FUCK WAYFARERS.

It's old news. I've got an idea for a better game with a new fantasy market to tap.

Take a look.

Mark

2008-03-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Version 6.7 is up on the account. Still working on some of your edits, Rob.

Mark

2008-03-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Just finished a ridiculous amount of formatting. Silly things like table shading and underlining, stuff that needed to be tweaked for the layout.

I'll post v6.6 to didfactory after I write this.

Some things:

Rob, you need to fix the WoN priest domains. Primary is 1 domain, Secondary is 2, and Tertiary is 3. Alternately, priests get all circles of 2 domains. -No priest can cast from all.

I'll add oozes to the random determination today.

Ed and I were talking last night about the game. He mentioned a bit of worry about the lethality of combat. Admittedly, it is a bit harsher than D&D. However, spell damage is scaled down a bit.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about health points, which are a bit anemic.

In short, I changed the auto heath point/level thing.

Instead of: 2nd-9th: 2/level, 10th+: 1/level

it is now like this:

Table 2.1.11: Skill points

Total skill points earned	Skill level achieved	Ability points earned	Proficieny points earned	Health points earned
-	1	-	-	-
20	2	12	8	3
40	3	13	7	3
60	4	14	6	3
80	5	15	5	3
100	6	16	4	2
120	7	17	3	2
140	8	18	2	2
160	9	19	1	2
180	10	20	-	1
200	11	20	-	1
220	12	20	-	1
240	13	20	-	1
260*	14	20†	-	0‡

The setting stuff looks great so far. However, there is an issue which I feel needs to be addressed-

Namely, just how much of this stuff do players need to know in order to go on adventures in this world? A lot of RPGs these days invest so much time in creating detailed settings in order to fascillitate "shared experience" and "good role-playing" that the setting becomes completely unrelatable to anyone who hasn't read every damn sourcebook and novel and whatnot (Planescape and Exalted, I'm looking at you).

I agree with Mark that the setting info needs to be a little more broken up and compartmentalized- Out of that huge chunk on Thenzor's Deep, I saw a lot of cool stuff, but didn't really have time to catch my breath in between things. I have a vague impression of the cool stuff there- the cult which kills/buries/ressurects its holy people, the cavern with the magic gems, but what really sticks in my mind are the Arcanos-- the last thing to be mentioned. Maybe it should be more like a glossary- just say they worship the Arcanos (q. v.). The GM can look them up if and when necessary.

This really isn't a problem if you expect GMs to ignore lots/most of this stuff, but it all seems pretty heavily integrated. I'm wary of that, both as a GM who has tried to run overly developed settings and as a player who has tried to play in them. Still awesome though.

Hey Mark- mind if I look at the mechanics? I think blogger will let you send email to me through my profile, but otherwise I can just post my AOL address here. It gets enough spam anyway.

I don't mind if you'd rather keep this thing under wraps for now, as we've never met and all, but I can offer some good critique as the sort of kid who's actually going to be buying and playing this sort of thing. Let me know if you need help playtesting the rules, I'd be into that.

Mark.

2008-02-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Blood-water, Gaea-Earth. -That's fine. We'll lay it out when you get here.

The ritual spheres and deck of cards was a pleasant surprise. Thanks.

Like I said, feel free to add to the item or creature lists. Leave the table adjustments to me on the master copy. I know you had a little problem using 'relics' for all religious items, but I hate to do a 'misc. magic' instead of artifacts. The Faith and Hermetic item creation spells play in to this.

As for PC races, you don't need to include them all. Really. Especially the optional races. Those are just examples of how the GM might want to convert creatures to PCs, or make up entirely new ones. -I'll make that clear in the section.

As for monsters and skillz, I think a small discussion of bringing monsters into PC/NPC status is enough. One of the biggest complaints I hear about contemporary DnD is the slow speed of combat, and the complexity of monsters. -I don't want to have to think about one of my 10 attacking kobolds doing a greatstrike/vital strike. I want a GM to be able to make an extraordinary kobold into an NPC if he wishes, but have a average kobold template to run with. -Part of the spirit of Wayfarers is freedom for the GM to fuck with things. I want to make this very clear.

Speaking of clarity, don't feel a need to explain everything. Especially the poems and things. It's cool when there is obviously more going on behind the scenes than you are privy to. It gets the imagination going.

Town, landmark, region sounds good to me.

The only other resources I can think of are:
Artistic schools
Trade (bazaars, etc)
Tourism (probably not so Narbohring... La Badlandza! So nice!)

Lions, cougars, tigers etc, are together under 'cats', but that Boruta is a freaky unnatural thing. It's got 4 eyes for Christ's sake! It's a freak! -I can't do that to the noble lion.

Do up the dopplegangers if you wish. It sounds cool to me. If not, I'll get to it.

Some name confusion and mystery are a good thing. -Don't feel a need to spell everything out. Really. I've got some thoughts along those lines about modules. I think they were way too explicit. A GM just wants some good stuff to steal and mold to his own purpose. I'd much rather get a new name or a cool new item rather than the dimensions of a church. Storytelling and creativity. We assume the reader is as smart as we are, and uses the game as we would. -That's the spirit of Wayfarers. I want to make the reader understand this.

Rob

2008-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, here's what I'm thinking:

About the planes, sounds good. Mainly, the planes should be a place where things come from, not a place the PCs go to. If you guys recall, you always hated the planes, and spent most of your time trying to come back. The exceptions were when it was basically just a crazier kind of dungeon than the normal world could realistically offer. That's why Petrarch's crypt is in the 'Dream realms'. I think that having them be plural- not the Blood realm, but the Blood Realms, is an important distinction.

How about shifting the elemental associations though? Gaea is earth to me, and Blood is water. Zhol is the god of death and the sea in Narbohring, and besides the hell = fire thing is sort of old fashioned, eh? Stitch is fire and Dreams air.

Kind of nice how the Ritual magic domains mapped onto playing card suits, eh? Honestly, I thought you designed it like that on purpose, and I was trying to make it a bit more obvious to new GMs.

I'll add a note to the guide that says that alchemists are not necessarily Guild Alchemists and vice-versa.

Agreed about adding some of the items to the main text. You've got a list of 'normal' magic items, shit like Magic Rope, which I really like. I started to change the names, but realized it was better if the list was entirely generically named. The artifacts and relics, on the other hand, will require a big overhaul and will need to be re-alphabetically ordered. I'll start revising those.

Likewise, agreed about monsters- some of them (the special demons, conjuring eyes) should be in the Narbohring section. I'll add others to the main listing.

Despite what the intro said, I'm now going through and giving statistics of population size, religious makeup, and the major leaders for all the towns. Also adding lists of typical and rare monsters for each region of the world. Kind of dull, but I'll try adding some flavor where possible. After that, I'll go back through the whole thing, and add some GM suggestions.

Finally, yeah, 'Wayfarers' as the name has grown on me.

...

Questions that I want to discuss with you guys this weekend:

Races. Right now I don't have elves, gnomes, or harkumen in the world. What do you think about that? I feel somewhat obliged to have everything in the system, somewhere in here to show how it can be used. I do have, e.g., a gremlin mage, which makes me wonder why some races (ogres, ratkin) are possible but others aren't. If you can be an ogre, why not an ifreet? Or really, why doesn't the system support giving ifreet some Hedge circles or a level of Armor Use? I'm wondering if we want to add a couple sentences about character-making to those monsters for which it makes sense.

World descriptions. This one is pretty academic. The guide is organized geographically, and items, stories, dungeons and NPCs are all linked under major areas of interest.

Here's an example city descriptor:

Thenzor Deep: (THEN-zor) Major city and landmark (underground shrine); moderate to very high difficulty (levels 7+). Population: 40,000, (2,000 in Thenzor village); 76% human, 12% orc, 2% dwarf, 2% ogre, 10% misc. Resources: very wealthy, very high magical and technological levels; mining (most precious and heavy metals), metalworking, stonecraft, libraries, military and magical academies. Religion: Duuran, Aguierre, Thainist, Ixian, Xeres, Typhon. Guilds: Alchemists, Slavers. Government: uncaring; militaristic control by House Maxinay, led by Martin Zhennovich von Maxinay (17^th level human, 7^th Circle Hermetic), well-trained army of 2,000.

I've divided all areas into three types: Town, landmark, or region. Towns get divided into castles, villages, and cities. Landmarks have a short descriptive phrase and, as they're usually the dungeons, the suggested challenge level. Do those three classifiers cover it? Or have I missed something?

