Brian Rogers (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
subplotkudzu) wrote2007-01-09 12:03 pm
subplotkudzu) wrote2007-01-09 12:03 pm
Entry tags:
2007 Prospectus
Here's the prospectus for the next round of my GMing. I'm sending an e-mail to the players and expect them to respond to that (I don't want you to modify your responses based on how the others are voting!), but I'm posting this here for general comment from the other readers. The list is short and contains games that are either easy for me to prep in advance or where winging it madly the day of will not produce poor outcomes - essential traits in GMing with the baby in the house.
As before, please rate each of the options from 0 to 4, with 0 being a blackballing that removes the game from contention, 2 being an average score and 4 indicating that this is your most preferred choice. All of these are designed to handle both the sudden appearance of Asha a game or two in and the hopeful presence of Jason, who might be intermittent if he can make it at all. If we go with Falkenstein, Rachel might join us as well.
"An invitation, should you choose to accept it"
Castle Falkenstein exists in a world where all the characters of Victorian fiction live side by side with the those of our history, dragons, dwarves and the faerie courts. The castle is the home of the Bavarian court, and also the center of the Second Covenant, a group dedicated to protecting the world from the forces of the Unseelee, tyrants and mad scientists who would see humanity subjugated or destroyed.
Once a season, the Bavarian court sends out invitations to a private dinner party… invitations that crumble to dust 10 seconds after they are read. Guests are introduced to a person with a problem that the court feels they can solve. If the guests succeed, the world becomes a safer place. If any of the guests are caught or killed, the court will disavow any knowledge of their actions.
Mission Impossible meets Castle Falkenstein. This is a series of capers in two parts - one session planning, the next implementing said plan - with a GM chosen objective but player driven strategies and tactics. In other words, it's an experiment with a different play style for this group.
ARCHIVE
In HP Lovecraft's writings what man sees as reality is just the barest level of what's really happening. Things of inexplicable horror exist, and those that deign to notice humanity at all do so just to enslave it. People that learn the truth feel their sanity shatter from the strain of unwanted comprehension. While some are drawn into a circle of fanaticism and death in the cause of these unspeakable beings, others stake their lives and their sanity in the defense of mankind.
In 1905 Theodore Roosevelt initiated a secret project, code named CHRONICLE, to investigate the true cause of the Panama Canal deaths. In 1918 Wilson initiated MONUMENT to handle the threat… and paid for it with his sanity and his health. In 1933 the newly inaugurated FDR activated ARCHIVE to deal with the issue once and for all. In the damp heat of the jungle, the dust of old paper might be all that keeps you sane.
1930's Call of Cthulhu, heavily inspired by Tim Powers *Declare*. Do not expect this to be a pulp, Nazi-bashing romp - I'm making my first stab at investigative horror and that means, research, onion peeling and sanity loss. It also means this is likely to be a GM driven game which will hopefully be a fun ride to a shattered mind, an unforgiving death or a victory that no one will ever believe.
USS Carter, Season 2
In the late 20th century humanity was wracked by the violence of the Eugenics Wars. In the 23rd century an anthropologist started combing the universe for those who fled the conflict in primitive slowboats. The Federation starship USS Carter has been put at her disposal, except when crises, wars or other phenomena are too close to be ignored.
The USS Carter's search continues, but the stakes are increasing. Klingon and Orion interference has driven more than one world into flames, and might yet initiate a Federation-Betazed war. Wormhole fractures, alien ruins and entire nebula are remnants of a vanished, unspeakably powerful race that the Federation must comprehend if it hopes to avoid the same fate.
This is a continuation of the previous Star Trek game. As Asha is away Capt. Sakhet and Dr. Knox will be dealing with a planetary diplomatic and medical crisis, leaving Cmdr Funk in charge. As last time, this is a series of 1 session episodes, some which are loosely connected to some larger stories. Extensive efforts will be taken to integrate Karen's new PCs around the existing crew.
The Monarch of Cats is Dead! The Monarch of Cats is Reborn!
The Zorcerer of Zo presides over a land of fairy tale, with the hope of Narnia, the color of Oz and the darkness of the Brothers Grimm. Talking animals walk with anthropomorphic ones, who shop for clothes alongside humans. Clockwork men & gingerbread soldiers bump elbows with evil witches & good fairies, resourceful third sons court lucky but put-upon stepdaughters. It is a wide open world in which anything can happen, and familiar characters are shifted into new and surprising forms.
The Kingdom of Purrrussia lies in the Amber Mountains to the west of Zo. It was governed for centuries by the monarch of cats, who is destined to be incarnated nine times and whose dreams shape the lives of not just Purrrussians but of all felines. A generation ago the Ogres and Goblins of the Amber Mountains invaded Zo, and while they were forced out of Zo proper they still control the tiny feline kingdom. The 5th incarnation of the monarch died while petitioning the Zorcerer for aid and for the first time a new incarnation will be born outside of Purrrussia. Agents of the Ogre warlord who hoped to control the new incarnation skulk through Zo searching for this golden kitten, as do the curious, the greedy and those who dream of Purrrussian freedom.
Admittedly, this is strange. It's a light hearted fantasy on the surface with darker undertones, using Zorcerer of Zo. Characters can be animate objects, talking animals, good witches, master fencers, clockwork soldiers, or children from the real world swept into Zo. This is a rules light, narrative system where I'm laying out basic concepts and making up wild and wacky things to throw at you based on how you approach the quest. Like Invitation, it's an experiment in player-driven storytelling.
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CU
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Falkenstein-licious!
ARCHIVE = 1
The mention of Declare saved this from a 0.
USS Carter, Season 2 = 2
I'd actually rather come into an existing game than play in a Lovecraft Universe.
The Monarch of Cats is Dead! The Monarch of Cats is Reborn! = 4
Just plain awesome. I hope that Timothy, the Marquis de Carabas, gets involved somehow.
CU
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As for Timothy, how can he not? Plus, the actions of the Lionist church will obvously have some ramifications on how things play out. I was jazzed when I saw that in the rulebook after I had developed this concept.
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Niiiice.
CU