Monday, January 15, 2024

RPG Design Goals

Unorganized and unfinal collection of design goals and notes for tweaking an RPG.

Death is Easy, Survival is Hard, Success  . . . ?

Fast Combat

Alternate 1 Player Action - 1 DM Action?

Armor Reduces Damage

Realistic Armors

Size matters (for range targeting)

Effects that Linger. Such as wounds.

Everyone is a thief!

If a thief is a person who steals - everyone is a thief. A Specialist/Expert is someone who focuses on non-combat skills. (A ratcatcher is a specialist in rat catching - sewers, traps, etc.)

Everyone can fight!

But they are not equally good at it.

Magic is Powerful and Difficult

Push your luck/strain/risk. Push your connection with your deity.

Alignment is (mostly) Bullshit

Law & Chaos? & Balance/Neutrality? 

See Elric/Stormbring/Dragonlords of Melnibone RPG?

Metagaming and Abilities

Players can always use their own intelligence for the game. The stat, if there is a stat, is for Character knowledge, etc.

Similar for Charisma - telling me what "you" say is always much better than just rolling a die.

Some system for negotiations/npc interactions

Strain & Stress requires Relief

Downtime activities to de-stress. Can connect into character preferences. 

Vices. Carousing. Meditation. Hobbies. Charitable work.

The method of stress relief is something your might be vulnerable to. If you drink and gamble, you might not be able to resist a drink or a game (or have an incentive to get someone to bet with you). If you study books, you might not be able to resist opening a book you find. If you meditate, you might be ignorant of local news. A volunteer might get more of a reputation for being an easy mark, or someone who can be guilted into helping people for various things.

Friday, August 19, 2022

Wundy Indy

 Thoughts on the new D&D Unearthed Arcana Origins material

New Races

You want a kitty-faced angel who can pop wings? That’s fine. But there’s no reason to not do that for the otherside - puppy-faced devils. But “Ardling”? Why are the “-lings”? Are they from Ard, like Earthlings are from Earth? Is this just an anagram for “Darlings”?


A lot of the other race stuff, I’ll probably ignore. Particularly Humans getting Inspiration every morning.


Speaking of, sincerely doubt I’ll touch these Inspiration rules assuming they survive.


Humans can choose to be Small? Great. “Halflings” in my campaigns are just little people anyway - they don’t have a separate culture.


Languages

Adding “Common Sign Language” is great, but . . . we can do better.

Sign Language and Thieves’ Cant should be dialects of parent languages. I think the system should present that as an option so people can have “Orcish Sign Language” or “Dwarve Thieves’ Cant” if they like. Or other dialects like “Atreides Battle Language.”


(I treat Celestial, Abyssal, and Infernal as the minor dialects of the same language “Supernal”, that is understood and spoken equally well by all of those creature types).


Feats

I guess we’re getting gated and chained feats again? Did that work out well before? I’m skeptical but I’m not that bothered either.


“Tavern Brawler” caught my eye though. That’s a flavorful name for what is “Better Unarmed Fighting + Furniture Counts as Club for You”. Furniture should count as club for everyone. And since that is a Simple Weapon, everyone’s proficient (at least all classes are). So it probably needs something to sweeten it up to be feat-worthy, but I’m not going to fix that now. 


The thing I like is that you could have different Feats that are different types of Unarmed Combat improvements. They could be Punching & Wrestling, or different forms of martial arts. Hand-to-hand combat stuff well short of becoming a Monk. And then, let your hands, feet, and head count as a weapon for making an Bonus Action “off hand” attack.  (Or maybe that should be a feature for Fighters?)


“D20 Test”

Nat 1 Always fails? Sure.

Nat 20 Always succeeds? Welllllll: always hits in combat, Yes. Always on Saving Throw or Skill Check? I don’t think so. I think it is straightforward to say “Natural 20 Always Critical Hits, But Doesn’t Always Succeed.” Too many edge cases for where you just need enough rolls to get that 20 to show up to do something which ought to be impossible for some characters but as worded will definitely be achieved eventually by any character. To address that you’d need to say this or that is impossible if your strength is under 18, and other things like that.


My Critical Hit Formula:

Double the number of dice to be rolled, but max out the value of one die.

