Midnight Boulevard: 2D6 Adventure in the World of Film Noir
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Film noir ("black film"; plural films noir) is a type of stylized crime movie made from the early 1940s to the late 1950s and known for dark and cynical worldviews¸ usually illustrated by innovative - and often disturbing - directing and lighting techniques. Films noir highlighted social post-war angst and insecurity and featured such tropes as corrupt authority¸ deeply flawed protagonists¸ dark urban settings¸ dangerous women (the "femme fatale"¸ often contrasted with the "good girl")¸ an obsession with the characters' pasts¸ unflinching looks at human turpitude¸ and helplessness against one's fate.
Awright¸ that's enough squawkin' about the pictures! You birds already knew all that - now you wanna know what's in it for you! Hang out your ear and I'll tell you. Midnight Boulevard is the 2D6 treatment for getting along in a film noir world¸ savvy? It's based on Cepheus Engine and the Original Science Fiction Roleplaying Game¸ so you already know kinda what you're getting with a lifepath mechanic and plenty of past careers. But there's other swag in here too; here¸ I'll let the wisehead tell you:
- A Scar table to determine the character's inner turmoil and flawed past that affects present actions
- Rules for drinking - and being affected by - alcohol¸ a staple of films noir
- A table for determining the types of organized crime entities the heroes interact with
- A selection of equipment¸ weapons¸ and vehicles
- Suggestions for running characters through a film noir setting
- A selection of slang terms used during the period
Okay¸ that's enough¸ pally; beat it¸ already! The rest of you mugs¸ what are you waiting for? Grab Midnight Boulevard and your rod and get in on the action before some torpedo beats you to it.
EDIT: By the way¸ you mugs can now get the official character sheet for Midnight Boulevard¸ created by Norton Glover. Get it by itself¸ or get it along with the setting¸ but get it¸ savvy?