Player-Atlanta, GA or Online-General GURPS

[pbemplayer]

Hello. I'll make this brief.

I am just now getting into GURPS after wanting to do so for a while. Looking for someone to play with, either in my area or online. I'll play just about any world/campaign, but at the moment I only own the core rules...I'm willing to buy books, of course, but since I'm on a budget, a campaign that would only require me to go get one, or possibly two, is really what I'm looking for. Basically, if you want to run a time travelling campaign using 5 worldbooks, GURPS Vehicles, and Low, High, and Ultra Tech books, that might not be something I can do.

But otherwise, yeah, anything. I suppose I'll be a beggar AND a chooser. The Steampunk and Goblins sourcebooks looke incredibly interesting to me...so if you're doing that, yeah, that'd just be all the more awesome.

[Winter]

I'd certainly be down for a GURPS game, particularly if it's something like Steampunk. Unfortunately I don't have the time to run it online, but I'd be happy to help someone else who was willing to GM.

[pbemplayer]

Right, I've obtained my just-plain-GURPS fix, so...

I think I'm going to go ahead and redirect this thread now, sort of. Anyone interested in playing (or preferably GMing) something Steampunk would be much desired at this point...please just drop something in this thread or PM me...or something else I don't know about that conveys a message.

[nemo]

I'd be interested in playing--- particularly Steampunk or Goblins (or some mutant bastard child of the two). I've got a copy of Goblins, but I don't have Steampunk (yet).

I might be able to run a short Goblins campaign on IRC or AIM at some point, but I'm unsure what my work schedule will be in the coming weeks.

[Mr Adventurer]

Hey, you know what's kind of like Goblins, and kind of like Steampunk?

GURPS Castle Falkenstein!

I'd play that online like a whore.

[pbemplayer]

You know, Castle Falkenstein does kind of sound cool.

I just bought Goblins, by the way, and I find it to be a mind-blowingly awesome GURPS suppliment.

Also, I don't have Steampunk or Castle Falkenstein, but the budget committee (Me, my paycheck, and a calculator) dictates that I could purchase one of them this week, maybe two. Do you need Steampunk to fully grasp Falkenstein, or no?

And to quote, I'd play any of these online like a whore, meaing with the utmost vigor and enjoyment in this instance.

And nemo, winter, and WombleHunter-I'd love to get something organized online, possible Goblins/Steampunk (goblins is just a bit steampunk anyway) or Falkenstein. So...

You can email me at pbemplayer@hotmail.com if you guys are genuinely interested in playing via IRC, AIM, post, whatever the hell works for you.

[nemo]

I've got the original CF book, and Comme Il Faut, and would be more than willing to play or (time permitting) run it. The only problem with online play is the card system. AIM has a dice roller, and I'm fairly sure IRC does too. I've been thinking about converting Falkenstein to Over the Edge rules (which would be really simple to do), as I don't have GURPS: CF.

[Mr Adventurer]

You don't need Steampunk to run Falkenstein at all. The book comes with a load of examples of steam vehicles and such (including airships). Steampunk would be useful if you wanted to run a technologicaly-inclined campaign in Castle Falkenstein though, Just for your information :).

As far as Goblins goes, I don't have that, but I could be persuaded to buy it. The thing which put me off buying it (and when in fact I bought Falkenstein instead) is it's narrow focus: only goblins, only in London. But if it really is as good as you say...

[pbemplayer]

I think between me and WombleHunter we want to keep it GURPS simply because that works best with the books we have and have access to for purchase, as well as the fact that a mixture of a couple of the books in question is something worth looking at as well. It's not that I dislike Over the Edge, it's just that I'm personally not too familiar with it and I already have GURPS stuff.

If the whole Castle Falkenstein suppliment thing is going to be a fiasco between all of us and our different materials, we could look into doing something in the Goblin vein, perhaps mixed with some Steampunk or something else. Also, the normal world in Goblins is something that works just fine for me, and the suggested alternate worlds (one of which incorporates some steam tech stuff) would float my boat as well.

