Showing posts with label pdq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pdq. Show all posts

Friday, December 10, 2010

Zorcerer of Zo -- Soldier Jack

Over at Monkey's Took My Jetpack, we've been playing Zorcer of Zo, a wonderful fairy tale RPG, and one of my favorites. I've been running the last three sessions, but Blindgeek is going to take over for the upcoming Christmas adventures.

This is my character; I'll draw him later:


Soldier Jack (aka Jack of the roads, aka Jack the Giant Killer, aka Clever Jack) is based on the English/Appalachian culture hero, Jack. I am basing him more off the Appalachian version (mostly a matter of semantics; he climbed a bean tree, as opposed to a bean pole).

Jack grew up the seventh son of a seventh son in a poor farm family in the hills of Giallo. He learned to survive by his wits ad gift for trickery. He has killed giants, tricked devils, cheated Death (capital D), and even served as a soldier in the grand army of Zo. Now he wanders the land, still seeking his fortune.

Jack is not always good, but he is never bad. Despite his roguish nature, Jack has a good heart. He has actually gained several fortunes, but he can never hold onto money. He either fritters it away, donates it to a worthy cause, or gives it to people who need it more than he does.

Jack is lanky, but not overly-tall, with brown eyes, a ruddy complexion, and shaggy brown hair. He could either be a withered 25 or a well-preserved 50. He dresses in sturdy, but well-used travelers clothes and the faded and patched old coat from the Zo military. He sold his rifle and pike long ago.

Soldier Jack
Citizen of the World

Qualities:
Trickster (Master +6) – Jack can lie, cheat, and steal better than anyone.
Vagabond (Good +2) – Jack knows a little bit about a lot of different places.
Soldier (Good +2) – Jack's seen his share of battle and action.
Heart of Gold (Good +2) – Jack's good nature connects with people.
Penniless (Poor -2) – Jack just can't hold onto money.

Special Move: Giant Killer

Hero Points: 5
Learning Points: 1


Monday, January 25, 2010

PDQ Star Wars

The players of my home-group have been pestering me to run Star Wars. Sadly, none of the three different published RPG system for Star Wars thrill me. I don't like the chargen system of WEG's old D6 version, nor do I particularity care for the Force rules. I don't like the level system for either of the D20-based systems. I also don't want to have my players slug through a list of 100 talents and/or feats. Saga is too minis-based too.

Chad Underkoffler's PDQ system, however (Truth & Justice, Zorceror of Zo, Swashucklers of the 7 Skies) seems like it'd work really well. S&S has shown me that it works really well for magical swashbucklers. The system has just about the level of crunch I want nowadays. The vehicle rules are stupid easy, too— something really hard to find in any Star Wars game.

So I'm banging out some rules for my players now. It's easier than I expected. By way of example, here's a few character write-ups, three guys from the movies, and a probable character from my theoretical game. I'll actually explain some of these rules changes in a later post.


Obi-Wan Kenobi
Foible: City Boy
Home Planet/Species: Coruscant +2
*Jedi Guardian +4
Cool Headed +4
Well Connected +2
Signature Stunts: Arm Chop
Force Qualities
Alter +0
Control +2
Sense +2
Dark Side +0

Boba Fett
Foible: Ruthless
Home Planet/Species: Mandalorian Clone +2
Bounty Hunter +4
My Backpack Has Jets +2
Mandalorian Armor +4
Fearsome Reputation +2
Signature Stunts: Whipcord Wrap

R2-D2
Foible: Bullheaded
Home Planet/Species: Astromech Droid +4
Computer Hacking +4
Mechanic +2
Many Wondrous Attachments +4
Signature Stunts: Open Locks


Darth Gladius
Foible: Consumed by the Dark Side
Home Planet/Species: Korriban +2
*Sith Apprentice +4
Dual Short Sabers +2
Cybernetic Arms +2
Saboteur +2
Signature Stunts: Double Strike
Force Qualities
Alter +0
Control +2
Sense +0
Dark Side +2