Want Players to Stop Using Guns in Your World of Darkness Game? Play an Earlier Era!

It feels like I've written about guns in RPGs a lot over the past several years, but it's typically articles like 5 Tips For Playing Better Gunslingers for more traditional fantasy games where you've got flying lead alongside lightning bolts and dragons. But this resistance to high-caliber solutions isn't limited to Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons, and their kin... you also find it among World of Darkness and Chronicles of Darkness storytellers.

I'll take a pack of pencils, then,

Since this is something that seems to bother a lot of folks, I figured I'd get into the details of it, and my proposed solution for it, this week. As always, if you want to stay on top of all my latest releases make sure you sign up for my weekly newsletter to get all my updates sent right to your inbox! Also, if you want to help me keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron... every little bit really does help.

Why So Many STs Seem To Object To High-Caliber Solutions

The World of Darkness, as well as the Chronicles of Darkness, are modern settings. Even if you run a WoD game in the era it was written for, it's still being run in the 90s. So unlike traditional fantasy games, where guns are often viewed as a new invention that's recently been introduced to the setting, they've been around for literal centuries. Not only that, but one of the more persuasive reasons for the supernatural world to keep its head down is that enough mortals armed with machine guns, flamethrowers, high-powered explosives, etc. could wipe them out without breaking too much of a sweat if they were all discovered and the Masquerade broken.

It's one reason why Armory and Armory: Reloaded are two of my favorite books for Chronicles of Darkness, as they offer some pretty persuasive arguments why you should not start trouble with the mortal world.

Despite this, there are a lot of Storytellers out there who get their back up when someone attempts to use a mundane technological solution over a supernatural one, particularly when it comes to the more nitty gritty aspects of the game. Because while it's possible to create an enchanted thunder maul that strikes like lightning and can be thrown a dozen yards in combat with unerring accuracy, a fully-automatic, drum-fed riot shotgun with incendiary rounds deals exactly as much damage to a target without the need to entreat the spirits, prove your worth, or conduct a full-moon ritual sacrifice. You just need to put in a call to Paul, the balding nerd with the weird gun fetish, and spend the necessary cash to get it in your hands.

No parley? Shame... shame...

The argument, in this case, is startlingly similar to what you'll see in a DND or Pathfinder game. Storytellers, when I've managed to nail down definite, specific answers, always bristle that there's a completely mundane tool, weapon, or solution that's as powerful as magical ones, but which don't have the same limitations and controls as the magical ones do. You just need the proper Resources or Allies to get your guns from the black market, and all of a sudden you can punch way outside your weight class regarding the kind of foes you can take on.

While that is true in some respects, there are two salient points that need to be made here that I think a lot of STs overlook, or forget about.

First, big, powerful guns tend to be tough to hide both during transportation, and during use. Because while the weapon described above might tear through the ranks of fomori, it's not something you can just hide under a coat. And when you hold down that trigger, it's likely going to break windows at 10 yards just from the sound alone. So even if a player has access to these weapons, they aren't going to be able to use them cavalierly unless you're constantly attacking them in either the middle of nowhere, or in the unique pocket realm that it seems every sphere has one of.

Secondly, because these tools are completely mundane, they're going to be investigated and noticed by the mundane world. If a PC runs amok with their mini-Mjolnir cracking skulls and casting lightning bolts, mortal investigators aren't going to be able to make heads or tales of the evidence without concocting some bizarre story. No one is going to put out an APB for a man carrying a magic hammer. By contrast, black market firearms are going to get noticed by local cops, and possibly by the ATF, which means players need to be extra careful with when they choose to cut loose, and when they use a quieter solution. Even legal, commercially-available firearms require permits, and using them in public can lead to a lot of nosy questions from the authorities if players aren't very careful with how they do things.

Don't Want Modern Solutions, Don't Run a Modern Game

There are other advantages to guns in the World of Darkness as well. They allow you to attack multiple targets in a single blast, their ammunition can be modified to take advantage of enemy weaknesses, and in the Chronicles of Darkness they ignore defense and can only be countered by armor and cover. So if you're going to be running a game with a lot of combat in it, then it just makes sense that at least some folks are going to gravitate toward the most dangerous tools to ensure they come out ahead when all is said and done.

Choose your next words carefully, I've got silver loaded in here.

However, the solution is not to simply tell your players they can't have guns. With so many ways to get your hands on these tools (especially if your game is set anywhere in North America) it breaks immersion really fast that someone with underworld contacts, a lot of money in the bank, or just the ability to machine and tool their own parts and pieces cannot acquire these weapons. They're a ubiquitous part of the modern world, and telling players they can't have or use them would be no different than making them write letters and send telegrams instead of making a phone call.

This extends to basically any other form of modern technology, too. Whether it's STs tired of hackers destroying an area's security system, or players using vehicular combat as a way to turn a dump truck into a battering ram, if you don't want players to use modern solutions, then don't run a modern game.

Instead, run something in the past. Period, full stop.

I Guarantee You'll Have Just as Much Interest

On the one hand, running a game set in the past is more difficult than one set in the present. The cast of current NPCs running things is different (for those who use the existing lore), certain major events may not yet have occurred, and then there's the matter of making sure you have a firm grip on actual world history so that you can convey the proper setting and tone for your players.

With all of that said, though, this is one of the most organic ways of rewinding the progression on technology that also creates an utterly unique experience that your players are not likely to forget anytime soon.

We're going werewolf hunting, you in?

Whether you want to go full Van Helsing in the 1800s for a Hunter game, you want to run Mage set in the dying days of the Roman empire, or you want to play a Vampire game during the Black Death while the Inquisition is hunting the supernatural community, this one change is going to create one hell of a game. Even if it's something short-lived, like participating in the hunt for the Beast of Gevaudan in Werewolf, or a short arc for Changeling set during the spiritualism craze of the Victorian era in London, changing the era gets you what you want (removing the smorgasbord of modern-day technologies that can feel ubiquitous), while also giving your players a unique experience (an entire period of history they've likely never gotten to play in).

While it might seem like a lot of work (and it is, don't mistake me on that), I guarantee this approach would go over a lot better than just handing your players a list of tools and tech they're not allowed to use, or which you're going to restrict because you feel it isn't fair to the more spiritually-inclined players to have their magic eclipsed by the latest from Smith and Wesson.

Hell, there's even an entire Dark Ages series you can use! If this is something you haven't considered before, then check out the following titles to get your brain wheels turning:

- Dark Eras (Chronicles of Darkness)

- Dark Ages: Vampire

- Dark Ages: Werewolf

- Dark Ages: Mage

- Dark Ages: Fae

- Dark Ages: Inquisitor

- Dark Ages: Blood and Silk

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channel Dungeon Keeper Radio. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my cat noir thriller Marked Territory, its sequel Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

For a Unique Gaming Experience, Rewind The Clock on Your Campaign Setting

Most published campaign settings have an established timeline in them these days. It's one of those things players expect to find, and the longer a setting has been around the more events and eras there will be in the past. Whether you're running a game set in Greyhawk, the Forgotten Realms, the Grim Darkness of the far future, the Battletech universe, or anywhere else, most game masters have a tendency to set their games in whatever period is considered now by the timeline.

But if you've got all of that history to work with... why not play around with it to create a unique story, and to add some spice to your players' experience?

 

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History is closer than you think.

Everything Old is New Again

To be very clear, I'm not talking about games with time travel in them, where players spend an arc in the past doing something or other before returning to the present for the rest of the game. We're talking a full campaign nestled completely within an older period of time, with characters from that period. Whether it's a part of a great world event, or one of the many deeds that were simply lost to the ages, that's up to you.

This allows you to keep the same world, and the mechanics of the game you're all used to, but it also creates a thrilling new sense of the unknown. Because in many ways, the past is a truly undiscovered country.

Perhaps an example would help?

Since it's the setting I know best, let's talk about the world of Golarion for a moment. Though there are dozens of adventure paths out there that you can play, most of them are set around the year 4711 in the Age of Lost Omens. However, as The Inner Sea World Guide points out, that's only the most recent era of the world... and it's only been going on since the death of the god Aroden, which was barely a hundred years or so ago. While massive changes happened to the world at that point, rewinding the clock around 200 years or so would leave you with a setting that was recognizable, but also hugely different in many ways.

First and foremost, the image of Cheliax as devil-worshiping fascists wouldn't be the case. The Hellknight orders have yet to be founded, and Aroden still guides the nation on its explorations. Galt's bloody revolution has yet to begin, with the aristocracy still ruling over a nation that might be fractious, but hasn't yet reached the point of bloodshed. Alkenstar is brand new, and firearms are found only among the dwarves sealed in the underground stronghold of the Dongun Hold since the gun works hasn't been built yet. Taldor and Quadira are still at war, Osirion is still under Keleshite control... and the list goes on and on.

