Black Powder / Black Magic - DCC (Inactive)

Game Master kdtompos

Brimstone's a boom town deep in the Black Hills of dark Dakota Territory, recently connected to the rails and infamous for rising up around the Maw -- a bottomless pit that's opened up in the earth. It's a prime claim for mining Demon Ore and low-life's have been scrambling to get there for just that reason. But where Demon Ore is found, lawlessness, corruption, disease, and volatile supernatural threats run rampant.

But it's a place to get a new start. It's a place to make a name. Most importantly, it's a place to strike it rich -- if you survive it long enough.

---------------------------------------------------------------

This campaign, if there is enough interest, will be using the DCC (Dungeon Crawl Classics) system. For those unfamiliar with it, there's an intentional old school feel: incredibly open rules, emphasis on player skill and creativity (over character skill), and potentially high lethality.

The game begins with a funnel (you will control several 0-level characters, striving through a meat-grinder to determine which of your fledglings has the grit to make it on the frontier), then opens up to allow you to choose whichever class you wish and pursue the hooks in Brimstone that interest you most.

The standard rules are modified slightly by Stormlord Publishing's Black Powder, Black Magic setting. This is an alternate history of the American West, 1880's, slathered in supernatural horrors, steampunk advancement, and spaghetti western pastiche.

You do not need to own any of these books, as primers will be made available. However, you certainly won't regret owning them, and a deeper understanding of the system always helps (especially for those that pursue the more "crunchy" classes, such as sorcerers).

------------------------------------------------------------------

This campaign should be high action with the weird factor dialed up pretty high. Rolls are made in the open, so death is a possibility, but it's pretty quick to roll up another lowlife and get back in the fray.

If you're interested, I'll outline the character creation rules below.

• Make 4 random characters -- rolling for everything but gender and name. You're free to determine those for yourselves.
  
• Depending on interest, you likely won't use all 4, but they're there just in case.
  
• Write a short paragraph (seriously, I only need like 3 sentences) for each of them - enough to give us both a quick look at what they look like, where they're from, what they're after.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal capacity (hard limit) is 5 players. If we actually exceed that on these forums, then we'll roll with the first 5 to express and maintain interest, assuming we can get characters together in the next week or so.

Any questions? Ask away.

Slightly interested, but never have used the system before.

Brand new to the system? Fantastic! Here's a Quick Start Guide to keep your head above water. It's for the standard setting however, so here's the relevant character creation rules:

• Roll your ability scores (3d6 in order... no modifications. But if you want to swap two scores, you may do so)
  
• Roll 1d30 to define your luck (table in Quick Start Guide)
  
• Roll 1d100 for occupation (list below) - this includes weapon and items, which I will relay to you later.
  
• Roll 1d20 for token of the past (list below)
  
• Roll 1d20 for motivation (list below)
  
• Decide alignment (not much of an effect yet). Also decide Ethnicity (There's a TON of options in the west, get as specific or vague as you'd like)
  
• Once we're all in, we'll set up the sheets and make sure modifiers, saves, hp, currency, etc. are all set up.

This sounds like fun. I'm new to the system too, but I'll dip my toes. Should I imagine deadlands, doomtown weird?

Dude1:

Dude2:

Dude3:

Dude4:

Alright, let's see what my misfits band of adventurers will be like.

Sounds super cool, I'm so in love with rolling randomly for occupation, not to mention spooky westerns.

I won't lie, this sound hella fun. Quickstart rules sound easy enough to learn, with only classes left to check... but I guess that's what the survivors should worry about, not us humbly puppeteers of four poor fellas.

Well, I'm happy with what I got but I might play around with swapping two stats so I end with something different from four really charming characters.

I'll return soon!

Okay, I like Westerns, and this sounds pretty neat, even if I'm unfamiliar with the system. And I do like rolling randomly to generate characters... I'll give this a whirl.