Then I've got the population, with the largest city having around 100,000 people and the smallest villages having around 20-100. I've got the rough percentage makeup of town, so far with no elves, gnomes, or harkumen (who also aren't in the monster list). Do those town sizes seem realistic? So far humans are dominant, orcs are around 10%, and dwarves 1%, given that as of now, they're basically a slave race of the ogres. That was an arbitrary decision, let me know what you think.

Resource descriptions has given me the most trouble, I start out with a general indication of the upper wealth level: very poor, poor, modestly wealthy, wealthy, very wealthy, or extremely wealthy. Then the tech level available for magic and equipment: low, moderate, high or very high, with magic and tech considered separately (the same here in Thenzor). Then a listing of the big resources around town. Ugh. I didn't want to list every fucking thing, so even if there's a cheese shop in town, I don't say 'cheese' in the list. If the cheese is especially notable, I'll include that in the flavor text. Here's the stuff:
mining (precious and/or heavy metals)
metalworking
stoneworking
woodworking
clothmaking
shipbuilding
agriculture and/or husbandry
libaries
magical and/or military academies

Have I missed anything major?

Religion is next, with a listing of the main temples available. Still struggling if a temple is secret or not, is it listed... right now, I'm saying yes, and if it's a big deal I'll also describe it in the text. The order here is the order of prominence in town.

Guilds is easy enough- which Guilds (of the big four) are in town.

Finally, government. A simple descriptor of how fascist the town is: uncaring, relaxed, strict, oppressive, violent. Who's in charge. Not everyone is an arch-mage king you'll be glad to know, Thenzor's just like that. The general form of government: democratic, oligarchical, militaristic, monarchical, despotic. Have I missed anything? Then the military: well-trained, trained, or untrained, militia, army, navy, how many. Again, I'm just making up arbitrary numbers here.

...

Okay, other things: Mark, I think lions, tigers, boruta, etc should all be classified under 'big cats' or something in the listing.

I think that doppelgangers can use weapons, but steal stat points with their touch attack- 1d6: 1-5 one point off a random stat, 6 one grade of a random prof or ability. They slowly morph into who they're attacking that way. Stat pts and abilities come back only when the doppelganger is killed, at a rate of one per day.

Finally, should everything be explained, to make the weirder stuff in the world totally transparent and obvious? I kind of like some mystery, but it could also be annoying to just say something like 'it is rumored that Slath is still a virgin, but no one knows for sure'. On the other hand, explaining everything (such as the poems and paintings in Petrarch's tomb) can make everything seem just-so, insipid, and mundane.

I'm having some things with the same name (e.g., right now there are two Barrowsreichs) on purpose, for one because duplicity and recurrence is the main theme of Narbohring, two because in terms of the game, it makes it easier for the GM to control the story, the PCs and their information about the world, and three because that's how the world really is- how many fucking Newports and Tom Browns are there on earth?

Anyway, think about it; opinions from anyone welcome.

Mark.

2008-02-11T06:45:00.000-08:00

Rob,

I'm awake. To expand upon the edits I sent you last night, I think the background is fantastic. As mentioned it could use a few more smatterings of GM advice to break it up here and there. I think the incorporation of the system creatures and mechanics so far is very good. -Now we can take it the other way, and tweak the system a bit.

I think you mentioned having Narbohring-specific creatures/items in the setting, but I think it would be good to add at least the most universal of these to the main text. Thus, the Book of Bad Dreams might be best to stay in the setting alone, but something like the Cloak of Blades or Hammer of Storms could fit in the system. A little bleed over would be good.

I’ve changed shamans to druids and theurgists to alchemists. I like it.

After reading through the setting, I think the name ‘Wayfarers’ is actually pretty apt. –It’s got a slight desperation or darkness about it in addition to the explorer/adventure connotations.

As for the planes and such, I want to keep the idea of Tellurian planes, but like you suggest, outer planes based on the 4 ritual spheres is a great idea. I’m not sure what you are thinking exactly, but I was on the notion of something like:

Dreams: Angels, Archons, jinn, air weird paradise-like, surreal or quiet

Gaea: Deva, marid, Lush, Nirvana-like, water

Blood: Devils, fire, infernalism, ifrit

Stitch: Demons, waste, abyss, constructs, earth

Here, the elements are wrapped into the outer-planes. They could be the glue or ether between them. Like the planes of dreams are set within an air-like ether, planes of blood within fire. The planes themselves don’t have to defined by them, just influenced.

Then you get something like:

Tellurian encompassed by astral
Dreams encompassed by air
Blood encompassed by fire
Gaea encompassed by water
Stitch encompassed by earth

However, the elemental stuff could be less literally defined.

Ok. I’ve got to do some science.

Mark.

2008-02-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm still reading. There's a lot here.

I have cat people? I fucking hate cat people. Tell me where. I can't believe I'd do that. -It has been going on 2 years, however.

I'll get back with comments, etc. Tonight I hope.

BTW, the writing is much better than you suggest. I'm making notes, but they are sparse.

Narbohring

2008-02-10T03:37:00.000-08:00

So, the first draft of the Narbohring guide for the system is done. While all the possibly interested parties have been emailed, if you want to see the word doc or the pdf, just log onto didfactory@gmail.com. Email Mark or me if you want the password, as it's really Mark's thing and I'll let him regulate access. Also happy to email the damn file directly if that's more convenient.

Anyway, version 1 has a number of errors, mistakes, and cheesy writing that I'm trying to correct. Also, while I think there's enough weird mystical and magical shit going on, there's not enough suggestions for political intrigue and small-stakes kind of adventures. Trying to add that now.

Also trying to make it more GM friendly. There's a lot of stuff in Wayfarers that doesn't jive with Narbohring, and I was also at a loss on the demon and monster front. I'm not a huge fan of cat and dog people, and artifacts named after Egyptian gods. I'm cool with that being in Mark's giant sourcebook, because if you want to play a catman pharoah, well here's the game for you. But it just ain't Narbohring. Hell, I didn't even have dwarves or elves, which I hate about as much as Mark hates airships. Why does every fantasy world have to have forest-dwelling fags and mountain-dwelling white trash? It's more derivative that dy/dx. No offense Mark; again, it just ain't part of the world I wanted to provide.

I'm also going to codify cities and dungeons better- have stats for population size, governement and resources, and suggest the challenge level of the violent places.

I'd like to say I'm open to suggestions about what to put in, but the truth is that I'm pretty picky about how this thing looks. More important, if any of you care and have time, is to read it and tell me what is cheesy, stupid, or incoherent. If I've been a good GM at all, it's in large part due to you players who quickly and loudly bitched or bitch-slapped me when something just wasn't right.

Anyway, version 2 should have:
-changes to the historical intro, as some of that writing is just repetitive and atrocious
-GM's section on suggested house-rules for Narbohring
-stats for each city
-a lower-level dungeon description in the style of Petrarch's crypt

Specific questions I have:
-we have a bunch of named spells in the spell lists, Fess's this and Nael's that. In a couple places, I've added those NPCs into the world... good idea? Or should some shit like that be left unspecified?
-I'm too close to it: is the whole demon-archon-Duuran-Aprill clone thing retarded? I'm going for poetic/bizarre. I just don't want it to be too cliche.

Also, there will be a map. Hopefully, a nice professional quality one.

Mark

2008-02-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Excellent stuff. -That's crazy rich.

Are the Duurans explained in any place specifically? It's just not clear what they are. -Never mind, I'll wait until you've finished rather than you have to explain things in the works.

As for the general nature of it, I think it's extremely good. There are going to be a few example characters in the book. Some of them should be from the Narbohring setting. Vox Ebeneezer might need to be higher than 10th. I think 5-6th circle is the best he could do at that point. Maybe 13-14th level?

Tie-ins to the rules, creatures and items are great.

After the setting is complete, perhaps we should commission a couple of illustrations specifically for the setting section. Possibly a rendering of Threnzor deep, etc. We should definitely get a good map, too.

...

One thought I had last night: As it stands, the system allows you to build NPCs that can be high level, but have little martial skill. For example, you could make a sage that has crazy knowledge proficiency skills, but little to no combat potential. (i.e. he just pumps his APs into Proficiency skills) It's not a big deal, but it is something that bothered me about D&D. Experience always meant improving saves, THACO, hps, etc. However, some NPCs should be very uneven. Here you can make a 11th level NPC that's basically a 1st level mundane, but maybe he has some crazy magic resistance or willpower or something like that.

Basically, what I am getting at is that you can imagine an NPC personality, and pretty much make it happen, regardless of how quirky it is. I guess that's the upshot of most skill systems.

