The RPG Night (Club)

[Mazer Rackham]

This is just an idea toss - I was combobulating with another frater of some repute (unlike myself) about trying to follow up on a long dormant discussion (I didn't want to necro it, and by rights this is worthy of its own thread), regarding improvement of participation in the RPG Nook, and by extension a few other aspects of this 'niche' hobby.

 

One of the proposals from our noble fraternity, was a series of strategies to help break down a few barriers to enlarging our player and potentially GM base. They can be found here and are well worth a read, as well as the posts regarding visibility.

 

What I'd like to do is set up a themed open club, which is a function where we might be able to finally combine a lot of ideas that don't quite fit into the structure of the forum and also provides a special projects setting, much like the Cabal Of Dead Ink (hence the dazzlingly named thread title).

 

Apart from gathering character or RPG game related fanfic, artwork and model builds (been banging on about this for a while now), one of the primary functions would be to develop/formulate a stripped-down ruleset (primarily for Deathwatch, but other RPG's are available) in an almost One-Page-Rules type thing. This, ideally would result in a few pregen characters, which a prospective player can just bolt their own stuff onto (Chapter, history, etc) with a few perks and sparkles, where RP is more valuable than crunch, having armour histories and the like be cosmetic only.

 

There would be one or two scenarios providing, as Apologist suggested, an entry and exit point with defined goals and objectives. To speed up play, we could include some rules from Black Crusade and Dark Heresy 2.0 (re: actions) and the maps provided in certain starter adventures. Keeping it enemy/sector neutral could provide for easy flavouring and replays, perhaps with a 'rogue's gallery' to accompany it. On top of this, the games (Deathwatch at least) would be announced in the News, possibly Amicus and Space Marine subforums. They would run for a couple of weeks, perhaps every month or other month depending on the availability of GM's. The Rules could be bundled together as a PDF for download, in the same way as Convention Open Table games.

 

As it progresses, this could possibly tap into the Liber, our sister forum, and expand any personal works or articles there (and vice versa). Whilst this is not currently the focus of this project, it should be considered future planning to increase engagement and improve visibility.

 

Thoughts?

[Trokair]

Thoughts he asks. Are there thoughts here? That is debatable but rambling potentially.

 

 

Visibility I think is the major gatekeeper.

 

I stumbled my way into the RPG Nook and haven’t found my way out since (not that I would want to now, Stockholm has taken care of that).

 

Not knowing how to play and such where minor hurdles by comparison, you all helped me get to grips with things, and still do as needed.  

 

So while Mazers suggestion above about having simple intro games and such are good, and that is something we should explore. I am inclined to think just making it more obvious when new games are starting by announcing them in relevant places on the board could help. Even if people don’t then get to play in the game due to say capacity they are at least aware of us then.  If memory serves I followed a announcement over in the Libber for a game, was not selected to take part due to capacity and hung around until there was a game with space for a bumbling newcomber.

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Yeah, can't disagree. We've even got permission to throw the adverts in, I just think we've been busy actually doing stuff as opposed to advertising them. I know Bro T also said we could advertise stuff via the forum banner, so there's always that if we could cook something up to run from 'X' date to 'Y' date.

 

Got to maximise the FOMO, yo.

 

Also, that reminds me - Tro, you're overdue for your hypnoindoc, but we can do that after lunch.

[Trokair]

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Also, that reminds me - Tro, you're overdue for your hypnoindoc, but we can do that after lunch.

Nah, I'm good.

 

 

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Yeah, can't disagree. We've even got permission to throw the adverts in, I just think we've been busy actually doing stuff as opposed to advertising them. I know Bro T also said we could advertise stuff via the forum banner, so there's always that if we could cook something up to run from 'X' date to 'Y' date.

 

So as a first step we should remember to actualy do this for the next game one of us to runs. 

[Trokair]

Some further ramblings that are somewhat maybe connect to this.

 

Ages ago Mazer  suggested running a game with Xenos character, using profile, rules and such that already existed in the FFG books, with a cobbled together level/skill/talent table. The two choices had been Eldar and Tau. Tau (with Kroot and Gue'vesa ) won out and we did have the beginning of a game but it did not go very far.

 

Since then I have been toying with the idea of trying the Eldar version of this. While working on Archeotech I found a bunch of useful Eldar stuff in (I think) some of the Rough Trader books and I have been intending to properly delve into this once Archeotech is finished.

 

I bring this up now because this might be a way to intro new players without too much rules knowledge on their part.  Doing things this way may also solve the issue of not having proper career/level/skill tables and such.

 

So the idea is one shot adventure, the players pick the existing profiles for say Ranger, Dire Avenger etc (if needed these could have been adjusted for power level balance) and then it is a rules light narrative, rules assisted structure time game. Rewards instead of XP would be simple things along the line of, pick one stat and add 5, pick one skill and make it +10 and such.

 

The more I write this the more inclined I am to give this a try once Archetoech is done and I have had a little break/plan ahead time.

[Mazer Rackham]

Good ideas.

 

I think the profiles were indeed in Rogue Trader - that is at least where I got the Tau ones from.

 

We could build up a small hall of heroes for those characters that complete as well, just a nod/recognition to the Players.

[Xin Ceithan]

 I agree that using some sort of rules-lite RPG adaptation of the rules / stats from existing games people know and play would in all likelihood allow for an easier entry - and GM’ing as there isn’t an avalanche of crunch to face up to.

