Here I'm going to explain the character creation process which you should use in conjunction with the character sheet. I've posted my house rules, "Inner Void" and character sheet privately for the moment. I hope to offer it for free on this site, but I'm going to request permission from the author of "The Outer Presence" as a courtesy. I haven't retained everything from the original game, but the contribution is significant. I'm using the central event resolution mechanic, the Dice Pool and Bonus Dice, as well as most of the Professions list. I've also lifted with little change the Flaws, Motivations, and Organization rules. I have completely revised the health and sanity system, and explicitly added in attributes and skills where they were implicit in the Professions before. And I've made the Bonus Dice more important, and introduced Award Dice. Even so, enough of the system is derivative for me to feel it needs some protection as the property of the original author.
CHARACTER CREATION
In game terms, the character is how you can interact with the world. It is also what the world--it’s average denizens and mysterious entities alike--see when they look at you. Like a character in a stage play your character will have a manner of speech, a costume, and a worldview that is uniquely their own. The more completely you delineate these features, the more clearly your fellow players can envision you in the setting. This is important for fun and immersion, but also to make the most out of the game mechanics. The Myth Master will give out Bonus Dice based on role play; they will know good roleplay by how it relates to what they understand about your character. A strong character concept can help you and others enjoy the game, but it will also help you succeed.
Note that this campaign takes place in 1971. Certainly it is an alternate '71 with shades of conspiracy theories and the fantastic, but still recognizable as history. This requires a certain adherence to real life experiences of the era. Social forces are in flux, and much that we take for granted was barely beginning to emerge. As much as our world is currently mired in racism, economic tyranny and gender inequality it's hard to understand how much worse it was. There are so many basic changes that things like legal segregation, the cold war, and the Equal Rights Amendment are almost impossible to describe today. If not factually, at least in a personal way. I've done my best to convey a little of that experience without becoming overbearing. And if I've added a little humor I hope it doesn't offend those who struggled to change our world for the better.
A note on randomization: I've provided randomization suggestions for each section, but you could complete (almost) your whole character without rolling any dice. Go ahead and use your concept to guide all choices if you wish. It's (almost) all up to you.
Name
This is your character’s name. This is what other players and NPCs in the game will call you. It is by nature freighted with certain information, like ancestral origin and possibly gender. There should be a first name and last name. If you are adamant on referring to yourself by a nickname or stage moniker, expect this to be confusing and memorable. Choosing a name will probably take longer than any other decision on the character sheet.
Many Randomization options are available online.
Sex
Female or male. This is a morphological characteristic. Remember this is not your gender in the modern sense. Engaging in hetero- or homosexual relationships is a behavior. Preferring one over the other is a mental state. Other choices, such as, Hermaphrodite, or Post-Op TS would be vanishingly rare in 1971. Note, that “gender” choices may be roleplayed in the game, but the 70’s were still a transition period, and Homosexuality wasn’t removed from the DSM (psychological Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) until 1973.
Randomize by flipping a coin.
Sign
Your astrological symbol. Typically one of the 12 houses of the year as represented in western astrology. This may (or may not) have any bearing on your behavior, but was certainly a popular pickup line. If you prefer an oriental flavor, Chinese signs are assigned by year so this should match with your chronological age.
Randomize by rolling 1d12. Or for Chinese version subtract age from 1971.
Age
Your chronological age. Generally between 25 - 50, younger or older are certainly possible, but certain Professions may be more appropriate at different ages. An 18 year old doctor will have some very skeptical patients, while a 60 year old athlete is most likely retired or a coach. Refer to the Age section of the rules for attribute limitations.
Randomize by rolling 4d10 and adding 15 years.
Height
This varies in normal humans from around 4’6” to 6’6” with a few notable exceptions. Being short or tall has no serious ramifications in the game, unless it's funny.
Randomize by rolling 2d12 and adding that many inches to 4 ½ feet.
Weight
Also varies significantly in humans, from 100 - 250 lbs. or more, and is often related to height. Note that game mechanics does not relate this to the Strength or Appearance attributes.
Randomize by rolling 1d100 for every foot of height above 3, and adding to 100. So 4’ - 4’11” is 1d100 + 100 lbs., 5’ - 5’11” is 2d100 + 100 lbs., and 6’ - 6’11” is 3d100 + 100 lbs..
