A. Smith
2009-11-16, 03:18 PM
Hey there,
I'm going to DM a game set in a homebrew alternate history world (map here (http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2598/cartecampagnegurps.png); it's in French, but you shouldn't have too much trouble getting the gist of it) and it's starting next wednesday.
This is what I'm currently thinking will be the story.
All of my players are passengers on this big-ass airship that is travelling from the Republic of Venice to Spain, then Algeria (in my world, in the Ottoman Empire), and then make it's way across to America.
Now, at some point between the airship's departure from eastern Spain and it's arrival in Algeria, they are boarded by a bunch of Arabs that take control of the ship. They politely herd everyone (except some, who they shoot, without the players knowing exactly why unless they roll for it; they,re either Muslims or important crew members) in the ball room and explain that they are the martyrs of Saint Dorotheus of Gaza and they are fighting against the evil infidels (Muslims). They give the passengers and crew two choices. Either they join them in their glorious struggle (or somesuch bombastic term) or they are taken as hostages and will be freed against a hefty price (which, given this is essentially a huge cruise ship, most everyone's family will be able to afford). They give the passengers an hour.
Later on, word starts doing around that the passengers and crew are going to try and take back the ship.
So this gives three real options to the players. The first is to join the Arab Christians, in which case they then go on to fight the uprising of the passengers and help them in North Africa. The second is to do nothing, which would mean they stand around while the rebellion happens, and thus I could drag them into something else (I don't really expect my players to do this, knowing them). The third is to fight the Christians and take back the airship. After they do, they'd realize they're stranded over the Sahara, and then what they do is up to them.
What do you guys think? Interesting? Too railroady? Not railroady enough? I want to hear your thoughts!
I'm going to DM a game set in a homebrew alternate history world (map here (http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2598/cartecampagnegurps.png); it's in French, but you shouldn't have too much trouble getting the gist of it) and it's starting next wednesday.
This is what I'm currently thinking will be the story.
All of my players are passengers on this big-ass airship that is travelling from the Republic of Venice to Spain, then Algeria (in my world, in the Ottoman Empire), and then make it's way across to America.
Now, at some point between the airship's departure from eastern Spain and it's arrival in Algeria, they are boarded by a bunch of Arabs that take control of the ship. They politely herd everyone (except some, who they shoot, without the players knowing exactly why unless they roll for it; they,re either Muslims or important crew members) in the ball room and explain that they are the martyrs of Saint Dorotheus of Gaza and they are fighting against the evil infidels (Muslims). They give the passengers and crew two choices. Either they join them in their glorious struggle (or somesuch bombastic term) or they are taken as hostages and will be freed against a hefty price (which, given this is essentially a huge cruise ship, most everyone's family will be able to afford). They give the passengers an hour.
Later on, word starts doing around that the passengers and crew are going to try and take back the ship.
So this gives three real options to the players. The first is to join the Arab Christians, in which case they then go on to fight the uprising of the passengers and help them in North Africa. The second is to do nothing, which would mean they stand around while the rebellion happens, and thus I could drag them into something else (I don't really expect my players to do this, knowing them). The third is to fight the Christians and take back the airship. After they do, they'd realize they're stranded over the Sahara, and then what they do is up to them.
What do you guys think? Interesting? Too railroady? Not railroady enough? I want to hear your thoughts!