So I can't shake the thought of running a Zombie Survival RPG game this would be influenced by sources such as The Walking Dead and the video game State of Decay. At this point I am simply gauging an interest level. Some likely questions answered below and I expect this list to grow.
FAQ v.1
1. When in the Zombie Outbreak will this game take place?
The game will be set 3-4 weeks after patient 0.
2. Who will the characters be in the game?
Current thoughts are that everyone will be a part of a guided 30 day trip through the boundary waters canoe area in Minnesota/Canada. The guide will be a NPC. Original idea was that you would all be college friends recently graduated and doing this adventure before you all start your careers and go separate ways. That however might be a little too limiting for some interested parties so opening it up a bit.
3. How many people are you interested in?
I am open to running this game with anywhere from 4-8 players.
4. Which game system will be used?
I am thinking D20 modern with D20 Apocalypse rules for some game elements such as scavenging vs wealth base economy.
5. How will wealth work in this game?
Wealth will be a measure of how much stuff you had before the outbreak. At Character Generation spend wealth as normal. Bear in mind that you would also be packing light for this trip so I would expect two inventories of items. Things you own and things you have on you.
6. What would be the expected post rate of players?
I would anticipate post rate of about 1/day. Weekends are flexible.
7. How will the virus be transmitted mechanically?
By bite obviously. But thinking of a mechanic where the zombies must first grapple before biting. They can claw for damage without grapple but to bite would require a grapple first.
8. What is the players objective?
Overall game objective is to survive long enough to find aid. You will be emerging from the BWCA after a 30 day trip to the small outfitting village of Ely. The virus started while you were out in the remote wilderness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely,_Minnesota
Additional individual objectives may vary but should be relayed to me by pm.
I would be interested, played in a couple before.
The personna I would play is a Survivalist and Consultant (Both in IT and Survival). He works from home and always carries a GO BAG when he is out that also has a rifle holster (basically a Eberlestock Gunslinger II Tactical Backpack). He possesses a CCW (Concealed Weapons License) for his state and never carries anything illegal outside of his compound or breaks the law. After all, ending up in jail at the wrong time will definitely equal death (or undeath).
He has two plans, live out his life in his compound and his backup plan is a Nomadic Lifestyle. After all, if the walls can't keep out the living (or dead/diseased zombies), movement is life.
He will have survival and craft weapons skills as well just in case his GO BAG is lost or inconvenienced in some way. In other words, he is very adaptable.
This trip was to test out his go bag including the firearm he owns or owned at the time. The rifle will also have a legal silencer on it. Silencers serve more than one purpose. Everyone thinks it is just because of the noise reduction but in reality, it also makes the firearm more accurate because of reduced gas (although modern rifles have gas adjusters), rapport, and the weight of the silencer helps prevent the barrel to rise after each shot.
He did not necessarily prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, he just prepared for the worse. If you prepare for the worse, it doesn't matter what the disaster catalyst is. In the end, depending on the circumstances, mother nature and humanity or lack of can still be a bigger threat.
I'm interested. Not too keen on D20 modern but I'm willing to try it at least once.
Knew I forgot some stuff.
9. I think starting level would be low level. Let's say Level 2. I anticipate characters gaining multiple levels in the game and quickly. There will be objective XP rewards so if you pm me a personal objective than I assign an XP reward value to it. These rewards plus the swarms of undead should get you leveled pretty quickly.
Anderlorn character sounds like a good candidate. You would need to afford everything through the wealth mechanic but yeah nothing sounds out of sorts. Roll high on the wealth roll and checks. Also where would your compound be located. Montana? One of the Dakotas? Interested in how the IT works into it all?
Same!
10Everything D20 Modern base is allowed except what is listed as No below. Other source books on case by case basis.
No Magic
No FXs
Human Characters only
Late PL5 time frame
There will be limited material acceptable from D20 Future and Urban Arcana. That will be updated on the campaign info page as approved.
Can we play magic-less classes out of books like future and urban arcana? There's a few in there.
Be kind of cool, if that comes later. Through the changing world, we gain powers that way. This way, it makes the ZPOC start off normal and when it starts to become too boring with the zeds like most ZPOC games I have been in, start adding the changing world. Most ZPOC games I have been in went south because of interest both player and GM.
Given all the possibilities, he would have a couple of compounds. One in Northern Idhao and if the Yellowstone Caldera started to burp, a small tropical island with a small beach and a small fresh water pond or lake in the middle (recently purchased and didn't have time to build before the ZPOC). Both are not in our immediate control and will take travel time (room to adventure). In addition, will not be a disruption for low level characters.
