Enix18
2011-07-07, 01:28 AM
Alright, Playground, here's the deal:
I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a new side campaign for my group. This campaign will be vastly different from anything they've ever done before, with the main focus being on courtly intrigue and social interaction (with the cinematic combat they're used to playing a much more minor role). While I would like to use a system that they're already familiar with, I must confess that all but one of them have only played D&D, and nothing else. However much I like both Pathfinder and 4e, neither system is really built with mechanics geared toward wholly non-combat play.
Thus, I am in the market for a new system to suit this campaign. Preferably, that system would meet the following criteria:
Include mechanics for social interaction as a primary feature. Dealing with myriad NPC will be the main focus of the whole campaign.
Support non-social interactions as well, albeit as a secondary feature (if necessary). I feel like this shouldn't have to be said, but I've seen some indy system that were all about social characteristics and nothing more—I want the occasional stealthy foray into the castle grounds at night, the sword fights for the sake of honour, even if they won't be the main focus.
Be compatible with a mediaeval fantasy setting. Maybe you know a really awesome sci-fi rpg that's all about interplanetary political intrigue, but I have a very specific setting in mind already.
Run with a (reasonable) level of simplicity. This isn't a major concern, as the campaign will most likely by done online, which means I can hide much of the mechanic side from my players in the background. However, I still don't want them to have to worry terribly much about learning an entirely new system instead of focusing on the actual role-play, and unnecessary mechanics are exactly that: unnecessary.
I don't know if these are unreasonable criteria, but I put them forth with the knowledge that you folks collectively know much more about the various RPGs out there than I do. If you can think of some system that is well suited to games of social interaction, courtly intrigue, and other such things, please don't hesitate to bring them up. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Many thanks,
— Enix18
I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a new side campaign for my group. This campaign will be vastly different from anything they've ever done before, with the main focus being on courtly intrigue and social interaction (with the cinematic combat they're used to playing a much more minor role). While I would like to use a system that they're already familiar with, I must confess that all but one of them have only played D&D, and nothing else. However much I like both Pathfinder and 4e, neither system is really built with mechanics geared toward wholly non-combat play.
Thus, I am in the market for a new system to suit this campaign. Preferably, that system would meet the following criteria:
Include mechanics for social interaction as a primary feature. Dealing with myriad NPC will be the main focus of the whole campaign.
Support non-social interactions as well, albeit as a secondary feature (if necessary). I feel like this shouldn't have to be said, but I've seen some indy system that were all about social characteristics and nothing more—I want the occasional stealthy foray into the castle grounds at night, the sword fights for the sake of honour, even if they won't be the main focus.
Be compatible with a mediaeval fantasy setting. Maybe you know a really awesome sci-fi rpg that's all about interplanetary political intrigue, but I have a very specific setting in mind already.
Run with a (reasonable) level of simplicity. This isn't a major concern, as the campaign will most likely by done online, which means I can hide much of the mechanic side from my players in the background. However, I still don't want them to have to worry terribly much about learning an entirely new system instead of focusing on the actual role-play, and unnecessary mechanics are exactly that: unnecessary.
I don't know if these are unreasonable criteria, but I put them forth with the knowledge that you folks collectively know much more about the various RPGs out there than I do. If you can think of some system that is well suited to games of social interaction, courtly intrigue, and other such things, please don't hesitate to bring them up. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Many thanks,
— Enix18