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Post by zipp on Jan 31, 2009 23:39:11 GMT
I really like the system and the way the game is organized. There's a lot in here that reminds me of the Zombie Apocalypse game I'm running here, and the zombies are the least of those things. The characters there each have their own secrets and agendas too, though they are pre-generated and there are dozens of them, and players can play multiple characters. Those not claimed by the players are NPCs, and are also available to replace dead PCs. There is a Sanity/stress mechanic built into the Call of Cthulhu rules we use that's very effective. Gaining Sanity is extremely rare, and the lower it goes, the faster it falls. A downward spiral into madness is all but inevitable, but so far no character has survived enough horror to run out of Sanity points. The game is divided into chapters that last for close to a year of real time each rather than scenes, and I'm not limited by anything like Threat. It's the end of the world, so I get to pull out all the stops, but it's still possible to survive by being smart. The game's been going on for two and a half years and we're just starting Chapter 4. There's a lot of intense action, but the key to survival is cooperation and setting priorities. It's actually still the first day in the game, though one group of characters has already made it to sunset. Things will get even more interesting at night... ;D We can always use more players, and the rules are intuitive and easy to learn. I might be interested in joining up, then. In fact, I think I shall join up. Expect to hear from me tonight on that.
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Jan 31, 2009 23:56:04 GMT
Glad to hear it, and I think you'll have a lot of fun! I started out as a player, and took over as lead writer after a few months when Welsh, the original creator of the game, no longer had time to run it alone. He still provides creative input from time to time. Now that Invisible Castle is back up and I have some time, I'll be updating the various IC threads tonight.
The first two chapters can be found on another site. The links are in The Story So Far in the main forum. They're extremely long (and so is Chapter 3), so you might not have time to read them. You won't need to anyway if you only choose characters newly added in Chapter 4, and the vast majority of them are (we've had somewhat of a high body count). The last few pages of the Character Selection and Discussion thread have instructions for choosing your characters. Three is the recommended number, but you can have a fourth if you really want and you have the time. The character sheet and equipment threads are in the Chapter 4 subforum, and you'll find more instructions and rules summaries in the Rules and Guidelines thread in the main forum.
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Post by zipp on Feb 1, 2009 5:07:13 GMT
I'm looking forward to it. I definitely don't have time to read the other chapters (I took a glance, and that would be quite the undertaking along with everything else I'm doing) so I will start up as a bewildered new player.
Do you have links to those threads I'll need to be looking at?
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 1, 2009 5:38:02 GMT
I sure do! Don't worry, I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly. The first three chapters sure are a lot of reading, and I'd never be able to reread them in what little free time I have available. Writing the posts takes up plenty of my time as it is, but it's very much worth it! Character Selection and Discussion: www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=68377#p68377 (this link goes directly to the post with instructions) www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=69929#p69929 (this link has an update I posted two weeks ago about six new characters being added to one of the sections) Character Sheets: www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=1652The sheets indicate which characters are already being played and by whom (green for those played by other players, and blue for those played by the Keeper, i.e. me). Dead characters have text indicating this in red, but no characters have died so far in this chapter. That's likely to change very soon in the Gold section, though there are no new characters there. For you convenience, I'll list the available new characters. Five of the six new characters added to Sword are listed below. They have the least catching up to do, but they are also in the most difficult situation when starting out: Zoe Gallagher (currently unconscious) Alicia Vargas Raquel Orozco Katarina Iliescu Lara Voronova There are still two new characters in Juno who aren't claimed yet: Helen Stafford Cynthia Louise Omaha has most of the new characters, and there are still plenty left: Vice Principal Sharon Kaplan Laura Shelley Michelle Marquez Amelia Delacroix Becky Clarke Julianne Landers Miguel Garcia Heather Anderson Roy McCrumb LaTanya Washington Teresa Vazquez Diana Forester Kelly Cameron Ali al-Tikriti Lisa Marley Sunny Kwon Dr. Helene Saunders Tiny Dr. Liz Somerville When you're ready, register at the site and post your choices in the Character Selection and Discussion thread. I'll send you their secrets, you can catch up on what they've done so far in Chapter 4, and then you can start posting. Current locations and equipment: www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=1658 (includes a thread history for each character, complete with links) The only IC threads you are permitted to read are the ones your characters have passed through, and only those posts in which your character was in that thread. Just follow the links for the characters you choose and you'll be fine. I'll also list the threads you need to read when I send the secrets. Rules and Guidelines: www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=1114Maps: www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=1726
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Post by zipp on Feb 1, 2009 7:25:23 GMT
I probably won't sign up till mid week (my weekend) but we'll see.
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 1, 2009 14:31:35 GMT
That's all right, take your time. I usually only have time on weekends myself.
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Post by zipp on Feb 10, 2009 21:51:58 GMT
Sorry I haven't been over to join your game yet. I know I'm coming up on a busy period, and I don't want to commit and then disappoint. Too bad, it looks like fun!
How are you enjoying this game so far?
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 11, 2009 1:49:47 GMT
It's great! Of course, I've been reading it since the beginning and have always enjoyed it, which is one reason I wanted to join. I do like how the system works. The concept is simple, but it allows for a lot of complex possibilities. Now that I've had my first taste of combat, I can really appreciate the combination of how your character's stats and equipment, the random element of the dice, and tactical decisions all work together. Even the weakest characters have a chance by out-psyching their opponents, but stronger characters clearly have a better chance by having more numbers to play with (and save).
I understand not having time to play Zombie Apocalypse; I barely have time to run it! If you ever do have time, you can always jump in later. New characters are added every so often, and catching up on the existing ones isn't that hard.
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Post by zipp on Feb 11, 2009 3:09:42 GMT
I do want to join eventually, yes, so thanks for the extended offer.
I'm also very glad you're enjoying yourself in my game. You're right, it's got a lot of complex ins-and-outs, but it's very easy to post in, as you just have to roll a few dice and arrange them. No consulting tables or remembering moves, or anything like that.
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Post by zipp on Feb 11, 2009 6:32:01 GMT
I just realized your password is "beserker" and not "beRserker"
*face palm
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 12, 2009 0:57:09 GMT
I had noticed that. I thought perhaps you might have misspelled it on purpose to keep anyone from easily guessing it.
Zombie Apocalypse is always open to new players, so any time you're ready to join just let me know. Characters will cease to be available as players take them (or they die), but new ones will be added eventually as well. Zoe Gallagher, Raquel Orozco, Sharon Kaplan, and Diana Forester have all been claimed recently, for instance.
I was wondering one thing about special abilities. Everybody gets two for free, but I ended up only being able to take one initially because I started with a 1 in SKILL. Does this mean I'll get the second one for free immediately upon raising my SKILL to 2, or am I going to have to shell out an additional 10 Exp on top of the 15 it already costs to raise my stat?
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Post by zipp on Feb 12, 2009 1:12:07 GMT
Interesting question. I'm leaning right now towards EXPing your way there. That's the pay off, as I see it, of being a tank character: it's harder to gain abilities.
Similar to tanks in other role playing games, actually.
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Zohar
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Post by Zohar on Feb 12, 2009 1:17:02 GMT
If I had known it would work that way, I probably would have put the 2 in SKILL and 1 in MENTAL, but the restriction was made after character creation was all but complete. Would it have been possible instead to start with an upgraded version of the ability I already had?
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Post by zipp on Feb 12, 2009 4:01:39 GMT
Since you haven't taken any damage yet, I would allow you to switch your stats (Mental 1, Skill 2) and take the extra skill right now.
How's that sound?
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Sir Aram
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 12, 2009 4:04:15 GMT
I'm thinking about that one, and I probably will. Can I decide after the end of the scene?
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