Another future game setting: Emerald City in the 60's

[DtMK]

Hi everyone.

Just to try and keep my gaming group guessing, I started brainstorming about another possible game setting for them to end up in. And for the record, the following names I'm going to say for shows aren't conversions, just references.

I may be telling my age here, but one thing that I loved growing up was all the reruns, and current runs of the superhero shows back in the day. Superman in the 50's, Green Hornet and Adam West's Batman in the 60's, Shazam!, Isis and Wonder Woman in the 70's were staples along with others like The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man and many others. These were the shows we'd rush home to watch from school or on the weekends. Rifter #5 gives us a great article, Heroes Throughout the Ages. It tells of classes and power categories, as well as the mentality of heroes from the 1920's of the Pulp age and onward to the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze age, modern day and futuristic settings. All are interesting, and admittedly, my group prefers more contemporary settings to get away from the rut of medieval fantasy like PFRGP.

I admit, looking back, the shows were of a simpler time and yes, could be corny or kitsch by today's standards. But looking back, what if your modern self could go back in time, or to another dimension and appear in one such time and place? Music, politics, values and morality being in a different time, what if the heroes, or borderline psychopaths of today's gaming setting were whisked back into a simpler time? Or would it only be simpler at first glance?

Personally I'd love to play in such a setting, but I'm not entirely sure my current group would either have the interest, or desire to do the setting justice. I hope I'm wrong. But if I do get to be the one to run it, here's what I have in mind.

April, 1963. Dr. No opens in theaters this weekend. In the area we'd know as Seattle, on this world sits Emerald City, a place of industry, hope and many businesses. Various musical acts are booked to pull in the crowds. And to protect it are The Emerald City Totems!

Starting in 1920, a mysterious figure known as The Coyote went after bootleggers, mobsters, and even cult activity. All of this lasted until December 1937, when it appeared a criminal boss got the best of the master magician once and for all, putting him in a deathtrap that appears to have worked. In January 1938, a ghostly apparition was seen, taking revenge on the gang. This being was known as...The Green Coyote! After promptly subduing and arresting the mobsters, it is revealed that this was the son of the original Coyote, taking a more colorful flair as the Hound of the Baskervilles had worked in his favorite stories. Now with new tricks, he fights to keep Emerald City, and the world safe!

Joining him are The Shark, victim of an experiment gone wrong, now allowing this gambler to breathe underwater, and always have an ace up his aquatic sleeve. Fox, a female assistant and wielder of magic that appears to come out of a cartoon. Wolf, a teenage sidekick and protege of the same trickery as Green Coyote. Also known are Spider, the mysterious mechanic and aid to Green Coyote who works on his gadgets, vehicles and is never seen. Bat, an acrobatic woman and skilled fighter, but some suspect she may be blind as bright lights and gun flashes don't harm her. Also appearing is Dragon, a martial arts prodigy who adapts to fighting groups or single, fantastic combatants. Together they've fought villains such as the magical Monster-Man, whose tattoos can somehow come to life, The Emerald Queen, a jewel thief with strange powers over gemstones, and various others. Duly deputized, The Green Coyote often comes when called by the police commissioner. At night, a spotlight of a green, angled emerald and the symbol of the head of the coyote lights up the dark to frighten away evildoers.

But wait, what's this? Strange newcomers have arrived in Emerald City. Are they friend or foe? Much of their mannerisms may appear to be evil. And while past and present heroes clash, a new evil awaits in the wings, one of darkness and perversion, like a Grindhouse movie spilling over. Can these heroes of two times handle a new menace that may threaten the loss of life and innocence, or innocents in Emerald City? Stay tuned, Totemites!

What do you think?

[gaby]

Good start,will you show your Heroes snd Villains?

[DtMK]

Thanks! I'm starting a new job, so posting the stats are going to have to be put on the back burner. But I thought at least this way, people may be inspired to make their own. I'd like to hear if anyone else ever ran a game with a setting and time similar to this one?