Brainstorming a campy new homebrew...

[Shiv]

Here's the basic idea. Several years ago, magic crept back into the world. Instead of this helping the world as we knew it, it tore it apart. Class divisions are more pronounced. Government has gone (more) corrupt. The military is trying to hold things together, but not really succeeding.

Think of it in comparison to Deadlands. Where Deadlands is a campy horror-comedy game set in an alternate old west, this is a campy fantasy-comedy game set in an alternate modern day.

The PCs would play members of the underbelly of society who have nothing to lose. They find themselves thrust into the spotlight and become heroes in their own right, fighting the oppression of society (now steeped in magic and fantastical creatures) as well as the problems of the low-class developments where they live.

I know. Sounds a little weird. But it's supposed to be. Campy and comical, but at the same time heroic and adventurous. Borrowing elements of exploitation and campy/over-the-top films of all genres.

Character Class ideas:

Street Punk
Kook
Bag Person
Pimp Daddy
Wino
etc...

The underbelly elements of your stereotypical city.

I'm just tossing this out there. Chime in with any thoughts.

 

[DarkSoldier]

Sounds a lot like Shadowrun.

 

[Shiv]

In a way, I guess. A lot of "modern fantasy" sounds at least something like Shadowrun. But...no cybertech, no matrix, non-human PCs are much more rare.

And it's gonna have a more tongue-in-cheek side to it.

 

[Pierce]

Rip off Hollywood!

The first thing that popped into my head when reading your description was The Running Man. Here's the IMDB link if you're not familiar (hey, it's been over 15 years - just making sure!) Rag tag heroes with nothing to lose make perfect fodder for the government sponsored gladiator combats. What happens when the fodder wins??!?

 

[Runesong42]

Have you ever seen "The Faculty"? Your six stereotype comedy-horror-heroes are presented in modern-day fashion:

Duh Jock (the i-play-sports-but-cant-spell-type)
Duh Bombshell (the good looking cheerleader type)
Duh Geek/Nerd (the smart guy with no social skills)
Duh Rebel (the guy always doing wrong because he can)
Duh Loner (the artsy-goth emotionally closed type)
Duh Princess (the goody goody sweet as pie type)

Six types... six stats... hm?
Coincidence?

Actually, it is. But it's the first thing I noticed when I watched the movie. Plus, it's kind of a good movie.