Various role-playing RPG game stuff not deserving its own thread

[Kalarion]

Anyone here try Gloomhaven? Was thinking about getting it, even though I read it can be ridiculously hard according to negative reviews.

It is ridiculously micro-heavy if played with RAW. You're going to need to plan moves very closely, at least until your characters have levelled up a couple times and have larger decks to work with. The PC version comes with some house rules that make it a little less silly (although you can play without them if you'd like). It's a lot of fun though.

[1998]

From the dev of this one



Comes now...





I actually liked his first game, but **** not sure how long I can look at that green.

[1998]

He actually just released a pretty early demo. Sadly you would need to join his discord to ask for a beta key, otherwise might have tried it.

I've uploaded a playable, but incomplete version of the game for testing purposes.

If you have the beta key, you may choose to try it out. If you are interested in trying it, but don't have the key, visit my Discord server and ask about it there... https://discord.gg/EV7gZHhd

In this version (0.4.1) you can explore the game's overworld and 5 dungeons. The dungeons are all roughly the same procedurally generated setup, just like we saw in the Game Jam version. However, each dungeon should be saved between visits and should have a different kind or assortment of monsters within.

Most of the game mechanics are things you can learn and experiment with in-game. You will use WASD movement and the mouse to select from menus. The only thing not obvious will be using F5 to open the save game menu. You need to hit Enter to save once you've selected a slot.

Each encounter will give you a variety of options, combat, stealth and dialogue. Learning how and when and where to use each will change depending on your alliances and gameplay strategy. Each move will (usually) require a "roll" against your character's appropriate stat. i.e. attacking checks against your character's "skill" and the damage will be modified by their "strength."

[Magick]

I see they are going down the "gays and transgenders have always been apart of a vibrant and diverse history" route of cope and yet when you look at the examples of "transgenders" and "notable homosexuals" it's always baron salazarr von kindertoucher committing pederasty and was universally reviled until the "experts" reviewed the "history" through another "perspective" and not some brave non-binary kween saving the realm as will be presented.

Also adding tiers to allow people to buy their own OCs into the game is a guaranteed way to get some ****** with neetbux adding their ******** self insert to the game.

It's funny they always claim "We've been persecuted throughout history, driven into corners and hiding, and only now can we come out and be who we are!"
And simultaneously "People have been LGBT forever, bigot. Kings, queens, nobles and peasants were all at it, including animals, it's natural, normal and has always been there! Here's 20,000 "studies" of how there were tonnes of gays and this was normal during medieval times!"...

[1998]

I see they are going down the "gays and transgenders have always been apart of a vibrant and diverse history" route of cope and yet when you look at the examples of "transgenders" and "notable homosexuals" it's always baron salazarr von kindertoucher committing pederasty and was universally reviled until the "experts" reviewed the "history" through another "perspective" and not some brave non-binary kween saving the realm as will be presented.

Also adding tiers to allow people to buy their own OCs into the game is a guaranteed way to get some ****** with neetbux adding their ******** self insert to the game.

It's funny they always claim "We've been persecuted throughout history, driven into corners and hiding, and only now can we come out and be who we are!"
And simultaneously "People have been LGBT forever, bigot. Kings, queens, nobles and peasants were all at it, including animals, it's natural, normal and has always been there! Here's 20,000 "studies" of how there were tonnes of gays and this was normal during medieval times!"...

Whenever I read that I know I can safely regard whatever bs comes after. Basically none of those "studies" are designed with an open question, and its extremely obvious for anyone with more than 2 braincells

[rusty_shackleford]

Any of you played RuneSword 1 or 2? Seems like earlier Vogel-esque games. Maybe @Watser?
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs1.html
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs2.html

[Tweed]

Any of you played RuneSword 1 or 2? Seems like earlier Vogel-esque games. Maybe @Watser?
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs1.html
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs2.html

No, but that aesthetic looks wholesome as ****.

EDIT: A lot of those fansite links are still alive and some of them have modules for the game. Aside from that it's great seeing corny old web 1.0 webpages.

[Watser]

Any of you played RuneSword 1 or 2? Seems like earlier Vogel-esque games. Maybe @Watser?
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs1.html
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs2.html

No, but looks fun.

[rusty_shackleford]

Any of you played RuneSword 1 or 2? Seems like earlier Vogel-esque games. Maybe @Watser?
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs1.html
https://www.crosscutgames.com/rs2.html

So it's not lost to time, I've mirrored the first game on the Vault:
https://f.rpghq.org/qd1wAInaI8dP.zip?n=RuneSword.zip

[Watser]

Finished Paper Sorcerer yesterday. Very enjoyable little game which was unfortunately abandoned post-release with quite a few bugs still unsquashed.
Turns out, very recently, an unofficial patch has been uploaded https://www.moddb.com/mods/paper-sorcer ... cial-patch.
Supposedly it's all text description fixes and a couple of bug fixes with no alteration to gameplay.

[1998]

Finished Paper Sorcerer yesterday. Very enjoyable little game which was unfortunately abandoned post-release with quite a few bugs still unsquashed.
Turns out, very recently, an unofficial patch has been uploaded https://www.moddb.com/mods/paper-sorcer ... cial-patch.
Supposedly it's all text description fixes and a couple of bug fixes with no alteration to gameplay.

Great game indeed...

[Acrux]

I've had my eye on it for years but never played it because I heard about the bugs making the game uncompletable. Thanks for sharing about this patch!

[Watser]

I've had my eye on it for years but never played it because I heard about the bugs making the game uncompletable. Thanks for sharing about this patch!

Had no issues with completing the game, but the game could get stuck in some of the UI menus forcing you to reload or in worst case reboot the game to get going again. Unsure if such things has been addressed but the King's Key not working for the sidequest/secret has been fixed.

It's a fun game, played on hard and only the first few blocks were difficult - don't know how unforgiving the 1980's difficulty mode is.

As always save often and in multiple slots.

[1998]

I've had my eye on it for years but never played it because I heard about the bugs making the game uncompletable. Thanks for sharing about this patch!

Didn't even have an issue finishing that on release. Buggy yes, but it was fully playable.

[Oyster Sauce]

Barbarians are as ill fitting as monks in most games. They need unique dialogue throughout the entire game to make sense.

[rusty_shackleford]

Barbarians are as ill fitting as monks in most games. They need unique dialogue throughout the entire game to make sense.

Barbarians as a class always seemed silly to me. My first reaction was something like, "so they're a fighter… who fights harder?"

[Hauberk]

Oyster is on to something all right. Much like the Ranger, which is really the Aragorn class, Barbarian is the Conan class. I guess that the Monk is ...David Carradine?

[rusty_shackleford]

Much like the Ranger, which is really the Aragorn class

I wish, some ******* apparently thought "ranger" meant "fights at range" so now they're just archers.

Barbarian is the Conan class

Actually, that's the rogue(AKA thief). A very high CON/STR thief, but a thief nonetheless IMO. I'd suggest giving The Tower of the Elephant a read if you haven't, it's definitely what I'd point to for making this claim.

Barbarian is just a poor concept for a class IMO, it's a culture.

[Hauberk]

@rusty_shackleford:
I was talking about the original concept of the classes. I know that the ranger is definitely based on Aragorn, for example. But if we skip that and talk about the "current setup" I'd be inclined to agree.

If so, then what ARE Barbarians supposed to represent? Let's see:

A Barbarian is someone who's uncultured, illiterate and fearful of things beyond his comprehension. He's quick runner, won't wear much armor (in a world of sharp, pointy things) and compares poorly to a real Fighter. He offsets his lack of skill with his powerful ...chimpout ability. Hey, that sounds like someone we know!

[Acrux]

Rangers have, unfortunately, steadily gone downhill (with an exception in 4e) since their first appearance when Joe Fischer wanted to play one in Gary's campiagn. They were originally a figher-man subclass that had fairly high requirements (14 in STR, INT, DEX, and WIS), but were well worth it for the double hp roll at first level, extra damage vs giants, goblins,and orcs, and multiple attacks per round.

Then in AD&D 2e they got Drizztified and were the "2 weapon fighter" and "animal companion" class. There's some debate as to which came first, the novels or the 2-weapon fighting. The rules were released in 1989 and the Drizzt novels in 1990, but it's possible (and probable) that Salvatore was talking with TSR as he wrote the novels, so they might have influenced the ranger rules.

