Ballista Outline

There are three versions being planned currently, a light version, the regular version, and a possible 'deluxe' version.  The light version will not have all of which the regular version does but will be the first to be available and it will be free.  This light version will contain everything needed to get into a game quickly.  You can create characters with it and use it to run through a module intended for a 'traditional fantasy rpg'.  In all probability, the 'Light Ballista' fastplay rules will also be included in Arcana Creation's upcoming C&C module, 'Hide in Plain Sight'.

How will that work exactly?  No alterations is being done to the C&C module, the same terminology and same familiar stat blocks are all being retained.  There will be no dual stats or any of that kind of nonsense either.  However, if the person who picks up this module doesn't actually have the C&C PHB handy, they can get a game going using the included fast play rules at the end of the module.  Paper, pencils, dice, and a copy of the module will get you everything you need to play -- great for a one shot!  The differences between the C&C and Ballista system will make no difference to the compatibility.  However, some of the niftier rules options won't be included in this version of the rules.  One significant example is the lack of the alternative magic system Ballista presents -- the Light version will instead retain the classic 'Vancian' model of magic common to all these other fantasy RPGs.  There will be other differences as well but the key thing to remember is that this is the Light version and it is being kept deliberately so to minimize page count yet retain usefulness to someone wanting to utilize it.

What follows is an outline of what is starting to shape up as a preliminary table of contents for the regular version.  It looks pretty standard fair when you compare it to other traditional fantasy rpgs:

1.0 Introduction

1.1 How to Use This Book

1.2 Basics of the System

2.0 Character Creation

2.1 Attributes

2.2 Building Archetypes

2.3 Races & Heritage

2.4 Skills & Abilities

2.5 Final Touches

3.0 Equipment

3.1 Arms

3.2 Armor

3.3 General Goods

3.4 Services

4.0 Magic

4.1 Sources & Influences

4.2 Vancian Law

4.3 Spellcraft

4.4 Resistances

5.0 Rules of Play

5.1 Skill & Task Resolution

5.2 Saving Throws

5.3 Basic Combat

5.4 Combat Modifiers

5.5 Combat Manoeuvres

5.6 Hazards

6.0 Campaigning

6.1 Experience & Progression

6.2 To the Dungeons

6.3 To the Wilderness

6.4 To the Open Sea

6.5 Rules of War

7.0 Bestiary

7.1 Classic Monsters

7.2 Creature Templates

8.0 Relics & Rituals

9.0 Setting Templates

As far as a possible 'deluxe' version is concerned... it all comes down to how things go with the regular book.  Sections 6.5 as well as much of the material from chapters 7, 8, and 9 might get bumped to a deluxe version.  For those curious, section 6.5 is a mass combat system which I would like to do but may really be beyond the scope of the project.  A lot of things to consider but *if* it ends up in a deluxe version, this hypothetical version won't see light of day anytime this year.  It could also be very well dropped as I concentrate on the core aspects of the book.  Remember, the idea of the book is to be used as a companion volume with your traditional fantasy rpg of preference as opposed to a replacement.  I just want it to be 'self-sufficient' as well.  :)

M

Lamentations (Flame Princess & Otherwise)

Yesterday was my birthday and towards the end of the afternoon, I admit I was feeling a bit dejected.  It was a good enough day and I basically chilled the entire day.  I also was expecting several shipments of goodies which had yet to materialize.  Somehow, I thought that at least one of these packages would show up.  Part of this had to do that, while wandering briefly through my local game store, I spied a copy on the shelves of the 'Classic Monsters' book put out by TLG.  Normally that would be great news, hadn't I already ordered a copy as part of the top level tier when they did their kickstarter for it towards the end of 2011.  What made matters a bit worse was the store in question seemed to have had it since May 1st.  Understandably, I was a bit pissed.  The thing that actually annoyed me more?  The gamestore actually had a copy in stock!

