Still digging The Expanse and wondering what the original campaign was like
There was an article a few weeks back that mentioned that The Expanse books began life as a d20 campaign played by the authors. Now as I watch the show I can’t help but wonder how that campaign played out, especially given that d20 is mostly fight-y bits. Which characters were the PCs? (I’m assuming it’s the four folks from the Caterbury, at the least.) What scenes were born in actual sessions of play?
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SPOILER SPACE
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For example, the Rocinante. I have to believe that Holden and the others lucking into a Martian gunship of their own was some seminal play moment, either hard-won or else a handout from the GM.
“So, wait, you mean the whole crew is dead, so we’re the only ones on this ship?”
“Yup.”
“So, we now own a Martian combat vessel.”
“Yup!”
“FUCKING SWEET!!!”
“And here’s your first mission: Fred Johnson wants you to retrieve something for him…”
I’ve been perusing my old copy of d20 Future quite a bit as a result.
That bit where they’re like, “We got this ship and we’re not giving it up” felt very much like PCs talking.
< ![CDATA[That bit where they're like, "We got this ship and we're not giving it up" felt very much like PCs talking.]]>
I actually like that part of the story a lot less now that I’m viewing it through gamer eyes. They’ve done a pretty good job of humanizing it, but still.
< ![CDATA[I actually like that part of the story a lot less now that I'm viewing it through gamer eyes. They've done a pretty good job of humanizing it, but still.]]>
Paul Beakley Why less?
< ![CDATA[Paul Beakley Why less?]]>
Because Paul is filled with self-loathing about gamers.
(I may be speaking for myself.)
< ![CDATA[Because Paul is filled with self-loathing about gamers. (I may be speaking for myself.)]]>
Part of me thinks that, were it a campaign, the PCs should start off with the ship, as it’s the ideal setup, and making them “earn” it is best relegated to backstory.
But I have a feeling that’s not how it played out originally, and that there were a whole bunch of sessions where the players were basically along for the ride as the GM set up the Big Plot™.
I.e., I would be surprised if they got to this point organically.
< ![CDATA[Part of me thinks that, were it a campaign, the PCs should start off with the ship, as it's the ideal setup, and making them "earn" it is best relegated to backstory. But I have a feeling that's not how it played out originally, and that there were a whole bunch of sessions where the players were basically along for the ride as the GM set up the Big Plot™. I.e., I would be surprised if they got to this point organically.]]>
Robert Bohl because it’s so obviously a gamer construct, rather than emerging from story necessity. Or the loathing thing is fine too.
I mean a perfectly good story does emerge from their sudden and somewhat unearned windfall. I’m really enjoying the novels in any case so it’s not a big big deal.
It’s entirely probable that the whole game started out with “you guys will need a ship so let’s get that out of the way early.” I’ve rationalized less well to drop a free ship in Traveller/Star Wars/Diaspora.
< ![CDATA[Robert Bohl because it's so obviously a gamer construct, rather than emerging from story necessity. Or the loathing thing is fine too. I mean a perfectly good story does emerge from their sudden and somewhat unearned windfall. I’m really enjoying the novels in any case so it’s not a big big deal.
It’s entirely probable that the whole game started out with “you guys will need a ship so let’s get that out of the way early.” I’ve rationalized less well to drop a free ship in Traveller/Star Wars/Diaspora.]]>