This is a concept for an RPG I've been sitting on for a while, even so far as to start developing it into a rule system with another person. Just to be ungodly clear, THIS IS NOT A MORROWIND BASED RPG.

Setting:
A tundra composed continent in the northern hemisphere on the planet of Esnaum. Much like the west was the 'new frontier' in the US, this continent is fast becoming a region where outlaws, bounty hunters, thieves, smugglers, big game hunters, and fortune seekers are sojourning. The environment is harsh; instead of sand storms you'll encounter blinding blizzards and temperatures that could kill just about anything. Miraculously vicious beasts roam the deadlands (as they're called) which easily threaten any unprepared traveler.

As for the technology etc. this is somewhat of a post apocalyptic era (not exactly but as a reference). Technology is prevalent but hard to come by. A lot of steam powered engines are used and the standard mode of travel is by a steam powered vehicle. Some groups still opt to use indigenous herd animals since they've adapted well to the cold and vehicles are extremely expensive to maintain. The main weapon of choice in the Wild North are guns (American west style....revolvers, pump action etc. but have a futuristic look about them; though not too futuristic). For architecture most of the buildings are built in the typical style of the American west, but out of concrete or sheet metal (some areas are more typical looking of a Southwest style of adobe or spanish/mexican).

The people of the Wild North are a charismatic bunch of rag tag fortune seekers. No matter what their profession, from courtesian to land viscount to gun slinger, money is what people have they're eyes set on. Likely, as PC's, you'll catch the eye of a powerful merchant or group of people who will want to employ your skills in aiding their Hunt (as it's called).

Geography of the North (at some point I'll draw a map and scan it in....assuming there's enough interest of course):
The northern continent is simply known as the Deadlands. In the southern region coniferous pine groves litter the tallgrass landscape. Every so often there is a permafrost pond. There is only one main road leading from the port city of _____ into the norther frontier. Once you pass through the mountain range of _____ the true deffinition of the Deadlands becomes apparent. Though the landscape itself is quite beautiful the harsh climate and lack of life or vegetation the grows more than 5 inches off the ground leaves you feeling in the middle of nowhere. Just through the mountain pass of ______ is an outpost city where the main road branches into three directions: north, northeast and northwest.

Additional information:
If there is enough interest in this RPG I'll go ahead and start drafting: group size is limited to 5 people and I'll be making the final call (assuming enough people apply) on who gets to post. I'll base my decisions on 1) how much experience you have 2) the overall quality of your posts 3) whether or not you will be an active poster 4) your ability to cooperate with other members of the group.

Don't feel threatened by these criterion, I'm not a stick in the mud but I really hate it when people don't put enough effort into their committments, especially when it involves a great deal of work and effort on my part to keep things interesting for everyone.

Now before any of the mods lock this thread because I haven't posted rules is because I'm still working out the skill set for this RPG. The leveling system will work like the Morrowind system (based on % die). Skills are going to be unique to this particular RPG, including some that are more intuitively based than the ones in Morrowind (and you thought it couldn't be done).

Well that about does it for now, as for character creation I'll address that when needed (I'll also post an example character when/if I post the skill set to give you an idea of what a typical character would be like). Also, I'm not going to be here from this coming Saturday until March 20th, I just wanted to post this so that people who are interested would have time to think about it. This RPG, unlike Legacy of the Daedra, will actaully reach a suitable denoument (thus the reason for me being stingy on who gets to play) because the people who will be in the group are going to be people who can keep the game moving forward.

Do you really need to ask? I'm in of course.

I'll join.

Sounds realy cool, I'd love to join, if I'm accepted that is.

Hm, why not. I'll join if you'll have me

So will I.

Alright, well there's five interested members, should anyone else decide that they want to play then I'll have to choose (sorry in advance if you don't get in, its nothing personal; as a GM it's really hard to keep track of more than 5 people in a group).

Peregrine and I have started drafting a rule set, which still has a lot of work (as it's basically creating a unique RPG system) but should work well for this game and should be relatively easy to use.

Once there's a draft complete enough so most holes are filled in (for the purpose of this RPG) and it's easy to understand I'll post a link so you can DL it. If it continues to look as good as it could be in this beginning stage then you should have a really fun time using it.

The way things are shaping up this won't start for a while, and as the semester progresses I'll have less free time, but have no fear, it will happen. Also, just as a heads up, I might be working at a camp this summer where I basically hike around Vermont and get paid for it. If that's the case I'll be sure to bring the story to a good stopping point and potentially pick it back up in August (the camp runs from June-August).

More news to come later when I'm not so bogged down in towers of work. My goal is to at least have a map done before spring break (and any other artwork I might decide to dabble in). After spring break there's sure to be more of a description of the environs and people that inhabit the Deadlands.

Well it's been about a week since I first posted this thread and since there are five interested people I'm gonna resolve that everyone is in the party. The application process is officially closed. Everyone who applied meets the criterion quite well so I'm not worried about people who do not post.

Rules are still being drafted, but are coming along nicely. Before too long I'll have enough that I can explain to everyone about character creation. I'll be posting a link to my website that explains character creation and the skills that will be available to your PC's.

Thanks for being patient. From 12 pm (EST) today until March 20th I will not be around the forums (spring break trip to NYC for St. Patrick's Day )

You might want to think a little about what kind of character you want to play. I think I've provided enough information about the feel of the setting for you to start coming up with ideas. As for race etc. we'll deal with that when we start character creation.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Now you have six...

I'm in

Well I'm back from a much needed most fabulous spring break 2004 (St. Patrick's Day was spent in the snow in NYC drunk like no other).

I wish I could say I gave this game much thought but my mind was occupied elsewhere however I do have some good news: everyone can post in the thread who has already applied. If you are considering posting yet but haven't said that you want to then you'll have to wait until next time.

Anyway on with the show.

Now that I have most of the rules in my head we can get started, probably as early as wednsday of this week. All I have to finish is the remaining character creation items and we'll be good to go.

Here is the much abridged character creation section:

There are 8 attributes that your character will have access to:
Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence, Fortitude, Accuracy, Intuitiveness and Charisma (I'll explain what each is later but for now just bear with me.)

All of your starting stats are 0 and you can spend any amount of 16 points to increase an attribute up to 5. Likewise you can also lower a score (from 0 to -1) so you can spend a point to raise another score.

Skills will be utilized much like in Morrowind. You will select three skill trees at character creation. I haven't written up all of the skill nor determined how mant skill points you'll get for each of the three branches (there will be things like Rifle, Athelete, Criminal, Doctor etc; within each category will be different skills such as rapid fire under the rifle skill set).

Also, don't be suprised if I don't post tomorrow; I was gone all week which means none of the work assigned to me over break is done. And for those of you that have seen Trigun this RPG is loosely based off of it so for reference, technology etc. you can use that to get a feel for the game...just don't rely on it too heavily.

Ok, a few more things to add.

Attributes. Not only do these give you bonuses/penalties on your skills, but many skills and items have prerequisite scores. For example, an AK-47's high recoil has a minimum strength score required to use it on full auto, and the sniping skill requires a minimum dexterity score to provide the steady hands to aim effectively at long range.

Also, your ability to modify these once your character is created will be very limited and will have to be justified by in-character action. For example, working out for a long period could increase your strength score. So be sure to plan ahead when creating your physical stats.

Skills. First, a bit more explanation on how these work. You have a total skill level given by the formula below. To use a skill, roll 1d20. If you roll lower than your skill level, you succeed. The magnitude of your success (or failure) will decide how effective the results you get are. For example, using the painting skill might give an average piece of art with a success by 1. But a success by 10 would produce an absolutely amazing painting and probably give you a reputation.

Effective Skill Level = Category + Skill + Focused Skill +/- Ability Score +/- Circumstances + Synergy bonuses

Up to 5 points can be added by the overall category score (firearms, for example).

