Hello all, it has been some time since I ran a pbp here. I don't play much pathfinder any more, but always enjoyed this board and the community here. That being said, I thought it might be nice to run another game here.
With the new Deadlands edition out, I thought I might try my hand at running a game. This is more to check interest and to explain what I am thinking. I will be using the current Deadlands: The weird west rulebook. This book uses the Savage worlds adventures edition (SWADE. Off hand I think its close enough to Reloaded and the explores edition as to not be a huge deal if someone only knows those editions.
I may use roll20 for mapping and screen shots as needed and for the action decks, but you would not be required to sign on or anything. Its just a handy tool for the GM side if needed. I will also likely have bennies refresh and give advances when I feel its "right". Much like milestone leveling.
I am thinking of using one of two published adventures. I will list them below and anyone interested can tell me which one they like best.
A: Coffin Rock: This is set in a small mining town in Colorado, a failing mining town at that with a whole hep ol trouble to be had. Supernatural trouble is to be had as well as classical western trouble. A bit sandboxy and can be short or long all in how things are done
B: Blood Drive: Is one part of three adventures really, in it the party are part of a long cattle drive from Texas, across several states and running into trouble from the railroads to more supernatural issues.
I think that covers the basics. If anyone is interested in being part of a posse, let me know.
Never played anything in Deadlands before. If you are ok with a complete NOOB to that game system I am interested.
I have used roll20 before and have played RPG's for many years (mostly D&D).
I have no issue with newbies, you may have to download the test drive to get a good understanding of the system but being new is not an issue. As for roll20, that is just something I will be using to screen shot maps and the like, the game will not be played there.
So is it the Deadlands I should look for or the Savage worlds or both?
Unsure if I can even get enough interest to even run it here, but Deadlands is a setting that uses the Savage worlds system. I think both have "test drive" PDFs, but the relevant one is here
https://www.peginc.com/store/deadlands-the-weird-west-blood-on-the-range-sa vage-worlds-test-drive-swade/
This one gives you a run down of the base rules and has a few pregens in it as well from what I recall.
Oh man, I really love Deadlands. Like...it is probably my favorite setting in all of Savage Worlds. I would love to jump in on this if you'll have me.
I would be super interested in Blood Drive; I've run Coffin Rock years ago but still can remember the main quest. If people want to go with that though, I'll be able to keep meta info out of my mind.
Blood Drive would also be interesting to me. I played the original Deadlands, and have the Savage Worlds Version... but have never played or ran it.
@John Woodford, Thank ya. I forgot to link it. Been a while since I posted here and forgot about that.
That gives me four, which is enough interest to start putting things together. And two for Blood drive.
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Outstanding!
I'm in, double in, super MEGA in for anything SW (or SWADE) and Deadlands is a great setting!
I dabbled in Deadlands...by which I mean I made a character and the GM ghosted after the first combat. ^_^ (I don't think it was either of the mentioned modules and even if it was it was so long ago it wouldn't matter.)
I'll probably re-play the character too. I really liked him. I took the hinderance Obese, but not because he was fat. He just refused to hurry. XD
I'm interested in anything SW, including Deadlands. I already have 2 PC's for it that I've created and never used, a Blessed and a Shaman. I'll have to go over things again to be sure, but I think I'd be most interested in playing the Shaman.
Has Deadlands been converted to SWADE? If so, which versions?
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The Current Version is SWADE, its called "Deadlands: The weird west". I can list the new edges and such from the book, there are some changes. If you have Deadlands:Reloaded or SWD you should be able to use the official conversion document with little issue. I'll start setting stuff up should not be more than a few days.
Changes to Deadlands
Deadlands lore is mostly the same in the new edition, with one major change. The Civil War ended in 1871, after the battle of Washington. The CAS lost and is gone. Its all good ol USA with messy reconstruction and ex confeds and racists groups popping up after the long war. Even 1e years after the war was lost the south is a mess, much like RL.
I've got an idea for a gunslinger that grows into being a Blessed in time. I'll have to pick your brain, Mr. Seeker, once you get things up and going.
Looking at the SW test drive, with their pre-gen's I am thinking an Explorer might be for me. That one looks the simplest to run. Do you have a format how you what the character sheet to look like?
