Well, I haven't been posting because of some computer issues. So, I got busy writing anyways. The basic concept behind my reinvention of zombies is simply that they are not dead, despite appearences to the contrary. I also decided that it would be a good flip if the players in the RPG actually played these cursed beings instead of fighting them. To catter to this, I took a few pointers from recent and popular horror games, especially the World of Darkness series, which have players play the roll of the monster like I wanted. Essentially, the most work has been to create a believable setting and background for these creatures. I had to rewrite the introductory setting info about half a dozen times until the ideas matched up with my vission. I am hopping that what I have now is not disimilar to a band of immortal creatures who have escaped a Cthulu-esk dimension and escaped to earth (late renaissance to early industrial era). I decided to leave the timeline vague and let GM and player fill that in for themselves. It outlines the physical capabilities of these creatures and leaves the Victorian england as a viable option, a classic horror setting.
Ok, the main issue with the Restless… is just that, they are restless. THey have been tortured beyond imagination for countless years, maybe eons. Somehow, perhaps simply chance, perhaps as an advance guard, some of them found their way to this 'safe' place. Their psyches have been so punished over time that they are oversensitive and react to everything! Even the hint of danger forces them to instinctively react. They call these instincts Urges, or Dark Urges. Only by focussing on an opposed Urge can they hope to resist becoming overwhelmed by them. Daily life and interaction with human society forces them to deal with this on a daily basis. They don't sleep, but they do eat. In fact, the Hunger is one of the Dark Influences they are always fighting within themselves. If they don't they will eat anything or anyone nearby to replenish their life energies. After having their fill, they will return to their right mind, and may have to deal with much remorse for their actions. Other dark influences may drive them insane or lead to them being possesed by the otherwordly and unimaginable evil called The Dark.
The game focuses on their internal emotional battle, both to balance their Urges and to keep the Dark Influences at bay. They may have to overcome other of their kind who have not regained their right mind as well. Meanwhile, in the background, they sense the continual threat and evil presence of The Dark. Sights, smells and sounds are much more clear and defined for them, and all the more dangerous for that since their extreme sensitivity could ignite their urges and the dark influence. This game is about dealing with the monster within and dealing with the harsh sensations that flood the characters every moment.
So, what do you think so far?