Haley and I want to host a game day some time this month.
The idea is everyone shows up around 10ish, we game for a bit, have lunch, game a bit more. If it's one of my two weekends with Nathan, then it's a "bring the whole family" kind of event, so the kids can play and watch TV, and the adults can play light-hearted card games or board games. This way, the non-gamers can be included. That would be this weekend (the 8th) and the 22nd.
Or if the 15th or 29th is better for everyone, then we can make characters and settle on goals for a GURPS game, perhaps even play it enough to test out the rules.
Let me know what date(s) work for everyone and your preference for the type of activity (rpgs, card games, board games, etc). I plan to grill hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, etc. for lunch. I don't know what we will do for dinner, but we'll come up with something.
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I'll check with Bran tonight about dates. What about trying to do the goal settling on here? We would still need to make PCs etc. but we could perhaps figure out a world and what to do in it here. That way we could all go ahead and settle on some concepts for characters and then just build them together? I don't mind holding off but I suspect we will do the pregame informally here anyway. If we agree to do it formally we can at least rely on what progress we make.
Yes, discussing it here is fine. I just meant to make a formal "Here's what we want" at the gathering, as part of our character creation efforts. Sometimes, those goals change as a result of the type of character we end up with.
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I'm up for gaming and have been missing it while away in student-mode. The 8th is not good for me. Any of the other 3 weekends are better. Though I have not talked to Jessica about it. She may have an opinion when I game.
On a related note, its possilbe when (and if) we get around to playing Gurps Star Wars, Jessica may be interested in playing with us. We might want to start with something else first though so we can work out hte crunchy details of the system before bringing her into it.
I want to GM the StarWars game(s) and that might fill our high space genra, but I think we should play something besides SW first. So that leaves Daniel's NearFuture or StoneFort game or something Shiva or Charles want to run. Or if everyone likes me GMing, then I could run a different genra like Time Travel / Dimention Hoping.
That doesn't narrow it down much, but I think my point is that the GM will likely depend on the genra or type of game we want to play.
I'm a little confused on this. Are welooking for gaming (I leave Vandy at home with the cats) or are welooking for family day (I bring Vandy and leave the cats at home)? As I read it 8/22 is family 15/29 is RPG.
8th is out for Vandy andprobably me 15th is out for me.
22nd is good for us 29th I could game. Not sureif I could be ready to GM.
I'm a little confused on this. Are we looking for gaming (I leave Vandy at home with the cats) or are we looking for family day (I bring Vandy and leave the cats at home)? As I read it 8/22 is family 15/29 is RPG.
I think it's that Charles and Haley want to have friends over to their place. But it depends on what weekend people come over as to what exactly the activities will be. So your interpretation is correct.
I can do the 15th and maybe the 29th but don't count on it. I can put something together by the 15th. It will not be the greatest game ever but we can at least decide if the rules are workable. However, I would gladly defer to anyone else on that one.
Do you all want me to have an intro starwars game ready that day. If so I have a way for us to generate characters as we play. Essentially, everyone would start off with a character in the same situation, refugees that are going to a safe-world to escape a death order or enslavement order from the Empire. (In the early days of the empire several unoffocial death warrents and slave warrents were issued to entire worlds or races if they were deemed unsuitable or problematic for the Empire). An apparent side-effect (or maybe requirememnt) for entering the sanctum results in partial but temporary amnesia allowing the players to generate their characters as they go, and as they "remember" stuff and as things come back to them. As the game/situation places demands on the characters, they "discover" if they are up to the challenge. Based on character concept, players can decide how much or little they know about a certain subject or how good they are at certain tasks thus spending character points as the story progresses. This way, we can get right to gaming rather than spending the whole day making characters.
The plot would involve the characters discovering things on their sactuary world are not what they were lead to believe and then deciding what they want to do about it and how. Since the game would take place in the same place, we wouldn't have to worry too much about galaxy, planets, ships, etc initially.
The game would be set between episodes 3 and 4 i.e. the Empire is becoming established and the Rebellion has not yet officially formed. The separtist movment to disband the republic has been thrwarted by the Clone war. The entire jedi order has been exicuted (or is in the process of being eliminated) for treason against the republic (empire).
If this is something you all are interested in doing on the 29th, let me know soon so I can start learning GURPS better.
I am perfectly happy to devulge as much information about any secret stuff as you guys would want to be satisfied with intro scenario (in character or out of charater). But I didn't want to reveal more than was needed right off the bat in case you all happen to like mystery. The only 'awakening' aspect of the game would be the more or less blank character sheet you could start with if you wanted. I mention it simply as a matter for quick gameplay rather than a plot point (though there could be plotpoints in there somewhere if that's how you decided to start).
It would actually make it easier in some ways if the "amnesia" trick were not used, but would require more up-front work, prefferably before game time. If you all want me to GM a Star Wars game this time, and don't mind spending some time working on your character before the 29th (or when ever we play) then I'm fine opening up more of the story's setup and backhistory so we can have transitions into the plot behind us.
I have been reading through the GURPS v4 books and while character creation is not exceptionally quick because there are a lot of options it is fairly simple. I'd rather "waste" a couple of hours building characters than build the character in game. I think that will just guarantee lame characters. With GURPS (contrary to what the book will try to make you believe) the best way to create a character is to start looking through the books and putting things that look interesting on paper. Then at the end totaling and either upping things to fill out your available character points or more likely reducing/deleting things to get back down to the allowed point totals.
The system you describe won't allow that. Whatever I need first is what I'll be stuck with forever.
Also from a pure playing standpoint as Shiva said I don't like awakening games.
I've been thinking through scenarios as I've been going through the handbooks and I have ideas percolating but I can't commit to having any of it ready by the 29th. Since we are trying a new system I would prefer putting off the game for a month until we can plan out character and a good campaign. I'd still love to get together if everyone can on the 29th but I'm not married to a RPG session. I could have notes for a scenario or two by then. We can sit down and hash out which game between the possible scenarios between GMs sounds best to everyone and agree to do that one first. Making characters together for that first game might be worthwhile.
I think ideal if we are going to try to play on the 29th might be to for one of us to create throw away one off characters for a game or two. It still has some of the disadvantages of being slow since it's not a character that the player created for themselves meaning that everyone will spend half the game trying to figure out what they can do with their powers but at least everyone will know what they can do. (page number next to powers will help) (copies of those pages will help more) Would that work for you for the SW game on the 29th? I know that is a time consuming proposition so it may be too much to ask. I don't want to commit to that large an undertaking in 2 weeks time but you may be able to pull it off. Just throwing out ideas feel free to say they are crazy. If I can get it together I'd be willing to run such a game on the 29th but I can't promise that time line at this time (maybe in a few days I can say yes or no for sure) but I don't want to rush it just to say yeah we did it.
As you may have guessed my worry is that I don't want to rush the first game and possible have us decide we don't like GURPS because we rushed it. A rushed game when you have been playing a system for a long time is tough a rushed game with a new system is extremely tough.
It would actually make it easier in some ways if the "amnesia" trick were not used, but would require more up-front work, prefferably before game time. If you all want me to GM a Star Wars game this time, and don't mind spending some time working on your character before the 29th (or when ever we play) then I'm fine opening up more of the story's setup and backhistory so we can have transitions into the plot behind us.
You and I must have been working on posts at the same time. As long as I know what my character can do I'd be good with this. It'll slow the first game down but also would make it easy on everyone (except you).
Framing the proposed plot scenario without awakening elements would look like this... (it requres a little bit of SW universe setup for people who haven't seen all 6 movies)
The Jedi were a knightly order of mystics and psychics who initially were more or less a religious order of thinkers and philosophers but later took on more of a governmental and peace-keeping role in the galactic republic. The galactic republic consists of most known civilized worlds within easy traveling distance of the galaxy's core. These worlds have representatives in the senate and the senate is now headed by (and controled by) a tyrantical emporer who has recently gained favor and power among enhabitants of the galaxy through trickery, deception, and political manipulation. The jedi were among the few in the galaxy powerful and wise enough to figure out the emporor's evil plans and do something about them so the emporor framed the jedi order and revealed them to be "traitors and treasonors". He effectively turned the galactic population (or at least those that mattered) against the jedi and thus was able to kill off most of them. With the jedi eliminated, the largest threat to the emporor's seat of power was removed. He had removed the teachings, training, and disipline of the jedi tradition from the galaxy but there still remain untrained people sensitive to the psychic forces that the jedi tap into. These individuals still pose a threat if they somehow manage to become aware of their abilities and powers. So the empire seeks out such "extrordinary" people and kills them.
The majority of the organizations that hunt down these people don't have ways of determining if they are truely "force-senitive" or not. They just keep their eyes out for people who can do super human things or perform unexpainable acts. Families or individuals who know of these hunting parties become worried when they know or susspect someone they love might possess traits these hunters kill for. Those with the means to protect their loved ones often seek ways to hide them from the empire.
The PCs would be people who have taken refuge from these hunting parties either because their family susspects they have traits that will get them killed or because the individual susspects he does. Whether the PCs actually are "force-sensitive" or not is not important.
Daniel's concerns about the "make as you go" character are certainly legitamate. It'd probably result in useful characters for the moment but they'd not be long-term usable. I hadn't thought that far.
If you wanted the SW scenario, I'd be OK with making pregens for people to chose from or allowing those who wanted to to make their own character as long at it fit into the scenario in such a way to strengthen party loyalty.
We might also want to concider seeing if Charles would run a continuation of the previous Marvel game on the 29th in case we can't get the GURPS game together in time.
I'm fine using GURPS and the proposed scenario. Do we want this as a one-time game or an ongoing game? If it's ongoing, then why don't we plan to make the characters as a group, so we can figure out what roles the party will need and who is most willing / best able to fill those roles. We don't want a party full of swashbuckling Han Solos any more than we want a party full of droids. That takes some burden off Brian, since he can help guide us without pre-making PCs. Then, we can take those characters on a very short intro game, designed to give us a chance to try out the new rules and see if things do what we think they do. I figure no more than 1 or 2 "encounters," or an hour to two of gaming after the character generation. If it's the above scenario, perhaps it's our escape from the slavers. I would rather we also build them with long-term allegiance in mind rather than short-term.
I'm fine with amnesia, but I agree that I'd rather know what's on my sheet and play like I don't than filling it in as we go. Awakenings games CAN be fun, but all too often, it devolves into "Ok, if I do this, what happens?!" and I would rather avoid the mad scurrying to develop powers or abilities.
If it's a 1-time game, then pre-gen characters may be better for the PCs, though not so much for Brian. The backgrounds aren't as important then, either.
I can run a Marvel game--those are fairly quick and easy to build. I don't remember which game was our "last" Marvel game, though. If we plan to move to GURPS, I'd just as soon go ahead and do so. Perhaps a GURPS Powers game would be better?
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If we are having a character making session with a short intro game, i'd feel more comfident about that. I was having a bit of hesitation about GMing the SW scenario if it needs to be the spectacular success that Daniel seems to want. A chargen session with basic intro will take the pressure off me having to learn GURPs to the extent of pulling off a fantastic game. ANd I'll have time to master the game rules before the following session, as should we all.
I'd be alright playing the marvel game but lets keep that as a backup in case other plans fall appart. The "last" marvel game was the one with the bio-vampire badguy monsters, the fanatic hunters bent on distroying the city to kill them, and me, shiva, and eric caught in between.
I can run a Marvel game--those are fairly quick and easy to build. I don't remember which game was our "last" Marvel game, though. If we plan to move to GURPS, I'd just as soon go ahead and do so. Perhaps a GURPS Powers game would be better?
I think the idea behind Marvel was if there wasn't time to get ready for GURPS.
I'm still going through stuff as fast as I can so I might have something ready.
Alright. So we have a date, we have an engine. Which of you is GMing? Are we doing a 1-time game to learn the rules, or starting our characters off on a grand adventure that will hopefully involve regular playing?
My thoughts, in no particular order:
If we play Star Wars, I would like to stick to "normal" stuff from the setting. B, you made some pretty big changes to the core when you ran Wheel of Time. Had those changes been fleshed out better, I would have enjoyed them more. But I think picking up a whole new engine will be sufficient challenge, without trying to tweak something that's not part of the source books. Obviously, I don't want to play any of the "known" characters. Or probably even meet any of them. I'd rather hear about events from the films and books as backstory or rumors or "things happening elsewhere" rather than trying to mesh into those major plots--especially since I would bet that B is the only person on this forum who's actually read many (any?) of the Star Wars novels. I guess those are my only worries on the idea of playing SW.
Regardless of what we play, if we are trying to make a campaign rather than a one-time game, I think we need to try to tie our PCs to each other as a group more firmly than we've done in the past. We also need to tie them to other NPCs. Family, friends, employers, employees, enemies, allies, folks that we can use to our benefit and can be used against us both. This is probably the only way to make our PCs "part of the world" instead of just some folks wandering around killing/stealing/etc.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on that.
I'm looking forward to it, though.
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I don't mind if Daniel GMs. I mentioned my plot idea becaues it sounded like Daniel didn't think he'd be ready to run a game. I'll prepare as if I'm GMing just in case.
I would like my SW game to be part of a longer running campaign. I plan to stick to the established SW cannon, no crazy stuff. The setting will be between episodes 3 and 4. That is, between the new trilogy and the old trilogy. There is plenty of "room" to work in that timeframe without interfeering with the film's storylines. I have not read any of the starwars novels but Jessica has. And for the most part, those novels tell the story after the Return of the Jedi. Though there are some new books I believe that might start to fill in the space between the movies.
I hope the characters are tied well together. I don't think there is any need to tie their backstories together. The game situation should do that nicely. I want these to be roughtly "begining" characters (younger, though there could be an older but inexperienced character there if needed) maybe a year or two younger than Luke was in epp 4, or his age. Hopefully by having characters that are all starting their "careers", they won't have any pre-existing agendas that will tear them away from any agendas that the game plot presents them with.
Looks like I will be able to make it in the afternoon and stay til early evening Which might make building pcs and getting started about all I can do. Sorry gang.
What was the plan anyway in terms of time etc. anyway? When I logged in tonoight the security program had me enter rear and perverted
I don't mind if Daniel GMs. I mentioned my plot idea becaues it sounded like Daniel didn't think he'd be ready to run a game. I'll prepare as if I'm GMing just in case.
Thanks Brian. I will send a message for sure this weekend to let you know one way or the other. If I can get a one off together I will. I don't have any real desire to run a long campaign so you can have that honor.
If it is agreeable to everyone I'll probably just create characters for the game. Anyone who prefers to create their own will of course be free to do so. I will try to allow for plenty of opportunity for people to give me a rough sketch of what they want and I can do the mechanics from there or failing that I'll just create a few and let people choose.
Very rough idea. I'm looking at basing a game off of Flight 13 either current day or very near future (no further than say 2100). I am open to some weirdness since this game feeds on weirdness. Most items that the GURPS manual refers to as cinematic will be acceptable. Psyonics and magic may exist but will be extremely hidden (Men in Black) and very limited if available to PCs at all. I'm not sure on those elements. Extreme cybernetics are out but I might allow some experimental cybernetics if I decide to place it slightly in the future. I don't want to get too much going on.
