[d20] Looking for system (19th century)

[Thurbane]

Hey all, after watching Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie), I've been inspired to look for a gaming system that would work well for adventuring in that era. Preferably d20 based, as that is the only system my current group is very familiar and comfortable with.

d20 Cthulhu (3E) could be set around this era, but it's out of print. Does d20 Modern cover this kind of historical period? As for adventure themes, think League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell, Van Helsing, Masque of the Red Death etc. Maybe I could homebrew some kind of Frankenstein mishmash of d20 Cthulhu, d20 Modern and D&D 3.5? Homebrew is also fine.

Our group currently plays 3.5 D&D, so anything with a vaguely similar system would be very helpful (my group is very limited to time and availability for learning a new system, due to OOG commitments).

All ideas and suggestions welcomed.

[Mongoose87]

I seem to recall there being a variant of d20 Modern that was oriented to sometime between the 17-19th centuries.

[averagejoe]

There was the d20 Past supplement to d20 modern for which the Victorian style adventures were one setting, if I recall correctly.

[Mike_G]

Space: 1889 was a pretty cool Victorian Sci-Fi RPG.

Think HG Wells spacegoing dirigibles and such.

No clue if it's still in print.

[Talyn]

I know you said you wanted to use a d20 system, but I'd like to plug a non d20 system - Savage Worlds is a fairly rules-light system that does an excellent job of modeling relatively modern (1840s to 1940s) adventure-style games. It's still in print, has a couple of good Victorian and Wild-West supplements, and isn't too expensive.

If you are really sure you want to stick to d20, though, I'll give a +1 to the guy who suggested d20 Past. It does a better job of modeling the setting than straight-up d20 Modern.

[TheThan]

There was the d20 Past supplement to d20 modern for which the Victorian style adventures were one setting, if I recall correctly.


you do indeed recall correctly.

[Thrice Dead Cat]

It's not d20, but I recommend picking up Deadlands. (http://www.peginc.com/games.html)

[The Demented One]

If you could dump d20 for ORE, Kerberos Club sounds like it would fit what you're looking for nicely.

[Thurbane]

d20 Past does sound good. The other systems may be worth looking into - even if just to pilfer for ideas.

Question: how compatible are 3.5 D&D monsters with d20 Modern/Past rules? Are they fairly easy to adapt?

Also: how much material do you think I could port from other d20 systems, like Mutants & Masterminds etc.

[Raum]

d20 Past does sound good. The other systems may be worth looking into - even if just to pilfer for ideas.A couple you might want to pilfer from are Gaslight (http://www.flamesrising.com/gaslight-sw-review/) (a Savage Worlds setting), and Ghosts of Albion (http://flamesrising.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=56971) (a Cinematic Unisystem setting).

[averagejoe]

Question: how compatible are 3.5 D&D monsters with d20 Modern/Past rules? Are they fairly easy to adapt?

3.0 and d20 Modern are all but the same system. There are some new/different skills, and the classes work differently, but I'd say it's probably the same amount of work to go from 3.5 to d20 modern as it is to go from 3.5 to 3.0, maybe a little more. In one section of the d20 Modern core rulebook they even stat out a lot of monsters like displacer beasts (http://www.wizards.com/d20modern/images/d20m_gallery/610_088190_66.jpg), Illithid (http://www.wizards.com/d20modern/images/d20m_gallery/610_088190_91.jpg), and minotaur (http://www.wizards.com/d20modern/images/d20m_gallery/610_088190_94.jpg) and their Urban Arcana setting is explicitly made for the players to battle monsters; it even gives a spellcasting advanced class (which are kinda like prestige classes, except they're generally easier to qualify for since the base classes are only ten levels.)

[Thurbane]

Cool, a friend of mine has Urban Arcana - I'll have to borrow it. :smallsmile:

[averagejoe]

Cool, a friend of mine has Urban Arcana - I'll have to borrow it. :smallsmile:

I meant the Urban Arcana setting from the core book; I haven't checked out the Urban Arcana splatbook, but it should be more of the same.

[raitalin]

Question: how compatible are 3.5 D&D monsters with d20 Modern/Past rules? Are they fairly easy to adapt?

The monsters are basically the same, though DR is in the old #/+# format. Mostly you can just use them unmodified, but CR can change a bit, what with a greater reliance on firearms and the lack of powerful magic.

