for .knowledge, .skills .or .powers, .a .question .lingers .in .the .air . .It .is .an .inevitable .question .but .its .a .question .that’s .really .easy .to .answer .

“What .happens .when .I .throw .a .fireball .in .a .science .fiction .setting?”

The .question .hinges .on .an .expectation . .The .old .world .had .rules .for .fireballs . .This .world .doesn’t . .What .happens?

Well, .whenever .the .players .break .the .rules, .you .get .to .say .what .happens . .You .narrate .the .results .

Rules .are .a .means .for .the .players .to .impose .their .will .on .the .world . .It’s .a .kind .of .reassurance . .It’s .a .static .number .they .understand .and .that .they .can .measure . .A .fireball .does .six .dice .of .damage . .Always . .It .always .does .six .dice .of .damage . .But .in .this .new .world, .there’s .no .rule .for .that . .How .do .you .translate .it?

Here’s .your .answer: .you .don’t .translate .it .with .rules, .you .translate .it .with .effect . .You .give .the .player .the .intention .he .wants .

If .a .player .throws .a .fireball, .he .has .a .particular .intention . .He .wants .to .blow .things .up . .He .wants .them .to .burn . .So, .give .him .that .intention . .You .don’t .have .to .do .it .with .hit .points .or .injury .ranks .or .wounds; .you .can .give .it .to .him .by .narrating .the .outcome . .He .wants .to .do .a .whole .ton .of .damage? .Let .him .do .a .whole .ton .of .damage .

Remember, .when .the .players .reach .through .the .Flux, .they .are .breaking .the .rules .of .the .world . .The .world .doesn’t .know .how .to .respond . .Therefore, .it .is .unprepared .to .deal .with .the .effects . .That .means .whenever .the .players .break .the .rules, .the .effects .should .be .spectacular . .They .should .overreach .what .the .player .wants . .Give .him .what .he .expected .and .a .little .more . .This .accomplishes .two .goals .

First, .it .kills .the .notion .that .games .can’t .communicate . .That’s .nonsense . .A .fireball .in .one .world .is .a .fireball .in .another .regardless .of .what .the .rules .say . .Rules .are .just .measurements .to .communicate .intent .and .outcome .between .players .and .narrators . .If .the .players .and .narrator .communicate .well .enough .on .their .own, .you .don’t .need .rules .

Second, .it .reassures .your .players .that .you’re .looking .out .for .them . .You .want .them .to .feel .safe .reaching .back .through .the .Flux . .You .don’t .want .them .asking, .“How .will .the .rules .translate .from .one .game .to .another?” .Instead, .what .you .want .them .to .ask .is, .“How .will .this .old .world .power .work .in .the .new .world?”

Keep .them .thinking .as .their .characters . .That .way, .they’ll .never .worry .about .game .rules . .Instead, .they’ll .be .thinking .about .world .rules . .And .that’s .where .you .want .them .

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How Many Worlds?Your .players .can .fill .up .folders .easily . .I .suggest .using .a .maximum .of .six .worlds . .More .than .that, .and .

the .whole .Flux .thing .starts .to .lose .its .charm . .In .fact, .I .found .four .worlds .was .the .best .bet . .But, .then .again, .it .all .depends .on .your .own .players’ .comfort .levels . .Talk .to .them .and .figure .out .which .number .is .best .for .your .group .

How Often Should I Flux?Again, .this .really .depends .on .your .group . .What .you .and .your .players .want .is .something .you .should .

talk .to .them .about . .Don’t .make .assumptions . .I .know .you .want .the .Flux .to .be .a .surprise .when .it .happens, .but .sometimes, .players .can .take .things .personally .

Well, .hell . .If .your .players .take .things .too .personally, .it .may .be .time .to .get .new .players .

But .a .considerate .Narrator .makes .choices .based .on .what .the .players .want . .He .doesn’t .just .screw .with .them .because .he .can . .He .screws .with .them .in .ways .that .are .entertaining .and .fun . .You .know .this . .We .both .know .this .

I .Flux .the .game .at .key .moments . .Climax .events . .I .Flux .the .game .just .when .something .the .players .want .seems .within .reach . .The .Flux .changes .many .of .the .circumstances, .but .not .all .of .them .

One .of .my .players .wanted .a .romantic .affair .with .an .NPC .but .also .wanted .her .character .to .come .to .it .gradually . .He .began .to .show .interest .in .her .and .just .when .the .affair .seemed .to .be .on .the .verge .of .happening…

flux

… .and .they .were .lovers .in .the .new .world . .Old .lovers . .And .she .was .married .to .someone .else .

Flux .the .world .when .the .players .least .expect .it . .When .they’re .up .and .when .they’re .down . .Just .when .they .think .they’re .completely .doomed, .the .world .Fluxes .and .enemies .are .friends, .friends .are .enemies . .Up .is .down .and .black .is .white .

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Finally…I .felt .the .blood .dripping .from .my .lips . .Felt .the .break .in .my .wrist . .I .looked .up, .blood .in .my .left .eye, .and .

saw .her . .She .didn’t .look .much .better .than .me .

That’s .when .the .oranges .hit .me . .Like .a .wall . .Like .a .title .wave . .Crashing .down .on .me . .I .could .feel .my .eyes .go .wide . .I .could .see .hers .do .the .same .

“It’s .coming,” .she .said .

I .nodded .

She .looked .at .the .swords .in .our .hands . .Looked .out .at .the .purple .sunset . .Waves .crashing .on .the .shore .below .us . .

“I .don’t .want .to .forget,” .she .told .me .

I .shook .my .head . .“I .don’t…”

I .couldn’t .finish .

I .dropped .my .sword . .She .dropped .hers . .I .was .in .her .arms . .I .wrapped .mine .around .her . .My .cheek .next .to .hers . .Her .breath .in .my .ear, .on .my .neck .

“It’s .always .like .this,” .she .told .me .

“I .know .”

“It .always .goes .bad . .At .the .end . .It .always .goes .bad .”

The .oranges .are .almost .unbearable . .I .can .barely .breathe . .I .hold .her .tighter .

“It .doesn’t .have .to .be,” .I .say .

I .can .feel .her .tears .on .my .neck .and .shoulder . .She .gripped .me .tight .

“Find .me,” .she .said . .“If .I .forget, .promise .you’ll .find .me .”

I .nod .into .her .shoulder . .“I .will . .I .promise .”

There’s .thunder .now . .All .around .us . .Swords .forgotten .at .our .feet . .Like .we .just .dropped .the .violence .between .us . .Left .it .there . .Hoping .it .would .get .washed .away . .Left .behind .in .the .old .world .

“Remember .the .bar?” .she .said . .I .nodded . .“When .you .told .me .all .about .it?”

“That .was .a .long .time .ago,” .I .said . .“Many, .many .worlds .ago .”

She .said .something .then, .but .the .sound .nearly .drowned .it .out .

“I .can’t .hear .you!” .I .cried .

Her .voice .breaking .against .the .thunder .and .her .own .choked .throat . .I .guess .at .what .she .says . .

“I .love .you, .too,” .I .whisper . .I .know .she .can’t .hear .me .

And .then .the .thunder .crashes . .White .all .around .me . .Everything .is .gone .

I .hope .she’s .there .

I .hope .she’s .there .

I .ho

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AfterwardThe Flux is .the .first .game .from .the .forthcoming .Big Book of Little Games .I’ll .be .releasing .in .mid-2011 . .

Every .month .or .so, .you’ll .see .new .games .and .revised .versions .of .old .games .released .through .the .JWP .website . .We’ve .got .old .favorites .like .Cat .and .Enemy Gods .and .new .things .you’ve .never .seen .before .like .Byron Falls .and .Eldritch High .

If .you .have .any .feedback, .critiques .or .questions, .please .send .them .to .me .at .johnjwick@gmail .com . .I’ll .look .them .over, .answer .them .as .best .I .can .and .use .that .feedback .to .make .the .final .version .of .The Flux .in .the .Big Book of Little Games .even .better . .(I .may .even .add .some .of .your .questions .to .the .text .) .When .I .update .the .game, .you’ll .be .able .to .download .the .new .version .at .no .extra .cost .

Thanks .for .picking .up .a .copy .of .The Flux . .And .keep .your .friends .close . .It’s .always .later .than .you .think .

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The Flux

The Flux

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The FluxThe Flux

The Flux

The Flux

The Flux Memory

Whiplash

The Flux

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The FluxThe Flux

The Flux

The Flux

The Flux Memory

Whiplash

The Flux

The Flux

The Flux

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The FluxThe Flux

The Flux

The Flux

The Flux Memory

Whiplash

The Flux

The Flux

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The FluxThe Flux

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The Flux Memory

Whiplash

The Flux

Character Sheets