Dungeon Crawl RPG Interest/Idea Thread(Fan-T/Open)

[Katyuscha]

I'm leaving in a couple hours on a 15 hour drive and then loading things into a truck.

"Halflings" are sometimes the same as Hobbits, so using the term Halfbreed would be a better term.

What would be the plot of this roleplay? A band of misfits fighting demons in a dungeon somewhere to save the city? Sandboxy? City defense? Maybe we have an overarching plot that allows for some free roam? I believe that's how those superhero roleplays usually work and they go on for a while.

Alrighty then.

I don't think we need to distinguish between the dozens of dwarf-like folk here, especially in a magitech/steampunk-fantasy setting. There's no place for hobbits and gnomes here. But you're right, half-breed would be better.

The City was cursed (or something), demons and night creeps roam the city, attacking the citizenry. A group of adventurers meet in Haven, The City's "clean" district, and decide to venture into the districts controlled by various factions of dark creatures. Probably on quests from citizens.

We haven't worked out the main story yet, except that we want it to end with The City cleansed of the curse.

I'm whatever suits you and damn! I still haven't played smash 4...

Please tell me. I prefer to be correct when I'm talking.

It's hella fun. Especially when you have 13 people playing in 2-man teams, and the first team out in the match trades out. Then the best pair splits up, and you keep going.
I never put down that controller until I had to use the restroom and get a drink.

I'm a guy ans yasssss. That sounds fun.

Also, there's no guarantee that we'll ever succeed in bringing the city back to life ;P

[Olthenia]

Dark Knights are pretty cool, if albeit hard to play as.

Why call it something as passé as "Dark Knight"? Wouldn't Bleak Knight or Ashen Knight be cooler?

In fact, let's juggle some words for a few moments and see what we can come up with.

Knight, in this setting, can be synonymous with Cavalier, Templar, Armsman, Brother and Bondsman.

Dark, by the same, can be synonymous with Bleak, Branded, Ashen, Blooded and Cindered.

That leaves us with Ashen Bondsman, Branded Templar, Bleak Brother, Cindered Cavalier and, if we combine the last two, Brandsman.

. . .



The Brandsman stalked towards us across the cobbles, blade rasping from his scabbard. His breastplate was dark as swirling smoke, and the sword in his gauntleted fists held a dull, threatening glow like smoldering cinders. His head was bare, and his eyes nearly lost in the sunken hollows of his skull. Yet sad, I thought. Sad and grim. Whisps of thin, soot-black hair fluttered atop his head like crows on a gallows, and the raw, ashen rune seared across his forehead was blistered. Jagged. Mean to look at.

Then he charged.

He came with a roar, booted feet striking sparks across the cobbles, and the voice from his bloodless lips was a burning man's scream - equal parts pain and fury.

The Brandsman cometh.

[Derpopoliss]

Dark Knights are pretty cool, if albeit hard to play as.

Why call it something as passé as "Dark Knight"? Wouldn't Bleak Knight or Ashen Knight be cooler?

In fact, let's juggle some words for a few moments and see what we can come up with.

Knight, in this setting, can be synonymous with Cavalier, Templar, Armsman, Brother and Bondsman.

Dark, by the same, can be synonymous with Bleak, Branded, Ashen, Blooded and Cindered.

That leaves us with Ashen Bondsman, Branded Templar, Bleak Brother, Cindered Cavalier and, if we combine the last two, Brandsman.

. . .



The Brandsman stalked towards us across the cobbles, blade rasping from his scabbard. His breastplate was dark as swirling smoke, and the sword in his gauntleted fists held a dull, threatening glow like smoldering cinders. His head was bare, and his eyes nearly lost in the sunken hollows of his skull. Yet sad, I thought. Sad and grim. Whisps of thin, soot-black hair fluttered atop his head like crows on a gallows, and the raw, ashen rune seared across his forehead was blistered. Jagged. Mean to look at.

Then he charged.

He came with a roar, booted feet striking sparks across the cobbles, and the voice from his bloodless lips was a burning man's scream - equal parts pain and fury.

The Brandsman cometh.

It's so hard not to pick Brandsman, But I like Branded Templar.

[WASPSOB]

Leaving things vague is sometimes just a cop-out, but I'll agree that here it adds to the mystery of "What the hell happened here?"

So the city used to be prosperous, but is now dilapidated? Do we not want to separate the city into 2 sectors, one overrun with nasties and one for the civilian population? That way, we can have NPC interactions without all the NPCs trying to kill us. Or were you thinking sporadic survivor camps where people band together to stay alive during The Nightmare?

