D&D General Gritty City Watch campaign (outline)

[CapnZapp]

It also gives them time to escape or be bailed out for political/ crime/ story reasons to become a reoccurring villain or possible informant. I mean, how many times has Batman put the Joker in Arkham?

Sure with the caveat that heroes of written fiction tend not to get nearly as frustrated by having their hard work essentially nullified as players of role-playing games...

Batman would totally kill Joker, raise his corpse as undead, Imprison that abomination, create a Demiplane to store the imprisonment jewel, then throw away the plane shift key to that dimension, and finally Wish everybody forgot about his existence... if Joker got out of jail more than maybe twice in one campaign...

 

[dave2008]

Sure with the caveat that heroes of written fiction tend not to get nearly as frustrated by having their hard work essentially nullified as players of role-playing games...

Batman would totally kill Joker, raise his corpse as undead, Imprison that abomination, create a Demiplane to store the imprisonment jewel, then throw away the plane shift key to that dimension, and finally Wish everybody forgot about his existence... if Joker got out of jail more than maybe twice in one campaign...

True, but it could be a hook to investigate deeper - why does the scum keep getting back out! Hmmm...

 

[CapnZapp]

As for the justice system, I hope to not have to delve too deep into that. I am dimly aware even the ancient Romans had a truckload of laws and regulations, so when I'm envisioning that the law protects the rich, the influential, the connected and the strong, I know that's more "fantasy" than "history".

The City Watch itself is supposed to be one of the most protected organizations. Not because the murder of a lowly watchman is of any particular interest, but because how this ultimately threatens order and those in power.

 

[Aldarc]

My first take reading the thread title: “Why is the hockey mascot Gritty part of the city watch?”

 

[samlarson]

Relatives: You are encouraged to make up friends, relatives and others you rely on in your private life. Why? Because stories about YOUR kidnapped wife, or YOUR uncle deep in debt with the Half-Orcs, are much more compelling than just some random housewife getting snatched up from the street, or some random old geezer not having the money to pay back his loan once the extortionate interest is added in! like this payday loan affiliate program

I always underestimate that part in my plays

 

[Wasteland Knight]

I once played in a campaign where, for a few levels of play, the PCs were all members of the Sharn (Eberron) Watch.

It was fun and memorable. The GM threw some oddball stuff at us, like two bakers who were rivals in the same vicinity of each other and we kept having to break up arguments.

We got a lot of use out of Saps in those adventures, and I never thought a +1 Merciful Light Mace would come in so useful.

 

[Eltab]

Random Encounter: Guardian Angels (as in NYC). Look like just another street gang on the surface but they have a dispersed "territory", really do look after the weal of those whom they protect, and tend towards Good / Lawful. They also have an agreement to cooperate with The Authorities but are not a subordinate tool nor a cats-paw group.

Put some variety into "you have to drum up some evidence / clues / witnesses".

 

[Ancalagon]

If you want gritty, perhaps pathfinder is not the best system? Have you considered Warhammer 2nd ed, or the GLOG?

 

[Stormonu]

For a City Watch campaign, I wouldn't use the penalty to non-lethal force. I'd make that the standard, and make using lethal force a -2 penalty to hit (assuming that the watch members are overcoming their training to inflict deadly wounds rather than capture).

Also, I'd personally draw on a lot of '20s era gangster lore - Chicago mobs, the untouchables and the like - for most of the roster of villains, perhaps also Gangs of New York for inspiration. If you want something a bit more modernish, I'd personally draw on things like Law & Order (you could have PCs actually have two characters - one set for the watch on the street observing and investigating criminal acts and the others who are a mix of investigators, lawyers and/or defenders involved with the cases once an offender is brought in) or perhaps something like CSI, where the PCs investigate and attempt to solve post-crime action. Or a mix of all three - walking a beat investigating crimes and/or mysteries, and bringing offenders to justice while trying to keep afloat of the rampant political/corrupt bureaucracy and make things better for all involved.