Major Newbie looking for his first System RPG similar to Rifts (Postponed)

Started by King Serperior, December 08, 2015, 02:33:04 PM

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King Serperior

NOTE:  I have NEVER played any system game before and all I know of system RPGs comes from maybe three hours of watching/listening to a Youtuber playing Rifts.

Hello!  If the fact that I don't know ANYTHING about systems hasn't scared you off, I would like to outline what I am looking for:

I have seen maybe three hours of the Rifts Campaign (and am still watching) by the youtuber SpiffySquee.  I own no books because I have no RL friends who even play these sorts of RPGs.  That said, from what I understand of Rifts, it is kind of combination between Skyrim and Fallout all at once.  To quote the Youtuber, one could be fighting someone in full Power Armor one moment and fighting a Dragon the next!  This kind of Fantasy Apocalypse sounds amazing!  However, because it seems I require a Rifts book and these books seem to be pretty pricey to get, it will not be Rifts itself.  I have looked around the Rifts wiki, but everything seems to be just a bunch of stubs that leaves me with more questions than I have answered.  That means it must be what has been described to me as a 'setting neutral' game that can be adapted to my preferred genre options.

I am NOT looking to GM anything, so a GM who has experience with system RPGs is very much appreciated.  At most, I am seeking between 2-3 people to adventure with under the guidance of a GM.  I would prefer at least one or two players who are experienced to some degree.  Really, I am a blank slate here.

This will not be something with tons of sex, so if that is what you are expecting, I am sorry to disappoint.  Sex-to-story will likely be 10%-90% at best and likely less than that.  If I wanted a sex-filled story, I'd go by the One-Shots board.  This is a learning experience for me.

Now, I have spoken with someone who recommended a number of system types and, of the ones he showed me, the d20 Modern seems to be the one that feels most right.  I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to reading it, but I really like the fact that it is so adaptable, if a little 'non-new-used-friendly.'

TL;DR

I, a person who is new to any kind of System RPG (as in less than a day's experience), am looking for an experienced GM and between 2-3 players for a Rifts-style fantasy-Sci-fi game on the forums.  It doesn't have to be Rifts, mainly because it seems that knowing anything about it requires the book (which I don't have), so something similar would be quite helpful.  Finally, I am extremely slow at posting and since I am learning, I need someone who is patient.

I am not looking for a smutty, sex-filled romp.  I am looking for a detailed story of survival.  Heck, it can be a fantasy universe!  Or a Sci-fi universe!  I am thinking the d20 system looks to be the best bet for a setting neutral game.  This will be forums only.

O/O's
A/A'sMonster Girl Palace
SFW Image Ideas for Scifi, Fantasy, Horror, and Steampunk Games! | My various characters, if you are curious! | I am a Rainbow Writer!
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Cassandra LeMay

May I make a suggestion for a system that mixes modern technology with magic and weird inventions, plus is pretty easy to learn?

Feng Shui

It's designed to emulate the over-the-top action of Hong Kong action flicks, but there's nothing there preventing it from being used for a more "survival type" story. Character creation is fairly easy, as you pick a template (based on movie archtypes) and customize it a bit. The dice-rolling / task resolution mechanism likewise shouldn't be difficult to grasp, even for someone completely new to system games.
ONs, OFFs, and writing samples | Oath of the Drake

You can not value dreams according to the odds of their becoming true.
(Sonia Sotomayor)

King Serperior

Thanks for the suggestion, Cassandra!  I'll look into it.  I'm mainly just trying to get my head wrapped around all of these systems and, while I am not even a quarter of the way through reading the d20 Modern system I linked above, I am eager to find a fair DM and a couple of players who can and will help a newbie like me out.

O/O's
A/A'sMonster Girl Palace
SFW Image Ideas for Scifi, Fantasy, Horror, and Steampunk Games! | My various characters, if you are curious! | I am a Rainbow Writer!
Post Rate: 1 post per game every 1-4 weeks on average  ||| I encourage any and all random PMs.

Cassandra LeMay

Good luck wrapping your head about "all these systems", given how many systems there are. Even if I count all the games that share the same fundamental system as just one (like all the d20-based games, for example) I probably have about 35 different systems in my collection and that might be just the tip of the iceberg.  ;D

That aside, I might be able to help you out here, maybe run at least a short adventure to give you a first taste of system gaming, but before I make up my mind I have a question for you:

Why do you want to try a system game? What have you heard about them? What are your expactations? How do you imagine it might go?

