[Game on?] Horror circle

elkatas

What is horror circle? Horror circle is idea that I have been toying with for some time. Basic idea behind it is that we gather group of GMs. Each one of the GMs creates one horror one-shot using setting / system and pre-made characters that he/she prefers. GM then plays one-shot with other circle members, and after everybody has GMed for one time, we start whole process from the beginning.

But why? That's a good question. Horror circle would be perfect way to test that bizarre idea you got last summer in enviroment that is both friendly and competitive at same time. It would also be excellent way to introduce players into new systems and/or settings. We could even give feedback to each other improve our skills. Games would be naturally run via IRC or AIM.

So how it sounds? Is this bad or good idea?

SUPERSUGA

I'd be interested but also a little daunted at the idea of GMing a horror game. It would be something that's new to me and would be a bit of a challenge. I'll keep my eyes on this, put me down as a maybe for now.

ElfWord

I like the sound of it. I'll follow this thread and get back to you after more details and people are posted.

SUPERSUGA

jdarksun wrote:

I also like the sound of this, but the big problem with horror campaigns is often that the players don't want to be afraid. It can be a real challenge to get unwilling participants (knowingly or not) in the mood.

I this is something that's certainly going to be more of a challenge on IRC. Will take quite a bit of discipline from the players I'd have thought.

INeedNoSalt

Man, as awesome as this sounds

GMing is not my thing

INNS watches with interest

ElfWord

Could I suggest you make use of Ventrilo? I think hearing people is a key part of setting the mood for a Horror adventure. If nothing else, you can pipe creepy music.

INeedNoSalt

ElfWord wrote:

Could I suggest you make use of Ventrilo? I think hearing people is a key part of setting the mood for a Horror adventure. If nothing else, you can pipe creepy music.

No you cannot >>

But don't use AIM. The tiny chat windows and harsh character limits make it a bitch.

elkatas

ElfWord wrote:

Could I suggest you make use of Ventrilo? I think hearing people is a key part of setting the mood for a Horror adventure. If nothing else, you can pipe creepy music.

Well, problem in using Ventrilo is that I'm not native speaker. It's sometimes really hard to understand what I'm saying even when I'm speaking on my native tongue, and speaking in foreign language with *heavy* accent wouldn't really help. But playing music... hmh... that actually has some potential.

EDIT: My brother said he could lend me one of his mics. Yeah, we could try using Ventrilo, but be warned though, I speak rather poor english.

elkatas

jdarksun wrote:

We could probably get a lot of mileage out of this thing if we in some way allowed others to view / listen in.

Yeah, that is possible and perfectly fine for me. Plus if we have problems with players not appearing, we could quickly grab someone additional player from "audience".

jothki

SUPERSUGA wrote:

jdarksun wrote:

I also like the sound of this, but the big problem with horror campaigns is often that the players don't want to be afraid. It can be a real challenge to get unwilling participants (knowingly or not) in the mood.

I this is something that's certainly going to be more of a challenge on IRC. Will take quite a bit of discipline from the players I'd have thought.

Plus, you'll have people alternating between DMing, so everyone is probably going to secretly metagaming.

ElfWord

jothki, I think everyone will be DMing their own adventure, not alternating DMing the same. So I'm not sure what you mean by people secretly metagaming?

INeedNoSalt

ElfWord wrote:

jothki, I think everyone will be DMing their own adventure, not alternating DMing the same. So I'm not sure what you mean by people secretly metagaming?

"Don't worry, shoggoths sound tough but they only do d8 damage! Let's just walk past it."

jothki

INeedNoSalt wrote:

ElfWord wrote:

jothki, I think everyone will be DMing their own adventure, not alternating DMing the same. So I'm not sure what you mean by people secretly metagaming?

"Don't worry, shoggoths sound tough but they only do d8 damage! Let's just walk past it."

More along the lines of people actively analyzing each other's plots and methodology instead of just letting everything soak in, since they'll have to eventually run their own adventures.

elkatas

It looks like there is at least some interest for this, so I'm building first scenario. This should be rather drastic change from your average horror setting, as scenario happens on (fictional) city-state of Dhulibhani, Middle-East. Year is 649 AD.

SUPERSUGA

INeedNoSalt wrote:

ElfWord wrote:

jothki, I think everyone will be DMing their own adventure, not alternating DMing the same. So I'm not sure what you mean by people secretly metagaming?

"Don't worry, shoggoths sound tough but they only do d8 damage! Let's just walk past it."

Anyone who tried that with me GMing would be on the recieving end of a lion attack. The lion from Hell, or something.

Reynolds

I'll prettymuch volunteer to play anything. And I happen to have the d20 Modern book, so that's good. I'd even be willing to DM something (if we're still going in a 'circle'?), but I'd need to think long and hard about how to make something horrifying.

Let me just bump this, and say you've got at least one player. I love creating characters...point buy, you say? Level one normal people, it sems?

Reynolds

Cheyenne Bishop

Dedicated 1

STR : 8 (-1)
DEX : 11 (+0)
CON : 10 (+0)
INT : 10 (+0)
WIS : 12 (+1)
CHA : 12 (+1)

HP : 6

Talent Dedicated 1 : Empathy (+1)

DEF : 11
Speed : 30 ft.
Init : +0
BAB : +0
Rep : +1

Fort : +1/+0 = +1
Ref : +0/+0 = +0
Will : +1/+1 = +2

MAB : -1
RAB : +0

AP : 5
Prof : Rural (Handle Animal, Ride) (P. F. P.)
WB : 2d4+1

Dedicated 1 Skill Points : 20
Investigate : 1/+0 = +1
Listen : 1/+1 = +2
Profession (Horse Trainer) : 2/+1 = +3
Sense Motive : 2/+1 = +3
Spot : 2/+1 = +3
Survival : 2/+1 = +3
Treat Injury : 2/+1 = +3
(Handle Animal) : 2/+1/+2 = +5
(Ride) : 2/+0/+2 = +4
x Search : 1/+0 = +1
x Bluff : 1/+1 = +2

Feats : (Simple Weapons Proficiency, Personal Fireams Proficiency) Animal Affinity, Track

Cheyenne works for her father managing the horses, which are mostly owned, rented, or ridden by the daughters of the wealthy who vacation here. She gets along well with the children, and even better with the animals. Actually, she gets along pretty well with everyone, and is fairly well known around town for her good attitude. Since she graduated from high school, most of her time has either been spent at work or simply hanging out with her friends, driving, seeing movies, and other common things. Doesn't read anything very highbrow. She's gone hunting with her father and cousins enough times to be a fair shot.

How's that look? By the way, with these stats, characters are really pretty weak. I don't think I've ever had a character with stats these...mundane. You might think about throwing in a 'one good stat' rule where we get one free high stat, or something. Characters don't really stand out when *every* stat goes from -1 to +1.

PsychoLarry1

You know, Maryland would be a much more horrifying place than Virginia. Simply because it's Maryland.
I'll have a character rolled sometime tomorrow. Do we need to DM a round too if we play?