TEA PARTY
Tea Party is game by Anna Kreider based on John Harper’s Lady Blackbird and
is loosely inspired by Jason Morningstar’s Lady Blackbird hack called Death
School. Tea Party incorporates some of Jason’s modifications to the Lady
Blackbird system. I stole shamelessly from John Harper, so do go download the
original Lady Blackbird. It's definitely worth a play.
Thanks go out to Jason Morningstar and Graham Walmsley for encouraging me
to misbehave by writing this. Apologies are tendered to John Harper, if he feels
they're required. If you play this game, please talk about it either on Story-
Games.com or the Forge (indie-rpgs.com). And give John Harper money,
because he’s awesome.
This document is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 license.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/
THE WORST HAS HAPPENED
Despite decades of warnings from conservative visionaries like Ronald Reagan,
the creeping socialism propagated by the intelligista and the liberal media has
caused the collapse of American society as we know it. Under the crippling
double-burden of national debt and entitlement programs, the American dollar
has collapsed and everything is in chaos.
The last of the Tea Party patriots have formed a stronghold in Nashville where
they have stockpiled food, weapons, and ammunition. But it won’t be long
before they are overrun by forces in league with the new socialist regime. It’s up
to you to make things right.
You are one of a small group of Tea Party Patriots who have set out on a
desperate mission to venture more than six hundred miles through enemy
territory. Your goal, make it to Washington D.C. and strike a blow for freedom
by taking back the White House and inspiring the beaten-down masses to join
you in your push for truth, liberty, and the American Way.
Just before reaching Roanoke, the halfway point in your journey, you have been
captured by enemy forces who even now are transporting you to a socialist re-
education camp.
HOW WILL YOU ESCAPE?
WHAT OBSTACLES WILL YOU FACE ALONG THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON?
WILL YOUR LAST STAND FOR FREEDOM GIVE THE PEOPLE HEART TO THROW OFF
THEIR CHAINS OF OPPRESSION?
AFTER THE FALL
After the collapse of the dollar, things
have devolved into chaos, madness,
and socialism. The Chinese, angered by
their billions in now-worthless debt
have invaded and are determined to
recoup their losses. The West has
become a Chinese stronghold, with the
Chinese expanding steadily eastward.
Roving bands of bounty hunters round
up Americans and sell them to the
Chinese as slaves to work in hastily
built factories, making flak jackets for
the Chinese forces.
In the East, the Chinese are opposed by
the United Nations. After the Chinese
invasion, President Obama persuaded
Congress to make him the first Dictator
of the Americas. His first act as
Dictator, after abolishing Congress and
the judiciary, was to ally himself with
the UN.
Ostensibly, the United Nations is
helping Obama to keep the peace. In
reality, Obama has struck a deal with
the UN to hand over American
sovereignty to international rule
provided that he gets a key position in
the new government. UN soldiers have
largely pacified the east coast. Any
citizen that shows signs of resistance is
taken by the Secret Service to socialist
re-education camps where any vestiges
of desire for freedom are carefully
erased and replaced with nanny-state
propaganda.
PLACES ALONG THE THE RULES OF THE
WAY THING
Nashville is home to the heavily-fortified Organizing a Group
Tea Party stronghold. Warned by signs of You will need a GM and some players. Each
the impending collapse, members of the Tea player will choose one of the five characters
Party were able to stockpile enough food, to play. (If you should find yourself with
water, ammo, and weapons to last quite a more than five players and a GM, then it is
long time. However, the Tea Party recommended that you split up into
stronghold is a community under siege. multiple groups rather than try to play with
Socialist forces surround the compound, more.)
and supplies can’t hold out forever.
Spotlights
Roanoake is a small community of Each character has one Spotlight that they
independents that has been known to be can use. This is the moment when they get
sympathetic to members of the Tea Party. to make their character the focus of the
One of the few places left outside of the story and do something extra awesome.
prairies where citizens still possess private When a player recognizes a good
arms, a strict trade peace is enforced and opportunity for a spotlight, they take over
supplies, munitions, and information are control from the GM and narrate what
traded with all factions. happens and how they use their spotlight.