This world has a few advantages. We know the world for the most part but not really since the world is interrupted. We can throw together somewhat disparate characters for a one off game since everyone is a passenger or crew member. No inherently evil characters will be allowed but evil is subjective as long as you can work toward a team goal. It looks to be an interesting adventure. I'll probably lean more toward the mystery angle more than the horror angle since I think that is ultimately what most horror games are anyway.
Does this sound like something people would want to play? Comments? If you have any preference one way or the other on some of the maybe this maybe that elements I mentioned above post to this group to let me know your preference.
If you have character preferences go ahead and start sending them to me either via private mail here or via a public post if you want everyone to see your genius.
When I logged in tonoight the security program had me enter rear and perverted
Perhaps the recaptcha folks know shiva better than we might have thought!
Quote "daniel":
Is Haley planing to play?
It seems unlikely. I think she plans to take Lea to Owensboro to spend the afternoon with Haley's sister.
As for a schedule, I'm farely open. I know Shiva tends to have the shortest time, and I don't know if you guys plan to car-pool or not. I figure I will grill some kind of lunch and then maybe cook a pizza or something for dinner--eating out means less time for the game.
Google Maps has the best directions.
As for characters, I don't know what the "Flight 13" setting is, so I'm not much help. I don't want to be one of the pilots, as horror movies with planes ALWAYS end up with the pilots dying early. Though one of us having a pilot's license might be nice. I somehow doubt ground radar can "talk someone" through landing a complex air craft. Please tell me there won't be any motherf-ing snakes on this motherf-ing plane!
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I picked up the two GURPS campaign books off ebay yesterday, hopefully they will arrive in time.
I also have about $20 in store credit at Paizo.com from my Dragon subscription, so I will probably spend that on some other GURPS book(s), once we figure out what would be most useful moving forward.
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I'm not familiar with the Flight 13 setting either. More background? Does a mad scientist / gadgeteer idea fit in this setting?
As far as Jay goes, I figure Shiva has the closest communication with him. But I did see Jay visiting the CHAR site the other night. He's probably at least read some of the more recent posts.
As for a schedule, I'm farely open. I know Shiva tends to have the shortest time, and I don't know if you guys plan to car-pool or not. I figure I will grill some kind of lunch and then maybe cook a pizza or something for dinner--eating out means less time for the game.
Google Maps has the best directions.
As for characters, I don't know what the "Flight 13" setting is, so I'm not much help. I don't want to be one of the pilots, as horror movies with planes ALWAYS end up with the pilots dying early. Though one of us having a pilot's license might be nice. I somehow doubt ground radar can "talk someone" through landing a complex air craft. Please tell me there won't be any motherf-ing snakes on this motherf-ing plane!
I'm open for schedule but I'd prefer not to start before 5 am. I'd say get there a little before lunch. BS talk about the game/system whatever. Eat then start playing.
Flight 13 is only partially on a plane. Probably no need to have a pilot character unless someone just wants that job. Flight 13 background http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Flight13/
No promises about snakes one way or the other.
captcha "active conqueror" obviously does not know me.
I'm not familiar with the Flight 13 setting either. More background? Does a mad scientist / gadgeteer idea fit in this setting?
I see the gadgeteer as applicable in most any campaign. I'm OK with a cinematic flare so that could be a fun one. If you want to go this route let me know and I have a suggestion or two.
A mad scientist would be harder. The thing to remember about Flight 13 is your are in a TSA zone so you won't have all of your equipment just what you would carry on an airplane and through screening. I think you would be too limited to be useful.
I don't want to say too much about the world because I don't have my ideas completely formed yet and I don't want to give away plot points. You are a passenger (or I'll allow crew) on a commercial flight. You have an interruption. It becomes a mystery/survival game after that.
I will keep combat to a minimum but I wouldn't recommend playing a character that has no offensive/defensive ability.
I'm good with that timeframe. I'm interested in hearing your suggestions about the gadgeteer. The mad scientist aspect was more personality-wise than actual beaker-wielding laboratory scientist.
I'm good with that timeframe. I'm interested in hearing your suggestions about the gadgeteer. The mad scientist aspect was more personality-wise than actual beaker-wielding laboratory scientist.
Mad scientist personality sure. Doesn't seem like much of a stretch for you.
I'll e-mail you tonight if I don't forget. Remind me in e-mail if I forget.
Haley and I want to host a game day some time this month.
The idea is everyone shows up around 10ish, we game for a bit, have lunch, game a bit more. If it's one of my two weekends with Nathan, then it's a "bring the whole family" kind of event, so the kids can play and watch TV, and the adults can play light-hearted card games or board games. This way, the non-gamers can be included. That would be this weekend (the 8th) and the 22nd.
Or if the 15th or 29th is better for everyone, then we can make characters and settle on goals for a GURPS game, perhaps even play it enough to test out the rules.
Let me know what date(s) work for everyone and your preference for the type of activity (rpgs, card games, board games, etc). I plan to grill hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, etc. for lunch. I don't know what we will do for dinner, but we'll come up with something.
