I've been thinking about running a modern thriller campaign, focusing on freelance heroes in a  world like you'd expect to see in a Bourne movie or a Tom Clancy book. I've narrowed things down to a few options:

Supernatural Conspiracy: The PCs are independent operatives - burned spies, ex-military, criminals, etc. - who stumble upon a vast international conspiracy, controlled by a mysterious, supernatural entity or entities. Jason Bourne meets Van Helsing.

Swordfish: The PCs are members of an anti-terrorist organization that doesn't officially exist. Frustrated by international politics that allow evil men to walk free, their organization is self-funded and self-motivated, free from the constraints of government interference. They do bad things to very bad people. See the 2001 film Swordfish.

Mercs: The PCs are an independent mercenary company, taking jobs all over the world from whoever will pay them. It's not nice, and it's probably illegal, but it pays the bills. Some contracts let them play hero, rescuing hostages and aiding downtrodden rebels against oppressive regimes, while others involve kidnapping, false-flag operations, and other dirty deeds. See The Expendables films or the anime series Black Lagoon.

So, what of the above appeals to you?

I'd possibly be tempted by A or B.

Would be interested in A or B with a slight preference for A :)

First and third sound most interesting to me.  I think you'll get takers for all though.

Are the characters in the Supernatural Conspiracy also supernatural-ish?  Thinking along the lines of Secret World or Hell Boy or the like.
This message was last edited by the user at 22:25, Thu 16 May 2019.

In reply to DBCowboy (msg # 5):

No, at least not initially, and definitely not without obscene risk and sacrifice, if at all.

I'd join. :)

I'd prefer a non-supernatural, everyone is human and teamwork is what will be needed most.
This message was last edited by the user at 00:31, Fri 17 May 2019.

I'd be interested in both A and B with no clear preference between them. I don't mind the idea of doing bad things to bad people. Which is why I'm not too keen on C, since we might be doing bad things to good people? That is something I would prefer to avoid out of personal preference.

To be fair, if Black Lagoon is the inspiration, it's more like bad (or at least technically bad) people doing bad things to Really Horrible People.

Counter Idea:  Black Lagoon but in a setting where the Really Horrible People are supernatural beings.

In reply to drewalt (msg # 9):

That is, generally speaking, option one.

Awesome

I like all three options.

Option A puts me in mind of Pandemonio, which is dark and violent and scary. I love the Savage Worlds rules - seems a really good fit. Anyone else know Pandemonio?

Pandemonio is a lot more... gonzo than what I have in mind, and a heck of a lot more overt. That said, I think that Savage Worlds with the Horror Companion would probably manage a decent approximation of it.

A or B sound very interesting to me. A sounds kind of like Nights Black Agents.

Good idea

In reply to NowhereMan (msg # 14):

The violence and cost in lives does tend to be high in Pandemonio but the idea is to keep it from getting on the mortals if at all possible.

@Vulco1: NBA is a definite inspiration for A, along with Conspiracy X.

I'd be interested. My first choice is Mercenaries, then Swordfish, then Supernatural Conspiracy.