There are no limitations to what can happen
Manassas is a well-hidden enclave of during a spotlight, but you should try to
criminals just a very small distance from the keep it focused on a particular problem or
nation’s capital. Taken by surprise by the situation. The spotlight is very powerful, so
initial UN invasion, surviving elements of the GM is encouraged to make things as
organized crime from New York and D.C. difficult as possible so as to make the
have gathered here. It is said that they players sweat.
know of ways to get into D.C. that bypass
the UN checkpoints, but surely such Rolling Dice
information wouldn’t come cheap. Whenever a character is trying to deal with
an obstacle, the player rolls dice. You
Washington D.C. is the seat of power for always receive at least one die. If you have a
the new Dictator of the Americas. Those Trait that applies to the situation, add a die
citizens remaining in the city have been for that Trait. Add additional dice for any
herded into large dormitories where they Tags under that Trait that are applicable.
are carefully segregated from friends and Lastly, add any number of dice from your
family. Dictator Obama is jealous of his personal pool. (Everybody starts with 7
power and the city is crawling with UN pool dice.)
soldiers and Secret Service agents.
You should have a decent pile of dice. Roll your die back, but if it succeeds your die is
them all and look for results that are equal lost.
to or greater than four – these are successes.
In order to defeat an obstacle, you need to Keys
roll a number of successes equal to the
difficulty of the obstacle. When you hit a Key, you can do one of two
things:
Obstacle difficulties: 2 – Easy / 3 – * Take an experience point (XP)
Difficult / 4 – Challenging / 5 - Extreme * Add a die to your pool (up to a max of 10)
If you get enough successes, then you have If you go into danger because of your key,
succeeded. Discard all the dice that were you get 2 XP or 2 pool dice (or 1 XP and 1
rolled, including the dice that came from pool die). When you have accumulated 5
your pool. (Don't worry. You'll get them XP, you earn an Advance. You can spend an
back.) Advance on one of the following:
* Add a new Trait (based on something you
If you don't get enough successes, you learned during play or on some past
haven't yet succeeded. Keep the dice that experience that has come to light)
you rolled on the table, and add another die * Add a tag to an existing trait
to your personal pool. The GM will escalate * Add a new Key (you can never have the
the situation somehow and you might be same key twice, nor can you have more
able to try again. than five keys at one time)
* Learn a Secret (if you have the means to)
Conditions
When you fail a roll, or when conditions in You can hold on to Advances if you want,
the story make it appropriate, the GM can and spend them at any time, even in the
impose one of the following Conditions on middle of a fight.
your character: Injured, Dead, Tired,
Angry, Lost, Hunted, or Trapped. When Each key also has a buyoff. If the buyoff
this happens, mark the box for that condition occurs, you have the option of
condition and say how this condition comes removing the Key and earning two
about. (Note: Dead doesn't neccessarily advances. (You are not required to take this
mean that your character is dead unless you option.)
say so. You're just presumed dead.)
Refresh
Helping Other Players You can refresh your pool back to 7 dice by
If you want to help another character in having a refreshment scene with another
their roll, you can give them a die from your character. You may also remove a condition
personal pool. When this happens, be sure or regain the use of a Secret, depending on
to narrate what your character is doing to the details of the scene. Refreshment scenes
help. If the roll is not successful, you get can can also be flashbacks.
SARAH PALIN
FORMER ALASKAN GOVERNOR, AMERICAN PATRIOT, AND MAVERICK
Traits Keys and Secrets
Maverick Key of the Maverick
Maverick, Revolutionary, Self- You are a maverick. Hit your key
Reliance, Sharp as Hell, whenever being a maverick causes
Common Sense, [Maverick], trouble or is important during a
[Maverick] scene.
BUYOFF: Give up your
independence
Populist Key of the Mission
Freedom, Individual Rights, One You must make it to Washington
Nation Under God, Grass Roots, and take back the White House. Hit
[Rabble Rousing], [Populist your key whenever you take action
Vision] to complete the mission.
BUYOFF: Abandon the mission
Charm Key of Faith
“You Betcha”, Folksy, You have an unshakeable belief in
Charisma, Moxie, Followers, God. Hit your key whenever you
Presidential, [Soldiers], talk about your faith or whenever
[Seduction] you put yourself in a difficult
situation because of your faith.
BUYOFF: Disavow your belief in
God
Gun-Totin’ Secret of the Maverick
Experienced Hunter, NRA Once per session you can use tags
member, Hunting rifle, from more than one trait when
Shooting, Steady aim, [Lots of making a roll.
Guns]
Secret of the Hunter
Once per session you can re-roll a
failure when you are shooting.
Spotlight: When the time comes, you can defy all rational logic
and expectation to perform the impossible.
