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Wild West Hero


Seraphim

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Im Away this week so whilst away i am going to write an adventure for a wild west game.

 

I have no idea where to start, I am not a big fan of western films but I do like the idea of running an adventure set during this period.

 

I am going to give them only 50 points +50 disadvantages

 

Any help with any aspect of this genre would be much appreciated

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Im Away this week so whilst away i am going to write an adventure for a wild west game.

 

I have no idea where to start, I am not a big fan of western films but I do like the idea of running an adventure set during this period.

 

I am going to give them only 50 points +50 disadvantages

 

Any help with any aspect of this genre would be much appreciated

Well, the first thing is to get hold of a copy of Western HERO.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

That would help immensely, but since it's not out for 5th Ed yet, you may have to build the equipment yourself.

 

FREd and 5ER should both have at least the Colt Peacemaker listed in the weapons table. That should be a good starting benchmark. Just keep in mind that black powder weapons don't do as much damage as those of more modern design.

 

The Ultimate Vehicle has writeups for stagecoaches and steam locomotives, so that would be a good thing to get, if you've been stubbornly holding out on such a universally useful game tool.

 

Also, it's a good idea to decide what sort of campaign you want. A more historical campaign will be different from a spaghetti Western campaign, and very different from a Wild Wild West or Deadlands game.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Ok like I said I am going to be writing this adventure during this week. And have no chance of getting Western Hero by the time I start playing the game.

 

Also I havent got any other 4th ed books so I don't really want to be spending money on any 4th ed stuff.

 

I am going to set the adventure in a stereotypical western town, with the group being predominant characters in the Town.

 

No Supernatural exploits. I like deadlands but my group have very rarely played any games without some sort of magic or supernatural feel.

 

Basically I need some quick plot hooks, some quick maps and stats if possible of all you guys out there.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Heres an idead I have been toying with; The characters are hired to escort a wagon train westward where they must cross Donners Pass to the west of present day Reno Nevada. It is the fall/winter of 1847, another train was supposed to have made the crossing just one year ealier. The Paiute Indians that have been harassing your train have grown strangley silent as you approach the pass. Then one by one people start dissappearing from the train. What are the indians afraid of? Are the missing settlers turning back? If they are turning back, why would they leave in the dark of night and leave behind their possessions?

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Im Away this week so whilst away i am going to write an adventure for a wild west game.

 

I have no idea where to start, I am not a big fan of western films but I do like the idea of running an adventure set during this period.

 

I am going to give them only 50 points +50 disadvantages

 

Any help with any aspect of this genre would be much appreciated

 

Source of ideas...

 

Adventures (GURPS, but easily convertable)

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer22/BringBackAlive.html

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer28/BleedingKansas.html

 

Another Adventure (FGU)

http://d_little.tripod.com/Games/Western/ww1/

 

Character Ideas (Again, GURPS)

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer25/OldWest-Characters.html

 

Western Loot

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Ring/8473/loot.html

 

Flavor

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer29/OldWestBrawl.html

http://www.readthewest.com/

http://www.oldwest.org/

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

I had the impression that he liked the time period - but doesn't like "Western" movies (I understand this feeling quite well).

 

 

Well, yeah, I suppose that could be the case. But there are so many darn good westerns out there...!

 

 

I'm projecting again, I know. :doi:

 

 

EDIT: Adding some links so I'll feel like I actually contributed. All of these are Old West resources. Some good stuff there, by the way.

 

http://www.americanwesternmagazine.com/

http://home.hiwaay.net/~dbennett/

http://homepages.dsu.edu/jankej/oldwest/oldwest.htm

http://www.oldwest.org/cows/links.html

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Generic Cowboy

 

Player:

 

Val Char Cost
13 STR 3
11 DEX 3
13 CON 6
10 BODY 0
10 INT 0
10 EGO 0
10 PRE 0
10 COM 0
4 PD 1
3 ED 0
3 SPD 9
6 REC 0
26 END 0
24 STUN 0
6" RUN02" SWIM02 1/2" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 22

 

 

 

Cost Skill
1 WF: Lariat
2 WF: Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns
1 WF: Blades
1 Trading 8-
2 Survival (Temperate/Subtropical Plains) 11-
5 Riding 12-
2 KS: Local Ranches and Ranchers 11-
2 Animal Handler (Bovines, Equines) 8-
2 AK: Southern Texas Range 11-
Skills Cost: 18

 

 

 

Cost Equipment END
US Dollars35 .45 Cowboy Revolver: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (35 Active Points); OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), STR Minimum 12 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) [6]
US Dollars3 Lariat: Stretching 15", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (112 Active Points); OAF (-1), no Noncombat Stretching (-1/4), Range Modifier Applies (-1/4) 0
Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

 

Total Character Cost: 40

 

Val Disadvantages
0 Normal Characteristic Maxima
5 Hunted: Herding Boss 11- (As Pow, Watching)

Disadvantage Points: 5

 

Base Points: 50

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Here's a couple to start with (Generic Cowboy and Generic Outlaw)

 

Generic Outlaw

Player:

 

Val Char Cost
13 STR 3
11 DEX 3
13 CON 6
10 BODY 0
10 INT 0
10 EGO 0
10 PRE 0
10 COM 0
4 PD 1
3 ED 0
3 SPD 9
6 REC 0
26 END 0
24 STUN 0
6" RUN02" SWIM02 1/2" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 22

 

 

 

Cost Skill
2 WF: Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns
1 WF: Blades
1 Survival (Temperate/Subtropical Plains) 8-
3 Streetwise 11-
3 Riding 11-
2 PS: Bandit 11-
2 KS: Outlaws 11-
2 KS: Local Hideouts 11-
2 KS: Famous Lawmen 11-
Skills Cost: 18

 

 

 

Cost Equipment END
US Dollars35 .45 Cowboy Revolver: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (35 Active Points); OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), STR Minimum 12 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) [6]
Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

 

Total Character Cost: 40

 

Val Disadvantages
0 Normal Characteristic Maxima
20 Hunted: The Law 11- (As Pow, NCI, Harshly Punish)

Disadvantage Points: 20

 

Base Points: 50

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

I had the impression that he liked the time period - but doesn't like "Western" movies (I understand this feeling quite well).

 

Yeah I just cant be bothered with the western movies. My brother watched them all the time growing up and psychologically scarred me. I have watched a few and they just dont grip me.

 

As said though the genre in whole whats not to like, horses, bar room brawls, indians, bad teeth, and saloon gals.

 

I have run deadlands game but we focused a lot more on the supernatural side of things, i want this game to be very true to western genres(even though stereotyped).

 

Thanks to everyone who has given feedback so far, and please keep them coming its all helping

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

If you want a very stereotypical plot, then some "bad men" are terrorizing this town, the PCs don't want to get involved at first, until a DNPC or love interest or what have you is raped or beaten or killed, then it all comes down to a bloodbath.

 

To flesh out a little, maybe they came to this town because a relative has recently moved here (a mining boom town or something) and they're in for a visit. The bad guys have moved in a little more recently, or else they've been there all along and have just gotten bolder as their power base has grown (like, for instance, a mining company with way better backing than the small-time prospectors, or maybe cattle barons against small ranchers or homesteaders).

 

In the case of bandits terrorizing the town, it's just a case of boys-being-boys writ large and with no effective authority figures...they're bound to hurt someone eventually, and for the GM's purposes, it might as well be a DNPC. If it's rich-guy-and-company against little guys, maybe they've tried pressure to get them to move out, and now it's reached a point where they're willing to move into some low level force (mild beatings, riding through shooting guns to scare people, etc), and on into bigger things as the little guys band together. Or maybe the rich guy's kid thinks the world owes him whatever he wants, and the rich guy is willing to pay for lawyers (or even bribing the sheriff) to keep him out of jail.

 

At any rate, the last straw will happen as things escalate, and the guns will come out. There's not much left to worry about plot-wise, at that point.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Not a bad idea at all.

 

Or maybe a Scooby Doo type thing...someone is using a ghost story to try to scare away someone else.

 

For that matter, I remember reading (a long time ago) about some smugglers who used to move at night, with the wagon lit by lanterns, and the horses were all white, but with their heads painted black. By night, they looked headless, and people who might otherwise have discovered their little operation were either scared off or dismissed the locals' silly superstitions.

 

EDIT: I'd add to your Rep, Court Fool, but given your impressive negative score, I'm not sure you'd like that....

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

Since you have run supernatural campaigns for your players before I think it would be fun if you make it look this this one is supernatural but is not. Someone is attacked by wolves but everyone is convinced the sheriff is a werewolf. Or something equally contrived.

 

i love this idea. My group are going to expect supernatural. If people can give me more ideas on this basis. I also need to get my hands on a generic town map for a wild west town. I have looked online and cant find anything. And I am leaving in an hour for the weekend so have no use of computer. So if anyone can help that would also be much appreciated.

 

Captain, is that a true story about those smugglers?? Because I think i may be stealing that at the same time.

 

The first person has got his character concept and is working on making his character, he is going to be the town blacksmith.

 

Would like it if i could see some character sheets for blacksmiths of this genre if you guys have time too, 50 points and 50 disads.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

A map of Tombstone, AZ c. 1885 http://fkempton.tripod.com/tombstone/tombstone.html

 

I have to get back to work, and I haven't found any more just yet. Dodge City, Kansas and Deadwood, South Dakota are pretty famous, and seem to show up in RPG materials just as much as Tombstone.

 

Of course, any one-horse town can be made up pretty quickly. You just need a stable, a dry goods store, a post office, a sheriff's office, a saloon, a hotel, a few houses...

 

Floor plans should be easy to work up too. The most complex buildings tended to be saloon/theater/brothels, like Tombstone's Birdcage Theater. I'll do a decently detailed description when I get off work, so you can get an idea, unless someone else can do it or find a link.

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Guest The Comet

Re: Wild West Hero

 

I have a copy of the 4th Ed of Western Hero and I have to say it's a genre packed with potential. Bar room brawls, gunfights, indian wars, civil war themes, rustling, bank robbers, train robbers, with chinese railroad workers you have an option for Kung - Fu like storylines the list goes on and on. Cross over stuff with horror would work well, even Cthuloid scenarios would work. I'm glad that Steve is planning to revamp it even if it's not for a while. I think it is an undervalued and untapped genre that has lots to offer.

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Re: Wild West Hero

 

I am back from my little excursion now. Took some of my books away with me and read through some things that I have printed off (thanks for the help with those guys). When I was away watched some of twin peaks and thought i would try to make it have that feel about it in the game.

 

A local rail tycoon is trying to muscle his business into the town but a lot of the town officials dont want the railroad there. The tycoon has two brothers one is the Mayor of the town(Chapel), the other is the head of the notorious Blackeyed gang. He is using both of these to help him muscle in.

 

There are spies in the town from the gang, and the mexicans. The Mexicans are trying to get some major influence in the town as it would be a good location for them to set up something (i haven't decided that yet). There are also spies from the indians and mexicans in the notorious Blackeyed gang.

 

The town blacksmith has just been killed and a new blacksmith is due in the town today......

 

This is the premise i am starting on, my group will all be coming into town and one of them is the new blacksmith. Thats what i have been working on when i was away. I did steal the idea of the sheriff off courtfool (thanks again).

Any help from where to go from here will be appreciated thanks.

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