Cigarette
What brand you smoke. This is the 70s, so everyone smokes. In fact, 1971 is year cigarette ads were banned on TV. If you don’t smoke, write “Don’t Smoke” on sheet and be prepared to say that, a lot.
Randomize:
1 - 10: Camel Unfiltered
11 - 20: Camel Filtered
21 - 30: Marlboro Filtered
31 - 40: Pall Mall Unfiltered
41 - 50: Benson & Hedges 100s Filtered
51 - 60: Newport Menthol Filtered
61 - 70: Virginia Slims Filtered
71 - 80: Commander Unfiltered
81 - 90: Pipe
91 - 00: Don’t Smoke
Eyes
Their color, specifically the iris. However you may state “bloodshot” if it’s a character trait.
Randomize by rolling 1d4; 1 = Brown, 2 = Green, 3 = Blue, and 4 = Gray.
Hair
Hair color, but also length and/or style. Men may include facial hair.
Randomize by rolling 1d4 for color; 1 = Black, 2 = Brown, 3 = Red, and 4 = Blond.
Randomize length by rolling 1d6; 1 = bald (choose wig if desired), 2 = Short/Pixie, 3 = Full/Bob, 4 = Shoulder Length, 5 = Long, and 6 = Get a haircut hippie!
Randomize men’s facial hair by rolling 1d6; 1 = Clean Shaven, 2 = Stubble, 3 = Sideburns, 4 = Mustache, 5 = Goatee, and 6 = Full Beard.
Complexion
Your skin color. Often related to family history and country of origin. This doesn't have any effect on the game mechanics, there may be situations that are affected. While Jim Crow laws ended in 1965 there is significant racism both institutionally and socially in America. That said, the Myth Master is responsible for making all choices equally valid while not ignoring history entirely.
Randomize by rolling 1d6 for U.S. citizens, 1 - 2 = White, 3 = Red, 4 = Yellow, 5 = Ethnic, and 6 = Black.
Band
What is your favorite band? This important question defines a lot about your character, their social circle, political views, and personality. The band must have existed by 1971. So the Ramones (formed in ‘74) are out, but the Funkadelic album drops in 1970. In the ‘71 music scene Jim Morrison was alive (until July), Frank Sinatra would retire (for the first but not last time) and (a bloated) Elvis had been playing shows in Las Vegas for 2 years.
Randomize by rolling 1d6; 1 = The Beatles, 2 =John Coltrane, 3 = James Brown, 4 = Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, 5 = Vivaldi, and 6 = Elvis.
Citizenship
What country you hold a passport from. That country must have existed in 1971. So the Soviet Union, or Czechoslovakia, but not the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which was Zaire then). If you are from another country the Myth Master will help decide whether you are undergoing naturalization, or here on a visa, etc.
Randomize by flipping a coin; Heads = U.S. of A., Tails = Some foreign shithole.
Country of Origin
Where were you born? Often same as citizenship. Again must have existed in ‘71.
Randomize by throwing a dart at a map, or open a dictionary to any page and pick the first country with that letter (provided you own books you pleb).
Profession
What you do for a living. Write this down for Career. This is the single most important feature of your character so choose wisely (or like most leave it up to chance).
Randomize by rolling 1d100 and divide by 4. Count down that many on the Professions table.
Skills
What you are good at. These are defined by your Profession so write those down. Extra skills may be gained later in the game.
Equipment and Money
What you have starting out, or have ready access to. These are also defined by your Profession. Normal things can be purchased and written down here. But if you acquire or discover special items these will be represented by special cards that you affix to your character sheet by paper clip.
Attributes
These define your character’s abilities. Each Profession has 2 Prime Attributes, go ahead and check the box for High on those Attributes. The player has 2 Medium and 2 Low scores to distribute between the remaining 4 Attributes.
I don’t recommend it, but if you want to randomize, flip a coin for each unassigned Attribute; Heads = Medium, and Tails = Low. If you run out of either Medium or Low, fill in the rest accordingly.
Motivation
Why you do what you do. Your driving passion is an important part of your character concept, and you will gain Bonus Dice based on how well you convey that in play. However, it can be a refreshing challenge to work in a random selection.
Randomize by rolling 1d8 on the Motivation table.