Then 3E pushed them even further into their 2 weapon niche, but were otherwise less useful than a fighter (lower hp, limited to medium armor, poor/delayed casting and animal companion worse than a druid's. The favored enemy bonus was pretty lackluster.

They actually weren't too bad for their intended purpose in 4e, but that got so little play as to not matter.

5e moves them closer to where they were before, with terrain and favored enemy bonuses, but seem to be not a great reason to take them.

[Rand]

D&D butchered "rangers" from literally the outset.

Aragorn is just a fighter with wilderness skills. Nothing more.

But the first D&D rangers had druidic magic for some reason, and fought worse than fighters while having (statistically) more hit points for the first five levels or so.
Since they were given two hit dice (D8s) at first level.

Then they gave them archer boosts and afterwards gave them pet class options.

[rusty_shackleford]

D&D butchered "rangers" from literally the outset.

Aragorn is just a fighter with wilderness skills. Nothing more.

But the first D&D rangers had druidic magic for some reason, and fought worse than fighters while having (statistically) more hit points for the first five levels or so.
Since they were given two hit dice (D8s) at first level.

Then they gave them archer boosts and afterwards gave them pet class options.

Disagree.

I assume they received levels in cleric(not druid! The first Ranger was for OD&D, check Strategic Review #2) and Magic User magic was because rangers in Tolkien's works, while not depicted as magical, were capable of feats quite close to magic. Part of this is because they're Dúnedain, which are inherently superhuman in every way.
Note that Aragorn was a physical equal of Boromir — who was capable of cutting down at least 20 orcs by himself. Yet Aragorn bested him in many other areas.

So, what is an example of why the Ranger — based on Aragorn — would have some abilities of a cleric(or druid)?
Refer to the Houses of Healing chapter in the Return of the King: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Houses_of_Healing

The wounded, including Merry, Faramir, and Éowyn, grew steadily sicker from the poison of the Enemy’s weapons. One of the city’s nurses recalled a legend of Gondor, which said, "The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known." Only Aragorn could save those wounded by the Enemy.

Aragorn crushed the leaves of an Athelas plant, a seemingly useless herb that grew in Gondor, and stirred them in a bowl of warm water. The sweet scent of the herb awoke Faramir from his fever. Faramir immediately affirmed Aragorn as his superior and king. Aragorn then tended to Éowyn and Merry, who both returned to consciousness when Aragorn touched and kissed them. All through the night, Aragorn healed the wounded of the city.

---

Regarding other Ranger discussion:
The ranger just cannot be depicted in modern D&D because it was, by design, a superior class. Just like modern paladin does not feel 'right'. Now the game is so obsessed with balance that the idea a class is simply superior is not something designers do, therefore rangers and paladins shouldn't exist.

[rusty_shackleford]

Refer to the Houses of Healing chapter in the Return of the King: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Houses_of_Healing

Again, as another example of LotRO being an excellent adaptation of Tolkien's works(until they pozzed it recently), it actually depicts this FYI
https://lotro-wiki.com/wiki/Houses_of_Healing
https://lotro-wiki.com/wiki/Quest:Idle_Hands

Ioreth: 'You have come at the request of the king?'
You inform Ioreth that Aragorn has not yet claimed that title, and then tell her of his concerns about Galathir's healing practices.
'Whether he claims the title or not, I know him for what he is. He has the hands of a healer, and none but a king could work kingsfoil into such a potent medicine - and I would know! Still, it troubles me that he has grown concerned about Galathir's methods. Not precisely because I disagree, mind you, but because I did not think it would be so plainly noticed!
'I cannot send Galathir away, but I can help prevent him from treating any more of the wounded with Everworth. It is the least I can do for my king!
'However, there remains one other matter of concern regarding Galathir... and his new apprentice.'

They took every chapter, every paragraph and turned it into a larger adaptation of what others that aren't part of the fellowship might be doing during which.

[Finarfin]

Refer to the Houses of Healing chapter in the Return of the King: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Houses_of_Healing

Again, as another example of LotRO being an excellent adaptation of Tolkien's works(until they pozzed it recently), it actually depicts this FYI
https://lotro-wiki.com/wiki/Houses_of_Healing
https://lotro-wiki.com/wiki/Quest:Idle_Hands

Ioreth: 'You have come at the request of the king?'
You inform Ioreth that Aragorn has not yet claimed that title, and then tell her of his concerns about Galathir's healing practices.
'Whether he claims the title or not, I know him for what he is. He has the hands of a healer, and none but a king could work kingsfoil into such a potent medicine - and I would know! Still, it troubles me that he has grown concerned about Galathir's methods. Not precisely because I disagree, mind you, but because I did not think it would be so plainly noticed!
'I cannot send Galathir away, but I can help prevent him from treating any more of the wounded with Everworth. It is the least I can do for my king!
'However, there remains one other matter of concern regarding Galathir... and his new apprentice.'

They took every chapter, every paragraph and turned it into a larger adaptation of what others that aren't part of the fellowship might be doing during which.

Just a shame that they pozzed it up.

[Finarfin]

I like to add to the pozz comment I made:

A year ago, they added a "quality of life" update regarding character customization, meaning you can now create orcs and goblins (******* and Asians) along with normal people (White). They have also removed the restrictions each origin had (Bree-folk, Dale-folk, Gondorans, Rohirrim), and now you can be a ****** Gondoran and a ***** Rohirrim as opposed to back then, being confined to customization options fitting the origins (tan with black and brown hair colors for Gondorans, pale with ginger and blond hair colors for Rohirrim).

[Brother Michael]

I quite like Shadow of the Demon Lord’s approach to class design/identity:
https://online.anyflip.com/oipiv/xodw/mobile/index.html

Instead of classes, it has Novice, Expert, and Master paths, none of which have restrictions on being taken. Novice ones conform to the original four of fighter, magic user, cleric, and thief (under different names). Expert and Master paths, which include the likes of ranger and paladin, are chosen at later levels and layer onto the other paths.

The benefits aren’t linear either, as you will still gain features from your novice path at level eight (max is ten).

Just being a “fighter” isn’t enough for most people, and while distinction can emerge in role play, mechanical flavor is also desirable. I like that this system adds meat your specialization without treading on the toes of the main four that every character inevitably falls into.

[Finarfin]

I quite like Shadow of the Demon Lord’s approach to class design/identity:
https://online.anyflip.com/oipiv/xodw/mobile/index.html

Instead of classes, it has Novice, Expert, and Master paths, none of which have restrictions on being taken. Novice ones conform to the original four of fighter, magic user, cleric, and thief (under different names). Expert and Master paths, which include the likes of ranger and paladin, are chosen at later levels and layer onto the other paths.

The benefits aren’t linear either, as you will still gain features from your novice path at level eight (max is ten).

Just being a “fighter” isn’t enough for most people, and while distinction can emerge in role play, mechanical flavor is also desirable. I like that this system adds meat your specialization without treading on the toes of the main four that every character inevitably falls into.

Seeing this makes me wish for a group to play "Shadows of Esteren"

[Lhynn]

Barbarian is the Conan class

Actually, that's the rogue(AKA thief). A very high CON/STR thief, but a thief nonetheless IMO. I'd suggest giving The Tower of the Elephant a read if you haven't, it's definitely what I'd point to for making this claim.

Barbarian is just a poor concept for a class IMO, it's a culture.

ERYFKRAD on suicide watch

[rusty_shackleford]

Barbarian is the Conan class

Actually, that's the rogue(AKA thief). A very high CON/STR thief, but a thief nonetheless IMO. I'd suggest giving The Tower of the Elephant a read if you haven't, it's definitely what I'd point to for making this claim.

Barbarian is just a poor concept for a class IMO, it's a culture.

ERYFKRAD on suicide watch

I'm not sure if he'd disagree that Barbarian is a culture, or at least, a sub-class of Fighter not dissimilar in intent to e.g., Dwarven Defender being a subclass to Fighter.

[1998]

New Sir Brante game will be announced today Thursday 16:00 UTC



Their other new game, Mother of All Secrets, got officially abandoned. Promising!