GURPS 4th Campaign Types

[Chromemagnus]

Originally Posted by tbrock1031

If I might chime in...

Perhaps the PCs don't want to deal with the high loading times of early firearms? They want to be able to fire their guns once every second or third combat round, like a bow or light crossbow, instead of once or twice every minute, like reality.

In which case, that should be a personal preference of the characters to not use the new-fangled fighting machines, not a setting fiat.

Remember that gunpowder artillery was used in the Hundred Years War. Joan of Arc, one of the late medieval times' greatest generals, used and fought against them against England... and that was in the 1200s, IIRC. TL4 didn't officially start until 1450.

What I think the PCs want is something akin to D&D: a pseudo-Renaissance-era setting with Crusades-era combat. Might I suggest that the OP use a either a High Medieval, mature TL3 (circa 1000-1200 AD) setting, or a fully-TL4 Renaissance (1450-1600) setting, complete with firearms and cannon. Either will work.

If the OP wants a mature TL4 Renaissance-era setting, I'd be glad to send him my world setting.

Yes, that is another reason, they wanted TL4 just like I did, but I wanted it because I find the Renissance a fascinating time. If I could go anywhere at any time I wanted, I would definitely go there.

I've been trying to explain to the PCs, Role-Playing is acting, IT'S NOT ALL COMBAT!! Basically, as I see it, you're acting, and living out a second life, that is my description.

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by trooper6

Here's an example.

My very first GURPS campaign that I GM'd was, like yours, a medieval Fantasy game--though mine was TL3. Also, no magic.

Who were the 3 PCs? A Rogue, A Bard, A Fighter.

Okay, okay, example time: The campaign that I'm running right now is actually pretty standard TL 3-4ish Western-style Fantasy set in a major port city (with magic, but it's rare and absurdly expensive). Who are the 3 PCs? A Fighter, a Fighter, and... a Fighter. Doesn't really get the creative juices flowing as far as adventures they might have, am I right?

But if we turn up the detail knob we get:

The Brains: The smartest Enforcer working for the city's Vice Guild (with a prodigious IQ 10), he was mid-way through his apprenticeship to an Alchemist when an unfortunate explosion left him with a reputation as bad luck and no prospects. Excellent marksman with the dominant ranged weapon of the setting (pistol crossbow), middling knife man and brawler, can read and do basic math, isn't a mage but has a point in stuff like Occult and HazMat (Arcane) and might conceivably deal with that sort of thing in a survivable manner. Primary Motivation: Good Ol'-Fashioned Greed.

The Freak: The scariest-looking Enforcer working for the city's Vice Guild, with horrific scarring from too many knife fights. All-around tough guy with HPT and decent hand-to-hand, knife, and shooting ability. Soft spot for prostitutes (especially the ones who work at the Vice Guild brothel, like his Mom). Primary Motivation: Personal Loyalty + Criminal Code of Honor.

The Killer: The craziest and most infamous Enforcer working for the Vice Guild. Known for his proficiency as a stealthy cutthroat and tenacious wrestler, but also secretly endowed with a solid gold Law Enforcement Contact in the form of his brother-in-law the drunken, corrupt City Watchman. Primary Motivation: Personal Glory, cackling mad Bloodlust.

Suddenly these guys have jobs, skills that make them different from each other, stuff they care about, and other plot hooks. We can see them the way the players do, and stories about the sort of trouble they probably get into come to mind easily.

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

I don't know, I'm just not using firearms for my first campaign for some reason, I will most likely use them in my first Steampunk or Wild West campaign setting.

That's cool; I almost never use guns in fantasy for reasons that boil down to "I don't wanna." Follow your joy.

[zorg]

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

Actually, me and the PCs are spread out communications wise, but the gist of the characters is pretty standard, I'll try to explain.

(...)

Thats really all I remember, standard setup.

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

I've been trying to explain to the PCs, Role-Playing is acting, IT'S NOT ALL COMBAT!! Basically, as I see it, you're acting, and living out a second life, that is my description.

Of course, if you're interested in living out a second life, it might help if you had a better idea of the characters behind the job descriptions... :)

Also, make sure that your players agree with you on acting, not all combat and that sort of thing. If your players actually expect and enjoy a combat-fest, with only vague roleplaying themes, then you'll have a problem. Just saying.
Of course, if that's not an issue, just ignore me.

