Hello, everyone! I'm here as my life is settling back into some semblance of regularity, as my college years are done and I got through the final semester's finals and graduation. As something of a gift to myself, with the recognition that I'll have a little more time on my hands and a more regular schedule for posting, I'd like to offer another game (or two*) for this community. I enjoy running games, and although I'm involved in a number already, I'm confident I have the time and commitment for one or two more.
The question, however, becomes: What shall I run for you fine people? I'm one of those people who always has tons of ideas for games, concepts for characters and plotlines and settings, and it's tough to settle on one when I'm thinking on my own. So as I've done in the past, I'd like to first put forward an interest check to see what people would like to play! I've got some summaries for ideas in spoilers below, so please take a look and let me know what you think. Each spoiler has a potential title for the game, a sketch/blurb of the base concept for the game and what I'm thinking of as at least the basis for the campaign, and a thought on what system I'd be using.
(If you've been in my previous interest checks, some of these are probably familiar, but please take a look anyway! A number have changed slightly as I've continue to think on them.)
The Concept: A campaign steeped in the flavor, tone, and lore of the popular Dark Souls video game series, with a dash of Bloodborne thrown in for good measure. (Probably some Demon's Souls too, but more in legacy than references.) Gearing toward sandboxy with an overarching "metaplot," it sees a party of Heroes who rise above mortals but are doomed to fight until they die, over and over again, and either succumb to madness or live long enough to "retire." That sounds a lot bleaker than I hope the game plays out, but it sets the tone. Rest assured that you can (and hopefully will) make a difference in the land, and my goal is for the party to ultimately uncover the secrets of the Vault.
The Setting: A homebrew setting of mine, specifically an alternate timeline of a larger setting I'm working on that will encompass huge swaths of time and a variety of different types of games. It's a classic medieval fantasy world that's been in a downward spiral for a couple of centuries, with rivaling nations clinging to life and struggling for what power they can claim.
The System: After some heavy thought anad work on this idea, which I've been bouncing around for a while, I've changed from Exalted as the basic chassis to a simpler offering: World of Darkness, mainly utilizing rules from the NWoD books with the God-Machine Chronicle updates, at least right now. I have some of the stuff for Chronicles of Darkness, but I don't love all the changes they made, so it'll probably end up somewhere between the two with some houserules.
The Concept: This game has evolved somewhat from a couple of ideas I had a while back, mainly by combining them and adapting more ideas in the process. The basic concept is a classical high fantasy story, drawing from some of my favorites (Final Fantasy [some of them, especially I, II, IV, and XV, as well as the Tactics series], The Belgariad, Sword of Mana, and of course The Lord of the Rings)... but basing that story in a mythical Bronze Age setting reminiscent of classical myth. It'll hit the high points of that foundation: an evil empire on the rise, heroic knights with abilities well beyond those of mortal men, incredible mystic power and fearsome monsters.
The Setting: My hope is that this game's setting will start somewhat loosely defined, probably as a fantastical reflection of the Mediterranean region and the surrounding continental areas. I'm hopeful that the players would collaborate with me and with one another to establish what more of the setting needs filled in: homelands, other city-states or nations of interest, things like that.
The System: My most solid plan for this game would be Pathfinder, probably using E8 as a level cap and Mythic rules alongside to create an appropriate level of incredible but limited power. That said, in the last thread I was made aware of Godbound, which is an interesting system and could be helpful for capturing some of the feeling here. This one in particular could go one way or the other on system depending on how potential players feel about it.
The Concept: This is a game of high intrigue, utilizing some of the newer themes and mechanics Paizo's released recently to play a very different sort of adventure. I don't expect dungeon crawls and murderhobo antics here: this is a world where the danger lurks in garden parties and backroom dealings. Traps lurk around every corner, but they're more likely to be a hired knife or a social faux pas than a pit filled with spikes--after all, that's so uncivilized. The PCs will be agents representing an outside faction (or factions) with interests in the power plays between nobility in a city-state at the height of its decadence.