For now I'm still 100 percent open to Falkenstein or anything, I'm just throwing some things in an effort to discern what's most convenient for everybody, bookwise and such.

[nemo]

Books in my posession

GURPS Goblins
GURPS Lite
GURPS Basic Set 3rd ed. Revised
Castle Falkenstein (non-GURPS version)

So, if we're doing Falkenstein, should I shell out for the GURPS:CF book? If so, I won't be able to order it until Tuesday at least, as I'm pretty low on cash.

I'd be up for some Goblins, but that would mean someone else had to buy a book....

[pbemplayer]

I hate to ever say "Buy this book" to people, because I've at times grumbled at such situations, but if we go Falkenstein, I'll also be shelling out for that book, so we'll be in the same boat, though if some debt collection goes well enough, I think I can grab it as soon as a decision is made, should I find time.

On the other hand, yes, doing Goblins means Womble has to shell out. And doing Steampunk means at least two of us would have to pay, I think...can't quite keep it straight right now. The choice that leaves the least stuff to buy all around is Goblins, but that doesn't matter because it's not fair to force payment on someone just because of the books everone else has. Probably the better choice is Falkenstein, which seems to be generating the most interest.

So, Nemo, I guess I'd say that if you're willing to buy Falkenstein, I am, and we'll do that. On the other hand, if you're for whatever reason into Goblins, Womble, then we can go that way.

[Mr Adventurer]

Hmmm indeed. Normally, given that you have the original Falkenstein and GURPS rules, nemo, I'd say that you could get along using the CF book for background and flavour and GURPS to actually build the character. Unfortunately, GURPS CF makes a few alterations to the as-is GURPS ruleset, most significantly to magic.

Another consideration is that if the person running the game has to buy the book, then it's going to take them longer (in theory) to absorb the information to the point where they can GM the game, than it does to be able to create a character in that system. If that makes sense.

[pbemplayer]

I think one thing we need to address, that we kind of haven't, oddly enough...

Who wants to GM? :)

Kind of hard to overlook, but I don't think anyone's come out and said it yet. I think we can do two birds with one stone here. Whoever decides to GM gets to pick which game is being played, hands down, for whatever reason they choose, because that's just something I think the GM should be afforded, seeing as it means putting more work in.

So if anyone wants to GM and sees themselves feasibly having the time to...

My stance as far as GMing is that I'm very, very new to it, and if I did GM, we'd be doing something goblins...between me having to learn Falkenstein and being a very amatuer GM, it'd take me forever and a day to devise a campaign.

So if anyone thinks they'd be more able than me and/or willing, it's all yours.

[Mr Adventurer]

I'd rather not GM, but am happy to be GMed by a newbie ;). As far as Goblins goes, well, GURPS is great, right? So, GURPS Goblins must be great, right? Right? Someone hit me with a solid idea that this is actually going to get off the ground, and I'll go buy Goblins. Or something.

[pbemplayer]

It looks like the GM is going to be me. Earlier I indicated that this would mean we were playing Goblins, and it looks like this is going to hold true. I did just buy GURPS: CF, but in addition to not being familiar with it, I noted it includes references to a ton of skills in Compendium I. If I were a player, I'd have the option of asking for help when needed, but as a GM, I don't think it'd be appropriate to deal with a bunch of skills and advantages that I didn't have the reference material on. A shame, seeing as its a really cool book, but maybe some other day.

So Goblins it is. Anyway, today I begin my quest to craft an outstanding campaign...which as you know means generating assloads upon assloads of NPC's and such; might take a little time. However, I'll keep you guys posted.

[Mr Adventurer]

Excellent. I will buy Goblins in the near future. If you want any help, drop me a line - if you haven't already, you might want to try some character generator programmes; you can usually get a free one off the net somewhere.

[Mr Adventurer]

GURPS Character Maker is free and works very well:

Download from here, the second file on the list. (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/utilities/#gurps)

[pbemplayer]

Character generator programs...sounds interesting, I may have to check that out. I'm doing alright already, thrown together a couple of the major NPC's I want to use...gaining more confidence in this whole thing as I go along, ideas are coming to me pretty well these days.

I also got a few good websites with tips from nemo, so a lot of resources to go on around here.

Anyways, I'll keep you guys posted on my progress.

[Mitchifer]

If you've got room for one more in your GURPS Goblins game, and you wouldn't mind a somewhat newb player, let me know, and I'll happily fill in a slot. Thanks

[pbemplayer]

Mitchifier, there's room for one more I'd say...sent you a PM, didn't know if you'd seen that yet.

Anyway, the update...

The NPC list is swelling, as are the GM notes, which now contain several locales, as well as those who inhabit them, all beginning to connect and come together. I'm basically going for something that's initially about the size of the sample social web in the book, though a bit different...it's mainly all gutter/low class stuff, with perhaps a shoot the moon opportunity, if you guys happen upon it...any expansion into the upper classes will be building off of what you guys do initially, so that's a bridge I'll cross when we're soon to come to it.

Anyway, worth noting-I'll be out of town and away from the computer July 23-31. I will still be working on the campaign, but just figured I'd drop that in...thinking that perhaps the first week of August would be a nice start. What would of course help along the start date is readiness of the PC's, so I figured a quick chargen discussion is in order.

People can do this independently and submit them to me-just go about things as per the book, preschool and onwards, all that jazz. 25 point characters, as reccommended. Apprenticehsips are optional. Of course I'll have a quick look and say "Okay" (if it is, in fact, okay). Also worth noting is that sometimes it is wise to coordinate one's character generation. Now, in Goblins, you don't really need a particularly elaborate explanation for knowing one another seeing as poor folk all live together in great numbers, but there are other merits, especially if you want to design a well-rounded bunch. It can be as involved as doing every step and consulting, or saying "Hey, my guy's good at this, and not good at this." I reccommend at least the latter.

Anyway, happy gaming, and hope to get underway in not too long.

[Mr Adventurer]

Good good! Progress is good. Or so I'm told on a daily basis, anyway ;). It all sounds intriguing, too. Lovely jubbly.

[nemo]

I am ecstatic.

I'll be creating a suitibly belligerrent lowlife and sending him in for your approval shortly.

This is going to be fun... :D

[Mitchifer]

Just got my copy of Goblins, and have my character on the way.

One question though: is the standard goblin a 15-pt or a 25-pt character? I'm looking at pg 64 if you look at the book. thanks

[Mr Adventurer]

pbemplayer says elsewhere in this thread to create 25pt characters.

I'm yet to get Goblins, but will do so soon.

Is that 'start of August' commencement looking feasible, pbemplayer?

[Mr Adventurer]

Update: I just this moment bought Goblins. I've had the briefest of glances at it and it looks very nice; character is no doubt soon to follow.

[nemo]

So... What's everyone planning to play? I'm not sure if anyones's made their characters yet, but it'd be nice to know who's doing what so we don't all end up playing Zebediah Snotglass, the near-sighted ratcatcher or something...

[Mr Adventurer]

Well, I'm looking at either a pickpocket or a big-style bruiser; however, bruisers are probably going to be a common choice (correct me if I'm wrong!) so I may stick with the pickpocket... once I can get round some confusions I'm having with character generation, anyway.

[Mitchifer]

Hey, I took pickpocket too :D
Maybe we could work something around a group of pickpockets...or something of the sort

[nemo]

It might be fun to play as a gang of goblin criminals....

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by nemo
It might be fun to play as a gang of goblin criminals.... Hey, what, excuse me? There's another type of goblin?

[nemo]

Originally posted by WombleHunter
Hey, what, excuse me? There's another type of goblin?

Good point.

Well, I guess there's always the choirboys...

