Pathfinder for Fantasy Hero

Ok, there is no doubt I love me some point based systems which is why I tend to run Hero for just about anything. This past week, I ran my occasional Fantasy Hero game in which I have been using the new Pathfinder adventure path.

Now, maybe I was just in a doofus mood, but during the game I was noticing one of the characters was just lobbing out a pot load of damage when compared to the others. Usually, I try not to bring these things up during the game, but this time I did. I think it went ok and the player and I discussed it further afterwards. I just regret that I brought it up during play. Basically, the character is a archer/ druid type and is doing 3d6 killing (+1 stun mod), has rapid fire and the archery skill. So, he’s T-ing off on one of the tough baddies and keeps firing, firing, firing…saying as long as he doesn’t miss, it’s ok (yes, there are minuses to each shot after the first, but he has skill levels and the baddie is stunned…).

So, we’ve agreed that three shots is enough, period. That my reason for this was not to cause an imbalance within the group (combat wise), any more than there is already.

As an aside, I think the adventure is going well, though I am undecided as to if I am going to run the whole “play” part of the second module for this adventure path.

Fantasy Hero then….

Well, I ran our on/ off Fantasy Hero game last week. John D couldn’t make it to GM Golden Age Hero, so I stepped in. We’re playing SOMETHING, dang it! I’m using Hero’s Turakian setting and the group has made a big journey. It took them three weeks (game time) via ship to get to where they wanted to go.

The players are assisting a group of slowly growing rebels to become organized and attempt an overthrow of the oppressive mayor of the port city in the south of Vashkor (sound familiar? Anyone….anyone….). The players enjoyed the game, I feel and I thought it was a change of pace from dungeons/ bash and grab as the group had to use some tactics and plan in advance.

Now, it’s back to Golden Age this week. I have the next part of my Fantasy Hero adventure planned, just in case it’s needed, though….

The Book of the Dragon

  Just got in the new Dragon book for Fantasy Hero (which, I will be running over the next two weeks). First reaction- HEY! It’s got a very good cover! Yes, for a change, a book from Hero Games is …..ATTRACTIVE! Wha Hoppened??!! Anyway, inside the book is a pot load of dragon types statted out for the Hero System along with other giant monster types (including a living castle, the God of Worms, the Snow Spire Golem and more). A 144 pages of some very good write ups for Fantasy Hero. I am very happy with this buy (with the small exception of no Index). I am, at the same time, very unhappy that my days of buying Hero books is about to come to an end. 

  This is just the type of book that Hero needs to be publishing, not yet another edition of Fantasy Hero or Star Hero. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for new material from Hero. Once it appears, they’ll be earning my hard earned dollars again.

More Fantasy Hero

 Well, I ran Fantasy Hero this past Sunday and I have to say, I’ve missed running FH.  I run it as kind of a “fill in” game when the regular GM (who is running Pulp Hero) can’t make it. Instead of running a “One Shot” I decided to start a rather long adventure. It may take all year to get thru this one, depending on how many times our regular GM can’t make it. 

 I purposely took out my own “PC” out of the adventure early on. I’m running an altered version of Wolfgang Baur’s Empire of the Ghouls and my PC is a Necromancer, so…. I just felt it would be better for her not to be there. I’ve streamlined the adventure and toned it down a bit for the points that the players are at, so I hope it will be an adventure that will last a bit and by the time they’re done they should be quite a kick butt group.

Mutants & Masterminds After the Game

  Well, I had more people than I thought I would show for the game. We started about 4pm in the afternoon and by the end of the day (around midnight), I think we were comfortable with the combat resolution. Lots of feats to remember! One of the guys ran a martial artist- type who became more effective as the game went along simply because he was remembering his feats and how they came into play.

 I’ve kept this opening scenario very simple so that we could focus on how combat works. A mastermind has hired various villians to test the local heroes and gather info on them. Our heroes have figured this out, but for what reason and who? They have no idea. 

 It’s was interesting to run as most of the group has very little background in RPGs. A couple of the guys played Champions with me WAY back in the 80’s/ 90s when I ran that for about 8 years, so I’ve been pretty pleased with the mix. The new guys are coming up with good ideas and the “old timers” aren’t dominating the table. So far , so good.

 If the interest maintains, I’ll keep running. I have to say, I enjoyed running Fantasy Hero quite a bit, so I’m leaving it up to the players which they perfer.

Tying Up Fantasy Hero

 We played this past Sunday and I finished up a module I was running. I ended a story line that was going on behind the scenes and got everyone back to the campaign’s main city. I’ve enjoyed running FH and I hope that the players have enjoyed it as well. We’re going to be restarting Pulp Hero in two weeks and I’m looking forward to playing rather than GMing all the time. 

