Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aryxbez 09-17-07, 07:20 PM	I mean the whole cowboys, using D&D elements into it. Do you think it can be done? Races:Humans(obviously), Dwarves, Halflings,Gnomes? (unsure), and the JANGO (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=915024). I also am considering using the Injury (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/injury.htm) Hit point variant, so that it captures the idea gun fights= all hell is a breakin loose! Monsters: Plan to use creatures from the monster manual, of course not all of them, I know I am going to use ogres. Then there is the idea I have for the guns. I got the inspiration for the idea on a thread a long time ago that was talking about a gun that shot magic or something of that cool sort. Any way I was going with the idea of these unique guns that are tied to the characters emotions (explain the next bit), also are going to be treated like legacy weapons, that they give powers as the hombre's level up. Normal guns can hardly hurt monsters, such as Ogres, as they have DR or otherwise are strong against mere bullets. But the Unique guns fire magical enhanced bullets of great emotion.Also that these guns are given to only truly unique individuals, such as the PC's and other various powerful outlaws and such. Each PC I hope will have a unique gun from each other. Risk Points: Also If anyone has ever played Vagrant story (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagrant_story), they will know what I am going to be talking about. I want to implement the idea of Risk points into the game. Basically it would start at zero, then increase to 100(maximum). The Higher it got the less accurate you become, however the more damage you would deal. I was thinking of going with a Percentile for this, however was having slight trouble with how much should accumulate each time. Otherwise figured the damage would be about +1 per 5%-10%, and before you make an attack, you would roll the percentile and failure meant you missed, perhaps might make it where you shoot in a random direction. I want this so gunfights are even seen as hectic and also could be explained from the fact the guns go off the PC's emotions, thus when panic and gunfight break loose, your gun becomes frantic also. As far as a setting goes, I haven't much, but I will use a mostly desert like area to set the whole look of the wild west and such. EDIT: this is what I have put for the setting currently. Races: (as repeated above) Humans(obviously), Dwarves, Halflings,Gnomes? (unsure), and the JANGO (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=915024), Orcs and Drow Humans: Simple and typical, fill much of the towns and such of the western lands. Mostly civilized, rare to see a human of more savage, indian like customs like the other savage races. Dwarves: Expert Craftsmen they be, thus known for their ability to make high quality guns. Also few of them that go out to search for gold. Halflings: Nomadic race, as so travel is common for them, as thus are commonly merchants, pioneers and such. Gnomes: Other than curious nature tending to be scientists, also usually become miners seeking gold. JANGO (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=915024): Tribal race, filling the role of indian types. Orcs: Another Savage race, unlike the JANGO living out their lives peaceful like, Orcs take to Banditry, otherwise the outlaws of the land. Drow: What campaign would be complete without at least some Anachronism? The Drow are a strange society, Pretty much like the Italian mafia. Wearing suits, even the owning of Tommy guns (even though they've not been invented yet). Take refuge usually in the undergrounds of a town, and become the new law, take over to make money obviously. Unsure otherwise, however for considering: Dire Bandicoot, well since they're just rats, I'm guessing using Dire rat will work. Dragons: I don't plan for many dragons, so to make sense of the world and make them unique. I'm thinking of 3 dragons, however have only these ideas: -Skeleton/lich/undead like dragon that is equipped with Mecha like armor suit that allows it to fly via steam like jets, copter blades, probably has those fan like hover craft looking thanks on it's sides. The suit packing Two big gatling like cannons, considering ability to spew forth small minion bots, and maybe some form of an alternative to the dragon breath weapon. -Stanley Steamer dragon, idea from taradusis,ideas are still under wraps, however got these qualities: 8 legged Breathe steam to use the concealment as it's own cover vs attacks of it's enemies Burrowing capabilities with them legs, also moves quickly, turning slowly can just be a visual effect mearly could go on hind legs to gain additional Foreclaw attacks Favors attacking locomotive like devices on Instinct (Deadlands I'm sure has some locomotives, otherwise Trains fit the bill nicely). Goblins: Unsure if they should exist or not, that would already be adding alot more creatures that the habitat might not be able to provide. Gnolls: have 40-50ft speed, to represent their hyena like nature, also their shields will be of wood, painted like the saxons or something, all red and such. -which likely means their axes should be like the fransica, pretty much a throwing battle axe a bit heavier than normal. likely have 20ft or so range. Otherwise there because of jangos, they're allies with them. Ogres: Now have DR 10/magic, thus those with them "shiny trinkets"(legacy weapons) can go through their DR. Some things I'm considering... -changing their clubs to great axes of their size. -giving them ability with their slams: essentially awesome blow Feat, but when they hit you unarmed or something. -Perhaps Rock throwing, as to kinda establish them as the mighty giants of the setting. Also since rocks I'm sure are easier to get than spears. I also think I will use Deadlands D20 for this (I have access to the book), So, what do you guys think? I would like to hear your guys suggestions and reasons of course.
Danahan 09-17-07, 11:42 PM	Yeah, it can be done! I ran a 19th century gothic horror campaign in the style of Masque of the Red Death. It ran very smoothly. I’m starting it up again this October. You would probably get a ton of ideas from the video game Gun. I don’t know if you’ve ever played it or not, but its worth checking out. In addition to firearms, there should also be dynamite, whiskey bombs (motolov cocktails), and possibly even pipe bombs.
JulesCARV 09-18-07, 12:13 AM	I sorta liked the Western game in Something Positive (http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp04032006.shtml). We didn't see enough of it to make a setting of it or anything, but I think it had a few neat ideas nonetheless.
lulzapalooza 09-18-07, 01:10 PM	There's a western roleplaying game called West you should check out, and I vaguely remember hearing that at the same time as the original D&D game came out TSR also released "bootstrap hill" which never really got that well recognized.
doomblade403x 09-18-07, 01:45 PM	Deadlands....
