As I said, I'm not really arguing either way is correct, just is an interesting intellectual debate of a move defining who you are versus what you can do.

It really seems to as the rules are written, which is exactly as you've described, you have the merciless move, therefore you've fundamentally and forever changed who you are but it's interesting to contrast with interpreting it as a choice.

Love the hoarder!  Now I need a new game in which to try one. (Or to earn that 6th advance)

The four love letters chosen for my recent running of the scenario, I will bold the options chosen by the players:

The Savvyhead is critical to the scenario and is the only one which must be chosen:

---

Dear Savvyhead,
Nobody remembers how the world caught fire. But now we got dirty black rain, that gritty dust that sticks to everything in the wind, and the fire. All we know is now the fire burns underground, all the time, it moves and flares and grows and sometimes rarely goes away for a time, but it lives beneath the soil like a vast living thing. Now it’s coming this way, get the hell out or die, most people figure.
Years ago some savvy engineers here in the scrapyard started working on that old hulk of a rusty steam engine. Erie and his partner dedicated their lives to getting that thing running, until Erie lost his hand in that explosion. He abandoned the scrapyard, taking most of your gang with him to the Stacks. But the boiler’s finally fired up and they say it’s almost time to get the hell out of here.
That pure white plume of steam serves as an unintended signal though to everyone for miles around. Scavengers and all kinds of drifters been coming by the dozen and crowd the walls already been fights and some been killed. Shit’s not looking good outside the compound; many looking to you for hope… or to blame. Erie’s out there too somewhere they say.
This is where we find you.
Sometime before we start I’ll ask you to roll+weird. On a 10+ choose 1 to be true, on a 7-9 choose 2, and on a miss (6 or less) we’ll each choose one:
  * You’re really important to the scrapyard and the train and everyone knows it. How the hell did this ass hole sneak into the compound and brain you with a pipe. You wake up over her shoulder just outside the compound. Shit. Name one PC who knows you’re missing.
  * Erie wasn’t just the leader of the scrapyard gang, he was a damn fine engineer and probably your friend. What did he take with him when he left that you really can’t bear to be without?
  * You’ve figured out that Erie is building something massive out there in the stacks, but no idea what. Curiosity…. you know, he was a pretty good mechanic. If you see the stacks and choose not to check it out, you’re acting under fire. If you see with your own eyes, mark experience.

Cheers!
Your MC

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The Hocus, (Note the opening paragraphs are all identical)

Sometime before we start I’ll ask you to roll+weird. On a 10+ choose 1 to be true, on a 7-9 choose 2, and on a miss (6 or less) we’ll each choose one:
  * The fire is your friend. Most people fear it and loathe it, but you, it seems to protect. You seldom suffer from the smoke and your most dedicated followers expose themselves to it intentionally and suffer little ill. Some say it’s a miracle.  Some think you’re the devil, might have to deal with them.
  * You figured out that a couple of Erie’s boys who you don’t know from before, they must be scavengers he’s paying, Dingo and Mars maybe, have infiltrated your followers and gotten very close to you. What are you going to do about it?
  * You’ve managed to get a few followers into Erie’s gang. You can use them to make some moves on your behalf over in Erie’s compound, but missing that roll is going to get people killed. Who are they?

---

The Faceless:

Sometime before we start I’ll ask you to roll+hard. On a 10+ choose 1 to be true, on a 7-9 choose 2, and on a miss (6 or less) we’ll each choose one:
  * Why do you think Erie blames you for the explosion? Is it true?
  * Where is she? Someone precious to you is missing from the compound. Tell us who she is and where you fear she went. Shit, you think you hear her screaming.
  * There’s this kid who thinks he’s like you. Wears a mask and follows you around all the time. Name of Kopper. He’s going to get himself killed doing that and he’s starting to get in your way.

---

The Gunlugger:

  * Erie has asked you to join his new gang several times. He’ll make you the new gang leader, says he needs you to keep the scavengers in line. Why have you always refused?
  * Nobody’s noticed but you have a sense for this kind of thing. Someone’s watching you closely from a high place. You’re sure there’s a sniper about to pick someone off in the compound. You’re pretty sure if you don’t raise the alarm and she fires you’ll know where she is but someone’s gonna eat it. Who’s about to get shot?
  * Without you the scrapyard would probably be in a lot more danger than it is already. There must be someone here you’re trying to protect. Who is she? Who else knows about her?

Sounds cool.  Thanks for the input!

"Pull the strings!"

This is related, but only a little bit.

I find when I have "cool" highlighted I am generally waiting for the MC to give me an opportunity to act under fire, like I keep saying I do more and more risky things and hope I get the chance, it's not so concrete. But when any other stat is highlighted I can usually just definitely do it.

Could be.

My version is more like "Oh shit, I better use that"
Your version is more like "Oh shit... I forgot to use that!"

Both cool, different flavor.

Hey have a question for the community.

Having played in a number of con games and a few longer term, I find the Hx 'questions' come up a lot. I thought it would be cool for the community to come up with a longer list for each playbook (we know how Vincent loves lists), like a brainer gets a list of however-many and can choose up to 3.

Stuff like this:

BRAINER: (Added to the original offering)
On the others’ turns, choose 1, 2 or 3:

• One of them is quite obviously in love with you. At least you think so. Whatever they tall you, write +3 next to the character's name instead.
• One of them has a dark secret that only you know. Whatever they tell you, write +3 next to the character's name instead.
• One of them has a trait which seems mundane to most but to you is absolutely, bizarrely enchanting. Whatever they tell you, write +3 next to the character's name instead.

Thoughts?

Faceless got chosen at my con game at Endgame Oakland tonight, we lots of fun. The faceless was a masked circus ringleader almost, dressed to the nines but scary and fierce with his metal cane. Nasty.

Player sketched him during platy, too.

Was great fun running for everyone, love the game, Vincent thank you again!