 I think we’ll come back to FH at some point. I’ve got a few plot ideas I’d like to persue. It’s been interesting to run a fantasy game for a change. I’ve been pushing for more campaign participation by the players and I’ve seen a little of it, but not as much as I would have liked. I want the players to set up a market, adventurers guild, take over a village/ town, start up a tavern…whatever.

Once More…Fantasy Hero

  I’ll be running FH one more time this Sunday. It’s been fun, but it may be for the last time (for a while, anyway). Our other DM is back and, I’m hoping, he’ll be running Pulp Hero in two weeks. I enjoyed the first (and only) session we played and I’m looking forward to “fleshing out” my detective character.

  I will have to say, I had more fun running FH than I thought I would have. I’ve never bothered trying to run a fantasy game as I’ve never been a big fantasy book reader. I’ve been tinkering with the setting quite a bit, just to make it a bit more unique and it’s gotten me really into enjoying running it. 

  I’ve been reading the Pathfinder Beta rules recently. Just looking at the changes they’ve made so far. I really enjoy the stuff Paizo produces and, so far, this hasn’t been a disappointment. Well, maybe I’ll do a little review once I’m doing reading (which may be a while as the older I get the slower I read).

Games I’d like to Play

 Reading another blog got me to thinking. I’ve been pretty lucky having played a wide variety of genres. There are still some individual games I’d really like to play in a long term game, though. 

 Champions/ Mutants & Masterminds/ Godlike/ Wild Talents- Just about ANY supers game would do. The most I’ve ever played was a one shot DC Heroes game. I ran Champions for over 8 years back on the late 80s/ early 90s. 

Sengoku- I love this game. I wouldn’t care if someone ran it using another system as I’m not a huge fan of Fusion. I’ve always had a strong interest in asian cultures. If someone ran this thing three times a week, I’d try to make every session.

D&D 4th/Pathfinder/Fantasy Hero- Yes, recently I played Fantasy Hero for about 9 months and played AD&D for over 6 years back in the 80s, but I’ve always wanted to get to the point where my character had some power. Almost got there with AD&D, but not quite. I’m very interested in having a character that would rule a city/ kingdom. Maybe one that would lead an army. Lower level stuff just doesn’t do it for me. 

Spirit of the Century/ Pulp Hero- Well, we have done one session of Pulp Hero and I’m looking forward to more, but it always seems that pulp games end too soon for me. I’ve played a few at cons, but have never had the opportunity to play long term.

Delta Green- Hell yeah. Played for a few months about 9 years ago in Cincinnati, but have never found another game. I loves me some DG. 

There are some others that interest me- Big Eyes Small Mouth, Heavy Gear, Dogs in the Vineyard, Qin, Reign, Burning Wheel… I will likely play these at cons as it seems most of the gamers in the area are transfixed by D&D (3.5, please. the only TRUE D&D…ahem). Running a game is not the same as playing the game, in my opinion, anyway.

More Fantasy Hero

I had the chance to run some more Fantasy Hero this past Sunday. Our game was supposed to be Pulp Hero, but the GM had some things come up, so I ran FH at the last minute. Usually, I like to do some prep work before I run, but I had almost NO time this week. Anyway, I think it went ok, I did keep a couple plot lines going and I think the guys had a good time. I’m having fun running it which is a good surprise for me as I’ve never been a big fantasy fan. I’m more of a comics/ superhero kind of guy. 

The game was stopped about half way thru the adventure and I’m hoping to finish it up next time (and be more “up” on the adventure). The group is off in a distant mountain range in the far north exploring a rediscovered city hidden by a cloud of mist. They’ve had one fight so far and more may be coming, it’s all about how they handle the NPCs here. I don’t want to say too much as I think a few of them check this blog.

 I’ll do an After Action Report once we’re thru the module.

Fantasy Game Sunday

 So, I ran D&….errr, no, it was Fantasy Hero, this past Sunday. Ya know, really, to me, it wouldn’t matter what system I was using. The play is the thing. I just prefer FH over D&D as I find it easier to understand, but then I could just as well be using BESM or Pathfinder. Oh well.

 The group traveled in to foreign lands where they worship Asmodeus as their god. They had been following a priest and six guards attempting to stop a plot to shatter the peace between neighboring countries. Total travel time for the characters was about three weeks before they found their way to the base of operations for a cult worshipping Lovitar. The group was able to sneak their way in disguised as worshipers. After a bit, they were guided into the temple to become full members. Once inside they took advantage of the situation and rushed in to find the leader of the cult.

 Fighting thru lieutenants and guards, they eventually found the leader and defeated him. The group escaped thru a secret passage and made their way to the nearest city. Their new found friend, Frederick, purchased a scroll of teleportation and offered to use it to return the group home (Frederick was after the same priest for his own reasons).

 I hurried the adventure a bit as this should have been spread out over two sundays, but I wanted to get thru it in one as I’m hopeful we’ll be playing Pulp Hero next time. All in all, I think everyone still had a good time.