Lots of discussion since I signed off, yesterday.

Some of the more "prosperous" survivor camps, in a big (mega) city, might have characters setting/styling themselves up as "Barons" with "knightly" retinues.

[WASPSOB]

Don't worry, I'm not making it OP, its very weak magic, so a slight speed boost. I wont go overpowered.
Like I said: no biggest armor, biggest sword, and great magic.

Didn't you want dark magic? Like entropy, life drain, hexes, that kind of stuff? None of that will give you a speed boost, and self-enhancement isn't really in a Dark Knight's repertoire. Or at least, not such a wide variety of magical abilities.

Mechanically, because, IMNtbHO, I originally suggested very simple magic and healing potions because I thought simplicity would make play easier.

But I am not against other magicks.

[Katyuscha]

Dark Knights are pretty cool, if albeit hard to play as.

Why call it something as passé as "Dark Knight"? Wouldn't Bleak Knight or Ashen Knight be cooler?

In fact, let's juggle some words for a few moments and see what we can come up with.

Knight, in this setting, can be synonymous with Cavalier, Templar, Armsman, Brother and Bondsman.

Dark, by the same, can be synonymous with Bleak, Branded, Ashen, Blooded and Cindered.

That leaves us with Ashen Bondsman, Branded Templar, Bleak Brother, Cindered Cavalier and, if we combine the last two, Brandsman.

. . .



The Brandsman stalked towards us across the cobbles, blade rasping from his scabbard. His breastplate was dark as swirling smoke, and the sword in his gauntleted fists held a dull, threatening glow like smoldering cinders. His head was bare, and his eyes nearly lost in the sunken hollows of his skull. Yet sad, I thought. Sad and grim. Whisps of thin, soot-black hair fluttered atop his head like crows on a gallows, and the raw, ashen rune seared across his forehead was blistered. Jagged. Mean to look at.

Then he charged.

He came with a roar, booted feet striking sparks across the cobbles, and the voice from his bloodless lips was a burning man's scream - equal parts pain and fury.

The Brandsman cometh.

This is badass.

Leaving things vague is sometimes just a cop-out, but I'll agree that here it adds to the mystery of "What the hell happened here?"

So the city used to be prosperous, but is now dilapidated? Do we not want to separate the city into 2 sectors, one overrun with nasties and one for the civilian population? That way, we can have NPC interactions without all the NPCs trying to kill us. Or were you thinking sporadic survivor camps where people band together to stay alive during The Nightmare?

Lots of discussion since I signed off, yesterday.

Some of the more "prosperous" survivor camps, in a big (mega) city, might have characters setting/styling themselves up as "Barons" with "knightly" retinues.

And I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them were a little (more like a lot) bonkers.

[WASPSOB]

Lore (suggestion)
There is another dimension, Faerie, where the ancestors of the non-human races originated. One effect of the cataclysm was the destruction of the dimensional portals. With the loss of contact to their home dimension, the non-human races have split into two non-beligerent-but-uneasy factions, the Traditionalists and the Practicalists.

The Traditionalists, also known as The Dragons, hold with the old Faerie customs: All Honorable Guests are Due Hospitality. Defend the Honor of the Queen of Faerie (even though they are trapped in a different dimension). Honor All Bargains to the Letter. Never Tell a Direct Lie. Repay All Debts (both good and ill). These customs allow for some measure of trust among the Dragons. Good bargains with them must be clear and sufficiently detailed. One must pay attention to the words that they use and do not use, as misleading synonyms and omission of some facts are not a direct violation of thier honor code. Dishonorable treatment of a Dragon can earn the offender a long time antagonist. The Dragons favor the use of magic and actively search to collect old books and arcane items for their libraries and laboratories.

The Practicalists, also known as The Chimeras, feel that they have to adapt and evolve to the new world situation. The Chimera values are personal survival balanced with sentient cooperation and the recognition of enlightened self-interest. A typical Chimera attitude might be expressed as, "Let's work and survive together (until I have to outrun you, or worst case, sacrifice you)." Some Chimeras can be selfless defenders of others. Also, the Chimeras are much more interested in exploring, craftsmanship and scientific research than the Dragons.

[Katyuscha]

Lore (suggestion)
There is another dimension, Faerie, where the ancestors of the non-human races originated. One effect of the cataclysm was the destruction of the dimensional portals. With the loss of contact to their home dimension, the non-human races have split into two non-beligerent-but-uneasy factions, the Traditionalists and the Practicalists.