I buy very little from the store simply because they often don't bring in some of the items I'm interested in.  They are also not very accommodating if a customer wants to order something from them.  As a result, I order online... pay more because of the shipping (and because I live in Canada) and go into the store once in a while to check out their second hand section.  Interestingly enough, I also spot a copy of the 'Isle of the Unknown' and the expanded edition of 'Carcosa'.  These aren't exactly 'new' and were available since the end of 2011 but they were pricey if I considered the additional shipping when I initially checked online.  It was particularly annoying to see them on shelves given that I had finally ordered the pair of books last week from Noble Knight Games.  I got a better price from NKG but I end up paying about $15 in shipping so the pair ends up costing me $80.  Given the prices and the taxes I would have paid from the store, and it's pretty much a break even proposition so I pretty much got lucky there.

Of course, I'm also waiting for my Gold Foil Edition of the DCC RPG... a hardback copy of Eldritch Tales (a Lovecraft Compilation)... a leather case for the new tablet (a tablet which may have not even shipped yet but I'm supposed to received during the day of May 10th)... and a copy of Mass Effect 2 (yes... I know ME3 is out and a lot of people dislike the ending).  So, given that we are halfway through the week when most (if not all of these) goodies should show up, I was annoyed.  ;)

But today, when I was sitting down to blog about more about Ballista, I had a knock on the door.

It was a package from Noble Knight games and it was one of the more recent orders I had placed.  Opening the box, I gazed upon two books from Lamentations of the Flame Princess and they are gorgeous.  I had seen a couple of pictures over the past few months and, I have to say that these do not do these books any justice at all.  I had heard and read that Jim had gone the extra mile in putting these together and I wish that more of the small OSR publishers followed his example.  Don't get me wrong, BHP has put out some great looking product as well and it just keeps getting better -- much like the earlier C&C work compared to the Trick on the Tain module AC has put out.  But really, I think this is a new level as far as quality and standards are concerned and it approaches some of the concepts I have in my mind as far as looks are concerned when I consider the work I'm doing for the 'Ballista Rules Companion' -- though still different in many other ways.  These two books have made my day today.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out the LotFP Hardcover & Adventures project detailed HERE.  With 24 days left and $114 away from their main objective, the hardcover publication of the LotFP Rules & Magic rulebook is pretty much a certainty at this point.  I only possess the LotFP RPG pdf but no physical copies (as of yet) but given the quality put into these two books I now have in my possession, at $30 (with shipping included) you'll get a pretty slick looking book.  My problem?  Do I want just the one book or do I want the Referee Group pack which includes 4 of these *plus* a whole lot more if stretch goals (pretty hefty goals) are met...

Happy Gaming!

M

Weekend R&R: AD&D Historical Reference Series

Yes... I know it's Monday. Yes... I realize it's called 'Weekend R&R' but I'm on Vacation.  I think it's just an extension of what will be a 'looooong weekend'.  Besides, I watched the Avengers yesterday and I must confess that going to see the movie yesterday trumped sitting at home and writing up a blog entry.  So here we are.  :)

Seriously folks, I'm in a great mood today (a rarity for a Monday) and I've got quite a bit of gaming work ahead of me this week but before I dive into it I thought I'd talk about one of my favorite things that came out of the 2nd Edition era of AD&D with TSR.  I'm talking about those fantastic looking, green looking, Historical Reference supplements.  Unfortunately, while I could cherry pick a volume to talk about, I thought they were all good.  If I was forced to pick, I would have about four favorites.  Since there was only seven books in the series, I decided not to even try and go that route.  Maybe at some other point I might call upon one book and talk about it in relation to another.  That said, I will likely talk more about the 'Vikings Campaign Sourcebook' for no other reason that it was the first in the series and the first one I acquired when it was released back in 1991.

This was third in a line of supplements designed to put out even more product for another potential reference stream.  A line targeted not only for the DM but the players as well.  Up to this point they had the 'blue' reference books which were targeted with the DM in mind and the 'brown' reference books which were targeted for the players.  At least that's the way I saw it.  Some might think that these historical reference books were more for the DM than a player for the purposes of using as a resource for their own games.  I had bought this first book to draw material from it for the purposes of my own campaign I was working on at the time.

