Poll Call, what do you want to do?

[TheZebraShakes™]

What do you want to do. Choose one or let us know if you have a completely different idea, like using these general boards more often for discussion and creative work.

[menatkhufu]

I voted for my relevant choice. But I will love to finish The Shards first. Udjaaaat! =)

[TheUdjat]

I am hesitant to say this, but I was reading over TZS's post in the other thread, particularly as it relates to waiving combat (as much as feasible) and going with roleplaying. If we establish that as our aim, I... I might be up for running something. It would require some learning of new rules, but they're pretty easy rules, and the game--in the sessions I've been running in real life, anyhow--seems to pan out as more investigative and interaction-based, with straight-forward skill checks and quick combat when it happens. It also relies heavily on input from players, which is where the caveat comes in. The capacity exists for players to influence plot and story through the rules, and this is encouraged, if it makes sense. And, frankly, a pbp game works best when players are enthusiastic and trying to make things happen, so this would be the ideal.

So... yeah. The thing about my experiences with pbp is that combat daunts me. Utterly. Especially D&D, with its extensive rules, AoO's, HPs, and intensive rounds. It is a combat-based rules set. I simply cannot keep up that pace and remain interested in it. But if we're all on board with trying something that's story-heavy, with combat that is meant to be short and potentially brutal, then I think I can do this.

Wish I'd figured this out ages ago with Shards.

Anyway, the setting/rules are the Dresden RPG, which is based on Spirit of the Century. Rules are pretty easy to explain at their core, so if you guys want to give it a go, let me know.

...

I can't believe I'm doing this...

[TheZebraShakes™]

I would be on board to try, but I won't hold you to it, if you change your mind and dont think you'll have the time, no worries. But it sounds cool.

[VemuKhaham]

I'd be on board as well if it will be low on rules/combat. Don't know anything about the Dresden RPG, but if the pace will not be too quick (I'm going into a hugely busy period of study here on York university, which is the most awesome place on earth), I think I can handle a few posts a week and be enthousiastic.

[TheUdjat]

The setting for Dresden is modern world supernatural (i.e. monsters/magic exist but most people don't know about it). The developmental character/setting creation phase is pretty involved, but not in a numbers-focused way like, say, Mutants and Masterminds. Basically you build some background stories and talk about how you all met.

Gameplay itself boils down to actual roleplaying interaction, simple skills checks, and contests. Aspects feature heavily into all of these, which are non-numbers descriptors applied to your character (they're actually really, really fun... but more on those later if this happens). Skill rolling is really straightforward. Contests are what pass for combat, and can be physical (e.g. actual combat), mental, or social. It involves declaring 'actions' (attack, maneuver, block, move) to impose consequences (mild, moderate, severe) on your opponent. All the details are left up to the definition of the players and gamemaster, making this an incredibly flexible and imagination-focused system, while still coming down to a handful of concepts.

There are no hit points, no levels, no attribute scores, no AoOs, no tactical squares, no spells/day, etc.

I imagine we'd pretty much have to have a slow/modest pace, though in my head I'm hoping that most posting won't have to be terribly arduous. This isn't like D&D where you'd say "Okay, for my standard action I'm doing this, my move this, and my swift will be held in reserve to do this" or "I need to buy new equipment, so in a month when I have time I'll let you know what enchantments I put on this sword, provided it's Masterwork--what does that come out to again?" You pretty much just say what your character is doing or saying. If I do this, I'd be trying to keep most GM posts short (in the style of Harknail and the D&D 4e folks) to keep Player interaction flowing, with periodic large posts to set scenes and sum up recent activity.

That's the hope, anyway. I originally figured this system wouldn't work around here, but I've been rethinking that. If we stick with roleplaying and don't rely on being railroaded through stories, it should work just fine.

[Wicksy]

I'll play! An all roleplay game would be sweet!

[Rojito]

i am game for just about anything. combat or not, even 4.0

[TheZebraShakes™]

Well I'll start scouring my bookshelves for something to run with as little fighting as possible (most likely going to be 3.5 for now) Just in case TheUdjat doesn't end up doing this.

[TheUdjat]

Always good to have a backup plan.

I'll start drafting up some posts to layout the basic mechanics of Dresden and set some character creation in motion for those that are interested. As I mentioned, it's an involved (but simple) process, and the game as a whole can be very player-contributory. So if someone wants to step up and fill in the 'in case Udj is too damn busy to post something this week' role, that would be awesome, and probably save us some potential headaches down the way.

Shakes.

I mean, anyone. *cough*

[at]

Oct 26, 2010 8:10:16 GMT -5 TheUdjat said:

I mean, anyone. *cough*

(peers at shelves) I've got a few pre-written DnD adventures but i'm only familiar with the 2nd Firestorm Peak and Tomb of Horrors books.
Notes for 3.5 shadow over mystara (old kill the goblins hunt the dragon kind of adventure), Diablo (as per the 2nd game), Fallout 3 for the DH ruleset... and so on.

Basically a huge slew of crawls, hunts, and general dice-roll determined hitting of bad-guys.


Wish I could figure out where I put the games notes for that epic 'chase the thieving monkey' campaign I ran a decade or so back (though the scene with the burning ship full of naptha probably wouldn't work as well without an actual stopwatch).

[TheZebraShakes™]

Oct 26, 2010 8:10:16 GMT -5 TheUdjat said:

So if someone wants to step up and fill in the 'in case Udj is too damn busy to post something this week' role, that would be awesome, and probably save us some potential headaches down the way.

Shakes.

I mean, anyone. *cough*

Sure, I wouldn't mind helping out once I get the hang of what's going on. I have most of my spare time back, so it shouldn't be a problem.