One of the more challenging design goals I set for myself when developing the core “good guys” in the Sons of Liberty – a sort of early 18th-Century American Avengers — was to ensure that every character had a relatively familiar counterpart in the meta-myth of the comic book universes players were likely to me familiar with. The characters are deliberate pastiches, or more directly, blatant rip-offs of familiar archetypes. Having begun with a remixed time-traveling Superman, it seemed only natural to follow with an homage to the Batman.

Even though I planned to set most of the adventures of the Sons of Liberty in the early 19th Century, I wanted to continue the trend of grounding the origins of the heroes (and, honestly, many of the villains) in the American Revolutionary War. For a faux-Dark Knight, the legendary Francis Marion — the Swamp Fox — seemed like a good fit. Although the real Marion’s victories against the British were not particularly significant in setting the direction of the war, his cleverness and ability to turn the local terrain against his enemies had made him a legend even in his own lifetime. After the war, Marion was a successful and wealthy planter, echoing the fabulously wealthy Bruce Wayne.

There was only one major problem: the real Francis Marion died in 1795, about 10 years before the first adventure I’d sketched out was supposed to take place. I’d previously noted that I wanted to ensure that at least a few of the Sons of Liberty were daughters, not least because I expected one of the regular players for the series of short con-games would be our own d20blonde. Unfortunately, my plan to introduce one of Marion’s children as a second Swamp Fox carrying the name into the 1800s hit another snag: Marion died without producing any acknowledged heirs. I have to admit that I had a long internal debate about how to proceed before deciding that, in an alternate history that already included an invincible flying blacksmith with x-ray vision, I could plausibly give the Swamp Fox a vengeful daughter without seriously further disrupting the time-stream.

And so the entirely fictional Elizabeth Marion was born. It’s worth noting here that although this version of Elizabeth Marion is known to be Francis’s daughter by his wife, Mary, you could put an interesting twist on the idea by making her an unacknowledged heir born to one of Marion’s slaves (which has the slight benefit of being easier to fit into the outline of real history, and gives the original Swamp Fox a more ambiguously heroic air). If so, you’d probably want to identify a less direct source of training and mentorship for the second Swamp Fox, and different benefactor who could provide the Swamp Fox with some of her more advanced equipment since Marion’s wealth would presumably be unavailable.

Secret Origins

Everyone knows that Francis Marion, was a clever, merciless, and matchless guerilla fighter throughout the Revolution. It is this reputation that earned him the nickname “Swamp Fox,” a name carried on by a series of vigilantes operating after the war ended. What people don’t know is that this “series” of vigilantes was actually Marion, donning a mask to protect the young nation that he had helped create, even as he publicly gave up the identity. But even legends like the Swamp Fox age.

Marion’s daughter — Elizabeth — was only 10 when he began training her, using the plantation’s profits to hire the most talented swordsmen and detectives from around the world to help further her education. He knew that she would eventually replace him as one of the nation’s protectors, but he could not know that she would have to replace him so quickly. She found him one night in 1795, just inside the doorway, mask askew, blood surrounding a chest wound that he must have gotten hours before. He had been ambushed. Murdered. The nation mourned  the loss of Francis Marion, war hero and state senator, but they had no need to mourn the Swamp Fox. She donned the mask and cloak, and took your father’s sword – and his mission – as your own.

In the ensuing years, Elizabeth has honed the Swamp Fox identity: the swamps are her undisputed domain, and she is a nearly unparalleled warrior and detective even when out of her element. Of course, she’s not the only one to draw inspiration from the original Swamp Fox’s career:  the Scarlet Pimpernel, an Englishman last seen operating in Revolutionary France, is certainly a student, and she’s begun hearing rumors that the Spanish have their own shadowy Fox in distant California. Though others have chosen to follow the elder Marion’s path, Elizabeth has sworn that vengeance for his murder will be hers and hers alone.

Don’t you know by now? The Swamp Fox is always one step ahead…

Solemn and taciturn, the Swamp Fox is quiet, unwilling to waste words when the situation would be better served by action. Attentive to even the smallest detail, Swamp Fox is coolly analytical to point of seeming cold, though her detachment can turn to menace in an instant. Swamp Fox is careful not to allow any emotion show through her serious façade, which is no less protective than the leather plates sewn into her costume.

Compact and muscular but no less graceful for it, Swamp Fox is often seen as little more than a shadow beneath a low-hanging branch, or a flitter of movement in the trees. The glint of a well-warn officer’s saber glints menacingly in the moonlight beneath a dark, hooded cloak. Her eyes, cool and calculating, glint in the starlight. She never shows fear, though she is not so foolish to pretend that she doesn’t feel it. She maintains a coiled, brooding stance, hinting at violence with her every movement.

Swamp Fox is not a powerful combatant, especially when compared to her compatriots. However, she can more than hold her own as long as she can surprise her enemies, assaulting them from the shadows or darting in with a clever feint. She’s at her strongest in melee combat, though she can use her boomerangs or bolos at range.

The Swamp Fox (PL10, 150pp*)

(For Mutants and Masterminds 3e)

Abilities: 

Strength 3, Agility 7, Fighting 8, Awareness 5, Stamina 3, Dexterity 7, Intellect 5, Presence 4

Advantages: 

All-out Attack, Close Attack 4, Daze (Intimidation), Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 2,  Equipment 5, Evasion, Fascinate (Intimidation), Favored Environment (Shadows), Grabbing Finesse, Hide in Plain Sight, Improved Critical 2 (Sword), Improved Disarm, Inventor, Jack-of-All-Trades, Power Attack, Precise Attack 4, Ranged Attack 5, Set-Up, Startle, Takedown 2, Tracking

Offense: 

Initiative +7

Sword of the Swamp Fox +12 (Tough DC 23, Crit 18-20)
Fox-darts +12 (Tough DC 23, 35 ft. range increment)

