Rain pelts the windows of the manor house belonging to Senator Stapleton, and shafts of lightning intermittently illuminate the feverish swaying of the trees outside. The storm that cut short your hunting excursion is in full force now. A resounding report and blinding flash of light nearly knock you to your feet, and the house goes dark as the electric lights falter.
Match flames spring into the darkness and soon meet candles, bringing the room back to a soft glow. The murmuring of voices is broken by a horrific shriek from downstairs. You all rush to the basement, where your host had been checking on the electrical systems. There, the maid crouches over a horribly burned body; beneath the charred skin and blackened blood, yellow eyes stare up vacantly out of a green scaled face...
This will be a steampunk campaign, set in 190X, in which the PCs discover that a politician with national ambitions is a reptilian imposter. They must unravel the conspiracy, root out the imposters, and confront the alien menace. The plot will start out local, but will eventually include space travel.
PCs will be either VIP guests of the Senator (famous entertainers, scientists, businessmen, athletes, big-game hunters, etc.), or servants in the manor.
For this game, I want to use the Forgotten Futures system, a rules-light steampunk/retro sci-fi system that's available for FREE here.
If people are interested, I'll post character creation and setting notes.
dot
Interested. Where is this set? How true to real history is the campaign' s history?
Dot
I need to look at the rules but I could totally get into playing a half native american Pinkerton agent. As the others have asked, more information about the specifics of the adventure setting would be useful.
Wow, fascinating. I'm in for hearing the details, at least (admittedly, pending reading the rules).
The setting will be a steampunk-ish real world setting, in the vein of the works of H. G. Wells, Jules Verne, etc. In terms of real history, it should follow pretty closely, except for recent technological development:
-The year is 190X. Theodore Roosevelt is president, and Edward VII rules in England.
-Cars are readily available to your characters, but are not widely commercialized. Likewise with radio and indoor electric lights.
-Dirigibles are common, both for commercial freight and mass transportation, and as military ships.
-Babbage engines are common, and there are rumors of AIs created in the last few years. However they are unpredictable and irreproducible.
-It's common knowledge that Mars has (or formerly had) a canal-building civilization, but there has been no contact with space aliens of any kind. Civilizations on other known planets are the subject of much speculation.
-The existence of psychic and occult phenomena is not widely accepted, but the idea is popular among the intelligentsia.
What about the adventure’s location? America I presume...but out West? New England? Deep south?
What about the adventure’s location? America I presume...but out West? New England? Deep south?
The opening bit will be in rural New York state, but your characters will have the means to travel internationally almost immediately, if you so choose.
Also, your Pinkerton detective idea sounds good!
If there has been no contact with space aliens, does that mean there has been no interplanetary travel from earth? Have people made it to space?
There is currently no human interplanetary space travel known to you. It may exist, but only as the domain of secret human or alien organizations.
I am thinking of a Rough Rider veteran who may be an envoy to some organization on behalf of President Theodore Roosevelt, who would normally be involved personally but his duties in Washington preclude being at the meeting.
I think I've got enough interest here that I'll go ahead and post character creation rules.
-PCs are either guests at the dinner party, or servants or employees of the host. Since the guests are VIPs, and he only hires the best servants, point buy is 25 points in either case.
-Because the PCs are prominent citizens, they are expected to have significant resources at their disposal, including business interests, vehicles, cash, and credentials or titles. Only exceptional resources (such as cutting-edge technology, national political positions, or industrial monopolies) require spending build points. No limits on gear, but keep it reasonable for your background.
-Injuries in this system are brutal. While investing in Melee, Marksman, etc. will serve you well, making violence your Plan A will likely sideline you for extended periods.
-Characters should be pro-active, and interested in opposing the Reptilians when they are revealed.
-Magic and Wizardry are not available options.
-The Medium skill is not available at creation, but will be available to be unlocked during play. Psychic/Occult attacks will be resisted by the Soul attribute, so think twice about dumping it!
-I'm not interested in exploring period social issues; while non-white or female characters may be commented on in dialogue, they won't see their options or agency meaningfully affected.
Kewl, a new system!(for me, at least :)
I have a few ideas.
-A retired police detective from Toronto, who works solving crimes for a tidy sum.
-A dirgible pilot known for his recklessness
-A doctor, who worked as an army medic once.
I wrote up some notes on Elijah Bloodeagle last night (though I haven't put them on here yet). He's a Pinkerton agent from Chicago like I mentioned above. He was hired by the Senator as personal security for his party.
|
Here is my first draft of Silas. Silas is both a distinguished guest as well as a hopeful business partner. He'd arrived with the intention of offering campaign contributions to the good senator with the obvious quid pro quo of future government contracts.
