5punk

Okay, I've been reminiscing over my teenage beardage today (and ended up buying my favourite tabletop RPG in PDF format, just so I can read it again), and it got me thinking about how I could play again now that the internet has evolved. In the past the only alternative to sitting in a smokey room with lots of coke and dice was PBEM (play by email), but I've never thought PBEM would work very well. However, in the 8 years since I played last the internet has become a lot more interactive with the advent of IM and voice systems. So, do any beards out there know of, or can think of, a decent way of setting something like this up? In fact, would anyone be interested? I know we have a couple of beards but I don't know if we've enough to get anything going.

/full beard mode deactivate

pen & paper + Teemspack could be much fun. I could code a simple dice rolling system that could do most XdX + X style rolls real quick.

I'd personally like to play some Star Wars pen n' paper as some of my eviil friends got me hooked on it after a couple games then proceeded to abandon it entirely.

[img size=100]http://www.chickenshop.co.uk/acatalog/BRBW487.jpg[/img][img size=100]http://www.chickenshop.co.uk/acatalog/BRBW487.jpg[/img][img size=100]http://www.chickenshop.co.uk/acatalog/BRBW487.jpg[/img][img size=100]http://www.chickenshop.co.uk/acatalog/BRBW487.jpg[/img]

My work here is done

deject wrote:pen & paper + Teemspack could be much fun. I could code a simple dice rolling system that could do most XdX + X style rolls real quick.

I'd personally like to play some Star Wars pen n' paper as some of my eviil friends got me hooked on it after a couple games then proceeded to abandon it entirely.

I played Star Wars for quite a long time - a campaign spanning the whole original trilogy (about three years game time IIRC). I was always very reluctant to involve the characters in the details of the film plot though, the closest they ever got was vague peripheral events (they turned up late to the Battle of Endor and missed it).

The dice roll thing would probably be very useful, although the game I've got only uses D10s.

Sure. Someone would have to hold my hand though.
I wouldn't know where to start

I would most certainly be interested. I could probably knock up some quick and dirty web app for keeping track of characters and stuff when/if a game is decided on. Just so that both DM and players can keep an eye on thier stats and such without having to actually tell each other what they are all the time.

deject wrote:pen & paper + Teemspack could be much fun. I could code a simple dice rolling system that could do most XdX + X style rolls real quick.

I'd personally like to play some Star Wars pen n' paper as some of my eviil friends got me hooked on it after a couple games then proceeded to abandon it entirely.

I made one in java, still got it, just tell me how many dice you need and how many sides they have.

Edit: oh just saw the one posted via a link. Its purtier than mine.

Confession time: I used to play Shadowrun (although never in a very serious way)... but that was about 10 years ago, and I doubt I could ever grow a beard that big and bushy ever again.


/also used to play Warhammer 40k TT

Eugh, the beards are spreading.

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Eugh, the beards are spreading.

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Join us! you know you want to!

*imagines a shadowrun style cyberware stapleballs effort*







no, actually, maybe you dont.

One thing I was considering was, if it could be made easy enough, was to have the GM track all the numbers and the players give the GM a guide as to where they want to go. So, you want x skill next, the GM keeps track of your XP and tells you when you get it. You keep track of your own ammo and if you cock it up you might find yourself running out at an unhappy moment because you've made a mistake. It might also stem the powergaming that often overtakes tabletop RPGs. Having said that, it might slow things down and make life more complicated.

I've had a few ideas for running SLA Industries, which is better played when the players only have a rough idea of the game (too much background story spoils it). The rules are now a free download so everyone can get a copy of the main book, which I think would be useful, and I've got the addons to support the back-story. If it takes off I was thinking of doing individual briefs based on race, training, background etc.

Having slept on it, I wouldn't mind say yes to this either

I used to play Shadowrun too. Then they invented computer games and I kinda moved on. Not sure if I have the patience to read a book of rules again, but I might be up for a go if it picks up....

Okies, seeing as there's a bit of interest then what do people want to play? Obviously I started the thread in mind of me running SLA Industries, which I'll put a post up describing at lunch when I have more time, but if someone else wants to run something that people would prefer I'm happy to play that. Anyone any other options?

how easy or otherwise are these things to play and do you need a lot of time at once to play it?

*may try and play at work regardless*

fabyak wrote:how easy or otherwise are these things to play and do you need a lot of time at once to play it?

this

sounds like it could be fun, but if I have to learn several books worth of information just to generate a character it'll be a bit tedious

Put it this way: when I used to play D&D, I was several games in before I even looked at any rules myself. If you have someone help you make your first character (highly recommended), then all you have to do is say things like "I dont like him, I will try to stick him with my sword" or "it says on my character sheet i have healing spells. Can I try to heal him please". Actual knowledge of the rules is far less important than a general understanding of the setting and a decent DM.

As for how long it takes: as much or as little as people want, really. We used to have games that went on for hours at a time, but we also used to have games that stretched over several weeks, but were played exclusively in lunch breaks.

SLA looks interesting; ive never played it before, but I would like to. The games I have played before are shadowrun and D&D. Ive never DM'ed anything though. Would be willing to try, if needs be.

Part of the reason I like SLA is that it's pretty easy to pick up, it has a nice setting, and it's really best appreciated with only an idea of the game world. I've played AD&D, MERPS, Runequest, Warhammer, Rifts (and other Paladium stuff), Call of Cthulhu, Paranoia, Star Wars, Vampire, and probably a couple of others I've forgotten. Out of them all I like SLA the best.

[rant]
The setting is a sort of alternate near-future. Play generally takes place in the huge city of Mort on a planet of the same name, although space travel can take layers to other planets occasionaly. Mort, architecturally and atmospherically, is a hybrid of Bladerunner, The Crow, and Escape From New York. The universe is dominated by a megacorporation known as SLA Industries. SLA isn't exactly a benevolent master, and the game involves a lot of corporate intrigue and manipulation. The Company makes it very obvious that if you mess with them you'll fall in a big way. Luckily player characters work for SLA.

PCs take the form of Operatives (commonly known as Ops, SLA Ops, or Slops) - freelance agents hired by SLA to perform similar tasks to what the FBI might. This makes the game quite investigation-heavy at times, but there is also an awful lot of hardware at a player's disposal in to form of armour, guns and gadgets. On top of this the world is deliberately dominated by TV, and many Ops strive to become celebrities through their work. Success on the media circuit can mean sponsorships and good money, and the opportunity to become a Contract Killer - a superstar celebrity gladiator/bounty hunter.

Humans aren't the only beings in the game, although the majority of alien races were wiped out by SLA in the Conflict Wars. The three remaining alien races were spared because of their unique qualities and pretty much exclusively work for SLA. All are available as PCs.

Humans: Humans are by far the most populous race in the game. 90% of the people you meet will be human, and the other 10% will probably be Ops like you.

Frothers: Frothers are human, but they're classified differently because the drugs they take give them greater strength and resilience. Frothers rigidly stick to a celtic clan society, but are generally chaotic and disruptive. Their drug dependency horses them to work constantly to earn the money for their habit, but seeing as their work generally consists of fighting they don't seem to mind. If you see a psychotic armoured bloke in a kilt waving a big sword about and doing stupid things in combat, you're looking at a Frother.

Ebons: Look human but for their eyes, which are one colour without a pupil or iris. Ebons are poetic and thoughtful, very much ruled by their emotions. They were spared because of their ability to use the Ebb - the closest thing in the game to magic. Ebons calculate mathematical formulae at incredible speeds in order to influence probability and create seemingly magical effects. All of this is made possible by the living armour-cum-computer they wear called a Deathsuit. No other race wears Deathsuits, and Ebons never wear any other armour.

Brainwasters: Brainwasters are a sort of genetic offshoot of Ebons. They're the same race, but they're all bad. They're extremely aggressive, bordering on psychotic. They can be distinguished from Ebons by the black scorchmarks aroundtheir eyes (a genetic defect) and the fact that they dress like Ty. Wasters also use the Ebb, but tend towards the more destructive skills.

Wraith Raiders: Raiders are a sort of cat-like alien. They're not feline in a furry way, and they look more like lizards to me, but that's what they are. They're sneaky types who are most often in the role of scout or sniper. They're also fast and agile and, due to the low temperature of their homeworld, like the cold.

Shaktar: Look a bit like a lizardy version of the Predator. They're big warrior types with a sort of samurai code of honour.

Stormers: Stormers are biogenetic soldiers, created by SLA to fight and die. They're huge, powerful, incredibly tough, and completely loyal. They generally enter service as Ops after two years out of the vat, and as such they're rather naive and certainly not clever. Kind of like 8-foot tall children capable of tearing your head off, but not as unpredictable as kids.

Stormer varients: There are other types of Stormer that are less common. The larger but more stupid Chagrin, the stealthy and weird looking Xeno and the shape-shifting Vevaphon. Personally I'm not taken with any of these. All biogenetic races are classed as Stormers, even the NPC Domino Dogs or toy Dooberies, but generally the name refers to the 818 variant described above.

As well as the different races, in true RPG style, players have a training package to start off with. Scout, Investigator, Corporate, Death Squad (soldier), Kick Murder (assassin) ,Pilot, Media. There are more I've not read about yet too, but all characters can learn all skills, so it's really only a thing to start you off and define your character's role.

PC Ops form part of squads, and are given quite a bit of artistic license. Individualism is encouraged in order to stand out and be noticed by the media. It is generally the media who issue missions to squads in the form of BluePrint News files (BPNs). Complete the BPN and you get paid and will recieve a Security Clearance Level (SCL) increase. The higher your SCL the better mission you have access to, and teh more respect the company gives you. Progress is slow though, and money is always tight in this game.

[/rant]

I've ran two very successful campaigns of this game. A lot of people find the dark, brutal setting mixed with corporate attitude and media attention to be quite compelling. Gameplay is supposed to be urban horror - serial killers and subhuman creatures are common in the city - but there is a very detailed and unforgiving combat system behind it. I've modified the system to make it a bit harsher too, as I like the gunfights to be fast and dangerous.

Main rulebook (including a lot of background, stories, pictures etc..) is downloadable here for free: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php? ... s_id=21127&
More information on what I've written can be found on the game's site here: http://nightfallgames.co.uk/

If people are interested in playing I'll elaborate more on characters and equipment and give people individual briefs on their race, training package, what they know about the world etc..

Someone should make a computer game out of it.