Examples: (Weapon) + (Str Mod)

Normal: 1d8 + 4 | Critical: 1d8 + (8) + 4

Normal:2d4 | Critical: 3d4 + 4

Also applies to Sneak Attack: (Dagger) + (Sneak Attack) + (Dex Mod)

Normal: 1d6 + 2d6 + 2 | Critical: 2d6 + 4d6 +2 = 1d6 + 6 + 3d6 + 6 +2 = 4d6 + 14


My Critical Fumbles since we’re at it:

Roll 1d20

  • 1 Strike self

  • 2 Strike ally (if possible), else self

  • 3-5 Minor injury to self or weapon

    • limited movement, 

    • fall prone, 

    • AC lowered for one round, 

    • advantage to opponents,

    • break bow string, head slips off mace, bend sword, etc/)

  • 6-9 Drop/throw weapon

  • 10-12 Drop/damage other item (shield, helmet, backpack)

  • 13-20 Just a miss


Roll a Nat 20 get Inspiration? No.

Idea from someone: Roll a Nat 1, get Inspiration to use on a subsequent roll (not the immediate one)? Very interesting.


Unarmed Strike Options:

If you hit, you can choose to make it a Grapple that succeeds. Hmm. Target can only avoid it by not getting hit. With the same roll against Armor Class. . . . Plate Mail makes you harder to be grappled? Eh, I think that’s a problem.


If you’re Grappled: Grapple them back. Then neither of you can move? Or each of you can move the other, slowly, on your turn so it’s a back and forth? That actually seems a bit realistic?

Edge case, if you try to move or carry target over a 1000’ cliff ledge and drop them (which should be a free action), there should be a saving throw or something? Maybe eat the target’s Reaction to resist?


The grapple contest made sense to me - the target might just too wiley to get ahold of. I’ve - shall we say “encountered” such people - have even been such a person once or twice. I don’t think the streamling is worth the change here.


Hey, maybe Tavern Brawler gets Advantage on Grappling?


(I also wouldn’t mind if Grapple, which isn’t the best choice of phrase not that I have something better, was something that could be advanced in the way that older editions had a bit, but streamlined and more elegant. “Grapple” just stops you from being able to move away from the grappler. You can still attack that person without disadvantage. So they might be stepping on your foot, have a tight grip on your shirt or cape. That sounds like Step 1 to me. Step 2 is I have options. Maybe disarm you? Maybe take some equipment off you, such as your backpack, or your arcane focus? Maybe Restrain you so that now it’s easier for my friends to start hitting you - you know, like in a Tavern Brawl (according to the movies). Or maybe I take you prone (though would have to go with you unless I’m a size bigger maybe).


You can try to escape. You could also try to get back to Step 1, which should be easier than full escape. But, if I, the grappler, gets to Step 3 - - things are now bad. You’re in the Octagon and you are losing, quickly. Now’s the time to burn inspiration if you haven’t already. It’s Choke Hold time. Or maybe I can choose to break the limb(s) I have a hold of (see Hoyce Gracie).


Tedious? Maybe. Dramatic potential? High. Option to win without killing? Nice. Something to do to players that is short of killing a PC? I think that’s a win. Likelihood of being relevant? Depends on your campaign world.


Inspiration

Always lose it at the start of a Long Rest? Perfect for the Long-Rest-Interrupting-DM!


Re-Categorizing Magic.

Instead of Class lists: Three (for now) categories: 

  • Arcane: Wizard, Bard, Warlock, Sorcerer
  • Diving: Cleric, Paladin
  • Primal: Druid, Ranger

I support bringing back the Druid list as something separate from Cleric. I’m also very much for removing Cure Wounds from Bards. (I’m also for removing Bards in any form since 1E, and I say that as someone who used to play bards a lot).


We’ll have to see how this shakes out for spells beyond first level - Bards with full access to Wizards’ nuking spells is not interesting to me.


Backgrounds

It’s like they’ve taken a half-step to making this really more generic systematically but need to go further, to me.


It gives you:

  • Stat boosts anywhere you like (but not the same): a +2 and a +1 OR three +1s.
  • Two Skill Proficiencies
  • One Tool Proficiency
  • One Language
  • One 1st Level Feat
  • Equipment

I appreciate that they say Build Your Own, please. Do that. But the Samples - we know people are mostly going to use the Samples, they just are. Think about how this is presented to the player. And the samples are contextual - they start to connect to the campaign setting. I think if you break parts of this up further, you might actually be able to do that better, and server character customization better too.


Let’s look at the sample Soldier


SOLDIER

Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation

Tool Proficiency: Gaming Set* (one of your

choice)

Language: Goblin

Feat: Savage Attacker

You began training for war at such an early age that you carry only a precious few memories of what life was like before you took up arms. Battle is in your blood. Sometimes you catch yourself reflexively performing the basic fighting exercises you learned as a youth. Eventually, you put that training to use on the battlefield, protecting the realm by waging war and studying the strategies of goblinoid generals.