Okay, that's more than "a question", but I'd like to know where you are coming from and what you expect. Not every game - or gamemaster - is for every player and I think it's important to be certain from the start that everyone involved shares at least some ideas and expectations.
ONs, OFFs, and writing samples | Oath of the Drake

You can not value dreams according to the odds of their becoming true.
(Sonia Sotomayor)

King Serperior

Quote from: Cassandra LeMay on December 10, 2015, 03:15:39 AM
Good luck wrapping your head about "all these systems", given how many systems there are. Even if I count all the games that share the same fundamental system as just one (like all the d20-based games, for example) I probably have about 35 different systems in my collection and that might be just the tip of the iceberg.  ;D
Haha, well, the main one I am working on wrapping my head around is the d20 Modern one I linked above that Sherlock so kindly gave me.  :P
Quote
That aside, I might be able to help you out here, maybe run at least a short adventure to give you a first taste of system gaming, but before I make up my mind I have a question for you:
Alright, well, I certainly do appreciate it.  Let's see regarding my answers:
Quote
Why do you want to try a system game?
The main reason is that I feel that I need to at least try it.  I have been on E for nearly three years now and have seen many good games come and go that were system-based.  I feel like I am missing out on something important by limiting myself due to my lack of understanding.
Quote
What have you heard about them?
The main thing I have heard about them is that it is basically like a Freeform game, but major (and some minor) actions such as fighting a foe or talking your way down to a better price requires certain dice rolls that depend on character stats that are also determined by rolls.  Characters also level up and increase their stats over time.  The Dungeon Master (A DM, which I have mistakenly called a GM until now) controls the world and creates the situations the players find themselves in.
Quote
What are your expectations?
I guess you can say that I expect a fluid world created by the DM where the characters/players adventure that ranges from life-or-death combat to intrigue to simple tasks like trying to get a cat out of a tree.  The dice rolls generally range from epic fails (the 1s) to epic wins (20s or whatever the highest roll may be), always providing an interesting result.  I really don't know what else to describe in terms of what I expect beyond that extremely simple description...
Quote
How do you imagine it might go?
What exactly do you mean?  It really depends on the setting.   For example, if it's a Steampunk setting, it may start out as a simple journey between towns where a Sheriff, Musician, and Ex-soldier find themselves drawn into some insane plot.  It could be a fantasy setting where a couple of unlikely companions find themselves hunted by the so-called 'good guys.'  I don't really know how to describe how I imagine it going.  :/

Quote
Okay, that's more than "a question", but I'd like to know where you are coming from and what you expect. Not every game - or gamemaster - is for every player and I think it's important to be certain from the start that everyone involved shares at least some ideas and expectations.
I get where you're coming from, certainly.  I do hope that my answers, as vague and simplistic as they may be, have helped you figure out if the game type I am looking for fits what you may be looking for as either a player or DM yourself.

O/O's
A/A'sMonster Girl Palace
SFW Image Ideas for Scifi, Fantasy, Horror, and Steampunk Games! | My various characters, if you are curious! | I am a Rainbow Writer!
Post Rate: 1 post per game every 1-4 weeks on average  ||| I encourage any and all random PMs.

Cassandra LeMay

Alright, let's see ...

QuoteThe main reason is that I feel that I need to at least try it.  I have been on E for nearly three years now and have seen many good games come and go that were system-based.  I feel like I am missing out on something important by limiting myself due to my lack of understanding.
That's as good an answer as any, I guess, but before we get down to details about maybe playing together, let's be clear about two things: (1) If we start something and you find it's not to your liking, opt out any time you like. Don't feel you need to go on when it's not fun for you. Sometimes players, GMs, and systems just don't mash well and you only discover it some time into the actual game. These things happen. (2) If one system game does not work for you, let it not stop you from trying another one. Keep an open mind and don't base your opinion only on what I say or do. If I introduce you to system gaming it will be only my personal take on it - nothing more.

QuoteThe main thing I have heard about them is that it is basically like a Freeform game, but major (and some minor) actions such as fighting a foe or talking your way down to a better price requires certain dice rolls that depend on character stats that are also determined by rolls.  Characters also level up and increase their stats over time.  The Dungeon Master (A DM, which I have mistakenly called a GM until now) controls the world and creates the situations the players find themselves in.