ORC_Sinister 09-24-07, 07:34 AM	Deadlands was quite probably the best RPG at theme ever done. The d20 stuff is crap... a hack version of the original stuff at best but I completely recommend the original stuff and to a lessor extent the reloaded material.
Aryxbez 09-24-07, 04:45 PM	I assume you are referring to the D10 version that I assume it once was? Well, I'm unsure on it, as I never cared to try D10, D10 is mostly roleplaying anyways, I like to have a balance between the two. This is truly a first for me to hear the comments from a WizO. Surely there are others who have read my original post who have things to say about that?
Aryxbez 12-22-07, 02:00 PM	I have added parts for the setting, there are some things that have gone unanswered that I hope will get some feedback or get done perhaps. Risk points, as said above, what do you guys think of this? I also plan to post this in the D20 video game forums as well. On monsters, I was wanting ideas for 3 unique dragons, as that is the most that I plan to have in my game so to make sense of the world and to make them unique. -Skeleton/lich/undead like dragon that is equipped with Mecha like armor suit that allows it to fly via steam like jets, copter blades, probably has those fan like hover craft looking thanks on it's sides. The suit packing Two big gatling like cannons, considering ability to spew forth small minion bots, and maybe some form of an alternative to the dragon breath weapon. It's Located in a literal no mans land, I guess eliminating anything that enters it's domain. It's assumed eternal, as it needs not to eat not being truly alive. I would guess even through death it collects loads upon loads of gold and such. So thus people wish to seek it out to get rich, assuming they even make it there, can find it, and then take it's treasure that it guards pretty well. As taking it out is practically suicide what with flying and the loads of lead it will fly out. Another thing of monsters and Injury (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/injury.htm) variant, I was thinking for some of the creatures, using HP. Such as for ogres and the dragon I described above, as the dragon would likely not have much hp, as it's undead, the hp it would have at least, would probably be slightly balanced with this Injury variant. I've also realized that the Injury (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/injury.htm) variant allows for PC's to live longer, especially at low levels, which might be a good/bad thing I'm sure. Bad that it may stretch battles out too long if NPC's are under same variant. Although battles lasting quite a bit does complement the Risk points idea.
bushi 12-22-07, 10:41 PM	Sure, Deadlands d20, if you're making your own world. Take the rules and rock on. The Deadlands original game was cool, the rules were to clunky for my tastes. If your group likes D&D than you shouldn't have any problems. Check out Firefly and Serenity for ideas. Where Wheadon takes a western and puts in sci-fi elements, you can place fantasy elements. Also, Leoni's spegetti westerns could really inspire you.
bushi 12-22-07, 10:43 PM	Check out the hit point changes in Spy Craft. I think the same rules are in d20 Modern. They add a real leathality to d20 games.
Aryxbez 12-22-07, 11:46 PM	Check out the hit point changes in Spy Craft. I think the same rules are in d20 Modern. They add a real leathality to d20 games. Actually the Vitality/Wound system was originally from Star wars. But that even is a bad idea, as then a single crit=certain death, although crits would do that realistically, I'm not sure if I want that in my western game. Besides I do want to try out this Injury variant, although the more I think about it, I wonder if it would be a good idea. Also D20 modern uses the standard HP system of D&D, so there is not wound points. Yes as you can tell, I do indeed own the spycraft book, some feats might be nice, otherwise will just use Deadlands. So Bushi, I suggest to you to read the post above the first one you made. As it has some other things I wished to address. Otherwise thank you for posting, hope to hear more thoughts from you and others as well. So what say you on Injury variant, the Risk points idea I'm thinking about? (by the way, I have a thread on risk points at the Video game forums here as well) Legacy guns obviously should work pretty well.
taradusis 12-24-07, 08:22 AM	I'm thinking you make the ogres man eaters,with a capture basket made from woven weeds,carried on the ogres back? Most people who think slingman tend to think halfling but an ogre with it's size and strength is practically a mini-catapult. A really large shield made from buffalo hides would offer reasonable protection as well? Consider giving ogre leaders ranger levels rather than barbarian?In xanth there was an 8 legged dragon that ran really fast and emitted clouds of steam. The steam could offer cover in a gun fight. The 8 legs could be used for burrowing(like a Bullette?). The dragon could rear up on it's hind legs to get additional foreclaw attacks. The dragon could attack locomtives(if you use them). Just some random thoughts.
Aryxbez 12-24-07, 05:10 PM	I'm thinking you make the ogres man eaters,with a capture basket made from woven weeds,carried on the ogres back? Most people who think slingman tend to think halfling but an ogre with it's size and strength is practically a mini-catapult. A really large shield made from buffalo hides would offer reasonable protection as well? Consider giving ogre leaders ranger levels rather than barbarian? In xanth there was an 8 legged dragon that ran really fast and emitted clouds of steam. The steam could offer cover in a gun fight. The 8 legs could be used for burrowing(like a Bullette?). The dragon could rear up on it's hind legs to get additional foreclaw attacks. The dragon could attack locomtives(if you use them). Just some random thoughts. Interesting addition of an idea to the Ogres, I will definitely go with my idea for ogres. However I do think I will go with this idea as well, give some variety to the types of ogres they could fight. Also to help with their culture background, they could have hunters go out to get human prey, or just more solo brigand based ogres that go to do their business. This would make for a alternative to the Rock throwing ability, more realistic instead of just throwing rocks grand distances I guess. Although a Ogre sling would probably only deal for some reason a D6 by size rules, even then with the war sling (races of the Wild), it would be 2d6. While a rock would deal the same 2d6, warsling costs a feat however, so it sounds like I could just simply have rock throwing themed by them using a big sling. Xanth?, I don't know of this creature, what is it from? Sounds interesting, perhaps you could tell me more of this creature? By the way, I do use locomotives, after all this is the wild west, and I'm using Deadlands. As you gotta have trains and such.
taradusis 12-24-07, 10:23 PM	A gm on the modern boards has been using a variety of rules to run a cross genre game.check out 604901....It may inspire you. A great john wayne movie is "the Searchers". It's about a posse that pursues indians who kidnap a young girl. This could be borrowed with the Ogres acting like Apaches? Gives you a chance to showcase their culture.A series of novels by piers anthony. Featured a fantasy version of florida and bad puns. Stanly Steamer was a locomotive but in Xanth is a steam breathing dragon who runs fast but turns slowly.
Aryxbez 12-25-07, 01:14 AM	A gm on the modern boards has been using a variety of rules to run a cross genre game.check out 604901....It may inspire you. A great john wayne movie is "the Searchers". It's about a posse that pursues indians who kidnap a young girl. This could be borrowed with the Ogres acting like Apaches? Gives you a chance to showcase their culture.A series of novels by piers anthony. Featured a fantasy version of florida and bad puns. Stanly Steamer was a locomotive but in Xanth is a steam breathing dragon who runs fast but turns slowly. Thanks for the link, that Jacemachine got a decent idea with the worlds thing, although I think that it's really a computer world is kinda a disappointment. Ogres capturing someone? That is a nifty idea, helps develop an original idea of mine. A rough idea of mine was to have Ogres boarding a train, and kinda take it over or something. NPC train workers (can't come up with title for people who call people aboard and such) fire their guns at the ogres, the bullets obvious doing nothing to them because their skin is strong vs all but magical bullets (legacy guns/weapons), which the PC's have these legacy guns/weapon, and save the train vs the Ogres. Now I might add to it that the reasoning to it was to take kidnap somebody, or people for food in general. Also I was thinking about the PC's having to face that 6-legged dragon, but it most likely escapes, after all, I intend for there to be only 3 dragons in the whole game. On the Xanth, well I don't think I want to read a whole series of novels for this nifty dragon. So got any idea what to use or to create this nifty creature? Also, got any other thoughts on the other topics of the thread? Such As Risk points, Injury HP variant (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/injury.htm), Heck I would definitely appreciate it if you could help figure out some things on the JANGO race thread I made here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=915024) Good talking to someone on this thread, if you got any more feedback, keep it coming!
taradusis 12-25-07, 10:03 AM	I used a red dragon,removed the wings. Give him a fog cloud ability similar to the silver dragon. With 8 legs I doubled his land speed,allowed him to run at 5 times that in a straight line. His breath weapon is similar(in damage) to a red dragons except in that it doesn't start fires and looks like steam. I think 4 foreclaw attacks and a double damage stomp with the four rear legs. Can speak but usually doesn't and attacks locomtives out of instinct. There's an anthropomorphic babboon race in Savage Species. The jango seem like good Headhunters? Perhaps a tribal chieften wears a cloak made from dozens of faces,sort of like leatherface from the texas chainsaw movies. I would add to their weapons list:Bolas,Fishnet with hooks,Barbed javelin,Caltrops and Pungi stakes. Add a tendacy to make statues of Bandicoots with jeweled eyes so PCs will hear tales and go looking? A movie based off a true story. A white hunter is captured,his black bearers are tortured to death in hideous ways. He's released naked and a single hunter goes after him. He kills the hunter and by their own rules of the game the tribesmen have to wait 100 drumbeats before sending the next hunter? He manages to kill a few single hunters before the rest team up but he eventually makes it back to civilization. Good movie for adults,not for kiddies due to nudity,tortue and death. I do like idea of a trophy house,combined with a statue. I think a babboon god would make more sense? Perhaps the Jangoes keep Babboons as pets like humans keep dogs?I would probably start the PCs in a boomtown. Then move them to the fantasy version of Tombstone Arizona. Followed to a trip to the big city,a fantasy version of San Fransisco. Just my thinking but a boomtown is 400 people,"Tombstone" would be 4,000 people and "San Fransisco" would be 20,000 people.Just some Random Thoughts.
Aryxbez 12-25-07, 11:09 PM	I used a red dragon,removed the wings. Give him a fog cloud ability similar to the silver dragon. With 8 legs I doubled his land speed,allowed him to run at 5 times that in a straight line. His breath weapon is similar(in damage) to a red dragons except in that it doesn't start fires and looks like steam. I think 4 foreclaw attacks and a double damage stomp with the four rear legs. Can speak but usually doesn't and attacks locomtives out of instinct. Interesting, although, isn't it's breath weapon that would create the steam? So providing cover and damage, wouldn't that be a little unfair for the PC's? Perhaps he can use a breathe weapon similar to fogcloud or use a normal hot steam damaging breath. I wonder, wasn't there a steam dragon somewhere on these boards? Perhaps I will go searching. Also it sounds like you used this creature before? I'm guessing it was a medium or Large sized dragon obviously. Thus a Wyrmling or Juvenile (CR 10) would be somewhat appropriate. Also if you have it created already, I wouldn't mind to see it (new statblock works for me), assuming it is okay with you. Otherwise this creature sounds like it might just almost warrant it's own creature. There's an anthropomorphic babboon race in Savage Species. The jango seem like good Headhunters? Perhaps a tribal chieften wears a cloak made from dozens of faces,sort of like leatherface from the texas chainsaw movies. I would add to their weapons list:Bolas,Fishnet with hooks,Barbed javelin,Caltrops and Pungi stakes. Add a tendency to make statues of Bandicoots with jeweled eyes so PCs will hear tales and go looking? A movie based off a true story. A white hunter is captured,his black bearers are tortured to death in hideous ways. He's released naked and a single hunter goes after him. He kills the hunter and by their own rules of the game the tribesmen have to wait 100 drumbeats before sending the next hunter? He manages to kill a few single hunters before the rest team up but he eventually makes it back to civilization. Good movie for adults,not for kiddies due to nudity,tortue and death. I do like idea of a trophy house,combined with a statue. I think a babboon god would make more sense? Perhaps the Jangoes keep Babboons as pets like humans keep dogs? Know not of this Baboon race, unless you're talking about the Antromorphic template, well in this case, changes nothing, as they're only baboon faced. Hunting is their pride, they don't kill large prey, especially humanoids, liking to celebrate such a good catch before killing them or something. I don't like the face wearing idea, as I don't horror movies, including the Texas massacre movie. Also I'm going to go against changing their natural proficiencies, also changing their god, as a race they're not supposed to make a whole lot of sense, if they lose that, they lose a huge amount of their shock value so to speak. As for pets, those would be Bandicoots if anything, although having a random baboon confused with the species with the Jango or something is not a far gone idea. As for movies, I'm not worried about the content too much, sounds like a pretty interesting movie. I wouldn't be too surprised if you all of a sudden just showed me a list of movies and such good as suggestions for the wild west, seeing how your posts reference such (nothing wrong with it of course). Gem bandicoot statues I will try to remember it, would be something to draw greedy banditos in, although JANGO is supposed to be feared by the populace. Also supposed to be kinda rare to see, as people who encounter them are never seen again, people who do live to tell the tale are probably just thought of crazy, and just telling a myth and no more. I would probably start the PCs in a boomtown. Then move them to the fantasy version of Tombstone Arizona. Followed to a trip to the big city,a fantasy version of San Fransisco. Just my thinking but a boomtown is 400 people,"Tombstone" would be 4,000 people and "San Fransisco" would be 20,000 people.Just some Random Thoughts. Actually depending on the characters, if one was a miner/gold seeker, I was thinking of something like this. That half or 3/4 of PC's on a wagon, with NPC's cowboys they work/travel with, get attacked by Gnolls. Then into the fight comes the other 1/4 of the other PC's that would join, help them in the battle. Afterwards the other 1/4 PC's warn the wagoneers to make flee out of here, as there is more Gnolls not too far from their area, so they flee off. Thus the other PC's join the wagoneers and at night while around a fire, eating and such, they get attacked by JANGO's. While they're being attacked, the newfound PC's to the group would tell them about the JANGO. Learning their fear of Metal as armor. This would all take place in a mountanous/Hill area perhaps? with a forest and such. Thinking that maybe they travel nearby somewhere to take a train, which then the Ogre encounter could happen or something. Otherwise towns I didn't think too much of, small ones would likely be a good idea as any good deeds they do in such towns would make them seem more heroic/powerful. Although something like Tombstone is probably is as high as I would want to go, Savage tribes being the only exception in great sizes.
taradusis 12-27-07, 02:05 PM	I lost the stats I made at least 10 years ago for a 2 ED. If it's going to be unique maybe a CR18? Could post it on Char Ops board for stats. Some possible adventures offered for your perusal.The best movies for inspiration are "The Cowboys"featuring John Wayne,and "The Culpepper Cattle Co.".Possible events/scenes include;cattle stampede,crossing a river,Chuckwagon fire or broken wheel,rattlesnake spooks horse(1 ft.or 20 ft.),Pregnant cow wanders off and pc must assist in birth,betrayal by fellow cowboy,rustlers attack,waterhole is poisoned,cavalry patrol stops and harrasses,poisonous snake or scorpian creeps ino bedding or boot. Cattle must be watered and fed regular or they lose weight,a cow herd that is 10% underweight is like having 10% of your cattle rustled.The best movies for inspiration are "Gunfight at the OK corral"and "High Plains Drifter". Possible scenes/events include;Enforcing a "no firearms"rule,Running gambling and other crimes the way the Earps did,monitoring foreigners like a chineese laundry owner,build a jail,build a gallows,subdue drunks,patrol town,arrest a notorious outlaw,gunfights and surviving the betrayel of the people who hired you. Most towns tended to fire marshals and deputies once the town became "civilised".The best movies for inspiration are the "Alamo" and "The Magnificent Seven". Possible scenes/events include;train peasents,fortify location,send for help,repel attacks,get rescued,escape at night. The biggest trick may be surviving against impossible odds.Some good movie for inspiration are "Tremors","Eight-legged Freaks"and"Tarantula".In order to adapt this movie you need a good subterran monster(ankheg,bullette or purple worm). You also need a box canyon with high walls and just one exit that can be blocked by a convenient landslide. You also need a few "Redshirts",Npcs or animals that the monster can kill and give the Pcs a chance to see them in action. Possible scenes/events incude;Finding a victim of the monster,finding a dead monster,an Npc who panics and dies,A supply of TNT or Molotovs to fight the monster,perhaps a cavalry force to rescue the Pcs? Things to watch out for is parties that can't or won't retreat. Be careful of making this "Slayground"too deadly.In order to adapt this movie you need someone to provide the spiders. Drow tend to be the world's finest spider-breeders. Suppose the Drow decide to field test their war plans. They pick a small community of about 400 people. They sneak into town and plant 400 spider eggs. The spiders hatch and begin to feed. First mice and rats disappear,then chickens and cats,then dogs and children,finally adults and livestock. Several breeds of spiders could be employed,tarantula,web-spinning,jumping,etc. The drow could monitor events thru a crystal ball or spies. How long does it take the hatchlings to mature and when do people notice?To adapt this movie all you need is a really big spider. This could be another drow scheme. Build suspense by having isolated farmhouse be hit and torn open by the Tarantula. Just some random thoughts.
bushi 01-02-08, 05:36 PM	I really dig the Ogre banditos! They should have dynomite to blow the safe! About the homebrew dragon: Give him HP, a DC to be hit and some attacks. Any more time spent then that is time stolen from your plots and plans.
bushi 01-02-08, 05:38 PM	PS I love everything Taradusis posted!
Aryxbez 01-03-08, 01:06 AM	I really dig the Ogre banditos! They should have dynomite to blow the safe! About the homebrew dragon: Give him HP, a DC to be hit and some attacks. Any more time spent then that is time stolen from your plots and plans. Robbing a safe on a train perhaps? These aren't bad, although it could be many reasons for this, perhaps they wanted a certain guy/gal for ransom and a safe for some good money (not to mention it makes a good improvised rock!). I wouldn't worry of time spent, my plans consist of figuring out what to do for this setting. Plot, I don't have no real plot to this setting yet. So what is your ideas for this Stanley Steamer Dragon? PS I love everything Taradusis posted! Yeah, his contributions have been most appreciated, I hope he continues to help me through this, as well as someone addressing these ideas Here: Risk Points (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagrant_story) (links to the video game It was referenced) Also here is the Link to the Thread (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=969205) on videogames D20 Injury HP variant (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php%3Fdestination%3Dhttp://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/adventuring/injury.htm) JANGO race (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D915024) (finalization of their LA and their religious weapon, in the thread) On the Injury variant, it does seem that people will be able to take more hits than possible, at least around low levels. The reason I want to implement this variant is because I was in the thoughts that it have your fate depend on a save, which It sounded to me that it could potentially cripple you in one shot. However the save is factored by amount of damage and such, which alot of the time seems that it would take a while to actually be brought down, easily more at low levels as far as I'm aware. None the less, I do wish to try this, unless I'm totally convinced out otherwise. Now that I think about it, I might use D20 moderns massive damage threshold (that it equals your con score), as damage you suffer could kill you regardless of vitality, or at least cripple you in one shot.
taradusis 01-04-08, 02:45 PM	I love everything about a wild west campaign except the guns. You will have arguements about guns. One Pc will think he can shrug off bullets like superman. One Pc will claim he can kill anything with a single bullet. Another Pc will claim he can dodge bullets. So,my advice to you,if you want to run a game and not a debating society,is to use the official rules from D20 Modern. I don't like the Risk system,I see it as an unworkable addition to an already complex combat system. But if you like it,go for it.Spelljammer.org has the old deckplans for spelljammerships. Why not consider downloading the deckplans for the gnomish sidewheeler? This would give an adventure site for steamboat adventures set on a river?Now if we consider the Yuan-ti as an analogue for asians in a wild west campaign what does this make possible? It allows us to have chineese laundries,opium dens,coolie labor and a chance to rip off the original Kung-fu Tv series. Imagine a psionic monk pureblood who's gone good and wanders around using his psionics for good and kicking butt in general. Allows a Pc to say"I have only come seeking water"and then kick the crap out of everyone,good times for all.
Aryxbez 01-04-08, 07:04 PM	I love everything about a wild west campaign except the guns. You will have arguements about guns. One Pc will think he can shrug off bullets like superman. One Pc will claim he can kill anything with a single bullet. Another Pc will claim he can dodge bullets. So,my advice to you,if you want to run a game and not a debating society,is to use the official rules from D20 Modern. I don't like the Risk system,I see it as an unworkable addition to an already complex combat system. But if you like it,go for it. I've never had a gun argument before, so I doubt it, however will nonetheless take that to mind I guess. Don't like West guns?, I guess Revolvers and shot guns not your thing? PC's will be aware trying to take the hit with bullets will certainly get you aced jack. Killing anything with a single bullet? tis possible, although anyone dumb enough to think that won't want to keep standing around when they're fighting a mad Ogre! Dodging bullets, that is exactly what they can do.... if they're lucky enough and behind something. D20 modern vs Deadlands D20, well that is a interesting idea to D20 modern. As D20 modern is a good game (so too spycraft). However I think I would rather go with Deadlands. As it has nifty themed classes, not sure on guns, they look more unique than the modern core guns for sure, also would be accurate with the times. Not to mention Deadlands is created for sole purpose of wierd west horror. Although I'm sure I can easily take out the horror part. So really I would have to take a decent look at them both and compare and see what I think is good, also to see if the players would agree (knowing them, they'll go either way I'm sure). Spelljammer.org has the old deckplans for spelljammerships. Why not consider downloading the deckplans for the gnomish sidewheeler? This would give an adventure site for steamboat adventures set on a river? I thank you, although do you have a precise link to this gnome sidewheeler? I was able to find other ships, they look decent, although I guess I could otherwise just use the pictures from Arms and Equipment guide and stuff. Otherwise I thank you for the ideas. Heck you're great for Wild West Adventure ideas, like the DMG 100 adventure ideas, if you know a list of such for Wild west adventures, let me know (Even though I heavily doubt I'll even need 100 or even 50 ideas). Now if we consider the Yuan-ti as an analogue for asians in a wild west campaign what does this make possible? It allows us to have chineese laundries,opium dens,coolie labor and a chance to rip off the original Kung-fu Tv series. Imagine a psionic monk pureblood who's gone good and wanders around using his psionics for good and kicking butt in general. Allows a Pc to say"I have only come seeking water"and then kick the crap out of everyone,good times for all. Interesting use for the Yuan ti, didn't even think of them, nor the china man as well. I know we had opium, but did we have the occasional asian? I guess I'll need to brush up on my Wild west history pronto! On Kung-fu, I don't think I have wathched that show, and Psionics I don't see being in my game, although If I'm going to be using magic, Psionics could be in there too. Even using them as a race didn't cross my mind, so I'm unsure if I'm okay with this idea or not. Once more have given me something to think about, not a bad thing of course, you seem to have some nifty ideas of your own. Heck I'm surprised you haven't posted your own thread on your ideas for a Wild west setting or something. Funny, you have used Sblocks in every post of yours, don't mind it all, just find it different and nifty too. EDIT: You find the combat system complex? how so? Or do you mean the way I'm setting up things for this? I don't have any definite rule for Risk points, thus it would indeed be unworkable. I was wanting to come up with something for it, however probably right as it would probably wouldn't work out in the end.
taradusis 01-05-08, 11:29 PM	I went thru my 54 spelljammer deckplans and I was positive I had a gnomish sidewheeler but no go. How frustrating,guess you'll have to go with Arms and Equipement or an Encyclopedia? Sorry. I have always loved the Yuan-ti as villains and tend to give them an asian criminal slant. A lot of San Fransisco and the western railroads were built by coolie labor. You could have an evil Yuan-ti empire that is shipping slave labor into your campaign area. This would give you a better mix of human subraces and some good plots? I reccomend watching Kung Fu the movie,it sets up the whole Tv series and is relatively accurate .Suppose you create a Latifundia or large ranch as an adventure site? This ranch might have a lot of cowboys and laborers but still be willing to hire "expert"monster hunters. The arguement is that if something has been killing cattle and wrecking fences then the cowboys need to gather the scattered cattle and fix the fences. So,I'm thinking 100 cowboys(racially mixed?). 20 workers who are coolies of asian descent. A cook/housekeeper who's a female Yuan-ti pureblood,there to spy on the ranchers. A family of three boys and their widowed father who are the richest and most respected ranchers in town. A giant 20 ft rattler has wandered onto the Ponderosa and has killed a cow and stampeded a herd. While the Ponderosa crew deals with the herd and damaged fences the PCs are paid to kill this monster. Is this a Yuan-ti plot to see how the Ponderosa crew reacts with the Yuan-ti housekeeper taking careful note of who's afraid of snakes?A large Tarantula eats a cow or cowboy. The Pcs are hired to kill this monster but it might be a Drow plot?An old coolie stumbles into town and dies. The last word he says is "YUAN-TI". Did the old coolie see too much and get poioned by the housekeeper? A little trite and hackneyed but still a good plot.Somebody has been killing lone cowboys. The only thing stolen is their shiny silver spurs? Have a giant vulture be spotted as a red herring? Possible way to introduce the Jangos.The Ponderosa needs something from a distant town,perhaps a rare medicine to cure a contagious disease that has quarantined them? Pcs must race while agents of the drow or yuan-ti try to stop them?The largest person on the ponderosa has been taken by anthrophagic Ogres. The PCs join the posse to rescue Hoss. The ogres realize their being followed and split up. Can the party rescue Hoss before he gets invited to his last barbeque?I think gun combat is going to be pretty complex to handle,maybe you should draw up some Npcs with 1 revolver,2 revolvers,1 shotgun,1 derringer and see how a saloon fight goes? Could get difficult with a sliding "risk"factor. Playtesting might help with that. Just a suggestion.
EaterOfTheDead 01-08-08, 09:49 PM	I did something like this once. I liked the idea of higher technology that came with an industrial revolution setting and it played real well. The highlight was when the ranger made everyone temporarily deaf during a running gunbattle in a clockwork dungeon. The ranger wielded a horse legged shotgun. The booming in the enclosed space, brass corridors, was a little too much for the party's eardrums. That game was a lot of fun and the inclusion of the technology didn't change the mechanics or the elements that make D&D fun.
taradusis 01-08-08, 11:33 PM	THE BELLIGERANT,BELLOWING BLUE BULL BATTLES THE BUCCOLIC BURG OF BILOXI. Following are some thoughts I had on a weird west adventure. In D+D we not only have lycanthropes we also have antherians. A lycanthrope would be something like a werewolf that switches from man to wolf under a full moon or other "trigger"event. An antherian is something like the wolfwere that is a wolf most of the time but turns human under the light of a full moon. Now suppose there was such a thing as a bullwere,a bull that turns into something like a minotaur under the light of a full moon. Let's "motivate" this monster by having the bullwere attack people who wear cow leather,leather saddles,etc. Just for fun lets have the Bullwere turn blue as a tribute to Blue the Ox and as a connection to the blue moon? In order to make the Bull were more of a challenge let's give him a bellow like the roar of a dragonne? So here we have a monster that appears once a month,can hide in plain sight,has a distance attack(bellow) and is kind of a Bogeyman for cattleranchers? If this form of antherianism can be passed from generation to generation the only permanent cure would be to destroy the entire herd? Sort of a progression of anthrax or mad cow disease? Just a thought or two before I go.
taradusis 01-10-08, 10:16 PM	For your reading amusement how about some magic item concepts? A cloak made from thousands of crow feathers,allows user to shap shift into a crow? Perhaps a flock of crows appears from within the folds? A favorite with tribal shamans.Seeing a white buffalo is a sign that a great change is coming,Sitting Bull saw one. A white buffalo can only be killed by wrestling it,sort of like the Nemedean lion. A White Buffalo robe grants immunity to normal missiles and comes complete with a headpiece that has horns,allows a goring attack?Looks like the one from high plains drifter. Grants the effects of the Endure Elements spell.In the old western movies nobody seemed to ever reload. This magic revolver has a sealed cylinder and creates a new bullet with every squeeze of the trigger.Unbreakable,and forces target to tell truth? Never misses target? Usable only by a woman? Has permanent Animate Rope effect?Boots of striding and springing under a different name.A star -shaped badge that can generate a shield spell when tapped? Usable only by lawmen? A silver hat brim that attaches to a normal hat. Can be thrown like a chakram(think Oddjob in Goldfinger). Can be placd on ground and expands to 15ft wide circle that offers protection from evil(Protection from Evil 15ft radius?)A gun that shoots around corners and ignores concealment. A 1 inch figurine of a handcart that expands to full size. Does not need to be "pumped"to move and wheels will change to fit differing gauges of track.Allows you to "wish"your gun into your hand. Maybe snap your fingers and poof,there it is?A pouch of nasty foul smelling tobacco. Allows you to spit a blinding mess into someones face? A villains weapon? A card,usually the Ace of Spades that can be tossed into the air and a hole appears in the center as it falls to the ground. A gimmick for those too lazy to practice their sharpshooting.A figurine that if placed onto the desert sands expands into a full sized horse. The horse will carry a rider to a preprogrammed location within the desert. Sort of a like lost treasure mine? Rider suffers no ill effects while riding the horse with no name(no Sunstroke,thirst,hunger,exhaustion). A hat that once a day provides 10 gallons of water. enough for 20 people or 4 horses.A ceremonial pipe that if smoked grants a diplomacy bonus of + 10 to those wishing a peaceful negotiations? For comic releif causes hunger for buffalo wings? A tee-pee that instantly assembles itself or,dismantles itself in order to be used as a travois?A headband that acts like a periapt of disease resistance. Based on spotted headbands some indians wore in beleif it would prevent smmallpox. A tribal magic item?A wooden device that if blown summons bandits. Based