Death by ExilelostsatyrApril 26 2012, 20:13:38 UTC
I like the idea. I thought it was really neat when I first read it.
Having said that, there are potential problems. First, which it doesn't sound like you are doing, is if you have pcs that are NeoBedowins (sp) or Skyfolk already outside the city. That would have the potential for having the players fight with each other and even posibly not get to plot/other location. (A bad version of the Dresden UBCon game or your earlier year Lost Airship game.)
2nd would be a similar problem with NeoVictorian Class warfare. That could probably be ok, but the potential for players to infight depends on the background you write for the characters. My 2 cents is to not build in something where the players have an excuse to have their pcs attack other pcs. Tying them together is good, or start them out with a threat to all of them straight off.
Re: Death by ExiletamminnannyApril 26 2012, 23:10:20 UTC
No, no, the group would all be NeoVictorians. I'm not quite that foolish... this time.
Class warfare is something I had given some thought to, but have not quite yet resolved. Most of the PCs would be Lower or Servant Class, maybe a stowaway Misbegotten or Automaton. Any Upper Class PCs I include will have to have something that makes them indispensable to the rest of the party... or (as you wisely suggested), I need to figure out something to tie them all together from the get-go. There are one or two ideas I'm toying with in that direction, but nothing solid yet.
There will be Skyfolk and/or NeoBedouin NPCs, I'm thinking. Since I'm still in the planning stages, I just haven't figured where yet, much less keeping the party from attacking them at the outset!
Re: Death by ExilelostsatyrApril 27 2012, 17:04:29 UTC
NPCs - say obviously better armed/outnumber the PCs and/or have something the PCs need.
PC upper class - could have a good reputation amoung the lower class and/or might have a useful skill, notable medical.
Personally I'm all for the Misbegotton and Automaton, as I'd tend to gravitate tword them. Hm, an automaton that likes one of the upper class pcs & stowed away to help him/her?
Heir of the House of HeterodynelostsatyrApril 26 2012, 20:18:40 UTC
That sounds like fun. I think you could do a good job with it. Research is necessary but should be enjoyable :) There's the potential for using illustrations as support for the game.
I'm interested. I did a bit of research a while back for a character's background and had him grow up in that area, though a bit earlier in time.
In general, the setting has the potential for interesting characters. The setting is exotic, but familiar. Should be easier to research, as it is local.
Biggest problem I can think of is the historical era is more restrictive of women (which M has commented on as a reason she doesn't like historical settings.) Ideally, female pcs should have as much freedom to act as male pcs, not only in background, but when interacting with npcs. And that's what I'd have to do to run something like it with M. (I think I'd go for a fantasy variant. I could try out the "Victoriana" system. No idea about Cartomancer, if it's fantasyish.)
Re: Canal StreettamminnannyApril 26 2012, 21:53:02 UTC
Cartomancer is an open system, but the setting connected to it takes place at the Chicago World Fair. So I think its creator was thinking more steampunk/gaslight fantasy than anything else.
And women were not quite as restricted as one might think. In Victorian England, oh my yes. And the society elite were certainly constrained. But shop girls, artists, dancers, factory workers, cooks, wives, nurses, scientists, teachers, nuns, charity workers and rebellious daughters were just as likely to be wandering around cities in Continental Europe and the United States. And while their interactions with npcs may be constrained by the social mores of the times, it also depends on the context.
Besides, you know me. Have I ever provided a character for con that was boring? :)
Re: Canal StreetlostsatyrApril 27 2012, 17:27:29 UTC
*chuckles* You don't do boring.
Hm, I think M's concern came up after being in another person's game. Given you're you and you're aware of the concern, I'm sure you'll do a fine job.
System-wise, I'm going to suggest Cartomancer. Not having played it I'm curious, and think other (experienced) players would be interested in trying a new system. The other reason is I tend to find the new WOD characters underpowered when using skills. Perhaps I've gotten spoiled by systems with points for dramatic actions....
Comments 7
Having said that, there are potential problems. First, which it doesn't sound like you are doing, is if you have pcs that are NeoBedowins (sp) or Skyfolk already outside the city. That would have the potential for having the players fight with each other and even posibly not get to plot/other location. (A bad version of the Dresden UBCon game or your earlier year Lost Airship game.)
2nd would be a similar problem with NeoVictorian Class warfare. That could probably be ok, but the potential for players to infight depends on the background you write for the characters. My 2 cents is to not build in something where the players have an excuse to have their pcs attack other pcs. Tying them together is good, or start them out with a threat to all of them straight off.
Reply
Class warfare is something I had given some thought to, but have not quite yet resolved. Most of the PCs would be Lower or Servant Class, maybe a stowaway Misbegotten or Automaton. Any Upper Class PCs I include will have to have something that makes them indispensable to the rest of the party... or (as you wisely suggested), I need to figure out something to tie them all together from the get-go. There are one or two ideas I'm toying with in that direction, but nothing solid yet.
There will be Skyfolk and/or NeoBedouin NPCs, I'm thinking. Since I'm still in the planning stages, I just haven't figured where yet, much less keeping the party from attacking them at the outset!
Reply
PC upper class - could have a good reputation amoung the lower class and/or might have a useful skill, notable medical.
Personally I'm all for the Misbegotton and Automaton, as I'd tend to gravitate tword them. Hm, an automaton that likes one of the upper class pcs & stowed away to help him/her?
Reply
Reply
In general, the setting has the potential for interesting characters. The setting is exotic, but familiar. Should be easier to research, as it is local.
Biggest problem I can think of is the historical era is more restrictive of women (which M has commented on as a reason she doesn't like historical settings.) Ideally, female pcs should have as much freedom to act as male pcs, not only in background, but when interacting with npcs. And that's what I'd have to do to run something like it with M. (I think I'd go for a fantasy variant. I could try out the "Victoriana" system. No idea about Cartomancer, if it's fantasyish.)
Reply
And women were not quite as restricted as one might think. In Victorian England, oh my yes. And the society elite were certainly constrained. But shop girls, artists, dancers, factory workers, cooks, wives, nurses, scientists, teachers, nuns, charity workers and rebellious daughters were just as likely to be wandering around cities in Continental Europe and the United States. And while their interactions with npcs may be constrained by the social mores of the times, it also depends on the context.
Besides, you know me. Have I ever provided a character for con that was boring? :)
Reply
Hm, I think M's concern came up after being in another person's game. Given you're you and you're aware of the concern, I'm sure you'll do a fine job.
System-wise, I'm going to suggest Cartomancer. Not having played it I'm curious, and think other (experienced) players would be interested in trying a new system. The other reason is I tend to find the new WOD characters underpowered when using skills. Perhaps I've gotten spoiled by systems with points for dramatic actions....
Reply
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