I'm a fan of both Blue Planet and Deadwood, the HBO series.  

How cool would it be to run a game set in an out of the way area, like an isolated atoll in Darwin's Archipelago, in a small mining camp?  Perhaps the place's find isn't rich enough at first to require any kind of government, crporate or otherwise.

You can some of the major characters from Deadwood and plop them right in the game.  Like an Al Swearengen who wears Hawaiian shirts and influences "Driftwood" through intimidation, swaggery, skullduggery, and control of the computer network?

What would you think?

Quote from: joewolzWhat would you think?

Very nice idea. IMO solves a lot of problems I've had with starting something in this setting.

QuoteYou can some of the major characters from Deadwood and plop them right in the game.  Like an Al Swearengen who wears Hawaiian shirts and influences "Driftwood" through intimidation, swaggery, skullduggery, and control of the computer network?

I get where you are going with this, but I think it would be better if you try to convey the tone/atmosphere of Deadwood mixing it up with the more alien aspects of Blue Planet. If done right, your players would get that familiar Deadwood vibe, but it would be subtle.

Also, bringing in such iconic characters verbatim, IME is a pretty dodgy idea. What I would do, is create an Al type character and inspire one of the players to create a Seth -type character. See how the relationship between the two characters evolves.

But don't forget the other characters. Playing in a Deadwood enviroment, would mean, that they have to be really involved in the going ons of the settlement. I mean you got restless natives and intelligent dolphins...

Regards,
David R

Exactly.  I wouldn't keep the names, of course.  I'm really going for the feel here.

The dolphins can act like the Chinese in Deadwood, the Aborigines as the Indians (who are only ever seen once in the entire series to date).

If I were to keep the Hearst problems from the show, I would replace him with a corporation.

Quote from: joewolzThe dolphins can act like the Chinese in Deadwood...

Dolphin whores? :eek:

Seriously, it's a neat idea.  Rather like Firefly, but sitting still instead of flitting about.  Similar in general concept, but a different emphasis and dynamic.  Run with it, baby.

!i!

If I only had the time to run this...

Maybe next year.

QuoteAlso, bringing in such iconic characters verbatim, IME is a pretty dodgy idea.

Yeah, I find this often problematic.

Quote from: David R...  What I would do, is create an Al type character and inspire one of the players to create a Seth -type character. See how the relationship between the two characters evolves. ....

Being the kind of guy that I am and often playing with people that are willing to try that sort of thing I'd be inclined to have both the proto-Al and proto-Seth as PCs. Because they do find themselves on the same side in a sort of very uneasy alliance. Besides they're both just too damn cool to be an NPC.

P.S. And it be a real toss-up between which the players would want more to run, Al or Seth.

If I played, I'd want to be Al.

Yeah see. I'm kinda torn myself but I know I'd rock as an Al.

Of course I know players that would be entirely comfortable playing a Dan Dority. Even even Mr. Wu so they could mime and limit their vocabulary to "San Fransisco cocksucker". :rolleyes: Or in the case of a Blue Planet version the squawking head dolphin. They'd do it really well though. :cool:

I'm not hugely familiar with either setting (AFAIK Blue Planet being a kinda transhumany RPG, Deadwood being a TV show were people swear a lot while dressed as cowboys), but it sounds like Firely with the knob turned up to eleven .

Quote from: blakkieBeing the kind of guy that I am and often playing with people that are willing to try that sort of thing I'd be inclined to have both the proto-Al and proto-Seth as PCs. Because they do find themselves on the same side in a sort of very uneasy alliance. Besides they're both just too damn cool to be an NPC.

Ths is good. You do realize that the only reason why I was condenming Al to NPC status is becaue I wanted to play him myself But yeah, at the end of the day, both these proto characters should be available to the pcs because of this :

QuoteP.S. And it be a real toss-up between which the players would want more to run, Al or Seth.

Regards,
David R