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Post by tdenmark on Nov 6, 2021 11:08:06 GMT -6
It is getting real now. I completed the Kickstarter page, got approved, and have the preview up. If you're interested give it a click. I did all the research on publication cost, shipping & handling, tax, etc. There is so much more to making a book than making the book. Got the cost down to as reasonably as I could get it.
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 6, 2021 11:09:18 GMT -6
Also, some have PM'd me about playtesting. Yes, the playtest will be ready soon. Let me know if you want in.
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Post by cometaryorbit on Nov 6, 2021 23:57:52 GMT -6
I could really use a list of all the tech devices ERB imagined in his various books, like the Gridley Wave, 9th ray, etc. To include in the Strange Science section. Found some good info on tech Burroughs invented in his various stories, so I have a lot of great items to convert into game terms. Some of it not so useful in a western (Atmospheric Plants), some of it very useful (Atom gun, Disintegration ray, etc.). This is going to be so cool. The Barsoomians also have wonderful salves/ointments that can heal basically any wound not quickly fatal.
Ras Thavas talks about detecting thought waves from other planets, so he at least must have some kind of instrument that can detect them.
The Okar have a super-magnet, the Guardian of the North, which pulls in airships to be destroyed.
The Morgors of Jupiter have engines which use cosmic rays collected from space in addition to the standard Barsoomian "ray of propulsion".
Since you are including some things from non-Barsoom stories like the O-220, others include: Amtorian atomic power: based on a reaction between element 93 (vik-ro) and element 105 (yor-san), used to propel ships
Amtorian R-ray "a ray of extremely short wave length that is destructive of animal tissue"; it destroys only animal tissue, while the similar T-ray destroys everything (though one specific metal is somewhat resistant, used to make the ray guns and armor against it). Also created by reactions of elements higher than uranium
Gamma ray based distance- and depth-measuring instruments, used by Amtorian ships
Gravitation-screens, used to make the "aero-submarine" Coldwater fly in Beyond Thirty (aka The Lost Continent)*
*this however does not appear to be the same 'universe' as Barsoom, as the future-history of Earth here is incompatible with the one in the Moon series
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 8, 2021 12:11:37 GMT -6
Wouldn't it be nice if I did an update every Monday? I'm so inconsistent...
Today's update: how did my character get to Mars?!!
I've touched on this a bit, but here are some options to handle the question of how the party makes their way to the Red Planet.
The easiest entry to the adventure is to simply begin on the Red Planet.
Note: the On The Arizona Hills adventure begins on Earth as a classic western (with some strange science!) that contrasts with the weirdness of the alien world of the Red Planet. Think of it as The Village of Hommlet to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
Other options are:
Reincarnation and/or spirit travel: The characters die in a cave, their spirit travels across time and space, they wake up in bodies on the Red Planet that may or may not resemble their original bodies. This hews most closely to the novel.
Tornado of strange energy: A whirlwind crackling with strange red-orange energy overcomes the characters and whisks them away to the Red Planet.
Amulet or ring: The characters receive a teleportation device. It is a strange amulet, or a magical colored ring. It is a one way ticket to the Red Planet.
Ship: A ship of unusual design is uncovered in the desert. When the characters get on board it activates and launches to the Red Planet.
Portal: A mysterious mirror on a wall, or a pool in a cave shows strange scenes, characters can step through and end up on the Red Planet.
Teleporter: The cave has a teleportation device of mysterious and advanced technology that accidentally or intentionally gets activated when the characters are near it teleporting the characters to ancient Mars.
However the characters get there, they find themselves on the Red Planet without equipment or clothes near a Thark hatchery as the eggs are hatching. The characters are unadjusted to the Red Planet's gravity and are easily captured by Tharks and put in prison awaiting to be sacrificed in the arena for entertainment. They meet Sola who stations a calot named Woola on guard to prevent escape. What the characters choose to do now is up to the players.
Also, if you are at all interested in getting this game you can click on the Kickstarter link above to let me at least know there is some interest. It is going to be very high quality and as affordable as I can make it.
