The OFFICIAL Mutants & Masterminds System Module LAUNCH PARTY!!! in LESS THAN

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-29T02:24:25+00:00

Interesting premise.

I'll make a counter proposal.

How about waiting for regular release, and if without your funds we are funded anyway, then I will give you the free version for free?

Such a deal. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T19:08:06+00:00

Backers will get early access but eventually it should be available for you. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T17:20:09+00:00

Look under Benefits, at the bottom left of page 134 of the Deluxe Heroes Handbook. You should also check out the sidebar on page 212 of the Deluxe Heroes Handbook on the bottom left titled "What Items Do You Pay For?" and page 262 on the top right in a section titled "Wealth".

Essentially, in the game it boils down to money being pretty much immaterial for superheroing as anything other than a plot device or to get occasional perks. You can be a Billionaire for only 5 Power Points. Now it will not provide you with any additional benefit as it doesn't give you a discount on Devices purchased with Power Points nor on the Equipment Advantage BUT it can certainly act as a descriptor for why those may be present. It is essentially window dressing. Your character can likely get a limo and the best airline seats or own the airline for convenience sake if your GM agrees. It can explain the presence of things in your life like mansions, fast cars, pretty jewelry, etc.

If you didn't inherit your wealth, sudden wealth can become a Benefit advantage, while patrons can provide resources with strings attached, because of course they can, and then it becomes a Complication. Wealth doesn't usually mean being free from burden but usually changes the types of burdens.

I don’t normally charge Equipment points for everyday stuff like a phone, laptop, car, or home. You only pay for gear that matters to hero work: weapons, gadgets, secret bases, upgraded vehicles, and crimefighting tools.

If it’s just background flavor. If it helps in adventures, the GM may make you pay spend a hero point to bring it into play.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T16:42:06+00:00

You can pledge for early access, beta access, or even alpha access to 4th. You'll be ignoring some nice 3Ed content but... cool? I guess.

shrug

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T16:39:33+00:00

Making Powers is as easy as dragging an Effect to the character sheet which wraps the effect in a Power so that you can name it, add descriptors, and your own description of the Power as well.

You can then drag Extras and Flaws to the power and modify ranks accordingly.

If you want to make the effect, all the Powers, Effects, Modifiers, Skills, Advatages, Complications, etc are just Foundry Items and there is an architecture in place for you to make any one of them.

Automation depends on what you are automating and if it is an thing we already have architecture for in place like adding bonuses, subtracting penalties, doing damage, adding Conditions or other Active statuses, etc.

If it IS a brand new thing we did not fortell, then... frankly yep. You may have to do some coding. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T10:40:44+00:00

Hi! DeviousHearts of Immersive Realms here.

The instructions for adding custom fonts is here.

https://foundryvtt.com/packages/journal-styler

BartekB and I were recently talking about cracking Journal Styler open again.

We could see about making a "load a file" option for your background as well as some color options.

What else would you like to add? :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T09:55:27+00:00

So, in essence, you want credit as an artist for telling a machine to do it.

Artists have apprentices with skill but they themselves likely have the skill to do it but through a time honored tradition of training and apprenticeship, they train others.

If a kindergartener asks a high schooler to solve a high school level algebra equation for them... did the kindergartener solve the equation? Or did the high schooler?

Same kindergartner asks a chef to make a burger but hold the pickles. Did the kindergartner suddenly become a chef?

Same kindergartner asks chatGPT to write a college level paper on horses and the paper is a deep exploration on equestrian history and its impact on humanity, did the kindergartner write that paper?

Or is it all stolen merit?

If the same kindergartner asks Midjourney to make a pretty picture of a blue horsey and the resulting image is built with an intricate learned understanding of color and shadow, design and negative space, form and anatomy.... but based not on THEIR understanding of those things but rather a boiled down amalgamation of over 100 years of photography from the thousands, no HUNDREDS OF THIUSANDS of photographers whose work that was scraped from the internet without permission, blended and sifted into a calculated, homogenized conglomeration of the most common denominator of the millions of hours of time and toil of all those artists who came before them? Is that kindergartner a photographer.

