Hi everyone,
One of the goals I've set out for Spellwoven is that the core skeleton of the rules should be summarizable on 1 (maybe 2) pages of terse text. For a free game, where the learning curve can be steep and getting people to play can be a struggle, I like the idea of a long-format game coming with a complete quick-reference swot sheet.
To that end I've mocked up the key rules as they stand. I'll pop some of the summary rules into a second post below.
The object of Spellwoven is remains a bit fuzzy, but I'm going to do my best to take Rob's advice and see if I can work out a clear objective from the start. I'll start with some general points I want to hit:
- Thematically true to Tolkien's Middle Earth without actually infringing on copyright
- A basic Tolkienesque setting that a Tolkien purist could use to run a game in a setting that was closely based on ME
- An expanded rules set that includes optional player races, monsters, magic, histories, personalities and setting stuff that is Tolkienesque in theme, but not in detail.
Some specifics
- Subtle magic
- Magic that operates through an understanding of the laws of all things: elves don't perceive magic as 'magic' per se, but as a part of their own natural understanding of things
- A freeform 'bounded' magic system
- Unbalanced races: Elves really are sort of perfect
- Rules for creating magical objects that makes sense in a ME-esque setting
- Rules for using (or being used by) magical objects in a ME-esque setting
- Rules medium overall. Fast resolution.
- Interesting combat rules, but not too complex
- Cinematic rules in general: I want most of the monsters to be one-shot kills so that heroic characters can plough through a mob of orcs
- Classes, levels and races: It's old fashioned, but there are strong positives associated with the traditional structure of a C/L/R based game.
- A task and level system: Encourages character niches and cinematic play. No Exps. I'll post this reasonably soon. It's basically done
At this point, none of my goals are set in stone. I'm happy to discuss, discard and rework.
I don't have a short pitch yet, though I am working my way towards one.
Chris