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Post by maxvale76 on Jan 21, 2011 9:42:36 GMT -6
Allirght, since there doesn't seem to be any new chatter on Malachaya's thread about the PBP; I'll offer to run a PBP on this site; though to give full warning:
**I have never played, let alone GM'd a Gangbusters game!**
However, I have been a DM/GM for over 15 years and have run some PBP games on other sites for other games....with that in mind; I have a few ideas for a Gangbusters game;
I'm thinking of setting it in the fictional "Lakefront City" and would probably use GB1 to start with and have each player create several characters which will be swapped out for different "chapters"; something along the lines of:
Each character will have 3 characters: a Law Enforcement character (I'm thinking Prohibition Agent); a gang-affliated character and an "indpendent" character (bank-robber, private eye, etc.)
I'd be looking for 3-5 players and I think I have one; a friend of mine who isn't registered on this site (yet!)....
What do you guys say? Interested in giving me a chance to GM a Gangbusters game?
-Max
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Post by chicagowiz on Jan 21, 2011 13:36:30 GMT -6
I'm still interested! Would it be hard to avoid crossover with having 3 different, potentially opposed characters?
That scene from Liar, Liar comes to mind... "Do you mind?!? I'm kicking my A$$!!!!!!"
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Post by coffee on Jan 21, 2011 14:13:34 GMT -6
I'm in!
I've never played GB either, but I've wanted to since I got the thing when it was published.
I like the idea of three characters, also. I think we'll be able to get around that whole crossover problem, but if we don't it'll still be fun to try!
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Post by Finarvyn on Jan 21, 2011 19:56:45 GMT -6
That scene from Liar, Liar comes to mind... "Do you mind?!? I'm kicking my A$$!!!!!!" You know why we keep you around, Michael? You make me smile! I had forgotten about that scene, but it's a classic! Oh, and we also like your gaming ideas. That's two reasons to keep you around.  |
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Post by maxvale76 on Jan 23, 2011 11:56:43 GMT -6
Allright; so that's two people at least that are interested; and I think I may have a third; and that's my minimum number of players; hopefully a couple of more people will chime in with some interest!
As for the problem of having character crossover; that's actually something that I'm HOPING will happen....here's what I mean; and please let me know if this idea is cool with you guys or if you want no part of it...
So each player creates 3 characters: A Law Enforcement type, a mobster and an Indepent (Bank robber, P.I., reporter, whatever)
I would have each player only play the role of one of these characters at a time...so let's say "Chapter 1" of the PBP game is a "Mob Hit" scenario; everyone plays thier Mobster character for that Chapter...then "Chapter 2" is a "Liquor Raid" scenario; everyone plays thier Law Enforcer character for that scenario; etc, etc.
What I'm hoping to do is after giving everybody a chance to play each character (so that I have an idea of what each character is like); then I might have some "Chapters" where the characters may oppose and/or ally with thier other characters (being run as NPCs by me).....example: All the players decide to make Independent Bankrobbers as one of thier characters; in a "Rob the Bank" scenario; they may come into conflict with some Law Enforcers (some of whom are the Law Enforcer characters of the players, but run by me for that Chapter)...
Is this okay with everybody? If not; then I can definitely make sure to keep all characters "isolated" from one another.
Thoughts?
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Post by coffee on Jan 23, 2011 22:03:56 GMT -6
I think it sounds worth trying. We're all experienced gamers here, and should be able to keep each of our characters "compartmentalized".
And it does get us all playing, without having to wait.
I say go for it!
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Post by chicagowiz on Jan 24, 2011 8:27:33 GMT -6
Let's give it a shot and see how it goes! Now Imma have to dig out my old Gangbuster books again...
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Post by maxvale76 on Jan 28, 2011 12:17:05 GMT -6
Okay; I need to get a few things sorted out and then hopefully, we can begin the process (I'm thinking of starting with character creation) either late this weekend or early next week.
I'm not planning on using any houserules with one/two (one's really just fleshing something out and they're all in the same vein; i.e. weapons and thier usage/damage) possible exception(s)....I'm DEFINITELY planning on using a historical list of firearms (though a small list!) and I was thinking of perhaps using some kind of random damage system....if we stick to just d10s; here's my first few thoughts:
Light Pistols (.25, .32, .41): 2d10
Medium Pistols (.38, 9mm): 2d10+1
Heavy Pistols (.45): 2d10+2
Rifles: (.30-06, .351): 3d10
Shotguns: (12 gauge buckshot): 5d10/3d10/1d10 depending on range (short, medium, long)
Automatics, i.e. BARs and Thompsons: (I'm thinking of having 3 kinds of fire modes: Single shots will do whatever the caliber damage does as per above; Short Bursts (5 shots) will do 1 extra d10 (i.e. 3d10+2 for Tommy's, 4d10 for BARs); and Long Bursts/Sprays (10 shots); which will do 2 extra d10 damage if 1 target (4d10+2 for Tommy, 5d10 for BAR) or Short Burst damage for all those in the spray.
Dynamite/Bombs/Grenades would be like Shotguns and have a sliding damage scale depending on what range the target is from the blast.
List of Weapons (Quick Take):
Pistols:
Colt 1908 Pocket Auto: .25 cal; 6 round clip
Remington Derringer: .41 cal; 2 rounds over-under break-open
Colt 1903 'Hammerless' Auto .32 cal; 8 round clip
Colt Police Positive Revolver: .38 cal; 6 round cylinder
Smith and Wesson 1917 Revovler: .45 cal, 6 round cylinder
Colt 1911 Auto: .45 cal, 7 round clip
Rifles:
Springfield 1903 Bolt Action: .30-06, 5 round magazine
Winchester 1907 Auto: .351 cal, 6 round clip
Shotguns:
Parker Double Barrelled: 12 gauge, side-by-side break-open
Winchester 1912 Pump Action: 12 gauge, 6 shell magazine
Automatics:
Browning Automatic Rifle: .30-06, 20 round clip
Thompson 1921 SMG: .45 cal, 20 round clip or 50 round drum
Thoughts? I know the damage increase DEFINITELY makes things more lethal; but I think it's a bit strange to think that someone with 15-20 hit points is ALWAYS going to take 3 slugs from a .45 to drop...on the other hand; if someone is hit in the arms three times it doesn't necessarily mean they couldn't take MORE shots to bring down; etc., etc.
Just some early musings...
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Post by chicagowiz on Jan 28, 2011 13:56:09 GMT -6
Sounds great! (I still need to refresh on the rules... when are you planning on starting chargen?)
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Post by coffee on Jan 28, 2011 19:25:43 GMT -6
Any old time's fine with me. I'm rarin' to go!
BTW, how about the Colt Single Action Army pistol, model of 1873 (also called the Peacemaker)? Just curious.
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Post by maxvale76 on Jan 31, 2011 10:13:42 GMT -6
Allright then; I know I have 2 interested players on these boards: Coffee Chicagowiz And I have 1 friend whom I'm pretty sure will join these boards shortly for the game; anybody else? We'll begin Character Creation this week; does everybody have the book(s)? 1st and/or 3rd (really 2nd!  edition? Hopefully so; but if anyone has any questions on creating a character, please let me know! Please create 3 characters: 1 Criminal (who will be an O'Connor gang member) 1 Law Enforcer (who will be a Prohibition Agent) 1 Independent (your choice of profession; P.I., bankrobber, reporter, Joe-Blow store-employee, whatever) Everybody will be starting at Level 1 and may choose 1 skill that costs 5,000 xp or less. The time will be the fall of 1927; the 1st Ward of Lakefront City (which has moved north slightly; into southern Wisconsin; still on the Lake and this way; Chicago still exists) For each character please include a brief backstory and have a note for 1 character who has ties to that character so that he/she could be brought in as a "replacement" character should the original fall. (Not looking for stats for this character; just a line or two along the lines of: "Joey's tight with his brother Vinny; who's currently doing time in a Chicago jail for auto-theft)"; something like that. Coffee: I'd certainly allow a character to start with a .45 Peacemaker; though please understand that it would be a 40-50 year old weapon at that point! The S&W 1917 .45 revolver would have the same stats. Also; note: I did a bit of screwing around this weekend and I think I will "tone down" my proposed weapon damage as listed above a little bit: Pistols will still be 2d10-2d10+2 and I think Rifles are good at 3d10; but I think I will have Thomspon short bursts/sprays do 3d10+1 and long bursts do 4d10; and BARs have short bursts/sprays that do 3d10+2 and long bursts that do 4d10; and shotguns will do 4d10/2d10+2/1d10 depending on range. I might monkey around a bit with range and for bombs/grenades; I'll use a 5d10/3d10/1d10 depending on a blast radius. I think this will work out....thoughts? This good with everybody? I can roll up stats for people if they like; or you can do it on your own....I trust you to be honest and to not come back with a character who has 99 in everything but Luck and a 50 in that!  -Max |
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Post by chicagowiz on Jan 31, 2011 11:14:09 GMT -6
It might take me a couple of days. Please be patient... |
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Post by maxvale76 on Jan 31, 2011 16:09:40 GMT -6
Chicagowiz: No problem at all, no rush!
Everyone: If anyone wants me to generate 3 sets of stats and then you can build your characters from there; by all means let me know!
Example: Joe-the-player decides to have the GM roll up 3 sets of stats and he will then use the stats to figure out his characters; for his first character he has:
-Character 1 stats: Muscle: 43; Agility: 70, Observation: 52, Presence: 4, Luck: 25, Driving: 61, Punching: 3, 17 Hit Points
This set of stats makes for a decent Prohibition Agent OR a criminal as the high Agility means he's a decent fighter; though a better shooter than a puncher.....
Joe-the-player decides to use these stats to make a Prohibition Agent named "Wes Cobb"; and choose the "Photography" skill and comes up with some background ideas for this character and then moves on to Character 2's set of stats and does the same thing; Etc., etc.
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Post by coffee on Jan 31, 2011 21:21:05 GMT -6
I would like you to roll stats for me.
For some reason, dice absolutely hate me when it comes to character creation! Not so much during the game, but at the start they really don't want me to play!
As to the rules, I have both 1e (boxed set) and 3e (pdf), so I'm covered.
I also have all 5 modules, but I haven't read them lately so I doubt if I'd remember much from them. The odd name, sure, but plot elements? No way.
I'm really looking forward to this!
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Post by maxvale76 on Feb 2, 2011 17:10:39 GMT -6
Okay Coffee: I rolled up 3 sets of Character stats (except for the Skill, which is, of course, yours to pick!); Here they are:
Character 1:
MS: 46
AG: 70
OB: 86
PR: 8
Luck: 50 (I rolled a 100 for you!)
DR: 78
Punching Score: 2
Hit Points: 16
Character 2:
MS: 76
AG: 78
OB: 36
Luck: 22
DR: 57
PS: 4
HP: 21
Character 3:
MS: 38
AG: 41
OB: 72
PR: 7
Luck: 28
DR: 57
PS: 2
HP: 13
I rolled pretty lousy (excpet for OB and Presence) on the last set of stats, sorry!
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Post by maxvale76 on Feb 2, 2011 17:13:02 GMT -6
Everyone:
The 8 5,000 xp skills that you can choose from (just 1 for each character) are:
Auto Theft
Fingerprinting*
Lockpicking
Photography
Pickpocketing*
Public Speaking*
Shadowing
Stealth
*Trained only
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Post by coffee on Feb 3, 2011 4:55:59 GMT -6
Okay Coffee: I rolled up 3 sets of Character stats (except for the Skill, which is, of course, yours to pick!); Cool! I'll have to consult with the rulebook, but I have a few ideas already... |
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 3, 2011 8:38:30 GMT -6
Out sick today (shoveled myself sick yesterday, what a dumb thing to do!)
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Post by coffee on Feb 3, 2011 22:45:54 GMT -6
Okay.
First of all, my second guy doesn't have a Presence score. Not all that critical, I know, but still.