The Setting: This game will take place almost entirely in and around a large city-state, which is called Accoria until I potentially come up with a name I like better. It's a fantasy setting complete with many races and even monsters, but it's a little more advanced than the typical medieval feeling--think more along the lines of southern Europe in the height of the Renaissance. Beyond that central point, I'm leaving the setting fairly empty, which means more elements can be created as needed by players and myself alike.
The System: I'm looking at Pathfinder for this, making heavy use of the rules from Ultimate Intrigue; that book inspired me to start crafting this sort of game, which I'd vaguely tried in the past with less success. I'm considering making it E8, but in any case it'll make use of gestalt rules, with the strong suggestion that one side of each character be a vigilante. (The class is very fitting for a game like this, but I feel it can use some extra filling out to really make it shine.)
The Concept: If you can't tell from the name, this is a mish-mash of a bunch of my favorite genres for stories and games, and my hope is to have a glorious combination of them that plays up the tropes to eleven. An important note is that although we'll have characters from a gritty setting dealing with big trouble, I'm not looking for some grimdark operatic drama about the hopelessness of existence. I'm looking for this to be pulpy and over the top, with dynamic characters who spit in the face of danger. The horror will be there, but it's gonna be less Resident Evil or Night of the Living Dead and more Dead Rising or Zombieland. If you know the game Evolve, that was a big inspiration for this game's concept. Above all else, I think this one should be FUN.
The Setting: A colony world on the edge of the ever-expanding galaxy. Beyond that, it's played loose and fast; I've got ideas for stuff if people want to use them, but I'd also encourage people to come up with their own notions if they like. Part of me wants to add a Space Western flair to things, but I don't know if that might be one too many genres to throw in the mix. (By the by, aliens do exist, I'm not against people playing them for this, but they do need to be alien, not just humans with rubber heads.)
The System: For this one, I'm thinking Savage Worlds, making good use of the Science Fiction and Horror Companions. It's a system designed for pulpy, over-the-top fun with quirky characters, and it's gone hand in hand with the concept since I started planning it out.
The Concept: Pretty much what it says on the tin: I'm very down to run the Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path, using the Anniversary Edition with some extra touch-ups and add-ons. This is one of my favorite published campaigns, with a classic fantasy feel mixed with other elements to tell a fantastic story. I just hope to use the newer additions to the system to really make it incredible--don't worry, it'll stay very recognizable as the campaign we know and love.
The Setting: Golarion, of course. I have my own small takes on certain aspects of Pathfinder's main setting, but I don't know that any of them have a big impact here.
The System: Pathfinder, to put it simply. I'm envisioning this as a high-powered game where the heroes are truly heroic, so I'm strongly considering using gestalt rules for the PCs and powerful NPCs (mostly key villains), and I'll be making use of the additions we've had to the game since the campaign came out. Expect NPCs with levels in newer classes, and expect them to be built pretty well with the new options that are available--while keeping to the vision that was laid out for them, of course. This will be a challenge, but a fair one.
My main thought here is a fun little game called Kung Fu Hotel, although I'm not positive on how well that would translate to a PbP format. I own a few fun, small systems, though, and I'm up for exploring others if people want to suggest any. Some of my personal favorites include the always-wild Everyone is John, the tongue-in-cheek Kill Puppies for Satan, the team-focused One Last Job, and the slightly more serious but equally simple and fun Paladin.
That's quite a lot of text, so kudos to you if you read through it all! I hope to see some interest from people, so let me know what you think. I'd like to get a good gauge for what people are interested in before I move to an actual recruitment, so I expect this will remain as it is for a little while at least. Hope something catches your eyes!
The Rise of the Runelords idea sounds interesting.
I like all the ideas listed. I run RotRL so I would not submit for that.
I would absolutely submit for idea 3, been dying to play a Vigilante/Inquisitor mix.
Interesting stuff here, man.