BTW, the GM section has skill cost matrices to make NPC creation easy. (For example, Weapon Mastery I, II and III costs 36sp straight-up) Also, NPCs aren't tied down to the "improving an ability skill only once per level" as PCs are. -It allows for much quicker NPC generation, some GM fiat, and quirkier personalities. The difference in NPC/PC possibilities isn't huge, however. It just reflects the fact that NPCs don't need to be so practical in their advancement.

...

I made a fun Hedge spell last night: Simulation. It temporarily makes an individual illusory. As a result, the individual's attacks and spells may be disbelieved. -Oof.

Rob

2008-02-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

So, Narbohring is coming along pretty well. It's up to 42 pages, and I'm guessing it'll hit 50-60 by the time it's done. Basically it's an encyclopedia of different places, showcasing some names and magic items. It's Sarpagal, but with a few additions and a name change because 'Sarpagal' ripped off Might and Magic's 'Sorpigal'.

Here are two example entries:

Longiron Road: The Longiron is the ruined remains of a prototype railroad that ran between Bludszech, Thenzor Deep, and ruined citadels in the north. Originally known as the Kray-Gauntre Rail-Line, it was built by House Kray for moving ores out of the rich deposits down to the smeltering operations in Bludszech and the Deep, and traveling across the Ered Wastes to Szondarch. The Rail-Line was in partial operation, but with the Fall of Irendor and constant raids from Andukar goblin- and giant-kin, the whole operation was dropped. Much of the Longiron Road remains though- parts have been picked clean and overgrown with wildlife, but sections of railroad are intact in places, as are abandoned rail carts and engines.

Near the border between Armech and the Ered Wastes is a ruined station-stop and switching point once called Brennoch. Brennoch is now a miniature ghost-town, just a few empty buildings, including a loading crane for moving crates from cars on one line to another. Brennoch is home to a crazed Ordog (a Lesser Devil with animal shape-shifting abilities) that believes itself to be a Duuran druid named Renald Ossiter. Additionally, one of the intact cranes has been taken over by a Spirit-of-the-Land, a malicious animistic possessive spirit (treat as a Lesser Golem, per the 6^th circle spell) that will attack newcomers with two supply hooks attached to movable winches. Ossiter may warn or aid friendly-seeming strangers, join with the spirit-of-the-land, or simply watch and laugh. Notably, the section of track from Brennoch into the Wastes might still be workable for several leagues, with some clever engineering.

Some sections of the Longiron are in fact still in use, such as a stretch not far from Brennoch, between the bordertown of Tzalborg and a set of ice caves called Lhondoss. Tzalborg is one of a few small independent city-states that eke out survival just beyond the patrolled borders of Armech (although there is some friction between the border militias and these encampments). Tzalborg is set within the crumbling walls of an old stone citadel. The line is operated by three orcs calling themselves the Tzalborg Engine, and runs through a tunnel into the Wastes, to the oasis village of Sunday. Another section of the line goes underground, usually not in operation, runs along an underground stream and ends deeper in the mountains at a series of ice caves called Lhondoss, not far from Venoshua. The presence of ice and crystals makes this an attractive site for some of Tzalborg’s braver sorts, but most of Lhondoss is sealed by Duuran wards (including an Oread Ice Nymph named Laana), as this was once an watchpost of the Vox Duur against the suspected evils of Venoshua.

Venoshua is not part of Armech proper, but is found in the northeastern reaches of the Valstach mountains. Venoshua is a citadel of ice, built into an extensive series of caverns and tunnels within the mountain, and was one of the first strongholds of the Church of Winter after they left the Vox Duur. It remains a small Breyanic enclave, under the Abbot of Venoshua, an enormously fat frog-like T’suggha demon, and his companion, Sister Betca. Betca was formerly a Knight of Aguierre, now turned to the Church.

and:

Thenzor Deep: Thenzor Deep, the third city of Armech, is a massive underground city and mining complex, dating from the earliest days of Irendor. Thenzor Deep has long been controlled by two Great Houses, Zouthan and Maxinay, and their descendents continue to plot against each other in modern Armech. Thenzor Deep is on the shores of Lake Thorass, called the Lake of Spires for the tall natural rock formations, and is extremely murky and deep. Just outside the huge cliff-side cave opening is a village and warehouse complex called Thenzor. Most citizens live underground though; ‘Deep’ refers not to the depths of the lake, but the depths of the mines and caverns below. Generations have lived in the caverns below, and members of some of Thenzor’s long-standing families look a bit different- slightly larger heads and eyes, and skin tones tinged with gray or pale blue.

The first three underlevels comprise the city itself, a sprawling, almost unmappable place full of grime, corruption, and ancient goods and money. In the center of the first main level is a tall clocktower that serves to regulate light-dark cycles in the city through magical means. Next door is the Deep’s most popular inn, also called The Clocktower, a sprawling multi-leveled establishment. Just about anyone or anything can be found in Thenzor Deep, for trade, sale, or other means of procurement. The rest of the main underlevels- ten in total- are sealed off by the Houses for mining and exploration purposes. While dark things can be found beneath, the Houses try to tightly control who comes and goes from their mines. One large shaft, the Elevator, descends all the way to the bottom, but this is guarded by an army of House soldiers. Other, smaller elevators and passageways connect various levels, some on the maps and some hidden.

The Guild of Optics is one of the more unusual organizations to get their start in Thenzor Deep. The ‘Guild’ is an international collection of tradesmen, nominally interested in optical supplies- lenscrafting, mirror construction, and fine metalwork. The Opticians pursue a number of scientific interests, in physics, materials, astronomy, perception, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. However, the tradework done is mainly a front for the magical investigations and mystical beliefs of the Opticians. The Guild focuses on necromancy, infernalism, and divination. This reflects the interests of the current Guildmaster, Edrac Reeves, who as a younger man, tried to make himself immortal through strange magic. He succeeded, and now as an old man, falling apart and thoroughly disenchanted with immortality, he has members of the Guild searching across Narbohring to find some way to allow him to die.

These interests of the Guild have led them towards the cult of Breyana, although the Guild itself is strictly nonreligious, and thus the Opticians have been violently attacked by the Vox Duur and the Ixians in times past. The Guild is also on bad terms with other groups doing similar kinds of research, i.e., the Bone Trade and College of Names. For these and other reasons, members of the Guild tend to be extremely paranoid about being discovered as magicians. Membership to the Guild of Optics is quite exclusive, usually by invitation only to magicians of the highest intelligence and with similar philosophical outlooks. Once a Guildsman, though, members enjoy a number of privileges, including access to the Guild’s extensive library of magical and scientific research: members gain a +1 bonus to skill checks for arcane or knowledge skills. Additionally, a few members of the Guild who are practitioners of Hermetic magic have worked out an elaborate acupuncture-based system for spell memorization, in order to forego the use of spellbooks (which would invariably reveal them as casters to their enemies). Guildsmen indoctrinated into this system of meditation- and pain-based spell storage can spend one skill point per spell to encode that spell permanently within their body (spell casting and daily memorization, though, remains the same- this simply allows the Guildsman to not need a spellbook for that spell). It takes one day per circle to encode a spell in this fashion, and a Guildsman can have as many spells encoded in their body up to their Endurance score.

Level Five of the Deep contains a mining facility using undead workers. Referred to only as Level 5B, the Lich Vox Ebeneezer (10^th skill level) oversees not only the mining operations but also the acquisition of new workers, using corpses obtained from the Slavers Guild or other more nefarious means. Vox Ebeneezer’s operation is strictly financial.

Found in Level Seven of Thenzor Deep is a large crystal-filled cavern, Maerswinter. The crystals of Maerswinter are resonant in the range of humanoid voices, and thus they produce otherworldly sounds when loud speech or singing is nearby. Maerswinter once housed a lavish theatre in the First Era, but the theatre has not been used since the lower levels of Thenzor were sealed to the public. A side-chamber in Maerswinter was later used by the Duurans as a means of entry and exit to the depths of Thenzor: when the correct piece of music is sung in front of a certain sheet of crystal, a portal opens to part of the Ether which appears as a small quaint cottage floating in the void. Access to other parts of Narbohring have since been sealed, but other portals within the cottage lead to two bizarre pocket dimensions, the Age of Glass and the Age of Bronze, beyond which lies the Crypt of Petrarch, the greatest of the Duuran hierophants who is now a somewhat bored and deranged Lich. The Age of Glass seems to be a small village in the mountains, bathed in the violet light of an enormous sun and two radiant moons. Weapons and crafts of magical glass can be found here, as can a small garden which Petrarch infrequently comes to tend. The Age of Bronze is a ruined forge and workshop, full of rusted implements and half-built constructs. Keys and information found in both Ages can penetrate the Void to reach Petrarch’s tomb, an unreal and lush garden.

Within Level Eight is Ulung Village, built around the cavern-wall crypts of the Tzoultentomb. Ulung is the site of the Cult of Gayla, led by Brother Iivians, Brother Odd, and Sister Jennifer. As opposed to most other religious sects, in which Resurrection is taboo, heretical, or the means of last resort, members of the Cult of Gayla are ritually murdered and are entombed in the Tzoulten, only to be resurrected 100 years later. In this way do they come to know god.

House Maxinay controls the very bottom, the tenth level, which hides the remains of Narbohring’s first organized group of Hermetic magicians, a pedantic sect of the Cult of Winter who called themselves the Tavash Morn (the “Children of the Word”). This is a large temple complex, now referred to as the Zoran Academy, and contains a sealed Gate to the realm of the Arcanos, legendary wolf-headed demons who first taught the Duurans the secrets of Hermetic magic. The Academy is past a complex maze of unmapped caverns, the Honeycomb Labyrinth. The Gate is sealed by three ancient Duuran gemstones, the Keys of Zoran, now lost across Narbohring. Members of the Vox Duur who know about Zoran and the Keys consider it a prime objective to keep the Tavash Morn from finding these stones and returning them to Thenzor Deep. The Gate was originally created and sealed by the Order of Nhull, a splinter group of the Tavash Morn consisting of proto-Ixian sorcerers, opposed to the infernal means and ends of the Tavash. The Order took their name from ‘nhull’, the rune of anti-magic. Both the Tavash Morn and the Order of Nhull have long since disappeared; however, some of the Breyanic cultists have now returned to Zoran and taken this name again, headed by Master Virgil and Sister Ghislaine.

Arcanodaemons, usually called Arcanos (both the singular and in plural), are the most powerful of Narbohring’s demons. They generally appear as eight-foot tall wolf-headed humanoids, dressed in long red robes, clutching a massive tome shackled to their wrist. It is believed that they are six in number, and are the mortal embodiments of the Six Princes of Breyana. Trapped in the Lower Planes, sealed away by the Order of Nhull, only the whispers of the Arcanos have crossed to Narbohring. In the earliest days of Duuran recorded history, it was the Arcanos who contacted the Vox Duur and taught them the mysteries of Hermetic magic using their own language. The Arcanos are not necessarily malicious, but seek to return to Narbohring, which was their original home. While the Zoran Gate is their main means of permanently returning, three times in the past an Arcanos was summoned to Narbohring, only to be quickly imprisoned or banished.

...

Lots more where that came from. I'm slowing down on the number of new groups like the Guild of Optics, but having fun adding some of Mark's monsters and magic items here and there.

Will post the first full draft when it's ready, for proofreading, editing, and creative advice. All suggestions welcome.

I appreciate it.

2008-02-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

First off, I appreciate the thoughts.

Second, I kind of pulled 30-70 from my butt. It could be 40-60 as far as I know. I do know it is not 80-20. -I guess I could keep track.

Nevertheless, I think I understand where you are coming from. Levels are silly in that sense. In this system, each skill level provides just two things: 2 health points (until 10th, where it drops to 1) and 20 skill points. Depending on how you spend them, they could have little martial effect.

In fact, there's another facet to it that makes the level difference even less drastic. -Stick with me here:

Skill points are subdivided into Ability points and Proficiency points. Here's how they are awarded:

2nd: 12 ap, 8 pp
3rd: 13 ap, 7 pp
4th: 14 ap, 6 pp
.
.
.
10th: 20 ap

Ability points can be spent on Ability or Proficiency skills.
Proficiency points may only be spent on Proficiency skills.

Ability skills include things like Weapon Mastery, Spell Circle, etc. Proficiency skills are Climb walls Perception etc.

Anyway, the result is thus: Low level characters get less APs per level. Thus, their martial improvement is less per level. Higher level characters get more AP per level, however, their martial skills are more expensive (Ex: Weapon Mastery I costs 10, Weapon Mastery III costs 14), and due to the characters' increased power, these martial skills have less overall impact level-to-level.

As a result, it's a smooth slope up in power, rather than an exponential.

Does that make sense?

In short, I am saying that I also think levels should provide some, but not too much improvement. Two 3rd level guys should definitely be able to take one 5th level guy.

...

On a related note, there is also one important development caveat: Ability skills may only be improved once per level.

Ex: Even if Increased Willpower I costs 3 sp, and Willpower II costs 6 sp, a character can only get Willpower I upon a new level, even if he has the 9 skill points to spend.

As a result, a character can change direction of development, but not too abruptly. This causes some planning pressure which rewards thoughtful and gradual development. -A 8th level can't just realize "Hey my, Willpower sucks. -I'll make it awesome this level."

Interestingly, (to me anyhow) additional health points are an Ability skill. As a consequence, you can only buy 1 hp per level. ...kind of. You can also improve your endurance score once (+1 hp), and/or have a hp bonus due to a high endurance score. All in all, a character could gain a max of 6 health points upon achieving a new level. Ex: 2hp base, buy 1hp (cost: 2 sp), increase 18 end. to 19 end for 1hp (cost: 15 sp), and get the +3hp per level from the 18 endurance.

Players start with hp equal to their end. (4-16), so starting hps can make a big difference.

My biggest fighter has 50hp at 12th. The weak spell caster has 29hp. However, Olaf, who has 50hp easily wears banded and has a shield (absorbs 2-5 per attack). Artemis with 29hp can't wear armor very well. He has a low strength and no armor skills. If he wears armor, his spells might fail, and he's very easy to hit. He just takes it. -That's not considering any magical protections for either, however.

Maybe that's a bit thick.

Anyway, I do appreciate the thoughts. Let me know if you have anymore.

If you are ever inclined to peruse the latest version, let me know.

Yes I do still read this.

2008-02-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

all in all it seems like you are doing this very well.

One thing I thought about was the clone fighting you mentioned. This isn't really a criticism of your system as much as it is of all the level based games I have seen, I don't like a 70 to 30 advantage for a guy 2 levels higher. I know it depends on the original levels, but I wish a 3rd level guy had a better chance when fighting a 5th. I'm not sure of the actual ramifications of a system that worked that way, and I'm not suggesting you pursue it. It seems a lot of 1st level characters know they have no chance unless they are fighting lepers and rats. I have never liked the idea of a character knowing what level they are, but when the system makes it so obvious, then there should be in game consequences, like a character knowing that you don't "stand up to the sheriff". Of course there are often reasonable signifiers for level like platemail and fireball, but those make sense in an ingame way as much as out. Just a thought on gaming. I haven't found a good solution to this. I would like a balance more along the lines of 60/40 for a bar fight between 2 guys fairly equipped who are 5th and 7th level mundanes otherwise outcomes are too apparent, which is good for the dice commander..anywho, nice wyvern.

For posterity.

2008-01-31T07:47:00.000-08:00

More art coming in. Sixty original pieces in all. Including some copyright-free art like this:

there will be 70-80 pieces. As the book is looking to be about 400 pages, that means there will be art on just about every-other open page. That should do it.

As for the original art, here's a sample of a harpy:

The art is quality, and a bit on the darker side. It is reminiscent of 1st edition as it doesn't have that Warhammer fantasy chunkiness that so much RPG art seems to have these days.

Rob has recently kicked out the first part of what looks to be a killer example setting.

Recently, I've been making characters, running them up through level 12, and comparing them. Happily, things are pretty balanced as they are. I've done some tweaking, but there seems to be a pretty fair balance between straight mundanes and straight spell-casters. Mundanes actually have several avenues that seem to work.

Defense can vary between two extremes. One is to move fast and take advantage of abilities that win initiative and increase dodge. The other is to get hit more, but soak damage.

Offense varies somewhat between hitting often for less, or less often for more, but has some options which can change this strategy from round to round.

Interestingly, some offensive and defensive strategies play into each other. Two examples:

1) Pause and Study: Pause and study enables a character to further delay his initiative by -5 to gain a +2 'to-hit' modifier against one specific melee opponent for that attack round.

If you are a soaker, PnS works well. You don't give a damn about having the jump on your opponent for defensive reasons, and are just looking to make a solid hit.

