Two Players Looking for Something Different

Hi, we're two experienced D&D players looking for a change of pace.  We'd particularly be interested in something like the Dresden Files(which both of us would be newbies at) or a mortal/enhanced mortal(cinematic, second sight, that sort of thing) game of nWoD, but we're open to a lot of different ideas.  Anime-styled games, time travel stuff, Wheel of Time especially(yeah, right) or lots of other possibilities would probably also appeal as well, but Rel's not big into science fiction. So, if you run, want to run, or know somebody who runs this sort of game or something else that might appeal, please do reply.  We're available 7:30 PM-2 AM EST(GMT-5) every day but Wed/Thur.

I would LOVE to run a Dresden Files setting game.  I don't have the actual Dresden Files RPG though.   would you be willing to do this in the HERO system?  I could probably make it work in anything else that can run generic themes, such as Mutants and Masterminds or GURPS, though I don't have a whole lot of (any) GURPS experience. Mind you, I'm not the most experienced DM, nor have I ever used roll20 to do so before, so you would have to bear with me.  I'm MST, which is 2 hours earlier than your EST, and I work until 5 on the weekdays, and have a regular gaming group on both Wednesday and Saturday, but I could run in the evenings Mondays.  Maybe from 7 to 11 or so my time, which would be starting at 9pm your time.

That's a good time for us, we don't actually know the HERO system, but we'd be willing to learn it!  Don't know M&M either, but we're familiar with GURPS.  If you don't know it though, it'll probably be a lot better for us to learn your system, GURPS is kind of daunting even as a player sometimes, learning it as a GM is a good way to give yourself an aneurysm.  

So is HERO.  it's really math heavy, and even with the character tool they offer, it's a daunting task when presented with the sheer volume of options available, and enough detail that you could break down measurements and determine things like exactly how much strength is needed to lift a planet, or exact distance of a thrown object.  The detail stuff is optional of course, but the system is a beast (the 6th edition spanned two large books). I also find that combat takes a lot longer than in any other system I've used. M&M, while designed in it's entirety for supers, would be easier for a lot of reasons.  Your character sheet looks more like a Pathfinder sheet (i can send a fillable one to you during the evening when I'm at home), and there are less stats (which are also easier to understand).  In fact, if you don't mind this game being a bit of an experiment, I think I would actually like to try to run it in M&M.  I can send you guys the character sheet and basic rulebook pdf, and help with character creation. While this game is going to be ground in the Dresden universe, it won't take place in Chicago, and I'm not planning to have you guys meet NPCs from the books.  I've found in the past that trying to mix canon characters from a setting into a plot you're making up tend to lead to players who know the setting either having an unfair advantage, or possibly knowing the setting better than the GM, and picking little differences to focus on. This may take some prep work, so don't expect it to actually start for another week, but I think i have a few ideas for plots in mind, so I may even create the campaign on here this weekend and fool around with maps and stuff. Feel free to add me to Skype (steve_stone702), and I'm looking forward to discussing the details with you and finding just a few additional players.

If this goes ahead I would be interested, it sounds interesting :)

Cool.  I also have at least one player from my regular gaming group.  With you, him, Ash and Rel, that makes four, which might actually be the limit to start with.  No sense trying to get a mob of people running.

Yeah but you already know it, and I'm the sort of person who actually likes  systems like that and can help Rel out with it.  If it's a system you're familiar enough with to try to run the game, don't feel like you need to go easy on us.  That being said, if M&M is your preference to try to run it in, we can learn that too.  You're the GM, as long as you're comfortable with the toolkit the system gives you, we can adapt to it.   As far as the setting...  That's honestly how both of us would prefer it anyway.  Running into lore NPCs tends to lead to pissing contests, and we've only gotten half a dozen books into the series and watched the TV show, so we're not going to know as much as someone who's read through it from start to end ten times.  Plus a fresh setting means everything's open, so Rel's witch won't be competing with Harry Dresden for jobs and if I happen to be carrying a magic sword it's not like I'm just one of half a dozen guys in the city doing same.  A little time before game start is optimal too, Rel likes to take her time while character crafting, and it lets us both learn the system without having to cram really hard. Sent the friend request on skype, if you didn't receive it for whatever reason because skype has been known to be tweaky, you can add me: ashthefreeman

Awesome.  will check it when i get home in a few hours.  As for familiarity with the setting, I tend to operate under the assumption that the players know general knowledge things (eg, magic exists, physics generally still applies, etc), but not much more.  Sore feelings because someone didn't know setting information that their character should have is a bad thing, so I'll probably prepare a very simple handout with specific setting things you ought to know, like how useful magic circles are, and how entrances to and distances in Faerie work.  Before actually starting, there will be a short talk with each of you to ensure that we both understand your character's mechanics in whatever system we decide. ...also, i sort of haven't read Cold Days yet.