I'm still trying to figure out chargen. I've only played GURPS once before in my life, and our GM was a bit liberal with the rules.

Anyone care to lend a hand?

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by nemo
Anyone care to lend a hand? I hath PM'ed thee.

[pbemplayer]

Okay...

I'm going to have to push us back a few days. Right now, it's looking like next Wedsnesday is the earliest I can do this dance...I know I said first week of August...believe me, I am angry at myself. But unexpected job switch issue has brought on a little extra work and a two-day trip, so...couldn't help that.

But I am working on the campaign, polishing it up, etc., so that we can go ASAP.

Looks like you guys are getting the chargen thing down in unison...perhaps a discussion pertaining to specific methods of gameplay should commence. List preferences, capabilities, no-go's, etc. I have AIM, a Yahoo! Groups name (and an alternate board that I like for Yahoo! haters), and obviously email. IRC is something that I can do if thats what you guys are more into...just need to download it and what not.

Sorry for the delay and look forward to gaming soon.

[Mr Adventurer]

Wednesday eh... I think I can make that; not entirely sure though, as Tuesday is my exam.

Also, the computer with AIM on it is inoperable at the moment, but with luck will be fine by Wednesday. Yahoo or other play-by-post solutions are fine.

As far as my character goes, I've just got to polish the nice HTML document the chargen program outputs and jot a bit of background and I can email away.

Briefly though:
Glistering Lickspittle, over 8 feet tall and skinny as a rake, with a pure white skin and long, feathery arms and hands. His life so far has taught him mainly how to nick stuff; he's certainly not one to hang around for a whacking, either.

[pbemplayer]

When I say Wednesday, I mean that I think that's the earliest the campaign's going to be ready. If anyone needs more time, that's certainly allright.

Also, sounds like a very nice job on the character-I'm guessing the mistreatments really mangled your prole to get him 8 feet tall.

So thus far we have a towering, waifish pickpocket...I'm sure most of you have already done a healthy amount of your chargen, but it would be good to keep this in mind if you still have a little bit of flexibility left in your characters. As intriguing as three 8 foot tall pickpockets would be...heh, don't know how well you'd get along.

Anyways, I'll keep chugging along on the campaign.

[nemo]

Chug away, sir. I've been hellishly busy this week, and haven't gotten a lick of chargen done. I'm plannig to sit down and get everything hashed out this weekend, so I should have something for you by Monday or Tuesday.

[Mitchifer]

Ok, I've got most of my character worked out, but I've run into a snag. I'm boggled by the "determining shape and size" part of character creation. Maybe I'm just missing something...but a little help would be appreciated. Thanks

--Mitchifer

Edit: I think I figured that out, but I've got another question: Does the courage attribute have to be bought seperately, or does it just have a value equal to ST? (and then some possible modifiers)

WombleHunter, you might want to PM w/ the help info you sent Nemo just to make sure I'm getting this right. Thanks

[nemo]

So far, I've got the barest outlines of a character. I've named him, and put him through preschool, school, and apprenticeship-- I'm still working out the rest. Womblehunter was very helpful, but I might have to IM someone and talk it over that way.

I'll be playing a cracksman named Ezekiel Plunge. Think Bill Sykes crossed with Harry Flashman with a dash of Snidely Whiplash.

Only goblin-y.

Either that or I might make him a bit like Donald Sutherland's character in the Great Train Robbery-- only carried to ridiculous extremes.

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by Mitchifer
Edit: I think I figured that out, but I've got another question: Does the courage attribute have to be bought seperately, or does it just have a value equal to ST? (and then some possible modifiers) As far as I can tell, Courage is equal to ST for free, and then bought up or down at 4pts per level. So a high ST gives you a high basic Courage and so forth. That's certainly how I've done it anyway.

As far as character generation goes, skill points! Argh! GURPS says you can't have more than 2 x age skill points for a starting character, and since starting Goblins are only 14... only 28 points worth of skills! Grrr. But anyway. I've basically got my character down, I just wanna polish him up (I'm expanding his name to Glistering Lickspittle SaintEdward - I like the sound of it) and then I'll be ready to go.

