Sorcerer: What's it like?

[Jack Spencer Jr]

OK, in preparation for running Sorcerer for my group, I've been trying to think of properties; books, movies, tv shows, what have you; that can convey what Sorcerer is like or about.

Now, I know the book has a nice bibliography, which is helpful. I'll probably start by saying that Sorcerer can run the gambit from The Hellbound Heart to Harvey. But I'm trying to think of more examples.

[*] Little Shop of Horrors: If you replace "demon" with "plant from outer space." Heck you don't even have to do that since what, exactly, demons are is open to interpretation and aliens and demons have been interchangable for years. But, LSoH does illustrate the whole morality dilemma with Seymore getting what he wants from Audrey II (Audrey I, financial success, etc.) but at a price. We get to see Seymore lose some of his Humanity as he starts to unravel toward the end. AUdrey II does show Desire (world conquest) and Need (blood).

[*] Fight Club: If you can take Tyler Durden as a demon, it shows similar price problems, although a little more subtilely since "Jack" had no idea what Tyler was up to until it was too late.

[*] Calvin and Hobbes: Some must've mentioned that Hobbes is a demon somewhere else. He doesn't have much by way of powers since it all works by way of Calvin's imagination, but he does have a Need to act like a real tiger which includes stalking and pouncing on Calvin. The only real benefeit Calvin gets seems to be companionship, but I think that beats the ability to throw atomic fireballs any day, don't you?

[*] Drop Dead Fred: a child's imaginary friend and the trouble they cause.

[*] The Muse: kind of funny how I seem to enjoy movies about writing.
[/list:u]

This is what I have so far. My plan is to maybe have a movie night with all of the various films and such before we even roll up characters so I need some ideas to help the group "get" the game.

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Jack,

Well, as you rightly state, Sorcerer is very adaptable in terms of tone, so "the" Sorc movie is hard to pin down. However, I've found that movies that really focus on the price and power of dysfunctional relationships tend to do very well as models.

For the record, my pick for the ultimate Sorcerer movie in terms of theme is Live Flesh, directed by Pedro Almodovar. There's no "demon" in the story at all, though, so it would be kind of a difficult model for new players.

For new players, it sort of depends on how occult-ish they perceive Sorcerer to be. Many people assume that basic horror is the appropriate approach, and I don't think that 's a bad thing, so Hellraiser ... The Ninth Gate ... Phenomena ... The Exorcist ... are all good examples.

Best,
Ron

[Jack Spencer Jr]

Hi Jack,

Well, as you rightly state, Sorcerer is very adaptable in terms of tone, so "the" Sorc movie is hard to pin down. However, I've found that movies that really focus on the price and power of dysfunctional relationships tend to do very well as models.

Egad. This mean movies like, say, the Madonna vehicle Who's That Girl? or Night Shift starring Henry Winkler are fitting inspirational films. I always figured Michael Keaton was a demon. Demonic co-workers!

For the record, my pick for the ultimate Sorcerer movie in terms of theme is Live Flesh, directed by Pedro Almodovar. There's no "demon" in the story at all, though, so it would be kind of a difficult model for new players

For new players, it sort of depends on how occult-ish they perceive Sorcerer to be. Many people assume that basic horror is the appropriate approach, and I don't think that 's a bad thing, so Hellraiser ... The Ninth Gate ... Phenomena ... The Exorcist ... are all good examples..

This seems to be the problem since Socerer isn't simply, say, Highlander the RPG or whatever. Aparently it can be, but it can be all kinds of other things, too. So some movies illustrate demons but don't really fit the logistis of Sorcerer as a games very well. Other mirror how Sorcerer works perfectly but don't really have a demon to speak of in the Biblical sense.

But this really doesn't matter since part of my plan is to have a movie night and show several of these moies and then when I get the game going, we have a common basis to draw from. Few things are as frustrating as the following:

"Hey, I have a new RPG. Wanna Play?"

"Maybe. What's it about?"

"Well, did you see Mothman Prophecies?"

"No. I don't like movies about sports heroes."

"Uh....yeah."