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Author Topic: Question: How to deal with alternate worlds in character creation.  (Read 1021 times)

wc5b

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I am thinking of doing something I have not done since early high school. Homebrew a campaign. Seeing that I am in my 40's now, it has been a while. Leaned toward published adventures in recent years now that we are trying to get groups together. Leave it to my mind to lead me down a path to make it more difficult however. I am really excited about a new campaign / setting idea but not sure how to make it work.  I would like to start PC's on earth in a modern or near modern time & tech. Something will cause the PC's to be jolted into an alternate universe of earth ("not necessarily a different time") in which human's civilization did not evolve (or even exist at all) while other creatures may have (catfolk / wolfolk / lizardfolk). Technology is far less advanced, at least by PC's normal world standards, but magic also exists in this new world. The new world would fit into high fantasy and work with many of the systems out there. The old would only be a part of the campaign for a short time, but would be modern of course. So, the question! How do I deal with character creation?! What systems should I use? In a perfect world I don't even want the PC's to know they are going to end up in a fantasy (D&D) medieval setting but I don't want them to feel their characters creation was useless either.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2021, 11:38:48 PM by wc5b »

agkistro13

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Re: Question: How to deal with alternate worlds in character creation.
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2021, 01:47:07 PM »
Some point-buy system like GURPS or HERO where they can make a basic human character, and then the "Woah now you're a lizardman!" aspect can be represented just by adding more points on top would be good.  That way original character creation is still *There* as a base, not at all worthless, and whatever else happens to them builds on top of it.

Another good choice would be the Wild Talents system, though I don't know how good that is for designing the monsters and stuff you will want.

World_Warrior

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Re: Question: How to deal with alternate worlds in character creation.
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2021, 03:28:25 PM »
What type of system do you feel comfortable with?
Do you want simple? Crunchy? Classes? Levels? Point buy?

I could always recommend Basic Role-playing System from Chaoisum. All races types are made the same. They also have Magic World, which is their generic fantasy rules. Considering Call of Cthulhu, Stormbringer, Runequest, etc all use the same rules, you could allow the players to think they are playing a modern set game, and then BOOM! Another world, different humanoids, etc.