Hi,

Second try…

I am thinking of starting up a Sorcerer campaign. I have some ideas that I really like, but I’m uncertain how to continue.

I have described the basics here:http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=16343.0 (please don’t respond in that thread since I posted in the wrong forum).

The reason why I’m posting this now – before even discussing much of this with the players (apart from mentioning the idea briefly) is that I’d very much like to understand this process better – and that I’d like to have the idea nailed down a bit more, before introducing the characters.

Now, I can see that in my first post I sort of guessed at what the players would want their characters to do – and that’s probably a bad idea (?). On the other hand, I really want them to play these specific types of characters – Disciples of Christ – and to face the moral question, what are you willing to do for your belief? Or, perhaps a better question – are you willing to compromise your belief to save your life?

My questions now are:

Is this a “broken” Sorcerer concept?

Any thoughts on Humanity in such a game?

Are there any obvious pitfalls I’m not seeing here?

Etc.

Best

Peter

I'm not sure I like demons being DEMONS from Satan.

Why not angels, prophets and such?  Read up on your biblical angels; they're scary.

pedyo wrote:
My questions now are:

Is this a “broken” Sorcerer concept?

Any thoughts on Humanity in such a game?

Are there any obvious pitfalls I’m not seeing here?

Hi Paka,
Many thanks for your reply.
I think that the player's could/should play "the not so well known"/made-up disciples so that it becomes very clear that we don't have to follow the actual storyline of the first Christians.
I'm not sure what to make of your dislike of the demons being Demons of Satan himself - is this just a personal dislike or is there a game-reason for this? Would they somehow disrupt play?
/Peter

This is a great idea. I've often wanted to run a similar campaign - Sorcerer 0 A.D., where you play prophets, false messiahs, or all other sorts in the year Jesus was born.

The demon definition, by the way, you've got one fan for. I'd be interested to know why Judd dislikes it. I highly, highly suggest, though, that you read The Sorcerer's Soul, which contains rules for angels. As long as you're using the Christian mythos, using the angel rules would be awesome.

I'm not sure Ron would agree, but I often describe Sorcerer as the most Christian role-playing game I've ever seen. I'm glad to see it taken to this source material.

As for Humanity, one thought I had was using "free will" as Humanity. That's a common biblical theme, and I see Christian demons and angels as primarily being devourers of free will. Both of them compel people to follow them instead of follow their own conscience or spirit.

I don't think it'll disrupt play.  I'm not sure why demons as demons bugs me...just not sure.

Something gitchy about it to me.

Hi Pedyo

Kerstin asked on the other thread, in relation to the great ideas you have, how much player input you had.  It seemed from what you wrote that you would be making a lot of decisions that are normaly reserved for players, which of course is a concern for a narratavist agenda.  Others no doubt will present the concern more cogently than a newbie like myself.

I am looking for some ideas for a Sorcerer game (got the rules a few days ago) so I am watching this thread eagerely.

Regards
Rob

Lamorak33 wrote:
Hi Pedyo

Kerstin asked on the other thread, in relation to the great ideas you have, how much player input you had.  It seemed from what you wrote that you would be making a lot of decisions that are normaly reserved for players, which of course is a concern for a narratavist agenda.  Others no doubt will present the concern more cogently than a newbie like myself.

I am looking for some ideas for a Sorcerer game (got the rules a few days ago) so I am watching this thread eagerely.

Regards
Rob

Someone mentioned the Sorcerer Catholic thread which I think you might like to check out.  Here it is.

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=4598.0

best

Trevis

I, too, think Sorcerer a very Christian game, at least in its potential.

My problem with the demon definition is that it says pretty much up front that the miraculous powers exercised by the disciples are in opposition to the message of their faith, and that seems like a game breaker to me. I'm not entirely sure how to fix it, though.

The direction I would go would suggest that the "demons" are the power of God, but that the more immersed you are in that power the more you lose of yourself. I've something of an image of Merlin from the end of C. S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength, which I think is probably a critical piece of literature for you to examine in connection with your idea (Ransom discourses with angels and Merlin ultimately is possessed by them; meanwhile, the villains are dealing with demons under a different name). The more you surrender your will to His, the more power you exercise, but the more it consumes you.

That's really a very unformed idea, but at least it can point you in a possible direction.

