I recently obtained a copy of the Beta for Atlantis: The Second Age released by Khepera Publishing via its KS: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-the-second-age-rpg/. The Beta can be obtained now by anyone here: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/120423/Atlantis-the-Second-Age, though it will soon be making its way to print with further editing and art.
I am a big Sword & Sorcery fan. Though I have found a number of decent S&S RPGs (Stormbringer and Barbarians of Lemuria), I have not found one that I am entirely happy with. Personally, I want something that has a system and setting that oozes S&S but is also flexible enough to do the classic novels of the 30s and 70s, the savage comics of the 70s and the gonzo movies of the 80s.
Originally, I did not know much about Atlantis' predecessor Bard Games' Arcanum except that it was well received. And though I did look at Morrigan's 2005 release (where the title "Atlantis" was adopted), I passed over it as the S&S vibe was buried under the D&D remnants.
The latest version of Atlantis has been tightly focused on the S&S genre which makes Atlantis really stand out. It also sees the Omni system, which has been used for Talislanta and Hellas, streamlined for ease of play. The end result is a solid RPG, using a stripped down and skill based d20 style ruleset, that is flexible enough to cover a wide range of high adventure in an antediluvian setting.
In any case, to highlight how cool I find this RPG is I have decided to make a PC for it here. Please feel free to contribute to the choice made as we go. The RPG does use a Life Path system with random events, so who knows where we end up :)
OVERVIEW
As listed on page 19, PC Creation consists of the following steps:
Step One: Choose a Race
Step Two: Choose a Culture
Step Three: Choose a Profession
Step Four: Walk Life Paths
Step Five: Other Details
STEP ONE: CHOOSE A RACE
The races available in Atlantis: The Second Age are:
Each race is described in more detail on the pages that follow.
• Ahl-At-Rab - Saurian race
• Andamen - Animal hybrids (Jackal, Wolf, Jaguar, Bird, Lions, Minotaur and Triton)
• Atlanteans - Highly evolved human-like race
• Humans
• Jinn - Fey Elder race
• Lemurians - Highly intelligent apes
• Nethermen - Devolved human slave race
From this list, the refocusing of Atlantis as an RPG becomes clear in that the standard Tolkien options, which did exist in previous iterations, have been removed. The above races were in those previous iterations as well, but a few were in the Bestiary.
You are left with plenty of options (each Andamen option is treated as a separate race) whilst not going beyond what may be unusual in a S&S RPG. Some are very weird and exotic like the mercurial and immortal Jinn, whilst others look brutal and savage like the cannibalistic Nethermen (you get power from eating people).
I am happy to go with any option. They all look great and have two or so pages devoted to them. My preferences would be for Lemurians (apes with ancient high technology) or possibly a Jaguar Andaman or Balam (being an homage to Guin from the Guin Saga).
So, my love of Guin from the Guin Saga won out, along with a desire for simplicity in my first effort. So, Balam it is.
Andaman were races created by Atlantean magic in a previous age, but they proved uncontrollable and have since developed into their separate races. They are humanoid but all have animalistic features. They also take double damage from silver, given their supernatural origin.
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
That makes my starting Attributes:
INT +0 PER +0 WIL +0 CHA +0 MR -2
STR +1 DEX +1 CON +1 SPD +2 CR +2
HP 18
All round physical badass and not great at magic. Got it.
There is a paragraph on physical description and another on personality. Then comes to the racial abilities:
Natural Weapons: Bite DR 3, Claws DR3 (armor piercing).
Climber: Add twice their DEX (minimum of +2) to the Athletics rolls to climb.
Cat Prowess: Leap a number of meters into the air equal to their STR + SPD and subtract DEX in meters (minimum of 2m) from falling damage.
Night Vision: Half penalties for darkness and add triple his PER (minimum of +3) to Perception rolls.
Wow. All cool stuff and some pretty powerful stuff too. The ability to make mighty leaping clawing attacks at night, check. Strangely, these Andaman racial abilities are pretty straightforward compared to some of the options out there.
STEP TWO: CHOOSE A CULTURE
At this step, there are 102 cultural options! These are grouped by continent. So, I guess the next step is to choose a counterpart place on our Earth as a guide. I am tempted to choose Atlantis itself or Europa, though the sunken continent of Antilla could be fun.
And to give a picture to go with the PC:
Spoiler
(http://static.diary.ru/userdir/4/2/1/4/42147/28911036.jpg)
Stop it. You're nearly convincing me to get it. I've ummed and arred over the beta version, which is available real cheap. At this point, i would like it, but can't really see when i'd get to play it.
Looks interesting, anyhow.
I've got the PDF, the complexities of some of the magic make me wince though.
Quote from: Silverlion;702340I've got the PDF, the complexities of some of the magic make me wince though.
The system seems almost identical to the previous iterations of the same system in Atlantis, Talislanta and Hellas, though I am not an expert. Effectively, all magic is still a skill roll, like any other roll.
Quote from: One Horse Town;702333Stop it. You're nearly convincing me to get it. I've ummed and arred over the beta version, which is available real cheap. At this point, i would like it, but can't really see when i'd get to play it.
Looks interesting, anyhow.
I haven't even got to the good stuff yet. :)
I have decided to go with Galacea as the culture, effectively northern Spain. It is a place where Fire and Air spirits battle as volcanoes and storms, and monsters roam. It is also just north of Tharshesh, where a great starting city Tartessos, and across the water from Atlantis.
One criticism of the rulebook is that though it contains a history of the setting, a chapter on Atlantis, and a summary of the continents, it lacks setting detail on a cultural level. This will make getting the setting book Geographica pretty much a must (fortunately, its due to be KSed itself shortly).
Anyway, my culture gives me +1 DEX and the following skills:
Deception +3, Evade +2, Handicraft (player’s choice) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Speak Language (Alban) +10, Stealth +2, Weapon (melee or thrown) +1
That leaves me with the following stat block:
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
Culture: Galacea
INT +0 PER +0 WIL +0 CHA +0 MR -2
STR +1 DEX +2 CON +1 SPD +2 CR +2
HP 18
Skills: Deception +3, Evade +2, Handicraft (alchemy) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Speak Language (Alban) +10, Stealth +2, Weapon (thrown) +1
Abilities: Natural Weapons, Climber, Cat Prowess, Night Vision
Next up: Choose Profession. There are 16 professions. These are pretty loose and don't really act like Classes. They are more a bundle of starting skills and abilities.
The choices are:
Slayers: Scout, Solider, Warrior, Pirate/Brigand
Takers: Assassin, Burglar, Swindler, Thug
Shapers: Sorcerer, Martial Wizard, Charlatan, Shaman
Teachers: Emissary, Priest, Saint, Scholar
Scout? Warrior? Emissary?
STEP THREE: CHOOSE A PROFESSION
I think I will try out the Pirate/Brigand. Though still a warrior, he is also a traveller. I could go Scout but despite the racial abilities favouring stealth, I see him being more upfront.
Pirate gets me +1 CR, +1 WR (Wealth from all that booty!), and Second Wind Talent (once per day, when HP are 5 or below, I may recover HP equal to 5 + 3xCON)
I get the following skills:
Athletics +2, Evade +8, Influence +2, Investigate/Search +2, Language(Atlantean) +3, Navigation +3, Parry +4, Pilot (seacraft) +2, Profession
(criminal) +10 , Unarmed Fighting +3, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +4
I also get Light Cuirass (PR2), Sword (DR10), Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Horse and Travellers Gear.
That gets me:
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
Culture: Galacea
Profession: Pirate
INT +0 PER +0 WIL +0 CHA +0 MR -2
STR +1 DEX +2 CON +1 SPD +2 CR +3
HP 18
Skills: Athletics +2, Deception +3, Evade +10, Handicraft (alchemy) +1, Influence +2, Investigate/Search +2, Language (Atlantean) +3, Language (Alban) +10, Navigation +3, Parry +4, Pilot (seacraft) +2, Profession (criminal) +10 , Sleight of Hand +1, Stealth +2, Unarmed Fighting +3, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +5
Abilities: Natural Weapons, Climber, Cat Prowess, Night Vision, Second Wind
WR +1
Equipment: Light Cuirass (PR2), Sword (DR10), Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Horse and Travellers Gear
Next up: Walk Life Paths. I am going to take a break here, but this section looks great. I get to make a bunch of choices and randomly generate (or choose if you are averse to random) various events in the PCs background. This give minor bonuses.
First, Upbringing (Civilised, Rural or Savage), Childhood Encounter, Family Status.
Next, Life Paths. You can take up to 5 and each takes a number of years determining your PCs age.
The choices are divided into callings: High Adventure, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Sailor, Scholar, and Warrior.
One observation I will make here is regarding Talents. The Omni system has previously had big list of Talents (pretty much 3e Feats). Masses of them. However, Atlantis has reversed this considerably. In Atlantis, there is now just 20 Talents. 4 tied to each Profession group (one per Profession) and 4 general ones covering non-Profession based bonuses like extra HP, wealth,nobility etc.
Though you do lose some customisation, the result is that the game is strongly focussed on skills. Talents provide some base level niche protection like a class ability but nothing more. The whole concept of "you don't have feat X, so you can't do X" seems to be gone.
Also, the game is quite a bit simpler and straightforward. PC stat blocks are clean and making NPCs is now a breeze with only Ability Level, HP, DR/PR needed for any mook.
STEP FOUR: WALK LIFE PATHS
Just to prove I didn't cheat, my rolls are here: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269807/ and http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269818/
Upbringing: I went Savage, seeing the PC as having been brought up in the wilds of Galacea.
8 - Parents were tribal Shaman. Gain +1 Lore (player’s choice).
I have chosen Lore (Tactics). I am going with the idea that the PC, despite being a strong warrior, was brought up by his shamanic parents to be a warlord hero of their people. They taught him civilised ideas of warfare in order to counter the savagery of the monsters that terrorised them.
Childhood Event: 19/6 - Was instrumental in stopping a coup.
Interesting. Maybe after his people became secure, his parents sought to go back to their tribal ways. However, having been established in power he was loathe to give it up.
Family Status: 6 - Family is well loved by the people and has many allies.
That seems to make sense too. If his family were shamans and concerned about the welfare of their people, being favoured makes sense. Also the ally element suits the fact they taught him civilised learning. Maybe they have allies in the city of Tartessos, such as a merchant family.
Looking at Life Paths, I am considering Warrior, Scholar and Sailor to represent the various parts of his life. I note that there used to be a Noble Path, which would have been better than Scholar, but let's see where it gets us.
Warrior: 7/8/5 - 4 years, Battle, Killed the Formorian chieftain, Nungo, during the Beast War. Gain +4 Renown.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269827/ and http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269828/
Formorian? Sounds like the leader of the monsters his parents taught him to defeat.
Scholar: 16/1/ - 2 years, Tragedy, You publicly fail at an important task resulting in the death of a player character’s loved one. Lose 4 Renown.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269830/ and http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269831/
Hahaha. I am thinking that failing to give up power and then murdering his parents constitutes losing all the renown he gained from beating the tribal enemies :D
Now at 24 years:
Sailor: 18/14/14 - 2 years, Great Fortune, Met and befriended a Nubian Prince. He offers you the hand of his sister!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269858/ and http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4269861/
Interesting. I think that the PC's parents allies were a Nubian merchant family, who were actually looking to establish stability in the region for profit. When the PC refused to give up power to his people (shaming himself), these allies stepped in and offered him wealth and a ship so they could take advantage of his talents elsewhere.
Despite the whole thing being of the Nubian merchant families making, the PC is oddly indebted to them, and now bound in marriage.
The Renown awards cancel out, but PC gets Weapon (thrown) +1, Lore (tactics) +1 and Pilot (seacraft) +1.
He is 26 years old.
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
Culture: Galacea
Profession: Pirate
Age: 26 years
INT +0 PER +0 WIL +0 CHA +0 MR -2
STR +1 DEX +2 CON +1 SPD +2 CR +3
HP 18
Skills: Athletics +2, Deception +3, Evade +10, Handicraft (alchemy) +1, Influence +2, Investigate/Search +2, Language (Atlantean) +3, Language (Alban) +10, Lore (tactics) +2, Navigation +3, Parry +4, Pilot (seacraft) +3, Profession (criminal) +10 , Sleight of Hand +1, Stealth +2, Unarmed Fighting +3, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +6
Abilities: Natural Weapons, Climber, Cat Prowess, Night Vision, Second Wind
WR +1
Equipment: Light Cuirass (PR2), Sword (DR10), Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Horse and Travellers Gear
STEP FIVE: OTHER DETAILS
At this stage, you get 30 Customisation Points to fill out the PC.
5 - Hardiness
5 - CHA +1
2 - Athletics +2
3 - Influence +3
3 - Language (Tharshi) +3
3 - Lore (tactics) +3
2 - Pilot (seacraft) +2
3 - Resolve +3
2 - Trading +2
1 - Unarmed Fighting +1
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
Culture: Galacea
Profession: Pirate
Age: 26 years
INT +0 PER +0 WIL +0 CHA +1 MR -2
STR +1 DEX +2 CON +1 SPD +2 CR +3
HP 27
Skills: Athletics +4, Deception +3, Evade +10, Handicraft (alchemy) +1, Influence +5, Investigate/Search +2, Language (Alban) +10, Language (Atlantean) +3, Language (Tharshi) +3, Lore (tactics) +5, Lore (navigate) +3, Parry +4, Pilot (seacraft) +5, Profession (criminal) +10 , Resolve +3, Sleight of Hand +1, Stealth +2, Trading +2, Unarmed Fighting +4, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +6
Abilities: Natural Weapons (Bite (DR 3), Claws (DR3, Armor Piercing)), Climber (+4 climbing), Cat Prowess (3m leap up and -2m falling), Night Vision, Second Wind (regain 8HP, once per day), Hardiness
WR +1
Equipment: Light Cuirass (PR2), Sword (DR10), Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Horse and Travellers Gear
Some final stuff:
Renown 0
HP 27
Hero Points 6 - 2 Earth, 2 Fire, 1 Empyrean, 1 Void
Then you need to allocate points to Weaknesses:
Relationship Troublesome trophy wife - 2
Internal Patricide - 1
External Debt to Nubian merchant family - 2
I ummed and arred over these. I originally thought Patricide would be greater than the troublesome wife, but I actually liked the idea of the NPC over stagnating over the past, so I swapped them around.
I will leave Destiny and fate for now, though I can see his Destiny being something along the lines of becoming a greater ruler and his Fate setting the world to flame.
Name: Orra
Race: Balam (Jaguar Man)
Culture: Galacea
Profession: Pirate
Age: 26 years
INT +0
PER +0
WIL +0
CHA +1
MR -2
STR +1
DEX +2
CON +1
SPD +2
CR +3
HP 27
Hero Points 6 - 2 Earth, 2 Fire, 1 Empyrean, 1 Void
Renown 0
Skills: Athletics +4, Deception +3, Evade +10, Handicraft (alchemy) +1, Influence +5, Investigate/Search +2, Language (Alban) +10, Language (Atlantean) +3, Language (Tharshi) +3, Lore (tactics) +5, Lore (navigate) +3, Parry +4, Pilot (seacraft) +5, Profession (criminal) +10 , Resolve +3, Sleight of Hand +1, Stealth +2, Trading +2, Unarmed Fighting +4, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +6
Abilities: Natural Weapons (Bite (DR 3), Claws (DR3, Armor Piercing)), Climber (+4 climbing), Cat Prowess (3m leap up and -2m falling), Night Vision, Second Wind (regain 8HP, once per day), Hardiness
WR +1
Equipment: Light Cuirass (PR2), Sword (DR10), Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Horse and Travellers Gear
DisadvanatgesRelationship Troublesome trophy wife, Beleia - 2
Internal Patricide - 1
External Debt to Nubian merchant family - 2
Spoiler
(http://static.diary.ru/userdir/4/2/1/4/42147/28911036.jpg)
And done. Some observations:
1. The PC feels like a powerful character, pretty much a Conan out of the box.
2. The Life Path system is awesome. I didn't have a concept but by its end I had a nice backstory and several immediate hooks for me and my GM.
3. The removal of Talents, other than professional ones, makes PC Creation a breeze. There is almost no minutiae management, instead you focus on the broader strokes.
4. The PC feels very much a part of the world, something that may have been more difficult with a straight point buy system.
5. Making a PC makes me want to play the RPG.
Your picture link isn't working.
Sadly.
Weird, it is for me. I will see what I can do to rectify it.
Edit: Better?
Better?
Background: Orra is a the new scourge of the Mediterreanea Sea. Dressed in a funerary black armour, he brutally carves his future to forget the tragedy of his past. His success does not just come from his savagery though. He demonstrates extensive knowledge of modern warfare and a wealth that leave people gossiping that he is backed by one of the merchant families of Tartessos. He is seemingly unstoppable, although it is rumoured that he backs down at the sharp tongue of wife, Beleia, who sails with him on his plundering voyages.
Yep. Now its working.
I'm such a sucker for random life-path/career systems. Arrggh!!
What's the Bestiary like? Would be nice to have a full one in the book, but i suspect there isn't.
Arseholes - downloading it now...
I am just amazed that a random life path generation came together with minimal fuss. This looks really cool and I have always been a sucker for Talislanta. Thank you for doing this Skywalker, and consider another one sold.
Cheers guys. Check out the almost completed cover:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/233/846/60ce1d43b210c29031f3e1eeeece2232_large.jpg)
In terms of Bestiary there are 4 pages of mundane creatures (animals to thunder lizards). There are 9 exotic creatures (crypt things, griffons, demons, trolls, giant sloth) and a sample demon.
There is also an easy to use, comprehensive and effective adversary creation system.
I think its also a highlight that most run of the mill adversaries will be statted as simply as:
Ability Level: X
HP: X
DR/PR: X/X
Also, with so few Talents, it should be very easy to eyeball adversaries and run them effectively in combat.
Finally, the last book of the trilogy is the Bestiary and its not too far away given the Geographica is almost ready to KS. You can also grab Morrigan's Atlantis Bestiary from DTRPG for $5 (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/3169/Atlantis-Bestiary?manufacturers_id=128&it=1) as a interim measure.
FWIW I am up to make a second PC, this time guided by forumite choices if anyone is keen. If there was something you saw that you were interested in and want to see explored (magic, divine worship, Jinn etc), fire away.
STEP ONE: CHOOSE A RACE
• Ahl-At-Rab - Saurian race
• Andamen - Animal hybrids (Jackal, Wolf, Jaguar, Bird, Lions, Minotaur and Triton)
• Atlanteans - Highly evolved human-like race
• Humans
• Jinn - Fey Elder race
• Lemurians - Highly intelligent apes
• Nethermen - Devolved human slave race
Nice cover art.
Quote from: Bill;702625Nice cover art.
Hydras, heroes, tribal warriors and giant albino apes (with guns)... Yeah, I love it.
The art in the book is great too. Its a cross between Savage Sword of Conan B&W pieces and sort Jack Kirby full colour pieces.
The KS for Geographica goes up tomorrow: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-the-second-age-rpg/posts/640152
Thanks Skywalker. I have been a Talislanta fan for over 2 decades, and one of the things that it gave me was a love for the Omni/Omega system in it's various flavours.
I like the clean stat block, the lean style and the fact I feel like I am playing a D&D stype game without actually having to play a D&D game.
The magic is wonderful to create, rewards pondering and building spells, whilst being ultra easy in play.
I backed the KS, so I am already sold, and your character gen got me all excited. The final character is VERY poweful for a Tal game, but I know that this version has all the knobs turned to 11, and I can cope with that.
Wow, just wow, thanks..
The Geografica kickstarter will pull me in, I know..
Does anyone know when this will be available in print?
I already own Talislanta and the Morrigan versions of Atlantis and High Medieval but this sounds like the best version of the OMNI engine so far.
Plus, it's a bit more generic than Talislanta.
"No Phantasian Astromancers!"
Quote from: Skywalker;702653The KS for Geographica goes up tomorrow: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-the-second-age-rpg/posts/640152
Apologies to the new authors, but i'm going to get the old Morrigan Atlantis pdf for the world info. $5.
