What ideas are you going to use for your game?

[Nxla666]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=81468&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

This is the topic I started after getting #40 and a friend ran the game.

[Hound]

If my group decides to start at The Wave, then my first idea is to have them at a Horror Movie Convention in Philly when it hits (oh the irony hehe). I'm also toying with a couple ideas...

It occurred to me.. if you are stuck in the middle of a city when the Wave hits.. one of the quickest ways out may be to hijack an Elevated train...Or it will at least get you out of the most congested areas. You will need to fight your way onto a platform and get to the front car and detach it (or at least seal the car) and ride out. Even if the track is blocked farther down.. it should get you out of an inner city.

Another idea I'm developing is.. here in Philly there is a Delaware River Cuise cruise called "The Spirit of Philadelphia" (big ship, full dining room, live music, the works). I'm toying with the idea of using this to introduce the death cult. Say a group are piloting the ship up and down the river, broadcasting on a bullhorn that they can take survivors to safety.. when in reality they are just rounding them up for the pens.

[Agent_gir]

walking dead comic, that's how I picture this game! but in all fairness I haven't read anything about it, but I really like the concept

[Nightbreed]

Never read the walking dead comic (already spend waaaaayyyyyyy too much money on my comic fix every week ($60-80wk)

Well, i started my game at ground zero. All the PC's are ordinary people who along the way of them trying to escape meet one another. I have it taking place in Texas. The had this great idea where Ft Hood will save the day, sadly as they found out it's not so safe (though they don't even SUSPECT what the truth is, which they'll learn somewhat this weekend if we play ), so for now they're shacked up at a mall with some other survivors.

While i would start another thread for this, but i'll ask here. If the players become hardheaded and want to venture on their own where should i have them go? since there's really not much hope of any somewhat organized resistance. Basically i'm looking for options and would appreciate any and all helpfull suggestions!!!!

[GreenGhost]

I've run a couple of Victim Campaigns that started off at one of the character's (actually a player's) house. They're having a party when the crap hits the fan. Not only do you have ordinary joes trying to survive, but there's usually little weapons (except for normal house hold items) and not to mention there's always those one or two players that love to party it up through their characters and have a bit too much to drink.

This idea may sound like a slaughter of characters, but I've yet to have a player lose a character in these scenarios. Hell, I had one player whose character took out a Korean Soldier (in a U.S. Invasion game) when he tried to bayonet him. The character used a pizza cutter and a TV.

I like watching my players' minds cranking. Enginuity and imagination at it's best.

[Nightbreed]

Send them to Roswell New Mexico Area 51!

And WHY would they want to go there?

[Razzinold]

Shop smart, shop S-Mart,
I like the idea of the mcdonalds crew. I would have them start at Walmart or something like that, so they would have access to weapons, like bats and golf clubs, but not guns, from there they can go where they want. Maybe start them in a mall or something (but that's kinda been done to death (ha get it done to death ? I know lame joke, so sue me

[Rimmerdal]

I work at Casino. I'd use that lots halls to run in and we have tools in the Mainance department. As well plenty of food and we can take with us. add to that the fact we have an emergency generator we should have time to find another place.

Though a museum would be nice...Ancient weapons exhibit here I come!

[Nightbreed]

Area 51 could have all sorts of weapons, not to mention it used to be where experimental aircraft (i.e. blackbird) were tested. Who knows, it could be a secret hold out now or could be completely abandoned and ready for the pickings.


I think im going to role up police officers for my players to try out. The more i think about it the more i like the idea of having them wake up in a police station surrounded by their fellow brothers in blue now zombies. Not to mention if ya think about it, police stations not only have normal police weapons, they also have a very nice thing that not many people think about.

Impound Lockers!

If your in a large city, large police stations would have all sorts of confiscated weapons that are locked up. Hoping my players are smart enough to figure that out and go raid it.

y'know, there might be something there. Never thought about that (as i'm more into the supernatural than aliens in general). I might consider it. Thanks!

As for your idea about the police, i like it, i have one of the PC as a cop, but he never thought about raiding the station. Not that i'm going to lead him there, let him think of it as he tries to rely on his zombie survival guide.

[Library Ogre]

I'd start them in a high school, with the kids and teachers who can afford it having changed with the Wave, but with a core of poor kids who couldn't afford the vaccination (and several teachers who likewise couldn't) remaining unchanged.

[Shawn Merrow]

I'd start them in a high school, with the kids and teachers who can afford it having changed with the Wave, but with a core of poor kids who couldn't afford the vaccination (and several teachers who likewise couldn't) remaining unchanged.

heh zombies in designer fashion ftw

Dear god anything but Preppy Zombies!

[Shawn Merrow]

I'd start them in a high school, with the kids and teachers who can afford it having changed with the Wave, but with a core of poor kids who couldn't afford the vaccination (and several teachers who likewise couldn't) remaining unchanged.

heh zombies in designer fashion ftw

Dear god anything but Preppy Zombies!