--M. J. Young

Peter,

That is an interesting Sorcerer concept, and I really like the early, pre-institutionalized Christianity setting.  I have two points I'd like to make:

1. I strongly recommend that you follow the book, Sorcerer, that is, and set up the definition of humanity, demons, etc. as a group. 

2. If I were to play in your game, I would lobby hard for demons representing Christ.  And yes, that would mean a multiplicity of Christ which I think is entirely appropriate for the setting you describe.

Julie

Julie - thanks for your comments - I do have a few questions, however...

jrs wrote:
Peter,

That is an interesting Sorcerer concept, and I really like the early, pre-institutionalized Christianity setting.  I have two points I'd like to make:

1. I strongly recommend that you follow the book, Sorcerer, that is, and set up the definition of humanity, demons, etc. as a group. 

jrs wrote:
2. If I were to play in your game, I would lobby hard for demons representing Christ.  And yes, that would mean a multiplicity of Christ which I think is entirely appropriate for the setting you describe.

I'm going to back out of my point one and say that Ron (and others) will be more help to you there.  But, I will say that my point two (and this brief follow-up) is the type of discussion you should be having with your players.

As for point two--

And Jesus said, "Follow me."

... we have left everything and followed you. Mark 10:28
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons ... Luke 9:1
For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. Matthew 24:5

The above verses are my inspiration.  I'm thinking that a Disciple of Christ would be a sorcerer whose dilemma is "What price would I pay to spread the word of God?"

Julie

pedyo wrote:
Julie - thanks for your comments - I do have a few questions, however...

jrs wrote:
Peter,

That is an interesting Sorcerer concept, and I really like the early, pre-institutionalized Christianity setting.  I have two points I'd like to make:

1. I strongly recommend that you follow the book, Sorcerer, that is, and set up the definition of humanity, demons, etc. as a group. 

From reading Sorcerer a couple of times and Sorcerer's Soul as well as quite a few posts here about preparing for and playing Sorcerer (not to mention all the different One Sheets I've read) I have gotten the impression, that those definitions are made by the GM? I might be mistaken (lots of old RPG habits to break)...

Hiya,

I think we're going in circles and not helping.

Let's treat everything that's been presented here not as the rock-solid dogma of play-to-come, but rather a document that Peter is going to show his group. In my experience, such documents do very well to maximize "look and feel" and to provide a pretty good Humanity definition. A single discussion at that point works very well. Most of the details are provided through character creation and scenario prep, after that.

For that purpose, let's all just assume that the discussion of the sheet will result in all sorts of ideas and things from the other people involved. Given that, what suggestions may be useful at this stage, before that?

Best,
Ron

Hi Ron,
Thanks - I think that would be a very good way of looking at it - I am so much not trying to push anything down the other player's throats. What I AM trying to, is to come up with a general concept and discuss it with my players (who by the way have never tried Sorcerer and therefore would need such a concept to work from, I think).
So, thanks for the suggestion.
Best
Peter

Hi all,
If it's alright with you guys (Ron?) I will use this thread to discuss my ideas as they pop up and develop and also - in due time - I'll relate how the game will eventually run. This includes presenting my dialogue with the players (since two of them haven't played rpgs before, I want to run a game or two of PTA and/or InSpectres before continuing with Sorcerer, so it'll be some time before we get to that). Hopefully, my own struggles with making this come alive can be helpful to others in my situation.
OK, here we go: this thread by Clinton http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=16572.0;topicseen made something fall into place (thoughts have been roaming my head because of some of you guys' posts here in the thread): demons will not be either good or evil as in Devil or God. Instead, I think it should be up to the players to interpret. Therefore, I will need to work a bit on the demons' powers. I am imagining that the demons will fx give the player characters the ability to - seemingly - perform miracles. If they are miracles - and if the powers come from The Holy Ghost or whatever will be the players' decision.
So - the PCs are disciples of Christ, roaming the country, fleeing the persecution and struggling to find out what to do about all their experiences with the Son of Man. They have made a pact with a demon that will grant them great powers - but at a price. I need ideas as to what the needs and desires of these demons are.
Will their dealings with the demons push them towards or away from Christ?
Thanks
Peter

Hi Peter,

I think you're right on target with this game now.

Also, it is actually much more powerful and helpful to start new threads rather than have everything lumped into a single thread. When you get to the next step, dealing with your fellow participants and thinking about prep, start a new one.

Best,
Ron