|
Post by malchya on Sept 7, 2010 13:00:28 GMT -6
Okay... I think I'll bite. I believe that I am going to attempt to organize a PbP campaign for GangBusters. Yes, folks; I'll allow myself to be pulled, kicking and screaming I'm sure, out of the 1980s.
My work schedule (standard 46 hour week and on call for all 7 days) precludes my meeting a regular table top group and may slow my posting, but I'll give it what time and energy my job and status as a single parent of three teenagers leaves me.
Anyone interested in participating would be appreciated. The only thing hard and fast at this time is the campaign date; October 1925. I'll post my house rules and such once I've an idea of the interest generated here.
I am an experienced GM with more than 30 years of experience in various games. My style of play is rather more character and setting driven.
I await potential responses with bated breath. Anyone up for a game?
|
|
|
Post by chicagowiz on Sept 7, 2010 14:57:14 GMT -6
Not only yes, but HELL YES.
|
|
|
Post by coffee on Sept 7, 2010 15:21:45 GMT -6
Not only yes, but HELL YES. What he said!
|
|
|
Post by maxvale76 on Sept 7, 2010 21:25:11 GMT -6
Count me in!
|
|
|
Post by rick krebs on Sept 8, 2010 5:27:11 GMT -6
Sounds like fun, I would like to be included.
|
|
|
Post by Finarvyn on Sept 8, 2010 7:01:16 GMT -6
I can open up a place for this. Would you prefer to have it in with the other PBP games, or as a sub-board under Gangbusters?
|
|
|
Post by maxvale76 on Sept 8, 2010 15:01:10 GMT -6
If that was an open "vote" comment Finarvyn; then I'd vote for a sub-board of the Gangbusters thread; but it doesn't really matter much to me. Malchya: were you planning on having all kinds of characters or have us all be a part of the same faction; i.e., we're all Mobsters or Law Enforcement, etc.? I have 4 different ideas for characters: a Mobster, a Prohibition Agent, a Private Eye and an Indpendent Criminal. Happy to go with any of the above! -Max
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 8, 2010 18:25:57 GMT -6
I'm thrilled by the positive response! I would, in all honesty, prefer a sub board of the Gangbusters thread. Keep it in the family as it were.
Maxvale, I'm in the early planning stage at the moment. It will take me a few days to get things up and running at my end. To answer your question as to types of characters, I have always preferred running campaigns wherein the PCs can be considered "good guys", but I feel a Play by Post game may well be the best venue for a truly free form setting. Let me ponder for a day or so and, also, garner the opinions of the interested parties here on the board.
My version of Lakefront City is not the packaged one from the game. I've only been to Chicago once some 30 years ago for a Debate Tournament and am not familiar with its feel or layout, so I've based my game setting more on cities with whose history and ambiance I am familiar. I'll scan in and post maps before long. It is still set on the Great Lakes, but North of Chicago. (As an aside, this also allows NPCs from historic Chicago to visit LFC from time to time).
Oh, and just for informational purposes, the two character classes that I have most enjoyed running in the past have been Prohibition Agents and P.I.s. Not that I expect that to limit anyone, just throwing it out for consideration.
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 8, 2010 18:28:28 GMT -6
Oh, and by the way, I'm doing my very best to not be intimidated by Rick wanting to play in my end of the pool he built...........
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 8, 2010 18:59:10 GMT -6
I thought it might be wise to post a note on some of the house rules that have evolved over the last three decades. I've expanded both the list of available skills and the number of starting skills. I will post my lists and acquisition rules over the next couple of days.
I have plugged the Boot Hill hit location and wound severity table (revised) into my Gangbusters setting. I much prefer a grittier, more deadly feel to my firearms combat.
I make heavy use of cronies. I ask my players to pick cronies by profession (newspaper reporter, street cleaner, county record's secretary, etc) and we work together to fill in personality and relationship.
I play Gangbusters for two reasons: 1) I enjoy the game and, 2) I LOVE the period. I, therefore, use a LOT of period detail.
Oops...work intrudes. I'll post more a bit later when I have the chance.
|
|
|
Post by coffee on Sept 8, 2010 19:37:08 GMT -6
Oh, and by the way, I'm doing my very best to not be intimidated by Rick wanting to play in my end of the pool he built........... Yeah, I wondered how you'd react to that! I myself would be terrified -- but then, I'd realize that he's a fellow gamer and just go with the flow. I'm sure you'll do fine. I'm looking forward to it.
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 9, 2010 0:39:57 GMT -6
Sorry everyone. The perils of being on call. It's late here (01:30) and I'm going to have to call it quite soon. Tomorrow I'll add attachments of my skill list and purchasing guidelines, my character sheet, my hit location and wound severity charts and a few more general notes. I would appreciate if everyone would give me an idea of the type of character they would prefer to play. It's going to be cold and wet in Lakefront City. Those in the know predict a series of record low temperatures in the city with, perhaps, even a touch of snow before the month is out. So, please, dress warmly!
G'night all.
|
|
|
Post by rick krebs on Sept 9, 2010 9:40:09 GMT -6
I have no problem with sitting the game out, and observing the action. Through the years, I am aware that my presence in most games can be a distraction to players and referees and I have always withdrawn from play, rather than spoil the FUN. Either way, I look forward to seeing how malchya's efforts play out.
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 9, 2010 12:20:56 GMT -6
Rick, you are more than welcome to participate. I would be honored.
|
|
|
Post by maxvale76 on Sept 9, 2010 15:16:18 GMT -6
Well as I mentioned before; I'm happy with almost any kind of role and have character concepts for a Mobster, a Prohibition Agent, a Private Eye and an Independent Bank Robber.
