posted
Ok, as most if not all know I'm working on a Legion Roleplaying Game. Currently I am writing the first plotline and it involves introducing things to the players who are not Legion comic fans but rather fans of roleplaying games. This means their knowledge of Legion is limited to my constant Legion talk. In the first plot, I wanted to introduce certain key Legion elements....namely, The UP, Takron Galtos, and the Legion of Super Villains.
The plot so far is pretty simple. Tarik the Mute is forming the LSV. He plans on damaging/destroying earth as a show of power for his newly formed LSV.
Many decades ago Tarik the Mute worked as a scientist on Dalak 8, a inhospitable planetoid which scientists once attempted to create a weather/geological computer program that was capable of creating physical changes on planets in order to make them more hospitable. The research station was built underground on Dalok 8. Over the years some success was achieved but it was unable to maintain long term effects and eventually the project was abandoned and Dalak 8 was left (simiar to Star Trek's Genesis).
Now Tarik the Mute has decided to form his Legion of Super Villains. He has already employed Cosmic King and Saturn Queen and has his eyes on Lightning Lord. Cosmic King has been given orders to go to Dalak 8 and retrieve the programs and some of the machienry from Dalak 8.
Saturn Queen will be infilitrating the mind of the commander at Takron Galtos. With her mental influence, the Prison Planet will see the biggest inmate breakout ever. Select individauls who are deemed worthy for the LSV that are currently at Takron Galtos will be taken aboard a space ship hovering over the planet while absolute chaos insues at the prison below.
Lightning Lord is hatching a plot to assassinate a UP representative (don't know where the UP representative is from yet) and hoping to pin the blame on his brother Lightning Lad.
Here's what I'm looking for...suggestions on the type of "feel" Takron Galtros should have. It will be introduced to the players for the first time as this will be the first game we will have played. I want to represent the prison planet as well as possible. Any suggestions on how to make it feel like well....Takron Galtros should be like are welcome.
Also, looking for plot suggestions to get the Lightning Lord/Lightning Lad plotline going. This is intended to be a side plot but Tarik the Mute will use it to bring Lightning Lord into his LSV.
The overall plot is to take the knowledge Cosmic King steals from Dalak 8 and unleash the geological and weather effects upon earth, essentially trying to bring it to its knees as a show of power of the newly formed LSV.
So anybody have suggestions on how to work with the plot, make Takron Galtos come alive (does a map exis?), how to portray the UP, etc. etc.
posted
Maybe the UP Rep that Tarik the Mute wants assassinated is a former juvenile judge from Winath (now Winath ambassador to the UP) This judge was/is a hard-liner who didn't show any compassion for "singles". Maybe Mekt had previously appeared before the judge for some minor prank/infraction.
-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Quislet, Esq.: Maybe the UP Rep that Tarik the Mute wants assassinated is a former juvenile judge from Winath (now Winath ambassador to the UP) This judge was/is a hard-liner who didn't show any compassion for "singles". Maybe Mekt had previously appeared before the judge for some minor prank/infraction.
I like this idea...a lot! It helps establish the Winath twin relationship, something of which the players at best will know very little about at this point in time. Excellent suggestion. Thank You.
-------------------- I have lived for the Legion and one day I shall die for the Legion.
From: Bgztl | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Ok, related question...need a clairification here. Earth is part of the United Planets. Now Earth Gov does that every appear in the original Legion (Adventure-Superboy-Tales) and is it just what it sounds like, the earth government which is part of the UP? Also, who would be the first named President of Earth and where can I find them in Adventure Comics.
-------------------- I have lived for the Legion and one day I shall die for the Legion.
From: Bgztl | Registered: Feb 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Quislet, Esq.: Maybe the UP Rep that Tarik the Mute wants assassinated is a former juvenile judge from Winath (now Winath ambassador to the UP) This judge was/is a hard-liner who didn't show any compassion for "singles". Maybe Mekt had previously appeared before the judge for some minor prank/infraction.
I like this idea...a lot! It helps establish the Winath twin relationship, something of which the players at best will know very little about at this point in time. Excellent suggestion. Thank You.
I think it also provides Mekt a motive for doing as Tarik the Mute says.
-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Yes, I agree, it really is a darn good idea. The way things stand right now, I don't have anyone picking Lightning Lad as a character (so he would be treated as a Non-Player Character) but I do have someone playing Saturn Girl, so I'm looking for a plot connection which centers on her if possible. So much to introduce....this could be fun. Ok, starting to feel Giddy now!
-------------------- I have lived for the Legion and one day I shall die for the Legion.
