groupie Prestige class from the Xcrawls book: Sellout by Goodman games...
GROUPIE
”What we do is plaster over the wound and
make a mold of it. This way we can keep the
impression where you got stabbed forever. It’s,
like, an essential part of you that I… we.… you
know, all your fans can cherish forever.“
GROUPIE JONI LOCKPORT,
STARTING A TREND.
The original groupies followed rock bands. In
modern times, movie stars, artists and Xcrawlers
have groupies. Groupies are a performer’s biggest
and most demonstrative fans, often showing up at
all of their idol’s events, even when this means
following them around the country. The goal of a
groupie is to be a part of the world of celebrity
performers, and they learn all the tricks for getting
backstage and staying there. While there are few
Xcrawl groupies, they are absolute fanatics. They
will spend all of their money on outfits and
jewelry, to better blend in with the rich Xcrawl
crowd.The goal of their efforts is to share the lives
of the last real adventurers, who face death like
heroes of old.
Xcrawlers and groupies generally share a
dysfunctional but symbiotic relationship. Players
often live lonely lives—their career is strange,
bloody and often fatal, and most rational folks
keep their distance. Groupies are drawn to this
world, and are often the only ones willing to get
close to their adventurers. Often times on the
road, Xcrawlers turn to groupies for
companionship and comfort. Groupies eventually
become fixtures of their adopted scene, and are
often the support group that keeps players going
after all else fails.
As Seen On Empire-1 TV! • 83
Groupie Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Ref Will Special
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Muse +1, All Access
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Muse +1, Gimme Shelter
3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Muse +2, I’m With The Team
4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Muse +2, Booster +1,
5 +2 +2 +2 +4 Muse +3, Booster +2, Almost Famous
RAY SAUNDERS (order #5625565)
Groupies are 90% female. However, many
women Xcrawlers find themselves the subject of
the attention of male groupies, who want to
hold doors and pull out chairs for her at
every opportunity.
Requirements
To become a groupie, a character must fulfill the
following criteria:
Base Attack Bonus: +0
Skills: Bluff 4 rank
Special: To qualify for this prestige class, a
candidate must pass the groupie trifecta: they
must get back stage, meet an Xcrawler, and
convince him to carry a token of theirs on
his person when they fight. And they must
have a 15+ Charisma.
Class Skills
The Groupie’s class skills (and the key ability for
each skill) are: Bluff (CHA), Diplomacy (CHA),
Gather Info (CHA), Innuendo (WIS), Intimidate
(CHA), Knowledge (Celebrities) (INT), Sense
Motive (WIS), Spot (WIS)
Skill point per level: 6 + INT bonus
Hit die: d4
CLASS FEATURES
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The groupie
gains no new armor or weapon proficiencies.
Muse: Xcrawl groupies are true fans: they
understand the game, the strategies, and the
risks. And although they enjoy the game, they are
more interested in the players, and become
experts at providing inspiration to their chosen
Crawler. A groupie hangs out with any Xcrawler
who she finds interesting or mysterious, but she
will choose to be Muse to one special player. A
groupie can have only one special player;
similarly, a player can have only one dedicated
groupie, although he can hang out with as many
as he likes.
The special player can add his groupie’s Muse
bonus to any saving throw, after the die toss,
during any Xcrawl competition. For example, a
magical beast tries to charm Captain Howdy. The
saving throw is DC 18, and the Captain rolls a 16.
However, he has recently become the special
player of Alabama Gertie, a 3rd level groupie. Her
devotion gives him the inner strength to resist: he
adds her muse bonus to his roll and now has an
18, and just scrapes by with his free will. Once a
player has used his groupie’s Muse bonus, it is
gone until he is close enough for physical contact
with her again for a minimum of fifteen minutes,
at which time the bonus resets itself.
The groupie’s Muse bonus is +1 at 1st and 2nd
level, +2 at 3rd and 4th and + 3 at 5th. Groupies may
only have one special player at a time, and they are
notoriously fickle. Lack of attention or proper
respect can cause a groupie to switch special
players. It can be extremely hard for a player to win
a lost groupie back, and can require compliments,
gifts, or promises of lifelong friendship.
84 • SellOut!
All Access: Backstage, post-dungeon parties,
hotel suites, and locker rooms; a groupie is at
home wherever the action is. In her natural
element, a groupie is a powerful force who can
affect a team as much as she herself is effected.
When dealing with Xcrawlers, or when trying to
talk their way backstage, a groupie adds a +4
confidence bonus to all Charisma rolls.
Gimme Shelter: Hangers-on have to stick
together. Groupies develop a network of friends
and acquaintances across the country during their
adventures chasing after adventurers. Whenever a
groupie finds herself stuck in a city, she can make
a Charisma roll (DC 18) to find a place to sleep
and a hot meal. Note that this roll is not affected
by the All Access bonus. This is not necessarily a
reliable place to stay. The groupie must either
make arrangements or another Charisma roll the
next night if she still needs assistance.
I’m With The Team: At 3rd level, groupies have
become such a part of the scene that they are
rarely challenged by hotel or dungeon security.
Everyone either understands the groupie’s special
relationship with her team, or they assume she
works for them in some capacity. Under normal
circumstances, the groupie can come and go as
she pleases, having as much access to Xcrawl
facilities as the players themselves. In addition,
their All Access bonus is raised to +6.
Booster: Love the player, love the team. Groupies
get to know their special player’s team. She offers
advice, sharpens swords, orders pizza and finds
the best after-parties for the whole team. At 4th
level, the groupie bonus begins to effect her
special player’s entire team. The special player’s
team gains the groupies booster bonus to their
Mojo pool at the beginning of every dungeon
level. If their Mojo pool is already full, the bonus is
lost. If the groupie ever decides that she has had it
with her heroes, she leaves and the booster bonus
leaves with her.
Almost Famous: At some point, groupies become
the player’s focus rather than a distraction. At this
point, a groupie benefits from the Fame bonus of
her special player. The groupie is considered to
have half of the Fame rating of her Special Player.
She gains the Fame bonus to appropriate rolls,
under the normal guidelines for Fame.
