GrogHeads Forum

I'm back in the planning stages for a play-by-post forum RPG session.

I've narrowed down the options to some of the more seasonal themes, being October, but also threw in a couple other dark/grim themed games on top of the horror-investigation & monster hunting ones.  I mean... I'm always up for a decent cyberpunk romp if everyone isn't up for the horror stuff.  :coolsmiley:

The PbtA, i.e. "Powered by the Apocalypse", ones are probably the quickest to teach & get running.  Not to mention each character type has their own character sheet on which the player can read & choose all the character creation options on which is pretty handy.  Anyone familiar with Dungeon World, Apocalypse World, or many of the others using the PbtA system would be familiar.

The Savage Worlds system in Deadlands Reloaded uses a deck of poker cards for a few things, aside from the usual RPG dice.  Such as determining initiative, gun duels, and huckster magic.  I'll have to use an outside source to digitally deal cards to you guys, or just use my own.  Either way, the card deals will have to be done on my end and the results posted via text or screenshot in the forum game.  Shouldn't be a big deal.  Get it?   :))

Vote for two you're interested in.  Or vote for one you really want and pick "none" for emphasis.  I'll leave this running a few days before studying up on the chosen one.  I'll break any ties for lead.


I hope to eventually do at least one session for most on this list.  Gotta start somewhere, however.

Not much into horror stuff, but Grim and Perilous or a Cyberpunk setting would definately tickle my ticksticles. 😜

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 11, 2018, 07:32:38 AM
Not much into horror stuff, but Grim and Perilous or a Cyberpunk setting would definately tickle my ticksticles. 😜

I think the cyberpunk one would be much easier to run than most of the others (except maybe Monster of the Week).  Just wondering if many would be interested in the genre.  As with most PbtA based games it encourages more player involvement in the world-building as you go.  Lotsa potential without a bunch of boggy minutiae.

Wouldn't mind waiting until the new Zweihander expansion & such ships before jumping into that one.  Although the core book already has a huge amount of content so it's not necessary to wait.

I tried to get a CoC game going and failed.  I have a scenario I ran that has extensive visuals that would work.

Although we are limited to two choices, I'm willing to give anything a try as long as it does not involve skype.

Quote from: airboy on October 11, 2018, 04:28:30 PM
I tried to get a CoC game going and failed.  I have a scenario I ran that has extensive visuals that would work.

Although we are limited to two choices, I'm willing to give anything a try as long as it does not involve skype.

With all the problems of getting people together at specific times, for long stretches, I thought it best to just do some play-by-post here.  That way everyone can get to it at a fairly leisurely pace without having to schedule real-time sessions.

I think a CoC game would be fine, although it's not my first choice to run myself.  I'll keep an eye out for any future one you propose now that I've got more free time lately.   \m/

Nef IF its going to be a Cyberpunk setting which ruleset will you be using?

Cast my votes but having said that, I'd be down for pretty much anything.

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 12, 2018, 04:13:26 AM
Nef IF its going to be a Cyberpunk setting which ruleset will you be using?

Probably the one mentioned above, The Sprawl.    ~~>  https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171286/The-Sprawl----MIDNIGHT

Alternatively, I could substitute Interface Zero 2.0 (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/124685/Interface-Zero-20-Full-Metal-Cyberpunk) for either the Savage Worlds system or Fate Core.  Interface Zero 2.0 differs in that it has a bit more fantasy to it regarding psionic abilities, but it's still pretty great.  Really just up to which flavor of cyberpunk is preferred, along with game system.

I added IFZ2.0 option to poll if you'd prefer that one.  Vote!

Have you ever heard of Alpha and Omega?
It was a labour of love by a very small studio. Their rulebook and first supplement got released but they went under quickly afterwards.
It's a very cool dystopian universe setting with gorgeous graphics and the coolest part is that its magic system is pretty much boundless.
If you'd like to know more drop me a PM and I can hook you up.

I voted Zweihander but might be up for something Savage Worlds although to be honest, I'm not really a fan of Steampunk/cyberpunk stuff.

Just curious, with Savage Worlds, how were you planning to handle opposed rolls and soak stuff where the PC gets to act before the result is confirmed?

Ok I missed the poll at the top. Voted now.
With Zweihander and Conan at in the list my choice is made pretty easy! One of them of course! With a slight preference for Conan. :smitten:

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 15, 2018, 04:07:22 AM
With a slight preference for Conan. :smitten:

Aye, by Crom!

(oops...hinted at my vote there  ;) )

Quote from: Double Deuce on October 15, 2018, 03:29:48 AM
I voted Zweihander but might be up for something Savage Worlds although to be honest, I'm not really a fan of Steampunk/cyberpunk stuff.

Just curious, with Savage Worlds, how were you planning to handle opposed rolls and soak stuff where the PC gets to act before the result is confirmed?

Most RPGs have opposed rolls these days, along with some multi-stage options during die roll resolutions. 

I'll examine the specifics more closely once I get an idea of which we want to start with.  But for such things there is often probably more than one way to skin a cat. 