off the Horn of Valhalla that summons berserkers. Bandits were called Owlhoots in western novels because they communicated at night by making owl calls. This is a good item for a lone bandit who doesn't want to share the loot,after the robbery these villains vanish?Look like little metal toothpicks. Will magically expand to fill the space of missing railway ties. Allows heros to prevent bandits from derailing trains and allows you to explore a mine shaft's underground rail system?And,just for the heck of it,how about that Zorro?This thin strip of cloth conceals a small fraction of the face yet still hides Zorro's identity,must be magic. Can only be removed by the wearer. If ripped from his face a second mask magically appears before Zorro's identity can be revealed. Also used by the Lone ranger and Batman :D A figurine of a black pegasus. Expands to a Maximum HD/HP pegasus that speaks common and the langauge of pegasi. If an unworthy person attempts to mount Toranado he whirls like the tornado and throws them off. No bridle or saddle is needed for Toranado. Toranado can shapeshift into a heavy warhorse. Imagine throwing this figurine to the ground and saying"Come,Toranado,We must go as fast as the wind to bring a storm of justice to the Evil-doers!"A fine rapier that has the quality of being"Unrecognizable",even if seen by someone just a few minutes earlier. Can on command magically inscribe the symbol of Zorro.Can expand from 6-30 feet. Has animate rope properties. Is"Unrecognizable"like Zorro's blade. Can on command inscribe the symbol of Zorro. Adds a +10 to hide. "Unrecognizable" when viewed like Zorro's blade.Just a few thoughts.
Aryxbez 01-12-08, 01:07 AM	I went thru my 54 spelljammer deckplans and I was positive I had a gnomish sidewheeler but no go. How frustrating,guess you'll have to go with Arms and Equipment or an Encyclopedia? Sorry. Tis fine, I in fact hoped I didn't irritate you by sounding lazy or some sort. Nonetheless like you said, I can look up a boat picture in Arms and Equip, if you do find the boat you were wanting to show, just post it or something. Now this Ponderosa, a somewhat cool idea, however I'm in doubt of using it. I think because I just don't picture it starting that way, although it wouldn't be a bad start for the first few low levels. Somebody has been killing lone cowboys. The only thing stolen is their shiny silver spurs? Have a giant vulture be spotted as a red herring? Possible way to introduce the Jangos. Interesting for the JANGO, however by their culture, they would most likely capture big prey, it gives them pride and power, however if it's attacks like this, it may be that they're too dangerous to have kept alive at the time. The largest person on the ponderosa has been taken by anthrophagic Ogres. The PCs join the posse to rescue Hoss. The ogres realize their being followed and split up. Can the party rescue Hoss before he gets invited to his last barbeque? Interesting mention to the ogres I must say I think gun combat is going to be pretty complex to handle,maybe you should draw up some Npcs with 1 revolver,2 revolvers,1 shotgun,1 derringer and see how a saloon fight goes? Could get difficult with a sliding "risk"factor. Playtesting might help with that. Just a suggestion. I took your advice indeed, kinda why I've not posted in a small bit. I tested out using a 32pt buy 2nd lv, the characters, abouncer of sorts, and two gunslingers single and a dual shooting guy, against 5 warrior NPC's. However I only remembered to test the Injury variant, From what I saw, the average save was Fort 17, the gunmen had +4 fort and the bouncer +9 under the Injury variant rules. The problem was under both sides under Injury variant, they would purely would not die, The NPC's had taken damage quin to sixtuple their very HP before getting close to dying. The characters, the bouncer was practically invincible to all the damage, he even saved on a crit from a foe! Also this variant sounds flawed, too easy to save, and get back from dying status, since the save to come back is very very low. I could easily rule that the DC be 20, the penalties take the rest. However I'm now starting to see how flawed this is as a system, however if I perhaps gave only the PC's the variant, it might make fights too one sided. As in my test, even going by normal hp, those characters would have killed the NPC's all by 3rd round, so that's pretty fast. So I think a damage threshold like in modern could work. One of the main problems I did have in Deadlands, was the AC for humanoids, as there was no class defense! So I ruled that 1/2 BaB=class bonus to AC, looks to me that it will work out well, save Divine power spell, but doubt it's allowed, even so I can say no to extra Class AC from the spell or something. Some of yer ideas are more appealing than others ones you made, but I'm glad you're cranking out ideas! The Yuan ti, well since I never use them, I can find a reason to do so now I'm sure. However Unsure if I want them as a player race to be chosen. On the testing, I will likely test the Risk thing and damage threshold next, whether or not I'll retest the Injury variant, I know not, I think I should gather a friend of mine to do testing, makes it more exciting for me this way. Funny, I really believe I want this Injury variant to work, don't know why, well if it's bad enough as it seems to be, I will drop it eventually. So, since I forgot the common sense of testing things to see if good, even other things that should be mentioned for common sense sake? (obvious solution I may not be thinking)
taradusis 01-13-08, 11:00 AM	Here's a race I like to use as Indians. They are covered in more detail on my Random Aquatic notes thread,page 8,post 217,island 109.size/type medium/monstrous humanoid. HD 3D8 AC 13(+2 natural,+1dexterity)Touch 11,Flat-footed 12 ATTACKS 2 Hooves (1D3)+2 melee and Lance(1D8)+2 melee or Short Composite Bow (1D6) +1 ranged BAB/GRAPPLE +3/+4 SPECIAL ATTACKS nil SPECIAL QUALITIES Low Light Vision,Scent BASE SAVES FORT (4)+1,REF(4)+1,WILL(3) ABILITIES ST(13)DX(13)CN(12)IN(11)WI(11)CH(11) SPEED 40ft,8 squares INITIATIVE +1 SPACE/REACH 5 FT/5FT FEATS Endurance,Track SKILLS Listen(4),Spot(4),Survival(4) ORGANIZATION Tribal or war party TERAIGN/CLIMATE TEMPERATE PLAINS DIET Omnivore PREFERRED CLASS Ranger CR 2 ALIGNMENT Neutral ADVANCE By character class TREASURE Standard Dress like plains indians with fringed buckskin clothing and feathered headresses. Look like smaller versions of Sylvan centaurs.Most Harapatoi males carry 4 weapons,Lances,Hand-ax,Dagger,Short Composite Bow, also hooves will be used. Shields see some use but little body armor is used. Harapatoi tend to function as light cavalry and stage hit and run raids. Many Harapa-toi become Rangers and take Archery focus.1 MALE-4 FEMALE-4 CHILDREN make up the basic family unit. 8-80 families make up a tribe and 2-5 tribes make up a nation. Males tend to focus on war and hunting,females do most of the manual labor. Females carry Hand-axes and daggers as tools more than as weapons. A female using a travois can drag about 1250 lbs. Most tribes use names of plains indians;kiowa,sioux,etc.The god of the Harapa-toi. Harapa-toi means children of Harapa. This is a sun god with a fondness for stringed things;bows,lyres,fiddles and fringed buckskins. Clerics and adepts can be either gender.
