Suggestions for a Darktower / Grim Tales game?

[Turanil]

Well, it appears that I will have problems for running the tabletop GT game I wanted to run (players missing, where to play, etc.). However, I have the project of running a Grim Tales PBP (play-by-post on Enworld), in an Old-West setting.

What I plan to do is something clearly reminding of Stephen King's Darktower series. As such, it will feature Gunslingers, mutants, undead, and witchcraft, in a dark and decaying Old West. But well, here end my ideas...

So, what would you all suggest for such a type of game? Also: does anyone know of a website with fine Old-West photos, but especially of Ghost Towns, and grim old-west landscapes, etc.

Thanks.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Ghosts Towns and Mining Camps of the Southwest
Old West Gallery
Southwest Landscapes 1, 2, 3 (geocities warning), 4 (black and white)
Old West Men's Clothing
Old West Women's Clothing

Hope these help!

 

[Turanil]

Thanks!

It nonetheless seems that running this dark supernatural old west game won't be that easy. What are the typical elements to create a good adventure for a six-gun and sorcery setting?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Thanks!

It nonetheless seems that running this dark supernatural old west game won't be that easy. What are the typical elements to create a good adventure for a six-gun and sorcery setting?

Seems to me, the nice thing about the Dark Tower is you don't really need to over-prepare. Every "weekly" episode can be encapsulated in its own world and setting. Just prepare the bare minimum of what you need to tell the story.

Also note that the heroes always seem to have a sense of where they are supposed to be going. You can use that to keep them "on the beam" and moving towards the parts of the story that you have prepared, and away from red herrings that don't advance the story.

I really think your task is easier than you think it is if you focus on PLOT and prepare only those elements you need each session to advance that plot.

Wulf

 

[Karl Green]

Man if you play that on EN World please let me play... please!!

Now I have only read the first book but I know the 'basics' of the world (reading spoilers, etc)

 

[Turanil]

Man if you play that on EN World please let me play... please!!

Now I have only read the first book but I know the 'basics' of the world (reading spoilers, etc)

Okay, I won't forget you. Anyway, read as much books as you want, since this game will be inspired by Darktower, not being closely based on it. I mean: PCs come from normal world (I allow one or two exceptions) into this dark Old West due to the Man in Black. There are plenty of grim descriptions, ruined places, mutants, but also undead and evil magic.

Yet I don't begin it soon, because I need to get all the photos I want. I do pbp with photos, to convey the ambiance I want. And it is difficult (at least it requires photoshop) to find western movies with undead and the like.

 

[Karl Green]

OK some ideas for rules and stuff to use in for a Grim Tales/Darktower...

Action Points - got to think more on this one

I would use MDT = CON

Firearms are ranged touch attacks.

'Spells' are a hard one... I say give out these spells depending on how the players describe what powers they want. What 'gift of glammer' do you want a MANNI to have. Or how about Touch/Breaker style psychic powers? Thinking about how to repesent some powers (just ones I think would fit the world) Psychic Visions, Empathy, Psychometry, Telepathy, or The Sight. If you have access to CoC d20 the way they do Psychic powers might work for these powers. They drain abilities as Spells do in GT so it so it would fit well

Gunsliger... PrC or not? I personally feel that you can play GT without PrC and its cool and all, but these guys might be a special case

Then character background info...

1) How much of the Dark Tower mythos is commonly known to the inhabitants of the Affiliation? It sound like that to most In-, Mid-, and even some End-Worlders, the Dark Tower is nothing more than a frightening myth, albeit a myth everyone knows even a tiny bit of. So, what would the characters know and believe about the nexus of all that is?

2) About sorcery: How common is the occult in this version of All-World?

more later going to bed now

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Firearms are ranged touch attacks.

Why would you do that?

 

[Turanil]

I am going to keep rules as they are, with only houserule being to forget about mini-grid and AoOs because I think it would slow the game too much as far as a pbp is concerned.

Players will have the choice to create a native character, and thus use Grim Tales, or someone drawn from our own world , and thus use d20 Modern. But this is for PC creation, then rules are GT. Only NPCs will have psi powers, so PCs wanting some supernatural will have to cast spells, in the GT way. Then, as far as Darktower is concerned, it's more so people understand the feel of it, but it won't be exactly as in the series. It's more to understand that PCs are in a dying-decaying world of six-guns and sorcery and mutants.

Okay, enough of teasing. This game doesn't begin soon. But I will run it anyway.

 

[Karl Green]

Part of the reason I was thinking about making Firearms Range Touch Attacks is the lower the importants of armor. If Platemail can stop a bullet whats to stop players from wanting to wear it? Just a thought and NOT that big a deal...

Spellcasting... Would you open it up to all D&D spells though?