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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Radijs on February 16, 2013, 10:04:51 AM

Title: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Radijs on February 16, 2013, 10:04:51 AM
I got this idea watching the trailer for Omerta and thought, what would it be like if both the gangsters and the cops had wizards on their team? I imagined shootouts with Tommyguns and fireballs.
Monsters being called for a hit on rival gangsters. Smuggling routes through the nevernever...
And I got to thinking, what other times in history would make for some cool wizardry?
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: JDK002 on February 16, 2013, 02:33:50 PM
Funny, when I read the thread title I automatically thought of the 1920's prohibition era.  I originally had the notion of doing a campaign set in that time from watching Boardwalk Empire.

I also think the red scare in the 50's would be interesting.  You could really play on the tense, xenophobic, and paranoid undertones beneath the typical 50's "wholesome happy family. 
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: blackstaff67 on February 16, 2013, 03:11:52 PM
Anytime between 1870-1914 (God Save Queen Victoria!).  The Golden Age of Empire filled with imperialists, anarchists and tons of royalty waiting to be kicked out by the industrialists appeals to me.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 16, 2013, 03:25:45 PM
The mid 1800s in the USA, with all the usual Western stuff also seems a fun era to do stuff in, to me.

The really ancient world ala classical Greece might be quite a lot of fun, too, as long as you didn't get too wrapped up in historical accuracy.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Radijs on February 16, 2013, 04:05:37 PM
Cowboys &  Indians & sorcerors sounds pretty awesome to me yeah.

Oh I can imagine something like HBO's Deadwood. But surrounded with native american shamans. Chinese dragon-sorcerors.... Oooh makes me tingly to think of six-guns and hexes.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 16, 2013, 07:26:16 PM
The Crusades.  You could get into some serious moral quandary stuff while blowing up castles.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: narphoenix on February 16, 2013, 07:49:26 PM
Apparently, the French and Indian war was a very interesting time in the Dresdenverse.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 16, 2013, 08:07:55 PM
Nice one, definitely got a point.

How about the Hundred Years War?  You could play characters who have been seeing it through start to finish.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Sanctaphrax on February 16, 2013, 09:31:25 PM
I think a prehistoric DFRPG game could be fun.

You'd have to alter the skill list and the hexing rules a little, but most of the rules could be used unchanged.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Hick Jr on February 16, 2013, 09:37:51 PM
I'd love to play a game in the Hundred Year's war. Or the Wild West.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Tarion on February 17, 2013, 12:39:27 AM
Europe during World War 1. 

It's got a lot more ambiguity morally speaking than WW2, and has the undead focus from what we know about Kemmler.

Spoilers up to Ghost Story:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 17, 2013, 12:49:43 AM
I just choose to ignore continuity. It's just easier
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 01:07:24 AM
@Lavecki
Agreed. I like the Dresden-verse sandbox, but getting to in love with established cannon can be constraining. The story the group is trying to build should come first ultimately.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Gilitine_Memitim on February 17, 2013, 01:15:36 AM
I would love to do medieval setting too. Between the witch hunts and old legends there's a lot to play with there as well.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Tarion on February 17, 2013, 01:16:13 AM
Quote from: Lavecki121 on February 17, 2013, 12:49:43 AM
I just choose to ignore continuity. It's just easier
Ignoring continuity is easier, true, but I get an absurd glee from messing with history without continuity consequences. 