Female Thinker Zombie Girl from the valley: "Like oh my god they are over there... go get their BAAAAAARAINS! and bring me that girls shoes!

You, are evil.

[Nxla666]

Clear up a couple things about unisane (from the rifter anyway):

1: It was distributed by the company free to the poor nations and at cost to the richer nations to maximise the full impact.

2: As for giving it to young kids, isnt that why they made it a vaccine? Making it a vaccine instead of just a "treatment" would mean that as many people as possible would be giving the drug, young and old alike.

And if you think theres no reason to give kids the drug I suggest checking the numbers of child cancer patients around the U.S. .

[Brian Manning]

I've seen ideas here that have reminded me of two favorites of mine. Hot Fuzz (the police impound) and the Faculty (high school kids fighting off teachers and fellow "infected" students). Awesome stuff here. I know Dead Reign is going to have a ton of memorable adventures in my group (it seems very easy to get the group interested in these stories, much like modern day super hero campaigns).

I was thinking about something like Red Dawn where a band of survivors move into the wilderness to survive, raiding cities when they need supplies, and building a reputation as some hardcore zombie slaying survivors.

[GreenGhost]

I was thinking about something like Red Dawn where a band of survivors move into the wilderness to survive, raiding cities when they need supplies, and building a reputation as some hardcore zombie slaying survivors.

Hells yes, that was truly inspirational!

My thoughts, exactly.

[velcRomanceR]

first thoughts are of running a campaign where the players start out as preacher, cowboy, saloon hound, bar maid, pimp, deputy, or outlaw in a fictional SDC world of the West; the manifest destiny brings the western folk face to face with an unspeakable horror as the train rails make their way to the Pacific; the players must get the 'f' out of Dodge and try their heads at fixing this "walking dead" problem.

Second thoughts are of a mining outpost on a distant planet whose transmission has been lost. A team of space marines are sent to investigate and rescue any survivors and salvage any of the colony's equipment. Think Aliens meets Night of the Living Dead.

[Pepsi Jedi]

For pick up groups...

1) those in line at the DMV. Just think of the range of characters you could get there. And none of them in a good mood to start.
2) I liked the Micky D's idea. There's a great pic in the rifter of a zombie still in his McDonalds uniform. And not for nothing but something like 60% of people in the US got their first job at a McDonalds.... picking on the people that work there is like throwing blood into a school of sharks. You're gonna get bit.
3) Deliquent kids in one of those survival camp things. The "tough love" thing... you could have fun with that too.
4) People at a funeral. heh
5) Best Buy/Buy More setting. ohh the fun.


These are mostly just throw away games and pick up groups. Assuming the Rise happens all at once world wide. Now.. Since "I Am Legend" totally swiped the base primise of the 'cancer cure' thing leading to the zombification has kinda borked Dead Reign and we're not really sure how (( if at all)) It's been changed to avoid anything messy in the court system... I can't really say if I'll be going with straight book events. I kinda like my zombie plague starting small and sneaking up on you then building dramaticly. Sort of WWZ type. Starting in China.. the Chinese trying to cover it up... Cases getting out as Chinese flee their own country... Smugglers geting people out of the locked down borders, only to spread the virus (( or what ever)) When they do... flare up's in 3rd world countrys... people ignoring the problem... then suddenly it's in their back yard.. and SUDDENLY it's in all the citys! OH GOD RUN! OH IT"S TOO LATE ARRRG! Sorta thing.

The "POOF" Everyone's a zombie but you 5 people in the player group" Doesn't go well with me. I mean it works for one shot games and all but I like the slightly more realistic (( I mean they're zombies.. it's not an exact science or anything)) but slightly more realistic than the "poof" method. Especially if you're using shamblers.

If you're using sprinters.. whooo you could go Dawn of the Dead '04 style.. one night missing the news and "Civil Unrest" could really be geared up by the time you woke up in the morning. Sprinter's change the game totally.

but yeah, for my first "one shot" to get the feel of the game. I think I'm going to use a McDonalds... or a group of Sci Fi geeks at a Denny's after a convention... or a group of World of Warcraft people at White Castle after Blizzcon.

[Pepsi Jedi]

WWZ had a guy in a wheel chair that was part of his neighborhood Zombie watch. he was also a sculptor. Look into it and read that chapter. It was pretty cool.

[velcRomanceR]

:) if this game had a difficulty setting, a party full of addicts would mean you selected "extreme"

No, playing disabled people would be extreme.

AHAHAHAHAHA That does it.

The first character I roll is going to be a disgruntled, elderly Korean war veteran in a wheelchair. VFW hat and all.

