Greetings!

In my campaign world of Thandor, I have established Fishing as a Skill that Characters can learn and develop. Obviously, possessing knowledge and skill in seeking out, and catching various fish is beneficial.

I have various Fishing Guilds that have organized membership, and also sponsor various guild-meetings, special training, classes, field tours, and Fishing Tournaments.

I also have special tables which detail different items that are used in fishing, from fishing poles, fishing nets, special fishing hats, fishing boots, and other items of interest.

The various Fishing Tournaments provide special prizes for tournament winners, ranging from gold, to special items, titles, ranks, and public accolades.

The different Fishing Guilds can provide training, fishing lore, as well as special Fishing Quests.

Having detailed Fishing as a skill in such a manner has been fun for my campaign. The additional scope for guilds, quests, associations with other Chracters and NPC's has been very fun, and awesome. There are even rivalries that develop over Fishing.

Good stuff!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on January 13, 2024, 03:38:16 PMIn my campaign world of Thandor, I have established Fishing as a Skill that Characters can learn and develop.

I'm intrigued; was the skill introduced for PC use after the players expressed interest (maybe some or all of your group already practice sports-fishing as a pastime?), or did they engage with it after you'd introduced it and suggested some in-game uses for it?

The reason I ask is, I'm curious to find out whether prior player interest drives the introduction of new stuff to a game, or whether introducing new stuff to a game can create player interest (at least within the game), and if the latter, what kind of in-game incentives one should provide to make newly introduced options interesting to players.

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on January 14, 2024, 01:42:27 AM

Quote from: SHARK on January 13, 2024, 03:38:16 PMIn my campaign world of Thandor, I have established Fishing as a Skill that Characters can learn and develop.

I'm intrigued; was the skill introduced for PC use after the players expressed interest (maybe some or all of your group already practice sports-fishing as a pastime?), or did they engage with it after you'd introduced it and suggested some in-game uses for it?

The reason I ask is, I'm curious to find out whether prior player interest drives the introduction of new stuff to a game, or whether introducing new stuff to a game can create player interest (at least within the game), and if the latter, what kind of in-game incentives one should provide to make newly introduced options interesting to players.

Greetings!

Indeed, I introduced the Fishing Skill to the Players.

Each region of the world has a level rating for the waters involved. Fishing in different regions, of course, opens up access to different kinds of fish. Some fish are seasonal, only being available in the Summer or Winter months, for example. Some fish can only be caught by using certain kinds of bait. Other fish, too, can only be caught at different *depth levels*, so the Fisherman must also use the properly equipped Fishing Pole, with appropriate weights, lures, bait, and Fishing Tackle.

The Fishing Guild offers contests and special Fishing Quests, with rewards for catching--and proving--that you caught the special, required fish. Obviously, Fishing Quests ramp up for more difficult or unusual fish. Rewards also change based on numbers of fish required, for example, some quests want 1, 3, 6, 10, 50, or 100 of whatever kind of fish.

Rewards range from Fishing Poles, Fishing Tackle, Fishing Hats, Fishing Boots, all kinds of different items, as well as Gold. There are also special Food Recipes that can be won or earned through such Fishing Quests. The various Fish Recipes use different fish, as well as spices and other ingredients, in which to create special meals. These special meals then, provide bonuses to various Skill Checks or abilities, as appropriate.

Thus, the more skilled at Fishing a Character becomes, the more experienced, and knowledgeable, the more successful at Fishing they become. Being a successful Fisherman certainly has numerous beneficial rewards and benefits. More importantly, as well, is being a member of the Fishing Guild. This also opens up social and roleplaying opportunities. There are local Fishing Guild Chapters or "Houses." Each such Fish House sponsors weekly meetings, and monthly dinners, get togethers, and trips.

Obviously, a Character can greatly benefit from being a member of the Fishing Guild.

Players typically love all of this kind of stuff!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Greetings!

Oh, yes, and some other points as well.

Embracing a Fishing Skill, and establishing a proper and official Fishing Guild, also self-perpetuates a constant flow of ready-made adventures for the individual Player. Actually *Fishing* for whatever kind of fish is done on a randomized Fishing Table, keyed appropriately for the region and kind of fish being sought. That of course is fun. However, the adventure self-generates itself by the very nature of the adventure itself. The Character must find a way to reach the "White Tiger Bay" or whatever. Joining a caravan, or getting a ship that goes there, or nearby. Hiring a team of Henchmen or other Hirelings to accompany the Character on the expedition may be necessary. Along the way, of course, may be very dangerous, and such lands are filled with all kinds of monsters and danger.