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I'll check with Bran tonight about dates. What about trying to do the goal settling on here? We would still need to make PCs etc. but we could perhaps figure out a world and what to do in it here. That way we could all go ahead and settle on some concepts for characters and then just build them together? I don't mind holding off but I suspect we will do the pregame informally here anyway. If we agree to do it formally we can at least rely on what progress we make.
Yes, discussing it here is fine. I just meant to make a formal "Here's what we want" at the gathering, as part of our character creation efforts. Sometimes, those goals change as a result of the type of character we end up with.
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I'm up for gaming and have been missing it while away in student-mode. The 8th is not good for me. Any of the other 3 weekends are better. Though I have not talked to Jessica about it. She may have an opinion when I game.
On a related note, its possilbe when (and if) we get around to playing Gurps Star Wars, Jessica may be interested in playing with us. We might want to start with something else first though so we can work out hte crunchy details of the system before bringing her into it.
1 question who GMS?
Depends on the game!
If the first run-thru is just a "test the waters" sort of thing, its probably not a big deal.
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I want to GM the StarWars game(s) and that might fill our high space genra, but I think we should play something besides SW first. So that leaves Daniel's NearFuture or StoneFort game or something Shiva or Charles want to run. Or if everyone likes me GMing, then I could run a different genra like Time Travel / Dimention Hoping.
That doesn't narrow it down much, but I think my point is that the GM will likely depend on the genra or type of game we want to play.
I'm a little confused on this. Are welooking for gaming (I leave Vandy at home with the cats) or are welooking for family day (I bring Vandy and leave the cats at home)? As I read it 8/22 is family 15/29 is RPG.
8th is out for Vandy andprobably me
15th is out for me.
22nd is good for us
29th I could game. Not sureif I could be ready to GM.
Does someone want to contact Jay?
Last Edited By Daniel on 04 Sep 2007 20:34:38.
Jay Who?
Jay that guy who shows up about as often as I do.
Quote Daniel:
I'm a little confused on this. Are we looking for gaming (I leave Vandy at home with the cats) or are we looking for family day (I bring Vandy and leave the cats at home)? As I read it 8/22 is family 15/29 is RPG.
I think it's that Charles and Haley want to have friends over to their place. But it depends on what weekend people come over as to what exactly the activities will be. So your interpretation is correct.
I can do the 15th and maybe the 29th but don't count on it. I can put something together by the 15th. It will not be the greatest game ever but we can at least decide if the rules are workable. However, I would gladly defer to anyone else on that one.
Last Edited By shiva on 05 Sep 2007 09:07:45.
So, to recap, the dates as follows:
So far, the 29th is looking like our best bet.
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Any updates on this?? Shiva, can you game the 29th?
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I think I could game the 29th
Do we have a plan yet? Is anyone preparing to run a game or introduce GURPS to us?
No word from Daniel and Shiva on the date or the game. Anyone called Jay?
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I can't GM. Playing this month is up in the air for me.
I take back what I said. 22nd is out 29th is probably yes. Probably can't GM but maybe.
I'll know soon about the 29th. I will see what I can dig up this weekend.
Do you all want me to have an intro starwars game ready that day. If so I have a way for us to generate characters as we play. Essentially, everyone would start off with a character in the same situation, refugees that are going to a safe-world to escape a death order or enslavement order from the Empire. (In the early days of the empire several unoffocial death warrents and slave warrents were issued to entire worlds or races if they were deemed unsuitable or problematic for the Empire). An apparent side-effect (or maybe requirememnt) for entering the sanctum results in partial but temporary amnesia allowing the players to generate their characters as they go, and as they "remember" stuff and as things come back to them. As the game/situation places demands on the characters, they "discover" if they are up to the challenge. Based on character concept, players can decide how much or little they know about a certain subject or how good they are at certain tasks thus spending character points as the story progresses. This way, we can get right to gaming rather than spending the whole day making characters.
The plot would involve the characters discovering things on their sactuary world are not what they were lead to believe and then deciding what they want to do about it and how. Since the game would take place in the same place, we wouldn't have to worry too much about galaxy, planets, ships, etc initially.
The game would be set between episodes 3 and 4 i.e. the Empire is becoming established and the Rebellion has not yet officially formed. The separtist movment to disband the republic has been thrwarted by the Clone war. The entire jedi order has been exicuted (or is in the process of being eliminated) for treason against the republic (empire).
If this is something you all are interested in doing on the 29th, let me know soon so I can start learning GURPS better.
Last Edited By Rubisco on 15 Sep 2007 13:14:04.
Brian have we mentioned how much we hate awakenings games? This is just an awakenings game by another name.
This doesn't have to be an Awakening Game
I am perfectly happy to devulge as much information about any secret stuff as you guys would want to be satisfied with intro scenario (in character or out of charater). But I didn't want to reveal more than was needed right off the bat in case you all happen to like mystery. The only 'awakening' aspect of the game would be the more or less blank character sheet you could start with if you wanted. I mention it simply as a matter for quick gameplay rather than a plot point (though there could be plotpoints in there somewhere if that's how you decided to start).
