08-07-2011, 07:04 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Seattle
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"Pure" historical roleplaying?
How many of you do "pure" historical roleplaying? What I mean by this is that you do your best to run a historically accurate game. Never mind whether or not it might be possible for the PCs to actually alter the course of our history -- I mean that it's generally historical insofar as it is "our world" up to the start of the game, that there is no magic/supernatural that cannot absolutely be explained as happenstance/superstition (irrespective of character or even player belief -- my miracle may be your scheduled eclipse).
I'm curious, since I like the idea of running or playing in a straight old west game, though it's hard for me not to allow some magic of that "happenstance/superstition" variety just for funsies. Even so, in this context, I'd hate to run or play in something where this supernatural element dominated the story. Furthermore, within the extent of playable research (I like historical accuracy, but I'm not striving for a PhD thesis on tribal relations to Texans on the frontier in 1853), the idea is for historical accuracy within reason UP TO THAT POINT and continuing in general beyon that time. Not that I'd be looking to hunt down Lincoln and assassinate him, or Lee, or whomever you choose -- that wouldn't make much sense unless my character (or party) had a GOOD reason to do so... But that party actions could change history, either in small ways or even large (i.e., by founding a company that creates the transcontinental railroad first). This same idea could be applied to any historical epoch. And the idea isn't "simulationist", but rather is to enjoy a historical fiction where the characters are the protagonists set against a grand historical background. Who is doing this, if anyone? And who likes the idea? How has your success/enjoyment been in doing so or playing in such a game?
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Seven Kingdoms, MH (as yet unnamed), and my "pick-up" DF game war stories, characters, and other ruminations can be found here. |
08-07-2011, 07:38 PM | #2 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
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Bill Stoddard |
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08-07-2011, 08:31 PM | #3 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In Rio de Janeiro, where it was cyberpunk before it was cool.
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
Its possible but I always want to explore the mystic context so a "pure" game wouldnt interest me.
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08-07-2011, 09:01 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Elk Grove, CA
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
I've played or run non-magical games/campaigns in WWII, the Old West, Ancient Rome and modern times.
The few times I've had "mysterious" events, they've always been unsolved - did some of the Anansazi really watch from that ridge as the ehroes defeated the unethical lumber company, or were those figures local Indians or just the PCs imagination? I've never really had any problems with them, with either my players or as a player. They can be lots of fun, and in some systems, very, very dangerous. |
08-07-2011, 09:03 PM | #5 | |||
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Seattle
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
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That's exactly the way magic should work in a historical campaign -- was it real or was it imagination?
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Seven Kingdoms, MH (as yet unnamed), and my "pick-up" DF game war stories, characters, and other ruminations can be found here. Last edited by ULFGARD; 08-07-2011 at 09:08 PM. |
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08-07-2011, 09:34 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In Rio de Janeiro, where it was cyberpunk before it was cool.
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
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08-07-2011, 10:46 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Seattle
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
Nothing wrong with that, just not quite what I'm going for here. I'd have no problem playing or possibly even running such a game. (Heck, I have on both counts, but that's another story or two.)
__________________
Seven Kingdoms, MH (as yet unnamed), and my "pick-up" DF game war stories, characters, and other ruminations can be found here. |
08-08-2011, 03:00 AM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
Generally, no. I do run Pendragon, from time to time, and by the Boy King timeline, mostly, but that is itself an anachronism the size of a small bus.
In Ars Magica, we basically try to get the century pretty much correct. |
08-08-2011, 03:24 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
I've always wanted to play in a TL2 and below realistic game even if I had to make new characters every few sessions.
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08-08-2011, 04:21 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
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Re: "Pure" historical roleplaying?
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Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. |
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