I created a character myself. Seemed that i lucked out in my rolls.
My Human Nazcan Emissary was a bastard brought up by savages, however, my childhood roll was "discover who your real mother/father was" hmm. The power of my family is in decline because of a rival. hmm.
Onto the lifepath bit, i fought pirates in the sahara sea (+1 con), my retired uncle gave me his old, but serviceable, merchant vessel, i studied in the library of Ophir (+1 Int), have a close friendship with a noble and rescued a poet from pirates, for which he wrote a song about me (+5 renown).
Given those background details, i decide that my family is a trading family in competition with another house - and my real father is the patriach of the rival house who had me after an ill-advised one night stand with my mother. Unfortunately, my dad is a dick who has patiently dis-invested my mother's family, until finally, the last family vessel was entrusted to me by my uncle.
I fight to restore my families prestige using my easy charm, command abilities and my reasonable combat skills, should my tongue fail me.
I still have to flesh out the noble who is my friend and what our relationship is.
ta da!
The new Geografica KS got me.. it also has an option to add the core book into your pledge.
As to print, it'll be ready when it's ready..
http://kck.st/17itTjQ
Quote from: Skywalker;702621FWIW I am up to make a second PC, this time guided by forumite choices if anyone is keen. If there was something you saw that you were interested in and want to see explored (magic, divine worship, Jinn etc), fire away.
STEP ONE: CHOOSE A RACE
• Ahl-At-Rab - Saurian race
• Andamen - Animal hybrids (Jackal, Wolf, Jaguar, Bird, Lions, Minotaur and Triton)
• Atlanteans - Highly evolved human-like race
• Humans
• Jinn - Fey Elder race
• Lemurians - Highly intelligent apes
• Nethermen - Devolved human slave race
Do a Jinn. And magic.
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;702775Does anyone know when this will be available in print?
The updated Beta will be released the end of this week, for final check before sending to printing. It will then be a couple of months from previous experiences. So, end of the year, or so.
Quote from: One Horse Town;702776Apologies to the new authors, but i'm going to get the old Morrigan Atlantis pdf for the world info. $5.
Jerry bought the rights from Morrigan, so that $5 goes to him :)
Quote from: tzunder;702807The new Geografica KS got me.. it also has an option to add the core book into your pledge.
As to print, it'll be ready when it's ready..
http://kck.st/17itTjQ
Yeah. Plus at $9K we get the book in full colour and hardcover, like the rulebook, and at $15K the Bestiary (effectively a second 100 page supplement and completing the series) will be thrown in free! :eek:
Quote from: tzunder;702770I backed the KS, so I am already sold, and your character gen got me all excited. The final character is VERY poweful for a Tal game, but I know that this version has all the knobs turned to 11, and I can cope with that.
Characters are S&S Heroes out of the box. It is worth noting that advancement is much slower than D&D with advancement being linked to renown. PCs are also rewarded by changing the world around them as well. Liberating countries from evil forces, destroying worldwide conspiracies, taking thrones, is all what Atlantis aims for.
Quote from: One Horse Town;702786ta da!
Wow! Cool :)
Quote from: Marleycat;702859Do a Jinn. And magic.
Righto. I am on my iPad so this takes longer.
The Jinn are strange. Seriously weird. They are effectively immortal fae like beings, much like Djinn (they even rejuvenate their essence in jars), and the older of all root races. They are humanoid, but have parchment like black or white skin covered in eldritch writing and a single horn growing from their heads. It is suggested that you should play one like they are in a lucid dream.
Their special abilities need some explanation.
Children of Fire and Ash - three times in their life, they can lay down in a fire and redistribute their Attributes. Permanently.
Metal Allergy - metal is poisonous too them and stops them shape changing.
True Name - they have a True Name. If known, it can be used to manipulate the Jinn by drasticallt reducing their Attributes. As the Jinn are a fundamental part of reality, they can also use their own True Name to manipulate reality for a massive boost to a single roll by shouting it out. They must rest for days after and the use is apparent for some time (making it risky that others will seek to know the True Name used) by increasing the colour in the area for some time (the Jinn likewise becomes more monochromatic).
Chaos Speech - the Jinn's natural language is incomprehensible to all others except the insane, inebriated or in ecstasy.
Mercurial Nature - They can change shape once per day (changing bakc at sun set or sun up) into living creature as small as a mouse and up to their natural size. If they are effected by magic during this time, they can lose control of any ability to control their shape. There is a whole page of random effects and many are serious drastic i.e. reduce size to 1/4 normal, split into two people, burn everyone he looks at.
Spoiler
Race: Jinn
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +3
STR -1 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
HP 20
Abilities: Children of Fire and Ash, Metal Allergy, True Name, Chaos Speech, Mercurial Nature.
Right, next is culture. I am tempted to make this one Atlantean. Summoned their originally by powerful Atlantean sorcerers and has witnessed Atlantis' rise and fall in person.
For Cultural Package, I have chosen Atlantean, the one normally reserved for actual Atlantean people.
I get +1 MR
Skills: Literacy (High Speech) +2, Lore (etiquette) +3, Lore (player's choice) +2, Mode (players choice) +2 Resolve +1, Speak Language (Atlantean) +10
For Lore, I chose History. I like the idea of being a Watcher of events.
Modes are broad magical skills. They are: Attack, Illusion, Influence, Kinetic, Manifest, Manipulate, Sensory, Shield, Summoning.
Any thoughts? Sensory makes sense. But I could also Influence, given his inclusion in Atlantean society, or Illusion for the same reasons and also storytelling.
Taking a Mode also means I need a Magic Tradition. This is an overlay that flavours the magic of the PC. They grant additional abilities and weaknesses, as well as bonuses and penalties to various Modes. They are Animism, Dark Arts, Sorcery, Witchcraft. I am kind of tempted with Sorcery as it's based on learning and suits the Atlantean thing.
Feel free to make suggestions. Don't worry about making the right choice.
I haven't read the magic section yet, but like the sound of Dark Arts.
Regarding the old Morrigan book, i guess i am indirectly funding the KS then!
Edit: Someone should send Khepera a note to come along to theRPGsite.
I'm here. And thanks for any help. Its much appreciated
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;702946I'm here. And thanks for any help. Its much appreciated
Welcome!
Digging the game so far.
For purely selfish reasons, is there much difference between the world in the Morrigan version and the one you are releasing? I understand that the Morrigan one had some of the typical fantasy races included like Dwarfs, Elves etc. Have they been dropped for the upcoming setting book?
The new version isn't just a rewrite where we clean it up it's a total re-envisioned setting with new bells and whistles.
Example: It's the difference between this
Morrigan press http://youtu.be/zVDvA4Ny3DU
and this
The new version http://youtu.be/IqFUYCAeZCE
I loved them both but the new one taste a lot more like sword and sorcery than the original
I'm all for either version since I own them both but the new version is a lot more focused and built for the new Atlantis game.
Dark Arts? OK. That takes out Influence Mode, so I am going for Illusion which gets a +1.
Dark Arts add the following benefits and disadvantages:
- On death, PC has 40% of coming back as an undead monstrosity (Lich).
- x2 benefit from bloodletting when a living creature when sacrificing.
- +2 to all Intimidation rolls, but in social situations suffers a penalty of -4.
- uses of the Manipulation Mode manifest as a demonic appearance in the recipient's augmentations in some way.
- Dark Arts summonings are always of demons and other malign spirits.
- Those who know the true name of a Dark Arts practitioner's demon gain a +5 to resist any magical effect that targets them.
- If a critical failure is rolled on any Mode Skill roll the demon may escape and cause some sort of mayhem for a time. The demon usually targets the magic-user's friends and loved ones, in the hopes that it can make the magic-user suffer.
- If the spell level is 15 or higher, a taint is left in the area.
I am getting the feeling of a Nosferatu style puppet master :)
Race: Jinn
Culture: Atlantean
Tradition: Dark Arts
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +4
STR -1 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
HP 20
Abilities: Children of Fire and Ash, Metal Allergy, True Name, Chaos Speech, Mercurial Nature.
Skills: Literacy (High Speech) +2, Lore (etiquette) +3, Lore (history) +2, Mode (illusion) +3 Resolve +1, Speak Language (Atlantean) +10
Right, next is Profession. I am guessing a Shaper (Sorcerer) over a Charlatan, Martial Wizard or a Shaman. Right?
This may be getting pretty dark, pretty quick, but you can blame OHT for choosing Dark Arts :)
This lacks a horn but the overall look is good.
Spoiler
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/b6cbacffa77968dc87c736219272f1e4_zps89d22393.jpg)
So, Sorcerer. I get +1 MR
Skills: Handicraft (player's choice) +4, Influence +3, , Language (Atlantean) +3, Literacy (player's choice) +2, Lore (player's choice) +2, Lore (player's choice) +2, Mode (player's choice) +10, Mode (player's choice) +8, Mode (player's choice) +5, Mode (player's choice) +4, Profession (Sorcerer) +10
I am taking Fine Arts for Handicraft. I like the idea that he is unseen except through paintings of events that he has left through the ages.
Lores are History and Folklore.
Modes are Attack, Summoning, Sensory and Manipulate.
Talents: The Gift (allows spells of greater DoD of 3).
Gear: Lightweight half suit of armor, dagger, noble quality robes (two sets), travelers Gear, and horse and WR +2
That is some great work!:)
I am thinking that the PC is a hidden observer of Atlantean society. He uses Sensory magic to seek great events and Illusion and natural shape changing to hide his presence. Also, he acts indirectly through Summoning and Manipulate.
When great events happen, he paints them as a record. Some Atlantean scholars have become aware of a seemingly immortal painter through his art style, and are tracking him down. Most people laugh at their conspiracy though, some as the PC has manipulated them into doing so.
And this is before I get to Life Paths :/ :)
I love lifepaths like Swords and Sorcery and Traveller or even WH40K. Is the game PDF only?
The softcover rulebook will be available in the next couple of months. Not sure exactly when, as the digital version is still in Beta.
Cool, do you know what channels it will available in? (B&M, website...}.
Quote from: MacAndrew;703029The softcover rulebook will be available in the next couple of months. Not sure exactly when, as the digital version is still in Beta.
Hardcover I believe, but I could be wrong.
Quote from: Marleycat;703036Cool, do you know what channels it will available in? (B&M, website...}.
Hellas is pretty widely available in LGS channels like Noble Knight and EBay.
Quote from: Skywalker;703042Hardcover I believe, but I could be wrong.
I hope it's hardcover, but I can't find anything that states that categorically. The KS page says Softcover, but I know from my Hellas books that Jerry can do great hardcover books.
It was initially a softcover but there was last minute changes. The last update with any details, which also notes the page count decrease below 400 pages, says that it's a full colour hardback. I haven't heard anything contrary since.
Quote from: Marleycat;702994I love lifepaths like Swords and Sorcery and Traveller or even WH40K. Is the game PDF only?
I will finish this PC tonight including the Life Paths. I need to allocate the 4 Mode slots to the various Modes first.
Race: Jinn
Culture: Atlantean
Profession: Sorcerer
Tradition: Dark Arts
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +5
STR -1 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
HP 20
Abilities: Children of Fire and Ash, Metal Allergy, True Name, Chaos Speech, Mercurial Nature, The Gift
Skills: Handicraft (fine arts) +4, Influence +3, Language (Atlantean) +10, Literacy (High Speech) +4, Lore (etiquette) +3, Lore (history) +2, Lore (history) +4, Mode (attack) +5, Mode (illusion) +10, Mode (manipulate) +6, Mode (sensory) +10, Mode (summoning) +10, Profession (Sorcerer) +10, Resolve +1
Gear: Lightweight half suit of armor, dagger, noble quality robes (two sets), travelers Gear, and horse and WR +2
Upbringing: Civilised, 13 Born a slave
Literacy +2, Language +3, Any Skill (I choose Influence) +1
So, initially the Jinn was a slave to a powerful Atlantean nobleman and sorcerer. He used the Jinn as an assistant and advisor
Childhood Event: 6, 16 Met a spirit on the side of the road who asked you to feed him. He asked you to wash his sore feet, and you did. The spirit asked you to watch over him as he slept and you agreed. The next day he was gone and you found in your possession a jewel worth 1,000 pieces of gold.
OK. I am guessing this spirit instilled in the Jinn a sense of dissatisfaction in his role. The spirit told him a tale of how he had manipulated the sorcerer who summoned him, to the point where the sorcerer had given him his most valuable treasure. From that point the Jinn not only sought to free himself, but also become a manipulator of others.
Family Status: 8 Family is corrupt and evil but hides under an exterior of benevolence
I was originally going to apply this to the family who had enslaved the Jinn, but I think it's best applied to the Jinn and the family he has created around himself (given he lacks a connection to his past). Once free, he acted like a benefactor, accepting humility in order to teach the mighty. However, behind this is a obsession to become the true power behind the throne.
For Life Paths, I am thinking Mage and Scholar for early life following freedom, then Rogue and High Adventure to reflect his fall to dark nefarious ways and then something epic.
Mage: 10, 18, 8. 3 years. Watched a Wizard-duel that lasted several days and spanned two continents. Gain +1 Mode.
Awesome. This is the first event he witnessed that he painted. He presented his master in a negative light and began his downfall. This led to his master relying on the Jinn more and more. For Mode, I take +1 Attack, plus I get +1 Mode from the LP.
Scholar: 4, 16, 7. 5 years. Made the teacher and mentor of a child who will one day be king/queen. The child and the parent hold you in high regard.
Interesting. I think this represents that his manipulations led him to become the teacher of the heir. The PC is very much Rasputin at this stage. I get a +1 Lore and take Lore (etiquette).
Rogue: 16, 2, 7. 2 years. Solved a great Khitain riddle and won the respect of a Khitain noble. As a reward you were given free passage in Khitai until the end of his days.
+1 Stealth. I am thinking that the riddle he solved was a complex plan by the Khitain noble who was trying to bring down the Atlantean royal family. Rather than reveal this plot, he improved it and allowed the Khitain noble to destroy the royal family, leaving the Jinn with a powerful and appreciative ally.
High Adventure: 17, 15, 4. 4 years. You become sick with a rare and almost fatal illness. Lose 1 STR.
Harsh! I am thinking this is the Atlantean sorcerer seeking revenge and trying to force the Jinn back into his jar. However, with mysterious Khitain sorcery, he resisted and destroyed his jar. It horribly scarred him and he is plagued with nightmares of his own death. For Skill, I take +1 Evade, representing his fear of death :)
So, Genie turned Rasputin turned Nosferatu.
:D
I will wrap the PC up tomorrow.
Race: Jinn
Culture: Atlantean
Profession: Sorcerer
Tradition: Dark Arts
Age: 32
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +5
STR -2 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
HP 20
Abilities: Children of Fire and Ash, Metal Allergy, True Name, Chaos Speech, Mercurial Nature, The Gift
Skills: Evade +1, Handicraft (fine arts) +4, Influence +4, Language (Atlantean) +10, Language (Khitain) +3, Literacy (Khitain) +2, Literacy (High Speech) +4, Lore (etiquette) +4, Lore (history) +2, Lore (history) +4, Mode (attack) +7, Mode (illusion) +10, Mode (manipulate) +6, Mode (sensory) +10, Mode (summoning) +10, Profession (Sorcerer) +10, Resolve +1, Stealth +1
Gear: Lightweight half suit of armor, dagger, noble quality robes (two sets), travelers gear, and horse and WR +2
And in the meantime, Geographica got funded :)
Ooh, i've created a monster!
I wouldn't fancy him in my party, i must admit. Would make a good NPC enemy in the sort of games i'd run. :)
It's hard to go Dark Arts and not be a bad guy. :)
Incidentally, the 3 general talents like Hardiness, Wealthy and Status confuse me a tad. It says that may be taken at no cost penalty (and hardiness & wealthy are specific to being available only at chargen).
So, do you think they cost 5 points to buy or 10 points?
Based on the Playtest document, and my natural reading of the words "at no cost penalty", I am pretty sure it's 5CP for those three Talents.
Yeah, that's what i thought when i created my merchant PC above. I'm not used to creating characters that are pretty damned good straight off the bat, so my natural inclination is to question whether i got it right.
Shit, that PC i made has a WR of +8 with an additional +4 WR in jewellry!
Is there progression after creation? If yes, how much?
Oh, and I wouldn't mind seeing a Nethermen 'Takers'.
Yes there is character progression.
As the hero gains Renown he becomes better able to do more heroic feats. The more heroic feats the more Renown he gains which allows him to do greater accomplishments.
Character progression is one large feedback loop that pushes the hero forward.
Quote from: Sommerjon;703212Is there progression after creation? If yes, how much?
Its much slower than D&D, given the initial power level, but there is advancement. For example, HP only advances by Con increases, so it's much more static. Rather than XP, the PCs advance with Renown which is earned by deeds, and can be lost.
In addition, during adventures, PCs earn "Great Work" points which they can spend to make large scale changes to the community that they are adventuring in at the end of adventures. So, PCs can usurp kings, destroy conspiracies, free people and win civil wars.
Quote from: One Horse Town;703119Yeah, that's what i thought when i created my merchant PC above. I'm not used to creating characters that are pretty damned good straight off the bat, so my natural inclination is to question whether i got it right.
Shit, that PC i made has a WR of +8 with an additional +4 WR in jewelry!
Heroes in my games are all frontloaded so that a character is almost fully realized out the box. Atlantis doesn't start at the beginning of a hero's career but in the middle of the climb to their apex.
Its not what you did to get there but what you do with that ability now. No one want to play a game where Luke is farming moisture, they want to start play when he meets Obi-Wan
That's interesting.
How does this work?
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +5
STR -2 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
How does the WIL +2 or STR -2 affect the character?, guess a better question is what's the dice mechanic.
Quote from: Sommerjon;703221That's interesting.
How does this work?
INT +0 PER +1 WIL +2 CHA +0 MR +5
STR -2 DEX +0 CON +0 SPD +0 CR +0
How does the WIL +2 or STR -2 affect the character?, guess a better question is what's the dice mechanic.
It's a d20 and add. So they are roughly equivalent to D&D.
Rather than a DC, you get a DoD which subtracts from the roll. The final number is then compared to the following chart. All rolls in the game are the same (no d4s to d12s).
0- Critical Failure
1-5 Failure
6-10 Partial Success
11-19 Success
20 Critical Success
+0 is the average attribute and a +1 or above is considered above average.
What is the Omega System?
The game uses a straightforward rule set that utilizes a single D20 roll to resolve actions. The following section explains how to apply the rules to combat and non-combat situations.
THE RESULTS TABLE
All actions in the game are resolved by the following procedure:
1. Determine the Degree of Difficulty (DoD). The DoD represents the relative ease or difficulty of an action. A positive DoD represents an easy action while a negative DoD represents a difficult action.
2. Add the character's Skill or Attribute Rating to the DoD.
3. Take the result (a positive number, a negative number, or zero) and add it to a D20 roll.
4. Consult the Results Table for the result.
That's all you really need to know. All the rules in the book are just variations of the above procedure. Players contribute by describing the Intent of their characters' actions to the GM. Then it is the GM's job to interpret the outcome of the Results Table and how it affects the particular scene the player characters are involved in.
(http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/Resulttable.jpg)
Ha! I ninja'd Jerry :D
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;703226What is the Omega System?
The game uses a straightforward rule set that utilizes a single D20 roll to resolve actions.
Why did you change the name from "Omni" to "Omega"?
Name: Sethen-Adhul, the Word in the Painting
Race: Jinn
Culture: Atlantean
Profession: Sorcerer
Tradition: Dark Arts
Age: 32
The essence of Sethen-Adhul was released by an Atlantean sorcerer. He was bound to service as advisor and assistant. Sethen always looked to the horizon and did not know how appalling his treatment was until he came across nature spirit whilst on an errand. The spirit opened his eyes, not only to his position, but also to his potential.
Sethen began to turn the tables, bringing his own innate abilities and his master's dark arts to bear. First, he turned popular opinion against the sorcerer after a devastating magic duel of continental proportions through his retelling of the event. Sethen became aware how emotional lesser races were and how easily they can be manipulated through art, song and beauty.