I'm a bit concerned though over how many house-rules we're talking about....I've never actually played this game (though I have most of the game products)....so how different from the core game are we talking?
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 9, 2010 17:11:47 GMT -6
Actually the house rules are not that overwhelming. I've made the combat a bit more lethal than in the packaged game, added a few new firearms and given beginning players a wider variety of skills with which to begin play. That's about it. In so far as the setting goes I do use most of the NPCs from Trouble Brewing (as well as many others, of course) and I still use the block map as published, but I've changed the layout of Lakefront City. I'll post the maps of my version of LFC in a day or so. The originals are 14"X30" and I'm having to scan them in and arrange them a bit at a time.
|
|
|
Post by rick krebs on Sept 10, 2010 7:57:59 GMT -6
Rick, you are more than welcome to participate. I would be honored. As would I....
|
|
|
Post by chicagowiz on Sept 10, 2010 9:30:18 GMT -6
How would a smuggler/rum-runner fit in? Mobster type? I was thinking of more of an independent contractor, for-hire by the biggest bidder. A 1920s style "Transporter" complete with idiosyncratic attitudes, love for explosions, fast cars (haha in the 20s!) and faster women...
|
|
Thorulfr
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 264
|
Post by Thorulfr on Sept 10, 2010 12:41:01 GMT -6
A 1920s style "Transporter" complete with idiosyncratic attitudes, love for explosions, fast cars (haha in the 20s!) Oh, there were cars that are plenty fast; it's the ROADS you had to worry about. Get away from the big cities and most cars could go far faster than was safe for the road condition. ...and when the inevitable happened, the lack of things like seat belts, laminated glass, padded dashboards, energy-absorbing bumpers, crumple zones, and collapsible steering columns... well, I think you can imagine. Spitted like a shish-kebab on the steering column was not unknown. Also, a really good mechanic could do wonders: remember, most of the "hot rods" of the 1950s were old, stock cars from the 20s and 30s (and thus available cheap) that had their engines bored, stroked, and tuned within an inch of their lives.
|
|
|
Post by coffee on Sept 10, 2010 12:50:37 GMT -6
That's true -- bootlegging is where the modern sport of stock car racing came from.
And after all, the speakeasies have to get their booze somehow!
|
|
|
Post by rick krebs on Sept 10, 2010 13:51:28 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by chicagowiz on Sept 10, 2010 14:09:52 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by chicagowiz on Sept 10, 2010 14:10:22 GMT -6
A 1920s style "Transporter" complete with idiosyncratic attitudes, love for explosions, fast cars (haha in the 20s!) Oh, there were cars that are plenty fast; it's the ROADS you had to worry about. Get away from the big cities and most cars could go far faster than was safe for the road condition. ...and when the inevitable happened, the lack of things like seat belts, laminated glass, padded dashboards, energy-absorbing bumpers, crumple zones, and collapsible steering columns... well, I think you can imagine. Spitted like a shish-kebab on the steering column was not unknown. Also, a really good mechanic could do wonders: remember, most of the "hot rods" of the 1950s were old, stock cars from the 20s and 30s (and thus available cheap) that had their engines bored, stroked, and tuned within an inch of their lives. Which is where I would come in... with a brother who's a d**n fine mechanic and me knowing how to handle a "hot rod"
|
|
Thorulfr
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 264
|
Post by Thorulfr on Sept 10, 2010 14:40:42 GMT -6
Here's a little clip from www.fastestcar.net/land_speed_record.php on the land speed records between 1924 and 1931: September 25, 1924 146.163 July 21, 1925 150.766 March 16, 1926 152.307 April 27, 1926 169.298 April 28, 1926 171.019 February 4, 1927 174.883 March 29, 1927 203.793 February 19, 1928 206.956 April 22, 1928 207.553 March 11, 1929 231.362 February 5, 1931 246.088 Granted, these were highly specialized cars, often using aircraft engines and running straight on smooth tracks, but the 1928 Dusenberg Model J could do almost 120 mph (OK, bad example; that baby would set you back 10 grand and attract a LOT of attention, but think of all the stuff you carry in it ;D )
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 10, 2010 18:14:24 GMT -6
Bad (Good) News. I've just been notified of a promotion! Better hours, better pay which is a good thing. I'll be going to the company training facility in Wichita, KS for four weeks, then I'll be moving to another property. That's the bad news. Though I would still very, very much like to do this, I'm afraid that I won't have the time for the next six weeks. Once I've settled into the new property, I should actually have more time for it.
I'm sorry about getting everyone's hopes up. Could we shelve this idea for six weeks without everyone being so angry at me for the delay that they won't play?
|
|
|
Post by coffee on Sept 11, 2010 5:02:16 GMT -6
Not angry at all. Real life trumps.
Gangbusters in six weeks beats the hell out of no Gangbusters ever!
|
|
|
Post by rick krebs on Sept 11, 2010 7:44:32 GMT -6
I've been waiting for over 25 years to play Gangbusters by post, what's 6 weeks ? As coffee said, real Life trumps all. Best wishes in your new endeavors and see you in 6 weeks or so.
|
|
|
Post by malchya on Sept 12, 2010 10:06:49 GMT -6
Thanks guys! I appreciate it! I'm packed and leaving for Wichita first thing in the a.m.!
|
|
|
Post by maxvale76 on Sept 12, 2010 21:54:02 GMT -6
Have fun in Kansas; and I'm definitely up for waiting!
-Max
|
|
|
Post by chicagowiz on Sept 13, 2010 9:37:40 GMT -6
Awesome new! Congrats and good luck! 6 weeks... that'll give me enough time to actually find free time to read the rules!
|
|