Scenario Simulator (All the Rules!)

[GreyWolfVT]

Yes it was shaidar that suggested by asking about exit interviews/polling and I suspect it was meant for both DM and players of the simulation. I could be wrong but that was the sense I got from it.

I agree shaidar it will be fun trying out some new alternative systems in this fashion and the possibility it leads to a full on game down the road.

[Leitz]

Is the plan to provide crib sheets so we don't have to buy a large number of rules?

I put up a couple of links in the 7th Sea forum. I'll study the Quick Start guide provided, and if there are players then I'll detail out any differences before folks start building characters. 7th Sea is a lot like HERO, in that you create a custom character.

[shaidar]

Yeah, I was thinking of a poll for both DMs and players. Partly to feed back for later test games and also for some kind of standardisation so people can look at them and find it easier how the different games rate in different areas (combat, interaction, etc)

Or I could just be complicating things and making more work.

[Leitz]

Yeah, I was thinking of a poll for both DMs and players. Partly to feed back for later test games and also for some kind of standardisation so people can look at them and find it easier how the different games rate in different areas (combat, interaction, etc)

Or I could just be complicating things and making more work.

Sounds like you're volunteering; I vote yes! Anyone else vote for shaidar on this?

[GreyWolfVT]

Yeah, I was thinking of a poll for both DMs and players. Partly to feed back for later test games and also for some kind of standardisation so people can look at them and find it easier how the different games rate in different areas (combat, interaction, etc)

Or I could just be complicating things and making more work.

Sounds like you're volunteering; I vote yes! Anyone else vote for shaidar on this?

Naturally yes!

[shaidar]

D'oh!

[dmw71]

I'm going to make this easy going forward. If you post in this thread here in the 'Looking for players or games' topic, I will (eventually) add you to the game. No request is required.

A couple of things:

1. Post-Game Review/Feedback
   Absolutely, yes! I didn't do more than track it down at this point, but I had the 'Legacy of the Unknown - Pacesetter Games Playtest (OSRIC module)' game in mind when I proposed this idea, where evaluations were requested after the game was complete.
   
   
   See: Evaluations.
   
   But, yes, we will need to come up with something along these lines, for both players and GMs.
   
   
   .
2. Rules
   This is a tricky one, as not all games are free, or have free versions/equivalents. I will add going through each sub-forum and indicating in the title or description for each game whether it is free or at-cost to my to-do list. A lot of them I just don't know?
   
   But, this experiment by no means can/will cause us to overlook the piracy issue so there won't be any widespread file-sharing taking place.
   
   This, again, is something that we'll need to revisit as it merits further consideration.
   
   .
3. Scheduling

   Will games be run in parallel or in serial?

   Another topic that will require some thought. Pace of play is always a big issue when it comes to play-by-post games. Especially if you're looking to join and/or run multiple games.
   
   This might need to just be left up to the GM running the game? Thoughts?
   
   Especially with games potentially starting at different times, as there very well might be games that won't draw enough interest immediately and won't be filled until later. Ideally, it would be cool to conduct this like a live con, where all the games take place simultaneously with defined start and finish times, but that's just not realistic in this type of forum setting.

Clearly, there is much planning and organization that still needs to be done.

[dmw71]

May I humbly suggest 2400 Legend as another candidate system?

Done.

[GreyWolfVT]

I suppose I'll suggest Sword & Sorcery I think we had someone run a game using that or maybe more than one at one point in time.

[Leitz]

I'd recommend letting each DM, or group of DMs, post the rules in their sub-fora. I agree that piracy is not acceptable, and I put in links to free stuff from the company site.

Keep in mind that some rules may allow multiple DMs to run different games. I can relly see this with BRP or Hero, but likely others.

[GreyWolfVT]

I agree that piracy is not acceptable, and I put in links to free stuff from the company site.

Agreed. Fortunately, some places have basic guides listed as free. I think one was on DriveThruRPG for one I was talking about yesterday.

[dmw71]

I'd recommend letting each DM, or group of DMs, post the rules in their sub-fora. I agree that piracy is not acceptable, and I put in links to free stuff from the company site.

As long as the "post the rules" doesn't involve uploading an entire PDF of the game rules (e.g. just uploading and sharing the entire Player's Handbook), I'm sure we can make something work.

It might be essential that the GM running the game actually owns the rules... and for the players, it might actually be interesting to not own them.

Rules can sometimes get in the way of role-playing.