2) Stunning Blow: Stunning blow allows a character to ‘stun’ an opponent with one on-hand melee attack. If the stunning blow attack hits, the next combat round, the creature that was hit by the stunning blow suffers an initiative penalty equal to negative the damage inflicted with the stunning blow. For example, a character wielding a long sword strikes a goblin with a stunning blow, and inflicts 5 points of damage. Thus, the next round, the goblin adds a -5 modifier to its initiative roll.

If you are a dodger, SB can help you have the jump on an opponent the next round, enabling you to use dodge improving skills such as parry, feint or guard.

There's many more examples. Basically, I'm happy with the options for mundanes. -I haven't been able to find the uber strategy just yet.

One thing I like is that when making characters, I always wish I had just a few more skill points. That is, there is a healthy amount of tension between things I want, and what I can afford. Still, when fighting clones of the same character, a two-level gap seems to put the odds 70-30 in the higher level clone's favor.

Anyway, those are just some random thoughts, for my own edification.

Currently, I am expanding the spell lists a bit. I've gotten a few ideas since I 'finished' them. -Never can have too many spells.

The example of gameplay.

2007-12-28T10:35:00.001-08:00

For your reading enjoyment. It might seem familiar.

The characters: The following events concern a party of four adventurers. These player characters are:

Gregory Vrill: Gregory is a 3rd level theurgist with 2nd circle Hedge magic. He comes from one of a few wealthy families within his small town and is well-educated. Gregory is a quick, decisive thinker. He is very confident, if not a little arrogant. He doesn’t hesitate to help his companions, but is by no means an altruist. Gregory’s only real passion is magic, and has little interest in martial or social pursuits.

Fiona Gray: Fiona is 2nd level and is somewhat of a rogue. Nevertheless, she is ambidextrous and is quite able in combat, wielding both a short sword and a dagger. Fiona enjoys the finer things in life, including strong drink. She is occasionally reckless, but never foolhardy. Fiona had a rough youth, yet has a natural charm that usually offsets her rather unpolished behavior. Fiona’s most prized possession is a magical silver dagger she acquired from a wealthy merchant. Fiona is half-elven, but has no relationships with full-blooded elves.

Gilbert Graves: Gilbert is a 3rd level strongman. He is a childhood friend of Fiona and due to his slow wits, has taken to following her lead. Gilbert is a pragmatist. He dislikes complicated matters and has little use for nuance. Gilbert is most content when he is adventuring with Fiona, and he likes to think of himself as her guardian. Gilbert is honest to a fault, as he feels falsehoods require too much effort.

Pilate Valasco: Pilate is 4th level and is a Ritual magic-user. Pilate is an odd fellow. He speaks little, but has earned Gregory Vrill’s friendship and respect. Pilate has little interest in material goods and doesn’t normally carry a weapon. Occasionally he will carry a staff or a club, but he regularly fights unarmed and is quite good at it. Pilate is usually absorbed in his own world and the few comments he makes are typically off-topic or bizarre.

Note: Often players will address each other by their real names in addition to those of their character. For example, when discussing ‘out-of-game’ topics players will usually use their actual names. Of course, if Bob who plays Olaf the dwarf wants Frank, who plays Zandir the wizard, to pass him a soda, he’ll just address him as Frank. In the example provided, all out-of-game discussion has been removed. For this reason, the names of the PCs are used exclusively.

Background: We pick up the adventure as the four companions travel from their hometown of Riverdell to the seaside city of Avlone. The party has agreed to provide security to a small caravan traveling south into the Kingdom of Trent. Their journey will take them through an expanse of arid plains and through a mountain pass before reaching the coast. The caravan is lead by Gustaff Akers and his son Nicolli. Aside from the four companions, one other hired guard named Stephos accompanies them.

Three weeks previous, Gregory Vrill met Akers at an inn and secured the party’s employment. Fiona and Pilate had some recent trouble in a card-game with a local aristocrat, and the companions thought it best to leave town.

Gustaff was in need security for his shipment to the port city of Avlone. When questioned about the cargo, Gustaff informed Gregory that they would be guarding a quantity of metal alloy. He has agreed to pay each member of the party 60 silver royals once the trip has been made. Gustaff offered to provide the characters food and water as well.

Two carts comprise the caravan. Each is lead by two horses. The lead cart is a cloth-covered wagon, and is driven by Gustaff and his son. The second cart is a large closed wooden box-like structure, and is driven by Stephos. The player characters walk alongside these carts. At the point we join the story the caravan has been traveling for two weeks. The first week the group traveled westward along a trade route through rolling plains. Except for passing the occasional traveler, this week was uneventful. The party then turned south onto a lesser-travelled trail. Soon the plains gave way to dry scrubland, and then to arid desert. The terrain is flat and travel has been easy. However, the party has not seen another soul for more than one week.

The adventure: We begin after the party’s second week of travel. As the trip has been uneventful, only several minutes of real-time have been spent describing the journey up to this point. The theurgist Gregory Vrill has just asked the Game Master for a description of the current terrain, and whether any useful plants or herbs might be found along the trail.

Game Master (GM): Well, the landscape here is fairly barren. In fact, you aren’t so much following a trail as crossing an open expanse of desert. The ground is composed of cracked clay and aside from a few dry riverbeds, is somewhat unremarkable. The Issere mountain range can be seen far off on the eastern horizon, however. There are a few grasses growing here and there, and occasionally tumbleweeds will roll by. If you like Gregory, make an herbalism check of 14 to see if you can find any useful flora as you make your way south. -Due to the dry conditions and the need to keep walking, conditions are far from optimal.

Gregory Vrill: Aright, I’ll try. (Gregory has herbalism grade II, and rolls 2δ4*. His result is 1, 4. The four is re-rolled with a result of 3.) I got an 8. -That doesn’t cut it.

GM: No, sorry Gregory, you don’t find any useful plants. However, you can make another attempt when the conditions change.

Fiona Gray: Wait, if there are so few plants around, what are we feeding the horses?

GM: Good question. Actually, since you left the trading route that ran east-west, you’ve been feeding the horses oats that are stored in the rear cart. Your water, and the horses’ water, is in there as well.

Gegory Vrill: So where is the cargo we are carrying?

GM: You’re not entirely sure. There are a few shallow crates in the rear cart that haven’t been opened, and you haven’t looked in Gustaff’s cart. Would you like to ask him?

Gregory Vrill: No, that’s fine. I don’t want him to think we aren’t trustworthy.

GM: Fine. Well, unless someone wants to do something in particular, the time passes somewhat uneventfully. You make small talk with Gustaff, Nicolli and Stephos at night as you make camp. Each night you sleep next to the wagons and keep the same rotating watch you’ve previously determined.

Three more days pass like this. However, about noon on the fourth day, eighteen days into your trip, a dry wind begins to pick up from the west. Does anyone have the wilderness survival proficiency?

Gilbert Graves: I do! I’ve got grade II.

Fiona Gray: Can I make a non-proficient check?

GM: Sorry Fiona, it’s no use. The target number is 6. A non-proficient 1δ4 roll just can’t make it. Alright Gilbert, make a wilderness survival check of 6.

Gilbert Graves: (Gilbert rolls 2δ4* and gets a result of 7.) A 7, I made it! What was that for?

GM: Well, everyone can now see some ominous clouds on the eastern horizon. However, you don’t think they look like rain clouds, Gilbert. In fact, to you they don’t they are clouds at all. You’ve got a feeling a sandstorm is coming.

Gilbert Graves: A sandstorm!? That’s bad. Alright, I shout to Gustaff: Gustaff, I think a sandstorm is coming from the east!

GM: (As Gustaff Akers) “A sandstorm?!” Gustaff halts the lead cart and stands up, looking out to the east. “Hmm. Yes, I think you might be right. Let’s push on quickly and see if we can’t find some sort of shelter.” At that, Gustaff signals to Stephos to follow as he starts off at a faster pace. You four walking alongside the carts are forced to jog now.

Fiona Gray: I’m on the west side of the carts. Can I see anything that looks like it might serve as a shelter, maybe a large boulder or something?

GM: Not yet, Fiona. Actually this entire landscape is pretty bare. I’ll let you know if you spot anything. After a few minutes, the rest of you can discern what Gilbert did. A large brown wall of cloud seems to be growing to the east. -It looks pretty ominous.

Gregory Vrill: How long until it reaches us?

GM: It’s difficult to say for certain. This barren landscape doesn’t give you a good frame-of-reference. However, you’d guess the storm will reach you in about 10 to 20 minutes.

Gregory Vrill: Ugh. Alright, we’d better find some shelter fast. I start scanning for some kind of protection as well, even a low spot in the land.