There's just something deeply satisfying about being able to smack down characters who annoy you in the fiction, without being stuck with thoughts of what comes next. 
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 17, 2013, 01:17:22 AM
Personally, I like just staying well out of the way of continuity. It's usually doable without great difficulty, IME.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 17, 2013, 01:18:49 AM
Quote from: Deadmanwalking on February 17, 2013, 01:17:22 AM
Personally, I like just staying well out of the way of continuity. It's usually doable without great difficulty, IME.
^ that too
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 01:19:44 AM
@Deadmanwalking
Do you avoid the situations where you might cross it (such as playing a game in Chicago) or do you bend continuity to suit your games (or some combination)?
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Lanir on February 17, 2013, 01:23:42 AM
Could be a lot of fun playing in any of these time periods. But if I'm going to add something, I'd have to say it would be intriguing to play in a game set a bit in the future. Couple hundred years from now, standard sci-fi progressions, with orbital industries and enclosed colonies on the moon and Mars. Figure the Nevernever pretty much just follows humans wherever they go but it might make faerie a bit different away from Earth. Also be kind of interesting to see vamps and other nonhumans try to hide in a large enclosed offworld colony.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 01:26:28 AM
@Lanir
I certainly feel the Dresden-verse supports the ever changing technological landscape in game. I agree that it would be very interesting to see how the metaphysical and supernatural evolve as time goes on as well.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 17, 2013, 02:45:15 AM
Quote from: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 01:19:44 AM
@Deadmanwalking
Do you avoid the situations where you might cross it (such as playing a game in Chicago) or do you bend continuity to suit your games (or some combination)?

Mostly the first. It only cuts me off from one city, after all. The second doesn't really seem necessary mostly, I mean, I insert events that are not done in continuity, but in ways that don't actually conflict with continuity.

For example, in my first Vegas game, the main villains were Ursiel and Saluriel...but this was contemporary with the period around Small Favor, so them having gotten away from the Church and loose in Vegas but then recaptured again (though not by the Church, actually), did nothing to harm anything timeline-wise. It's not a noted event in canon...but it doesn't interfere with canon either.And I can easily make it fit with almost any new canon that comes up.

I do stuff like that.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 02:48:51 AM
@Deadmanwalking
Not a bad approach when playing in someone elses sandbox. I don't feel like it'll be a problem because the Dresden-verse is mostly virgin territory. Only a fraction of the potential of the setting gets addressed in the source material.

And, if it ever was a problem well...the players game comes first. Even the game books tell you how to have a world without Harry Dresden (funny stuff!) if one were so inclined.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Deadmanwalking on February 17, 2013, 02:52:41 AM
Oh, totally. If it comes down to the good of the game, or canon, the good of the game wins. I just try and avoid having to choose.  :)

This is, as you note, usually not that hard, what with the 'virgin territory' thing.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 17, 2013, 02:54:13 AM
Agreed!
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Wyntonian on February 17, 2013, 05:19:49 AM
Really, I'd be fine with just about anywhen. The more creative the better, really. Maybe North Africa during WWII, or the Pacific Theater, like the Philippines. Filipino resistance guerrilla, witch doctor/channeller, stranded american bomber pilot and a Spanish missionary fighting a rogue Japanese unit lead by a Denarian/necromancer/whatever... I'd play that.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: fantazero on February 17, 2013, 02:40:11 PM
A lot of it depends on where you are from.

So for me.
WW2
Spanish American War (Teddy Roosevelt!)
Civil War
Texas Revolution
War of 1812
American Revolution.
Salem Witch Trials
Magna Carta
The Crucifixion
Ancient Rome
King Arthur era (The First Merlin)
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 17, 2013, 11:04:33 PM
The Dark Ages could be interesting, loss of lore and technology and a struggle against the supernatural elements who want to keep it that way.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Couchman on February 18, 2013, 02:15:21 AM
I'm starting a game set during WW2, which presents some really cool options. The Wild West would also be a lot of fun.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 18, 2013, 03:00:33 AM
How about the opening salvo of the Oblivion War?
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Vargo Teras on February 18, 2013, 03:38:58 AM
High Renaissance into the Enlightenment would be my choice, for swashbuckling goodness. Not just the dueling, though duels of honor have always been a thing I delight in in games, but there's just a certain kind of madcap adventure that really only makes sense in contexts like Dumas' writing.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Sanctaphrax on February 20, 2013, 05:13:05 AM
Wow, incredibly varied answers here.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Gilitine_Memitim on February 20, 2013, 05:35:44 AM
1650 to 1680 in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Speaking of pirates.......
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 20, 2013, 07:37:23 AM
Playing a few supernaturals on Magellan's circumnavigation of Earth could be interesting.

Biggest ritual circle ever...
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Lavecki121 on February 20, 2013, 01:25:59 PM
Probably a little too much water though.

The crusades could be cool, or play a game of Jesus and his apostles. Possibly meet the guy who made the swords
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: fantazero on February 20, 2013, 05:07:03 PM
Pirates would be neat. Dresden Files: Pirates would be like the Rpg 7th Sea, but you know, good.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 20, 2013, 06:00:51 PM
Quote from: Lavecki121 on February 20, 2013, 01:25:59 PM
Probably a little too much water though.

Nah, you just need magic users specializing in water magic and lots of prep work, or for plot to happen.  I imagine leaving behind some kind of thaumaturgic setup on islands to daisy-chain the trip together too.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: blackstaff67 on February 20, 2013, 06:18:55 PM
I'd want to RP in Pre-Imperial Rome or perhaps Pharoanic Egypt, mebbe Sumer/Babylon.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Crion on February 20, 2013, 07:24:17 PM
What historical settings? This'll be fun :-D

I'm currently using DFRPG to power a Steampunk variant of England in 1867.

The Wild West would be fun; anyone who's enjoyed Deadlands would have a blast here.

The Dark Ages of Europe could be a blast as well. The 12th-13th Centuries in particular would be interested with the beginning of what we know as the Inquisition, while the 15th would be fun due to the War of the Roses (as previously mentioned).
If you are going with even earlier, then we can get the classic "advisor" to the King vibe going. . .and possibly even using Wizards as siege engines.

There's also something about the conquest of Alexander the Great that would be fun, as well as just about anything in the Roman Empire (a friend of mine has been toying with the idea of running an RPG in that era; I'm going to nudge her with the DFRPG).

Honestly, if we were to limit to a location, I'd use Italy and pick somewhere between The Italian Wars through the end of the Renaissance.

Quote from: fantazero on February 20, 2013, 05:07:03 PM
Pirates would be neat. Dresden Files: Pirates would be like the Rpg 7th Sea, but you know, good.

Speaking of this, I've actually been in talks with some guys from my old gaming group as to how to properly emulate the magic and swordsman schools of 7th Sea for a potential conversion. The closest we tested was using PDQ, but didn't think it fit. . .

If you have any thoughts/want to soundboard, feel free to send me a message.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Vargo Teras on February 20, 2013, 09:17:58 PM
Quote from: Crion on February 20, 2013, 07:24:17 PM
Speaking of this, I've actually been in talks with some guys from my old gaming group as to how to properly emulate the magic and swordsman schools of 7th Sea for a potential conversion. The closest we tested was using PDQ, but didn't think it fit. . .

If you have any thoughts/want to soundboard, feel free to send me a message.
Perhaps a separate thread might work?

http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,37116.0.html (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,37116.0.html)
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Gilitine_Memitim on February 20, 2013, 10:57:14 PM
Plus think of a necromancer pirate. Ghost ship anyone?
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Dr.FunLove on February 20, 2013, 11:10:45 PM
I love me some ghost ship's.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Lanir on February 21, 2013, 03:43:45 AM
Quote from: Crion on February 20, 2013, 07:24:17 PM
. . .and possibly even using Wizards as siege engines.

There is one part of that which doesn't work quite as well. When you have engineers making siege engines you can tell them if their catapults, trebuchets and ballistas don't breach the walls, you'll load them into their own machine and use them as ammo. Doesn't work as well when you order the wizard to fireball himself.

"The beatings will continue until morale improves."
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Crion on February 21, 2013, 03:49:35 AM
Quote from: Lanir on February 21, 2013, 03:43:45 AM
There is one part of that which doesn't work quite as well. When you have engineers making siege engines you can tell them if their catapults, trebuchets and ballistas don't breach the walls, you'll load them into their own machine and use them as ammo. Doesn't work as well when you order the wizard to fireball himself.

"The beatings will continue until morale improves."

