Interest Check: SWADE Pulp Adventure “ The Burmese Temple”

Sweaty Rangoon, Burma, 1946. A bar in a once glamorous but war-frayed colonial city. A motley crew of vets, ex-crims and adventurers pore over a crumbling map.

Savage Worlds (SWADE edition) game system.

EDIT: this is a pulpy adventure game and players don’t need detailed historical knowledge of the setting. provide a simple summary of relevant setting details provided below

During the war, special agents operated in remote parts of Burma to stir up rebellion against Japanese occupation. One operative submitted a report of a ruined temple, far out in the jungle fastness, loaded with treasures. The agency was intrigued, but the report was forgotten in the excitement of the re-invasion. The file was conveniently removed. And has somehow fallen into the hands of this crew of misfits!

I’d be looking at a post rate of every other day. Quite fast, maybe, compared to some games, but not every day.

A high octane adventure with fisticuffs, truck chases, ancient ruins and hint of supernatural trouble. A mash up of Indiana Jones, The Dirty Dozen, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Foes might include the Brit authorities, dacoits, nationalists, rival treasure hunters, the jungle and temple itself.

The party would be a motley crew of desperate types that might include:
—the Brit or US agent who made (or stole) the report
—a crim (safe-blower, gunman) brought in to blast the ruins
—a vet (UK ‘Chindit’ or US ‘Marauder’ ) familiar with the country
—an ace driver or pilot, able to reach remote locations
—a jewel thief, able to identify and value treasure
—an ambitious and/or amoral academic with independent evidence of the ruin
—a skilled but down at heel journo, with local contacts and way of getting to remote places
—a local fixer
etc…
Please note the ‘etc.’ Any kind of pulp staple welcome.

Nationalities: Any , but likely UK, Commonwealth, US, Burmese, Indian, Polish (ex-Chindit). An interesting addition might be a Japanese character who was on the other side of the fighting during the war (we could even flip it that he’s the guy with the file/map).

I am looking for a bit of a noir angle, I guess, in that the characters aren’t necessarily squeaky clean. And the treasures might not be quite as shiny as described in the report. I’d also like plenty of punch ups, as that is what SWADE excels at, so characters would need to be a bit scrappy.

If we had two or more players interested I’d offer a single adventure, extending that to further adventures if we get on well. I’d reserve the right to 1. pick and choose between character bids and 2. drop players who regularly flout the post-rate. Nothing personal intended, I just want the game to run if it gets going.

Any interest? I don’t mind teaching SWADE as we go and/or helping with a character build. Please suggest a concept below. We’d be Novice level at start so easy to build. I might come up with some setting Edges if there’s any interest and welcome suggestions for bespoke Edges for your character.

Oh heck yeah, this sounds great! Reminds me of the PC games Commandos and Lamplighters League. I've yet to play a demolitions expert, so that'd be fun. Post rate works. And if this game is similar to OT's previous ones, I'll probably learn something new. In fact, I already did (Chindit!).

That would be cool, ctme. I have great memories of your previous character efforts.

"Indiana Jones-like" game is somehow "dream come true" for me, here on GP:) I love this exploring of old ruins and finding ancient but amazing technology vibe. To this day I watch with every of my children The Mysterious Cities of Gold - whole series... ;)

I would like to play face/thief hybrid - "a little too greedy or curious... for the safety of the team, saying too much... much too often... in not the best situations", but generally a good man... just with different approach to law and authorities let's say... :D

I know SWADE rules quite well, but would like to play some pre-gen with skills appropriate for the above concept. Do you have any?

Sometimes I feel that creating PC from scratch takes to much time in PbP format... and kills game momentum, even before it starts for good + SW rules are so elastic that I can develop my PC in every way I will feel good - in the future, when I will get to know my PC myself :)

Last thing about posting speed: I'm online almost all the time Mon-Fri - but usually very slow or not able to post at weekends.

Ok, I’ll take note of the ‘ancient but amazing technology’ as an interest. If we get going, I’ll make sure there’s plenty of that element.
Sounds good. As. i mentioned, I’m also keen on plenty of brawling, so hopefully he’s willing to throw his fists when talk stops working.
Some players like making characters more than anything else. I wouldn’t join a game with pre-gens, for example. But if you give me a few bullets (name, nationality, motivation, esp. )I would be happy to build something myself. I did that for a player in my last game and they seemed happy with it. As you say, you could adjust it if/when we get to a level up.
I appreciate yiu being open about that—quite a few players have that pattern. I think if we worked out a scheme—posts on Friday if possible and allowing me to puppet the character if needed—we could bridge the gap.