Well now, that's our Magnificent Five. Let me grab some lunch and I'll finish the break by outlining the rest for the handful of you brave souls. (I'll also try to conduct a DCC crash course, since it seems that everyone's new to the system. I love that by the way, thanks for trying a new game and rest assured that I don't expect you to have all the rules memorized!)

Y.T., Blue Drake, GypsieMischief, EmissaryOfTheNorth, and Loup Blanc -- let's move it over to the Discussion Thread, and we can let this recruitment thread settle to the murky depths.

This game will be starting up in the Gameplay thread on Monday, February 27th. We could use one more player if there's someone else interested in watching a bunch of cowboys die in a wierd, steampunky west.

Feel free to start rolling up 4 characters if you are interested (info is found at the top of this thread, with further details in the discussion thread).

As always, I welcome questions should they arise.

I am willing to give this a try but I have never played any system but Pathfinder. So if you can be patient if I screw it up...

What do you think, GM?

That looks great! I'm really glad you're interested. You should jump over to the discussion thread when you have a chance, write up a quick couple sentences or three for those characters (pick your favorite 3), and you're all set.

I'll get you the info also on their weapons and gear.

As for the rule set, I believe everyone is new to DCC that's playing, so you're in good company. I intend to explain things along the way as well, and have a lot of patience for those learning. Thanks for give by it a chance!

It appears we're another player short, which makes us 3 characters short! (I'll go with the first interest expressed, assuming they're ready and willing.)

If anyone is interested, you may roll up 4 characters as outlined above and pick your favorite three. Roll 1d4 twice for each character as well, taking the highest for HP. (I'll give you the extra info on equipment once you've rolled the occupation.)

Things are just about to get heated in this game, so now would be a perfect time to jump in and lend a hand provided you don't mind joining in media res.

Sounds fun, I'll give this a whirl.

I'll keep Guys 1, 2, and 3, and drop Guy 4 purely on the basis of how unlucky he is.

Awesome, welcome! Here's your gear:

Farrier - Hammer (1d6), Lucky Horseshoe

Cowpuncher (A cowboy in the vocational sense... everyone in the wild west is kind of a cowboy, but you're the real deal) (Or perhaps they actually punch cows. Blasted bovine bas****s.) - Branding Iron (1d6), 5 lbs. Cured Beef

Book-Keeper - Letter Opener (1d2), Blank Ledgers

Throw some names on those guys/gals (You already did!) and feel free to jump in on the thread:

You may have them in the steerage car where everyone else seems to be, in First Class if you prefer instead, or even the dining car. (If you pick anything other than steerage, you'll need to roll 1d20+Intelligence mod. to see if you spot what's going on as there have been no warnings there yet).

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll get your posse listed in the game info section sometime this evening or tomorrow!

Once again, we've got an opening for one more player to bring 3 more characters. The PCs are in the thick of it currently, but it's really easy to add in more characters.

So if anyone's interested in trying DCC or this phenomenon known as a 'Funnel', then let's roll up some characters. Instructions are at the top of this thread.

Also, roll 1d4 twice for each character, taking the highest for HP.

After that, you can pick your favorite three and we'll throw you into the game!

*Bump* Still looking for a brave player, willing to send some cowpokes into a meatgrinder.

Sure, I'll give it a try.

Wonderful, Idiot Cube! Here's your gear:

• Innkeeper - Pocket Pistol (1d6), Incriminating Ledger
  
• Clergyman - Brass Candlestick (1d2), Bottle of Red Wine
  
• Clerk - Letter Opener (1d2), an Order Pad
  
• Banker - Pen (1d2), (1d3) Rolls of 25 silver dollars!

How many rolls?: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Awesome, that's $50, so you're pretty loaded for a starting character! (At least the Banker is.)

If you want to, pick your favorite three, name 'em, and jump in on the thread. Here's your choices with a brief lowdown on what's happening:

Looking for 2-3 More Players

Each player would take on 3 characters (randomize 4 characters and drop the one you're least interested in).

The randomization rules are found at the top of the post. Hitpoints are determined by rolling 2d4 and taking the higher of the two.

------------------------------------------

Current Situation

The characters have just endured a train heist that has left them without an engineer. Something has been stolen from the armored car at the back and a posse is forming to go and retrieve it.

All new characters would be assumed to have been on the train already, just in the background. I'll gladly send new players a briefing on details that have been revealed so far as well, so as to be up to date on any occurrences!

If we get 3 more interested players I'll close recruitment again.

I'm interested in joining ya'll.

Welcome welcome!

Fantastic, welcome! I'll get you the info on those occupations' armaments, then you can pick your three on we'll pull ya right in!

Awesome. Thanks

Character 1
Clothier - Shears (1d2), and a set of Fine Clothes

Character 2
Saddler - Awl (1d3), and a Fine Saddle

Character 3
Architect - Metal Square (1d2), and Blueprints for a Saloon

Character 4
Hatter - Shears (1d2), a Very Fine Victorian Hat

*At this point there are several firearms available, so most are past the point of being stuck with occupational weapons as their go-to. However, melee may still happen, and sometimes ammo runs out.

----------------------------------

There is still room for one or two more players for the funnel, should any more interested prospectors stumble upon this!

stamina for Henry: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) = 16
stamina for Judge: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) = 13
stamina for Ronnie: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) = 15

Ronnies HP should be 5 as well.

Yep! Those were incredible stamina rolls!

Everyone's character stats should be listed under the campaign info tab. I'm not tracking your equipment though, as I'm hoping each of you can track your three characters rather than me tracking 12-15. No one has much now anyway.

GM Mogthrasir you recruiting any more people for this game? I just got the PDF's and love DCC game looks really interesting and trying to find a game.

Nethru: Indeed! I seem to have players continuing to go silent. I get that's a PbP thing, but I'm starting to wonder if it's personal. If you want to roll up 4 characters though (then pick the 3 you like best), it appears we'll have some openings.

Awesome!

I'll go with #1, 2, 3 as my characters.

#1 = Xing Shi (Oriental woman who lost her way to the states)
#2 - Big Arms Bret (Man looking to make his name as a prospector in Brimstone)
#3 - Little Buck (Wanabe gambler)

These cool?

Sorry forgot 0 level chars use their occupation as class sorta. Switched them up a bit.

#1 - Big Arm Bret - American Engraver
#2 - Xing Shi - Asian Saddler
#3 - Little Buck - American Architect

That looks great! Welcome aboard.

If you want to read through and catch up, that's great. If not, I will write out a synopsis for ya that hits the high points.

Right now the posse is returning to the train incredibly late at night (early morning to be more precise). Your characters were likely back at the stopped train either keeping watch or resting while waiting for the others to return.

The others left to follow some bandits the robbed the train--absconding with a large safe and a prisoner (to help them get into the safe). The prisoner was the only remaining engineer, so unless someone else wanted to try their hand at operating the train, he became necessary.

The posse returns with the backup engineer (Gideon), but no safe.
There were no deaths, which is fantastic, but Mr. James who led them out there was not part of the group that returned.

Sounds good thanks! Looks like your taking a break for the weekend and will continue with the posting come Monday?

Yeah, I'm typically not very reliable on weekends, and the wife is out of town tomorrow (so I'm even less free). You're welcome to jump in, as everyone's coming back to the train; but there aren't many hooks to go off of yet.

It's incredibly late/early and dark, and the posse made it back with the rescued hostage, but short the man in black with all the guns.

Do the characters start with any other starting gear or just what the occupation gave. I didn't roll for the money do I do that as well and buy whatever I can with it to start?

Thanks again!

Sorry for the delay, Nethru. You can roll for money now, certainly. It's 5d12 pennies, which isn't much. So you'll have that money, the clothes on your back, your occupational weapon, your other occupational item, and your token from the past.

The posse has picked up quite a few firearms and ammunition, luckily, so I wouldn't worry about being stuck with your occupational weapons anymore. But you won't be able to purchase stuff, most likely, until Brimstone.