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!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Background Careers

I know I have discussed this before but this is an updated look at a background career coming in the Blades & Black Magic supplement.  There will be random tables to determine background or you can just read through and choose one.

Attributes provided are a basic line or quick stat up for Players/Referee, but not mandatory.

Each Background will have an "Ability" which can be used or just ignored as the Referee decides for his campaign. 

Skills for the background are listed and its not mandatory to take all 5, just 3. For a Player wanting an instant character, background concept, or a Referee needing an NPC on the fly, this should be a good resource I think.  Not sure how many backgrounds I'll end up with but I am gunning for 100+.  Then there will be tables for random rolling one such as by Environment (Urban, Wilds, etc.) or by Class (Adventurer v Wizard).  Anyway here is a sample of the Abbot.


ABBOT
The most wise and the oldest of religious scholars become abbots and thus the leader of a monastery or religious order. An Abbot tends to be older than your standard starting adventurer, but may be on a journey to right a wrong, seek a religious artifact or sacred truth, or for some reason take to the road for penance for misdeeds or spiritual awakening. An Abbot will be in their later mid-life (think 50's in terms of human age) and is a scholar and teacher, not necessarily a fighter-although anything is possible.

Attributes
ST7 IQ15 DX9 EN7 MV4; AR-1 (Robes); DM1d6 (Staff)

Skills
Scholar+1; Literacy+1; Physicker+1; Lore+1; Staff+1

Ability
Persuasive Oratory: When giving a formal speech/sermon you can influence others to see your point of view, a listener requires a 4/IQ test to resist

Equipment
Stout walking staff, robes, large sack, walking boots, religious symbol, parchment, quill, ink, religious text/scrolls, wineskin 3 days food. 2D6x10 coins

Hook
A quiet but fulfilling life was interrupted. Weather by fate or fortune a dark spirit entered your quiet life and corrupted members of your flock. There were deaths and factions created which lead to you leaving. Now whether seeking redemption, a solution, or a new start you have started a journey you never expected.

6 comments:

  1. Big thumbs up here to this idea. Really looking forward to Blades + Black Magic, but I have have plenty of HOW reading material to catch up anyway ;-)

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  2. Thanks Tim, I too am looking forward to having it completed and released into the wild! :)

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  3. Looking forward to this - random rolling by Environment is a great idea as it supports Tableau play - you generate the party then figure out what they're up to together.

    If you want any more input for Cauldron, just email me a theme and a deadline !

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    1. Hey Geordie! Man I;d love to have you contribute to Cauldron #2! Let me get my stuff together and give you a some options, thanks very much man!

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  4. Very nice! Only one quibble: Your first "whether" (in the Hook; second sentence) is misspelled as "weather." Figure since you're giving us a first look, you are also looking for any catches we might make too.... ;-)

    I think the entire concept is just great. Having a set of tables like that will help ENORMOUSLY in a sandbox type environment when you have to come up with some NPC on the fly, and it's late and inspiration just ain't happening for you at that precise moment.... And we've ALL been there.

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  5. Hey Jeff, I totally appreciate the feedback, most welcome! Spell check cannot determine intent..yet! :)

    I hope it will be helpful to Players and Referees, its the kind of stuff I use in my home game!

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