GM: Ok, anyone that has perception can make a check. Tell me what number you roll.

Pilate, Gilbert and Fiona each have perception grade II. They each roll 2δ4*.

Fiona Gray: I got a 5.

Gilbert Graves: I got a 5, too.

Pilate Valasco: I’ve gotten an 11. Do I see something?

GM: Sorry. No one sees any significant changes in the terrain. Gustaff shouts back to you: “We’re going to have to just ride this out! Let’s get these horses secured!” At that he halts the lead cart. He jumps off and begins to pull some equipment from his wagon. Nicolli and Stephos begin securing the horses. They want to tie the horse’s reigns to some stakes driven into the ground. They ask for your help.

Gilbert Graves: I’ll give them a hand.

Fiona Gray: Yeah, me too.

Gregory Vrill: Gustaff, what are we going to do during this storm? We can’t stay outside.

GM: (As Gustaff Akers) “No, you’re right. We can’t. You and your crew can hold up in the rear cart. If you pull out the water barrels and some provisions, there should be enough room. Stephos, Nicolli and I will stay in the front wagon. -We’ll just have to wait until this passes.”

Gregory Vrill: Alright Gustaff.

GM: So do you begin to clear out the rear cart? The wall of sand has grown much larger. -It’s approaching quickly.

Gregory Vrill: Yes. I’ll get Pilate to help me pull out enough provisions so the four of us can fit inside. I want leave these barrels and crates directly behind the cart, so we don’t need to go far to reach them. How does this cart open and close?

GM: There is a wooden door that seals pretty well. It’s hinged on the side. The cart is basically just a large wooden crate on wheels. You and Pilate clear out three large barrels and some crates. There are also some bags of grain you can move out pretty easily. The two of you can stack these directly behind your cart. In the meantime, Fiona and Gilbert are helping the other three secure the horses and carts. Gustaff ties the wheels so the wagons can’t roll.

By the time this is all accomplished, the storm is almost upon you. The wind has begun to pick up, and you can already feel the air growing dusty. A massive brown cloud that extends from the ground to the sky covers the entire eastern plain. The wind is beginning to howl.

Gregory Vrill: Alright, I make sure the four of us can fit in the second cart. I ask Gustaff how long he expects the storm to last.

GM: (As Gustaff Akers) “I’m not sure, Mr. Vrill. I suppose it could last a day or two. Just stay inside your cart and keep the door closed until the wind dies down. Hopefully we’ll be back on our way shortly. -Best of luck to you.”

With that Gustaff finishes securing the front wagon and climbs inside. Stephos and Nicolli are inside the wagon as well. The horses are starting to whinny.

You’ve only got a minute or two before the encroaching cloud is upon you. Do you get inside the cart?

Fiona Gray: Yes, I’ll get in. What are the cart’s dimensions?

GM: It’s about 5 feet wide and 8 feet long. The ceiling is about 5’ high, but with the few supplies that are in there, you’ve about 3 to 4 feet of headroom. You can all fit, but it won’t be comfortable.

Gilbert Graves: That’s fine. I’ll climb in.

Pilate Valasco: I’ll go in too.

Gregory Vrill: Me too. I’ll close the door behind me.

GM: Fine, Gregory climbs into the cart and pulls the door shut. It goes dark. There are a few cracks that let some light filter through, but it’s difficult to see anything in detail. You can hear the wind picking up outside and the cart begins to rattle a little.

Gregory Vrill: I forgot it would be so dark. Alright, using my flint and tinder, I’ll light one of my candles. I’ll then cast my 1st circle spell Magic Candle upon it. That should give us light for the next 24 hours.

GM: Alright Gregory, good thinking. You can light a candle and cast Magic Candle upon it.

Fiona Gray: Wait Greg, won’t that candle consume our air in here?

Gregory Vrill: Actually it won’t Fiona. After I cast Magic Candle upon it, it ceases to consume any fuel. That should include air, I’d guess. Am I right GM?

GM: That’s correct Gregory.

Fiona Gray: Wow. That’s great. Good thinking, Greg. We’ve got some light. It’s windy outside. What happens?

GM: Well, after a few minutes, the wind really picks up. You can hear the horses whinnying and stomping in place. Before long, you are sure the sandstorm is upon you. The air becomes a bit dusty as some filters in through cracks in the cart. The whole cart is shaking quite a bit.

Gilbert Graves: Is it hard to breathe?!

GM: No, you’re fine Gilbert. The air tastes a bit gritty, but you haven’t any trouble breathing.

Gregory Vrill: Huh. Ok, I guess we’ll just pass the time and wait to see if the storm passes. I don’t really want to open the door in this. Can I start memorizing my spell? I am only down one 1st circle spell, but I haven’t anything better to do.

Fiona Gray: I’ll pull out my dice. Maybe Gilbert and Pilate and I can pass the time playing some dice games.

Gilbert Graves: Fine, but I’m not betting any money with you.

GM: That all sounds fine. Gregory, you can relearn refresh your repertoire of spells after 4 hours. -I’ll let you know when that time passes. Is there anything else anyone would like to do?

The players shake their heads.

GM: Alright then, the storm continues for what seems to be several hours. Gregory, you get your 1st circle spell back. Judging by the light from cracks in the cart, you think dusk is probably approaching. However, it’s difficult to say. You all feel a bit tired though.

Gregory Vrill: Hmm. If anyone is tired they can fall asleep. However, I think at least one of us should remain awake at all times.

Fiona Gray: I agree. I’ll take the first watch.

Pilate Valasco: I think this storm is unnatural.

Gregory Vrill: Why do you say that Pilate?

Pilate Valasco: I’m not sure. -I’ll go to sleep.

Gregory Vrill: Ok. Fiona can take the first watch. I’ll get some sleep too.

Fiona Gray: No problem, Greg. Ok GM, I’ll stay awake for a few hours while my companions sleep.

GM: That sounds good. Fiona, give me a perception check and tell me what you get. (The Game Master doesn’t have anything planned yet, but he asks Fiona just to build suspense.)

Fiona Gray: I got a 7. Do I see or hear anything?

GM: No, nothing unusual. The cart is still rattling in the wind, and you think you hear the horses from time to time.

Fiona Gray: Huh. I guess I don’t want to open the door. Alright, I’ll wake up Gilbert next and get some sleep.

GM: Sure. Gilbert, Fiona wakes you for your watch. Let me know if you want to do anything in particular, otherwise give me a perception check. (This time the Game Master does have something in mind. A band of Khulek raiders has approached the caravan, and they are investigating it outside. He decides a perception check of 10 will alert Gilbert to their presence.)

Gilbert Graves: (Gilbert rolls 2δ4* with a result of 8) Well, I got an 8. Do I hear anything?

GM: No Gilbert. You hear a few noises, but it sounds like the horses are just moving about. Besides that, you don’t hear much else but the wind.

Gilbert Graves: Hmm. I don’t like this. Still, I don’t want to open the door in the middle of a sandstorm at night. I’ll just keep my watch and then wake up Pilate after a couple of hours.

GM: Ok, Gilbert. You sit and listen to the wind for the better part of an hour after Fiona falls asleep. However, at that point you distinctly hear a thud from behind your cart. A few moments later, you hear another.

Gilbert Graves: What?! Wait! Hold on a second! I wake up my companions!

GM: Do you shout?

Gilbert Graves: No, no. I’ll shake them awake. I start with Fiona, then Greg, then Pilate. I whisper to them that I just heard a thud from behind the cart. I’ll grab my mace too.

GM: Ok, ok. The rest of you are shaken awake by Gilbert. He tells you he just heard a thudding noise outside behind the cart. However, before you can figure out what’s going on, you hear a scream from in front of your cart. You think it’s human.

Gilbert Graves: That might be Gustaff! I kick the door open!

Gregory Vrill: No! Gilbert, wait!

GM: Sorry, Gregory. Gilbert kicks the cart door open. Immediately, the cart is filled with blowing sand and it’s very difficult to see. It’s a good thing you cast Magic Candle on your candle Gregory. Otherwise, it would have blown out. Gilbert, you are near the door since you kicked it open. Is there anyone else near the opening? There’s room for one more person.

Fiona Gray: I will be. I’m going to draw my weapons. Do we see anything outside?

GM: Ok Fiona. Well, the sand is stinging your eyes. However, with the candlelight filtering out from behind you, you can just make out a tall figure standing behind your cart. You can also see that one of the barrels of water behind the cart has been broken open. Fiona, with your keen vision you can see this figure is wrapped in cloth and wields a large axe. That’s all you see before this figure lunges at you. -Roll for initiative, everyone.

