A World Without Shrimp

A Role-Playing Campaign designed and GMed by Scott David Gray.

The campaign is set in a universe similar to Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel" universe.
The primary difference between the Buffyverse and the world presented in this game is that there are no shrimp in this world (with all sorts of other ramifications -- no shrimp forks, for example).
I admit it. I don't like shrimp.

The characters are from 1850s Cleveland, Ohio. Ohio is a free state, with an active underground railroad (made harder because of the fugitive slave act, and a population which is mostly sympathetic to slavery). Cleveland has just been joined to Cincinnati and Columbus by the CC&C railroad, and by extension to other points along the East coast of the United States. The city is about forty times larger than it was thirty years before, and three times larger than it was ten years before, with about 25K people in the metropolitan area now. There is an active temperence society in Cleveland.

We are using The Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG, written by C.J. Carella for Eden Studios.
The campaign is being run in an episodic way -- to make it easier for one set of players to come to one session and another set of players to come to the next session.

The Cast

Miss Allison Baker, British member of the Watcher's council, sent to advise their American cousins in the Initiative (played by Jennifer Celentano Romatelli) Hero (Pilot and sessions 103, 111, 112, 201, 204)
after session 315: 43.6 XP, 3 drama spent
Dr. Aloysius Crag, Ph.D., Scientist working for the Initiative (played by Scott Lutz) White Hat (Pilot and sessions 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 111, 112, 201, 203, 204, 205, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315: 93.9 XP, 53 drama spent
Special Agent Benjamin Dean, Initiative agent (played by Mike Romatelli) White Hat (Session 103, 113)
after session 315: 37.1 XP, 2 drama spent
Victoria Ellen Fletcher, Slayer (played by Janice Walsh) Hero (Sessions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 112, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315: 93.3 XP, 24 drama spent (XP and drama all lost at session 314, becoming a white hat)
Special Agent Natalia Fedoruk, A Russian Initiative agent (NPCed) Hero
after session 315: 29.7 XP, 0 drama spent
Señor Gabino Maria Garcia y Cuéllar de la Peña, The most interesting man in the world (NPCed) Hero (Sessions 301, 302, 303, 313, 315)
after session 315: 34.2 XP, 0 drama spent
Miss Merdianna Hargreaves, Young British girl, and ward of the Hargreaves family (played by Brenda Sung) White Hat (Sessions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110)
after session 315: 48.8 XP, 7 drama spent
Mr. Luke Johnson, teenaged boy and Initiative member whose [late] older brother Mark was an Initiative agent (played by Sharon Tripp) Hero (Pilot and sessions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315: 109.4 XP, 35 drama spent
Mark Johnson, Mark!!! (NPC) Experienced Hero (Sessions 208, 211, 311, 312, 313, 315)
after session 315: ??? XP, ?? drama spent
Mr. Monterey Jones, the Magnificenter, Warlock and Opportunist (NPCed) White Hat (Sessions 301, 313)
after session 315: 34.8 XP, 3 drama spent
Mr. Montpelier Jones, the Magnificent, Warlock and Initiative member (played by Chris Johnson) White Hat (Pilot and sessions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315: 103.8 XP, 54 drama spent
Vincent Langdon, A former vampire, who says that something must be done (NPCed) White Hat (Session 106, 107, 205, 207, 208, 301, 308, 310, 311, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315 48.2 XP, 22 drama spent
Special Agent Abby Mason Johnson, Kentucky she-Werewolf, and Initiative agent (played by Mel MacDonald) Hero (Pilot and sessions 101, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 213, 301, 302, 303, 305, 307, 308, 309, 310, 313, 314, 315)
after session 315: 99.4 XP, 24 drama spent (not counting +1 xp for -1 point "nemesis" quality)
Sarah Mason, Abby's half-sister, domestic servant for the Initiative (NPC) White Hat (Session 208, 211, 313)
after session 315: 38.8 XP, 0 drama spent
Special Agent John McCallister, A dark and brooding Initiative agent (NPCed) Hero (Session 102, 301, 302, 303)
after session 315: 34.7 XP, 2 drama spent
Special Agent Cesar Ramirez, Initiative agent (played by Jeff Whitman) Hero (Sessions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110)
after session 315: 45.5 XP, 2 drama spent
Eoghan Warland, The Neighboring Super Scientist (NPC) White Hat (Sessions 211, 309, 313)
after session 315: ??? XP, ?? drama spent
Miss Cindy Wilkins, Just a simple young girl (NPCed) White Hat (Sessions 301, 302, 303, 308, 313, 315)
after session 315: 35.6 XP, 4 drama spent (Special GM benefit: Caught bouquet in episode 313 -- bonus to tests involving romance) Instantly became an Experienced Hero Slayer in episode 314

