Running this up a flagpole...

[ironphoenix]

I'm considering the possibility of running an RPG starting this fall, after ancalagon_tb's Star Wars game ends. This would put it somewhere around October, I'm guessing.

My current idea involves a modern setting with relatively little actual combat, using the Hero system because I know it works well for this kind of game, and for other reasons that I cannot fully disclose at this time. Character death is expected to be rare but not necessarily absent, and provision for bringing players back in would be made (i.e., if your character dies, you don't "lose your seat" or come back in at "level 0"). An introductory game lasting about 3-4 sessions would lead in, and then players would have the opportunity to construct new characters based on a better understanding of the milieu and the game mechanics. I will provide help with character creation, especially for people new to RP'ing and/or to the Hero system, which can be a bit daunting.

The focus of the game would be on characters' actions in the context of difficult matters of ethics and loyalty, against a backdrop of... well, some kind of trouble, at any rate. Elements of the supernatural are likely to become involved.

This game would draw on some things that I've played in and enjoyed, but it's not a carbon-copy of any of them... apparent similarities should not be trusted to hold too far!

Any salutes? If you're interested, let me know about your availability. My preference would be to run on a weeknight, starting at 7:00 and running until 10:30 plus or minus 30 minutes.

Comments

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

What do you mean by "political crap"? I do want to avoid pitting the party members against each other, if that's what you're concerned about.

I think there are elements in what I have in mind that you'd like, but I can't be sure about how you'll react to the whole package, of course. Are there particular things that you really want or don't want? (Gee, I'm starting to think I should make up a checklist!)

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Oh, comments on setting: Any sci-fi involved will not be central to the story. As to whether it might be or become dystopian or post-apocalyptic... that may be partially up to the characters!

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

I don't think characters are likely to be playing politics, although the nature of the world is such that they may become involved with people or groups who are doing so.

I think the responders so far are likely not to be too impatient with you. Nevertheless, the character creation session would also serve to check on player compatibility before we get going; we could even set up a separate occasion just for dinner and chatting, perhaps.

Speaking of other players, I haven't heard from cristofcanada yet; he doesn't seem to be around LJ much. If you get a chance to ask him, that would be nifty!

The math thing may be a bit more of an issue: Hero has the advantage of allowing very diverse characters to be created without demolishing game balance, but at the price of a somewhat numbers-heavy system, particularly in the character creation phase of the game. Combat also has some math, although it usually boils down to

Skill + bonuses - penalties - 3d6: fail if less than zero.

The hard part is typically figuring out what bonuses and penalties are applicable, which is generally my job anyway.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I am interested, but have no idea whether I'd be able to attend regularly enough to be worthwhile, nor where I'd find a free week-day evening. (Ok, Monday might work for week-day evening, the rest of the week is pretty booked.)

I do know Hero system reasonably well. Or, at least, I used to know Hero system fairly well as I've GMed Champions in the past. But, that was many moons ago.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Your schedule does make this a pain, doesn't it? How far in advance do you know when you'll be in town? Also, what proportion of the time would you be available on average?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I generally know about trips a month or more in advance, though final confirmation doesn't often come until the last week or so, but that's more likely to result in a bonus week of being in Ottawa rather than a surprise week of not being here.

I do not travel (for work) more than two weeks in four (as a negotiated rule with my boss after things went too crazy at one point and I got sick). It doesn't usually quite make it to that level of travel, so probably about 60% of the time here in Ottawa.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Oy. It would be tricky to have you in as a standard party member... would you be interested in doing cameos, NPC's, etc. on an as-available and as-needed basis, or would you prefer to have a consistent character of your own, with some issue that makes their absence unavoidable at certain times?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Depends on how episodic the campaign is, how tightly bound each session is to the previous and such. But, you never know, maybe my "character" could travel a lot for work. :)

But, filling in cameos/NPC roles when I can make it could also be fun.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Generally, I expect episodes to run over a few sessions, since a single combat can easily consume almost a whole session. (Fortunately, I don't expect the game to have combat every session, or anything close to it!)

If you're interested in doing "support" roles, that could work out quite well though!

[jagash.livejournal.com]

I have total availability and interest.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Duly noted; did you already pick up the Hero main book?

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Yes, I picked it up during the last bulk order though I currently have it packed up on the assumption that I will be moving to my own place by the beginning of October.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

You might have to go digging, then!

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Aye, not a problem really. I was ridiculously well organized and I know exactly where it is. :)

[beable]

I am totally interested and would be available if we could pick Mon, Tues, or Wed.

I'd be available if we were biweekly on Thurs.

Friday night is my last choice but I'd consider it.

I know nothing about the Heroes system, but assume you'd either let me come over and use yours to create a character or would have a character creation bit at the start of the first session.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

M-Tu-W are already the leading candidates, so that looks good so far.

I would definitely do character creation with people in advance: it's a tricky system for that. Even so, I would encourage you to get the book if you can afford it: past experience tells me that it's worth having your own copy, although it does mean dumping about $50 or so. One generally has to order it at Fandom II, and then roll well on the availability chart. ETA: Alternatively, you could buy it direct from DOJ Games.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Count me in, absolutely!

I don't know Hero at all, although I know Champions New Millenium fairly well and I seem to recall that CNM was based on Hero. If that's correct, that means I know the system a little.

But if we're going for character-based gaming, the system just has to exist enough to get out of our way. So you can use almost anything where the main book isn't "an exhaustive list of the things your character can't do"

But yeah. I'd like in, and I have no problems with scheduling. I've got a car and no regular weekday evening commitments.

[jagash.livejournal.com]

Update: Fandom II currently has 2 copies of the Hero core as of august 28th.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the note!