TERI O’BRIEN
INTERNET RADIO HOST AND CONSERVATIVE WARRIOR PRINCESS
Traits Keys and Secrets
Pundit Key of the Guardian
Spin Doctor, Analytical, Smart, You are Sarah Palin’s loyal and devoted
Knowledgeable, Authoritative, Bluff, bodyguard. Hit your key whenever you try
[Stone Cold Liar], [Trustworthy] to protect Sarah Palin or make a decision
influenced by her.
BUYOFF: Sever ties with Sarah Palin
Bodyguard Key of Renown
Attention, Defend, Patrol, Stall for Time, When people look back at this period, yours
Disarming, Tactical Retreat, [Security will be one of the names they remember.
systems], [First Aid] Hit your key whenever you try to hog all
the glory.
BUYOFF: Give someone else credit for
something that would increase your
attention
Internet Radio Host Key of the Warrior
Charismatic, Connections, Be it with words, fists, or guns there’s
Communications Expert, Finding Wi-fi, nothing you like more than a good fight.
Ear to the Ground, [Computers], Hit your key when you fight an equal or
[Recording Equipment] superior enemy.
BUYOFF: Pass up an opportunity for a
good fight.
Survivor Secret of the Protector
Tough, Scavenge, Recycle, Lay of the Land, Once per session you can re-roll a failure
Fighting While Cornered, Sneak, when you are protecting someone.
[Indomitable], [Not dead yet]
Spotlight: When the time comes, you can sacrifice yourself to buy everyone else
the space they need
WILLIAM TEMPLE
HISTORIAN, PATRIOT, AND DEFENDER OF THE AMERICAN WAY
Traits Keys and Secrets
Patriot Key of the Commander
Guts, Gumption, Can-Do You're the person that people look to
Attitude, No Nonsense, Greatest in order to make things happen. Hit
Nation on Earth, Work Ethic, your key when you come up with a
[Never Give Up], [Never Say Die] plan and give orders to make it
happen.
BUYOFF: Defer to someone else as
leader
Historian Key of Hidden Longing
Research, General Knowledge, You are madly in love with Teri
Precedent, The Founding Fathers, O’Brien, but you don’t want her to
History, [Well Obviously], know it. Hit your key when your
[Common Knowledge] desire influences your actions, or
when you show it indirectly.
BUYOFF: Give up your feelings or
declare them publicly
Recreationist Key of Stars and Stripes Forever
Musket, Gun Powder, Attention Hit your key when you plant the flag
to Detail, Accuracy, Costume, in a dangerous or symbolic place, or
Dashing, Very Tight Pants, when you fight the enemies of
[Accents], [Disguise] freedom beneath the flag.
BUYOFF; Disrespect an American
flag
Community Organizer Secret of Leadership
Red Tape, Records, Local Once per session by giving orders or
Government, Activist Contacts, setting an inspiring example you
I'm Here to Help, Gaming the may allow someone else to re-roll a
System, [Faking Documents], failing result
[Hey, I Know You]
Spotlight: When the time comes, you can throw down the forces of
oppression to strike an inspiring blow for freedom
PAT ROBERTSON
AUTHOR, CHRISTIAN, STATESMAN, AND HUMANITARIAN
Traits Keys and Secrets
Statesman Key of Faith
Political, Influential, Gravitas, You have an unshakeable belief
Authority, Respectable, in God. Hit your key whenever
Commanding, [Silver Tongue], you talk about your faith or
[What People Want to Hear] whenever you put yourself in a
difficult situation because of
your faith.
BUYOFF: Disavow your belief in
God
Old Key of Being Lazy
Kids These Days, Experience, Why work for a living? Hit your
Canny, Manipulation, I'm Just A key whenever you get someone
Harmless Old Man, Seen it All else to do all the heavy lifting.
Before, [Heavy Cane], [Now See BUYOFF: Take the initiative in
Here, Youngster] doing a difficult task
Man of God Key of Being Old
Blessed, Prayer, Will of God, Fire Youth and energy will be
and Brimstone, Stirring Sermon, defeated by age and treachery
Bible, Saving Souls, [Converting every time. Hit your key every
Unbelievers], [Devoted Followers] time you use your experiences to
be superior to anyone younger
than you.
BUYOFF: Admit that things are
better now than they used to be
Non-Combatant Secret of Pacifism
Sneak, Hide, Cower, Escape, Run, Once per session, any player
Disable, Tricky, [Escape Artist], may re-roll a failure when trying
[Inconspicuous] to escape or avoid violent conflict
Spotlight: When the time comes, you can save someone's life. Be
sure to shout: “In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
you have been HEALED!”