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 8, 2021 17:08:19 GMT -6
I never really liked the flowchart from GW. Always seemed sort of artificial. What would be neat (and I'm just spitballing off the top of my head here, not so well thought out) would be to have a sequence of events that have to happen. Getting from one to another could use a dice roll or card flip or some such. Maybe a critical system to step forward twice, or a fumble system to go backwards. Maybe something like.... Step 1 - Preliminary stage; device does not work at all. Step 2 - Exploratory stage; device shows lights or motion or some sign that it may work. Step 3 - Accidental stage; device sometimes works and effect may be right or wrong (dice roll each time) Step 4 - Working stage; device mostly works and effect usually is the right one (dice roll each time) Step 5 - Perfection stage; device works in all aspects intended. Dunno, maybe this is essentially a tiny flow chart.  Part of the problem is always that 21st century players know more than fantasy characters. A gun seems simple to us (point, aim, pull trigger) and it may seem stupid that fantasy characters can't figure that out, but a simple system is needed IMO for the "fun factor" of the campaign. A partial success for a gun might be an empty chamber (revolver) or bad cartridge (shotgun) or maybe reloading is needed, and reloading involves several steps to achieve success. A flashlight is clearly "push button, aim beam" but there are other things that can go wrong. A flashlight might not stay on because the end has become loose, so it flickers or goes in and out, or batteries might have corroded and characters might not understand what needs to be replaced (or may not have extras). I'm not sure if a rulebook ought to provide examples for a GM or just assume they can wing it. Just some ideas. Permission to steal? Permission granted. Just give me a credit somewhere for contributing an idea or so....  |
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 8, 2021 17:09:51 GMT -6
Also, some have PM'd me about playtesting. Yes, the playtest will be ready soon. Let me know if you want in. I know that I do. I'll be happy to look at both Gunslinger and the Mars stuff. (I'm going to buy one anyway and am willing to preorder if that helps.) |
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 15, 2021 14:14:25 GMT -6
Mapping the city buildings. Throughout the novels there are many buildings described as abandoned palaces. There are "pits" (basically underground dungeons) and several other individual buildings. These are described as having lots of corridors and rooms with almost a maze-like quality to them. And of course secret passages! While the exteriors are described as relatively simple with geometric forms, yet highly decorated so there are plenty of handholds for even an unskilled climber to scale, albeit with some danger. This has been one of the biggest challenges to figure out how to make the possibly hundreds of maps necessary to flesh out this adventure. It may be mega-dungeon in its scope! I think I've hit upon a way to make these hand drawn and alien looking with unusual forms. Each of the maps will also be a mini-adventure described as a heist or rescue mission and so on, so that it is immediately playable, but with plenty of room for the GM to customize.  |
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 17, 2021 1:26:18 GMT -6
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 20, 2021 2:15:33 GMT -6
Quick question:
Would you prefer this book to be Digest sized like Warriors of the Red Planet (and the classic ODD books) or Letter sized like the Basic books?
I was going to make it Digest, but as I'm making maps they might read better at Letter size. Not that I don't think they'll look good at Digest size too. It might affect the cost a little, and shipping, but it is hard to tell by how much.
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 20, 2021 6:46:38 GMT -6
Rough question. Part of me says "digest" so it matches the other books, but modules really ought to be letter size for maximum use. As you noted, small maps aren't very helpful.
Not sure about sales and marketing, but maybe a booklet of maps letter sized and a booklet of contents digest size? Probably starting to cost too much.
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 20, 2021 6:48:38 GMT -6
By the way, I saw the building maps on DF (and above) and I love them. Standard enough to seem familiar, but curvy and cool enough to seem alien. Definite "thumbs up" from me! |
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 20, 2021 6:51:52 GMT -6
Also, it may be a bit late but I'm not entirely sold on "Gunslinger" for the project name. If it was a pure Western game I would love it, but as a blend of western and strange science I'm not sure that the name sells the genre. "Gunslingers & Gizmos" is probably too corny. I'd have to ponder further to see if anything better pops into my brain.
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oldskolgmr
Level 3 Conjurer
Can the Cleric heal me? What? Alright, the Clerk will have to do.
Posts: 99 
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Post by oldskolgmr on Nov 20, 2021 8:02:56 GMT -6
Hey tdenmark, this is really awesome stuff you're working on! Thumbs up! |
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Post by stevemitchell on Nov 20, 2021 10:03:46 GMT -6
Warriors of the Third Planet?
