Game fuel. Post about an upcoming session; get suggestions

[RangerWickett]

I've gotten tons of game help from EN World over the years, and I thought maybe I could nudge other people to tap the collective wisdom here too. Post what's coming up in your games, and hopefully people will offer ideas to add depth, breadth, randomness, awesomeness, clever ideas, or vibrant flavor.

If I may start, I want to have the party head to a theater owned by a crime boss. A theater of scoundrels, that not only provides entertainment for the thieves' guild, but also training in the art of acting (i.e., lying). I'm trying to think of some gimmick to have, like barefisted boxing matches between plays to keep the rabble entertained.

Anyone want to dogpile on with suggestions for what else could be in a theater of scoundrels?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You KNOW a knife throwing act would be popular...especially if the target was someone who had violated guild rules...

You may also want to check out episodes of The Cape- there's a Circus of Crime in it, don't 'cha know?

 

[Rechan]

Part of the art of lying isn't just looking convincing. It's about having something to say. They should do improv, to have a quick response when they're put on the spot.

Anyone want to dogpile on with suggestions for what else could be in a theater of scoundrels?

Burlesque. Teach those female thieves how to be seductive and distract. Also very entertaining for the audience.

Pickpocket Gauntlet. Set up a lot of dummies with bells on various places. The goal is to pick their pockets without making any bells go off. This could be "back stage", or it could be a stage demonstration - if a bell goes off,they get shot with a blunt-headed crossbow bolt (arrow lacking a pointed tip - would be like getting shot with a rubber bullet).

Timed lockpicking sequences. You have to pick x locks in y time or (once more) get shot.

Now combine a few things like this (pick all the pockets, unlock all the locks) on the stage at once, and have several thieves competing - sort of like that final event from American Gladiator. Winner gets something, loser gets beaten.

 

[Rechan]

You may also want to check out episodes of The Cape- there's a Circus of Crime in it, don't 'cha know?

Why would you subject people to such torture, Bruce?

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Anyone want to dogpile on with suggestions for what else could be in a theater of scoundrels?

The party arrives at the theatre only to discover that it's the gang's spirit week, when all the members get to dress up and act the boss' part. They all look and act differently, but they all call themselves Boss and are convinced that the PCs are new members that need to be hazed.



Okay, here's mine. It's a very broad question, so I'll be pleasantly surprised if anyone answers:

My campaign setting began as just a kitchen sink to set dungeon dives in, but I'm trying to flesh it out a bit more. Find its tone.

It's an ancient Earth. I mean, so ancient that its sun is a red giant. So ancient that [demi]human history is measured in billions of years. Partly inspired by Jack Vance, the Fading Earth is a crazy world where bizarre things happen regularly, and everyone is jaded. Adventuring is a common and respected profession, because you can hardly throw a stone without it hitting some ancient ruin or a Lovecraftian horror or a cult of devil worshippers.

Even humans, with their short life spans, have heard everything even if they haven't seen it. The Earth is fading, and everybody knows it. Really -- there was a prophesy a few years ago, and for once all of Earth's soothsayers agreed that the world is ending. When? They don't know exactly, but Earth's glory days are over.

The question is, how would the peoples of a Fading Earth act? Other than every forest having long since been cut down and then replanted in nice even rows, how would such a world look?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Why would you subject people to such torture, Bruce?

Toughens 'em up better than throwin' 'em on he barbie!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The question is, how would the peoples of a Fading Earth act? Other than every forest having long since been cut down and then replanted in nice even rows, how would such a world look?

Some would try to figure out a way to escape: Spelljammers? Stargate portals to other planets or planes?

Some would try to make bargains with higher powers to escape the fate of the world. Others would nihilistically indulge every whim.

Some would live their ordinary lives...assuming they didn't wind up a pawn in someone else's schemes.

 

[Quickleaf]

Anyone want to dogpile on with suggestions for what else could be in a theater of scoundrels?

Agreed, ENWorld is awesome.

My idea is a mashup from the movies Interview with a Vampire & Malice in Wonderland.

Some poor sod is to become part of the act in a potentially life-threatening way (or is it all an elaborate threat/blackmail?), only thing is no one is sure who that poor sod will be. Maybe its a tradition of the theatre of crime? Lots of blokes affiliated with the theatre have marks against them with the guildmaster, who happens to be a grandiose (and particular) afficionado of the arts.

And it just so happens the guildmaster's birthday is around the corner, so everyone is searching for that one special gift to make sure it's not their neck that's put out to dry...or cut off.

In between acts there might be presentation of gifts to the guildmaster, mini quests to recover stolen gifts, mystery to figure out who has a trapped gift, a detective on the inside who the PCs need to make subtle contact with, and possibly needing to protect (or set up) a particular individual.

Enjoy the show!

 

[Wednesday Boy]

You KNOW a knife throwing act would be popular...especially if the target was someone who had violated guild rules...

That's what I was thinking too. Something like the New Year's celebration in Gangs of New York.

The question is, how would the peoples of a Fading Earth act?

I imagine that since Lovecraftian horrors and cults of devil worshippers abound and are well recognized, the general population is aware that the end of the world has been expected but avoided countless times. That would make many people skeptical that the same thing won't happen this time. "Sure it's a catastrophe but someone's going to save the day. They always do."

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It's preemptive but I could use help on brainstorming my character for our next campaign (that will start in about 2 sessions). The campaign will take place in a low fantasy setting with a political intrigue plot (ala Game of Thrones). The setting is going to be a homebrew that the entire group collaborates on and the only restriction for our characters is that they all need a strong connection with the same noble house.

I was considering playing the lord's spymaster or a scholarly advisor but the lack of a well-developed setting is making it difficult for me to find inspiration for a character with substantial depth. On the other hand the lack of a well-developed setting gives us almost free reign to make any character we want to and inject whatever setting elements that the character would need.

Maybe you all can spark my creativity or inspire me. If you were in my shoes, what character would you want to play? (And keep in mind at this time the sky's the limit.) Thanks!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Maybe you all can spark my creativity or inspire me. If you were in my shoes, what character would you want to play? (And keep in mind at this time the sky's the limit.) Thanks!

I'm currently designing a Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer|Starlock in this thread in the 4Ed forum. He's a bit high-fantasy, but his foundation is the same Arabic scholar as was in The 13th Warrior- a good inspirational launch point given your post.