I've been wanting to play a SWADE game. I have the core book but nothing else and have never actually played it. Not sure if anything else would be needed.
I'll likely have some character creation questions, but am confident that I can manage to do most myself as I've already watched a few youtube tutorials.

The post rate is perfect for me!

As for character type I'm thinking of being the gunman with a heavy machinegun (Rambo type) who isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but knows about survival most of all.
I'm open to changing that idea if needed.

I’d be very happy to walk you through chargen or just review a character to check it works ok.

The only possible limitation to the concept is the time period. I hope a Bren (or US equiv: .50 cal? BAR?) provides awesome enough firepower. You might want to go down the SMG route (sten, sterling or tommy gun) but a heavy weapon would also be fun.

Probably best not to be mowing down MPs in Rangoon, but there would be plenty of full-on bandits up-country who could be targets for a machine gunner.

Here are the setting details for character generation:


Setting Rules
--there are no Arcane backgrounds for characters in the setting
--We’ll use the Wealth rules to handle wealth and spending. Most start with d6 but this may go up (or down) as fortunes dictate
--Multiple languages setting rules as listed in RAW. Pick half your Smarts die number of languages, e.g. Burmese, Kachin, Hindi, Mandarin, Latin, etc.
--We’ll use SWADE’s Fear rules for spooky encounters if we go down that route


Setting Edges, and hindrances, all available at Novice.
Note that these are in addition to the standard Edges presented in the rules

Auto Didact (SMA d6, N): Without access to the educational opportunities of society’s elite, you have nevertheless amassed learning through your own efforts, devouring newspapers and every kind of book. Gain +1 to Common Knowledge rolls, also roll Science and Academics at a min of d4. Does not stack with other edge bonuses.

Driver Mechanic (repair d8): Your deep mechanical knowledge of engines and vehicles extends to their effective operation. Use repair for drive when operating land vehicles such as cars, vans and small trucks. Or, drive for repair if it is higher.

Handy (SMA d6): you carry a bag, satchel or other container from which you often draw items useful to the job at hand. Common tools like pliers, a hammer, a flask of booze can be drawn for free. More obscure items—a stethoscope, silver dollar or a round of .22 ammo --cost a benny.

Trader: Character can use Smarts to appraise goods, assess a simple deal, etc.

Drifter: toughened by a life on the road and aboard innumerable tramp ships, the character starts with d4 in THREE of Boating, Gambling, Repair, (bush) Medicine or Survival. They can communicate in many common languages at d4.

Kung Fu (or Savate, Jujutsu, Kickshin, etc). Your character has been introduced to an effective, difficult-to-master martial art. If your character’s SPI or SMA are higher or equal to your listed Fighting skill, roll for Fighting using the next highest die.

Touch of Class: Your well-chosen clothes and good manners set your character apart. Gain +2 (+1 if stacked) to Persuasion and other rolls where protocol and understanding of ‘Society’ matter.

Military training: on creation, start with d4 in shooting and raise TWO OF athletics, notice or stealth (d4 at start) to d6. +2 to CK rolls concerning basic military matters. Provide a military service/rank in keeping with the character’s concept.

Mildly Psychic: can use Spi or Int (choose at start) to discern very faint thoughts, feelings and atmospheric moods. Difficulty at -2 or more.


Setting Hindrances (in addition to SWADE standard hindrances )


Old Number One (Major): You tend to look after yourself, pocketing loot and favours. Except when you are likely to get caught or you really need others’ assistance.

On-the -Run: (minor or major) Your character needs to keep a low profile as there is an organisation/ authority whose attention you need to avoid (minor: e.g. Chicago mob, Lloyds of London; major: e.g. Scotland Yard, the USSR).

Forgetful: will forget an important item and gain a benny (or more if item is really essential) per adventure

Weakness for [Jewellery/ Gold/ etc] (minor): character cannot usually resist opportunities to acquire a certain item type—jewels, gold, occult items, antiquities

Dandy (minor): excessively concerned about latest fashion, shoes, hats. Make d6 or higher Wealth spends at least once an adventure.

Fine Diner, Connoisseur, Collector, etc. (minor): like Dandy, but the character must make Wealth spends for expensive meals, fine liquor, collectible items, etc. as denoted by the hindrance name.

Superstitious (minor): -2 to rolls where courage required v supernatural dread

Militant (minor or major) : your politics (Futurist, Anarchist, Arch-Catholic, Socialist, etc) lead you to speech and actions others find irrational or extreme.

Seedy (minor, major): Reverse of ‘classy, above. -1 (minor)/ -2 (major) to persuasion in rolls where respectability required, penalty might apply to companions attempting a good look.