Here is my first draft of Silas. Silas is both a distinguished guest as well as a hopeful business partner. He'd arrived with the intention of offering campaign contributions to the good senator with the obvious quid pro quo of future government contracts.
Silas looks good. Part of the visit was to be a hunting trip, so you can have the rifle and shotgun on you.
I wrote up some notes on Elijah Bloodeagle last night (though I haven't put them on here yet). He's a Pinkerton agent from Chicago like I mentioned above. He was hired by the Senator as personal security for his party.
Sounds like a good character, but I don't think Senator Stapleton would have hired security for this. What if you had performed some great feat (single-handedly foiled a bank robbery?) that made you briefly famous enough to merit his attention?
Kewl, a new system!(for me, at least :)
I have a few ideas.
-A retired police detective from Toronto, who works solving crimes for a tidy sum.
-A dirgible pilot known for his recklessness
-A doctor, who worked as an army medic once.
Any of those sound good, but it looks like we already have a detective in the works. A pilot or medic would be welcome additions.
Thinking of an the younger daughter of an English noble who's hobby is racing dirigibles or planes (If they're around??). Although not yet well-known in the States, she has had some success in the UK and Europe. She has come to the USA to visit family.
Player Name ~ Insnare
Character Name ~ George Van Winkle
Profession ~ Envoy from the president regarding Spiritual Affairs
Age 32 ~ Sex ~ M
BODY ~4
MIND ~5
SOUL ~5
MAGIC ~ N/A
Bonus pt. ~
Skills
Brawling [4], , , Riding 1 [5], Medium 1 [3]
Marksman [5], Melee Weapon [4], Stealth [2] Military Arms 1 [6], Psychology 1 [6], Detective 1 [6], Athlete [5]
While serving as a company commander under now President Roosevelt, George Van Winkle a Knickerbocker through and through, personally led a diversionary charge at the behest of Colonel Roosevelt up San Juan Hill and was one of only three men to survive the assault. Ever since then after his convalescence in Havana Harbor, Van Winkle has been able to commune with spirits. He had kept in contact with Roosevelt and came to the White House to show his abilities to the president first hand and has ever since been a trusted person to the president in regards to things of the macabre nature. Being a veteran, he is an avid hunter and marksman. He used to be pretty handy with a saber but now he is a bit out of practice.
Weapons
Spanish Mauser Rifle, .45 Revolver and a large shotgun, Cavalry Saber
Player Name ~ Insnare
Character Name ~ George Van Winkle
Profession ~ Envoy from the president regarding Spiritual Affairs
Age 32 ~ Sex ~ M
BODY ~4
MIND ~5
SOUL ~5
MAGIC ~ N/A
Bonus pt. ~
Skills
Brawling [4], , , Riding 1 [5], Medium 1 [3]
Marksman [5], Melee Weapon [4], Stealth [2] Military Arms 1 [6], Psychology 1 [6], Detective 1 [6], Athlete [5]While serving as a company commander under now President Roosevelt, George Van Winkle a Knickerbocker through and through, personally led a diversionary charge at the behest of Colonel Roosevelt up San Juan Hill and was one of only three men to survive the assault. Ever since then after his convalescence in Havana Harbor, Van Winkle has been able to commune with spirits. He had kept in contact with Roosevelt and came to the White House to show his abilities to the president first hand and has ever since been a trusted person to the president in regards to things of the macabre nature. Being a veteran, he is an avid hunter and marksman. He used to be pretty handy with a saber but now he is a bit out of practice.
Weapons
Spanish Mauser Rifle, .45 Revolver and a large shotgun, Cavalry Saber
This looks mostly good, but note that the Medium skill isn't available to start; it will be unlocked later for those who want it.
You could instead be a scholar of the unnatural, or a fake psychic, but not a real one.
Thinking of an the younger daughter of an English noble who's hobby is racing dirigibles or planes (If they're around??). Although not yet well-known in the States, she has had some success in the UK and Europe. She has come to the USA to visit family.
That would be a good character, and round out some of the skills combined with the other characters posted so far.
Is anyone else still planning on submitting a character for this?
After longer consideration I'm going to withdraw my interest. I don't really feel like learning a new system/world right now just for one adventure. Sorry for getting hopes up (if I did). Good gaming, folks.
Yeah. I'm kind of like DM Jelani. This game fascinates / thrills me with it's concept, and one part of my brain immediately begins creating a character, but then the part that pays the bills reminds it that I don't have the time right now to learn a new system. If it was FATE, d20,BRP, Savage Worlds, Gumshoe, WoD I'd be all over it though. Good luck to all.
