I would be down.

In reply to horus (msg # 4):

I have not, I will check it out.  Thakns for the tip.  The wiki page looks promising.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 5):

Thanks for the interest.


All,

I am thinking about making this PG-13 or even R......... using the language of the day, which could be very offensive to a lot of people.

Is this a wise course of action ?

Ooh. I like this. I like it a lot. I will definitely submit some ideas for characters once it actually gets off the ground.

Language of the day seems fine as long as 1. Everyone else is comfortable with it and 2. It is used to actually increase immersion and not just thrown around like rice at a wedding. It is unnecessary, however.

In reply to Quasar_42 (msg # 8):

That sounds good, we will let the players choose if it is PG-13 or R

Look forward to talking with you later

I really like the idea of the episodic serial.  The serials of the time period were a lot of fun to watch and it fits so well in a game.



Good time period and starting point.  Certain historical events have started becoming evident and certain types of equipment has also become more sofisticated.  There are also various types of travel that are more iconic now available so that globe-trotting in a reasonable time can now be done.



Now some of my specific questions - yes some are being a bit nit-picky but are not intended as being critical.



Which side did this guy fight on - German or US?  If German then the Winchester 97 trench gun might not be the best of choices as they really thought the shotguns were not honorable (to say the least).  Rumors of execute anyone found using one persisted.  Otherwise a good character idea.



Good character idea, very useful in my thoughts.  Question - which 45-70 Springfield?  The Trapdoor Springfield rifle or carbine, or simply a rifle that fires the 45-70 round?  If the second, then might I suggest a Winchester 1886 in 45-70 or a Winchester 1876 in 45-75 (as used by the RCMP)?  He would probably be a good mechanic for his plane, not necessarily so good for anything else)



Another useful skill set.   No questions.



Another good, useful character concept.  The Sten gun wasn't even being thought of for close to a decade.  But it is an iconic looking item.  Just to throw something different out there, take a look at the Steyr-Solothurn Sl-100.



Another good character concept.  Someone with a strong language talent is very useful to have.  The MP-40 wasn't developed until 1940 though.  Try the MP-18 or MP-28, both of which were readily available.



Another good concept.  You might think about on of the the variant 03s or maybe he got his hands on a National Match version.



A very necessary character concept, sooner or later (probably sooner) one of the characters is going to get hurt, LOL.  The PPK has only been out for a couple of years, good choice though.



Another useful character concept.  Again, the sten isn't out or even in development yet.  But how about a Broomhandle Mauser with the attached stock instead?  The derringer is fine and readily available, probably in .41 rimfire.



Another good idea.  Great choice on the Lewis gun, which caliber?  Now, as to the M2, while it was out, I would suggest going with him being familiar with the water cooled version as the various navies liked those more and honestly, the availability of the air-cooled ones would be severely limited for civilians.  The FN-BAR is another possible choice, well available in multiple different calibers.



Interesting concept, useful but perhaps not as necessary as others, still I like it.  Any specific reason for the Winchester Model 94?  Staying with a more iconic cowboy theme, I'd have gone with a 73 or 92 instead.



Another good concept, if perhaps a bit more subtle on the surface.



Another useful concept.  Again I like the language set.  And I'm sure his contacts could be of great use.

You've got some good ideas up there, some well thought out character concepts.  It's going to be hard for the players to decide which to use as they all bring something different and useful to the table.

Now I've got to think about which one I like the most and can do the best job with.  As to use of "language," I've got no problem as long as there are no objections from other players and isn't used just for the sake of being used - pretty much the same as Quasar says.  I would suggest that certain words (primarily racially charged) be off the table even if they were readily used at the time period.  Just something to think about
This message was lightly edited by the user at 14:54, Sat 04 Feb 2017.

In reply to Bornite (msg # 10):

Good Comments, and ya got me.  The game was originally developed to start at a later period in history, thus the anachronisms. Props on knowing your weapons.

1. Not too many people are familiar with the German feelings for the M97 Trench Gun. In this game, Old Timer fought for the Germans, and learned to respect and understand the effectiveness of the M97 in close quarters.  When he immigrated, he picked one up.  Languages: German, English, French

2. The 45-70 Trap Door Springfield for this character was based on a 1910 news clipping I read of a French Canadian Trappers bones found with the bones of a large bull moose, a 45-70 trap door laying nearby with a spent casing stuck in the chamber.  This character can choose either of the weapons you named. Languages: English, French

3. Driver/Mechanic - Languages: English, Italian

4. The French Gunner was originally developed to have a sub-Machine gun.  But on further reflection, the French never developed a sub-machine gun in the inter war period.  Now we could have the character have a Solothorn, but a Berthier Carbine would be more realistic. Languages: German, English, French

5. MP-18 is a better choice for the Spaniard.  Also I should note that this character was developed with the idea that he would have a basic skill in the martial arts of the Basque, the Danse De Rue Savate.  Which at advanced skill levels includes a knife and stick. Languages: Spanish, English, French

6. The Scout/Sniper will have opportunities to upgrade in the future. Languages: Algonquin, English, French

7. Doc - Languages: English, Latin

8. Sparks - Yeah, love the Broom Handle Mauser concept.
Languages: German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Norwegian

9. The Swede - He would have a .303 caliber Lewis Machine Gun(keep it simple), but no M1921 Browning Machine gun.  However, he would be familiar with the Browning.  Languages: Swedish, English, German, Russian

10. Cowboy - went with the model 94 for simplicity, most people recognize it, any of the basic lever action Winchesters work.  And if a person wants to customize the 6 shooters too, cool.  If you want a birds head grip colt and a Smith & Wesson Model 3 that's fine with me. Languages: Algonquin, English, Spanish

11. Farmboy - While I didn't list weapons for him, I had him pegged for a 25 or 30 Remington and a double barrel 12 ga.  Probably not a pistol, but good with a knife.  Languages: English, Slovak

12. Smuggler - This guy is based on the ship's captain that smuggles Indy and the Ark out of Cairo.  His primary weapons is a Model 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne Pistol.   Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, German and several local languages to include Manding, Gola and Kru
This message was last edited by the user at 09:03, Sat 04 Feb 2017.