Okay, that all sounds great.  I got the Mutants and Masterminds book and I've been looking through it.  I think you're right, this could totally run a Dresden-type game, and it actually already gave me an inspiration for my character. :D (Rel knows what she wants to play)

I'm considering adding a Sanity stat as a house-rule.  Would that bother you guys?  I know it would mess with point costs a little, but it would allow me to reflect somewhat any horror you guys may encounter.  Since it is established that anything seen using a wizard's third eye is permanently remembered in detail, it seems reasonable that it sanity could become a resource of sorts for those who would use the Sight.

Yeah, we both think that's a pretty logical idea.  

That sounds good to me too, Steve I've just sent you a skype request

Hey there Steve, I signed up like you asked... I am in on this game. :)

How will this be run? Will it be a continous game or will it be run in seasons (with like 4 sessions per season or more) or a bunch of one offs?

Cool.  it will be a few hours before I'm home and able to accept the skype requests.  This should be a lot of fun. As for characters, I suppose we should start discussing concepts, so there aren't a whole lot of overlaps.  I saw you mentioned both a Witch, and someone with a magic sword earlier.  Both sound good so far. I'm thinking that you guys are going to start off with some power.  This isn't an origin story (unless you would like it to be), so feel free to flesh out your concept and capabilities a bit.

Zack M. said: How will this be run? Will it be a continous game or will it be run in seasons (with like 4 sessions per season or more) or a bunch of one offs? If possible, i'd like to run once a week, though I'd be alright with less.  I figured it would be continuous.  Of course, I'm open to other suggestions, if you'd like to do seasons or one-offs. In truth, one of the two groups i normally game with changes games so often that there's no attachment to the characters anymore.  I'm hoping to get something going that runs long enough for you guys as well as me to get to really understand, and feel for the characters.  I mean, if it could work that the game would be active for years, I'd be ok with it.  I'd also enjoy the experience even if we run one session only, so just let me know what works for you.

I'm used to the season format from playing my local VtM game but I'm cool with continuous games if everyone is up for it

Cool.  Anyone else want to weigh in on this? also: i just realized I should specify an edition.  I have M&M 3rd edition at home, but i can find 2nd ed if that's what you guys got.

I've just downloaded 3rd and all the source books and that

Assuming we're working with Mutants and Masterminds, I'm sort of reworking my concept into more of a general monster-hunter, and I'm thinking a gun forged out of the shards of a broken magic sword and a shotgun loaded with rocksalt and clipped nails and yeah, Rel will be playing more of a ritual-working and potion-brewing, energy-blasting mage.

I accepted you guys in Skype.  I'm going to at least create the campaign now, and if the free tokens aren't enough, i may pay for mentor access.  Will let you know. Seeing as I don't actually have much written yet, and decided only to run this when i saw the initial thread, it's just called "Dresden, a non-canon campaign"  I hope I can change it or give it a subtitle once i have details, but for now, it will just be good to get you all added, and to play a bit with the api.

You can just download tokentool and use that to make tokens to upload, you can also use <a href="http://www.rpgmapexchange.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.rpgmapexchange.com</a> to get maps. &nbsp;Go ahead and PM or skype me the link at your leisure and we'll join.

If you are still looking for something new, I'm going to be running a demo of HackMaster on July 3. HackMaster uses real time combat, as well as allowing more free advancement for characters. You still have a character class, but you can easily get out or the mold. That demo is on a Wednesday, but I'll be running more demos in the future. I'm also playing around with some other games, like Golden Sky Stories (a story game about magical animals that help locals with their problems). I just pitched a few new games to my local group, so I can run one of those (renegade psychics out to save the world, time travel, or swingin' spies to name a few) different I pick them up.

We really appreciate the offer and we're always looking, but demos aren't really for us. &nbsp;It's kind of an investment talking my wife into learning a new system, so it's not really tenable to do it for one-shots. &nbsp;Thank you, though!