New Campaign Questionnaire

[Telas]

It's that time again.  I'm planning a modern-day (well, 1980s) supernatural-hunting campaign.  This is the first email to start things rolling, but we'll probably transition to another system as things evolve.  I'm currently looking at Google Sites and Obsidian Portal.

My vision of the campaign is as follows: A group of 'slightly more than' humans engage in direct action against various things that go bump in the night.  The action level will be high, but there will also be some intrigue and horror, and a definite level of lethality.  Inspirations for the campaign include Larry Correia's "Monster Hunter International" series of books, the RPG "Bureau 13", the TV show "Supernatural", the recently released "Agents of Oblivion" campaign setting for Savage Worlds, the movie "Men In Black", and countless 1980s action films.

That said, I do want your input into the campaign; I want to run the game that both my players and I agree on.

I guess the first question is "Can you play?"  I haven't come up with a list of players yet, and knowing who is available will help.  

What night is best?  My default answer is Thursday evening, but it's more out of momentum than anything.

What elements do you want to see?  Obviously, we'll have the classic legendary critters such as lycanthropes and undead.  Are there aliens among us, and are they allies or enemies?  Does magic exist, and how effective and widespread is it?  Same questions for psionics.  How about 'Weird Science', or advanced technologies?  How prominent are these elements?  

What abilities do you want PCs to have?  Straight-up human, with heroic capabilities and the classic monster-fighting tools?  Slightly paranormal, with some psychic or magical ability?  Very paranormal, such as in Bureau 13?  Superhuman, as in Hellboy?

What level of 'GM Surprise' would you be comfortable with?  None - There will be no game-changing twists.  Some - Maybe one or two game changers (such as the sudden appearance of an unsuspected foe).  Many - Roller-coasters are more stable.  Somewhere in between?

My own take on it (using the above questions) is that there are no aliens, at least that we know of.  Magic and psionics exist, but are hidden and controlled by various organizations and governments.  Advanced tech exists, but is nothing like cyberpunk or nanotech levels; firearms will be the primary weapons.  On the surface, the world is exactly like it was in the early 1980s.  The PCs are either straight human, or may have some magical or psychic ability, but nothing near the single-minded focus that a classic Wizard would have.  There may be a few big twists here and there, but I don't kick around player characters.  I do want to capture the feel of 1980s action films, complete with catchphrases and one-liners.  Finally, I do see this as a fairly lethal campaign, at least for myself; replacement characters will probably be welcome.  

Let me know what you think,

Kurt

[Jason Kemp]

I am in! Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri are my available nights, with a preference for Tues actually.

I like your general outline. I would recommend that you drop all Arcane Backgrounds save for  superpowers, and use that to represent some kind of knack or wild talent. Examples can be found in Noir Knights. :-)

Looking Forward To It,
Flynn

[Micheal Sebben]

I would like to play but it will depend heavily on the night (Monday and weds are best, but could possibly do Tuesday or Thursday if I quit DDO) and my school work load at the start of the game. I am a fan of the Supernatural TV series as you know, so I would have no problem playing straight human or slightly augmented. Magic I would suggest exists, but is a rare ability, although ritual magic can be done by anyone if you can find the spell, have time to prep (in the event of a trap) and can find the components. as a side not, if your not familiar with the Dresden files TV show that might be a good source to draw ideas about magic ins a "modern world"

I would like to see the possibility of supernatural contacts such as Castiel in the TV series...or a Bobby-like character manning the home base.

Sebben

[Keith Sealy]

I am also 'in'.  I have two more weeks of football practices on Tuesday and Thursdays, and then I am clear until the spring. 

Looking ahead, I only have two issues. (1) Everything else I do seems to also happen on Thursday nights (professional society meetings, youth sports practices, etc).  So, I have a slight preference not to play on Thursdays.  (2) Depending on when we get started, I might have to miss one or two of the early sessions, my wife is going in for major surgery in early November.

This is a genre I know and love, I have played and run this genre of game many times and love this genre of movies and novels.  Other suggested sources for ideas:

Delta Green - This was a Call of Cthulhu variant put out by Pagan Publishing starting back in the 90's (http://tccorp.com/pagan/).  It is very reminiscent of (and predates) the X-Files.  The characters are all government officials who work in different departments, but they also work as part of a shadow group fighting alien and supernatural forces.  The characters are normal people, who know some aspect of the truth, and may acquire supernatural skills and equipment as they learn more. 