I'm not really interested in RotRL as I'm currently in (or rather, waiting to join) a game of that, although if that were to fall through for whatever reason I'd be down to give it a whirl with you at the helm. Gates Ascendant doesn't really appeal to me at all, I likely wouldn't submit to that at all. I like Idea 4, although I'm in a lot of SW stuff and since a game I'm looking to open soon will ALSO be in SW it's lower on my list. Both Ideas 1 and 3 are very appealing and I'd definitely submit to either of them. I think Idea 3 edges out Idea 1 JUST a bit, if only because depending on the stuff you take from each of those sources in WoD the idea I already have in mind may not work.
I'm already in a RotR game and have little experience with non-Pathfinder RPGs, but idea 3 sounds very interesting. I would definitely submit for that, probably a vigilante/rogue going into Assasin or Master Spy.
Runelords sounds fun, and I also like the pulp sci fi setting.
All sound great, but I'd prefer Idea #1 or #4.
I like the ideas #3 and #5. I'd probably submit a character for any of the Pathfinder games though.
I have some sort of Deja Vu... a strange feeling indeed, as my mind whispers to me Tell Loup you love him, again...
Shameful attempts to flatter aside, I'll be up for anything but Age of Laments, which is something that I regret saying. The concept appeals to me and I love everything inspired by FromSoftware's games... but I know gobshite about WoD and derivatives. Were that to be the game, I'd try to learn the rules and decide if I would end being a nuissance or not.
Now Pulpy Science Fiction Action Survival Horror that I dig. I couldn't help but picture The Rock in Doom speaking to a mixture of 80s-90s action heroes ala Expendables if they were designed by Games Workshop sans grimdark. That would be my top choice.
And if I had to vote a second most favourite concept that would be Mind Games in the Dark. Intrigue, renaissance, hired blades and shadowy alleys? It might not be inspired by it, but it reminds me of a slightly less depressive and considerably less steampunk Dishonored, which I do like.
In any case, always a pleasure to show interest around you guys.
Mind Games in the Dark sounds amazing, and I've always been incredibly eager to give the Vigilante class a try. Either an Investegator/Vigilante, or something else depending on whenever any 3PP is allowed or not.
Just hope it's not E8, kinda dislike the E6 system.
Definitely interested in 2 and 3.
Put down my votes for 2, 3, 4.
Glad to check in this morning and see that there's been interest! I'm hopeful it'll continue with folks checking in to help figure out what I'm doing. Right now Mind Games in the Dark has a lead, but Rise of the Runelords and the Pulpy Sci-Fi game are both keeping up pretty well, by my count. That said, I'll probably let this stay open for a while longer before settling down on what to run.
Looking over the list, I'm at least a little interested in everything. I'm curious about the Lament game and the Pulpy space survival thing. I'd be interested in giving Godbound a try, so Gates is an interesting idea, but I really don't like E8 so I'm not all that interested if you go that route. Same with Games in the Dark really. Sounds interesting, but not going to play if it's E8. I have a character I've been interested in running for Runelords for ages, so I'm good to give that a try.
3 or 4 might convince me to make another character even though I shouldn't. XD
My vote is for 2 3 5
I'm just about Always a fan of gestalt pathfinder
I actually have a character for the intrigue one but I would need to know how magical disguises work in conjunction with the vigilante system, though his original concept is a bardic bar owner and incorrigible flirt and playboy, he's recently been trying to buy into the market that makes the food and drinks too.
For the other pathfinder setting games I have a few other ideas
For example I could play a ranger/kensi badebond magus to play an elven (or maybe aasimar) swordmaster with a panther animal companion with dreams of greatness (this was originally from a RotRL game that I never got past the goblins of)
I've not tried god bound but it seems fun
Doing an evening check-in and bumping for good measure to see if more interest crops up. I'll probably leave this up over the weekend and make my decision come Monday or Tuesday.
...a ranger/kensai bladebound magus to play an elven swordmaster with a panther animal companion with dreams of greatness...