As for IT, two things. 1. Not everything is going to be offline right way. And their maybe places to break into that are still on their own power. IT can also be leverage for extra starting cash. Both IT and survival consulting was how he made his living so it is integral into his background. Or maybe I will remove the IT and he learned everything from his Grandfathers. Hmm, maybe I will do that instead. And he was a full time survival consultant instead.
I mean I can see that there was a leak at a Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond and it spread radiation throughout the US. And instead just giving people cancer causing rads, it started to change them like Fallout or whatever.
The two biggest problem with preparing for a disaster is both training (free or not free) and preparation (free and not free). If you don't have a family member or a job teach you survival techniques, you have to spend the money to attend training such as the programs taught by Onpoint Tactical And if you are married or whatever with a valid interest (aka barrier) in your income, it may become an issue to properly prepare unless they are on board with your ideas. From experience, the problem is convincing them that we should be prepared even though things are good right now. The more unrestrained you are and this is something you believe in which personally I think everyone should be prepared, the more prepared you will be. Of course, there is always the 10% that will succeed both good and bad whether they just have a good head on their shoulders and can survive or they become a raider, and leech from the weak.
I mean I can see that there was a leak at a Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond and it spread radiation throughout the US. And instead just giving people cancer causing rads, it started to change them like Fallout or whatever.
Not far off from my imagined source of the virus. Substitute Nuke Plant with Medical Research Lab and improper dumping resulting in leeching into the ground water then the great lakes. The virus incubates for a day but spreads through liquid transmission i.e. saliva , urine, other bodily liquids. So it spreads somewhat quickly but there's a day of dormancy (6d4 hours + Constitution Score).
Alright going to start to flesh out the Campaign info page a bit.
I think my character is a medical student of Swedish ancestry.
In his freetime he was a fan of medival times and did join a middle ages company, including learning to fish and hunt the old viking style with bow and spear and of course how to use an axe.
In the last years he finished his exams and is now a medical doctor specialising in childrens care.
Dedicated
I'm interested, always loved the apocalyptic stuff. Thinking up a character while reviewing the rule system.
Currently, I'm considering an older man (probably late 50's early 60's) who is a blue collar factory worker. After his family farm closed down from being pushed out by big corporate farms, he took up a job at a local meatpacking plant as a mechanic. That was 40 years ago, and with kids already grown and at his wife's urging, he decided to go on this camping trip as a way to relax before returning to the monotony of his life.
He's a tough character, who works hard and knows more about keeping things running than killing zombies. At first glance he seems tired, but years of hard labor has kept him in shape and more than useful in helping keep a base livable.
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I loved State of Decay. Don't like walking dead. The zombies have moved too far into the background. Not its all awful drama and stupid choices. Still wouldn't mind playing though. But I think I'd go the opposite route and play someone who is almost completely unprepared for something like this. IT college student whose only survival skills come from The Zombie Survival Guide. Basically myself in a fictinal zombie apocalypse.
Was hoping for some characters like you are saying. People not ready for what's about to hit them. Sounds like there is plenty of interest so I will go ahead and run with it. I think in tone this will be a bit more like State of Decay than TWD but that also depends on the players and their actions.
Okay, here is my application!
Following graduation, he did his residency at St Luke's Hospital in Duluth, where he developed an interest in trauma medicine.
His high-stress life and the long hours have not left much time for friends or a family, but he has an African Grey Parrot that he is fairly devoted to, and likes to blow off steam at the end of a long week with some target shooting on a local rifle range.
After several years of hard work, Geoffrey has finally decided to take some time off (leaving his parrot in the care of a neighbor, Miss Kotow), arranging to take a month-long Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness tour, hoping that, away from the frenetic pace of the city, he will have a chance to relax, and recharge (the fact that he managed to wrangle a discount by signing on as the trip's 'resident doctor' helped his peace of mind, as well).
What could possibly go wrong?
Casual clothing (8)
Fatigue jacket (7)
Cell Phone (9)
Medical Kit (15) [-1 Wealth]
Backpack (10)
Binoculars (7)
Compass (5)
Flashlight (4)
Portable Stove (9)
Sleeping Bag (9)
Scope (11)
Speed loader (3)
Remington 700 - Vs DC 17 [-2 Wealth]
100 rounds of 7.62mm ammo
Small Condo (rental):
Desktop Computer - Vs 22 No...
