I wanted to see if there is interest for a Highlander game. This would be D&D 3.5

As in "There can be only one"? Yes. :) I'm currently watching the series for the first time, so I have an interest.

Though D&D 3.5 seems an odd choice: too much reliance on magic and treasure for a setting with only one magical gimmick (not dying). I've been thinking Highlander in a RPG (hypothetically only) and thought d20 Modern, with the d20 Past expansion, would be a sufficient fit.
This message was last edited by the user at 01:34, Thu 30 Mar 2017.

Well, if people don't want to have the ability to play nonhuman races then I'd be more than happy to do that.

The Highlander universe only has humans and immortal humans, so we wouldn't expect there to be any.

Plus, a Highlander game would have to be set in modern times and different eras of the past, which D&D can't really handle.

Ok so we can ignore the D&D and I can change it to d20 easily enough.

There is a WoD adaptation of Highlander (Highlander the Quickening) floating around the web, it is free and specifically designed for immortals.

Question - how would a PC immortal party would work considering immortals are notoriously loners and tend to cut each other head upon meeting? :)

Several ways-Apprentices to the same Master, Immortals that have the same philosophical outlook and lovers of course.

I am not using Highlander the Quickening as I am A) unfamiliar with the system and B) don't want Werewolves, Mages and Vampires running around.

I think there is a GURPS version too, but I don't have it.

Are you really ditching D&D? Highlander has magic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...er_III:_The_Sorcerer

I would advice against making "temporal jumps" like in the movies. While they are awesome, all players will essentially have to make a new character for each timeline because equipment, at the least, will change.

I am biased here. I only know D&D 3.5 and a little of Pathfinder. But with a low level magic setting that still allows for poison (fort saves), siege equipment like catapults (Reflex save), mental domination/illusions (will save) it can work.

I'd need to take a vote between D&D and d20.

Not all Immortals try to behead one another. Many become friends or allies with each other, especially heroic ones, while others just try to stay out of the Game. It should be easy to establish Immortal PCs as having that kind of relationship.

d20 Modern/Past, etc., have magic. But it comes later through advanced classes, so it doesn't overpower the normals. It makes for a low-magic setting, which suits Highlander in most cases.

I think the flashbacks could work. One adventure could be set in the modern day, the next in the past. d20 Modern doesn't depend on magical equipment, and nor does Highlander. The characters only need to purchase new gear or make new Wealth rolls. They might have only a favourite sword they keep with them, but that can be re-bought in Wealth checks.

Ah, the characters might have different levels of experience in the past, but one can assume their skill level fluctuates with practice and the era they live in. Or build characters at a certain level and don't or rarely level. Immortals in Highlander don't seem to get significantly better with age anyway. (Okay, maybe a less level-based system would be more appropriate.)

Another problem is continuity. If characters just met in the modern age, then they can't have met in the past. It would be necessary to have "broad brushstrokes" backstories and assume the PCs have always been acquaintances some time earlier in the past. That's how the Highlander movies and series seem to play it. The other issue is being unable to have adventures set before characters were born. This can be resolved by the GM establishing a starting date. Or play through in chronological order from to past to present.

I vote d20 Modern. It's less magic-based and encompasses different time periods. It can have antique swords and guns and hoverboards from the alien planet of Zeist. :D

Well, I don't see difference between having elves and dwarves in the setting or werewolves and vampires but if having other critters is a problem you can always ditch them and just declare your world is vampire free and werewolf purged :)

Personally, I don't see a D20 system (Modern or D&D) work for such a game but I wish you the best of luck.

@csroy I don't want to deal with the drain of Quickening Points and Gifts and Disciplines.

There is already a conversion document for d20 out there so it can be done. I might just start you off all as new Immortals in the year 2017 and play it forward from there.

TBH, being a newborn Immortal doesn't feel much like being an Immortal: you can't die, but there's no sense of history, age, loss of friends and loved ones over time, and such that the Highlander movies and series have all based around.

I suppose we can skip the flashbacks, or players can write their own, without playing through them. How about we just have Immortals from different periods all with the same skill levels in 2017?

That would probably be for the best.

My vote goes to D&D, of course. But thing is that setting the game in modern era is really dangerous. Remember, they are not truly "immortals". They die and then they resurrect. Which means that all the swordfighting is the real fantasy element in the movies. It is much more efficient to kill with guns, wait till the other resurrects (chained of course), and then decapitate the opponent.

Setting the game in medieval/renaissance or even 1800 would be better in my opinion.

I posted a GM Wanted ad some time ago for Highlander in GURPS.  I know that won't be the most popular option, but I'd definitely be down to play a GURPS Highlander game.  =)

Edit:  This is one way to do it:  http://www.amadan.org/GURPS/GURPSHDR.htm
This message was last edited by the user at 09:47, Tue 04 Apr 2017.

@kark2 I'll probably do a medieval Highlander D&D, allowing all the races plus allowing for PC Watchers.
@Mad Mick I'm not going to do GURPS as I don't like the system and have had a hard time of it as a player.

I'm putting something together now. I'd need further input on what system the final form takes but right now it is a toss up between D&D and d20.