But you CAN tell the Wizard if he doesn't succeed, he will be loaded into the catapult and launched, just to see if he could fly ^_^
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on February 21, 2013, 04:00:20 AM
And give all those would-be aeromancers a head start.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: S1C0 on March 27, 2013, 04:45:10 AM
TRY VIETNAM
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Conor on March 28, 2013, 09:19:27 PM
I think London in the 1970s might be interesting, you've got all that class clash. Not to mention great music. Equally so for London in the 1980s actually, it's easy to see the Thatcherite politics as a manifestation of something evil and overbearing, a symptom of some supernatural meddling or malice.

Going to see The Smiths (alright, assuming they're down from Manchester for the night) and then getting in a fight with some Red Court yuppies on the way home from the kebab shop sounds great to me.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: HumAnnoyd on March 28, 2013, 09:35:42 PM
Quote
Going to see The Smiths (alright, assuming they're down from Manchester for the night) and then getting in a fight with some Red Court yuppies on the way home from the kebab shop sounds great to me.

Maybe the band Mucous Membrane is opening for them? Be kind of cool to meet a young Johnny Constantine.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Conor on March 29, 2013, 05:19:34 PM
Quote from: HumAnnoyd on March 28, 2013, 09:35:42 PM
Maybe the band Mucous Membrane is opening for them? Be kind of cool to meet a young Johnny Constantine.

Now we're talking!
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: McNulty on March 29, 2013, 10:01:45 PM
Pre-revolution St. Petersburg
English Civil War
Roman times in the 1st & 2nd century.
Early 1980s New York
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Mrmdubois on April 02, 2013, 04:06:53 AM
An episodic or groundhog day scenario of Halloween in Detroit, every Halloween the citizens of Detroit basically torch good chunks of the city.  It could be fun to explore why.

Detroit is basically an economic black hole in the present, huge stretches of empty property from demolished buildings even in the downtown, abandoned buildings liberally sprinkled everywhere, people making a living out of hunting urban wild life for food and clothing, gangs, huge amounts of racial tension especially after the race riots.  Some supernatural faction turned Detroit into its playground.
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Ulfgeir on April 03, 2013, 09:02:49 PM
A few ideas here...

Shakespearean London
England and the mainland Europe for a WWII-setting
Victorian England (with full focus on the social things)
Viking-era Scandinavia (possibly also the conquest of the Rus as well as the stuff in Miklagård (Constantinople))

/Ulfgeir
Title: Re: What places in history would you DFRP in?
Post by: Haru on April 03, 2013, 09:45:16 PM
I've had this idea I am going to run soon, but maybe one of you wants to give it a go as well.

Short version: why not every time?

Long version:
Somewhere 15000 years ago, humanity is starting to really get off the ground. But there is this danger everywhere, a creature unlike any living thing, vicious and dangerous and deadly. The shamans call it "the hunger", because it consumes everything that gets in its way. And, well, they had very limited vocabulary. One day, 13 tribes come together, their shamans preparing for one big ritual that will seal the hunger away forever and allow humanity to prosper. The ritual is long and cruel and bloody. Several children are sacrificed to lure the hunger into the ritual circle and the shamans all spilled their own blood to finish it. They knew they could never kill it, so they didn't try. They sealed it away into an artifact, where it would never be able to do any harm again. Or so they thought.

Through the ages, the artifact is popping up over and over again, turning kind people into madmen, love into hate, kings into tyrants. Always drawing in luckless adventures to turn fate for the better. Until you get to the final conflict, the time when the hunger will be challenged and destroyed forever, right here in our days. Or maybe even (pause for dramatic effect) in the future?

Start out with early humans in their tribe, 3 refresh, 10 skill points (just a suggestion, of course). Once the ritual is completed in the first episode, jump ahead a few thousand years, to whichever time you like and have the artifact pop up there, with new characters to battle it. Only each time you jump means a major milestone, so the players can build increasingly powerful characters. Sometimes a character will be the descendant of one you played earlier. Sometimes you may play the same wizard with 200 years difference and a few characters inbetween. The possibilities are endless.