Re: [DL] Experience in DL and D20 comment

[balance@tubas.net]

On Monday, February 18, 2002, at 05:29  PM, Grand Master Nilus of the 
Dark Angel Chapter wrote:

> There was a game called Arcanuim, that came out for pc about 6 months 
> ago.  The Idea was a steam punk world of Fanatasy.  It was cool.  Lots 
> of good inspiration for Mad Scientists.

It looked interesting. Personally, I don't like the idea of adding 
Elves, Dwarves, etc. to Deadlands in this kind of way (although Hunting 
Grounds trips, etc. are valid reason) because I think the politics of 
the Weird West is more interesting than most fantasy settings. You've 
got 'allowed' racism against Chinese immigrants, vestiges of racism 
against ex-slaves, the hatred between the North and South even if they 
are mirrors of each other, etc.

> As for wierd races in Deadlands.  It could be cool to see a Quick 
> Drawing Elf, or a Dwarf Shaman, Maybe a Gnome Mad Scientist(Please a 
> moment of silence for the fact that the WOTC morons aren't doing a 
> Dragonlance D20), or a Halfling Huckster.  It could be cool.  But there 
> would have to be a good explanation to why.  Although I always enjoyed 
> Shadowrun, I always thought there explanation of Meta-humans was kinda 
> weak.

I like Shadowrun, but again, I feel Deadlands does better by keeping the 
options low. Also, a big favorite concept of deadlands is 'power has a 
price' and metahumans could, conceivably, hurt this unless done right. 
For example, play a Huckster, get some nifty powers, but you are dealing 
with demons! Play a blessed, get  powers, restrict yourself to a moral 
code.

Anyway, I think that a Shadowrun-style explanation wouldn't have this 
balancing effect. Of course, it should be said that it's your game and 
whatever you and your players enjoy...

--
Brett

LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER 
MAN? (Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett)