If you could design your own RPG.....? :)

[InfiniteNature]

RANT ON

I don't know I just wish there could be more character distinction, I mean it would be really cool if for example you could just be a baker or a peasant or some corrupt politician, or a simple sailor not a buccaineer or swashbuckler, or something rather then the typical hack slash, thieve, heal adventurer supergod type thing where the sole point is to gain more experience, etc. its almost as if the whole world in most RPGs is solely made of adventurers and somehow other stuff gets done, geez how does stuff get done?

If I had to design a RPG I would make it immersevive, and even give the option of not fighting at all, I mean what about a priest or doctor who heals the sick, you could still get a adventurer experience, but with having to deal with the consequences, say a war where one of those true adventurers is fighting in, you have to make conversation choices, go out to rescue wounded soldiers, try to solve court intrigues.

I also would like to have more realistic damage, I mean where were the good old days, when you could actually get maimed, or lose a eye, or whatever, I mean you can to some degree in the Forgotten realm books, but the games just have a simplistic drink potion, heal spell system, which doesn't really address it, I mean you could have permanent dexterity damage, say you hurt your hands in a trap, now maybe you have to be something else, and thus you are pushed along a different path, maybe you have to improve your persuacion skill, or perhaps you become a fighter.

One other thing I would change about RPGs is this resonant obsession with good and evil, in almost every single game I have played characters almost always fall into these two characters, and frankly it gets kind of dull, the villains even laugh like a typical stereotypical villain usually have a sense of humor(and is usually sexless), the heroes never laugh have no sense of humor(and again is usually sexless), I mean honestly is it to much to ask to have a bit more complex characters then this. And whats up with that whole sexless thing, apparently you can't be totally evil or good without losing all that nooky, me wonders why they bother going either way its better in the middle.

More complex creatures, I mean you just know every red dragon is going to be evil, every gold good, you just know a orc is up to some dastardly deed, while a normal elf is usually doing some good.

And I would also like a RPG that for once Evil ruled, where Good was barely a memory, I mean what kind of heroes are you when you always win, you only have heroes when you have a true challenge, where you lose, where there is no chance later on for some hero to come along and redress your wrongs, where its you nobody else, where the Gods that do exist are mostly evil, and where the Good gods are weak, I mean it would be more fun.

So anyway I would design a RPG with more complexity, both in terms of character choices and personality, and racial complexity, where you get damage more realistically, where good and evil are not so easy to figure out(play the game Beyond Good and Evil similar), and where for once Evil rules. And where in this world a hero would never be sure what allies he or she might have, where you actually have to think rather then simply hack and slash(even a pure fighter has to think, truth of the matter is in real life the best warriors have to be able to think, both tactically and strategically).

Oh well just my preferences, no harm no foul just a opinion.


RANT OFF

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Originally posted by Robnark
disclaimer: I have had no contact with D&D rules outside of computer games, and I feel strangely proud of the fact, and I neither know nor care what a template is.

I prefer a more fluid system when it comes to these additional variations. one character I'm working on is a former holy warrior who was vampirified and fled his order. now, he can either embrace vampirism, gaining kudos with the evil and undead but pissing off the holy dudes even more. he can fight the vampirism and gain holy powers by continuing to serve his god. alternatively, he can reject both and master his current skills and the more neutral arts of perforating other creatures with pointed bits of metal.

each path offers different bonuses and penalties. basically, I don't want your character to become a generic monster class, rather, these variations offer new ways to improve a character, albeit for a price.

A holy warrior cursed with vampirism... I like that.

You have a very smart idea, which I had thought of myself for some time with little ambition, to tell the truth. The most intruiging part is that you thought of a THIRD path on with he can tread - a rather neutral warrior path. Still, will he have to deal with the temptation of the vampiric taint AND the calling of the order and supernatural being that he had served?

Sounds like you're off to an interesting start. Still, you may have far to go.

[Kipi]

well, I have tthought werewolfs and so on.
I just don't see many positive sides on those. Vampire is different, because vampire can drain blood and that way heal himself. What could be werewolfs positive sides? There has to be some, otherwise nobody will play whith them.

I decided to not use the Lawful Good -- Chaotic Evil option. I have thought something like in Fallout 1 and 2, karma, which is different in every place. For example, in some town you could be idolized, but in other town you will be attacked as soon as anybody sees you. Your action will affect to your karma. But in my game, karma will realy affect. For example, in Fallout 2 althought you were bad guy, most of the gangs still attacked you as you were good guy.

[Coot]

How about dropping the whole alignment system?

[Kipi]

Nah, I want to add alignment system to make the game more realistic (you can't kill anybody without getting hated).

Thanks Malta Soron, I forgot Halflings

Thinking Golum the Dwarf's reply, I decide to make changes to my race list:
Removed race: Vampire
Added race: Templates (aren't these also called Shapeshifters?)
Added sub-races to one above:
*Vampire
*Werewolf
*Wereboar
*Weretiger
*Wererat

Wererat may sound weird but think about it: wererat can sneak past enemies, reach plaeces which you can't get otherwise, poisons enemy. On the other hand wererat can't carry any items while in rat's form and are easier to kill by enemies.