Clothing (various, <10)
TWD is not really about the zombie, it is about the human element under pressure by an extinction level event and how stupid the humanity would become. Of course, they have to throw in their stupid disguised protests about normal every day life which Romero did the same thing but it was more settle and the zombie was the main actor. In addition, Hollywood writes scripts to draw attention and hopefully viewers so actors always make stupid moves that none of us would ever do. Also, the ZPOC is different for everyone. For example, most of the genre creators state the military would totally be gone. As a former soldier, I can tell you that units would stick together and while the majority of the military would be gone, there would be warlords with full military hardware still operating. The reason why most genre creators purge the military is because they want focus only on the zombie and civilians than remaining elements of a professional military, the zombie, and civilians. Basically, World War Z by Max Brooks (not necessarily the movie, although the movie is not too bad) is more of my idea of a ZPOC.
Games usually do not address every day humanity and are straight forward, the world just plain sucks and the SHTF!
As for preparedness, there will always be one that will either be prepared in full, there will be those who will be resourceful (aka highly adaptable but they keep their humanity), and then there will be your raiders (loose their humanity or feel they must become worse monsters in order to survive), and lastly there will be those that depend on the others to survive. Although the last will be fewer in numbers because they tend to become human sushi.
Starting Wealth Bonus
2d4 Start Roll
+3 Technician
+3 Windfall
+1 More than 1 rank in Profession
Ok as Luke has already made a doctor, I will have to think of something different.
How does Apothecary class differ from smart class?
Having more than one doctor is never a bad thing - it means that there is always someone who can perform surgery ;-)
As to the Apothecary, it is an occupation, that can be overlaid on any class:
Found it. Luke, happens, I made a Chemist.
Is this the Character Advancement we are using?
As far as Windfall, I took it because it fits my persona.
Ok I hatched Richard Sauerbruch, German exchange Student and preparing to be an Apothecary, or Pharmacist after having the chance of an exchange year in the states. While more a bookworm, he is very knowledgeable, and as a must in germany x-trained in medicine and treating wounds.
(My father was one, and while I studied chinese and economics, I know for a fact that his was worse, in fact it is the most brutal subject in german universities. Chemistry, medicine, Botany, pharmacology, and and and)
vs DC 7 = increase by 3
Anyone have a link to a handy character creation guide? I found one but its a bit confusing...
Changed from Fast Hero to Smart Hero (better fit to persona)
Changed Occupation from Technician to Military (Trained, not served), -2 to Wealth Bonus.
2d4 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 13 - 2 = 11
Actually, can we just take 20 on our wealth rolls except to increase wealth at level 2? I mean really, we don't have to rush yet or under stress until we have to purchase something from a scavenger after Day 0.
In other words,
[dice=Take 20 for Desert Tech MDR 7.62 (Steyr Aug but uses 7.62) vs 15]20+9[/dice]
Current Wealth = 7
so the only thing I am mildly confused on is rolling the second level wealth. Where is the + coming from?
Also did i miss the character stat rules?
You have 28 points and they are one-for-one for d20 Modern. Default Stats = 08.
Yes, every 5 points over your DC.
GM RocksAhead - a couple of changes?
1. Can we move hatchet, machete, and kukri into simple weapons prof. It really does not require that much extra training to use either weapon. And technically a Kukri is a Nepalese machete.
2. And move Bayonet(fixed) to exotic weapons because it does take extra training to learn how to use a bayonet effectively. The military still gives soldiers fixed bayonet training so it is technically not an archaic weapon proficiency.
You have 28 points and they are one-for-one for d20 Modern. Default Stats = 08.so the only thing I am mildly confused on is rolling the second level wealth. Where is the + coming from?
Also did i miss the character stat rules?
28 points but not one for one. As you increase the state it costs more. Uses a D20 point buy scale different than PF.
STATS start at 8.9 1pt
10 2pt
11 3pt
12 4pt
13 5pt
14 6pt
15 8pt
16 10pt
17 13pt
18 16pt
Make sense.
I haven't used d20 Point Buying scale in ages and I couldn't find the conversion table. Thank you
GM RocksAhead - a couple of changes?
1. Can we move hatchet, machete, and kukri into simple weapons prof. It really does not require that much extra training to use either weapon. And technically a Kukri is a Nepalese machete.
2. And move Bayonet(fixed) to exotic weapons because it does take extra training to learn how to use a bayonet effectively. The military still gives soldiers fixed bayonet training so it is technically not an archaic weapon proficiency.
1. I agree with Hatchet and Machete being simple weapons in fact Machete and Cleaver have same stats so it is just flavor. I think that for the region where this is set Kukri is Exotic Weapon.
