You Can Live for Yourself Today, or Help Build Tomorrow for everyone...

[Wesforce]

Okay, time to get the new main RADen RPG on the map and rolling.

First of all, I intend to run Shadowtrash to it's finish... But it's time has passed, and it clearly needs a successor.

And this is where you come in:

What kind of RPG are you looking for? Real life? Sci-Fi? Fantasy? Mix of both?

What will the Universe be like? Romantic? or Dark and gritty... Dark corners wgere you wake up... Blood all over your face. You open your mouth to breath... An eyeball falls ou. You stare at it on the floor as roaches the size of your mouse carry it away, and check your secret stash of Ultra-Coke

*cough* Where was I?

Oh yeah...

This is the chance where you get to showcase your ideas and generally show opinions on other people's ideas for RPGs. Grud willing, we will come out of this alive :scared:

VOES adds : please try to be unspecific in your ideas - the more general it is, the more likely it is to be incorporated. Ideas like "In the year 2077 a race of superior dragonmen invade the earth and enslave humanity" are unlikely to be incorporated - this would obviously be the basis of the RPG, not a feature of it.

Also, we are most likely to run a modified version of RD's rpg, or a spacefaring sci-fi one. That might help focus suggestions.

[tagbert]

I'd like a sci-fi type RPG.

EDIT : this is what I originally wrote then was too lazy to actually say

OK, voez just gave me the "be all you can be" speech, so here goes:

I would prefer a science fiction theme, but only if it's pure sci-fi, and not combo sci-fi-fantasy. I mean, elves are hott and all, but I'd prefer something a little more imaginative than just using the cliched races of fantasy stories. Also, I think it would be better if it weren't post-apocalypsy storyline and more along the lines of "calm before the storm" or "in the middle of the battle." Or preferably, maybe battles happening somewhere, but not everywhere.

Thirdly, if it were sci-fi, there have to be spaceships (pre-determined technology/monetary limitations - so no one can go out and buy 1000000000 rocket launchers for their ship).

And fourthly, I would prefer new species as they are cool with lots of potential for ubar/hott/sexxy alien women.

Just my two cents. :p

[VO]

Ok,

If we modify RD's RPG, or run a Red Alert one, that's cool. The only problem is making something that allows a wide range of characters - IMHO, we're going to be very limited to soldier-type characters, unless something is decided.

AFAIK, a fantasy RPG is out, as more people seem to prefer a modern war/sci-fi feel - that's ok with me, I can save WOC. :D

For a sci-fi RPG, I recommend a wide-open, "star warsish" RPG, without the war bit, over a "shadowrun in space", dark, gritty post-apocalyptic future. Alot can be done with alot of freedom this way, with a huge variety of characters available to us. Without a massive planned plot/conflict like Snipers, we also concentrate far more on the individual personaity of characters, their individual stories, and the huge amount of scenarios available to us outside war.

When we chuck a wide-scale galactic war out of the way, we can concentrate on small-scale adventure on a huge variety of themes- anything from escaping a hijacked space-liner to solving a murder on a city planet, to fighting through the dense jungles of a tropical world, to diving for pearls on an ocean world or even a 'trash style run or sabotage mission. What we need for this is an idea to bind the characters together, and make them stick together, preferably even if they are all from different backgrounds.

A rpg like this could have an infinite number of alien races and locations available, but they'd have to be approved by the GMs (probably a smaller group this time around?) - and GM races have to be throughly checked for "UBER DRAGON ATTACK LOOPHOLES". Stuff that's not approved shoudln't be used, even if you've invented the race, but forgot to mention their UBER INSTANT DEATH ATTACK! Races or locations shouldn't be stole from other things (i.e no Klingons or Hutts here), and ideally, in my eyes, nothing should have the "super saviours of the universe" background that became quite embroiled in ALOS.

Of course, something like this would be helped infinitely by the players, as well as GMs, submitting background. :D

[Wesforce]

My ideas for a space RPG:

It is the far future. No-one knows how far for sure, because so much has been lost.

In the great time of Destruction, legends told of the Planet Earth once having a Moon. Human civilisation advanced to the point where thriving colonies of millions were in evidence on the moon, Mars, Mercury and other points throughout the Solar System.

All this was brought to zero, the day when the Earth’s own Moon became beholden to the machinations of the outsiders. As if betrayed by her closest sister, the cradle of human civilisation was destroyed by the tide of destruction as unknown forces changed the Moon into a wormhole from which they would use as a staging post for their invasion.

