Esser-Z
2010-09-16, 08:48 AM
So, I'm working on developing a campaign idea that's been buzzing around in my head. Set in Eberron, specifically Sharn, a sort of Law And Order/Ace Attorney themed game. Rather than Adventurers, the PCs are agents of the law--cops and prosecutors (Combat-capable prosecutors, because it IS D&D still) and possibly contracted freelancers. In all cases, though, reporting to officials and having both resources and restrictions therefrom.
The general idea would be a focus on evidence and conviction rather than just killing. PCs would be presented with a mystery or a suspected criminal, and tasked with investigation. In the former scenario, they'd have to do standard detective work. After that (and in the latter scenario), the task would be to bring in the target.
Lethal force would, generally, be strongly frowned upon. Heavy focus would be placed on bringing the suspect(s) in alive, to stand trial. This might result in the use of more obscure rules/homebrewed stuff (-4 to hit to do nonlethal on any weapon is the actual rule, might provide feats/equipment/ACFs/etc to make nonlethal easier. Could theoretically just pull in 4e's "he who does the final blow decides dead or not", but that makes it way too simple.) or more creative means of victory. Do note that killing isn't absolutely disallowed--if the party is, say, set upon by thugs or vicious beasts, they ARE allowed to defend themselves properly. They just might have to justify that to the boss, and the characters might then have paperwork to do!
That much can be handled pretty well within the system as-is. It's what comes after that that I come to the Playground for. I'd like to have the PCs play trial segments as well (Which is why I said L&O rather than procedural). While this COULD just be managed with social skill checks (presenting evidence to gain bonuses and stuff), I'd very much like something more involved than that. I'm not entirely sure how to go about this, and while I am thinking about it myself, I'd like the Playground's opinions, too!
Any other relevant information and ideas would be most welcome, along with any concerns about the core concept.
EDIT. Oh, right. Forgot to mention what system. Probably going to run in 3.PF, unless anyone can convince me something else would work better. :smalltongue:
The general idea would be a focus on evidence and conviction rather than just killing. PCs would be presented with a mystery or a suspected criminal, and tasked with investigation. In the former scenario, they'd have to do standard detective work. After that (and in the latter scenario), the task would be to bring in the target.
Lethal force would, generally, be strongly frowned upon. Heavy focus would be placed on bringing the suspect(s) in alive, to stand trial. This might result in the use of more obscure rules/homebrewed stuff (-4 to hit to do nonlethal on any weapon is the actual rule, might provide feats/equipment/ACFs/etc to make nonlethal easier. Could theoretically just pull in 4e's "he who does the final blow decides dead or not", but that makes it way too simple.) or more creative means of victory. Do note that killing isn't absolutely disallowed--if the party is, say, set upon by thugs or vicious beasts, they ARE allowed to defend themselves properly. They just might have to justify that to the boss, and the characters might then have paperwork to do!
That much can be handled pretty well within the system as-is. It's what comes after that that I come to the Playground for. I'd like to have the PCs play trial segments as well (Which is why I said L&O rather than procedural). While this COULD just be managed with social skill checks (presenting evidence to gain bonuses and stuff), I'd very much like something more involved than that. I'm not entirely sure how to go about this, and while I am thinking about it myself, I'd like the Playground's opinions, too!
Any other relevant information and ideas would be most welcome, along with any concerns about the core concept.
EDIT. Oh, right. Forgot to mention what system. Probably going to run in 3.PF, unless anyone can convince me something else would work better. :smalltongue: