Z-Day USA

Game Master Patrick Curtin

Hello.

Thank you for clicking on my possible recruitment thread. I am currently thinking about starting a zombie game, and I am just beginning the process. A few things need to get settled, but if you might be interested in something of that nature you can always dot the thread.

FAQ:

What system?

Aye, there's the rub. What system indeed? I have used Modern D20 to good effect before, and it would be Pathfinder(I) compatible, so that might be the way to go. I'd likely augment this with D20 Apocalypse and Anachronistic Adventures, two superb supplements by Owen K.C. Stephens. I might also possibly use Bloodlines and Black Magic in the later parts of this if I decide to go in a more mystical direction.

An alternate thought is the Modern Dungeon5 ruleset authored by my friend Dr. Nik of PaNik Productions. Built off a 5E chassis, I supported his Kickstarter, but I haven't had a chance to really try it out.

Where do we begin?

My current location, Washington DC. I figure there would be plenty of story directions we could take, and you have the freedom to make almost any type of character you can imagine in a modern world setting, from an African traditional medicine practitioner to a Japanese Yakuza. We could come up with a reason why they'd be in DC a lot easier than say ... Peoria.

What level?

I'm thinking 4th. The immediate danger will be fairly high. And making a misstep could be fatal. Each bite has consequences.

Are these 28-Days-Later zombies , Walking Dead zombies, Zombieland zombies, Dawn of the Dead zombies?

Ain't tellin' :P

Will this be the same setting as the original Z-Day, just set in the USA instead of Canada, or will this be something entirely new?

It's only been like a decade since Z-Day Canada. I'm in.

What system?

Aye, there's the rub. What system indeed? I have used Modern D20 to good effect before, and it would be Pathfinder(I) compatible, so that might be the way to go. I'd likely augment this with D20 Apocalypse and Anachronistic Adventures, two superb supplements by Owen K.C. Stephens. I might also possibly use Bloodlines and Black Magic in the later parts of this if I decide to go in a more mystical direction.

An alternate thought is the Modern Dungeon5 ruleset authored by my friend Dr. Nik of PaNik Productions. Built off a 5E chassis, I supported his Kickstarter, but I haven't had a chance to really try it out.

Ever used Savage Worlds? Everything that you've said so far makes me think that it's just about tailor-made for what you're thinking of running.

I’m interested! I’ve been binging Z Nation so I’m fired up for some zombie action.

Hmmmm. Savage worlds. I’ll think about it

Oh, and yes, this is my take on the original Z-Day, but set in Washington DC.

While I don’t know where the original was going, this one will start in much the same way

I like to play.

I would be totally down if we're using Savage Worlds. It is an amazing game system even if it *hates* me online.

lol... If we’re throwing out systems, I’m always down for Genesys :D

Sheesh. Well, I looked up Savage Worlds. It does look interesting, but I own none of the books, and I’ve never played so it might be a bit of a hockey stick curve getting it off the ground

Genesys I’ve not heard of yet. I’ll do some research

Sheesh. Well, I looked up Savage Worlds. It does look interesting, but I own none of the books, and I’ve never played so it might be a bit of a hockey stick curve getting it off the ground

Genesys I’ve not heard of yet. I’ll do some research

Savage Worlds is pretty easy to pick up and play. There's really only one book you need, and it's pretty short. I picked up a copy for my one of my other groups for around ten bucks. Character creation is pretty simple as well--I've seen character sheets that fit on two post-it notes.

I'd be interested if D20, don't think I can spare the brainpower to incorporate a new system right now.

I'd be interested.
I have no clue what Z-Day ya'll are referencing is though. Canada or USA wise. I did know the Z-Nation reference though, fun tv series.

I don't know any of the outside systems mentioned here. I know Pathfinder. Does using Modern mean you don't use the pathfinder classes? Or does it just add in modern stuff?

I'll look that up, but its 2am currently so I'm writing my interest and research tomorrow haha.

As for a character idea... Well.. I'd just do me? A more idealized me anyway (I don't have the PTO nor did I get the internship). Granted won't have my job-carry weapon/tools in DC probably.

A MLIS student who works for the Police Records Department. Who was chosen for a short term internship at the Library of Congress, and is using their stockpiled PTO to take off work and go do the internship.
That is located in DC. On a 3 month internship dealio.

I would also be interested.
So many options.

Dave, a question for you: Assuming I decided to use SW as a chassis for this game, can you tell me anything about the different editions? I am seeing they did a recent edition overhaul, but there is a ruleset for zombie stuff that is tied to the previous ruleset. Are they compatible?

For those curious as to the Z-Day Canada we were referring to, here’s a link to the original PbP from 12 years ago: Z-Day

Dave, a question for you: Assuming I decided to use SW as a chassis for this game, can you tell me anything about the different editions? I am seeing they did a recent edition overhaul, but there is a ruleset for zombie stuff that is tied to the previous ruleset. Are they compatible?

The only edition I know reasonably well is the Explorer's Edition (AKA Savage Worlds 3e). It's got a good toolkit for running just about any kind of game you'd like, and it's pretty easy to make up new material. Which zombie ruleset are you looking at?

I don't want it to seem like I'm forcing you into this-- I just figured a rules-light system would be easier on everyone than something like D20 Modern or, god forbid, GURPS.

Got a slightly nutty idea for a character...basically a low-ranking member of the federal government who, as a result of the line of succession and a zombie apocalypse, has found themself the president.

Well, we’d be starting off at the start of the infection. So the president would still be intact (for now) if you’d like to play a congressman who eventually finds himself the only available elected official in the capital area we can work with that.

I don't want it to seem like I'm forcing you into this-- I just figured a rules-light system would be easier on everyone than something like D20 Modern or, god forbid, GURPS.