As much as I love Looking for Group, I feel I should mention I usually don't like people playing carbon copies of existent characters. Inspiration is totally fine, but that might be a bit close to the bone.
...Although if it's the panther who has dreams of greatness, that could be quite an entertaining character.
It's not a carbon copy, personality is differenta
More of a glory seaker than a paragon of good
Far from naive, my Cale would probably scam you
That and mechanically while that Cale would usually use two swords and occasionally use a bow thus Cale uses a single sword and uses magic
I could make them more diffetent if you like
Instead of ranger I could go fighter
Also I am terrible at making up names
You had me at godbound.
Seriously though, i like the idea of gates ascendant alot. You even high-fived my 17 year old self with your mention of the belgariad.
That would get my vote and app.
As for the others, I admit I am a fan of neither the WoD system nor gestalt, and I only have the faintest notion of what E8 is, so...ya.
It's not a carbon copy, personality is differenta
More of a glory seaker than a paragon of good
Far from naive, my Cale would probably scam youThat and mechanically while that Cale would usually use two swords and occasionally use a bow thus Cale uses a single sword and uses magic
I could make them more diffetent if you like
Instead of ranger I could go fighterAlso I am terrible at making up names
I think -think being the operative word here- that GM Loup Blanc is referring to the similarity of the panther-owning elven swordmaster guy to certain pre-existing characters such as Josidiah Starym and/or Drizzt Do'Urden.
I'm going to have to vote for RotRL Redux. I haven't been able to enjoy a Gestalt game in a very, very long time... And I've got quite a few gestalt ideas I want to play around with. (If 3rd party is allowed, I honestly, truly want to run a Mind Blade Magus//Soul Bolt Soulknife. Because I never want to be without a weapon, ever.)
I like anything in Savage Worlds, so mark me down for #4. I especially like the idea that the game should be fun, and not some post-apocalyptic doom-and-gloom thing.
I think -think being the operative word here- that GM Loup Blanc is referring to the similarity of the panther-owning elven swordmaster guy to certain pre-existing characters such as Josidiah Starym and/or Drizzt Do'Urden.It's not a carbon copy, personality is differenta
More of a glory seaker than a paragon of good
Far from naive, my Cale would probably scam youThat and mechanically while that Cale would usually use two swords and occasionally use a bow thus Cale uses a single sword and uses magic
I could make them more diffetent if you like
Instead of ranger I could go fighterAlso I am terrible at making up names
It's way way way too close to the character Cale from the webcomic Looking For Group, which parodies World of Warcraft.
I think -think being the operative word here- that GM Loup Blanc is referring to the similarity of the panther-owning elven swordmaster guy to certain pre-existing characters such as Josidiah Starym and/or Drizzt Do'Urden.It's not a carbon copy, personality is differenta
More of a glory seaker than a paragon of good
Far from naive, my Cale would probably scam youThat and mechanically while that Cale would usually use two swords and occasionally use a bow thus Cale uses a single sword and uses magic
I could make them more diffetent if you like
Instead of ranger I could go fighterAlso I am terrible at making up names
he mentioned Looking for Group which is where I got the name and panther from
I can nix the panther by dropping ranger and going fighter (or if 3rd party is allowed, Scholar)
I could also go for an Aasimar with Elven or half elven parents (so that an elf name makes sense)
I am planning on taking the divine obedience feat and taking either the sentinel or evangelist PrC, so that should again help distance me from his namesake
Ah, I see. Gotcha. :-)
Just need to decide on deity
Maybe the sacred sting? (patron deity of the elves, also a goddess of sex and revenge)
Iori? (God of self perfection, and has a nice obedience)
Shelyn? (Goddes of artists and beauty)
Honestly, I have to really hope that if Mind Games in the Dark is accepted, we can use third party material. Specifically, Legendary Games' Legendary Vigilantes, an entire book dedicated to that single class... and holy damn does it deliver in making the Vigilantes' amazing.