Flaws
Everybody has one (or let’s be honest, more than one). For game purposes you need to have a character flaw and make it a part of your play style. These characters aren’t paragons of ethics, or if they are, it is pursued with such single minded devotion that it becomes a hindrance.
Randomize by rolling 1d20 on the Flaws table only once. (Only a few characters will ever receive a second Flaw.)
Organizational Affiliation
You are part of a team. No, not the party of your fellow players, but a shadowy group on the fringes. A little known and often silent partner in your affairs. These can range from inconsequential, to mysterious, to downright unsavory. I do recommend randomizing this choice unless you have a strong concept in mind (even so the Myth Master will define the specifics of the organization with you).
Randomize by rolling 1d10 on the Organization table.
Organizational Relationship
What this special group means to you, and what you mean to them. How much you might rely on (or fear) them may come into play. You could ask them for help, or visa versa. They might demand your allegiance. Perhaps you will refuse, what then? The Myth Master will usually require this be randomized so you can’t declare your character general of an army, or mob boss.
Randomize by rolling 1d6 on the Relationship table.
Health & Sanity
All characters start out Healthy and Sane (with some exceptions which the Myth Master will explain). How long they stay that way is up to you.
2016-02-04
The Alternate History of Mothership Earth
The future is here!
It’s a brave new world in 1971, a world of pocket calculators, digital watches, and floppy disks. A dozen eggs go for a quarter, a gallon of gas is 40 cents, and you can see a movie for a buck-and-a-half. Polyester, bold prints and platform shoes are all the rage. Ursula Le Guin makes dreams real in The Lathe of Heaven, while Charles Bukowski works in the Post Office, and Abbie Hoffman advises you to Steal This Book. Family rooms and basements are awash in the glow of The Partridge Family, Mary Tyler Moore, and The Mod Squad. Archie Bunker makes his first appearance. Rod Stewart and James Taylor rule the airwaves. Janis Joplin sings of a desperate freedom in “Me and Bobby McGee,” Three Dog Night brings “Joy to the World,” and everyone gets down when Isaac Hayes does the theme from Shaft.
JFK, RFK, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King are all dead, killed at the hands vicious players in the power game. The stakes are high, sky-high and beyond. Astronauts drive dune buggies on the Moon; the Space Race is the popular face of a cold war going hot in proxy conflicts throughout the globe. East versus West, ideology battles ideology for supremacy. The USA and the USSR are in a Mexican Standoff with nuclear ICBMs instead of sixguns.
The 60’s consciousness raising and social movements become a grotesque parody of themselves. Dissent at home has become culture. Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, mask a nation of violence, and fear. Americans huddle together in the dark and watch The Andromeda Strain and Dirty Harry while waiting for The Bomb to drop. Children are on the forefront of politics when public school buses carry out racial desegregation. Vietnam War protesters battle in the streets, and the TV nightly news bemoans hippies, peaceniks, and commies as 150,000 more young men are drafted. Nixon invokes the Silent Majority and invades Cambodia before yet another domino falls.
Unknown to most there is an even darker stain growing in this shadow play. The invisible history of the 20th century is rife with unguessed horrors. Ancient entities stir in the deeps of the earth, and in the icy depths of space. After WWII, Nazi wizards escaped to rekindle the Reich’s unholy sciences. Russia routinely breaks the Geneva Convention’s whispered sister, the White Pact, by deploying “unconventional” munitions. News of chemical weapon attacks are used as cover for less terrestrial terrors. Conspiracy theorists say Area 51 contains America’s true military deterrents, deep underground in it’s unplumbed bunkers. Is it all true? Could any of it be true?
Vast powers move inexorably closer to the fruition of their subtle, cosmic schemes. Will human life be snuffed like a candle in the turbulent ocean of eternal night? Who will believe the unbelievable? Who will fathom the unfathomable? Who, I ask you, will stand against the inevitable, enfolding darkness, and fight that which was not meant to be known?
