After a long hiatus I'm planning on starting up a new Amber game with mostly new players. I use modified points and systems for most of the powers but it is largely similar to what is presented in ADRPG. I've never found the item system to feel right for Amber (Or sorcery for that matter but that is a whole other topic!) What modifications have people used for items creation? Below is the fairly simple system I settled on last time I ran a game.
ArtifactsWhile all Amberites can find whatever they desire within shadow, occasionally more potent artifacts may be discovered. These items are tied to the character so that they can be easily found in shadow if lost and generally have abilities that function throughout shadow. These artifacts are purchased on a 5/10/20 point scale.
- (5 Points) A five point item does one significant thing, some examples might be a fiery sword, unbreakable armor, or magic vision goggles.
- (10 Points) A ten point item is simply an extension of a five point item, the fiery sword can now shoot fireballs and influence fires nearby. The armor is not only unbreakable but absorbs sorcery and power effects, the magic vision goggles can see various power effects and perhaps around corners. They are all extensions of the first theme.
- (20 Points) A twenty point artifact has a story, its powers often have a theme but are rarely fully understood by the owner. This is an item of significant power and should be extremely rare. In practice it may behave similarly to a 10 point item, however with more potency and far more flexibility.
Are you familiar with the items/constructs modifications as per the original Netbook of Amber? There is a slightly modified version (mainly to fit with my modifications to attributes/powers) on my website http://www.azer.co.uk/amber/amber.html (http://www.azer.co.uk/amber/amber.html)
Really. I love the Item creation rules. I' e never found a system with more flexibility and power. What you've got there is (for give me for saying) quite bland.
My only my only complaint with the ADRP items is they are too good. They are the only part of the system that minn maxers and munchkins can dig into.
Quote from: LarsonGates;1111121Are you familiar with the items/constructs modifications as per the original Netbook of Amber? There is a slightly modified version (mainly to fit with my modifications to attributes/powers) on my website http://www.azer.co.uk/amber/amber.html (http://www.azer.co.uk/amber/amber.html)
I can't find what you're referring to. Is there a direct link or could you put a summary of how items/artifacts work in your games?
Quote from: charis;1133167I can't find what you're referring to. Is there a direct link or could you put a summary of how items/artifacts work in your games?
So you completely missed reading to the bottom of the page where it says "The Amber Players Guide is available as a PDF. Right click icon to download. Version 1.6.0 13/01/2020" ..
I'll let you off the online version under Powers as it's not online although the "Powers and Partial Powers" page also explicitly links to the players guide and the "Fixers" original work on the subject.
I did. The website is a tad difficult see what is and isn't available or a link due to the layout, and I didn't notice the smaller text underneath the larger text there. Thanks!
I missed it as well, 'netbook' is a red herring since it is not mentioned on that page. :-)
Thanks for the clarification.
Quote from: zircher;1133409I missed it as well, 'netbook' is a red herring since it is not mentioned on that page. :-)
Thanks for the clarification.
The "netbook" is not a red herring. It existed in the early days of the web, and like a lot of things from the late 80s/early90s has just vanished into the ether. As it says in the introduction, all the rules, bar the Magic rules, and the stuff I've specifically created, are derived from the original content of the netbook, and alot of that work was done by the Fixer. Since the "netbooks" are and were effectively "copyleft" works I credit the original sources where I can, even if they've been consumed by Primal Chaos or the Abyss.
I guess you missed the "since it is not mentioned on that page" part. Context is important, especially when some of the participants in the thread are not aware of the specific history involved.
LarsonGates, going to your website reminded me that the "Golden Circle" is no more. I used to spend hours going from one random shadow to another, just looking at the cool Amber stuff found there. Ah, the 90's. :(
Quote from: finarvyn;1134607LarsonGates, going to your website reminded me that the "Golden Circle" is no more. I used to spend hours going from one random shadow to another, just looking at the cool Amber stuff found there. Ah, the 90's. :(
I suppose I should remove that now.. I removed the Rifts Webring links a few years ago. They were always reasonably useful in finding other sites related to the game, but now in relation to Amber there's only the proboard page .. which you haven't updated yet.
I love web rings and my old site had several (for sci-fi games and such back in the day.) In some ways, I wish they would make a come back since I discovered many more interesting sites that way than by trusting some company's search algorithm.