No I’m actually intrigued. Plus, Modern D20 is relatively kludgy, and pathfinder never even had a coherent modern-day ruleset.

I’m going to buy the 3e version. That one has the zombie supplement and I can get both relatively cheap. Plus I just sold a collectible mini today, so I have a bit of free scratch. I’ll take a look at the system and the zombie supplement and see if it’s a good fit.

Ah, gotcha. I'm perfectly happy to play something else, in that case. Mainly just thought it'd be funny to have a character who, a year or two after the infection, is the president and insists on being treated as such, while having similarly little power to before the virus.

Lots of good zombie apocalypse tropes to play, after all.

THE Zombie game - All Flesh Must Be Eaten for a system?

I believe I have the Savage Worlds book had a buddy running Dark Sun using Savage Worlds.

Shit, if we are playing modern day I will just be Myself on a business trip to DC when shit hits the fan...

Yeah I played myself in the original (slightly modified- I assumed a continuation of my Army career and more involvement with the SCA than I ever had)

How is that all flesh game? Easy? Hard?

How is that all flesh game? Easy? Hard?

Tough as a PC, never DM'ed it.

Is it tough like die a lot, or tough like a lot of math?

Is it tough like die a lot, or tough like a lot of math?

Tough like die a lot but Chaosium Call of Cthulhu a lot. I remember a player dying three times in one gaming session back in the day!

Oh savage worlds would be awesome.
Easy quick and adaptable!

Patrick Curtin wrote:

Is it tough like die a lot, or tough like a lot of math?

Tough like die a lot but NOT Chaosium Call of Cthulhu a lot. I remember a player dying three times in one gaming session back in the day!

Revised that, forgot the NOT above. Heh.

Regardless of what system we go with, we have to keep the soundtrack going.

I’m actually leaning towards Savage Worlds. I kind of relish the challenge of a new system. If it goes badly we can always reboot with something else.

And yes, the soundtrack for sure.

The only book I own is Savage Worlds deluxe edition.

That’s the one we’re going to use

This one

Awwww yeah, Savage Worlds goodness! I am so good for zombie goodness.

OK. So it looks as if Savage Worlds explorers edition deluxe is the chassis upon which we will build this game.

I am going to spend some time trying to get up to speed with the ruleset. If you are still interested in playing, I will put together a possible list. Please mention below this message if you are interested.

Some notes about playing with me.

I am old and cranky : Mr. rules lawyer, don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry. I hail from a distant age when Dungeon Masters reigned like god-kings in their basement lairs. I’ve got dice older than you, kid ....

We are here to have fun. I am a firm believer in the concept that this is a shared creative fun venture. Anyone acting in a way that sabotages this will be kicked to the curb.

All rights reserved I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am willing to discuss rule interpretations, especially seeing as this is a new system, but once a decision is reached, that’s that. This doesn’t mean that I am a tyrant.
You can ask any of the folks who have played in my games previously and they will vouch that I bend over backwards to be fair and kind to players.

Rule Zero is in effect. For those not familiar:

Rule Zero:
"Roleplaying games and miniature wargames are entertainment; your goal as a group is to make your games as entertaining as possible. If that means breaking the rules temporarily, or permanently as a house-rule, then so be it."

Now, if any of this seems like a deal-breaker, I understand. Some people do not enjoy this style of gameplay. Don’t feel obligated to play if you don’t like the above rules. I just like to make things clear, as I have had issues before with rules lawyers and logic ninjas. I spend my personal free time devising the game. While a PbP game is a creative fun shared intellectual space, if I don’t feel like I’M having fun then the game will fold and everybody loses.

A few more notes on the game itself:

This is our world so, as it currently stands, until plot decrees otherwise, there is no magic of any sort.

The Day after Tomorrow I had thought that I might set this ten years in the future, but I’m still undecided. I posted a few thoughts on the discussion page, but these are far from canonical.

Just be yourself if you ever wanted to play yourself in a game, this is your big chance. Now, you don’t have to, but it’s fun. Also, it doesn’t have to be PRECISELY you. If the optimized you has a black belt in tae kwon do, then that’s cool with me.

This game is going to be deadly. You know the genre. You know that if a zombie scores on you, it’s just a matter of time before you join their ranks. I would keep a back-up character on deck, and keep them updated to an appropriate level. If your character dies then we just bring in your next one as a new group member. But the game will lose a lot of its thrill without a high body count.

Interested, will play myself. Did that before in a Vampire game it was fun. I died in that one too... :-)

I'm basing my character after a guy I used to work for back in my days working construction. Picture a cross between Dale Gribble, Walter Sobchak, Ted Nugent, and Hunter S. Thompson.

Damn... If I'd known we were just playing ourselves I would have suggested this. That's literally what the system is built for.

It’s merely a suggestion. Play who you like!

Oh and thank you BTW for the email flash, I did get it

Patrick - let me know if you'd like me to dial anything back.

He looks good, but I’m still wrapping my head around the rules.

I’m still wrapping my head around the rules.

Yeah I'm still going through it too. Never played before either.

The more I think about it, the more I think I might end up playing a different character; going to wait and see what other people start rolling up.

count me interested! I have lived near and worked in DC for the last 27 years so this would be very cool and doubly so to play my heroic self

Im not familiar with SW rules set but looking up the book on Amazon as we speak

OK. Just going through the rules a bit. So, as of now we have:

David
Flash
Shadow
Stiehl9s
KingHotTrash
Helikon

I know some others evinced early interest, but they haven’t posted after I made the decision to go with SW. If you are still interested in playing, please comment and I will add your names to the list. If your name IS on the above list, please confirm you are still interested in the game and start thinking of a character

Confirmed!

Confirmed.
I've found a picture to base her off, just need to get a handle on the rules and build her.