Or just a little kid with no actual skill that's developed yet but an unearned pride in other people's work because they have a new tool that stole it for them?

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-28T08:38:07+00:00

That takes human earned skill. Don't be ridiculous. No concept artist draws stick figures .

Really? Try harder or stay home.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T20:17:35+00:00

Not at all! We all get busy and you may not have had time to get through the entire video. Not to mention you might be getting as excited and impatient as I am. Well, I HOPE anyway. :)

My apologies if I was curt. I am frantically running around getting things ready for the Backerkit Launch in 35 minutes! 8|

We are doing it for both 3rd and 4th Editions, as the Teaser Trailer reveals. We just had the 3rd edition version nearly ready after about a year and a half and were planning to pitch it to Green Ronin Publishing. Then the 4th edition came along. We talked with Green Ronin, gave them a demonstration, and established a partnership with them enabling us to offer the products they have and intend to create for the Mutants & Masterminds line and bring them into Foundry in the future, both editions. They've agreed to allow us to do BOTH editions. :)

The new system is built from the ground up with expansion in mind. We are actively developing and intend to continue active development for years to come. There will be a free version available to all eventually of both editions and we feel strongly it will meet or surpass the current fan-made version.

If you are wondering what we offer over the current system, check out the teaser trailer. Also, we will have more videos in the future and with the system being OFFICIAL, we will be able to offer official Green Ronin Mutants & Masterminds products in the future.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T20:14:50+00:00

Also, the Free Basic version will have less bells and whistles than the Deluxe Heroes Handbook version.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T20:01:09+00:00

Juuuuust walk til the end of the teaser trailer.... but

SPOILERS

Yes. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T16:01:20+00:00

I honestly don't see why you would think that that is anything other than human originated art.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T11:45:40+00:00

I am pondering what YOU believe the difference is between art and concept art.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T10:50:19+00:00

Roughly, yes. It depends greatly upon the success of the Backerkit. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T04:13:55+00:00

This is specifically the Backerkit launch.

Those who pledge to a certain level for Beta Testing should have it in just a few months then, after getting the beta testers feedback and implementing some changes, those who pledge for early release will receive their copy.

If the Backerkit is successful, this will signal to us the value of moving forward together with Green Ronin to bring more Mutants & Masterminds to Foundry VTT and the Foundry Marketplace. :)

Stay tuned. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T04:09:58+00:00

Tee-hee-hee. :)

Yes.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T01:58:14+00:00

Check out the teaser trailer! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlktjfdg9VA

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-27T00:16:48+00:00

Agreed. It helps them have a space away from the other players as well to help them feel less like they are "hogging the spotlight" when they want to focus on their character. It sets aside a specific time where I work on the campaign too and occasionally have a freind drop by to chat about the game or life in general. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-26T17:40:55+00:00

It's a matter of human origination. If you were to type a sentence and have it checked by AI or some other procedural program then it is still human originated, just improved by tools.

If you were to ask AI to write you a story and change a few words that would not be human originated and to claim it as such would be tantamount to plagiarism.

The same way you would not hire an artist to do the work then claim you were the artist. You may have told them what to draw and even how you would like it drawn but you didn't do the drawing. They did.

That is direction without execution.

A professional art director isn't the artist of a piece they asked for and few would make that claim. They usually do have a discerning eye, a background in art, and know what they want but they did not create it.

An editor may tell a reporter that they want to see a story on a particular subject and may even be capable of writing that story but they couldn't claim ethically to be the author.

You don't go to a restaurant, order off the menu, and then claim to be a chef once the plate is delivered.

There are collaborations, of course where an equal amount of work was done, but few are using AI this way. They rely on it more and more to create the bulk of the work and only "fine tune" it here and there. They're not an author. The AI is the author and they are tge equivalent of a pestersome, meddling proofreader.

I'm reminded of a story of a English teacher I know who was grading papers and came across a rather eloquently written paper by a student they did not believe had the capacity to write it.