Likewise, the Character making the return trip, with their special fish, of course can form the leg of more adventure, before the actual quest is fulfilled. Whatever happens, at the local Fish House, the Charaacter will have many interesting stories to tell!

From this, this also expands the importance and fun of ensuring a local section of taverns, coffee shops, tobacco shops, and docks are fully fleshed out and developed. Old, grizzled sailors and Fishermen are always popular and sought-after NPC's! Likewise, skilled navigators, boatmen, rowers, guides, and other rough crewmen and mercenaries--are always much sought after. Player Characters that are Fishermen are always eager to keep an eye out for meeting such people and befriending them. Adventures together might just start up next week. *Laughing*

Adventures, new friends, potential new rivals, it all practically writes itself once the Players get *plugged in* as Fishermen, and members of the Fishing Guild.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Tell me the guild heads are Gorton, Mrs. Paul, and Captain D.....

Fishing as a side quest system is pretty common in CRPGs.  It doesn't do much for me, but it must for some gamers, or it wouldn't be so popular.  As you said, many times the fun part is the adventure of reaching the location, or finding the special gear or bait required, which can be an actual adventure. 

A variation I prefer is found in the game Horizon Zero Dawn, which has a hunter's guild.  Travel and preparation are the same type of adventure, as are guild advancement, prestige, and access to special gear once you have enough achievements, but bringing down the actual beast is more interesting than just a roll on the fishing table.

Quote from: Mishihari on January 15, 2024, 02:48:53 AM
Fishing as a side quest system is pretty common in CRPGs.  It doesn't do much for me, but it must for some gamers, or it wouldn't be so popular.  As you said, many times the fun part is the adventure of reaching the location, or finding the special gear or bait required, which can be an actual adventure. 

A variation I prefer is found in the game Horizon Zero Dawn, which has a hunter's guild.  Travel and preparation are the same type of adventure, as are guild advancement, prestige, and access to special gear once you have enough achievements, but bringing down the actual beast is more interesting than just a roll on the fishing table.

Greetings!

*Laughing* Hah, my friend! Yes, I also have a special Hunting skill in Thandor, and also a Hunter's Guild. Yes, Hunting of course tends towards being more dynamic, though I use similar randomized tables during such expeditions, at least until the actual fight with a particular beast is engaged.

It has made Hunting and Fishing though much more interesting, entertaining, and dynamic. Which, ultimately, was my goal. Such skills as Hunting and Fishing are skills that any Character can learn and pursue, though obviously, some classes have inherent advantages. Still, though, it has been good. Hunting and Fishing are also good activities for "Down Time", in between adventures, or activities that can be pursued when an entire group cannot otherwise get together.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: Persimmon on January 14, 2024, 07:57:38 PM
Tell me the guild heads are Gorton, Mrs. Paul, and Captain D.....

Greetings!

*Laughing* Ahh, yeah, my friend!!!!

Such fun!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Yes, this sounds like the bog-standard fishing mechanics in every Harvest Moon-alike/JRPG/MMORPG.

I will say I don't understand the notion of a Fisher's or Hunter's Guild, though, unless it serves the same purpose such things do in video games (gating certain mechanics and equipment from the player).

Quote from: daniel_ream on January 23, 2024, 08:41:46 AM
Yes, this sounds like the bog-standard fishing mechanics in every Harvest Moon-alike/JRPG/MMORPG.

I will say I don't understand the notion of a Fisher's or Hunter's Guild, though, unless it serves the same purpose such things do in video games (gating certain mechanics and equipment from the player).

Greetings!

Well, in the world of Thandor, the Fishing Guild and the Hunter's Guild are professionally organized groups that serve many functions. Within civilized realms, they promote the responsible use and maintenance of the natural environment. They promote the maintenance of tried-and-true practices and methodologies, and aspects of professional and crafting lore. They promote the respect for the natural world and the animals found within. Beyond all that, they promote fun and enjoyment of life, and the growth and honing of the skills involved themselves. The guilds involved also support and promote various professional standards and practices, and promoting related businesses and crafts, such as Taxidermists, woodcarvers, horn-carvers, leatherworkers, Bowyers, Fletchers, various Tinkers, clothing makers, and the like. There are also organized competitions arranged and sponsored throughout the year. The Fishing Guild and the Hunting Guild also have close relationships with different religions, from Sea Gods and Hunting Gods to Goddesses of Nature, and the like. There are religious festivals and celebrations held throughout the year that are very important to whatever society or sub-culture, and the Fishing Guild and Hunting Guild cooperate and work with the different temples to promote participation and activity in such festivals and celebrations.

So, there are many aspects that the Hunting Guild and the Fishing Guild serve their local communities, as well as the interests of the guild membership.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK