14 replies to this topic

[Aza]

Hi there,

I was wondering if there is anyone in the forum that either runs or plays the Solomon Kane RPG by Pinnacle.

Aza

[Waldgeist]

*puts his hand up*

[sonny sixshooter]

As do I. I am trying to run the included Plot Points campaign, but fighting evil is one thing, agreeing on a date between six adults with what they call "lives" is quite another.

Edited by sonny sixshooter, 08 February 2011 - 06:56 PM.

[Waldgeist]

As do I. I am trying to run the included Plot Points campaign, but fighting evil is one thing, agreeing on a date between six adults with what they call "lives" is quite another.

The typical problem once the geeks get older

It was so easy to play every weekend back when I was still a student *sigh*

[sonny sixshooter]

That's the god awful truth. Work, children, wives, what have you...

[Landsknecht]

I suggest recruiting a couple extra players (ideally spouses ) and accept that not everyone will make every game so plan campaigns accordingly.

You could draft the more irregular player characters into the militia or other military units that frequently "call them to duty" on short notice when they miss games. If they miss too many games then they become Ensign Redshirt the next time the PCs have a shoot out with the guard. It is easier to just have the roll a new character after several weeks than catch up on what they missed.

[Ironhand]

The militia duty is a good idea. In the campaign that I'm in, if a player doesn't show up, it means that his pc got stuck tending the horses while the rest of our pc's were in the dungeon. Or if we're on the road, his pc was out hunting for game. So we just take it in stride.

[sonny sixshooter]

If they miss too many games then they become Ensign Redshirt...

Mwahahaha! That be funny.

[Waldgeist]

The militia duty is a good idea. In the campaign that I'm in, if a player doesn't show up, it means that his pc got stuck tending the horses while the rest of our pc's were in the dungeon. Or if we're on the road, his pc was out hunting for game. So we just take it in stride.

The problem is that most campaigns we have are not stories with dungeons. They are really much less episodic than the typical D&D style of play. Myself and the other game leads I played with always spin a layered yarn with all kinds of social intrigue, chases, betrayal and lot's of roleplaying but much less slaying. So it's often impossible to simply switch out people or leave their characters behind, because they often have to play an integral part of the charade.

The spouses/girlfriend/boyfriend tip is of course the best way to get more players, less stress with the spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend, because they take part. Since I met my girl 13 years ago I slowly but steadily pushed her in the roleplaying/fantasy genre, by handpicking good fantasy books/movies and then inviting her to a playsession a couple of times and after 3-4 years she became a roleplaying fan herself

Oh and about children. There is a children version of a german roleplaying game that is pretty cool. With children in a fantasy world, but they have typical "children movie" adventures. We've played that with a couple of children (7/8+) and they enjoyed it A LOT and it was really fun.

Edited by Waldgeist, 11 February 2011 - 11:22 AM.

[Ironhand]

I was using "dungeon" generically: it might be a castle, or an enemy camp or village, anything. The idea is that somebody has to look after the horses. But any excuse will do. Actually, our games are pretty much like you describe. But it's always possible to make up an excuse for somebody's absence. Then, when that player shows up for a game, it's possible to fill him in on the latest intrigue, politics, etc, in 5 or 10 minutes.

[BluSponge]

I was wondering if there is anyone in the forum that either runs or plays the Solomon Kane RPG by Pinnacle.

I do. The players and myself wrapped the Old World leg of the plot point just before the birth of my daughter. Now, after a 3 month hiatus, they are about to embark on a grand voyage to Hindoostan. I've taken what I learned from the previous plot point and done a lot of work to turn the Cathay leg into something that actually resembles an ongoing story rather than a "monster of the week" collection of episodic adventures. At this point, I've probably had to learn more about 16th century India and Tibet (I'm avoiding China almost entirely as it just doesn't interest me as much) than anyone not involved in a college course has any reason too.

As far as keeping a game going, the best advice I can give you is to pick a game night and time and stick to it, always. We play every other Friday night from 8 pm to whenever (usually between midnight and 2 am). The assumption among everyone is that is game night, and unless the majority of folks can't make it, it's going to happen. We have five players, and among them, only one is a sporadic no-show. We keep it social, so if we don't play, the board games come out, or game night becomes movie night. I can't imagine how hard things would be to organize if we didn't have a regular schedule that people can mark on their calendars (actually, I can, as I believe that is the big problem with our no-show: can't keep his days straight).

BTW, for fans of the SK game, you might also want to check out the Witch Hunter RPG from Paradigm Concepts. It is VERY Kanish in flavor, and the material and adventures are very easy to adapt. Even better, for those of you who love to game but can't get a group together, they sponsor an ongoing "organized play" campaign called Dark Providence. You can sign up to play at any convention or local game store game day that hosts a group and play for free. Great way to get your gaming fix and your Solomon Kane fix at the same time.

Tom

[branmakmorn]

I play dungeons and dragons on open rpg an online gaming program everyone logs on from wherever they are it has dice engines and a gamemaster can load maps and whisper to players its pretty awesome once u get used to it and it allows for a richer pool of possible players and makes it easier for people with lives to get together sort of any questions i would be glad to help wouldnt mine getting in on it myself. Happy Gaming
we also use skype so we dont have to type too much

Edited by branmakmorn, 19 February 2011 - 05:47 PM.

[sonny sixshooter]

I used to do the Roleplaying Game thing like 3 times a week in my younger years. As an adult...its hard to find anyone even semi interested in RPG's so i'll pick up the books and flip thru them on ocassions but i doubt id buy any now!

I felt the same way. I am a completist and a Howard-head, so I had to get the Solomon Kane game. And then, when I started leafing through it.. suddenly I felt like playing.

[branmakmorn]

http://www.rpgobject...pg&m=getorpg171 this is a link to the downloadable rpg program if anyone is interested in getting an online game together