Shortly after, Sethen ingratiated himself with a royal family. Their decadence disgusted him and he betrayed them to an ambitious Khitain noble. The despised king used the last of resources to take revenge, destroying Sethen jar and scarring him beyond recognition.
Believed dead by all, Sethen now works from the shadows. He paints historical events to change how those events are perceived. Despite his dark demeanour, he hates those who exploit and abuse others, and works against them toward a new and more equitable world.
Recently, a group of young noble artists have become aware of Sethen through his art style, and seek to reveal him for no other reason than their idle curiousity. Sethen has begun to become desperately paranoid. A thing of shadow and dark magic, destroying the leaders of men to make a better world.
Spoiler
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/b6cbacffa77968dc87c736219272f1e4_zps89d22393.jpg)
+0
PER +1
WIL +2
CHA +0
MR +5
STR -2
DEX +0
CON +0
SPD +0
CR +0
HP 20
Abilities: Children of Fire and Ash, Metal Allergy, True Name, Chaos Speech, Mercurial Nature, The Gift, Familiar, Wealthy
Skills: Evade +5, Handicraft (fine arts) +8, Influence +7, Language (Atlantean) +10, Language (Khitain) +3, Literacy (Khitain) +2, Literacy (High Speech) +4, Lore (etiquette) +6, Lore (folklore) +2, Lore (history) +5, Mode (attack) +7, Mode (illusion) +10, Mode (manipulate) +6, Mode (sensory) +10, Mode (summoning) +10, Profession (Sorcerer) +10, Resolve +4, Stealth +4
Gear: Lightweight half suit of armor, dagger, noble quality robes (two sets), travelers gear, and horse and WR +5
DisadvantagesRelationship: Former Master's familiar - 1
Internal: Paranoid - 2
External: Curious noble artist cabal - 2
I think I managed to twist a Dark Arts sorcerer into a suitably playable S&S character with motivation to adventure. :)
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;703246Why did you change the name from "Omni" to "Omega"?
Because the underlying system changed enough to warrant it.
There are a lot of differences between the two now. If you played Atlantis using the Omni system it would not play the same. The dice mechanic is the same but a lot of aspects of the way the game plays are different.
Quote from: Skywalker;703218In addition, during adventures, PCs earn "Great Work" points which they can spend to make large scale changes to the community that they are adventuring in at the end of adventures. So, PCs can usurp kings, destroy conspiracies, free people and win civil wars.
I like the idea of Great Works, but it seems a bit counter-intuitive to me. I know the community 'stat-block' is meant to tie in with other aspects of the game regarding element names, but really, upgrading the water aspect of a community doesn't communicate what you are actually doing - in fact it suggests something entirely different.
I'll get a better handle on the rest of the game and how it ties in with other things before i change it, but i'm more comfortable having the stat-block be more intuitive if it doesn't fuck up any other aspects.
Quote from: Skywalker;703225It's a d20 and add. So they are roughly equivalent to D&D.
Rather than a DC, you get a DoD which subtracts from the roll. The final number is then compared to the following chart. All rolls in the game are the same (no d4s to d12s).
0- Critical Failure
1-5 Failure
6-10 Partial Success
11-19 Success
20 Critical Success
That's unfortunate. I'm growing tired of the d20.
Quote from: Sommerjon;703399That's unfortunate. I'm growing tired of the d20.
Ha! If your issue is as aesthetic as die shape, multiple all numbers by 5 and use d100 :)
It's worth pointing out that though it uses a d20, it's not a d20 game or relative of D&D3e or its derivatives.
Quote from: One Horse Town;703348I like the idea of Great Works, but it seems a bit counter-intuitive to me. I know the community 'stat-block' is meant to tie in with other aspects of the game regarding element names, but really, upgrading the water aspect of a community doesn't communicate what you are actually doing - in fact it suggests something entirely different.
I'll get a better handle on the rest of the game and how it ties in with other things before i change it, but i'm more comfortable having the stat-block be more intuitive if it doesn't fuck up any other aspects.
I have yet to get familiar with Great Works. Great Works are simply a list of achievements that stave off Fate.
In terms of the points earned in their pursuit to change communities, there is no tie in to the greater system. For example, there are no rules for PCs benefiting from the Community or Community conflict or interaction. The points earned are simply a measure of how the PCs can change the world they are in from their adventures.
So, they have no real sticking value, unlike say Renown, except to the extent that the PCs (and the player through them) care about the community. The system could alo be ignored easily enough.
Quote from: One Horse Town;702776Apologies to the new authors, but i'm going to get the old Morrigan Atlantis pdf for the world info. $5.
That's cool and all, but...
Honestly, there are some changes. Some major changes. This version of Atlantis stripped down everything to the bare bones and re-built it from the ground up.
Now, that said, we did use the world information from the old book as a basis, so there will be some things that are largely the same. Too, if you want to run things
right now and don't want to wait for Geographica, then that is your best bet and a good buy.
But, I'd strongly urge you to check out the Geographica once it's out and available.
Also there are pledge levels with both Geographica and the Rulebook, which sound like they may be released together. So, grabbing them both makes sense.
Quote from: Sommerjon;703212Is there progression after creation? If yes, how much?
Oh, and I wouldn't mind seeing a Nethermen 'Takers'.
Right, since Skywalker has been oh so kind and busy, I'm going to tackle a Netherman Taker.
Nethermen are kind of brutal
QuoteIn a word, Nethermen are psychopaths. They are incapable of feeling emotions such as fear or love, although they are experts at feigning both to get their ways, and with a short lifespan — both individually and as a race — they are prone to fulfilling their own needs and desires with little
concern for what others might want or need. Their ruthless nature makes them excellent at many tasks, and many could easily be great generals or leaders if they so choose; however, the fact that they care for themselves above all else could easily mean that they would march their army into the
sea if it suited their whims.
So, already this character is a bit on the vile side.
We start with:
Int -1, Str +3, Dex -1, Con +2, CR +2, MR-2, and 25 HP.
Racial abilities are
Magic Immunity (slight immunity to magical effects),
Eaters of the Dead (they can gain powers from the recently dead if they consume the heart), and
Too Dumb to Die (the lower their INT, the more times they can ignore death and critical hits).
All of that is decided for us, so on to the Profession.
Quote from: Skywalker;703439Also there are pledge levels with both Geographica and the Rulebook, which sound like they may be released together. So, grabbing them both makes sense.
Jerry has said that he'd
like to get them both printed and shipped at the same time (saves a bit on cost, yaknow?), but he's not 100% sure that'll happen. I think (and I could be wrong) that it depends on how quickly he can get artwork for Geographica plugged in. The maps are done (I'm reasonably sure) and the text is largely done (I know the draft is done, but not sure what additional editing, layout, corrections need to be made), so art would be what the book needs. So, it is
possible that he could get them printed at the same time (or in quick succession) and then get them all shipped out simultaneously.
Quote from: writermonk;703441We start with:
Int -1, Str +3, Dex -1, Con +2, CR +2, MR-2, and 25 HP.
Racial abilities are Magic Immunity (slight immunity to magical effects), Eaters of the Dead (they can gain powers from the recently dead if they consume the heart), and Too Dumb to Die (the lower their INT, the more times they can ignore death and critical hits).
Step 2 is actually cultural packages.
I'm just going to go ahead and pick Aztlan. The Aztek people have some old connection to Atlantis, but have mingled with the local populations. There are also traditions of Animism and Witchcraft there in addition to Sorcery which plays in nicely.
Being Aztek gives our Netherman the following:
+1 MR; Athletics +1, Handicraft (choice) +2, Literacy (Tamerac) +2, Mode (Choice) +3, Speak (Tamerac) +10
So, we're up to this:
QuoteInt -1 Wil +0 Per +0 Cha +0 MR -1
Str +3 Dex -1 Spd +0 Con +2 CR +2
HP 25 WR HrP Renown
Athletics +1
Handicraft (Choice) +2
Mode (Choice) +3
Speak (Tamerac) +10
Literacy (Tamerac) +2
Under Takers, there are 4 professions: Assassin, Burglar, Swindler, and Thug.
Thugs are the brutes - thieves by force of arms. Which is what immediately fits when you think of a Netherman. But, assassin or burglar might be more interesting. Thoughts?
Right... going with Assassin...
The Assassin Taker profession package gives us the following:
DEX +1, WR +2; Athletics +4, Deception +4, Disable Mechanisms +4, Evade +4, Influence +2, Speak (Atlantean) +3, Profession (Assassin) +10, Stealth +10, Unarmed Fighting +5, Weapon (Choice) +7
The Talent of Shadow Walking and a bunch of gear.
So, before Lifepaths that will bring us up to the following:
QuoteInt -1 Wil +0 Per +0 Cha +0 MR -1
Str +3 Dex +0 Spd +0 Con +2 CR +2
HP 25 WR +2 HrP Renown
Athletics +5, Deception +4, Disable Mechanism+4,
Handicraft (Choice) +2, Influence +2, Stealth +10
Profession (Assassin) +10
Evade +4, Unarmed Fighting +4, Weapon (Choice) +7
Mode (Choice) +3
Speak (Tamerac) +10
Literacy (Tamerac) +2
Speak (Atlantean) +3
Talent: Shadow Walking
Racial: Eater of the Dead, Magic Immunity, Too Dumb to Die
On to the Lifepath system
We need a name for Netherman and given his Aztek background, we're going to call him Tezcatlipoca, or Tez for short.
Even though Tez is a brute, he's had a civilized upbringing (Language +3, Literacy +2).
One of his parents was a city guard to a noble (Weapon skill +1)
As a child, Tez saw the sun stop in its tracks and the sky weep blood.
His family, however, has been imprisoned and only Tez escaped. Since Tez has an INT of -1, so it'll take him a bit longer for his Lifepaths.
1st path: 13 (3 years), Warrior (+1 Weapon Skill), Battle - Spent time as a mercenary; fairly uneventful. (+1 to a fighting Skill)
[4 years, +1 to a Weapon Skill, +1 to a fighting Skill]
2nd path: 20 (1 year), High Adventure (+1 to any skill), High Adventure Special - Led an army of orphans in revolt against a coven of cannibal witches. (+1 to Influence)
[4 years (1 year, +1 for INT, doubled for High adventure), +1 to any skill, +1 to Influence]
3rd path: 4 (5 years), Rogue (+1 to Stealth), Tragedy - Mistakenly accused a friend's lover of infidelity and the person was killed in a jealous rage. (-4 to Renown)
[6 years, +1 to Stealth, -4 to Renown]
That adds 14 years to Tez's age. Since his base age is 13, that boosts him up to 27... which makes him an Elder. Being an Elder shifts his stats: -1 STR, -1 CON, -1 PER, +1 INT, +1 WIL, +1 CHA. +1D20 Renown.
So, before Customization points we sit with this:
QuoteInt +0 Wil +1 Per -1 Cha +1 MR -1
Str +2 Dex +0 Spd +0 Con +1 CR +2
HP 25 WR +2 HrP Renown 6
Athletics +5, Deception +4, Disable Mechanism+4,
Handicraft (Artificer) +2, Influence +3, Instinct +1, Stealth +11
Profession (Assassin) +10
Evade +4, Unarmed Fighting +4, Weapon (Melee) +7, Weapon (Ranged) +3
Mode (Attack) +3
Speak (Tamerac) +10
Literacy (Tamerac) +2
Speak (Atlantean) +6
Literacy (Atlantean) +2
Talent: Shadow Walking
Racial: Eater of the Dead, Magic Immunity, Too Dumb to Die
Awesome PC, writermonk. Much appreciated.
I dislike the Hardiness talent as it's written. Skywalkers badass furry pirate could be walking around after chargen with a guy with well over 60 hit points and basically be stuck with it forever. Now, i'm not a balance junkie by any stretch, but that's too much for me.
I'd either A) Reduce the hit point gain to 5 + Con each time you take Hardiness
or
B) Keep the 5 + Triple Con and remove the 'at chargen only' restriction on the talent. You can take it after chargen if there's an in-game reason for it. So, surviving a mad alchemist's infusion of madness berry might toughen you up, as would fighting off a curse or wading through the desert on a horse with no name. ;)
Last stages
Customization points and figuring out final details.
You get 30 customization points (CP), but they tend to go pretty fast.
We'll round Tez out like so:
Advanced Missile Training (a Slayer Talent, so 10 CP), +2 to DEX (another 10 CP), and add +3 Parry, +3 Evade, +2 Instinct, +2 Tracking/Shadowing (a total of 10 CP).
Since his final Charisma is a +1, that means 6 Hero Points. We need to assign Atman ratings to those so we're going to go with 3 Fire, 2 Void, 1 Earth to represent his nature as being passionate, fatalistic, and determined.
Stat wise, our final version looks like so:
QuoteTezcatlipoca
Netherman Aztek Assassin
Int +0 Wil +1 Per -1 Cha +1 MR -1
Str +2 Dex +2 Spd +0 Con +1 CR +2
HP 26 WR +2
HrP 6 (Fire 3, Void 2, Earth 1) Renown 6
Athletics +5, Deception +4, Disable Mechanism+4, Tracking/Shadowing +2
Handicraft (Artificer) +2, Influence +3, Instinct +3, Stealth +11
Profession (Assassin) +10
Evade +7, Parry +3, Unarmed Fighting +4, Weapon (Melee) +7, Weapon (Ranged) +3
Mode (Attack) +3
Speak (Tamerac) +10
Literacy (Tamerac) +2
Speak (Atlantean) +6
Literacy (Atlantean) +2
Talent: Shadow Walking, Advanced Missile Training
Racial: Eater of the Dead, Magic Immunity, Too Dumb to Die
So, he's an old Netherman, past his prime but still capable. He's still adept at hiding and he's got a few tricks up his bloody sleeves that give him little edges (adept with firing off several arrows with a bow, capable of slinging a few minor attack spells).
With his talents he's capable of hiding very well when he needs to. And his racial abilities mean that he's hard to kill, can shrug off some spells, and can occasionally eat the hearts of fallen (anti-)heroes to give himself a boost.
Quote from: One Horse Town;703576I dislike the Hardiness talent as it's written. Skywalkers badass furry pirate could be walking around after chargen with a guy with well over 60 hit points and basically be stuck with it forever. Now, i'm not a balance junkie by any stretch, but that's too much for me.
FWIW, in hindsight, I would have taken a level or two of Hardiness for Orra :)
I think I will allow it to be taken after character creation, but keep the limits of it only being taken Con or three, whichever is smaller, times.
I had the previous edition and sold it, I just didn't care for the system. Really wish they would develop a better system for the world or oh hell at least used the OGL and maybe licensed Swords & Wizardry or Labyrinth Lord or something like that for it.
Though the system is similar to the previous edition, it has been significantly cleaned up and a number of additions made (such as the Life Paths seen here).
Quote from: Skywalker;703772Though the system is similar to the previous edition, it has been significantly cleaned up and a number of additions made (such as the Life Paths seen here).
I wonder - how specific are those Life Paths? Were those examples
interpretations of Life Path events, or taken verbatimfrom the tables? How fast are those Life Path stations getting "old"?
"Let's see what happend to my character...
Led an army of orphans in revolt against a coven of cannibal witches ... gee, there's an awful lot of cannibal witches in this world!"
"Yes, and orphans, too."
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;703872I wonder - how specific are those Life Paths? Were those examples interpretations of Life Path events, or taken verbatimfrom the tables? How fast are those Life Path stations getting "old"?
"Let's see what happend to my character... Led an army of orphans in revolt against a coven of cannibal witches ... gee, there's an awful lot of cannibal witches in this world!"
"Yes, and orphans, too."
Yeah, that is a problem - they are too specific for my tastes, as they are pulled directly from the tables. As you say, they'll only last so long before someone comes up with the twelfth character to have crossed the desert on a nag called Flossy.
But...that also raises the possibility of expanding those tables yourself, for those that like to tinker.
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;703872I wonder - how specific are those Life Paths? Were those examples interpretations of Life Path events, or taken verbatimfrom the tables? How fast are those Life Path stations getting "old"?
I quoted verbatim and then interpreted the results with my first two PC creation examples.
Given you don't create PCs every session, and that the events get interpreted through your own ideas and the other events that are rolled, I would be surprised if they ever really got "old", at least not until long after you get your money's worth out of the book.
Its also worth noting that the Life Path system isn't necessary in that you can make PCs just fine without it.
Another PC based on one of my favourite characters, Slaine Mac Roth, the shapechanging barbarian.
Name: Aeron Mac Cuill
Race: Human
Culture: Skara
Profession: Warrior
Tradition: Animism
Age: 28
Upbringing: Savage - Parents were tribal Shaman. Gain +1 Lore (player’s choice)
Childhood Encounter: Met someone you believed to be a god in a grove of trees. He told you a story of your future.
Childhood Encounter: Family status is on the rise but tenuous
Warrior: 4 years. You were instrumental in the downfall of the Naga King in the battle of the Serpent Kingdoms. Gain +1 Weapon (player’s choice).
High Adventure: 2 years. Fall in love with a God (Roll on Tragedy Chart). Mistakenly accused a friend’s lover of infidelity and the person was killed in a jealous rage. Lose 4 Renown. Gain +1 in any skill.
Rogue: 4 years. Living on the streets has given you wiles and acumen. Gain +1 in Lore (Streetwise). Gain +1 Stealth.
Aeron was born under the sign of the Goddess. He grew connected to nature and able to channel its energy through his body to make it more powerful. However, this also made him unpredictable and unruly. His exploits in battle were great on defeating a corrupted king worshipping evil snake gods.
His star was on the rise; so much so that the Goddess revealed herself to him. He became enraptured and blinded by lust and love. To others of his tribe, they saw him as mad and feared his growing power. Eventually, they confronted him about his naked cavorting in the forest. Outraged, he told of visions the Goddess gave him that the chief of the tribe had lost his way by being cuckolded by his mortal wife and forgetting the Goddess. In the chaos that followed, the chief’s wife was struck down and her blood fed the Earth.
After this incident, Aeron realised that the Goddess herself had forced his hand in order to obtain the blood sacrifice she wanted. Aeron fled his tribe in shame and has sought refuge in the great cities of men.
Spoiler
(http://www.simonbisleyart.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SLAINE-lo-res.jpg)
-1
PER +0
WIL +1
CHA +1
MR -1
STR +2
DEX +2
CON +1
SPD +1
CR +3
HP 37
Abilities: Inheritors of the Earth, Zeal, Tyche, Cleave, Hardinessx2, The Gift
Skills: Athletics +7, Handicraft (weapon smith) +2, Instinct +8, Language (Alban) +10, Language (Atlantean) +3, Lore (nature) +1, Lore (streetwise) +1, Lore (survival) +2, Mode (Manipulate) +8, Parry +8, Profession (slayer) +10, Unarmed Fighting +9, Resolve +1, Stealth +1, Tracking/Shadowing +2, Weapon (melee) +10, Weapon (thrown) +7
Gear: Medium full suit of armor (PR 8), Battle Axe (DR 10), Spear (DR 10), horse, travellers gear and WR +1
DisadvantagesRelationship: Husband of the Goddess - 2
Internal: Outraged by the defilement of nature - 2
External: Exiled from tribe - 1
Name: Hatha Gengen
Race: Human
Culture: Khemit
Profession: Emissary
Tradition: Witchcraft
Age: 22
Upbringing: Civilised - Child of a retired Hero. Gain +1 in any Skill.
Childhood Encounter: Your real father returned to claim his rightful place.
Family Status: Entire family killed in a great war.
Priest: 2 years. Enemy: An Atlantean. Had a rivalry on the battlefield that continued after the conflict. They want your life ruined.
Mage: 2 years. Allowed to study the sacred tomes in the great library at Veddashud. Gain +1 Lore.
Hatha was born into wealth and status as her father was a famous Khemit general. On her father’s retirement to nobility, she was betrothed to a powerful Atlantean prince. However, the Atlantean prince had many enemies. These enemies started a war which forced her father to take up arms in order to preserve the alliance. He did not see the trap that was set for him. Her father failed, and his failure was cast as betrayal. The great shame saw Hathor’s family lose standing and be destroyed.