Awesome!
An SMG sounds more reasonable in that case, although.... A .50 cal with the encumbrance and slow reload sounds very fun! Something like the m2 Browning perhaps? From my quick research, even though it's an American made gun, it looks like they were used by the British around that time.

I've never played this system, but I'm down to learn! I'd love to play some kind of mashup of Indiana Jones/milo from Atlantis, exploring academic type character. Exploring ancient civilizations with treasure, technology and perhaps a hint of the supernatural seems like a great change of pace from a normal ttrpg.

Maybe a kind of character that is usually very cautious/nervous, but gets quite enthusiastic when they encounter their thing. Mayhaps especially with machinery...gods Im describing a mechanical engineer. Welp nervous nellie that turns into daredevil gear head/researcher. There you go (mayhaps this might change as I actually read through the system)

Edit: also my posting rate is good during the week, but my weekends are rather hectic, so no guarantees there

Him, the stats for a Browning are in the rulebook, but the notes say, ‘may not move’. It’s quite a lot heavier than an M60, which Rambo fires from the hip. I think we’d more likely be looking at a Bren gun, which could be fired from a standing position, or the US M1919A6 (.30 cal). Which is similar to the German MG42 , apparently. MG42 stats are in the rulebook, so we could just go with that.

We could give your character the Rock and Roll edge so he ignores the penalty for recoil.

A mechanic/driver? A Mr Fixit type? That would be useful….

@PetRaccoon
@TheGenerator
@Pedrop
@ctme2000

I have opened a game thread, but realize that i need to check the character ideas a bit more before inviting players. As well as your basic concept, could you give me a few short bullets explaining really briefly:
--main concept (you've all given me this already)
--a possible name
--nationality/ city
--motivation to seek the temple
--and/ or how they ended up in 1946 Rangoon

Literally that short, one line each. Just so I get a sense of the intended ‘flavour’.

Will do, doing some research on the war, chindits, the poles, etc to get a better idea of my character's story, should have bullets detailed tomorrow.

That’s cool, ctme, I appreciate the commitment.

I don’t mind players taking a more casual approach to this. Just think of a reason why your character is in the Far East in 1946. Maybe:
— running from the law or mob
—just here for this mission , summoned you for your unique skills
— drifting from place to place and just happen to be here, now
—you are from here, either a local or born to a colonial family
—looking for excitement in an exotic place
—looking for a missing war buddy or family member
—mustered out of the armed forces and not wanting to go home
—crew in a tramp steamer who jumped ship
— taking advantage of post-colonial instability to ply a dubious trade
—etc

Here’s a little bit of background and I don’t expect players to know more than this:
-Burma (now Myanmar) is a large, Far Eastern country with rugged , varied landscape; think pagodas, Buddhist monks, teak and rice paddies
— Rangoon is the country’s capital, on the coast opposite India. A still bustling, metropolitan Asian city
-occupied by the Japanese for much of the war , who set up a Burmese puppet government, pushed out by Allies after fierce fighting
—The Brits are back, but not for long; they promised independence in exchange for help against the Japanese
—the country is politically unstable and in disrepair

Name: Ekaterina Volkov
Nationality: Russian
Motivation: In order of importance, Seems like a thrill, could make some much needed hard cash, gets her out of Russia
History: Served in the 588th Night Bomber Regiment (the Night Witches) during WWII, and fled to Burma since Stalin's purges are becoming more frequent. She does not exactly believe in keeping her opinions to herself

could add more but will be brief since you requested it

Perfect, love it. Explains her mechanical bent, too.

I'll follow the same structure as PetRaccoon :)

Name: Lloyd "Bear" Hutchkins
Nationality: British
Motivation: Got suckered into a get rich quick scheme after racking up gambling debt. Now he needs money to get back home.
History: Fought as a gunner in the British military during the war.

Yes! Great. Nice and clear. I assume he fought in Europe or North Africa.

I’ve got a couple of questions, but only because I know more about a Brit setting and wish to get my bearings on him:
1. is he an officer type or humbler squaddie? A corporal or sergeant, say?
2. Does he come from a particular city? London would be easiest (stage cockney fine with me) if you are not from the UK… i’m imagining Jason Statham playing him in the movie.

I have to admit, I myself don't know much about the military. So if I say anything outrageous, let me know.

1. He's more of a squaddie. Perhaps a Lance Corporal?
2. I was thinking somewhere near New Castle. But if London is easier, I'm fine with that too.

I'm thinking of making him quite bulky. More like Jason Momoa's size but not as good looking.