And so, the second Dark Age began. The invaders enslaved all but one of the humans’ remaining Planets in short order, judging Mars to be a waste of effort to invade. Then, happy with their lot, they let the humans finish destroying themselves. Man turned on man, and for an age, to be a human was to endure the harshest, most soul-destroying hardship any wretched creature could possibly deserve.

Some humans – The ones living under the aliens – Eventually worked themselves into a comfortable lifestyle, for the aliens’ goal was assimilation, not annihilation. And eventually a kind of equilibrium presented itself: Humans becoming a junior member race of a league of alien races.

This league stagnated with time, losing cohesion until it was little more than a kind of Galactic trading club, the arm in the human Solar System shutting it’s wormhole temporarily.

But the other humans… The bitter, damaged souls that were left preying on each other were not finished. At first, there were the scattered, ruinous Martian colonies.

And then there was a man. Not a very tall or impressive man or a good fighter. But a leader. That man was to become known only Uncle Steve, and known he was: He united the Colony at Cydonia into an efficient military force, storming across Mars, striking at neighbours and forcibly overtaking them, whether they agreed or not. Steve’s revolution spread, until all human life on Mars was united under the Red Skull banner of the People’s Republic of Cydonia.

The human colonies on Mar’s Moons came out of the struggle better than either those on Mars or those living under the thumbs of the aliens, and eventually became peaceful, technologically advanced and prosperous nations. They traded with aliens, and held their own in battles. Some of them even opened their doors to alien expatriates, allowing them to intermingle with the free humans, and taste the human way of life.

They were to be Steve’s next target.

Under a massive forced industrialization – Gained at the expense of hundreds of lives – Steve built up his military. Tanks the size of buildings. Primitive, heavily armoured Spacecraft. The very epitome of the rage he felt. He would direct this rage against the aliens in due course. But first, a trial for the new fleet: Obliterating the Moon nations that had had it so easy.

Of course, the Aliens were soon to take notice of Steve’s resurgent force. They too dispatched their remaining ships – Light years ahead of Steve’s, technologically, but few in number, their goal: Annex the free Moons before Steve could, and then use them as a base to eliminate Mars for good.

However, the inhabitants of the free Moons were not to be taking this lightly…



Tech level:

Steve's forces: MachineGuns, grenades, big fraggin' tanks, Nuclear-powered spaceships.

Other humans: Gauss weaponry, no ships, Hovertanks, slightly better than Steve's technology.

Alien Alliance: Star Wars level. Blasters, walkers, space fighters, Capital ships, etc.

[Artificial Idiot]

Sci-fi or fantasy would be nice, but I've never quite got into the feeling of ALOS, so I'd propose that it wasn't dark, gritty and all "Woe betide those that can't pick up a gun and make it go "bang"" all the time. Although, none of that just wouldn't be interesting :p

I wouldn't actually mind a Sci-Fi story without space ships, in fact, I think it would be better! Maybe something like some researchers who are investigating a planet, then something happens and it sort of unfolds from there. Or something along the lines of being stranded on a planet with no communication to the outside worlds, or maybe far flung space travel hasn't been invented yet, and there are a limited number of plannets on offer. But that doesn't mean there haven't been serveral technological advancements in other areas. I don't know, I'm just not keen on this space-faring idea, it seems too wide open and unstable.

As for races, I feel we should keep them low. As seen in ALOS, there were popular races and unpopular races. Maybe confining the races to 2, 3 or 4, each with thier own specific characteristics and traits. Maybe there could be genetically enchanced "classes" of Humans only, like a world where those with enough money can use genetic advances to stand out from the "lower classes".

Just a few thoughts I thought I'd throw around, get back to you with some more later :p

[Wesforce]

Ah, the stuff I wrote above was meant to just be the backdrop. The action would take place on one of these planets, the aim being to nobble the invasion fleets by means of espionage ;) not necessarily any soace action at all).

Yeah, I kept the races low, instead replacing them with factions: Uncle Steve's Commuinist People's Army, The free Humans, the Alien-Humans, Tripods and Rollers ;p



Hmm, how about a story with a small group of people 5-30, depending on the number of NPCs... Trapped on an alien world teeming with dangerous life forms, trying to stay alive?

[Master Chris]

I wouldn't mind another futuristic RPG. My suggestions shall come in the form of examining the flaws and advantages of ALOS:

Pros:

Interesting characters. This stemmed from having a large range of character types to choose from. Vocation, race, background, equipment and corporation alliance all amalgamated to form brilliant characters that really drove the story along. I seriously suggest that a similar of not superior character creation system is available for the players in the next RPG, no matter what it turns out to be. VO's starwars-esque universe sounds like a good way to implement this.

