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| m8adam |
 Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:54 am Post subject: Campaign Help: Career Criminal Adventurers |
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So, I had the inspired idea this evening of creating a campaign in which the characters are all highly suspect, predominantly amoral and of the opinion that crime does indeed pay.
I mean, the group I play with can be counted on to creat chaotic neutral characters 9/10 times anyway, so why not just build a campaign arc that really caters to that mentality? Not really dark or "evil" actions, I'm thinking more Han Solo-esque; smuggling, burglary, mafia errand boys, the occasional assasination.
So, my question to you all is what sort of activities would make for good "criminal" adventures, and how would you run them? Obviously organized crime is a great resource for characters like this, have you ever included the mafia in a campaign? How did it work? Any and all thoughts or advice are welcomed. |
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| bullonir |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:36 am Post subject: |
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Please get The Book of Roguish Luck by Malhavoc Press (and written by Wolfgang).
It is one of my favourite books. Ever. (And no, I'm not just pimping this because it's on Wolf's site.)
It should spark some ideas.
And while we're on Han Solo and such. I think the adventures should focus on choosing the lesser of two evils, perhaps?
Patrick
Please let us know how it turns out! |
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| Zherog |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:55 am Post subject: |
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If you're talking D&D as the game, the stereotype I guess would be a thieves' guild. I once did something like this, actually. I built an organization that was a semi-politically motivated thieves' guild that was also a branch of the Church of Olidammara (so it was an immediate hook for the player who wanted to play a cleric of Olli/rogue multiclass). The gal who wanted to play an arcane trickster had no trouble fitting in, and the other two players worked their backstory in such a way as to reasonably have a purpose for being there.
Their very first "mission" for the guild was to stake out a judge. The judge was on the take from the guild, but had recently started sentencing guild members to severe penalties anyway. The guild charged the group with observing, to see if they could figure it out. They took the initiative to actually approach him, and they learned his daughter was kidnapped and he was simply ruling as he was told in order to save his daughter's life. The PCs opted to track down the kidnappers and save the kid, and that lead to further plot hooks. And so on and so forth.
As the campaign went on, I more or less let the players dictate where the game went. If they wanted to investigate the kidnapping, for example, I took that and gave them the backing from the guild, because getting the girl back helped the judge, and helping the judge helped the guild. The guild never told the PCs to go solve the kidnapping, though; they developed that entirely on their own.
Anyway, I hope that's at least a little helpful to you in getting started.
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| deinol |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:56 am Post subject: |
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Go watch the show "Leverage". It's a perfect blueprint for a rogue but slightly good campaign.
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| m8adam |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:34 am Post subject: |
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Wow. You guys are quick with the suggestions. I love it. Thanks for all your tips.
In terms of good/bad I'm really hoping to not moralize things too much. My group is really big on the profit/XP motive, and is almost completely lacking when it comes to "do the right thing" ideals. Our last DM presented us with a baby lost in the underdark and most of the group wanted to leave it (or eat it) as it would be hindrance in getting their tasks accomplished.
I'll definitely be providing opportunities for both good and evil actions, maybe using some sort of taint rules to determine alignment shifts which could split the group. But generally want to keep things morally ambiguous. "Yeah, we're stealing from a church, but at least it's not an orphanage." kind of thing.
I'm going to start them off with Escape from Meenlock Prison, as the prisoners there aren't really criminals, giving me a good tie to some shady operators already. After that I'm not sure, but I've got some good heist adventures from Dungeon around level 5, and then I think I'll be working on tasking them with more political string-pulling. |
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| m8adam |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| Oh, also, send me adventure ideas! I've got several, but thrive on the creative juices generated here in the forums. Like a mind-flayer of the internet. |
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| Daigle |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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A few of us in our group did something criminal a few years back. We all started 1st level as basic thugs/petty criminals in a big city. Our first few levels we did jobs and ran dangerous errands for one of the resident crime bosses. The whole set up was very sandboxy, and by the time we'd dipped our fingers into a dozen different pies, we had a good feel of the underground nature of the place, such as who paid well, who tried to screw you at every turn, who you could trust, etc. The group ended up targeting one of the crime bosses that was less than moral/ethical and took his organization out.