As far as characters/inspirations and copies go, there's no hard line, but some things are a little closer than others. I'm not going to claim an elven swordsman is a ripoff of anything, because that's wide enough that it works, but the closer you get to an established character the more leery I'll become. Especially if the name is the same or close; coming up with names can be hard, but there are a lot of good generators on the Internet, too. (I'm not saying I've never done anything like this, because if you look through my aliases you'll find a name similar to a character, but it should be done sparingly, and that character's also quite different from the name basis.)
Mind Games in the Dark is still ahead, but as far as 3rd-Party goes, I need to be able to access and review it before making a decision. For the most part that means it needs to be on the d20pfsrd site, because I don't generally purchase a ton of 3rd-party material. There's a lot of variance in the quality and balance, and I don't have a disposable income to spend on that. So, while some stuff is reasonable--for example, I'm fine with Soulknives, although I don't love much Psionic stuff from DSP--anything too specific is problematic.
If Mind Games on the Dark ends being the chosen game I would probably request something from Path of War, be it feats, classes or one of the archetypes for non-initiator classes.
Thing is I had this idea for a nobleborn fencer, and Scarlet Throne maneuvers are basically that. I'm picturing more like The Princess Bride's "Oh, I see you use the Lancaster Defensive Stance, good luck against Montignon's Three Point Strike!" than Mystical Swordfighting(t,m) as 3.5s Initiators were.
That said I'd understand if they are not allowed, given that paired with Gestalt they tend to end on the powerful end if used properly.
As far as 3rd-Party goes, I need to be able to access and review it before making a decision. For the most part that means it needs to be on the d20pfsrd site
Well, good thing that someone else can have access to that 3rd-Party Material and share it with others, hmmm? I mean sure, I can't exactly buy a book and then upload it to the internet as a free-for-all. But doing something like say, uploading it to G-Docs and sharing the link with only specific people is no more illegal than sharing a physical copy with your friend irl.
Not sure how the playtest legality works through, especially as most of it IS actually released in the Legendary Games' Legendary Villains: Vigilantes book. Still, it does give you a good snapshot into the power-level of the archetypes, talents and feats. I wouldn't go so far as to say their more powerful than full casters, but it definitely gives Vigilantes a significant boost in both flexibility and power... probably on part with Path of War tbh
Also, the archetype which REALLY catches my eye, the Mercurial Duelist isn't in either of the books, so the playtest is all we have so far.
THere's also Sphere's of Might as well, which is also currently in Playesting
I'm going to have to vote for RotRL Redux. I haven't been able to enjoy a Gestalt game in a very, very long time... And I've got quite a few gestalt ideas I want to play around with. (If 3rd party is allowed, I honestly, truly want to run a Mind Blade Magus//Soul Bolt Soulknife. Because I never want to be without a weapon, ever.)
I'm playing a Mindblade/unRogue gestalt in a campaign right now. He's so Dex-SAD it's unreal, and between Magus INT and rogue skill points, I've put at least a point or two everything that isn't craft/profession/perform. Walks around looking completely unarmed and unarmored, then in a turn is wielding two gladii and Mage Armor (via the Major Magic rogue talent). And who needs a bow when you have fireballs and lightning bolts?
For this one though, I was thinking about I concept I haven't gotten to try yet: gnome Pyrokineticist/Mad Dog Barbarian. From L1 I can be riding around on my go-anywhere medium mount continuously shooting fire (with my move action free to gather power). Barbarian's huge HP is helpful too, when dealing with Burn, not to mention full BAB.
Mind Games in the Dark sounds fun, but I'm especially interested in Runelords, since I've been playing Pathfinder for like 10 years but have never found a group to play it. I know literally nothing about the story, but have heard nothing but incredible things, so I want to experience that.
