Sorcerer in Iraq

[Steve Dustin]

I'm running a Sorcerer one-shot on Monday, and would appreciate some feedback on the prep I've done so far. It's set in Iraq, about a week before Saddam's capture.

This one-shot is based on this campaign concept: http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=7380

The BIG issue (in underlying campaign premise) is that Sumerian demons from another reality are attempting to dissolve this reality into theirs. Humanity is anything that re-inforces that dissolution. Demons are the Sumerian demons, also called Annunakku or "irruptors."

Hot off of Holy Blood, Holy Grail I'm all about secret conspiracies. There's three sorcerous cabals working against each other: pro-irruptor faction operating in the high positions of the US Government particularly the Pentagon and Executive Branch; another government conspiracy within the intelligence services that is anti-irruptor (known as "Sandman"); and finally a anti-irruptor Islamist faction within the Iraq insurgency, who believe they are fighting "Satan." These three groups fit the factions in recent war-films: evil bureaucrats, good field operatives, misunderstood but violent and vengeful enemy culture.

Here's the relationship map I've got worked up. No names yet, just roles.

GI Joe Muslim: a special forces soldier who recently converted to Islam. Has been sneaking out to meet Muslim Girl. A PC. Connected -- Muslim Girl, Colonel, Redneck GI

Muslim Girl: a local girl, not a burkha-wearing fundamentalist, whose been seeing GI Joe Muslim. Pregnant. Connected -- GI Joe Muslim, Brother Guerrilla

Brother Guerrilla: Muslim Girl's brother, who fronts the Islamist cabal. Has contacted CNN Producer for cladestine interview. Connected -- Muslim Girl, CNN Producer

Redneck GI: a slackjaw racist who actually is involved within the irruptor cabal, and contacted the Defense Honcho (sorcerously) about the "Find." Connected -- GI Joe Muslim, Defense Honcho

Colonel: special forces colonel who is screwing the CNN reporter, and getting a lot of pressure for results from Administrator. GI Joe Muslim & Redneck GI are under his command. Is a Sandman sorcerer. A PC. Connected-GI Joe Muslim, Archeologist, CNN Reporter, Administrator

Archeologist: a Sandman sorcerer, contacted by the Colonel to come out and see the "Find." A PC. Connected -- Colonel

Administrator: a civilian administrator in the CPA, whose been pushing field operatives around, and glossing over bad reports to Washington. Connected -- Colonel, Defense Honcho

Defense Honcho: actually a powerful irruptor demon, whose come into the country to see the "Find." Is being escorted around by the Colonel. Connected -- Administrator, Redneck GI

CNN Producer: recently contacted by the Islamists for an interview. Is an independent sorcerer, unaware of the various factions. Isn't getting along with his reporter, who seeks to undermine him. A PC. Connected -- Brother Guerrilla, CNN Reporter

CNN Reporter: ambitious reporter whose trying to breakout big. Is constantly trying to undermine her producer. Connected -- CNN Producer, Colonel

The incident that sets this whole thing in motion is the discovery of the "Find." It's a Sumerian tomb, sealed for centuries, that unleashes a really powerful demon-eating irruptor. The whole thing found during a special forces raid. This demon either possesses or becomes bound to the GI Joe Muslim. The Colonel contacts his cabal, and the Redneck GI contacts his cabal, who both send powerful reps (Archeologist, Defense Honcho) to investigate the "Find.

Finally kickers:

GI Joe Muslim: his Muslim girlfriend tells him she's pregnant
Colonel: he's been ordered to escort the Defense Honcho around, and show him the Find.
CNN Producer: contacted by the insurgency
Archeologist: examing the find reveals a powerful irruptor has been set loose.

As for demons, all I know is that the Colonel's demon's Need is to watch him have sex; and the Producer uses his for career gain. I thought I was going to work some Saddam-angle (like, captured Saddam is actually a kind of doppleganger or shell), but I'm not sure. If so, it would be one of the Defense Honcho's goals.

So ...

Is this too complicated for a one-shot? Is the "fighting conspiracies" angle a little too cliche? As for Humanity, should I drop the "reality-dissolution" bit and wrap into some kind of moral behavior that highlights the human interactions in this web? (or go for dual Humanity?) Are the kickers not strong enough? Any thoughts on bangs?

Any thougths would be very welcome. Thanks.

Steve Dustin

[Mike Holmes]

Not too complex as long as you drive hard with scene framing, and make sure to be dumping info as fast as you can while remaining plausible. Let's say this is about a 4 hour game. In the first 2 hours, that's just a few scenes, the players have to uncover the entire map. Then the second half is wrapping it all up.

Not easy with all that you have, but not impossible either.

What I'd do, however, is go back and write up the demons in detail. Then figure out how they're going to play their part in all of this. They, too are NPCs and their impact on the map has to be considered.

Then you need your Bangs. You've got the Kicker Bang stuff set up, but what about if play slows in the middle for some reason? What motives do the NPCs on the map have that would require the PCs and challenge their issues? One per PC should be enough, but two is better. You might not need them, but it can't hurt to have backups.

Mike

[Steve Dustin]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Good tips on getting me focused. Demons are exactly my specialty, and and I'm looking at least 6 or 7 I think (4 PCs, and 3 NPCs). Boy, that's just doubled my cast of characters.

As for the relationship map, what if I just show them the map, with some carefully hidden links? So they start play with knowing 80% of what's going on, and who all the major players are?

Steve

[Valamir]

I'd say that most if not all of the map could be presented as part of the character summaries.  I mean the soldiers are going to know who their CO is, and scuttlebutt will certainly have offered ideas about whos screwing who and the like.

[Jeph]

Remember that the word the Sumerians used for "demon" was synonymous with that for "disease." There are some interesting connotations there that could be quite fun to explore in play.