The 'pre-planned but flexible' plot system was rather good. An RPG must always balance player freedom with linear storyline. Both have their advantages.

The complete lack of a rigid combat system. It would have been terrible having to post things like: *Raven draws his pistol (two action points), he aims (1 action point) and fires (2 action points).* And then waiting for a GM to decide whether he hit the target, whether he killed the target and so forth. Although, at times this combat flexibility had disadvantages.

Bunny-hopping. This is a term I picked up from some other RPG I *almost* got into. To bunny-hop is to *control* another person's character for a short period of time for your own gain. ALOS had it in spades but everyone was fairly respectful of a character's personal space and rarely screwed around. I think this is a good concept to keep.

Writing style: Past Tense. The parallel timing is lost but I think it provides a more easily read RPG and allows for more creative, and thus more enjoyable to read, writing styles.

Cons:

Too many cooks spoil the broth. While I don't have any beef with any of ALOS' GMs I think that having 4 GMs in an RPG with so few players was overkill. Unless we recruit more players I suspect that 2 GMs (3 at most) is all that is necessary. Of those, I would think that either or both VO and Wes would be GMs, seeing as they are the FanFiction mods, and by default our facist overlords. :D.

It seems to be a general consensus that ALOS started to sing it's swansong during Transys. I hear that people didn't like the split paths characters took as it was confusing and players lost track of where their characters were and the result was seemingly random teleportations across Transys. I suspect that the vast numbers of characters needing herding was pretty awful for everybody involved. Perchance a limit need be placed upon the number of characters controlled by a single player at a single time? Personally, I found controlling Raven, Lisa and DeadEye to be too much for me, I recommend a limit of two characters per player.

Non-ALOS retrospective comments:

In a futuristic setting I suspect that high-tech weapons will be forthcoming in droves. I would hope that a concrete limit on technology available to player characters will be enforced. The last thing I want to see is a character running about with a 'Black Hole Cannon'. You've already expressed intent to nip the buds of over-powered characters so I'm satisfied in this respect.

I'll support whichever RPG claws it's way to the top of the pile, I would have liked to have seen WOC come to light, seeing as VO has waited so patiently and longer than either myself or Phyre. :D

[tagbert]

I agree with just about everything you said there.

[Cedric Tandar]

Yeah i like the idea of a flexable yet planned plot. Also i wouldn't miss the huge planatary crusiers that tend to dominate many RPG's

[Phyre]

I think an RPG set on 2 small planets would be good, it could involve smuggling, illegal immigration, escapes from local law, and a small amount of space combat, though ground combat would be numero uno...

I also think a fantasy RPG would be cool too...something more Morrowindish perchance?

[Artificial Idiot]

I agree with RD, I'd love to see WOC up and running, as none of the current ideas seems to have made a mark with me :\

I also agree with Cedric, that ships like that are easy to abuse, and leaves it a little too wide open.

And Sniper, Look out world! Here come the Han Solo clones! And the fact you've just suggested shadowrun in space :p

[Wesforce]

Red makes some good points, which I heartily endorse, partciularly the abn on Huge Battlecruiser-type stuff, and ridiculously high-tech. I would limit tech, and only use spaceships as a backdrop.

Also, I'd like to see WOC up and running, even though I don't like pure fantasy-type stuff... Unless I can be hot asian elf warrior monk with blue hair :p

[Riff]

I totally agree.

Although, I would prefer it to be an Sci-Fi type of RPG, Fantasy wouldn't be bad either, but I don't care which one.

This is my general thought for an idea.

But when you guys have decided on the RPG, go ahead and give me a PM.

But I will stop by the thread to catch up and things. :)

[VO]

Red makes some good points, which I heartily endorse, partciularly the abn on Huge Battlecruiser-type stuff, and ridiculously high-tech. I would limit tech, and only use spaceships as a backdrop.

Also, I'd like to see WOC up and running, even though I don't like pure fantasy-type stuff... Unless I can be hot asian elf warrior monk with blue hair :p


I think huge spaceships would be cool, but not if our players control them. If we see them, they should be in the hands of a neutral or enemy faction, and hopefully trying to blast our heros into oblivion. Of course no PC would be allowed to own an orbital spacestation or something like that, but I don't see smaller scale stuff, such as a Raven-esque character owning a Millenium Falcon-esque freigther much of a problem - more like a bonus:p

As for limiting tech in a space-style RPG, I say yes, but not in a chemical-rockets and nothing above nukes only kind of way. It's the power and usefulness of technology that matters, not what theoretically it can do - even a "black hole spawner" could be possible but not feasable - at least not feasable if you want to get yourself, or anyone else on the planet that you're on away alive.