The votes that I've counted so far:
1 - Age of Lament - II
2 - Gates Ascendant - VI
3 - Mind Games in the Dark - XIII
4 - Pulpy Sci-Fi Action Survival Horror - VII
5 - Rise of the Runelords Redux - X
If you said "I'm good for anything, but I really like X and Y," I only counted X and Y, because adding 1 to everything doesn't change the relative scores anyway.
Looks like Mind Games and RotR are the big ones.
At this stage in the game, I would not mind if both games are played, and I can try my hand at both. One Mercurial Duelist for Mind Games in the Dark, and... something else, for RotR Redux.
I don't do many builds right from level 1...
One fighter/kensi elf or assimar adventurer and glory seaker for RotRL
One bard/Mesmerist or bard/vigilante (maybe warlock) Kitsune bartender for the game of intrigue
I'll toss my ideas in the hat for RotR - either a weird, half-feral, Lost-Boys Druid/Unchained Monk, a creepy old Elf Swashbuckler/Alchemist (the eerie kind of creepy, not the lecherous kind :P), or a Transmuter/Barbarian focused on the balance of body and mind.
Barbarian/transmuter is quite flavorful but I don't know how good it'd be unless you went rage prophet on one side to let you cast in a rage
And/or a monk dip to help with AC
Maybe you could do some of the same flavor with druid/barbarian or blood rager?
Still has issues with not being able to cast in rage but with wild shape it doesn't matter much and at least you can wear armor and with wild shape and rage you could be really devistating
Vivisectionist/swashbuckler is also very potent. I'd like more details on what you mean by "creepy"
(I'm not at all involved in selection I just like to talk)
Barbarian/transmuter is quite flavorful but I don't know how good it'd be unless you went rage prophet on one side to let you cast in a rage
And/or a monk dip to help with AC
Maybe you could do some of the same flavor with druid/barbarian or blood rager?
Still has issues with not being able to cast in rage but with wild shape it doesn't matter much and at least you can wear armor and with wild shape and rage you could be really devistatingVivisectionist/swashbuckler is also very potent. I'd like more details on what you mean by "creepy"
I actually was thinking I may keep the bombs, and not go vivisectionist because it feels cheap. As far as the Barbarian/Transmuter, it might be that I go Fighter or Slayer or some other thing instead of Barbarian - I'd forgotten about the rage thing, which seems so obvious now.
The "creepy" elf is just a bit...off-putting. Into experiments, always walking around with small creatures in tanks of formaldehyde, definitely grows a tumor familiar. I think of him as being like a brilliant Gomez Addams, who has been around for awhile and just sort of delights in his little passion projects, without regard for decorum.
2 and 3 interest me the most, although I'd be more than happy to play any of the Pathfinder ones.
There is a way to get the bombs back, but not until level 5
Option 5 RotR would be my pick. Looking at a barbarian/sorc going dragon disciple using moment of clarity to cast spells in rage and fighting in dragon form. Plus the favored prestige feats to have full casting
Oh and if leadership was allowed I really like the idea of a psuedodragon cleric sitting on my head during fights egging me on.
Alright everybody, I think I've garnered enough interest at this point to make my call. I'll be recruiting for two campaigns in the upcoming days: Concepts 3 and 5 from the list, which is to say, Mind Games in the Dark (which will hopefully get a snazzier title soon) and Rise of the Runelords Redux. I like all these ideas, and they all had some good support, but in the interest of fairness and pleasing the most people, I went with the most popular ideas.
The Rise of the Runelords recruitment is open now! If you're interested, please swing over, read it through, and post in. I don't have a set date to end that, but I'm excited to start looking through characters as soon as people start putting them up.
The other recruitment will be up before too long--I just need to finish getting some things together for that, finalizing build rules and opening plot points, and making sure it's totally ready to go. Stay tuned here, because I'll definitely note when that recruitment comes up. And thanks to everyone for voicing their thoughts!
Necro all star, you might want to try a blood rager on one side and take the dragon disciple PrC on the other, more Str more dragon stuff and you can cast in rage.