JOE THE PLUMBER
PLUMBER, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AND ALL-AROUND AVERAGE
GUY
Traits Keys and Secrets
Handy Key of the Mission
Tools, Fixing Things, Let Me Have A Look At You must help Sarah Palin make it to
That, Plumbing, Pipe Wrench, [I Can Fix Washington so she can take back the White
That], [No, Here's How That Works] House. Hit your key whenever you take action
to complete the mission.
BUYOFF: Abandon the mission
Middle American Key of the Daredevil
Common Sense, Know-How, Former Why worry? You plan on living forever. Hit
Quarterback, Average, Likeable, your key whenever you do something
Inconspicuous, [Talk to Folks], [Here, Have a dangerous, foolhardy, or just plain suicidal.
Beer] BUYOFF: Be very, very careful
Opportunist Key of Greed
Nobody's Looking, Sly, Fast-talking, Quick- There's always something more to want... Hit
fingered, Callous, Selfish, Observant, [Scam], your key whenever you steal something cool or
[Of Course You'll Get Some] score a big payoff.
BUYOFF: Swear off stealing forever
Daredevil Secret of Dumb Luck
Lucky, Brave, Impulsive, Brash, Optimistic, Sometimes lightning does strike in the same
Foolhardy, I Told You So, It's Only a Minor place twice. Once per session you can keep all
Injury, [I Can't Believe That Worked], [Lucky of your pool dice when you succeed. (So use
That Didn't Kill Me] them all!)
Spotlight: When the time comes, you can perform an act of heroism that should have
killed you and emerge without even a scratch
Obstacles;
THE FREEDOM EXPRESS: Pick the locks: 3
Trick a Guard: 3
The Freedom Express was once a Hummer, Sneak Away: 4
but has since been extensively modified by Fight Guard: 3
Joe the Plumber and other mechanics back Fight Some Guards: 4
at the Tea Party compound. It has been Fight All Guards: 5
modified to be as effective off-road as on, Escalation: A guard raises the alarm, more
and the engine has been modified to give it guards appear, someone is separated from
significantly more power. It also has steel the group (Lost and/or Trapped)
plates welded to the inside to provide at
least some protection from bullets. Bounty Hunter Ambush
Bounty hunters are always a danger. The
Of course, none of these modifications are Chinese are always looking for more factory
exactly factory-approved, and things often workers, and Obama's followers are always
tend to go wrong. Joe can manage to keep eager to find rebellious citizens to re-educate.
her running just fine when things are
uneventful, but when it's being pushed Obstacles:
hard it tends to break. Fight Back; 5
Run Away: 3
However, the Freedom Express is the Try to Bargain With Them: 4
closest thing to home you have since Use an Underhanded Trick to Turn the
leaving the Tea Party compound. It's kept Tables: 3
you safe this far, which you're very thankful Escalation: Someone is grabbed and held at
for. gunpoint (Trapped)
(GM: You can inflict conditions on the Freedom Car Chase
Express as warranted by events. It begins with “We have to shake them! They're right on our
the Need for Fuel condition marked.] tail!”
NEED FUEL / NEED SUPPLIES / BUSTED & Obstacles:
LEAKING / SLOWED / CRIPPLED Out-drive a Smaller, Faster Car: 3
Out-maneuver a Blockade: 4
Ram the Enemy Car: 3
OBSTACLES & DIFFICULTIES Run the Enemy Car Off the Road: 4
Run the Enemy Car Off the Road and to
Escape the Enemy Transport Their Death (off a mountain, etc): 5
The transport you are carried in is a converted Avoid Enemy Car: 3
cargo van. The back is separated from the front Avoid Lots of Enemy Cars: 4
by a metal partition. You are all tied up and Escalation: Your vehicle is hit by gunfire
handcuffed to the cargo racks mounted on the (Busted & Leaking), You get a flat tire
walls. (Slowed), More Cars Appear, You Attract
the Cops
Negotiate with Criminals Attack the Enemy While Staying Under
Trying to get into Washington openly would be Cover: 5
suicide. If you're going to succeed, you're going Snipe the Leader: 5
to need to try something sneaky. Make a Safe Retreat: 4
Obstacles: Escalation: Fighting attracts the cops, You
Find Criminal Contact: 3 run out of ammo, You get separated from
Earn their Respect: 3 the others during the fight (Lost)
Make a Fair Deal: 4
Make a Deal that Works Out in Your Favor: Fight Obamas
5 When you confront him, Obama has just started
Spot Lies: 4 a fire in the Oval Office. He hides behind his
Escalation: The criminals decide to kill you wife, who is a physical juggernaut and master
and take what they want. You're double- fighter. He shoots at you while Michelle defends
crossed – they told the Feds where to find him.