From: Bgztl | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Here's an idea for Takron-Galtos: it's a hollow world. The cells are on a small asteroid-sized rock at the exact centre of the planet, and then it's just 3500 miles of empty space (with struts and supports) in any direction up to the outer crust of the planet. Security lines the inner surface of the crust, and aircraft regularly patrol the inner space. There are only a few ways of traveling through the crust to the outside, all of which are of course heavily guarded.
One good thing about this place is that you can keep Mordru there with no trouble.
quote:Originally posted by Korbal: Perhaps having the LSV target the less defended Winath instead of Earth would draw Mekt's attention...
That;s an interesting idea. It never even occurred to me to pick another planet other than earth. Exactly how does Lightning Lord feel about his home planet? Does he dislike it, hate the government, be willing to see his family die as a result of the LSV plan? If so, this is a good idea. So what is his take on the home planet? I must confess...I don't know how he feels.
-------------------- I have lived for the Legion and one day I shall die for the Legion.
From: Bgztl | Registered: Feb 2008
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Takron-Galtos: I like the hollow core idea. How about a maze-type arrangement that they get chucked in and left to it, with one humungous, well-guarded way in/out?
From: Kent | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
It will be a very long time before I have enough information concrete enough to play. The way things stand right now, I'm working on the basic game mechanics, such as attributes, powers, movement, PC rewards for advancement, racial traits, all the sorts of things you'd expect to find in a roleplaying game. This in itself I hope to have a half-way decent prototype in the works by the end of the year. Even then, tons of information will be missing and play testing at home will determine what is working and what isn't. Keep in mind I'm just talking about basic mechanics at this point.
Once this prototype is in place with the game mechanics, I hope to start incorporating all sorts of Legion background, details about planets, deeper explanations of the races, and so on. Sort of a Galactica Excyclopedia if you will.
The problem for any fan who creates something is dealing with copyright material. I can play at home all I want but I can't profit from my effort. I have no idea what the law is on giving it away for others to enjoy (playtest) and then there is always the concern about someone taking my ideas and claiming them as their own (don't know what to do about that one if it were ever to happen).
It's a total dream but here is what I am shooting for...Get the game up and running as quick as possible...playtest extensively at home....then pitch the idea to DC comics. I know I am capable of making a good Legion game as other rpg efforts I have done will indicate so. Getting anyone of importance to show an interest is another matter of coarse.
To answer your question "How do we get to play?" well, I don't really know. Can I pass it around without worrying about copyright issues as long as no profit is made? Don't really know. In the meantime I try to ask as many questions to Legion fans and those of other rpg's in order to develop things as quick as possible and retain the amount of detail I like as a fan of rpgs. All with that and remain as true to the Legion as possible.
-------------------- I have lived for the Legion and one day I shall die for the Legion.
From: Bgztl | Registered: Feb 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Phantom Girl: [QB]That;s an interesting idea. It never even occurred to me to pick another planet other than earth. Exactly how does Lightning Lord feel about his home planet? Does he dislike it, hate the government, be willing to see his family die as a result of the LSV plan?/QB]
Well, (at least an 80s-based) Mekt would be willing to kill Garth. Ayla is the one person in the universe he would never be convinced to kill, since she was key to his ultimate goal at that point.
-------------------- Tom Strong, on nostalgia: "I suppose it's a ready substitute for genuine feeling." - Tom Strong #6, Alan Moore
From: Calgary, Alberta | Registered: May 2008
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posted
As far as I'm aware of, the copyright issue is essentially around the one of profit - like you say, if you pass it around friends without without making any money, there's technically no problem with it.
That'd be a shame though if you had a good product that could sell. DC might be contentious about it, but I suppose the way to do it is to come up with a product that works for you and you're happy with it and then pitch it to DC as a complete product and see what they say. It's not as if there aren't tons of fan RPGs out there on teh web that *don't* have permission.
I think it's a great idea! Who wouldn't want to RP being in the Legion (big question: would you play as an established character, o your own hero? You'd automatically create splinter universes - or would you want it firmly established in Legion history? You'd have booster packs for the various 'boots)?
I would wonder what is actually copyrighted - the names, the concept? Artwork certainly would be, but there are many talented fans out there that could produce artwork (myself included if you should ever feel the need! lol).
Don't know much about designing RPGs myself, but if you should ever need a hand, I'd be happy to help in any way I can : )
From: Kent | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote:Originally posted by insanelad: As far as I'm aware of, the copyright issue is essentially around the one of profit - like you say, if you pass it around friends without without making any money, there's technically no problem with it.