The Traditionalists, also known as The Dragons, hold with the old Faerie customs: All Honorable Guests are Due Hospitality. Defend the Honor of the Queen of Faerie (even though they are trapped in a different dimension). Honor All Bargains to the Letter. Never Tell a Direct Lie. Repay All Debts (both good and ill). These customs allow for some measure of trust among the Dragons. Good bargains with them must be clear and sufficiently detailed. One must pay attention to the words that they use and do not use, as misleading synonyms and omission of some facts are not a direct violation of thier honor code. Dishonorable treatment of a Dragon can earn the offender a long time antagonist. The Dragons favor the use of magic and actively search to collect old books and arcane items for their libraries and laboratories.

The Practicalists, also known as The Chimeras, feel that they have to adapt and evolve to the new world situation. The Chimera values are personal survival balanced with sentient cooperation and the recognition of enlightened self-interest. A typical Chimera attitude might be expressed as, "Let's work and survive together (until I have to outrun you, or worst case, sacrifice you)." Some Chimeras can be selfless defenders of others. Also, the Chimeras are much more interested in exploring, craftsmanship and scientific research than the Dragons.

That sounds fine, but I'd personally change the name. Sounds a little fairy tale-ish to me. That and there are bound to be other factions as well, but those are my only real critiques. I like it, otherwise and we can put that in if everyone else like it.

[Plzen]

Maybe a feudal sort of a (sociopolitical) setting, with late medieval/early modern political structure, with all these little barons and dukes striving to actually control the lands that they supposedly own, all of them striving after the titles of king and emperor, little merchant republics amassing money and power to their ambitious mayors, all set against the backdrop of mythical monsters ravaging the land.

Basically think Europe 1250, but substitute "mythical monsters" for "steppe cavalry."

[Derpopoliss]

Lore (suggestion)
There is another dimension, Faerie, where the ancestors of the non-human races originated. One effect of the cataclysm was the destruction of the dimensional portals. With the loss of contact to their home dimension, the non-human races have split into two non-beligerent-but-uneasy factions, the Traditionalists and the Practicalists.

The Traditionalists, also known as The Dragons, hold with the old Faerie customs: All Honorable Guests are Due Hospitality. Defend the Honor of the Queen of Faerie (even though they are trapped in a different dimension). Honor All Bargains to the Letter. Never Tell a Direct Lie. Repay All Debts (both good and ill). These customs allow for some measure of trust among the Dragons. Good bargains with them must be clear and sufficiently detailed. One must pay attention to the words that they use and do not use, as misleading synonyms and omission of some facts are not a direct violation of thier honor code. Dishonorable treatment of a Dragon can earn the offender a long time antagonist. The Dragons favor the use of magic and actively search to collect old books and arcane items for their libraries and laboratories.

The Practicalists, also known as The Chimeras, feel that they have to adapt and evolve to the new world situation. The Chimera values are personal survival balanced with sentient cooperation and the recognition of enlightened self-interest. A typical Chimera attitude might be expressed as, "Let's work and survive together (until I have to outrun you, or worst case, sacrifice you)." Some Chimeras can be selfless defenders of others. Also, the Chimeras are much more interested in exploring, craftsmanship and scientific research than the Dragons.

That sounds fine, but I'd personally change the name. Sounds a little fairy tale-ish to me. That and there are bound to be other factions as well, but those are my only real critiques. I like it, otherwise and we can put that in if everyone else like it.

I like it but agree, we need more, how about a Group of mercenaries that would do anything for a hefty chunk of change.

[Katyuscha]

Maybe a feudal sort of a (sociopolitical) setting, with late medieval/early modern political structure, with all these little barons and dukes striving to actually control the lands that they supposedly own, all of them striving after the titles of king and emperor, little merchant republics amassing money and power to their ambitious mayors, all set against the backdrop of mythical monsters ravaging the land.

Basically think Europe 1250, but substitute "mythical monsters" for "steppe cavalry."

That could definitely exist, but since we'll mostly just going to be running around a single cursed city that most sane people would rather avoid, I imagine we wouldn't really see too much of the workings of the world around us. At least for now. You can totally mention as much lore and history about this world in the in game dialogue, but not much of anything outside of the actual city will likely be seen for some time.

[The Templar High Council]

The Brandsman cometh.

Keeping that image for the future OP.

Some of the more "prosperous" survivor camps, in a big (mega) city, might have characters setting/styling themselves up as "Barons" with "knightly" retinues.

Love it.

Mechanically, because, IMNtbHO, I originally suggested very simple magic and healing potions because I thought simplicity would make play easier.

But I am not against other magicks.

I think we can dumb magic down to 5-6 elements (including light and dark), but allow players to put personal spins on it. Like fire breath as opposed to precise flaming bolts.

Lore (suggestion)

Eh, I'm not feeling it. This only explains the fey-like races (elves, pixies, the like), and only really makes 2 factions.

Hopefully today I'll have the time to spin an epic tale as backstory, but it will probably be based on calling it The City and leaving at least a few thing sounding vague.

[WASPSOB]

Character
Name: Erdefeuer
Race: Pixie (mixed earth and fire heritage)
Faction: Chimeras
Highest Educations: Chemistry, Engineering
Skills: Dagger (like a 2 handed sword), Sculpture.
Powers: Pixie Flight, mineral transmutation and kinesis, heat and fire generation. While touching the ground, Erdefeuer can quickly create small solid objects (gears?), including small gunpowder rockets (RPGs?) and light/activate her creations. Large objects require more time, depending on size. Her direct pyrotechnic magic can generate focused heat like a blow torch.
Personality: Generally Quirky, but task oriented.

[WASPSOB]

That sounds fine, but I'd personally change the name. Sounds a little fairy tale-ish to me. That and there are bound to be other factions as well, but those are my only real critiques. I like it, otherwise and we can put that in if everyone else like it.

I like it but agree, we need more, how about a Group of mercenaries that would do anything for a hefty chunk of change.

The Chimeras might have some mercs. They might band with some humans. There can also be human factions.

[Plzen]

Maybe a feudal sort of a (sociopolitical) setting, with late medieval/early modern political structure, with all these little barons and dukes striving to actually control the lands that they supposedly own, all of them striving after the titles of king and emperor, little merchant republics amassing money and power to their ambitious mayors, all set against the backdrop of mythical monsters ravaging the land.

Basically think Europe 1250, but substitute "mythical monsters" for "steppe cavalry."

That could definitely exist, but since we'll mostly just going to be running around a single cursed city that most sane people would rather avoid, I imagine we wouldn't really see too much of the workings of the world around us. At least for now. You can totally mention as much lore and history about this world in the in game dialogue, but not much of anything outside of the actual city will likely be seen for some time.

I imagine the local nobility will be greatly interested in whatever happens there. I feel that the broad background should definitely influence late game NPCs and the local happenings.

Besides, it'll add flavor to the RP if characters come from such-and-such a town in such-and-such a duchy... Culture, accents, equipment and all. So characters from certain regions are just... different... from those of other regions.

At the very minimum, can we at least develop a detailed setting for the ~250km around the city? If we need more setting we can build from there.

[WASPSOB]

Eh, I'm not feeling it. This only explains the fey-like races (elves, pixies, the like), and only really makes 2 factions.

Just think of Orcs as a kind of Troll.

And they HATE being called "faeries", although they grudgingly accept being called "Fae".

[Derpopoliss]

I'd rather be like a separate group of like 3-5 Mercs, with me as the leader. More of a playstyle then anything, but I could have people join me.

[Katyuscha]

That could definitely exist, but since we'll mostly just going to be running around a single cursed city that most sane people would rather avoid, I imagine we wouldn't really see too much of the workings of the world around us. At least for now. You can totally mention as much lore and history about this world in the in game dialogue, but not much of anything outside of the actual city will likely be seen for some time.

I imagine the local nobility will be greatly interested in whatever happens there. I feel that the broad background should definitely influence late game NPCs and the local happenings.

Besides, it'll add flavor to the RP if characters come from such-and-such a town in such-and-such a duchy... Culture, accents, equipment and all. So characters from certain regions are just... different... from those of other regions.

At the very minimum, can we at least develop a detailed setting for the ~250km around the city? If we need more setting we can build from there.

Oh, well of course. It sounded at first like you were talking about turning this into a faction rp that'd take place all across the world. No, lore is what we need and that's acceptable. Just note that not many of the original residence are still alive and most that are have either been turned into violent thralls or have simply gone completely insane. Only a fraction of the nobility will still be in any sort of power there. I'm completely open to creating a culture and background for this place though

[WASPSOB]

See you all tomorrow.

[Democratic Peeps Republic of Korea]

Hello,

Thanks for organizing this - I'm definitely interested.

How about a steampunk meets Lovecraftian horrors theme?

After innumerable aeons, the time is at last right for the return of the Outer Gods, to be released from their ancient prisons by the awakening Great Old Ones, who are themselves preceded by various servitor races. What is this young, impudent race that has so recently spread to all corners of the world? How quickly have they progressed from swinging in trees to creating a civilization - yet remain so blissfully ignorant of the true order of the cosmos. They may yet prove useful.

