What would you Dig: Elizabethan Game

RPGPundit · February 20, 2008, 06:18:18 PM

Let's say that a GM was going to run a game set in Elizabethan England. What kind of campaign would most float your boat there?

Swashbuckling heros? Political intrigue in the court of the Virgin Queen and the european political stage? Playing regular guys trying to make their living in the renaissance? A campaign centered around the conflict between catholicism and the Reformation? Fighting the Spanish Armada? Occult mysteries with John Dee?

RPGPundit

Ian Absentia · February 20, 2008, 06:23:46 PM

My gut reaction would be to favor something akin to an English Three Musketeers. This could encompass the (almost) just-normal-guys approach, the inclusion of courtly intrigue, occult mysteries...pretty much anything. And pertinent to the thread about character improvement, it's a scenario in which the characters could conceivably, through great effort and accomplishment, elevate themselves in society, power, and stature.

!i!

tellius · February 20, 2008, 06:37:11 PM

I love the Elizabethan England setting (coupled with Renaissance Europe). If was playing, I would love the Political intrigue of the court. But possibly more so I would love to play some sort of contemporary of Francis Drake, privateering in the Caribbean Seas. Pirates .. I love pirates.

It is just an all round great setting really.

Settembrini · February 20, 2008, 07:09:29 PM

I´d demand we leave boring England and head for the United Netherlands.

Consonant Dude · February 20, 2008, 08:59:56 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditLet's say that a GM was going to run a game set in Elizabethan England. What kind of campaign would most float your boat there?

Swashbuckling heros? Political intrigue in the court of the Virgin Queen and the european political stage? Playing regular guys trying to make their living in the renaissance? A campaign centered around the conflict between catholicism and the Reformation? Fighting the Spanish Armada? Occult mysteries with John Dee?

RPGPundit

Aaargh. So difficult to choose. That's the beauty of this era. I want it all!

This would include everything you have said as well as trips to the New World. In fact, as a player, I'd really like for the party to be part of the so-called "Lost Colony". At that juncture, possibly splitting completely from Elizabethan influence or, on the contrary, coming back secretly to England (or its rival, Spain).

Koltar · February 20, 2008, 09:31:00 PM

Swashbuckling with a chanvcce of maybe meeting the Queen.

See the movie Shakespeare In Love - there were chances here and there for non-nobility to see the Queen in person.

- Ed C.

Balbinus · February 20, 2008, 09:33:29 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditLet's say that a GM was going to run a game set in Elizabethan England. What kind of campaign would most float your boat there?

Swashbuckling heros? Political intrigue in the court of the Virgin Queen and the european political stage? Playing regular guys trying to make their living in the renaissance? A campaign centered around the conflict between catholicism and the Reformation? Fighting the Spanish Armada? Occult mysteries with John Dee?

RPGPundit

Other than fighting the armada, which doesn't much interest me (though fighting Spanish agents does), all or any of the above.

flyingmice · February 20, 2008, 09:49:46 PM

Every juicy bit of it.

-clash

RPGPundit · February 20, 2008, 10:56:23 PM

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaMy gut reaction would be to favor something akin to an English Three Musketeers. This could encompass the (almost) just-normal-guys approach, the inclusion of courtly intrigue, occult mysteries...pretty much anything. And pertinent to the thread about character improvement, it's a scenario in which the characters could conceivably, through great effort and accomplishment, elevate themselves in society, power, and stature.

!i!

The one Elizabethan campaign I ever actually ran was one where the players were agents of Her Majesty's Secret Service (a brand new organization at that time), working for Walsingham under the supervision of the original Agent 007, John Dee.

By the way, none of what I just said above was made up, it was all historical.

RPGPundit

Ian Absentia · February 20, 2008, 11:17:18 PM

Now, you see, that's exactly the sort of campaign I'd enjoy.

Anyone know the numerological significance of 0-0-7 offhand?

!i!

Toriko · February 20, 2008, 11:21:37 PM

Political intrigue and perhaps some nice juicy wars. The reality of the age was interesting enough, but if you wanted to pull a little fantasy into it you could try a "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" type collection of people as well, serving Queen and Country.

flyingmice · February 21, 2008, 12:06:53 AM

I ran a Blood Games campaign set in elizabethan-to-stuart england, with a side trip to bermuda to be the originals for The Tempest. When they told their tale to Will, they never thought he'd adapt it for the stage...

-clash

David R · February 21, 2008, 12:34:05 AM

I would run a campaign about Highwaymen :cool:

Regards,
David R

Balbinus · February 21, 2008, 08:10:00 PM

I ran a very successful Elizabethan Cthulhu game, titled "The Stars are not yet right!"

Mythos activity wasn't that heavy, as the stars weren't yet right. The party were henchmen working for a sorceror, battling cults that threatened his researchs and acquiring tomes for him.

Great fun.