Unarmed +17 (Tough DC 18)
Grab +12 (Tough DC 18)
Throw +12 (Tough DC 18)

Defense:

Dodge 12
Parry 12
Fortitude 6
Toughness 8 (3)
Will 11

Skills: 

Acrobatics 4 (+11), Athletics 7 (+10), Close Combat (Unarmed) 5 (+13), Deception 3 (+7), Insight 3 (+8), Intimidation 7 (+11), Investigation 6 (+11), Perception 3 (+8), Persuasion 0 (+4), Sleight of Hand 2 (+9), Stealth 4 (+11), Technology 0 (+5), Treatment 0 (+5), Vehicles 0 (+7)

Equipment:  

Costume [Protection 3], Hook and Line [Movement 2: Safe Fall, Swinging], The Sword of the Swamp Fox [Strength-based damage 5: Slashing, Tough DC 23, Improved Critical 2], **Flash-Bang [Burst Area Dazzle: Visual and Auditory, Fort. DC 13, 30 ft. radius sphere], **Bolos [Snare 4, Dodge DC 14], **Fox-darts [Strength-based damage 5, 35 ft. range increment], **Compact Chirurgeon’s Kit [Healing 6], **Sleep Gas Pellets [Cloud Area Affliction 5: Dazed/Stunned/Asleep, Fort. DC 15, 15 ft. radius sphere], **Smoke Pellets [Cloud Area Concealment Attack 4: All visual senses, Dodge DC 14, 15 ft. radius sphere]

Complications: 

Honor: You will kill your father’s murderer, but you’ve sworn that no other will die at your hand. You will work tirelessly to capture and imprison the guilty for their crimes, but even the worst Mankind have to offer deserve life.

Identity: No one knows that the prosperous young daughter of prominent plantation owner Francis Marion is the Swamp Fox, except for a few of allies in the Sons of Liberty, like the Minuteman. The Swamp Fox will do whatever you have to do to keep it that way.

Motivation – Justice: The Swamp Fox was trained from childhood to hold to the ideals of the young American nation, even if it meant that she would sometimes have to work outside the law from the shadows of the Carolina swamps.

Power Points: 

Power Level 10, 150 PP; Abilities 84 + Powers 0 + Advantages 37 + Skills 11 (*44 ranks per 4 skill points/pp house rule) + Defenses 18. **Alternate powers.

Image Credit: Brian “d20Monkey” Patterson

Kennon “the Universe” Bauman is a professional analyst and lapsed historian who spends a large percentage of his limited free time reading comics, which inspired this particular series of quasi-historical nonsense. You can find Kennon’s bite-sized musings on Twitter @theUniverseGM.

The topic for the 10 May 2013 #RPGChat was Travel and Exotic Places. 

Wondering what RPGchat is? Allow us to explain. Interested in participating? Join us next week on twitter. Just look for the #rpgchat hashtag, and share your thoughts when you’re ready! 

Tweets of Note:

@d20Blonde

Today (tonight for those of us in Europe), we’re talking about travel! Exotic places! New cultures! #RPGchat

what makes something feel exotic?

@TheUniverseGM

A sense of age is a key part of place description. Shiny and new? Cracked and ancient? One over the other?

@dronolan

I would argue that you can be familiar without being generic. Exotic then has more to do with the unfamiliar

@BeefGriller

Exotic could be as simple as different customs or acceptable behavior. E.g., removing all leg coverings before entering a house.

@BeefGriller

The exotic can be found in our own history. E.g., in parts of early-medieval Europe, only royalty were allowed to wear purple

@Alpharalpha

nothing beats creating the feel of being in a unique place like a exotic meal, unique smells and flavor

Don’t forget to make the location feel exotic to the players, not just the GM:

@is3rith

“Exotic” and “interesting” are in the eye of the beholder. I ask the players what makes a given place seem that way… to THEM.

@StarArmy

The recurring NPCs found in a specific place can also be a great way to make it memorable, especially if they’re exotic too

@RonarCorruption

That may be the most important thing to remember when creating new places – always have vague things for *others* to build from

the ‘blank spaces’ on a map can provide the exotic feel and be inspiration:

@bryce963

I like when there are small bits and town names in a campaign book. I fill in between and around those to make places.

some thoughts on travel scenes:

@d20Blonde

So, your PCs are traveling somewhere far away. How do you handle travel scenes? Are they just dots-on-the-mapping their way there?

@d20Blonde

I love a world where the geography can provide as much adventure as the big baddies. Make getting there part of the adventure!

@is3rith

Travel scenes only happen if the outcome of the scene matters to the adventure scenario.

@d20monkey

For me it is based on the distance travelled. I am a big fan of the Star Wars wipe with flavor text

@TheUniverseGM

How to get to a new location in a game will greatly depend on the type of game you’re running.

@TheUniverseGM

For a Tolkien style, you really need to play the journey. Spielberg or Lucas-esque? If it’s a travel “scene” there IS trouble

@Misfit_KotLD

On travel, my parties tend to travel by ship (sailing and star) or via dimensional portal. It’s cheesy, but the parties are big

@Trawesome

@TheUniverseGM @d20Blonde You can do some fun stuff with roadside taverns. Secretly run by vampires? Sure, why not!

Tips for bringing the exotic feel to your game:

@lilithdarkmoon

Also just as important to describe how *creatures* smell. Ex: “The heavy smell of ozone surrounds the blue dragon”

@is3rith

I’m particularly fond of watching Man vs. Wild to have something to draw on when we’re doing wilderness adventures

@Alpharalpha

where are good places to look for exotic feel? I love to watch the Food Network and Travel Channel for ideas and inspiration

@StarArmy

#RPGchat: These 2 articles highlight cultural differences, inspiring for exotic locations: http://www.boredpanda.com/where-children-sleep-around-the-world/ … http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/breakfasts-around-the-world …

@StarArmy

Randomness can help you think out of the box. Try plugging images into Google “similar images” to see what appears!

@TwistedD6s

I get inspiration from watching people interact day-to-day and then try to amp up the significance.

and lastly this is very much a part of the appeal of the hobby

@d20Blonde

Part of the reason I play is to explore new worlds without always having to create them.

____

We have a new format for the full archive, using the Tags Explorer system. Click here to see it!

Alpharalpha started role playing in the halcyon days of the 1980s after reading an article in Time warning of the dangers of playing the then-new game called Dungeons and Dragons. An order from a mail order catalog for the red box D&D and he was hooked. With a brief interlude for college he rediscovered gaming in the 90s. Now, he combines his passions for technology and gaming with friends via the internet. You can find him on Twitter @Alpharalpha.

For the 2 May 2013 #RPGChat we had an Open Forum.

Wondering what RPGchat is? Allow us to explain. Interested in participating? Join us next week on twitter. Just look for the #rpgchat hashtag, and share your thoughts when you’re ready!

With the open forum lots of topics were introduced and discussed:

StarArmy asked about the effects of the explosion of systems

@StarArmy

Do you feel that the gamer community has become more balkanized in the last decade as eBooks created an explosion of new systems?

@TheUniverse

@StarArmy Not really. I’ve found that there are fewer system loyalists at this point.

@Llanwyre

@TheUniverseGM @stararmy I second this point. Even if we don’t all play several games, we are more familiar with a wide range of systems.

@pdunwin

@StarArmy Nothing to do with ebooks. There are just more games and more types of games.

EricMPaq commented on the systems that assume success by the PCs:

@EricMPaq

@TheUniverseGM I’m currently reading Trail of Cthulhu. I’m loving the Gumshoe system. Reading it makes me want to play/run it.

@TheUniverseGM

@EricMPaq IMO, the paradigm shift is less about the gambling and more about “you always succeed on stuff that matters.”

@EricMPaq

@TheUniverseGM I love the “succeed on stuff that matters” was put into writing. New players can read it and use it as a tool

@StarArmy

@EricMPaq The way I GM, players can’t fail at easy stuff, only at the risky stuff. And the risk of failure depends on story’s tone

@pdunwin

#rpgchat The enjoyment of the players should never be one of the stakes of failure in a RPG. And it never has to be.

verycuteGM and BeefGriller noted the common addiction for tabletop rpg players

@BeefGriller

I think we all do. RT @verycutegm: I have a dice addiction, guys

more on dice:

@WindsorGaming

Lets try that again. #RPGchat my most unique dice for @dronolan pic.twitter.com/QZGIQ4BCRX

@InDavesLife

@dronolan Unique dice? @HeadshotsHeart has some steampunk dice and dice cufflinks for auction for @CPCharity #rpgchat

@verycutegm

@dronolan I got a giant copper d20, a set of bone and hematite dice, a light up d20, and some volcanic d6s so far

Some ideas for alt reality gaming:

@EricMPaq

I need ideas for alternate realities. I have so far: reverse gender; Axis wins; WWIII happened; evil wins; heroes are gods

@phalanx

@EricMPaq library of Alexandria never lost.

@Alpharalpha

@EricMPaq Canada? maybe a world where the plains of abraham battle went the other way and the French/English still fight

a nice quote

@WindsorGaming

“If you’re not playing with strangers you’re not challenging yourself” – Ed Doolittle

and lastly

@StarArmy

It’s the GM’s duty to be flexible to the players, not to the whims of a die. Run the RPG, don’t let the RPG run you

____

We have a new format for the full archive, using the Tags Explorer system. Click here to see it!

Alpharalpha started role playing in the halcyon days of the 1980s after reading an article in Time warning of the dangers of playing the then-new game called Dungeons and Dragons. An order from a mail order catalog for the red box D&D and he was hooked. With a brief interlude for college he rediscovered gaming in the 90s. Now, he combines his passions for technology and gaming with friends via the internet. You can find him on Twitter @Alpharalpha.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m finalizing the table of contents in the next few days and that, if you submitted a pitch, you should get your official response back in the next 5-7 days.

So excited to see the project moving forward!

I am back!  That “restful hiatus” I talked about three months ago took a little longer than I expected.  Sorry about that.  But I have still be reading and thinking about World War Two, Cthulhu, vast dark conspiracies, and other fun bedtime topics.  This post, though, is about research.

Setting a game in a real-world historical period, even one you intend to blow up, provides the gamer with both opportunities and challenges.  You have the opportunity to collect and use a wealth of material that’s been compiled and produced by historians, both professional and otherwise, who have made the study of history their vocation.  There’s lots of resources available.  On the other hand, you have a wealth of material that’s been compiled and produced to sort through; there’s LOTS of resources available.  This is especially true for something like the Second World War.  Because of it’s importance for our modern life, its immense scope, and a host of other reasons, there are mountains of books and other materials on WW2.  My local used bookstore, not a huge one by any means, has four whole bookcases on the war if you include the “Nazism” and “Holocaust” sections!  There are about two shelves devoted to the First World War, by comparison.  That’s a lot of stuff to (potentially) draw upon for a game.

What’s a (historical) RPG’er to do?  First, realize you can’t read everything.  I feel a certain pressure every time I look at those four cases of books.  My own desire to read is stoked by them, but my time is limited.  Getting over any sort of notions about completeness or expertise is important, I think.  I am not a historian.  I am just a guy who likes history and wants to play some games.

Second is to focus.  I am certainly interested in WW2 as a whole, but there are a couple of areas that really intrigue me more than others.  I am really interested in the North African front, for example.  Lots of good gaming potential there as well, with the desert background and Britain’s hold on the Middle East and Egypt.  Another thing I find fascinating is the Nazi attitude toward art and their acquisition of the collected artistic treasures of Europe.  So I try to focus my reading on those areas when I can, knowing that there’s lots more out there if I get tired of that focus.

Third is know when to put a book down.  I am HORRIBLE at this, persisting with fairly ponderous texts long past the time I need to put them back on the shelf.  It’s some odd compulsion to finish what I’ve started.  But I have to realize my time is important and there’s plenty of material out there that (likely) talks about the same stuff in a more interesting way.  Just move on!

Fourth, know why you are reading.  More accurately, know how what you are reading relates to your gaming.  I think there are two reasons to do research for historical RPGing: accuracy and idea-mining.  You may be researching to make sure you get things right — names, dates, places, proper caliber for German machine guns made by DWM after 1943.  But, as my last example may illustrate, its easy to go overboard here.  Knowing what sort of game you’re aiming for and the level of detail your players expect is important to guide your reading in terms of accuracy.  Most people won’t know or care about proper Japanese navy insignia, so you might be able to put that book back on the shelf.  Yet some basic accuracy is expected.  Details can also add realism and verisimilitude to your game, so incorporate those when you can.  Of course, you’re also reading for ideas — game plots, NPC’s, strange technology to use as weapons or treasure.  This is the real fuel for the game.  To be honest, it’s also sometimes mutually exclusive with accuracy.  Japan’s Secret Invisible Submarine may not the best source of accurate information about the Imperial Navy, but it likely has some cool game ideas.

Putting together a historical RPG can be a lot of fun.  It gives the GM plenty of opportunity to find and incorporate “real” material into her game.  If one isn’t careful, though, the historical material can be overwhelming.  Knowing how to filter that material can make the game better.  At least I think so.

Nakia Pope is a husband, dad, gamer, philosopher, and educator. You can follow him on twitter @profpope.

The topic for the 25 April 2013 #RPGChat was Minis, Maps, and Gaming.

Wondering what RPGchat is? Allow us to explain. Interested in participating? Join us next week on twitter. Just look for the #rpgchat hashtag, and share your thoughts when you’re ready!

Tweets of Note:

@d20Blonde

Today’s topic is one that I adore: minis, terrain, maps, and your game.

When do we use minis and what are the advantages?

@nightchilde

@d20Blonde Also, game matters.  For 4e, they’re pretty much necessary.  I wouldn’t dream of running World of Darkness with minis.

@d20Blonde

Obviously, it depends on the game. You’re not going to use minis for a game of Dread, but in a dungeon crawl? YES PLEASE!

@ghaladen

It really depends on the system. Pathfinder, where in battle everyone rushes to the center, I see no point in having a grid

@dungeonbastard

No mat — “Am I close enough to hit that orc?” “Yeah, sure.” Keeps the game moving.

@Alpharalpha

for me with my hearing problem using minis helps with visualizing whats going on, even if i don’t hear something

@Matt_Conlon

Minis and grid take away misunderstanding. Less room for “No, I said I’d be CLOSE to X.” Well, “Close” is a relative term…

‏@EricMPaq

@ghaladen Thank you! D&D 4e does a great job for small quick battles without using miniatures. Use minis for set piece battles.

some disadvantages to using minish and maps

@jdcushman

Drawback is it tends to extend combats as PCs thoroughly examine their options.

@dronolan

I have mixed feelings when it comes to game maps. If they are too accurate, they can give away the locations of secret chambers.

@deadorcs

@TheUniverseGM I won’t use minis in a game I run away from home, unless the location has a stock. They are prohibitive to carry.

some tips and tricks for minis, maps and battle boards

@Asako_Soh

#RPGChat quite like the free figure fiats savage worlds does: print them out, use, and crush as mook killed

@deadorcs

While I love using minis for monsters & NPCs, I’m actually using customized LEGO minifigs for my player characters.

@Bruxistential

Jenga blocks are not just useful for Dread! They make great terrain as walls, pillars, stacked as stairs, etc. #rpgchat

@SkylandGames

@dronolan It can add a lot to a session, and really make it memorable. We once fought a huge vine beast made of green pipecleaners

@Alpharalpha

one trick I used, a one inch craft punch for adversary markers, use cards and write on the circles ‘Orc number 1′  quick and cheap

@RyanMacklin

@d20Blonde I used to make my own 3D minis from images in PDFs and papercraft, to go with my Fat Dragon Games terrain.

@RyanMacklin

@d20Blonde Those minis in use: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanmacklin/3535105256/in/photostream …

@ghaladen

I stole the idea of a Battle Board from a YouTube user back in the day, and added a few modifications. #RPGChat

@Matt_Conlon

I keep hoping to come across a cache of minis at a yardsale or something. But then I realize, I hate going to yardsales

@dungeonbastard

For the finale of one campaign, I used a 7″ Human Torch action figure for the Imix, Prince of Elemental Fire

@SkylandGames

@onlinedm1 has the best maptools rig I’ve ever seen. Also tutorials: http://onlinedungeonmaster.com/maptool-education-central/ …

@ConceptCrucible

RT @InDavesLife: @corrosiverabbit #rpgchat Here’s a link to see the 3D gameboard my dad and I made http://ow.ly/kqGd0  Also, bullet proof

@symatt

@d20Blonde @TheUniverseGM print off pictures glue to a washer and paint other side red. So when blooded turn it over

@SkylandGames

A well done hand-drawn map can be an awesome visual for the game. @fantasticmaps is the king of those http://www.fantasticmaps.com/

@InDavesLife

@conceptcrucible @bruxistential #rpgchat There are easy methods to paint tabletop quality ex http://ow.ly/kqKKx  Intimidation is ur enemy

and some helpful products for mapping and minis

@dungeonbastard

Paizo mats are SUPER portable. BAM, right in the backpack. D&D Dungeon Tiles are also sweet. RT @Canageek  Paizo mats: Very nice. #RPGChat

@suntzu69

@Board_Crossing Have you tried TerraClips from Wyrd Games? Nice, heavy cardboard buildings, streets, sewers and now dungeons.

@Genesisoflegend

I am a massive fan of Noteboard for my games: http://www.thenoteboard.com/index.php  #rpgchat

@Alpharalpha

anyone here, use Gaming Paper for games? http://www.gamingpaper.com/  that is the other that gets a lot of love from players  #rpgchat

@Canageek

@Matt_Conlon Roll20 is an online tool to play RPGs in real time. https://app.roll20.net/home/  #RPGChat

and many noted the inspiration that comes from miniatures

@TheUniverseGM

@Bruxistential I can distinctly moments when I saw/started painting a mini and suddenly had THE WHOLE CHARACTER in my mind.

@dungeonbastard

Painting minis is when I get to spend the most time thinking about the PC’s backstory. Where did he get that pouch?

@john_laird

#rpgchat I think one of the funnest parts of an RPG campaign is when all of the players get to select a mini for their character!

@AdamChmelka

Finding a use for a cool mini has sparked several cool additions to my games.

A question about mapping

@GadZook

How intricate do you all make your maps? I’m used to graph paper and pencil, but I’ve seen some pretty stellar 3D terrains.

@ConceptCrucible

@GadZook Drawing on my battlemap, maps are vague at best, just washable marker to show shapes. I’m working to improve, though.

@suntzu69

@GadZook Dry-erase board and colored markers. I’m simple.

@GadZook

@ConceptCrucible @suntzu69 @Board_Crossing Totally, keep it simple. I have ordered some Dwarven Forge sets to spice things up tho

and lastly not matter what props you use, remember its all about the fun

@Bricks2312

@dronolan @Alpharalpha it’s all about the fun. Don’t get to intense becuase then it takes away from it. BSing is have the fun.

____

We have a new format for the full archive, using the Tags Explorer system. Click here to see it!

Alpharalpha started role playing in the halcyon days of the 1980s after reading an article in Time warning of the dangers of playing the then-new game called Dungeons and Dragons. An order from a mail order catalog for the red box D&D and he was hooked. With a brief interlude for college he rediscovered gaming in the 90s. Now, he combines his passions for technology and gaming with friends via the internet. You can find him on Twitter @Alpharalpha.

Alpharalpha

Having conceived and introduced in general terms a group of American superheroes springing from the Revolutionary War era — the Sons of Liberty — in our last post, it seemed prudent to make your acquaintance with a few of the actual members of the group. This is admittedly a potentially problematic exercise in game design, rather like populating your world with Elminsters and Drizzts before assembling your Malaugryms and Lolths. That said, in this particular case, the idea is meant to serve as the underpinning for a series of one-shot con games, so coming up with a stable of pre-generated heroes for players to grab and play was essentially the first order of business.

That said, just like in real comics, characters’ allegiences are often fluid, and there’s nothing to stop you from casting any one of the Sons of Liberty (or even the entire group) as antagonists or villains in your game: the aspiring emperor Aaron Burr could certainly have used some muscle in his efforts to create a new nation beyond America’s then-furthest western border, and you could certainly run an interesting game where the Americans are the bad guys (although for reasons of personal loyalty I don’t recommend it).

Regardless, the first member of the Sons of Liberty is probably the thinnest pastiche: a Superman analog from a mysterious apparently future era rather than a distant and dying planet. As with most comic superheroes that have survived into the modern era, my goal was to fit the Minuteman in to existing “real history,” rather than have his presence greatly alter the outcomes of any major event.

Secret Origins

Caught on the road from Boston during a terrible electrical storm, Jonathan and Martha Jones stumbled into a barn not far from the road to Concord. Inside, they were shocked to find a frost-covered metallic pod nestled in the barn’s hay mound. Intensely curious, Martha touched the egg-shaped pod, only to have previously-invisible seams appear and then open, revealing an adolescent child sleeping peacefully inside. Jonathan, a blacksmith, took the pod with him after the storm abated; the couple adopted the child as their own, and took him to their home outside Concord.

The child had no memory of who he was or where he had come from. Indeed, it would be months before the child, whom Jonathan and Martha had named Kent, would speak a single word. Still, he proved to be a quick learner, and before long he was willing and able to help his father as an apprentice. As Kent matured, Jonathan and Martha told him of his mysterious origin, allowing young Kent to examine the pod that the Jones had found him in. As soon as he did, his mind was flooded with images of a place and time utterly unlike the one he had come to know. A voice echoed in Kent’s mind, telling him that he had been sent as a refugee from the distant future; here, in the past, the voice claimed that Kent would prevent a tragedy from befalling the nation, and the world. The Colonies, the voice assured him, would soon need a Man of Tomorrow.

After his encounter with the time pod, Kent began exhibiting strange powers; powers that the pod eventually informed him were a result of his chronal displacement. He had strength beyond the dreams of most mortal men, and gravity could not hold him. He could see through solid objects, and perform many tasks faster than the human eye could follow. Despite the pod’s dire warning, Kent continued to live a largely normal life until he and the other men of Lexington and Concord were forced to stand against the British Army on a fateful April day on the Concord village green. Kent watched in horror as bullets felled his fellow militiamen but bounced harmlessly from his chest. He used his invulnerability and strength to help the outnumbered colonials hold their lines against a vastly superior force, and dedicated his life to the Patriot’s cause thereafter: the Minuteman was born.

I cannot tell a lie…this is going to hurt.

The Minuteman is caring, noble, and selfless; an altruistic man shaped by the ideals of the young American nation. He is proud, but not arrogant. Determined, but not stubborn. Tall and imposing. His rarely-seen smile inspires trust. His disapproving frown inspires shame in even the most despicable of men. Most know him by the deep blue campaigner’s cloak that flutters in the wind as he patrols the skies. However, the battered soldier’s tricorn that he wears is no less a part of his image.

