The Galactic Frontier - a d20 Firefly roleplay game by chronicthehedgehog

FIREFLY UNIVERSE

The Galactic Frontier - a d20 Firefly roleplay game

POSTED BY: CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 19:31
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Saturday, February 28, 2004 8:03 PM

This is my first post so be gentle!

I'm currently working on a d20 firefly rulebook (based on the D&D rulebook) called the Galactic Frontier with new character classes, skills, feats, equipment and a completely new space combat system. If anyone has suggestions for feats, equipment, weaponry, ships, vehicles, ship addons (extra solar panels, radio jammers afterburners, etc.) or just any suggestions for things they'd like to see added would be gratefully recieved.
It'll be made freely available once finished, though will need the D&D players handbook to play, as I simply don't have the time to copy over every detail for the new system.

Thanks guys!

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Monday, March 1, 2004 5:14 AM

FORRESTWOLF

As I've said elsewhere, I'm working on a Neverwinter Nights Firefly system. It's based on the T20 (d20 Traveller) rules, which I'm essentially abridging and translating to NWN.

I'd really, really recommend Traveller (T20, to be specific) as a starting point for you - in fact, it might be enough to just USE T20. Firefly has astonishing similarities to the Traveller view on sci-fi - revolvers mixed with laser pistols, realistic technologies, long-duration space travel - enough similiarities that I've often wondered if Joss Whedon, given his interest in D&D, played Traveller long ago.

Check out my posted image if you want - I'll be posting more as the project goes along!

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Monday, March 1, 2004 6:52 AM

GWEK

Myself, I recommend WotC's Star Wars RPG as a start, especially with respect to classes and feats. Although the technology in T20 is a closer match, overall, I was pretty disappointed by the awkwardness of a lot of their game mechanics, which don't mesh particularly smoothly with d20 overall.

I guess my recommendation would be if you're looking for tech, go to T20, but for character development, the SWRPG.

Also, I think the SWRPG has a pretty cinematic feel to it that accurately reflects the feel of Firefly (it's very easy, for example, to get through a fight without being seriously injured, but you're just as likely to be taken down by a single lucky shot).

Of course, I'm probably biased because I'll into my second year of a campaign that's set in the Star Wars universe, but owest just as much to Firefly for its overall feel.

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Monday, March 1, 2004 7:18 AM

TJACK

WotC's upcoming release will be D20 Future so any serious debate on game systems may have to wait a few weeks.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the new guy.

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Monday, March 1, 2004 7:42 AM

GWEK

d20 Future doesn't release until much later in the year (August, I think).

Here's the blurb from the site (wizards.com) in case anyone is interested. Doesn't actually look to me like it'll have too much that would impact something like Firefly. In terms of classes and feats, you can check out what they've already got for d20 Modern.

"This new rules supplement provides everything you need to participate in a futuristic adventure with d20 Modern rules. The wealth of information in this volume covers new character traits, feats, advanced classes, starting occupations, gear, vehicles, starships, aliens, monsters, and different types of futuristic travel. Also included is extensive discussion of different types of futuristic science, including genetic engineering, nanotechnology, xenobiology, and even a section on mutations. As this title ties directly to the d20 Modern rules system, it includes new psionic magic rules which influence everything from psionic power to item creation."

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 3:09 AM

DRAKON

I have recently gotten into a game, after a couple decades (has it been that long?) absence. But we are using a completely different system, called Hero. And I have been looking through the Hero (Star Hero) stuff to see how portable it is to Firefly in. Any thoughts?

I like D20 mostly because I am familiar with it, but there are things I like about Hero (rolling low to hit is not one of them though. It just feels unnatural) building characters can be a lot more fun than simply rolling them up. And the mix and match skills/feats/talents or what ever you want to call it, I like that as well.

D20 class system and rankings don't mess well with Traveller, and this is the biggest problem with T20 in my opinion. But there is a lot of good stuff there anyway.

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

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Thursday, March 11, 2004 2:33 AM

REKYL

Would D20 really fit? I mean personally I find the system to be too big too timeconsuming and too controlling of the verse to be efficient. Sure its not as bad as D&D and other such - dare I say "crap"? - but its in my experience just a boring system.

