What is Heroes & Other Worlds?

Heroes & Other Worlds is a game of adventure inspired by Metagaming's classic Melee/Wizard/TFT system combined with inspiration from the Moldvay edited basic game. The rules are easy to learn and use standard six sided dice. The system is simple, sensible and flexible in the spirit of classic role playing games from the early 80's. Become a Hero, Other Worlds await!

Monday, November 26, 2012

More Magic?

HOW has a solid group of spells included in the basic rules book.

As HOW spell casting is based on IQ not Levels, there are spells for every IQ level included from IQ8 to IQ18.

Yet as every Referee and Player knows, more spells are always wanted!  To that end I am compiling a rather extensive new, and separate, spell book.

Two questions for you:

1) Should it's creation supersede a #0 issue of Cauldron?

2) Should it include all the spells from the HOW rules book as well as all the new spells?

Let me know, and I hope you get your printed copies of the rules soon, I know I am anxious to get mine!

Image from John Howe portfolio
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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    1) I think Cauldron issue #0 is more of a priority, it'll give people who are undecided about HOW a taste of what can be done/played with it for free. Also it gives you a while longer to develop spells, by that time you should be getting feedback about how the existing spells have worked for different people.

    2) It depends whether you see it as a book primarily for Players - you could put them all together and it would feel like a complete spellbook

    or a book primarily for the GM - you could keep the core as general spells with the new ones in the spellbook being the rarer guarded secrets of more specialized spellcasters.

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    1. Fenway5November 26, 2012 at 1:46 PM

      1) Both excellent points, thank you Geordie.

      2) Both Players/Referees will want to use the expanded spell book but I think having it include all new spells is better than rehashing spells.

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  2. Andrew SNovember 26, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    I agree that Cauldron #0 should be the priority. In the absence of a HoW pdf it'd be to the benefit of all.

    As for the spell book, I'd prefer a compiled volume. Yes, replication might be an issue for some, but I'm all for utility at the table. The less cross referencing I need to perform during play better.

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    1. Fenway5November 27, 2012 at 5:53 AM

      Thank you Andrew for taking time to respond. Good point on the magic book!

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  3. TM_ArnoldNovember 27, 2012 at 5:42 AM

    In my humble opinion:

    1. If you plan on having a regular magazine, get it integrated into a regular production schedule and stick to it. Reliability in you equates to customer loyalty, just like White Dwarf, The General, etc..

    2. The spell book could be simply more spells (an 'advanced' spell book) or the first in a series. The spell book of animals, plants, elements. The spell book of the conjurer, elementalist, illusionist.

    I foresee this game being solidified or dissolving based on options the players have. Game books that expand the system beyond the core, adventures the players can run, setting books based on new or established properties, and your magazine that allows players direct input.

    Sorry for the novel, but I want the system to not just survive, but thrive like kudzu.

    I'll reward you with another error I found: page 116, put a space after Flint. Ha!

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    1. Fenway5November 27, 2012 at 5:58 AM

      1) I do plan on The Cauldron being quarterly and as the #0 issue is a sneak preview sort of thing, it may indeed be of more benefit to the hesitant as well as the early adopters.

      2) Interesting idea splitting up spell books. I will think more on that.

      Great points TM I see something similar myself in how the system develops. ...and thank you for finding yet another opportunity for improvement for me! :)

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  4. Chris BNovember 27, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    My book arrived today- it looks great, you did a fantastic job on it. Very excited to dig into it.
    As for the spell book I think that Cauldron should come first. When the spell book does come out, it should contain every spell, not just the new ones.

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  5. Fenway5November 27, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    Thanks Chris, the artists, the Beau editor, my wife and DCG supporting it with the programmed adventure all shaped and gave life to the game I always wish had been published. Now it is and I hope others enjoy playing it as much as I do!

    Thanks for your feedback on The Cauldron coming first. Message received loud and clear, it will come out in December.

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  6. Anthony SimeoneNovember 27, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    Ordered my copy of HOW today! Can't wait to get it! I say get Cauldron going first and the worry about the spell book. Regarding the spell book, I vote for just new spells and not a rehash. That means more room for new spells!

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    1. Fenway5November 27, 2012 at 7:43 PM

      Thank you very much for your support! I think it's no contest, The Cauldron has to come out first!

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  7. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    I suggest starting work on the spell book now... but include teaser/playtest material from it Cauldron Magazine. Once you have feedback from your hardcore players... revise it all for the magic book.

    Don't forget to have sections on all magic related skills. (I don't know if you have Sorcerer's Tongue in there or not... but either way, explain that sucker!)

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    1. Fenway5November 28, 2012 at 6:05 PM

      Hey jeffro! Good points, Sorcer's Tongue is just a secret language for Wizards (like a thieves kant) sorry nothing more mystical than that! :)

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