Where do I start for running a Pulp d20 adventure?

[molonel]

I try to run games in different systems or play in different systems, which is why I'm running two Cthulhu/d20 Modern adventures and playing in an Exalted campaign. After the 13th level spec ops game I ran at a recent con, I finally feel that I have a good handle on the d20 Modern and d20 Call of Cthulhu systems.

So now, I'm looking at the Pulp materials on RPGnow.com. I must admit, I'm a bit of a PDF junkie, and I fully believe in supporting independent publishers, so nipping stuff off of Bit Torrent is right out. I'm not above reading through a book off of BT to see if I want to buy it, just like I have no problem browsing through a magazine or book off the rack in Barnes & Noble. But if I use it, or keep it, I will pay for it.

With THAT long introduction out of the way, where would you start if you wanted to start learning how to run a d20 Pulp game? I see a lot of stuff on RPGnow.com, and I have no idea where to dip in.

Feel free to recommend materials that you've written, or web sites that you've used.

Also, what movies do you look to for inspiration when writing or running Pulp adventures?

 

[jezter6]

Adamant's GM Guide to Pulp is a great resource, as are most of the other GM type books. I'm not partial to too many Advanced Classes, but I do have a bunch of them and they're not bad.

Start with the GM guide, then figure out where you want to go with it. Pulp isn't just a single genre. Do you want lost worlds of dinosaurs, or do you want Indiana Jones?

Try to figure out where you want to be on the "Wahoo : Noir" scale, then look at products that fit right with what you plan to run.

 

[breschau]

I try to run games in different systems or play in different systems, which is why I'm running two Cthulhu/d20 Modern adventures and playing in an Exalted campaign. After the 13th level spec ops game I ran at a recent con, I finally feel that I have a good handle on the d20 Modern and d20 Call of Cthulhu systems.

So now, I'm looking at the Pulp materials on RPGnow.com. I must admit, I'm a bit of a PDF junkie, and I fully believe in supporting independent publishers, so nipping stuff off of Bit Torrent is right out. I'm not above reading through a book off of BT to see if I want to buy it, just like I have no problem browsing through a magazine or book off the rack in Barnes & Noble. But if I use it, or keep it, I will pay for it.

With THAT long introduction out of the way, where would you start if you wanted to start learning how to run a d20 Pulp game? I see a lot of stuff on RPGnow.com, and I have no idea where to dip in.

Feel free to recommend materials that you've written, or web sites that you've used.

Also, what movies do you look to for inspiration when writing or running Pulp adventures?

To date, the absolutely best pulp game I've played is Hollow Earth Expedition. The publisher is Exile Games. The pdf was on sale the last time I checked.

Also, hands down, the best suppliment (though not system/game) is Pulp HERO. I hate the HERO system, but the book is a treasure to own, just for the reference value.

 

[Flynn]

You can't go wrong with Grim Tales for a Pulp game. It's the perfect d20 engine for it, and allows you to still use much of the d20 Modern pulp genre products to supplement your game.

There's also some great advice online:
http://www.fantasylibrary.com/lounge/pulpavengers.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/gallows/954/fsuns/actionad.htm
http://www.miskatonic.org/dent.html

And a fine collection of links here:
http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=673151

Hope this helps,
Flynn

 

[lmpjr007]

You might want to try out Haven: City of Bronze Campaign Setting. It is very Pulp-ly and interesting and Best of all unlike the other products listed here, you can get it for absolutely FREE. Click here to get your copy!

 

[Piratecat]

For non-d20 I recommend Spirit of the Century and Hollow Earth. Stay far, far away from Adventure! d20. It's poorly implemented, unfortunately.

I'll note that Spycraft makes a good pulp system as well, with a little massaging.

 

[mikelaff]

I've had good experiences with Adamant's Thrilling Tales line.
Specifically, I ran the Dragon Island adventure with a small group - and it went pretty well.

Here's a link to that

For movie pulp inspiration - I'd suggest The Shadow, the first Indiana Jones and the first of the recent The Mummy movies.

I'd also argue that a recent movie - The Prestige - captures the vibe pretty well (if the vibe you're going for is creepy and supernatural pulp). It's got vindictive dueling stage magicians, a mad scientist (Tesla, no less) and a twist ending that you really don't see coming.

Ah well, not to ramble on about that movie. YMMV. Anyway - those are my suggestions.

 

[rgard]

I like Forbidden Kingdoms Master Codex. It's D20, but it's 3.0. Otherworld Creations published it.

Anybody know if they did a D20 Modern version or an update for 3.5?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Walt C]

I've had good experiences with Adamant's Thrilling Tales line.
Specifically, I ran the Dragon Island adventure with a small group - and it went pretty well.

I'll always have a soft spot for Dragon Island (it was my first published adventure). I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Rich: There is a pdf converting Forbidden Kingdoms to d20 Modern.

Adamant has an omnibus edition with most of the advanced classes, GM's Guide, Nazis, Thugees, and new material inside. The Adventure omnibus is due out this month, with both d20 and Spirit of the Century stats. I've also translated most of the advanced classes into M&M (Thrilling Tales Pulp Archetypes).

Battlefield Press also has a Pulp Fantasy pdf for the d20 system.

Walt

 

[jaerdaph]

I like Forbidden Kingdoms Master Codex. It's D20, but it's 3.0. Otherworld Creations published it.

Anybody know if they did a D20 Modern version or an update for 3.5?

They released Forbidden Kingdoms: Modern as a PDF:

http://enworld.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=426&products_id=6739&

It's not bad, but the ultimate d20 Modern Pulp resource is the Thrilling Tales Omnibus, which includes pretty much everything released by Adamant through 2006 except the adventures:

http://enworld.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=7806&