I have also decided to add some puzzles in game. Here is one:
Town's fool tells you "The bird is everything, but do not forget lizard!" Later, you haveto choose between two swords. In first swords background information are mentioned bird. This sword is VERY powerful. In the seconds sword background is mentioned lizard. This sword is almost useless because it doesn't give almost any bonuses. After chosing you have to fight against hard enemy. The first sword doesn't do any damage to monster, but if you have remembered the fools words and have chose the second one, you haven't any problems. So all you have to do to get past monster, is to realy listen every word you hear, althought those seems to be stupid.

What do you think?

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Originally posted by Kipi
Nah, I want to add alignment system to make the game more realistic (you can't kill anybody without getting hated).

Thanks Malta Soron, I forgot Halflings

Thinking Golum the Dwarf's reply, I decide to make changes to my race list:
Removed race: Vampire
Added race: Templates (aren't these also called Shapeshifters?)
Added sub-races to one above:
*Vampire
*Werewolf
*Wereboar
*Weretiger
*Wererat

Wererat may sound weird but think about it: wererat can sneak past enemies, reach plaeces which you can't get otherwise, poisons enemy. On the other hand wererat can't carry any items while in rat's form and are easier to kill by enemies.

I have also decided to add some puzzles in game. Here is one:
Town's fool tells you "The bird is everything, but do not forget lizard!" Later, you haveto choose between two swords. In first swords background information are mentioned bird. This sword is VERY powerful. In the seconds sword background is mentioned lizard. This sword is almost useless because it doesn't give almost any bonuses. After chosing you have to fight against hard enemy. The first sword doesn't do any damage to monster, but if you have remembered the fools words and have chose the second one, you haven't any problems. So all you have to do to get past monster, is to realy listen every word you hear, althought those seems to be stupid.

What do you think?

1) Templates aren't a "sub-race." Any race or sub-race can be a lycanthrope or vampire, from a human to a dark elf or even an orc or ogre. In D&D, the template can be added somewhere along the way by various means.

2) Interesting puzzle.

3) And the name's Galuf, not Golum.

[Kipi]

Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
3) And the name's Galuf, not Golum.

Sorry, I was in kinda hurry when I wrote and I copied it from file, so I didn't check your name. I just remembered Golum. I think I've read too much Lord of the rings

I could change (again) my race list and add those Vampire etc. as sub-races.

EDIT: I ment that I wrote it in txt file and copied it here as soon as I was able to do it.

[Coot]

Well, you don't have to use the alignment system to let immoral actions have consequences (see Morrowind for example)... but it's your game .

I really like the wererat; sounds like my kind of character! What will be the characteristics of weretigers and wereboars?

How about adding others? Weremoose (+3 to bluntweapons), weredolphin (+2 points to swift swim), wereostrich (+1 to speed)... the possibilities are endless!!

[Malta Soron]

Originally posted by Kipi
Thinking Golum the Dwarf's reply, I decide to make changes to my race list:
Removed race: Vampire
Added race: Templates (aren't these also called Shapeshifters?)
Added sub-races to one above:
*Vampire
*Werewolf
*Wereboar
*Weretiger
*Wererat

You mean like Beorn in the Hobbit? I think so.

BTW: good puzzle!

What do you think of the were-virus?

[Robnark]

Originally posted by Coot
How about adding others? Weremoose (+3 to bluntweapons), weredolphin (+2 points to swift swim), wereostrich (+1 to speed)... the possibilities are endless!!

well, I'd draw the line at werebutterflies...

regarding incredibly obscure puzzles, I'd make sure that the less obvious clues will be given to the player, bacause missing the horribly obscure clue altogether and then getting squished is fairly cruel and unusual game design. in the example, have the fool talk to you as you go to get the swords, and maybe you can get some rumors from other people that hint to the fool's connection to the swords or summat.

[Kipi]

You are right. Iwas planning something like that you hear rumors that the fool is more clever than you could think. But of course, I could give some clues that fool have some kind of connection to the swords.
It could also be that fool is towns ex bard, who has come grazy for some reason. The possibilities are endless.

I was thinking to make fool very important person in game. "The fool always tells the truth."

Yes, I could make endless list of were-things, but I shall just stay on list I have made. If add something, someone would insist that I add something else and so on...

[Kipi]

One race I forgot
*Troll -- This must be in game, shall be very good fighter but not very clever

EDIT: I also forgot Minotaur.
Weretigers: got one extra attack per round (due speed)
Wereboar: Well, better attack (you know how dangerous wild boars can be )

Has anyone any good ideas about subraces for others races? I haven't got any new ideas, not counting what I have said here.

[Robnark]

well, there are a few generic ones I have so far

Changelings: gifted with arcane gubbins, but small and weak

Posessed: a number of options, but I'm thinking of fairly ordinary characters that gain power and eventually lose control depending on how much danger they're in. can learn to use powers as they gain levels

and there's a huge amount that can be included at your own discretion - liches, empaths, demi-gods, revenants, channelers, mutants and part-mechanical dudes.

[Kipi]

Haven't got much time to write here.
Demo is almost ready, just have to plan some more maps and some more items. Everyone who wants to get it, PM me and I will send it when it's ready.

[arno_v]

Are you making this game on your own? Or do you have some friends to help you, and is it ever going to be ready for release, I see you almost have a demo so your on the way.