The Minuteman (PL 10, 150 pp*)

(For Mutants and Masterminds 3e)

Abilities: 

Strength 12, Agility 3, Fighting 8, Awareness 1, Stamina 12, Dexterity 1, Intellect 0, Presence 0

Advantages: 

Accurate Attack, All-out Attack, Defensive Attack, Interpose, Power Attack

Offense: 

Initiative +3

Unarmed +8 (Tough DC 27)
Grab +8 (Tough DC 27)
Throw +8 (Tough DC 27)

Defense:

Dodge 8
Parry 8
Fortitude 12
Toughness 12 (Impervious)
Will 8

Skills: 

Expertise [Smithing] 8 (+8), Insight 7 (+8), Perception 11 (+12), Ranged Combat: Throwing 7 (+8)

Powers:  

Beyond the Gravity’s Reach [Flight 9 (1000 miles/hour, 2 miles/round)], Invulnerability [Enhanced Stamina 10, Immunity 10 (Life Support), Impervious Toughness 12], Super-Sight [Senses 5 (Counters all concealment, Vision)], Super-Speed [Quickness 2 (perform routine tasks in -2 time ranks)], Super-Strength [Enhanced Strength 10, Power-lifting 2 (+2 strength for lifting)]

Complications: 

Honor: Your parents taught you to use your incredible powers honorably. Though you understand why trickery must sometimes be employed in the service of the greater good, but you greatly prefer the straightforward approach. You cannot tell a lie, will not strike from behind, and generally hold yourself to the highest standard of behavior, even in battle.

Motivation: Responsibility You believe wholeheartedly in your nation; its laws and ideals are an intrinsic part of that belief. You would die to ensure that the Republic survives.

Weakness: The element chronatite, found only in areas of great temporal disturbance, can inflict great harm upon you, though you are nigh invulnerable to all else.

Power Points: 

Power Level 10, 150 PP; Abilities 34 + Powers 89 + Advantages 5 + Skills 10 (*40 ranks per 4 skill/pp house rule) + Defenses 12

Image Credit: (Unknown)

Kennon “the Universe” Bauman is a professional analyst and lapsed historian who would gleefully rip off the Justice League for the rest of his GMing career if he could. You can find Kennon’s bite-sized musings on Twitter @theUniverseGM.

The topic for the 18 April 2013 #RPGChat was Tips for new GMs. 

Wondering what RPGchat is? Allow us to explain. Interested in participating? Join us next week on twitter. Just look for the #rpgchat hashtag, and share your thoughts when you’re ready! 

Tweets of Note:

 @d20Blonde

Hey! #RPGchat is about 45 minutes away. Topic: Tips and tricks for first time GMs. Join us to share your wisdom or ask your questions!

a lot of people pitched along the idea of working with your players:

@RichardPWhite

Don’t try to do everything, you’ll fail. Pick people you like and build a game with the whole group. Everyone likes their own idea.

@mandarific

I am a huge fan of listening to players and letting them drive the story. My idea of fun isn’t everyone else’s.

@Ffarqhuar

This game is about what you & your players, so work together but dont totally yield to them. Make it fun for both sides.

someone asked what a first time GM needs to know

@LibraryDLemm

What is the first thing a new GM needs to learn?

@WindsorGaming

@LibraryDLemm Stay calm, everyone is there to have fun, concentrate on that and the rest will follow

@Serok42

@LibraryDLemm I would say learning how to improvise. Players never go with what you plan.

@is3rith

New GMs: Know what you can control and what you can’t. Hint – you can only control yourself. Don’t try to control anyone else

a common advice, don’t be afraid to make mistakes

@d20monkey

My biggest tip for new GMs: Accept that you will miss things/mess up, cop to it, learn, and have fun.

@GeekyLyndsay

What I’ve learned is that I don’t have fun when I try to make a perfect game session – and that’s not what anyone expects anyway.

‏@BeefGriller

New GMs: You’ll make mistakes. When you do, admit it to the players, fix it if you can, & make an effort not to repeat it.

@ImYourDM

My advice for new GMs:
1. Relax.
2. If you’re not sure about a rule, wing it & look it up later.
3. Use the Rule of Awesome.

blogs, social media and advice for new GMs

‏

@tw33t_rpg

To all those having a good old #RPGchat – let me know if you want any insights into running adventures via #socialmedia, happy to share.

@TheAngryDM

Inspired by this afternoon’s #rpgchat , I reposted this letter to new DMs I wrote a while ago: https://plus.google.com/113196639040063517758/posts/N9Q2Sc9NUP8 …

@Zelgadas

@CapnIndigo @d20Blonde If you can’t get into someone else’s game, try to find an actual play podcast.

@KingofVrock

For novice GMs watching a game being played is awesome. I can’t recommend watching @GeekandSundry #TableTop enough for ideas

@KingofVrock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJN1JvnRGWE … D&D w/ Robot Chicken writers part 1 of like 24. @cyborgturkey #rpgchat

some advice on interacting with the players

‏

@EricMPaq

@Canageek @pdunwin Don’t say no, show the consequences of the things they try.

@TheUniverseGM

I posit here it’s more important for players to FEEL like they solved the mystery than it is for them to actually do it

@Alpharalpha

i prefer open rolls RT @BeefGriller: Should you roll your dice behind the screen or in the open? +/- for both?

@Alpharalpha

@BeefGriller the one caveat is don’t tell the players WHY you rolled or whether the outcome was good or bad, that builds tension

@StarArmy

There’s no dice/skill system officially used in my RP, but I do find it useful to occasionally roll my oversize D20 to add chance.

A question about what games for first time GMs to run

@d20Blonde

In your opinion, what’s the best system for new GMs?

@cthulhuchick

I had a really good first-timer experience with School Daze

@d20monkey

Pathfinder Beginner Box. Hands down best new GM set out there

@GeekyLyndsay

The way the character sheet is introduced in the Pathfinder beginner box is DIVINE. I love that thing.

@Alpharalpha

@d20Blonde rulkes light systems for new GMs #SavageWorlds and #True20 also something with a familiar setting like DresdenFiles

@RealityBlurs

Truth. “@TheUniverseGM: I think system is ultimately less important to new GMs than a setting they/the players are interested in.

@WindsorGaming

Favorite system for a new GM: Bullwinke&Rocky – shared GMing, all about story telling and being in character plus hand puppets!

@quacktastic

@BeefGriller @alpharalpha thats why i like 3.5 d20 system. 20=Awesome 1=horrible pretty simple. been a huge fan of d20 since launch

General advice

@is3rith

New GMs: Never make knowing or not knowing something a skill check. That’s binary and boring. Sharing information = action.

@unique_exemplar

THIS! RT @Canageek: New DM tip: Dont write puzzles and expect the players to find the solution you thought of.

@thornlord

@RealityBlurs @d20Blonde Cheat sheets are great for GMs and even better for players. Have the players know what THEY can do.

@EricMPaq

@Alpharalpha Having a table of random things is useful for inspiration during the game.

@BeefGriller

1st-time GMs: DON’T try to plan for every possible choice your players will make. They WILL surprise you

some advice about treasure

@quacktastic

loot-I like to give each player by lvl5 an item that “grows” with them. sword for fighter, cloak for rogue so on. these items then

@quacktastic

“grow” in power or ability every 2-3 levels saves me from adding new “special” loot and players grow attached to their custom item!

@quacktastic

@GherkinP Fun also fun to give a “cursed” item to the party that they all have to work together to solve! great long run subplot

a question about handling things like establishing prices for things in game

@DLDzioba

I also have no idea how to price things, like bail for getting out of jail from a bar brawl or renting a horse

 @WindsorGaming

@DLDzioba There’s a good spot to call on your Rules Lawyers – Hey Joe – how much should bail be in The Realms?

What to do for learning rules and new GMs

@Zelgadas

@d20Blonde Find a way to play the game first. I didn’t fully grok Fate until I’d been in a game; now I teach it to others

@ImYourDM

Use & abuse your Rules Lawyer. RT @d20Blonde What recommendations for prospective GMs who don’t grok rules well from written text?

and lastly

@jdcushman

MT @RonarCorruption ALL GMs: remember that the first rule is fun! All the rules in the world are just there to help you get there.

We have a new format for the full archive, using the Tags Explorer system. Click here to see it!

Alpharalpha started role playing in the halcyon days of the 1980s after reading an article in Time warning of the dangers of playing the then-new game called Dungeons and Dragons. An order from a mail order catalog for the red box D&D and he was hooked. With a brief interlude for college he rediscovered gaming in the 90s. Now, he combines his passions for technology and gaming with friends via the internet. You can find him on Twitter @Alpharalpha.

The topic for the April 11th RPGChat was starting a new campaign. 

Wondering what RPGchat is? Allow us to explain. Interested in participating? Join us next week on twitter. Just look for the #rpgchat hashtag, and share your thoughts when you’re ready!

Tweets of Note:

@d20Blonde

Hey! It’s #RPGchat time! Today, we’re talking about starting a NEW CAMPAIGN.

@d20Blonde

As a player, what grabs you in a new game?

@EightBitBlonde

@d20Blonde Immersion. When I play I want my DM to build a whole world, not just a path.

@gnomedruid

As a player, a good inn ALWAYS grabs my attention…its where most parties meet for the first time right?

For the GM starting a new campaign

@d20Blonde

As a GM, how do you get yourself organized for a new game?

‏@TheUniverseGM

I just start taking notes of concepts, scenes, etc. I want to include

@Llanwyre

Organization for a new game? A trip to Staples, then lots and lots of notes. I love making notes. #rpgchat

@JustinGillies

Well I get a fresh new lil pocket notebook for the campaign. Then as I head over to the game I blast nerdy music.

@_Danicia_

I’ve not run in years (I’m changing that). I want the players to grok the *lore*, so I give reading assignments.

@JeffreyJativa

I keep a template on Google Drive and make sure to fill out each section in regards to the new session

more tips for starting campaigns

@BeefGriller

RT @gnomedruid: I like to make maps up as I go, that way if I think of awesome ideas I can add them to the map

@CUnderkoffler

@Alpharalpha Only so far. I want broad details, not specific. I tried to do that in S7S. Broad details; specific stories.

@DnD_Academy

think big but play small. Show the world to your pc’s one npc or one setting at a time.

@mike_nolte

I usually just jot down key threats that I find fun in the setting/genre, open with something tense and go from there.

@dungeonbastard

Your villains can’t be too precious or too disposable. They need to be WORTHY OPPONENTS. No more, no less

@Misfit_KotLD

@maximumswearing Very much so. I don’t play in those games anymore. The game may have the GM’s story, but the PCs are the stars.

@d20Blonde

Essential to a new game: an encounter in a tavern. Bonus points: by the end of the session, the tavern has burned to the ground.

Character creation and session zero, the introductory session

@RichardPWhite

@mike_nolte @d20Blonde A tense situation is the best way to get people engaged. If you session 0′d they can skip the introductions.

@mike_nolte

@RichardPWhite @d20Blonde Opening with a planecrash (or its analog) is my favorite session 0 sitch. haha #rpgchat

@d20Blonde

RT @epicreddragon: #rpgchat rule of thumb, if you don’t make a background for your character the DM will…& you might not like it.

@TheOtherTracy

@Alpharalpha It all depends on the game. I prefer games structured like Fate where everyone creates characters together

@is3rith

@d20Blonde @dungeonbastard If you’ve had a Session 0, you reach consensus on theme. It’s blocking not to adhere to that theme.

More on starting characters

@is3rith

I find traditional character backstories can be more of a hindrance to a new campaign than anything. Collaborate, don’t narrate!

@BeefGriller

RT #CFCreative Give ‘em the 20 Questions routine. “Where’s [PC]‘s family?” “Why’s he here?” & make suggestions based on the answers

@StarArmy

@CFcreative Checklists can be a great starter for fleshing out a character or a culture. Anyone have favorite ones to share?

and dealing with players whose characters don’t fit in

@d20Blonde

How do you handle players whose backstories don’t fit? #RPGchat

@is3rith

@d20Blonde Don’t encourage backstories in the first place. It misses the point of the collaboration in RPGs usually

@Alpharalpha

@d20Blonde the player written backstory is a hallucination and the GM write the better real one which is a secret

@verycutegm

@d20Blonde Have a chat with them and see what subtle changes can be made w/o changing the character as a whole

@verycutegm

@d20Blonde However if that doesn’t work, more explosions

@dungeonbastard

@d20Blonde If your world can’t handle a bit of absurdity, you’re going to spend a LONG time looking for the right group.

@DaddyDM

Lone wolves have a tendency to break the law, so U can have them sold in2 slavery & B owned by the others

@dungeonbastard

@d20Blonde If it’s a problem for the GROUP, then you need a 1-on-1. If it’s a problem within your world, it’s your problem.

One of the BEST ideas ever

@d20Blonde

I’ve had a brainwave: Staples or Office Depot should offer a special “GM’s Discount.”

and lastly

@Alpharalpha

its action “offstage” then RT @CUnderkoffler: Plot is goddamn background; if the characters never engage with it, its just history.

We have a new format for the full archive, using the Tags Explorer system. Click here to see it!

Alpharalpha started role playing in the halcyon days of the 1980s after reading an article in Time warning of the dangers of playing the then-new game called Dungeons and Dragons. An order from a mail order catalog for the red box D&D and he was hooked. With a brief interlude for college he rediscovered gaming in the 90s. Now, he combines his passions for technology and gaming with friends via the internet. You can find him on Twitter @Alpharalpha.

So we’ve established previously that we here at the Illuminerdy are big fans of historical games, and it may have become apparent that one of our favorite eras is the 55 years of tumultuous history in North America from 1765 to 1820. This includes the run up to the American Revolution, its aftermath, the formation of two different United States of America, conflicts with North African pirate kings, a quasi-war with France, the Louisiana Purchase, at least one upstart Emperor, and the War of 1812. We’ve outlined a couple of potential games of vampire-hunting espionage in the style of Night’s Black Agents set in this era, and explored at length one of the age’s iconic heroes: Davy Crockett.

Suffice to say that there’s a lot you can do with the time period. Nevertheless, most games are going to tend to drive you down a fairly narrow path. If you want to try to have it all, you  might consider making your late 18th/early 19th century game a little more, well, four-color: take a page out of the comics and give your game some superheroes.

Sons of Liberty

Much of the familiar narrative of the modern superhero (and, indeed, many of the still-published characters) was defined by — or sprung directly from — the years surrounding World War II. When I set out to create an alternate historical superhero narrative, I wanted to maintain some of the same feel, at least in part to give the players an additional hook into the setting: even if they weren’t particularly interested in the era I wanted to play in, I could still sell the game as a classic superhero story. In short: things needed to stay relatively familiar, particularly because I wanted to set my game about 200 years before the presents. I decided that the pregens, the defining heroes of the game, needed to be pretty transparent pastiches of existing heroes: Somewhere between the Avengers and the Justice League, with an early American historical flair.

I toyed with a few different names (they were the Culper Ring for the first few games until I decided to reserve that for a more spy-focused game), before  settling on the Sons of Liberty, though I was clear from the start that I wanted to ensure that at least a few of the Sons were actually, well, daughters.

Regardless, the Sons of Liberty needed at least a little pre-history, something that centered them on my era-appropriate substitute for WWII. While it was a forgone conclusion that many (if not all) of the heroes would have fought against the British (who are in this particular game, if not in actual history, the villains) in the American Revolution individually or as part of the Continental Army, it seemed appropriate to find a reason for them to have come together a team that would or could have survived the end of hostilities.

The Newburgh Conspiracy

By the end of 1782, the young United States’ Continental Army was confident that the Revolution would soon be resolved in favor of the colonies, with the Army’s victory at Yorktown (in 1781) forcing ongoing peace negotiations with the British in Paris, France. With most of the threat of battle subsided, the Continental Congress had become decreasingly willing to fund and provision the Army, which quite understandably angered a significant share of the officer corps encamped at Newburgh, New York, throughout late 1782 and into the early months of 1783.

An anonymous author began circulating a document referred to as the “Newburgh Address” suggesting that the Army had been betrayed by the young nation’s civilian leadership, and that as a result the Army should either refuse to lay down its arms after the formal end of hostilities with the British or simply refuse to fight if asked to take the field against them. Essentially, the conspirators (which may have included another prominent General — and Washington rival – Horatio Gates) were plotting a coup d’etat.

In real life, General Washington defused the burgeoning conspiracy in March 1783 with an impassioned speech, but given a world Comic Book sensibilities, one might be better served to lay the blame on sinister psychics, sleeping Indian Gods, the Illuminati (unless Washington was actually Adam Weishaupt), or time-traveling Nazis (etc.).

Regardless, since this particular event was merely supposed to serve as background explaining why the Sons of Liberty exist, there wasn’t much reason to dwell on the specific cause of the conspiracy. I just needed to imply that its cause and effects were something that, in this universe, required a more forceful disruption than a well-crafted speech: obviously, it needed super heroes.

Image credit: misteroliveros

Kennon “the Universe” Bauman is a professional analyst and lapsed historian who is sincerely apologetic to any of his British readers who are offended by his or her ancestors being cast as villains in a game set in the early 19th century, but is too busy shouting “USA! USA!” to actually say that he is sorry. You can find Kennon’s bite-sized musings on Twitter @theUniverseGM.