The GM would provide directions on how to create a character.

Then, during the game, as players declare the intentions on what (or how) their character attempts to do, the GM would request the specific roll or mechanic the game calls for.

Player: I want to attack with my sword.
GM: Please roll a 1d20 to see if you hit and a 1d8 for any potential damage.

Player: I want to sneak past the guard.
GM: Please roll 2d6 for me.

Player: I want to jump across the chasm.
GM: Please roll 1d20 and add 2.

Etc...

The players in the above situations wouldn't need to know the mechanics or how-to needed to resolve what they're attempting.

This back-and-forth will undoubtedly slow down the game, but I feel like everyone involved in the game should know going into it that these are designed to be learning experiences. The expectation should be for a slower, more informal play experience.

[GreyWolfVT]

It is entirely possibly that the very basics of the rule system could simply be retyped or copy and pasted (cliff notes style) to give the least amount of information required to play correct? Or is that classified as a copy right violation? I'm asking as I myself and not 100% certain.

[dmw71]

...the very basics of the rule system... cliff notes style... the least amount of information required to play...

These, I would think, should be fine.

Again, it's the wholesale uploading of documents available for sale on other sites (drivethrurpg.com, itch.io, etc...) that can't be allowed.


It might just require that we figure out these specific details as a situation arises.

[GreyWolfVT]

...the very basics of the rule system... cliff notes style... the least amount of information required to play...

These, I would think, should be fine.

Again, it's the wholesale uploading of documents available for sale on other sites (drivethrurpg.com, itch.io, etc...) that can't be allowed.


It might just require that we figure out these specific details as a situation arises.

Roger that. No intention of attaching or uploading entire documents to the forums on my part.

[ffilz]

For rules...

Bushido is not free and I don't know of any free stuff, players of this game will have to own or purchase the rules.

Cold Iron is free...

If I run RuneQuest, for the purposes of this scenario, I will allow folks to create characters using the free online RuneQuest Glorantha material but I will run the game using RQ1 or RQ2. I will share specific changes that will impact the players in the spirit of fair use. I'm pretty sure the free stuff will be good enough to run a one shot.

[Rusty Tincanne]

I only just skimmed this whole thread, so I might have missed it, but may I request that you:

1. include a trap in your scenario?
2. level up in post play!


And I'd love to see you tap Marullus to run the scenario through Torchbearer (2e, if possible) or Burning Wheel. The mechanics are VERY different, but very rewarding.

Starboard ran a nice Tunnels And Trolls game once, which I took part of and never really understood what the heck I was doing! (My fault, not his .)

I might be persuaded to run a 5e version, depending on a time commitment. Though Dave is a fine GM and has more experience with that system, I think. If Pulpatoon wanted to focus on Knave or Into the Odd, I could run Maze Rats.

[dmw71]

And I'd love to see you tap Marullus to run the scenario through Torchbearer (2e, if possible) or Burning Wheel. The mechanics are VERY different, but very rewarding.

Starboard ran a nice Tunnels And Trolls game once, which I took part of and never really understood what the heck I was doing! (My fault, not his .)

Created sub-forums for all three: Burning Wheel, Torchbearer, and Tunnels & Trolls.

[dmw71]

I might be persuaded to run a 5e version, depending on a time commitment. Though Dave is a fine GM and has more experience with that system, I think.

I could run a 5e game if needed as I have a very solid grasp on those rules.

Ideally, however, I'm looking to avoid involvement in anything D&D for these purposes. I really want to explore everything non-D&D in order to see what I like from those systems and can bring back into D&D in the form of house rules.

Specifically three things:

1. hit points
   Goal: lower hit points overall, or having two different types of hit points, per Questing Beast's 'Fixing Hit Points' video.
2. armor
   Goal: I'd like to experience a system where armor is used for damage reduction.

   ---

   Edit: Though, I am very interested in exploring the system The Dungeon Coach developed that tackles this, see: What is Wrong with Armor in D&D 5e? New Armor System Fix w/ Mr Rhexx.
3. magic systems
   Goal: Exploring something other than Vancian magic; and maybe a system where spell level matches character level.

[Norjax]

[*]magic systems

Goal: Exploring something other than Vancian magic; and maybe a system where spell level matches character level.

Dungeon Crawl Classics has a great modified-Vancian magic system. There is a chance that the same spell can be cast multiple times a day before it is lost and has to be memorized again. The power of each spell is also variable, based on a d20 die roll.