Sessions:

Pilot. Noon Saturday 03/28/2009 Diplomatic Incident 10/24/1850 -- Miss Baker, Miss Blackwing, Dr. Crag, Mr. Jones, Mr. Johnson, Miss Mason

Time passes: (Nov 1850 - Dec 1851)

Season 1: (Jan-Jun 1851)

101. Noon Sunday 01/03/2010 Sacrifice (1/3/1851) -- Dr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
102. Noon Sunday 01/31/2010 Merdianna's Big Date (1/17/1851) -- Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. McCallister, Mr. Ramirez
103. Noon Sunday 02/07/2010 Words of the Wendigo (02/06-08/1851) -- Miss Baker, Dr. Crag, Mr. Dean, Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
104. Noon Sunday 02/28/2010 Mr. Hanson (03/01-02/1851) -- Dr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Ramirez
105. Noon Saturday 03/06/2010 The Wish (03/09-10/1851) -- Dr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
106. Noon Saturday 03/20/2010 The Initiative Strikes Back (03/18-19/1851) -- Dr. Crag, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Langdon, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
107. Noon Sunday 04/11/2010 Hunted (04/11-12/1851) -- Dr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Langdon, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
108. Noon Saturday 04/24/2010 Garbage In, Garbage Out (04/24/1851) -- Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
109. Noon Sunday 05/02/2010 A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall (05/03/1851) -- Miss Fletcher, Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
110. Noon Sunday 05/16/2010 Pestilence (05/16/1851) -- Miss Hargreaves, Mr. Johnson, Miss Mason, Mr. Ramirez
111. Noon Saturday 05/29/2010 Too Many Abbys (05/29/1851) -- Miss Baker, Mr. Crag, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
112. Noon Sunday 06/13/2010 Where Wolf? (06/12/1851) -- Miss Baker, Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
113. Noon Saturday 06/19/2010 Abby the Dragon slayer (07/22/1851) -- Mr. Dean, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason

Time passes: (Aug 1851 - Jun 1852)

Season 2: (Jul-Dec 1852)

201. Noon Sunday 07/11/2010 Fireworks (07/04/1852) -- Miss Baker, Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
202. Noon Sunday 07/18/2010 Shades (07/05/1852 - 07/06/1852) -- Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
203. Noon Saturday 07/31/2010 Monkey on Your Back or "Hasenpfeffer" (07/31/1852 - 08/01/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Mr. Johnson, Miss Mason
204. Noon Saturday 08/14/2010 Who Watches the Watcher's Watcher?¹ (08/14/1852 - 08/16/1852) -- Miss Baker, Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
205. Noon Sunday 08/29/2010 The Otter Problem (08/29/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Vincent Langdon, Miss Mason
206. Noon Sunday 09/19/2010 Girls' Night Out (09/18/1852) -- Miss Fletcher, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
207. Noon Staturday 10/02/2010 Hostage Negotiations (09/19/1852-09/23/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Langdon, Miss Mason
208. Noon Sunday 10/10/2010 Unto the Breach (09/24/1852-09/26/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mark Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Langdon, Miss Mason, Sarah Mason
209. 7PM Tuesday 11/02/2010 A Close Shave (10/30/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
210. Noon Sunday 11/14/2010 All Hallowed Election Day -- The Terrible Sleeplessness of Doom (10/30/1852-11/02/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Miss Mason
211. Noon Saturday 11/27/2010 To Crack a Clam Shell on One's Belly, or Attack of the 50' Tall Monty (11/11/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones
212. Noon Sunday 12/12/2010 New Moon on . . . Monday???!? or The Buffy Horror Picture Show¹ (12/12/1852-12/13/1852) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones
213. Noon Sunday 12/19/2010 Twas the Night Before Christmas (12/24-25/1852) -- Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones

Season 3: (Jan-Aug 1853)