Note:
During the start of the game the primary factors influencing American Society are the Depression and Prohibition
1932 and 1933 are the worst years of the Depression, with Unemployment skyrocketing for around 4% in 1930 to around 30%.  Everyone needs work and money.  No one is left unaffected.  To top it all off, a guy can't even legally have a beer.

I feel like several of the characters are too young to have been with Wild West shows, which were mostly defunct before 1914. Maybe the characters are older by a couple of decades or worked in circuses or in early motion pictures.

Also would like to see more opportunity for female characters.

I like the ideas, though I generally prefer more structure than free form provides, but don't like things (especially combat) too crunchy. GURPS is okay, but Savage Worlds seems right up this alley. Or maybe HEX.

A word to your language problems ... as long as your threads are NOT public, colorful language is usually not a problem. Also as long as your players are all in agreement and understand the ramifications.

Sounds delightful, Horseman. I commend you for your excellent grasp of the history of that time period. :)
This message was last edited by the user at 19:59, Sat 04 Feb 2017.

In reply to Gaffer (msg # 13):

Makes sense, we will change those connections to early Hollywood, Westerns and Western shorts. Adds some nice depth to story.  I like it.
If folks want more female characters I'm open to it.

All, I really appreciate all the input.  If you have more, keep them coming.  I have some homework (game development) to do before I will be ready to lift this thing off.

Note on Combat:
I'm not anticipating long drawn out battles.  The 30's pulps were more about mystery, intrigue, and cliffhangers rather than pitched battles.  Even Robert E Howards Fantasy pulps had a lot of depth and relatively limited combat.  But I am determined to let the story take us where it takes us.  For instance if the characters decide to go to Manchuria and take on the Japanese Empire I'm not going to stop you.

UPDATE
I've been doing game development on this and it is going well.  But my major internal conflict has been with the gaming system.

My intent has been to work within in a framework of rules, but ensure that the rules don't take over the game.  I just want the rules to be sideboards.  I was looking at GURPS Lite, it suits itself well to the period.  But today, I'm thinking of using D20 Modern because I am comfortable with the system.

If you want to go truly old school and rules lite, you can go with TSR's Gangbusters 3rd Ed. RPG. :)

If you're going to use d20 Modern, the d20 Past supplement is a must-have. It has useful information for just sort of setting.

That said, I think Savage Worlds is an excellent system for this kind of game. It's designed to play fast, so to speak, and it's flexible enough for you to build in what you would need for the setting.
This message was last edited by the user at 01:50, Tue 14 Feb 2017.

Coming Soon

I appreciate all the input I received much of it has been incorporated in the game.  I finally settled on a Semi-Free Form game using Fists & 45's as the Framework.

http://www.paper-dragon.com/fi...ists&45cover.pdf

It will likely be rated R, it will be a gritty and tough world, requiring tough heroes that can handle course language, mild nudity, and Depression Era desperation and roughness.

Background information on the 30's genre
http://www.paper-dragon.com/1939/intro.html
This message was last edited by the user at 03:39, Sun 22 July 2018.

I'd definitely be interested in joining such a game. The prohibition-era, pulp setting is always super atmospheric. I can already hear the 'jazz-noir'.

By all means, pm me with more info or an RTJ if you're still looking for players!!
This message was last edited by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 05:36, Sun 22 July 2018.

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was moot, at 05:34, Sun 22 July 2018.

Color me curious as well.

Hi Horseman, I'd love to have a go with this and see how it plays out. I've tried a couple of 'episodic' games, one set in the 30s and one playing Robin Hood. They both stalled. I found it almost impossible to get players beyond Episode 1. By that time, they wanted to play something else, and they evaporated.

I really hope you (we) have more success. Maybe I can pick up some tips along the way.

A note about language. I'd be up for Mature, but not Adult. Language-wise it doesn't make much difference provided a sensible restraint is kept. If you're putting five Fs into a three word sentence, then you'll need to go Adult, but an occasional word to add flavour is fine in Mature. HOWEVER... Any form of racial slur (such as the N-word) is banned outright by Rpol. You can't do that even in an Adult game. You'd need to either fruit them out, or avoid them somehow, and you can just as easily do that in a Mature game.

I've been here a while, had my wrist slapped a few times, and I think I've got a pretty good handle on it now.

If you want a 'background' rule set, I can recommend 1PG by Deep 7 Games. They have a 3-book set covering 1930s pulp, and they sell for around $3 each. Quick and slick.
This message was last edited by the user at 07:37, Sun 22 July 2018.

Only in the public forums.  Within a game, and particularly within a private thread in a game, acceptable use of racial slurs would depend on the game context.

Thanks, I didn't know that.  It won't be a problem.

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was moot, at 16:49, Sun 22 July 2018.

Glad to see this resurface.

This sounds interesting!! I’m not super familiar with any of the systems suggested, but personally I also find that Call of Cthulhu d100 actually works really great for realistic 20s and 30s games, if you just ditch all the mythos stuff

Glad to see the interest

Advertisement is up in the Players wanted thread
This message was last edited by the user at 06:08, Sat 28 July 2018.