Damn I Am Pretty Art Laboratories

Five Things All Ithish Know 1.  What Sorcery Looks Like:   Ithish all know Sorcery when they see it.  Even those Ithish without any hint of sorcerous power will claim that they "know" Sorcery when they see it.  As a point of pride, any Ithish worth their salt will tell you "how to sniff out magic"- even when they don't have a clue how to cast a single cantrip. 2.  The Legend of Ith and his principles:   Every Ithish has their own version of the tale, but all Ithish agree on Ith's principles of liberty and self-governance.  Ith the Archmage spoke throughout most of the Ithic city-states over a thousand years ago, his principles of Liberty and Self-Government became cemented in the character of Ith at that point.  Most Ithish are quick to quote Ith's principles from time to time, especially when discussing freedom, liberty and government.   "All people are born free."  "The pursuit of happiness is the highest pursuit." ...

I find myself about to run Crux in a Fate build.  So, my thoughts turn to how I'm going to do that. I have two different Pathfinder Fate builds I could use or hack: Green Ronin's Fate Freeport, and this FAE Pathfinder build I stumbled upon awhile back.  My needs lean toward using more of Core Fate over Fate Accelerated this time. I also plan to port in Icons as well.  Because I like how Approaches work, I want to also do something I've thought about: blending Approaches and Skills.  This seems like it could create more diversity, while allowing for the kind of specialization I prefer for players overall. Approaches add a how, meaning players can use them to explain how they approach an action or skill while being both narrative and mechanical enough for my needs.   Right my most work is getting Races and some stunts converted over, and prepping some character gen documents for my players. This is more of a "blog" post than some of my normal stuff, so.....

So time for a blog post.  More rambly, but whatev.  Enjoy it peeps. After playing Lords of Waterdeep last night, I decided that the game lacks some depth in some flavor in a few ways.  And after hearing that Pandemic is getting its own Legacy version (I wants it already), I feel like I should hack Lords of Waterdeep a bit. Lords of Waterdeep is a german-style worker placement game that uses the themes of Waterdeep, with its lords and all that Faerun jazz. Here's the idea for a hack: Adventuring Parties.  Each lord has a particular adventuring party that they are using as agents in Waterdeep.  Each of these parties has their own powers, etc.  Your Adventuring Party is in addition to your faction or lord, its another kind of thing to help define your game.  And each time you play, you can get a different selection of adventuring parties, factions and lords, potentially wrenching up replayability. Design Names for Now: (Need five) Arcanists Par...

A part of my face had melted from the heat of the fire.  Half of my face must've looked like it was sweating.  Hot wax dripping from the part of my face not covered by the faceplate. I stood up, my gears stuttering from the stress of it of the fall. "Are you okay?"  I gazed down at the pair of children I had deposited on the ground.  Both were covered in black soot, coughing out ash. The taller tiefling child blinked at me.  She continued to cough, but I saw tears in her eyes. "Android!  Does you master know you saved these children?"  I heard a voice shout at me.  I looked over to see a bright light.  A pair of figures stood out to me.  One of them held a box, one of those cameras the university had created.  "Does he own this factory?" "In the name of the-"  I sighed.  Reporters.  They made some of my business more of a pain these days. "Who?  What?"  The taller tiefling child's question made m...

More on Classes in Crux.  Still doing some dabbling in both PF and Fate Core.  A part of me wants to also play with 5e backgrounds as well.  I think I have enough, however. Paladin:  The class of Paladin is as old as Antipaladin, although the name Paladin itself remains a young word.  Holy champions in service to churches are as how as the churches they serve.  Perhaps earliest known was the Dragon  Goldflame , who died slaying the horrific Lich of Stormwood, allowing the Ursyklon to reclaim and settle that land. Paladins as a class are flavored by the Church they serve.  Some Paladins serve churches in which their own version of the faith is regarded as heresy, as in the Revolution or the Church of Shraxes.  Other churches support the more traditional view of a Paladin- the Church of the Summer Rose, for example.  Amongst paladins, each church's order has their own sobriquet as well: The Twins: The Paladin The Summer Rose: Knight of t...

The Chancellor of Crux University Possible Aspects*:  Scholarship of Beyond; Knowledge is Power; The Scientific Method; Doctorate of [Insert Magical or Scientific Field] Quote:   "Academic Freedom- that is what we promise.  This is our goal above all others- knowledge unrestrained by the tyrannical whims of society, religion or the state." The Chancellor position at Crux University has always been one of the main political players in Crux.  The Chancellor controls how Crux functions, its administration, heads the local branches of the Esoterium Machina and direct all research funds for the university as a whole.  He even controls admissions to some degree.  He represents the loftiest goals of Crux University: research unlimited by legal, philosophical or moral bounds. Common Knowledge The Chancellor's name has been synonymous with the University ever since the position was created seven centuries ago.  Everyone know who he is.  They also know t...