In the end, it was more than just a campaign setting -- it provided alternate rules and options to supplement and even replace guidelines the core AD&D game already provided.  Different class restrictions... different races... and, refreshingly enough, better contextual weapons and armors as well as equipment for the time period and region the book dealt with.  Between this sourcebook, the DMG and PHB, as well as the Monstrous Compendium, you had everything you needed to play and run a 'historical fantasy' game.

As for the setting material itself, a simple and concise timeline and historical overview is given.  You have different maps (including a color foldout map) and sample floor plans.  You have chapters dealing with the culture and religions and how the society is structured as well as politics.  There is also a gazetteer with brief description of various locales.  Of course, depending which volume one looks at will depend on what actually is in that particular book but they each tend to follow the same kind of format.

Of course, the one thing that each book has is some sort of of suggested reading list and bibliography.  This is perfect if one looks to take a step further and really delve into some history.

That said, these books are getting harder to come by.  The people that seek these out tend to hold on to them and since WOTC, who owns the rights to all of this stuff, pulled the PDFs a couple of years back -- the only legal option is the second hand market for printed copies.  Looking at Noble Knight Games, the few copies they have average about $20 a used copy and ebay seems to be all over the map as far as pricing goes.  Here's the complete series:

HR1: Vikings
HR2: Charlemagne's Paladins
HR3: Celts
HR4: A Mighty Fortress
HR5: The Glory of Rome
HR6: Age of Heroes
HR7: The Crusades



Myself, I had bought a couple when the first came out but I was lucky enough to track down the rest about 5 years ago for much more reasonable prices.  If any of you try to track them for yourselves, I wish you success in your efforts.  Happy Gaming!

M

All Quiet But All Good

Some of my regular readers might have noticed that my entries have slowed down the past couple of weeks... especially this week.  Nothing bad is happening, but I've been a bit busier at work *and* making sure that a bunch of things are finished off before I leave work for my vacation next week!

YAY !!

Not that I'm actually going anywhere or anything.  I decided to take a vacation since I was long overdue and my 37th birthday happens to fall next week.  Since it falls on a Tuesday this year (celebrating a birthday on a day other than Friday, Saturday, Sunday just sucks), I decided to take the whole week surround it off for a bit of a break.

I plan to catch up on some much neglected gaming (LA Noire is something I've been playing on and off for the past few months), catch up on some sleep, and generally take it easy.  I also intend to get a bunch of work done on both the Hide In Plain Sight module for C&C (preliminary layout work always takes longer than I would like) and aspects of the Ballista system.

Of course, during this week, I will also take a bit more time to write to my readers in my blog and maybe go into a bit more depth on direction that Ballista has taken and a few other things shaping up with Arcana Creations.

It will be a relaxing week and despite my commitment to get a lot of work done.  Working on these projects is just different and not anywhere near as stressful as my 9-5 job.

On a related note, I just received a message inquiring about new Arcana Creations releases and how much past ones were very much enjoyed.  I must say that it is encouraging to see this now and again despite the amount of time that has gone by since the last release.  To all of you, thanks for keeping the faith!

M

Weekend R&R: The Books of Experimental Might

With the announcement earlier this week that Monte Cook to leave the 'D&D Next' project which caused much on forums and blogs alike, I decided to look back at some of Monte's material.

I have a few of his books and not just ones he specifically worked on for WOTC.  Monte Cook had a profound influence on Third Edition, went on to form Malhavok Press where he might be best known for his Arcana Unearthed (Arcana Evolved) material and his Ptolus setting.  As co-designer of Third Edition, he was naturally well invested into the system.  He played it, he wrote for it, and he had his own house rules.  From this and the interest generated on his own blog when he talked about it, he penned the first 'Book of Experimental Might'.  With the success of the first volume, he penned a second companion volume.  They were initially released in PDF format (and had a softcover print run) but it was subsequently published by Paizo as the 'Collected Book of Experimental Might' in hardback.

