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So I'm planning out an Urban Fantasy alternate universe campaign set in modern day Seattle, and I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on it.
I'm using the Modern Path 2.0 rules and all the Paizo supplements.
Could you redesign the highways to get rid of left-lane on- and off-ramps?
For a more serious question, are you allowing magic or trying to play this as taking place on a 'normal' Earth? Any 'cyber' elements a la Deus Ex or The Matrix?
D20 Modern Urban Arcana has modern day fantasy resources.
Modern settings can be a lot of fun, but they also can result in a lot of shifting around of rules. Such a setting could well end up being a book mostly containing rules.
I like urban fantasy as a setting, but its important to note that its not a heavily tread path in the gaming world. You will have to do alot of work on your own when fleshing things out.
Seattle is certainly a good location. Make sure your players are all familiar with the area you choose (this is obviously covered if you live in seattle, in which case my point is covered). The reason is one of the best ways to make modern settings easier to dive into is if people already know lots of locations, neighborhoods, prominent peoples etc.
My group and I are from New York, and so far, our best modern or urban fantasy adventures have been set there. The reason is, if I mention an event in a certain area or near a landmark, I dont need to explain the history or the background of the place. It helps players get into the setting faster. Sure there might be actual lizard people in the sewers, or trolls living under the brooklyn bridge or whatever, there is an instant connection on the part of the players. They know many places in our home city. So its easier to weave in the fantastic story elements.
Where as if we were playing in a location we dont know, we have to look up or have explained each location to get a feel for it. And then on top of that you have to add in fantastic elements. It takes more work to get into it. Which is harder since you dont have like a setting book or a wiki you can hand your players to look through.
Could you redesign the highways to get rid of left-lane on- and off-ramps?
For a more serious question, are you allowing magic or trying to play this as taking place on a 'normal' Earth? Any 'cyber' elements a la Deus Ex or The Matrix?
It's urban fantasy. Full magic, and technology is not more advanced than what we currently have. Basically it's our world, but with magic and supernatural creatures.
I like urban fantasy as a setting, but its important to note that its not a heavily tread path in the gaming world. You will have to do alot of work on your own when fleshing things out.
Seattle is certainly a good location. Make sure your players are all familiar with the area you choose (this is obviously covered if you live in seattle, in which case my point is covered). The reason is one of the best ways to make modern settings easier to dive into is if people already know lots of locations, neighborhoods, prominent peoples etc.
My group and I are from New York, and so far, our best modern or urban fantasy adventures have been set there. The reason is, if I mention an event in a certain area or near a landmark, I dont need to explain the history or the background of the place. It helps players get into the setting faster. Sure there might be actual lizard people in the sewers, or trolls living under the brooklyn bridge or whatever, there is an instant connection on the part of the players. They know many places in our home city. So its easier to weave in the fantastic story elements.
Where as if we were playing in a location we dont know, we have to look up or have explained each location to get a feel for it. And then on top of that you have to add in fantastic elements. It takes more work to get into it. Which is harder since you dont have like a setting book or a wiki you can hand your players to look through.
I don't have a group yet, and I actually live in Texas, but I'm working on moving up there. This is very helpful.
A bit of background. Most humanoid races that aren't anthropomorphic animals share a common ancestor. So humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. are all hominids. Think of it like instead of homo sapiens encountering Neanderthals during the ice age, they encountered orcs.