The countries players are familiar with are present... but they're still in what most think of as their golden age. The unexpected turn that ripped open a portal to the abyss, and that created a permanent hurricane, hasn't happened yet. The huge, cultural and political shifts that players are so used to being taken for granted as part of history still lie in the future. That is where the potential lies!

Whether you've been looking for a way to gracefully avoid dealing with gunslingers in a game set in Golarion, or you really want to see what Cheliax was like back when it still had its soul, this kind of game would give you and your players the chance to play out those what-ifs. To re-discover and experience the history of the setting. And if you have a long-lived character like an elf, a gnome, etc., there's even a potential they're still around and kicking when many of the "modern" adventure paths are going, for those game masters who enjoy callbacks to previous campaigns.

The Further Back You Go, The Stranger Things Get

To continue with my timeline of examples, Golarion has something like 10,000 years of recorded time, eras, and events you could run games in. As well as two full eras that have no dates and events because they're just too damned far back. And the further back you go, the more of the world that's open to your imagination and interpretation because the civilizations, nations, rules, and heroes have been lost to the annals of time. The Age of Darkness, for example, marked the fall of the greatest human empire the world had see, the sleep of the Runelords, and the return of the dark god Zon Kuthon. There is a huge potential for a fantasy post-apocalyptic game there, in a world where everything has fallen, and death lurks in every shadow. Heck, several gods haven't even been established yet, most nations players are familiar with have yet to be formed, and even so-called "lost" empires haven't even been founded yet.

The campaign practically writes itself.

If you have an established campaign world (or heck, if you created your own), you can get a lot of unique mileage out of this idea. Especially if your table wants to do something different, but doesn't necessarily want to learn a whole new rules set to experience a unique campaign setting.

Also, for any Paizo folks who caught this particular update, feel free to reach out to me if you're considering writing adventure paths set in the past! I would be more than happy to roll up my sleeves and get to work on that.

Further Reading and Inspiration

If you take this advice, but you find yourself going back far enough that you need to fill in some gaps in the setting, check out some of the following supplements by yours truly!

- A Baker's Dozen Pieces of Lore: If you need to fill in the blanks in your setting, especially because you wound back the clock, then this one might be right up your alley.

- A Baker's Dozen of Rumours (And The Truth Behind Them): If you're looking for some potential plots to fill-in the empty places in a city or campaign, these 13 rumors are just meaty enough to get the job done. Versions are available for Pathfinder and for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, as well.

- 13 Fiends: A Baker's Dozen of Devils: Whether you've rewound before the prominence of certain dark faiths, or you just want something more unique for your earlier setting, these fiendish entries come with notes on their areas of influence, rituals and rites, and the sorts of followers they draw. It's best paired with 100 Cults to Encounter, for those who need a little extra inspiration.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channel Dungeon Keeper Radio. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my cat noir thriller Marked Territory, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

4 Tips For Making Long-Lived Characters FEEL Old

Have you ever stopped to really look at just how many playable races have ridiculous lifespans when compared to humans? We know that elves and dwarves can live for centuries, but half-elves, aasimar, tieflings, gnomes, and dozens of other racial options can all live through several generations of humans before age starts catching up with them in any meaningful way.

My, my... you look just like your great-grandfather. The resemblance is eerie, child.

While it can be fun playing characters with decades of experience under their belts, bringing across just how long they've been around can be tough when the character doesn't look that old. However, there are a few tricks I've found to really bring across how long your PC has been in the game, so to speak.

Also, if you're looking for tips for specific races (I've already written RP guides for elves, dwarves, gnomes, and for tieflings and aasimar), then you should stop by and check out the 5 Tips page, too!

Tip #1: What Does Your Gear Say About Your Life?

Huh, that old thing? Oh I've had it... a while, now.

 As I mentioned back in Do Clothes Make The Adventurer?, it's possible to learn a lot about someone based on what they wear, or the gear they carry. This goes double for characters who have been around for decades, and possibly centuries, since something they've had long-term could be a clue about exactly how long they've been around.

This could take dozens of different forms. For example, it might be that your character still wears a particular accessory that's been out-of-fashion for a few generations, such as a brass serpent cloak pin that was all the rage under the last king, or a heavy silver belt buckle that was fashionable among mercenaries during a war that's mostly remembered in history books. Maybe they wear their hair in a particularly old style (a single warrior's braid in an interlocking pattern), or they sport an amulet or a ring that hasn't been since the Academy Magique shuttered its doors.

One of my personal favorites is a character who carries around a noticeable weapon, shield, or suit of armor that tells its own history. The skull-marked blade of Braddock's Privateers that were disbanded over 50 years ago, or one of the fire-touched axes given only to the victors of the siege of Harrastrad, for example.

Possession of an item doesn't mean someone got it when the item was new, but it can raise a few eyebrows, and get the imagination wheels turning round the table for those who made the history check. Also, if you're looking for more fun examples of stuff to throw in there, you should take a moment to check out 100 Legendary Weapons!

Tip #2: For You, It's Not In The Past

You weren't there... you don't know.

 When you're older, the past isn't just a land of dry, dusty facts. These are place you've been, people you've known, and things you've seen; they're real to you in a way they simply aren't to others. These matters aren't just academic; they're your life.

As an example, take the rise of the House of Thrune in the Golarion setting. Cheliax's black and red banners have flown ever since the civil war, and the infernal queens have ruled their evil empire with an iron hand... but they have not been in power long. A few generations, and not much more. Before that, with the god Aroden spurring the nation and its warriors to greater heights, it was a kingdom of glories, and of noble principles, before it fell into corruption.

An elven warrior may have traveled with Chellish knights in his youth. He may have studied under their war masters, and seen the great, selfless acts they could accomplish. He may even have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them at the Worldwound as they fought against demons and their own hopelessness in the face of their patron god's death, and then watched their nation spiral into depravity and corruption. Seeing them embrace order over justice, and the quiet of the fist over the peace of a prosperous land is a tragedy that he carries with him every day. This character might be disgusted by the hellknights and what they represent, or quietly sad over the state of the nation that was once a beacon of light in the world. They might mourn the loss of what was, or fight tirelessly to push back this black tide. And when they meet someone who upholds the ideals of the old nation, it makes them smile, because all is not lost as long as that spirit yet lives.

These kinds of events (wars, plagues, the rise of nations, or the falls of empires) are mere history for some. For long-lived characters, these are the events that truly make them feel old; burdens they carry with them that can wipe the smiles from their faces, and let those around them see, just for a moment, the ghosts that haunt them.

#3: What Marks Do You Bear?

The Kadashan warlocks were disbanded 200 years ago... but there are some who remember those days.

 No one gets through life without a few marks to show for it, and which marks your character bears can testify as to where they've been, and what they've done.

For example, does your character have the brand of a pirate on their hand; a punishment that's been outlawed for over 70 years now? Does your old soldier have the unit tattoo of the Storm Crows, an irregular fighting force that was removed from service after the fall of the city of Thracean half a lifetime ago? Do they have the blue rings tattooed round the wrists of prisoners of war from the struggle for the throne over 90 years ago? Alternatively, do they have the unique scars worn only by members of the Cultari hunters, a tribe thought extinct for generations? Or do they have the unusual marks of the Iron Mountain monastery, whose monks were slain to a man over a century past?

Tattoos, scars, and brands can all add to your character's story, and make it clear that they've been around for far more than might appear to be the case. Also, they can be marks that distinguish this character in an order or organization, like the Marked or the Razor Skulls found in 100 Gangs For Your Urban Campaigns.

#4: How Do Other People React To You?

Shush, dearie, and tell gran what it is that's upset you so.

 If your character has been around for a long time, how does that manifest in the places they go, and the people they meet? For example, if you're a regular fixture in a particular town, how many generations call you uncle or auntie? Is your name on the charter of the town's founding? Do the old militia sergeants still call you sir, because you were the one who trained them when they were just green farm boys?

This can be as light-hearted or as deep as you want it to be. For example, you might have a reserved table in the local tavern because you've been coming there so long that your total bill has been more than the cost of the place three times over down the years. Alternatively, the other characters might think it's sort of cute how the old woman is sweet on the aasimar... until they find out that he saved her from raiders when she was a little girl. He was her first crush, and though she tried to persuade him, refused to be her lover in the bloom of her youth. She got married, had children, became a grandmother, and buried her husband... but to him she's still the same little girl he carried out of the woods some 80 odd years ago.

Hearing a story like that, and then looking at the character, imparts a weightiness to their experiences that just quoting a number can't do. Because it's not just how many years you have... it's what you've done, and who you've done it with, during those years.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Fluff post! If you've used this in your games, share a story down in the comments!

For more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channel Dungeon Keeper Radio. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my recent short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!