It would actually make it easier in some ways if the "amnesia" trick were not used, but would require more up-front work, prefferably before game time. If you all want me to GM a Star Wars game this time, and don't mind spending some time working on your character before the 29th (or when ever we play) then I'm fine opening up more of the story's setup and backhistory so we can have transitions into the plot behind us.
I have been reading through the GURPS v4 books and while character creation is not exceptionally quick because there are a lot of options it is fairly simple. I'd rather "waste" a couple of hours building characters than build the character in game. I think that will just guarantee lame characters. With GURPS (contrary to what the book will try to make you believe) the best way to create a character is to start looking through the books and putting things that look interesting on paper. Then at the end totaling and either upping things to fill out your available character points or more likely reducing/deleting things to get back down to the allowed point totals.
The system you describe won't allow that. Whatever I need first is what I'll be stuck with forever.
Also from a pure playing standpoint as Shiva said I don't like awakening games.
I've been thinking through scenarios as I've been going through the handbooks and I have ideas percolating but I can't commit to having any of it ready by the 29th. Since we are trying a new system I would prefer putting off the game for a month until we can plan out character and a good campaign. I'd still love to get together if everyone can on the 29th but I'm not married to a RPG session. I could have notes for a scenario or two by then. We can sit down and hash out which game between the possible scenarios between GMs sounds best to everyone and agree to do that one first. Making characters together for that first game might be worthwhile.
I think ideal if we are going to try to play on the 29th might be to for one of us to create throw away one off characters for a game or two. It still has some of the disadvantages of being slow since it's not a character that the player created for themselves meaning that everyone will spend half the game trying to figure out what they can do with their powers but at least everyone will know what they can do. (page number next to powers will help) (copies of those pages will help more) Would that work for you for the SW game on the 29th? I know that is a time consuming proposition so it may be too much to ask. I don't want to commit to that large an undertaking in 2 weeks time but you may be able to pull it off. Just throwing out ideas feel free to say they are crazy. If I can get it together I'd be willing to run such a game on the 29th but I can't promise that time line at this time (maybe in a few days I can say yes or no for sure) but I don't want to rush it just to say yeah we did it.
As you may have guessed my worry is that I don't want to rush the first game and possible have us decide we don't like GURPS because we rushed it. A rushed game when you have been playing a system for a long time is tough a rushed game with a new system is extremely tough.
Quote charles:
Anyone called Jay?
I just e-mailed him.
Quote Rubisco:
It would actually make it easier in some ways if the "amnesia" trick were not used, but would require more up-front work, prefferably before game time. If you all want me to GM a Star Wars game this time, and don't mind spending some time working on your character before the 29th (or when ever we play) then I'm fine opening up more of the story's setup and backhistory so we can have transitions into the plot behind us.
You and I must have been working on posts at the same time. As long as I know what my character can do I'd be good with this. It'll slow the first game down but also would make it easy on everyone (except you).
Framing the proposed plot scenario without awakening elements would look like this... (it requres a little bit of SW universe setup for people who haven't seen all 6 movies)
The Jedi were a knightly order of mystics and psychics who initially were more or less a religious order of thinkers and philosophers but later took on more of a governmental and peace-keeping role in the galactic republic. The galactic republic consists of most known civilized worlds within easy traveling distance of the galaxy's core. These worlds have representatives in the senate and the senate is now headed by (and controled by) a tyrantical emporer who has recently gained favor and power among enhabitants of the galaxy through trickery, deception, and political manipulation. The jedi were among the few in the galaxy powerful and wise enough to figure out the emporor's evil plans and do something about them so the emporor framed the jedi order and revealed them to be "traitors and treasonors". He effectively turned the galactic population (or at least those that mattered) against the jedi and thus was able to kill off most of them. With the jedi eliminated, the largest threat to the emporor's seat of power was removed. He had removed the teachings, training, and disipline of the jedi tradition from the galaxy but there still remain untrained people sensitive to the psychic forces that the jedi tap into. These individuals still pose a threat if they somehow manage to become aware of their abilities and powers. So the empire seeks out such "extrordinary" people and kills them.
The majority of the organizations that hunt down these people don't have ways of determining if they are truely "force-senitive" or not. They just keep their eyes out for people who can do super human things or perform unexpainable acts. Families or individuals who know of these hunting parties become worried when they know or susspect someone they love might possess traits these hunters kill for. Those with the means to protect their loved ones often seek ways to hide them from the empire.
The PCs would be people who have taken refuge from these hunting parties either because their family susspects they have traits that will get them killed or because the individual susspects he does. Whether the PCs actually are "force-sensitive" or not is not important.
Daniel's concerns about the "make as you go" character are certainly legitamate. It'd probably result in useful characters for the moment but they'd not be long-term usable. I hadn't thought that far.
If you wanted the SW scenario, I'd be OK with making pregens for people to chose from or allowing those who wanted to to make their own character as long at it fit into the scenario in such a way to strengthen party loyalty.
We might also want to concider seeing if Charles would run a continuation of the previous Marvel game on the 29th in case we can't get the GURPS game together in time.
