- I haven't figured out who you're working for yet. You guys might be freelance, you might be working for a university, you might be DIMR affiliates… we'll just have to figure that out when everyone's got character concepts figured out. I won't spring that on you guys, though - we'll figure it out after everyone's got a concept that works for them.
- Feel free to throw some notes into the Session 0 backstory pages if you have ideas - we'll probably discuss/roleplay those a bit as we develop the characters, but if you've got stuff you really want to put down on paper, go ahead and throw it in there.
- Good question. Dunno yet. Whenever something is awesome. :-)
- Natural Immunity for snake venom sounds fine.
Recent Forum Posts
Another question:
4) Are you okay letting me take the Natural Immunity (5 BP) for "snake venom?"
Okay,
Questions:
1) Who are we working for? Or are you wanting to spring that on us in the first episode. My guy will probably have worked with or be trying to get into the DIMR or the Atlantean Foundation…
2) The Session 0 backstories - Do you want to roleplay those, or shall we just write them?
3) How often do you hand out Edge points, and for what actions (IC or OoC)?
All right, bitches, there be a page now. Once you guys have names for your characters, we'll create pages for each PC, same as always. I've also put down some placeholders so that we can run some backstory discussions as we want/need.
in discussion Bullshitting / Random Bullshit » Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse!
Hurled insults at each other.
in discussion Bullshitting / Random Bullshit » Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse!
Ninja roooooopes….
Okay, I'll probably go with the mage guy. Set up the page and I'll post my character…
It appears that Shadowrun and a paranormal research group seems like our tentative concept. Once we figure out basic character concepts, I'll start the wiki pages.
Sounds good.
I'll write up a character as soon as we decide whether we're playing covert/merc team or archaeological research team. I haven't really got any new ideas about character options for either scenario other than the ones I already listed.
Okay, thinking about this, it seems like Shadowrun would be the easiest to set up (out of the systems both of you guys were up for) since everyone has the books.
However, if you guys want to try something else (like Rifts or Alternity), I'm happy to write up a summary of character creation and basic rules. So…. I'm going to assume Shadowrun for now (but you can override me if you'd really prefer something else). If you guys have some character concepts (or if you want to expand on any of yours from above, Ted), just drop 'em in. Once we figure out the campaign framework, I'll set up the wiki page and we can start building character pages and shit.
Regardless of campaign, you guys both said you might be into playing:
- Some kind of paranormal research team or
- Some kind of covert ops team (which could put you guys working different missions simultaneously and occasionally turning to one another for help)
I can work with either of those.
I'm thinking in either case we'll probably start out more realistic, and we'll probably start off everything by building some backstory for your characters. I'm also figuring this will be less of a DM-player relationship and more of a cooperative-storytelling kind of thing, though I'll still basically run DM role. What I mean is more that I'll be pretty open to any character and plot development ideas you guys have, and I'll probably run skeleton character development ideas by you guys so that we can build where you want your characters to go.
For Shadowrun:
If you want to start thinking about your character concepts in more detail, I'm probably going to go straight-up character creation rules, normal power level, with a cap of probably 100,000Y starting money (negotiable) and a cap of availability 8ish for starting equipment. I want there to be a lot of room for character skill development.
All the Shadowrun options I suggested seem to work best when it's more story-driven.
Sounds good to me, although getting players together can be pretty tough. As long as you don't mind doing a lot of this one-on-one, sounds good to me.
Do you have a preference for how you want to run this? i've never really run a multiperson rpg over posting and emails. Unless people can get together and post at pretty much the same time, do you think you'll have to work out scenarios where people can essentially act independently of one another?
Depending on what people can and want to handle, yeah, I was thinking that a loose affiliation might be easier than a tight one. That way, people can participate as they have time, they can run solo stuff as they see fit, and the 'team' can get together only when everyone can get together.
For this reason, I was also thinking it might end up being less roll-y and more role-play-ie. But I'm open to suggestions.
I been waiting for an excuse to crack open Pathfinder. Ted, think of it as a very somber D&D setting, with a dose of magitek
Well, since we've been PLAYING Pathfinder (just not the official Pathfinder setting), and from the description you gave, I'm going to assume you meant Eberron. Cool setting.
As for RIFTS… sounds like a generic do whatever you want system/setting without a ton of thought into feel. Could be an awesome platform with a good GM. Still, since I don't have the rulebook (yet), it would be hard to make character. I might have to let you just roll him up, in that scenario. Could be cool too.
Shadowrun:
Always cool. I actually like the idea of not playing a standard runner, cause I may be doing some Shadowrunning some'in some'in later, so a fun spin might be nice.