I've looked through the rulebook. Assuming the stated minimums for each Law Enforcement field, the only one any of my guys fit in is the Federal Bureau of Prohibition. That's guy #1. Guy #2 doesn't have the Observation to be anything of any importance, so he'll be the Criminal. That leaves #3 to be a reporter (with that 78 Observation, it seems like a natural).
For skills, I'm going to do this:
Guy #1 -- Public Speaking (should come in handy when closing down speakeasies)
Guy #2 -- Lockpicking (make use of that Agility)
Guy #3 -- Photography (to get the 10% xp bonus, of course!)
I'll get names, nicknames, etc to you later. This is just what I'm starting out with.
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Post by maxvale76 on Feb 4, 2011 15:19:45 GMT -6
Coffee: DOH! I did roll presence for him; it's a 4; somehow I missed this when I was typing up the stats, sorry! Since I was planning on having the "Law Enforcement" characters be Prohibition Agents anyway; this works out; though I could fudge a reason for why Guy # 2 could become an Agent (his strength and marksmanship, for example? ); if you like; otherwise; I think what you've done with them is great! Chicagowiz: I hope you're felling better...do you want me to roll up 3 sets of stats for you? -Max |
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 7, 2011 8:36:50 GMT -6
Max, I still haven't had a chance to look at the rule books to even understand chargen - I'll do that tonight, promise!
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Post by coffee on Feb 7, 2011 15:25:47 GMT -6
Max, I still haven't had a chance to look at the rule books to even understand chargen - I'll do that tonight, promise! It'll take you maybe 10 minutes to read and five each for the characters. Less if you remember Top Secret... |
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 7, 2011 15:54:16 GMT -6
Less if you remember Top Secret... I never played it. |
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 8, 2011 10:49:18 GMT -6
Alright, I confess. I went home last night and painted minis and completely forgot to roll up characters. I was obsessing on getting my (almost trashed) OWM skellie back into the mix. BUT... good news is that I had snagged some GB PDF modules before things started disappearing, so I cheated and grabbed some stats/ideas from GB4's list of PCs. Let me know if these numbers add up. I am going to look at my books at some point - just have too much on my plate to promise much more than that for now. I don't have any inventory or weapons, should I look at your list and assign one to each? Fred Baumgartner MU 62 AG 84 OB 89 PR 7 DR 87 LU 24 HP 20 PS 4 Lvl 1 Private Investigator Skilled in Shadowing Fred, along with his partner and high school chum Richard Summers, is trying to start a PI business. Fred's just an average joe, trying to make a buck in this hard-scrabble life. He had a decent upbringing, his father worked in the stockyards in Chicago. Sal Delucia MU 72 AG 97 OB 53 PR 5 DR 75 LU 19 HP 22 PS 4 Lvl 1 Prohibition Agent Skilled in Fingerprinting Sal hails from Cincinnati, where his father worked in the glass business. Sal wants to be a flashy cop, making the big busts and getting his picture in all the papers. He has a pen-pal in Chicago, Rocky Vecchio (a boxer) that he writes to and often asks if he's 'in the story' yet in the Chicago rags. Jack "Wheels" McGuire MS 54 AG 50 OB 66 PR 5 DR 78 LU 12 HP 19 PS 3 Lvl 1 Criminal Skilled in Auto Theft Wheels never made it in life. He stole his first car when he was 13 and has never looked back. He's served time and just wants to keep stealing cars and driving fast. He's also partial to motorcycles and is looking for enough cash to buy one of those 74 ci JD Harley Davidsons. Then he could really fly! He's friends with another criminal, a mechanic by the name of Duff Allanson. |
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Post by maxvale76 on Feb 9, 2011 13:48:57 GMT -6
Okay Chicagowiz; I'm a bit confused...GB4 is one GB product I don't actually own...are these pre-rolled characters or NPCs from that module; or are these characters that you rolld up based on these characters?
If you rolled them; then cool....if not; then please roll up your own characters or I can roll up the stats and you can build the characters around them; like Coffee did/is doing.
