In order to get the players I want, I have decided to set a pre-game. Each player will start a solo game on its own, at its home town or whatever place he or she is at the start of her or his adventuring career. That is, everyone starts at first level and I will play solo adventures for a while, until all characters finally meet (about a year later, in game time). That way, when we really start as a group, I hope I should only have really interested players and interesting characters.
If you are still interested, we will be using D&D rules as basis, but most of the play will basically be rule-free. Posts should be in-character and game mechanics should be dealt with in a different email or clearly separated from the in-character part. The game will not be free-form, but you will have some liberty on controlling your character and the outcome of his actions, although my word will always be final. We will also be using an old TSR setting, Mystara, to save me enough time to focus on the plotting and the story going on. However, there are enough twists that you should be checking with me even if you know the setting very well. Many of those will not be readily noticed initially, but they are there.
No familiarity with the setting or the game rules is required as that should come naturally as we work to create your PCs and they have their first adventures. The first thing I need is an idea for your character. By that, I mean things like personality, a short story about her/him that reflects the fact all characters have no experience and a few details about the people he/she depends on (family, friends, etc.). Once that is ready, you should be able to send me a character sheet (I can help with that, if needed) and we can start playing the solo game. There is only one requirement about your character interests, so that I can bring everyone who keeps playing together later. A number of posts have been distributed in many cities around the Known World, inviting adventurers willing to accept a dangerous task:
“To all adventures seeking glory and fame
A task of great importance requires the assistance of resourceful adventurers. Interested people should ask for Dombur Deephill at The Never-Empty Flagon Bar in Selenica at the third day of Kaldmont, in the year of 1004 AC. Not a day earlier or later.”
It seems a normal post. But, as the PCs read the post, the month is Kaldmont, but the day is 24 and the year, 1003AC. And somehow, it catches the attention of your PC, who plans to attend it. Other than that, the PCs will be completely free to decide on their course of actions (some might even decide later not to show at the inn, but they should plan to be there, at first).
Finally, you should expect to gain some experience prior to the meeting and find a way to get to Selenica in time. The amount of experience will depend on the actions of your character during this one year period.
So, send me your initial ideas at [email]ilsundal@gmail.com[/email] for a PC and get ready for trouble for a long time. Expect a game where things have been thought to make sense and where if something seems odd, there is probably a reason for that (or I will make one, as needed).
“To all adventures seeking glory and fame
A task of great importance requires the assistance of resourceful adventurers. Interested people should ask for Dombur Deephill at The Never-Empty Flagon Bar in Selenica at the third day of Kaldmont, in the year of 1004 AC. Not a day earlier or later.”
Wee!
It's the first time I've seen one of "my" inns used in somebody else's game. Makes me all warm inside. Thank you.BTW, sounds like an interesting concept. I might send you a character proposal even :P
:-) Jesper
You say you are using D&D - does that include add-ons from Dragon magazine, or from the Vaults? What is absolutely, unequivocally, not allowed (i.e., evil PCs, etc.)?
Geoff
Wee!
BTW, sounds like an interesting concept. I might send you a character proposal even :P
:-) Jesper
I was looking for a good inn in Selenica and found yours. It fitted nicely with what I had in mind, so I decided to use it. I might use a few others at some point later, if players look for inns. Thanks for it.
Feel free to send a concept. I have had several people asking for the game, but haven't decided anything yet. Not officially, at least.
You've got my interest! I have a couple of quick questions for you, to help me develop a character proposal.
You say you are using D&D - does that include add-ons from Dragon magazine, or from the Vaults? What is absolutely, unequivocally, not allowed (i.e., evil PCs, etc.)?
Geoff
Hi, Great Old One
I haven't made out the details of everything I will use. I actually prefer to have people asking if something specific is allowed, so that I can check if it fits the campaign and is not too unbalanced. Having said that, the Vaults are a good bet, since many of the things there should, at least, fit with the campaign. And, since I will have to check the material, I should have access to it (if it is about Mystara, I have it, with the exception of a few adventures modules). What exactly do you have in mind?
On evil, I have no problem with that, as long as it is played with intelligence (something I am confident you would). That is, really mad characters, those who are always looking for ways to hurt their companions would be disruptive and wouldn’t last long anyway. But something more subtle, the kind of evil that PCs could be friends of and cooperate with, that’d be ok.
About other restrictions, I might also allow a couple of characters of unusual, mystaran races, within reason. But it wouldn’t make much sense to have a group of treants gathering in an inn in Selenica as the game starts.