I want to stress now that I think having a limit to the number of acessable planets in a space rpg would be awful. Imagine playing ALOS, but we weren't allowed to leave Britsprawl, and could only play Orks. It would severlely limit the amount of playability we could achieve, and result in a much less interesting game for all players - with an open and easily expandable universe which always exists 'off camera', a space RPG has far more room to expand, even if it only visits a few planets origianally - we didn't use alot of locations per chapter in ALOS, so why would it change for a new RPG?

For GMs, yes, we do need to cut down. Maybe 1 GM per 5 players?

As far as things go, though, I think it's best if we decide what kind of RPG we want to run as soon as possible, so we can lay down some plans. Maybe everyone should post simply if they want a sci-fi, World War, fantasy, historical, ect, and we pick the most popular?

[Wesforce]

Sci-Fi, Spacefaring (low tech) for me ;)

[Artificial Idiot]

Two quick points...

We need a min of TWO GM's imo, for differeing opinions on things.

Sci-fi (preferably not in a war torn galaxy), Fantasy or historical here would be fine.

[Wesforce]

Why not just two GMs?

Or even better, multiple RPGs, to foster a spirit of competition :D (but hopefully not feuds)

[Apache_Longbow]

Although I think WOC is a very thought out and well planned RPG, I just don't like the whole fantasy aspect. I really an't get into stuff like that (no offence VO, I think you did a great job with it). Right now I'd like either the sci-fi or World War ideas :)

[Master Chris]

I like the idea of the 'stranded on alien soil' plot that was suggested. Some really great plot lines could grow from that. I think the suggestion that having capitol class ships within the RPG but not under the control of any PCs was a good idea, with smaller ships providing personal transport for the PCs. I'm thinking;

Science Fiction. Space Faring (Low tech). Kind of Grungy (As in, like ShadowTrash with the whole dark underworld, runners and such.) but not as much as ALOS was, you know, there'd be planets that are rich, clean and powerful and there'd be other planets ruled by anarchy, with disease and suffering being the norm. That's the great thing about having an entire universe to play around with, so many possibilities!

[Phyre]

yeah, that all the possibilities thing I agree with, but you'd have to give the PCs a reason to stay in certain planets to keep it together

[Wesforce]

Which means tying them to the story, basically, and giving them a good motivation.

Of course a lot of that depends on the characters themselves. So many characters (at least in Shadow) didn't really care about much relevant to the plot. 'Runners are easy to motivate - Bung them some money (not that the game style eve lets you use it), but ideally you'd need to tie characters to the story more emotionally.

Finding a lost loved one, wanting to escape a harsh regime, etc.

Hmm, the 'Trapped on an alien planet' idea is one that could be combined with other plot ideas. It's certainly something I've never tried before, but It's giving me ideas...

[VO]

Personally, I think I'd like a sci-fi RPG, but with a reasonably high level of tech - lasers and lightspeed but not much beyond that. I'd prefer it not to be human-centric, or set on a small amount of planets, as I have every intention of playing a giant sentinent beetle-man. :) I have a sort of loose outline, that may be acceptable to you lot :p

It is the far future. Long ago, so long that no-one even remembers where Humans came from origianallly, humanity expanded to the stars. Theres they found a vast wealth of habitable planets, and other species, but far from an alien invasion or war, humanity was welcomed into the galactic fold - a vast, sprawling landscape with a colossal mix of races and technology, with agression between races kept a check on by their neighbours - anyone who looks like a threat is dealt with easily by military cooperation of their neighbours. Trade and integration between species is commonplace and easy - most planets are fairly open - the xenophobic or tyrannical races are generally consigned to their own worlds, as they simply don't want to mix, and everyone else doesn't mind, as there's so much else out there anyway. There's some kind of galactic police force, just to provide law enforcement and a regular enemy for less reputable characters, as well as, this kind of galaxy having a rotten underbelly, that I'm sure Wes will exploit grandly. :P

With such a limitless, open galaxy, humanity has splintered into a thousand million factions, stretched from one end of the galaxy to the other - and so numerous and scattered that no-one can keep count, nor would even try. Being one of the shorter-lived races, humans breed quickly, die quickly, and can be found on nearly every inhabited planet. There are a few other common races, but humans, due to their short lifespan and fast breeding, one, if not the most numerous. Humans are not particularly good at anything else but sex, though - others are more intelligent, strong, fast, survivable, or anything else you could think of. Anyone can make up their own race for their character, as long as it's balanced and a GM approves it. We'd provide some basic races as well, hopefully catering for most people's "zerg/human/protoss" wants.