Hatha only managed to survive by, much to her shame, aiding her family’s destroyers. Her betrothed’s enemy, Prince Amadi, seemed to take great delight in watching her quickly betray her father’s legacy. When she disappeared, he cursed her duplicity and vowed that she would not die until he had forced her to wipe every honour her father had achieved.
She escaped to a reclusive temple in Veddashud. After two years of learning and meditation, she has ventured forth. She found that she was still hunted and woefully unequipped to deal with the real world. She hopes to make it to her betrothed, explain her father’s betrayal to him and convince him to honour the former alliance. She just needs to make her way to Atlantis first.
Spoiler
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/SLAINE---GOLAMH-1x_zpsc0d73b23.jpg)
+2
PER +0
WIL +1
CHA +4
MR +3
STR -2
DEX +1
CON +0
SPD +0
CR -2
HP 20
Abilities: Inheritors of the Earth, Zeal, Tyche, Righteous Words, Dominion Access (Love), Misdirection
Skills: Deception +5, Evade +3, Influence +8, Investigate/Search +4, Language (Atlantean) +8, Language (Khem) +10, Language (Tharshi) +8, Literacy (Atlantean) +6, Literacy (Khem) +4, Lore (etiquette) +5, Lore (theology) +6, Medicine +4, Mode (Influence) +7, Perform +5, Profession (Emissary) +10, Ride +1, Weapon (melee) +3
Gear: Lightweight half suit of armor, a dagger, several pieces of jewelry (worth +4 WR), 3 robes (all noble quality), travellers gear, and a horse and WR +2
DisadvantagesRelationship: Betrothed’s rival - 1
Internal: Prepared to do anything to survive - 2
External: Noble bearing - 2
The thing I like most about Hatha is that she is quite effective, despite not being a combatant or mage. Her shtick is talking and influencing others. She has minor magic in this regard to supplement her natural charm. The magic is so low level that it's almost like folklore charms, exotic perfumes and esoteric techniques, rather than spells.
Her Dominion Access is also effective. Leaving aside what she can achieve in worship with sacrifice, the minor effects are awesome. She is the last to be attacked, is always given mercy if requested and cannot be harmed if she and her companions don't harm. She also has basic healing magic.
I can see her not just being the talking but being the one to talk the group out of the deepest pits by beguiling the bad guy. Walking into the lion's den knowing her life isn't in danger, and somehow managing to always survive (which works great with her disadvantages).
I notice the Beta PDF has been updated at DTRPG.
So anyone fancy running a play-by-post game?
Well, I went and bought it.
Kind of tempted by a PbP but need to think on it. If I ran anything it would likely be a contained one-off, like of the Spider God's Bride adventures.
I formatted your awesome step by step character creation
PDF (http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/CC.pdf)
Thanks mate :)
Skywalker sold me on the game so I went and backed the KS so now Geographica will be full color hardcover.
You, sir, rock, sir :)
Let's hope we get to $15K. Given that it doubles the size of the book, it would be well worth considering both existing and new pledgers throwing some $ in.
In hindsight, my favourite of the 4 PCs I made is Hatha, the exiled Khemite princess temptress. She is so right for the genre and awesomely portrayed in the mechanics. My wife is also hella keen to play her :D
You just sold a PDF copy of the game after I read your character creation example, Skywalker. I'm thinking of jumping into that Kickstarter as well, which would be the first time I've backed anything.
Groovy :) Make you sure you check out the other PCs too earlier in this thread, or here for ease of reference: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/tag/atlantis. It includes a look at magic (both dedicated and focussed) and divine worship in the system.
I didn't do step by step creation for the last two, but I went into each with only the base concept in the title. The interaction with the Life Path system did the rest.
Given the success of the PC creation, it's time for a sample combat! I think we will pitch Orra against the lords of beast, a mighty lion! Don't be fooled into thinking a lion should be a push over though. Orra is a bad ass. Unlike D&D, but like S&S stories, wild beast are as fearsome as they should be. Supernatural creatures are generally terrifying :)
LION
Int -4 Per +0 Wil +0 Cha +3
Str +3 Dex +2 Con +4 Spd +2
HP 27 HrP 10 15 Ren 15 TL 1 AL 6-10
Att/Dam: Claw DR2+STR (5), Bite DR2+STR (5)
Armor: Fur Pelt PR2
Abilities: Pack Animal, Howl (target rolls Resolve DoD -3 to avoid being shaken with fear, losing the 7 HrP)
SET UP
With fire raging on the deck of the Nubian merchant ship, Orra descends into the hold. The distant flames flicker on the walls, like the gold which he hopes to find. Every ship plundering puts him one step towards his freedom from his hateful masters.
Orra's golden eyes spy a sturdy strongbox filled with promise. Eagerly moving forward, he almost doesn't see the cage, fallen from its perch and broken. Whatever it contained had now escaped into the deep moving shadows of the hold.
Orra stopped, raising his golden lit blade, as his eyes met his hunter. The eyes were like looking into a mirror, confusing him momentarily before the growl of lion brought him to his senses.
The lion moved between Orra and the box, its bulk filling the cramped space. It's whipped flank showing that it hated it's masters as much as Orra did. It continued to growl, giving Orra an opportunity to retreat. However, time was short, and the thought of returning to Beleia from the burning ship empty handed steeled the Black Scourge's courage.
"Let the best beast win," he growled at the lion.
ROUND ONE
Initiative: This is a straight SPD roll. Orra gets 13, and the lion gets a 17.
Lion's Turn: Though Orra is the superior combatant, a lion is not to be sneered at. It's physical abilities are impressive, and Orra's advantages are in Skill and Equipment. As GM, I decide that I want to use that physical ability, but I am aware that Hero Points could provide Orra with a get out of jail free card. so, I decide to pull out the lion's special ability, Roar.
Orra rolls an 8, +3 for Resolve and -3 DoD. Partial Success. Orra loses 3 of his 6 HrP. Hopefully, that will make him reluctant to use them when I pounce on him.
Orra's Turn: Shaken, Orra is keen to get in the first strike and gain the upper hand. The lion decides to risk a defensive action to Dodge first. It's Dodge is +10, reduced to +7 as its the lion's second action. The DoD is -13 due to Orra's skill resulting in a -6 modifier. The lion rolls a 16, giving a Partial Success. Orra's DR will be only 5 in this attack.
Orra's attack roll is an impressive +13, with a DoD of -10. He rolls a 3, which is a Partial Success. That reduces his DR to 3 and that becomes only 1 HP damage due to the fur pelt.
Orra decides on a second attack (this will be at +0 thanks to his speed). The lion decides against a second Dodge as it risks a critical failure which would sway the fight. Orra gets a 12 meaning a success with 8HP damage. The GM spends 2 HrP to reduce that to 0HP.
First blood to Orra, but tis but a scratch.
Sensing the change in Orra's mood, the lion unleashes a mighty roar made more fearsome in the enclosed space. The primal call resonates with the Andaman, like the monstrous calls that plagued the nights of his childhood. However, he knew better than to quaver in fear. The correct response was cold steel.
Orra leapt forward with remarkable alacrity. The lion, cornered, matched the attack with desperation born of years of mistreatment at the hands of men. Twisting impossibly in the tight space, Orra's blade drew a thin line of blood along the lion's flank. One more scar amongst many.
Without pause and with animalistic instinct, Orra rakes his sword in a backswing to slice along the lion's belly. However, he feels little satisfaction as he sees his man crafted steel is no match for the lion's nature made hide. Then all chance for thought vanishes as they two engage each other in a flurry of steel and claw, fighting for their very lives.
One thing I will say is that combat feels tense. It's not just a static turn > hit > damage sequence given the need to manage active defences, multiple actions and other resources like HrP.
Since the authors are here, thought I'd ask.
Aesir are over in Eria and speak Tamarac instead of the North Sea (where the other Hyperboreans are).
Is this a riff on Vikings in America/Pathfinder kinda thing or an error?
Are you on commission or something, Skywalker? ;):D
Quote from: One Horse Town;706671Are you on commission or something, Skywalker? ;):D
Only to the extent that I benefit with a double sized book if we hit $15K :D
I post what I enjoy, and there is a lot to enjoy in Atlantis. :)
Before starting round 2, I make a observation that the lion has quite a lot of Hero Points. Unlike a PC, it's tempting as a GM just to blow them on the fight, but this would seem to be unfair and lacking in context. As such, I will limit the lion to 3 HrP, assuming that it has spent some elsewhere. This is in line with a comment in the GM section that assigns minor villains to 1-3 HrP only.
ROUND TWO
Initiative: This is a straight SPD roll. Orra gets 3, and the lion gets a 6.
Lion's Turn: Seeing how dangerous Orra is, the lion tries for a grapple in a hope that if successful it will help close the gap by preventing free use of Orra's sword and bringing STR more into play.
Before the attack, Orra decides to Dodge. That's +12 with a DoD of -10. Orra gets a 9 for a total of 11. Just a success.
Orra's Turn: In retaliation Orra unleashes two attacks. The lion decides to Dodge at -5 and gets a Partial Success. Orra then rolls at +10 with DoD of -10. The roll is 11 making it a Success. That's 8HP damage reduced 4HP.
His next attack is at -5. He rolls an 18, for a second Success. That's another 8HP. The lion decided not to risk a Dodge due to the growing chance of critical failure and not spend his last HrP.
The lion is now on 14HP out of 27, and Orra is unhurt except temporary loss of HrP.
The lion pounces at Orra with a snarl. The lion's fury is immense and Orra twists and rolls out of its way, a fraction before it collides with him. He avoids the razor claws and falls with the impact.
Orra deftly spins around, already balanced on his feet. He spins his sword in a deadly web in front of him. The blade slices twice the lion's flank before it can turn. The pain from the strikes turns the snarl into a yowl. With ears back and fangs exposed, the lion collapses on to it's side - a death it has faced many times before now filling its eyes as the Andaman advances relentlessly.
Observation this round is that despite combat being tense, starting PCs can still kick twelve kinds of booty :) It really is a great balance between gritty yet pulpy; tense yet exciting.
Quote from: CRKrueger;706666Since the authors are here, thought I'd ask.
Aesir are over in Eria and speak Tamarac instead of the North Sea (where the other Hyperboreans are).
Is this a riff on Vikings in America/Pathfinder kinda thing or an error?
Nope. They're supposed to be there. They've been there in the Atlantis setting for ages and ages, so... Yes, likely a riff on the Vikings finding America (in the northern latitudes) before Columbus in the Gulf. Pathfinder would come later out of similar historical sources.
The Aesir in Eria are definitely Norse influenced.
ROUND THREE
Initiative: This is a straight SPD roll. Orra gets 10, and the lion gets a 12. Orra has lost every initiative!
Lion's Turn: Badly wounded, the lion decides to retreat. Simply turning to flee would open it to a strike that would likely kill it, so it chooses to retreat instead. Due to its speed it need only do so for one turn before disengaging. It does halve its attack bonus but gets a +5 to defence.
It rolls an 18 on its SPD + Athletics roll.
It considers an attack but at -12 DoD, its not a good idea.
Orra's Turn: Orra wants to finish this, so he slashes at the beast on its way past. The DoD is -15, making his attack at -2.
He gets a 19! That's reduced to 17. He decides to spend a Fire HrP to get +4 to the roll and get a critical hit. Though the lion isn't a major villain, I allow it to make a critical hit roll to see if its out of the fight. That's +4 for its CON but -8 due to the DR. It gets a 9, reduces to 5. The lion is dead.
There is a moment of pause between the lion below and Orra above. The lion's claws extended are mere inches away from the tip of Orra's blade. The silence is broken as the hold door flies open from the impact of a body.
With a swipe of the paw, the lion uses all of its wild strength to jump through the lines below deck, making for the door. Orra has to give ground or be raked, but he turns around and chases after his prey. The glory of gold pales in his mind to the pursuit of victory.
Above deck, the fighting has mostly subsided. The pirates grab their weapons as the massive lion breaks through the hatch and into their midst with a frightening cry. Frozen with terror, they see the wild king stand for just a moment, tall and proud, before collapsing to the deck. Striding out of the hatch is the imposing figure of their captain. His sword drenched in the lion's blood, he begins to shout commands at them. Not even their awe at his feat overcomes their fear of disobeying his orders.
Observation in the last round, as a GM I liked having various tools to help me tailor my enemies to something appropriate. "Mooks" are not really on a separate system, but I can avoid the fiddly stuff with them if I choose to do so.
And as a reminder-
If you're unaware the Kickstarter for Atlantis:Geographica (http://kck.st/17itTjQ) is 9 days from completion so if you were on the fence about getting the world book for this game I've posted a picture below. It's the Sky temple of the Uluka people on the continent of Mu
(http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/sky_temple.jpg) (http://kck.st/17itTjQ)
Thanks!
Only 5 days left and there are couple of Corebook + Geographica spots left for newcomers to jump in on. We reached full colour hardcover which will be spiffy.
How spiffy? Well, the prototype PC sheet looks spiffy:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/347/396/7ff8837786b9853f544ec027e852af6d_large.jpg?1384830462)
And the sample of the PDF layered map is fun to play with too: http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/Gondwana_Europa_Map.pdf
Less tha 48 hours to go. $50+ pledges now get the Action Deck for free.
Oh wow! The final PDF is staggeringly pretty. And there have been some great enhancements, including 6 pages giving short summary on the cultures and lots of the other feedback online incorporated.
And so much cool full colour art... gasp... my eyes... :)
Quote from: writermonk;706779Nope. They're supposed to be there. They've been there in the Atlantis setting for ages and ages, so... Yes, likely a riff on the Vikings finding America (in the northern latitudes) before Columbus in the Gulf. Pathfinder would come later out of similar historical sources.
The Aesir in Eria are definitely Norse influenced.
I know the Aesir have always been there, they used to be a race, not a human culture.
My question was targeted at the location, and their native tongue. Since their native tongue is the same as the Eria natives, it seems they are not colonists, but Eria natives descended from North Sea colonists?
Quote from: CRKrueger;711730I know the Aesir have always been there, they used to be a race, not a human culture.
My question was targeted at the location, and their native tongue. Since their native tongue is the same as the Eria natives, it seems they are not colonists, but Eria natives descended from North Sea colonists?
Yeah, we ditched the innumerable races of the past editions in favor of a smaller number of race and cultural packages.
The Aesir speak the local Erian languages because that's where they live and who they live near and who they trade with.
Too, you don't have to be Human to be an Aesir; humans just predominate. You could easily be a Jinn, a Netherman, an Andaman, etc.
They may have once been colonists...
QuoteOff the northeast coast of Eria rests the island of Gava, called "The Land of the Giants" by the mainland tribes. A tribe known as the Aesir dwells on this island. They are quite tall by Erian standards, often reaching heights of 2 to 2.5 meters. Most are bronze-skinned with brown hair. A convoluted set of tales surround this tribe, tying them to distant Anostos, Atlantis, or even Europa, while several of the Aquaga tribes claim that the Aesir are their ancestors.
is how the section on Gava starts off in Geographica.
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;703252Because the underlying system changed enough to warrant it.
There are a lot of differences between the two now. If you played Atlantis using the Omni system it would not play the same. The dice mechanic is the same but a lot of aspects of the way the game plays are different.
Can you give some examples of how the system has changed?
Quote from: Dan Davenport;720810Can you give some examples of how the system has changed?
The old Omni system version of Atlantis: the Second Age is really close to a D&D clone set in an ancient Earth. Aside from ubiquitous humans, there's fairly standard elves, dwarves, gnomes, dark elves, trolls, giants, and goblins that you'd recognize from any standard RAW D&D game. Well, the trolls would be different. And there's one small group of dwarves who ride ostriches. Otherwise, you could pretty much play in the old Omni Atlantis using D&D as a rules-set without much strain.
The Omega Atlantis is different. Those differences might seem subtle and minor mechanically, but they do impact play a great deal.
Omega ditches tons of Talents (Feats for D&D) and pares them down. Same with the Skill list. Omega then adds in Hero Points. The Hero Point mechanics have a huge impact on play; players can use them in a variety of ways and around a table often players actions will provide an impetus to encourage (incite) others to push and spend Hero Points as well. Instead of XP, Omega switches to Renown. Your advances as your Renown climbs are pretty structured; it might not seem like a big difference to just getting XP and spending it on skills, but it does mean that characters tend to be very focused on one small set of skills or abilities as they grow in power. Omega assumes that magic all comes from outside - demons, elementals, spirits, etc - and that the miracles of the gods are very manifest. Arguably, magic in Omni is similar, but in Omni, the implication is that the caster is powerful and can command all these things (even priestly magic). In Omega, while the player is control of that, in game the character is dependent upon outside forces for world-bending power and that comes at a cost. Too, the miracles of the gods are handled vastly differently in each: in Omni, it's just another field of magic, in Omega it's a matter of rituals and appeasement and a literal personal relationship with a god.
Quote from: writermonk;720824The old Omni system version of Atlantis: the Second Age is really close to a D&D clone set in an ancient Earth. Aside from ubiquitous humans, there's fairly standard elves, dwarves, gnomes, dark elves, trolls, giants, and goblins that you'd recognize from any standard RAW D&D game. Well, the trolls would be different. And there's one small group of dwarves who ride ostriches. Otherwise, you could pretty much play in the old Omni Atlantis using D&D as a rules-set without much strain.
The Omega Atlantis is different. Those differences might seem subtle and minor mechanically, but they do impact play a great deal.
Omega ditches tons of Talents (Feats for D&D) and pares them down. Same with the Skill list. Omega then adds in Hero Points. The Hero Point mechanics have a huge impact on play; players can use them in a variety of ways and around a table often players actions will provide an impetus to encourage (incite) others to push and spend Hero Points as well. Instead of XP, Omega switches to Renown. Your advances as your Renown climbs are pretty structured; it might not seem like a big difference to just getting XP and spending it on skills, but it does mean that characters tend to be very focused on one small set of skills or abilities as they grow in power. Omega assumes that magic all comes from outside - demons, elementals, spirits, etc - and that the miracles of the gods are very manifest. Arguably, magic in Omni is similar, but in Omni, the implication is that the caster is powerful and can command all these things (even priestly magic). In Omega, while the player is control of that, in game the character is dependent upon outside forces for world-bending power and that comes at a cost. Too, the miracles of the gods are handled vastly differently in each: in Omni, it's just another field of magic, in Omega it's a matter of rituals and appeasement and a literal personal relationship with a god.
Interesting. How do Hero Points work?
They give a bonus to rolls or other similar benefits (reduce damage etc), similar to Savage Worlds, Buffy or M&M. How many you can spend on a single roll is determined by one's Renown.
You get set number of Hero Points per adventure. These initial Hero Points are aligned to certain elements that double their bonus in certain situations i.e fire HP would give a double bonus in combat.
Hero Points are also gained in other limited situations such as divine mass rituals or cursing a God.
Sounds cool.
How are the CR and MR calculated in this edition?
Quote from: Dan Davenport;720888Sounds cool.
How are the CR and MR calculated in this edition?
They are attributes, like Str and Int, and not derived stats. Attributes are made up from race, primarily, adjusted by Profession and then by freebies.
Quote from: Sommerjon;703399That's unfortunate. I'm growing tired of the d20.
To be fair though - the Talislanta/Omni/Omega system has probably the sleekest use of a D20 in any role-playing game. The results table makes action resolution super-simple on the player side, and on the back end. Plus this makes a d20 roll into a tiered system with degrees of success, rather than a binary pass/fail system like in D&D.
Also, the game ties attack and damage into a single roll with the results table, and combat goes by super quick.
Also, the game looks a bit more complex than it actually plays. I really like this system, and the Atlantis setting.
Yeah. I am not a fan of d20, yet I think the Omega system in Atlantis is pretty boss.
Oh, could someone go into a little more detail about how miracles work in the new edition?
And has anyone heard from Jerry lately? I'm trying to get in touch with him to arrange a Q&A.
Quote from: Gizmoduck5000;721056To be fair though - the Talislanta/Omni/Omega system has probably the sleekest use of a D20 in any role-playing game. The results table makes action resolution super-simple on the player side, and on the back end. Plus this makes a d20 roll into a tiered system with degrees of success, rather than a binary pass/fail system like in D&D.
Also, the game ties attack and damage into a single roll with the results table, and combat goes by super quick.
Agreed. It's puzzling to me why the system never caught on. Maybe it's the lack of adventure support.
Quote from: Dan Davenport;721216Oh, could someone go into a little more detail about how miracles work in the new edition?
And has anyone heard from Jerry lately? I'm trying to get in touch with him to arrange a Q&A.
Jerry's been busy fulfilling both Atlantis and Geographica. He gave an update for the later yesterday.
Miracles come in two forms. Priests can get a number (around 3-5) of subtle yet powerful blessings based on the Domain of their God or Goddess. This is rare and represents the Chosen of the Gods
There is also a more involved process of undertaking divine rituals (blood or wealth sacrifice, large numbers, time etc) to gain Hero Points.
Quote from: Haffrung;721231It's puzzling to me why the system never caught on. Maybe it's the lack of adventure support.
I don't know about the visibility in the US but here in Germany the
OMNI games suffered from spotty distribution. It is easier to get hold of
Hellas today than you could find
High Medieval or
Atlantis: The Second Age, despite
HM and
A:TSA being more maintream.
With
OMNI the system could have got traction but the OGL only covered the skill descriptions and either talents or spells (I don't remember), and
not the basic rules (attributes, templates, the Action Result Table), effectively shutting out third party publishers.
And regardless of edition,
Talislanta was always considered weird.
Lots of copies of the German edition of Tal2 ended in the hands of the largest RPG club, GFR, to be used in a postage-saving "scheme": Back then yearly membership letters could have been sent using regular mail (expensive) or as printed matter (cheap) since printed matter was allowed to contain a cover letter. The club made it a habit to send their members overstock RPG titles donated to them.
Skywalker, your review of this edition got me. I bought my copy yesterday via DriveThru.
As a long time follower of this setting I must express how awesome I think the changes the guys at Khepera made are (my first Atlantis book was the Bestiary back in the 80s and I also own the whole Morrigan edition).
Trimmed down the talents, focused on the interesting races and ditched all that Tolkien-EDO stuff. Great! Oh, and Lemurians - big apes with guns!
I will use that edition for an Eldritch Skies/Hellas crossover later this year. See, how that works.
Quote from: Dan Davenport;721216Oh, could someone go into a little more detail about how miracles work in the new edition?
And has anyone heard from Jerry lately? I'm trying to get in touch with him to arrange a Q&A.
I'll pass along to Jerry that you're looking for him, Dan.
As Skywalker said, but allow me to elaborate from one of my current PBP games.
Characters with the Domain Access Talent all get a few minor powers based upon the Domain they choose - each god has a few they lord over.
Lenelle (a PC) is a devoted priestess of Ahbra. As such, the player chose the Fortune Domain. That means that Lenelle can:
- Re-roll one die per point of CHA+1 each game.
- Always find a full bottle of wine.
- Always has a coin in her pocket and a full belly no matter the circumstances.
Not a bad little set of abilities. Re-rolling die rolls is handy and stacks on top of a similar ability she has since she's a Human. The other two aren't quite mechanical bonuses, but they do add some flavor to the character.
During the game, she and two other PCs approached a town beset by a terrible beast. Ahbra is also a goddess who rules over Earth, and one of the blessings of Earth is prodigious strength. The characters (there's another priest with Lenelle who worships a different deity) sacrificed a mule on a makeshift alter to gain some additional Hero Points. Then, they each prayed for a period of time (like 15 minutes-ish in game, so not something you can whip out in the middle of combat) and sacrificed a bit of the slain of mule to the gods (spending Hero Points culled from the earlier sacrifice and prayer). As a result of that, Lenelle - who spent 30 minutes and 6 Hero Points - has +10 to her STR attribute as long as she touching the ground until sunset. That's frankly a huge bonus.
Quote from: Gizmoduck5000;721056To be fair though - the Talislanta/Omni/Omega system has probably the sleekest use of a D20 in any role-playing game. The results table makes action resolution super-simple on the player side, and on the back end. Plus this makes a d20 roll into a tiered system with degrees of success, rather than a binary pass/fail system like in D&D.
Also, the game ties attack and damage into a single roll with the results table, and combat goes by super quick.
Also, the game looks a bit more complex than it actually plays. I really like this system, and the Atlantis setting.
I've been saying this for almost 20-years. The Talislanta d20 mechanics are simply awesome. Simple - but yet full of as much complexity as required for almost any game.
I also agree with OMNI's big issue being spotty distribution.
Talislanta's exotic setting has always seemed to be a sticking point for the traditional D&D crowd. Never understood why given how over the years D&D mutated into things like "Tieflings" and "Genasi" being considered "normal" races...
Dat system tho? Rocks the socks.
Quote from: tenbones;721576I've been saying this for almost 20-years. The Talislanta d20 mechanics are simply awesome. Simple - but yet full of as much complexity as required for almost any game.
I also agree with OMNI's big issue being spotty distribution.
Talislanta's exotic setting has always seemed to be a sticking point for the traditional D&D crowd. Never understood why given how over the years D&D mutated into things like "Tieflings" and "Genasi" being considered "normal" races...
Dat system tho? Rocks the socks.
Yeah...people have been lining up for blocks to toss Vincent Bakers salad for his revolutionary xworld resolution mechanic when Talislanta's results table did the exact same thing - in the goddamn 80's.
I'd love to see a microlite version of talislanta though.
Tangent: Didn't Dirk Remmecke of this very thread write the original microlite20?
Quote from: Gizmoduck5000;721663Yeah...people have been lining up for blocks to toss Vincent Bakers salad for his revolutionary xworld resolution mechanic when Talislanta's results table did the exact same thing - in the goddamn 80's.
I'd love to see a microlite version of talislanta though.
Tangent: Didn't Dirk Remmecke of this very thread write the original microlite20?
No, that was a group affair at ENworld, orchestrated by Robin V. Stacey ("Greywulf"):
Microlite – The Smallest Thing in Gaming (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=177624)
New Microlite20 Thread (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=219419) (because the first one brought the forum software to its knees at 1217 postings)
I was not even there, I learned of
M20 when all was said and done...
I just did a German translation (building on the first one Alex "Kensanata" Schroeder--organizer of the latest
One Page Dungeon Contests--did of the basic one sheet) that I was able to get printed as a 28 page booklet to be given away for free at anime conventions (http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?219419-New-Microlite20-thread&p=4193690&viewfull=1#post4193690).
Quote from: Gizmoduck5000;721663Yeah...people have been lining up for blocks to toss Vincent Bakers salad for his revolutionary xworld resolution mechanic when Talislanta's results table did the exact same thing - in the goddamn 80's.
I'd love to see a microlite version of talislanta though.
Tangent: Didn't Dirk Remmecke of this very thread write the original microlite20?
Yeah exactly! And I *still* don't understand why people haven't given the Talislanta/OMNI/OMEGA system the props it unabashedly deserves.
In terms of scale/crunch it's about as light as I like it. LOL I have no idea what a microlite version of Talislanta would be like! Would be interesting to check out. M20 is pretty fakking lite. Tal-Lite would be?
Quote from: tenbones;721795Yeah exactly! And I *still* don't understand why people haven't given the Talislanta/OMNI/OMEGA system the props it unabashedly deserves.
Because there never was a generic, more or less Tolkienesque, "mainstream" fantasy application.
Because a one-book-system is invisible in stores.
Because only a stream of supplements drives attention to a game, again and again. (Where would WHFRP have been without The Enemy Within?)
What if... OMNI was OGL
and/or the engine that drove Decipher's LotR Adventure Game?
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;721802Because there never was a generic, more or less Tolkienesque, "mainstream" fantasy application.
Because a one-book-system is invisible in stores.
Because only a stream of supplements drives attention to a game, again and again. (Where would WHFRP have been without The Enemy Within?)
What if... OMNI was OGL and/or the engine that drove Decipher's LotR Adventure Game?
Touche!
As a corollary - this is some support for the popular theory that Talislanta was "was too weird". Given the fact they had quite a lot of product given the the time-period of Bard Games and the first WotC installment with Tal/3e.
But you bring up a good point! Is OMNI OGL? I know OMEGA is owned by Khepera. But what about the OMNI system??? Time to sniff around...
Quote from: tenbones;721899But you bring up a good point! Is OMNI OGL? I know OMEGA is owned by Khepera. But what about the OMNI system??? Time to sniff around...
As I understand it, it isn't. I looked into it for a basic start for a game of mine. Since Omni was produced under license, and so is Omega (sort of..)
Quote from: tenbones;721899But you bring up a good point! Is OMNI OGL? I know OMEGA is owned by Khepera. But what about the OMNI system???
I don't know about OMEGA (I don't own any of them) but Open Content from Morrigan Press's OMNI games are:
- Atlantis The Second Age: Chapter 5 "Skills & Talents" (28 pages out of 400+)
- High Medieval: Chapter 4 "Skills & Talents" and Chapter 7 "The Church" * (34 + 18 pages out of 250+)
- OMNI System: Chapter 4 "Skills & Talents" and Chapter 6 "Equipment" (36 + 13 pages out of 150+)
That means you could take those texts verbatim and insert/adapt them for other OGL games but the main mechanism (the eight stats** and the ART, or the magic rules) is off limits.
* this is probably a mistake, I suspect that they meant Chapter 8 "Equipment"...
** though you could extract those from the skill chapter as they are referenced in all skills
Quote from: tenbones;721795In terms of scale/crunch it's about as light as I like it. LOL I have no idea what a microlite version of Talislanta would be like! Would be interesting to check out. M20 is pretty fakking lite. Tal-Lite would be?
Have you seen Broomstix? It's a "Harry Potter" RPG that fits on a few pages. It basically uses the Talislanta Action Table, but diverges in terms of specific skills and magic. As I recall, magic is just another skill, but nothing is heavily defined, leaving Players and GMs a whole lot of wiggle room to (re)create whatever it is that they want. However, it has been a long time since I've read it.
In any case, when I first found it, I thought of it as a Tal-lite. Simple Action Table, bare handful of Skills, nearly everything else narrative or GM fiat.
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;721992I don't know about OMEGA (I don't own any of them) but Open Content from Morrigan Press's OMNI games are:
- Atlantis The Second Age: Chapter 5 "Skills & Talents" (28 pages out of 400+)
- High Medieval: Chapter 4 "Skills & Talents" and Chapter 7 "The Church" * (34 + 18 pages out of 250+)
- OMNI System: Chapter 4 "Skills & Talents" and Chapter 6 "Equipment" (36 + 13 pages out of 150+)
That means you could take those texts verbatim and insert/adapt them for other OGL games but the main mechanism (the eight stats** and the ART, or the magic rules) is off limits.
* this is probably a mistake, I suspect that they meant Chapter 8 "Equipment"...
** though you could extract those from the skill chapter as they are referenced in all skills
Well all you really *need* is the dice-mechanic which can't be copyrighted (right?) If I re-did things, I'd likely re-do the skills/talents/equipment anyhow...
HMMMMM....
Jerry released the PDF the other day: http://www.rpgnow.com/product/120423/ATLANTIS-the-Second-Age
Really looking forward to my printed copy.
Shouldn't be long now. I understand the book went to print before Xmas.
Excellent looking game. Great thread. Stopping by to throw in my two cents about a standalone Omega system with all of the knobs, dials, and switches laid out. I'd buy it right now.
Quote from: Skywalker;722188Shouldn't be long now. I understand the book went to print before Xmas.
Just received a KS update that printed books should be delivered in February.
I also see that Atlantis is third in DTRPG's New Year sale after Numenera and Werewolf 20th. Woot!
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;721802Because there never was a generic, more or less Tolkienesque, "mainstream" fantasy application.
Whilst true, one thing I like about Atlantis is that it does cover most kinds of S&S. It's not as popular as Tolkienesque fantasy, but it's still broad and widely known. I am hoping this may see Omega reach a greater audience.
Quote from: Skywalker;722346Whilst true, one thing I like about Atlantis is that it does cover most kinds of S&S. It's not as popular as Tolkienesque fantasy, but it's still broad and widely known. I am hoping this may see Omega reach a greater audience.
I was hoping that as well but it broke my heart to read that Kephera actively avoided eurocentric fantasy in the game so that there is not even a feudal Aquilonia equivalent (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?713534-Atlantis-the-Second-Age-(Khepera-Publishing)&p=17521984#post17521984).
That is a situation similar to
Midgard, the first German RPG. Despite the rules having all the tropes of Tolkien, and a setting that had pseudo-European countries, for more that the first decade only pseudo India, pseudo Aztecs, pseudo China-meets-Japan were published, years apart; by the time pseudo Vikings appeared (instead of pseudo England that was used in all examples in the rule book!) I was already happily playing in my own pseudo Tolkien world. But many others never got to playing their game at all because of the lack of a familiar backdrop.
(That concentration on non-European cultures was not surprising considering that Midgard started out as a houseruled translation of
EPT...)
Looks like Tal/OMNI/OMEGA
wants to paint itself in the "exotic" corner.
"No Elves!" might be edgy but does it sell?
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;722376I was hoping that as well but it broke my heart to read that Kephera actively avoided eurocentric fantasy in the game so that there is not even a feudal Aquilonia equivalent (http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?713534-Atlantis-the-Second-Age-(Khepera-Publishing)&p=17521984#post17521984).
That is a situation similar to Midgard, the first German RPG. Despite the rules having all the tropes of Tolkien, and a setting that had pseudo-European countries, for more that the first decade only pseudo India, pseudo Aztecs, pseudo China-meets-Japan were published, years apart; by the time pseudo Vikings appeared (instead of pseudo England that was used in all examples in the rule book!) I was already happily playing in my own pseudo Tolkien world. But many others never got to playing their game at all because of the lack of a familiar backdrop.
(That concentration on non-European cultures was not surprising considering that Midgard started out as a houseruled translation of EPT...)
Looks like Tal/OMNI/OMEGA wants to paint itself in the "exotic" corner.
"No Elves!" might be edgy but does it sell?
They also added a pretty strong narrative-based Hero Point economy and experience system. This is a very new-school reimagining of the system.
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;722376"No Elves!" might be edgy but does it sell?
Good point. Though Atlantis is specific in its vibe, I still think it can cover most S&S fantasy I know of with a little effort. S&S has never sold as well as Tolkienesque fantasy, but there is quite a lot of breadth there.
Also, elves didn't exactly make Bard Games' or Morrigan Press' Atlantis best sellers either :) So, I can understand Khepera balancing the draw of elves with the draw of focussing more on S&S, and going with the later.
Quote from: Skywalker;722465Good point. Though Atlantis is specific in its vibe, I still think it can cover most S&S fantasy I know of with a little effort. S&S has never sold as well as Tolkienesque fantasy, but there is quite a lot of breadth there.
Also, elves didn't exactly make Bard Games' or Morrigan Press' Atlantis best sellers either :) So, I can understand Khepera balancing the draw of elves with the draw of focussing more on S&S, and going with the later.
Agreed. The sword and sorcery tropes of Atlantis are much more accessible than Talislanta. A new players goes into Talislanta absolutely cold in terms of setting assumptions and character. Most of the stuff in Atlantis, while it's not bog-standard fantasy, is familiar to anyone who's aware of Conan, Elric, or pulp horror.
Quote from: Haffrung;722489Agreed. The sword and sorcery tropes of Atlantis are much more accessible than Talislanta. A new players goes into Talislanta absolutely cold in terms of setting assumptions and character. Most of the stuff in Atlantis, while it's not bog-standard fantasy, is familiar to anyone who's aware of Conan, Elric, or pulp horror.
Yes. Just have them watch Conan, Kull, Clash/Wrath of the Titans, Scorpion King and even Stargate (to see some Vril weaponry in use).
Yep. I am sure that Atlantis will not sell as well as D&D for a variety of reasons. But I do like how Atlantis does for S&S what D&D does for Tolkienesque fantasy.
For example, the races in Atlantis cover nearly every option I need to run games inspired by Howard, Lieber, Smith, Moorcock, de Camp, Kurimoto, Thomas, Busiek, or the various S&S movies since the 80s.
As a matter of interest, is anyone having issues with the Premium Map Pack? My iPad, both home computers (admittedly old), and my 1 year old work computers struggles to open the layered continent PDFs.
And when I say struggle, I mean crash Adobe and cause it to have a tizzy fit for a while after.
Jerry broke the PDF down into individual maps which helped for the smaller maps, but PDFs that are over 12MB are still struggling.
Jerry will be my guest at 7:00 p.m. CST this evening for a Q&A in http://tinyurl.com/rpgnetchat (http://tinyurl.com/rpgnetchat). Hope to see you there!
Both Atlantis and Geographica are shaping up to be true awesome. I am working on converting Monster Island to it right now:
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/599/852/c4ddfcd33f98fd03e4ac4f9a603ef32e_large.jpg?1391582700)
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/605/417/a755aac0c51759e36b7d9e14f327b516_large.jpg?1391713505)
So pretty..I w...
Damnit why did I need new glasses, plus people to help if I hadn't needed new glasses.
ah well.
And books are starting to arrive with backers in the US.
I have mine! It's very very beautiful...
Quote from: trechriron;730837I have mine! It's very very beautiful...
Pictures! Please :)
What's the binding like? Hellas is notorious but mostly due to its form factor.
Just got mine today, too. It came with, inexplicably, two copies of Kickers Inc. #3. Okay.
Binding looks pretty good...after I read the book tonight I'll let you know how it holds up.
EDIT: A couple pics per request.
(http://truculent.org/atlantis1.jpg)
(http://truculent.org/atlantis2.jpg)
Quote from: Brad;730848It came with, inexplicably, two copies of Kickers Inc. #3. Okay.
Ha ha. :)
Quote from: Skywalker;730838Pictures! Please :)
What's the binding like? Hellas is notorious but mostly due to its form factor.
Mine also came with a couple comics. I'll post pics later when I arrive at the castle.
For the record, my 2E Hellas book seems to hold up better.
Quote from: Silverlion;730881For the record, my 2E Hellas book seems to hold up better.
Mine didn't unfortunately. It came with a crack along the binding glue. Not enough to ask for a refund, but enough to make me afraid to open the book.
Quote from: Skywalker;730888Mine didn't unfortunately. It came with a crack along the binding glue. Not enough to ask for a refund, but enough to make me afraid to open the book.
Did you tell Jerry?
Quote from: Silverlion;730894Did you tell Jerry?
I decided not to. He's done so much on Hellas and Atlantis and, as said, the book's sorry state is not quite at the point where I would ask for a replacement (especially as I am not running Hellas).
Quote from: Brad;730848Just got mine today, too. It came with, inexplicably, two copies of Kickers Inc. #3. Okay.
Dang it! You should have gotten either #3 & 4 or #2 & 3 not two #3!!!
I've failed
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;730913Dang it! You should have gotten either #3 & 4 or #2 & 3 not two #3!!!
I’ve failed
You can make it up to me by announcing a Kickstarter for the bestiary.
For those wondering about the binding, it looks like the one used on 13th Age (and I wonder if both books were printed at the same place). I think it'll hold up well for a long time.
Quote from: Brad;730937For those wondering about the binding, it looks like the one used on 13th Age (and I wonder if both books were printed at the same place). I think it'll hold up well for a long time.
Nice, thanks. Jerry has kindly contacted me about my Hellas book too :)
Latest update on Geographica, on the Atlantis website, is that it's gone from 150 pages to 250 pages :eek:
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;730913Dang it! You should have gotten either #3 & 4 or #2 & 3 not two #3!!!
I've failed
I got #2 and #3.
The comics were a nice touch. :D
JG
Pictures as promised...
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase1.png)
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase2.png)
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase3.png)
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase4.png)
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase5.png)
(http://www.10nw-web.com/tc/ase6.png)
This book is gorgeous and fun to read. Now I'm itching to run it!!