Mitchifer, what I sent to nemo was a step-by-step guide, which may be a bit much for you, but I'll send it anyway - just consider yourself warned ;).

I'm back from my exam now, so should be around a fair bit...

[nemo]

But does the age/skill limitation apply to Goblins? Since they have shorter lifespans, they would reach maturity much faster than a human. I remember reading somewhere in the book that they reach maturity around the age of 9.

[Mitchifer]

Huzzah! I have finished my character, Abraham Shoemaker the 27th, who tends to be more of a mugger than a pickpocket.

As for the method of gameplay, I prefer play by post since it's easier because we don't have to set up a time to play. However, I am flexible. If we are to play at a specific time online, I would prefer using a program such as OpenRPG as opposed to IRC or AIM to carry out the game. The only problem with that is that I'll be heading back to school soon, and I'm not quite sure what kind of schedule that will impose on me, but a weekday or weekend night (I'm EST) might work.

What about the rest of you guys?

--Mitchifer

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by nemo
But does the age/skill limitation apply to Goblins? Since they have shorter lifespans, they would reach maturity much faster than a human. I remember reading somewhere in the book that they reach maturity around the age of 9. Unless it states specifically otherwise in GURPS Goblins, or the GM rules it so, yes it does. Maturity is irrelevant; the mechanic is supposed to reflect how much you can actually fit into your brain in a given amount of time. Or something. Otherwise you could have a race of creatures that lived for one yeah but after six months of life were world experts in cobbling. Or something. :)

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by Mitchifer
Huzzah! I have finished my character, Abraham Shoemaker the 27th, who tends to be more of a mugger than a pickpocket.

As for the method of gameplay, I prefer play by post since it's easier because we don't have to set up a time to play. However, I am flexible. If we are to play at a specific time online, I would prefer using a program such as OpenRPG as opposed to IRC or AIM to carry out the game. The only problem with that is that I'll be heading back to school soon, and I'm not quite sure what kind of schedule that will impose on me, but a weekday or weekend night (I'm EST) might work.

What about the rest of you guys?

--Mitchifer Let's see... play by post or email is fine, IM is also good but with the scheduling problems you mention. I'm easy.

Did you work out Mr. 27th's size and everything ok? I'm not sure the miniature treatise I sent you was too helpful on that particular topic...

[Mitchifer]

Originally posted by WombleHunter
Did you work out Mr. 27th's size and everything ok? I'm not sure the miniature treatise I sent you was too helpful on that particular topic...

Ok, here's what I did, but I'm not quite sure if it's correct:

First, you take his ST of 15 and compare it to the height table on B15, which in my case gives a basic length of 6'2". Then, you deduct 3' from that to get the base result of 3'2". Through mistreatments, I got the following modifiers:

-10" torso
+15" arms
+12" legs
-40 lbs weight

So...this gives me:

torso: 2'4"
arms: 4'5"
legs: 4'2"
height (legs+torso): 6'6"

And for weight: the base weight for ST 15 is 180 lbs, which is then changed to 140 lbs due to mistreatments. When comparing this to the weight of 220 lbs for a height of 6'6", it is 2/3 or less than what it should be, so he gains the 'skinny' disadvantage.

So is this right at all? :D

edit: bloody spelling

[Mr Adventurer]

Looks alright to me. Although I haven't actually done the maths (numbers are hard!), the process looks fine. That's how I did it; it does seem to give tall goblins the Skinny disadvantage though... must be all that stretching.

So yes, looks correct. What did you think was wrong?

[Mitchifer]

Originally posted by WombleHunter
So yes, looks correct. What did you think was wrong?

The base result you get from subtracting the length based on size and then subtracting 3 ft from it seemed weird to me.