Up to 10 points can be added by the skill you are using (rifle, to continue the example). These are the core of the game, and determine your character level as well as providing the majority of your skill level.

Up to (undecided) points can be added from focused skills. These are very narrow applications of the skill above them in the tree. For example, AK-47 or disarm by throwing knife. Since they are used less often than the more generic skills, points here count double in the effective skill level.

Between -5 and +5 points can be added/subtracted to/from your skill level. This is simply your relevant attribute score, your physical (or mental) ability to use the skill effectively.

Circumstance bonuses/penalties can be any number. As the name suggests, these represent any circumstances that might help/hurt your efforts. For example, fighting in thin air on top of a mountain will make it much harder to avoid fatigue.

Up to 5 points of synergy bonuses are given for ranks in a relevant skill. For example, knowledge of physics will provide a bonus on sniping since it allows you to calculate bullet paths more precisely. Not all skills give or allow synergy bonuses. Each skill will list which other skills can give synergy bonuses to it, as well as how much can be given from each related skill. The total bonus can not be more than 5.


Also note that not all skills can be used with zero ranks. Which means you can not ever use them until you obtain at least one skill point to begin training it. If you want to play that expert sniper, you'd better invest those points at character creation or you won't even be able to read your scope. And many skills require ranks in skills higher in the tree before they can be used. So unlike many games, you have to think ahead if you want the "best" skills in the game. What you pick at character creation will pretty much decide your character's focus for the rest of the game.

OK since the system is taking a long time to even develop and I really would like to start this RPG sometime in the near future I'll post the actual RP thread this weekend and we can start. All of you are experienced roleplayers and are adept enough and follows the rules closely enough to know what is acceptable and within your capabilities. Just note that is you want to perform an action (such as firing a weapon/climbing a robe/ gambling etc.) that isn't *walks over to table to get a drink* then I will judge, relative to the experience of the NPC's or difficulty of the situation whether it would be likely you can succeed.

Sorry this has been taking so long.

What I need though is thorough background from each player about their character. Don't post it yet, but just have some ideas running in your head about the type of person they are as well as a potential list of equipment which will have to be approved by me. Remember, this is a western style RP but set in the northern tundras of the Deadlands....so be sure to dress warm. The reason I'll need a good amount of detail on characters is so I can then judge your skills. So if your character is a big game hunters or trapper then write a history based off of that (and so on for any other 'class' you might want to play).

I'll post some guideline questions later you should follow when writing a history and I'll post an example character sans history with equipment. So you get an idea of what a relatively new character would have.

Srry, I'm withdrawing. Just lost interest.

OK here's an official statement straight from me regarding the state of the RP:

No this RP is not dead but its release is being postponed until a working set of rules can be agreed upon (by myself and Peregrine) to test the new system and see if there are holes that need to fixed. In essence, this is a Beta test for a d20 based rule system that, if we deem legitimate, might try and be developed. At the very latest this RP will start in the fall when I have free time to run a game and keep track of holes in the system. As for now I need to concentrate on my schoolwork and finding a job for the summer.

As for the storyline and world building I'm making progress. Slow but still, it's progress and I think you'll like what I have in store for you. When a more comprehensive character creation guide is drafted I will let you know via a post. If there are not enough people who are still interested then I'll close the thread and resume in the fall when I know I'll be able to start it up. Sol'Kanar has left, that leaves one spot open...the first person to pick up his spot is in. If other people drop due to lost interest then their spots can be filled by someone who is willing to be patient.

That's all for now, more to come, eventually.

A bit of explanation on the rules thing... progress is going very well, and we're almost done with the first version. Right now the core rules are 90% done with the exception of final numbers adjustments, and we're working on putting together the skill trees.

The final result is going to be a complete game system, not just rules for this rp thread. Which is why it's taking so long, since what we're creating is every bit as complete as published games. Once we're done, we'll have a rules system that can be used for any setting, on this forum or as a traditional pen/paper rpg. And of course all this is in addition to creating the setting and game world.