tkdguy

Here's my write-up: Duncan MacLeod

Before TNG came out, the story was that the people from Alpha Centauri were also human, and they were the first people to make contact with Earth, not the Vulcans. I think there were also legends of aliens who seeded planets with different humanoid types, which is why the Alpha Centaurians were also human. I'm not claiming any of this as canon. Just reiterating what I read.

Having everyone evolve from orcs would be an interesting twist. I just chose humans as the original race so that they could interbreed with elves and orcs, but elves and orcs cannot interbreed with each other, as their DNA would be too different to be compatible. Then again, I read in Discover Magazine years ago that Cro Magnons and Neandethals were unable or unwilling to interbreed.

Thanks, guys. I had envisioned magic to be of a non-combative type ie, no powers that directly cause damage. They would be used for healing or feats of strength. But I will take a 2nd look at the link after I come home from work. I also planned to limit the number of sentient races in the world. Also, since all races are just subtypes of humanity, interbreeding would be possible. I actually got this idea from re-reading Elfquest. The elves and trolls were descended from aliens, but I discarded that bit for this campaign.

Okay, this thought has been going around in my head for a while. I was thinking of a different kind of fantasy genre. A little more realistic, in the sense that the laws of science apply (for the most part anyway). The world goes around its sun. Evolution and continental drift took place. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. There still are elves and orcs, but they evolved from subraces of humanity. Only their relative isolation saved them from extinction. Dragons likewise are very large lizards. Instead of breathing fire, maybe they spit venom or some substance corrosive to human flesh. As for magic, it would be fairly low-powered. Perhaps magic is psychic or psionic in nature. Maybe it is based on chi. Of course, both sources may be available simultaneously. Perhaps the wizards use psionics, while the priests harness chi. Of course, this would still be a medieval society. Superstition and intolerance toward outsiders and/or differing views would prevail. Religion may have a strong role in the campaign, or it may be toned down. Wars are still fought with sword and lance. Feudalism is still the predominant system in society. Any suggestions and critiques would be most welcome.

Sounds good. Thanks for clarifying. The Doctor's incarnations don't seem to get along too well, but I wouldn't get along with me either. Actually, I don't half the time, but that's a different story!

Re regeneration: I can see Duplication being used, but I'm having difficulty seeing how Summon can be used for that effects. Maybe I'm just tired from a long week, but I really can't see it. Could you run that one by me please? I would have just used the changing features of the regeneration as a special effect, since the Doctor is still the same guy, no matter how he looks. Unless you want to mix Shape Shift or something like that made inherent. Again, I'm really tired, so I could be neglecting to read the fine print. Telepathy also works for the Doctor's universal translator. Either one should work well. As for the colors, I think the Prydonian colors are red and gold. They do use the gold robes, at least. The other colors are green and (I think) heliotrope. I know that last color was something uncommon.

If memory serves, not every Gallifreyan is a Time Lord. Only those who completed the training in one of the three major academies (more info when I remember their names. I think their names are Patrex, Prydin, and Arcalian). They are the only ones who can regenerate. There are a few who live in the wilderness, but most live in the city (there may be only one single city; I'm not sure). Regeneration Should be built as healing, resurrection (won't work if disintegrated or if important body parts are missing), only to prevent death, 12 charges. Time Lords also have Universal translator, which they can share with their companions (usable by others). I assume the Time Lords are aquainted with many sciences and cultures, but I doubt they should be as high as the Doctor's. after all, he was over 650 years old during the first William Hartnell episode ("An Unearthly Child") and was about 900 during the Colin Baker episode "Trial of a Time Lord." He possibly had adventures before going on the run from the Time Lords and probably after that, since his granddaughter Susan read a book about the French Revolution and exclaimed how inaccurate it was.

What is it about the D&D worlds you don't like, if I may ask? I'm just curious why you don't like any of them.

The McCoy episodes were all seen here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The PBS station also got the rights to show episodes featuring the first two Doctors. So I was lucky enough to see all seven. As for Paul McGann, I thought he did a good job as the Doctor, even if the storyline wasn't too good.

Special thanks It has occurred to me that I neglected to thank various people for giving me the ideas necessary to complete this project. So let me thank the following people: Gregory Widen, for starting this whole thing. Davis/Panzer Productions, for expanding the movie into two television series. All the writers who portrayed Duncan MacLeod and friends in their novels. All the gamers who did this before I did in their games (AD&D, d20, WoD, GUPRS, HERO, and Legacy: War of Ages). And of course, a very special thanks to Adrian Paul, Christopher Lambert, Stan Kirsch, Peter Wingfield, Elizabeth Gracen, Jim Byrnes, Roxanne Har, Alexandra Vandernoot, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery, and all the rest of the cast and crew of the movies and TV series for entertaining us.

That brings to mind a couple of former players who would start chanting "Kill the baby!" in response to that comment.

The question is, HOW was he breeding them?

Actually I meant the cattle were for farmers and landowners, but hey, why can't a dragon have slaves/employees looking after his food supply?

Don't you mean the Light Claymore (or claidh more, if you prefer)? What about the Japanes Jedi who practice with Light Katanas?

I was watching the Barbarians special on the History Channel when I remembered something. Treasure doesn't always have to come in the form of coins and gems. The Viking chiefs would often reward their followers with valuable items. They were usually made of gold or siver, but they weren't coins. Jewelry comes to mind. Rings, armbands, necklaces are all considered precious. Many have gems set in them. Then there are other ornaments. Siver goblets (like the one Bilbo stole from Smaug), statues, and ornaments such as little golden bells or the like are all valuable. I seem to remember those little golden bells being part of the princess' ransom in Shanghai Noon. Not everything needs to be made of precious metal. A wooden carving woud be prized if it is of exceptional quality. Furs and cloth (especially silk) would fetch a good price in the market. A tapestry would make a good centerpiece. Let's not forget livestock. Cattle was the measure of wealth in the Celtic world. The Tain (sorry, I can't remember how to spell the entire name), where the Irish hero Cuchulain played a major role, was precisely that: a cattle raid, albeit one of epic proportions. And even in the Mabinogi, the kingdoms of Gwynedd and Dyfed went to war because Gwydion, the heir to Gwynedd's throne, used trickery to obtain the pigs owned by Pryderi, Dyfed's ruler. Even chickens and ducks would be considered valuable to the poor. In short, instead of stocking the dragon's lair with layers of gold and silver coins, how about putting a little variety in the hoard?

Also, remember that gold isn't valuable as currency during the War of the Lance. They use steel coins instead. But you can use siver and copper coins as usual.

Thanks for the compliment about the races. However, I think it is possible to play in a D&D world without making it a D&D game. Just change the magic and other stuff so that it doesn't work like D&D. Besides, some of the D&D worlds work well, and you can use any system that's not D&D.

Have you checked out the Enlightenment Fantasy thread on the Other Genres forum? There were some good ideas there from a bunch of players. I even thought of some minor magical items for the genre. I still can't believe one of my players wanted to develop technology to the point that there would be mecha by 1940! As if I would have let him.

You could, if you wish, introduce some low-powered magic in an otherwise historical campaign. Frankly, I enjoy being able to do stuff without magic. I remember wanting to do that since I played AD&D 2nd Edition. The rest of my group didn't like the idea. I think we share similar tastes on the genres we play. I only wish you were one of my players in my Castle Falkenstein game. Everyone else tried to turn it postmodern. I could have used someone to show everyone how to play it properly.

Sounds good, UltraRob. Thanks.

Re: Whovians Unite! I remember Venusian Aikido having lots of nerve strikes. Maybe an actual punch or two was thrown. It has been so long since I watched Doctor Who, so I can't recall all the details. It seems only the Pertwee Doctor (#3) knew Venusian Aikido.

Even if you don't run a game with them soon, you may still get ideas or inspiration from them. I have rpgs I've never even run or played in, but they have given me ideas. Maybe the books will get your creative juices anyway. And maybe one of your friends will want to run a Star Hero campaign and may need to borrow your stuff. Even if none of that happens, you can just read them anyway. If you enjoy reading them, your money was well spent.

How about this concept for the Doctor. He's cold and unemotional like Spock, but he takes on the bad guys like James Bond. Except for the Jon Pertwee Doctor, our favorite Time Lord fights more like 007 than Bruce Lee anyway.

I use lots of Eastern martial arts, but the names have been Westernized. I regret that decision because it confused my players, who are all Asian, myself included. There is a lot of swordplay in the campaign, though. Since armor was no longer commonly used in the late 17th century, it is very rare. In any case, the characters are all civilians, they wouldn't normally have access to armor anyway. Perhaps a mail shirt would be worn under the clothing, but the characters can't afford it yet.