I was able to get the Savage worlds (SWADE) and the Deadlands reloaded pdf's. So i could use what updates there are.
I've played Savage Worlds but never in the Deadlands setting. Sounds interesting.
The Game
I will be running the 1st adventure in the Blood drive trilogy. The characters will find themselves in the small Texas town of Sutter's flats. Where they will be hired as cattle hands for a cattle drive. If I recall I think all three take you from Texas to Wyoming.
The Setting
For those who have never played the setting, Deadlands is the old west, but with horror and magic and some changes. Most people don't know about the magic and many things are just ya know, tells and superstition folks act like they don't see. There is wild science powered by Ghost rock. Coal that burns super hot and screams like the damned as you burn it.
The civil war lasted until 1871 and the battle of Washington, which was a stream punk battle with "tanks" and the like. There are two Indian nations; The Sioux Nation and the Coyote Confederation. Utah is its own nation, Deseret, and half of California is a broken coastline maze of flooded canyons.
Oh yeah, most the rails are owned by four powerful Rail Barons who are not above blowing trains of rivals up.
Character Gen
You will be making Novice characters with the rules from SWADE.I have put up the rule changes from "reloaded" to "The weird west" in the Campaign info page. It should be enough that folks with reloaded can use them for char generation.
I do not expect people to make full profiles yet. Feel free to put your character in a post here, and we can go over them. Pregens are welcome as I now not everyone who has shown interest has the books, or even the older reloaded books. If you have an idea for a character and want to make a original PC, but don't know the rules. Well we can work that out in thread as well as Savage worlds is not hard to make a novice character in.
If you have questions feel free to ask.
Will we need to purchase our own horse and saddle? Since that is $175 out of the $250 starting cash. Will we need to have all our own mess kits, food, and other camping supplies for the drive?
I am basically making the Explorer pre-gen with a few tweaks to make him more of a Allan Quatermain type of character.
Will we need to purchase our own horse and saddle? Since that is $175 out of the $250 starting cash. Will we need to have all our own mess kits, food, and other camping supplies for the drive?
I am basically making the Explorer pre-gen with a few tweaks to make him more of a Allan Quatermain type of character.
If you want to own a horse, yes. You need to have what you owned when you get hired. If you do not have a horse, then how did you get to this small town in west Texas? Just something to think about, but yeah stuff needed for the job will be provided.
You do have the option of "el cheapo" gear. It costs half price, but may fall apart on a critical fumble. You can also buy a horse like this, which is super cheap! But...I get to give it two minor or one major hindrance :D. Its cheap for a reason Amigo.
I assume looking at all the edges that the Explorer has is what happens has he goes up in level and he does not get all them right off.
Have we been on this trail/area before, thinking of the Scout edge. Or is it better to go like the pre-gen and take Elan first?
I assume looking at all the edges that the Explorer has is what happens has he goes up in level and he does not get all them right off.
Have we been on this trail/area before, thinking of the Scout edge. Or is it better to go like the pre-gen and take Elan first?
Are you trying to modify the pregen or build a new PC based off it?
Modify the pre-gen.
This is what I have so far. Please check the skills to make sure I did them right.
I should start with 20 points ; 15 + 5 from Elderly.
It says that we start with one set of clothes, does that include a duster, long johns, hat, boots, and or chaps? What is a starting outfit?
Modify the pre-gen.
This is what I have so far. Please check the skills to make sure I did them right.
I should start with 20 points ; 15 + 5 from Elderly.
Okay, I really should have looked those reloaded pregens over, but this is what I am seeing.
You have 7 points in abilities. You have 4 points in hindrances. Using those 4 explains the 7 ability score as 2 points will rise it a single dice. So that is good.
In SWADE you get 12 points to use on skills, and you Elderly gives you 5 extra points to use on smarts related sills. By my count you have 18 points. So basically you need to drop a skill point.
It says that we start with one set of clothes, does that include a duster, long johns, hat, boots, and or chaps? What is a starting outfit?
