Hello to all the RPG forum,
Yeah, I’ve been busy. Absent. A ghost. But I’ve also been bored. Even with no time to keep up with the “high powered” games we usually run here, I got ideas. This is the latest, as follows.
It’s a low-powered idea, using Lamentations of the Flame Princess as a base. LotFP is an OSR rpg that, in short, characterizes itself as ‘weird fantasy’ - and is described by many as the “doom metal” of d20 games (ie, D&D). LotFP does have a reputation for over-the-top gore/etc in its art, and a lot of ‘juvenile’ monsters - but it’s the system I’m interested in, not necessarily its example’d content.
The system: LotFP based on old editions of D&D, as OSR games are. Characters fall a lot more often than in later editions of D&D, and the system is a bit stripped-down and simple in places. If you want to be a character who is focused on offensive, be a fighter (the only character that gets better . The magic-user class is for utility, weird magic, witchcraft, etc. The cleric heals. The specialist is good at specializing in skills. You can get LotFP for free, without the art, after a quick google search - it’s a complementary, full release of the original rules from the author.
What I want to do: I want to run a (relatively) low-powered fantasy setting using this system. The characters are a small (read: tiny) band of mercenaries, in a very ‘medieval’ sense: a company with contracts, someone in charge of finances, a semi-elected leader for a captain, etc. Most of the player characters should be fighters.
Hacks: I think the only ‘hack’ I’ll do is set-up a ‘starting’ system added on to normal character creation which gives each character his starting equipment and cash based on social background and history.
Campaign setting tones/inspirations: French Wars of Religion. 15th century-ish technology. Late medieval apocalypse (disease, famine, upheaval). Hundred Years War. Hussite War. Rise of ‘pike and shot.’ Berserk (manga/anime). Battle Brothers (PC game). The Black Company (novel series). The Witcher (literally every kind of media at this point).
Setting: A low-fantasy analogue of continental Europe, mainly France and Germany. Machinations and wars of the mega-dynasts of the late medieval/renaissance period, from the view of the people fighting and dying in them. Chaotic countrysides. War and famine. Male magic-users are generally unheard of. Discontent below, absolutism above. Classes shift, rebellions common. National identities emerge from the archaic feudal dominions of the first estate. Fighters should be understood as 'men-at-arms'.
The premise: A big battle happened. There were kings in it - an emperor even. You sorry lot were on the wrong side, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. You’re all that remains of your company, survivors of a massacre. Everyone is to blame except you. You’ll start again from scratch. Navigate this war-torn world.
Activity expectations: A post every few days would be perfect. A post a week is just fine. Have patience. Don’t spend too much time waiting on other people to act or respond.
Take a look at the rules. Let me know if you’re interested. It’ll probably just be a single thread, but who knows. A sub-forum could be useful if allowed, I suppose, for keeping track of auxiliary details and separating the narrative/campaign into parts. A handful of players is good. Probably can’t do more than 6 or 7-ish, though. Ask any questions.
Admission: I’ve never played this game, and only recently discovered it.