I am the Warden!!
Let's not get into particulars with the title of today's post, let's instead focus on the intent behind the old saying "There's more than one way to skin a cat." It has nothing to do with the fact that my cat, Markus, woke me up two hours earlier than I wanted to get up because he threw up his food overnight and was now hungry for more. Despite how I feel about that little shithead this morning, I'm still a cat person. For now.
There are two reasons why this week has been quiet on the blog front. One, I've been pondering over two matters this past week: a publishing name and a new setting/game for the OSRPG. Two, I'm under specific order to play Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by one of my occupational therapists. I know, it's horrible, but she feels learning to control my stress by playing frustrating video games can be very helpful. And since I love Zelda games but can't stand the Z-tracking system, it's a perfect fit. Plus, I'm under orders to play video games for my mental health!! How the hell do you turn that down?
Friday, 12 August 2011
Monday, 8 August 2011
Optional: Playtest (Version 0.3)
I am the Warden!!
I'm committing myself to providing updates to the Optional: Playtest document every Monday right here on this blog thingy for as long as necessary until there's no longer an Optional: Playtest document. And wouldn't ya know it, it's Monday.
Version 0.3 now sits at 64 pages of experimental goodness with a few updates, primarily the monk creed (based on D&D's monk - I'm working on something a little more "modern" that's not D&D to show some versatility in this system), updates on Appendix I: Options (only those options available to all characters, not dependent on a creed, will be listed here), rules for gaining and losing the edge, rules for stunts, and a couple more tweaks here and there in Chapter 1: Mechanics.
More importantly, a first draft of Chapter 4: Circumstance Dice is provided to explain how d10s play a role in the game. It talks briefly (as all playtest docs should) about modifiers and gear.
To keep things simple, I've added bookmarks to the PDF with each updated section highlighted in red.
I'm committing myself to providing updates to the Optional: Playtest document every Monday right here on this blog thingy for as long as necessary until there's no longer an Optional: Playtest document. And wouldn't ya know it, it's Monday.
Version 0.3 now sits at 64 pages of experimental goodness with a few updates, primarily the monk creed (based on D&D's monk - I'm working on something a little more "modern" that's not D&D to show some versatility in this system), updates on Appendix I: Options (only those options available to all characters, not dependent on a creed, will be listed here), rules for gaining and losing the edge, rules for stunts, and a couple more tweaks here and there in Chapter 1: Mechanics.
More importantly, a first draft of Chapter 4: Circumstance Dice is provided to explain how d10s play a role in the game. It talks briefly (as all playtest docs should) about modifiers and gear.
To keep things simple, I've added bookmarks to the PDF with each updated section highlighted in red.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Matrix: Restoration (Part 3)
I am the Warden!!
I need a breather from all the awesome tweets and blogs talking about Gencon. As technology steps up to meet the pace, it becomes more and more obvious every year just how much I'm missing. Even Lady Warden knew it was Gencon and she's far from the roleplayer we are (though she does know which is the d10 in the pile). If you're sitting at home like me wishing you were invading a convention center at 1:30 in the morning rolling dice and sliding minis across a map, let's comfort each other, shall we?
Now that we have all that bonding out of the way, let's talk Matrix!
I need a breather from all the awesome tweets and blogs talking about Gencon. As technology steps up to meet the pace, it becomes more and more obvious every year just how much I'm missing. Even Lady Warden knew it was Gencon and she's far from the roleplayer we are (though she does know which is the d10 in the pile). If you're sitting at home like me wishing you were invading a convention center at 1:30 in the morning rolling dice and sliding minis across a map, let's comfort each other, shall we?
Now that we have all that bonding out of the way, let's talk Matrix!
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Creed
I am the Warden!!
Remember the latest draft of Optional: Playtest? Yeah, scratch that. Got another one for ya. Version 0.2 now features Chapter 3: Master Dice and, more importantly, Appendix IV: Creeds. Which brings me to today's topic: creeds.
The initial design of the Optional System was intended as a classless system based entirely on spending training points and while that option remains, it was obvious a class-based system did have its advantages, particularly when it comes to drawing in new players. For this, concessions were made but the important absolutes remained. First of all, there are no "class levels" in the Optional System. For that, creeds have become templates for character creation.
Remember the latest draft of Optional: Playtest? Yeah, scratch that. Got another one for ya. Version 0.2 now features Chapter 3: Master Dice and, more importantly, Appendix IV: Creeds. Which brings me to today's topic: creeds.
The initial design of the Optional System was intended as a classless system based entirely on spending training points and while that option remains, it was obvious a class-based system did have its advantages, particularly when it comes to drawing in new players. For this, concessions were made but the important absolutes remained. First of all, there are no "class levels" in the Optional System. For that, creeds have become templates for character creation.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
In Absentia
I am the Warden!!
Last night, I posted a link to the current draft of Optional: Playtest. If you're looking at a proper website (not the mobile version), you'll notice the link under The Optional Library to the left. What's posted here is only a fraction of the actual Word file (that's jumped up to 63 pages as of last night and I haven't even added the monitor creed from the Matrix work), but Optional: Playtest contains the basic elements to understand what the OSRPG is all about.
Or is it? Where's the combat chapter? There is none. There is none?! How can I design a fluid RPG designed to emulate martial arts films without a combat chapter. That sounds like a blog entry to me.
Last night, I posted a link to the current draft of Optional: Playtest. If you're looking at a proper website (not the mobile version), you'll notice the link under The Optional Library to the left. What's posted here is only a fraction of the actual Word file (that's jumped up to 63 pages as of last night and I haven't even added the monitor creed from the Matrix work), but Optional: Playtest contains the basic elements to understand what the OSRPG is all about.
Or is it? Where's the combat chapter? There is none. There is none?! How can I design a fluid RPG designed to emulate martial arts films without a combat chapter. That sounds like a blog entry to me.
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Optional: Playtest (Version 0.1)
I am the Warden!!
Patience is not exactly a virtue of mine when it comes to keeping secrets. Or holding onto a project for even a few hours. Especially when I'm holding onto a project for even a few hours. Take now, for instance.
This is the current draft for Optional: Playtest, the rules-in-progress for the Optional System. Currently sitting at only 28 pages, it holds just the Introduction, Chapter 1: Mechanics, Chapter 2: Base Die and (more importantly) Appendix I: Options - including all 5 base options. I'm working on setting a permanent link to this PDF but in the meantime, have at 'er.
Patience is not exactly a virtue of mine when it comes to keeping secrets. Or holding onto a project for even a few hours. Especially when I'm holding onto a project for even a few hours. Take now, for instance.
This is the current draft for Optional: Playtest, the rules-in-progress for the Optional System. Currently sitting at only 28 pages, it holds just the Introduction, Chapter 1: Mechanics, Chapter 2: Base Die and (more importantly) Appendix I: Options - including all 5 base options. I'm working on setting a permanent link to this PDF but in the meantime, have at 'er.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Matrix: Restoration (Part 2)
I am the Warden!!
(It has been pointed out I should be referring to myself as the Architect when I'm talking about the Matrix. Very true and very cool, but perhaps I'll save that for the credits page.)
Us Canadians have the pleasure of a long weekend (Correction: Us Ontarianians) that's been used for two ends. One, helping Lady Warden rearrange the living room and rewire the entertainment centre. Two, sit in front of this computer while the sun shines and pop out thousands of words on how the Matrix and the Optional System go hand in hand. How well have things gone? Let's just say there's no longer a glare on the TV during the day and I look paler now than when the weekend started.
Challenge Is Where You Find It
As anyone who likes to think of themselves as an RPG designer should, I did a quick search for other Matrix RPGs (all freebies) to see what's been done before. An interesting note is that no one likes the sequels. One RPG in particular, There Is No Spoon, comes right out and insists any player who mentions Reloaded or Revolutions be slapped in the face. Ouch.
(It has been pointed out I should be referring to myself as the Architect when I'm talking about the Matrix. Very true and very cool, but perhaps I'll save that for the credits page.)
Us Canadians have the pleasure of a long weekend (Correction: Us Ontarianians) that's been used for two ends. One, helping Lady Warden rearrange the living room and rewire the entertainment centre. Two, sit in front of this computer while the sun shines and pop out thousands of words on how the Matrix and the Optional System go hand in hand. How well have things gone? Let's just say there's no longer a glare on the TV during the day and I look paler now than when the weekend started.
Challenge Is Where You Find It
As anyone who likes to think of themselves as an RPG designer should, I did a quick search for other Matrix RPGs (all freebies) to see what's been done before. An interesting note is that no one likes the sequels. One RPG in particular, There Is No Spoon, comes right out and insists any player who mentions Reloaded or Revolutions be slapped in the face. Ouch.
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