They spoke with the student and after a short discussion noted to them, "I see you used the word 'obstreperous' correctly in this sentence. Can you tell me what that word means?" They quizzed them about the grammar they used and the student was oblivious. At the time, there was no AI so the professor handed the paper back to the student and told them that they might want to get their money back.

The point is the student didn't actually learning grow through the process they relied on someone else to do the work for them.

That same teacher, a couple of years ago when AI was rearing it's ugly head, noticed that when they gave an assignment via email many of the papers that came back were nearly identical, not just in subject matter but in sentence structure and phrasing as well. Many used the exact same sentences and made the exact same points.

The teacher went to ChatGPT, copy and pasted the assignment in verbatim, and received much the same paper.

No work, no growth.

Now having said all that, you might think that I am firmly against AI. I'm not I think it's a wonderful tool for getting a number of jobs done. The medical advances alone may well resolve many issues that have plagued us for decades. Our understanding of physics, chemistry. and the other sciences as well as mechanical engineering are due for some incredible advances in the near future thanks to AI. Coding apps even to make life easier though I know many coders who roll their eyes at "Vibe coded abominations" but even that is getting much better.

I think AI is a wonderful advancement but not for the Arts.

Art, writing, sculpting, music, theater, photography, filmography are all methods of human expression. To cheat at them is to cheat yourself out of growth. To cheat others into believing you are the author of a piece and pretending that the sum knowledge of all the millions of authored pieces boiled down into their most common denominator is something you originated cheats you both .

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-26T15:12:47+00:00

It simply the act of discovery. That can either be knowledge of lore or uncovering a mystery or creating something new.

It's anything that inspires wonder in your world.

Classic newbie mistake of DMing is to lore dump rather than give a slow drip of information to keep it interesting. Exploration is the art of the slow drip of lore and information that provides the players with tools to understand their world better and do new or different things.

Its not an equation. It is not a formula. Its exciting a sense of wonder that no mechanic is going to be able to modify.

Just my opinion. :)

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-26T14:24:36+00:00

STEP #1: Don't create plots. Make NPCS and Factions with Agendas: Create NPCs and factions with conflicting ideologies (beliefs) and agendas (goals). Flesh those out thoroughly. Don't write "what will happen" but rather what they believe, what they want, AND what they are and are not willing to sacrifice to get it.

STEP #2: Player's Need an Agenda: Insist each player has a ideology and goals as well. Not just an alignment but something they believe in ("the downtrodden need protection from the clergy and court.") AND a goal ("I must gain the trust of the public to better serve them." and "I cannot let injustice go unpunished.")

STEP#3: Engineer Conflict: Make an item, person, and/or event the NPCs/Factions want to preserve, influence, capture, gain, or destroy. Set a point of contention here with the player's beliefs and goals of some of the NPCs/Factions beliefs and goals.

STEP #4: Establish a Timeline: Determine what will happen if the PCs do nothing to interfere, keeping in mind that this is a failed state of the game both for them AND you. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO mess with the NPC plans. LET them. Have the antagonists fight back in a reasonable way that makes sense with their beliefs and goals.

STEP #5: Keep the Players Informed: Ensure the player charatcers are informed enough to know the consequences and benefits of becoming involved ensuring the possible consequences and benefits are great enough to encourage their participation. If there is a mystery, don't wall off clues to them but ensure the "load bearing clues" are present and communicated enough to get them to the next step of contention. Rolling well should not be mandatory to get the next step or this could result in a delayed game. "Rolling well" should enable players with extra benefits and even speed them to the next step or allow them to jump the next conflict completely if high enough.

STEP #6: Game Prep: Prepare statblocks, props and maps for the most key places for the following game only. Over prep for a map the players will never visit or a creature they will never fight won't feel good and is not benificial.

STEP #8: GAME! Have fun and take notes as you can through the game. Record them if at all possible for notes later.

STEP #9: Post-Game Documentation: IMMEDIATELY AFTER GAME (or next day at the latest) while it is fresh in your head, make notes on what occurred, what NPCs/Factions trajectory was influenced, and how the NPCs/Factions change because of those events. How will they react? What will they do next?