I like the ideas of the mercenary unit (I'm not sure if your RIFTS comment about Bigger Dick Syndrome meant you wanted to avoid it in all systems, cause a merc game may start shading in), the research team (archaeology sounds like the best, though we might have some folks that know about the other two and, under the right circumstances, could shade into them - working for the Atlanteans or the DIMR might work best), and the law enforcement (though not the PI… Lone Star, or maybe a Knight Errant Fire Team).
Do you have a preference for how you want to run this? i've never really run a multiperson rpg over posting and emails. Unless people can get together and post at pretty much the same time, do you think you'll have to work out scenarios where people can essentially act independently of one another?
For the campaign itself. Do you want to go:
- High or low power?
- focus mainly on story and dialogue (character intensive), or on stuff you can roll away?
- do you want to have to worry about an overarching cohesive plot?
- Gritty and dystopian or more High-action?
Possible character ideas (very general - can't be too specific without a little more idea of what I can expect… for example, if we post a lot or we focus mostly on action, I'll cut down on emotional realism and side plots that mean long strings of dialogue):
Merc Game:
1. maybe a general close-quarters/medium range commando type, or possible a general grunt (depends on power level) - I'm toying with the idea of a cybered guy in over his head - more of his flesh taken away, more of him symbolically dies in the wars, and (due to the costs), the more of him is owned by the company - this would be a kinda angsty, and would work well in situations where the company wants him to do bad things to innocent people (though he might not stay in the company for long this way… unless he had a cortex bomb - if you want to play the company as evil - which would work well)
2. Maybe a sniper, though I'm kinda burnt with them. If I do, I'm gonna play him a little more scout/sneak/infiltrate and less round in the head at 1500 yards.
3. In a merc game, I'm always tempted to go rigger. Gotta love a T-Bird. But, kinda burned on them too.
4. A hunter - guy who likes stalking and killing dangerous things… like people. Might be a sneak up and knife them type, might be a general weapons user, might be a sniper, might be all three. Likely either a physad or a cybered guy
Research Team Game__
1. probably a mage - magical researcher - more into assensing and divination than the boom boom (if he has any boom boom at all… he'll have SOME if they're going after mean critters) - he'll be the one responsible for detecting magical threats, realizing the importance of magical artifacts, possible subduing magical crittters or placating hostiles or locals (in all the last three cases, it'll be more mental stuff) - he'll be a more low-key magic uses - I'll be playing it like it's low-magic world, even though it isn't - he's a researcher, more than an Indy… but would have some Indy in him
2. Security - same as hunter (4) option above, but probably with a little less of an edge (more Indy and Quatermain than Daniel Jackson)
Law Enforcement (I might be doing something similar later, so something where you're more of a response team than an investigative unit would be better)
1. probably go with an option similar to one of the previous ones I mentioned.
I haven't got much right now. I can get more detailed later, when I get a better idea of what everyone else is generally interested in…
9. Rifts - Ted, this would be basically us playing EVERY RPG AT ONCE. So, I'm in.
Actually, I think GURPS would more accurately fit the EVERY RPG AT ONCE ideal, assuming you used all the expansions… . :-) The core Rifts stuff is kinda almost the same thing, though. Boiled down to its basics it's a post-apocalyptic/post-magipocalyptic multi-planetary setting, so you can do pretty much whatever you like. Some planets/dimensions had super-tech, some were still Stone Age. Some had alien life, and some human. The interdimensional/interplanetary rifts sometimes pulled people from one reality to another (or even whole locations), so you can basically set up whatever game world you want within Rifts and hand-wave it away as plausible. The system is a bit heavier and more numerical, and it's a sort of mixed class/skill system, but it can be good fun if you have players that are willing NOT to succumb immediately to Biggest Dick Syndrome.
Since so far Shadowrun seems to be a popular choice so far, and since no one is currently playing Shadowrun, I'm leaning towards suggesting that. If you guys are up for it, throw down some summary character and setting concepts and I'll start hammering out a campaign.
Also, I should note that if you know anyone else you'd like to invite in, feel free - I'll trust your judgment on who you'd invite. :-) I might invite another guy from out here as well if he's got the time.
Okay, so here's some campaign seeds to get you thinking. Don't treat these as limitations, though - I just want to hear what kind of theme you guys might want to play.
- Standard Shadowrunners, fresh-faced, new, and generally on the wrong side of the law.
- DocWagon High-Threat Response Team
- New recruits in a mercenary unit - company-funded equipment, but you gotta make a profit….
- Research team (parazoology, parabotany, archaeology, whatever)
- Law enforcement or PI
- Members of an organized crime syndicate
What are you guys interested in? I've got some seeds I can chase, but I want to hear from you if you're into a themed game or if you just want to be go-where-the-wind-takes-me runners.
Or, if you're tired of the same old stuff, let me know - I've got more game systems! I didn't even bring up Alternity, or Blue Planet, or old versions of D&D, or old versions of Shadowrun, or other White Wolf games, or…..
