Post originally by BlackHat Matt at 2003-10-03 06:57:08
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Actually, all of those Orpheus missions were written for the core book and then cut for space concerns. We found we could shoehorn a few into Crusade of Ashes and a few into Shades of Gray, so there ya are. And yeah, they're just there in case you're not following the storyline - or following it at your own pace - and wish to continue using Orpheus-style missions.
-BlackHat Matt
Dark Ages (and sometime Orpheus) Developer
www.blackhatmatt.com
Post originally by James Kiley at 2003-10-03 07:23:37
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The extra missions that are in there are obviously best used before you blow up Orpheus. In fact, some if not all of them were intended to be in the core rulebook but were cut for space. I know this primarily because Ellen Kiley, my talented and brilliant wife, wrote one of them for the core rulebook that got cut, and she was happily surprised to get a free authorcopy of CoA and a credit for her 200-word mission.
Post originally by Questioner at 2003-10-03 07:40:30
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I'm interested in Orpheus, since I really enjoyed Wraith, and in general, I dig White Wolf games. But I've never been a fan of metaplot -- and Orpheus looks like one big one. What's the replay value of the game? It seems like it's just an adventure series, but moving beyond that is difficult. Can anyone give any opinions about this?
Post originally by Conan McKegg at 2003-10-03 12:01:50
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The thing about Crusade is that it also is a general resourcebook for a lot of the stuff happening in the background of the Orpheus setting.
Once you have the complete set, you have a timeline of events that you can revisit after playing the main campaign. The Metaplot isn't as limiting as it may initially seem...
Post originally by Isaac VanDuyn at 2003-10-03 21:47:58
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One thing about the metaplot in Orpheus is that it's completely optional, but seems very fun if you do run it.
For example, you could run a campaign out of the main book, and just never introduce the big event of Crusade of Ashes. Or, you could take the things you like in Crusade of Ashes and use them in your game, but not use everything.
I would definately recommend that you at least get the main book, as it is infintely playable without all the metaplot.
Before I stop replying, let me just say that I've definately never been a big fan of metaplots, but I like Orpheus' because it's specifically designed to have your characters central to the events in it.
But definately buy the main book. It's not like you need the plot to have fun.
Post originally by Isaac VanDuyn at 2003-10-03 21:51:11
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Yeah, they are designed to be used before you blow up Orpheus, I just wish they could've been in the main book, because after reading all of Crusade of Ashes, were Orpheus IS blown up, it's kind of a let down to read these "normal" Orpheus missions.
That's not to say that they aren't good. I just wish they could have been in the book with the other missions. And I know, costs, etc. I'm sure there is a good reason White Wolf didn't put them in there, but in a perfect world they would have been.
Also let me add for anyone who read my review and is now reading this that although I sort of dismissed the mission section in my review, all of the missions are very interesting and are just as good as any in the main book. I'm planning to use one in my campaign, actually.
Post originally by Isaac VanDuyn at 2003-10-03 21:53:17
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Yeah, see my reply to James Kiley's post of a similar (actually almost exactly the same, without the authority of a developer) nature.
Basically, they're all great missions. I dismissed them in my review because I was so pumped about the CoA events that the missions failed to wow me, but they're just as good as the ones in the book.
Post originally by BlackHat Matt at 2003-10-04 18:52:27
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You don't need to know a thing about Wraith to groove on Orpheus. Wraith fans will notice some tidbits (and more as the series progresses), but folks who have never picked up Wraith won't feel left out.
As for metaplot, it's an ongoing plotline within a game that takes place with or without player-character interference. You might wisely be saying, "How can a game company tell me what happens in my game-world?" Answer: We can't. Metaplot is a way to keep the world dynamic, but it's always optional (because what are we going to do, check?).
In Orpheus, though, the "metaplot" goes through the entire series (6 books including the core), so you'll have a clear picture of it very soon (OK, it feels sooner to me because I just finished developing the last of the Orpheus books). So it's entirely possible for a Storyteller to run Orpheus and use the materials in the sourcebooks, never touch the plotline we've set, and run some great chronicles...and, if you like, begin the published chronicle somewhere down the line.
-BlackHat Matt
Dark Ages (and occasionally Orpheus) Developer
www.blackhatmatt.com
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