Fiona Gray: What is it?! Alright, I get a 6 for initiative. Remember, I drew my weapons.

GM: That’s fine Fiona, your weapons are out. How about the initiatives for the rest of you?

Gilbert Graves: I’ve got a 4 for initiative.

Gregory Vrill: I’ve got an 8.

Pilate Valasco: I knew something was wrong. -I’ve gotten a 7.

GM: (The Game Master rolls an initiative of 7 for the khulek. However, since the khulek has the element of surprise, he adds a +4 modifier for a result of 11.) Sorry everyone, this thing has the jump on you. Gilbert, it swings at you with its axe! (The GM rolls 1δ20 + 1 twice with results of 11 and 5. He applied a -2 ‘to-hit’ modifier as the khulek’s vision is obstructed due to the blowing sand.) Gilbert, your dodge score is a 10? -That’s one hit upon you. (The Game Master now rolls 1δ8 + 1 for the khulek’s axe damage. The result is 6.) Ouch Gilbert, the axe cleaves into you for 6 points. Your armor absorbs 2-3, however. Roll 1δ2 + 1.

Gilbert Graves: (Gilbert rolls 1δ2 + 1 for his studded leather and shield armor absorbance. He gets a result of 2.) My armor absorbed 2 points of damage. I guess I take 4.

GM: That’s right, Gilbert. You are now at 12 health points. Alright, the rest of you may act, starting with Gregory at initiative 8. You hear another scream from the where the front cart should be.

Gregory Vrill: Alright, can I cast a spell on this thing?

GM: Well Gregory, you can hardly see it as Gilbert and Fiona are in the way. Also, these cramped quarters are restricting your movement. What do you want to cast?

Gregory Vrill: I’d like to cast Despair upon it. The spell’s range is 40’.

GM: Ok, Gregory. You can cast it.

Gregory Vrill: I do then. The creature gets a willpower check of 11 to resist.

GM: (The Game Master rolls 1δ20 + 6 for the khulek’s willpower check and gets a result of 13.) You cast Despair, Gregory. However, you sense that it didn’t work. Pilate, you are next at initiative 7. What do you do?

Pilate Valasco: Can I get out of this cart?

GM: Not until Gilbert or Fiona move, unless you want to shove past them.

Pilate Valasco: No, I don’t suppose I do. I will cast the 2nd circle spell Blood Rage upon myself.

GM: Sure thing, Pilate. That drops your endurance score from 9 to 7, but raises your strength from 14 to 18. You now have 13 health points, but have a +3 melee damage modifier. This lasts for 10 rounds after this one, keep track of that. Mark off 2 Blood and 1 Gaea spell points as well. -Fiona, you can act now at initiative 6.

Fiona Gray: I am going to attack this thing. Can I step outside too?

GM: Yes Fiona. Since the figure is standing right outside the cart, you can hop out and attack it. However, due to the blowing sand, apply a -2 modifier to your ‘to-hit’ roll.

Fiona Gray: Ok, I’ll step out and attack. (Fiona rolls 1δ20 for her short sword and 1δ20 for her dagger. The -2 modifier due to the sand cancels out her normal +2 ‘to-hit’ bonus with those weapons.) I get an 8 with my short sword and a 17 with my dagger. Do I hit?

GM: Your dagger hits Fiona, roll for damage.

Fiona Gray: Great! (Fiona rolls 1δ4 + 2 for her dagger damage and gets a result of 5.) That’s 5 points! Not bad.

GM: You get him fairly good. (The khulek isn’t wearing any armor, so the Game Master subtracts 5 from the khulek’s 15 health points. It is now at 10.) The figure gasps as you stick him in the side. Gilbert, you are last to go at 4. Go ahead. You must apply a -2 to your ‘to-hit’ rolls as well.

Gilbert Graves: I’m going to jump out and help Fiona. (Gilbert rolls 1δ20 + 1 for his mace and gets a result of 7.) Ugh, I get a 7. I’m sure it’s a miss.

GM: Yes, it is Gilbert. Alright, that’s the end of the first round of combat. Everyone roll for initiative once again. You all hear more sounds of combat coming from the front wagon. A horse whinnies loudly.

The players roll initiative with Gregory, Fiona, Pilate and Gilbert getting 10, 5, 4 and 6 respectively. The Game Master rolls for two khulek this round. The one fighting Gilbert and Fiona gets a 7, another coming into combat gets a 4.

GM: Gregory, you may act first at initiative 10.

Gregory Vrill: Hmm. I’ll try to cast Despair upon this thing once again.

GM: (The Game Master rolls 1δ20 + 6 for the khulek’s willpower check and gets a result of 18.) Sorry, Gregory. This humanoid seems particularly resistant to your spells. The next to act is the humanoid fighting Gilbert and Fiona. Gilbert, this time the humanoid doesn’t attack you. In fact, it just stares at you intensely with wild eyes. -Make a willpower check of 12 (The khulek is innately casting the 2nd circle Hedge magic spell Terror upon Gilbert).

Gilbert Graves: (Gilbert rolls 1δ20 – 1 for his willpower check.) Oh no! I got an 8. I missed it. What happens?!

GM: Gilbert, you are suddenly overcome with a terrible fear. Something about this creature is just horrible. Immediately, you dash away into the sandstorm. -You just want to get away from this thing. (The Terror spell lasts for 3-6 rounds. Thus, the Game Master rolls 1δ4 + 2. Gilbert is affected by the spell for 3 more rounds.) I’ll tell you when you’ve come to your senses again Gilbert.

Gilbert Graves: Ugh. That’s awful! Can I decide where I run to?

GM: Sorry Gilbert, you aren’t thinking clearly at the moment. You just feel as if you’ve got to get away. In fact, you spend your round running off into the storm. Fiona, you can act at initiative 5. Don’t forget the -2 ‘to-hit’ modifier due to visibility.

Fiona Gray: Gilbert’s run off?! I attack this thing again! (Fiona rolls.) I got a 15 with my short sword and a 4 with my dagger.

GM: The short sword hits. Roll for damage.

Fiona Gray: 5 more points! Does it fall?!

GM: No, it doesn’t. However, you’ve really injured it Fiona. It screams in pain. Pilate, you may act at initiative 4.

Pilate Valasco: I will jump out of the cart and pummel this thing. (Pilate rolls to attack.) I got a 15, I hit it!

GM: Did you apply a -2 modifier due to the limited visibility?

Pilate Valasco: Oh. No, I didn’t. I guess I got a 13.

GM: Sorry that’s a miss, Pilate. And, to make matters worse, just as you attack the figure, you see another one step from behind the cart and attack Fiona. (The Game Master rolls.) Fiona, your dodge score is 13? It hits you once with a large sword for 5 points of damage. You leather armor absorbs one point, however, so you are reduced from 12 to 8 health points. -It’s initiative everyone.

Gilbert Graves: Should I roll?

GM: Sure, you can roll Gilbert. However, you are most likely to spend this round running.

The players roll initiative with Gregory, Fiona, Pilate and Gilbert getting 4, 9, 9 and 3 respectively. The Game Master rolls for two khulek this round. The wounded one gets an 8, the other gets a 5.

GM: Fiona and Pilate, you may both act at 9.

Fiona Gray: Ok, first off, I want to use my feint ability against this new attacker.

GM: Good idea, Fiona. Roll 1δ20 and see if it works.

Fiona Gray: (Rolls) I got a 3 which is equal to or less than my agility score. That means I’ve got a +2 dodge against this thing for the rest of the round.

GM: That’s right, Fiona. Ok, you can attack.

Fiona Gray: I attack the one that just hit me! (Fiona rolls.) I got a 19 with my sword and, oh no! …I got a 1 with my dagger. -That’s a critical fumble!

GM: Ok, Fiona you stumble badly, giving your opponent one extra attack. However, the 19 with your sword is a hit. Roll that damage first.

Fiona Gray: 4 points.

GM: You wound him Fiona. (The Game Master reduces the khulek’s health points from 15 to 11.) He’ll get his critical fumble attack at initiative 8. Pilate, you still need to act.

Pilate Valasco: You should have attacked the badly wounded one, Fiona. Well, I will attack him. I get two attacks this round. (Pilate rolls.) I got a 6 and a 17. That’s one hit for …7 points of damage!

GM: Great job, Pilate. You’re Blood Rage spell really helped. You clobber the tall figure and send him to the ground.

The players cheer.