taradusis 01-25-08, 01:10 PM	How about some more Dragon ideas? A large slow moving land dragon that explodes in a burst of magic energy? A 20 HD Explodo-komodo dragon would do 20d12? After exploding this unique dragon reforms from the peices?A 3 headed dragon. 1 red,white and blue head with breath weapons of the appropriate type. The body is dark blue with white stars. The legs have red and white stripes like uncle sams pants. This dragon was amalgamated by a wizard known as Amerigo and is called the American dragon. I originally gave this dragon a quirk of attacking bands and musicians. He was created to destroy a town during the fourth of july.A dragon that spends most his time frozen in place. Has a breath weapon that can cause Flesh to Stone or Stone to Flesh. This dragon has surrounded itself with statues,used as camoflage? Can shape shift into human form and sculpts in this form? All treasure is in statue form.A dragon who lived on the elemental plane of Air. Has weak legs that allow a movement of 12'. Has four wings like a dragonfly and can fly at 240' with perfect manuverability. Can hover and fly backwards. Dislikes being on the ground and is able to fly 24 hours a day.Using the multi-headed template from Savage Species create a dragon with even more heads than a Hydra? You could use a mix of chromatic and gem dragons to give a many breath weapons. A tough,tough opponent if designed correctly.Just a few thoughts.
Aryxbez 01-26-08, 12:58 AM	That reminds me, I have yet made or figured out the CR of the Stanley Steamer dragon, I should really get on that. So thanks for reminding me. Your dragon ideas are a little weird, although like I said, I prefer to have only up to 3 unique dragons, so there is a possibility for one of those to be the 3rd. Also my lack of posting of late has only been due to my lack of ideas for this setting at this time. I still have to finalize my judgement on Injury variant and such, as I intend to use D20 modern massive damage threshold and see if it works, although thinking about it, might not be as grand to use Injury variant at all.
taylors005 05-12-08, 09:21 AM	taradusis you are awesome
Shiftkitty 05-12-08, 03:41 PM	Chiming in a little late, but I saw in an earlier post someone mentioned "Bootstrap Hill" by TSR. I don't know if this was corrected but it was called "Boot Hill". I wasn't impressed by it, but an ancestor of mine was in the book (Augustine Chacon) so I HAD to buy it! :) I had Deadlands but nobody in my group wanted to play it. They all preferred Flying Buffalo's "Desperadoes", which I have to admit was very fast paced. It didn't take too long to kick the setting over to D&D, and having lived out in the Arizona desert I had a wealth of inspiration to draw on. Orc gunslingers, drow land baronesses, halflings on the pony express, dwarven miners, it was a heck of a ride! We ran one situation where a coal dragon (black dragon variant) was trashing train tracks as part of an extortion racket.
Aryxbez 05-12-08, 07:59 PM	Thanks for the response Shiftkitty, yeah I've stopped thinking about this campaign idea for quite awhile now. Of course I might go back to this little project of sorts. I know one thing is for certain, that 4th ed Fits NOT in for a fantasy Western game, at least, as far as I'm aware of this moment. I don't hate 4th ed, just 3.5 seems it might do this well, unless I suppose deadlands goes 4th ed too. But sadly even D20 Deadlands is pretty disappointing, as classes are weak, and AC don't scale, of course I'll fix that via adding 1/2 your bab to AC. I'm also interested in finding a copy of the Deadlands original rpg, what with it's own system of spells via actual poker cards and such. So if anyone else takes to Statting up the Stanley Steamer dragon, or more ideas, that is welcome of course.
Shiftkitty 05-13-08, 03:08 PM	Haven't found any copies on eBay or Amazon? I'm not sure where mine is, but I want to find it because of that monster in there called a "Hangman", I believe, that gave my old group a run for their money. They had to get off the planet (mixed genre game), and even then weren't sure if it wasn't still following them. (It was...) Deadlands uses playing cards for spells, but Castle Falkenstein uses cards for everything, in keeping with the Victorian setting where dice would be considered vulgar and improper. CF has a Wild West supplement called "Six Guns and Sorcery" that may provide some inspiration, although the whole game takes place on an alternate Earth.
Zodiaq7 05-16-08, 08:32 PM	Deadlands also uses cards for character creation, combat order, mad science devices and whether or not you stay dead. Aces & Eights is another wild west RPG worth looking at, though I found some of the mechanics & the focus on "side-quests", according to the owner of my local game store, a little off putting.