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 20, 2021 19:40:35 GMT -6
Warriors of the Third Planet? Warriors of Jasoom. Warriors of the Blue Planet. |
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 20, 2021 19:45:36 GMT -6
Also, it may be a bit late but I'm not entirely sold on "Gunslinger" for the project name. If it was a pure Western game I would love it, but as a blend of western and strange science I'm not sure that the name sells the genre. "Gunslingers & Gizmos" is probably too corny. I'd have to ponder further to see if anything better pops into my brain. For a while I was considering just calling it ON THE ARIZONA HILLS The reason for the name Gunslinger just boils down to it is short. Sounds cool. You know it is a Western. And the RPG has to stand on its own. I toyed around with a lot of other names, such as using alliterations like Six Guns & Strange Science, but all the ones I came up with sounded too goofy or cheesy. Of course I'm open to suggestions, though it is pretty baked in at this point. |
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Post by simonw on Nov 22, 2021 11:16:46 GMT -6
Pistols & Planets (or Pistoleers & Planets)
Six-Guns & Stars
West Star
Planet West
Once Upon a Time on Mars/Barsoom
The Good, The Bad and the Thark
Drifters of Mars
The Barsoomian Trail or the Red Planet Trail (per Ralph Compton's "Trail Drive" series)
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 23, 2021 3:53:44 GMT -6
Monday Update Air Plant KeeperRed Martian, 3rd level ScientistArmor Class: 10 Hit Dice: 3/9hp Move: 120' BTH: +2 Attacks: shortsword or pistol Damage: 1d6 or 1d12 No. Appearing: 1-4 Save: S3 Morale: 5 Treasure Type: A Alignment: Lawful Neutral XP Value: 100 Str: 11 (+0), Dex: 10 (+0), Con: 10 (+0), Wis: 9 (+0), Int: 13 (+1), Chr: 9 (0) Equipment: shortsword, pistol. 2 1st level gadgets, 1 2nd level gadget Air plant keepers are skilled in the operations of the great air generators that maintain the breathable atmosphere of Barsoom. They are dedicated to their job and will defend the plant from hostile forces that may harm it.  |
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Post by soundchaser on Nov 23, 2021 19:23:06 GMT -6
Very nice. I await the KS for the Gunslinger thing... ordered the Red Planet book from Lulu the other day.
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Post by tdenmark on Nov 24, 2021 2:43:04 GMT -6
Rough question. Part of me says "digest" so it matches the other books, but modules really ought to be letter size for maximum use. As you noted, small maps aren't very helpful. Not sure about sales and marketing, but maybe a booklet of maps letter sized and a booklet of contents digest size? Probably starting to cost too much. Got the quotes for Letter size. Turns out there is very little price difference because the page count will be slightly lower. I think this will be the way to go. Although shipping might be a tad more for the customer. |
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 9, 2021 3:30:21 GMT -6
Taking the Gunfighting rules from 1e Boothill and converting them to be compatible with OD&D and Warriors of the Red Planet. I'm still tuning some of the numbers, but play testers will help figure that out I hope.  The First ShotIn western gunfights the victory often goes to whoever draws and fires first. Sometimes that comes down to not only speed (the DEX bonus) but also using the handier weapon and circumstances. Use the normal combat rules, but with individual initiative. Before rolling for attack, characters on both sides may optionally declare if they’re using one these attacks or defensive options: Hip Shooting, Rushing, Running, Evading, or Careful Aim, as these affect the First Shot chart. You can also take an “ordinary shot” in which case there’s no modifier. Aim or Careful Aim means you’re sacrificing speed for accuracy. Rushing (a quick attack) or Hip Shooting (even faster) means you’re trading accuracy for speed. Running or Evading (zig-zagging, etc.) boosts your Armor Class at the expense of accuracy and speed. If you are surprised, or your weapon is not already in your hands, you have an additional penalty to speed as you must draw it from the holster or unsling it. Each player’s d6 initiative roll is modified by their Dexterity modifier and Weapon’s Speed factor (see the Ranged Weapon Table) and any appropriate bonuses and penalties shown on the FIRST SHOT CHART. Do this for each figure firing that turn. The one with the highest positive total fires first, with other figures firing in order thereafter. In case of ties fire is considered as taking place simultaneously with regard to the figures whose total scores were tied. Use the information on the FIRST SHOT CHART as a guide for other factors not listed.  |
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 9, 2021 14:16:56 GMT -6
I'm generally not too fond of hit location systems, they tend to be overly clunky and don't mesh well with the generic Hit Point system of D&D. In the case of gunfights, particularly to recreate classic westerns, and also for Warriors of the Red Planet when radium bullets are flying back and forth (let's overlook their explosive property for the moment), hit location does have a place. Here is taking the system from Boothill and streamlining it for this adventure. Hit Location and WoundsIf a hit is to a limb, it’s just a flesh wound unless the attack causes the character to lose half or more of his CURRENT hit points. For instance, if he had only 3 hp left, then any hit that makes him lose 2 or more hp cripples the limb. If a limb is an arm that is holding a weapon, the character drops it. They cannot use that arm/hand for shooting or combat until they recover back to full hp. A crippled leg reduces movement by half, and eliminates any DEX bonus when trying actions that require physical agility. If both legs are crippled the character can only crawl at 3” and can’t do anything that requires physical agility. Again, they must recover to full hp and care from a Doctor to regain the use of the limb.  |
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Post by Finarvyn on Dec 9, 2021 17:15:30 GMT -6
I have mixed feelings about location shots for wounds. Having them does make things more gritty and realistic, which sometimes is good and sometimes not. I like your 2d6 chart better than the 1d20 ones that I have used for Boot Hill. Seems to spread the damage out well, with most hits being torso and fewer to the extremities.