For instance, my character had a base length of 3'2" before modifications due to mistreatments. I was thinking this base length would be somewhat close to the human average. My arm's length is roughly a little over 2'...and I would like to consider myself somewhat normal for a human being.

But then again, I'm not 6'2"...more like 5'6", but even then it seems a little too long.

[Mr Adventurer]

You say you're 5'6"... subtract 3', and you've got 2'6", and you say your arms are 'a little over' 2'... seems fair to me. In humans, the span of the arms when held outstretched is usually roughly equal to height.

Anyway, goblins are meant to be all deformed and stuff.

[pbemplayer]

To answer what seems to be the most burning question...

Don't worry about the unusual skill restriction given the circumstance of goblins. Look at it this way-not only do goblins physically mature faster by nature, but given the way their society is, they HAVE to mature at least as fast mentally as they do physically. No parents, merely floating around London underfoot for the first 6 years of their lives, and then thrust into horrible institutions in which one certainly must compete tooth and nail to live well while avoiding sadistic/insane instructors.

So basically, GM house rule-spend all the points you want on skills, unless you're talking something ridiculous, as in your goblin can do so many different things that it doesn't even make sense. Which is actually a good guidline for any setting.

Play by post seems to be getting a lot of votes, so I'll go ahead and ask, is Yahoo! groups what you guys prefer/have no qualms with?

Also, perhaps AIM stuff can be scheduled for a little rapid-fire, getting tons of stuff done action, though as has been mentioned timing can be tough. I'm actually available a lot, though seldom before late afternoon/evening. And I'm in the US Eastern Time Zone. However, seeing as I don't mind operating between the hours of 4 P.M. and 5 A.M., don't be worried if you're on a different continent.

So thoughts on the medium, just sound off on Yahoo! groups, etc.

Also, Mitch, I'm going to PM you about your character (me likey), but as a note to everyone, Mitch's character has 25 points, but I don't hold him responsible, seeing as that's what I initially accidentally said. So new GM house rule-your goblin can now be 25 points. So if you just want to jack a stat one point or maybe add a minor advantage or a high skill, go ahead.

[Mr Adventurer]

I do believe I'll be spending more points on SKILLS SKILLS SKILLS yeah baby. Ahem. Yahoogroups is fine, and I also own AIM.

[pbemplayer]

Well, WombleHunter has said that both AIM and Yahoo! Groups are okay with him, making a total of one vote for each. These would what I prefer, but if the other two of you have some sort of objection, speak now or forever hold your piece, because I am willing to examine other options.

[ZenDog]

High just thought I'd introduce my self as I will be playing in this game.

Hello:D

I don't care what we use to play so feel free to cast my vote anyway you wish.

[Mr Adventurer]

Hello ZenDog. Welcome to the group.

[pbemplayer]

Okay, ZenDog's vote is cast in favor of whatever is the majority.

WombleHunter will do Yahoo! and AIM, which is where I'm headed.

Mitchifier prefers OpenRPG for any chat doings but seems generally in favor of play by post.

I haven't heard from Nemo in a little while, but I think I'll go ahead and set up a Yahoo! board for the game and post the URL here when that's done.

[ZenDog]

Originally posted by WombleHunter
Hello ZenDog. Welcome to the group.

Cheers Womble.

My character is going to be an ex army thug, and of course a coward and a bully.

[Mr Adventurer]

Originally posted by pbemplayer
I think I'll go ahead and set up a Yahoo! board for the game and post the URL here when that's done. Oooh, I'd better get on and email my character then.

[pbemplayer]

Okay, the BBS is up on Yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pbemplayerspbems/

There's the URL.

You can now use this board as soon as you have a Yahoo ID and apply for membership. I have to approve applications (you just never know if someone's randomly going to join who you don't know) but that'll happen ASAP.

I suppose among initial posts should be one's character, and discussions pertaining to the nature of your team so that the pre-game can start to wrap up.

Cheers.

[Blackthorne]

I contribute nothing of substance to this thread!