Post by Finarvyn on Apr 6, 2009 19:29:13 GMT -6
I'm in the process of re-reading the Mars series, and I'm trying to look at the books like a Dungeon Master.
1. The protagonist (usually John Carter) seems to slide from encounter to encounter in rapid pace. In general there doesn't seem to be too much exhaustive detail but the Game Master (ERB) keeps the story moving.
2. The style of adventures varies a lot. Sometimes they're in an abandoned city (a lot like a megadungeon) and sometimes they are in the Pits below the city. Some adventures are on foot, others on Thoat-back, still others are on flyers. Often, several of these styles occurs in the same book. From a campaign viewpoint, this is a good thing.
3. The level of coincidence is huge, but it seems to fit the "scifi pulp" kind of genre. Out of a million green martians, for example, how is it that John Carter always happens to bump into Tars Tarkas. This is the kind of thing that happens in my gaming worlds a lot. Not saying it's a good or bad thing, it just happens.
4. In general, each "adventure" seems to have a well defined quest. The characters don't always follow things in a linear manner and are often sidetracked, but there is a new mission each time. (Mostly princess saving, but sometimes a spy assignment or whatnot.) Seems like it sets up the game with clear spots to award XP, when the major goal is attained.
Other thoughts about the series from the mind of a GM?
1. The protagonist (usually John Carter) seems to slide from encounter to encounter in rapid pace. In general there doesn't seem to be too much exhaustive detail but the Game Master (ERB) keeps the story moving.
2. The style of adventures varies a lot. Sometimes they're in an abandoned city (a lot like a megadungeon) and sometimes they are in the Pits below the city. Some adventures are on foot, others on Thoat-back, still others are on flyers. Often, several of these styles occurs in the same book. From a campaign viewpoint, this is a good thing.
3. The level of coincidence is huge, but it seems to fit the "scifi pulp" kind of genre. Out of a million green martians, for example, how is it that John Carter always happens to bump into Tars Tarkas. This is the kind of thing that happens in my gaming worlds a lot. Not saying it's a good or bad thing, it just happens.
4. In general, each "adventure" seems to have a well defined quest. The characters don't always follow things in a linear manner and are often sidetracked, but there is a new mission each time. (Mostly princess saving, but sometimes a spy assignment or whatnot.) Seems like it sets up the game with clear spots to award XP, when the major goal is attained.
Other thoughts about the series from the mind of a GM?