Regardless of intent, this will become all Soldiers speak Goblin, got +2 Strength and have Savage Attacker, etc. That’s actually kind of useful to a DM where NPCs have this much stuff going on.


But what if we strip that down? The Soldier background should be contextual. The body text talks about “goblinoid generals” so this sample Soldier was in the anti-goblin army. Ask, what are the things that all soldiers would have, or Foo Army soldiers have? Like requirements that if you don’t have, well, you didn’t make it through training?  Light Armor proficiency? Proficiency with a couple of martial weapons and armor, say Spear and Shield? (Your Army May Vary). Should all of the Foo Army get +2 Strength? No. Speak Goblin? No. Get the same feat? No.


FOO ARMY SOLDIER

Ability Scores:  not part of Background

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, <Skill of Choice or from suggested list>

Tool Proficiency: <Tool of Choice>

Language: <Setting Dependent, Ask your DM> (Or another Tool Proficiency)

Feat: <Feat of Choice, or from suggested list>

Whether you volunteered or were conscripted you served in the Foo army against the dreaded forces of Bar. The training made sure you met their minimum standards for fitness, but beyond that, in this large army, there’s a role for almost everyone. Maybe your other duties including cooking? Or perhaps a talent with pen and ink had you assisting with making maps? Perhaps you were a scout. You might even have entertained your compatriots around the campfire with the Musician feat. Any creatures child will do if the Great Army of Foo.


Thoughts and discussions with others along these lines got me thinking about how much presentation could matter and be improved to help players get invested in the system along with the flexibility in character creation. And I’m not creating this from whole cloth - Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide has this. 


Might be spinning my wheels here, but next time I start a new campaign, or add a new party to the existing one, I want to present the players with contextual background options - and if it’s the new D&D, with the ability scores and probably feats disconnected from them, and just part of character origin.


Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Blackrazor Incarnate - White Alternate Timeline No. 9

 White Plume Mountain - Alternate Timeline No. 9


The Cast

  • No. 9 is a flesh golem controlled by Fil

  • Fil is a bard

  • Ctenmiir is a vampire dwarf

  • Mullin is a barbarian and charmed by Ctenmiir

  • Navillus is a ranger who has been bitten twice and had his life drained: he is down from 63 hp to 15 of a decreased maximum of 26,

  • Haukur is a pompous dwarven prince (fighter) who has been bitten and is at 0 hit points.

  • The D-Team are a squad doing their “national service” and is comprised of dwarves and a couple of gnomes. They guard the entrance to White Plume Mountain with additional provisions and equipment.


Fil orders No. 9 to attack Ctenmiir the vampire, but is somewhat vague about the particulars. Mullin is adjacent. No. 9 rips Blackrazor from Mullin's back and - BWWWWAAAAAAAMMMMM - Blackrazor Incarnate stands before you. Given human (golem) form, the sentient entity who exists only to hunt and devour souls realizes the full potential of its powers and immediately attempts to strike down all. It Hastes itself for additional actions. 


One by one, the heroes fall and Blackrazor becomes stronger, much much stronger.


It is a living weapon, striking with +3 to attack and damage (+10 to hit, +7 to damage). It speaks telepathically, you cannot hide from it. It would strike down Navillus and consume his soul, which could only be restored with a Wish spell, and would gain its victims maximum hit points as fresh health. Then Haukur. And so on, leaving Ctenmiir alone and his ally, Mullin Stonehand, to the end. Ctenmiir would flee commanding Mullin to slow the soul-sucking sword.


The D-team, guarding the entrance, sees a large, pale flesh golem, with glowing pupil-less eyes stride forward. Several would die but the rest would likely scatter to a safe distance and observe as Blackrazor Incarnate strides purposefully away to the southwest.


Thinking the danger past, the surviving D-team members return to the entrance and their fox holes, only to find Ctenmiir waiting for them.


Saturday, June 29, 2019

Spell: Skipping Stones

Skipping Stones

  • Level; 1
  • Casting Time: 1 Action
  • Range: 120'
  • Components: S, M (a rock suitable for skipping on water, one smooth face)
  • Duration: Instantaneous.
  • Casters: Druid, Ranger, Wizard
  • Damage/Effect: Bludgeoning
  • School/Domain: Transmutation, Nature

You touch two stones or rocks, no larger than your hand. You can make two ranged spell attacks (one for each stone) by throwing it to skip across a liquid surface (such as a pond) in line with the target. On a hit , the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 1d8+2 per stone that hits. Hit or miss, the spell ends on the stone.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

DARC Domains - Organizations

Here's a list of probable powers that is deliberately vague - some of these are NPCs, but might be taken over by players.

