I’ve started writing “Campfire Tales”: a Scouting hack of Blades, based on my time in Boy Scouts. I imagine it sort of like a more outdoors-based Tales From the Loop/Goonies, just a group of kids taking on urban legends of the woods. It’s still very early, but I’ve got the basics down and I’d love some feedback on what I have!
I’ve started writing “Campfire Tales”: a Scouting hack of Blades, based on my time in Boy Scouts.
I’ve started writing “Campfire Tales”: a Scouting hack of Blades, based on my time in Boy Scouts.
As an Eagle Scout, I LOVE this. “Be Prepared” is an almost eerily suitable fit for Flashbacks and your skills are right on the money.
Based on what you’ve got, the only missing element that comes to mind is dealing with the stigma of being a Scout. Even though I grew up in a rural conservative town, it was still definitely not the “cool thing” to be a Scout. It made me constantly question whether I wanted to stick with Scouting, so maybe it could fold into Downtime/Kicking Back?
Eli Kurtz Another Eagle Scout endorsement. This brings up good memories of long gone days. And I totally agree with your statements.
I think there needs to be something specifically for woodwork and shelter building. It was one of the areas that were in advanced scouting and you also saw them at Jamborees/Camporees.
There seems to need to be another phase (not totally sure how to systemically represent it) dealing with non-scouting activities, where your goodwill would serve as a negative when dealing with kids of your own age, even as it serves as a positive for dealing with adults.
Eli Kurtz Chuck Dee Good to see some fellow Eagle Scouts on the boards! I started writing this out of nostalgia for my scouting days, so to see others feeling the same from it is the highest praise. 🙂
I can definitely relate to the stigma that surrounded scouting in high school. I kind of made that connection in my mind as the first consequence I listed for Kicking Back – that something else came up, and scouting got pushed aside. But there are also other influences, like friends getting into sex, drugs, and shitty punk concerts in barns – hobbies that are generally “unscoutly”. Maybe something like a goody-two-shoes rating comparable to Heat, where you can earn back cred by doing something “cool” to avoid being socially ostracized? I don’t want it to be a huge factor mechanically, because 1) it’s possible to have a very different and still popular social life outside of scouting (as my troop’s chaplain’s aide/illicit substance expert could tell you), and 2) I don’t want to perpetuate the idea that scouting isn’t cool – it is cool! And popularity is fake!
Woodwork and shelter building are things I took into consideration, but I think they would fall under Knots or Blades in most situations (and I’d be lenient with them as well). If neither truly apply, then there are merit badges that could too. But I see what you’re saying too, if there’s a better way to express those to include that kind of action more, I’d clarify it.
Glad you guys like it so far though, I’ll keep you posted!
I see what you mean about creating a positive representation of Scouting vs. a gritty, realistic one (ha!). If that’s the tone you’re aiming for, then I think the most I can add is that Special Abilities are the best way I can think of to represent merit badges. Especially considering how easy it is to pull Special Abilities from other playbooks.
Looking forward to future updates!
I’m really curious what Scores will look like in this hack. Mysteries? Ghosts? Lost Treasure?
Those are great, but you could have mundane options like service projects, hikes, and campouts too. Plenty of ways to run into complications in all of those.
Michael Elliott I could see campouts/scores going a variety of directions! The main ones I initially thought of were:
1. Literal “Campfire Tales” – scary stories, urban legends, and local cryptids appearing in the woods, and scouts having to find them or fend them off. I think Stranger Things, The Lost Boys, Hardy Boys, and any number of teen horror flicks involving camping. (As a Floridian, I’d want to explore the legend of the Skunk Ape).
2. SCOUTS IN ACTION – The eponymous comic in Boys’ Life usually highlighted scouts doing things like rescuing someone from a riptide, or providing first aid. As a full campout, this could go something like: “The scoutmaster has gone missing; he explored away from the campsite and fell down a cliff.” so you’d have to find him, help him, and get home safe, with other struggles along the way.
3. Citizenship in the Community – A more peaceful setting, where things have gone only slightly wrong. Someone’s dog has run off, or the trail needs new markers and a dedicated fire pit. Focus more on roleplaying the interactions with NPCs and each other than a serious conflict. You’re just camping to have fun!
Michael Elliott I’d also think that one time events might act as scores- especially as there are rewards at Camporees, Jamborees, Pinewood Derby, etc.
Also, to make higher ranks you have to do service projects- the Eagle project of course, but we had to do it for Life and Star Scout also. Those could be included, especially as I had other scouts to help for greater effect on my Eagle Scout project.
Or :shudder: Trail’s End Popcorn sales drives.
Loved the popcorn but trying to sell it is probably the single most traumatizing event of my (clearly very privileged) childhood.
Eli Kurtz That was supposed to be the same as GS Cookies. But it really wasn’t. I remember having fun helping my sister with GS cookies, and there was never that level of fun in any of the Boy Scout sales…
Chuck Dee Those would be great too! It would be cool to see some scout competition using practical skills, while also exploring rivalries between troops, and potentially resolving unsportsmanlike conflict.
Lol popcorn sales were always a stressful time. It got even less fun when my troop opted to stop and try selling gift card/coupon things instead. Not nearly as endearing as Girl Scout Cookies.
And can I just reinforce the idea that a Pinewood Derby showdown absolutely NEEDS to be in this hack? Like, that’s the starting situation as far as I’m concerned.
The supernatural aspect of this sounds a lot like the comic Lumberjanes. That’s definitely worth a read if you need some more inspiration.
Scott Wheelock I read the first issue of Lumberjanes and adored it, that’s a great point of reference!