As for weapons/equipment; you will each have a certain amount of money to start the game with which will be used for this; though the Prohibition Agents may be assigned some minor equipment/weapons.
Any questions?
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Post by coffee on Feb 10, 2011 1:37:25 GMT -6
Okay, I'm developing my characters. There's just one thing: I need rolls for my skill levels (see p. 21). Would you like to roll those for me?
Also, do you want us to pick our own cronies (p. 49) or do you want to do that?
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 10, 2011 12:12:33 GMT -6
They are prerolled. If you wish to make the rolls, please do, I have no idea if I'll be able to get to reading the rules this weekend - romantic getaway with @theprincesswife coming up!
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Post by maxvale76 on Feb 11, 2011 12:58:29 GMT -6
I rolled pretty d**n well for all of your skills gentlemen; if I do say so myself! Not a ONE of them under 50%! Coffee: I rolled up your skills and I'm not going to have cronies; but I WILL want a quick write-up of a friend/family member for each character so in the event of that character buying the farm; a replacement can be quickly pulled into the story. I don't need stats; just a couple of lines....something like: "Frank (my Criminal Character) has a younger cousin named Vinny, who has always looked up to him and has followed him into a life of crime. He'd be VERY upset if something ever happened to Frankie". Guy 1: 80% Guy 2: 73% Guy 3: 91% Chicagowiz: Here's your 3 sets of Stats; including Skill: Guy 1: AG: 51 MS: 55 OB: 80 PR: 4 LU: 09 DR: 66 PS: 3 HP: 16 Skill: 85 Guy 2: AG: 57 MS: 82 OB: 54 PR: 7 LU: 24 DR: 56 PS: 5 HP: 19 Skill: 52 Guy 3: AG: 43 MS: 91 OB: 55 PR: 8 LU: 31 DR: 49 PS: 5 HP: 19 Skill: 64 I didn't roll that great for your characters' Agility; but the second two certainly are strong! Also, they're both quite charaismatic! Anyway; both of you figure out what you'd like to name the characters and Chicagowiz; which guy will take on which role; if I'm looking at everything allright; any of your guys could be any role. Looking forward to the character concepts! |
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Post by coffee on Feb 11, 2011 13:19:22 GMT -6
Very nice skill scores indeed!
I'll get back to you this weekend with my character writeups.
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Post by chicagowiz on Feb 11, 2011 13:32:37 GMT -6
Thank you Max. I'm kinda ashamed I haven't read the rules. I'm taking them with me on the getaway this weekend. I'm obsessing on my minis painting so that's pretty much sucked all my time.
Guy 1: Fred Baumgartner
Lvl 1 Private Investigator
Fred, along with his partner and high school chum Richard Summers, is trying to start a PI business. Fred's just an average joe, trying to make a buck in this hard-scrabble life. He had a decent upbringing, his father worked in the stockyards in Chicago.
AG: 51
MS: 55
OB: 80
PR: 4
LU: 09
DR: 66
PS: 3
HP: 16
Shadowing Skill: 85
Guy 2: Jack "Wheels" McGuire
Lvl 1 Criminal
Wheels never made it in life. He stole his first car when he was 13 and has never looked back. He's served time and just wants to keep stealing cars and driving fast. He's also partial to motorcycles and is looking for enough cash to buy one of those 74 ci JD Harley Davidsons. Then he could really fly! He's friends with another criminal, a mechanic by the name of Duff Allanson.
AG: 57
MS: 82
OB: 54
PR: 7
LU: 24
DR: 56
PS: 5
HP: 19
Auto Theft Skill: 52
Guy 3: Sal Delucia
Lvl 1 Prohibition Agent
Sal hails from Cincinnati, where his father worked in the glass business. Sal wants to be a flashy cop, making the big busts and getting his picture in all the papers. He has a pen-pal in Chicago, Rocky Vecchio (a boxer) that he writes to and often asks if he's 'in the story' yet in the Chicago rags.
AG: 43
MS: 91
OB: 55
PR: 8
LU: 31
DR: 49
PS: 5
HP: 19
Fingerprinting Skill: 64
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edition?