I don't know what to run! Help!

[El_Gringo]

A new year has begun and my current FR campaign is beginning to wind down. Just as soon as the PCs finish the City of the Spider Queen module, I'll have other options to consider. I want to run two games, one being a D&D/FR campaign, and the other being a modern/sci-fi game. Here's what I have so far.



-Forgotten Realms: Headbutts & High Kicks. A game in which every character receives the Unarmed Strike feat for free. Rules are geared towards anime/wuxia flicks. A very lighthearted game that puts style ahead of function.

-Forgotten Realms: Wherever you go... A game that focuses heavily on player goals and determinations. The PCs tell the DM what happens. A very role-play oriented game heavily leaning towards simulationism. (Slower advancement rates, random encounters, political dealings, etc.)

-Forgotten Realms: The Silver Heralds. A sort of inbetween the first two choices, this game relies on role-play ability but also contains a moderate amount of dungeon crawling/hack & slash. PC goals are very specific and are determined by the DM.


As for the non D&D games;


-d20 Modern: Demon Hunters. A stylistic game about a group of demon hunters in the modern world. Influences include Devil May Cry, The Matrix, and Hunters Hunted. The PCs are undoubtedly the underdogs and face death at every turn. Only those brave enough to walk against the path of the shadow may survive.

-Spycraft: Metal Gear Solid: Based upon the video game, the PCs fight to keep the world safe from those who would use the ultimate weapon. The game would rely more on stealth than combat. Minor psionics will be allowed.

-Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Taking place during the Rise of the Empire Era, this game features overwhelmed PC Jedi apprentices forced to defend the Republic from Separatist forces. Themes wil include the declining number of Jedi, the growing power of the Dark Side, and the mystery that lies within.


Any opinions on these would be most appreciated.

 

[Xarlen]

I would go for the second FR model, or the third (The third is what I like to model any campaign that's going to be doing a lot of ADVENTURING).

Suggestions for where to place the FR campaign would most likely be a City (Waterdeep is your best bet, or Cormyr). If Cormyr, I would suggest to you reading Cormyr: A Novel, Beyond the High Road, and Death of a Dragon; the first will give you an idea of Cormyr's system (As well as a WHOLE buttload of background into Cormyr's history) and the second two set up the current state of Cormyr; recovering from a great war, no king, etc.

As for the last one... None would appeal to Me, but I'd likely go for the d20 modern one.

 

[El_Gringo]

The Cormyr Trilogy is my favorite series of FR books. Our current game (started back in early 2001) took place mostly in Cormyr. Though I like it a lot, I don't want to focus another campaign there. Strangely enough, the first two ideas have the PCs based in Waterdeep, while the third one takes places in the Silver Marches/Silverymoon.

Regarding the modern games, what do you like or look for in setting, detail, etc.? Thanks for taking the time to help out a distraught GM.

 

[Xarlen]

I understand your plight; I'm ending my semi-high fantasy 70% FR campaign for a more LotR/Princess Mononoke 'Olde Fantasy' style D&D game, but I yearn to run a good old fashioned Beer and Pretzels game, since I never have. And then there's the HUNDREDS of character concepts I'd love to run.

There's actually a lot of FR books I like; the Cormyr saga wasn't my favorite, but I DID approve of some parts of it HIGHLY (the fact the demons had to be forgiven instead of just outright killed made me happy ).

If you are going to go for Waterdeep, I'd suggest checking out Elain Cunningham's books on Danilo Thann. Or, alternately, you might want to check out Halruaa (a trilogy of her books, but I only suggest the first two).

As for a Modern setting... Well, I've not had too much experience. Maybe my disinterest in your Star Wars approach was my dissatisfaction with Ep 1 and 2 , so I'm disliking by association.

The Demonhunting seems... rather focused. 'Monsters. We kill them.' While there may be a lot to it, still... I don't know. I would say 'Paranormal Investigators', but perhaps that's been done a thousand times. Maybe an Indiana Jones style RPG done with d20 Modern? Or...

I'm in a campaign setting that, while set 25 years in the future, is... Interesting. I could point you to it, if you like? It's a free PDF. And, I only point to it because of the Ideas of it. A sort've 'feel' you might want to create.