Since Im gonna GM a firefly kinda (minus all the "south shall rise again" thing they got going) thing tonight Ive been checking around and finally realised that doing myself is easier, better and you get what you want...

I mean wouldnt it be greater to write your own thing from scratch? It doesnt take long.

rekyl.

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Thursday, March 11, 2004 3:39 AM

ARAWAEN

I have been looking at Star Hero as well, contrasting it with GURPS. I think GURPS is easier to use overall, but Hero does cinematic better in my mind.

If they come out with Western Hero or you can get your hands on a copy of the 4th edition version that may help you as much/if not more than Star Hero as Firely uses western archetypes more than science-fiction ones.

Arawaen

Um, I'm lost. Uh, I'm Angry. And I'm Armed.

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Thursday, March 11, 2004 10:34 PM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

It pretty much am writing my own thing from scratch except from the basic rules of role a d20 for pretty much everything, but I'm stealing a lot of feats/skills and stat tables that I just don't have the time to transcribe what they do, so just reference the page they're described on in the D&D manual. I'm not sure how you figure it doesn't take long to create an entire role playing system, but for me it's taking a very long time to create a lot of the stuff.
If anyone's interested in seeing what I've got so far (about 30 pages in total) post your e-mail address and I'll send it you.

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Monday, April 5, 2004 4:41 PM

RHOETUS

Role playing..... armor penalties..... pain!!! pain!!! No! NO!!!!! It doesn't...it...if...but ...noNONONONONONO NO!!
Don't hurt me please????

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Monday, April 5, 2004 6:05 PM

SIGMANUNKI

You might also want to look into cyberpunk for the combat. They took real ballistics data for the stats for the "to hit" rolls. It also has some futuristic weapons and such.

----
"If you truly love the memory, you must set it free()!" -Me
"Also, I can kill you with my brain." -River

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Monday, July 5, 2004 9:27 PM

DEVIANT

Anyone considered using the RIFTS rules for a Firefly RPG? I was actually sifting through my old rulebooks with just that intention the other day...

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Monday, July 5, 2004 11:45 PM

DRAKON

Actually, I think the complaint about D20 being boring kinda misses the mark. Its not a bug, that is a feature.

The more time you spend on game mechanics, the less you spend "in game". The mechanics should be kind of boring to help suspend that sense of disbelief that is required for a work of fiction. The more intrusive, or 'exciting' the mechanics are, the more they break that spell.

Games comprise two parts, game mechanics, (how do we figure out consequences of character actions) and setting. The more you are lost in the setting, the more the story grabs you, the less the mechanics matter beyond the "does this work?" standard for any such mechanics. THe more you are spending time on game mechanics, (what do I need to roll again?) the less on the setting and story.

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

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Tuesday, July 6, 2004 4:14 AM

FEMALEJAYNE

hey I'd love to see it but I'm stingy with my address do you mind if I just message it to you?

With Hope because love is nothing without hope.

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Tuesday, July 6, 2004 5:30 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

You can check out the system at www.estador.co.uk/firefly and click on the handbook link. It's only the first version (before it was playtested) but I'll post when the second edition is out which works much better.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2004 11:46 AM

RAY53208

i like the job eden studios is doing with buffy and angel rpgs. the cinematic unisystem rules allow for some really fun RPing.

ray

“With the first link the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, changes us all irrevokably. The first time any man’s freedom is trodden on, we are all damaged."

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Tuesday, July 20, 2004 2:53 PM

FORRESTWOLF

I only just realized that you were the one (or at least ONE of the ones :) doing a D20 conversion. I think I've said before that we use Traveller T20 for our ruleset. I'd recommend taking a look at the T20 Lite manual if you want to see what feats/skills they have. I'd suggest that they're pretty close to what you want. You can download their free Lite manual on www.travellerrpg.com if you want to see how they do things. The feats/skills fit Firefly in many cases.

- Forrestwolf

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Tuesday, August 17, 2004 7:31 PM

RAY53208

ive got a copy of d20 future... its pretty cool. but ive been thinking gurps would be the best way to go.

ray

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