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I've been having the urge to run a game like this for the past few months, but now that my real life group's coming close to wrapping up their current campaign, they're looking to move on to another system entirely, which means hopefully this idea will find some luck on the internet.
The core idea is that the party is a group of monster hunters, specialized in the craft of hunting things a little outside the scope of the usual adventuring party. Any idiot with a sword can kill a zombie, but they might not be able to track a vampire from a single alley crime scene. Think along the lines of various urban fantasy series, stuff like Supernatural or The Dresden Files. Instead of just following breadcrumps to a crypt with the word "HAUNTED" graffitied onto it, the party will have to do some investigating and thinking first. Yes there could be cultists, but it's not as simple as following one to their home and then breaking up a basement ritual. So, a more roleplay and adventuring-oriented campaign, where skill-oriented characters thrive and some puzzles lie in wait.
It would probably be centered mostly around a city, to provide contrast with Carrion Crown, which was very rural. I feel like it helps the investigative element more, since you can draw from that informants and characters who know the town better. Helps flesh it out. Trips to the surrounding areas could also happen, but I like the idea of building the city up as a developped backdrop to the hunting.
The reason I'm in pure interest check mode right now is because there's a lot of ideas in my head, but nothing concrete about the direction to take it in. I like the idea of vivid characters that fit in the setting in various ways, but I don't know quite where to put them. Even in terms of starting level I don't have much, since if I start at first level it excludes the chance for the idea of a redemption-seeking "good monster" sort, which is kind of standard for the genre. At the same time, I don't know if anyone is up for playing that sort of thing, in which case it's a bit of a moot point. So, if the idea appeals to you and evokes a vivid idea in your head of something that fits the idea, then by all means, post and we'll see where it goes. But generally, I'd definitely be looking for characters who fit the mold rather than characters who kill stuff and that stuff just happens to be spooky. And please, no crunch yet.
And for full disclosure on tone, while I'd definitely be gearing it up for some horror, I also tend toward rather high-powered games in terms of point buy or loot. It's offset by throwing strong enemies against the party in return, but some people feel that even if it's balanced, being strong ruins the element. Just wanted to throw that out there so that people who feel that way don't end up in a game that isn't really what they're looking for.
Interest runs pretty much until I've either decided to take a handful of ideas and roll with it, or open recruitment, probably in another thread.
How about Hellboy/BPRD as an inspiration? I'd definitely be interested in playing a Shae (Bestiary 3) monster-hunter, though not sure of class yet. Do you allow 3PP?
How about Hellboy/BPRD as an inspiration? I'd definitely be interested in playing a Shae (Bestiary 3) monster-hunter, though not sure of class yet. Do you allow 3PP?
Yeah, Hellboy definitely works as a possible influence. Haven't worked out too much of the setting yet--that's what long breaks between classes are for--but it depends on how much I want the threats to tie into the city.
For third-party, I'm iffy, but it feels like it's a perfect fit then I'll at least give it some thought. I'm allowing any book Paizo's published for stuff to be drawn from, though, as I'll be digging into some pretty rare-to-see-in-games stuff.
Am I right in thinking that this would be medieval? I am a big fan of the Hawk and Fisher series, which is urban fantasy cop procedural in a medieval world.
Am I right in thinking that this would be medieval? I am a big fan of the Hawk and Fisher series, which is urban fantasy cop procedural in a medieval world.
Yes, you are. It's all the typical medieval fantasy trappings but with a lot of the ideas taken from modern fantasy.
Colour me interested. Another source you might find intriguing is Kolchak: The Night Stalker. A short lived series, but still a classic. I have a Dwarven Rogue in mind whose personality might fit just perfectly.
Would you allow the new Investigator class from the Advanced Class Guide? Seems to be well suited for something liek this..
Sounds very interesting, count me in.
Heck yeah this sounds cool.
I'll have a poke
Would you allow the new Investigator class from the Advanced Class Guide? Seems to be well suited for something liek this..
I'll have to look at it first since playtest means it might be dicey (like how early Mythic playtest`s initiative was insane) but I'll probably be okay with it.
If you want proper investigation you will need to be careful with magic. There are spells (Detect Thoughts especially) that can "solve" an investigation
That said I'd love to play someone with Blood Biography :)
Are you thinking the group are vigilantes or have some form of official sanction?
Why not both?
A lot of the investigation will be about clues and crime scenes where there isn't much to detect, but I do have a few tricks in dealing with those, if not just outright house ruling it in some manner.
As for organized vigilantism or something official, I'm not entirely sure yet. Both have their benefits and downsides, and would steer the plot in potentially different directions. Perhaps, as Fallen Mage suggests, somewhere in the middle, wherever that may be. A lot of my setting development involves seeing what ideas and questions are asked, and seeing what the answers to those questions yield in the way of ideas.
Also interested. I remember even in Pathfinder investigation can be pretty much fun, specially when proper details are given to a city. I remember the first investigation of a RotRL group, still on Sandpoint, was very interesting to have, and so I look forward to your game.
Just need some crunch info to fire out a character..
Helloooo... Walter...
Hey WerePox! You're everywhere!
Indeed... Muahahaah..
I can think of several characters I'd love to get into a game like this, especially if you do allow third party material (a slightly deranged Tinker comes straight to mind).
I would be interested. The Slayer from the advanced classes is the route I would take.
Sorry about the late reply, phone company messed up and my lines have been down the past couple days. I'm going to probably have proper recruitment and crunch stuff coming up some time this weekend, might make a new thread for that to ensure the first post is relevant instead of making people have to look for it.
@HumanInDisguise: Not a bad idea, but missing a reason for them to specifically devote their time to the study of killing monsters.
Sounds interesting, I'll wait until we have more details to see whether or not I'll apply.
Well, Having always wanted to do something like this. I offer my ideo of an item creation specialist. Wizard most likely with maybe a mix into the divine to go mythic theurge. Specializes in creating weapons and armors to help combat, but also in items that help find that evidence and the clues that would move along the investigation. Or even items that help us communicate over short distances incase investigation leads us multible ways.
Since no one has really spoken up about a creationist.
Interested!
I realised that in addition to Vigilante and Official there's also a Private Eye option if that is what you are looking for - shades of the old Bloodshadows game.
No, I don't think noir is that great a direction to go in. You can't have a party of private eyes; kind of spits in the face of those tropes. Someone can certainly have it as a background though; it's certainly fitting.
I think I have everything rounded out enough to open up recruitment, including crunch details. Writing up the thread now, should be done within the next hour or two. Will make a new one since this is more than halfway to page 2 now and that's quite a bit of digging for newcomers looking for the meat of it.