Chill - A hidden war against the supernatural genre game.  It is focused on fighting 'traditional' monsters like ghosts, vampires, and the like.  Characters have, or can learn to use, magic.

Unknown Armies - Another hidden war genre game.  Most characters have special innate abilities and the setting is much darker and grittier than Chill. 

The "Laundry File" novels of Charles Stross ("The Atrocity Archives", "The Jennifer Morgue", "The Fuller Memorandum") - I recommend these books in general if you like this genre.  What I like about these is the blending of science and magic.  The main character is actually an IT guy, who spends as much time maintaining the network in his office as he does fighting bad guys.  And the basic premise of the books is that modern science and computers has made magic easier because magic must be precise, requires lots of energy, and requires such powerful computations, however, even a minor mistake can result in catastrophic results.     

Also, for fun, the movie Trollhunter is on Netflix.  It might provide some ideas, or just a good laugh.  "Troll!"

 

In answer to the other questions...

Genre - I have a preference for traditional (vampires, zombies, etc) and Cthulhu-esque monsters, e.g. supernatural and ancient evil, who are alien in nature, but not 'aliens'.   

Twists - Yes!  Those 'oh shit' moments are always the best.  My only concern is that the story not get too many layers and secondary plot lines (e.g. stories within stories within stories).  The last game was at a good level, but there were a few threads that dropped off just because we lost track of them or lost PCs (either the character died or the player left).  We seemed to do best when the plot was reasonably linear.

Characters - I would say normal humans, or a single specific minor ability (like the 'sense danger' ability of the male agent on "Warehouse 13").  However, I really like the idea of having ritual magic (as in the Stross books), such as, the characters know they are about to go into the bad guys lair so they cast protective magic to give them a fighting chance or they need to cast a ritual in the bad guy's lair to cast him out.  The ritual magic would be something we acquire as we progress, and may be dangerous and/or have consequences.  Likewise, some non-human tech or supernatural gear might be fun as well (like "Warehouse 13" or in the Stross books).

Keith

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From: Jason Kemp <jason.fl...@gmail.com>
To: after-the...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 7:26 AM
Subject: Re: [After the Darkness] New Campaign Questionnaire

[Alex Johnson]

I love Savage Worlds, and I like to game with the NAG crew.  Count me in for at least a feeler.  The modern-day supernatural thing never struck my fancy on TV, but maybe it will work as a game.  I'm not familiar with any of the inspirational reading/viewing.  My exposure is about 5 episodes each of The X-Files, Fringe, and Torchwood.  I spoke to Jen and she told me to leave Wednesday open for her to go out, but any other evening is possible.

To answer your questions, I don't think we need to necessarily play 'slightly more than' humans.  The difference between us and the common city rabble is that we see what they subconsciously suppress.  But I wouldn't be opposed to a little magic, much toned down from AtD, and some weird science.  Psionics would be acceptable too if they are not the high profile stuff of sci-fi.  Aliens?  Maybe, but probably not.  GM Surprise seems a must in this case.  Your vision paragraph sounds like it matches my tastes.

Alex

[Micheal Sebben]

Another possible source of inspiration is an upcoming TV series called Grimm, it starts this Friday, but if you follow them on Twitter they will send you a link and code to watch the Pilot episode ahead of time. Its basically about a guy whose family has the ability to see monsters for what they really are and he begins the task of hunting them, but of course he is a cop so he has to do it under the radar and try to make it look official when he can.

[Bryan X]

I'm in. Just remember I gotta be play via skype since I'm moving to Fort Worth. I should be good for most nights as long as it doesn't run too late and there isn't a function that I'm going to be required to be at because of work (of which I won't know for sure until classes start rolling next week). Oh and I can actually show up on time since I get out of work at 3 (woot). :P

As far as the game goes, I like the synopsis that you've provided. In this style game, I do think aliens should show up at some point, but I'm not saying they HAVE to be there other than just some more flavor to it. For some reason I'm thinking Independence Day style where Will Smith is punching an alien in the head and saying "Welcome to Earth!". I believe it's the one liner that is making me think of that though. Haha    Regardless, you know how I like to play. I am down for anything. XD

-Bryan

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Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:36:14 -0500
Subject: [After the Darkness] New Campaign Questionnaire
From: tel...@gmail.com
To: after-the...@googlegroups.com

[Telas]

Thanks for the leads; some of them are indeed inspirations for the game (Warehouse 13), others I'm frankly not as familiar with (Cthulhu; although I did read some of HPL's early stuff, I'm not as familiar with the evolution of the mythos).