2. I still like Bayonet as Archaic. This is actually to the player benefit one Feat Archaic Weapon Prof gives access to all Archaic weapons. Exotic Weapon Prof is per weapon basis.
Except you can purchase a Kukri on Amazon and our equipment (most) comes before the ZPOC. In addition, some of us are visiting from other states. Now a Katana is no doubt an exotic weapon.
I think the GM means that using one effectively and getting all the benefits of a kukri should cost some kind of preparation in the form of feats. Unless a kukri is statistically the same as a normal knife, I think that's the trade off.
I think the GM means that using one effectively and getting all the benefits of a kukri should cost some kind of preparation in the form of feats. Unless a kukri is statistically the same as a normal knife, I think that's the trade off.
I am just thinking real life but if has to remain exotic, that is fine. I am just on my soap box stating that anyone can still chop parts off and not have to be a Gurkha to avoid a -4 attack penalty.
Actually, can we just take 20 on our wealth rolls except to increase wealth at level 2? I mean really, we don't have to rush yet or under stress until we have to purchase something from a scavenger after day 0.
Yes to taking 20 of wealth checks. Remember wealth system will only be in play during character generation.
For others benefit the wealth check at each level is my home rule done after assigning skill points for that level. It is a profession check with your current wealth DC. During Char gen typically I would say do all the wealth checks before buying any items. Rather than buy and then roll and buy again.
I think the GM means that using one effectively and getting all the benefits of a kukri should cost some kind of preparation in the form of feats. Unless a kukri is statistically the same as a normal knife, I think that's the trade off.
Kukri has an extended critical threat 18-20 so yeah if you want to choose that weapon you need the feat otherwise there is no reason to use the knife weapon.
I think the GM means that using one effectively and getting all the benefits of a kukri should cost some kind of preparation in the form of feats. Unless a kukri is statistically the same as a normal knife, I think that's the trade off.Kukri has an extended critical threat 18-20 so yeah if you want to choose that weapon you need the feat otherwise there is no reason to use the knife weapon.
That's cool!
What is the Wealth Score for this? ... Portable Solar Kit at only 4 lbs
Do equipment bonuses stack, personally I would think so. For example, I purchased Mesh Vest (+3 equipment bonus) and Backpack (+1 equipment bonus)? I would think they stack since both pieces of gear displace gear.
I could imagine PC level.
Only americans would go on a hiking trip packing military grade weapons . :-)
I could imagine PC level.
Only americans would go on a hiking trip packing military grade weapons . :-)
Well, really it isn't technically military grade. Actually probably better than military grade without full auto. For full auto, you need to live in a nonrestrictive state (North Carolina, Alaska, Idaho, etc), current nonrestrictive Federal Laws, $4,200 (Weapon + ATF Class 3 Tax Stamp), no felonies and battery (brawling) convictions, approval from Alcohol, Tabacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the Local Sheriff (Constable)... :-)
The area is pretty good for starting the ZPOC. Low population but still large enough to be dangerous, and a good survival area.
What is the Wealth Score for this? ... Portable Solar Kit at only 4 lbs
I could imagine PC level. = Desktop Computer.
Only americans would go on a hiking trip packing military grade weapons . :-)
I mean its absolutely ok. For us europeans it is funny, but if we go hiking we pack a knife and feel like rambo.
What is the Wealth Score for this? ... Portable Solar Kit at only 4 lbs
I could imagine PC level. = Desktop Computer.I mean its absolutely ok. For us europeans it is funny, but if we go hiking we pack a knife and feel like rambo.
Yeah, I can see that. Although, I think the Desktop Computer wealth level would still be higher than the solar kit.
LOL, the reason why I chose this rife is that it is effective against both humans and animals, and of course zombies. Mechanically, we will not see the good qualities of a bullpup rifle. In real life, they are really nice! You can transition from CQB, easily transition to shooting from a car, quickly transition between targets because the weight is in the front, easily transition to mundane field combat, and they are truly ambidextrous rifles so you can easily shoot from your primary side to your off side.
Now if my character knew that the Zombies could easily be dispatched by a .22 LR, he would carry that instead. You can carry more ammo with .22LR and people can bring down deer with a .22 LR so it can be used for hunting.
Stats updated to reflect the point-buy score listed above.
If we can 'Take 20' on wealth checks, I would have a few different things noted down:
On trip:
HKPSG1 instead of Remington
At base camp:
Yamaha YZ250F (-2 Wealth)
At home:
Desktop Computer (-2 Wealth)
I really can't justify to myself having automatic weaponry on a non-military person ;-)