[Guinea Anubis]

I know you said you wanted to use a d20 system, but I'd like to plug a non d20 system - Savage Worlds is a fairly rules-light system that does an excellent job of modeling relatively modern (1840s to 1940s) adventure-style games. It's still in print, has a couple of good Victorian and Wild-West supplements, and isn't too expensive.

If you are really sure you want to stick to d20, though, I'll give a +1 to the guy who suggested d20 Past. It does a better job of modeling the setting than straight-up d20 Modern.


This, Savage Worlds (http://www.peginc.com/)is a good system, its not d20 but I still really like it. The rules are made for easy learning and fast game play more the down and out realism.

Take a look at Rippers (http://www.amazon.com/Rippers-Savage-Worlds-S2P10005-Christopher/dp/0976360136/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262694784&sr=8-19), it is set in Victorian society and you play a monster hunter working for the likes of Van Helsing. Deadlands Reloaded (http://www.amazon.com/Deadlands-Reloaded-Savage-Worlds-S2P10200/dp/0976360160/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262694556&sr=8-6) is also a great setting, its called the wierd west but more or less think steampunk wild west. Last you could take a look at is The Savage World of Solomon Kane (http://www.amazon.com/Savage-World-Solomon-Worlds-S2P10400/dp/0979245583/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262694556&sr=8-7)

[Somebloke]

I would personally not use d20 past, if only because I really hate the system- it is like a clunky first attempt at Saga that didn't work (my opinion). I am afraid I can't really offer an alternative, though.

[Thurbane]

Question about d20 Past: do I need the d20 MOdern sourcebook to use it, or would the d20 Modern SRD be sufficient? The reason I ask is that while d20 Past is relatively cheap to buy online, d20 Modern is (like the 3.5 core books) getting horrifically expensive.

[fusilier]

I'm a big proponent of GURPS, and really do prefer it for more historical oriented games. I'm not going to push it too hard here, but if you're curious you can download the GURPS lite rules for free from sjgames.

Even if you don't use GURPS, I would suggest trying to find a copy of their Steampunk supplement. It's really good, covers the time period you are interested in, and full of basic world info that's rules independent. (If you do choose GURPS, don't be alarmed by the fact that it's a 3rd edition book: the differences between 4th and 3rd edition are minor.) Their Old West supplement, and the High-Tech book, are also worth looking into if you decide to go with GURPS. Those three were really useful when I was designing a Victorian era campaign.

[paddyfool]

May I recommend Victoriana (http://www.cubicle-7.com/victoriana.htm)? It seems perfect for what you're looking for. I've only tried it once, but I rather liked it.

[nyjastul69]

These two games may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Kingdoms

The ! is messing up the link. The game is Adventure!

[erikun]

The ! is messing up the link. The game is Adventure!
Here you go. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure!)

[nyjastul69]

Here you go. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure!)

Thanks. The d20 version is what I thought might be of help not necessarily the Trinity version.

[raitalin]

Question about d20 Past: do I need the d20 MOdern sourcebook to use it, or would the d20 Modern SRD be sufficient? The reason I ask is that while d20 Past is relatively cheap to buy online, d20 Modern is (like the 3.5 core books) getting horrifically expensive.

Though I don't have much experience with SRD use, I imagine the only things missing, much like the DnD SRD are the iconic monsters, especially since d20 Modern classes are intentionally generic.

[Sir_Ophiuchus]

May I recommend Victoriana (http://www.cubicle-7.com/victoriana.htm)? It seems perfect for what you're looking for. I've only tried it once, but I rather liked it.

Seconded. Victoriana is amazing.

[IonDragon]

I personally dislike d20 Modern, and would probably dislike d20 Past as well because of the realism of it. Some how the abnormalities are easier to overlook in a fantasy setting.

Universal Decay/Dead Stars (http://daemoneye.net/) is the rule system my groups use for modern day/Victorian settings. Yes it needs a little work and it is a teeny bit different from D&D, but check my sig for the forums we have posted most of the needed changes at. It is d20 based with an extremely mutable crafting and item design system. There is also a "Primer" with light, but not quite 'quick play' rules for free on that site.

[bosssmiley]

Forgotten Futures. It is the RPG of (overlooked) Victorian adventure fiction after all.