So pretty :)
I actually more interested in what comics everyone got. It was a chore sorting them so that people didn't get doubles.
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;731097I actually more interested in what comics everyone got. It was a chore sorting them so that people didn't get doubles.
It's a nice touch. I am kind of sad international backers won't be getting the same surprise :)
When will the books be available to us poor non-Kickstarters?
Quote from: Skywalker;730822And books are starting to arrive with backers in the US.
This is for the core book KS, not the deluxe print set from the Geographica KS, right?
Quote from: 3rik;731143This is for the core book KS, not the deluxe print set from the Geographica KS, right?
This is the first KS for the Corebook only. Geographica is close to being released in PDF. Corebooks in Geographica pledges will be going out with Geographica later this year.
At the risk of invoking Jerry's wrath at posting his tentative release schedule on other forums, here is what he posted on RPGnet :)
QuoteNOTE: Nothing here is set in stone
April release
ATLANTIS: The Second Age
MSRP: $49.99
Product number KHP022
368 pages Hard Cover full color (8.5"x11")
Atlantis is a sword and sorcery game inspired by the works of Fritz Lieber, Michael Moorcock, Robert E. Howard, and Clark Ashton Smith. Atlantis; a strange, wondrous and sometimes horrific antediluvian age where heroes survive by their wits, courage, and strong sword arms.
Based on the classic Atlantean Trilogy by Bard Games
- Atlantis: The Second Age expands greatly on this already detailed world including detailed rules on alchemy, a dynamic magic system, and exotic technomantic magical creations.
- Play as a twisted Netherman cannibal, a haughty Atlantean sorcerer, a bestial Anadaman thief, or a Mercurial Jinn warrior.
- Face the horrors of the dark isle of Anostos, brave the fighting-pits of Atlantis, and battle Makara on the high seas.
- Uncover ancient conspiracies, cleave demented cultists, and conquer lands unseen by civilized man in a thousand years.
- Rebuild the might of shattered Atlantis, or wipe clean the past and create your own empire from the dust and blood of the lost age.
Will you be kingmaker, tyrant, thief, scholar, or slayer?
May release
ATLANTIS: Geographica
MSRP: $39.99
Product number KHP023
250 pages Hard Cover full color (8.5"x11")
The Geographica is the first companion book for the role-playing game Atlantis: The Second Age. The Geographica details the people and culture of the antediluvian world once ruled by the kingdom of Atlantis.
Each continent is explained in great detail with colorful comments by the denizens that have lived or adventured there. With lavishly illustrated maps that include major cities, sites of ancient ruins, and plot hooks for the industrious game master, this book becomes an invaluable tool for player and GM alike
- A look at the people and places of the world of Atlantis
- A detailed map of each continent
- Expanded travel rules
- Over 125 plot hooks for the enterprising Game Master
June release
ATLANTIS: Hero's Guide
MSRP: $25.99
Product number KHP024
120 pages softcover cover, Black & White (8.5"x11")
The heroes of the ATLANTIS: The Second Age RPG are evocative and varied and many character combinations exist.
The Hero's Guide is designed to help focus and speed up character creation allowing the players and GM alike to make incredible heroes in no time at all.
- Insight into the races of Atlantis
- Over 100 Quick and easy character templates to choose from
- 120 different professional combinations
- 7 new professions
- New talents
ATLANTIS: Action Deck
MSRP: $12.99
Product number KHP025
With the ATLANTIS: The Second Age Action Deck the game master and the players can add another facet to their sword and sorcery adventure games. The cards are play and idea aids to help embellish the action as it happens while making the player heroes more heroic.
The Action Deck helps Gamemasters and players emulate the ebb and flow of action in a sword and sorcery adventure story
The deck includes:
- 52 full color cards for use with ATLANTIS: The Second Age
- Special moves that augment the Hero's abilities
- Dilemmas that thwart the hero
- Plot Twist cards to add flavor and a sense of chaos t the game.
- Complete rules on how to use the deck in your ATLANTIS: The Second Age game
The Atlantis: Action Deck requires the use of the ATLANTIS: The Second Age Role-playing game
Other Releases
I have other things planned but don't want to go further out than this because of several uncertainties.
- The bestiary is 82% written
- The 13/calendar adventures are locked in my head
- The Lego playset and animated series is in my dreams and I can't figure out the alchemy to make them real
And I am still making PCs for Atlantis. This one is for some pregens I am making (the Jin Sorcerer was just too OTT for what I wanted :)
Name: Viorica
Race: Netherman
Culture: Saturnia
Profession: Shaman
Age: 30 years (Renown 19)
Viorica’s father was Mihai, the Great Sage of Ku. Mihai was renowned for recording the ordeals of the many heroes who braved the Black Forest through tale and song. His culminated lore was coveted by the Vampire Lord Vasile who turned Mihai into an Upir (lich). Just before Mihai was transformed, he passed on his legacy to his daughter in a vision. But the legacy became tainted with Mihai’s undeath.
Viorica was forced to flee. She travels to record the deeds of the brave like her father. However, the pall of death that follows her ensures that she is rarely accepted by those she chronicles, forcing her to stalk them as if they were her prey. In the dark of night, she has learnt ways to steal the very essence of her subjects to complete her task.
She has seen many amazing things during her life in the wake of heroes. Things that have blasted her mind, and given her great insight into the universe. She has heard the whispered murmurs of the sleeping giants on Mount Meru. She has ventured to the top of a great bellowing volcano and watched two gods make love in the fiery tempest.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/Shaman_zps3a8fc924.jpg)
INT +0 PER -1 WIL +3 CHA +1 MR +1
STR +2 DEX -1 CON +1 SPD +0 CR +2
HP 26
Skills: Animal Handling +2, Evade +4, Handicraft (fine arts) +4, Influence +5, Instinct +4, Language (Atlantean) +3, Language (Tharshi) +10, Lore (Europan folklore) +4, Lore (survival) +4, Lore (theology) +4, Medicine +3, Mode (Sensory) +11, Mode (Shield) +12, Mode (Illusion) +4, Perform +4, Profession (Shaman) +10, Stealth +3, Unarmed Fighting +4
Abilities: Magic Immunity (+2 to resist magical effects and damage), Eaters of the Dead (gain innate ability at level 2), Too Dumb to Die (pass all Death Saves and ignore critical hit penalties for CONx3 rounds, useable once per adventure), The Gift, Fate Eater (take 3 Fate Points from another through ritual, 1 Fate Point is lost), Righteous Words (+2 bonus to first action in round for PC and group, useable 3 times per day), Status (+3 when dealing with heroes), Tradition (Witchcraft – may touch target through objects with mystical connection, +2 per witch in circle, suffer penalty using their magic in cultivated areas).
Equipment: Dagger (Acc+2, DR6, Fast, Quick), Light Cuirass (PR2), Black cat, Horse and Travellers Gear and WR +1
Disadvantages:
Relationship [/I]– Hunted by Lord Vasile - 1
Internal [/I]– Mihai’s Legacy - 2
External [/I]– Touch of Death - 2
One interesting thing I noted about advancement in Atlantis the other day. Starting PCs are effectively made from 113 CPs. You also get 30 CPs to spend to customise your PC.
If you go with Renown 325 being the point at which the PC "retires" (achieves their Destiny, ascends to godhood etc), then the PC gets only another 70 CP over that span. That means that the most powerful PC is only 50% more powerful than a starting PC.
I am guessing that is relatively unusual in RPGs where advancement tends to be more meteoric. It should mean that replacing PCs, should one die (something not uncommon in a S&S game), should be relatively painless.
I also like it as it means that as GM the PC power level doesn't change dramatically requiring constantly new levels of antagonists over the course of a campaign.
You are correct. Its not level 1-20 like D&D where a new character cant jump in with the big boys but a 200 renown hero does feel a lot different from a starting hero.
As an exercise you should do a comparison of the Viorica character at different Renown levels. A 100, 200, 250, and 300 Renown version.
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;732310You are correct. Its not level 1-20 like D&D where a new character cant jump in with the big boys but a 200 renown hero does feel a lot different from a starting hero.
As an exercise you should do a comparison of the Viorica character at different Renown levels. A 100, 200, 250, and 300 Renown version.
Yeah, it loosely equates to something closer to levels 8-13 on a D&D scale.
Cool idea regarding characters at different points. I am not sure I will get chance to do it. Effectively, at each 100 Renown, the PC will accumulate 25 CP. Skills cost 1 CP per rank, Attributes cost 5 CP per rank and Talents cost 5CP each or 10CP if they are out of Profession. It would easy to extrapolate what the PC would look like from that.
And the cover of Geographica is revealed:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/704/771/6a44fd2b0da742f3dd3b0ed1247ca1a6_large.jpg)
It appears from early reports from UK backers that Atlantis books are beginning to arrive with non-US backers. With the imminent release of the Geographica PDF and hopefully soon to start Bestiary KS, its going to be an good few months for Atlantis coming up. :)
Geographica just got released to KS backers. It's amazing. Over 250 pages, chock full of information, loads of beautiful full colour art and maps and story hooks.
It also has no system information, so it can used with any system. And Jerry very kindly added in the Atlantis chapter and calendar details, so it's a complete "in one book" antediluvian fantasy setting.
I expect it will be available to everyone in the next few days, as a lead up to the Bestiary Kickstarter :)
I am happy to answer questions.
It's 258 pages, including cover etc. There is a section on each continent and area (including a repeat of Atlantis, as well as more isolated places like the Nether Realms, Anatos and Isle of Dread) as well as a section on the oceans. The sections start with a full double page art piece. They cover each region, with secrets in sidebars. They also include a page of story hook locations (like Atlantis in the Corebook). They include two maps, being the one from the Map Pack and another with the story hook locations (again like the Corebook). There is also a section on plants unique to the region.
The section seems based on the previous Atlantis rulebook information but there are many improvements and changes. The addition of secrets and story hook locations alone makes the material more exciting and playable.
There is also a section on travel, with a sort of The One Ring style travel mechanic. There is also a full calendar (covering each day) and a repeat of the effects of the time of the year on magic. There is a short section on Obelisks, being rare "tears of the Gods" that have weird and wonderful effects. The book wraps up with a few versions of the world map, with different varieties of the layers.
Tl:dr: I am blown away. Its much more than I expected. It feels like getting a double sized copy of Scavenger Sons for Exalted or World of Greyhawk for AD&D1e.
My campaign commences this week, with the first story called "The Gods' Eye Open".
I now have all the PC backgrounds in if anyone is interested:
Achindra, Jinn sorcerer from Himvati: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/252449.html
Amadi, assassin from Dar: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/252936.html
Bahadur, swindler from Sheba: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/253213.html
Baram, warrior from Turan: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/252109.html
Phaedra, Atlantean scholar from Eudea: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/252320.html
Stelaro, pirate from Tharshesh: http://grandexperiment.livejournal.com/253520.html
And after many trials and tribulations, my Atlantis rulebook has arrived (well, my replacement sent kindly by Jerry that is :)).
In other news, this RPG is one of the easiest to prep NPCs for. I sat down to do my wizards "big bad" and it was like:
1. Ability level 17
2. Spell Ability (Manipulate, Shield, and stuff)
3. HP 35
The rest I can do on the fly :)
More updates:
- Players pack is very close to being finished.
- The Theragraphica is almost done and a few tweaks and touches are being made before it hits the editors.
- And the next kickstarter is very close to being announced.
- Geographica is at the Printers.
- The Atlantis City guide manuscript is 80% complete.
- The Atlantis Action deck is done and the tuck boxes are in layout.
And suitably amazing Player's Pack cover:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/001/978/764/88e60b24400e77898a705afb4b5a6e8e_large.jpg)
picked up my copy of the main book in hardback from my FLGS this past weekend.
All I can say is... Holy Fuck. This book is all kinds of badass, drinking six-packs of canned Whoop-ass.
I owned the Myrmidon Press book which was good... but had some very light wonkyness in a few rules. It "appears" (I'm still going through it) that Jerry and Doug cleaned up a lot of the stuff in this Omega System (which is an outstanding system).
Is the Bestiary going to see print??
Yeah, its a truly magnificent re-envisioning of the original RPG.
Quote from: tenbones;753550Is the Bestiary going to see print??
Theragraphica (the Bestiary) has just started its KS: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-theragraphica. It could really do with more support to ensure that it is printed in full colour and in PDF. Its also a great way to pick up the other books as the pledge levels offer cheap bundles.
Geographica (the Setting book) has done its KS, and is already available as a PDF and soon in print (its at the printers). IMO its even better than the corebook being over 250 pages of awesome: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/127736/ATLANTIS-Geographica.
There's a Hero's Guide coming via POD, though this is not a full book. It is more a primer for PC generation and has pre-calculated PCs for every race and profession combination. It will have a few racial specific information, professions and talents.
Quote from: tenbones;753550It "appears" (I'm still going through it) that Jerry and Doug cleaned up a lot of the stuff in this Omega System (which is an outstanding system).
Jerry and Kieran and I. Kieran helped! Honest! I swear he did!
Glad that you're digging the book on the first read through.
The 2nd book, Geographica, is going to be the same high quality, but with less system and more awesome. And the art. OMG, the art. Ok, so there's not quite as much art in terms of page count, but there are these amazing two-page spreads that will have you holding the book up like some young teenager with a girly magazine.
Hmm... not a great analogy there. Anyways, the art in Geographica is amazing.
Theragraphica (the bestiary) has some surprises in it. I haven't seen all of the finished art for it yet, but what I have seen is pretty amazing. I WANT Thera in full color hardback just for the art alone.
Quote from: writermonk;753713Jerry and Kieran and I. Kieran helped! Honest! I swear he did!
Glad that you're digging the book on the first read through.
Well shoutout to KIERAN - I am a believer!
Seriously, this game is fierce. I'm looking forward to picking up the print copies of everything in the line. It has managed
I'm ALL IN!
Quote from: tenbones;753843Well shoutout to KIERAN - I am a believer!
Seriously, this game is fierce. I'm looking forward to picking up the print copies of everything in the line. It has managed
I'm ALL IN!
Make sure you jump into the Theragraphica KS. Its going to need support to reach full colour hard covers.
and spread the word...
This 3 volume set is going be magnificent, and you don't want to miss out!
Yeah, people have to remember this is the last book, so if they want to contribute to the RPG this is the last chance. Only $1,200 to being funded!
These are the two actual play reports from my campaign. The first arc is called The Gods' Eye Open. I understand the APs are short, but hopefully they convey the fun we are having :) Next session is this Thursday. I am happy to answer any questions.
QuoteSession 1.1: The PCs arrive in the hidden city of Logithia in northern Saturnia; the one called Bahadur arriving from across the Atlantean ocean by ancient Triton magic. They witness a night-time cult gathering of a minor slumbering god called Ebynia. As if from nowhere, black cowled figures wielding mirrors appear and use the mirrors to steal the souls of the cultists. Their escape is covered by a wave of soulless gladiators, who attack without thought or mercy. As the PCs intervene, a mirror is shattered stealing a portion of the souls of a majority of the PCs and one of their companions. All they are left with is the name "Eshrigel the Medusa."
QuoteSession 1.2: Baram awakened from a fugue to find himself surrounded by the bodies of cultists of Kaliban, a God of hereditary diseases. A statue of Kaliban came to life, but he managed to defeat it whilst rescuing a woman, Arla, who was intended as a ritual sacrifice. The PCs joined him in celebration, along with Bahadur's growing devout following. Achindra discovered the mirror with Baram's soul in it had been taken by a black bird of the type that had been plaguing the city. Late in the evening, Amadi and Stelaro saw the city guard try to apprehend some guild members (known as librarians) as they made a deal with some shadowy figures. The PCs assisted the librarians to escape, in exchange for the promise of secret knowledge. The shadowy figures were discovered to be shape-shifting Ophidians.
My blurb for my Atlantis game at local Con in January next year is up:
Quote"...the cult of death and night, personified by the moon, whose white, implacable, frozen lips were appeased only by the warm blood that flowed upon her altars. They caught the blood in goblets as it ran from the stone grooves... they raised it aloft... and the goblets were swiftly drained in mid-air by the remote goddess, as if the sacrifice had proven acceptable."
— Clark Ashton Smith: An Offering to the Moon
In the wake of Atlantis' fall beneath the waves, there is an antediluvian age filled with mysteries yet uncovered. A band of adventurers seek refuge from the Red Tyrant in a city lost in the mists. They are welcomed by the ruling dynasts with a great feast in the shadow of the Temple of the Moon. Will the fruits of the city be theirs, and will they survive long enough to enjoy them?
This is a traditional sword and sorcery scenario written by Xoth Publishing converted for use with Khepera's "Atlantis: the Second Age", a re-envisioning of the classic "Arcanum" RPG. The PCs are classic pulp heroes facing impossible odds and supernatural foes in manner worthy of tales and song.
I have turned my four sample PCs into four one page pregens for this, and should be usuable for other Atlantis one-offs. I didnt use the official PC sheets as I think they are overwhelming for a one-off (they are designed for campaign play). I will post them up as a PDF soon in case, others want to use them.
Please do. Which Xoth scenario did you convert?
Quote from: tzunder;754630Please do. Which Xoth scenario did you convert?
Shadows of the Moon. I a big Red Nails fan and always thought it was a great con scenario set up. Shadows of the Moon is an obvious homage. It's not quite as good but it's original in its presentation.
First cut at the 4 pregens (from the PCs made on this thread) are here: https://db.tt/lEn8KNel
They should be usable for any Atlantis scenario as I have left how the PCs came together open.
They have had their "metagame" elements excised, as I find these more useful in campaign play. However, they are built into the background and I have simplified Ataman to assume all hero points are of the PCs primary Ataman.
Session 3 of my campaign in a nutshell
QuoteSession 1.3: In the night, the wraith of Phaedra's mother, Xanthe, warned her that the temple of Estra had been desecrated and the ghosts of Logithia were walking the streets. The thief Uaba revealed to Stelaro and Tali that the Tower of Ravens was the likely location of Baram's mirror shard. Eagle Bachan, leader of the Sibling Lords city guard, led the PCs to a pyramid without doors called the Occlusion of She'Huul, to seek information about what the Ophideans were after. There they met Lord Zephyrus and Lady Olmide. The siblings took special interest in the PCs. Olmide wooed Achindra and revealed to him that she possessed the Eye of Set. Gladiators attacked the Occlusion calling for freedom. Their ambush failed as it was revealed early by Bahadur. During the melee, Baram's soul was finally lost and he fled into the night with visions of Eshrigel plaguing his mind.
C'mon people. We need more support on the Theragraphica KS. Jerry's KS tend to have a flat middle period as he connected to his support base, but we really need to see the $ beginning to surge sooner rather than later.
As said on the KS:
- those at $15, consider bumping it up to $40 to get the Hero's Guide PDF.
- those at $35, consider bumping it up to $50 to get the monster deck or $60 for load of PDFs.
- those at $135, consider bumping up to $175 to Hero's Guide, monster deck and a load of PDFs.
I have done so. Went from $35 to $50.
Would have gone to $60 but wanted monster deck which is missing at $60
Yeah. The pledge levels are a little clumpy in places which causes issues for some people wanting to raise their pledge. I just hope we can get above $7K before the surge as I think it needs a sniff of $10K to help the last surge see it get over that line.
Mock cover is up:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/134/358/bf86480770bed95bdbb1ee5d78ec4c97_large.jpg?1402529642)
Best yet is the confirmation that the KS will be shipped via Amazon, which means a significant drop in shipping for all involved, especially international pledgers!
Posted by me over on the KS page :)
QuoteTime for my throw down challenge :) If we get to $9.5k I will up my pledge to $1k (if it's still open). I am already in for $500, so that should show how serious I am. So, we only need $2.8k in the next 10 days. What are you going to do?
Quote from: Skywalker;757610Posted by me over on the KS page :)
Damn, you really like this game. What's the hidden narrative subsystem? :D
Seriously though, I might go for the "get three hardbound" level if they need a push, but my FLGS carries it, so I prefer to get stuff there.