It’s a brave new world in 1971, a world of pocket calculators, digital watches, and floppy disks. A dozen eggs go for a quarter, a gallon of gas is 40 cents, and you can see a movie for a buck-and-a-half. Polyester, bold prints and platform shoes are all the rage. Ursula Le Guin makes dreams real in The Lathe of Heaven, while Charles Bukowski works in the Post Office, and Abbie Hoffman advises you to Steal This Book. Family rooms and basements are awash in the glow of The Partridge Family, Mary Tyler Moore, and The Mod Squad. Archie Bunker makes his first appearance. Rod Stewart and James Taylor rule the airwaves. Janis Joplin sings of a desperate freedom in “Me and Bobby McGee,” Three Dog Night brings “Joy to the World,” and everyone gets down when Isaac Hayes does the theme from Shaft.
JFK, RFK, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King are all dead, killed at the hands vicious players in the power game. The stakes are high, sky-high and beyond. Astronauts drive dune buggies on the Moon; the Space Race is the popular face of a cold war going hot in proxy conflicts throughout the globe. East versus West, ideology battles ideology for supremacy. The USA and the USSR are in a Mexican Standoff with nuclear ICBMs instead of sixguns.
The 60’s consciousness raising and social movements become a grotesque parody of themselves. Dissent at home has become culture. Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, mask a nation of violence, and fear. Americans huddle together in the dark and watch The Andromeda Strain and Dirty Harry while waiting for The Bomb to drop. Children are on the forefront of politics when public school buses carry out racial desegregation. Vietnam War protesters battle in the streets, and the TV nightly news bemoans hippies, peaceniks, and commies as 150,000 more young men are drafted. Nixon invokes the Silent Majority and invades Cambodia before yet another domino falls.
Unknown to most there is an even darker stain growing in this shadow play. The invisible history of the 20th century is rife with unguessed horrors. Ancient entities stir in the deeps of the earth, and in the icy depths of space. After WWII, Nazi wizards escaped to rekindle the Reich’s unholy sciences. Russia routinely breaks the Geneva Convention’s whispered sister, the White Pact, by deploying “unconventional” munitions. News of chemical weapon attacks are used as cover for less terrestrial terrors. Conspiracy theorists say Area 51 contains America’s true military deterrents, deep underground in it’s unplumbed bunkers. Is it all true? Could any of it be true?
Vast powers move inexorably closer to the fruition of their subtle, cosmic schemes. Will human life be snuffed like a candle in the turbulent ocean of eternal night? Who will believe the unbelievable? Who will fathom the unfathomable? Who, I ask you, will stand against the inevitable, enfolding darkness, and fight that which was not meant to be known?
Some Thoughts on Cosmic Horror Campaigns
My Outer Presence adventure is coming along nicely. I'm calling the campaign world Mothership Earth. This should give you some idea of the flavor.
The adventure is told in three chapters. The first, called "The City of Sound," takes place in New York City, early in the year 1971. It's a city of tension and contrast. Racial and economic division are seared into the skyline. Sleaze and scandal ran rampant. The Bowery was Skid Row. The subway was a decrepit, malfunctioning hellhole. The City was going bankrupt. The first OTB parlor opens, soon the sidewalks are littered with losing bets. Disco and it's polar opposite, punk, had yet to break, but they were coming on fast.
I'm folding in the atmosphere of NYC during the period, and the global situation as well. There are big events occurring, but in the tradition of Lovecraftian horror, much of these doings are veiled in mystery. To the sensitive they are merely unexplained coincidences, nearly all going totally unnoticed by the oblivious masses. The players will slowly gather clues to the true scope of the danger, and (hopefully) act before it is too late.
The scenario is pretty heavily scripted at points, this is not a sandbox game. I feel structure is vital to the horror genera. So many great movies would be ruined if the protagonists simply stuck together, or left the woods, or didn't go down to the basement. This is what my old roommate Dr. W., an ex-Lit. professor, calls the "Trapped in the Scary House" effect. The tension and dread come precisely from the limited number of options available. In the horror movie scenario, characters confront situations with no good choices. All paths are uncertain and lead to potential doom. The only thing you can do is shout at the screen and await the inevitable.
However, that's not to say the die is cast (so to speak, ha). There is a lot of opportunity for the players to approach these points from different angles, to gain or lose advantage. Cascading situations lead into one-another, a success will better their chances later on. The climax will occur no matter what, it's up to the players how to prepare. But they must act or humanity will end up another bug splatter on Cthulhu's cosmic windshield.