More Pathfinder oriented  stats for Skinwalkers .  Also including a Fate Core addendum too, I think. Skinwalkers Same as core Skinwalkers, except where changed below: Change Shape:  Remains the same, except that the skinwalker can choose two animalistic features, not just one. Speak With Animals:  This ability remains the same, except it is at will instead of once per day. Moon-Touched:  Skinwalkers gain DR 5/silver. Skinwalkers retain access to all their variant heritages as options, I think they keep in flavor with the Skinwalkers of Crux. Skinwalker Favored Classes Brawler:  Add 1/4 to the brawler's effective level to determine her unarmed strike damage. Cleric:  Any celestial or fiendish animal you summon with a Summon Monster spell gain +1/2 to their Strength and Constitution scores. Druid  Add +1/3 to the druid's natural armor bonus when using wild shape. Gunslinger:  +1/3 bonus on Initiative checks as long as you have at least 1 Gri...

As I am prepping Crux Character Creation rules, I started to write up the Role System for it, wanting to try out the idea for a first time.  Then I realized that I hadn't bothered to share the idea at all on the blog, so here I am.  The Role System is an attempt at a Character Creation tool: at a particular step of character creation, a player is randomly assigned their Role.  A role isn't intended to be a straight jacket.  Instead, Roles use stereotype of pop fiction groups to try and help players find places where they can shine and help the rest of the group shine too. The Blank Page Problem If you've ever created a character for a RPG, you will find yourself stuck at times with a problem you Four Links: Hmm.  Different kind of Party, I suppose. can't quite overcome right away.  You know you want to have fun, and you know what you'd like to play.  However, you can't quite think of a character to play.  This gets even more true in games ...

The Archwitch Possible Aspects*:   Indebted For a Wish? ;  The Archwitch Always Pays Her Debts ;  Savior of the Tieflings Quote:  "Anything is Possible, everything comes with a Price." Crux Region:  The Wish Quarter The Archwitch is the matron of the Demon's Orphans and she is the leading Priestess of the Church of Shraxes, the Caged One.  The Archwitch can grant any wish- as long as you are willing to pay the price.  Her "wishes" are tied to the whims and power of the Demon's Orphans.  Criminals of all kinds, the Demon's Orphans are loyal to the Archwitch- helping her to complete her many "wishes." Common Knowledge To most, the kind Head Priestess of Shraxes is also head of the most prominent charities in Crux.  She runs Orphanages and Poor houses in the Wish Quarter.  And of course, she is the voice that begins the start of every Wish Festival every year.  That annual holiday alone colors what most think of when they t...

From time to time, I post stories and the like up here.  Most of the time, these are just me getting practice in or focusing on loose worldbuilding.  I try to keep my favorite projects as goals for the future.  I don't think I'll ever truly get published, but I'm more than certain that most of the content here wouldn't be published, especially my stories. The thought of trying to create money for my stories has completely gone out of my head, though.  My blog isn't as easy to monetize, however.  This blog is me venting my ideas onto paper.  It isn't organized to be tied to only one or two kinds of content.  I vary from reviews, to stories, to writing gaming content to actual "blog" entries like this one.  And posts like this one are me stepping out of the woodwork to attempt explain some things. The story end of content is one of my biggest creative sinks.  Some of my latest stories weren't intended to be all text.  Instead, I've been ...

Noir stepped out into the open street to cross it.  Burnside was dead quiet this time of night.  The stormy mugginess of the pacific northwest made the night sky grey. He shivered, cold despite the time of year.  He walked over to the street corner.  He stooped down, touching the red splotch sprayed across the concrete of the curb.  Noir shivered because his senses tingled, and despite all the other things he had going on... when a spirit called, the necromancer couldn't say no.  He had to try and help. Closing his eyes, Noir let the magic flow.  Then in a very quiet tone, he spoke the most polite words he could think of. "How can I help?" A stranger's memories came into the necromancer.  They flooded into his thoughts.  Lonely thoughts, straying thoughts.  Last wishes.  Regrets.  Forgotten worries. It hadn't been a clean death.  This apparition still didn't know what had happened.  It was confused.  It mourned...

More Regions of Crux! This should round out most of the regions of importance in Crux.  Outside of the 13 areas tied to each Icon of the City, there are some other regions I felt I needed to include. Most of these come with traits.  Enjoy! The Grand Bazaar:  Nestled between Palace Hill, the Wolf Quarter and the Wish Quarter is one of the landmarks of the city, a region known as the Grand Bazaar.  Filled with merchant districts of all sizes, surrounding a central, ancient square and fountain known as Avard's Spring.  The most powerful Icon of the Grand Bazaar is the Publisher, who runs his newspapers out of the busy heart of Crux. New Trait: Bazaar Papernewsie:  Ever since you were a kid, you've worked the corners of the Bazaar, selling the Publisher's papers to passersby.  You know most of the Bazaar like the back of your hand, and always know where to find the right shop if asked.  In addition, you gain a +2 trait bonus on Perform (Orat...