As for star wars, here's my thoughts:
I'm fine using GURPS and the proposed scenario. Do we want this as a one-time game or an ongoing game? If it's ongoing, then why don't we plan to make the characters as a group, so we can figure out what roles the party will need and who is most willing / best able to fill those roles. We don't want a party full of swashbuckling Han Solos any more than we want a party full of droids. That takes some burden off Brian, since he can help guide us without pre-making PCs. Then, we can take those characters on a very short intro game, designed to give us a chance to try out the new rules and see if things do what we think they do. I figure no more than 1 or 2 "encounters," or an hour to two of gaming after the character generation. If it's the above scenario, perhaps it's our escape from the slavers. I would rather we also build them with long-term allegiance in mind rather than short-term.
I'm fine with amnesia, but I agree that I'd rather know what's on my sheet and play like I don't than filling it in as we go. Awakenings games CAN be fun, but all too often, it devolves into "Ok, if I do this, what happens?!" and I would rather avoid the mad scurrying to develop powers or abilities.
If it's a 1-time game, then pre-gen characters may be better for the PCs, though not so much for Brian. The backgrounds aren't as important then, either.
I can run a Marvel game--those are fairly quick and easy to build. I don't remember which game was our "last" Marvel game, though. If we plan to move to GURPS, I'd just as soon go ahead and do so. Perhaps a GURPS Powers game would be better?
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If we are having a character making session with a short intro game, i'd feel more comfident about that. I was having a bit of hesitation about GMing the SW scenario if it needs to be the spectacular success that Daniel seems to want. A chargen session with basic intro will take the pressure off me having to learn GURPs to the extent of pulling off a fantastic game. ANd I'll have time to master the game rules before the following session, as should we all.
I'd be alright playing the marvel game but lets keep that as a backup in case other plans fall appart. The "last" marvel game was the one with the bio-vampire badguy monsters, the fanatic hunters bent on distroying the city to kill them, and me, shiva, and eric caught in between.
Quote charles:
I think the idea behind Marvel was if there wasn't time to get ready for GURPS.
I'm still going through stuff as fast as I can so I might have something ready.
Okey Dokey
I just ordered the GURPS charachters and Gurps Campaigns. We'll have at least one set for us to use.
Quote Rubisco:
I have them also. Sorry I thought I had posted when I ordered.
Alright. So we have a date, we have an engine. Which of you is GMing? Are we doing a 1-time game to learn the rules, or starting our characters off on a grand adventure that will hopefully involve regular playing?
My thoughts, in no particular order:
If we play Star Wars, I would like to stick to "normal" stuff from the setting. B, you made some pretty big changes to the core when you ran Wheel of Time. Had those changes been fleshed out better, I would have enjoyed them more. But I think picking up a whole new engine will be sufficient challenge, without trying to tweak something that's not part of the source books. Obviously, I don't want to play any of the "known" characters. Or probably even meet any of them. I'd rather hear about events from the films and books as backstory or rumors or "things happening elsewhere" rather than trying to mesh into those major plots--especially since I would bet that B is the only person on this forum who's actually read many (any?) of the Star Wars novels. I guess those are my only worries on the idea of playing SW.
Regardless of what we play, if we are trying to make a campaign rather than a one-time game, I think we need to try to tie our PCs to each other as a group more firmly than we've done in the past. We also need to tie them to other NPCs. Family, friends, employers, employees, enemies, allies, folks that we can use to our benefit and can be used against us both. This is probably the only way to make our PCs "part of the world" instead of just some folks wandering around killing/stealing/etc.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on that.
I'm looking forward to it, though.
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I don't mind if Daniel GMs. I mentioned my plot idea becaues it sounded like Daniel didn't think he'd be ready to run a game. I'll prepare as if I'm GMing just in case.
I would like my SW game to be part of a longer running campaign. I plan to stick to the established SW cannon, no crazy stuff. The setting will be between episodes 3 and 4. That is, between the new trilogy and the old trilogy. There is plenty of "room" to work in that timeframe without interfeering with the film's storylines. I have not read any of the starwars novels but Jessica has. And for the most part, those novels tell the story after the Return of the Jedi. Though there are some new books I believe that might start to fill in the space between the movies.
I hope the characters are tied well together. I don't think there is any need to tie their backstories together. The game situation should do that nicely. I want these to be roughtly "begining" characters (younger, though there could be an older but inexperienced character there if needed) maybe a year or two younger than Luke was in epp 4, or his age. Hopefully by having characters that are all starting their "careers", they won't have any pre-existing agendas that will tear them away from any agendas that the game plot presents them with.
Looks like I will be able to make it in the afternoon and stay til early evening Which might make building pcs and getting started about all I can do. Sorry gang.
What was the plan anyway in terms of time etc. anyway? When I logged in tonoight the security program had me enter rear and perverted
Quote shiva:
When I logged in tonoight the security program had me enter rear and perverted
That what you get when we let charles pick the security program.
Quote Rubisco:
I don't mind if Daniel GMs. I mentioned my plot idea becaues it sounded like Daniel didn't think he'd be ready to run a game. I'll prepare as if I'm GMing just in case.
Thanks Brian. I will send a message for sure this weekend to let you know one way or the other. If I can get a one off together I will. I don't have any real desire to run a long campaign so you can have that honor.
