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[The Strange] Problem with Character Generation

Started by Nexus, September 25, 2015, 09:43:35 PM

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Nexus

September 25, 2015, 09:43:35 PM
Some of my players have run into some problem with character generation system. It feels very restrictive and they're having issues working their characters into it. Foci seem to give them the most trouble. There's just six of them available (everyone is starting off from Earth). Anyone else run into this issue? I don't feel comfortable enough with the system to start designing now Foci. Would it be risky to just let them adopt Foci from other Recursions if it seems to fit the character better?
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."

Brand55

#1
September 25, 2015, 09:58:40 PM
Quote from: Nexus;857696Some of my players have run into some problem with character generation system. It feels very restrictive and they're having issues working their characters into it. Foci seem to give them the most trouble. There's just six of them available (everyone is starting off from Earth). Anyone else run into this issue? I don't feel comfortable enough with the system to start designing now Foci. Would it be risky to just let them adopt Foci from other Recursions if it seems to fit the character better?
The small number of Foci is one of the problems with running The Strange just using the core book. In Translation: The Strange Character Options adds some more, as do a few other supplements, I believe.

But if you don't want to spend money on more supplements before you even start the game, I think you'll be fine just reskinning some of the other Foci to fit Earth, especially if they're already draggable. For example, it seems perfectly logical that someone from Earth would have Wields Two Weapons at Once despite it being listed for Ardeyn.

Nexus

#2
September 25, 2015, 10:12:55 PM Last Edit: September 25, 2015, 10:19:01 PM by Nexus
Oh! I have the corebook, Beastiary, Players guide and Worlds Numberless and Strange. I thought those where the only things out for the Strange. What else is there?
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."

Brand55

#3
September 25, 2015, 10:26:36 PM
Quote from: Nexus;857700I have the corebook, Beastiary, Players guide and Worlds Numberless and Strange. I thought those where the only things out for the Strange. What else is there?
That's most of them, apart from the adventures. In addition, there's In Translation (http://www.montecookgames.com/store/product/in-translation-the-strange-character-options/). You can get it in PDF or print. It's actually the MCG supplement that would most help your current situation.

Then of course you could look into Numenera. Since it uses the Cypher system, it should have plenty of Foci that could be lifted and used. I don't know as much about what's available since I've only read the Numenera core book.

Finally, there are options available from others besides Monte Cook Games. In particular, Ryan Chaddock Games has a ton of supplements available including some for The Strange. In particular, you might find The Translation Codex (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/140376/The-Translation-Codex?src=hottest_filtered&filters=0_0_45193_0_0) and The Earth Codex (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/156932/The-Earth-Codex?src=hottest_filtered&filters=0_0_45193_0_0) useful. I don't own those so I can't say how well-balanced they are, but they've published a lot of Cypher material and The Translation Codex has excellent ratings.

Hope that helps.

Nexus

#4
September 27, 2015, 05:36:01 PM
Any advice on how to handle Paradoxes' "Strange Training" when the characters are starting off no knowledge The Strange? Intuitive hunches and they just "get it" faster than others?
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."

Brand55

#5
September 27, 2015, 05:56:36 PM
Quote from: Nexus;857919Any advice on how to handle Paradoxes' "Strange Training" when the characters are starting off no knowledge The Strange? Intuitive hunches and they just "get it" faster than others?
You could certainly work it like that. Or just leave that part of the Paradox's abilities out for the first session or two until they get their feet wet and they receive some sort of formal education or training. Alternately, you could work it into the story so that the Paradox's learning of the Strange happens early on and is part of what sets the group off on their first journey.

Nexus

#6
September 27, 2015, 06:19:16 PM
Quote from: Brand55;857920You could certainly work it like that. Or just leave that part of the Paradox's abilities out for the first session or two until they get their feet wet and they receive some sort of formal education or training. Alternately, you could work it into the story so that the Paradox's learning of the Strange happens early on and is part of what sets the group off on their first journey.

True, I'll talk to the Paradox player and see how he feels about it. Paradox are (ironically) odd to picture in this type of game since their revisions are almost all so overtly supernatural.
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."

Nexus

#7
September 28, 2015, 12:21:31 AM
The character creation system is much more restrictive than we're used too (we usually play Hero or GURPS). Some of the character concepts my players seem oddly difficult to pull off unless I've misread character generation. Some of this likely stems from the style of game we running but surely playing characters that all start from Earth can't be so off beat of a choice that it pushes the envelop?
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."

rgalex

#8
September 28, 2015, 11:51:04 AM
What concepts are your players trying to make that they are finding difficult?

The number of foci in the core book are a bit limited, especially if you stick to just the Earth ones.  As others have said, there are a few from the other lists and books that would be easy enough to allow with no or little modification needed.

While I've only read The Strange, I've run Numenera quite a bit.  I've found that players have an easier time if they come to the table without too specific a concept and build it as they go based on their options.  

Another problem is thinking in terms of "if I don't have it I can't do it".  Sure you may want a "ranger" type who uses a bow, two weapons and talks to animals.  Well, you can do that, but one of those is the core of it all.  Just because you take "Wields 2 Weapons at Once" doesn't mean you can't also use a bow, you just don't get the specials someone who "Uses a Quiver" gets because it's not your core thing.

Nexus

#9
September 29, 2015, 11:47:18 PM
Quote from: rgalex;858044What concepts are your players trying to make that they are finding difficult?

Wilderness Survival expert and general outdoorsman type. "Lives in the Wilderness" is an Ardeyn Focus (and is pretty much magical at the higher teirs) so he settled for Excels Physically since the character keeps himself in good condition but the equipment and provided skills don't really fit his concept.

The number of foci in the core book are a bit limited, especially if you stick to just the Earth ones.  As others have said, there are a few from the other lists and books that would be easy enough to allow with no or little modification needed.

QuoteWhile I've only read The Strange, I've run Numenera quite a bit.  I've found that players have an easier time if they come to the table without too specific a concept and build it as they go based on their options.  

You're probably right. The systems we usually run (and our playstyle) involve coming up with a concept and realizing it through the mechanics more than basing your concept on the mechanics allowances
Remember when Illinois Nazis where a joke in the Blue Brothers movie?

Democracy, meh? (538)

 "The salient fact of American politics is that there are fifty to seventy million voters each of whom will volunteer to live, with his family, in a cardboard box under an overpass, and cook sparrows on an old curtain rod, if someone would only guarantee that the black, gay, Hispanic, liberal, whatever, in the next box over doesn't even have a curtain rod, or a sparrow to put on it."
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