From that point on, it was less about grabbing what you can and getting rich, and more like keeping what you'd taken. We built up our organization, made more connections/money, and defended our territory from those who wanted our turf. It was a fun game while it lasted. |
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| m8adam |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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That sounds awesome. Pretty much what I had planned on, although I'm not so great at running sandbox type campaigns, it's a little too much info to develop at once and keep track of. anyone have good sources for criminal NPC's or NPC generation?
I was also thinking about having the characters move up in an organization until the point where they are invested, then having them try to topple the ruling criminal organization which is intertwined with the corrupt government, and take over the business and connections. |
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| Daigle |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Sandbox, in this situation, is easier than you think, especially if it’s your own world and not a published location/setting. It being a city is even easier as there are always chances for interactions, and everyone has a pretty good idea what to expect in a city setting.
You just need a few tools in your toolbox.
1. Flexibility. This is the best defense against PCs ‘going left’. Let them dictate the flow and just focus on being open and ready.
2. A good city map (preferably have a copy for you and a copy for the players. When they do something important somewhere, or you assign a location to something, jot it on your private map. Let them keep up with their own), and a handful of close up location maps. (Or the ability to rock one out spontaneously, then copy it down for future reference when done.)
3. A dozen or so encounter ideas. Use these like money in the bank to move the pacing along or break up direct storylines. The rest of them will write themselves as the PCs move through the world.
4. A good generic selection of NPCs and a handful of more impressive ones. Most of these interactions will be with normal folks, minor nobility, mooks, thugs, and such. The rest act as leader types and more significant threats. Consider leveling a few of these folks as the PCs rise in level.
5. A big honkin’ list of names. In a city, these PCs are going to meet a lot of people. I use a full-page list broken into three columns. When I use the name (usually spontaneously), I write who I assigned it to next to the printed name for future reference.
5. However, the most important tool is a good group who isn’t out to break the game. |
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| Daigle |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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And for a little inspiration, watch (or rewatch) all/most/some of these films:
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
Snatch
Heat
American Gangster
Way of the Gun
Miller’s Crossing
Ronin
Casino
Menace II Society
Boyz in the Hood
Godfather
Goodfellas
True Romance
The Usual Suspects
Gangs of New York
Traffic
Donnie Brasco
Leon (The Professional) |
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| Zherog |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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I'd add Scarface to that list. Especially since it'll give a good look at starting low and working up.
You might also consider watching a season or two of the Sopranos.
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| m8adam |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| You guys are amazing. Thanks so much! |
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| Daigle |
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Zherog wrote: |
I'd add Scarface to that list. Especially since it'll give a good look at starting low and working up.
You might also consider watching a season or two of the Sopranos. |
I specifically left Scarface off that list because I feel it's overrated. You're totally on with the Sopranos, however. Hell, Deadwood never lacks for flavor. You can practically soak up criminal gravy with a biscuit in that one.
Glad some of this helped m8adam. |
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| Zherog |
| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:08 am Post subject: |
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I agree Scarface is overrated, but it's not a bad movie.
Deadwood, however, is spot on. Awesome show!
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| Amy Carrier |
| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, I'm not sure I can add anything useful after all these great ideas - but I'll try:
In general its easier (I think) to run a roguish group when the legitimate government is corrupt. This doesn't mean that the King demands human sacrifice for his birthday, just that the system is slanted enough to make the common folk unhappy. This is the sort of background against which all sorts of folk heros have thrived: Adam Bell, William Tell, Zorro, Doctor Syn, and (of course) Robin Hood.
If the locals like you better than they like the government, they will help you hide when the Sherriff's Men come around looking for you. |
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