Maybe add some sort of sanity/stability mechanic?

[Plzen]

I imagine the local nobility will be greatly interested in whatever happens there. I feel that the broad background should definitely influence late game NPCs and the local happenings.

Besides, it'll add flavor to the RP if characters come from such-and-such a town in such-and-such a duchy... Culture, accents, equipment and all. So characters from certain regions are just... different... from those of other regions.

At the very minimum, can we at least develop a detailed setting for the ~250km around the city? If we need more setting we can build from there.

Oh, well of course. It sounded at first like you were talking about turning this into a faction rp that'd take place all across the world. No, lore is what we need and that's acceptable. Just note that not many of the original residence are still alive and most that are have either been turned into violent thralls or have simply gone completely insane. Only a fraction of the nobility will still be in any sort of power there. I'm completely open to creating a culture and background for this place though

I'm thinking that this city, at the meeting point of two rivers, used to be the seat of a prosperous merchant republic, facilitating trade between all races and cultures.

Then one day, the caravans and ships abruptly stop coming. Local nobility sends scouts (poorly armed, since they're not supposed to be soldiers) to figure out what happened. The merchants of the republic that was on trading expeditions return to that city. Curious travelers also decide to investigate.

The scouts, returning merchants, and curious travelers all arrive to find the city devastated by a mysterious, unknown, and dark force, which is rapidly spreading across the countryside.

So that's my idea for the situation. But to do this, we need a fairly well-designed world, so we know who the local nobilities are, which regions the travelers come from, etc...

Can someone draw up a map or something? I'm thinking a "known world" of about 5,000km across, with just rough cultural boundaries, and a "area of interest" of about 250km across, complete with borders, nobility, cities, etc.

[Noldoria]

Oh, well of course. It sounded at first like you were talking about turning this into a faction rp that'd take place all across the world. No, lore is what we need and that's acceptable. Just note that not many of the original residence are still alive and most that are have either been turned into violent thralls or have simply gone completely insane. Only a fraction of the nobility will still be in any sort of power there. I'm completely open to creating a culture and background for this place though

I'm thinking that this city, at the meeting point of two rivers, used to be the seat of a prosperous merchant republic, facilitating trade between all races and cultures.

Then one day, the caravans and ships abruptly stop coming. Local nobility sends scouts (poorly armed, since they're not supposed to be soldiers) to figure out what happened. The merchants of the republic that was on trading expeditions return to that city. Curious travelers also decide to investigate.

The scouts, returning merchants, and curious travelers all arrive to find the city devastated by a mysterious, unknown, and dark force, which is rapidly spreading across the countryside.

So that's my idea for the situation. But to do this, we need a fairly well-designed world, so we know who the local nobilities are, which regions the travelers come from, etc...

Can someone draw up a map or something? I'm thinking a "known world" of about 5,000km across, with just rough cultural boundaries, and a "area of interest" of about 250km across, complete with borders, nobility, cities, etc.

Why not make it a post-third age Tolkien-based world, and use a late-time map of Arda?

[The Templar High Council]

I'm thinking that this city, at the meeting point of two rivers, used to be the seat of a prosperous merchant republic, facilitating trade between all races and cultures.

Then one day, the caravans and ships abruptly stop coming. Local nobility sends scouts (poorly armed, since they're not supposed to be soldiers) to figure out what happened. The merchants of the republic that was on trading expeditions return to that city. Curious travelers also decide to investigate.

The scouts, returning merchants, and curious travelers all arrive to find the city devastated by a mysterious, unknown, and dark force, which is rapidly spreading across the countryside.

So that's my idea for the situation. But to do this, we need a fairly well-designed world, so we know who the local nobilities are, which regions the travelers come from, etc...

Can someone draw up a map or something? I'm thinking a "known world" of about 5,000km across, with just rough cultural boundaries, and a "area of interest" of about 250km across, complete with borders, nobility, cities, etc.

Why not make it a post-third age Tolkien-based world, and use a late-time map of Arda?

Because this isn't in the LOTR universe. That's why we're world-building for it.

[Plzen]

Why not make it a post-third age Tolkien-based world, and use a late-time map of Arda?

Because this isn't in the LOTR universe. That's why we're world-building for it.

Comment on my scenario?

[Derpopoliss]

It could be a post-apocalyptic tale in which darkness and corruption spread throughout the world and shrouded it in darkness.