Modern Backdrops available and it's cool.

[C. Baize]

Hey, Tuculus and pierceatwork...
After having it for a little while, what do you think of Modern Backdrops?
I hope I'm not being pushy.
It's just my wife's first effort, and I'm incredibly curious what people think of it, and what we should think about for the second (and third?) books... We already have the themes for the next two installments, one of which (if I get my way) will be very little/no FX. I like the FX in the game, but my idea should appeal to those who want less of that in their Modern games.
Plus... I just think it's a really spiffy idea (if I do say so, myself)... I don't wanna give it away, just yet... But I think it'll be pretty cool.
Anyway, I'm quite curious as to the opinions of those who have bought it, thus far.

 

[Pierce]

Hey C,

To be honest, I read through San Carillo the day I got it and haven't been able to read any more (too frickin' busy between work and "real" life). As I said before, I think one of the great strong points in the product is the hooks for various levels of FX. Our Modern campaign is fairly low level FX-wise, so we would normally use "Level 1" in Backdrops. But I can easily imagine the crew being on a road trip, running across one of the scenarios provided here - upping the FX level becuase the area is a Hellmouth/Gate/Portal/Singularity to give it some newness/weirdness.

I think the level of detail is good - gives you a nice cast of NPC personalities to use, plus good background. I like the timelines outlining the history of the area (but I like timelines in general ). The maps are great - more maps please! I feel that I can write and describe things well, but when it comes to drawing out a map or determining how large that office really is, I have trouble.

I realize the Possession/Fiendish Vessel are from Blood and Relics but I haven't seen them before, so I'll comment on them here. Firstly, the whole thing scares the becrappies out of me. I can picture this happening to one of our group and the rest of us just freaking out. I am never letting my GM see this . Adding a template or new rule set like this is a nice feature. Extra bonus in that the template can be applied to NPCs, NPC Villains (as an extra little bit of nastiness!) or to the PCs themselves (*brr*).

Our group doesn't do Psionics, so I don't feel qualified to comment on that section.

Stuff to Add: Perhaps new creatures? I recently picked up the Menace Manual and had fun just reading over the bugaboos in there. Any good fresh ideas for monsters would be great (or rips from D&D monsters that haven't been converted already).

Again, I haven't had the chance to read through every bit of it, but I really like what I've seen. Keep it up.

 

[Psion]

I just got a review copy. Still only a first blush, but the maps look nice and the book looks meatier than I expected. I'm not a big fan of lanscape format, though. I like the three-tiered FX plot hooks; that should maximize the utility of the book in most campaigns.

 

[Pierce]

I don't normally enjoy landscape either, but I think it fits with this format. It seems to allow more text to be on the same page with the maps.

 

[C. Baize]

I think the level of detail is good - gives you a nice cast of NPC personalities to use, plus good background. I like the timelines outlining the history of the area (but I like timelines in general ). The maps are great[B/] - more maps please! I feel that I can write and describe things well, but when it comes to drawing out a map or determining how large that office really is, I have trouble.

Heh. Yeah... I'm normally okay with off the cuff things... I have trouble, sometimes, REMEMBERING how that office was laid out...
"I thought the desk was over in that corner.. Wasn't there a painting on that wall? What about the hole JJ blasted in the ceiling? There's no new tiles, and no bullet holes...."
Heheh....

I realize the Possession/Fiendish Vessel are from Blood and Relics but I haven't seen them before, so I'll comment on them here. Firstly, the whole thing scares the becrappies out of me. I can picture this happening to one of our group and the rest of us just freaking out. I am never letting my GM see this . Adding a template or new rule set like this is a nice feature. Extra bonus in that the template can be applied to NPCs, NPC Villains (as an extra little bit of nastiness!) or to the PCs themselves (*brr*).

Oh yeah... Chuck did some REALLY excellent work on Blood and Relics (it was nominated for an ENnie, if I'm not much mistaken.... and I don't think I am.. ), and it would make a very valuable addition to anyone's D20 Modern collection... especially if you want to add a low level cinematic FX aspect to your game.... Think... Mola Ram from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, or Tomb Raider... those levels of FX... add in some demonic possession rules, 'historical' artifacts, and add just a pinch of horror... stir it all up, let it simmer and brew... then add the secret ingredients... BAM! You've got Blood and Relics, ready to drop into your game... and it's PERFECT for the PCs that are not accustomed to any real FX... In my opinion, that's what it's really designed for... "How'd she do that? You can't do that... This is the really real world! In the really real world, people don't do that.... they CAN'T!" Really a beautiful piece of work.

Stuff to Add: Perhaps new creatures? I recently picked up the Menace Manual and had fun just reading over the bugaboos in there. Any good fresh ideas for monsters would be great (or rips from D&D monsters that haven't been converted already).

I actually worked up a modern take on the Ghost Template from D&D (not much work, there... just updated it to the modern template and added one aspect that makes it more like what we expect in a ghost, in modern times...), but the decision was made to leave it out of the book... I suppose, since it would have to be open content, anyway, I could post it here, if you'd like to see it.
And, yeah... I'd like to do some more critters, myself. I think that would be a great addition. Maybe some modern takes on classic baddies... Chupacabra, Bigfoot... some others...

Again, I haven't had the chance to read through every bit of it, but I really like what I've seen. Keep it up.

Thanks, bud. And that was really good feedback. Enjoy the book, man.

 

[C. Baize]

I realize the Possession/Fiendish Vessel are from Blood and Relics but I haven't seen them before, so I'll comment on them here. Firstly, the whole thing scares the becrappies out of me. I can picture this happening to one of our group and the rest of us just freaking out. I am never letting my GM see this .

After reading the story hour (all in one day, by the way), I can see WHY you wouldn't want the old druid to see those rules... Hehehe. That was a really cool story.

 

[C. Baize]

http://www.gamewyrd.com/review/391

GameWyrd did a review of the product, for anyone that's waffling on the decision.

 

[C. Baize]

http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=859
And now, Gaming Report has also reviewed it.

 

[ST]

Just wanted to chime in -- I bought this product off RPGNow yesterday (I'm running a D20Modern game and realized I was short on maps), and everything in it is at least as high a quality as what you see in the preview. It's not just maps; there's enough content in there to run an adventure in each of the areas portrayed.

Thanks for a good product. I'd definately buy more from the author/editor/family/whatever.

 

[C. Baize]

That's great! I hope you get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. It really pleases me to hear that people are using it. Especially when they enjoy it.
We're glad to take any feedback, and we'll take it all into consideration for future books. The author is working on Modern Backdrops 2, now, and this one should have some interior art, as well as maps.