I'll talk to Christine about the best day to run the game.  She works M-W-F, and it may be better to game after her work, so I can get everything ready while she's working, and she can run the house from there.  It may also be better to game on a non work-night, so we can bathe kids, etc, before the game... *shrug*

My premise is that the PCs will be working with a newly re-established government agency (the Anomaly Adjustment Agency, part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service), with all the growing pains and un-ironed wrinkles implicit in such a situation.  The complication is that ordinary people cannot be made aware of the supernatural.  The politics of the day will be an element, but it won't be pro-anything.  

Mechanics: I was thinking along Flynn's lines of the Superpower Arcane Background, but also using the "roll 1 and oops" mechanic.  Rituals, artifacts, and one-use items are possible; the Agents of Oblivion book handles this well, and I may borrow from it.  AoO also has interesting ideas for point-free casting and using powers above your Rank.  Other mechanics: Get a Bennie once per encounter for the appropriate use of your catchphrase or a good one-liner.  Collect Brownie Points (or whatever we call them) for keeping things quiet, and turn them in for rituals, single use devices (technical, tactical, or magical), or borrowed artifacts.  

Bryan - While I'd really like you to be in the group, I'm not ready to jump to Skype.  I may borrow you for as a GM's assistant, however, because your ideas are "so crazy, they just might work!"

Kurt

Got plot?  Try Eureka, 501 adventure plots to inspire game masters.

Got NPCs?  Try Masks, 1,000 memorable NPCs for any role-playing game.

[Jake Tejchma]

Definitely interested.  I don't have any strong opinions on what is included in the game, honestly.  I trust that Kurt and those with opinions/ideas will come up with an excellent campaign.  If the hands-off approach from me doesn't work, I can provide feedback... I'm just not overly concerned about it.

 

I don't have anything scheduled/pressing during weeknights, though I may have to miss sessions due to an irregular travel schedule for work.

 

Jake

[Telas]

Things are definitely gelling in my head, now.  :-)

After speaking with Christine, she prefers (somewhat) that we game on one of her work days, so I can prep without disturbing anyone, and nobody has to stay up late before work.  Monday may be the best day for this, but it's all really tentative right now.  

I'll have more info later this week.  I'm currently thinking up things that PCs would requisition from the Agency.  Some of them are easy, like a Claymore mine.  Others might be a device (technical or arcane) that emulates an Edge for one use, or even permanently (like a brooch of Arcane Resistance).  Others are more complex, like the services of an experienced Exorcist or getting someone into the Witness Relocation Program.  So if you have any ideas for what you might request, please let me know, and I'll try to price them.

Kurt

Got plot?  Try Eureka, 501 adventure plots to inspire game masters.

Got NPCs?  Try Masks, 1,000 memorable NPCs for any role-playing game.

[Alex Johnson]

I haven't played the genre, but obvious stuff from movies and TV shows that pop to mind are silver bullets, holy water "grenades" or holy water-vapor "smoke bombs", night vision equipment, augmented vision equipment (supernatural: detect magic, invisible, alignment, undeath, etc), tranquilizers specially designed to work on certain supernatural creatures, motion trackers ala Aliens, flame thrower, sanitizing airstrike, and books/papers/research on "out there" subjects.

Alex

[Nanoic Dalflanlun]

I'm open to any day. However, we should probably discuss the starting time.

Some of the Weird Edges look like they may be applicable: Danger Sense
(Keith mentioned this), Liquid Courage, and Scavenger. I find the
Weird Edge, Beast Master, oddly appropriate from an 80s film
perspective.

While not everything was interconnected, there was still a fair amount
information available via BBS dialup, including various government
databases.

I'm fine with rituals but I'm still undecided about outright magic. A
Dresden File type magic council hierarchy does sound intriguing.

We can't have an aliens discussion without bringing up a Bill Maxwell
/ Ralph Hinkley scenario. Hmm, maybe "scenario" will be part of my
catch phrase :) What about a human/alien offspring whose father
duplicates dead bodies, the first body a computer genius that can
enter computers and the second body an airline comedian trying to
shift to dramatic roles? Better yet, the offspring of a father who
likes to eat humans and for some unexplained reasons passes a
telekinetic ability that allows the child to stop a nuclear self
destruct; and rapidly age to the late teens or early twenties and then
stop aging. (Yes, I know it's a run on but it's late and I'm having
fun.)