In which we learn about 8511's mirror and its importance.  This is part 5 of a short story.  To read from the beginning, click on part 1 below. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 The old Ramelin man frowned.  His salt and pepper beard obscured part of his face's cold emotions.  Behind his eyes I could sense the purplish, cold power of his magic.  The master of the Necromancy department glared down at 8511. "My property, finally.  What took you so long, tool?"  Maxmidan ignored the two of us.  I wondered if Lahm's own look of anger even registered.  "I assume these two were simply trying to help return you.  I'd hate to have to report any theft." "We thought it'd dangerous to leave someone alone in a place known for what it does to those who know nothing of world."  I said, my mouth opening before I could think.  "She looked lost and mentioned you Professor.  We thought to help her get back to you as soon as we cou...

Rule 1.  Ignore gp values, character wealth by level and keeping track of gp altogether. Rule 2.  Can your character justify what they own at 1st level?  No 1st level character owns any sort of outrageous magical gear. Rule 3. There are seven kinds of wealth: Poor, Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class, Wealth, Very Wealthy and Super-Rich.  Only people who are Middle Class or higher can own magic items or create them.  Only those who are Very Wealthy or higher can own artifacts. 1st level characters begin at Poor status.  If a Character takes the Rich Parents trait or the Noble Scion feat, instead begins play at the Upper Class status.  Any character with a rank in a Perform, Craft or Profession skill begins at Lower Class. Rule 4.  Anyone can only any item, any time.  However, if those of your status are normally allowed to own a magic item or artifact, you don't fear the danger of owning such items.  Anyone lower than Very Wealthy ...

This is a prestige title set in Crux, the City of Curses.  Click here for more information on that.   Maister of the True Art: The Destreza Prior to the advent of firearms, martial schools flourished throughout the Maru Sea.  The Destreza is one such school, native to Crux.  The Destreza are known for their miraculous skills, capable of acts that border on actual magic, so much so that some confuse Destreza with Magi.  Some of them are, but most often Destreza just learn how to use their martial arts to subtly warp reality around them. The Destreza specialize in what they consider to be the beauty of swordplay and martial arts.  To a Destreza, each time a blade moves or a combatant maneuvers, it needs to be done to find the truest way that could be done.  There is a true art to what they do, and uncovering it is one of the biggest motivations of the Destreza.  These days they are so few in number that this search for the True Way often falls i...

Status: A Wealth Variant This is a variant that replaces the need to track coins in Pathfinder.  It doesn't replace magic items or anything like that.  It just focuses on replacing coin tracking and some very minor item stuff.  Status eliminates the coin tracking in normal Pathfinder with a system that assumes wealth is more complicated than simple numbers, using abstract categories to explain what and what not some people can do.  Wealth here is a series of permissions, unlocking options based on which category you belong to. This system assumes some trust from the players- something I as a GM prefer over being restrictive.  Permissions and distrust serve no one.  The goal is to have fun, and I just want to remove some accounting from my games.  Most of this variant is about removing coins as costs for items.  Minor items are just free items, and have the least amount of cost to obtain in terms of time. I'm going to go instead with this ...

Regions of the Crux In Brief Here are some of the regions of Crux.  Each region is comprised of dozens of neigborhoods and districts, landmarks and streets.  These aren't the only regions in Crux.  There are many more, but these ones are of most interest to Crux's Icons. Blood Quarter:  A region of the Crux under city populated primarily by vampires and their Dhampr descendants, located beneath Havershill and Old Crux.  The most important Icon in the Blood Quarter are the Blood Barons. Wish Quarter:  On the outskirts of the southern edge of central Crux, the Wish Quarter is located along the refuse, landfills and industrial garbage heaps that only the poorest on the edge of Crux can afford.  The most important Icon in the Wish Quarter is the Archwitch. Havershill:  North of the Skullmount, over looking the Sleeping Straits is Havershill, dominated by old ruins and tall, magically constructed apartments and towers.  The most important Icon ...

The City of Curses So, I've done a lot of  World-building for Crux .  I've got races, nations, histories and all sorts of things going on for it.   The Center Cannot Hold series  of posts focused on a Macroscopic setting reveal of Crux, going sort of stroke by stroke on the world Crux occupies. But what about the City of Curses?  It sits at the center of the World right?   Stuff about Ainesia is nice and all.   In Crux, how does all that information on  Maliph  and Ainesia interact?  Hows does the ancient city deal with its  Othebean  roots?  Which neighborhoods like  androids  and which riot over them?  Where are its  Ursyklon  ghettoes, its  Tengu Aerie-Towns , its foreign hideaways? I've written up factions, but where are the big named NPCs?  The rumors or stories?  The faces that haunt this town?  Sure, there are  Dhampr , one might ask, but another could pointe...