(Cross-posted to the Tavern)

So, lately I've had this itch to run a 'modern, supernatural' game of some sort.  But, on the flipside, I'm feeling a bit burned out on horror, so don't want to do Cthulhu, or any of my standard 'go-to' modern horror tropes.

I've been thinking a bit about running something "Modern Fantasy" like, but really don't know much about the genre.  I've read Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" (and saw the BBC show) as well as his "American Gods".  Read his "Sandman" stuff as well....  Also, I'm a big fan of the old Nephilim game, but more for the background and setting than the baseline character concepts.

Hrmm... so, apparently my only experience with "Modern Fantasy" is Neil Gaiman, and Nephilim.

So, any of you fans of the genre?  Give me some ideas of what sort of elements might be included in a modern fantasy game?

The Hellblazer comic offer a bloody, sardonic and often humorous take on modern magic.

Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing is also very good, reinterpreting the character as an elemental.

EDIT: Sorry, I thought you were looking for recommendations. I'll post more on elements that work well later, if I get the chance.

The main element of modern fantasy is that the fantasy magical part is totally blatant, but nonetheless takes place completely under the noses of the non-magical world. They are unaware.

The one obstacle to this, is that some players may be tempted to "call the cops" when something like a magical monster attacks, or some bizarre phenomenon occurs.

The trick is to make sure that's one of the worst possible things to do. You can't disallow it, but be prepared to deal with it.

Modern fantasy also includes vampires and werewolf stuff, and I'm slightly allergic to goth. On the other hand, most of Gaimans stuff is quite okay and even Pratchett contributed to the genre. The distinction between modern fantasy, urban fantasy and horror isn't as defined as one might think.

The big problem I see in most "modern fantasy" games is keeping it secret. In most novels and games the fantasy elements are not known to the general populace, and sometimes it's really hard or stupid to keep it that way. It's the old conspiracy theory problem. Every participant has to be extremely intelligent and careful not to spill the hidden skeletons. Including the game master...

Probably a reason why a certain number of plots in the modern fantasy genre center around troubleshooter teams keeping it hidden.

Hmm, "troubleshooter"... For some kind of reason I have images in my mind about a weird Paranoia/WoD mix.

I always thought Superheros were the modern fantasy.

All that other stuff (gaiman, magic, vampires, etc) is just pretentious quasi-horror quasi-filmnoire elitist crap.

RPGPundit

Quote from: DrewThe Hellblazer comic offer a bloody, sardonic and often humorous take on modern magic.

Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing is also very good, reinterpreting the character as an elemental.

EDIT: Sorry, I thought you were looking for recommendations. I'll post more on elements that work well later, if I get the chance.

Yeah, those are a bit more 'horror' than I want...  I'll look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Quote from: SosthenesThe big problem I see in most "modern fantasy" games is keeping it secret. In most novels and games the fantasy elements are not known to the general populace, and sometimes it's really hard or stupid to keep it that way. It's the old conspiracy theory problem. Every participant has to be extremely intelligent and careful not to spill the hidden skeletons. Including the game master...

Right.  I'd have to decide which part of the 'veil' I want the PCs to be on.  In no way, shape, nor form do I want a "World of Darkness"-style "PCs as monsters" game.  But I would like them a bit empowered.  Perhaps they're mages of some sort...  beats me; I'll have to think on it.

Neil Gaiman is a great source.  But for a more fantasy flair think of the Harry Dresden books (or the mini-series) they are about as dead on of a modern fantasy as you can get.

Quote from: RPGPunditI always thought Superheros were the modern fantasy.

Yes, in many ways they are.  I just think Superheroes are a completely idiotic concept, and don't want to run that sort of game.

Quote from: RPGPunditAll that other stuff (gaiman, magic, vampires, etc) is just pretentious quasi-horror quasi-filmnoire elitist crap.

In your opinion, of course.

So comics are fair game?  The various incarnations of DC's "The Books of Magic" dealt with modern fantasy to some degree or another, usually veering away from the horror you'd find in "Swampthing" or "Hellblazer" while often incorporating the same cast of characters.

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaSo comics are fair game?  The various incarnations of DC's "The Books of Magic" dealt with modern fantasy to some degree or another, usually veering away from the horror you'd find in "Swampthing" or "Hellblazer" while often incorporating the same cast of characters.

Ah!  Books of Magic...  I'd forgotten about those. I'll have to see if I can dig mine out and take another look-see...

Quote from: SosthenesThe big problem I see in most "modern fantasy" games is keeping it secret. In most novels and games the fantasy elements are not known to the general populace, and sometimes it's really hard or stupid to keep it that way. It's the old conspiracy theory problem. Every participant has to be extremely intelligent and careful not to spill the hidden skeletons. Including the game master...

Of course, it is magic, and there might be REASONS that it's secret.

Some games pull this off more convincingly than others, but there are ALWAYS implications.

This may set the hounds on my tail for mentioning it, but the sort of animism proposed in Nobilis goes a long way toward achieving that sort of modern fantasy.  The old notion that every little thing either houses or is a sort of spiritual entity or mechanism means that characters possess another option for interacting with the world at large: appeasement and coercion.

I was once working on a Nephilim scenario where the city was alive with mystic essence.  The daily crossword bore portents and prophesy.  The pattern of blinking traffic lights conveyed messages to those who knew how to read them.  Street maps and utility layouts could be rotated around various compass points to re-combine and reveal subtle clues.

!i!

Or, you can go another direction and make the fantastic blatant, blatant, blatant.

Quote from: Caesar SlaadOf course, it is magic, and there might be REASONS that it's secret.

I'm not arguing about the reasons. There's plenty of them. But the _means_ of keeping this secret quickly approach MiB-style technology or magic.