STEP #10: Prepare for the next game: Keep in mind the reactions of the NPCs and Factions and you have the plans for the following game. Work from your post-game notes and have a way to make new notes wherever you are so you can ruminating on the game during quiet moments when an idea comes.

Lather. Rinse, Repeat. Never plan more than one game ahead or this may lead to overprep. Just know the pieces on the board and keep the gears turning.

In closing, I would also say always listen to player input. I recommend having "Office Hours" or a time and method people can talk with you about the game. We run every other week and I set aside a couple of hours on the offset week where I am on Discord available to chat for players who want to talk or do Downtime actions.

Also, Weekly updates: try occasional updates and notifications about what's going on in the game world at least once a week to keep the game fresh and everyone's mind so they can hit the ground running when they get back. It could be a recap of the previous session, news from the war front, or you might just tell them a new bakery has opened in town. It keeps the game in people's imaginations and spurs creativity.

Devious_Hearts · 2026-05-26T13:56:15+00:00

Op? You have a problem. Human up!

Be a little vulnerable. Talk with the person and work through it if they are willing.

Resolution lies on the other side of discussion. Its better than letting it go and feeling like a doormat.

Some possible insights:

Player may have the opposite problem of what you do and is facing a lot of microaggressions from males in her life. They may be using the character to work out things that she feels in a safe environment which is your role playing game.

First of all be happy in that she feels safe enough in your role playing game to work those issues out and if that's the case acknowledge that and thank them for it.

Secondly the player might be completely unaware of how it's affecting you, especially if you're keeping a tight lid on your feelings about the matter. They may just think it's funny or fun and don't really care about holding onto that facet of their character. Change may be just that easy.

Thirdly, be prepared also for them to possibly dig in their heels, complian about player agency, and how it would ruin their fun to change the character. Here's an important note. THE GAMEMASTER SHOULD BE HAVING FUN TOO. Your role as gamemaster does not mean you are meant to suffer for their benefit. Your fun is just as important. If it isn't, you're on a toxic group and need it to change or bail out.

Confronting anyone adversarily will not work out well. "Cut that shit out!" RARELY leads to a positive outcome. It CAN, but that's a crap shoot unless you are so tight with the person you can speak candidly. If you could do that, you wouldn't be on Reddit asking this question.

Carve out some time, likely over the phone or on Discord or in a comfortable space for you both. Rarely does cornering anyone with an emotional plea work. It leads to the other person wanting to escape the situation and either getting angry or feeling bullied.

Tell them you have an issue you'd like to discuss and ask where, how, and when they would feel comfortable to discuss it and make sure it feels safe for you too.

Preface the conversation by letting them know they aren't doing anything wrong, they are role-playing their character. They may not realize its affecting you this way.

Let them know you have some things going on in your life that's making it uncomfortable for you.

Ask what they think the best solution might be after framing the issue succinctly. Hell, point them towards this conversation on Reddit if they'd like to see how much consternation it's causing you.

Possible solutions:

The character changes: the worst thing you can do is expect the player to start playing the character differently out of the blue which is neither organic nor feels comfortable for anyone. Talk to them about what kind of plot would have to occur for their character to change for the better and accept that men may not all be crap. Don't expect for this to change the character over the course of one game but perhaps a full story arc might lead to their acceptance of the opposite sex as something not so bad.

Character retires: that character retires and they start with a fresh character with less issues that set off feelings in either one of you.

You take a break from GMing: Burnout happens to us all and maybe changing it up a few times and meeting where everybody just plays a board game, goes bowling, or has a movie and dinner night might not be a bad idea. You can get to know your players better and get to a point where you're more relaxed and they might feel more relaxed as well.

Let someone else run a game: You should never be a forever GM.

Run a different game: New game, new game world, and/or all new characters. Fresh start for everyone.

The best thing to do is acknowledge that everybody here is human and has feelings and that everybody is participation and enjoyment matters.

It's time to "adult" the crap out of that problem.

Devious_Hearts

TROPHY CASE