The adventure is told in three chapters. The first, called "The City of Sound," takes place in New York City, early in the year 1971. It's a city of tension and contrast. Racial and economic division are seared into the skyline. Sleaze and scandal ran rampant. The Bowery was Skid Row. The subway was a decrepit, malfunctioning hellhole. The City was going bankrupt. The first OTB parlor opens, soon the sidewalks are littered with losing bets. Disco and it's polar opposite, punk, had yet to break, but they were coming on fast.
I'm folding in the atmosphere of NYC during the period, and the global situation as well. There are big events occurring, but in the tradition of Lovecraftian horror, much of these doings are veiled in mystery. To the sensitive they are merely unexplained coincidences, nearly all going totally unnoticed by the oblivious masses. The players will slowly gather clues to the true scope of the danger, and (hopefully) act before it is too late.
The scenario is pretty heavily scripted at points, this is not a sandbox game. I feel structure is vital to the horror genera. So many great movies would be ruined if the protagonists simply stuck together, or left the woods, or didn't go down to the basement. This is what my old roommate Dr. W., an ex-Lit. professor, calls the "Trapped in the Scary House" effect. The tension and dread come precisely from the limited number of options available. In the horror movie scenario, characters confront situations with no good choices. All paths are uncertain and lead to potential doom. The only thing you can do is shout at the screen and await the inevitable.
However, that's not to say the die is cast (so to speak, ha). There is a lot of opportunity for the players to approach these points from different angles, to gain or lose advantage. Cascading situations lead into one-another, a success will better their chances later on. The climax will occur no matter what, it's up to the players how to prepare. But they must act or humanity will end up another bug splatter on Cthulhu's cosmic windshield.
2016-02-03
The Outer Presence - House Rules for the Campaign
The Outer Presence is a rules-lite cosmic horror investigation game system written by Venger As’Nas Satanis. It’s extremely spare mechanics have an emphasis on character interaction and pick-up-and-play ease of use.
The RPG rules are written explicitly as part of the Old School Revival (OSR) these rules minimize character creation and complex dice rolls. There is also some admirable use of dice to model task difficulty, familiar to anyone who has read D&D 5e rules, but definitely simpler and more widely applied. As well as a total removal of skills, weapon stats, and even ability scores. Although for my money I might argue it isn't OSR at all, but really an ultra-modern conceptual critique of old-school games masquerading as a retro-clone.
However, for my purposes it's too unforgiving. I have heavily modified the system, preserving the core mechanics, but reintroducing some of these classical elements, as well as some devices to promote party interaction. My goals are two-fold, 1) to introduce classic RPG elements to a players with varying levels of game expereience, and 2) to create a more survivable character for campaign play through.
First, I am going to restore ability scores (using Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Willpower, Charisma, and Appearance), but limit the range to Low, Medium, and High. I also won't be using dice, but instead having the Professions (character classes) determine the primary attributes and let the players choose the rest.
Second, I'm going to codify the Health and Sanity mechanics to clearly gauge the characters condition. Both will also work on a three state range. Health using, "Healthy," "Injured," "Wounded," and "Dead" for the final (or not so final) stage. While Sanity uses, "Sane," "Neurotic," "Disturbed," and "Insane" for the last stage. Each step after the first will have some effect or limitation on the character.
Finally, I'm going to expand on the Bonus Dice used in the game which players can spend to improve the chances on a roll. I'll increase the number they receive for effective role-play, and introduce Award Dice that players can give each other. To improve character survival I'll also allow the use of Bonus Dice to "buy down" negative Health and Sanity effects. Perhaps even use a rudimentary "level up" process to increase stats, etc.
I'm also working on the adventures. Imagine the setting as a Lovecraftian pastiche of an alternate 1971. One where history combines the familiar with tropes from Pynchon’s Inherent Vice and The Crying of Lot 49, the Principia Discordia and Shea & Wilson’s Illuminatus trilogy, as well as Charles Stross’ A Colder War and "Laundry" series, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics, and the seminal 70's TV show Project U.F.O., of course, prefiguring The X Files.
In the next post I'll present the narrative introduction to the campaign world.
