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IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse.

Posted by Jhaelan
Jhaelan
member, 76 posts
Prefers roles to rolls
Based in UTC+1
Wed 25 Mar 2015
at 21:44
  • msg #1

IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

I'm considering running a Rifts campaign on here, with some home-brew adjustments to ensure fifteen seconds of combat is more suited to the nature of play-by-post. Broad brush the campaign will be a small band wandering through the megaverse - including various locations on Rifts Earth as well as other dimensions, histories and realities

Concepts I am thinking of to set the wheels in motion might include:
  • Everyone starts strangers, summoned or otherwise re-routed to the starting scene. Pros: fresh relationships, opportunities for interesting alliances. Cons: Limits OOCs/RCCs to those who would be susceptible to this kind of accident, risk of the PCs killing each other spuriously
  • Pre-formed band of mercenaries, monster hunters or bandits. Pros: Bit longer to set up, but may be more cohesive. Cons: It's a bit 'wizard in the tavern", may limit character choices
  • Formal military unit, but otherwise as above. Pros: Opens up some more interesting role-playing options, such as Coalition. Cons: Requires players comfortable with a chain of command
  • Escaping slaves. Pros: Slower build in terms of power levels, maybe more focused on survival. Cons: Difficult to balance natural power based characters vs. gear based characters, could exclude the latter as I wouldn't guarantee a Glitter Boy Pilot will stumble over a suit

Definitely thinking a gritty feeling and thoughtful game, rather than a cartoonish or anime style one. Think more Sandman, BSG or SG-U than Robotech

Any takers?
tom power
member, 1 post
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 11:19
  • msg #2

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

I'm interested.  I'm ok with any of those ideas.  What kind of power level are you comfortable with?
mesneaky
member, 138 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 13:22
  • msg #3

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Yeah, I can see the first option potentially causing problems unless everyone is willing to make characters that would cooperate rather than kill - a risky proposition in a Rifts game heh.

Slaves would limit OOCs, or at least their ability to use gear like you said, so that wouldn't be my first choice, though it could be done.

The merc or military unit could work.
smithy211
member, 247 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 13:26
  • msg #4

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

I'm in, all the options work for me really, I just love Palladium!
Mrrshann618
member, 36 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 13:56
  • msg #5

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Option 1 always tends to devolve into a "Reservoir Dogs" scenario in my opinion/experience. I've mostly encountered people who want to act all secretive and cool with a huge "I'm the Best" attitude when it comes to rifts, Very few Vagabond players. Very few people in the PbP style environment want to develop a "Party Spokesman"

I adopted a game that I ran several years ago using the "conscription" style gathering. Given the anonymity of a PbP, I more often ran into players who simply wanted to do their own thing rather than adapt to the situation, and then complained that their portion went to slow when they split off of the group (Always easier to RP/Post with 1 person who wants to post every day compared to 4 people who tend to post every other).

Then again My personal experience. Unless you dictate the kind of character you are going to look for in the first place, thus limiting what people can play, things in rifts will get out of hand really fast.
Jhaelan
member, 77 posts
Prefers roles to rolls
Based in UTC+1
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 13:58
  • msg #6

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Glad to see some interest!

I'm comfortable with a variety of power levels for the campaign - from a team of human scholars through to a band of dragons and godlings - however my preference would be to start small-scale and build up said power, so more the former than the latter. Strongly against a team a secretive loners!

For those who've responded thus far, would there be a preference to have the characters as the main band or a part of a larger group?
smithy211
member, 248 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 15:19
  • msg #7

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

I'm good either way really.
Jhaelan
member, 78 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 17:03
  • [deleted]
  • msg #8

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 17:10, Thu 26 Mar 2015.
elecgraystone
member, 855 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 17:18
  • msg #9

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Always up for a Rifts game!

In reply to Jhaelan (msg # 8):

For me, that depends on  the basis of the game. The OCC/RCC I picked for the slave game would be different than the Strangers game and different than the military game. Once you settle on a the type of game and start up the game we could talk about OCC/RCC's there. (they don't want talk about character making in this forum)
Jhaelan
member, 79 posts
Prefers roles to rolls
Based in UTC+1
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 17:22
  • msg #10

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Aye - I was trying not to talk about characters and more campaign themes - magic vs. psi vs. technology vs. pre-Rifts vs. monsters and horrors and dbees.

I will leave this up for a further 24hrs for any more responses and then set the campaign up, though it may be a slower start
mesneaky
member, 139 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 17:52
  • msg #11

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

I suppose either way is fine really for being a small group or part of a larger group. On the larger group side, you can have plot (ie missions and orders) handed down to keep things moving and having a hierarchy to rely on. On the PCs as their own group, the players get more choice potentially but can also stall possibly if there isn't a clear leader or goals.
elecgraystone
member, 856 posts
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 19:09
  • msg #12

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Jhaelan:
Aye - I was trying not to talk about characters and more campaign themes - magic vs. psi vs. technology vs. pre-Rifts vs. monsters and horrors and dbees.
Hmmm... I think I'd least like a CS/tech-only game as I've done several of them.

On the others:
Escaping slaves: I'd vote for this one first. Good variety of options. Some liberties would be needed for tech people, like finding an armory, freedom fighters passing out some basic equipment or scavenging items from guards during prison break. Gives an opportunity for some unique/rare equipment (depending on who enslaved who) in exchange for not getting to pick starting equipment. Works out great if the captor is a 'collector' that gathers odd things (creatures, items, ect).

Mercenaries/monster hunters/bandits: Gives the wide variety of player options. A solid 2nd vote.

Strangers: This is pretty close to Merc/hunter/bandits, as long as the players agree before hand it's not a free for all at start. It DOES give the greatest variety of options as we could literally pull characters from anyplace (or anywhen).
Santo-Ghidorah
member, 145 posts
Lucha. Kaiju.
Now with Riboflavin.
Thu 26 Mar 2015
at 21:24
  • msg #13

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

Very interested. Maybe you could split the difference of these two

quote:
Everyone starts strangers, summoned or otherwise re-routed to the starting scene. Pros: fresh relationships, opportunities for interesting alliances. Cons: Limits OOCs/RCCs to those who would be susceptible to this kind of accident, risk of the PCs killing each other spuriously

Pre-formed band of mercenaries, monster hunters or bandits. Pros: Bit longer to set up, but may be more cohesive. Cons: It's a bit 'wizard in the tavern", may limit character choices


By saying that we all have a mutual acquaintance? Maybe the 'wizard in the tavern' is actually the bartender and we're all regulars, or we've all spent a night in the local jail for some reason and the Sheriff is recruiting, or we've all eaten at the same soup kitchen, or heck, maybe a Cosmo-Knight sends us visions and tells us to show up in a specific place at a specific time?
Jhaelan
member, 80 posts
Prefers roles to rolls
Based in UTC+1
Fri 27 Mar 2015
at 07:27
  • msg #14

Re: IC: Rifts, Wandering the Multiverse

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