I guess you can say that I expect a fluid world created by the DM where the characters/players adventure that ranges from life-or-death combat to intrigue to simple tasks like trying to get a cat out of a tree.  The dice rolls generally range from epic fails (the 1s) to epic wins (20s or whatever the highest roll may be), always providing an interesting result.  I really don't know what else to describe in terms of what I expect beyond that extremely simple description...
DM, GM, Storyteller ... potahto, potayto.  ;D All these terms are valid, as long as they describe the same thing. Some systems prefer one term, some another.

But yes, the basic idea is to introduce an element of randomness into the resolution of certain situations (without neglecting a character's skills / aptitudes / whatever, least it turns into a complete lottery of results). There are certainly situations when the dice should not come into play because the task is basic enough that anyone should be able to manage it, and times when a character's abilities should figure into the outcome at least as prominently as a dice roll, to give specialists in a certain field a chance to shine in that field.

A forum-based system game will also not capture quite the same feeling as playing with people around a table and rolling dice in the real world sometimes provides. It's like ... maybe playing poker with some buddies in RL vs. playing online poker on the internet. The game and the rules are still the same, but the feeling is different. It's something to keep in mind when you hear people talk about their experiences with system games: Are they talking forum or RL?

QuoteWhat exactly do you mean?  It really depends on the setting.   For example, if it's a Steampunk setting, it may start out as a simple journey between towns where a Sheriff, Musician, and Ex-soldier find themselves drawn into some insane plot.  It could be a fantasy setting where a couple of unlikely companions find themselves hunted by the so-called 'good guys.'  I don't really know how to describe how I imagine it going.  :/
What I guess I meant when I asked how you might expect it to go is (for example) how much you expect the dice to come into play, how structured you imagine the game to be, so I guess.... the level of "roll playing" vs. "role playing". (Those two terms you might hear now and then when you hang out with system gamers long enough, but personally I think it's a false dichotomy, as how much roleplaying goes into a game doesn't depend on the rules, but rather the GM and players, but that's perhaps taking the topic too far into gaming philosophy.)

All that said, what I could offer you is a system game using some relatively simple rules (Feng Shui for something modern, Dungeon World for something strictly fantasy, or maybe something homebrewed) but not d20 Modern. While I have a few rulebooks based on d20 Modern, I've never played it and I am not sure if it is the best system for a complete newcomer. It's not at all a bad system, mind you, but it may be a bit too much for an introduction to system gaming.

We could do a One-On-One with me as GM or we could ask for a few more players, once we agree on a basic setup.

But please feel free to take your time thinking about this. I wouldn't want to close this door on you. If you'd like to wait a bit and see if anyone else offers some options that's fine by me.  :-)
ONs, OFFs, and writing samples | Oath of the Drake

You can not value dreams according to the odds of their becoming true.
(Sonia Sotomayor)

King Serperior

Okay, I'll take some time to think on it longer, Cassandra.  I think I'll take a different route to ease myself in the 'roll playing' aspect before integrating it into an actual game campaign.  I'll do this by trying that Cardboard Bits area of games and, if it turns out that I like what is happening, I'll take you up on your suggestion and possible offer.

Thanks for the help!  I really appreciate it!

O/O's
A/A'sMonster Girl Palace
SFW Image Ideas for Scifi, Fantasy, Horror, and Steampunk Games! | My various characters, if you are curious! | I am a Rainbow Writer!
Post Rate: 1 post per game every 1-4 weeks on average  ||| I encourage any and all random PMs.

Cassandra LeMay

Quote from: King Serperior on December 10, 2015, 12:42:05 PM
Okay, I'll take some time to think on it longer, Cassandra.  I think I'll take a different route to ease myself in the 'roll playing' aspect before integrating it into an actual game campaign.  I'll do this by trying that Cardboard Bits area of games and, if it turns out that I like what is happening, I'll take you up on your suggestion and possible offer.

Thanks for the help!  I really appreciate it!
You are welcome. And if you have any questions about system gaming, feel free to PM me if you like.
ONs, OFFs, and writing samples | Oath of the Drake

You can not value dreams according to the odds of their becoming true.
(Sonia Sotomayor)