I'm mulling over the idea of running a game set in the New York of John Wick, predating the first movie. To suit the style I have a preference for the Feng Shui system (Atlas v.1) which should provide the right cinematic feel and isn't difficult to run.

Rather than run powerful singleton characters, which consumes a lot of my time showing their separate stories the correct amount of love and attention, I'm thinking more of a small crew getting started in the business, neighborhood stuff. Not a single gold coin between them yet.

Any thoughts? Good? Bad? Things you think would be a good addition even if you don't want to play?

Will there be an underworld that works like the Under Table?

I'm not sure I entirely understand the questions? There are sewers and there will be the bowery of course?

I should add that I'll be removing magic from the Feng Shui system for this type of game

Would be interested but only have 2nd Ed rules

I do like Feng Shui (although I know 1 less well than 2) but here's where I lose my nerd card: I've never seen any of the John Wick films...

I've seen FS2 used for Into the Badlands, which raises a similar question for this setting that I had with that one:

Leaving out magic makes sense, but what about the Archetypes from the ancient and future eras too? As I understand it, John Wick is a pretty Gun Fu intensive setting so can the pure martial artists fit in?

I'd be interested, though Feng Shui combat is tricky in pbp.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 6):

I've had exactly the opposite experience; I've found FS combat easy in pbp. Roll, write based on how well you rolled. With damage built into the attack roll, it's pretty straight forward. GM does need to provide defense and toughness numbers for the bad guys, but FS isn't a"gotcha" game, so that's an easy enough thing.

I was thinking in terms of initiative order, shots, and sequence.

Can't be much worse than trying to run Exalted 3E. While fascinating in IRL games, the fact that you directly attack someone's initiative points makes it hell to track for players. Not to mention that you declare an attack, then pay for any special abilities. Then the target declares any special abilities that penalize you. Then you roll to hit. Then you determine damage done, taking into account any abilities you or the target want to declare at this point, then roll for damage. Then one final check of "any last second abilities?"

And after all that, the attack directly drains initiative from the enemy. I'd be willing to try any system before running that PBP again.

The past and future era archetypes would go. My preliminary list based on FS v.1 is: Big Bruiser, Everyman Hero, Ex-Special Forces, Gambler, Journalist, Karate Cop, Killer, Martial Artist, Medic, Maverick Cop, Ninja, Old Master, Private Investigator, Scrappy Kid, Spy, Techie,Thief, Athlete, Velocity Addict

I'm inclined to review the Fu powers and include them unless they appear too obviously magical , i.e. walking through walls can't happen. Although it's very Gun Fu I want people to be able to punch their way out of danger as well.

As an aside there are some v.1 supplements that include schticks for other skills as well which I'd like, I mean if you are riding a motorbike through the streets of NY I'd expect the PC's to be capable of pulling some great stunts.


I appreciate the view. I'm intending to spend a little time to try and rationalize the flow and streamline where I can to minimize posts esp IMs to navigate through combat. I tend to use header/footer OOC blocks to display relevant combat information to assist players in understanding the results/current state of the area around them. The goal is get that out of the way so players can be cinematic in their posts.

Oh my.

tl;dr - it's a decent action movie with some depth in the setting and I think it'll work as a background for a campaign.

lecture - There is enough for me to think that it could make a good setting for players who will buy into a Peckinpah level of violence with some decent plot in between and some non-combat alternatives to resolving issues. It's not Shakespeare and not massively ground-breaking in the way that bullet time in The Matrix was. But the first John Wick is, in my humble opinion a cast-iron Action classic. The movie, and its sequels, have revealed a rich background setting, and some beautifully shot and staged fights with some variety in the ways that John dispatches people. Some black humour and wry delivery by Keanu keeps the dialogue moving along. Depending upon the value you ascribe to movie critics as a whole or individual ones who you are inclined to agree with it got an 86% amongst them on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores are decent as well. Still, people rated The Last Jedi highly so what do I know...

p.s. that last comment wasn't an invitation to start a flame war!

And, for clarification, this is game career will be essentially criminal in terms of what the players are doing. They can have a code, and in fact the background of serving under the high table, absolutely requires them to follow at least that code, but they wouldn't be seen as being moral.

Count me in.

With references to the High Table, I probably really need to see the third movie where they go into that subject more. Hmm.

I’d have to read up on the version of Feng Shui you’re thinking of using, but it seems interesting.