Personally, I love books like this.  When I was involved with Third Edition, I didn't care much for the variety of splat books (in hardcover no less!) which rapidly grew with the release of 3.5.  On the other hand, I loved the Unearthed Arcana.  For that matter, I also liked the original Unearthed Arcana despite it's flaws when it was released back in the mid-80's (but we'll leave that for another day).  My love for these sorts of books is why I was immediately attracted to Joseph Bloch's 'A Curious Volume of Forgotten Lore' which is coming out later this year.  The list goes on, whether it is old or new, and is also a motivation for my own project, 'The Ballista Rules Companion'.

Cook's 'Collected Book of Experimental Might' is a significant book in the sense that it tries to improve and correct certain aspects of the D&D game. The goal of course was greater playability.  Does he actually succeed?  Well, from my perspective given my gaming preferences (as well as those of some of my other readers), probably not.  But it was a good effort and better than diving towards a 4th Edition!  I'm also certain that the 3rd Edition 'power gamer' would have liked certain aspects of the book (not that I'm encouraging this either).  Looking through the book can give possible insights where some aspects of subsequent games editions were going.

The Bad ... Feats, feats, and more feats.  Different types of feats...  Uberfeats.  Even the name 'uberfeat' may send some power gamers into a frenzy.  The 3rd Edition concept behind feats was not a bad idea and there were certain things about it that were elegant as far as a system was concerned.  The problem is that the list just grew and grew and grew with the publication of new books and somewhere along the way, the concept of balance got tossed out the window.  Even the 'core' Feats in the PHB didn't stack up well against once another.  As an additional, possible flaw with 3rd Edition, many of these were also miniature dependent in terms of combat.


The Good ... Domains and Disciplines.  These are kind of like class abilities.  A cleric as we typically recognize them has an ability to Turn Undead and a Paladin will have Lay on Hands for instance.  In this instance, the characters select a discipline which can become more powerful as the character increases in levels with other associated effects or a new discipline can be learned by sacrificing a Feat slot.  What's great about this is it gives a chance for more differentiation between characters of the same class.

There is also some nifty rules concerning hitpoints and healing... with rules which may remind some of what 4th Edition introduced though not quite the same either.  It also introduces up to 20th level spells -- meaning a 5th level wizard can cast up to 5th level spells as opposed to only 3rd level ones.  Fireball becomes a 6th level spell while Lighning Bolt is 5th level but a spell like Wish is a 20th level one.  Of course, using a vancian system of magic, the number of spells per level is also spread out.  The most 1st level spells you'll gain according to the chart is 3 -- even at 20th level.  Oh... no 0 level spells either though cantips are now part of a Discipline.


Aside from that, there are a few little things like Skills and Feat clarifications as well as a couple of classes but that's about it.  It's not a big book but part of that is the paper stock used I think, it clocks in at just over 140 glossy pages.  Art is nice but nothing stood out for me but the presentation is sharp enough.  But is it worth the price for what you can get out of it?

For the most part, it might not be too difficult to try and shoehorn some of this material for a pre-3rd Edition game though you would need to look out for any power creep from such a modification.  There are some great ideas but ultimately, for most it's probably more trouble than it's worth.  The MSRP of the hardback is $29.99 though you may get it for less (new) if you shop around.  Noble Knight Games has a new copy for $24.95 and a NM copy for a couple bucks less.  In PDF (on RPG Now!), volumes 1 and 2 are $9.00 each but at $18 for the two, you may as well get the bundle which also has an adventure thrown in for the same price.  Given the content, I would be hesitant to recommend the book to any gamer who doesn't play 3rd Edition or a game derived from it such as Pathfinder.  On the other hand, if you like tweaking and exploring different options and don't mind a bit of work, it's decent enough if you can find it for a good price.

M