This is a good question. I am going to say whatever outfit you want that does not have a game effect. So stuff like boots, shoes shirts blouses, dress, skirts, hats, dusters and the like are fine. But thinks like armor or chaps, you need to pay for.
Is Veteran of the Weird West allowed?
It is listed under campaign info. In this edition it allows you 4 advanced, but I draw a card for you and consult a table and you are stuck with the results
GM, how many PP and powers do you get with Blessed?
Here is what the books says
Arcane Skill: Faith (Spirit)
- Starting Powers: 3 (holy symbol, plus two of player’s choice)
- Power Points: 15
- Available Powers: Arcane protection, banish, barrier, beast friend, blind, boost/lower Trait, confusion, deflection, detect arcana (not conceal), dispel, divination, elemental manipulation, empathy, environmental protection, havoc, healing, holy symbol, light (not darkness), protection, relief, resurrection, sanctify, sloth/speed, smite, speak language, stun, warrior’s gift.
- Miracles: Blessed may take Edges that require Arcane Background (Miracles).
- Backlash: A Critical Failure on a Faith roll causes the blessed a level of Fatigue and all currently active powers are terminated.
- Sinnin’: Blessed who violate their core beliefs are forsaken by whatever forces of good grant them their powers. Minor sins give the
character −2 to his Faith rolls for a week. Major sins rob him of all arcane powers for a week. Mortal sins cause the character to be forsaken until the penitent hero completes some great quest or task of atonement to regain his lost powers
We will have to talk about what is a sin for your character. Both minor and major sins. This edition did open it up to more than just christen though. Hell, you can be a Buddhist holy man or whatever. Long as you have things you see as "wrong"
Having knowledge of a cattle drive, I think I might want to make my character younger. But giving up the 5 skill points is a hard thing.
I am considering making a Veteran of the Weird West myself; a former villain now on the oath of righteousness. I want him to start of a gunslinger and then, after discovering true evil, discover his faith.
Would that be doable in the story, my good GM?
I am considering making a Veteran of the Weird West myself; a former villain now on the oath of righteousness. I want him to start of a gunslinger and then, after discovering true evil, discover his faith.
Would that be doable in the story, my good GM?
I have no issue with folks taking the edge as long as they meet the requirements. Hehe, be fund to see how much the deck hates y'all.
Reading about edges (since we get one for being human), some of them says you need to be a wild card as part of the requirements to get the edge like: Duelist. How does a player become a wild card? Somewhere I am missing it in the book where it talks about Wild Cards.
The edges that I am looking at to start is a choice between: Born in the Saddle, Elan, or Woodsman. Am I correct that we can only pick one edge to start with?
Reading about edges (since we get one for being human), some of them says you need to be a wild card as part of the requirements to get the edge like: Duelist. How does a player become a wild card? Somewhere I am missing it in the book where it talks about Wild Cards.
The edges that I am looking at to start is a choice between: Born in the Saddle, Elan, or Woodsman. Am I correct that we can only pick one edge to start with?
All players are wild cards, as are some NPCs. It just means that character is special. And yes, you only get one,the pregen has a few listed as it can be used as a more experienced character too.
Rodan - just so you know, if you're creating your own PC from "scratch", and you're a human, you always get 1 free Edge. But then you get what I call "Disadvantage Points" that you can spend on more Edges, boosting your Attribute dice beyond the given 5 points, or boosting your skills.
Yes, I think I know what you are talking about with the Hindrances. Where major ones gives you 2 points and minor ones give 1 point, but you only can get a total of 4 points from that.
I think I am done with my character. I have been watching "Wild Cards" videos to learn how to play, or at least have an idea how to play. How will the deck of cards thing work on PBP?
I agree with Zenfox, you may be better off just making a PC from the ground up. Its not hard with SW and less work then modifying a pregen.
As for the Cards, I am going to use Roll20, I will make a deck character( Need to check I don't recall if players shared a deck or used one each) and one for the GM and post them like so
That deck character looks cool.
I think I am happy with my character how it is set up. With the whole cattle drive thing, I changed my mind with a Allan Quatermain idea to more of a Boss Spearman from the movie Open Range.
Does the character type matter? I have him as an Explorer but he could be easily a Drifter.
The only change I might make is removing the Spencer rifle and giving him a shotgun instead. One inch equals 5 feet for distance correct?
And if in Melee while holding a rifle/shotgun, can I strike the target with the stock and use the rifle/shotgun as a club? Any downsides to that idea? I could not find anything like that in the rules.
Type is just a theme, it does not really matter. Its just kinda a roleplaying aid. And yeah , its listed in inches and that 5' square is a good conversion. There is a formula for not using inches but inches are easy.
As for the shotgun butt, I would say its a small improvised weapon so Str+d4 unless you are swinging it two handed like a bat.
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GM, how many PP and powers do you get with Blessed?Here is what the books says
** spoiler omitted **We will have to talk about what is a sin for your character. Both minor and major sins. This edition did open it up to more than just christen though. Hell, you can be a Buddhist holy man or whatever. Long as you have things you see as "wrong"
What is the "Holy Symbol" Power?
Rank: Novice
Power Points: 3
Range: Self
Duration: 5
Evil critters find it hard to attack a pious wayfarer with true faith—and a symbol of her deity to back it up. Once invoked, any supernaturally evil creature (Marshal’s call) that wants to make
a direct, physical attack on the bearer of the symbol must make a Spirit roll as a free action (the creature subtracts 2 if the
blessed cast with a raise).
Attacks include area effect attacks that would catch the bearer in their template, but wouldn’t affect knocking a shelf over to land on the bearer, for example. Holy symbol has no effect on Tests or other nondamaging attacks.
The blessed must have an actual holy symbol to invoke the miracle. No holy symbol, no holy symbol. Comprende, amigo? An improvised symbol works—a broken window frame in the shape of a cross instead
of an actual crucifix, for example, but the blessed subtracts 2 from the invocation without a proper symbol.
Vampires: Bloodsuckers (those in the Savage Worlds core book and the nosferatu in this one) have a built-in Weakness to holy symbols. A character with this miracle may use either as she chooses—the power (using Power Points and requiring an arcane skill roll) or the less powerful rules outlined in the Weakness (which has no raise effect).
Mods
- AREA EFFECT (+2/+3): For +2 points the power affects all allies within a Medium Blast Template centered on the caster. It does not prevent creatures from entering the area, only their attacks against those within it. For +3 points the area of effect is increased to a Large Blast Template.
- STRONG (+1): Spirit rolls by the creature are made at −2 (–4 with a raise).
So I am finishing up gear and stuff for my character. Is there any big price changes from Reloaded to The Weird West I should be worried about? I definitely took Veteran so please feel free to draw that card and tell me my price <3
Here's the PC I have so far. Nearly done, although I'm still working out the kinks.
EDIT: Would it be possible to get both English and Pennsylvania Dutch as a mother tongue for free? I doubt the latter will get much use in the setting.
@KingsHotTrash. I don't think the prices are enough to worry with TBH. I don't think they fiddled much there. As for the cards, they hate you a little I think( this is NOT the worst card). You got a seven, so you are Maimed somehow. So roll and d6
Maimed: An encounter with some supernatural creature left one of the character’s limbs maimed or entirely missing. Roll a d6. On a 1–3, he’s Slow (Minor); on a 4–6, he lost his non-weapon hand and has the One Arm Hindrance.
@Branding opportunity. I'll look him over but normally I would make you take the lang, however as it will never be used in this game and is just flavor, go ahead and take it free
I'll add the full thing as I did Blessed. I had no clue what a toxic shaman is (other that shadowrun) so I had to look it it, seems a hell on earth thing. They don't exist in normal deadlands as far as I can see.
Arcane Skill: Faith (Spirit)
- Starting Powers: 2
- Power Points: 15
- Available Powers: Arcane protection, banish, beast friend, blind, boost/lower Trait, burrow, confusion, curse, darksight, deflection, detect/conceal arcana, disguise, dispel, divination, drain Power Points, elemental manipulation, empathy, entangle, environmental protection, farsight, fear, growth (not shrink), havoc, healing, holy symbol, intangibility, numb, protection,relief, resurrection, sanctify, shape change, sloth/speed, slumber, smite, speak language, summon ally, teleport, wall walker, warrior’s
gift, wilderness walk.
- Miracles: Shamans may take Edges that require Arcane Background (Miracles).
- Backlash: A Critical Failure on a Faith roll causes the shaman a level of Fatigue and all currently active powers are terminated.
- Old Ways: The shamans represented here are based on the Sioux and Plains Indians as described in the world of Deadlands. They don’t have to take the Old Ways Oath (page 16) but most do.
GMs are encouraged to research other Native American cultures and tailor Edges to particular customs and beliefs.
Honestly, that works perfectly with the story. Here we go for the roll!
I'm a bit slow. Works excellent; I got a limb or a nice replaced leg. I may go with the latter honestly.
Here's my PC so far, he's a Shaman. The original was in SWD Hell on Earth, so I've made changes on-the-fly and have yet to pick my Hindrances (Seeker - can I have a Hindrance of "Vengeance", which would make him immediately follow any lead of the soldiers who destroyed his tribe? If so, Major or Minor?).
Is Guts still a thing in SWADE Deadlands?
I haven't looked into any of the latest SWADE versions of Deadlands that we're using, if anybody spots any major changes please let me know.
I'll be able to give the PC a more thorough going-over myself in the next couple of days.
I also noticed some talk about not having to buy "common" clothing, which I haven't yet incorporated.
Attributes : Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Derived : Grit 1, Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 7(2)
Skills : Athletics d6, Fighting d8, Guts d6, Common Knowledge d4, Notice d6, Persuasion d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d4, Tribal Medicine d8
Hindrances : TBD
Edges : AB/Shaman, New Powers
15 PP
Powers : Deflection, Boost/Lower Trait, Shape Change, Smite
Recharges twice as fast if resting away from “civilization”
Gear :
$15 Colt Peacemaker (2d6+1, AP 1, ROF 1, Double-Tap)
$150 Horse
$25 Saddle
$3 Holster
$7 Clothes
$4 Bedroll
$3 Tomahawk (STR+d6)
$15 Spear (STR+d6, +1 Parry, Reach 1)
$3 Bow (12/24/48), 2d6
$9 “cash”
A shaman with Tribal Medicine d8 must perform rituals for three hours each day.
Flying Eagle was born into a peaceful tribe located high in the mountains, away from most of the strife that had befallen the land. Being recognized as having special abilities at an early age, he basically grew up with the tribe's current shaman, learning all the old ways (of magic, not the "Old Ways" in Deadlands). His totem became the eagle feather he found one day while doing a walkabout, and his name was changed to Flying Eagle.
By the time he was in his early 20's, he was a full-fledged shaman, and had even found a girlfriend. Life was good.
That all changed the day a posse of rogue soldiers rode into the tribe, and killed *everyone*, burning everything to the ground. Having taken a bullet to the shoulder, Eagle lay bleeding on the ground, hearing the cries of babies being burned alive in the teepees, just before lapsing into unconsciousness.
He woke up he didn't know how much later, apparently having been taken for dead by the soldiers. He found his love, dead *and* raped. His rage against the muties was bright-white hot, and he vowed vengeance upon those who had slaughtered his tribe.
With nothing left at the tribe, he wandered down into the madness that was "civilization". Finding that he needed money to survive, he started out as a gun-for-hire, joining teams that needed his prowess with arrows, guns, and a hatchet - all the while searching for the soldiers that destroyed his tribe. He was always on the lookout for a posse of soldiers that were known for attacking Indians, but he never found them.
Then one day, a group approached him asking for his services, and offering substantially more than usual. Asking why, he found out that they were bandits, pulling jobs from bank robberies to train robberies. Seeing a way to get the means (money) to get back at the soldiers that had hurt him so much, he eagerly agreed.
But after a while, when he’d grown rich enough, he left the bandit group, a fairly wealthy man. But he never found the soldiers, and with nothing to do, he turned to drinking and gambling, and soon was almost broke again.
I do not think Guts is a thing anymore; it is specifically an Edge now. I think you just use Spirit unless you have an edge that says otherwise like Gallows Humor.
I think the "Driven" hindrance might work well for your goal of vengeance against the soldiers who slaughtered your people.
Is this still open ?