Quote from: CRKrueger;757646Damn, you really like this game. What's the hidden narrative subsystem? :D
Yeah, I kind of do for lots of reasons. Its sitting pretty large as a sort of conclusion to my last 10 years of gaming, as my first longterm campaign of my own creation since before my kids were born.
I was also keen to get to write a dragon so I can immortalise the big bad of my campaign :)
As for narrative subsystem, its there in the open :) Destiny, Fate, Great Works and Disadvantages encourage players to set down what they want to see for their PCs, good and bad.
The good thing about it is that's optional. In my current group, those players who want to use it are, and I am getting lots of meta-game information from it. Those players who don't want to use it aren't, and other than me having to make more guesses about what they want to see, aren't really disadvantaged by it :)
That optional flexibility is really the best of both worlds if you have a mixed group (or a group that doesn't spend hours discussing RPG theory on the net).
Quote from: CRKrueger;757646Seriously though, I might go for the "get three hardbound" level if they need a push, but my FLGS carries it, so I prefer to get stuff there.
Put the KS on 48 hour reminder. With Amazon shipping, its going to be a pretty good deal and you may just make the Theragraphica you buy, hardcover and full colour in the process.
Geographica has been printed and is making its way to KS backers:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/136/402/ed1c3a4d83d551fa31eb2ecde044b72e_large.JPG)
Physical copies of Geographica are arriving to KS backers via the new slick Amazon delivery that Khepera has set up.
Situation with Theragraphica not looking so good though. There must a fair few Atlantis and Geographica backers who have yet to return, and book 3 of the trilogy is in jeopardy.
Got my copy of Geographica, looks fantastic. If Theragraphica doesn't reach the $10k goal (full-color), that would REALLY suck.
Quote from: Brad;758526Got my copy of Geographica, looks fantastic. If Theragraphica doesn't reach the $10k goal (full-color), that would REALLY suck.
Its going to be a real achievement at this stage to hit the $10K mark. But it will be a heartbreak if it doesn't as you say. So, make sure you pledge :)
On that point, time to post a seperate thread as to the situation :)
I created a shout out thread to drum up some much needed support for the Theragraphica KS here: http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=29851. Its been moved to News/Adverts.
We are currently sitting at $8.5K, with less than $1.5K to go.
$8.7K to go.
Also, listing for Geographica is up on Amazon, though its not available yet: http://www.amazon.com/ATLANTIS-Boissonnet-Rosario-Florusse-Grayson/dp/0996095209/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1403064980&sr=8-3&keywords=atlantis+khepera
We have hit $9,000!
$9,221 :)
Quote from: Skywalker;759293$9,221 :)
$9306
Really hope you're serious about the extra $500...needs to be color!
That last update sure made the difference between B&W and full colour clear :)
We still have three days to go, so I hope that we get to $10K. It was looking real iffy for a while there. Still let's not count our chickens before they have hatched. Its a shame we didn't get to $15K and a GM Screen.
I just sent through my details of the Dragon I get to add. I hope Jerry likes it :)
These books are really gorgeous and the life path system is brilliant. It's the perfect combination of random + player choice. You are not going to start a A2E game lacking in ideas for adventures.
For $135 you get all the print books plus PDFs. If 6 more people jumped in at that level, color is in the bag. That's only $135 for for THREE COLOR RPG HARDCOVERS! I wish I had more time after work, I would be posting a "let's read" thread here and on RPG.net, P&PG, Google+, Mars, The 7th Plane of Ice Cream and anywhere else I could imagine. I should have some time this weekend to drum up some noise however...
I think we may see a few more backers at the 48 hour mark when the reminders go out.
I agree. Atlantis is a gorgeous game, complete and contained in just three books full colour hardcover books. Within them, you are going to get years of gaming without having to be worried about staying current or what the next supplement is going to do.
$9.4k
$9,626 with just over 2 days to go.
$9,936. Anyone keen now it's almost definitely for a full colour hardcover? :D
Ten thousand dollars!!1!!1!
You've sold me on Atlantis. I bought Hellas a few years back because I'm a sucker for a gorgeously put together RPG. I can't tell if Atlantis will have the same eye candy, but that possibility with a great S&S feel put me over the edge.
Quote from: Natty Bodak;760176You've sold me on Atlantis. I bought Hellas a few years back because I'm a sucker for a gorgeously put together RPG. I can't tell if Atlantis will have the same eye candy, but that possibility with a great S&S feel put me over the edge.
They are both gorgeous, but Atlantis is IMO even better. And at three books it's even tighter than Hellas yet still complete.
Happy to answer any questions. :) Also check out the final pregens I created in this thread, ready for use: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3i9auj9bv9aqx8b/Atlantis%20Pregens.pdf. They should give you an idea what to expect.
We are at $10,026 and someone is indicating that they need to withdraw their $35 pledge. So, we still need $10 from somewhere.
I'm all for promoting stuff that we like, but you've basically changed this thread into an ad thread after i moved your last one.
So i'm moving this one too.
This thread has been following the last two Atlantis Kickstarters, as well as other Atlantis developments, discussion and tools for sometime now (25 pages or so over almost a year). It didn't change at all because you moved my last thread, though I admit focus at this time is on the closing of the third and last Atlantis Kickstarter. It will come to less than 12 hours, at which time you have moved a majority of this thread and the resources/discussion in it for the Atlantis RPG to the wrong forum.
Can you move just the posts you think should be moved rather than wholesale? Alternatively, I am happy to refrain from posting for the next 12 hours and have the thread restored.
Quote from: Skywalker;760231Alternatively, I am happy to refrain from posting for the next 12 hours and have the thread restored.
I'll move the thread back tomorrow then. :)
Quote from: One Horse Town;760234I'll move the thread back tomorrow then. :)
Appreciated. Thanks.
Given this is still in New and Adverts until tomorrow:
We made it! Full colour for all time and all that :D
While it's still here...
I put you over the top you bastard with the 3 book Monty. Now if the hidden narrative mechanics make my teeth itch, I will have my vengeance, in this world or the next. :D
Quote from: CRKrueger;760826While it's still here...
I put you over the top you bastard with the 3 book Monty. Now if the hidden narrative mechanics make my teeth itch, I will have my vengeance, in this world or the next. :D
Thanks for the pledge :)
At least your vengeance would alleviate some of the 5e monotony around here :)
As said, the metagame section of the game is modular (5e terminology hijacked!). So you can ignore the space devoted to it and it won't change the general game play.
To summarise what metagame mechanics are in there (colour coded from Green to Red based on likely annoyance):
- Hero Points- each PC has hero points they can spend to get a bonus to actions. The bonus is larger if the action matches the PC's "Elements".
- Great Works - each PC has up to three things they are trying to achieve and achieving them helps hold back their Fate.
- Disadvantages - each PC has three things that the player can introduce to complicate matters for Hero Points.
- Destiny/Fate - These are the PC's best and worst possible ends. These concepts are tangible concepts in the world in a Western myth sense and a PC can tempt their Fate to get Hero Points. As GM, you can also use them as direct player statements of where they would like to see the campaign go.
- Metousia - GM can award points which players can spend to change civilisations that are impacted by the PC's actions.
FWIW I ignore Metousia as I find it makes my teeth itch.
Destiny, Fate, Disadvantages and Great Works are optional IME, even as between players in the same game.
Hero Points are kind of necessary for the style of pulp action.
Also, you can still find an early playtest draft of the rulebook here: http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/Atlantis_playtest_v1.0.pdf. Most the above concepts are set out around pages 72 to 80. So you can check it out in advance.
Quote from: Skywalker;760839At least your vengeance would alleviate some of the 5e monotony around here :)
Hear! ;)
Quote from: Skywalker;760839As said, the metagame section of the game is modular (5e terminology hijacked!). So you can ignore the space devoted to it and it won't change the general game play.
To summarise what metagame mechanics are in there (colour coded from Green to Red based on likely annoyance):
- Hero Points- each PC has hero points they can spend to get a bonus to actions. The bonus is larger if the action matches the PC's "Elements".
- Great Works - each PC has up to three things they are trying to achieve and achieving them helps hold back their Fate.
- Disadvantages - each PC has three things that the player can introduce to complicate matters for Hero Points.
- Destiny/Fate - These are the PC's best and worst possible ends. These concepts are tangible concepts in the world in a Western myth sense and a PC can tempt their Fate to get Hero Points. As GM, you can also use them as direct player statements of where they would like to see the campaign go.
- Metousia - GM can award points which players can spend to change civilisations that are impacted by the PC's actions.
FWIW I ignore Metousia as I find it makes my teeth itch.
Destiny, Fate, Disadvantages and Great Works are optional IME, even as between players in the same game.
Hero Points are kind of necessary for the style of pulp action.
Also, you can still find an early playtest draft of the rulebook here: http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/Atlantis_playtest_v1.0.pdf. Most the above concepts are set out around pages 72 to 80. So you can check it out in advance.
I'll probably use Hero Points and Disadvantages. The rest I'll ignore.
Then again, I may also port the whole thing over to Barbarians of Lemuria, especially if the Mythic Edition turns out any good.
Interestingly, Great Works make my teeth itch more than Disadvantages, perhaps because I started playing RPGs with GURPS. I'd rather allow for ignoring a Disadvantage
at the cost of Hero Points than
gaining Hero Points for actually
playing your Disdvantages, though.
Quote from: Skywalker;760839Thanks for the pledge :)
At least your vengeance would alleviate some of the 5e monotony around here :)
As said, the metagame section of the game is modular (5e terminology hijacked!). So you can ignore the space devoted to it and it won't change the general game play.
To summarise what metagame mechanics are in there (colour coded from Green to Red based on likely annoyance):
- Hero Points- each PC has hero points they can spend to get a bonus to actions. The bonus is larger if the action matches the PC's "Elements".
- Great Works - each PC has up to three things they are trying to achieve and achieving them helps hold back their Fate.
- Disadvantages - each PC has three things that the player can introduce to complicate matters for Hero Points.
- Destiny/Fate - These are the PC's best and worst possible ends. These concepts are tangible concepts in the world in a Western myth sense and a PC can tempt their Fate to get Hero Points. As GM, you can also use them as direct player statements of where they would like to see the campaign go.
- Metousia - GM can award points which players can spend to change civilisations that are impacted by the PC's actions.
FWIW I ignore Metousia as I find it makes my teeth itch.
Destiny, Fate, Disadvantages and Great Works are optional IME, even as between players in the same game.
Hero Points are kind of necessary for the style of pulp action.
Also, you can still find an early playtest draft of the rulebook here: http://www.godsendagenda.com/art/Atlantis_playtest_v1.0.pdf. Most the above concepts are set out around pages 72 to 80. So you can check it out in advance.
I like the concept of the Mythic aspect in theory, and I see what he's going for, but unfortunately it appears to be all OOC metagame with players taking a part authorial role in the Myth of their characters, so it will all get flushed except maybe Hero Points, but I'm sure they'll get cut a bit too.
Cool. The metagame tools aren't so integrated that they can't be cut as desired. As said, it can even be left to each individual player whether to use them, rather than the GM making the call which is somewhat refreshing.
Quote from: 3rik;761249Interestingly, Great Works make my teeth itch more than Disadvantages, perhaps because I started playing RPGs with GURPS. I'd rather allow for ignoring a Disadvantage at the cost of Hero Points than gaining Hero Points for actually playing your Advantages, though.
Yeah, I think its the player potential to introduce those elements that's more likely to be an issue. If you make it with GM driven or GM permissive, then it becomes less of an issue. I make it GM permissive, though I am quite permissive as a GM as I actively encourage direct player input.
Where it said Advantages I meant to write Disadvantages. I edited it in my original post.
If a PC sheet has a Disadvantage on it, the player has to play it. I don't see why that should earn him Hero Points. But I haven't read yet how it's worded exactly in the pdf.
I think if I were to use Great Works in a game, my players wouldn't have a clue what to pick anyway. Neither would I, by the way.
Quote from: 3rik;761406If a PC sheet has a Disadvantage on it, the player has to play it. I don't see why that should earn him Hero Points. But I haven't read yet how it's worded exactly in the pdf.
Cool. In the book, its worded in reverse, so the player can actively introduce a disadvantage to gain Hero Points. Effectively, its a carrot for a player to embrace complication.
As you say, you can turn it around and have them lose Hero Points for refusing to play out a disadvantage. Effectively, a stick against ignoring complication.
The difference between the two is that the latter is driven more by the GM and the former by the player. Either works fine though.
I just got a notice from Amazon that my Kickstarter reward - corebook and geographica; not that interested in the bestiary, sorry - is on its way, so we'll see.
Awesome. Thanks for letting me know (still waiting on mine).
The Theragraphica is looking good from what I have seen. There is not a "generic" fantasy monster in there, and like Geographica is a good Sword & Sorcery bestiary for any S&S RPG.
There is expanded sections on Demons and Ophideans (including dragons) too :)
Session 1.4: Amadi found himself in the Library of Zorlacc to collect on his reward for helping two Librarians escape the Winged Guard. He met Zorlacc himself in a room where snakes themselves were used as books. Zorlacc recognised Amadi as the King of Dar in exile and repaid the debt by informing him that there were two armies in the city he could recruit - the restless gladiators and an Ophidean horde amassing outside of the city, who wanted to retrieve the Eye of Set. That night Achindra dreamt of the ghost of a Jinn called Tsanda, who warned him that Jinn were being hunted. In the morning, the PCs decided to prepare for a night time assault on the Tower of Birds, being the likely location of Baram's soul mirror. The city was abuzz with the gladiatorial celebration called the Culling Festival. Achindra visited the Library of Zorlacc, where he received a vision of the Eye of Set through a strange black oblong stone embedded in the floor. Tali warned Amadi that the Grey Council were looking for him, though their connection to Stelaro's nemesis, the Great Darkness, remained unclear.
Just got my copy of the Hero's Guide and it looks good. It is only meant as a deluxe play-aid to ease the burden on the rulebook during PC creation, but its actually pretty meaty.
The racial sections are repeated in full, and there's the PC creation flowchart. Then there are full stats for every profession for each race. Plus there is a few pages of magic items, new talents and professions.
I am not sure what the end price point will be, but if its low enough having 2 or 3 of these at the table would be excellent.
Session 1.5: The PCs assaulted the Tower that was Illythia's temple to retrieve Baram's soul mirror. On ascending the tower, they came across an alcove closed by a silver curtain. Achindra, the Jinn, became fascinated by it as it reminded him of being in his jar. Amadi recalled seeing the same curtain when the soulless gladiators attacked the followers of Ebynia. At the top of the tower awaited Arla, revealing herself to be Illythia's head priestess. She revealed that she had given Baram's soul mirror to Eshrigel the Medusa, who had created it in the first place. She also revealed that Eshrigel had brought the Eye of Set to the city. During this conversation, the Eye of Set was unleashed on the tower sending Illythia and her followers into a frenzy, forcing the PCs to flee for their lives. Achindra and Phaedra jumped through the silver curtain sensing it to be a portal of a kind. The other three followed the fleeing Arla to a series of hang gliders on the top of the tower. Bahadur landed in the middle of the Culling Festival, which seemed to have erupted into a city wide slaughter. Stelaro landed back at the inn the PCs were staying at. Amadi chased down, and jumped on to the top of, Arla's hang glider still aloft above the city.
My copy of Geographica from the KS finally arrived.
JohnK has posted some pictures of it:
(http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/jkahane/10595384/96153/96153_600.jpg)
(http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/jkahane/10595384/96383/96383_600.jpg)
Whoa. Big session! Four entirely different subplots in rotation. All hitting the PCs Destiny, Fate, Great Works and Disadvantages pretty hard giving them what they want but at horrible cost. I also love how several PCs are currently in conflict with each other :)
Session 1.6: Amadi was taken back to the dwelling of Arla, the priestess of Illthyia. There they had a tryst in which she gave to him the attire he Hellene gladiator hero Deiphobos so he could win over the gladiators from which to build his army. Bahadur won a victory against the gladiators for Ebynia. Afterwards, he was persuaded into using his elixir to merge the blood-swollen corpus of Ebynia with the fading presence of Estra, creating a new God of Death. Stelaro returned to the Murderous Crows to discover that the city was under attack from a hidden force of Ophideans seeking the Eye of Set. He led the Crows to the Occlusion, the focus of the snakemen's assault and where Tali, his companion, was imprisoned. Uaba also revealed to him that the Grey Council was somehow in league with the Ophideans. Finally, Phaedra awoke in the former temple of Estra to meet Eshrigel the Medusa. Eshrigel explained her devotion to Set and her plan to awaken a God to set the world ablaze. She also revealed that her plan was built on the unknown works of Phaedra's mother. Phaedra, in despair, watched her mother's ghost be flung into a bottomless well. Eshrigel then gave Phaedra to Zephyrus, who offered to replace her, as the vessel through which the Eye of Set would be activated, with Achindra.
I have acquired the core book during a lunch-time excursion to a non-local game store.
Very interesting; I'm now also queued up to read a pdf of the Geographica.
I blame Skywalker (as I have for other, similar acquisitions over the years).
Quote from: Skywalker;754664Shadows of the Moon. I a big Red Nails fan and always thought it was a great con scenario set up. Shadows of the Moon is an obvious homage. It's not quite as good but it's original in its presentation.
Also, I see no Xoth.Net scenario by the name
Shadows of the Moon ... madness ensues.
Do you mean
Slaves of the Moon, by any chance, from the
Spider-God's Bride collection?
Quote from: Molotov;773717Very interesting; I'm now also queued up to read a pdf of the Geographica.[/QUOTE
Geographica is the best of the three Atlantis books IMO. So many cool ideas and setting hooks, yet with plenty of room to add your own stuff.
Oh and watch out for the City of Atlantis mini-supplement that went from 20 pages to over 50 :)
[sblock=City of Atlantis](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vOh700D7Kxw/U9mDgonNKJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/l0RPkd2PQro/w426-h658/AtlantisCityMap.jpg)[/sblock]
QuoteI blame Skywalker (as I have for other, similar acquisitions over the years).
I feel your pain :D
Quote from: Molotov;773720Do you mean Slaves of the Moon, by any chance, from the Spider-God's Bride collection?
Yes, it is in that collection (and an excellent collection it is).
Quote from: Molotov;773717Very interesting; I'm now also queued up to read a pdf of the Geographica.
Its a great RPG. Geographica is the best of the three Atlantis books IMO. So many cool ideas and setting hooks, yet with plenty of room to add your own stuff.
Oh and watch out for the City of Atlantis mini-supplement that went from 20 pages to over 50 :)
Spoiler
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vOh700D7Kxw/U9mDgonNKJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/l0RPkd2PQro/w426-h658/AtlantisCityMap.jpg)
Quote from: Molotov;773720I blame Skywalker (as I have for other, similar acquisitions over the years).
I feel your pain :D
Quote from: Molotov;773720Do you mean Slaves of the Moon, by any chance, from the Spider-God's Bride collection?
Yes, it is in that collection (and an excellent collection it is).
Dang, that map of Atlantis looks good. :)
Thanks for confirming re: Spider-God's Bride. I'd been putting that off a little too long.
Any other non-Khepera but recommended resources?
Quote from: Molotov;773729Any other non-Khepera but recommended resources?
TBH Atlantis is a pretty broad S&S game and can handle any good S&S RPG based resources. Initially, I planned to use Monster Island for RQ6, Ruins of Hyboria for Mongoose Conan and Vornheim, but Geographica made most of plans to go beyond it redundant.
Amazon has promised me a hardcopy copy of Geographica by tomorrow; by Crom, I shall have it!
Likewise, I secured a copy of Spider-God's Bride. I can see why you like that scenario, Skywalker.
I had a chance to read some of the core book - the rules seem really easy to manage (at the core, anyway). It's been a long time since I ran Tal 1st ed. ;) The setting's certainly fascinating.
Quote from: Skywalker;773737TBH Atlantis is a pretty broad S&S game and can handle any good S&S RPG based resources. Initially, I planned to use Monster Island for RQ6, Ruins of Hyboria for Mongoose Conan and Vornheim, but Geographica made most of plans to go beyond it redundant.
I need to get those adventures done so I can finally have all the bases covered.
Quote from: Molotov;773947Amazon has promised me a hardcopy copy of Geographica by tomorrow; by Crom, I shall have it!
Thank you:)
Quote from: Jerry D. Grayson;774047I need to get those adventures done so I can finally have all the bases covered.
The world of Xoth is more of a direct Hyboria homage than Atlantis, but they are a great set of one off adventures that can be easily repurposed. Many are also strongly reminiscient of Howard's Conan stories without being a direct remake.
Say, Skywalker, what - if anything - do you use for GM screen inserts / reference sheets? Omega doesn't require much at the core, granted.
You're clearly several sessions into a very cool campaign - what tips and tools might you point out for the next GM? :)
Quote from: Molotov;773947I had a chance to read some of the core book - the rules seem really easy to manage (at the core, anyway). It's been a long time since I ran Tal 1st ed. ;) The setting's certainly fascinating.
They are really easy in play. The use of a single d20 mechanic makes not only rolling easy, but its also easy to judge DoDs. It can take a few sessions to get the idea of the DoD being applied to the roll rather than being a DC to beat, but its not a major hurdle.
I also loved that despite the ease of the mechanics, there is really depth in the system. For example, there are many weapons and choice of them matters. Magic can also be involved and surprising in effect.
In particular, I found the lack of many discrete abilities like feats made my job as GM easy. NPCs can be quickly created by choosing a single Ability Level, then giving them a DR and PR based on equipment and HP and HrP based on their AL.
Quote from: Molotov;774064Say, Skywalker, what - if anything - do you use for GM screen inserts / reference sheets? Omega doesn't require much at the core, granted.
You're clearly several sessions into a very cool campaign - what tips and tools might you point out for the next GM? :)
I don't use a GM screen or reference for Atlantis. I don't find much need for it. I do have a single page Magic cheat sheet for the mechanics of all of the Modes and I have a sheet of my PC's Destiny, Fate, Great Works and Disadvantages on hand at all times.
Not sure what advice I can give. I approached my campaign by coming up with a a general large scale threat. I then waited until we had done PC creation before filling in other details. Between the PCs lifepaths/cultures and Geographica's many location hooks, I had details for many adventures around my general large scale threat before I knew it.
In game, I have found PCs to be very capable. Rather than making generic opposition more powerful, I let my players relish in their PCs' power. When they encounter real opposition such as sorcerers, monsters and other big bads, it feels like it really ramps up the drama. Reading some Conan you can see that he wades through most mundane opposition and this just makes those times when he struggles seem epic.
Helpful, Skywalker. I find it useful and insightful to get your approach. Thanks!!
I'm looking forward to getting Geographica going into the weekend.
Make sure you post your thoughts on Geographica. I really enjoyed it as it managed that balance of being both dense and open at the same time. This seems true of Theragraphica too, with culturally rich monsters but presented in a way that you can use them with maximum flexibility.
Will do - I barely had time to skim my pdf copy (and, you know, work at the day job) before UPS dropped off the Geographica hardcopy this afternoon.
I've had little chance to do more than skim it, read a few random blocks and admire the artwork.
And, damn, very impressive.
And, rock on, page 3, Led Zeppelin quote. :)
Jerry loves his Easter eggs.
I have heard that there is a picture of Jar Jar Biggs layered behind one of the pictures in the Geographica. You can't see him, but he's there in every book. So so insidious :D
Quote from: Skywalker;774692Jerry loves his Easter eggs.
I have heard that there is a picture of Jar Jar Biggs layered behind one of the pictures in the Geographica. You can't see him, but he's there in every book. So so insidious :D
I think he's one of the Frog Andamen. :D
JG
Quote from: Skywalker;774529Make sure you post your thoughts on Geographica. I really enjoyed it as it managed that balance of being both dense and open at the same time. This seems true of Theragraphica too, with culturally rich monsters but presented in a way that you can use them with maximum flexibility.
Wow -
Geographica is just delicious. I spent about 90ish minutes with it over coffee this morning, just soaking it up. By the time I got to the North Sea chapter, I was almost checked out by the earlier material. So glad I ordered up a hardcopy - being a book of locations, it definitely benefits from the coffee table treatment.
Right now, the Hesperian / Gorgonian conflict, Tharshesh, and the Saharan and Mediterranean Seas seem a main hot spot that has my attention.
I totally get what you mean re: both dense and open, Skywalker. The material isn't overwhelming when looking at each area or nation.
Quote from: Molotov;774916Right now, the Hesperian / Gorgonian conflict, Tharshesh, and the Saharan and Mediterranean Seas seem a main hot spot that has my attention.
Partially due to PC cultures, but also because of the locations, my campaign is set after a war between Tharshesh and Sheba and will like centre around the Saharan and Mediterranea Seas.
One of my PCs became King of Dar during his life paths and that's been fantastic inspiration for campaign ideas.
I just got my copy of Atlantis and have started to read it. I have a fever and the only cure is more swords and more sorcery!
Quote from: Natty Bodak;776591I just got my copy of Atlantis and have started to read it. I have a fever and the only cure is more swords and more sorcery!
Ha! Didn't R E Howard create Conan in such a moment? :D
One of the dragons that will appear in The Theragraphica
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/593/300/8b8d20bdeff00174fbe93e73611aa1a9_large.jpg?1410888259)
So excite. Theragraphica is going to be so useful for running an Atlantis game.
Got my vinyl map:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/2014-09-18124506_zpsaa4d311c.jpg)
Nice, was that a perk or a thing you did yourself?
It was a reward in one of the higher tiers of the Geographica KS. Still awaiting my map plates, but apparently they are being printed.
OK. So Theragraphica is looking amazing:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/660/417/a42d084413decc2cef3326363d49a572_large.jpg)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/598/624/9ea20a9902f9d3549abd77c34795fe92_large.jpg)
My campaign is at 10 sessions, though it feels like it is only just starting TBH.
I had a seriously badass game session last night. We had a major multi-stage fight in a snow bound village in north Otesium. After a highly charged dramatic scene, the village was attacked by over 10 wild Asena leading a massive pack of wolves. After some fighting, the Atlantean PC basically browbeat the alpha Asena into submission only to find that the Asena were fleeing from a vicious tribe of warriors from the Black Forest :)
That tribe attacked taking the chief's heir prisoner, whilst its best warriors issued personal challenges to the chief and two PCs. Whilst this happened, another PC was almost assassinated by an NPC, which saw both combatants on death's door and drew in another PC for a PC on PC fight.
The whole thing finished with an avalanche :D
Theragraphica cover revealed:
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/780/240/46bc2d0ad4af2abd0cbea84e0459c59b_large.jpg)
The trilogy is almost at a close and it is still 2 days before the first anniversary of this thread and me receiving the Beta release of the corebook :D Khepera Publishing are anything but sluggish.
Interesting art.
The Theragraphica is filled with sword & sorcery appropriate creatures, each with their own picture, and most having grounding in the RPG's use of diverse cultures from around the world.
Yesterday's KS update said that the Theragraphica PDF may be available this weekend. And it looks awesome.
I can't wait!!
I have advanced copy and it is indeed glorious :)
And its out. So what do you get? Its 172 pages.
You get around 10-12 monsters for each of the 14 geographical regions (Oceans & Seas only gets 3). Nearly 100% have an amazing art piece. The monster are almost all dark, grim and exotic, often grounded in cultural myths associated with the region.
There is then two 6 page sections on Demons of Ba'al and Ophideans of Mu. This is followed by 4 pages of Dragons, each being almost godlike in power and unique. There is another Dragon hidden away in the Eurpoa section too :)
There is a 10 page section on Common Foes. This includes mortal foes, elementals and other monsters found anywhere.
There is a 10 page Adversary Creation section. This largely replicates what's in the book but has been expanded and tightened up.
The book wraps up with mundane animals and a list of the Monsters' threat level by area.
All in all, this book is packed with monsters and beautiful art to depict them. The additions made around Adversary Creation will mean that a GM will only need this book in order to choose or make monsters for their games.
My campaign is at session 12. Last session, the PCs had an encounter with an ancient slumbering dragon in a "People of the Black Circle" inspired episode and a degenerate white apeman race in a "Pool of the Black One" inspired episode. It was awesome. There was a single fight or dice roll, yet the PCs feared for their very souls throughout
I have also been reading Brian Wood's Belit and Gail Simone's Red Sonja stories, and it is providing me with lots of inspiration for the female PC in the game (even if the later lacks a real S&S Howardian vibe).
To make them more accessible to newcomers than buried away in this thread, I have done a series of three reviews (one for each book): http://www.therpgsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37
And Theragraphica is now up as a PDF on DTRPG. The PDF is likely to have another round of corrections as per last KS update, but any purchaser will get the updated PDF when its available.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/139416/ATLANTIS-Theragraphica
Ok... partially because of this thread...
Ok, because of this thread. I picked up the book yesterday.
The little bit of time I've had to go over it makes me regret not getting in on any of the kickstarter stuff.
Liking it - alot.
Curse you, Skywalker!!!!
In a nice, fashionable way, of course.
And by the by, does anyone know if the publisher supports Bricks N Mortar for pdfs?
Great stuff on this thread sold me hard on this setting. Please keep it up. :D
Nice. I have no regrets in persuading you buying this great RPG :) Good to see copies are out there in retail stores.
And to tempt you further, Geographica and Theragraphica are even better than the core book IMO
Quote from: jhilahd;796451And by the by, does anyone know if the publisher supports Bricks N Mortar for pdfs?
:D
Thank you for the patronage
Contact me through the website and Ill get you squared away
http://www.godsendagenda.com/contact.html
Thanks!
Yeah, Skywalker's enthusiasm is infectious. Tonight I found a place that has acceptable shipping to Canada and ordered the main Atlantis rulebook, Geographica, and what the hell, throw on Hellas, too. Now, pardon me while I go buy the Theragraphica pdf.
Khepera sells its books via Amazon which has decent international shipping (though it has issues with Canada IIRC). Noble Knight Games is good value too.
Hellas is hella cool. Its even more OTT mechanically than Atlantis but it suits the OTT genre mash up :) After my experience with Atlantis, I am also looking forward to the KS for the fifth and final Hellas book (also a bestiary) which should be up next.
Quote from: Skywalker;796638Khepera sells its books via Amazon which has decent international shipping (though it has issues with Canada IIRC). Noble Knight Games is good value too.
Yeah, Amazon.com won't ship those books to Canada depending on which third party you actually buy it from, and Amazon.ca doesn't have them. I wound up getting them from Noble Knight. It was ~$100 for Atlantis, Geographica and shipping, before I added a bunch more to the order, which isn't too bad these days.
Quote from: Skywalker;796638Hellas is hella cool. Its even more OTT mechanically than Atlantis but it suits the OTT genre mash up :) After my experience with Atlantis, I am also looking forward to the KS for the fifth and final Hellas book (also a bestiary) which should be up next.
I'll have to jump on that.
I don't expect it until mid 2015 or later as Khepera wraps up Theragraphica and the now decent sized (80 pages or so) Atlantis City Guide.
Is there any connection between this game and Godsend Agenda?
It's a little derail, sorry.
Quote from: jan paparazzi;796913Is there any connection between this game and Godsend Agenda?
Not that I am aware of. FWIW Atlanteans appear in Hellas, Atlantis and Godsend Agenda but only because they all draw on mythology, rather than there being an actual connection.
I believe Khepera's plan is to do a new edition for Godsend Agenda using the Omega System via KS after Hellas and Atlantis are complete.
@Jerry Wow. Thanks. Sent you an email.
@ Skywalker... a City book? Sweet!
Quote from: jhilahd;796919@ Skywalker... a City book? Sweet!
It was an "extra" via the Geographica KS. However, its grown to a decent size as stated here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-geographica-rpg-supplement/posts/980318. Its not confirmed whether this will be a POD, but given the Hero's Guide did exactly the same thing and should be up as POD too, I expect it will be.
As with everything in Atlantis, the city map is gorgeous:
Spoiler
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/785/505/c60dc921f210ef19b8d634e13e7fd8b8_large.jpg)
Quote from: Skywalker;796916Not that I am aware of. FWIW Atlanteans appear in Hellas, Atlantis and Godsend Agenda but only because they all draw on mythology, rather than there being an actual connection.
I believe Khepera's plan is to do a new edition for Godsend Agenda using the Omega System via KS after Hellas and Atlantis are complete.
I would love to see that.
JG
Quote from: James Gillen;797154I would love to see that.
JG
Yeah me too. I missed this game when I was looking for slightly different super RPG's. I already knew Godlike/Wild Talents and Necessary Evil, but this one is really good as well. It seems Godsend Agenda has great backstory, which is what I always check first in a game.
Slight derail again, sorry. I have a question, but I don't want to make another topic just for this.
In Godsend Agenda there is a history which goes from 4000 BC till 2010, then the players enter the setting and after that the timeline continues till 2011.
What is the Metaplot in this? The entire timeline? Or just the part from 2010 till 2011?
Edit: I really enjoy this section of Godsend Agenda. Maybe I just like Metaplot? Anway I really like this, but only till 2010. I don't like it when the plot goes on while you are already playing.
My Geographica Plates from the Geographica KS arrived:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/f9a18f0b-28ba-41b5-bdde-287c47f1539e_zps46298e86.jpg)
Interesting map, are there any on a smaller scale though?
Quote from: RPGPundit;801405Interesting map, are there any on a smaller scale though?
There are effectively two type of maps, which both use the same painted map background. The first is the world map found in the Corebook and free map PDF. The second is the continent maps used in Geographica, which these are print versions of. There are more detail on the later though they are still somewhat large scale (covering a whole continent and all).
The City Guide to Atlantis mock-up cover is up:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/184/607/179de468b22e08f0ced2834a0294092b_large.jpg)
The book is now 100 pages and filled with ploy hooks.
Theragraphica ships from the printer tomorrow, so should appearing in the next month or so.
I really have to get off my ass and run this..
Final cover:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iseqnuMLnYo/VNKaG6LPfNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/3AHxZYL57As/w617-h788-no/Atlantiscity.jpg)
Theragraphica has landed with Khepera and is winging its way to Amazon and distribution.
And now Theragraphica is available through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ATLANTIS-Theragraphica-Marc-Reynes-Ferra/dp/0996095233/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423957834
I hope you get paid per post.
Chapter Three of my Atlantis campaign "The Unbridled Blade" started last night after a 2.5 month hiatus:
Quote from: Session 3.1On returning to Logithia, the PCs found that Stelaro's ship and crew was not at the rendezvous point. Phaedra prayed to Exu and was given the insight to travel to south west. The PCs hijacked an Ophidean ship leaving the now fallen city, freeing its enslaved crew and sneaking past the city's defences. Onopen seas, Achindra had a vision that Efraim of the Grey Council was casting a curse on him through a sympathetic link of Daniel's (Efraim's son) ghost. Daniel warned Achindra about something he called "Dark Atlantis". Phaedra also conversed with the wraith of her mother, who impressed on her the need to save Tali from the Great Darkness. The next day, the ship travelled into a fog bank and encountered a smaller ship. The ship's captain revealed that they were fleeing Targrim that had declared independence from Tharshesh, who reacted by besieging the city. He mumbled something about a white lady appearing on the city walls every evening to protect it. The captain also revealed to Stelaro that one of the three ruling merchants of Targrim was his old friend, Mihaelo, and that his ship, Fierra, was docked in the city. The PCs were left with two choices: to run Tharshesh's blockade or travel through the fog like the smaller ship had, despite tales that the fog shrouded the dread island of Zaless.
Game was a lot of fun, especially as we opened on the ship revealing several hooded shapes which were presumed to be Ophideans were actually PC infiltrators. When one PC had unlocked the slaves, the Jinn Sorcerer manifested 40 swords for the rabble to wield :)
We are just about to see our first PC hit 50 Renown, with Phaedra on 49 :)
And in other news, my copies of Theragraphica arrived! COpies should be hitting stores soon I guess.
Still in shrink wrap:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/20150224_081052_zpsd065df66.jpg)
And if anyone has seen the Hercules movie (not a great Hercules movie, but an OK Atlantis one), this is pretty much the money-shot of my Atlantis PCs :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/5kywalker/291cb437b1186ae7e1b5a35f35e2f596_zps4da4d41b.jpg)
Next up is the 180 card Monster Deck. Most monsters in the Theragraphica make an appearance:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sJOl1q-l24o/VO0HvCR3LKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/25PvYJz-qZk/w1357-h872-no/card2.JPG)
A G+ Community for Atlantis and Hellas has been created: http://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/106819338575335240501
Also, the continuing saga of my campaign. I have been using the Theragraphica for a while but it was no coincidence that we celebrated with a big session of monsters.
QuoteSession 3.2: As the smaller ship disappeared into the fog, Baram had a feeling of foreboding. Achindra scryed the departing boat to find that one of its crew had slaughtered the rest and piled them into a cadaver pyramid, like those seen created by Eshrigel. The crew member used sorcery to report to the Caliph Shah that he had found Baram. Achindra then felt the convergence of many powerful spells - the fog shroud around Zaless, the Caliph's elemental curse on Baram and Efraim's curse on himself. A terrible storm whipped up and two enormous sea monsters struck the ship. At the same time, mighty elementals of air and water tried to kill Baram. Despite, the amazing feats of the PCs, the ship was torn asunder and the crew was washed ashore on the island of Zaless. On arriving, several people were discovered missing, including Bahadur and the ship's previous captain, Mythurio. On exploration, the island proved to be inhabited by strange and powerful beasts, including giant centipedes that could fire lightning and a madness that the PCs termed a "Chimera". They also met an Atlantean priest of Obatala called Leviathan, who said he had come to the island to kill the despicable sorcerer Dazan Drune.
When the serial killer collects his bodies into a cadaver pyramid, that's when you know you're dealing with someone who cares about his work.
JG
Quote from: James Gillen;818288When the serial killer collects his bodies into a cadaver pyramid, that's when you know you're dealing with someone who cares about his work.
I seriously creeped out my players when they found out the pyramids were hollow, and that there was an equivalent sized space in the ground below the pyramid :)
Jerry is trying to raise money via KS for two Free RPG Day quickstart products for Atlantis and Hellas.
Of particular note is the sweet Atlantis GM mat that he is doing exclusive to this KS.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1269000670/atlantis-the-second-age-free-rpg-day
Also, two more actual play reports on my campaign:
Quote from: Session 3.3The PCs did not trust Leviathan nor his quest to slay Dazan Drune. However, they distrusted Dazan Drune more. That night, one of the sailors was attacked by strange dark dwellers and dragged into a cave. Baram found that the sailor had been changed such that he was allergic to light. In the morning, Stelaro dealt with a mutiny by sending the five most mutinous sailors to look for Leviathan's boat, hoping they would die on the island. The PCs then went into the cave and travelled deep under the island. They entered a cave system in which the dark dwellers lived. The dark dwellers proved to be shipwrecked sailors, made allergic to light by Dazan forcing them to be his slaves. They had recently rebelled from Dazan and sought refuge in the caves. The PCs also found a baby dragon's egg, which the dark dwellers had stolen from Dazan Drune.
Quote from: Session 3.4The dark walkers proved openly hostile toward Achindra after he had used magic, but the PCs convinced them to take them to Dazan Drune using a secret tunnel. The PCs discovered that the rats they had seen earlier were sentient and also servants of Dazan Drune. The rats seemed less hostile toward Dazan Drune than the dark walkers explaining that the sorcerer's melancholy was brought about by the leaving of his daughter, Rosa, who was also the Pale Lady that the PCs had heard haunting the walls of Targrim. As the PCs were led to Dazan, the dark walkers tried to kill Achindra by setting a chimera on him. After the chimera was defeated, the PCs ventured into the tower and confronted Dazan Drune, only to find him a sad, lonely old man. As they convinced Dazan to take them all to Targrim, Leviathan attacked, professing his undying love for Rosa. The PCs defeated Leviathan and his body fell from the top of the tower as mist rolled in from all around.