The RPG rules are written explicitly as part of the Old School Revival (OSR) these rules minimize character creation and complex dice rolls. There is also some admirable use of dice to model task difficulty, familiar to anyone who has read D&D 5e rules, but definitely simpler and more widely applied. As well as a total removal of skills, weapon stats, and even ability scores. Although for my money I might argue it isn't OSR at all, but really an ultra-modern conceptual critique of old-school games masquerading as a retro-clone.
However, for my purposes it's too unforgiving. I have heavily modified the system, preserving the core mechanics, but reintroducing some of these classical elements, as well as some devices to promote party interaction. My goals are two-fold, 1) to introduce classic RPG elements to a players with varying levels of game expereience, and 2) to create a more survivable character for campaign play through.
First, I am going to restore ability scores (using Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Willpower, Charisma, and Appearance), but limit the range to Low, Medium, and High. I also won't be using dice, but instead having the Professions (character classes) determine the primary attributes and let the players choose the rest.
Second, I'm going to codify the Health and Sanity mechanics to clearly gauge the characters condition. Both will also work on a three state range. Health using, "Healthy," "Injured," "Wounded," and "Dead" for the final (or not so final) stage. While Sanity uses, "Sane," "Neurotic," "Disturbed," and "Insane" for the last stage. Each step after the first will have some effect or limitation on the character.
Finally, I'm going to expand on the Bonus Dice used in the game which players can spend to improve the chances on a roll. I'll increase the number they receive for effective role-play, and introduce Award Dice that players can give each other. To improve character survival I'll also allow the use of Bonus Dice to "buy down" negative Health and Sanity effects. Perhaps even use a rudimentary "level up" process to increase stats, etc.
I'm also working on the adventures. Imagine the setting as a Lovecraftian pastiche of an alternate 1971. One where history combines the familiar with tropes from Pynchon’s Inherent Vice and The Crying of Lot 49, the Principia Discordia and Shea & Wilson’s Illuminatus trilogy, as well as Charles Stross’ A Colder War and "Laundry" series, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics, and the seminal 70's TV show Project U.F.O., of course, prefiguring The X Files.
In the next post I'll present the narrative introduction to the campaign world.
2016-02-01
Review of "The Outer Presence"
A few months back the Escapist Magazine website had a short blurb on a new, rules-lite, Lovecraftian horror table-top RPG. It peaked my interest, I had been asked to run a new game, and I was looking for something besides Labyrinth Lord. I liked a lot about LL, and it has a ton of room for atmosphere, but the weakness of low level characters makes it a slog.
I bought a printed version of The Outer Presence (it comes with a PDF as well) which contains a rules system and scenario by Venger As'Nas Satanis. The book is nicely produced and has some very appropriate art. I am quite happy with the purchase. So when I say it's relatively short, I'm not complaining. The minimal approach to game mechanics is almost brutal. There are no weapon stats, no skills, no ability scores even. I salute the bravery to eliminate the core features of almost all other RPGs.
There are "professions" that act as character classes, and several tables of emotional and social traits to flesh out the character. Particularly psychological flaws which play an important part in the game. There are also rules for combat and of course insanity, which is central to cosmic horror. However they are so simple all roles are performed with a dice pool, which grows or shrinks based on difficulty. I especially like the odds used, because of the dice pool doesn't punish the player. There is always a 50% - 87% chance to succeed on any task that can be accomplished. Most other Old School Revival games take the "probably can't" approach to player chances. That's not hard core, it's boring.
The scenario is also interesting, a suitably globe spanning adventure set in the 1970s. I think that's an especially good milieu since it makes use of a very recognizable world, but removes many of the technological conveniences (like mobile phones, and internet research). This preserves an isolation that is realistic to the setting.
There are some rather "adult" situations described, but if the game were revised it would be perfect for a younger audience. I can easily see using a campfire tale, or Scooby Doo story line to good effect since the rules are so simple. It does make me think that Lovecraftian pastiche games could easily use a diceless system like Erick Wujcik's Amber (based on the Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber), or Lords of Gossamer and Shadow by Jason Durall.
In general, I like the approach and will definitely make use of the book as well as looking at Kort'thalis Publishing's other RPG, Crimson Dragon Slayer. I think that a heavily house-ruled version of The Outer Presence will be a good fit. Probably re-introducing some of the elements that have been left out to give a more classic feel without losing the minimalist element and focus on character psychology and interaction.
There are "professions" that act as character classes, and several tables of emotional and social traits to flesh out the character. Particularly psychological flaws which play an important part in the game. There are also rules for combat and of course insanity, which is central to cosmic horror. However they are so simple all roles are performed with a dice pool, which grows or shrinks based on difficulty. I especially like the odds used, because of the dice pool doesn't punish the player. There is always a 50% - 87% chance to succeed on any task that can be accomplished. Most other Old School Revival games take the "probably can't" approach to player chances. That's not hard core, it's boring.
The scenario is also interesting, a suitably globe spanning adventure set in the 1970s. I think that's an especially good milieu since it makes use of a very recognizable world, but removes many of the technological conveniences (like mobile phones, and internet research). This preserves an isolation that is realistic to the setting.
There are some rather "adult" situations described, but if the game were revised it would be perfect for a younger audience. I can easily see using a campfire tale, or Scooby Doo story line to good effect since the rules are so simple. It does make me think that Lovecraftian pastiche games could easily use a diceless system like Erick Wujcik's Amber (based on the Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber), or Lords of Gossamer and Shadow by Jason Durall.
In general, I like the approach and will definitely make use of the book as well as looking at Kort'thalis Publishing's other RPG, Crimson Dragon Slayer. I think that a heavily house-ruled version of The Outer Presence will be a good fit. Probably re-introducing some of the elements that have been left out to give a more classic feel without losing the minimalist element and focus on character psychology and interaction.
2012-09-21
Back to the Blog
Ho there traveller. It's a bit musty in here, but I've opened the doors again and tidy-ed up a bit. A new look, and a new phase for 7 Geases. I've made a new banner as well, this one's kind of a joke on my friend SBG's long standing complaints about my rampantly sexist web art. Well, here's some practical armor for the ladies, with a side of beefcake.
It's been a busy season, but I did run my Labyrinth Lord game. On the whole it was semi-successful!
It's hard to get 4-5 adults in the same room for several hours even once or twice a month. So I count myself lucky that we actually got 4 sessions into the game. However, I think if my campaign had really wow'd 'em it would have gone longer.
Sure, I've forgotten a lot about DMing, and that slows down the game. Also, playing computer RPGs doesn't equate with paper 'n pencil, so some of my assumptions about how familiar the players were, turned out to be wrong. And, I failed to take into account changing tastes in play style. I think mainly the pacing was off, and the atmosphere was a little weak.
I'm going to spend the next few posts discussing what went wrong, and even a bit about what went right. Then I'll talk about what I'd like to run next, if only I get the chance. Stay tuned for more.
It's been a busy season, but I did run my Labyrinth Lord game. On the whole it was semi-successful!
It's hard to get 4-5 adults in the same room for several hours even once or twice a month. So I count myself lucky that we actually got 4 sessions into the game. However, I think if my campaign had really wow'd 'em it would have gone longer.
Sure, I've forgotten a lot about DMing, and that slows down the game. Also, playing computer RPGs doesn't equate with paper 'n pencil, so some of my assumptions about how familiar the players were, turned out to be wrong. And, I failed to take into account changing tastes in play style. I think mainly the pacing was off, and the atmosphere was a little weak.
I'm going to spend the next few posts discussing what went wrong, and even a bit about what went right. Then I'll talk about what I'd like to run next, if only I get the chance. Stay tuned for more.
2012-01-22
Vanilla Classes and Sub-Classes in Labyrinth Lord
As I mentioned before I started planing for a Swords and Wizardry campaign and am in the process of shifting everything over to Labyrinth Lord. I had come up with a lot of good ideas for house rules that have no place in the better defined world of LL. However, I'm still going to add a few touches, especially to the character classes.
I've long felt the vanilla character classes don't receive the respect they ought and are overshadowed by the more imaginative sub-classes. I'm going to spice things up a bit by making a minor addition to each class and put some restrictions on the popular and over powered sub-classes. Actual house rules will be written on another page of the blog, but here is the general outline...
Cleric
Gains the skill Oratory which can be use in any neutral setting where the Cleric can address a large audience. The effects can vary, but all face these restrictions. The audience must be able to hear the Cleric and not become distracted during the oration. Also they must be willing to listen to the Cleric so NPCs of diametrically opposed alignment are not affected. This skill has no effect on other player characters.