[towishimp]

I agree with the other posters' suggestions re: getting your players' sheets. I live by the GM Rule "If it's on their sheet, it should be in the game." They put it on there because they wanted it to come up.

It could be that neither you nor your group know exactly what kind of game you want; I know that was the case when I started roleplaying. I might suggest that the first adventure be a "sandbox." By that, I mean lay a village out for them and fill it with plot hooks. Then see what they do. Put in bad guys to fight, so that if they want to fight, they can fight. Throw in a mystery to solve, see if they jump at the opportunity to solve a good puzzle. And put in some interesting NPCs, see if they really enjoy interacting with them. Then you might get a better idea of what they're after.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by towishimp

It could be that neither you nor your group know exactly what kind of game you want; I know that was the case when I started roleplaying. I might suggest that the first adventure be a "sandbox." By that, I mean lay a village out for them and fill it with plot hooks. Then see what they do. Put in bad guys to fight, so that if they want to fight, they can fight. Throw in a mystery to solve, see if they jump at the opportunity to solve a good puzzle. And put in some interesting NPCs, see if they really enjoy interacting with them. Then you might get a better idea of what they're after.

Other options are to start them out in a city, or in the court of some nobleman. Either way you can give them multiple threads to pick up. I like having a dangerous beast to hunt for one of them, in case they want to use tracking and sneaking skills. . . .

Bill Stoddard

[Chromemagnus]

Look everyone, I'm glad you guys are helping me out by giving me tips on how to be a GM since it's my first time okay, I get it, and thank you again.

This original thread was about suggestions for a TL3, yes I know I changed it, a TL3 setting, that's all. If I have questions about GMing in GURPS, I'll ask my brother, he's a great GM.

All I need is some campaign ideas for the TL3 Medieval Fantasy setting that has the characters of a Fighter, a Rogue/Archer, and a Mage, that's all please.

[Chromemagnus]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Other options are to start them out in a city, or in the court of some nobleman. Either way you can give them multiple threads to pick up. I like having a dangerous beast to hunt for one of them, in case they want to use tracking and sneaking skills. . . .

Bill Stoddard

I've started them in a city called Tantras, and havn't gotten too far into the campaign.

Btw: I read your post after I posted my last one, I dont want you to think I'm frustrated because of just your post

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

All I need is some campaign ideas for the TL3 Medieval Fantasy setting that has the characters of a Fighter, a Rogue/Archer, and a Mage, that's all please.

Mind telling us a little bit more about the Fighter, the Rogue/Archer, and the Mage? It's a bit difficult to build something based on just those one- or two-word descriptors.

Can we get a single line each to describe them? It'll help us help you out.

For instance, "Mage" could be someone who focuses on Fire magic, a weather-manipulator, or even a Beastmaster type who studies animal spells and rides a giant eagle he's tamed via magic. I could give you adventure ideas for each of those three mages, but nothing that'll cover all three possibilities.

[Chromemagnus]

Originally Posted by tbrock1031

Mind telling us a little bit more about the Fighter, the Rogue/Archer, and the Mage? It's a bit difficult to build something based on just those one- or two-word descriptors.

Can we get a single line each to describe them? It'll help us help you out.

For instance, "Mage" could be someone who focuses on Fire magic, a weather-manipulator, or even a Beastmaster type who studies animal spells and rides a giant eagle he's tamed via magic. I could give you adventure ideas for each of those three mages, but nothing that'll cover all three possibilities.

Fighter - Ruthless, basically the best fighter the land of Bremond has ever seen, very strong, shows little intelligence though.

Rogue/Archer - Amazing senses "smells you from a mile away" very good navigator, shows amazing marksmanship with a Bow.

Mage - Very wise, son of the King(His teacher of Magery), wealthy, charming, It's the James Bond of TL3-TL4

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

Fighter - Ruthless, basically the best fighter the land of Bremond has ever seen, very strong, shows little intelligence though.

Rogue/Archer - Amazing senses "smells you from a mile away" very good navigator, shows amazing marksmanship with a Bow.

Sounds like you're going pretty cinematic with this, which is probably a good idea your first time out. How many points are they building the PCs on?

Originally Posted by Chromemagnus

Mage - Very wise, son of the King(His teacher of Magery), wealthy, charming, It's the James Bond of TL3-TL4

I'm not sure that I'd cast Bond as an aristocrat personally, but that's food for another thread. What kind of magic does this guy specialize in, Communication/Empathy + Mind Control?