D20 Serenity

POSTED BY: Novaura
UPDATED: Sunday, February 19, 2006 15:31
VIEWED: 4679
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NOVAURA

Thursday, February 16, 2006 7:16 PM

I'm working on a d20 future system Serenity campaign. I've already figured out just how to go about the ships and technology, now I just need some ideas for actual adventures. Any suggestions?

Until I die, I am immortal.

GRAYS

Saturday, February 18, 2006 5:44 PM

Erm, you do realize there is actually a Serenity RPG, right?

Despite the fact that practically EVERYTHING I do is d20 (I run an Eberron game and a Warcraft game), even I will admit that d20 is a very, very poor choice for anything in a modern or futuristic setting. For one thing, d20 Modern (and d20 Future) were horribly executed and don't fit the Serenity universe at all. For another, a system like GURPS works with a modern structure infinitely better, providing the flexibility that modern and futuristic settings require. Why? In fantasy settings, education alone usually dictates a path for a character from a young age, and they don't learn very much outside of their skill and experience range. Modern and futuristic characters, however, tend to branch out their experiences into many different fields, breaking archetypes or forming new ones. This makes point-based systems (like GURPS or the Serenity RPG) much more effective at reflecting the setting than level-based systems like d20.

Take my advice: drop the project. You'll abandon it later out of frustration, and lose a lot of time, or you won't be able to get anyone to play it because of the aformentioned official game and the fact that I highly doubt it's properly balanced unless you've already invested an exorbiant amount of time into it.

DAVESHAYNE

Saturday, February 18, 2006 6:52 PM

Have you been to Waves in the Black yet? http://wavesintheblack.aimoo.com/ They mostly support the Serenity RPG but adventure ideas are rather system nuetral so that could be a good resource for you. Also if you have access to old Traveller materials there are some fine adventures there that might be adaptable; particularly look for a booklet called 76 patrons. It's a listing of adventure seeds not fully fleshed out adventures but a short description of a job to do and some possible complications. A lot of the jobs are of a less than licit nature and therefor perfect for a BDH type of game. You may be able to ebay it or it's available in one of the books of the CT reprints put out by Far Future Enterprises. It's in the Supplements book.

Good gaming.

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon

NOVAURA

Sunday, February 19, 2006 4:38 AM

I am rather aware that d20 is a poor choice, unfortunatly niether myself nor my players have the real time or funds to pick up a new system. Also, thanks for the link, Dave.

Until I die, I am immortal.

DAVESHAYNE

Sunday, February 19, 2006 3:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Novaura:
I am rather aware that d20 is a poor choice, unfortunatly niether myself nor my players have the real time or funds to pick up a new system. Also, thanks for the link, Dave.

You certainly should use whatever rules you and your group are comfortable with, the story is the main thing, but the RPG isn't that expensive - Amazon has it for just over $26 - and as to time to learn: it's a rules light system, should be quick to pick up. And it uses all of those funky dice you already have for d20 (except the d20 itself.)

Oh and you're welcome.

David

"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon