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Post by jonas on May 14, 2016 23:45:33 GMT -8
Hi everyone. I need ideas for cool and/or fun starting items for my dnd party.
They are playing dwarves in the city watch of a underground city who is a isolated bureaucratic dictatorship. They get all their equipment from the government, and everything is very kafka-like.
Other than their weapons and armor, they have to fill a form and chose extra equipment from a list. I want some things to be actually useful (like a healing potion, extra food rations or a spelunking kit), but I want several of the items just to convey the orwellian feeling of the setting (like a book of inspirational propaganda).
Any suggestions for cool items? :-)
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Post by Kainguru on May 15, 2016 11:40:16 GMT -8
A rat in cage to assist with 'enquiries' ref: Room 101 Aaron
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Post by jonas on May 15, 2016 11:41:44 GMT -8
A rat in cage to assist with 'enquiries' ref: Room 101 Aaron And a flame spell that goes up to 451 fahrenheit. ;-)
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Post by uncommonman on May 15, 2016 13:01:22 GMT -8
You need a feeling of always being watched, maby add some kind of scrying add-on to magic items so big brother always knows.
And secret police.
And you can use Paranoia as a guide for who can access what information.
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Post by greatwyrm on May 15, 2016 15:38:30 GMT -8
Something totally normal - like a vegetable peeler - that they're expected to carry at all times. It comes with a note explaining the fairly serious sanctions that follow if a superior asks you to produce it and you can't. No explanation as to why, but you better have that damn peeler.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 23:30:35 GMT -8
Of the top of my head: A list of prohibited items (which is itself now prohibited) Ration book Shoes sized for an orc Black-market currency Choral arrangement of patriotic drinking songs
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 0:35:27 GMT -8
I'd suggest using Only War (the guardsman RPG of warhammer 40k) as a guide. Part of character creation is making/choosing a regiment to belong to. Each regiment has its own standard kit which you are required to look after/maintain. Even if you are a heavy gunner with an autocanon, your las gun had better be in good order. Each character can choose a few items outside of their provided gear, but most of what they get is determined solely by their role and regiment. Everyone gets rain gear even though they are in a desert right now. That kind of thing.
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Post by uncommonman on May 16, 2016 2:29:29 GMT -8
I'd suggest using Only War (the guardsman RPG of warhammer 40k) as a guide. Part of character creation is making/choosing a regiment to belong to. Each regiment has its own standard kit which you are required to look after/maintain. Even if you are a heavy gunner with an autocanon, your las gun had better be in good order. Each character can choose a few items outside of their provided gear, but most of what they get is determined solely by their role and regiment. Everyone gets rain gear even though they are in a desert right now. That kind of thing. Add black market items to this, example: Everyone gets one puch of tobacco and one puch of coffee. There will be much trading between people for both coffee and tobacco and someone with contacts will get other items to trade (IKEA started as a bootleg shop during Kamprads military service).
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Post by uncommonman on May 16, 2016 2:34:00 GMT -8
I'd suggest using Only War (the guardsman RPG of warhammer 40k) as a guide. Part of character creation is making/choosing a regiment to belong to. Each regiment has its own standard kit which you are required to look after/maintain. Even if you are a heavy gunner with an autocanon, your las gun had better be in good order. Each character can choose a few items outside of their provided gear, but most of what they get is determined solely by their role and regiment. Everyone gets rain gear even though they are in a desert right now. That kind of thing. Add black market items to this, example: Everyone gets one puch of tobacco and one puch of coffee. There will be much trading between people for both coffee and tobacco and someone with contacts will get other items to trade (IKEA started as a bootleg shop during Kamprads military service).
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Post by zoomfarg on May 16, 2016 7:35:19 GMT -8
I assume these guys are low level law enforcement for the government right? Maybe they should be able to choose from "optional" stuff to demonstrate loyalty/belief in the government. Not picking them represents low faith and will earn suspicion. Some items like that are below, as well as others.
1. Maybe a list of texts to choose from that are full of propaganda to "inspire" (brainwash) the guard. Ideas: "Dangers Beyond our Noble City", "Sins of the Surface Dwellers", "Words to Live By" (selected quotes from the dictator), "Daily Devotionals" ("testimonials" about love of the government from citizens).
2. Paint supplies to cover graffiti and replace it with loyalty sayings.
3. Various kinds of emblems/icons that represent the government, like patches, pendants, flags, lapel pins, etc.
4. Alchemical equivalent of knockout gas, or something to turn the people/crowd mindless.
5. Running with uncommonman's idea: rings/something you can press/activate to summon the secret police. Maybe the secret police take over the bodies of the city watch? So then the low level guys don't know the level of dissent that exists in the public. They could be tricky to run though (with player agency and all).
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Post by ayslyn on May 16, 2016 12:16:24 GMT -8
Unless you are going for a Paranoia vibe, I really, really suggest skipping the more ridiculous suggestions.... The peeler thing sounds cute, but would seriously undermine a real grim-dark orwellian vibe.
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Post by greatwyrm on May 16, 2016 15:16:09 GMT -8
Unless you are going for a Paranoia vibe, I really, really suggest skipping the more ridiculous suggestions.... The peeler thing sounds cute, but would seriously undermine a real grim-dark orwellian vibe. A dwarf that can't be trusted to maintain a potato peeler can't be trusted with anything more serious. You do take your duties seriously, don't you? Is it suddenly up to you to decide which orders are worth following? That's the sort of thinking the rebellion supports. Perhaps you need "further education"?
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Post by ayslyn on May 16, 2016 15:46:11 GMT -8
I rest my case.
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Post by greatwyrm on May 16, 2016 17:40:58 GMT -8
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Post by ayslyn on May 16, 2016 18:22:55 GMT -8
Jim never told people to carry around a vegetable peeler around at all times. I'm just saying if you want serious and dark, don't throw in wacky, silly things.
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