I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game

occam's spork · 07-14-2023, 07:11 PM

Ok, in about a month, I'm starting up my group with some TFT action, in the Red Plains setting. I'm using Roll20.

I'm having them start off slightly above normal starting level, so 34 points. They are competent in their respective niches, but not necessarily experienced adventures. They will become an adventuring party in this game.

What would folks here suggest as a way to handle starting equipment? I've kicked around having them use one pay cycle of whatever job they are qualified for, maybe having them roll for starting money.

I've been running games (mainly GURPS) for 40 years, but haven't done an old school starting group for probably 20 years, always having the character start off pretty high and having whatever equipment they want. But I want to throw in the resource management angle of old school dungeon crawling this time around.

I may continue to post in this thread to share my thoughts. (I may also post to RPG.NET as well, to spread the word.)

Shostak · 07-14-2023, 08:31 PM

Money from just one pay cycle won't buy much equipment. I'd consider letting them have the standard $1,000 (ITL 12) startup cash.

hcobb · 07-14-2023, 09:45 PM

Thrasher, Goblin, age 20
ST 6, DX 15 (14), IQ 13, MA 10
Talents include: Dagger Mastery, Literacy, Silent Movement, Thrown Weapons
Languages: Common, Goblin
Weapon: 2 very fine daggers (1d+3), silver dagger (1d+1), 5 daggers (1d+1)
Attacks and Damage: Punch (1d-4)
Armor: Cloth armor stops 1 hit, -2 to be hit with dagger in hand

Are you sure you want to start at 34 attribute points?

occam's spork · 07-14-2023, 09:55 PM

Well, as far as the money goes, I'm picturing the first adventure to have them all a bit down on their luck. So they may not be optimally equipped. But they have an incentive to go on a dungeon crawl because "working" for a living isn't working for them at the moment.

After the first game, (provided they survive) they get the cash and some notoriety that kicks off their next adventure.

--

occam's spork · 07-14-2023, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcobb

Thrasher, Goblin, age 20
ST 6, DX 15 (14), IQ 13, MA 10
Talents include: Dagger Mastery, Literacy, Silent Movement, Thrown Weapons
Languages: Common, Goblin
Weapon: 2 very fine daggers (1d+3), silver dagger (1d+1), 5 daggers (1d+1)
Attacks and Damage: Punch (1d-4)
Armor: Cloth armor stops 1 hit, -2 to be hit with dagger in hand

Are you sure you want to start at 34 attribute points?

I'm not sure what you are getting at?

timm meyers · 07-14-2023, 11:09 PM

You mentioned "they are down on their luck". Why not lean into that and start them with 0 money. Maybe let them choose 1 item each from the equipment table and that's it. I could see some fun or interesting motivation to dungeon crawl coming from such a situation.
Finding the shield or rusty sword in the caverns would be a glorious step up from using improvised clubs etc. I am sure seasoned players can quickly move on from such impoverishment, but it would highlight the economics early and could help set the tone you were looking for?

Axly Suregrip · 07-15-2023, 02:56 AM

I like your idea of starting them with only a week's worth of pay but balancing that with +2 starting attributes. Seems like a fun way to get them focused on getting cash.

BTW, did you limiting them on which jobs? Brigand will pay $250 for week and only requires 3 weapon skills or 6 combat spells. Easy to qualify for if they don't mind the risk or being rift raft.

Sounds like you were just asking if that seemed like a reasonable approach and I think it is. Have fun!

07-14-2023, 07:11 PM	#1
occam's spork Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greater Boston	I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game Ok, in about a month, I'm starting up my group with some TFT action, in the Red Plains setting. I'm using Roll20. I'm having them start off slightly above normal starting level, so 34 points. They are competent in their respective niches, but not necessarily experienced adventures. They will become an adventuring party in this game. What would folks here suggest as a way to handle starting equipment? I've kicked around having them use one pay cycle of whatever job they are qualified for, maybe having them roll for starting money. I've been running games (mainly GURPS) for 40 years, but haven't done an old school starting group for probably 20 years, always having the character start off pretty high and having whatever equipment they want. But I want to throw in the resource management angle of old school dungeon crawling this time around. I may continue to post in this thread to share my thoughts. (I may also post to RPG.NET as well, to spread the word.)

07-14-2023, 08:31 PM	#2
Shostak Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New England	Re: I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game Money from just one pay cycle won't buy much equipment. I'd consider letting them have the standard $1,000 (ITL 12) startup cash. __________________ * * * * Anthony Shostak myriangia.wordpress.com

07-14-2023, 09:45 PM	#3
hcobb Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pacheco, California	Re: I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game Thrasher, Goblin, age 20 ST 6, DX 15 (14), IQ 13, MA 10 Talents include: Dagger Mastery, Literacy, Silent Movement, Thrown Weapons Languages: Common, Goblin Weapon: 2 very fine daggers (1d+3), silver dagger (1d+1), 5 daggers (1d+1) Attacks and Damage: Punch (1d-4) Armor: Cloth armor stops 1 hit, -2 to be hit with dagger in hand Are you sure you want to start at 34 attribute points? __________________ -HJC

07-14-2023, 09:55 PM	#4
occam's spork Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greater Boston	Re: I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game Well, as far as the money goes, I'm picturing the first adventure to have them all a bit down on their luck. So they may not be optimally equipped. But they have an incentive to go on a dungeon crawl because "working" for a living isn't working for them at the moment. After the first game, (provided they survive) they get the cash and some notoriety that kicks off their next adventure. --

07-14-2023, 11:09 PM	#6
timm meyers Join Date: May 2020	Re: I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game You mentioned "they are down on their luck". Why not lean into that and start them with 0 money. Maybe let them choose 1 item each from the equipment table and that's it. I could see some fun or interesting motivation to dungeon crawl coming from such a situation. Finding the shield or rusty sword in the caverns would be a glorious step up from using improvised clubs etc. I am sure seasoned players can quickly move on from such impoverishment, but it would highlight the economics early and could help set the tone you were looking for?

07-15-2023, 02:56 AM	#7
Axly Suregrip Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Durham, NC	Re: I'm Going In! i.e. Starting my TFT game I like your idea of starting them with only a week's worth of pay but balancing that with +2 starting attributes. Seems like a fun way to get them focused on getting cash. BTW, did you limiting them on which jobs? Brigand will pay $250 for week and only requires 3 weapon skills or 6 combat spells. Easy to qualify for if they don't mind the risk or being rift raft. Sounds like you were just asking if that seemed like a reasonable approach and I think it is. Have fun!