If needing to speed it up, the player can always make both rolls at once, doing both their own and any NPC opposition's roll, after the numerical details are stated up front.  With the forum dice roller, it should be quick & easy.  Likewise, (potential) damage can be rolled at the same time as every attack. 

A similar situation exists in many games which have optional point/token spends to help players mitigate bad dice rolls and cram risk/reward gambits into the mechanics at their choosing.  Such as 2d20's Momentum & Doom pools, Savage World's "Bennies", and ye olde WFRP-style Fate points in Zweihander.   We'll just have to remember to opt using them before (no extra step) or after a roll (extra step).  Also of extra note:  the extra successes that can be spent doing extra or fancy stuff after each roll (in SW & especially Conan).  I think that is where the most common case will be, but it's also pretty cool especially when players start freewheeling cinematic suggestions with it.

While I'd like to keep PbP as streamlined as possible, I also don't want to cut any major facet out.  So when in doubt we'll just take the extra step and I'll attempt to consolidate replies in order to have multiple players making decisions each time.  That said, I'll drill down deeper once we got a specific one nailed down.   :bd:

Thus far, it looks like Conan and Zweihander are at the top of the list.

Will leave the poll up awhile longer, but will start getting up to speed on one of those.

Although Conan has a very nice online character generator for players, I'm leaning towards Zweihander if only because the core mechanic requires less back & forth. 

I would normally much prefer the 2d20 system to the olde d100 system, but it requires more interaction due to the extra success & point spends involved in each roll.  Was still tempted to run it, but being a PbP game I think Zweihander would be more ideal to keep things moving faster. 

Unless more of you would prefer Conan over Zweihander?  I mean.. we'd still save a lot of time with Conan in being able to create your own characters online, as opposed to having to make a pile of random die rolls to create your Zwei characters (gonna have you make 2, choose one to start with and keep the other as backup).     

Preferences between the two?

No preferences here myself.

For either game option, would supplemental books (i.e. Main Gauche for Zweihander, Book of Thieves for Conan, etc.) be used or is that a little cart-before-the-horse at this point?

Quote from: Dammit Carl! on October 23, 2018, 07:08:43 AM
No preferences here myself.

For either game option, would supplemental books (i.e. Main Gauche for Zweihander, Book of Thieves for Conan, etc.) be used or is that a little cart-before-the-horse at this point?

Zweihander would just be the core book at the moment.  Since Main Gauche isn't technically finished, I didn't plan on delving into it yet.

For Conan, I'd definitely add the Thief, Barbarian, and Book Of Skelos expansions at a minimum.  At least for character creation options.  I believe the online char gen site also has the Pirate option along with those, but probably won't mess with that yet (not necessarily going to be a heavy seagoing theme anyway).

As for general themes, Zweihander would have the WFRP-esque dark renaissance travails of lowly peasants, oddballs, and ne'er-do-wells finding increasingly dangerous and disturbing trouble in a world being consumed by dark entities and their conspiracies.  Can be rather brutal.

Conan, on the other hand, would also be dark but ultimately more heroic in nature & action.  Instead of starting off as average joes, they'll already be somewhat capable and have a history.  Would naturally be more pulpy, such as finding ancient ruins and wicked things more sensible dregs would leave alone.

:nerd:

I have a strong preference for Conan.

I am feeling Conan more than Zwei, but that's just because I am more familiar with the setting.

I have no preference, really. Both games are interesting!  :bd:

I don't really have a preference either way. I have never played either system.

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 23, 2018, 04:38:25 PM
I am feeling Conan more than Zwei, but that's just because I am more familiar with the setting.

I have no preference, really. Both games are interesting!  :bd:

Quote from: airboy on October 23, 2018, 11:49:06 AM
I have a strong preference for Conan.

Quote from: Double Deuce on October 23, 2018, 05:17:51 PM
I don't really have a preference either way. I have never played either system.

Sounds like Conan is at the top!

:bd:

Should we start rolling a character?
Any restrictions you want to impose (I have all books)

I am looking forward to Hyborea!

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 29, 2018, 06:40:02 AM
Should we start rolling a character?
Any restrictions you want to impose (I have all books)

I am looking forward to Hyborea!

If you wanna jump early on character creation, then go for it.  O0

Use the RE Howard's Conan online character generator here (http://conan.frostkin-development.se/).  Check the Thief, Barbarian, Skelos, and Mercenary boxes so the extra character options from those are available.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Conan system, I'd recommend using the "Play The Hand That Your Are Dealt" which will randomize some stuff, but still give you narrowed down options where to spend some of your skill points.  Or just play around with it to get an idea how it works since it not only includes attribute & skill numbers but generates some background.  It's a nice mix of random gen and choice.

Feel free to use any of the four generation methods other than 'Shadows of the Past'.  They range from Normal (lots of choosing?) to Random.

Save your chosen character's PDF after you've generated it on that site.  Will have you attach a copy later.

I'll create a new Conan thread in the forum game section later for an official thread, and link it here, once I have written a summary of the game basics.  Those unfamiliar with the game can wait until I fill them in on the basics of the rules so they will know what is what before making a character.  May still be awhile before I get that 'Wall Of Text Crit' done.  Doesn't mean you can't play around with the char gen in the meantime, though.  8)

That character generator is the bees-knees.  Thanks!

Wow, that auto-generator was more indepth than I was expecting. But I got a PC now.    :knuppel2:

Dear GM, might I propose something here:



I'd like to put Microsoft OneNote out there for a fantastic way to organise playing.
Each player can get his own topic in the notebook and the GM notes can be shut off by password.
Its a neat way to keep things organised and easy for everyone to keep track of what's going on.
Of course there are similar tools out there, but OneNote is free and already included in Win 10 if you run that.

Just my 2 cents.

If the link above doesn't show here is the weblink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqhePj9ratI

What type of characters are you playing?  What does the party need?  I can play most anything.

Quote from: Yskonyn on October 30, 2018, 09:36:48 AM
Dear GM, might I propose something here:
<..>

I'd like to put Microsoft OneNote out there for a fantastic way to organise playing.
Each player can get his own topic in the notebook and the GM notes can be shut off by password.
Its a neat way to keep things organised and easy for everyone to keep track of what's going on.
Of course there are similar tools out there, but OneNote is free and already included in Win 10 if you run that.

Just my 2 cents.

If the link above doesn't show here is the weblink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqhePj9ratI

Thanks Yassy!  I'll check it out!

Quote from: airboy on October 30, 2018, 11:45:16 AM
What type of characters are you playing?  What does the party need?  I can play most anything.

Would probably be a good idea to coordinate with the others for covering a wider range of skills.

Sorcerer types aren't essential but someone can run one if they want.  Alchemy and Sorcery skills are the sorcerer's thing.  Sorcery also requires a Feat to provide spell(s) as the skill, alone, is basically just knowledge & a cast check thing.  Sorcerers have to make deals with unseemly types, such as another sorcerer or demons of the outer dark, in order to learn each spell.  Alchemy (petty magic) is what you'd expect: making explosive grenade-type devices, blinding powders, etc. 

Mostly the scholars and priests are the archetypes which have some segue into optionally getting those sorcerer skills. 

One of the things I like about Conan 2d20 is how comparatively effective the weapons can be.  While that battle axe can potentially do more damage, a dagger or staff can keep up quite well and potentially be as deadly depending on the skill of the user & playing to it's strengths.  None of that straight-up 1d4 vs 1d8 damage jive.   8)  Less rules push towards min-max'ing those.   :bd:

I wanted to post some tips regarding which skills are used for what, as the online chargen probably doesn't specify.  Will add that in the basic rules rundown.

As for character choices, go with what you want. 

I will generally tailor the experience towards what you chose for you characters to be better at.  Your skill choices are an indicator, to me, of what type of game you want.   <:-)

I constructed a pretty straight forward thief with a merchant background.  File is too large to post here.  You can pm me on a "real" email account and I'll send it to you.

I rolled a Khitan herder of noble origins.
He is specialised in wolf hunting and comes equipped with a war steed!
Due to his training he is also adept at basic wound dressing and field healing.
He favour sword and shield and spear and shield and is fast and fit and a competent warrior.
He is self reliant, has a good sense of responsibility and is honorable.
He also gets haunted by nightmares on a regular basis.

Awesome.  I like the enthusiasm.  :coolsmiley:

Although I don't really expect to get this officially rolling until after the holidays are over.  Would rather it go steadily for awhile, at first, without too much interruption (including my own). 

I'll get some player aids fixed up, and other prep, in the meantime.  Will PM you guys my email when ready to collect your sheets and update here about it.


When we start the game it will be with your characters already having known each other, bonded by something in their backstories (a la Powered By The Apocalypse games).  Nothing fancy or long-winded needed, and I'll put up a few suggestions for such ties along with the player aids.  There will be at least a minimal amount of backstory for each.  The rest can be elucidated later in play as we want

Also none of that, "you meet in a tavern" time-wasting bullshit;  Crom thinks it is a weak and pitiable way to start.  We'll likely start "in media res" or something close to it.   \m/

The 2d20 system has a LOT of back & forth due to all the extra Options For Badassery, so combat may take longer than other RPGs via forum play.  On the bright side, you'll be spending points after attacks for such things as kicking tables into faces, using your enemies' bodies as shields or battering rams, etc.  Not to mention the displays of might & power to make the rest tremble or flee in terror after decapitating their brethren and other showy gesticulations.  Gonna be some fun point spends, and it's part of the game mechanics.    ^-^

Schweet.

I've got, like, 4 separate characters created via the online generator and my current two faves are an Gunderland escaped serf/slave and the Turanian with mad animal handling skills (I think).

Gonna come down to a coin toss, I think.

I'll roll up a few more as well. Perhaps some are useful as NPC's. :)