Everyone gets this wrong. Copyright has nothing to do with making money. All fan fiction, for example, is at risk of lawsuits simply by existing. Most authors and companies responsible for source material allow it, though, and some even encourage it. I only know of a few who have a problem, and DC Comics isn't one of them.
-------------------- Tom Strong, on nostalgia: "I suppose it's a ready substitute for genuine feeling." - Tom Strong #6, Alan Moore
From: Calgary, Alberta | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by insanelad: As far as I'm aware of, the copyright issue is essentially around the one of profit - like you say, if you pass it around friends without without making any money, there's technically no problem with it.
That'd be a shame though if you had a good product that could sell. DC might be contentious about it, but I suppose the way to do it is to come up with a product that works for you and you're happy with it and then pitch it to DC as a complete product and see what they say. It's not as if there aren't tons of fan RPGs out there on teh web that *don't* have permission.
I think it's a great idea! Who wouldn't want to RP being in the Legion (big question: would you play as an established character, o your own hero? You'd automatically create splinter universes - or would you want it firmly established in Legion history? You'd have booster packs for the various 'boots)?
I would wonder what is actually copyrighted - the names, the concept? Artwork certainly would be, but there are many talented fans out there that could produce artwork (myself included if you should ever feel the need! lol).
Don't know much about designing RPGs myself, but if you should ever need a hand, I'd be happy to help in any way I can : )
Thanks for the support. Essentially this is the story....I decided to blend my two favorite hobbies together (Legion and RPG). Previously, I worked on D&D a lot and re-wrote the Top Secret.S.I. game for myself (doubling the content of the game). I do good work, but the process is slow.
Now with Legion I wanted to make a game from scratch. Coming up with the basic mechanics is the hardest part. The concept of the game is a little different than most RPG's. It is intended that each player be in control of 3-4 characters apiece. One of these characters they make up, the others are selected from the Legion roster.
The plots will require multiple groups of characters to run around much like what we see in the comics. Each group will be doing their own thing with the intention that as the plot develops, it slowly brings each of these groups together (in regards of storyline). A player will roleplay 1 character in each group. So in one game, each player will take turns with their characters. The characters from group to group may be mixed around so that a party never has exactly the same Legionnaires present. The primarly reason I took this approach is to make sure it felt like most of the Legion team is particpating, as opposed to a player having just one character and limiting the entire game to just a few characters.
As far as developing a Legion feel for the game, I have included artwork and many written examples to help explain the rules. Pictures correspond with the examples and show the Legionnaires doing whatever the rule topic is about. It is a lot of searching to find the right pictures, but it's worth it. This is no generic superhero game. Totally Legion all the way. I'm going to create personality qualities for each Legionnaire and turn them into game mechanics if I can. Many of these qualities extend beyond combat and include the individaul's approach towards romance, their feeling towards other Legionnaires, things like that. Each of these abilities good or bad will be custom made for the character in mind. Once that is done I will rewrite it trying to make it more universal for NPCs as well.
I had plans on strictly basing the game on the mid-1070's version (as that is my favorite) and providing supplmental information for the reboot characters. After looking at the situation closer, I have decided that I don't want to tie the players hands so much. Now I'm willing to mix and match a bit with characterization. For example, Shrinking Violet has changed considerably since the 1960's. I'd say most players would want to play the current kick-butt version of the character. Rather than locking them into a more passive Shrinking Violet, they will get to choose which version they want to play. Does Saturn Girl have vocal cords? I'll let the player decide. The only trick is there will be stats for each version of the character. So if you pick the kick-butt Shrinking Violet, your stats are going to reflect that as opposed to the quieter version of the character.
This is the default approach to the game. If the game master wants to play the re-boot version the game will support it for example. If they want Adventure comics only, separate stats will appear for those characters. If a mix and match approach is chosen by the game master, its an option.
I think each version has a lot to offer. For example, the healing tanks we are seeing now I would like to include. It allows characters to recover quicker from fights and keeps the game going. Just because we didn't see it in the Adventure comics doesn't mean Brainiac 5 wasn't working on them. So if they appear in an earlier version, they would be a prototype.
I'm not real familiar with the reboot Legion and once I get into things further, if I decide that they are different enough, I would eventually want to write a supplement for each version. If the differences don't amount to that much, I'm opting to put it all in 1 book.
There will also be a Encyclopedia Galactica book which is essentially the book of the Universe for the game master. It will cover planets, the races, go into history much further than the Players book will, that sort of thing.
I'll keep you offer to help in mind. Do you have any special talents I can take advantage of?
Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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