tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619566140854973462024-03-05T05:02:59.661-08:00Total Party KillAll About Roleplaying GamesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-72380674784090251112021-11-21T01:09:00.002-08:002021-11-21T02:56:57.478-08:00Tuning Instruments - Designing a game about cursed objects<p> <i><span style="font-family: arial;">Instruments of the Chrysanthemum Throne is a new dark fantasy tabletop roleplaying game due to be released later this week. This post explores some of the key design decisions as the game evolved from concept to reality. </span></i></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcwW8MjWs9LkoaDzTkBQD6yy1Ju8-Hj9SClzz6PRaK3M2w2Kf9sHePKwxMc3Z1lEIzSErUS4zzrM46k6NDQnOHuL6IfQvkJDD27IxqpyxRI8_JBUnWINclNjGHKUhvBCthEkZ3lKB-SU/s2048/Instruments+Post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcwW8MjWs9LkoaDzTkBQD6yy1Ju8-Hj9SClzz6PRaK3M2w2Kf9sHePKwxMc3Z1lEIzSErUS4zzrM46k6NDQnOHuL6IfQvkJDD27IxqpyxRI8_JBUnWINclNjGHKUhvBCthEkZ3lKB-SU/s320/Instruments+Post.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in 2016 I was part of a conversation on Google Plus about how we should aspire to make tabletop roleplaying games more accessible. I was struck by the notion that a one-page game could help encourage people who'd never gamed before, to give it a go.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>A game on a page</b><br /><br />I know there are already a ton of great one-page games out there. My first idea was that you make something immediately visually appealing. A game so interesting and simple that someone who has never heard of tabletop roleplaying might try. Something that would work as a paper tray-mat of the sort you might find at a fast-food restaurant and could use the shared meal-time as a catalyst for also sharing a short story.<br /><br />Such a game might pick up on the traditional RPG experience of 'pick a character, travel around a mythical place and have some adventures'. To work as intended, it would have to have extremely high visual appeal and a very short handful of rules.<br /><br />Rather than create a new fantasy map, Japan, with its rich historical vein of myth and monsters, could be a good backdrop. By using some real places, there is an opportunity to mix some authentic legends, with real geography and perhaps increase interest in people finding out more about Japan, or about roleplaying.<br /><br />The first (incomplete) conception of the game from 2016 is pictured below, featuring an amazing map by Karl Vesterebrg. The game would have 4 pre-generated characters (designed to be perforated, detached and handed out). Each character would begin in a different map location and carry a different item that afforded them a unique power. Encounters would be resolved by four outcome cards, also detached and then randomly selected.</span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNVr_oDrLZ-Rb1A7lT0C6rcw_YJoJ1w4F8-lcsvU02raHB4jJoZlWPfOtZH4KWZZaZkBY_wfzhHH4q1Xk-vTFOKr0YyMKHOFChNPkpTfWX5DwKezlvYoFAhvlpakfN9yYonjxr0qLtDI/s2048/1+Page+Game.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNVr_oDrLZ-Rb1A7lT0C6rcw_YJoJ1w4F8-lcsvU02raHB4jJoZlWPfOtZH4KWZZaZkBY_wfzhHH4q1Xk-vTFOKr0YyMKHOFChNPkpTfWX5DwKezlvYoFAhvlpakfN9yYonjxr0qLtDI/w400-h283/1+Page+Game.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The first version of the game (unfinished) was intended to be played on a single page</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Needless to say, the combined challenges of simplicity and accessibility in a product that the target audience never actually asked for, are not to be underestimated and this idea ran out of steam before even getting to a testing phase.<br /><br /><b>Taking it to the next level</b><br /><br />Rather than abandon the project entirely I decided to turn it into a more typical tabletop roleplaying product designed for a GM and group.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As I read about the myth and legends of Japan I came across the myth of Tsukumogami (objects that have achieved sentience after 99 years) and the idea that an object like this might play a trick on its owner if it was ill-treated was particularly appealing. It's always easier to blame an inanimate object for something going wrong, than accept your own culpability.<br /><br />I'd really liked the concept of <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/131729/Wield" target="_blank">Wield</a> by John Wick and Donna Giltrap had crafted a clever scenario along similar lines for the <a href="http://sdc.rpg.net.nz/" target="_blank">Kapcon Scenario Design Competition</a> back in 2005. I wondered if there might be a way to build on the idea of Tsukumogami and create something darker that would create an interesting tabletop roleplaying experience. That’s how the Instruments were born.<br /><br /><b>Wicked Choices</b><br /><br />The heart of the game would be a battle between the character and a powerful sentient object (the Instrument) for control. The Instrument would allow the character to have supernatural powers, but at a cost. As time went on the Instrument would strengthen its hold over the character, until eventually it could contest the free will of its user.<br /><br />Navigating this balance would be the heart of the game, with the idea that their characters are working to perform good deeds across Japan, by restoring the balance between natural elements using their Instruments, but also paying the price personally for these deeds. They are as much Instruments of the Chrysanthemum Throne as the objects they carry.<br /><br />To bring this to life, the game needed to embed this wicked choice through the system. The below sheet gives you an idea of all the different things that this version of the game was trying to incorporate – far too many things as it turned out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLulvZiWaBrTsll7uT4fqkZZ2DctabE08s6Ffa0XEf1v974GeaVDAJLtKlvfde9EVGHPMm9HuV_luqSmAnIO9UVxcspG1IzH1nlZVgeqlDAQuhB4inhVEd7F-wbNP2rrN7uiP2LlEsvs/s2048/Character+Sheet+NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLulvZiWaBrTsll7uT4fqkZZ2DctabE08s6Ffa0XEf1v974GeaVDAJLtKlvfde9EVGHPMm9HuV_luqSmAnIO9UVxcspG1IzH1nlZVgeqlDAQuhB4inhVEd7F-wbNP2rrN7uiP2LlEsvs/w452-h640/Character+Sheet+NEW.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The next version of the game was a little... busy</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Refining the system</b><br /><br />While the game needed to be much more streamlined, playtesting did reveal that a core game mechanic, borrowed from Chō-Han</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> (a traditional Japanese dice gambling game, where players pick whether a dice roll will be EVEN or ODD before revealing the dice), was a fresh and interesting way to resolve actions. This was further tweaked to create just four possible outcome for each action.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Another element that tested well was giving the Instrument a physical presence at the table, by allocating it one of the two dice rolled. Although this was further refined to better reflect the insidious temptation that is the key game experience.<br /><br />Some of the other elements – the role of the natural elements and different approaches to resolving challenges were shifted to become a part of the scenarios. The Instruments themselves changed from having a purely story focus, to allowing characters to further boost their chances of success, and also risk further chances of corruption.<br /><br /><b>Packaging it up</b><br /><br />A game set in another place and time needs support to be as accessible as possible for the reader. This includes notes that will help the players engage with the setting. In my view this should be presented as details that can be incorporated by a GM as appropriate to their interest and style, without overwhelming a reader with too much dry information.<br /><br />A game like Instruments, which has a focus on the temptation of power, also needs to provide the characters with the necessary context and motivation to make decisions about how much power to draw and when. This takes the form of eight structured scenarios which help breathe life into the game world. The inspiration for these scenarios was drawn from the myriad of traditional Japanese myth and legends, with a decent helping of creative license applied.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvjDW5sxzwdRB4GxDDOszmyMTy1QmsPlfYQO0nvYwMfhY0t41VUBErfBEz1N0d6SznOin21uU3w62Ztt30c1Wwv12ZZT7G3Jt6dymKn1-wfIpky6-pgtOVOv7q9t-p50xarMUM5fJV0E/s842/Character+Sheet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="595" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvjDW5sxzwdRB4GxDDOszmyMTy1QmsPlfYQO0nvYwMfhY0t41VUBErfBEz1N0d6SznOin21uU3w62Ztt30c1Wwv12ZZT7G3Jt6dymKn1-wfIpky6-pgtOVOv7q9t-p50xarMUM5fJV0E/w452-h640/Character+Sheet.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The final character sheet</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The value of playtesting</b><br /><br />In addition to writing the setting and scenario details, there was yet more playtesting to be done. Because the core game experience is about the wicked choices of the characters, the scenarios are presented in a relatively linear fashion, rather than as sandbox style experiences. Success at each stage of a given scenario is likely, but the cost to the character is entirely determined by the individual and collective decisions of the players.<br /><br />Further feedback from playtesters was to build a political aspect into the largely supernatural challenges that the characters face, and thus the full campaign arc allows the characters to move from the role of mere instruments, to potential masters of the Chrysanthemum Throne.<br /><br />An additional piece of feedback was that allowing the players to take a secondary role, giving voice to the Instrument of another character, would make the game richer and lift some burden from the GM.<br /><br /><b>Five years later</b><br /><br />Instruments wasn’t a continuous labour over the last five years, but it was a game that I picked up and put down again many times. On each occasion I think that the perspectives of others helped to continually refine and shape the game into its final form. Thank you to everyone who helped along the way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Instruments of the Chrysanthemum Throne will be available from <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/3531/Imaginary-Empire" target="_blank">DriveThruRPG</a> later this week.</i></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-89591626753401462132021-01-24T22:22:00.004-08:002021-01-25T00:48:36.864-08:00Kapcon 30<p><span style="font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">his weekend I attended </span><a href="http://kapcon.rpg.net.nz/?q=node/729" style="font-family: arial;">Kapcon 30</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, an annual, local, roleplaying convention (currently New Zealand does not have any restrictions on mass-gathering events). I've written about previous Kapcon thoughts and reflections</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.com/search/label/Kapcon" style="font-family: arial;">here</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. For this 'con I offered to facilitate 3 sessions of</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/331464/Soaring-Lions" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Soaring Lions</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, my new professional wrestling game.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP55n5IW1VLz3lNi15ySPSNulEMObNZQxaoqmBeymG8w6jbIb43P4iiAwjmU8S7kwajZNGe0r3lXk16cVC2p5fXmPNy24oA9r-e52fui_fK3oE1AcWfK0_d_zKCxtgPhvnhM1KaTI93ED/s2048/Soaring+Lions+Post+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP55n5IW1VLz3lNi15ySPSNulEMObNZQxaoqmBeymG8w6jbIb43P4iiAwjmU8S7kwajZNGe0r3lXk16cVC2p5fXmPNy24oA9r-e52fui_fK3oE1AcWfK0_d_zKCxtgPhvnhM1KaTI93ED/s320/Soaring+Lions+Post+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promotional posters were tastefully exhibited</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I think professional wrestling games work well in a one-shot 'con setting, as they encourage players to really unleash their creativity in a medium known for larger-than-life drama where no wrestler's concept is too wild or strange. The format of a wrestling show provides a natural canvas for characters to ally, betray, smack-talk and throw-down with one another.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the past I've run games like this using Joe J Prince's <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/51015/Piledrivers-and-Powerbombs-Chokeslam-of-Darkness-Edition" target="_blank">Piledrivers and Powerbombs, chokeslam of darkness edition</a> which is an excellent game. For my own wrestling adventure I wanted to make the simplest possible system that would allow the players to focus on trying to compete both inside and outside the ring (if you're interested, I expand more about my design intent on the excellent <a href="https://diceratops-presents.pinecast.co/episode/251da7427c42470a/diceratalks-dale-elvy-and-soaring-lions" target="_blank">Diceratalks podcast</a>). </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu28muG3MvR-HDPd7xCbjjxs49SYgDfLltaU3gSKwyZBk2m-RZb0N5VzfCLxg22TlgQGl8559zmFPVVlcygvhA4caeW6sQ8zgFL-oYDeIyu5EuWSIoOh3wegX4pTYZMGm9bA1OF_9wFh2O/s1280/Soaring+Lions+Post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu28muG3MvR-HDPd7xCbjjxs49SYgDfLltaU3gSKwyZBk2m-RZb0N5VzfCLxg22TlgQGl8559zmFPVVlcygvhA4caeW6sQ8zgFL-oYDeIyu5EuWSIoOh3wegX4pTYZMGm9bA1OF_9wFh2O/s320/Soaring+Lions+Post+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setup included a special ring-table for matches</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For Kapcon 30 I offered space for up to 8 players per session and I wasn't disappointed by the response. I had a great time, and I also was able to make a few minor refinements to the game document, to reflect some of the questions and comments made around the table (if you've already purchased Soaring Lions, a new version has automatically been added to your library).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of my highlights from the day included:</span></p><p></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The <i>Soaring Leviathan </i>and the (<i>Bald</i>) <i>Eagle </i>squaring off in a match while a player waves a sign reading "I'm here for the air show"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Creepy jester <i>Punchinelly</i> faces off with soft-hearted brawler <i>Polar Bear</i> on a floating ice floe, surrounded by a ring of fire. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The <i>Velvet Volcano</i>, a character usually full of rage discovers scientology and patiently explains it to a bewildered audience.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Powerball</i>, a wrestler sent from the future to save the present is immortalised with a <i>Powerball Memorial Title</i>. Additional titles are added as the show proceeds including the <i>Mega-Powerball Title</i> and <i>Ultra-Powerball Title</i>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Code 14</i>, a child abandoned at a wrestling match and raised by the performers struggles to learn whether the villainous <i>Professional </i>is his real father (the paternity test results are suspended above the ring as part of a ladder match).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Crowd favourite <i>Tractor Trent</i> blows the production budget on a ring entrance that involves corn-stalks exploding into popcorn and a children's choir.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The hapless <i>Hurricane</i> fails to win a single glory point, despite a range of inventive uses of static electricity in ring entrances and a match at a mountain-top weather station.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The <i>Opulent Boomer</i> manages to convince his previous arch-nemesis the <i>Invercargill Hipster</i> that while he may have already ruined his future, there's still much he can teach.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Unrelated to Soaring Lions: being asked by a new player whether I've tried <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/146176/Wicked-Lies--Alibis" target="_blank">Wicked Lies & Alibis</a> before?</span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsquguUhbIEaj9zGCisj91vxcQfiZT2xIrEfIihNCAWSm_XGrJzCPmQcu4lYZWzAQPNtQg9qw2zCcXvd1Sv_1dbI-huSmxkRqfQQmYaONeZvpWVXbVs0wQUsSWbAqOjFZFuXs3HpL1AZ1C/s1280/Soaring+Lions+Post+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsquguUhbIEaj9zGCisj91vxcQfiZT2xIrEfIihNCAWSm_XGrJzCPmQcu4lYZWzAQPNtQg9qw2zCcXvd1Sv_1dbI-huSmxkRqfQQmYaONeZvpWVXbVs0wQUsSWbAqOjFZFuXs3HpL1AZ1C/s320/Soaring+Lions+Post+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where legends were made...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The only downsides to the day were that I was completely exhausted afterwards, and i didn't really get much of a chance to catch up with old friends. Perhaps I can do better next time... roll on Kapcon 31!</span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-78392553758411405962018-09-11T01:52:00.000-07:002018-09-14T14:57:44.369-07:00The Two-Headed Serpent - Initial Impressions and Bolivia<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following my post on <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.com/2018/09/pulp-cthulhu.html">Pulp Cthulhu</a> it's time to crack into the review of the <a href="https://www.chaosium.com/the-two-headed-serpent-pdf/">Two-Headed Serpent campaign</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following is a review of the Bolivia chapter of the Pulp Cthulhu campaign <a href="https://www.chaosium.com/the-two-headed-serpent-pdf/">The Two-Headed Serpent</a> (Chaosium: 2017) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this epic campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this Pulp Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Initial Impressions</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book is beautiful, with high-quality art and maps throughout. It is well supported in PDF form with a Keeper Resource pack that includes pre-generated characters, and compiled references and handouts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several appendices in the book offer details of key NPCs, monsters and weird science that feature in the campaign. The backstory is interesting (if somewhat convoluted) and well detailed in the opening pages. While there is a definite twist in the plot arc, the campaign anticipates that the investigators may choose different ways to engage with the scenario, and offers different entry points for each chapter to reflect this. There are also notes from the playtest session sprinkled across the book, which can be interesting and insightful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall these factors given the campaign the feel of a modern, well resolved, set of linked scenarios which will be entertaining for players and keeper alike. Unsurprisingly, the Two Headed Serpent was nominated for an Origins and ENnie Award. But how does it play in practice? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chapter One - Bolivia</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s a lot to like about the opening chapter of the campaign which drops the characters into Bolivia and straight into the action. Setting the scenario in the ‘Green Hell’ of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Chaco-War">Chaco War</a> and allows groups to explore an interesting piece of history in an evocative setting. There are some great set-piece scenes and the scenario has a nice tempo, with the action increasing in intensity right through until the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starting out as it means to go on, the campaign begins in-media-res; interrupting an NPC mid-sentence with a shot to the head, then jumping straight into a combat sequence as the investigators are ambushed! This is a nice touch that sets the tone well and allows the players to introduce their characters in an exciting and dramatic way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, there are also a few drawbacks to this approach. As written, the characters must learn about the true purpose for their presence in Bolivia (and what to do next) by rifling through the papers of the deceased Dr. Ursini and then checking in with headquarters via a portable radio. If they do neither of these things the Keeper has a major problem, and there’s no scripted options to get things back on track. Successful Idea rolls could bridge this gap, but I feel this is an inelegant solution where there’s no reason the plot couldn’t accommodate a more robust option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This could be solved by dispensing with the radio, and bringing one of the characters into the second tier of Caduceus in advance of the commencing of the campaign and providing them with the orientation package and a briefing for the scenario so they can pick things up to ensure the mission is completed. This has the added advantage of reducing the narrative burden on the Keeper and allowing any doubts and reservations that the character may have to be roleplayed across the table by the investigators.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The remainder of the scenario revolves around three main scenes; the aid camp, the stone wards and the temple of the dreamer, which is ‘unlocked’ only when the investigators have deduced the purpose of the wards and opened a second of them. There’s also an entertaining encounter with a monkey toting a flame pistol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The description of the aid camp provides some details of the key NPCs who are Caduceus employees, a local hero and details the uneasy presence of the soldiers who are occupying the camp. The scenario includes some local history that relates to the temple of the dreamer, and an associated festival, along with some guidance about how the soldiers are likely to react to the investigators. However as an "opportunity for roleplaying and investigation" ascribed by the scenario there is little here to detail the circumstances of those seeking aid, the impact of the war, or other dramatic opportunities for the investigators to help out. Such details must be supplied by the Keeper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me this seems like an opportunity lost. Setting the scenario amidst the Chaco War might have allowed the authors to explore some of the themes of this conflict, through the plight of the refugees. This could have been achieved through detailing the stories of some of the refugees, and perhaps having tensions within the camp linked to the conflict. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">also feel like the role of the soldiers – who are magically brainwashed by the Inner Night operatives - could have been more thoughtfully addressed. As written, they function as little more than mooks to support the inner-night and make the combat sequences more challenging and ensure the investigators have a good supply of shotguns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After being ambushed in the jungle, it seems fairly likely that the investigators will also assume the soldiers at the camp are enemies and carry the fight on to them immediately. This has the potential to remove the role of the roving patrol to participate in the climax of the scenario. It’s also not immediately clear why, if they are willing to tolerate the presence of the Caduceus doctors a the aid camp, the soldiers would attack the supply column in the opening scene of the scenario.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I were to run this again I would give this a slightly different treatment to highlight the more insidious and parasitic aspects of the serpent people’s interaction with the humans they consider so inferior.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rather than being ambushed initially, the investigators would first encounter the battle scene and the first ward The formless spawn would attack quickly, killing Dr.Ursini mid-sentence as scripted giving the high-action opening.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether the investigators flee or defeat the spawn, they would seek refuge at the camp. Here they encounter the soldiers – but rather than being enemies from the outset, they might be more ambivalent. Perhaps they may even offer to supply the investigators with explosives to defeat the monster. Amidst their number is the disguised Karnassh who pretends to have suffered some facial wounds in a previous battle to conceal his imperfect disguise. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As time passes the serpent man would slowly exert his influence over the soldiers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators may note the gradual changes in their behaviour with unease, but unless they provoke events the soldiers do not fully become the pawns of Karnassh as scripted as the investigators approach the temple. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the interim Vorsinnish has been trying to locate the remaining wards with a clutch of serpent hounds (allowing for an additional combat encounter in the jungle and for the investigators to retrieve the serpent map). </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This reasonably significant re-structuring of the scenario may lead you to conclude that I believe that the opening chapter is fundamentally flawed – that’s not the case at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter is perfectly serviceable as written, and if your investigators are playing action-oriented types who just want to be pointed in the direction of danger, and who wouldn’t bother with the motivations of the NPC’s anyway, then I wouldn’t suggest that these changes are necessary at all. But if you have investigators who are likely to be interested in the wider story, the motivations of NPC's and who may want to spend time roleplaying in the camp then I think these changes will provide a more fulfilling experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The remaining sections of the scenario; the wards and the temple are excellent. The mix of monsters and traps is likely to lead to some thoroughly entertaining scenes that really plays up the strengths of Pulp over vanilla Call of Cthulhu. The only challenge may be in ensuring that the characters actually retrieve Tyranissh without simply dispatching her as another ‘snake-monster’. Here, again, having stressed to one of the characters the importance of retrieving her intact from the temple in advance of the scenario starting, may tip the balance in favour of completing the mission as intended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What works:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting is unique and interesting, and the plot (while simple) has a nice increasing action tempo </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beginning the game in-media res lets the investigators jump right into the action </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Temples, traps and monsters are a great way to showcase the Pulp genre and are likely to make for a really entertaining time </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What could have been better</b>:</span></div>
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<li>The initial link from opening scene to chapter plot is a little tenuous </li>
<li>Not exploring the setting in more detail feels like a missed opportunity </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The role and motivations of the soldiers could have been used to better effect </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, this is a solid opening chapter that is likely to prove entertaining and really get the players in the right mindset for the escalating action of the rest of the campaign. It conveys the key themes of the campaign (the enemy within, ancient civilisations, lots of snakes and monsters) in a clever way that’s woven into the action. At the end of the session the players may wonder if it’s possible to top this heady mix of action and adventure – but rest assured, the campaign is up to the challenge.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-13947193051653372112018-09-09T02:57:00.001-07:002018-09-09T02:57:32.535-07:00RPG Awards<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ENnie Awards are currently <a href="http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/ennie-awards-time-for-change/">undergoing a review</a>. This post serves as an open submission to those undertaking the review. I've posted it online with the hope of providing some insight to those who are looking to self-publish their own RPG products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Awards are important for all RPG publishers - particularly small, independent publishers. To illustrate why, it might be helpful to briefly describe my view of the wider industry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Games sell by reputation. A small portion of people are willing to try new games and experiment, but the bulk of the market buy based on word-of-mouth. There are a couple of ways that you can generate 'buzz' to drive sales:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">use an established retail network</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">leverage an established internet following</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">demo it at large RPG conventions (which are almost all in North America or Western Europe).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">win, or be nominated for, a significant award</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For self-publishers who aren't based in North America or Europe (like me) awards represent a significant opportunity to get much needed exposure. They also represent an important way to showcase diverse voices and encourage people to participate in the industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've previously described the ENnie Awards as <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.com/2014/07/ennie-awards-beautiful-agony.html">the beautiful agony</a>. A self-publisher may be able to gain a nomination through the review of the judges - which is huge. But the chances of actually winning in any category but those of free game or supplement are remote, due to voting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In some ways I like the idea of public voting for awards - after all what can be fairer than a democratic process? But there are obvious considerations. Awards can be divisive, particularly for those who feel their voices aren't being heard, such as in the case of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/26/hugo-awards-shortlist-rightwing-campaign-sad-rabid-puppies">Hugo Awards</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there's the scale of competition. For example, let's imagine there are awards for soda drinks in the same way as the ENnie Awards. In 2010 Coca Cola released Coke Zero, Pepsi released Cherry Vanilla Pepsi, and Hosmer Mountain Bottling Company released <a href="https://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/hosmer-dangerous-ginger-beer?variant=2969591169">Hosmer Dangerous Ginger Beer</a>. All three are nominated for an award. Even if 90% of all the people who have purchased Hosmer Ginger Beer vote for it to win, they will be vastly outstripped if only 1% of those who have purchased Coke Zero vote for that. And based on market share in 2010, Pepsi will always come second. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Public voting will always favour bigger publishers, or those who have the ability to leverage large audiences. It may not reflect quality, innovative or important works. The ENnies do award the Judges Spotlight awards, which are awarded to products not nominated for an award, selected by individual judges. From the perspective of a small publisher these are actually better than a nomination where you have no chance of winning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Public voting aside, there's also an obvious disparity in comparing a product which a single person has created, with something that has multiple writers, professional art and layout, and editing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's all well and good to critique something, but I always appreciate it when people provide suggestions at the same time, so here are my recommendations to address the above points:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Retain Public Voting for Judges, <b>Fan’s Choice - Best Publisher</b> and create a new award for <b>Fan's Choice - Best Product</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All other categories to be based on Judges deliberations (perhaps also include a judge who won an award in the previous year and has nothing in contention this year).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make a summary of the Judges deliberations available after the awards</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create categories in some awards for small, mid and large publishers with guidelines based on revenue (i.e. small = less than $1,000 per year, large is $100,000 or more and mid is everything in between). Publishers pick the category when they submit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create a new Award for <b>Best New Talent</b>, for anyone who hasn't submitted a product before, and ask those who wish to be nominated to submit a small bio.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create a new award for <b>Services to Gaming</b> to be awarded to anyone who has made a significant contribution, in terms of supporting diversity, promoting charity or doing good works in gaming.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Full disclosure:</i> <i>I've had products nominated for 6 different ENnie Awards and won a Judges Spotlight Award.</i></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-29195525850866880172018-09-08T23:30:00.000-07:002018-09-08T23:30:53.656-07:00Pulp Cthulhu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a while since I posted here, but now it's time to blow off the dust and add some new content. As I posted <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.com/2017/12/gaming-in-2018.html">back in December</a>, we spent the first part of the year playing through The Enemy Within campaign for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition. It had it's high points, some neat set pieces and more than a few problems, but overall it was a fun time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we've returned to Call of Cthulhu, or more specifically (the ENnie Award Winning) <a href="https://www.chaosium.com/pulp-cthulhu-hardcover/">Pul</a><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.chaosium.com/pulp-cthulhu-hardcover/">p Cthulhu</a> to play through the <a href="https://www.chaosium.com/the-two-headed-serpent-pdf/">Two Headed Serpent</a> Campaign. I'll shortly begin a chapter by chapter review, as I did with Horror on the Orient Express.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I get into it, I thought I might start with a few reflections on Pulp Cthulhu itself. First, the obvious - it's a beautiful book, brimming with content and ideas. A worthy purchase for any Keeper, even if Pulp isn't to your taste.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At a more detailed look, Pulp Cthulhu sells itself thus:</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFKTihhHs_E20BFJyiUkwfbEjocNH4w2UGrm5jPZncLgwjusSNSb6LPHvDT0h6k__EOSaiQGsHy7nk8WK1QehNwI5sfOAY9WlXBBedYlSI3KxfROLqDd0YMMEBmehUDTfy2D8pmctl1Xt/s1600/pulpcthulhufront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="973" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFKTihhHs_E20BFJyiUkwfbEjocNH4w2UGrm5jPZncLgwjusSNSb6LPHvDT0h6k__EOSaiQGsHy7nk8WK1QehNwI5sfOAY9WlXBBedYlSI3KxfROLqDd0YMMEBmehUDTfy2D8pmctl1Xt/s400/pulpcthulhufront.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">"</span><span style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #202020; font-family: "pt sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Tired of your investigators dying in quick succession when jaunting around the world in a desperate bid to save humanity? Wishing that sometimes your investigator could make a stand instead of hiding and waiting for the eldritch horror to pass? Pulp Cthulhu ups the ante and provides you with tougher, more capable heroes—ready to take on the villainous machinations of the Cthulhu Mythos!</i>"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my view, the core Call of Cthulhu System is focussed on investigation and sanity mechanics. Other things, like combat, are serviceable but not really intended to be the meat of the game-playing experience. To meet the pitch set out above, Pulp Cthulhu imports a point-spend mechanic, using the Luck system from the 7th Edition Rules with a suite of new options and significantly increasing Luck accrual between sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This means that, for every skill based roll of the game, players must decide whether to spend points to increase their result, knowing that they will have their Luck Pool replenished to some extent at the end of the session. So long as players keep 30 Luck in their pool, the are guaranteed that their investigator will survive certain death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrp6DhsTYxyCcYJq_JuXrwg1_3OAKZOXyZ3_n03rWvOLwOTrGug8ZjS4E1z79OPhenUsXPl2SymRQEjAoLqIYvvkjLju4wjRwaQk9lAHDC4rAos17n8vV8sB2mVWtjaHIK5yzsZnHkfX6/s1600/elder-sign-d10-purple-green-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrp6DhsTYxyCcYJq_JuXrwg1_3OAKZOXyZ3_n03rWvOLwOTrGug8ZjS4E1z79OPhenUsXPl2SymRQEjAoLqIYvvkjLju4wjRwaQk9lAHDC4rAos17n8vV8sB2mVWtjaHIK5yzsZnHkfX6/s200/elder-sign-d10-purple-green-600x600.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a mechanic, the 'Luck economy' it works well because it puts the decision making in the hands of the players, allowing them to decide where their characters will enjoy ridiculous success or survive certain death. The only criticism that I'd make is that the calculation aspect encourages players to muse different possibilities and can break the flow of narration and is somewhat at odds to the free-flowing style you might typically associate with epic pulp combat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are a variety of other innovations, and a 'pulp-o-meter' which allows the Keeper to tune the options to their pulp preference - and that's great. I recommend the ever-quality <a href="http://rlyehreviews.blogspot.com/2017/03/pulp-cthulhu-ii.html">Reviews from R'lyeh</a> post if you'd like further information.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs27cV9qStq8yeDgHxmqBxK8yfq_tLZT1YuxNoCy6Pgn0lAhgZrqZPKk5iiI8SYz5UVkQXfrnDT0wXPWkYWrtQ3cr1bhCgLSGUAXhaWd-qbQrsOxUbMw2lxbIjzhratEPS6ZSvQvMDiJob/s1600/39404134-Action_Stories_pulp_cover_August_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs27cV9qStq8yeDgHxmqBxK8yfq_tLZT1YuxNoCy6Pgn0lAhgZrqZPKk5iiI8SYz5UVkQXfrnDT0wXPWkYWrtQ3cr1bhCgLSGUAXhaWd-qbQrsOxUbMw2lxbIjzhratEPS6ZSvQvMDiJob/s320/39404134-Action_Stories_pulp_cover_August_1935.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I want to pick up on something else, that I'll raise again in relation to my review of the campaign. That's the tension between the pulp and investigation themes. The origins of pulp are about '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_magazine">lurid, sensationalist and exploitative</a>" tales. In many cases they more closely resemble a superhero story, than a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_procedural">police procedural</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The question for me is; in an investigative game should pulp scenarios be necessarily more simplistic than non-pulp scenarios? Each of the four scenarios included in the Pulp Cthulhu book have a decent investigative component, but only one of them is a sandbox, where the investigators have full freedom of movement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can understand the temptation of streamlining the scenario to an extent, as it allows the Keeper to dictate the pace and limits the scope of the characters to engage with things that aren't relevant to the scenario - but the luck economy means that many of the frustrations of typical Cthulhu investigations are not a factor for Pulp Cthulhu. Or, put another way, if I really want to play a primarily action rather than investigative outing, is Pulp Cthulhu actually the best system for this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a theme I'll touch on again, in the context of the Two-Headed Serpent, a 'globe-spanning' campaign which presents an ambitious plot set in a variety of interesting locations. Stay tuned for chapter one.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-81217247697264342132018-01-06T00:53:00.002-08:002018-01-06T11:46:27.577-08:00Running great convention games<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With <a href="http://kapcon.rpg.net.nz/">Kapcon</a> around the corner, I've been pondering what makes a good tabletop roleplaying convention game (from either side of the table). I've had some hits and misses in my time running games at conventions and spent a fair bit of time discussing and de-briefing with others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the following section I outline 5 common challenges that often undermine convention games, then propose a solution you can employ to account for such obstacles and allow your convention scenario to achieve its full potential.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Insufficient character agency</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The time constraint of convention games often leads GMs to construct scenarios where there are limited choices. This can be fine, so long as the characters can genuinely make some important decisions, and those decisions are the focus of the game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consider the first 20 minutes of any contemporary horror movie - there will almost always be some constraint that limits the characters options and separates them from wider society when the horror strikes. That's not a problem necessarily, so long as the choices the characters then make have real meaning for them and their story (in game terms this means that the story of the characters should be the meat of the action). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another common type of 'con game with limited agency is the high-concept scenario, where a GM has a vivid and detailed idea about a setting (usually inspired by fiction) but only a rough idea of how the characters will interact with the setting (beyond exploring it) and no backup plan to adapt the story to the characters if they reject some or all of the premise, or simply find it dull.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Too little structure</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The flip-side of a low-agency game is a game where there is simply too much scope for unstructured character interaction. Consider most investigative scenarios: usually the characters must follow a sequence of clues to solve the mystery. The problem with such scenarios in a 'con environment is that people (and their characters) are likely to have very different approaches to what may seem (to the GM) like a very linear set of clues, and could easily spend the better part of an hour discussing one particular clue and its implications, or following false lead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equally scenarios which invite the characters to form plans can fall into an endless planning cycle as characters consider every possible eventuality. This is often not the intent or focus of the game, but an inevitable outcome of a particular set of elements.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Assumed character cooperation</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Irrespective of whether the players are strangers or not, if the characters are not known to one another, most players will want to 'ease into' character relationships and shared decision making. Some will not want to participate collectively at all, and prefer a 'lone wolf' approach if they feel this fits their character.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That means that most con games need to allow characters space and time to meet and interact, and not count on character cooperation unless this is clearly and explicitly stated from the outset. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Poor system fit</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unless a convention game is intended to teach a system it needs to be very light touch, and focussed on only the core activity that will occur for the characters during the few hours of the scenario. Many traditional systems have rules that cover far more ground than that, and this can confuse and bog-down play.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruNWsT1P5pNFMw2vDH_UcekqnFP5czmF_53tkBlyVvOH0GtaCLrxWN7bhTTnQ8cF6OmAP9oAqQBSy0FhyeWqZKofBvmAnu0_HPF9OVhoVWOxeaH1hm07VExr-0hT9SIpIDyoRr6VxjfMt/s1600/Dice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruNWsT1P5pNFMw2vDH_UcekqnFP5czmF_53tkBlyVvOH0GtaCLrxWN7bhTTnQ8cF6OmAP9oAqQBSy0FhyeWqZKofBvmAnu0_HPF9OVhoVWOxeaH1hm07VExr-0hT9SIpIDyoRr6VxjfMt/s200/Dice.png" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many, many different systems out there, and it's well worth shopping around to find one that is well suited for the needs of the scenario. Ideally a discussion of rules is a very short part of the game establishment phase, and players have quick reference sheets handy (or incorporated into their character sheets) to refresh themselves of the key points.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Doesn't cater for player styles</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People approach games in a lot of different ways. Some are particularly extraverted and likely to enjoy and proactively engage in almost any style of game. Others are less likely to try and grab the spotlight. For some folks having something structured, like an initiative sequence with clear specified actions that are weighted to be equal to those performed by other characters, provides assurance that they'll get an equal level of involvement to their more glib companions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj183qL8wvJoDYsp-vGrpdwgpXEbb5Kr1HH3OIr7evzgVhp79ZhNTG84yIccj7DOT4cpP510x9ic96yJGLRyHWzp7qm07UWjhN8YP0X0GkNOoQUop6mYvjNIVJCQCdVDr4OmHJ2WSTuSZH0/s1600/Role_playing_gamers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1200" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj183qL8wvJoDYsp-vGrpdwgpXEbb5Kr1HH3OIr7evzgVhp79ZhNTG84yIccj7DOT4cpP510x9ic96yJGLRyHWzp7qm07UWjhN8YP0X0GkNOoQUop6mYvjNIVJCQCdVDr4OmHJ2WSTuSZH0/s320/Role_playing_gamers.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Irrespective of the system and setting, some players will try and win, or defy the odds, others will try and participate indirectly, playing their characters more as spectators than protagonists. How a GM responds to such approaches will be noticed and reflected upon by the other players, who may change their own approach if they perceive there is a more favourable option. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Creating a scenario sideboard</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of this may seem a little overwhelming, especially for a GM who feels that the players should simply be grateful that they've offered to run a game at all. All too often the temptation is to blame the players if a game doesn't go well, or live up to the expectations of the GM.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNaY9Xd7Sh-JGsqnEq7DIxltEuVzDMxHkVCk3xX6IHOXOi2Mw-bZ2UhLlOj-t1KSPGMzm2Rz6xzrT8p6xuyr0ZoTFugAbPQHoxsOM4lLf02a0yoN3fABZo4VkzVE1c6wy1RPThwg-b4y0/s1600/Mystery-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsgg-o1I-JDSyGolGc5Zy88eh5SX6Q8bjE6x-7zjddimzZ626QOOq3VYDUO_YZkHT20RquGAGixsJone3RZYCnW2inLS_IHKycYTBXmTKDtyyQzDMVZeS-OqNQ1VpMbUE4RBDuHfur6pQ/s1600/Mystery-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="266" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsgg-o1I-JDSyGolGc5Zy88eh5SX6Q8bjE6x-7zjddimzZ626QOOq3VYDUO_YZkHT20RquGAGixsJone3RZYCnW2inLS_IHKycYTBXmTKDtyyQzDMVZeS-OqNQ1VpMbUE4RBDuHfur6pQ/s200/Mystery-card.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But you can do more to ensure that you run the best version of your game possible. When I played <i>Magic: The Gathering</i>, many years ago, decks had a thing called a <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/lo/sideboard-2014-10-20">sideboard</a>, which was an extension to the deck that had a series of additional cards that you could add to your deck to better optimise it once you knew what you were up against.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest that a good convention scenario can have something similar. A series of ideas and options that you can port into your scenario to better adapt it to your players. What options are there for the characters to interact and get on the same page and how can you facilitate this if it doesn't happen organically? What time pressure can be added if the characters seem to want to spend ages planning something? How can you ensure that everyone is involved at the table, and what option might you employ to park a noisy player for a few minutes, to allow quieter players time to be heard?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because you won't necessarily know what challenges you'll face, the unsurprising advice behind all of this is to playtest your game if at all possible. If you can playtest it with strangers, or people you don't normally game with, so much the better. But a robust playtest should highlight some of the things you need to include in a scenario sideboard.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-8036383507325048082017-12-22T22:53:00.000-08:002017-12-22T22:53:22.843-08:00Gaming in 2018<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a look ahead at my plans for gaming in 2018:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Complete The Enemy Within for Warhammer 3e</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently posted my <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/12/a-small-but-vicious-dog.html">impressions</a> of Fantasy Flight's 3rd Edition of Warhammer. My group has completed the first of the four chapters of the campaign. I plan to knock out the other three before finding a storage solution for the acres of cards th</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at make up the game. Thus far the campaign has had some great moments, although the layout and lack of maps and other documents and relatively linear plot make running the game harder than it need to be.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLqIFBSCJStiEga1373wrW-ZtrGFrA1SE7Zycu23Ikw1NSuOvrlsVT4JzIeLHEBksj88oAWf1RyHW_5kRNt4GAdy9Bt5DVkMLz33qgVQTb_8S2f4cVyO93DmA_0sLHAJOmLJAbIUnpDic/s1600/CHA23125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="543" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLqIFBSCJStiEga1373wrW-ZtrGFrA1SE7Zycu23Ikw1NSuOvrlsVT4JzIeLHEBksj88oAWf1RyHW_5kRNt4GAdy9Bt5DVkMLz33qgVQTb_8S2f4cVyO93DmA_0sLHAJOmLJAbIUnpDic/s200/CHA23125.jpg" width="153" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>2. Pulp Cthulhu: The Two Headed Serpent</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Call of Cthulhu is a staple in my gaming group, and I'm keen to dive into a new "<a href="https://www.chaosium.com/the-two-headed-serpent-pdf/">high-octane globe-spanning</a>" campaign using the new pulp-action rules for Cthulhu's 7th Edition. If you're interested in a chapter-by-chapter review, as I did with <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">Horror on the Orient Express</a>, please let me know via the comments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. Playtesting Instruments of the Chrysanthemum Throne </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The secret to writing good games (in my opinion) is understanding the diversity of approaches, expectations and experience that players (and GMs) bring to the table. The best way to do this is to test your game as widely as possible. The initial playtests of <i><a href="http://imaginaryempiregames.blogspot.co.nz/2017/09/instruments-first-look.html">Instruments</a></i> have already revealed some major opportunities for improvement and there's plenty to do before the game is ready to be released.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA_bJbJuH1xMXuFE9IhVpPfHrr7CLJKiiajDdANnUTLNd-reYrvHlY9rBY4mwWwfLX6MKdqJfmVafJY0GRjowrx0vC4Ui6gjxMtd1AxqXJ-Szy_L546zCr2dd0089ZDQgCJdawdSK4Smp/s1600/WFRP-Corerules-Cover-1200-768x994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA_bJbJuH1xMXuFE9IhVpPfHrr7CLJKiiajDdANnUTLNd-reYrvHlY9rBY4mwWwfLX6MKdqJfmVafJY0GRjowrx0vC4Ui6gjxMtd1AxqXJ-Szy_L546zCr2dd0089ZDQgCJdawdSK4Smp/s200/WFRP-Corerules-Cover-1200-768x994.jpg" width="154" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>4. Warhammer 4e</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If there's any time left by the end of the year, and sufficient material has been published for Cubicle 7's <a href="http://cubicle7.co.uk/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-fourth-edition-news/">new edition of Warhammer</a> I'd ben keen to give it a whirl.</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-84527362579963632512017-12-01T00:26:00.000-08:002017-12-01T11:03:38.421-08:00A Small But Vicious Dog<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the last few months we've been exploring the world of <a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpg/2775/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-3rd-edition">Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (3rd edition)</a> from Fantasy Flight Games. Described by the publisher as: "an new, exciting way to experience the popular Warhammer Fantasy setting... a grim world, constantly at war", I think WFRP 3e is an <b>important </b>game, albeit an imperfect one. The following text contains my reflections of the game thus far.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why WFRP?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many, many fantasy games on the market, so why does Warhammer have enduring appeal? For me the answer is in several parts. One part is nostalgia. For anyone who played the Warhammer Fantasy Battle, or earlier editions of the roleplaying game, WFRP is a familiar, well resolved, interesting fantasy setting, that contains most typical fantasy tropes alongside some tongue-in-cheek humour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktuor3yjg_bkfiZVd_a1ucida2iEXd6O2q6h7VQbSoHp9gYToF56WN1Ca2WidIAsa4GmLW5Pvfa7xbz5rnTMDr23CClUfA9Q443nhIetmeZBHG10gI66qEUogvrXJYfNUPLDq_53xY9lL/s1600/WFRP3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktuor3yjg_bkfiZVd_a1ucida2iEXd6O2q6h7VQbSoHp9gYToF56WN1Ca2WidIAsa4GmLW5Pvfa7xbz5rnTMDr23CClUfA9Q443nhIetmeZBHG10gI66qEUogvrXJYfNUPLDq_53xY9lL/s320/WFRP3e.jpg" width="252" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second major appeal of the game has always been the idea that instead of playing a fledgling hero, you play a character just trying to get by. Careers like <i>Rat Catcher</i> or <i>Servant</i> are the norm, and darkness is everywhere. Perhaps the characters will survive the adventure and prosper, but they may simply end up mutilated, mentally scarred or diseased, trying desperately to get into a more respectable career. If you favour a dark fantasy game, WFRP has always been a good choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally the game has always been well supported with a large range of sourcebooks and scenarios. Some classic campaigns, like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_Campaign">The Enemy Within</a> are considered classics and extremely innovative for their time.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pick a card, any card</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most striking difference between the 3rd edition of WFRP and it's predecessors, is the use of cards. The bespoke card decks are used for the entirety of the options available to players during combat, reflecting wounds, insanities, diseases, madness, mutation, monsters and even in-game locations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cards are neat. They take a lot of the load from the GM to manage the rules for the players, and make clear the potential outcomes for most results. On the down side, the cards take up a lot of space during the game, and require careful management between sessions to prevent hours of searching later, and make second hand versions of the game a touch-and-go option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It should be noted that, toward the end of the license, Fantasy Flight published a series of books which enable the game to be played without many of the cards previously required, and allowed players to plan career development at a glance (rather than scouring endless card decks). The utility of these books make them an important addition to the smooth operation of the game.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAnSMQvIx-dqE7Yam4UjjzYy5_Tq2i0HapGTwF_CgdhDIhQpm8lq1VUp3MuF3Ura1hhjFs22g6byfE97uW38_pG3EjJEjR5JHSXY52KTTtCmAIogxW9r5QK-NToZTYZJcnwgzszW5MPJ/s1600/WFRP-boxfan-final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAnSMQvIx-dqE7Yam4UjjzYy5_Tq2i0HapGTwF_CgdhDIhQpm8lq1VUp3MuF3Ura1hhjFs22g6byfE97uW38_pG3EjJEjR5JHSXY52KTTtCmAIogxW9r5QK-NToZTYZJcnwgzszW5MPJ/s400/WFRP-boxfan-final.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other innovations</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are several other neat elements of WFRP 3e. The game is practically bursting with little innovations, such as the stance tracker, which tracks whether a character is more conservative or aggressive and allows you to swap dice in your pool accordingly, social combat rules, a descriptive range tracker, and overall party tension measure. And of course, the special dice which so<a href="https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/69349-custom-dice/"> polarised gamers</a> when the game was released.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although many of these elements are not smoothly integrated, they are extremely innovative for a traditional system with such a long history. For these reasons I think the game is important in the history of roleplaying game design, and many have been influential on subsequent designs.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quirks and peculiarities</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WFRP 3e is not without some eyebrow raising limitations. For example, High Elves are included as a core character race, but widely marginalised in the settings for most of the scenarios written for the game. In addition, no elf expansion was ever made limiting elf-specific career options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The game was originally designed for just 4 players with card options to match. These days this problem is easily resolved by finding the basic card summary online and printing one for each player.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYE19crepp9ZkFzSca79JGSCmLrvrq0d3VmyzP9oTspFQJVDD7BXsSbqiOLXs2hNdf4ktzzPcYjrRBW02iR9GXe9SQZYXPeHO9nNTw3uVBXu0dwOXt6xPNqh2jy7uHDR2p3hSi00QXYGA/s1600/dice-pool.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="300" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYE19crepp9ZkFzSca79JGSCmLrvrq0d3VmyzP9oTspFQJVDD7BXsSbqiOLXs2hNdf4ktzzPcYjrRBW02iR9GXe9SQZYXPeHO9nNTw3uVBXu0dwOXt6xPNqh2jy7uHDR2p3hSi00QXYGA/s200/dice-pool.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the materials included in the scenario and expansion boxes are beautiful, there's a criminal shortage of usable maps and the organisation of the scenario books is not always ideal. Should the card decks become separated from the scenario books they are almost unplayable in some cases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The party tension meter is a really nice idea, but unless your players are rigorous in staying in character, most bickering around a game table happens 'out-of-character' and punishing players for bickering in character actually works against a richer, more fully realised, game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bespoke dice mechanic is a nice way of randomising several possible outcomes in a single throw, but dice outcome cancelling each other out, means bigger pools (as the character advance their careers) complicate the resolution of this mechanic without any additional benefit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Freeing careers from a tree-progression system and allowing an almost unlimited ability to pick up new cards means that players have a lot more options in terms of character development, but this also means players face a bewildering array of choices, especially when they start playing the game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSTrJMzhfEcfoFb1otLccx4pjiXA5OsfYfdMFCPGbcyHJAQDMAIU1N1CWEqMCSqAh02ST5cM2CMY7pmcZHFAeZZfsRiGNPf-LEQz6nmnUNajJngxwroz99fF5-cv5qGP_ncDBk0XcmWaG/s1600/Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSTrJMzhfEcfoFb1otLccx4pjiXA5OsfYfdMFCPGbcyHJAQDMAIU1N1CWEqMCSqAh02ST5cM2CMY7pmcZHFAeZZfsRiGNPf-LEQz6nmnUNajJngxwroz99fF5-cv5qGP_ncDBk0XcmWaG/s1600/Dog.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WFRP 3e is an eccentric game. It is bursting full of ideas and neat tricks, but much of the way these work together at the table feels unfinished, and doesn't live up to their full potential. Indeed, you might say that Fantasy Flight refined the system when it made <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-edge-of-the-empire/">Star Wars: Edge of the Empire</a> and again for <a href="https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/products/genesys-core-rulebook/">Genesys</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you like the setting, and can get past the challenges inherent in the game collateral (bespoke dice and large numbers of cards) you'll find a surprising accessible system, that delivers a solid gaming experience, particularly for early-career characters.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-66510528462717719552017-07-11T12:59:00.001-07:002017-07-11T13:00:43.801-07:00Vote Machine in 2017<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi there</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Y</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ou've probably always voted human up until now, which is entirely understandable. But I'd like to tell you about an exciting new machine option for the 2017 ENnie Roleplaying Awards.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/191951/Fragment">Fragment</a> is a game which explores the increasingly complex relationship between human and machine. It's been nominated in the category of Best Electronic Book and here's why I think it deserves your vote:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Fragment</i> is free, like many of the machines in your daily life, it exists only to make you happy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Fragment</i> is a story game that supports you to tell the stories of discarded machines, and their human creators, while exploring the Last City.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Fragment</i> was written in a single week as part of the 2016 Game Chef competition, and from these humble origins, it's mounting a scrappy campaign to compete for your vote against best-selling titles.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd-P9eGyUus04_wbSHfSGUMbEaAghb9qUoihKuoBpjLKrzOcBGGq8XqoOCCDL3qfodH5rYgBbE3kSaKUn60nCjEfFK166W6dWnU83I70MO9KmHzAadD60U-bE1G3ML23oIsm8poWabn4/s1600/VoteBot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd-P9eGyUus04_wbSHfSGUMbEaAghb9qUoihKuoBpjLKrzOcBGGq8XqoOCCDL3qfodH5rYgBbE3kSaKUn60nCjEfFK166W6dWnU83I70MO9KmHzAadD60U-bE1G3ML23oIsm8poWabn4/s400/VoteBot.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Did you know</b> <b>voting is free and doesn't require registration?</b> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To cast </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a vote, all you need to do is go:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ennie-awards.com/vote/2017">http://www.ennie-awards.com/vote/2017</a>/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rank</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">your choices in order from the list provided, and click vote. Like so many things in life, machines are working tirelessly to make this process as easy as possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> This ENnie Awards, please consider a vote for <i>Fragment</i> in the category of Best Electronic Game and give hope to machines everywhere.<br /><br /><i>- Votebot 2050</i></span><b></b><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-68986116575543280882017-04-26T03:01:00.000-07:002017-04-26T03:01:14.410-07:00Players & Preferences<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most people come in roleplaying through a fairly informal
process.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They play with friends, or join
established groups.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While this kind of
entry to gaming is fairly reliable in allowing people to identify the kinds of
games they don’t enjoy, few groups actually have an explicit conversation about
the kinds of gaming activities they enjoy most.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact I’d argue many people haven’t even given it a whole lot of
thought.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWis6YysQW0KcmTL0Oxi-b4nhU2IFAdZPLRC9mgc6ec2ykX_ARvR1CJf-qcNC7WUq0t5X5C7dCnFb4NZPiLE1vtkANCK2aZ13_0JspsJJUYFHhbgXuOcXc6o6cOhpfMo5Aa-U5-N4XNsA/s1600/Labyrinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWis6YysQW0KcmTL0Oxi-b4nhU2IFAdZPLRC9mgc6ec2ykX_ARvR1CJf-qcNC7WUq0t5X5C7dCnFb4NZPiLE1vtkANCK2aZ13_0JspsJJUYFHhbgXuOcXc6o6cOhpfMo5Aa-U5-N4XNsA/s400/Labyrinth.jpg" width="400" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And yet, when a group (collectively) fails to click with a
game the consequences can be severe.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps more insidiously, groups might spend years playing games that,
whilst enjoyable to some extent, don’t actually press their buttons.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This issue is compounded by the fact that within the group
tastes may vary considerably, and that many people actually like a lot of
different elements in different combinations.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consider the following list for example:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exploring ideas and concepts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exploring settings or environments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Investigating mysteries and interacting with
NPCs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Battling and defeating foes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Developing a story about the characters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acquiring new powers, expertise or items</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Interacting with the other players in character</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Developing innovative solutions to intractable
problems</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chances are good that most players will enjoy all these
elements to some extent, but they probably also have several that they enjoy
over the others.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKUQiuCqxC0Z_HQB2UAAz8CfyiPkqJJL2x6viJhXgNG0AHNKD6VjJ9qPqc6ZM3o3yPqemk1SBmP-RelU5oi2LJtAtynOj_kR3PnLzHD74J0bDj3KeX66lJK9XTtVB_P2tagH5MqG3Ve8E/s1600/Mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKUQiuCqxC0Z_HQB2UAAz8CfyiPkqJJL2x6viJhXgNG0AHNKD6VjJ9qPqc6ZM3o3yPqemk1SBmP-RelU5oi2LJtAtynOj_kR3PnLzHD74J0bDj3KeX66lJK9XTtVB_P2tagH5MqG3Ve8E/s200/Mystery.jpg" width="129" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now consider the social inhibitions commonly associated with
gaming.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The GM often runs the game they
want to play without necessarily having regard to the preferences of the
players, on the basis that they will invest more time into making the game
successful.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there the myriad of complex relationships between
players – are they friends outside the game? </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are some ‘tenured’ while others are relative
newcomers?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have some invested in specific
game books? </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plus, the aforementioned possibility
that they may not actually have given a whole lot of thought to their actual
preferences, or simply enjoy the social activity irrespective of game.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, how to reveal the preferences of players?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are two suggestions:</span></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Explicit question</b>: contact the players individually and ask
them what kinds of activities they enjoy most; ideally as a hierarchy using a
list like the above, as it’s likely that people will enjoy all of those activities
to some extent, or in a particular context.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Observe and assess</b>:</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">watch how your players respond to specific sessions containing different
mixes of the above elements.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This will
likely also reveal the group dynamic to some extent and give you a good feeling
for where respective preferences sit around the table.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRBi0E9D2wkfXLWbISqz6obGPempFyxiJZcK83KNYqrn76nLHLXgYgGVvCLyqeooRjmrcCFln-s7afcmoaOZPdHu5kPVswQE8Q8nL99VcyUm7YRhzzTQ07D7DrtzFGqOC2T9BaQKe_b2j/s1600/Labyrinth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRBi0E9D2wkfXLWbISqz6obGPempFyxiJZcK83KNYqrn76nLHLXgYgGVvCLyqeooRjmrcCFln-s7afcmoaOZPdHu5kPVswQE8Q8nL99VcyUm7YRhzzTQ07D7DrtzFGqOC2T9BaQKe_b2j/s400/Labyrinth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suffice to say, that I’ve observed that the preferences of
the players in my group (collectively) are not actually what I would have
previously thought them to be, and since I’ve tried to find a game that better suits their
preferences, people have been having more fun.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-89930097380110251292017-02-24T00:42:00.001-08:002017-12-30T21:31:49.558-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - The Final Analysis<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express-print-ebook/">Horror on the Orient Express</a> is generally considered to be one of the <a href="http://www.yog-sothoth.com/topic/3151-best-campaigns/">best horror roleplaying campaigns of all time</a>. It is often grouped with the ‘big three’ a list of epic Call of Cthulhu campaigns that include <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/masks-of-nyarlathotep-pdf/">Masks of Nyarlathotep</a> and <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/beyond-the-mountains-of-madness-pdf/">Beyond the Mountains of Madness</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The original Horror on the Orient Express campaign won the Origins award for Best Role Playing Adventure in 1991, while the revised edition picked up the Gold ENnie Award for Best Adventure in 2015. It currently has a <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product_reviews.php?products_id=147586&">4.5/5</a> rating on DriveThruRPG, <a href="https://index.rpg.net/display-entry-stats.phtml?mainid=3101">6.95/10</a> on RPG.net and <a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/131486/horror-orient-express-2nd-edition">8.47/10</a> on RPGGeek.com. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In the following post I conclude my lengthy review of this campaign. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEMa60abW44uw0KaQ0Z4_KTySz2WXrhfTKfdfkQwD__3G5XIDh2RuawW9vMbD636bMmKH3ihwX14FI9bX0XDFoIDi1rKDROjzQ45zLajAX7GB973wU5lSZJiVPdp1NgPcZw4ySdjSPOV2/s1600/HoTOE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEMa60abW44uw0KaQ0Z4_KTySz2WXrhfTKfdfkQwD__3G5XIDh2RuawW9vMbD636bMmKH3ihwX14FI9bX0XDFoIDi1rKDROjzQ45zLajAX7GB973wU5lSZJiVPdp1NgPcZw4ySdjSPOV2/s320/HoTOE.gif" width="250" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Background </b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2012, Chaosium turned to <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/448333182/horror-on-the-orient-express-a-chaosium-publicatio">Kickstarter</a> choosing “a re-imagining of the iconic Horror on the Orient Express, originally released by Chaosium in 1991”. This was the Chaosium's first kickstarter offering, promising delivery in 2013, and setting the revised campaign up as the first campaign for a new 7th edition of its classic Call of Cthulhu ruleset. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A <a href="https://orientexpresswriters.wordpress.com/">writers blog</a> tracked the progress behind the scenes and provides an interesting insight into the process of constructing this product.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<a href="https://mymail.education.govt.nz/OWA/redir.aspx?C=UlTcOcu2X4vakEwsK67GS3RKEqDgBO13RBiF7iKH_tvmBLbK9VrUCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2forientexpresswriters.wordpress.com%2f" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ultimately the ambitious revision of Horror on the Orient Express proved to be one of the two projects that led Chaosium to <a href="http://geekandsundry.com/cthulhu-company-kickstarted-itself-to-death-then-this-happened/">kickstarter itself to death</a>, leading to a significant change in the management of the company and final delivery of PDFs in 2014 and printed products in mid 2015.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Common Themes</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across the chapter reviews I make two consistent criticisms of Horror on the Orient Express, first that there remains a degree of <a href="http://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/690/what-is-railroading-and-is-it-a-bad-thing">railroading</a> that unnecessarily removes player agency in some pivotal scenes. Second, that the campaign material is insufficient for the scope of its ambition and places an unnecessarily high burden on the Keeper to invent or improvise material on the fly to keep the game flowing smoothly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Because of the consistency of these themes, I thought it would be worth taking a look at the context, historic and contemporary, for these elements. When Horror on the Orient Express was first published, Call of Cthulhu was in its 4th edition, so that rulebook seems a good place to start.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcADt9JF5WdbUxSw9SKu05I-nkvnXRXJtrIhRHTjINpmE2ip-68r7chCvb-xzC_CXt-MfElIbuIKdAz5dolqdQQbAnRAWlGznyxEtQs1IQCxBQ_hyqLo6zQIr7E2mJ9BwkePPV7T-86SG/s1600/call-of-cthulhu-4-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcADt9JF5WdbUxSw9SKu05I-nkvnXRXJtrIhRHTjINpmE2ip-68r7chCvb-xzC_CXt-MfElIbuIKdAz5dolqdQQbAnRAWlGznyxEtQs1IQCxBQ_hyqLo6zQIr7E2mJ9BwkePPV7T-86SG/s200/call-of-cthulhu-4-6.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
"<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Call of Cthulhu should not be a rigidly set game experience. The keeper should have firm control over what is happening, though he should remain flexible and capable of adapting to the changing circumstances of his players' plans and abilities. A good keeper always will modify his original plan to accommodate his players. While Call of Cthulhu requires the use of scenarios, this does not mean that the scenario cannot be changed by an imaginative keeper. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A keeper for Call of Cthulhu thus must be creative and flexible. He should have a strong sense or the mysterious and horrifying, and should be fairly articulate as well, possessing the ability to describe well. Call of Cthulhu is perhaps more demanding than other games in its requirements for a keeper, but that is a function both of the nature of the game and its desire to maximise the pleasure of playing it</i>."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> -Call of Cthulhu 4th edition (1989) p.90</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So while the idea of flexibility is clearly established, the burden is squarely placed on the Keeper, who must bear responsibility for improvising to serve the demands of the game. This is consistent with how the 1991 edition of Horror on the Orient Express approaches the role of Keeper.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The problem with this attitude is that the enjoyment of the players is likely to be hugely varied depending on the experience, disposition and temperament of the Keeper. Players who become frustrated or disengaged from the game are likely to quit, and form a negative view both of the campaign and of Call of Cthulhu (and perhaps of roleplaying in general). You don’t need to go far to find accounts of horror on the Orient Express where the campaign has stalled, or even derailed in the early chapters.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Modern publications often identify this risk and suggest that investigators have more agency in resolving scenarios and that the process be collaborative. Consider this guidance from the most recent edition of the rules, some 26 years later:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<i>Most players, as they become more familiar with the game and confident in their investigators, will want to diverge from the linear scenario. Rather than follow the obvious clues laid out for them by the Keeper, they will want to follow up a different clue or even come up with a line of enquiry entirely of their own devising. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dO9TDuA1t6jOng05JnkdG44_d9a6HLQRyhgg5JW_8CHXbSiz_vdctsksj6wyYN2EuLZf_k8CZikRxqi_V4wrohA51yklwpMIP60BuD14nvtXtXprgHUTqo7jMf_4iHZyZm8fasTJNE5/s1600/CoC+7th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dO9TDuA1t6jOng05JnkdG44_d9a6HLQRyhgg5JW_8CHXbSiz_vdctsksj6wyYN2EuLZf_k8CZikRxqi_V4wrohA51yklwpMIP60BuD14nvtXtXprgHUTqo7jMf_4iHZyZm8fasTJNE5/s200/CoC+7th.jpg" width="141" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>S</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>uddenly the adventure is sidetracked and the Keeper may be tempted to contrive something to get the story back on its intended track rather than go where the players are heading. If the players are compelled back to the Keeper’s prepared plot, they will come to feel that their contribution is of little value and that they are simply following a preordained story rather than creating their own. is means that it’s time to look at running scenarios in a non-linear way...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Non-linear adventures give the player's choice in how to proceed. Every fact that expected things will happen because of the players’ choices makes for a more exciting game for everyone—the Keeper included. In this sense, the story really does become a collaboration between the Keeper and players</i>" </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Call of Cthulhu 7th edition (2015) p.217</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This begs the question: just how much has a campaign like Horror on the Orient Express shifted to reflect the two decade advance in gaming theory and practice?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In reviewing this campaign I have taken the approach of how the game would play for an inexperienced or time-poor Keeper, and reviewed each chapter against a best-practice standard, where the Keeper is well supported, the scenario allows several options for resolution and the investigators have a degree of agency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Final Analysis</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can read my individual reviews of each chapter of the campaign following the links below. Overall, the revised Horror on the Orient Express retains much of the charm, and a few of the problems, of its predecessor. In my assessment:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">T</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">he handouts for this campaign are abundant and beautiful, although there are a few noticeable omissions; for example, a reference sheet to track the baleful influence of the Sedefkar Simulacrum, summary sheets of key NPCs to allow keepers to set skill difficulty levels at and allow combat to be more easily resolved without paging back and forth through the book, and flowcharts showing how the clues link to key scenes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new text significantly improves the older material, particularly the inclusion of clearly signposted options for when the plot may become derailed, and the addition of more options and flexibility at several points in the campaign, particularly in the final scenes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of the new scenarios add something unique and interesting to the campaign. They are well worth the time invested, although many are pitched with more of an action focus, which may be a refreshing change for some groups, and not to the taste of others.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite these improvements, there are still some chapters which deprive the investigators of agency and which are resolved entirely as a set-piece with player input confined or ignored. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, several sequences throughout the campaign place a heavy load on the Keeper, whether through extensive monologue or description, or managing a large cast of NPCs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are also missed opportunities to include material that would help the Keeper to better evoke the setting and improvise action (for example detailed rules to support action sequences aboard the train) .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ending of the campaign is still problematic, and while an option has been provided to allow for an alternative resolution, this is not smoothly integrated into the original material, meaning the players may miss some of the highlights of the original campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These elements significantly detract from the playability of the campaign and make it a poor choice for an inexperienced or time-poor keeper.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The original Horror on the Orient Express campaign was always going to be renovated, rather than subject to wholesale change, and in that regard the authors have wholly succeeded. The revised campaign retains much of its original charm, including some of the most memorable horror scenes in roleplaying, while also improving the playability of the more problematic elements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2i5C2Ln1kfrySVP3vcXY8B-WRFHglr9V2GqD6WMhks6xgNOxK6d4Uo84vD6T4I6makzNT7ha5VBWRzfWmBZCWrsha944BQMztu6DVwce5klz5a9z_iFx6-R-YKeesbwaEPiq3WFypUqw/s1600/Hotoe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2i5C2Ln1kfrySVP3vcXY8B-WRFHglr9V2GqD6WMhks6xgNOxK6d4Uo84vD6T4I6makzNT7ha5VBWRzfWmBZCWrsha944BQMztu6DVwce5klz5a9z_iFx6-R-YKeesbwaEPiq3WFypUqw/s320/Hotoe+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new scenarios are great, and add some interesting back-story linked to the campaign, while also offering a slightly different style and approach supported by pre-generated characters. This allows for a much longer run of the campaign, while also giving Keepers the option of running each scenario as a stand-alone offering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, In my view, rather than commission new scenarios to extend the campaign, the authors should <i>first</i> have commissioned a Keepers Guide to Horror on the Orient Express to address the shortcomings above. I suggest that this would have made the campaign accessible to a wider audience and improved the overall experience for many of those purchasing this epic campaign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horror on the Orient Express was already longer than many other similar products, and while as a backer I certainly appreciated all the new material offered during the kickstarter in 2012, I would have preferred the foundations of the campaign were more thoroughly strengthened, improved and supplemented with additional material, before new additions made to further extend the campaign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A good example of this can be seen in another epic Call of Cthulhu campaign, <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/masks-of-nyarlathotep/">The Complete Masks of Nyarlathotep</a>, where a third party companion was <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/482503977/masks-of-nyarlathotep-companion">kickstarted by Sixtystone Press</a> following a deluxe reprint of the original campaign by Chaosium in 2010. </span></div>
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<a href="https://mymail.education.govt.nz/OWA/redir.aspx?C=18PIR2cTe11Dy7v8zvf1A_kuLbQCRW8NyZ-9LEqYx4zmBLbK9VrUCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.chaosium.com%2fmasks-of-nyarlathotep%2f" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps, one day, the same thing will happen for Horror on the Orient Express, although I fear the aura of extravagance and luxury associated with this product, while appropriately synonymous with the train upon which this campaign is based, has also become something of a symbol of publisher overreach and failure, making any future publisher extremely cautious about further investment in products bearing this name, and crowd-funding especially.</span></div>
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<b>Individual Chapter Reviews:</b><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Book your tickets with care</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBqEl0knnMbhy8Cie_DZ-CiC8ArO_SbDQrF9FdjNHweZqGIEaxXLxDvxSjrRoPBVM3eYCMYRI2mnZpXD9PqDx2gRZdxVnCXNAd5AuVWoG78XlCTc0zyAqRpJcR69m0r8KGR99OSLzr3V7/s1600/Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBqEl0knnMbhy8Cie_DZ-CiC8ArO_SbDQrF9FdjNHweZqGIEaxXLxDvxSjrRoPBVM3eYCMYRI2mnZpXD9PqDx2gRZdxVnCXNAd5AuVWoG78XlCTc0zyAqRpJcR69m0r8KGR99OSLzr3V7/s200/Menu.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, if you’ve read this review and you plan to press ahead and run the campaign for your group, here are my recommendations to improve the experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first thing I recommend for any Keeper planning to run this campaign is an open discussion with all the players about what kind of game the group want to play. Ideally this would cover the focus, turnover and duration of the commitment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Focus</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you run this as written, the campaign is a primarily </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">investigative</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> outing, where following clues is the main activity (whereas I would describe Masks of Nyarlathotep as primarily an action-adventure outing and Beyond the Mountains of Madness as primarily about exploration). So it’s a good idea to make sure that the group are happy to play a lengthy campaign where they will be sifting through clues, keeping notes and interviewing NPCs on a regular basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Turnover</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, you might want to discuss what level of investigator turnover the group would enjoy. As scripted, each player is likely to go through something like 1-3 characters through the course of the campaign (not counting the pre-generated characters). If this is the style of game the group wants to play, then it makes sense to discuss options for investigator contingency, and perhaps even create some back-up characters at the outset who have a plausible reason for joining the hunt for the simulacrum (as suggested in the campaign book I). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If your group is more interested in exploring the development of the characters across the entire course of the campaign, then you probably need to provide a means to boost their chances of survival (for example, give each character a ‘Mark of Destiny’ that they can expend to survive a fatal outcome, and add one more of these at each step where characters are likely to perish (the Doom Train, Sofia etc.) In addition you should employ the optional Luck rules to allow the investigators to manipulate their chances of success at key moments, and roll luck at the end of each game session.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Duration</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoES_kF6Q7PqyOeqtBscgiRXtCwiTP0kWGOvx5swtqM_H7WVD4Y8-PtRztHX5k4NU0ry-SgZUc2MzTp2T93cjFiyknNwBqgMge9dyyUEL3QNDvKMDDnQ4__N5_hdX9TuGKpphLDadnSku1/s1600/station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoES_kF6Q7PqyOeqtBscgiRXtCwiTP0kWGOvx5swtqM_H7WVD4Y8-PtRztHX5k4NU0ry-SgZUc2MzTp2T93cjFiyknNwBqgMge9dyyUEL3QNDvKMDDnQ4__N5_hdX9TuGKpphLDadnSku1/s200/station.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The campaign is long and the full campaign is very long. It took our group 35 three hour sessions to play end-to-end averaging 2-3 sessions per chapter. For some groups a six month run can be a long time, so be sure to tailor your experience to the availability of the players. The new, optional scenarios are an easy option for removal if time is pressing. You could probably also remove Milan, Dream Zagreb and conclude the campaign in Constantinople using the optional ending to abridge it further.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Out of the Box</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The box set contains a great many wonderful components, but here are some other things I prepared for my run in order to enhance the game experience:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enlarge, print and laminate the maps for each city and put these on the table each session that the investigators are in that city to help everyone understand the geography and better evoke the place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create character sheets for the pre-generated characters in each of the ‘other era’ scenarios using the auto-calculation character sheets (available free from Chaosium).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create small-size portraits for each major NPC who features in the game, using the pictures in the PDF, supplemented by online photos. These are a useful way for players to track the NPC’s and invaluable in each of the ‘murder on the train’ scenarios.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create a soundtrack for each chapter. These days wireless technology makes creating and switching between looping playlists, and playing through portable speakers, extremely easy and unlikely to distract the keeper. In addition to music of the era appropriate to each part of Europe I added a train effects track, and some horror and action playlists for the climax of each chapter.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create a clearfile or folder with all the handouts you need to provide to the Investigators. Create a second clearfile or folder for the investigators with backups of their character sheets (in case of forgetful players), dreamlands character sheets and space for the players to preserve all the handouts and refer to them at the table</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get some miniatures (or counters from a board-game), to track the investigators relative locations when on the Orient Express using the provided train handouts. This helps ensure that the players mental image of their investigators location matches that of the Keeper. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With all that said, it’s time to disembark from the review, and exit via the platform (mind the gap). Thanks for your interest, and all the best with your own Horror on the Orient Express campaign experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Some key stats from this journey:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Words in this review: 27,925</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sessions taken to run the campaign: 35</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Months taken to run the campaign: 20</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Players participating in the campaign: 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Investigators Missing In Action: 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Investigators Killed in Action: 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Investigators Indefinitely Insane: 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Players favourite chapter: Constantinople (330), Venice a close second</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keepers favourite chapter:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Venice</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-54266996945601375212017-02-24T00:10:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:28:50.788-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Istanbul 2013<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Istanbul 2013 chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Simulacrum Unbound</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This modern day scenario allows the players a chance to create new characters, then relive some of the highlights of their previous investigators time aboard the Orient Express. They must also escape a strange pocket dimension, unmask the villain and defeat their evil plans.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJysZgKIHkJLnxcZZCxm4JKLtyxI5OXzGHViyG2VgIWK0J8Vy5UxWdrRb08X-WtugnQNYiIf39AK5UpjEufBxKsJ6GryeyYoZYInSAGYZVCJCzTsl7Sot_cuDdCuiBbriM3jYdgM2J_h1_/s1600/Orient-Express.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJysZgKIHkJLnxcZZCxm4JKLtyxI5OXzGHViyG2VgIWK0J8Vy5UxWdrRb08X-WtugnQNYiIf39AK5UpjEufBxKsJ6GryeyYoZYInSAGYZVCJCzTsl7Sot_cuDdCuiBbriM3jYdgM2J_h1_/s320/Orient-Express.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an optional modern era (2013) scenario that is a nice way to conclude the extended Horror on the Orient Express campaign, allowing the players access to more familiar technologies and European politics, while maintaining much of the charm of the 1920’s era Orient Express (the train cars after all have been lovingly restored).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, it is surprising that no pre-generated characters are offered for this scenario, despite the fact that pre-generated characters have been supplied for all of the other supplementary scenarios set in other eras (<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html">Invictus</a>, <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html">Dark Ages</a> & <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html">Gaslight</a>). Although one of the characters must be related to the original investigators (a nice touch) there seems to be no real reason to miss this detail. Happily almost any kind of investigator can be created for the modern scenario, as all have won a prize as part of the launch of a new online travel site lux-vista.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario is divided into three parts. In the first part the investigators arrive, mingle with the other passengers and engage in some sightseeing. This is a good opportunity for the Keeper to help introduce the large cast of 15 NPCs, particularly those who are also competition winners, and soon to become victims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For no good reason I can see the NPCs are overwhelmingly (80%) male with no female NPCs among the contest winners (a similar ratio to <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html">Blue Train, Black Night,</a> while by contrast, Agatha Christie's <i>Murder on the Orient Express -</i> written after the author had recently completed a journey on the Orient Express - has only 54% male suspects) . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with the other <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html">murder on the train</a> scenarios the background information and plots provided for the NPCs are probably sufficient for much of this part of the scenario, but considerably lacking in terms of helping the Keeper portray how each NPC reacts in the next part of the scenario.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The number independent plots to keep the investigators interested, and throw suspicion on the other passengers, are sparse. Presumably this is because half of the NPCs on the train have been selected at random, and therefore don’t know each other, nor have not planned in advance for the trip. While a identity theft and celebrity stalking are interesting, modern-day, storylines neither seem likely to seriously shift suspicion from Milton, the architect of the competition, and man responsible for the presence of the investigators aboard the Orient Express.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second part of the scenario takes the investigators to a strange pocket dimension, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglip1KE7klqsLBaS4Xcy2kRPLFE8D3nQt19fUGU9AEc26_tmCsjdraB2Yrnio5fVcQo71E-mK_H3JryQsBGDRWxK8VMx6fPHg8BAge5PSF1k0DllBomkXYsA8Sx-4yxPaVO9t684ciNGoi/s1600/Faceless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglip1KE7klqsLBaS4Xcy2kRPLFE8D3nQt19fUGU9AEc26_tmCsjdraB2Yrnio5fVcQo71E-mK_H3JryQsBGDRWxK8VMx6fPHg8BAge5PSF1k0DllBomkXYsA8Sx-4yxPaVO9t684ciNGoi/s200/Faceless.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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where they find that they are stranded. Attempts to leave the train are halted by the mysterious faceless soldiers. Meanwhile, strange fragments of the past revisit the contemporary passengers of the Orient Express. This is a fantastic device, which allows the group to remember and revisit some of the highlights of the campaign. This should prove a great epilogue to the campaign, as Fenalik or the Jigsaw Prince return once more to (briefly) terrify the investigators. Keepers can also present the investigators from the original campaign and confront the players with their own impressions of them .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The problem here is that the scenario works against itself. In order for the players to gather the necessary clues to unmask the murderer, and thereby return to their own dimension, the other passengers must be murdered. However, as soon as the investigators realise that one of their number is trying to kill them off, one by one, its highly likely they will take steps to prevent that from happening (ensuring that the NPCs remain together for example). Consider <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_on_the_Orient_Express">Murder on the Orient Express</a> where Hercule Poirot sensibly takes the precaution of quarantining all the passengers to the restaurant car while he conducts his inquiries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This means that to advance the plot, the Keeper must actively subvert or prevent the investigators from achieving this aim for long enough to allow the subsequent murders to occur, despite the fact that only one NPC has a motive for wanting this to occur. If the Keeper applies a heavy hand, the game may devolve into a series of arguments between NPCs and investigators. If the Keeper is more deft in their handling, having the NPCs repeatedly flee or take refuge in their own rooms when the fragmentary events occur (like blackshirts boarding the train, or Fenalik appearing) then this may be more persistent frustration than outright vexation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest that this plot would work more smoothly if the other NPCs had both a reason to be secretive, and appear suspicious. Thus, the investigators will have a challenging time corralling them to remain together and working out who the murderer is. For example, possible back stories could include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an addiction</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a con artist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an affair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an art thief</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">suicidal tendencies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an undercover cop etc. etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although less realistic than the NPCs presented in the scenario, I suggest this would work better to support the aim of the scenario; to permit the murders to occur over the following days. A less extreme option is to change the identity of the murderer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzNLVfpXs86CtcOC19OZY0LWa9jQ_2xQ0D49fMfrekFqL2Ul59_3dnpv0QDhZHEShucI-V3kR0ipzCAK-_Wo4jovXvsk4cSF2KtIeLjkXVe2YTL-MLr3dYZDXVi4IyfqQoLZil4dXMNTf/s1600/Foggy-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzNLVfpXs86CtcOC19OZY0LWa9jQ_2xQ0D49fMfrekFqL2Ul59_3dnpv0QDhZHEShucI-V3kR0ipzCAK-_Wo4jovXvsk4cSF2KtIeLjkXVe2YTL-MLr3dYZDXVi4IyfqQoLZil4dXMNTf/s200/Foggy-forest.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Instead of John Milton, it is Dr Fabian Wyss, the Swiss Plastic Surgeon who uncovered the story of the simulacrum while researching skin grafting in the early 20th Century and formulated the insane plan to create the meat simulacrum. An angel investor to a range of internet start-ups Wyss invests in Lux-Vista and convinces Milton to arrange the competition and invite the competition winners, including the investigators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This allows the investigators to suspect Milton early on without derailing the scenario, and Wyss to fame Milton if he's in danger of being discovered. In addition Wyss might reasonably have more access to the train and passengers as the only medical doctor, and be more likely to be trusted by the investigators (as a reliable source of First Aid, and the person who can help with post-mortem examination). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Milton never actually met Wyss, all investment and communication occurring through a solicitor - so he can plead his innocence if confronted, but not reveal Wyss' identity beyond saying he was encouraged to arrange the trip by his wealthy European angel investor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The third part of the scenario, a final showdown, is dependant on Milton fulfilling his plan and opening a Gate to the now derelict Shunned Mosque, where he has assembled the meat simulacrum, in grisly parody of Selim's actions almost a century earlier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD3_zYYv691c7_GJRJkpiTeqyBXRYcWhhmvQ57_87S93Qh2C_F8U87th4Jb0EzRyjWYxIOA2u1SPamybiOFha8pQGZ9HgyQmm6lMLrdu2cll9E0LvH5DAOW3jJZlsKysL3elZVvij63v-/s1600/Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD3_zYYv691c7_GJRJkpiTeqyBXRYcWhhmvQ57_87S93Qh2C_F8U87th4Jb0EzRyjWYxIOA2u1SPamybiOFha8pQGZ9HgyQmm6lMLrdu2cll9E0LvH5DAOW3jJZlsKysL3elZVvij63v-/s200/Istanbul.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">The question of how things resolve depends a lot on how the investigators interact during the first part of the scenario. On one level, they have no reason to trust each other more than any other passenger and no particular motivation to investigate the mystery beyond needing to get home. There is no shared history or reason to work together. On the other hand the players have probably just spent months, if not years, playing investigators who have risked life and sanity together; so unless the players make a conscious effort in their play, they are likely to fall back into the familiar groove that got them through Blue Train, Black Night and quickly regroup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">If they work together, they have every chance of ending the scenario on their own terms, even before the final act. The villain is dangerous individually, but not overwhelming when facing a group. If they act in isolation, or are hesitant to get involved, the villain has every chance to fulfil their plan, and claim several investigators lives along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>PROS</u></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The idea of introducing flashbacks form the core campaign, that the players can interact with, is genius and a great way to finish the full campaign experience. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting and plot are imaginative and interesting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario is flexible about resolution.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fold out carriage maps really shine in this scenario.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>CONS</u></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roleplaying the large cast of NPCs is challenging and the Keeper is likely to need to improvise once initial material is exhausted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are few other plausible suspects beyond the villain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be completed as written, the Keeper must actively seek to frustrate investigator efforts to protect the other passengers.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are no pre-generated characters.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In summary, despite trapping the investigators, this scenario largely allows the investigators to resolve things on their own terms. As an epilogue to the main campaign it offers a great way to relive some of the highlights of the past chapters, while also presenting a fresh and interesting twist on the original story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-10961162674667554572017-02-10T00:24:00.001-08:002017-12-01T12:47:44.021-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - London Again and the Dreamlands Express<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the London Again and Dreamlands Express chapters of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>The Fog Lifts</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final chapter of the Orient Express campaign provides Keepers with the opportunity to reflect a common trope in many Hollywood movies; just when you are certain the villain is dead, they come back once more to threaten the heroes. The twist here is that this will only occur if the investigators inadvertently trigger it in their haste to be free of the simulacrum’s taint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators return to London is bittersweet; the campaign has turned full circle, and much has changed. Some investigators may find their grip on sanity slipping away, while others haven't returned at all, perishing on the perilous journey across Europe. The surviving investigators have now, most likely, recovered the Simulacrum that they painstakingly collected, and dispatched their nemesis, Mehmet, before he could complete his (slightly bizarre) plan to infiltrate the Royal family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The link to return to Mehmet’s shop is somewhat tenuous, especially considering the length of time since the investigators were last in London (and the possibility that few of the characters who participated in the original London chapter remain); the scenario tries to compensate for this with a series of newspaper articles about disappearances in the vicinity of the shop, and the addition of a pre-arranged cab driver, complete with badly spelled sign, hired to take Mehmet from the ferry to his shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once they arrive at the shop, the investigators have a further monster to dispatch before they discover the final Simulacrum scrolls, lying on a desk, along with a handy English translation of the ritual of purification which will lift their corruption. This is the contingency that Mehmet has prepared in case of his death. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now the investigators face a choice: perform the ritual using the handy translation provided, or spend more time studying the original source scrolls and create their own translation. How the investigators decide to proceed is likely to depend on how much the keeper has been portraying the effects of their growing corruption (the rules in the previous chapter, while colourful, do not cover any actual mechanical penalties for the corruption). Accordingly Keepers should consider, in advance, how they’d like the ending to play out and tailor elements, like the virulence of the corruption, to suit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the investigators trigger the false scroll they face the Mehmet and the Skinless One and now finally have an opportunity to destroy the simulacrum (assuming they take the somewhat counter-intuitive leap to throwing pieces of the statue to the loathsome God). This may result is a suitably epic conclusion to the core campaign as the simulacrum is destroyed and Mehmet destroyed once more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This may also frustrate some players and lead to more questions (why would the Skinless One destroy the Simulacrum now rather than strike down those who seek to prevent its further use? Why would Mehmet summon the Skinless One now, and not in the previous chapter?). The answers are likely to be anchored in the fickle and unknowable nature of the Mythos deities and the arrogance of those who worship them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equally, if the investigators do not rush to perform the ritual, or do not have the simulacrum present, they can end the campaign on their own terms although they must continue to perform the ritual of purification every 100 hours and decide what to do with the simulacrum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary, the final scenario of the core campaign offers the opportunity for an epic confrontation and the players can decide whether it ends with a whimper or a roar. There are several options provided to allow for the variable ending of the previous chapter, and to reduce the toll on the least lucky investigator. Regrettably, the only path to success if the trap is triggered is highly proscribed and may prove frustrating for some. However, the return of the temporary reincarnation of the villain and presence of the Skinless One make for a classic horror climax, and if the players get into the spirit of it, a fantastic way to finish the core campaign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Dreamlands Express</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Dreamlands Express is an optional scenario, intended to be interspersed along with regular instalments of the campaign, while the investigators slumber aboard the train. This is a neat concept; as the investigators tumble into their beds, exhausted from their efforts to recover the simulacrum, they are transported to the surreal and bizarre dreamlands where fresh adventures await. Here they must unmask a murderer, try to negotiate a dispute between representatives of two races, and defeat a wicked sorcerer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97jaAWwZvFWyu7BUM5NKlx_YDSbrrypxsE3974ztmhdHfzryHG6AEDyvjfNqD79yVKVFk81SEv6aQyN8CRjkiW7HUPvFUxg8zy2u4obX8mlm_a4QmSL7SQNKWzQr-S4bIWcELVZe2tKig/s1600/Nodens.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97jaAWwZvFWyu7BUM5NKlx_YDSbrrypxsE3974ztmhdHfzryHG6AEDyvjfNqD79yVKVFk81SEv6aQyN8CRjkiW7HUPvFUxg8zy2u4obX8mlm_a4QmSL7SQNKWzQr-S4bIWcELVZe2tKig/s200/Nodens.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a sizable scenario, and from the outset, I was concerned about how well the material would work – the surreal nature of the Dreamlands is at stark odds with many of the gritty elements of the main campaign and does require some descriptive effort from the Keeper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, my concerns were quickly erased as the players loved the bizarre beast-train with its mix of outrageous luxury and many unsettling elements. The Keeper is well supported to evoke this atmosphere with maps, both of the train and route, as well as nice touches, like a menu for each of the banquets held on board. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Dreamlands Express is probably not for all groups, but I do suggest that it’s worth a try as the sheer creativity and whimsy evoked by this scenario are worth exploring. There are, however, some considerations that Keepers should take into account:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The core campaign already incorporates the Dreamlands in two scenarios, <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html">Lausanne</a> and <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html">Dream Zagreb</a>. As echoes of the waking world, these scenarios present a considerably more grim and sanity shattering take on the Dreamlands, which may feel slightly at odds with the more fantasy tenor of most of the Dreamlands Express.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A character killed during this scenario would not be able to participate in Dream Lausanne or Zagreb as "if a dreaming investigator dies in the Dreamlands, he or she is shocked awake and... can never again return to the Dreamlands." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition the Lausanne chapter requires the investigators to recover waking-world items from the Dreamlands, suggesting the reverse is also possible </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This may also give the investigators the idea that the Dream Orient Express is a preferable place to stash pieces of the Simulacrum, as they collect it, especially should the scenario be interspersed over several chapters as suggested. The scenario provides no guidance for the Keepers about what effect this might have in the Dreamlands, or on Fenalik who is eagerly tracking the progress of the investigators.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A nice touch for the Dreamlands Express is that it might allow investigators who die during their pursuit of the simulacrum, to continue to live on in the Dreamlands, offering guidance to their fellow investigators, while also providing a poignant reminder of the cost of the hunt for the simulacrum. For this reason I suggest that Keepers create a new Dreamlands character sheet for the investigators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first challenge that the investigators face is a slightly unusual murder on the train – a kitten has been killed by a shapeshifter, and the death may have serious political ramifications if not quickly solved. I’ve previously made some comments about the <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html">‘murder on the train</a>’ device for scenarios in the campaign, and most of those comments apply here. It should be noted that the suspect list is considerably shorter on the Dreamlands Express, lifting the load on the Keeper somewhat and making this a good warm-up for the Blue Train, Black Night investigation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, the investigators are drawn into a diplomatic dispute drawn straight from the pages of Lovecraft’s story “<a href="http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/ds.aspx">The Doom That Came To Sarnath</a>”. The investigators are encouraged to become advocates for the loathsome, victimised Beings of Ib, or befriend the haughty, cruel Sarnathians who will soon suffer the aforementioned Doom. Some players are likely to relish the opportunity of engaging with this mix of literature and litigation, although as the outcome of this negotiation is established through the fiction, there is little scope to actually influence events which may disappoint those who go all out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, the train is set to conclude its journey in the Gulf of Nodens, where passengers are invited to cast off something they wish to be lose. The investigators are encouraged to participate in this activity, creating an artefact of fears and disappointments specific to their character to cast into the Gulf. Disappointingly, there are no rules for how this affects the investigator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wicked Sorcerer, who has dogged the train on several past occasions in his effort to recover the ‘Lovers' Heart’, attacks the train as it is besieged by waves of phantom soldiers while approaching the Gulf. Having the investigators risk their (dreaming) lives in this prolonged combat sequence, for poorly defined aims, seemed a poor way to finish what was otherwise and entertaining and enjoyable scenario, so I didn’t run it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W-7snZzikH-O8oMeW8TYndqz84DwzQ1aja2gHns8fM-uNhaZR-UnkjQetvpRD3hk0tpB1Z4g_OnSo46smkJwJMzoXAQqYDt69PB1-CWC9w8GZedu15yXlh11rjgEIP0xU2II_1MJCO0f/s1600/20140403183953-dreamlands_art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W-7snZzikH-O8oMeW8TYndqz84DwzQ1aja2gHns8fM-uNhaZR-UnkjQetvpRD3hk0tpB1Z4g_OnSo46smkJwJMzoXAQqYDt69PB1-CWC9w8GZedu15yXlh11rjgEIP0xU2II_1MJCO0f/s400/20140403183953-dreamlands_art2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Keepers who, similarly, wish to skip the scripted action of the last section of the Dreamlands Express, I suggest the Dreamlands Express terminate in</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Serannian. Here dreamers can climb to the heights of the tallest tower of the cloud castle and cast their dream artefact into the edge of the great whirlpool of the Gulf of Nodens. Here the Sorcerer waits (alone) to confront Madame Bruja. If the investigators do not intervene, both tumble over the parapet locked in a grim struggle for the Lovers' Heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>PROS</u></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting is wonderful and highly imaginative and allows the investigators to interact with several elements of Lovecraft's stories . </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The NPCs have interesting stories and secrets that are likely to entertain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The murder investigation and diplomacy are interesting and allow investigators to choose their level of engagement.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">There are some great supporting materials.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Dreamlands scenario doesn't seem well integrated into the Dreamlands components of the core campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The high-action ending is at odds with the general whimsy and wonder of the rest of the scenario.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Investigators who die in this scenario are not able to participate in other Dreamlands campaign scenarios.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li>There are no rules for the Dream Artefacts created by the investigators.</li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In summary, this is a highly imaginative chapter. It's probably not for all groups given the surrealist nature of the Dreamlands, but it's definitely worth a try and can be broken into parts and interspersed with other campaign chapters (although I don't recommend splitting up the murder investigation sessions). Keepers who feel their players will not enjoy the combat sequence at the Gulf of Nodens might do well to heed Henri's warning and disembark in Serannian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Other parts of this review:<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-48114199701815819372017-02-03T01:28:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:47:19.100-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Across Europe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Across Europe (1923) chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Blue Train, Black Night</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this scenario the investigators, recently escaped from their imprisonment in Constantinople, board the Orient Express for a final, fateful, journey back across Europe. They have 100 hours to unmask Mehmet, the architect of their woes, and recover the Sedefkar Simulacrum, before they suffer a terrible fate. But their task is not easy, their foe can assume the appearance of others with his terrible skin magic, and hides in plain sight amidst the wealthy and well-to-do guests on the Orient Express. Meanwhile every hour the investigators suffer the effects of their growing corruption.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeaYOmWz6VQXebV1Makp25GoO5jcfqKuDuUnB981W_FKSTozZ4oQqv8dDAJaklbLAcsIvUCHq0zW5iiceNWBA1CdLfu7dJsqpRf565w9XMyzjm5_SjEKCX6Zx8xuMmXytKoce36Ft7jqt/s1600/OrientExpress_02c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeaYOmWz6VQXebV1Makp25GoO5jcfqKuDuUnB981W_FKSTozZ4oQqv8dDAJaklbLAcsIvUCHq0zW5iiceNWBA1CdLfu7dJsqpRf565w9XMyzjm5_SjEKCX6Zx8xuMmXytKoce36Ft7jqt/s400/OrientExpress_02c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is one of three scenarios that uses a similar device to drive the action. Echoing Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_on_the_Orient_Express">Murder on the Orient Express</a>,” these scenarios (which also include the optional Dreamlands Express and the 2013 Across Europe Epilogue (the Gaslight scenario is similar but the villain travels openly)) present a number of other passengers, amongst which a villain is hiding. The investigators must deduce which of their travelling companions is responsible before it’s too late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This setup has many advantages; the story can move at the pace of the investigators, social skills come to the fore, and there is a chance for some in-depth roleplaying that provides a nice change of pace from the quest for clues in dusty libraries, or frantic combat with degenerate cultists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, it also poses a significant challenge for the Keeper, in that they must bring to life a large number of NPCs (16 in this scenario, 10 in the <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html">Blood Red Fez</a>, 7 in the Dreamlands Express and 15 in the modern era scenario), conveying their unique personalities, and revealing some part of their backstory as the journey continues. This task becomes even more complex when several NPCs interact, or during scenes in the Dining or Salon cars where conceivably the whole cast may be present. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest that the key to conveying a diverse cast in these scenarios is to personalise them in some way for the players, so it is clear who the Keeper is roleplaying at any moment, and so that the investigators can see, at a glance, who their suspects are and how they might relate to one another. In my games I produce a series of small headshots, which have a picture for each NPCS and their name printed beneath. I can then lay these out for player reference, group them to show who is present in a particular scene and pick them up when playing each person.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCGcbFyUPNrH5JUMaJWn1cxkmXiFe-NbquWEIg_AbB2u3JsfI5GDKd2CNILutdv0sEamW5yrQBImMQsBzQSkwvoRkd8FS_lDCZNdXgQvBNG5bfvcFjaUpabFA2EVV7P-6JOyW8i0e2__8/s1600/Train.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCGcbFyUPNrH5JUMaJWn1cxkmXiFe-NbquWEIg_AbB2u3JsfI5GDKd2CNILutdv0sEamW5yrQBImMQsBzQSkwvoRkd8FS_lDCZNdXgQvBNG5bfvcFjaUpabFA2EVV7P-6JOyW8i0e2__8/s200/Train.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some headshots for these scenarios are supplied with the game, and can be extracted from the PDF, but I usually supplement these with pictures from the internet, usually film actors of the 1920’s and 30’s of roughly the same age and appearance as the NPC. This requires some additional work for the Keeper at the outset, but is a fairly invaluable resource across several sessions of the scenario.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second challenge for the Keeper common to the suite of train-based scenarios is how to manage the amount of material provided for each NPC across the several days worth of journey. While the characters in this scenario all have interesting storylines, many of which are intended to keep them as viable suspects throughout the journey, this material may be quickly exhausted if the investigators engage in a thorough inquiry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> helpful addition for the keeper would have been half a dozen additional dot points for each NPC with some other suggestions (for example, “highly devout, and tries to find relevance to current events in scripture” or “fan of tennis and frequently carries a racquet to practise air-backhand” along with tips on how the NPC might react to violence, intimidation or the supernatural.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Technical issues aside, there is a discordant tone between this chapter and the that which precedes it. At the end of ‘By the Skin of their Teeth’ the Investigators have been betrayed, captured, taunted and broken free from the Shunned Mosque. This chapter assumes they board the Orient Express returning to a world of luxury and immediately begin to deftly navigate the intrigue and secrets of the wealthy and well heeled. Whereas, investigators who are desperate, dishevelled and slowly being corrupted, and who believe they need to act swiftly to avert a great evil, seem much more likely to engage in interrogations at gunpoint, dispensing with social niceties in the interests of the greater good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keepers who are concerned that this might be a problem that will derail the scenario, can both level consequences (if arrested the investigators will certainly expire in a police cells as the 100 hours tick away) and perhaps remind the investigators that the Orient Express is home turf, and that they should be well practised at the niceties of making small talk with fellow passengers. Nonetheless, as events ramp up, and the investigators are poisoned, and attacked it is likely that they will increasingly dispense with polite investigation and move to interrogation and confrontation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other fantastic element of this scenario is that it allows the investigators to revisit some of the villains of their first trip across Europe. Most notably Baba Yaga and the Jigsaw Prince make a return appearance while the locomotive takes on a whole new appearance as Mehmet grows more desperate (the latter scenes being among the most memorable scenes in the campaign with the addition of the Cathedral car and Locomotive Beast). Ultimately the game of cat and mouse should prove fairly entertaining and the investigators have the ability to dispatch the major campaign villain on their own terms, which is a nice contrast to some of the other set piece scenes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Defeating Mehmet, like Fenalik before him, may prove extremely difficult, or relatively simple depending on how the investigators are armed, whether they separate or attack en-masse, and whether the Keeper is allowing the optional Luck spend mechanic to make extreme successes more likely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario presents another option; a deal with the loathsome Jigsaw Prince which will allow the investigators to instantly identify their quarry, destroy him and recover the simulacrum. The investigators, of course, are expected to welch on the deal with so foul a villain. In one sense this is a neat way to tie things up (if a little too contrived), but if the Keeper favours this course of events, they must keep the investigators guessing about the identity of Mehemt for a large portion of the journey across Europe - which may frustrate players who are doing their level best to investigate the suspects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ultimately the Keeper must consider how they wish events to play out, and what will work best for their investigators, and tailor the scenario to that outcome. Will Mehmet be revealed quickly and shot to death by gun-toting interrogators? Will the investigators spend days of patient interviews all the while under attack, before being offered a deal with the Devil? Or something in between? The scenario allows any outcome, although Mehmet's death at this juncture is clearly the favoured option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>PROS</u></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting and cast allow for some interesting roleplaying that allows those investigators with good social skills to shine. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The NPCs have interesting and well developed stories that are likely to entertain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fold out carriage maps really shine in this scenario.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">The return of some nefarious villains builds tension, building to some of the most imaginative and memorable scenes in the campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ending is not pre-determined and the investigators have a relatively high degree of agency.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>CONS</u></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roleplaying the large cast of NPCs is challenging and the Keeper is likely to need to improvise once initial material is exhausted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a discordant tone between this chapter and the that which precedes it, and some groups may reject the premise of social niceties entirely.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a high probability of investigator fatalities.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bargain presented by the Jigsaw Prince seems a little contrived.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In summary, this is an entertaining and highly memorable chapter, which allows a good level of investigator agency, and which is likely to be one of the highlights of the campaign. There are some challenges for the Keeper, and careful preparation is recommended to avoid a lot of skipping back and forth between pages. The penultimate chapter of the core campaign delivers a great experience, with a just a few bumps along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Other parts of this review:<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-58329819060884803512017-01-25T00:44:00.002-08:002017-12-01T12:46:52.474-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Constantinople (1923)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Constantinople (1923) chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>By The Skin of the Teeth</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators arrival in Constantinople marks the beginning of the final sequence of the main campaign, spanning three chapters. Now the investigators have the complete Sedefkar Simulacrum, and have despatched the dread-vampire Fenalik, it seems that all they need are the remaining scrolls and to discover the location of the Shunned Mosque in order to perform a ritual that will end the evil of this cursed artefact for all time. It seems that victory is within their grasp.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But they are deceived, and this cruel deception is at the heart of the most controversial aspect of the campaign. Depending on the players, and the way that the Keeper has managed expectations, this chapter may prove the beginning of an exciting finale sequence, or leave a bad taste in their mouths.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators arrival in Constantinople is the fourth time the players may have encountered this city (if the Keeper is playing sequentially and using the optional <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html">Invictus</a>, <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html">Dark Ages</a> and <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html">Gaslight</a> era scenarios). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the history, culture and political aspects of the city are covered at some length, there is sparse information on contemporary Constantinople provided for the Keeper to describe the sights sounds and smells of the city in any more than the most cursory detail; perhaps because the scenario expects the investigators to crack on with the scenario and not deviate from the set-piece locations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A nice touch for the campaign, overall, would have been to focus on several specific areas of the city that date back to the Invictus scenario and provide some more detailed updates about these locations for each subsequent scenario - sort of like a time-lapse photography snapshot. This would, perhaps, give the players a better sense of the place, and support the Keeper to evoke the city in more depth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After experiencing chaos and lost luggage at the Sirkeci railway station, the investigators have two possible leads to follow up. The first takes them to the museum at Topkapı Palace where they find reference to the scrolls they seek, the second takes them to a memorable meeting with Belab the perspirer who is then killed in grotesque fashion to convince the investigators that his information is genuine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following either lead takes them to the Üsküdar Cemetery which unfortunately receives scant description in the scenario text. Here, after some twilight grave-robbery where the investigators are expected to exhume the remains of a Kurdish Scholar, the first trap is sprung. According to the scenario: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“[Forty] Brothers spring from hiding and seize the trespassers...They rise from behind stones on all sides; to startled investigators it seems as if the dead have risen everywhere. Armed and in overwhelming numbers, the Brothers strive to capture their foes, then herd them through the graveyard toward where yet more Brothers wait."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the trap is sprung, at least one investigator is captured and held fast by a monstrosity in the casket. Little detail is provided to support the Keeper should the investigators rescue their trapped colleague and try to fight their way to freedom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the investigators are armed and capable fighters, and make some kind of tactical play, then resolving this challenge can be tricky given the lack of detail about the cemetery and surroundings. The Brothers are not good fighters and are armed only with knives, which means a group of investigators who are skilled in combat, and equipped with firearms, might feel they have a fair chance. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest there are a couple of options to resolve this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the Keeper wants to capture some or all of the investigators (as scripted) then they should be sure to review the rules for disarming in combat. The Brothers can use their weight of numbers (bonus dice) to offset the penalty dice for this procedure. Once disarmed the investigators can effectively be grappled and knocked unconscious if necessary. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">A </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">further option to secure the cooperation of unwilling investigators is for the Brothers to threaten to kill any captive or unconscious investigators if the others do not surrender and/or to have a final cordon of Brothers disguised as police (which is suggested in the text); if the investigators try and summon them for assistance they are captured easily, if not the fake police have firearms and threaten to shoot them down.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the Keeper wishes to allow the investigators the potential to escape I suggest they should prepare for a chase (review the chase rules, create summaries for the players and establish a list of hazards and challenges) in advance of the session. It may also be helpful to do a little additional research on the cemetery and surrounding neighbourhoods to add some flavour to the scene.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obviously, if the investigators escape, the Keeper will need to devise a new way to link them into the plot and ideally introduce them to "Aktar" their Gypsy ally. In my game, I created a list of actions for the Brothers, starting with searching their hotel rooms, and deploying the skin beast with its ‘scent prey’ skill to track them across the city and Dimensional Shamblers to retrieve the simulacrum once located. I then sealed this in an envelope so that the players could have confidence that I was not using any of their across the table discussion to tip things in the favour of the bad guys.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not possible to review this chapter of the campaign without addressing one of the main criticisms levelled at its predecessor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a lengthy journey across Europe, facing cultists, monsters and sanity shattering horrors, collecting a blasphemous artefact that slowly robs them of their vitality, the investigators are betrayed, captured and stripped of their prize as it is revealed they have been duped all along by an ambitious and powerful sorcerer masquerading as their old friend. This blatant plot railroad may leave a bad taste in the mouths of players who have invested long hours into their character and faithfully followed the campaign’s twisting track.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The primary reason for this plot twist is the enable the subsequent chapter ‘Blue Train, Black Night’ to be played as a frantic return journey back on the Orient Express, as the hunter becomes the hunted in a nod to Agatha Christie's classic "Murder on the Orient Express". It’s a great idea – but does it justify this blatant removal of player agency? Stay tuned for my final analysis of the campaign.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, how does the revised campaign deal with this potentially contentious plot twist? It retains the original plot, albeit with some tweaks, including allowing only one investigator to be captured in the Cemetery if necessary. It also </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">offers an option for the campaign to conclude in this chapter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If employing this option, Professor Smith was not captured in London during the first chapter, and Mehmet plays no major role in the final chapters. The investigators have an opportunity to end the campaign in this chapter and destroy the Simulacrum in a showdown at the Shunned Mosque. I believe this is a great option, and a good way to respect the original material while also allowing Keepers to preserve a high level of investigator autonomy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">However, If you're wanting to play the full campaign as written (without using the optional ending), the sad fact is that the investigators are likely to be captured by the Brothers not just once, but twice, and each time the main villain taunts them before departing, like a James Bond villain, leaving the investigators to (un)certain death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Once the characters escape, they must swiftly chase Mehmet, their nemesis, back across Europe (luckily he revealed his nefarious plan in a monologue) as they have only 100 hours before they are horribly corrupted by the power of the simulacrum. A dark end to a gloomy chapter - one which some players will enjoy, if roleplaying their characters journey into darkness is a driving force for their entertainment. But other players may feel that their investigators have been unfairly victimised for the sake of the plot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Another option</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">If I were running this again, I'd want to dispense with the clichéd capture of the investigators for the sake of the plot, the unnecessary addition of Aktar as yet another face of Mehmet, while maintaining Mehmet as the villain (the man who died 3 times in one night can't be written out of the campaign!) and lead into the across Europe chapter. To accomplish this I would:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl2efGfr0LgN95tOwihtdmlv0uBj-G25DosTPVQrW7iz0OOJATbIZbwGhvMOxwyQSg3NBV7vnHOERb4NqHRRcETKxU9phhN4vaWkkG8s3nuCpBttgNVOaIQeCBWPxv-818_jqJTKSF6Gs/s1600/Invisible_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl2efGfr0LgN95tOwihtdmlv0uBj-G25DosTPVQrW7iz0OOJATbIZbwGhvMOxwyQSg3NBV7vnHOERb4NqHRRcETKxU9phhN4vaWkkG8s3nuCpBttgNVOaIQeCBWPxv-818_jqJTKSF6Gs/s200/Invisible_man.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Have Mehmet arrive in Constantinople disguised as Professor Smith once more. Bandaged and with a nurse to tend him Smith tells the investigators that he thinks it unlikely that the Brothers are still after him (and how would they recognise him?) and he is willing to risk his life to aid in the destruction of the terrible simulacrum - do they have it?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">This would simultaneously remind the characters of the story's origins (it may have been months or even <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl2efGfr0LgN95tOwihtdmlv0uBj-G25DosTPVQrW7iz0OOJATbIZbwGhvMOxwyQSg3NBV7vnHOERb4NqHRRcETKxU9phhN4vaWkkG8s3nuCpBttgNVOaIQeCBWPxv-818_jqJTKSF6Gs/s1600/Invisible_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl2efGfr0LgN95tOwihtdmlv0uBj-G25DosTPVQrW7iz0OOJATbIZbwGhvMOxwyQSg3NBV7vnHOERb4NqHRRcETKxU9phhN4vaWkkG8s3nuCpBttgNVOaIQeCBWPxv-818_jqJTKSF6Gs/s1600/Invisible_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>years of real time since the first session) allow Mehmet to guide their final actions, and give the investigators a final chance to unmask him (they have seen a lot more skin magic since London). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Smith (Mehmet) can put the investigators in touch with Beylab, who reveals both the location of the Shunned Mosque and the fact the Brothers collect a number of scrolls there, along with the children who are held prisoner to be sacrificed in profane rituals. Beylab is then silenced as scripted by Brothers who have him under surveillance (this is a genuine reprisal, not a ruse as in the current text).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Smith and the investigators enter the Shunned Mosque via the cistern tunnel and recover the scrolls. Smith swaps the scrolls for a fake and slips away while heroic investigators also free the children where they encounter the real Professor Smith and realise they have been duped.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Queue a frantic chase through the Shunned Mosque as the Brothers sound the alarm and Selim demands their heads. Will the investigators take more risks to get the children to safety? Will they try and dispatch Selim, or focus on the false Smith? Mehmet has arranged additional obstacles (his nurse or a flesh creeper waiting in the cistern) to enable him to reach the Orient Express first, having arranged for the recovery of the simulacrum.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">If the investigators unmask Mehmet before his plans can come to fruition, then he might escape and try again in the guise of Aktar, team up with Selim to mount an attack on the investigators and recover the simulacrum, only to betray him at the crucial moment - or perhaps Mehmet perishes and it is Selim who flees to the Orient Express. There are several options depending on the circumstances...</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Summary:</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>PROS</u></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some evocative and horrific scenes; the bathhouse, the cemetery and the Shunned Mosque which are likely to be highly memorable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators have the opportunity to do some good, dispatching (or witnessing the killing of) Salim and rescuing child captives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario presents an alternative ending which allows Keepers to avoid the plot railroad that would otherwise see the investigators captured, taunted and little more than spectators to the actions of Selim and Mehmet.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>CONS</u></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The blatant plot railroad may leave a bad taste in the mouths of players who have invested long hours into their character and faithfully followed the campaign’s twisting track.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are scant details about the city or the other locations the investigators may visit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no support for the Keeper to facilitate a more complex outcome for the trap at Üsküdar Cemetery.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several elements of the scenario seem contrived, such as the relative ease of the investigators in escaping from the Shunned Mosque, and villain monologue.</span></li>
</span></ul>
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary, I think that Keepers will need to do a fair bit of additional work in order to ensure this chapter is satisfying for their players. Whether that's reading more about the city, tweaking the combat encounters or adding chases, or changing the entire structure of the ending will depend on the group and their preferences, but in either event the Keeper will either need to spend time preparing, or improvising to fill gaps in the scenario.</span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-60801317002474030172016-10-12T00:22:00.002-07:002017-12-01T12:46:18.208-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Sofia<div style="margin: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Sofia chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Repossession</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Sofia chapter is the most dangerous of the campaign so far, and if run as scripted, there is a high probability of investigator fatalities. However, this threat is wrapped in a series of highly evocative and tense encounters. If the players can sustain their motivation without feeling overwhelmed by this relentless threat, they will likely remember this chapter as one of the highlights of the campaign. Because of the open ended nature of the final encounter, there is real scope for the Keeper to tailor this chapter to suit their desired outcome, so it is important for Keepers to do some thinking in advance.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JCM_zpVDhwZSRd0pwPLj-TUWJQZcHIbWLRP5FPUAicoTFr1gyCaeEsPRp_q8gCIViiaPJr-9QTBAfi45DtXFkRLc7JPigMxupcik_C8Hs553PkCnjy7DM5TUkYES2u4QSDPDs9rz1Rt1/s1600/Sofia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JCM_zpVDhwZSRd0pwPLj-TUWJQZcHIbWLRP5FPUAicoTFr1gyCaeEsPRp_q8gCIViiaPJr-9QTBAfi45DtXFkRLc7JPigMxupcik_C8Hs553PkCnjy7DM5TUkYES2u4QSDPDs9rz1Rt1/s320/Sofia.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This chapter is paced quite differently from others in the campaign. It brings a high intensity action focus which is likely to suit the more action oriented investigators. However, this does create a risk that more research-inclined investigators may feel out of their depth, or sidelined. Events begin as soon as the train departs from Belgrade, with a cultist posing as a waiter in order to steal research from Dr. Radko Jordanov, that will ultimately lead the cult to the head of the simulacrum. It’s not immediately clear why the concealed cultist doesn't simply wire ahead to Sofia, rather than snatching the research in front of a train load of witnesses, but the scene does offer the investigators a dramatic opportunity to chase through the train.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once they reach Sofia, the investigators are in for a harrowing night; one will lose an eye. This is a very atmospheric encounter, as mummified hands creep up on the sleeping investigators, made more so as the investigator begins to receive visions from the severed eyeball. There are suggested penalties for the investigator who loses the eye, but sympathetic Keepers may wish to scale these back a little, given the arbitrary assignment of this misfortune. This hardship and trauma associated with this sequence has the potential for a player, who enjoys drama over mechanics to roleplay the impact on their investigator to the hilt. Keepers should bear this in mind when deciding who is targeted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7uWEx18OxLsIIgxE8Dz47MSQ0MgMu3aQEo8EJHTaVZwxxqt7Teg3DKh_gLChhaBsGd0Zr_pIvvFDWLE535jKEzQBec1IJLZtSg3NxtO_Dsb_bEEDJdOt89xLdXuMXGku9mKpDCrNj5As/s1600/white_heat_cagney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7uWEx18OxLsIIgxE8Dz47MSQ0MgMu3aQEo8EJHTaVZwxxqt7Teg3DKh_gLChhaBsGd0Zr_pIvvFDWLE535jKEzQBec1IJLZtSg3NxtO_Dsb_bEEDJdOt89xLdXuMXGku9mKpDCrNj5As/s200/white_heat_cagney.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike many other chapters of the campaign the final piece of the Sedefkar Simulacrum is relatively accessible, located in a University storeroom, however when the investigators follow this lead they swiftly become entangled in a gun (and grenade) battle with homicidal cultists. This could be a particularly challenging surprise encounter for your investigators should it be the mild mannered researchers, rather than the gun toting action investigators, who have investigated the lead at the University. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the point of this scene is twofold (1) the investigators witness the cultists capturing the head and escape with it, and (2) learn that the local cult is well armed, overt, and resourceful. I suggest these ends can be achieved without necessarily using the scripted level of NPC armament, should the investigators not be up for a gunfight. Knives employed by the rearguard (rather than guns) are likely to be sufficient to ensure the former, while the scripted use of a concealed machine-gun in the getaway truck, spraying nearby vehicles with bullets, more than amply illustrates the latter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, the investigators link up with a renegade police unit, who themselves have been targeted by the cult, and forced to set up a temporary headquarters. Now the investigators deduce the hiding place of the cult, as the investigator missing an eye receives visions of the cult hideout (and subsequent visions that suggest that a third party has intervened and dispatched the cultists). Because the progress of the scenario hangs on these clues, and in order to preserve continuity, Keepers need to be mindful to ensure that the player whose character is missing an eye can attend the session where this will need to occur. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRqEwHCdkjDIy8VDBk3HuoE42DQtdbQ4WfCN86owVXAXnxpR33MpAcSiE-MvhGT1oG7WVtC_eNwIn-4x8lb3EIinTZg2Gd2jI7wqmFDoQEALi9tyHpMBXQbSXXPYcnTHtqyyPMnYs3plf/s1600/20140707142806-simulacre_complet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRqEwHCdkjDIy8VDBk3HuoE42DQtdbQ4WfCN86owVXAXnxpR33MpAcSiE-MvhGT1oG7WVtC_eNwIn-4x8lb3EIinTZg2Gd2jI7wqmFDoQEALi9tyHpMBXQbSXXPYcnTHtqyyPMnYs3plf/s200/20140707142806-simulacre_complet.jpg" width="130" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The back-up clue (a telephone tip from Fenalik) seems a little far-fetched when you consider (1) Fenalik apparently doesn’t understand trains or cars, so knowledge of telephones is a stretch (2) it’s unlikely that a telephone exchange operator knows the whereabouts of the police ‘safe house’ sufficient to direct the call. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the investigators follow these leads, they discover and explore a cave complex scattered with the the grisly remains of the cultists, and recover the final piece of the Sedefkar Simulacrum in a hiding place that Fenalik could not access because of well placed garlic cloves (again this stretches credulity somewhat, given Fenalik’s ability to hypnotise and control the living). The investigators have only just made this recovery when newly created vampires, the Children of Fenalik attack, foreshadowing the final encounter of the chapter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To survive this encounter the investigators either need to use their force of arms, and swiftly learn how to dispatch the vampires, or take to their heels. As the Keeper is provided with the statistics of the special police squad who accompany them on this dangerous mission and it is suggested that the Keeper might like to print these and hand them out to the players, so they get a first hand feel of the brutality and relative invulnerability of the vampires rather than simply narrating their demise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, bloodied but victorious, the investigators return to the Orient Express. The scenario suggests that the Keeper lulls the players into a false sense of security by awarding sanity and allowing skill checks which are normally done at the end of the chapter, paralleling the sense of security the investigators feel being back on the train and departing Sofia. This is a nice device but again the Keeper should ensure that they feel their players will enjoy such a deception before the investigators are thrust straight into a conflict with the much foreshadowed campaign villain; the vampire Fenalik.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5yCt5-G9VvgjrxjNK3xdZiYsqjFF9LhHWAnzZIryQWeRGn7Gzv34gOJlCjihv4wHAiono9WflqDWZrXDTrITNZ6nKYSq8RplMzec3_2PeCMlsEOQwLzmovdmheUKN-eDwRmveWlch9Nm/s1600/eHJscjBpMTI%253D_o_abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter---clip-train-escape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5yCt5-G9VvgjrxjNK3xdZiYsqjFF9LhHWAnzZIryQWeRGn7Gzv34gOJlCjihv4wHAiono9WflqDWZrXDTrITNZ6nKYSq8RplMzec3_2PeCMlsEOQwLzmovdmheUKN-eDwRmveWlch9Nm/s320/eHJscjBpMTI%253D_o_abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter---clip-train-escape.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the outset I said that I felt that Keepers should think carefully about this chapter, and how they want it to play out, as it is possible that the entire party of investigators may be wiped out after months of effort and investigation and roleplay. For some groups this will be an acceptable risk, and all part of the fun, for others this may mean the campaign ends in Sofia, and in some cases players may feel so disengaged that the players actively avoid Call of Cthulhu games in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest this chapter should provide some challenging and harrowing encounters, but ultimately my aim when running this chapter was that all the investigators who arrived in Sofia, should survive until the final encounter with Fenalik (bar a run of poor luck on dice rolls). This is because the Sofia chapter does not lend itself to the recruitment of new investigators, and I wanted to avoid the disposable investigator syndrome, where a new character is recruited only to die later in the same chapter, killed by Fenalik. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me the confrontation with Fenalik needed to be epic and I was prepared for several of the investigators to perish, but ultimately I wanted to have at least one survivor to continue the journey and continuity of the campaign. Accordingly I arranged Fenalik's actions to make this the most likely outcome (cat and mouse attacks with a focus on hypnotism and allowing Cthulhu Mythos rolls to identify possible Vampire strengths and weaknesses).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It should be noted that, if you are using the 7th edition rules, and the optional luck mechanic, the players may have considerable scope to approach this encounter in a tactical way (by spending luck to ensure they receive a higher degree of success than Fenalik on each roll and thereby damage him in both his attacks, and through their own actions). This will burn through luck, but for the players, this may seem an acceptable sacrifice to defeat their foe. An investigator with a high Brawl skill, an improvised stake, and a decent pool of luck has a fair chance of beating the vampire on this basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, investigators who rely exclusively on firearms, split up or try to hide are likely to suffer a grim fate. The final section of this chapter offers a range of good advice and guidance on running this memorable encounter, and Keepers should be sure to review before running the encounter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter is fast paced and action focussed and is a change of pace to much of the rest of the campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mixture of well armed, brazen cultists and terrifying, relentless, undead have the potential to make evocative and memorable encounters.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters have the opportunity to encounter and ultimately defeat a long-term villain of the campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The resolution of the confrontation with Fenalik is open ended and well supported with advice and suggestions. allowing Keepers to tailor this to their group and desired outcome.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter is fast paced and action focussed and is a change of pace to much of the rest of the campaign</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are several plot elements that don't seem entirely consistent.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a high probability of investigator fatalities.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some players may find the relentless horror inflicted on their investigators in this chapter demoralising</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary this chapter will likely be one of the most memorable of the campaign, the vampire on the train is Classic Cthulhu, both at its best, and its worst. There is a real chance that the campaign could get derailed here if the Keeper doesn't plan in advance and read the advice provided. For players who really seek to embrace the dark journey of their investigators, this chapter marks the place where the darkness really takes hold. The relentless violence, continued horror and final bloody twist should leave the surviving investigators haggard, harried and ready for the final (although penultimate) confrontation in Istanbul.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-76483233489287433292016-08-21T12:19:00.000-07:002016-08-24T01:50:18.834-07:00New Kiwi Games<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome to a round-up of the latest roleplaying games created by New Zealanders. Previous instalments in this series include </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/roleplaying-aotearoa-style.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roleplaying Aotearoa Style</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (April, 2015), </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/the-rise-of-new-zealand-rpg-products.html"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the rise of New Zealand Roleplaying products</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, (Aug 2013) and </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2011/02/nz-rpgs-represent.html"><span style="color: #5588aa; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Zealand Roleplaying Products</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Feb 2011). Now, on to the 2016 edition:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6FLzJwioG2Xe9358SEmW1mbYVF9GWc0EdY6DwaCHkI9nrIpVEnQ4DWhzFsjJqUC0ud6iTHb-04BY3HYlNSyGl8w-AuVVZG_j15nOsx6thCQtHaT95VI70vVLynkklA6uHyvRHSu4jwwh/s1600/The+Sprawl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6FLzJwioG2Xe9358SEmW1mbYVF9GWc0EdY6DwaCHkI9nrIpVEnQ4DWhzFsjJqUC0ud6iTHb-04BY3HYlNSyGl8w-AuVVZG_j15nOsx6thCQtHaT95VI70vVLynkklA6uHyvRHSu4jwwh/s200/The+Sprawl.png" width="130" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We start with </span><a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171286/The-Sprawl----MIDNIGHT"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Sprawl</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a Powered-by-the-Apocalypse RPG of mission-based action in a gritty neon-and-chrome cyberpunk future. On the back of a </span><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ardensludere/the-sprawl-cyberpunk-roleplaying-powered-by-the-ap/description"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">successful Kickstarter</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Hamish Cameron has created a game where you are the extended assets of vast multinational corporations, operating in the criminal underground, and performing the tasks that those multinationals can’t do... or can’t be seen to do. You are deniable, professional and disposable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another Kiwi to successfully harness Kickstarter is Ciâran Spencer Searle, who raised funding for </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/825973473/transylvania-a-game-played-in-the-dark">Transylvania</a>, a hidden role party game of vampires and villagers played in a darkened room for six or more people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRiUxmx-jhoDqkM-44PxXlNB-UZqKcZpD-9WGSGnX0UwI6KEISYq5ykKZzEyer7FJlSNt4EZW9hm6GW6-iipLOKAkkbl7H5rAFhbjyRlmo55zF0cj12TrfRTZLcgM1c6wubMi5tW-3cNX/s1600/Soth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRiUxmx-jhoDqkM-44PxXlNB-UZqKcZpD-9WGSGnX0UwI6KEISYq5ykKZzEyer7FJlSNt4EZW9hm6GW6-iipLOKAkkbl7H5rAFhbjyRlmo55zF0cj12TrfRTZLcgM1c6wubMi5tW-3cNX/s200/Soth.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next up, Steve Hickey released </span><a href="https://payhip.com/b/Ux9O"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soth</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a diceless game of cultists vs investigators where you play cultists in a small-town, trying to summon a dark god. If you complete three more rituals, Soth will rise. But can you conceal your murderous crimes from family and friends?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also of note, <a href="https://payhip.com/b/9vJI">Left Coast</a>, Steve's </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">role-playing game about a science fiction writer in California, who struggles as the weirdness from her novels spills into real life,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was a runner-up for the 2016 Indie RPG Award for <a href="http://indie-rpg-awards.com/2015/most_innovate.shtml">Most Innovative Game</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HOblgUWlca7JgjIxJcIxgfb9K0UzfT3yZcNdmErxtD6xHURvjUS711c96hbC7wH1P4hogUKnUwchxZyzoGrFESiaDdLtheQIedpbWuPSKb8Zv5mTMfdu-hejETO52O90kpYM2jH8tRzs/s1600/Face+of+Oblivion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HOblgUWlca7JgjIxJcIxgfb9K0UzfT3yZcNdmErxtD6xHURvjUS711c96hbC7wH1P4hogUKnUwchxZyzoGrFESiaDdLtheQIedpbWuPSKb8Zv5mTMfdu-hejETO52O90kpYM2jH8tRzs/s200/Face+of+Oblivion.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Catherine Pegg has also been busy. <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/144589/The-Face-of-Oblivion">The Face of Oblivion</a>, is a science-fiction chamber LARP for 6-8 players, designed around a hard choice. Disaster is coming: will you save a large group of people that you are responsible for, or a smaller group of everyone you ever loved and everything you ever cared about?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Catherine also released <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171940/My-Bloody-Valentine">My Bloody Valentine</a>, a LARP scenario for 6-8 players, where instead of spending Valentine's Day with your loved one, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">you're stuck having biscuits and a cuppa with your landlady. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it's worse than that - she's making you talk to her other tenants. Trouble is, Miss Elisabeth is so nice, she'll let anyone in. They're nuts! How long before you're climbing the walls?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rBdW3pwGjuWG9dIDS3DS9euMNpw84iJp13cPvWpsBJ5-mN2mSMEvJUu_G6xVqDANuBnheEWOqLVgDf7fdAdEqe0B2nd5-sPlgSQ6AJ97eIb8TPCThRYMWZ8SOJtxopuCJWZMogljJ_yH/s1600/Boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rBdW3pwGjuWG9dIDS3DS9euMNpw84iJp13cPvWpsBJ5-mN2mSMEvJUu_G6xVqDANuBnheEWOqLVgDf7fdAdEqe0B2nd5-sPlgSQ6AJ97eIb8TPCThRYMWZ8SOJtxopuCJWZMogljJ_yH/s200/Boats.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilheiVpV2XLiR2INO6uEOXS26OKZeJoIhj4i208cFQ_K7ane33_vrDaxUyYHImDDi-nZXwxykSrlc8RKqpOcD4KSiA22-2W-v08qmEjDIirInJJm2NjfMbNGrPWnafcoMDoLCykam2Ix8/s1600/Groundbreaker2016-293x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anna Klein released two live action roleplaying scenarios during 2015. <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150297/Argonautica">Argonautica</a> is an intense vignette inside the lives of eight characters who have found themselves in desperate enough circumstances to take part in an unpleasant shock reality TV show, wherein they sequestered from the world at large for four months, and subjected to the general ridiculousness of reality TV challenges. Partway through the game, a horror element is introduced, and the tone of the game becomes one of personal horror.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/150299/Boats-Against-the-Current">Boats Against the Current</a> (also by Anna) is a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n introspective live action roleplaying scenario for 9 players, set New York, in the throes of the roaring twenties. Recently, an eccentric but much talked about millionaire socialite died under questionable circumstances. Speculation abounds in the streets, and splashed across the papers - who was this man, really? Where did he come from? Who killed him? And why?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAl-JFX43gCYhDW7UVwRkYWu2t2s7RJEZDQXDDyp97Z08VPQz3w-07jaf76jYyNk8mom6Xq5IaToCGA9C3dugSfK5S6B8e3PDB6gpROSzRCW3BxqRfp7H0zPIrISMJRyIovcA2tN-C1Vp/s1600/DoL+Cover+Low+Res+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAl-JFX43gCYhDW7UVwRkYWu2t2s7RJEZDQXDDyp97Z08VPQz3w-07jaf76jYyNk8mom6Xq5IaToCGA9C3dugSfK5S6B8e3PDB6gpROSzRCW3BxqRfp7H0zPIrISMJRyIovcA2tN-C1Vp/s200/DoL+Cover+Low+Res+Web.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of 2015 I released <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/158403/Death-of-Legends"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Death of Legends</span></a>, a GM-less dark-fantasy roleplaying game that tells the story of epic deeds against great odds in aid of UNICEF New Zealand, and followed this up with a high-fantasy expansion <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/172872/Death-of-Legends-First-Kingdoms">First Kingdoms</a>. <i>Death of Legends</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was recently awarded an </span><a href="http://www.igdnonline.com/indie-groundbreaker-awards-winners/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Indie Groundbreaker Award</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for Best Rules and was second runner up for the </span><a href="http://indie-rpg-awards.com/2015/best_free_game.shtml"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Indie RPG Award</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for Best Free Game of 2015. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also released another Christmas Special scenario for the EPOCH survival horror roleplaying game <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168476/EPOCH-Polaris-Six">Polaris Six</a> and <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/183369/Candidate">Candidate</a>, a micro-game of political ambition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">New Zealand game designers have also been well represented in international competitions. Rose Docherty was a finalist for the renown <a href="http://www.game-chef.com/">Game Chef</a> 2016 competition. Rose's game, <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B-s014_dPaQ1bmg4QzM5Q1B0YWs">Making History</a> is a game about history, hard decisions and public memory. Hamish Cameron entered a game called <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-_umTH32UEeMjJ1SW9OejF6NzQ/view">Mirror Ball</a>, a game about the many faces of technology and I entered Fragment (see below). Rose also created <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9urHqUWLgHRZGlhallCWFMyVms/view">School of Magic</a>, a card-based RPG where you play teenagers in a mage school as part of the <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112500174554658963265">Fantasy RPG Design Challenge</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the biggest list to date, and I think it reflects the growing strength and diversity of New Zealand game design.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you know of a product I've missed, comment below.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Also of Note</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mike Sands has been hard at work on <a href="http://genericgames.co.nz/heavy_metal_aeons/">Heavy Metal Æons</a>, a roleplaying game of heavy metal inspired science-fantasy adventures. A playtest document is currently available. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">My 2016 Game Chef entry <a href="http://imaginaryempiregames.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/fragment-playtest-open.html">Fragment</a>, a game of machines and memory is currently available to playtest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://taleturn.com/holding-on-a-200-word-game/">Holding On</a>, Morgan Davie's entry into the 200 word RPG challenge recently went micro-viral.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Addendum</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A couple I missed; Jenni Sands has been busy writing <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/143518/Monster-of-the-Week">Monster of the Week</a> mysteries, including <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38315769/MusicFestivalMotW.pdf">Murders at the Music Festival</a>, and <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38315769/TheShadowManMotW.pdf">The Shadow Man</a>, and she's working on a new game called <i>Purification</i>: a facilitator-less story game with cards, violence and lots of death.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOcwtU6ew75qFL8xfOiD5BLeMbQkiY1y58qjhmHtFT9QkyJQLMVhMak0-QTfgSYBxZrNVrFOe-Zsk6nOe0gJAfjVepZyoPX_c3pWjIw5o01waP3ikEt1ZNBSpjXM1PZTlHu-z6PDBPS4D/s1600/Shadowrun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOcwtU6ew75qFL8xfOiD5BLeMbQkiY1y58qjhmHtFT9QkyJQLMVhMak0-QTfgSYBxZrNVrFOe-Zsk6nOe0gJAfjVepZyoPX_c3pWjIw5o01waP3ikEt1ZNBSpjXM1PZTlHu-z6PDBPS4D/s1600/Shadowrun.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grant Robinson has been writing for Shadowrun. In <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171636/Shadowrun-Missions-Amber-Waves-of-Grain-0602?">Amber Waves of Grain</a> The runners are going to have some unusual jobs, including spreading some poisons and making sure innocent lives are spared (if they’re so inclined). They’ll have to be on their toes to steer clear of the authorities, get all the pieces of this particular scheme in place, and in particular answer the pressing question: Just what is Mr. Johnson up to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Grant also contributed to <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/188925/Shadowrun-Court-of-Shadows">Court of Shadows</a>, an alternate setting for <em>Shadowrun, Fifth Edition</em>, emphasizing the magic and intrigue of the Seelie Court.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Hot off the press, Malcolm Harbrow has created <a href="http://drivethrurpg.com/product/190944/The-Devils-Brood?">The Devil's Brood</a>, a LARP for nine players and an organiser, inspired by history and <i>The Lion in Winter.</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-76223685427616866022016-08-15T02:08:00.003-07:002017-12-01T12:45:49.630-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Belgrade<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Belgrade chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Little Cottage in the Wood</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This chapter is likely to be one of the most memorable of
the campaign. It takes the investigators
far from the luxury and comforts of the Orient Express and the glittering
cities of Europe, and plunges them into a rural countryside thick with
folktales and myth. Like many of the
original parts of the campaign, the plot is largely a linear experience for the
investigators, there are few opportunities to seek a different approach or
outcome beyond that which has been scripted.
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo6FijISJmmOfxgCzdMEBzBjotVTRdncDC_A01geR5ydbnPehK0T_8WALSqdgAGZzmm4EApjJqI56fkKE-Sn3nnbSeutALBrhyaVwojzYOKhsOMTMGgo82mwsrFHGIKVqTV6nlLPUgBvz/s1600/Belgrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo6FijISJmmOfxgCzdMEBzBjotVTRdncDC_A01geR5ydbnPehK0T_8WALSqdgAGZzmm4EApjJqI56fkKE-Sn3nnbSeutALBrhyaVwojzYOKhsOMTMGgo82mwsrFHGIKVqTV6nlLPUgBvz/s400/Belgrade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However the atmospheric foreshadowing, interactions with NPCs and final
confrontation are rich, well detailed and evocative and likely to be sufficient
to camouflage this lack of agency for most groups and provide a great deal of
entertainment.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter begins with the investigators arrival in
Belgrade. As the National Museum is closed, they
likely have some time to sightsee before following up the next lead on the
simulacrum. The scenario proposes
several encounters while the investigators take in the sights of the Bazaar in the Turkish quarter, including a fortune teller, and chase sequence through the
busy market concluding with a brawl.
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These light encounters serve a dual purpose of adding an element of
foreshadowing (prophecy of the fortune teller) and some action for those
investigators inclined to engage in some rough and tumble. Well prepared keepers might also arrange for some other encounters - do the investigators seek supplies, weapons or arcane lore? Perhaps the Bazaar may have something to offer them. Perhaps they might take the opportunity to send some<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> s</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ouvenirs</span></span> to their loved ones?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC10liD5RDFH0kKQhRGA6muGkAhomjRRwwTPwJgBLW5GyhcqGWascE2t0hZbzLnHpX-qeHWN9muQPEPZRBll7f2dY9K6HgeBd-byBFwGFDObAEIbcQdUqAbpgZqtwtTYrA3ia7Ru3bekb/s1600/Paperwork2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC10liD5RDFH0kKQhRGA6muGkAhomjRRwwTPwJgBLW5GyhcqGWascE2t0hZbzLnHpX-qeHWN9muQPEPZRBll7f2dY9K6HgeBd-byBFwGFDObAEIbcQdUqAbpgZqtwtTYrA3ia7Ru3bekb/s200/Paperwork2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, the investigators must navigate the complex
bureaucracy to locate the Bureau of National Treasures in order to obtain the proper permit (in anticipation they will secure what they are seeking).
Like the <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris chapter</a>, this may appeal to some players, and leave
others cold. To avoid in-character frustrations spilling over into
out-of-character frustration the Keeper may wish to tailor this to the level of
realism enjoyed by the group.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With their hard-won information in hand, the investigators
must board a regional train and travel to Orašac.
Much like the <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html">Invictus chapter</a>, this travel should be a good way for the
Keeper to slowly start to build atmosphere, highlighting that the investigators
are gradually moving from the urban and
metropolitan to the rural and wild. One
suggestion to help evoke the right atmosphere is to use a soundtrack of Eastern
European folk songs or similar.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next challenge for the Keeper is to portray the diverse
personalities of the village of Orašac where the investigators spend the night
before venturing into the woods. There are
four key personalities, and one suggestion to help the players distinguish
between them is for the Keeper to create a picture for each, and hold this up
when each NPC is talking. The scripted events of the night should provide an
atmospheric and eerie backdrop for what is to come.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following day, the investigators venture into the woods,
and into one of the more memorable and horrific encounters of the campaign as
they are confronted by a legend of Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga, who holds the
piece of the simulacrum they seek.
Although this section is heavily scripted, it offers a great mix of horror and action. Much of the action has been scripted to be
damaging (to sanity and health), rather than lethal, but there is still a fair
possibility that investigators who have already suffered significant physical
or mental trauma in previous chapters may perish here, so the keeper should
read up on the rules about dying and indefinite insanity before running the
session.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHxKvaqzv3ZL1MDA4gIV0gRCYqlXVAQ_YWwoZ4mRZKhDjX7Q6yea4ArbfOMsAbabMdxcVbRl1DkD7DK50KsQ2wYoue-J4A298158PipGnd-Nig4VD2voVDu4M6mchj_rG0xTs1rspO5sd/s1600/baba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHxKvaqzv3ZL1MDA4gIV0gRCYqlXVAQ_YWwoZ4mRZKhDjX7Q6yea4ArbfOMsAbabMdxcVbRl1DkD7DK50KsQ2wYoue-J4A298158PipGnd-Nig4VD2voVDu4M6mchj_rG0xTs1rspO5sd/s200/baba1.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The success and survival of the characters hangs on a
whistle, given to the investigators in
the village. If the characters
have the whistle, and think to blow it, they are likely to be successful. If not, things are considerably more
grim. This is an obvious place to insert
an Idea roll for the investigator who holds the whistle, although as with all
dice rolls, if the Keeper actually wants the investigators to succeed, they may
be better to prepare a note prompt in advance and pass it to the player at the
appropriate moment, rather than leaving such an important reminder to chance.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators are likely to be bruised and battered as
they leave the woods. However, they are
likely to suffer further harassment as the wrath of Baba Yaga follows them as
they make their way back to the Orient Express.
There is little reprieve for the investigators, for as soon after they
leave the horrors of Belgrade behind, the events of the next chapter begin..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter is extremely atmospheric and builds to a memorable climax.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The initial encounters offer good foreshadowing and opportunity for both action and interaction.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The characters have the opportunity to encounter and interact with a legendary horror.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scripted plot offers a solution to minimise the harm and san loss to the investigators associated with this epic encounter.</span></li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> <br />
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> <br />
</span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chapter is linear and offers few options for the investigators to deviate from the scripted path.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making sure the investigators get as good feel for the four main characters in Orašac may be challenging for the Keeper.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario has the potential to kill or seriously erode the sanity of the investigators .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The solution to allow the investigators to escape requires the players to recall and use a whistle they were gifted. </span></li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> <br />
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary this chapter has the potential to be a real highlight of the campaign. The mix of illusion and horror drawn from Slavic folklore has the potential for an extremely memorable climax. However, if the investigators are unwilling to go along with the setup this chapter could fall flat. Equally, the risk to health and sanity may claim the lives of some investigators if they fail to remember the whistle.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-4106635230869527732016-07-12T03:15:00.003-07:002017-12-01T12:45:26.167-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Vinkovci<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Vinkovci chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bread or Stone</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vinkovci is a new optional scenario for the campaign, woven into the fabric of the existing narrative, rather than facilitated as an external flashback or an interlude (like the new Dreamlands material). In Vinkovci the investigators have the opportunity to claim a legendary artefact and weapon, which features in the Dark Ages and Invictus flashback scenarios, but to do so they must confront a talented surgeon who is losing his grip on sanity, and contend with bestial abominations and yet more cultists. As a new scenario the material is not essential to the core plot, and while possession of the Mims Sahis may be helpful to the investigators in subsequent chapters, it is not required. Indeed the investigators have a rare opportunity to actually destroy this foul blade.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrdVs6CxPCZo0zx28NUz0_Y3sJL6lsA7o5TOEbvAzMr3kY28OpdMDnTutrq2fep_HMzFezE70imTnOp3RA1tBN8RPpme22wBHp-oIaPLTbXR5BPiNHMPBXwB_vop8VPI_UkJcz29rbbZC/s1600/vinkovci2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrdVs6CxPCZo0zx28NUz0_Y3sJL6lsA7o5TOEbvAzMr3kY28OpdMDnTutrq2fep_HMzFezE70imTnOp3RA1tBN8RPpme22wBHp-oIaPLTbXR5BPiNHMPBXwB_vop8VPI_UkJcz29rbbZC/s320/vinkovci2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To fit with the existing campaign, this scenario borrows elements from other chapters; a daughter in distress who the investigators must rescue (Venice), a powerful (non-simulacrum) Mythos artefact is being desperately sought by cultists (Trieste) and a backdrop of city-wide fear and uncertainty (Venice again). This is in one sense derivative, and the players may feel some déjà vu, in another sense Keepers will now have a fair idea of how the investigators will react to these elements, and can tailor them accordingly, to get the best result. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opening to this scenario provides an interesting change of pace - the track ahead has been destroyed by 'The People’s Justice Army', and the passengers must disembark, where they are subjected to a thorough customs check. For some Keepers this will likely prove a welcome opportunity to curb the armouries of the investigators, or at least to reinforce that there are consequences for those who readily brandish weapons, for others this may be disadvantageous, stripping investigators of weapons they will soon need if they are to survive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As such, it is suggested that Keepers preserve the tension of the scene – an impromptu stop, a makeshift station filled with police with rifles, a high level of tension and uncertainty among the other passengers. The world of pampered luxury aboard the Orient Express is about to be briefly and rudely interrupted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After their brief run-in with officialdom, the investigators become involved in an attempted abduction as a family of local cultists attempt to snatch a woman they believe can lead them to the Mims Sahis. Putting in an action scene like this early is a neat idea, and gives the action oriented investigators a great opportunity to shine, however, I’m not sure about how realistic it is that a family of locals, likely to be easily identified, would try something so audacious in front of heavily armed police, already on edge about the possibility of rebel actions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A more likely outcome would seem that the would-be abductors, and anyone unfortunate enough to be near them, are riddled with bullets in short order. I suggest that a more likely place for the abduction attempt to occur might be as the travellers arrive at the hunting lodge, amidst the confusion of bags being unloaded and guests inspecting their impromptu accommodation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6gLiT-51IbdRyAfZpJCNDsiiUfgr25obKCUf_96XmEL1QHrHVycOAsncTEG_PZK4k7i2kdHisYn-CkGI4jiP5iYZvCt-P2EG4ioYk0rhawpmnxAI9c-PX3ZOq4lBxUwt_AtjmXRp3XKr/s1600/Woods2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6gLiT-51IbdRyAfZpJCNDsiiUfgr25obKCUf_96XmEL1QHrHVycOAsncTEG_PZK4k7i2kdHisYn-CkGI4jiP5iYZvCt-P2EG4ioYk0rhawpmnxAI9c-PX3ZOq4lBxUwt_AtjmXRp3XKr/s320/Woods2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next phase of the scenario is a parallel investigation as to the whereabouts of Dr. Moric and the location of his research materials. The former is a relatively straightforward investigation which has the neat feature of foreshadowing the lair of the villain, while the latter is a slightly contrived scavenger hunt, which may entertain, although it does assume the presence and cooperation of an NPC, and may require some swift changes by the GM if the investigators have not acted as the scenario anticipates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The major confrontation envisaged by the scenario was a problem for my group, they did not feel the need to act was justified by the setup. When we analysed this in more detail out-of-character, their reluctance stemmed from the following.</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The villain of the scenario Dr. Belenzada, although insane, is acting with altruistic motives – he is trying to use an artefact of evil to heal wounded veterans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were not certain that Dr Belenzada was responsible for the abominations stalking the countryside.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The compound of Dr Belenzada is well guarded, by armed (and enhanced) humans and monsters, this is clearly signalled to the investigators if they visit. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no trace of the simulacrum here.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had previously planned to run the Invictus flashback scenario Sanguis Omnia Vincet after this chapter, when the investigators were on the train and spending time reading The Accounts of Tillius Corvus but given the uncertainty of the investigators about how to proceed, I decided to trigger this early, interrupting the Vinkovci chapter, allowing the players to have the full available knowledge of the origins of the Mims Sahis. As a consequence, several of the investigators decided to raid the compound, slew Dr Belenzada and recovered the artefact.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUiD7ui4FZ7R-QtCgkjazVCh80oybNwZICkoq_E8JMJBagvR0eJTW239h8rBys8Ftp9IAbKdAZYtzMcjvNGgznp0UV7eAceY-_KwqJ-Si39wum65BEzdgeFHakvTHbFC-vTmlLosEKOY_/s1600/Doctor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUiD7ui4FZ7R-QtCgkjazVCh80oybNwZICkoq_E8JMJBagvR0eJTW239h8rBys8Ftp9IAbKdAZYtzMcjvNGgznp0UV7eAceY-_KwqJ-Si39wum65BEzdgeFHakvTHbFC-vTmlLosEKOY_/s1600/Doctor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUiD7ui4FZ7R-QtCgkjazVCh80oybNwZICkoq_E8JMJBagvR0eJTW239h8rBys8Ftp9IAbKdAZYtzMcjvNGgznp0UV7eAceY-_KwqJ-Si39wum65BEzdgeFHakvTHbFC-vTmlLosEKOY_/s200/Doctor.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are two nice elements here, first the slight moral ambiguity of Dr Belenzada , who can be seen as a warning of the consequences of assuming the ends justify the means – something the investigators may need to grapple with as their sanity slips sever downward. </span></div>
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Secondly the player have the option of retaining and using the Mims Sahis, or permanently destroying it. This is a neat and empowering idea for the players as the other artefacts in the campaign (the simulacrum and the Medallion of Ithaqua) are much harder to dispose of. Although the san loss for experiencing “an entire year of being imprisoned in a cavern, chained to a pillar while diminutive creatures ritually flay them alive, over and over again” seems extremely low (1D6).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></div>
<ul><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opening to the chapter is a great change of pace.</span></div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The moral ambiguity of the villain is a neat way to highlight the consequence of sanity loss at a time when investigator sanity is likely beginning to dwindle.</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The monsters are unique and interesting.</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Allowing the investigators to recover the Mims Sahis, and decide whether to use or destroy it, empowers the investigators</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The main set-up for this chapter is derivative of earlier chapter.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lack of a simulacrum piece and clear risk to the lives of the investigators if they wish to confront Dr Belenzada may convince them to leave Vinkovci without comp-letting the scenario.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Raiding the compound of Dr Belenzada may prove extremely hazardous.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are some incongruous elements, like the abundance of living Gorilla parts, and the sanity loss for some experiences</span></span></div>
</li>
</span></span></ul>
</div>
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</span></span>
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<ul></ul>
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</span>
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<ul></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In summary the Vinkovci chapter of the campaign introduces some great new elements, but investigators may feel there is not sufficient to be gained to justify the risks associated with pursuing the scenario story to its end. A worthy experience for the group who are seeking the 'complete' Orient Express experience, it might also be skipped by Keepers who feel their group will not appreciate further investigation not related to the core task. Overall my group enjoyed this scenario but did feel there were a few rough edges.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-67614153947753312652016-07-11T03:49:00.002-07:002016-07-11T04:38:11.855-07:00How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Indy Games<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By far the majority of my involvement in roleplaying games has revolved around <i>traditional games</i>. You know, games where one player acts as GM, people roll dice, and engage with the game world through a series of structured rules. My experience of<i> Indy</i> roleplaying games was probably not unique; I found they could be great fun when you had like-minded people at the table, but they could be excruciating when authority was turned over to the players, and there was no common ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I really appreciated was the mix of fantastic ideas and innovative rules, albeit with some limitations from my perspective. For example, </span><a href="http://bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fiasco</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> enables great stories, although it doesn't give much support to resolve stories, </span><a href="https://dreadthegame.wordpress.com/about-dread-the-game/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dread</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> has a cool mechanic for building tension amongst players, although this is disconnected from 'horror' of the scenario, </span><a href="http://apocalypse-world.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apocalypse World</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (and its many hacks) do a fantastic job of introducing and integrating characters, although the framework of 'moves' can be simultaneously bland and highly variable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hese games introduce something new and unique in the way that players interact with their characters, the game world, and ultimately with each other. To my mind, games like these are </span><span data-dobid="hdw"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">avant-garde</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, in that they are experimental, innovative and, ultimately, beautiful in their ability to influence, inspire and entertain.</span></span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whereas, by contrast, there seems to be a plentiful abundance of traditional games, acres of pages outlining classes, combat rules, skill checks and so on. These games are fun too, I mean no disrespect, but they are more similar than different, and few have the ability to take my breath away with the elegance of an idea or concept</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTJTGusBaXVRo9AZ8TW4eIH2kS0iiRg9bpe6nA7qYsVpGiox7H2hB2t_7DurmrFsKireDj-Fuib6rh-wlepTG_67uHFt3SyV_HjCwbRgYXSlp1HdQMuxtL0Mc-MSKhhYCsdWAXPlpUYbd/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTJTGusBaXVRo9AZ8TW4eIH2kS0iiRg9bpe6nA7qYsVpGiox7H2hB2t_7DurmrFsKireDj-Fuib6rh-wlepTG_67uHFt3SyV_HjCwbRgYXSlp1HdQMuxtL0Mc-MSKhhYCsdWAXPlpUYbd/s200/maxresdefault.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I decided to design my own games, it is no surprise that I looked to Indy games for inspiration. I've previously posted about my process for designing games like </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/an-experiment-in-horror-gaming.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EPOCH </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/designers-notes-wicked-lies-alibis.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wicked Lies & Alibis,</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> so I won't waste your time by repeating myself.</span></span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over time I've developed an ethos to my own design, drawn from traditional, Indy and actual play - something like this:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">players need time to live in the skin of their characters, and interact, before final decisions are made, so the character should evolve over the course of the game</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">key game decisions should be made through collaboration between players</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">players should be supported to engage their imagination, so they don't have do all the heavy lifting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and, ideally, this supports players who are less confident, or who don't enjoy being put on the spot</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">game materials should support easy 'at a glance' play at the tabletop to support immersion</span></li>
</ul>
<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me these things are as essential as page numbers, headings and accessible writing.</span></span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My recent offerings, like </span><a href="http://imaginaryempiregames.blogspot.co.nz/p/death-of-legends.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Death of Legends</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and my recent Game Chef entry </span><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tb5v69haw6dthm9/AABy8jRr-V0upfh-gql7KXkna?dl=0"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fragment</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> have moved even further down this path. They are both simpler (in that they focus entirely upon a packaged game experience) and more complex, in the layering of rules and concepts. </span></span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To me these seem to be the next natural evolution of this design process - but I can't help wonder, if I've now moved so far even beyond mainstream Indy gaming that my games risk becoming largely ignored and unplayed because there are so many implicit assumptions, and the game experience is not easily discernible from a read through. </span></span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is this </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Art for its own sake? </i>Or simply an exercise in narcissism.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-28558923950363480152016-06-03T02:19:00.000-07:002017-12-01T12:44:59.921-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Constantinople 330<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Constantinople (330) chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></a> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This review is slightly out of sequence with the published campaign. This is because my group did not initially feel sufficient motivation to attempt to retrieve the Mims Sahis as part of the Vinkovci chapter, so I ran this flashback scenario before they reached a final decision, to ensure they were in possession of all the available facts about this artefact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sanguis Omnia Vincet</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Invictus flashback scenario allows the players to take on the role of the Fortes Falcones, elite scouts for the Roman Army. This scenario reminds me a lot of the movie <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Warrior">The 13</a><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Warrior">th</a></span></sup></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th_Warrior"> Warrior</a>, only with roman legionnaires instead of Norsemen. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The overall plot is similar; a small group venture deep into unfamiliar territory to confront an ancient evil, and after being attacked, decide they must root out the source. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In terms of style it is similar to the <a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html">Dark Ages flashback scenario</a>, so if your players enjoyed the opportunity to play capable, violent characters, for a short run scenario then they will likely enjoy this scenario. If not, you might want to skip the scenario as ultimately it is the investigators force of arms that must carry the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with the Gaslight and Dark Ages scenario, pre-generated characters are supplied, and again, because of the formatting, Keepers will need to do some work in order to present these to the players in a way that enables them to be easily disseminated. Keepers will also likely need to refresh themselves on the rules for the variable benefits of using-hand forged armour and shields. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario begins and concludes in Constantinople tying in nicely to a series of historic events about the dedication of the city. However the investigators time in the city is short, they soon receive a mission which will require them to travel to the province of Lydia to seek out a malevolent evil thought to be responsible for a terrible plague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the key features of this scenario is the non-player character Tillius Corvus, commander of the Fortes Falcones. Corvus has a central role to play in the campaign, and must follow certain actions as the campaign concludes, but his activities prior to this point are up to the Keeper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a difficult balance to maintain, as Corvus should be present for much of the action, but ideally not be directing the action (and stealing agency from the players). My approach was to treat the investigators as a crack team of special forces – each character was an expert over their domain, and the group operated with little military formality – If a major decision was required, Corvus asked for the investigators advice, and only intervened in decision making when it seemed the investigators could not agree between themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOJGW4CMa7TPIzf3HIiUeqz8ctQlX02HROF-823sKRNuna5ETffBi1ZlOPx8wqQ-BLyff8oti0LGLmUyvT_7w06tFPeYhUu-1npg6-ZEfuaBZEp033YqAmD5mhWEv7DnK2sKkjvfGrlAz/s1600/Outpost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOJGW4CMa7TPIzf3HIiUeqz8ctQlX02HROF-823sKRNuna5ETffBi1ZlOPx8wqQ-BLyff8oti0LGLmUyvT_7w06tFPeYhUu-1npg6-ZEfuaBZEp033YqAmD5mhWEv7DnK2sKkjvfGrlAz/s200/Outpost.jpg" width="190" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The journey to Lydia and the remote outpost provides a nice narrative flow, from the height of Roman civilisation into the relative wilderness. While such a transition should hardly be novel to the Falcones, this mission will be different. Keepers should use the opportunity build a feeling of threat and menace as the journey progresses, which will help generate a sense of tension and foreboding amongst the investigators. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the investigators arrive at the Ghilian Outpost, the scenario is divided into 3 main </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sections, </span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">investigation phase where the characters may learn knowledge about their foe, and experience the horrors of the plague first hand, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the battle phase where they confront the massed forces of the enemy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and an exploration phase where the characters seek out and slay the enemy leader in his lair.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although there is little opportunity for deviation from this plot, the scenario employs a clever approach to allow the initial investigations and approach of the characters to influence the battle, for two possible outcome of the battle which, in turn, changes the difficulty of the final sequence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This allows a scenario which would otherwise have a fairly directive and linear, to offer a lot more variability, giving a greater sense of agency to the players (although it must be noted that there is little support for Keepers whose players choose to ignore the setup entirely and try to strike at the enemy leader from the outset).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Similarly the battle mechanic, whereby the fort stands or falls on the basis of the individual combat of the instigators against a pre-determined number of foes is an elegant way to allow for a tense, yet individual and dramatic resolution. This could, perhaps, have been better supported by the inclusion of suggested details for what is occurring in each part of the fort including suggestions for how the individual foes might attack or be engaged by the character. As the pre-generated scenario also provides the characters a ‘tactics’ skill some suggestions as to haw this might be used in preparation for the battle would also have been useful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A surprising omission is a map of the fort and its immediate surrounds, leaving Keepers to invent their own if the players want a visual depiction of the battlefield. This is difficult to understand, given the very nice, full colour map of Invictus era Constantinople that is provided, but which ultimately serves little purpose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with the Dark Age scenario, the horrors the characters must face are inventive and original, and the final confrontation in the mountain temple of the cult is likely to be memorable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final part of the scenario provides an interesting conclusion. Having slain the cult leader, and defeated the enemy the characters return to Constantinople, carrying their comatose leader to enjoy the fruits of their victory and life after military service. However the story is not yet finished. The characters (likely) meet a grisly end in the scenario’s final twist as they are betrayed, and one of the campaign’s major villains’ is born. This is both a neat way to conclude the scenario and segue into the next part of the campaign when they will face this foe once more, and a poor ending for characters who have already survived a significant ordeal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My players felt this loss so acutely (having become so attached to their characters) that we agreed that the final page of <i>The Accounts of Tillius Corvus</i>, was missing, allowing for the possibility that some of their number may have survived the wedding bloodbath by trying to swim for their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are pre-generated investigators each with their own backstory.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting is atmospheric and interesting and there is ample opportunity for actions of the investigators to positively or negatively impact the battle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The battle resolution mechanic is elegant and should allow for some dramatic moments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The twist perfectly highlights and foreshadows the origin of a major campaign villain.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pre-generated character sheets are not well set out for actual use.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot is relatively linear and there is little support for the Keeper if the investigators choose to strike directly at the enemy leader from the outset.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no detailed map of the Ghilian Outpost where the investigators will spend the bulk of the scenario.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is little support to help the Keeper describe and frame the individual and distinct battle scenes </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary the Invictus chapter of the campaign is both evocative and innovative allowing the investigators to determine their own challenge level through their investigative action against a host of new horrors. As with the Dark Ages chapter it allows a significant change of pace that puts a heavy focus on action. The final twist of the scenario is extremely memorable and a great way to frame a major campaign villain, although it may leave a bitter taste in the mouth of some players. My group said this was one of their favourite scenarios to date.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-83166062450142077402016-04-04T02:29:00.000-07:002017-12-01T12:44:23.634-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Dream Zagreb<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Dream Zagreb chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></a> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>In a City of Bells and Towers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The journey continues with a brief interlude in dream
Zagreb. Although presented as an
independent chapter, this scenario is marked as optional. It’s really more of a series of experiences
for the investigators intended to draw together threads of the story they have
already experienced, than an independent, interactive experience.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByrr5OinC_gXXbEqB2EeMAbcwTGWBRomR8QlTZtajAmw8cr7JNcptCTfvMT39tB569PiOCaN-gdJEnsYFsH03HRM3yUwTBqnTUkWOwPmGjC6wBfzGSkLI298wTb78bovAiOn43YcD_yHV/s1600/Zagreb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByrr5OinC_gXXbEqB2EeMAbcwTGWBRomR8QlTZtajAmw8cr7JNcptCTfvMT39tB569PiOCaN-gdJEnsYFsH03HRM3yUwTBqnTUkWOwPmGjC6wBfzGSkLI298wTb78bovAiOn43YcD_yHV/s320/Zagreb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario begins
as soon as the characters board the train from Trieste, most likely
fleeing angry cultists and the Bora. As
the investigators settle down for the night, the Jigsaw Prince strikes back,
supplying the investigators with a delicious desert wine that will propel them
into a strange dream. Although the
sequence is scripted, the Keeper would be well advised to spend some time at
the beginning of this chapter dwelling on the minutiae of travel aboard the
Orient Express (roleplay meeting the staff, allocating rooms, changing for
dinner, then each course of the meal using the menus etc.) so that the sequence
with the wine does not seem particularly unusual until after the bottle has
been opened and consumed, and the investigators have been exposed to its
effects.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators wake to find they have been mistakenly
scheduled to depart the train at Zagreb in the early hours of the morning. As they get their bearings, a mysterious
figure recites prose on the station, calling on them to come out and explore
the fog shrouded city in the pursuit of the knowledge they seek. The scenario offers some suggestions about
how the investigators may be lured from the train, and the Keeper should
consider the most strategy likely to be most successful in advance based on
what they know about the players. For
example, having the mysterious hooded stranger caress the suitcase containing the
Simulacrum now standing on the platform with the other luggage was sufficient to motivate my investigators to rush from the train.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What ensues is a surreal journey through the streets of
fog-shrouded Zagreb, which the investigators soon suspect may be more dream
than reality. This consists of a series
of strange and unsettling events and a collection of ‘love letters’ each of
which refers to a different protagonist in the campaign thus far. These are set against a sparse description of
the city, with a map and suggested locations corresponding to each event.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My group really liked this sequence, and there is no
question that the letters and events are highly atmospheric, eerie and
unsettling. However, it should be noted
that there is little detail beyond the general description (sometimes no more
than a single sentence) and if the investigators wish to interact with these
events, then the Keeper will need to improvise additional details to enable
this. Much like in the first half of
Dream Lausanne the characters are more passengers than protagonists here,
although the burden is lifted from the Keeper somewhat, by handing out the
letters and having the players read them aloud in character. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the Keeper finds this to be too much of a
burden, or suspects their players may not enjoy the surrealism as intended, or
the lack of agency, this chapter can be skipped entirely as it is optional and
not required for the core plot. Here are
some other suggestions to handle this:</span><br />
<ul class="tr_bq">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The letters can be delivered to the investigators as
individual dreams on subsequent nights.
They dream of the object associated with each letter, and the Keeper
supplies them with the handout. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
players may choose to reveal the letters or keep their contents private.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Keeper might add some elements specific to the investigators, dream versions of the 'significant people', 'treasured items' or 'meaningful connections' created under the 7e rules for example. These help reinforce the idea that Zagreb has been partially constructed from the Investigator's subconscious while also allowing the investigators a chance to roleplay and interact with these important aspects of their backgrounds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">The Keeper might add some other dreamers as NPCs to help share the adventure, characters drawn from the Dreamlands Express for example might have found themselves in a deeper dream on the streets of fog-shrouded Zagreb when they go to sleep (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/">Inception</a> style).</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcKX8-QGjk9C-ASt_1zxJdb4OyfMAU4EOTKAEJPio8kufY7UjQDxMvV6ZIZBoyqncE7dSxh-U0lAfcMqJ6s1X7-EfO7Qq8zQFxVty3PbNBZ4LF7AIkYLMcI5G_hi52PBM7YVE8pQwA24P/s1600/Cloaked_figure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcKX8-QGjk9C-ASt_1zxJdb4OyfMAU4EOTKAEJPio8kufY7UjQDxMvV6ZIZBoyqncE7dSxh-U0lAfcMqJ6s1X7-EfO7Qq8zQFxVty3PbNBZ4LF7AIkYLMcI5G_hi52PBM7YVE8pQwA24P/s200/Cloaked_figure.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario concludes with the characters confronting the
mysterious hooded stranger, and having the opportunity to receive the dubious benefit
of its wisdom. This is an interesting
mechanic that enables them to trade Sanity for Cthulhu Mythos. While I like the idea behind this, and think
it has the potential to really make the characters more interesting, Keepers should consider how they will reflect
the increased probability of an successful Cthulhu Mythos skill for the
remainder of the campaign (for example the 7e rules allow for spontaneous casting of spells using Cthulhu Mythos as an optional rule).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final scene calls for the characters to run for the
train, passing a series of tests as they try not to fall behind, this does provide a
dramatic and action-packed final conclusion to the scenario, although the
rationale for some of the checks do seem somewhat random, and it might have
been a better idea to apply the chase mechanic, having the investigators
pursued by the stranger spouting its terrible knowledge as they race through obstacles previously described.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></span></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dream Zagreb is highly evocative and atmospheric and likely to be an entertaining an memorable experience for the players.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The accursed enlightenment provided by the hooded stranger is likely to make the rest of the campaign and the characters more interesting.</span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much of the scenario allows for little investigator agency, and therefore places a heavy load on the Keeper if investigators deviate from the scripted scenes or wish to interact with them in more depth.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary, this is a neat and highly atmospheric interlude, which can be a really memorable and enjoyable experience for the investigators if they enjoyed the surreal horror of dream Lausanne. However, if your investigators are likely to want to interact more thoroughly with events than scripted, the Keeper will need to do some preparation in advance, or think fast, to keep things moving along. If your players are unlikely to enjoy this kind of surreal adventure, or become highly frustrated by the low level of agency, you may wish to skip this chapter entirely or supply the handouts as individual dreams to those experiencing the baleful influence of the simulacrum.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-33824394797056985672016-03-12T19:52:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:43:53.443-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Trieste<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Trieste chapter of the revised Call
of Cthulhu campaign <a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/">Horror on the Orient Express</a> (Chaosium: 2014) based on
actual play. I intend to review each
chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I
see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way
for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever
plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cold Wind Blowing</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next stop on the Orient Express is Trieste where the
search for the simulacrum leads the investigators a magical medallion, competition
between rival cults and a restless spirit.
The scenario outlines each of these actors and their likely actions
against a rough timeline, which supports a more freeform and player-driven style
game, but also requires the Keeper to ensure they have prepared thoroughly
prior to each session.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuT4XEXLaH90WpsIsTgpdRrcawUPi4MoBDmpv_LMgwVBpF5jWBfkaE1vF2dER7A8B9GMdpImpz_ekYRACmNlJiDJprokZhFIVrXOEXRtZ2GIsEioaB3_Bx8hmBF3ZFSr3Kuj5NKq2XGCW/s1600/Trieste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuT4XEXLaH90WpsIsTgpdRrcawUPi4MoBDmpv_LMgwVBpF5jWBfkaE1vF2dER7A8B9GMdpImpz_ekYRACmNlJiDJprokZhFIVrXOEXRtZ2GIsEioaB3_Bx8hmBF3ZFSr3Kuj5NKq2XGCW/s400/Trieste.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bora is a non-player character in this scenario, a
relentless wind that howls through Trieste and threatens to blow their
investigators off their feet. The Bora
is also linked to the local cult and the beings they worship, providing a neat
way to highlight this influence from the moment the investigators disembark
from the train (albeit without the characters realising it initially). While this has the potential to be very
atmospheric it does place a burden on the Keeper to continually find ways to
make this meaningful and interesting for the players.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One suggestion is to use a soundtrack, a short clip of a
howling wind, looped and played at the table as background noise; this had my
players hunching against an imaginary freezing wind. Turn up the volume when the investigators are
outside. Another suggestion is for the
Keeper to make a list of events to intersperse when the investigators venture
out, for example:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two elderly nuns are crossing the road, when the
wind knocks one to the ground. A trolley
car bears down on the pair, and it’s not clear if it can brake in time. Will an investigator risk serious injury to
save a stranger?</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wind rips apart large sign depicting a man
enjoying a glass of wine. Fragments of the sign containing the decapitated head
hurtle toward the investigators.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A hat, scarf and coat swirl in a wind eddy
nearby, giving the impression that someone recently shed a disguise.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Warm rain spatters an investigator, the wind
driving it into their moth or eyes, but when they get inside they find they are
covered in blood. Perhaps Fenalik is
hunting nearby, or perhaps a butcher lost control of a bucket of offal?</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0IuSi8gkRwgq7-egUtJqxbfKlghiYrO-2HBxLg9tctc3le2yeluzU8DuyH5Wc-Vq2OSaKAOpjIxjQojgpPZZbg3Kt1K4OjTSg0AHlNW__8zu6QPdnh6Gxe1KOV9yOIEJPbFUVKAvhh89/s1600/trieste_bora3-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0IuSi8gkRwgq7-egUtJqxbfKlghiYrO-2HBxLg9tctc3le2yeluzU8DuyH5Wc-Vq2OSaKAOpjIxjQojgpPZZbg3Kt1K4OjTSg0AHlNW__8zu6QPdnh6Gxe1KOV9yOIEJPbFUVKAvhh89/s400/trieste_bora3-500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps the most memorable encounters of the scenario is
with the ghost of Johann Winckelmann, whose possessions the investigators must
trace. Although the sequence of events
necessary to initiate the haunting is slightly tenuous (investigation at the
museum, a meeting with a private collector, then hours spent deciphering a
dairy in classical Greek) the subsequent haunting is extremely atmospheric,
presenting a range of suggestions to unnerve the investigators in escalating
levels of severity. Unfortunately the
climax of this encounter (the image of Bacchus) is a clue more likely to
confuse or frustrate the players than drive the story onward.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from the possibility of the investigators conducting a
séance there seems to be little purpose to this additional obfuscation. The scenario does provide several ways to
steer the investigators to the ultimate aim of this section, the recovery of
the amulet, but it seems to me that the story of Winckelmann’s murder, conveyed
either through a vision or dream (ideally where the investigators can have some
level of interaction) would, in my opinion, provide the investigators with a
much clearer idea of what they are looking for (an old inn built over ancient
ruins) than the scripted path, and also allow their historical or library use
skills to come to the fore while scanning old town plans or historic records.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Antonio Termona and the lloigor cult are the other major
consideration for this scenario. On one
hand it is refreshing to introduce a new cult and their supernatural masters who
care nothing for the simulacrum. On the
other hand is seems a little derivative to again have the characters recover a
powerful artefact that is sought by a dangerous cult. Ultimately my players found the incidental
link between cults and artefacts to be somewhat confusing. The key clues which shed light on this probable
link are held by the Brothers of the Skin, who the investigators are unlikely
to confront unless they are particularly aggressive, and by Helmut the mutilated
former investigator, who the characters are unlikely to engage with unless they
feel particularly sympathetic or trusting.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuDaocmu2guKVbjfX2q3JmBQ2qm1Knp6ENqQ8AR2VjpqvEw1cSB3rZuBywpVweZ8MGV-GG9NxwkBup8PFhhS8Kg6hk9F8ViEH0QCaYT-SRTSbNBVJ46KVgit8v5kYiOvo2aULPu5MTahi/s1600/Medallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuDaocmu2guKVbjfX2q3JmBQ2qm1Knp6ENqQ8AR2VjpqvEw1cSB3rZuBywpVweZ8MGV-GG9NxwkBup8PFhhS8Kg6hk9F8ViEH0QCaYT-SRTSbNBVJ46KVgit8v5kYiOvo2aULPu5MTahi/s200/Medallion.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I suggest that should the investigators need a further push to
investigate Helmut, they might happen across a newspaper article that describes
Helmut as having located ancient treasure horde in an unnamed cave
complex. The following day the cult acts, Helmut
is mutilated and the paper publishes a story clarifying that their earlier
report was in error.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario proposes that the investigators are under
surveillance by both cults from a fairly early stage, but there are few details
to support the Keeper to describe these watchers beyond the first and most
awkward. I suggest there is an opportunity
here to play on the investigators paranoia and highlight the insidious nature
of both cults; the lloigor cult are locals and virtually anyone could be a
member, while the Brother of the Skin might have taken the appearance of any
NPC the investigators have previously encountered. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A prepared keeper might create some details for NPCs the
characters are likely to encounter (hotel concierge, waiter, trolley car or
taxi driver, newspaper seller etc.) and then arrange for subsequent encounters
to seem increasingly suspicious as the NPC has different mannerisms, seems to
use a different dominant hand, or be engaged in furtive conversation with other
passers-by when the investigators approach.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final act of this scenario occurs when the investigators
venture into the caverns at Postumia. At
this point they almost certainly know they are venturing into the lion’s den
and this may be problematic, given they have no direct knowledge that the
simulacrum is located there. The
investigators may wish to enter by stealth, some may wish to be heavily armed
and some may feel the risk is simply too great to make the trip at all. One suggestion, if there is some wavering on
the part of the investigators, is for Helmut to remember having seen a part of the
simulacrum in the caverns.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1D5nQasUIcsVSySUNgq-y9VbgQC_7FOkrcuPOwgsj0V0gWz1atp1DPmPiPeQ8z-4rGCSbStqV9SIqLyWpfliFeovSiAzS0pQ0vSfk0iyZciUWbh6hj-m1kp9zT_TntvUXQxTkbubUF_W/s1600/postojna-cave-brilliant-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1D5nQasUIcsVSySUNgq-y9VbgQC_7FOkrcuPOwgsj0V0gWz1atp1DPmPiPeQ8z-4rGCSbStqV9SIqLyWpfliFeovSiAzS0pQ0vSfk0iyZciUWbh6hj-m1kp9zT_TntvUXQxTkbubUF_W/s320/postojna-cave-brilliant-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is little detail about the nearby town and countryside, and the influence of the cult in these environs, which was problematic as my group decided to investigate these in some detail before committing to enter the caverns. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scripted setup is neat and atmospheric as the friendly ‘guide’ takes them deeper beneath the earth where a chaotic confrontation occurs. Despite the seemingly huge odds, as scripted
the investigators are more spectators than protagonists as rival cultists
battle. To give the players greater
agency I suggest that, assuming the investigators came ready for action, they
should have the opportunity to defeat Antonio Termona and Marco in a running
battle prior to their encounter with the lloigor and perhaps Carlo and one of
the Brothers of the Skin as they make their escape with the leg.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Running this final scene can be a significant challenge
for the Keeper if they are to convey tension, pace and danger while also allowing
the investigators to interact with the scripted story elements and not feel
like they are merely spectators and not in any real physical jeopardy. However if you can pull this off, and the
players are willing to meet you half-way, there is the makings of a thrilling
and memorable climax, which is likely to be a highlight of the campaign.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trieste and the Bora provide a unique and highly atmospheric backdrop for the scenario.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The haunting scene is very evocative and likely to create a very memorable experience your players.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot involving rival cults and an unrelated Mythos artefact is refreshing and allows the Keeper some flexibility, and the investigators some agency, in how events resolve .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The climax provides a further epic and highly atmospheric encounter, with relatively minimal risk to the Investigators.</span></li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot for the scenario seems unnecessarily complex in places and is a little derivative of the overall campaign plot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the factions and key protagonists are described, allowing for some contingency for investigator action, the Keeper will likely need to invent additional details to keep this convincing if the scenario runs for multiple sessions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators may not have sufficient information or motivation to risk the dangers of venturing into the caverns at Postumia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators are spectators for much of the final confrontation in the caverns and their meeting with the lloigor, as scripted, may seem a little contrived.</span></li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary the Trieste chapter of the campaign pulls together a range of very evocative scenes and set-pieces, and allows a reasonable degree of flexibility in how the bulk of the scenario plays out. However, some parts of the plot are not well linked, and the Keeper may need to improvise and invent additional detail in order to keep the investigators on track for the epic final climax. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"></span><span style="color: #5588aa;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-35851522537990199162016-01-22T00:34:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:42:56.840-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Constantinople 1204<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Constantinople (1204) chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Dark Crusader</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Dark Ages flashback scenario provides the players an
opportunity to experience a completely different change of pace. This
scenario presents a series of combat-based encounters, each of which the
characters must overcome to in order to reach their final, fateful, meeting
with Sedefkar himself.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3tvyFk5_RRP9sTXdR2AVL6kK53Bsl_4AF8ikH4AZE0v7am437ejx0IUX9B5CFL3l4Aj_XZs2MuibCdzzhCnIJy6M_LWxONxZvTMNgdE5KnsISxaVROwWctJssVnje4RjkqE2Ef8huUJm/s1600/second-conquest-e1323658337476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3tvyFk5_RRP9sTXdR2AVL6kK53Bsl_4AF8ikH4AZE0v7am437ejx0IUX9B5CFL3l4Aj_XZs2MuibCdzzhCnIJy6M_LWxONxZvTMNgdE5KnsISxaVROwWctJssVnje4RjkqE2Ef8huUJm/s320/second-conquest-e1323658337476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenario provides six pre-generated characters,
which should make it easy for the players to get right into the action.
Unfortunately these characters are only presented in the traditional format,
with background text and summarised statistics in the usual double column
format used for NPCS, running over several pages. This means you can’t
easily print and cut them out, as the information for one character runs over
several pages and contains some details the players may not want to share
immediately. More importantly, under 7</span><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Edition the
players need to have a breakdown of their Hard and Extreme success chance for
every skill, and this format does not allow for this in any but the combat
skills. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The GM is left with the option of a messy print and
cut, leaving players to make on-the-fly calculations at the table, preparing in
advance by transcribing the characters onto proper character sheets by hand, or
using the electronic Dark Ages character sheet found in the ‘<a href="http://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-through-the-ages/">Through the Ages’</a>
publication with does these calculations automatically (I strongly recommend
the latter to save time and as you can also copy and paste some of the key
character information and inventory into the second page, and enter the relevant
weapon damage and luck scores, making it easy for the players to get
started).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While this arrangement for pre-generated characters
is not uncommon in Chaosium published Call of Cthulhu publications, it does seem an unusual
oversight in a product like Horror on the Orient Express which is packed with
so many handouts, and which boasts an entire book of ready-to-play
pre-generated characters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The backdrop of the scenario is both extremely
evocative and unique. The year is 1204 and Constantinople has been attacked
by the army of the fourth crusade and is in the throes of pillage by Frankish
and Venetian forces. The characters take the roles of knights or
other members of the Crusader army tasked with searching the city for
unholy artefacts they suspect are having a baleful influence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNiaedwo6HBOcUf0kFBxPdAuV3QfmR94ro4O6YF1zbKR7FDREnoGigUFOoMQgT7disA5OuSMdRqP4jf7MzwBuFE6sVV4xqPtrMrfocHKLqtlZdl_kmRB1xY2LVI3tqfJcsFQYXKzyjRRU/s1600/840ac9eec989e3166f50f0630cec6106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNiaedwo6HBOcUf0kFBxPdAuV3QfmR94ro4O6YF1zbKR7FDREnoGigUFOoMQgT7disA5OuSMdRqP4jf7MzwBuFE6sVV4xqPtrMrfocHKLqtlZdl_kmRB1xY2LVI3tqfJcsFQYXKzyjRRU/s200/840ac9eec989e3166f50f0630cec6106.jpg" width="147" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After some high-level opening scenes which allow
the players as initial chance to describe their investigator and briefly
interact with the famous siege, the scenario slowly introduces the investigators to
the city, beginning with a briefing from their patron and a series of
vignettes to illustrate the plight of its inhabitants. There is a minor
ambush with the remnants of the defending forces to get the players some combat
experience and a memorable and disturbing interview with a priest who has
critical information.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From this point on the scenario consists primarily
of a series of brutal combat encounters, as the investigators fight their way
to a final confrontation with Sedefkar. Whether or not your group will
enjoy this depends a great deal on your players and their preferred style
of play.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On one hand, the fast-paced brutality of these
encounters provides a marked change of pace from the main campaign thus far,
and as the players have new, temporary, investigators they can lay waste to
their foes with little concern of consequence. Players who enjoy such
action will likely have a grand time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, if your players enjoy the art of
investigation, and prefer to find non-violent methods of resolving challenges,
then they may not enjoy this scenario as much and you </span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">may</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> need to be prepared
to improvise options for the investigators to trick, intimidate or avoid their
foes, and potentially modify the pre-generated characters to ensure their
skills support this approach.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most unusual encounter in the scenario involves
the investigators venturing into an underground cistern where they are
confronted by an angry Anatolian Dragon. This fearsome beast is
foreshadowed several times, but has no actual relevance to the core plot of the
scenario, aside from providing proof of supernatural forces and the desperation
of the cities inhabitants (who summoned it).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dragon is a tough combat encounter for the
characters, and while a full group of investigators are likely to prevail over
it if they attack collectively, it is likely that several of their number will be
slain, or significantly injured (under 7</span><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Edition the
Dragon is making a number of attacks equal to the investigators fighting it +2
per round, so despite a relatively low chance to hit of 30%, if the Keeper does
get a higher level of success than the players the Investigators are likely to
suffer significant damage. If the Keeper
scores an extreme success an investigator will be killed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To prevail, the investigators must gamble they can
kill the dragon (and spot its weakness) before the dragon has opportunity to
kill or incapacitate too many of their number. Should the investigators
encounter the dragon piecemeal, or prolong the fight, the outcome could be much
more deadly.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojoikSsV8VcqgmzotEXyuw2CUz9FK2ihEN2nGMaN0BY5LWQwyCZpm6Fm05NOGtOWcEPW4F1MTbHXs_DIKcv1kT_zUJr6q1VQxuNbe7k0P7Dgx7i1x9ClrFHMgmsRxYQHQh0oIzPLAjJgH/s1600/images0ELCRSB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojoikSsV8VcqgmzotEXyuw2CUz9FK2ihEN2nGMaN0BY5LWQwyCZpm6Fm05NOGtOWcEPW4F1MTbHXs_DIKcv1kT_zUJr6q1VQxuNbe7k0P7Dgx7i1x9ClrFHMgmsRxYQHQh0oIzPLAjJgH/s200/images0ELCRSB2.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The encounter with the Dragon, therefore, has the
potential to be tense, and cool (after all how many Cthulhu investigators can
boast they have killed a dragon?). However, it also has the potential to
kill or significantly weaken the investigators, and while this would be a
reasonable outcome the climax of the scenario, this is just a side encounter
with no direct connection to the plot.
Accordingly, if you plan to run this encounter I suggest either giving
the characters one mark of destiny at the beginning of the scenario (allowing
them to survive one otherwise fatal injury) or to allow the investigators a
chance to sneak up (and potentially past) the dragon as it feeds on its
previous victims.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final encounter with the skin demons and the Red Tower
is a truly loathsome affair and has the potential to be both extremely memorable for the
series of grisly scenes, and solidify the evil of the Simulacrum in the minds
of the players. There are certainly
echoes of the authors previous work on Masks of Nyarlathotep here.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The six levels of tower the investigators must traverse to
confront Sedefkar, while evocative, present little opportunity for interaction
for the players. Keepers might like to
create details of some of Sedefkar’s victims (locals, venetians or fellow
Franks) and allow the investigators an opportunity to swear vengeance on their
behalf, or free those who are not fatally wounded to keep things interesting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final encounter with Sedefkar is similar in stakes to
the Dragon fight earlier. If the
characters attack together, spy the weakness in the Simulacrum, and seek to
overwhelm their foe, they are likely to prevail before he completes the ritual. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If
they attack piecemeal or in an uncoordinated way, or fail to deduce the joins
in the Simulacrum they are likely to die rapidly. In my game the investigators swiftly worked
out that they could use a fighting manoeuvre to disarm Sedekfar without much
effort, knock off one piece of armour and strike him down with relative ease
(as the bonus die for outnumbering offset the penalty dice or increased level
of difficulty for targeting a specific location). However, none of the characters were uninjured</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and several had only a single hit point, so it could easily have worked out differently.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are pre-generated investigators each with their own backstory.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The setting and plot are very atmospheric and interesting and there is good foreshadowing of major campaign elements, and elements within the scenario.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The players may enjoy the change of pace by playing violent and disposable pre-generated investigators in a series of bloody battles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The investigators battle, and have a chance to defeat, many memorable foes including a Dragon and Sedefkar himself.</span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial";">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pre-generated character sheets are not well set out for actual use.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The plot is relatively linear and there are few scripted opportunities to investigate or resolve encounters through non-violent means.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If run as written, the plot has the potential to be extremely deadly, and the investigators are likely to be defeated unless the work together and look for weaknesses in their foes.</span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary the Dark Ages chapter of the campaign has the potential to provide a great change of pace, with some truly horrific scenes and memorable battles. However, without some modification there is a risk that the linear nature of the plot and high stakes of several combat encounters could result in the death of some or all of the investigators before they reach the climax and leave a bad taste in the mouths of some players.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861956614085497346.post-15709992934213176672015-12-11T17:29:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:41:47.918-08:00Reports from the Orient Express - Venice<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a review of the Venice chapter of the revised Call of Cthulhu campaign </span><a href="http://www.chaosium.com/horror-on-the-orient-express/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horror on the Orient Express</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Chaosium: 2014) based on actual play. I intend to review each chapter of this venerable campaign as we play through it, highlighting what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and providing some suggestions along the way for what I’d do differently if running it again. Spoilers follow, so don’t read on if you ever plan to play in this classic Call of Cthulhu campaign.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Death (and Love) in a Gondola</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Venice is the
second chapter of the campaign set in fascist Italy. This chapter weaves together two separate
plots; ‘Love in Venice’ a love story involving a recently bereaved woman, a
young communist and a cruel blackshirt leader, and ‘Death in Venice’ the search
for a piece of the simulacrum and a key text.
Both plots are set against the atmospheric backdrop of Venice and a mood
of increasing fear within the city, as the canal waters slowly turn black and a
murderer stalks the city by night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This chapter
has the potential to paint an extremely evocative picture, weaving the
simultaneous threads of the treasure hunt and romantic drama together into a
series of memorable scenes. There are a
lot of good suggestions to bring this material to life and my group ranked this
as one of their favourite chapters thus far, due to the mix of evocative
locations, high tension and simmering threat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8wlDsCj7Cv41e3U-SruYkBFURb9GMFXjFULN-JGjCq7j07nzgKNlBSO6D2EpnF03hqehVC3FVm1QXjXy-GlxyvFZ4YtYkEkZ8xNhuyPwxb8SFkc0A8yaACQ9n_nXFNPdUzl6CoYQkcLi/s1600/Aavenice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8wlDsCj7Cv41e3U-SruYkBFURb9GMFXjFULN-JGjCq7j07nzgKNlBSO6D2EpnF03hqehVC3FVm1QXjXy-GlxyvFZ4YtYkEkZ8xNhuyPwxb8SFkc0A8yaACQ9n_nXFNPdUzl6CoYQkcLi/s320/Aavenice.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Love in
Venice</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 'Love in Venice' plot
provides the Keeper with antagonists in the form of Alberto Rossini and his
Blackshirts thugs who can intimidate and inject some action for the
investigators, keeping them on their toes as they progress though the 'Death in
Venice' investigation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some aspects
of this plot are well detailed – Maria’s residence, the core cast and the
actions of the Blackshirts each day, although notably absent are details about the
friends of the Stagliani family and how they respond to events, and a good
description of the cemetery island of San Michelle. The Keeper must do some research in advance if
they plan to bring such a memorable location to life for the players.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This plot is
largely detached from the investigative aspect of the scenario, meaning that if
the characters do not chose to intervene in the drama, there is little likelihood
they will have contact with the Blackshirts unless they openly mark themselves
as foreigners in later days as the city is gripped by fear. Accordingly, I suggest that Keepers who
wish to keep the tension high, ensure the investigators become a focus of
Blackshirt attention even if they fail to help Maria and Georgio.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQQFXxSYPZaLpF-QhmnkI7DcEiY6FPWQYI_cS075MKIJrJcSw7lBB4Xdo4K-9J7UEM82H-WAYxOc3d83LBFaC0huoBpF30g5OUH6c2J2gHzbQGwEI7igYu6uTnbUkuzTYmNYAN9HgVmYg/s1600/Bshirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQQFXxSYPZaLpF-QhmnkI7DcEiY6FPWQYI_cS075MKIJrJcSw7lBB4Xdo4K-9J7UEM82H-WAYxOc3d83LBFaC0huoBpF30g5OUH6c2J2gHzbQGwEI7igYu6uTnbUkuzTYmNYAN9HgVmYg/s320/Bshirts.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems plausible
that the investigators might be linked to the murders – there are few actual
details about these crimes in the text, and the subsequent taint of the canals to
support the Keeper should the investigators decide to spend time and effort
looking into it (where does Fenalik reside during the day? what is the source
of the contagion of the canals? what can be deduced from a chemical analysis
etc.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
suggestion is that the Investigators (particularly those suffering from the
baleful influence of the Simulacrum who may seem unhealthy and possibly even infectious) become prime suspects. The Blackshirts likely require little in
terms of proof beyond the arrival of the investigators in Venice coinciding with the first
murder and beginning of the canal taint, and the fact that the first murder occurred
near their hotel. As a result they might
harass and accuse the investigators, claiming they are troublemakers or foreign
agents intent on sabotage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This keeps
the pressure on the investigators while they search for the
simulacrum piece, and provides a challenge the investigators might resolve any number
of ways, from establishing their bona fides and appealing for official help
(Credit Rating and Persuade) to evasion and subterfuge (Stealth and Disguise) to outright conflict
(Intimidate and Fighting).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Death in
Venice</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second
plot leads the investigators through iconic Venice locations on a hunt for two
items, the first a text known as The Devil’s Simulare can eventually be tracked
to the Biblioteca Marciana, where diligent researchers find it amidst a
relocated collection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regrettably
the only suggestion presented is for the Investigators to try and steal the
book using Sleight of Hand. My group
considered a wide range of options from bribery to cat-burglary to recover the
text, and the scenario text provided little support for the Keeper in
furnishing such details. A wise keeper
might look online for some details of the Biblioteca Marciana to be prepared
for such contingencies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmZrwMpdFGr4nkJM4QhAxydhe9zJskFTfiBwbsoa2N2ouAAUck-GxZSLwRIygE1gxuxjFuFeFbvoFLWiiH7OpdOBxp2WBpfIJOgJxdZy1gdkpFc-1SOLT6KY5iks5d_MiqXkyna5DQgez/s1600/Dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmZrwMpdFGr4nkJM4QhAxydhe9zJskFTfiBwbsoa2N2ouAAUck-GxZSLwRIygE1gxuxjFuFeFbvoFLWiiH7OpdOBxp2WBpfIJOgJxdZy1gdkpFc-1SOLT6KY5iks5d_MiqXkyna5DQgez/s1600/Dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmZrwMpdFGr4nkJM4QhAxydhe9zJskFTfiBwbsoa2N2ouAAUck-GxZSLwRIygE1gxuxjFuFeFbvoFLWiiH7OpdOBxp2WBpfIJOgJxdZy1gdkpFc-1SOLT6KY5iks5d_MiqXkyna5DQgez/s200/Dolls.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The quest for
the simulacrum leg leads the investigators through another burglary, to a
dilapidated doll factory and on to a tense encounter in a city bell tower. These are all great scenes; my only real
suggestion is that the dolls in the Gremanci factory have the potential to
really keep the suspense high. So rather
than a tedious bookkeeping search, the characters feel themselves being watched
by the china-blue eyes of the dolls.
When they look up from the records, they are sure one of the dolls has
moved, and now sits closer than before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps
Fenalik in his mist form is playing with them, pushing them to find the next
piece, or perhaps the investigators are simply tired and their minds are
playing tricks. Either way it should
make the scene even more memorable for the players, as their investigators
close in on the final lead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final
scene in the clock tower is terrific, with the investigators braving larger
than life automata as they search for the leg, and catching a glimpse of their
nemesis. There is a neat level of
physical and mental threat at the pivotal moment, my only suggestion here is
that investigators who chose not to brave the inner workings of the clock, but
lurk nearby while their comrades do this dangerous work, might also be struck by
flying cogs or springs if they fail a luck check, as the clock breaks down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PROS</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are several simultaneous plots which allow the Keeper to weave several stories together and allow the investigators some choice about how they will proceed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mix of a human drama, alongside the supernatural quest, provides a good opportunity for the characters to face mundane foes and help some ordinary people in need.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The backdrop of Venice increasingly gripped by fear, is excellent and extremely atmospheric, ratcheting up the pressure and tension.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are several memorable scenes, and the final conclusion of this chapter with the automata in the clock tower should be a real campaign highlight.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CONS <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some parts of each plot which are not well developed, leaving the Keeper to fill in the details if the investigators deviate from the anticipated path.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As scripted it is possible that the characters will not participate in the ‘Love in Venice’ plot which potentially removes the Keeper’s option to the Blackshirts as antagonists to heighten the tension.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Much like Paris, the search for the simulacrum piece is relatively linear, based in research, and there are few scripted opportunities for the Keeper to make things interesting for more action focused characters until the final scene. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In summary the Venice chapter has a great mix of tension and
drama, mixing both mundane and supernatural elements into a potentially very memorable
experience for the players. There are
some places where a Keeper might need to think fast, improvise, or have
prepared in advance to smooth out rougher edges. There is also potential for the Keeper to tweak
the existing plot to create even more mundane and supernatural tension if they
so desire. A well-crafted chapter oozing
detail, Venice is a real highlight of the campaign to this point.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other parts of this review:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">The Blood Red Fez</span></span></a><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/reports-from-orient-express-overview.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Overview & London</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-paris.html">Paris</a><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/reports-from-orient-express-lausanne.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Lausanne</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/reports-from-orient-express-milan.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Milan</span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/reports-from-orient-express-venice.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Venice</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (1204)</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/reports-from-orient-express-trieste.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Trieste</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/reports-from-orient-express-dream-zagreb.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Dream Zagreb</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Constantinople (330)</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/07/reports-from-orient-express-vinkovci.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Vinkovci</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/reports-from-orient-express-belgrade_91.html"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Belgrade</span></a></span></span><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/reports-from-orient-express-blood-red.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/reports-from-orient-express-sofia_12.html">Sofia</a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/reports-from-orient-express.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constantinople (1923)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-across.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across Europe</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-london.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London Again & The Dreamlands Express</span></a><br />
<a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-istanbul.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Istanbul (2013)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://total-party-kill.blogspot.co.nz/2017/02/reports-from-orient-express-final.html">The Final Analysis</a></span></div>
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