If it is agreeable to everyone I'll probably just create characters for the game. Anyone who prefers to create their own will of course be free to do so. I will try to allow for plenty of opportunity for people to give me a rough sketch of what they want and I can do the mechanics from there or failing that I'll just create a few and let people choose.
Anyone heard from Jay?
Is Haley planing to play?
Game idea
Very rough idea. I'm looking at basing a game off of Flight 13 either current day or very near future (no further than say 2100). I am open to some weirdness since this game feeds on weirdness. Most items that the GURPS manual refers to as cinematic will be acceptable. Psyonics and magic may exist but will be extremely hidden (Men in Black) and very limited if available to PCs at all. I'm not sure on those elements. Extreme cybernetics are out but I might allow some experimental cybernetics if I decide to place it slightly in the future. I don't want to get too much going on.
This world has a few advantages.
We know the world for the most part but not really since the world is interrupted.
We can throw together somewhat disparate characters for a one off game since everyone is a passenger or crew member. No inherently evil characters will be allowed but evil is subjective as long as you can work toward a team goal.
It looks to be an interesting adventure. I'll probably lean more toward the mystery angle more than the horror angle since I think that is ultimately what most horror games are anyway.
Does this sound like something people would want to play?
Comments?
If you have any preference one way or the other on some of the maybe this maybe that elements I mentioned above post to this group to let me know your preference.
If you have character preferences go ahead and start sending them to me either via private mail here or via a public post if you want everyone to see your genius.
Quote "shiva":
Perhaps the recaptcha folks know shiva better than we might have thought!
Quote "daniel":
It seems unlikely. I think she plans to take Lea to Owensboro to spend the afternoon with Haley's sister.
As for a schedule, I'm farely open. I know Shiva tends to have the shortest time, and I don't know if you guys plan to car-pool or not. I figure I will grill some kind of lunch and then maybe cook a pizza or something for dinner--eating out means less time for the game.
Google Maps has the best directions.
As for characters, I don't know what the "Flight 13" setting is, so I'm not much help. I don't want to be one of the pilots, as horror movies with planes ALWAYS end up with the pilots dying early. Though one of us having a pilot's license might be nice. I somehow doubt ground radar can "talk someone" through landing a complex air craft. Please tell me there won't be any motherf-ing snakes on this motherf-ing plane!
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I picked up the two GURPS campaign books off ebay yesterday, hopefully they will arrive in time.
I also have about $20 in store credit at Paizo.com from my Dragon subscription, so I will probably spend that on some other GURPS book(s), once we figure out what would be most useful moving forward.
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I'm not familiar with the Flight 13 setting either. More background? Does a mad scientist / gadgeteer idea fit in this setting?
As far as Jay goes, I figure Shiva has the closest communication with him. But I did see Jay visiting the CHAR site the other night. He's probably at least read some of the more recent posts.
Last Edited By Rubisco on 21 Sep 2007 09:15:51.
Quote charles:
As for a schedule, I'm farely open. I know Shiva tends to have the shortest time, and I don't know if you guys plan to car-pool or not. I figure I will grill some kind of lunch and then maybe cook a pizza or something for dinner--eating out means less time for the game.
Google Maps has the best directions.
As for characters, I don't know what the "Flight 13" setting is, so I'm not much help. I don't want to be one of the pilots, as horror movies with planes ALWAYS end up with the pilots dying early. Though one of us having a pilot's license might be nice. I somehow doubt ground radar can "talk someone" through landing a complex air craft. Please tell me there won't be any motherf-ing snakes on this motherf-ing plane!
I'm open for schedule but I'd prefer not to start before 5 am. I'd say get there a little before lunch. BS talk about the game/system whatever. Eat then start playing.
Flight 13 is only partially on a plane. Probably no need to have a pilot character unless someone just wants that job. Flight 13 background http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Flight13/
No promises about snakes one way or the other.
captcha "active conqueror" obviously does not know me.
Can you send me your street address via e-mail?
Quote Rubisco:
I'm not familiar with the Flight 13 setting either. More background? Does a mad scientist / gadgeteer idea fit in this setting?
A mad scientist would be harder. The thing to remember about Flight 13 is your are in a TSA zone so you won't have all of your equipment just what you would carry on an airplane and through screening. I think you would be too limited to be useful.
I don't want to say too much about the world because I don't have my ideas completely formed yet and I don't want to give away plot points. You are a passenger (or I'll allow crew) on a commercial flight. You have an interruption. It becomes a mystery/survival game after that.
I will keep combat to a minimum but I wouldn't recommend playing a character that has no offensive/defensive ability.
I'm good with that timeframe. I'm interested in hearing your suggestions about the gadgeteer. The mad scientist aspect was more personality-wise than actual beaker-wielding laboratory scientist.
Quote Rubisco:
Mad scientist personality sure. Doesn't seem like much of a stretch for you.
I'll e-mail you tonight if I don't forget. Remind me in e-mail if I forget.
Beaker!
Meep-Meep!
This is my Signature. There are others like it, but this one is mine...
Quote charles:
Beaker!
Meep-Meep!
If I only understood.
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