I started an RPG last year that was quite successful until it was… well, not. It fell apart mostly because it dragged on forever, and that was largely because it was so open-ended that we lost direction and purpose.
I propose starting a new one. This one will be much tighter, as it has a well-defined goal, and a definite beginning, middle, and end. I expect real-time play to take about 3 weeks, tops. (In SDMB time that translates to about two months. ;))
The scenario is simple – you need to look for something. You will be a band of travellers, non-noble but free (not serfs or slaves). Magic will likely not be a huge factor. Races will all be human. Professions can be anything such as:
Man-at-arms
Mendicant priest(ess)
Merchant
Journeyman artisan
Teamster
Adult child of a farmer, innkeeper, or miller
Animal trainer
Scribe
Or any reasonable profession of a medieval-type person which would require travel in a rural setting. Big-ass swords are not required, though it would be expected that most travellers would carry at least a dagger or small club.
I’ll leave it up to you as to how much rules information you want to have, but I recommend as little as possible. Character creation should not take longer than play itself! And less would make it easier for newbies.
We’ll wait for other players, but in the meantime…
Describe a very basic prototype of your character. How old? What gender? Skilled or unskilled? Guilded or Unguilded? Why might he or she be travelling either to or from a major castle?
(Major settlements often have faires. And you would be near a major trade route.)
Anywhere between 10-60 minutes per day, non-contiguously. Probably closer to 10 than 60. There won’t be much playing on weekends. When I played this scenario in my living room with a couple of friends, they got through it in about 2.5 hours, but we cut a few corners because they had to go get their kids. I could have maybe stretched it to twice that if I really wanted to milk it.
You can make up your own characters, but there are already four drawn up and ready to go, complete with background histories. They are:
Thespians are guilded, though I suppose you could operate outside of the guild, at some considerable risk.
Why would someone put their trust in a clown, though? Yes, your characters need to be brave, trustworthy, and true. Not to give away too much of the plot in advance, but useful skills would be weapons, religion, literacy, and brains. The person who might charge you with your quest will be looking for results, not amusement.
But if you can sell the idea to me, and your companions, and some local authority figures, then go for it!
Oredigger77, that’s perfect. You would be guilded, but as a journeyman, you could very well be itinerant, looking for a new master. You would carry a letter of introduction from your previous master.
I’d like a mendicant priestess or holy beggar type of role. Something like: early 20s, female, unskilled but mildly educated, unguilded but a few connections, traveling from settlement to settlement following the fair schedules.
Awesome. Your name is Cella and you’re a total hottie. Unfortunately, you took a vow of celibacy.
Your goddess is Peoni, good & gentle goddess of healing & agriculture, the poor & lovers; her fave flower is the daisy, she likes all white flowers; color = white (clers wear white in winter/green in spring/beige in summer/yellow in autumn); symbol = daisy. She is worshipped by farmers, and those who use their skills to aid the meek and powerless. Peoni’s celibate priesthood is divided into two orders, one male and one female. Temples disburse their funds to the poor and are always on the edge of poverty; Cler orders = the balm of joy {celibate F order}; & the irreproachable order {M, also celibate}
He’s poor, having drunk his vast fortune. He is indeed a scholar, and may even know a few spells. He got a job as a chandler’s apprentice, but got kicked out when his master caught him writing in his grimore (sort of a diary that may include spells). His master thought he was copying down inventories and prices. He’s been homeless ever since, but has befriended Cella.
