Black: a PnP RPG
Black is an idea I've had floating around for a while. Basically the idea is to have a pen and paper RPG with two sections, each section with a different system that feeds into the other.
Players are agents for a shadowy organization that performs some sort of "mission." This could be international spying, counterterrorism, or something more fantastical like an alien or paranormal containment agency. The only requirement would be that the player has a second identity as a "normal person" with family and friends.
In Forge jargon, the first system would be "Gamist," which is to say, focusing on challenges and goals that must be overcome. This system will drive play during missions. The second system would be "Narrativist," focusing on storytelling and character development, which will be in play between missions. The two systems would have a "currency" between them. Stresses during the mission are resolved outside of them. Relationships established outside missions may be brought into them. The separation is valid because as highly-trained operatives, emotions can be suppressed for the sake of the mission, while the training used to complete the mission is of no use in the "real world"
One such currency could be "Values." Characters have a list of things that they believe in: Truth, Justice, the American Way, a merciful God, Murphy's Law, etc. These Values could be challenged or put into conflict during a mission, not affecting performance, but providing internal conflict for the home section.
Another could be "Relationships." Relationships would reflect ties with people both at home and at the agency. Relationships could be stressed by things that happen in mission. Also, one method for relieving stress on Values could be transferring them to Relationships - ie. bringing your work home.
Finally, "Secrecy" is the most important currency. Secrecy could be sacrificed to resolve other conflicts. The structure of the game would be such that over time the two systems would pull closer together until a dramatic conclusion forces them to collide along with the story. Secrecy measures the degree to which the PCs home life in in touch with his secret life.
An extremely rough sketch, to be sure, but could be fleshed out.
Players are agents for a shadowy organization that performs some sort of "mission." This could be international spying, counterterrorism, or something more fantastical like an alien or paranormal containment agency. The only requirement would be that the player has a second identity as a "normal person" with family and friends.
In Forge jargon, the first system would be "Gamist," which is to say, focusing on challenges and goals that must be overcome. This system will drive play during missions. The second system would be "Narrativist," focusing on storytelling and character development, which will be in play between missions. The two systems would have a "currency" between them. Stresses during the mission are resolved outside of them. Relationships established outside missions may be brought into them. The separation is valid because as highly-trained operatives, emotions can be suppressed for the sake of the mission, while the training used to complete the mission is of no use in the "real world"
One such currency could be "Values." Characters have a list of things that they believe in: Truth, Justice, the American Way, a merciful God, Murphy's Law, etc. These Values could be challenged or put into conflict during a mission, not affecting performance, but providing internal conflict for the home section.
Another could be "Relationships." Relationships would reflect ties with people both at home and at the agency. Relationships could be stressed by things that happen in mission. Also, one method for relieving stress on Values could be transferring them to Relationships - ie. bringing your work home.
Finally, "Secrecy" is the most important currency. Secrecy could be sacrificed to resolve other conflicts. The structure of the game would be such that over time the two systems would pull closer together until a dramatic conclusion forces them to collide along with the story. Secrecy measures the degree to which the PCs home life in in touch with his secret life.
An extremely rough sketch, to be sure, but could be fleshed out.
posted by d.p. at 11:58 AM
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