Naruto d20: A Path Less Travelled
I'm looking for a good naruto game a little different from the norm. Of course, it's tough finding a lasting game in this system that keeps a good pace*, so I'll take what I can get. However, there are a few things I would like to try that would make this game really stand out.
EDIT: I probably should have specified, I'm not looking for all of the following ideas rolled into one game. One or two aspects are fine ^.^
Non-Traditional Setting
I'd really enjoy playing in a game with many fantastical creatures and the chance to experience the world as a wide-eyed rookie ninja in a land filled with constant surprises. Think Mushi-shi or the Spirit World from the Last Airbender. Or maybe a modern day ninja (whether or not ninjutsu is known to the general public).
Horror
I know horror isn't the first thing that comes to mind when naruto is the topic off discussion, but I think the series has a lot of opportunities to explore darker themes. Particularly with nukenin like Orochimaru, who has a lot of power and a lot of test subjects confined in dark and alien places. I should note, I haven't played this genre much in the past, but would love to give it a go in an Nd20 game.
Tactical/Espionage
I'd like to play a game as ninja, and I think that should entail a lot of puzzle and role playing challenges. Playing a squad member actively infiltrating enemy lines, and causing dismay from the inside with minimal physical confrontation and without being discovered isn't something I've been able to do yet. Of course, I really enjoy combat too, so a good mix of that would be greatly appreciated. The new Kakashi filler arc also has me really interested in joining a unit like the ANBU, which could allow for tons of flexibility in how many active players the game could run with and how they interact with other PCs.
And now to go against everything I just said...
Chuunin Exams
The game doesn't even have to be guaranteed to continue once the test comes to a close. I know chuunin exams are probably the most overdone campaign arc in this game system, possibly only second to the academy, but what can I say; I like puzzles, and I like group collaboration. A game like this with other experienced players, and a GM challenging our creativity/survivability, would be awesome.
I have grown wont to a few variant rules, but that's a non-issue. I would like to start at mid levels though (6-8). I'll follow whatever creation guidelines the GM sets, but I'll also ask about variants if I can get a GM to come along. I'm mostly focused on finding a setting from the the above list (or even some cooky idea I haven't yet imagined). Although a little freedom to move around in the world would be nice depending on the setting, or at least the illusion of autonomy.
[Edit] Added a new idea.
Descendants of the First Son
The title is in reference to the Rikudou Sennin's first born son. Don't worry, I won't post any spoilers from the manga, so please hear me out. I got to thinking how, since I stumbled upon this system almost 3 years ago, I have yet to play a Sharingan user. Yet I feel there has been a sharingan user in one-half to two-thirds of the games I have been a part of. It's popular, and with many of the coolest or most powerful characters in the series bearing sharingan I can certainly see the attraction. In fact, the main reason I haven't made one yet is that my play style matches one of those well known characters a little too well; I don't want a clone of a canon character. But recently, an idea came to me, and after a lot of effort I managed to stat it out to my satisfaction.
So enough intro (sorry, it has more bulk than I meant it to). Relating this idea back to its title, I propose a game in which every player is born to the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps we could play in a setting before even Madara's birth, or a non-canon world imagined by the GM. In any case, I'd love to see the innovative ideas other players have for the bloodline while I play out my own. What sort of trouble could such a powerful clan get themselves into? How will we overcome it?
*I call a daily post by everyone involved a good pace, give or take half a day. Maybe a "comfortable pace" is a better way to describe that. I can keep up with a faster schedule if need be.
This message was last edited by the user at 00:58, Thu 03 Apr 2014.