[d20 Modern] - Harry Potter (Urban Arcana) [Full]

[Arknath]

I'm considering running a d20 Modern/Urban Arcana/D&D 3.5 Harry Potter style game*. I'm gearing up for some TT gaming with the same theme, but would like a place to practice/experiment with new concepts before I release them to the group I'm playing with.

I only have one plot item set: The PC's will be first year's at Hogwart's three years before HP actually shows up. I'm working on some specifics, and I'll post them when I get them more concrete.

Incedentally, I'd like to mention that I'm only through PoA and about 1/8 of a way through GoF so any story topics or characters based on ideas presented in the novels in which I have not read (I'm on Ch. 4 in GoF, I'll keep you updated ) will not be considered for reasons of personal interest in the story and finding out events as they happen, not out of order so the suspense is lost.

I'll be recruiting 3-6 players and sorting you into your houses on a system that I'm devising. Who's up for it?

*For those of you inclined to laugh or to think that Harry Potter is just for kids I would ask that you keep your opinions to yourself. This thread is not, in any shape or form, a forum to discuss one's likes, dislikes, or opinions about the story, its characters or my attempt to take a popular work of fiction and use my own creativity to make it a playable role-playing game. I will be happy to discuss the books at length in another forum (or by email) but not here. I appreciate the mature audience I know whom will understand and be open-minded enough to give something new and different a try.

 

[Blacklancer]

I would like to be the first to volunteer. I have both d20 modern and 3.5, but no urban arcana....yet, it is on the short list of books to buy now that I have exalted deeds, mini handbook and underdark in my grubby paws. I have read all the five books, and am famalier with the setting and characters. I'll keep my mouth shut abut the last two for your sake.

Lancer

 

[humble minion]

This sounds interesting. I'll be willing to play for sure, though my availability will be pretty limited through most of December.

What sort of ruleset were you looking at using? In the post you say 3.5/D20M, but there's a fair bit of difference between the two. Are you thinking of some sort of homebrew combination?

 

[Arknath]

Re: The ruleset.

Yes, I plan on using a combination of both by taking the necessary mechanics for the world from both. While there will be no chance of starting with about half the skills in d20 modern, there will be some skills from D&D that will be substituted for those skills. Also, I'm considering tinkering with the UA magic system and making it more like D&D, but that is a work in progress.

Varying creative aspects of the story from Ms. Rowling are not expanded in the book because of the need for a backdrop for her stories. The courses at the school is a big example of something that could be expanded upon to make characters unique from each other in more ways than personality and history. As far as I have read, there isn't much talk about the "Life-After-Hogwart's" occupations that these wizards are supposed to be preparing for. It's sufficient for a story insomuch that the reader need not be thinking about those sort of things while reading, but for a role-playing game that has characters with their own personal goals and agendas, it's something that needs attention.

My intent is to stay as true to the novels as possible while still making it an interesting and entertaining game. Sometimes that just won't be possible and sometimes the player's will have a better idea than I come up with for a certain piece. Either way, this is a setting that SCREAMS "publish me" but because of some creative types up in Hollywood (or wherever) they don't want to make it into an RPG. So, we have to use what we got.

Re: the lack of Urban Arcana.

There is a great deal of information that will come from this book. It is an excellent resource for all things modern and magical. So even if you decide not to play in this game, if you're interested in the genre, it's worth every red cent. I'll help you along as much as I can, but if you've got the 3.5E PHB and d20 Modern, you've got 80% of the material. UA just provides more feats, spells, AdCs, PrCs, equipment, etc. There will be many homebrew items that I will have to construct as well (with the help of players, of course) so don't worry. You're sitting pretty.

 

[Corinthi]

I think I'd be willing to give this a whirl. I've all three books in question, but genuinely have no idea how you'll define RK Rowling's world into d20. I could see doing it via Hero System, but d20 boggles my mind.

I'm trying to keep my character options open until I've an idea of where you want the story to go. For some reason, a Gryffindor youngster who wants to be a magical artisan sounds fun. After all, all the Chocolate Frogs, Flying Brooms, and Flue Powder has to come from somewhere.

Jesse

 

[Arknath]

Thanks for the interest.

It will definitely be a challenge, but I think I've got some pretty good ideas to make it work. Some of the ideas are still forming and will probably need play testing, but it's going to be fun and challenging.

Regarding the story, the plot is still up in the air. Obviously it's going to be a low-level game that involves many of the school activities and have a small adventure planned for the first year.

I've already got the design for the Sorting Ceremony mostly complete and i've combined the skill systems to reflect the magical nature of the game. I've also divised the process by which wealth will be dealt with and it looks like it will work pretty well.

Anyway, glad to have you aboard...stay tuned for the player character creation rules next.

 

[Blacklancer]

I will have UA next week, if not sooner. just need to get to my FLGS nd pick it up. I have an idea for a a transfer student, american father and british mother, who is a witch, both now divorced. he goes to school in the UK and summers in the USA with dad. Let me know if this concept fits with your idea, as its still very much basic and easily changed.

Lancer

 

[Arknath]

That sounds good but one question...Did you mean a student that lives outside of London instead of a transfer student? Just wondering because it would be strange to be a "transfer student" when you're starting your first year.

Also, Blacklancer reminds me of something that I wanted everyone to do. Before you even choose a class or anything, I'd like for everyone to create a background for their character. This will be very important when it comes to your life outside of Hogwart's and some other things.

In addition, go ahead and choose your parent's occupations from the list of occupations in the d20 Modern book or Urban Arcana. There will also be new occupations that I'm creating specifically for the world (Hogwart's professor, Ministry of Magic employee, etc.). So just let me know what you'd like for them to do, as you will be too young to have an occupation, your parent's occupations will determine your wealth bonus.

Keep the ideas comin....we'll get this thing going.

 

[Blacklancer]

To clarify, my idea for him is his mom and dad are divorced. Mom, being the Brit, lives in London, mabye as some sort of Ministry worker. Dad is still in the USA. Dad knows about magic, and their world, just has no ability himself. His father agreed to let his mom choose the school, and she chose Hogwarts. Since she has primary custody of him, he will be going to school in the UK at Hogwarts, and stay with dad during the summer, with christmas break at home with mom. he has dual citizenship, due to the parents two nationalities.

again, this is all baseline stuff, let me know what you think.

Lancer

 

[Arknath]

Good stuff...That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for..."real world" sorts with a HP twist.

I'm transitioning between two jobs at the moment so the creation may be a little slow...but I'm feverishly working (and reading just finished the Quidditch World Cup chapter in GoF). Lots of ideas...just got to catch em and put em on paper.

Anything from you guys Corinthi and Humble??