Domains/Powers

  • Feudal-type Powers:
    • Norman-analog power
    • NW European-analog power
    • Middle-Eastern analog power
  • Independent/Economic Powers
    • Mercenary/Freebooter/Pirates: x3
    • School of Wizardry
    • Thieve's Guild x2
    • Viking Clan
    • Dwarf Clan
    • High Elf Enclave
  • Religious:
    • Religious Military Order
    • Druid Order
    • Independent Religious Order
  • TBD:
    • 3

Background Material:

I'm putting together background material and a map (mostly cleaning up what I've already done) and I'll start talking to individuals about their domains and nailing these down quickly.


Two main divisions: The Concord (European analog), The Adanir (Middle and Near East analog). In between is the former nation of Enlazar, now the fallen Grand Duchy of Brillanta, where our action will primarily take place.

Cairdeas is the large Concord kingdom to the right, with the Marquisate of Kolo between it and Enlazar. On the left is the Sultanate of Qopan. Within the Enlazar region were the viscounties of Brance, Sebrook, Maford, and Brillanta; the Principality of Kirkon is a small religious area, rumored to be the location of where Tarshim slew the God of Chains. 24 mile (vertical) hexes.

Kolo is now the biggest, most happening city of the East, with a flavor somewhere between Venice and Istanbul. There is a similar city in the West that I haven't named yet.

Maps and Nations

I've detailed more about the countries around here.

Very open to changing or adding things based on your interest.

Rules
I've tentatively decided on using An Echo Resounding: A Sourcebook for Lordship and War (you do NOT need to get a copy, I'm probably going to tweak some things and use some other systems too).

What I'm calling Feudal type players will probably start as unlanded "Counts", with a claim to a county-level territory (by law or by strength), and some level of resources to pursue that. Using the simple tiers of King/Queen > Duke > Count > Baron. (There are some Viscounts, and Viscounties, and a Marquessa, but these are special cases for the history in my head).

Independent powers will have similar levels of resources but more variable, magic academies and thieve's guilds don't typically put formations of light infantry in the field.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Cave Poem

A horrible poem to give my players.

The cave is safety,
          Safe from storm and sun.
The cave is danger,
          Countless threats unknown.
The cave is myst'ry,
          Treasures lost and won.
The cave is ancient,
          A portal in stone.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Historical Dragon Notes

Just some quick copy-and-paste notes for myself (mostly from wiki probably) on European Dragons.

  • Wiki on European dragon 
  • Wales: Red Dragon dominates it when awake. 
  • Saxons: White Dragon? 
  • Saint_George_and_the_Dragon. Selinus/Silene (idolatrous emperor of Lasia (a city in what would be Libya) - daughter Sabra to be sacrificed to poisonous Dragon, rescued by St. George) 
  •  Golden Dragon of Wessex: Sigurd kills a dragon (Fafnir was changed into a dragon by a ring): Andvaranaut 
  • Landvættir: the benevolent dragon with whom King Harald Bluetooth's servant met in Vopnafjörður according to Heimskringla, and also depicted on the Icelandic Coat of Arms. 
  • Melusine (serpent- or fish-woman from the Low Countries?)
  • he most famous Polish dragon (Polish: Smok) is the Wawel Dragon or Smok Wawelski, the Dragon of Wawel Hill. It supposedly terrorized ancient Kraków and lived in caves on the Vistula river bank below the Wawel castle. 
  • Cuélebre, or Cuelebre, a giant winged serpent in the mythology of Asturias and Cantabria in the north of Spain 
  • Herensuge is the name given to the dragon in Basque mythology, meaning "last serpent". For instance, the first bishop of the city of Forlì, Saint Mercurialis, was said to have killed a dragon and saved Forlì.
  • Likewise, the first patron saint of Venice, Saint Theodore of Tyro, was a dragon-slayer, and a statue representing his slaying of the dragon still tops one of the two columns in St. Mark's square. 
  • St. Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers, is also frequently depicted slaying a dragon. 
  •  One of the most famous dragons of Italian folklore is Thyrus, a wyvern that besieged Terni in the Middle Ages.
  • St. Margaret of Antioch killed one from the inside 
  • St. Gildas (lot of various notes here including etymology)