I'm guessing Tron, KITT, Automan, and WOPR are out but that still
leaves Airwolf, Blue Thunder, Delta Force, Street Hawk, and parts of
War Games for tech. I hope we don't have to listen to that WKRP radio
station or have dinner meetings at the restaurant where Crystal
Bernard and Ann Jillian are waitresses. You know how I feel about
heights. I guess that would preclude me from being a Fall Guy.

I like having a few GM surprises.

Brent

On Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 11:46 PM, Telas <tel...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Nanoic Dalflanlun]

I forgot to add, super school kids whose chaperones had forearm
wearable computers and flying motorcycles absolutely did not exist.
I'm plugging ears and saying "la la la" on that one.

Brent

[Micheal Sebben]

Are we going with a 1980's tech level or something a tad more advanced since its "Black OPS" Most of the things Alex mentioned would be good. Some of the other items would be UV Bullets like in Underworld Certain "old World" herbs for staving off creatures or stabilize/heal players (Wolvesbane, Garlic...etc) maybe even give a player a monster like ability for a short period of time.

These pages might help a little too...

http://www.supernatural-fan-wiki.com/page/The+Bad+Guys+of+Supernatural
http://www.supernatural-fan-wiki.com/page/Supernatural+Equipment

[Bryan X]

I'm guessing Tron, KITT, Automan, and WOPR are out but that still
> leaves Airwolf, Blue Thunder, Delta Force, Street Hawk, and parts of
> War Games for tech. I hope we don't have to listen to that WKRP radio
> station or have dinner meetings at the restaurant where Crystal
> Bernard and Ann Jillian are waitresses. You know how I feel about
> heights. I guess that would preclude me from being a Fall Guy.

Awwwww - So no Japan tech? No Giant robots? No suits of armor with bug helmets that ride motorcycles with weird looking armor on the bike itself?
Worst comes to worst I at least want a jet that can transform into a humanoid form and is powered by protoculture. :P

-Bryan

[Micheal Sebben]

You get a "Where's the Beef" T-Shirt and a pair of Top-Gun Aviator glasses...deal with it :P

[Keith Sealy]

I prefer arcane objects or relics over tech, unless it is weird tech, like the weapons in the Captain America movie.  There was even a TV show in '89-'90 called "Relic Hunters", an earlier and darker version of Warehouse 13.  

Kurt, if you haven't already, you should look at Realms of Cthulhu, it is the Savage Worlds horror/Cthulhu book (I have the PDF).  They have rules for Sanity and a discussion on how to adjust the grittiness and lethality of the game.  

Another important question... is the war against the forces of evil (or aliens, or whatever) hidden or out in the open?  Will part of our mission be to keep this information from getting out?  Or, it is a war zone and we are on point?

K

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From: Bryan X <evilce...@hotmail.com>
To: after-the...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 10:06 AM
Subject: RE: [After the Darkness] New Campaign Questionnaire

[Keith Sealy]

And don't forget the melodic sounds of Boston playing the background.  More than a feeling!

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From: Micheal Sebben <svisi...@gmail.com>
To: after-the...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: [After the Darkness] New Campaign Questionnaire

[Telas]

I don't want to reign in the enthusiasm, but we're talking 1981 here, at least initially.  

Keith - Not only is the war hidden, but one of the imperatives of the campaign is that the presence of the supernatural itself must remain hidden. Nobody said this would be easy. 

Kurt

[Keith Sealy]

I need to amend my soundtrack suggestions to Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, and Hall and Oates.   

---

From: Telas <tel...@gmail.com>
To: after-the...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 12:05 PM

Subject: Re: [After the Darkness] New Campaign Questionnaire

[Reed]

I'd be very interested in playing or getting on a waiting list! I
would be available Mon-Thur. I've read through the thread and
generally like all the suggestions - mostly normal human PCs, maybe
some low-powered magic/psychic/advanced tech, earthly monsters more
interesting than aliens, deadly opponents. I am a fan of some big
twists or reveals, not all the time, but they can be fun and have a
big impact.

A couple games that might be interesting to take a peek at for
inspiration would be Conspiracy X and Spycraft.

-Reed

[Telas]

Thanks for the pointers, and welcome to the party, Reed.

I'm going to try not to release more campaign information on this channel, as I'm looking at Obsidian Portal for campaign management, and I'd like to keep everything in one place, but please keep talking; I'm taking notes.

Kurt

Got plot?  Try Eureka, 501 adventure plots to inspire game masters.

Got NPCs?  Try Masks, 1,000 memorable NPCs for any role-playing game.