you. Obstacles:
Dodge Powerful Attack: 3
Fire Fight: Attack Obama around his Wife: 5
“Guns don't kill people. I do.” Get Through Michelle's Defenses: 4
Obstacles: Dodge Bullet: 5
Take Cover from Hail of Bullets: 4 Endure the Heat and Smoke as the Fight
Attack the Enemy: 3 Wears On: 3
Escalation: The Fire Spreads out of Control,
Secret Service Agents Arrive
NEW TRAITS AND TAGS
Reputation
Trustworthy, Reliable, Fearless, Reckless, Ruthless, Underhanded, Dangerous, Deadly, Cruel,
Unpredictable, Heroic, Honorable,Compassionate
Investigator
Search, Deduction, Perceptive, Seduce, Interrogate, Bribe, Coerce, Contacts, Sneak, Deception, Insight,
Logic, Brawling, Pistol
Bold
Brave, Daring, Heroic, Rescue, Falling, Fire, Reckless, Explosions, Escapes, Outnumbered, Underdog
Criminal
Vicious, Ruthless, Cunning, Hacking, Shiv, Knife Fight, Steal, Gang, Drink, Treachery, Intimidating,
Mafia, Underworld, Lock Picking, Safe Cracking, Pick Pocketing, Hot Wiring, Fencing Stolen Goods,
Counterfeiting
Tech Whiz
Gadgets, Specialized Tools, Wiring, Jury Rig, Welding, Access Codes, Let Me Do That, Disabling
Security, Modifications
NEW KEYS AND SECRETS:
Key of the Tech Geek: frowned upon by society. Buyoff: Become a law-
“What do you mean it's not overclocked?” Hit abiding citizen
your key whenever you modify, improve, or
repair something technological. Buyoff: Pass The Key of the Vow:
up the opportunity to fool around with You have made a promise to yourself that you
technology will not break, or you have a code of conduct
that you adhere strictly to. Hit your key when
Key of the Politician: this influences your actions and decisions.
Wheeling and dealing is the name of the game, Buyoff: Break your vow or code of conduct
and everything is pay to play. Hit your key
whenever you bargain, make a new contact, or Key of Fraternity:
exchange favors. Buyoff: Cut yourself off You are sworn to another character in a bond of
from your network of contact brother/sisterhood. Hit your key whenever your
character is influenced by that character, or
Key of the Criminal: when you show how deep that bond is. Buyoff:
Rules are for other people. Hit your key Sever the relationship
whenever you do something illegal or otherwise
Key of Banter equipment or training from someone who knows
You have a knack for snappy comments. Hit the secret
your key when you say something that makes
the other players laugh or when you explain Secret of the Marksman
something using some kind of jargon. You're deadly with a firearm. Once per session,
Buyoff: Everyone groans at one of your you can re-roll a failure when you're shooting
comments. Requires: You've been in a lot of firefights or
are being taught by someone who has been
Key of Conscience
You don’t like to see anyone suffer, even Secret of Experience
enemies. Hit your key when you help someone Once per session, you can use tags from more
who is in trouble or when you change someone’s than one trait when you make a roll. Requires:
life for the better Buyoff: Ignore a request for Having experienced a wide variety of dangerous
help. situations.
Secret of the True Course Secret of the Liar
You know how to safely infiltrate the White Once per session, you can re-roll a failure when
House Requires: You need to learn the methods you're attempting to pull the wool over
from someone else who knows the secret someone's eyes. Requires: You need to have
talked your way out of a wide variety of
Secret of Surveillance situations
You've mastered the art of tapping into
surveillance networks to stay one step ahead of
your enemies. Requires: You acquire specialized
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Setting material and flavor text written by Anna Kreider. Layout also by
Anna Kreider.
Image Credits (URLs listed when artists were not clearly attributed):
Comrade Obama: Americana83.com
Tea Bag Image: http://www.meetup.com/Indiana-DOL/files/
Flag: http://www.sunsetauctionco.com/PatrioticStuff.html
Sarah Palin: Mad Magazine, artist J. Scott Campbell
Cross: http://tendollarthoughts.com/category/faith/
William Temple: Taken from his FreedomWorks profile: -
http://teaparty.freedomworks.org/profile/WilliamTemple
Colony map: found here - http://www.alts.net/ns1625/histindx.html
Contact: anna (dot) kreider (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for reading!
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