Difference between revisions of "Talk:HP Lovecraft's American War of Independence"

Latest revision as of 13:02, 26 January 2009

--Edmiao 19:11, 21 May 2007 (MST) I am currently reading a collection of HP lovecraft short stories. just finished "The rats in the wall" and "the outsider". both excellent. Inspired to read some HP after playing a board game called "Arkham Horror", a great cooperative board game where the players work together to prevent the ancient ones from awakening and destroying the world.

--67.183.132.220 00:01, 22 May 2007 (MST)I have the original Arkham Horror game. I have heard the new one is pretty similar.

--Edmiao 09:14, 22 May 2007 (MST) we have the new one, plus two expansions. haven't even gotten around to playing one of the expansions yet.

--Gdaze 15:20, 23 May 2007 (MST)I'd play.

Ben here:I gotz to read me some lovecraft...never have.

Gabe: I've only read one, it was kinda neat but you never really saw any of the mosnters. Still it kept me reading.

--Jason 15:36, 23 May 2007 (MST)Seeing the monsters makes you go insane! They are rarely described, and when they are I always found it near impossible to imagine, they were so alien.

--Edmiao 18:27, 23 May 2007 (MST) I have two predictions for this game: 1) Gabe's character will go insane 2) Dieter's character will have no interest in investigating anything. 3) Nate's character will want to kill the monsters....three predictions....1) Gabe's character will go insane 2) Dieter's character will have no interest in investigating anything. 3) Nate's character will want to kill the monsters 4) my character will be inquisitive.....Four! four predictions....

--Matts 18:43, 23 May 2007 (MST)We'll either bust the lid off the situation and go insane, or we'll say we should better leave it alone, and then life goes on but everything tastes more bland and colors look duller.

--Jason 13:37, 24 May 2007 (MST)Would you guys want to try a 1-2 session thing of this sometime to break up your constant Nephon-ity, or would it be better served as something on a Saturday sometime? I dont know how close I am, but the idea is coalescing.

--Edmiao 14:16, 24 May 2007 (MST) if you wanted a 1-5 or 1-2 session run, I think we'd all be up for it anytime. same goes for Matt's space marines short game.

--Edmiao 12:14, 29 May 2007 (MST) been reading more lovecraft. i think this would be a fun game. i hope you decide to go for it. if you get disinterested or decide to run it in a different group, i might be interested in picking it up.

--Jason 12:35, 29 May 2007 (MST)I bought a whole bunch of Cthulhu books lately, and I have been reading online kinds of things. I do want to do this, and I anticipate it being ready within 3 weeks. I also think a campaign is possible, whether or not its in the AWI period I dont know. The group may go through many iterations, but as long as everyone understands that going in, it should be ok.

--Edmiao 14:43, 29 May 2007 (MST) god damn it, i'm at work and have no change of clothes, what am i supposed to do about the cum in my pants. this keeps happening to me. i wish you guys would try to not post such exciting things on the wiki. if you have to post something exciting, please put this disclaimer before the post: "Warning: choke chicken within 5 minutes before reading the following"

--Edmiao 22:35, 29 May 2007 (MST) If we are going to use this system, do i need to buy this book, Call of Cthulu RPG 6th edition? if we are to use this system, give us a week or two warning for shipping, as it's only $23 at amazon.

--67.183.132.220 22:50, 29 May 2007 (MST)I doubt Ill use the 6th edition, the newest I have is 5th. That being said, they generally dont make any changes between versions. Its a straight percentage based system. You roll and if its under your number, you succeed. Thats it.

GABE: Still totlly down for this. I like the power level thingy. Not that you'll ever run it, but I'd be very interested. Regarding the characters, would they not "scare" as easily then? Since they've seen these horrors before? Say more like a team that investigates these kinds of things but it more use to them? I mean certain things are scary no matter what, like a floating orb made up of decaying meat and mouths that speak backwards, but like the characters are expecting something horrible. Any ideas for some sort of corruption system? Anyway, all sounds cool, I love muskets, and I think setting it around that time could be very cool.

Edmiao ditto the above. i'd love some lovecraftian rpg. One request, please, lots and lots of cyclopean masonry. that one shot that ben ran, the house of usher, was so fun. the idea about lower point characters with minor powers and higer without is an interesting balance thing, muy bueno (that means it "gives me a boner" in spanish).

GABE: I'm not clicking that link... I don't click links you post at work anymore. Also just how supernatural would this be? Sterotypical? Werewolves, vampires, magic, mental powers, and such? Or is this gonna be more gory, like face stealers, ancient evils, old women who must consume a child's tears, but only those tears that come from a child that is being burned. Stuff like that.

What roll would Native Americans play?

Edmiao I swear on your mother's bed that link is rated G for general audiences. have you read much lovecraft? "Cyclopean" is his favorite word.

JASON: Scaring would be totally a function of PRE I would think. One thing about the supernatural is, in my opinion, its a lot more exciting if its a surprise. In other words, what will or wont be happening will not be divulged to players before the game begins. I will say that sometimes things will be people (the Scooby Doo effect), sometimes it will be supernatural. Enemies will have a PRE commensurate with their ability to scare people. This means that completely alien and horrific monsters like those in HP Lovecraft stories will have exceedingly high PRE.

Stuff must be cyclopean, yes. Or at least that will be the subject of the dreams that draw the characters together. This way they share the common experience that no one else believes and it ties them to one another.

One warning is that a common convention in horror stories (and games) is that sometimes the main characters get screwed, and this will need to occur sometimes, and not always will it get explained. A balance must be struck so it wont be completely insurmountable. To make a game like this into a campaign the characters themselves must be able to sustain their psyches no matter what happens. This means that if a player does go insane, it should only be temporary, unless the player decides they would like to sacrifice this character and make a new one.

Native Americans in this time period are a cool blend of superstitious, naive, wise and formidable. A character could be one, if they so choose. Players could have contacts within local tribes. I think they will have whatever role the player choose to give them, and they may also be involved in some plots covertly and overtly.

My goal with balance is not to punish people, though it probably often seems that way. What I want to do is make every choice a difficult one, and also a viable one. There should not be one that stands out above all others as clearly the best. This way all styles of gaming (even power gaming) are equally rewarded.

GABE: Heh heh. No, I've actually only read one, I actually enjoyed it a lot. Despite not a lot really happening it kept me really interested. I should pick up some more.

Wiki-Blocker Extreme!

GABE: Looks good Jason. This kinda reminds me of the pulp game we tried. Which really did seem like a fun system but then when you get down to it, it was almost TOO over the top.

And cool on not knowing what to expect, its hard to deal with the meta-game knowledge players have. Also the warning that characters will fail is nice, at least we know sometimes we aren't suppose to win.

I think I'd want to play an African American slave. It'd be interesting to play a character who has to fight these horrible things, and being found in the wrong place at the wrong time would be REALLY bad for them. Most likely he would be one of the other character's.

Perhaps he was cast out of his village back in Africa when the village shaman said the character's dreams were a sign of a great evil or something like that. His powers would thus perhaps be more shamanistic in nature. I should stop getting excited over this as it won't likely happen. Sorry Jason but I'm an ass.

JASON: This game is likely to occur, it just might not be a Friday night thing. It is something I have wanted to run for a while. I got very interested in the Revolution when I got Liberty or Death for the Super Nintendo, so its been 10 years or more. I have kicked various ideas around much of that time. It really coalesced when I got Touch of Evil. I will probably do this when I am done with Serenity Bebop. The figs in ToE are really good, they would be perfect for characters in this game and are 28mm scale.

--Gdaze-- Those are pretty cool figures. I have a few horror clicks (most likely only the monsters would be of use). Well glad to hear you are pretty serous about this. I actually really like your GMing, if you get frustrated or something though, just promise you won't give up right away! I think being with this group has really helped me GM and maybe evetually as a player (I really want to try playing a guy who isn't totally insane or blood thristy).

Wow I love the ToE's cover, so cheesey! And yes understand on the waiting to be done with the current RP, GMing two games is quite a task.

JASON: But giving up is in my nature! Normally, I only do something so drastic when I see no other alternative. Lately I have been having mental problems though, so I get confused and dont know what to do. For the most part the games go ok, but sometimes I am in a situation where I have no idea what to do, so the players just do whatever they want and nothing interesting happens. This is something I want to improve on. Besides that, I think that my GMing is getting better as well.

Edmiao gabe, i think it would be amazing to see you play a character that is not bloodthirsty or insane. it would be like Nate playing a eunic. damn wiki blockers

--Gdaze-- Eh, same here on the mental problems. I think my job has locked my brain up so its hard to be creative anymore. Suckssss.

And I will do it Ed, you'll see! Uh... maybe.

JASON: Just for research purposes, what kinds of characters would people make if this game were to actually happen? Gabe has the slave idea, but what would he be besides a slave? What interests Ed? Anyone else?

Ed: but i like your insane characters. robert was freakin amazing in wfrp. guy was totally psycho. lot of memorable moments, like "For the dark gods!" while wearing a magical chaos rat mask. so rich. what foibles will you incorporate to provide such entertainment value? Jason, although i am quite interested in the game, i probably can't play it unless you go for friday night, cus that's about my max extracurricular activities as of yet. but for some reason, joe the plumber comes to mind.

--Gdaze-- Wow I just noticed how different the powersets are... very interesting... I love the trade-offs. What kind of exp growth do you think the game might have? None, low, mid, high?

Well being a slave is pretty much what he do, but thinking about making him married. In his village he was a hunter, or thinking about a shaman in training. I was also thinking he might be a story teller and can manipulate shadows into certain forms. He doesn't really like being a slave, but looks at it like... well, his people were just weaker and thus is now a slave. He would find the new world very interesting but has learned to watch his tongue less it be cut like what happen to Ol'Shoma! I'm not really sure what point package I'd want yet but am leaning towards the first one.

Haha Robert was crazy. He was fun to play too.

BEN: when I am no longer GMing, I'd be happy to make an NPC/spotty attendance PC for this game (I'll be very busy starting July).

JASON: Well Ed, assume it is Friday. I am not saying it will be, I just need some indication of what people find interesting so I can prepare accordingly.

And to Gabe, what kind of other character stuff are you thinking of? You should also realize that by the time of the AWI slavery was already an extremely varied institution in the US. What slaves did and how they were perceived in Massachusetts was completely different from South Carolina. You could even be a freed black man or escaped former slave if the game were in Mass.

As for experience I think it would be a low to middling experience game. Currently I give about 2xp per 3 sessions, plus any bonuses players earn. This game would be less susceptible to being broken by characters gaining too much XP, so the pocketbooks might open up a bit, so to speak.

--Gdaze-- Ah right, what kinda task would I do! Hmmm that depends, I'd have to work with another player I think. I was thinking of either a kitchen worker type, or perhaps a woodcutter/yard work. He would be a hard worker at whatever he ends up doing and have a generally good relationship with his master. I'm even okay with who-ever plays his owner is okay with slavery as many people at the time thought it was.

I think we are going to be having some openings for gaming on Friday as Ben will become less frequent and Matt is going to Japan.

--Matts 16:59, 3 January 2009 (MST)I'm probably not going until the beginning of next year the way things look right now. As to this game, I'd certainly be interested, but I might be on unreliable status as well (as if I'm not already).

--Gdaze -- Hey quick question. What are the dis-ad point totals?

--Dieter the Bold 12:54, 6 January 2009 (MST) I'm down for the teaser. Not up for a Saturday game in addition to Friday, but if this became one of the Friday campaigns being run, I'd be down.

JASON: Each character should have 100 points in disadvantages. It sounds to me like very few people can make the 16th, so maybe I will prep this and keep it on hold for minuteman gaming: ready at a moments notice.

--Gdaze-- Cool cool, I worked on my guy a bit last night, and I really like what I came up with so far. 200 points is actually a lot so I'm seeing how we are clearly above average. That said here is a rough break down of my powers.

Mind Scan, 3D6, always on, 0 End, no mental awarness and can't attack through it. Extra class of minds.

Mind Control, limited range (voice), no mental awarness, set effect (only so people think character is "up to nothing" basically a "these aren't the driods your looking for".) Restrainable (cover

Flash, 3D6, limited range (maybe like a hex or two), 3 charges - recoverable. This is basically a fistful of dirt he throws in someone's eyes.

Strong Willed: +10 Mental Defense

Combat Luck

What do you think?

JASON: What is the purpose of the mind scan? Is that to find supernatural stuff? This is a small smattering of your points, so far they all look like acceptable powers, I am just not seeing what your theme or purpose is. You dont absolutely have to have one, I am just stating my current position.

GABE: Yeah, finding stuff like that. And people. His powers allow things to "happen", he finds people and things, seems to be able to get out of trouble. Its all very rough draft right now, I was more seeing if these are the kinds of powers that are what you are looking for. Things that really can't be seen. I may change him to be hand to hand.

JASON: I think finding stuff will be important. I also think you could be a pretty bad ass HtH guy AND have these powers. When you understand the scale of normal people, 200-250 points is a lot. Check this guy out: Kevin Thomas (X). He is 250 and has NCM. He does have two minor powers, but I play him in a Dark Champions game. He got hit once with 3 shots from a rifle (2d6 Dmg), and he doesnt wear armor. Those shots hit vitals, vitals, chest and he was not KO'ed or stunned. He took 49 stun total. He pretty much one punches normals every time. Think big, your characters will be very effective.

GABE: Alright, I think I'm getting a better idea now. Looking back I think I may become like a tracking / hunter character so I may loose the mind control. I just liked the name of the mind control "No sir, not up to no trouble!" The mind scan I named "Think there might be som'in over the hill boss..."

JASON: You could use Detect, which might be cheaper. I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with. Going on the idea that this is a game that will just randomly happen when an opportunity exists, everyone who thinks they may want to try it should just make a character and send it to me. Then if a GM is ever sick, called away or whatever, we can just insert it. Heck, it might even just be able to be more than a one shot in that capacity, something that happens when it happens and has a congruent story but not a real schedule.

Edmiao what's the plan for this game? will it be a friday stand in game or are you running it in a saturday group? Maybe i'll just make a character anyway and if you run it on saturday you can use my guy as an NPC or for another player if i make a good character. what to make. perhaps a butler, perhaps a plumber. perhaps i should consult the wfrp career tables for an idea. is there a hook that will bind the characters, ie is there some idea to form the character around so as to bind the group together?

JASON: My current plan is to get it ready to run and see if we can squeeze it in a time or two on Friday as a playtest. Eventually it might be a Saturday game, but you guys would be the guinea pigs so to speak. The hook is the same as listed on the game page: all the characters have had dreams that no one else believes, and they all go to a spot they have seen in their dreams and find the other players. When they do, they realize that these are the only others who dont think what they say is crazy.

--Dieter the Bold 18:43, 6 January 2009 (MST) Would we want to arrange a kinda' VS. situation? English occultists, Native American shamans and mercenary German warlocks vs. Colonial hedge wizards, French grand wizards? All trying to influence the war? This could be a grand conspiracy, or more like a Supers game, where we have our Nemesis(plural) that we're working to thwart. I'd be interested in being an occultist from the Old World who's been drawn to the Colonies by his terrible dreams and finds himself working with the locals to stave off whatever terror is rising up. Could be a sympathetic Frenchman or a monarchist German who doesn't like the whole "republic" idea.

JASON: My first inclination was that it didnt matter whose side each character was on, but now that its more of an overarching game I think it does. All of the players need to be on the same side of the conflict, but I dont care which side that is. I will need to know, however.

GABE: Dieter, that character sounds awesome. Plus we all know who wins, haha. My guy needs a master to serve so that is one tie I can have. I think the setting works pretty well for this kinda game. I thought it was Us Vs. Unspeakable Evils.

Quick question... are we super heroic charactrs? As in should we be buying normal equipment with points, or can we just buy / find in game?

Edmiao can you give us a year? Wikipedia says the revolutionary era began in 1763 when the french threat to the colonies subsided. Revolutionary sentiment began to grow with the Stamp Act in 1765, where the british placed what the colonialists considered an unfair tax. the boston tea party was in 1773. the revolution in 1775-1783.

JASON: For equipment I think we will use the Dark Champions caveat. Players will be given a certain number of points for equipment, vehicles and bases, and if they want more they have to buy them. Captured stuff can be added to your arsenal with approval, but the amount (in points) of stuff you can carry will not be increased. The total points are TBD.

For a year I know it will be during the war and before the Battle of Saratoga, which is September 1777. I will also reserve the right to change history if necessary to make the game exciting and interesting. For that purpose I might not even declare a year, we might just know that it is a time during the early revolution when the Colonial army is struggling. This just allows flexibility for events to happen as necessary.

GABE: You play with time sir!

JASON: Oh yeah? Well you play with your willy!

--Gdaze-- Well who else will? I mean have you seen how busy Matt has been recently?

--Gdaze 11:00, 26 January 2009 (MST) I think the equipment book has some ol'school guns in it, I can see what they suggest as well. The setting sounds good. (Mostly rural based)

JASON: We played AToE again last night so I was inspired. I just want to replicate some things with guns that the Hero system probably glosses over. For instance, 4 shots per minute with a musket is a lot. Muskets are very inaccurate. Rifles are a little more accurate, but cannot mount a bayonet. I also had some adventure seed ideas.