Sermonize: Player dissuades audience from following a course of action.
Preach: Player can advise the audience or encourage them to adopt a new idea.
Harangue: Player whips some audience members into a fighting rage.
Fighter
Has Defensive Fighting which represents the martial skills of the trained warrior. The Parry option is very badly written and has no effect for most players since it relies upon the Strength bonus for effect (I'm going to make it have a value of at least 1 regardless for all classes). When not attacking in a round the Fighter gains a -1 bonus to AC which stacks with the STR bonus expressed as a negative number. A Zone-of-Control exists around the Fighter which enemies may not pass; 5' radius with a normal weapon or 10' radius with a polearm or oversized weapon. A Ripost attack may be made at -2 against one attacking enemy for each normal attack the Fighter gets each round.
Magic-User
Generally has great power later in the game, but needs help early on so they will receive an item. An Apprentice Wand is given to the Magic-User which contains one 1st level spell from their spell book or Magic Missile. The wand has a maximum of 1d4+2 charges and may be recharged the normal way, by casting the spell into it. When recharging roll 1d20 and on a fumble the maximum number of charges is reduced by 1.
Thief
May use Combat Stealth to get behind an enemy. A player may opt to use the skill instead of attacking he/she may move around an opponent who is engaged in melee with another character. It does not result in a Backstab, but in a rear attack which is against the raw AC (no Dexterity or shield bonus).
Sub-Classes
As a whole they do not have individual restrictions, but as a group they have role play requirements in the form of Story Obsessions. Every so often the player will encounter a mundane situation that has special relevance to their sub-class. A special herb may exist in this region, or a desecrated shrine might need to be restored, or maybe a rare book is seen on a shelf. Whatever the specifics the player must succeed in gaining the item or finishing the activity. If they do not accomplish this in one week they will act as a character 1 level below their current experience until they do so.
I've long felt the vanilla character classes don't receive the respect they ought and are overshadowed by the more imaginative sub-classes. I'm going to spice things up a bit by making a minor addition to each class and put some restrictions on the popular and over powered sub-classes. Actual house rules will be written on another page of the blog, but here is the general outline...
Cleric
Gains the skill Oratory which can be use in any neutral setting where the Cleric can address a large audience. The effects can vary, but all face these restrictions. The audience must be able to hear the Cleric and not become distracted during the oration. Also they must be willing to listen to the Cleric so NPCs of diametrically opposed alignment are not affected. This skill has no effect on other player characters.
Sermonize: Player dissuades audience from following a course of action.
Preach: Player can advise the audience or encourage them to adopt a new idea.
Harangue: Player whips some audience members into a fighting rage.
Fighter
Has Defensive Fighting which represents the martial skills of the trained warrior. The Parry option is very badly written and has no effect for most players since it relies upon the Strength bonus for effect (I'm going to make it have a value of at least 1 regardless for all classes). When not attacking in a round the Fighter gains a -1 bonus to AC which stacks with the STR bonus expressed as a negative number. A Zone-of-Control exists around the Fighter which enemies may not pass; 5' radius with a normal weapon or 10' radius with a polearm or oversized weapon. A Ripost attack may be made at -2 against one attacking enemy for each normal attack the Fighter gets each round.
Magic-User
Generally has great power later in the game, but needs help early on so they will receive an item. An Apprentice Wand is given to the Magic-User which contains one 1st level spell from their spell book or Magic Missile. The wand has a maximum of 1d4+2 charges and may be recharged the normal way, by casting the spell into it. When recharging roll 1d20 and on a fumble the maximum number of charges is reduced by 1.
Thief
May use Combat Stealth to get behind an enemy. A player may opt to use the skill instead of attacking he/she may move around an opponent who is engaged in melee with another character. It does not result in a Backstab, but in a rear attack which is against the raw AC (no Dexterity or shield bonus).
Sub-Classes
As a whole they do not have individual restrictions, but as a group they have role play requirements in the form of Story Obsessions. Every so often the player will encounter a mundane situation that has special relevance to their sub-class. A special herb may exist in this region, or a desecrated shrine might need to be restored, or maybe a rare book is seen on a shelf. Whatever the specifics the player must succeed in gaining the item or finishing the activity. If they do not accomplish this in one week they will act as a character 1 level below their current experience until they do so.
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