Super Squirrel Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 I've been designing and even playtesting a fantasy campaign level of extremely low proportions. The powerlevel is so low, that this version literally becomes pen and paper. You do not need Hero Designer at all to make characters and using it actually slows down the character creation process. Character creation is simple: Start all attributes at 8 instead of 10. Now build at 0 + 10 disadvantages. You can only spend points on skills, attributes, perks, and talents. You get 100 SP starting cash. Here is a sample character: Tyler Dirshaw S 9 D 10 C 8 B 8 I 8 E 8 P 8 Co 8 SPD 2 0 PS: Locksmith (other everymanskills not listed) 3 Lockpicking 1 WF: Bows XP Earned 3, Spent 1 Currently, I'd only allow humans because of how I'm running the campaign. But to do other races, I would be package deals with an equal amount in disadvantages as well as advantages. Magic is run a little different. Players must by WF (in this case Wand Focus) for the elemental system they want. I have four designed. They then must pay starting cash for both a wand and a spellbook. The wand provides all END for spells and recharges each day. They can cast any spell they have the END for that is also in their spellbook. That way the magic system is inexpensive and also not overpowering. Wands that regenerate faster or have more of an END reserve can be found or purchased later as well as high powered spells can also be discovered. So far my testing has found this game very balanced and very enjoyable. I ran a mock combat between two PCs and a bandit and then again two PCs and a band of 5 bandits. The combat went very well and was extreme quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCUBA Hero Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Sounds interesting! More details? (he asked hopefully) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlHazred Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Definitely sounds interesting! Can you provide HD prefabs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Such as? NPCs are very easy to create. For example: Victor PS: Blacksmith Int +2 Str +3 KS: Blacksmith Weaponsmithing Sells all standard weapons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign I don't bother with Wealth or points on Base for NPCs that own large properties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign I'm still working on the webpage, and will not likely get much done over the next week but you can find what I have so far here: http://aldaric.org/easthaven/ I have about 70% of an adventure written up. My campaign is set in a town that has become forgotten from the rest of the world. As the game progresses, the world expands and races will become accessable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Low level FH like that is one of my favorites. About the only real problem with it is granularity--when all your stats are around 8 or 10, an extra d6 of normal damage or +1 DCV is a huge jump. But for the most part the game works well at that level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign SPD 1 on most targets with one or two with SPD 2 is also very weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign So is this for a PBEM or some such? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metaphysician Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign So, its a level 1 AD&D 2nd campaign?? :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign So is this for a PBEM or some such? Its table top but a PBEM or some such could work well with this system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkerGrae Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Essentially -25 Base +10 Disadvantages for a Total -15 points. Even less than "Incompetent Normal." Sounds like fun! A few of the best AD&D 2nd ed. games were ones where the characters started out as non-classed, 0 level individuals with 1d6 hit points. We got the idea from a module (I don't remember the name now) where the characters started the game in the surf of some unknown island after the slave ship carrying them wrecked in a storm. Something satisfying about raising your characters from marooned, escaped slaves to powerful heros (0 level nobodies that eventually reached somewhere around 15th level). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Squirrel Posted December 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Over Christmas break, my wife and I had a huge discussion over the magic system. I took her recommendations and my preferences and came up with what I feel is a fairly balanced system. In order to cast any spell, you must first be able to access that type of magic. You must spend a point for a WF equivalent for using spells of the category type (Healing, Wind, Ice, Fire, etc...) then you can either use spells of that type from a spellbook or, you can buy spells as a 1 point SF. You have to have access to the spell before you can buy it, so it means early characters can't use Fireballs, but characters can play characters who don't use Spellbooks. My wife, for example, is going to play a Sprite based character which is the first non-human race. The thought of a Sprite carrying around a spellbook is, of course a bit silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Perhaps sprites don't need spellbooks, but their repertoire of spells is limited. That's the way dragons were created in Castle Falkenstein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Comet Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Hi there, this is similar to a campaign I'm working on based on an Arabian Nights theme. The PC's are all very young, 10 years old or thereabouts. Starting stats begin at 8 instead of 10 as well a few disadvantages, but only a few since they are so young. They didn't really need much in the way of skills either because, lets face it a ten year old wouldn't have many. PC's are street urchins, rogues and beggar boys etc that have been recruited by the Thieves Guild. The Brotherhood of Ishtar al saari. (Doesn't make sense but sounds cool.) Anyway the idea is they complete a scenario and get a few more experience than normal and next time they play they will be a year or so older. We roleplay with a few hero system roleplayers but the younger ones are only familiar with warhammer, hence the low point starts. Makes it easier for newbies and me as a GM since we average about seven players a session. Have you started running your campaign yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Here's a link to a pdf document you caan download. It was written for GURPS 3rd Edition, but I think you'll find it useful. http://meekmok.com/sassy/ghf/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibear Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Hello Colin :wave: Carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trencher Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign Also when you start out low xp and equipment gets much more valuable. In one warhammer game I played in (with hero rules) I played a zelot built on ten points plus disadvateges. he changed from adventure to adventure and then he found a platemail and suddenly he was like ten times as though as before. It was fun and I suport your idea. But be prepared for sudden changes in playercharacters power level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibear Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: Ultra Low Start Campaign What I find is that all those small optional combat bonuses become really important. Having a longer weapon, a shield, that bit of cover, surprise etc. will become probable rather than possible life savers. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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