...and to top the character off, have his MOS have been some type of mechanical/electrical engineer

Imagine his wheelchair decked out with an auto shotgun in the rear and front with the canisters of rounds under the seat, triggers on the arm rests. The dinky motor has been replaced with some type of electrical hybrid that can accelerate to 'round fitty miles per hour. The wheelchair is lifted and equipped with rugged tires. A grenade launcher?

[Levi]

I would let my players choose whatever they want. Sky is the limit. My job as GM would be to figure how their paths cross. Those stories can be some of the best role-playing sessions.

However, I would love it if the group was diverse. I think a mix of law enforcement, medical, young student, a degenerate, a criminal, and whatever else would be fun. It would cool to see character conflict if there was a real criminal in the group. How would they deal with someone who is a killer?

[DtMK]

A captain of a merchant vessel, a self-confessed smuggler, has delivered refugees to the safe haven in Alaska. Captain Zhu has told the people there that he and the refugees were saved, due in large part to the crew of a converted mobile oil rig turned into a hydrogen extraction/power plant called the Lazarus. The crew have supposedly discovered a plant they call the White Rose. A single petal changed Captain Zhu from an intelligent zombie classified as a 'Thinker' back to a normal human. Captain Zhu is now being held for tests, and the refugees also collaborate the story, although with stranger tales as well. Giants crabs, strange creatures sighted in Japan and Hong Kong from the ship, and tales of strange, angelic figures described. Possible drug-induced hallucinations, but if the stories are true, then someone has a cure. Standing orders to all naval forces of the United States: Establish contact with the crew of the Lazarus, and obtain this 'cure' by any means necessary.

[Illendaver]

Roll up whatever your players want to be, and then let them all know they are in prison (either assign their crimes or let them pick. Tax evasion can land anybody in prison lol). Either one or two of them are prison guards, or they have to first stage a riot to take over the prison after the news reports start coming in about zed.

[Trent]

I work as a maintainance man at a large truck stop . Tons of supplies , equipment and resources there and a large and easily defendable building with nothing but open flat ground to see across for several 100 feet . And its in western Ky so at least half the people there will have some sort of weapon on them or in their vehicles . Small town of about 400 and a county high school about a mile away and otherwise nothing for about atleast 15 miles . Good place to start and get organized .

[Trent]

I work as a maintainance man at a large truck stop . Tons of supplies , equipment and resources there and a large and easily defendable building with nothing but open flat ground to see across for several 100 feet . And its in western Ky so at least half the people there will have some sort of weapon on them or in their vehicles . Small town of about 400 and a county high school about a mile away and otherwise nothing for about atleast 15 miles . Good place to start and get organized .

There are also a few good sized farms near by with one bordering the truck stop property line . Plus the truck stop has a large shop with lots of tools for souping up the anti-zombie combat car (or the old ambulance you took from the near by town) .

[Kargan3033]

How about this for a plot twist, after your players get a semi permanent safe haven had a radio broadcast come in over their comm gear or the safe having comm gear that a cure to the zombie paluge has been found or a vacine to prevent some one from becoming a dead head.

Problem is that it is in a far away place, either half way across the player's home nation or half way around the world, the broadcast goes dead after three days leaving everyone wondering what the hell to do.

Of course the GM should find away to get the players to go and find the cure/vaccine.

If there are any military characters they might encourage their fellow players to set off to find the cure/vaccine or there could be military NPC who hire or conscript the players to go and get the cure/vaccine.

This *quest* can be stretched out for quite a few games before the players reach the location of the cure/vaccine.

When the players get to the location would it be a research lab, a military bio warfare or bio research lab?

Is anyone left alive, do competitors for the cure/vaccine show up at the same time as the players?

Is there a real cure/vaccine or was it the ravings of a mad man and turns out to be a wild goose chase?

Let's say that there is a *cure/vaccine* but does it work or does it unleash an even worse nightmare of mutation or some deadly disease that spreads like wildfire?


Also if you have the *cure/vaccine* as a powerful and fast spreading mutagen or disease could it because it's creator screwed up or better yet the creator of the *cure/vaccine* was possessed by a dark god that is that war with Brulyx and the mutagen and will weaken Brulyx do the the loss of PPE as a good amount of surviving humans fall prey to the mutagen/disease as the earth becomes a battle ground between these two dark gods?

Also how do the players deal with making the situation world wide worse then it already is?, also who knows what the players have done, could a few NPCs or many NPCSs find out that the players were responsible for making things worse?

What do the players do to keep the word from getting out that they were the ones who made things worse, can they keep the word of there monumental screw up from being spread far and wide and putting them on EVERY ONE's hit list?

Also does the mutagen/disease affect normal living human, does it also effect zombies, animals and plants?

Well I hope this post gives the GMs here a few ideas, if any of you GMs use this idea or part(s) of it let me know how the game goes.

Kargan3033

[Kargan3033]

Here's an idea, zombie suicide bombers, great way to breach the defenses of a safe haven or take out a large gang of dead heads.