 

Funny enough, I picked up the W&G Eldar supplement some time ago when you mentioned the idea, @Trokair! 
I think they are doing something similar in that you mostly choose a “class” that is basically a  codex entry with added rpg elements (Howling Banshee, Warlock, Incubus, Corsair Prince, etc)  

 

Also, I’ll see if I can dig out my notes on a one-shot Freebooter / Ork thing I ran ages ago using bare bones RT - the characters all used the basic grunt statblock from the Bestiarium, added a few knacks to make them more kunning or more brutal and off they went. The theme was that they were all in a big squid hunt to prove themselves ‘ard enough to be accepted into the Freebooter krew. And since they were Orks, they could beat up everyone and each other and vice versa and ( mostly) could still be on the road again with some nails and duct tape

 

It’d be easy to adapt / incorporate rules from something like GorkaMorka - something that already has a cult following. Setting up a Gorkamorka hybrid game / event would probably draw a crowd, I’d wager.

 

Likewise with popularity of both Necromunda  and Cyperpunk 20something, I guess there’d be people interested in an rpg / game along that lines, using the TT rules as a start. I was thinking running some under hive scum with a more Cyberpunk theme - maybe on a world run primarily by the Mechanicus in our local group, since they were pretty much in cybered up no-goods lately and I have neither the time or the interest to read into either Cyperpunk’s rule set or Shadowrun. 

 

Thinking along those lines I could also imagine that something of a KT / RPG hybrid with a focus on the narrative might give people the option and opportunity to portray / role play the shenanigans of their team / favourite characters. Maybe more as a series of snapshot scenes than turn-by-turn, so people can get some ideas / scenes in but don’t have to post an action every other minute?
 

I don’t own the current KT rules, but there is the continuing temptation to break out my Legion Wars / War in the Eye notes for something along these lines

 

TL/ DR:

I think / agree that some sort of hybrid / one page rule set using stats and rules already known to the wider community would probably increase the entry to rpg style games

[Mazer Rackham]

What we'll do then, is open the club, set out the stall a bit and folks can open several threads inside that club for rules development (OPR DW, Eldar, etc). That will stop any cluttering in the forum and also allow us to expand on the general ideas.

 

I think that taking inspiration from, and linking onto other games is fine and possible, but once the club is open, then obviously we can try to cobble it all together and see what comes out, but I suggest to keep the scope tight-ish, for now (although I'm interested in that Eldar game...) and get the products out.

 

EDIT: Speaking of Wrath and Glory, I'll mention Imperium Maledictum - does anyone know what's happening with these?

Edited August 10 by Mazer Rackham

[Lord_Ikka]

 

EDIT: Speaking of Wrath and Glory, I'll mention Imperium Maledictum - does anyone know what's happening with these?

I reviewed Maledictum earlier, and it is pretty much a FFG RPG 2.0- a little bit different but pretty much a revised and better laid-out version of any of the FFG games. Haven't looked into any of the other parts of it, but the base game seems like a decent way to play a kind of combo of Dark Heresy/Only War/Rogue Trader.  

[A.T.]

 

Rewards instead of XP would be simple things along the line of, pick one stat and add 5, pick one skill and make it +10 and such.

 

Only two of the stats have especially distinctive subsets :

AGILITY - Athletics, Stealth, Pilot

INTELLIGENCE - Lore, Tech, Survival(including medicae)

 -this gives the choice between a specialist +10 or a generalist +5 when advancing

 -potentially with an unskilled character rolling half stat to help make group rolls distinct.

For the rest just a raw stat check - strength test to climb or swim, perception test to spot or search, fellowship test to charm or command, etc.

[Mazer Rackham]

Hello all, be advised that due to circumstances beyond my control, this will not now be going ahead.

 

I did have plans to try and launch this sometime this year, but I regret that will now not be happening.

 

I asked for topic deletion, but as per Tro below, I'll let someone else take the reins.

 

 

Edited September 27 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Can I counter suggest that the topic not be deleted (unless I am missing some salient point as to why it should be). The discussions are potentially still of some value, and even if the full idea is no longer practicable or tenable so of the spin off may yet come to fruition, such as a beginner orientated game to introduce more forum members to this aspect of the hobby.

 

As mentioned above I have some ideas for a Eldar game that might work for this purpose, I just haven’t had time to develop anything yet.

[Mazer Rackham]

If it's useful to you guys, then no worries - I'll hand over the torch. 

[Trokair]

Ouch ouch... *Drops Torch*

 

 

Well that's a good start...  

 

 

Someone poke me if I haven’t got my act together and gotten something provisionally started by say early next year in regard to a Eldar/or even general intro to RPG Nook game.

[Mazer Rackham]

I know this is someone else's headache now, but should we get a banner up on the BnC header?

 

'The RPG Nook: All Characters welcome! You make the gang, we make them hang!'

 

 

[Necronaut]

The RPG Nook: We live to ruin your grimdark power fantasy

 

The RPG Nook: we don't understand the rules either

 

The RPG Nook: post monthly to let us know you're still alive

[Lysimachus]

Sorry, inappropriate joke! 

Edited September 28 by Lysimachus

[Necronaut]

 

Sorry, inappropriate joke! 

 

The RPG Nook: snitches get stitches

[Trokair]

I think the best time to have a banner would be in the run up of a new game starting.