1. D&D 3E, Pathfinder, or Arcana Unearthed - All good. I been waiting for an excuse to crack open Pathfinder. Ted, think of it as a very somber D&D setting, with a dose of magitek.
2. D20 Modern or Spycraft - meh. Like Ted said, it needs a hook.
3. Shadowrun 4E - Always a favorite! Just point us at a problem and watch the us hit the fan!
4. D20 or WEG Star Wars - meh… do-able… I just feel like everything in it's been DONE to death.
5. Trinity - Would love to pick this up again… I think we ran out of time before we could really explore the possibilities of the system and the characters we had made.
6. Serenity/Cortex - ah, just run it like a con game. That… advice has two possible meanings, both of them accurate…
7. Exalted - Ted, think of it as Shadowrun in D&D setting, except instead of Magic *returning* to the world, Magic is already IN the world, and all the groups and orders are trying to keep it covered up. The Players are people with magic powers— the inconvenient "evidence" that needs to be erased.
8. Munchkin: The RPG - Are you kidding? Dan would be the last boss!
9. Rifts - Ted, this would be basically us playing EVERY RPG AT ONCE. So, I'm in.
I'm of two minds on this. One the one hand, I'm all up for trying an online game (as long as someone else is running it). However, I'm currently taking a break from GMing because I need the time. I recently did a review of a short session Dale and I played recently. The length is why I told Dale "Enjoy it, cause I'm definitely not making a habit of it…" I'm not too good at finding the middle. I'll either give you a few bullet points or a novella. In option A, I don't know how much quality I'll be giving you. In option B, I don't know how much quantity I'll be able to give you.
I'm up for trying it. I'm just going to qualify it with the restriction that I probably won't be able to put a LOT of effort into it. But, since it sounds like you might not be able to either, I guess that's not a huge concern…
Game options:
1. Pathfinder's good (not familiar with the setting) - other two I'd prefer not to jump into right now
2. D20 Modern or Spycraft - maybe… you'd have to sell me on the idea of the campaign
3. Shadowrun 4E - always a cool option, though I'm concerned that rolling that many virtual d6s might crash your computer
4. D20 or WEG Star Wars - sounds good, as long as you are not including any cartoon rabbits in your universe
5. Trinity - maybe, still think the systems a little clunky
6. Serenity/Cortex - possibly, though I agree that a campaign would be kinda hard to form (character concept - "uh, yeah, so… he's kinda like the Reaver version of Julia Child… he's got his own weekly cortex blog… oh, and he has a funny hat)
7. Exalted (ditto….) - never played it - could be fun
8. Munchkin: The RPG - Is Dan playing?
9. Rifts - copy and paste Exalted comment (don't even know what it is)
I can work with anything. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but just going by system I'm not getting too committed. Let me know if you have any specific campaign hooks for any of these…
Okay, I'm thinking about running a campaign. Thing is, I don't know that I'd be able to have regular sessions, especially since I'd have to set up some kind of telecon to run them remotely. But I COULD run something handled asynchronously. I was thinking we could start a wiki section for the campaign with sub-pages for "chapters" and a page for active, public-knowledge stuff. Once stuff gets old on the active page, I could clean it up and move it into the chapters. We could handle private conversations off to the side (IM, email) or could create character pages for the private stuff with a grown-up "keep player and character knowledge separate" policy.
So…. here are the questions.
- Is anyone even interested in this in the first place?
- If so, what systems are people interested in? I can go for any of these, and possibly more if needed:
- D&D 3E, Pathfinder, or Arcana Unearthed
- D20 Modern or Spycraft
- Shadowrun 4E
- D20 or WEG Star Wars
- Trinity
- Serenity/Cortex (though god help me coming up with a campaign for that one)
- Exalted (ditto….)
- Munchkin: The RPG
- Rifts
- If anyone's interested, does the wiki sound good for handling shit? I can come up with ways to do dice rolling remotely.
- What kind of campaign are people interested in (serious vs. comedic, story-driven vs. character-driven, etc.)?
I might even be able to be talked into running a game of Paranoia: Troubleshooters if people were to become super-excited about that. I'd have to buy a book for that one, though.
Okay, anyway, I'm posting this here, and I'm going to email a link to this out to some peoples to see if anyone's in. Please toss the replies and any potential short-paragraph campaign and/or character concepts into replies - we'll see how well this forum system works for us while we're at it….
in discussion Bullshitting / Random Bullshit » Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse, Bad Horse!
Remember when you guys made me watch Commentary the Musical! a while back? Well, I finally got Dr. Horrible on DVD. Hurray!!!
Sooooo many quotes…
So little self-control.
:)
(My hardest…)
