Pub One Shot - Day After Ragnarok - Savage Worlds

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PolarBlues

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Hello fellow Pubbers!

For my first Pub One Shot of 2023 I’d like to pitch The Day After Ragnarok (Savage Worlds edition).

System: Savage Worlds
Suggested Dates: Either Sunday January 29th or Sunday February 12th, whichever date attracts sufficient players to make a go of it.
Time: 18:00 GMT (13:00 EST, 19:00 CET )
Tech: Pub's Discord Channel #game


The Day After Ragnarok (DAR) is a totally crazy, pulp/post-apocalyptic setting. It describes itself as “submachine guns and sorcery”.

In the closing days of WWII, Hitler summons the Midgard Serpent. Truman responds using the atomic bomb to kill the serpent and the world goes to hell as a result. Europe is largely gone, crushed under the massive serpent's corpse (it’s a really, really big, continent-sized serpent). Stalin has cut a deal with the Frost Giants. Australia is now at the head of the British Empire and, at the time the game starts, the world’s experienced something like 3 years of nuclear winter. It is not a terribly serious setting, least of all if I am running it.

The game will focus on the Canadian northern wilderness. The party will be an expedition made up of Mounties, specialists, pardoned convicts and anyone who can be persuaded to sign up. Apologies in advance to any Canadians - this is bound to be the fakest, least researched version of Canada you've ever encountered.

If you aren’t familiar with Savage Worlds, don’t worry, all you need to know is contained in this cartoon Savage Worlds Rules | Up to Four Players. To be honest, I am still a bit of a Savage Worlds newbie myself.

II will create some pregenerated characters. Players familiar with Savage Worlds can create their own characters if they wish to. To keep things simple, I will only be using the rules from SWADE. Arcane Backgrounds Magic and Weird Science are allowed.

Please sign up below if your interested or have any questions and indicate any date preferences. Tagging Pub One Shot regulars Stan Stan and Fenris-77 Fenris-77 in case they are interested as they always lift the tone of these One Shots.
 
Sure, I'm in. Always ready to lift you tone. Either date works for me. :thumbsup:
 
This is the official map of Day After Ragnarok. That green shape covering large parts of Europe and North Africa? That's the corpse of the Midgard serpent, Jormungard. That's one big snake.

bfb990430582901a3386d32692b56f7d.jpg
 
"I first came to the Iowa Soviet on the trail of the killers of my father, and for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture I've remained, attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate."

I'm not sure I can squeeze the Iowa Soviet in the start up adventure, but it his game gets traction and spawns a few follow up session, anything is possible.
 
Don't sweat it, I was just throwing out an idle thought, nothing more. Soviet Iowa just tickled my fancy.
 
I was imagining a post-apocalyptic mashup of Fargo, Hellboy, and Deliverance.
As it were, the Iowa Soviet of Day After Ragnarok is largely based on the figure of Henry Wallace and his association with artist/theosphist Nicholas Roerich. Rich territory to mine for history buffs (of which there are many on this forum) though the joke may may be a little esoteric for the average punter (I'm no expert myself). But I think it still works, just taken at face value, even if you don't this history.
 
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Date
As there were no stated date preferences, I'll opt for Sunday January 29th 18:00 GMT.

Pregenerated Characters

Included below are a selection of DAR characters you can pick up and play. They are a little on the bland side because adding hinderances and background personalisation really should come from the player, not the GM. They are also easier to run for anyone not terribly familiar with the system (including your GM!).

The character will need a name as reason to join the expedition, including:
  • Chartacter is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (default)
  • Character is a volunteer from some other corner of the British Empire (which is mostly Australia and South Africa)
  • Character is a convict whol joins the mission in exchange for a pardon
  • Character is a hired specialist like a scout, explore, scholar.
Any player familiar with Savage Worlds is welcome to create their own character. That includes characters with the Arcane Magic or Weird Science Edges. All characters are Novice level and just use SWADE core book rules, though I gave everyone d4 Riding and d4 Dog Sled for free.

If you wish to create your own character this https://savaged.us/tools/character-creator/ is a big help.

Bruiser
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d4, Spirit d4, Strength d8, Vigor d8
Skills: Athletics d8, Boating d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d4, Language (Native) d8, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Survival d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 6; Toughness: 7; Size: Normal (1)
Edges: Brawny (Size and Toughness +1 - already added)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Claymore Sword Str+1d10, Misc Outdoor kit

Soldier
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d4, Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d4
Skills: Athletics d8, Boating d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Language (Native) d8, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Shooting d8, Stealth d4,Riding d6, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 6; Toughness: 4
Edges: Brave (+2 to Fear checks and –2 to rolls on the Fear Table)
Basic Gear:
Sten Submachine gun 2d6 ROF 3, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit

Medic
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d8, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d4
Skills: Academics d4, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Fighting d4, Healing d8+2, Language (Native) d8, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Research d4, Science d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d4,Riding d4, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 4; Toughness: 4
Edges: Healer (+2 to Healing rolls)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit, Kealing Kit (5 uses,+1 Healing)

