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Protozoa!

Started by Varning, June 23, 2006, 01:01:26 AM

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Varning

June 23, 2006, 01:01:26 AM Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Luminous Crayon
Okay, I recently had a rather... odd idea.  This is kind of abstract and would probably require a lot of work but:

Unicellular Fantasy Heroes!

Basically, the characters would be creatures made up of only one cell.  Now, this is a fantasy world, so there would be civilizations of unicellular organisms (i.e. they are sentient).  The entire game "world" could be a puddle of water!

The races could just be different types of, well, bacteria.  Maybe one race has an extra thick cellular membrane (+2 constitution) or a strong flaggelum (a faster land speed).  Weapons and armor could be protein chains of some sort perhaps?  The monsters could range from world-destroying molds, evil eukaryotes, insidious viruses, and perhaps even some primitive multi-cellular creatures (probably just muscles and a digestive tract really, but "Huge" size or larger).  Magic could even exist in this world.  I have an image of amoeba's in a high white tower (a grain of sugar?) waving their cilia and erecting a microscopic wall of force.  Do unicellular organisms worship remotely similar gods?

Of course, the idea could easily take a turn for the absurd.  A paramecium paladin seems a little silly.  A lot of work would be required.  Equipment would be totally different and magic might have to be modified.

So, any suggestions or comments?  I'll take anything, even "you crazy lunatic that's the most moronic thing I've ever heard!".  Anyone interested in roleplaying in a microscopic world?
"Live to the point of tears."
~Soren Kierkegaard

Numinous

#1
June 23, 2006, 01:09:21 AM
That...  

Sounds...  

Awesome!

I think this is a grand idea!  even if it's not the most promising, and would require a lot of effort, it certainly has the potential to be a memorable experience.  I like it, and although it's a bit wierd, we're all loony here anyway.
Previously: Natural 20, Critical Threat, Rose of Montague
- Currently working on: The Smoking Hills - A bottom-up, seat-of-my-pants, fairy tale adventure!

Xathan

#2
June 23, 2006, 01:10:05 AM
This seems interesting, not gonna lie. I'd personally set it inside a creature, possibly even a human. The idea has the potential to be really cool, if handled properly. If handled anything else but the exact right way, it's going to suck majorly. I'll be happy to help. Some things you'll need:

new races
new classes (traditional ones don't work, IMO.)
new equipment
new...hell, pretty much everything.

Good luck, and if you need help, just let me know.
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CYMRO

#3
June 23, 2006, 01:13:14 AM
Interesting.

It screams absurd.
Therefore, it must be a good idea.

Maybe the party as invading viruses attacking a more complex organism.
Similar to some weirdness in Dragon back in the early eighties.

beejazz

#4
June 23, 2006, 03:44:20 PM
Holy...
THAT IS THE 1337EST FRIGGIN' THING I'VE HEARD ALL WEEK!!!
congratulations! you won the internet!
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England.
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Numinous

#5
June 23, 2006, 05:24:13 PM
I just realized...  You're gonna end up with Osmosis Jones d20 if you aren't careful.  So, do you want it to become loony?  Or would you rather make it an intrigueing expedition in the world of science?
Previously: Natural 20, Critical Threat, Rose of Montague
- Currently working on: The Smoking Hills - A bottom-up, seat-of-my-pants, fairy tale adventure!

CYMRO

#6
June 23, 2006, 05:29:40 PM
:morons:  :moron:  :fish:  :cool:   :jive:

GO LOONY!

Seriously.

Varning

#7
June 24, 2006, 03:10:50 AM
Wow, I'm glad to see so many people liked this idea.  It's just something I'm toying with, I don't have a group to play with or anything so I don't need to build a world or anything.  I've done a little research on Wikipedia about microorganisms, hoping that would help a lttile bit.

I definately DO NOT want to end up with Osmosis Jones d20 (I was actually fearing that it might end up that way myself).  I would much rather go with the intriguing journey into the world of science, with a some loony (without becoming cartoonish).  I'd also like it to be very different, not just Dungeons and Dragons with amoebas as a playable race.

QuoteMaybe the party as invading viruses attacking a more complex organism.  Similar to some weirdness in Dragon back in the early eighties.

This would probably be a really cool idea for an adventure arc in this "world".  A dungeon that fights back!  It might be cool if the players never really knew what kind of organism they were in.  (Human?  Cow?  Dragon?)

Some ideas:

Senses are really different.  Probably only touch, really.  Maybe some could have some kind of basic eyespot that would help give in-game bonuses.  Assume that the sentient organisms can use chemicals to communicate.  (If anyone has a better idea, suggestions are welcome of course)

Races seem easiest.  Like I posted earlier, some type with a long flaggelum, more cilia, larger nucleus (+2 int?), yadda yadda.

Classes.  Yeah, classes really need to be changed.  Maybe a "Consumer", kind of like a fighter.  Maybe a "Symbiote", which gains special abilities by bonding with the host creature.  I really don't know what else - a fast, roguish type?  Maybe d20 Modern would be the best way to go with this (I'm a Strong 3/ Fast 2 amoeba!), although if some cool, very fitting classes could be made I'd definately take that route.

Magic, I know, could seem really silly in this setting.  I don't know though - I can't shake the image of waving cilias and a burst of magic missile or something.

Equipment is a total blank for me.  Spears made of another creature's DNA or something?  Help here would be really appreciated.

From a fluff perspective, civilizations would be really different.  Asexual reproduction alone would change a lot.  There isn't agriculture or mining.  If the civilization is inside an organism they just feed off that, right?  Hmm...  A lot of thought is required to not be cheesy here.

I'm just kind of brainstorming right now, feeling this idea out.  Anyone inspired?  All ideas are appreciated!
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Lmns Crn

#8
June 24, 2006, 10:45:31 AM
QuoteEquipment is a total blank for me. Spears made of another creature's DNA or something? Help here would be really appreciated.
Might be more elegant to cut (most) equipment altogether. Seems most unicellular organisims would have natural weapons and defenses, or none at all. I can't get used to the idea of protozoa brandishing microscopic weapons in their cillia.

Vacuoles would be handy for carrying and consuming "edible" equipment: food or potions or the like.
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