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tooley1chris

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Posts posted by tooley1chris

    Summoning demons and spirits

    in Magic World

    Posted

    This is so often the case when a bunch of rules are thrown together into 1 set. 4 people working on it with specialization in individual aspects. Stuff gets mucked up occasionally. 

    Thank goodness the system mechanics are so adaptable and forgiving.

    Honestly for some of my MW supplements I was pulling my hair out trying to differentiate between one set of rules and another to make it work. Trying to figure out what makes the most sense. Then I EVENTUALLY remember that it's an RPG that's supposed to be fun. Make it make sense (balanced) but try to leave in the fun part. Some of my supplements probably don't make sense to some. That's alright. Use them or don't, but hopefully there's SOMETHING there that helps make it fun for the players and (sometimes) for the Chroniclers. Gotta be fun for both, afterall. 

    If I had ONE piece of advice for either in the BRP system based games it would be that. Don't try to rationalize every written word. Every "rule". Make it make sense in a way that makes it enjoyable at YOUR table. If something seems over/under powered then add a bonus asthetic that makes it COOL AND FUN.

    I once wrote an entire Necronomicon of spells (that I could NEVER post here because of reasons) for a player who wanted to play a necromancer in the Southern Reaches of all places. It utilized a LOT of the core spells/material and made some of the spells look REALLY cool without a lot of mechanical benefits over the original spells. Fun was had by all. That's what it's all about.

    As a side note, I'd like to apologize to a lot of the very patient people on these forums that I've riddled with "Rule" clarifications over the years. You know who you are😀

    [download]Ancient Shadows

    in Magic World

    Posted

    I love that Southern Reaches setting are still being written up. Thank you for your continued support!

    There's so much open ended material that can STILL be written for this wonderful world, even if it was meant as an example. It's wonderful!

    • Like 1

    Tooleys Underwhelming Projects

    in Magic World

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Nick J. said:

    Congrats on publishing your book @tooley1chris I wish I could say I was interested in sci-fi, but I do wish you luck. The previews look really nice. Clearly another labor of love.

     

    Thanks for your kind words.

    If QUASAR got as many downloads as my Big Damn Book of Monsters did, I'd be as giddy as a school girl 😀

    But alas, I knew it was a smaller market when I started the project. Fantasy is where it's at! 👍

    I just really enjoy creating 🤷‍♂️

    • Like 1

    Converting BECMI - B/X D&D to BRP, suggestions?

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Atgxtg said:

    If you think MERP was crunchy, don't ever look at RollMaster RoleMaster. MERP was a streamlined version of RM.

    I found MERP wasn't too bad, but then I photocopied all the key tables(Attack Tables, Fumble Tables, Maneuver Table, Weapons Table, Price Tables), and stapled them to a 9 panel double sided GM screen I made from manila folders. 

    I played RM for a few years. Had all the Core and  Companions books. But I would have NEVER played it without Chargen and combat software😀

    Random Encounters

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    For years as a DM, GM, Chronicler, etc...I've loved random tables and charts. (Deck of Many Things is an all time favorite!)

    But now...I'd rather prepare something I think will be fun and challenging instead of rely on a die roll.

     Such charts are finding their way back into systems with Solo games (and I guess that's necessary if you're playing by yourself and need random factors) but I think you and your players will find it more enjoyable if you have a few custom encounters planned out ahead of time that THEY will find challenging or interesting.

    Something I've always done with preprinted "adventures" is tear into them beforehand and find ways to make them more fun. If your table requires a more random element, you do whatever it takes to make it fun, but I think you'll find they'll enjoy it more if you've planned ahead and have something nasty waiting for them 😎

    • Like 1

    How to apply difficulty modifiers (Easy/Hard)

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted · Edited by tooley1chris

    I find at my table my players ALREADY know if a skill roll will be easy, or the opposite side of the spectrum, difficult. I think adding these variables to the mechanics has two or three possible results.

    •The scene is more dramatic=win

    •The scene shows off the characters great skill=win

    • The scene is a fatal mistake=funny

    Anything that adds to the fun (or tension) =WIN... even if occasionally it's a fail.

     The biggest thing to remember is its NOT you (the Chronicler) against them (the player). These are your friends (or acquaintances if at a tourny) Either way the end result is for everyone to enjoy the scenario.

    My players still talk about amazing successes AND stupendous, ridiculous  failures their characters have had over the years. Even a decade later those stories still come up. Tension. Excitement. Success. Failure. Laughs.

    That's what it's all about.

    • Like 1

    Converting BECMI - B/X D&D to BRP, suggestions?

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted · Edited by tooley1chris

    Maybe it's been said already but BECMI is a fun system as is. There are quite a few good fantasy systems for BRP, as I'm sure many have pointed out, Classic Fantasy is most excellent. But as a wise group member here once told me, if you wanna play D&D play D&D. If you want to play fantasy BRP play Magic World. It's easy enough to incorporate small changes without breaking the game 👍

    There's a bunch of great fantasy systems outside the D&D family and BRP as well. MERP was a favorite of mine for a long time. Way...WAY crunchier than D&D or BRP but still fun. 

    Finding the right mix is important for the Chroniclers. But everyone having a good time is what's most important.  

    • Like 2

    List of Professions anywhere?

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted · Edited by tooley1chris

    Ok. I first wanna say I've spent way too much time making "profession" fan books to say this but professions always bothered me (at least in Magic World)

    I know medieval people usually had a profession they were either born into or apprenticed in, but one of the things that brought me into the BRP Fold was it  being skill based progression. Few player characters "set up shop" until they're ready to retire (at least in my groups. Maybe we're weird) 

    I actually took professions out of my Quasar Core book, relying on education instead. Your character might have been trained in a field but is not limited by it. Hell. Personally my first profession was aircraft mechanic. Then I went to school for professional photography.  I did both thinking they were careers. I'm doing neither now. I know real life isn't RP but professions always seemed too close to "classes". That's why I LEFT D&D.

    early '80s: RQ + Traveller = Star Frontiers ? (also: sci-fi aliens that are ALIEN)

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    Star Frontiers was one of my first Sci-fi TSR games. I REALLY wanted to like it and DID like the premise and the races but the core book was lacking SO MUCH. (Where the hell was ANY starship info?🙄)

    I should point out this was WELL B4 I knew anything about BRP (MUCH to my chagrin).

    I thought Gamma World was a much better D&Dish mechanic...buuut I should say Star Frontiers (and even FASA Trek) might have inspired some little pieces of my Quasar System. I tried to leave a lot "open ended" so the Chroniclers could make it "their system" but a bit of SF is there. 😎

    QUASAR A science fiction space opera universe

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    So I've been thinking about what happens AFTER all the QUASAR book releases. (2 more to go!)

     I'm thinking a couple "adventure" modules to help Chroniclers introduce players to a new version of BRP Space Opera.

    The idea that is sticking out first and foremost in my mind is a space horror.

     I'm a sucker for Event Horizon.  Xenos are fun, all out war between two races is a possibility, but something more... tentacly...seems like a better possibility for gaining some traction in this genre.

     Something...other worldy in the far future, instead of the norm men wearing fedors and beanie hats, without stepping on toes.

    What do the masterminds of this group think?

    Should I stay in my lane?

    • Like 1

    QUASAR A science fiction space opera universe

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    Thanks to everyone supporting my new project! 

    After putting out so many free fan made projects in the Magic World grouping it's really weird to ask for $.   I've spent so many hours, (as have many of you!) creating new materials to help spread BRP love and hopefully bring others into the fold...well, it's nice to see some love in return!

     I've been seeing a lot of people share things they're working on. I hope others will take advantage of the ORC and help our family grow! 

    QUASAR is my first real step in that direction.

    Hope you find a use for it!

    • Like 2

    Notes for Book Publishing

    in Alastor's Skull Inn

    Posted

    Who has experience with Print on Demand? I used LuLu to get my ISBN but have only published on DTRPG.

    LOOKS like POD on DTRPG is a bit of a pain, takes longer, and might not be as good quality as LuLu.

    Wondering what thoughts are in this from experienced user, please. 

    QUASAR A science fiction space opera universe

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Rich Tom said:

    Just picked it up, like 15 minutes ago. On an Initial leaf through, it looks good. I'm reading it now. The wife is out over the weekend on a course and I have a little time for some in depth reading. I might even get to play, if I can empty Sunday afternoon.

    Well done Chris. Excellent!

    POD in the future perchance?

    Thanks for the kind words. Working on print on demand now👍.

    I want a hardback copy 😀

    QUASAR A science fiction space opera universe

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    On 10/28/2023 at 6:45 PM, Tolemykus said:

    Anything about the narrative available yet? Such as the 'galactic politics' and 'why they act?' type of thing? 👾😎

    There's over 40 races and dozens more "mapped" systems, some with individual governments and their own political structures. I'm leaving that VERY open the the Chronicler. I have however included a few political powers (large and small) to get the juices bubbling. 

    Attacks per round

    in Basic Roleplaying

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Atgxtg said:

     

    That's what Pendragon does. But then, Pendragon eschews attacks and parries and instead uses an opposed roll to determine who "wins" and does damage to the opponent, making splitting skill risky as it could lead to taking more damage.

    As far a BRP goes the biggest worries I'd have over slotting attacks below 100% would be with unexpected magical or situational skill boosts, or multiple attacks on the run. For instance a mounted PC with Sword 60% could do an attack on the run attacking a half dozen opponents at 5%+10% height advantage (15%) as he rode by.  But then a person could do that in real life. 

    EDIT

    Oh wait, what about missile weapons? Would you be okay with someone armed with a pistol (or anticipating what you might want this for, a laser pistol) firing off a half dozen shots in a round at some minimal percentage?

    Speaking of which, you probably want to have a minimal percentage, say 5% or even 10% for each attack to prevent someone from doing something cheap like taking an AR-15 and splitting 20% into twenty attacks at 1% each. 

     

    They would still be limited by the weapons rate of fire per round. 1,2,3, or burst

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