Technology is stagnant - with such variety, and such a wide collective knowledge across the galaxy, things don't change fast, as militarily there's no great threat, and technologically you can always find someone else who can do it better. Ships may get faster, and weapons may get more destructive, but there aren't, and won't be any great leaps in technology like black hole launchers.

Our characters would need some kind of important event in the first chapter to bind them together, hopefully getting them to do something that lands then having to stick together in the next chapter - 'trapped on alien soil' might be a good idea, or something similar. We could, with this kind of open setup, have a huge range of storylines available. :)

[Nyerguds]

Wow. I like that idea :)

But don't you think it sounds like shadowrun in space? :p

This would be a great opportunity to write a fuller, more realistic background for the Nigashar race and its preferences in technology.
But I won't play as Nyerguds. He was originally situated in the early TS story, actually :p

I'll think of a new char ;)

[Phyre]

I love that idea VO, use that!!


Or do one set in the Matrix world, far before Neo's discovery, the Zionites are trying to find Neo, there's people being jacked out of the Matrix, there's agents trying to stop it, and there are other programs... it could work... though I don't think I'm any good at this, so I'll stick to being a follower

[Artificial Idiot]

NO SNIPER! Just NO! We are NOT basing this RPG on anything (except maybe RA2, although I think a WW2 rpg would be better). Not the Matrix, not LOTR, not anything. And I'm sure people will back me up on this.

Personally vo, I can't say I'm behind you, and I can't say I'd like to have any part in this for now. But we'll see.

[Wesforce]

What if we start with the characters trapped on the alien planet, with amnesia and little-to-no knowledge of the World's around them?

[Master Chris]

I like the sound of that. Certainly fits in with the character I've got in mind, I'll PM her (There's a hint chummers, it's a gal!) details to you later Wes my man! Just to ensure you don't get your hopes too high, she does NOT have blue hair. *sniff sniff* :cry:

[VO]

the problem with them waking up with amnesia on an alien planet is this suggests that they're part of some massive conspiracy or something - without this organised beforehands it won't work, and with it organised beforehands it kind of casts our characters into a "saviours of the universe, uber special people" role.

I'll add some more details about my idea here later.

[Nyerguds]

Also... amnesia would kinda destroy the real differences between the characters.

[Artificial Idiot]

Not a too bad idea wes. Although, scrap the no memory part. And vo, it doesn't HAVE to cast them in something like that, it could have just been an accident with a commercial space liner or something.

Although, would the plot streach futher then trying to get off? Would there be no hope of it, and they have to make thier living there? That could be kind of good if done correctly. Great for character development, what with people having children, families, dogs (:p) etc that they will never see again and not to mention the fraggers that have nothing and don't really care.

[Wesforce]

On the contrary, I believe amnesia will allow us to form our characters better. After a few posts, personalities will develop, traits and flaws will become apparent...

Well, thats the theory, anyway :/

Hmm, like AI's idea of ;families and dogs they'll never see again'. Maybe we can combine that with Amnesia... Make them wake up with a few holopix of loved ones who they can't remember :color1:

And VO, I have ways of combatting those two points...
I'll PM you.

If we still don't want Amnesia, we'll leave it out, no probs, I just think it'd be nice to have not planned out every aspect of the Universe before we start.

[VO]

Some more thoughts on my RPG idea:


Technology : Should we allow teleportation? Personally, I'd prefer not, as it seems too much of a quick fix, but if others want too...

Robots : I like sentinent robots. You should too. You may want to play one.

Computers : Computers have a similar matrix system to the shadowrun game, but :
1) It's not used as widely - normally a specialised computer AI will do the stuff for you, after you tell it to do it
2) Most humanoid species can't 'jack in' easily - it takes certain species with a certain type of brain. Others have to use consoles with keyboards much like the one I'm using now, or use an interpreter robot AI.
3) It's not a nice experiance jacking in to this matrix. You don't do it unless you absolutely have to.

Races : Lots of races. Everyone is spread out - only the most tyrannical and secular races control the races allowed on their planets.

