Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Treasures!

First, thanks very much for all the feedback on the Tome of Terrors and Treasure.  I appreciate the alternative ideas and everyone's thoughtful opinions.  My decision is: I am going to sort of do both. 

There will be one unified/complete book at launch. That is what I'd want as a player and what I have been working towards. So one book to rule them all fans, take heart. I am still trying to get it done in OCTOBER but it may honestly be November.  Good thing is you don't pay anything until it is done and ready to send to you.  (Assuming you'd even want to purchase a copy of course.)

As to the installment plan and then unify proposal, this does not work for me for two reasons:

1) I can only devote time to one project at a time. So In order to drop creatures into the Cauldron, means I need to do nothing but write new Cauldron issues to drop creatures into. That means at best, bi-monthly Cauldron releases and most likely about 18 months to get it all done and out.  Then a unified copy after that.

2) Even IF everyone said "AW YEAH! I will wait another 18 months to see it all", that also means no other HOW projects get worked on or done: no Blades & Black Magic, no Grim Venture, no revised rulebook--nothing else.  Frankly I am not okay with that as there is some good stuff coming and I'd hate to wait nearly 2 more years to get it rolling.

Now all that being said, I will include some Monster sections in Cauldron issues so those who choose not to buy the unified book will still get access to beasties through Cauldron issues, I just cannot at this point say what the time line for those releases are beyond a Cauldron will come out before the end of this year and will have some critters in it.  So thanks for the feedback and opinions--they do matter!

Okay now lets talk the treasures portion of the ToTaT. There will be a Treasure Rating scale of 1 (low) to 10 (Lair: think Dragon horde)

Across all ranks will be sections for things like items, coins, gems, arcane items, etc.

Under each treasure type is a number. You roll 3d6 and find that item if you roll under it.

So as a rough idea sketch it looks something like this:

TR          Items        Coins        Jewels      Scrolls     Arcane
 1               11              8                5              3             NA

Then within each category (like Items) you will roll to determine what kind of sub item category (such as food, pocket, pouch) you find treasure in. Then roll you will roll d66 on that chart (say pocket) to see what the specific item was found (2 candles). 

My goal is to provide variables and charts whenever possible to try and limit repeat items found and to create a broad range of potential items to find.  Second my hope is for the Referee it can help create some interesting gaming opportunities such as if the players find a pouch of "blue powder." Who knows what kind of interesting stuff the Players may think it is and as the Referee that could be interesting opportunity to expand your game in a new direction on the fly!

So that's a peek at what's happening behind the scenes in my Other World. Thanks for your continued support and patience!

6 comments:

  1. Hey you are putting too much pressure on yourself. Thanks for inviting input but at the end of the day you have to do whats in your best interest. If it becomes a chore we don't get great game stuff. We also know its a one maybe two person show, even though you produce material very quickly, so its easy to be patient.

    Morgan

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  2. that all sounds good and makes good sense!

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  3. I personally applaud the decision -- especially since I'm really eagerly awaiting the Blades and Black Magic and Grim Venture books! ;-)

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  4. Fenway/Mr. Brandon, from what I've read your system really interests me and I want to buy a copy of the rulebook...but the fact that you're still making a new edition which will be out soon(ish) is making me hesitate :/

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    1. Totally understand!

      Let me see if I can clarify, a revised edition is a 2016 project...so I am looking at it being 2 years away.

      Also note the revised edition will not be a mechanical nor a system re-working. It will be a polish and clean up, some clarifications, not a new system to learn at all.

      Hope that additional information helps with your decision to wait or jump in, and thanks for taking time to look into my little game!

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    2. Thanks for the response, Fenway :)

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