301. Noon Sunday 01/09/2011 Ally & Monty's Excellent Adventure (12/29/1852-12/12/1852, 12/30/1852-01/03/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Señor Gabino, Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Monterey Jones, Mr. Montpelier Jones, Mr. Langdon, Mr. McCallister, Miss Wilkins
302. Noon Sunday 01/23/2011 The Cotillion (01/04/1853 - 01/08/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Señor Gabino, Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Montpelier Jones, Mr. McCallister, Miss Wilkins
303. Noon Sunday 02/06/2011 The After-Party (01/08/1853 - 01/09/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Señor Gabino, Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Montpelier Jones, Mr. McCallister, Miss Wilkins
304. 7 PM Thursday 02/10/2011 The After-After-Party (01/10/1853 - 01/11/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Montpelier Jones
305. 7 PM Tuesday 02/22/2011 The After-After-After-Party (01/12/1853 - 01/13/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson
306. Noon Sunday 03/06/2011 Farewell to Wulfberg (01/14/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Montpelier Jones
307. Noon Sunday 03/27/2011 My Bloody Valentine or Caramel Covered in White Chocolate Seeks Nougat -- Tablecloth Dirtied (02/22/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mrs. johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jones
308. Noon Sunday 04/03/2011 April Fools (04/01/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Langdon, Mr. Jones, Miss Wilkins
309. Noon Sunday 04/17/2011 A Prayer for the Undying (04/17/1853 - 04/18/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Warland
310. Noon Sunday 05/01/2011 Too Many Vincents (05/01/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Langdon
311. Noon Saturday 05/21/2011 The Bachelor Party! (05/21/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Mr. Jones, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Langdon, Mark
312. 6 PM Tuesday 05/24/2011 Luke and Mark's Adventures in Goblinland (??/??/????) -- Mr. Johnson, Mark
313. Noon Sunday 06/12/2011 Obligatory TV Wedding Before Series Cancel (06/05/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Langdon, Sarah Mason
314. Noon Sunday 07/10/2011 Preparing the Assault (06/27/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Langdon
315. Noon Sunday 08/14/2011 The Initiative's Last Stand (07/04/1853) -- Mr. Crag, Miss Fletcher, Gabino, Mrs. Johnson, Mark, Mr. Jones, Mr. Langdon, Sarah Mason. Miss Wilkins

¹Name supplied by Sharon Tripp

Special Rules:

In most cases, the players will be able to choose whether to start as "heroes" (20 attribute points, 20 quality points, up to 10 drawback points, 20 skill points and 10 drama points) or "white hats" (15 attribute points, 10 quality points, up to 10 drawback points, 15 skill points and 20 drama points).
Drama points are capped at the starting number (for heroes 10, for white-hats 20), and may not exceed that number.
If there is a slayer character, she will start game as a hero.
If the player starts game with, or is ever going to be able to gain the sorcery quality, the character must start as a "white hat."
When two occult libraries can be consulted, the value of the largest library is used, and that value is increased by 1 if the second library is worth at least 1/2 as many ranks as the first, except that no arcane library can ever add a value of more than 5.
Except for "quick cast" spells, spells do not repeat easily. If a particular character has ever cast a particular spell succesfully, that character must subtract 2 (or more) from future rolls when attempting to cast the same spell.
Unless the GM says otherwise, drama points cannot be used to assist supernatural acts (such as spellcasting).
Drama points used for I Think I'm OK do not "heal half the Life Point damage (s)he had taken up to that point." Instead, it cuts the damage of the last blow received in half. Using a Drama point this way allows the character to avoid slipping into unconsciousness.
We skip declaring actions in combat.
After every character has acted once in initiative sequence, characters with a second action take their second (and further) actions in initiative sequence).

Special point values for the "minority" "gender" and "youth"qualities:
Minority 1 point per level
   Level 1 "Foreign" (e.g. German, Italian, Czech.)
   Level 2 "Mistrusted" (e.g. Chinese, Irish, Jewish, Shawnee.)
   Level 3 "Second-class" (e.g. African descent, with papers as freeman.)
   Level 4 "Illegal" (e.g. African descent, escaped slave.)
Gender 1 point
   Level 1 Female
Youth 1 point per level
   Level 1 Age 14-18
   Level 2 Age 13 or under
Combining Minority, Gender and Youth qualities: The combined total of all three qualities cannot exceed 3 (or 4, if one of the qualities is level 4). Such that a 12 year old Chinese girl gains only 3 points for these combined qualities (instead of 5), and the gender quality gains no additional points for a character with level 3 or higher of the "Minority" quality (the loss of respect and rights does not become substantially higher for females of African descent than it does for males of African descent in this era).

The five uses of drama points. When drama points are spent, they are spent permanently (and can only be restored by spending XP):

Heroic feat: Add +10 bonus on any roll or value (apart from spellcasting or supernatural acts).
I think I'm OK: Cut the damage of the last blow received in half.
Plot twist: No more than once per game session, a player may ask the GM for a lucky break. Not a "get out of jail free" card, this won't allow a character to escape unscathed from a dangerous foe, but it might make the difference to save the character.
Righteous fury: By spending two drama points, against a foe that has directly provoked him/her, s/he gains a +5 bonus to all attack actions for that fight (cumulative with heroic feat).
Back from the dead: For lots and lots of drama points, a character who died in a prior session may be able to reappear. Consult the GM.

Other things:

Please see:

The Scott's Home Page.
The Scott's Game Page.
The GRAPE roleplaying game (Generic Roleplaying All Purpose Engine), by Scott David Gray.

For more information, please contact Scott David Gray.