Emerald GateKeepers

Welcome traveler. Take a seat by the warm fire and leave your burdens outside in the darkness. The year 2000 it was a major milestone at the rpg community. The major reason behind this was the open license of wizards of the coast. By that time I believe that the company of the most famous rpg in the planet wasn’t aware of the consequences of their own actions. It was and still is an avalanche of ideas and opinions. I feel it is similar to Greek myth of Prometheus. So the titan decided to steal the fire from the Olympian gods and gave it to humankind. His decision was followed by a chain of events leading eventually to the much desired human civilization.  As I continue my grumblings, another milestone was the introduction of the feats. But what are feats exactly? And why it took 14 years of the famous company to fade them back at the background as an optional rule? Using Oxford dictionary Feat is: An achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength. Let...

Τον τελευταίο χρόνο μπόρεσα να μελετήσω και να γράψω κανόνες γύρω από το αγαπημένο μας παιχνίδι. Το να μελετάς συστήματα και να γράφεις κανόνες είναι μια πρακτική δημιουργίας όπως το να γράφεις ιστορίες. Μέσα σε αυτό το ταξίδι όμως ανακαλύπτεις την ομορφιά των γραναζιών ενός συστήματος. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι τους περισσότερους δεν τους ενδιαφέρει πως τρέχει ένα σύστημα αλλά μόνο το ορατό αποτέλεσμα. Τις προηγούμενες εβδομάδες μελέτησα το Adventures of Middle Earth and The One ring rpg systems και τα 2 από την Cubicle 7. Το ΑΙΜΕ είναι ουσιαστικά των TOR αλλά για την 5 η έκδοση. Σε προηγούμενες αναρτήσεις μπορείτε να δείτε τους κανόνες που πρότεινα βασιζόμενος σε αυτά τα 2 συστήματα. Αυτή η μελέτη με οδήγησε για ακόμη μια φορά στην 5 η έκδοση του αγαπημένου μας παιχνιδιού. Την περασμένη άνοιξη όταν προσπαθήσαμε να την δοκιμάσουμε ήμασταν 8 άτομα στο roll 20 και πραγματικά νομίζω ότι την αδικήσαμε. Αυτή η ανάρτηση λοιπόν είναι ένα Ανοικτό Γράμμα προς την 5 η έκδ...

Abstract and Grid-less Combat System (for 0e, 1st Edition, 2nd Edition, 3rd edition and 5th Edition of D&D) In the last couple of days I spend some time around the combat system at rpgs in general. We must face it that we live among a plethora of different systems, ranging from extreme narrative to full strategic ones. The truth is in the last 20 years we are accustomed with terms like opportunity attacks, initiative rolls, attacks vs. AC and damage per weapon type. Although there are many variations like damage based on hero’s level or simplified damage of 1 damage per attack vs. minion who also get 1 point of Health, we mostly tend to feel that somehow combat must be freed from the chains that bind it. At that point you may think that I point you towards narrative games but fear not as it’s not my intention. As much I enjoy narrative games I cannot escape my past that of a tactical combat system based on the worlds’ most famous rpg. But that doesn’t mean I will sit idl...

Thoughts about Combat In the last couple of days I spend some time around the combat system at rpgs in general. We must face it that we live among a plethora of different systems, ranging from extreme narrative to full strategic ones. The truth is in the last 20 years we are accustomed with terms like opportunity attacks, initiative rolls, attacks vs. AC and damage per weapon type. Although there are many variations like damage based on hero’s level or simplified damage of 1 damage per attack vs. minion who also get 1 point of Health, we mostly tend to feel that somehow combat must be freed from the chains that bind it. At that point you may think that I point you towards narrative games but fear not as it’s not my intention. As much I enjoy narrative games I cannot escape my past that of a tactical combat system based on the worlds’ most famous rpg. But that doesn’t mean I will sit idle while my gaming experience turns numb… Ok roll initiative, attack and just damage!! ...

Log 001/ September 2015 I have decided to create my own RPG system. Research has started from classic d20 systems to d100 and narrative games. Log 002/ December 2015 I have sorted out a few systems: AGE rpgs (Fantasy AGE & Dragon AGE by Green Ronin), BareBones Fantasy, Open D100, Legends of Anglerre, Open Quest D12, FATE Core. Started the collaboration with Brian for Open Legend rpg. Study and research continues. Log 003/ January 2016 First failed attempt to create the system. The systems that dropped out is BareBones Fantasy, Open D100, Anglerre, Open Quest D12 and FATE Core. Endless discussions with Brian around rpg subsystems including feats, spellcasting and hero progression. Log 004/ February 2016 Second failed attempt. I couldn't find a system that suits my taste or how i envision the best one. Even i was in love with Dragon Age i wasn’t able to focus an Emerald Game Setting in Green Ronin’s system. Delve deeper in Brian’s Open...