Engineer
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d8, Spirit d6, Strength d4, Vigor d6
Skills: Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Electronics d4, Fighting d4, Language (Native) d8, Notice d4, Persuasion d4, Piloting d4, Repair d8+2, Science d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Thievery d4,Riding d4, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 4; Toughness: 5
Edges: Mr. Fix It (+2 to Repair rolls, half the time required with a raise)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit, Field Radio 30 mile range)

Scout
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d8, Spirit d4, Strength d4, Vigor d6
Skills: Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d6, Healing d4, Language (Native) d8, Notice d8, Persuasion d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d8, Survival d8, Riding d4, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 5
Edges: Quick (The hero may discard and redraw Action Cards of 5 or lower)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit

Talker
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d6
Skills: Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d4, Gambling d6, Intimidation d6, Language (Native) d8, Notice d4, Performance d6, Persuasion d8, Shooting d4, Stealth d4, Taunt d6, Riding d4, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 4; Toughness: 5
Edges: Charismatic (Free reroll when using Persuasion)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit

Thinker
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d10, Spirit d6, Strength d4, Vigor d4
Skills: Academics d8, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d6, Language (Native) d8, Notice d8, Occult d6, Persuasion d4, Research d4, Science d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Riding d4, Dog Sled d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 2; Toughness: 4
Edges: Calculating (Ignore up to 2 points of penalties on one action with an Action Card of Five or less)
Basic Gear:
Rifle Lee-Enfield 2d8, Webley revolver 2d6, Bayonet Str+1d6, Misc Outdoor kit
Radio Pack 5-mile range
 
I'm happy to wait and see what other folks want to pick before choosing.
 
I've recruited a third player externally ( Fenris-77 Fenris-77 you've met him a few times) so we should at least three players. There is room for more if anyone else fancies this.
 
I think I can make it this sunday. Whole countries wiped out by a monster's taint sounds interesting. I think I'll go for the medic.
 
Quick update: the Talker template is available, the player created his own magic-wielding character.

See you guys later.
 
Sorry guys something has come up and it looks like I won't be able to make it today.
 
Sorry guys something has come up and it looks like I won't be able to make it today.

It's OK, this sort of things come with the territory. Thanks for the heads up and hopefully you'll be able to join some future game.
 
All things being equal, he plan to carry on with this game on Sunday February 12th, always a 18:00 GMT. There is still room for a player or two should anyone be interested. I'll bump this thread closer to the time as a reminder.

Thanks for everyone who took part.

PS: Technically I gues that makes it not longer a one shot, but Pub One Shots is such a snappy title.
 
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I think I'm going to hack the Solider around a bit to make him more of a hard bitten frontier cop. I can't wear the Sam Elliott mustache otherwise. :grin:
 
I hope to be there next time guys, and I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. Neither PolarBlues PolarBlues or Fenris-77 Fenris-77 actually said you enjoyed yourselves, but I have my ways.
 
I hope to be there next time guys, and I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. Neither PolarBlues PolarBlues or Fenris-77 Fenris-77 actually said you enjoyed yourselves, but I have my ways.

We wouldn't be going back for more in two weeks time if it wasn't at least half decent. I had some good laughs. It was very silly but, from my persective the right kind of silly with a fine, fun set of players that seem to make just about anything work. I am still struggling a little with Savage Worlds as I generally run lighter systems. I have the basics OK, but not yet the fluency to move things at the pace I like, but I am working on it.
 
I think we can tone the silly down just a little as we get used to the setting and the rules.
 
I think we can tone the silly down just a little as we get used to the setting and the rules.
A certain degree of absurdity keeps my GMing fluid and freely flowing where otherwise I might sometimes end overthinking things and seizing up. I try to stick to my strengths, so to speak and leave harder stuff to other GMs.
 
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Are we playing at 13:00 EST again? Just so I don't nap through it or something silly. I also rejigged the Mounty character a little. I'll post it when I find the scrap of paper I used...
 
OK, here's the revised Mountie - Not a lot of changes, but I filled a few skill holes for the group and tinkered a little to make feel a little more like a frontier lawman.

Agility d8
Smarts d4
Spirit d6
Strength d6
Vitality d6

Hindrances: Loyal; Obligation RCMP (2 points total)
Edges: Trademark Weapon -Maude - Lee Enfield rifle
Pace: 6 ; Parry 6/7 ; Toughness: 5
Bennies: 3

Skills
d8: Fighting; Shooting; Stealth
d6: Ride; Athletics; Notice; Survival; Intimidate
d4: Common Knowledge; Persuade; Boating; Dog Sled

Gear:
Maude, Sten Submachine Gun, Webley Revolver; Bayonet, Scrimshaw Pipe and tobacco pouch, Misc Outdoor Gear
 
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Don't forget the free d4 Dog Sled skill. Riding at d4 was also free, so if you haven't factored that in you have a spare point.
 
Don't forget the free d4 Dog Sled skill. Riding at d4 was also free, so if you haven't factored that in you have a spare point.
OK, I'll do a quick edit for both those things. I was wondering about dogsledding...

Edit: I upped Intimidate to d6 and added the Iditerod.
 
Hey people, I 've got a stomach but. I was hopign to be better by now but I'm not so I'm going to have to back out. Sorry.
 
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