Interest Check - Various Ideas [MUL]

[Jefepato]

As usual, I have more ideas for games than time to actually run them.  A few have been swimming around in my brain lately, so I figured I'd throw them on the board and see what people think.

Idea #1: GURPS 4e - Strike the Earth! [NA]

You've played Dwarf Fortress, right?

Here, a small number of dwarven PCs struggle to keep their mountainside fortress running and their underlings in line, in a world of demanding nobles, terrifying elephants, and vicious schools of carp.  The PCs are likely to be quite capable (although they might well have their own personal problems or lack the best of intentions -- no one said you were ideal for the job), but they can't run a whole fortress by themselves even during peacetime -- and who knows when those damned goblins might show up?  I'd like to use GURPS for the overall grittiness of it, but I'll be more than happy to help people with character creation.

Just remember: losing is fun!

Idea #2: GURPS 4e - Fantasy [probably NC-E]

The PCs are powerful individuals in a classic fantasy world, albeit one with something of a dark side.  I haven't really thought this through all that far, admittedly, but possible plot threads include:

-Classic hero stuff.  Fight dragons, rescue damsels, come to terrible ends.
-Arena fighting.  The sadistic crowd loves to see young up-and-coming gladiators humiliated and slaughtered...or just violated.
-Join ISWAT.

Idea #3: M&M or Cinematic Unisystem - Hour of Shadows [VAN or BON]

Inspired heavily by a combination of Persona 3 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with the tiniest dash of Don't Rest Your Head.  The PCs are young, probably high school or college students, and have discovered a mysterious 25th hour that lies at the stroke of midnight.  Unfortunately, everyone else you know is unconscious and unaware while that hour goes by, which is a problem since that's when the monsters come out.

People have noticed the death toll rising, but it's always blamed on accidents or animal attacks.  You might not be good friends or even like each other all that much, but you're the only ones who can do what has to be done, and you'd rather work with that annoying guy from your Chemistry class than let the monsters eat people.  And you've gotten good at it, too -- maybe you were talented all along or maybe necessity can drive you harder than you ever thought, but the problem isn't that you can't beat the monsters.  Perhaps you're a good fighter or have discovered a mysterious power, but you've definitely learned to take care of yourself out there.  (Bonus: you'll never fear a mugger again.)

The problem is that you're tired.  You had a life, after all, and now you're getting up in the middle of the night for a serious workout, every night.  It's taking its toll, and you can't possibly explain to anyone why you're so tired all the time.  Even worse, at this rate you're going to make that one fatal mistake eventually.  You're doomed, sooner or later, if you don't somehow stop the menace once and for all.  Too bad you have no idea how.

Idea #4: Tri-Stat d8 - Weird University [VAN-E, with possible shades of BON-E]

Something along the lines of Illuminati University -- possibly using that setting, though the idea is pretty flexible.  At heart, it's a game about a weird university where all kinds of wackiness happens, to PC students who may or may not be part of the weirdness themselves.

GURPS has its place, but I feel that a system less focused on realism is suited to this kind of environment.

Idea #5: M&M - The ELE Wants You! [BON-E at most]

Of course you've watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.  (If you haven't, go do that instead of reading my stupid ideas.)

Here, the PCs are aspiring villains who want in on the Evil League of Evil.  The PCs will probably be PL 7-8 or so -- genuine threats on some level, but far from invincible.  PC concepts could vary, but would have to be at least somewhat evil and not absolutely dead serious.  Working together or separately is perfectly fine.  Just make the Bad Horse gleeful, before the alternative happens!

Idea #6: Savage Worlds - International Awesome Squad* [BON-E]

Sometimes, crises happen that the governments of the world are simply not equipped to handle.  A supervillain plans his assault on the United Nations.  The walking dead are forming conga lines in the streets.  Great Cthulhu is rising from the deep, and boy is he hungry.

That's where you come in.

You are the shadows emerging from the burning wreck, the most hardcore in the world.  In your area of expertise, you are unsurpassed.  That's good, because you need to be the best to deal with the world's weirdest problems.  Maybe you're a focused and dedicated ex-cop or military veteran...or maybe you're decidedly eccentric.  It doesn't really matter -- when the world needs you, what choice do they have but to put up with you?

Imagine Venture Bros. if everyone was as competent (at something) as Brock, with a dash of Black Ops thrown in.

_{*I'm pretty sure I stole the title from some post on RPG.net.  Credit wherever it's due.}

Idea #7: M&M - Scum and Villainy [NC-E]

The PCs are fairly potent superpowered villains, working together or separately, either for themselves or (for those players who don't wish to come up with their own crimes to commit) a master villain.  The life of a supervillain isn't an easy one, but it has its perks, and besides wealth and infamy, having defeated superheroes at your mercy is pretty high on the list.

This isn't meant to be about long-term bondage scenarios, just the racy aftermath of super-fights.  The good guys don't win here nearly as often as they do in the comics...and why not celebrate your victory with that nubile young superheroine who thought she could stop you robbing the bank?

Idea #8: GURPS 4e - The Great Outdoor Fight [probably NA]

http://greatoutdoorfight.com/index.php/Main_Page

Three days, three acres, three thousand men. Only one will win The Great Outdoor Fight.

[Ajoxer]

I would totally be up for most of those. Fantasy, perhaps not so much, though I could still think of some things that would be interesting to do there. Gobwin Knob, for instance, has that certain blend of surreal humor and interesting potential I do love so.

Overall, though, I'd say that I'd rank them: Idea #3, Idea #1, Idea #4, Idea #2, with the top three pretty close together.

[Athem]

I've always liked Illuminati University, so I'd be interested in #4.

[Feylen]

Hour of shadows looks very interesting to me. And Weird university could be fun. I would like to try either of them.

[Nephili]

I'm not familiar with the systems here, but all four ideas sound interesting to me... three and four especially.

[shadowheart]

If you start #2, or #1 to a lesser degree, I am in.  Familiar with GURPS so wouldn't need any help making a character.

[Jefepato]

Updated with more bad ideas.