As to the damage, I think the multiplier has to come down to the total hit points the character might possess. In Boot Hill the max is around 20 HP with a typical character around 10 (I think), and a typical pistol shot does 1d6 or so damage. In that scale the x4 modifier is pretty lethal.
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 9, 2021 17:32:23 GMT -6
I have mixed feelings about location shots for wounds. Having them does make things more gritty and realistic, which sometimes is good and sometimes not. I like your 2d6 chart better than the 1d20 ones that I have used for Boot Hill. Seems to spread the damage out well, with most hits being torso and fewer to the extremities. As to the damage, I think the multiplier has to come down to the total hit points the character might possess. In Boot Hill the max is around 20 HP with a typical character around 10 (I think), and a typical pistol shot does 1d6 or so damage. In that scale the x4 modifier is pretty lethal. Originally I had head shot = instant kill! But for a pulp gaming experience x4 might be a bit much. Maybe x3 at most. Or maybe instead of multiplying the damage, it will add damage dice. So many possibilities! Which is why I kinda sorta hate hit location charts. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2021 11:14:48 GMT -6
Also, it may be a bit late but I'm not entirely sold on "Gunslinger" for the project name. If it was a pure Western game I would love it, but as a blend of western and strange science I'm not sure that the name sells the genre. "Gunslingers & Gizmos" is probably too corny. I'd have to ponder further to see if anything better pops into my brain. See, for me personally, when I hear "Gunslinger" I associate it with the Stephen King book my signature quote is from, and it's definitely in the same vein as Thomden's game, but ymmv. |
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 11, 2021 12:04:52 GMT -6
Also, it may be a bit late but I'm not entirely sold on "Gunslinger" for the project name. If it was a pure Western game I would love it, but as a blend of western and strange science I'm not sure that the name sells the genre. "Gunslingers & Gizmos" is probably too corny. I'd have to ponder further to see if anything better pops into my brain. See, for me personally, when I hear "Gunslinger" I associate it with the Stephen King book my signature quote is from, and it's definitely in the same vein as Thomden's game, but ymmv. Thanks. For the ERB fans it is " On the Arizona Hills" But as a general RPG for a wider audience it is Gunslinger. I really wanted to use an established old west RPG so I didn't have to write one, but the material forced me into this. Especially as I needed one that would smoothly integrate with Warriors of the Red Planet, as well as stand on its own. And in order to stand on its own it needed its own unique hook to differentiate it from all the other westerns out there. Furthermore I didn't want just another Swords & Wizardry hack. That was my line of reasoning anyways. I'm putting finishing touches on a play test packet so I'll be offering that soon for those interested. |
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 11, 2021 12:06:11 GMT -6
btw. Darktower is one of the best things Stephen King ever wrote, even though he blew the last couple of books in my opinion. From Drawing of the Three to Wizard and Glass it is a masterpiece.
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Post by simonw on Dec 12, 2021 4:45:03 GMT -6
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Post by tdenmark on Dec 12, 2021 7:52:22 GMT -6
Thank you, those are some good names. My Gunslinger RPG was announced Apr 16, 2020. Shane's was announced June 28, 2021. Not that that matters all that much, it is such a common name. Here are some of the names of mini-adventures in the book: Askin’ For Trouble The Lone Cowboy One Step From Hell Dorado Drink Yer Milk Just Enough Rope Bound for Tombstone Gunnin' For You Requiem For My Sweetheart Shootout at the Bonita Saloon Saddle Up Ruin and Tarnation Judgement Day Stranger from Deadwood Hell on Horseback Come The Coyote The Preacher’s Gun Guilty Man The Haunted Mine Soiled Doves Any one of these could be a good name. I still like On The Arizona Hills best since that is the first chapter of A Princess of Mars. |
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Post by simonw on Dec 13, 2021 4:56:34 GMT -6
Any one of these could be a good name. I still like On The Arizona Hills best since that is the first chapter of A Princess of Mars. Yep. That's good. Anyway, yes Gunslinger is cool. I guess it isn't the announcement date but the release date that will decide whether there is any confusion or not. |
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