GM: It’s initiative 8, and Fiona’s opponent gets its critical fumble attack. (The Game Master rolls one on-hand attack for the khulek, getting a 14.) Fiona, it just missed you. That feint of yours worked.

Fiona Gray: Hah! That’s great.

Gilbert Graves: Am I still running away, even though the one that scared me died?

GM: Yes Gilbert, you are still overcome with fear. Also, you don’t know what’s going on with your companions. You can’t see much of anything right now, it’s dark and sand is blowing everywhere. -I’ll tell you when you stop running. We are now at initiative 5. Fiona, your opponent attacks you with his sword. (Game Master rolls.) Well, despite your feint, it hit you once. Ouch. You take 7 points, which is reduced to 6 by your armor. You have 2 health points, Fiona. You’re looking bad. Gregory, you can act at 3.

Fiona Gray: Help us, Greg!

Gregory Vrill: Well, my spells haven’t been too effective on them. I’ll cast Shimmering Armor on myself.

GM: That’s fine, Gregory. You are enveloped in shimmering planes of light. Your spell adds to the candlelight and brightens the area within and behind your cart a bit. Due to your spell, your dodge score is now effectively 16. Gilbert, you continue running for your action. Pilate, Gregory and Fiona, you hear another scream from near the front wagon. -It’s initiative everyone.

The players roll initiative with Gregory, Fiona, Pilate and Gilbert getting 11, 7, 4 and 4 respectively. The Game Master rolls for two khulek this round. The wounded one gets a 6 and another one coming around from the front wagon gets a 5.

GM: Gregory, you have it with an 11.

Gregory Vrill: I hope Gustaff and the other two are alright. I’ll hop out and join the fray. I attack the remaining opponent on Fiona with my broadsword. Ugh, I get a 5.

GM: This just isn’t your day, Gregory. Fiona, you may go at initiative 7.

Fiona Gray: I am going to feint against this guy again (Fiona rolls.). Argh, I got a 16. That’s higher than my 14 agility, which means my feint doesn’t work this round. Oh well, I’m attacking him anyway. I’ve got an 8 with my short sword and a 20 with my dagger! Ha, critical hit! (Fiona rolls 2δ4 + 2 for damage.) That’s 7 points!

GM: You’ve stuck him good, Fiona. (The khulek is now at 4 health points.) However, now it’s his turn. He’s trying to return the favor and… he hits you twice!

The players gasp.

GM: Fiona, you take 7 more points of damage, even after your armor absorbs one point from each blow. You’ve been reduced to -5 health points! Fiona, your endurance score is 10, right? You are lucky. If you were reduced to -6 health points, you would have died. Still, you are unconscious and look awful. You’d better hope your companions can win. Unfortunately, just after you fall, another one of these humanoids rushes into the light. Gregory, he attacks you with a curved sword! …Lucky for you, he misses. Pilate, you may go now at initiative 4. Gilbert, sorry but you are still running away in fright.

Gilbert Graves: This is awful.

Pilate Valasco: I am going to attack the wounded one that knocked Fiona out. I got a 15. That’s a hit right?

GM: Just barely, Pilate. Nice one. Roll your damage.

Pilate Valasco: Hah, 8 points! That’s maximum damage!

GM: You’ve done it again Pilate. You knock another one to the ground! Alright, it’s initiative.

The conscious players roll initiative with Gregory, Pilate and Gilbert getting 10, 2, and 6 respectively. The Game Master rolls for the remaining khulek and gets a 9.

GM: Gregory, you have it with a 10 initiative.

Gregory Vrill: I swing on the injured opponent with my broadsword. Great, I got an 18! It takes 4 points of damage!

GM: That just does it, Gregory. You run him through and he drops to the ground. Looking scared, the remaining attacker runs off at initiative 9. Pilate you have yet to act, do you want to take one on-hand attack in response to the retreat?

Pilate Valasco: Of course! However, I got a 6. That’s a miss. I guess it gets away.

Gilbert Graves: What about me?! What am I doing?

GM: Well Gilbert, you are still running about the darkness, but this is the last round you do so.

Gregory Vrill: Is it initiative again?

GM: No. Not at the moment anyway. After the last figure ran into the darkness, you don’t see anything but youselves. Also, you don’t hear anything but the howling of the wind.

Gregory Vrill: Hmm. Pilate, I think we should see if Gustaff and the others need help while our spells are still functioning. Let’s hurry to the front wagon!

Pilate Valasco: Wait, Gregory. First let’s get Fiona safely inside this cart. That thing could come back. Also, we should take that enchanted candle with us.

GM: What do you two do?

Gregory Vrill: Pilate is right. Ok, we will first lift Fiona back into the cart. I then take the candle and close the cart door. We will then slowly move up towards the front wagon.

GM: Fine. Putting Fiona into the cart takes you about two combat rounds of time. Pilate you’ve just 3 rounds, or 30 seconds of your Blood Rage spell left. You slowly move up to the front wagon…

Gilbert Graves: Wait, I want to join them. Can I come back?

GM: Gilbert, unfortunately due to the sandstorm it’s very hard to see anything. Try to make a perception check of 10.

Gilbert Graves: Ok. No good. I got a 3.

GM: Sorry Gilbert, at the moment you can’t see a thing. You’re not even sure which direction the caravan is at the moment. Is there something else you want to do?

Gilbert Graves: Hmm. I could shout to them, maybe they will hear me. However, I might attract more of those things. No, I am just going to sit down and stay quiet. I think I might have to wait this out.

GM: Ok, Gilbert. Gregory and Pilate back to you: The two of you slowly begin to move to the front wagon. To your horror, as you approach the front you find both horses attached to your cart have been killed. Lying next to the horses is one of those attackers and what looks to be the body of Stephos.

Gregory Vrill: Is he alive?! I check Stephos. But I’m keeping my eye out for those things too.

GM: Unfortunately, Stephos is dead. As for ‘keeping an eye out’, even with your enchanted candle’s light, it’s difficult to see more than several feet in front of you.

Gregory Vrill: Is there anything else around? We’ll look inside the wagon, and then walk around the front.

GM: Looking inside the wagon, you just see some supplies. There are some crates, as well as some bags. There is also a bloodied knife in there.

Gregory Vrill: Ok, we’ll go around to the front. We are being very careful.

GM: Alright, you and Pilate slowly walk around to the front of the wagon. There you find that both lead horses have been killed as well. Also, you find Nicolli on the ground. He’s dead too.

Gregory Vrill: Oh no, this is bad. We don’t see Gustaff anywhere? There aren’t any more of those humanoids?

GM: No, it seems you and Pilate are alone. It’s very eerie, actually. It’s dark, very dusty, and the wind is all you hear. What would you two like to do now?

----

I think I'll end it here. I could have them do a few more things, but it's getting a bit long. However, it might be too combat heavy for an example. -Thoughts?

1E D&D

2007-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

Interesting "What do you like about 1E?" thread on En World.

A lot of these thoughts ring true with me as well. -I'm trying to get rid of some of the arbitrariness of 1E in this system, but keeping the GM fiat up, and trying to make the rules easy to implement. Fast combat, adaptability to house rules and a reading level above the 5th grade. Also not shying away from evil things. -Keeping those things in mind.

No miniature rules either.

I want to make this Creative Commons, and perhaps create a site where people can post their own interpretations, spells, monsters, skills, etc.

And on...

2007-10-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

Still working. Art is coming in. -Looks great.

Per some suggestions from Matt:

Theurgists may now increase their number of spell targets beyond the maximum by reducing the associated resistance check by -3 for each additional creature. Thus, a fumble spell that can target 3 creatures with a willpower check of 11 to resist, could target 5 creatures with a willpower of 6 to resist. -I dig this.

Ritualists have a new 1st circle spell: Catechize. Gives up to 3 creatures a -4 to all further resists vs. the shaman's spells (Willpower 11 to resist). Or, improves the efficacy of some beneficial spells; so friends of the shaman might opt to be catechized.

At least one of our artists is awesome.

2007-10-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

I don't want to post it, but check it out at the factory gmail account.

Fucking great.

Needed: Drawing of dwarf killing a centaur.

2007-10-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

You set the price. It's $12 per each B&W ink on this project.

Of course, you can pay more. However, there's lots of good people just looking to get the experience.

I'll show you some examples as they come in.

Art

2007-09-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Awesome. I'm doin' the same thing, only for science and stuff. It's a great idea, and I'll definitely look at this site for future needs.

How much does that shit run, by the way?

Dragons and Dwarves.

2007-09-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I've got 9 artists kicking out art.

25 bids came in 3 days time.

Impressive quality, too.