21 points for character creation, right?
21 points for character creation, right?
25 points, actually.
Thanks
legoguy4492's character here!
Victor is not your average pilot. He is known for his daring escapades in the air, such as:flying through storms, fighting in bar brawls and other adventures only daring people do. Some of it may be real, other stories may not be. When he was invited to the Senator's manor, he knew he wouldn't dare not go!
Victor looks good, although you may want to consider trading something for the Mechanic skill; it would make sense for the character described.
Evelyn (Evie) Cardue is a young upperclass woman from Southern England. She has, for some time been gaining a reputation on the continent and in Britain as a talented and imaginative post-impressionist artist. More recently, her work has begun to be shown in America, where her clever use of blocks of vivid colours in grand abstract landscapes has caused a stir amongst collectors.
Interested, but headed to bed so will not have proper time to make a PC until tomorrow after work *hopefully* or Wednesday late morning at very latest. If the game goes on before I get him/her submitted, then I guess the reptilian creepy overlord deems it so.
Basic concept:
A young man who is from New York, is a student at a local dojo. His father, who has greater ties to the political scene was invited and the son is a "+1" to the event.
Initial stats I was thinking of
BODY: 5 (7 pts)
MIND: 4 (5 pts)
SOUL: 5 (7 pts)
MAGIC: n/a
Skills:
This sounds really interesting to me.
I was thinking of making a Chinese scientist/psychologist (with martial arts for a bit of 190xs stereotype)
I live in China so it would be fun to play the reverse of my real role :D
Hey, those both sound like fun and useful characters!
I'm going to go ahead and create the Gameplay and Discussion threads so people can dot them and post their characters with any final tweaks.
|
Player Name ~ Daniel Stewart
Character Name ~ Thakur Sahib Harisimhji Jaisimhji (Harry for short)
Profession ~ Envoy from the Home Office, HRH King Edward VII
Age 28 ~ Sex ~ M
BODY ~5
MIND ~5
SOUL ~3
MAGIC ~ N/A
Bonus pt. ~
Skills
Brawling [5], Marksman [6], Melee Weapon [6], Stealth [3], Babbage Engines [6], Mechanic [7], Scientist [7], Scholar [6] (3 topics)
Born the 2nd son of the Thakur Sahib of the Dhrol State; a part of the Kathiawar Agency of the Bombay Presidency. As second son, he was afforded much leniency in his youth, and travelled to England to attend school. After graduating with degrees in science and mechanical engineering, Harry returned to India to help the people of his state modernize. With the help of his father and older brother, he developed a foundry and coal power station, affording all the people of the region electricity. The British Government took notice of the young man, and soon he was working throughout India as a representative of the Raj. Recently, the Home Office has sent him to America to learn for the many industrialists there on their modernization techniques.
"Harry" looks pretty good!
So, I've had 5 characters submitted, and 2 others showing interest this morning. I don't think I want to run with more than 6 players, but I'm not sure all of those people are going to show up with finished characters. So everyone with a finished character (and don't forget any weapons you might have), go ahead and post in the Discussion; if I get 7 finalized characters, I'll decide who to accept then.
Still time for one more? I think I could put him together rather quickly. Was thinking Mind 6 (first i believe), prodigal scientist/mechanic. Lead designer and son of owner at fictional auto company. Not sure how historical I should be with this. Should I make one up? But when news of the Wright brother's flight reaches him he dives head first into the study of powered flight and piloting. Still grudgingly does work for his father's company but tinkers at home with planes, dirigibles, and other flying machines. His father is a supporter of the senator and brought him to the party mostly to show off his genius son and find networking opportunities. Maybe even find him a wife with one of the daughters of some influential party-goer.
Still time for one more? I think I could put him together rather quickly. Was thinking Mind 6 (first i believe), prodigal scientist/mechanic. Lead designer and son of owner at fictional auto company. Not sure how historical I should be with this. Should I make one up? But when news of the Wright brother's flight reaches him he dives head first into the study of powered flight and piloting. Still grudgingly does work for his father's company but tinkers at home with planes, dirigibles, and other flying machines. His father is a supporter of the senator and brought him to the party mostly to show off his genius son and find networking opportunities. Maybe even find him a wife with one of the daughters of some influential party-goer.
You can give it a shot, but if I have to cut people, I'm going to prioritize people who got here earlier.
Go ahead and make up a character; I'm not really keen on having real historical figures as PCs.
Nevermind. Looks like your 5 dotted in. Have fun though.
I gotta pull out sorry, busy bee.
Have fun you rest, sounds like a fun campaign