Planets : Many planets are colonised, but there are many, many uncolonised planets. The ones of these with sentinent races that have not discovered space travel are legally off-limits to companies and corporations, although alot of secret colonising and exploitation goes on. There are a wide range of different types of planets and enviroments.

Corporations and Companies : There are many large corporations in the galaxy, some with influence as powerful as various planetary empires. These are the main builders of warships, and they aren't allowed to own planets - although many actually do under puppet states.


I have a personally preferable idea for a plot, that will allow us to use weapons, technology and stuff without amnesia or being stuck on a planet., which I'm not too fond of. Also, I DEFINATELY want to use an alien character, preferably one from a universe full of aliens so human characters and others will treat him as a normal person, not a giant carnivorous space beetle (which he is)

the scenario :

Our characters are travelling on a massive interstellar liner, which caters to all classes of people from commoners to the uber-rich. It's carrying some famous person, with the family jewels/important miltary secrets/a secret enemy with a massive vendetta against them. This is why hijackers use some kind of device to halt the ship, jam communications, board, and begin the hunt for this person. Our characters get in the way, and have to find a way to escape the ship/defeat the hijackers, preferably saving the target as well.

[Artificial Idiot]

On the contrary, I believe amnesia will allow us to form our characters better. After a few posts, personalities will develop, traits and flaws will become apparent...

Well, thats the theory, anyway :/

Hmm, like AI's idea of ;families and dogs they'll never see again'. Maybe we can combine that with Amnesia... Make them wake up with a few holopix of loved ones who they can't remember :color1:

And VO, I have ways of combatting those two points...
I'll PM you.

If we still don't want Amnesia, we'll leave it out, no probs, I just think it'd be nice to have not planned out every aspect of the Universe before we start.
Not a bad theory Wes, but I don't think it's very practical, and it forces everyone to act along the same lines. In the long run it may develop into something interesting, but in the short term... it will be pretty akward.

VO-

Teleportation, definatly not.

I'm not sure I like this "limitless planets and races" idea. I mean, we had enough trouble getting characters to the right places in Shadowrun, never mind in a massive universe with an unknown number of planets and races. I don't think I can commit to this idea, or see it ever working. And as for your suggested plot.. it gives me very bad memories of all those "DANGER AT 87454965 THOUSAND FEET!!!!!!" Movies, where hijackers take over a plane and guys have to escape. And also, I'd call being trapped on a space liner a lot worse then being trapped on a planet! Planet's are big, varried, can contain many unexpected things. Towns maybe? Jungles? Deserts?

I'm sorry, but I just don't see this idea working. And I find your suggested plt much more transys like then what Wes has been talking about.

[Phyre]

I like the stuck on a planet idea, but not amnesia, maybe they were a crew for a new transport ship, going to pick up a crew of passengers to take on a tour of something. It's a new ship, so they don't know each other well, the ship crashed. It gives a reason to be there, but doesn't start all the conspiriacy ideas and stuff (I'd like to avoid that)

I also love VOES idea about the ship... that sounds pretty good for a short RPG, but I don't see it carrying on that long unless we decide on it leading somewhere else

[Master Chris]

Oh oh! Great idea!

We take VOs idea of the cruiseliner being hijacked, use that as the introductory episode of the RPG, preferably rather short. Then, either due to actions by the hijackers OR the players, the cruiseliner's engines are shut down/destroyed/sabotaged and the liner's emergency system kicks in, everybody gets into life boats and flee the luxury ship. This is where Wes' ideas come into play; the PCs various lifeboats crash land on a nearby planet, which is where the 'stranded on an alien planet' plot can kick in. Although, having every character suffer amnesia might be tough to play out. Perhaps an energy field surrounding the planets atmosphere? What about something the hijackers wanted that misfired as the ship went down? An alien race with the ability to suppress the hypocampal nodes of certain other species (hypocampal nodes are related to episodic memory which is, in turn, related to amnesia). This way, the players have their SOS beacons bringing a rescue crew to pick up anybody who is still alive and near the beacons after a day or two. Methinks this is the perfect way to merge both of VOs and Wes' ideas. Although, I suggest that certain alien species (perchance giant, carnivorous space beetles) don't have their memories affected, which should prove very interesting with some characters' memories intact and others not.

Yay yay! Happy is we all!

[LeFire]

I'm still a little bit disorientated and such... and my upcoming exams on the 10th (all the way to the 18th) are looming real close. But I've an idea that I just gotta drop in here!

What about a point-based system to prevent uber-characters?

A GM first comes up with a list like that...

Strength
Extreme (10 pts)
Moderate (5 pts)
Weak (2 pts)

so on and so forth, with points to be allocated for intelligence, toughness, accuracy, looks... even going down to more extreme details like sexual preference, racism, paranoia, etc. Players then create their character by allocating points (say, 100 given to the player Fallout style). This way, you can't have all-rounder characters like dragons and such.

(just a few levels named... more should be included)

[LeFire]

Hey, looks like RD has mentioned the "perks" style system (grenade thrower, resist cold, tank hunter) in his RPG... Why not combine our two systems? Say, use my version to make basic stats (intelligence, strength, etc) while RD's perks system further distinguishes the character.

I'm also thinking of a 'promotion' system of sorts... Typically at the end of each mission in the Shadowrun RPG, some characters tended to improve in one way or another. Let's gain more control over that system, now that we are contemplating a stats based character profile...

Say, at the end of each mission in new RPG's, each player (and GM) ranks all the characters according to how much they like reading about him/her (or by how much the character stinks by being too superhuman, etc) and submits it to a ranking list. First place scores 1 point, 2nd place 2, and so on.

When everyone has submitted his list, a GM totals the scores. The characters with the lowest (best) scores (most top positions among everyone's list) get to 'level up' stats and perks-wise, according to a GM-provided 'formula list'. Everyone will rank up, but only those chracters that are well written and stay within-limits will do better.

How abt that?

[Artificial Idiot]

Persaonally, I don't like the idea of a points based system. For me, the RPG was an exercise in writing, not maths, and I'd like it to stay that way.

I think we should have another vote, come up with 3-4 solid ideas (RD's WW" idea, VOES space idea and MAYBE ALOS are already in the running) and let the results of that decide what RPG we should use. As let's face it, like this we're getting nowhere.

[VO]

Not a bad theory Wes, but I don't think it's very practical, and it forces everyone to act along the same lines. In the long run it may develop into something interesting, but in the short term... it will be pretty akward.

VO-

Teleportation, definatly not.

I'm not sure I like this "limitless planets and races" idea. I mean, we had enough trouble getting characters to the right places in Shadowrun, never mind in a massive universe with an unknown number of planets and races. I don't think I can commit to this idea, or see it ever working. And as for your suggested plot.. it gives me very bad memories of all those "DANGER AT 87454965 THOUSAND FEET!!!!!!" Movies, where hijackers take over a plane and guys have to escape. And also, I'd call being trapped on a space liner a lot worse then being trapped on a planet! Planet's are big, varried, can contain many unexpected things. Towns maybe? Jungles? Deserts?

I'm sorry, but I just don't see this idea working. And I find your suggested plt much more transys like then what Wes has been talking about.

Obviously you wouldn't be able to visit everywhere, but having it there allows it to be used, IF NECESSARY. If we list, say, 5 planets as the ones we can visit, what happens when we want to go to a 6th? We're screwed, as we can't just suddenly make it up. What happens if someone doens't want to be the protoss/zerg/human races we chose to start with, and have a good idea for an alien race? We can't use it, without some massive alien invasion to totally ruin the storyline. With no limits apart from what the GMs themselves impose on the storyline, not the background, it becomes alot easier.

Also, the spaceliner idea is that it is big. It's not as big as a plant, but it's just as varied - engine rooms, different levels with acess depending on how much the characters pay, maybe an open 'garden' deck, with a wide see-through roof to starry sky, ect - so it's NOTHING like an aircraft being hijacked. It's also not the location that's after the players - in transys, we had the whole tower block basically acting as a sentinent enemy - in this, it's another group of characters, controlled by the GMs. This is far more like RPG chapter 1, where we actually didn't leave Geneva - the size of this liner is about as big as an average sized city.

I like RD's merger idea - the only think I'm worried about is that being trapped on an alien planet is likely to turn into a kind of sci-fi Lord of the Flies, without any of the elements that make Lord of the Flies good. Also, I'm not too fond of the "omnipresent all-powerful ancient alien star-gods who built this world" having much to to do it with - maybe just have them have to wait out until a rescue ship arrives?

Also, maybe a kind of points system might be good, but not one with set limits - giving each of the characters a numerical rating for their skills might be good, purely for comparison's sake, although IMHO allowing them to gain a set bonus after every chapter might not be that good.

Oh, and if there are enough players who want to play it, I'll run WOC. :)

[LeFire]

Heyhey... I'm free and easy with anything. :cool:

Only that I can only join after my last exam on the 18th. :freek:

[Artificial Idiot]

Ok, we're getting nowhere! My idea is to make a poll, see what people want and then develop the idea chosen from the date.

Ok, I'm going to make this poll in 2 days (thats Monday afternoon GMT) and I'd apprciate any additions to this list.

So far, This is the list I have...

Winds of Change
RD's WW2 RPG
VO's Spacefaring RPG
"Stuck on a planet RPG"

If you want to add anything, act fast. Also, I will not include ideas that are just plain stupid (An idea based on a movie, book or something else).

[Master Chris]

Heh, poor Lefire and his exams. My first one comes up on the 13th then I'm flat out till 15th with a couple of exams a day. Heh, alas poor us.

Methinks now is not the time for either WOC or my WW2 RPG. How abouts we settle for VO's universe with Wes' "stranded" plot as a start? That'll give teh GMs time to set up a basic structure, plot, rules system etc. While allowing us to try to recruit new players from the rest of the forum, and elsewhere if possible, and also give Lefire the time he (and probably myself also) need to get through the final exams. :D

[Wesforce]

Why don't we just have the poll now, as it looks like we have three seperate ideas (more or less).

But I'd add an option for all three. Hell, why not?

Oh, and have the Stranded plot (minus Amnesia) as a 'testbed'. We'll base it on the Space RPG plot, start that while we are still working out the main RPG, and when the main RPG starts, then we can decide whether or not it lives or dies.

The only problem with this is that we won't really be able to mention history (as there is none 'officially' yet). We could get around this by making everuone naturally cagey.

[Nyerguds]

I'd like to finish ALOS first...

I mean, I finished the compilation (minus char profiles), so we could go on and finish it first.

http://www.freewebs.com/cnc2sw/rpg/

Chris did make a mistake at the end, saying Delori was still alive while VO had already said he was dead on the TV news...

[VO]

Chris did make a mistake at the end, saying Delori was still alive while VO had already said he was dead on the TV news...

And you always believe the news? :p

[Nyerguds]

Oh. Rite :p

[Master Chris]

Umm, are you playing with Nyerguds mind here, VO, or did Delori actually survive the revolts (assuming you can tell us that of course)?

Anyway, giving ALOS it's proper burial may have been a good idea. It'll give teh GMs for the new RPG enough time to set up before the masses grow uneasy.

[Nyerguds]

Umm, are you playing with Nyerguds mind here, VO, or did Delori actually survive the revolts (assuming you can tell us that of course)?
The Ork didn't say MAWROSE Delori, did he? :p


hehe. Now I'm playing with your mind...

anyway... since you SAID he survived... the news was apparently wrong, and Delori seemed to have preferred disappearing in the chaos and making everyone believe he's dead...

Knowing VO (well, a bit anyway) I'd say that was pretty much GM approval to go on with it :p
But I don't know how happy D. would be that his guards are so loose-lipped about the fact he's not dead ;)

[Master Chris]

My head hurts. :lol:

[landry38]

I'd like a terrestrial, Earth based RPG, loosely based on something like the Matrix. Where fighting/brawling is involved, but weaponry is as well. I'm not much for outer space Star Wars stuff, nor am I into the elves, witches, Harry Potter type stuff.

I could do some space stuff if I really wanted to. Just my $.02

[Wesforce]

Hmm, want to try 'Shadow'?

Thats earth based, near-future, guns, fighting etc (Bit with magic, too)

[Artificial Idiot]

landry... I could slap you for saying "Harry Potter type stuff". The idea of elves, goblins, magic etc. come from 100's of years ago, Harry Potter is just a very crappy take on that imo.

Sorry, I just get pissed off about Harry Potter... it's a disgrace. :|

Anyway, while fighting is needed from time to time, I think we should have less in the new RPG. As in Shadow, just somebody walking into a bar with a banana in thier pocket is enough to start a large scale gun fight :p

[Wesforce]

Well no, that normally happens when people walk around randomly slicing up rent-a-cops, jumping in front of Supertankers, etc...

But yes, Harry Potter is a disgrace :(

[tagbert]

http://www.rinkworks.com/bookaminute/b/rowling.stone.shtml

Rinkworks pwnz :D

[Artificial Idiot]

Are we still doing a new RPG? Or has the idea now been dumped? :freek:

[Desolator12]

a Sci-fi thing would be cool...

and if we do do Sci-fi, I call the robot known as MA12, short for Mobile Automaton 12...