Hello all,
First time poster here, but I've been a fan of BBF for about a year and have been actively fiddling with the system for the past week or so. I'm not certain exactly why, but BBF has grabbed my attention as the best system with which to fulfill my yearning to run Earthdawn again using a simple, fun, fast system.
I know this goes against BBF's core idea, but I've tried to create skills that mirror Earthdawn disciplines, but that also can be taken by non-adepts as regular skills. I've tried to follow the spellcasting model: where you select a skill as primary, you get additional benefits from it.
If you want more information on Earthdawn, try Earthdawn Panda for a brilliant site.
Anyways, all of this is a work in progress, and I'd love any feedback the community could provide.
Next up: Earthdawn Races.
Cheers!
ToferC
BareBones Fantasy RPG is not associated with Skaldcrow Games' Bare Bones Multiverse, despite similar names. Check out Glenn's products by clicking here.
Cut down as all the info is in the PDF.
Cut down as all the info is in the pdf, below.
I recommend finding out what Earth Dawn classes can be represented by existing skills combinations, and then find those classes that are not fairly represented by the current skills and see if you can create skills to fill in gaps for several classes, perhaps two skills to a class or, failing that, then and only then creating a skill to match a class. The fewer skills to represent the greater number of classes, the better.
For example, a Beastmaster might be a Scout Primary and skilled Enchanter Secondary, with a flavor focus on animals.
Cut down as up to date info in the PDF, below.
Cut down as up to date info in PDF, below.
Hello Ascent,
Thanks for this. I started off doing this, having the weaponsmith being a warrior / enchanter, but there were many areas where this didn't really work or the character would need 3-4 skills to get the right of abilities. Also, because in Earthdawn each discipline is a philosophy or way of thinking, I wasn't sure how the mix & match would carry the feeling of the setting vs. having separate disciplines, but with easily added secondary abilities.
Finally, some of the skills just seemed much more effective than the others. The core idea I'm going for is that by selecting ANY skill as an adept and primary, you're going to get some kick-ass abilities, and then you can add other skills for more mundane abilities and flavour.
Again, I know this goes against the core concept behind BBF, and I'm not sure if it was the best way to do things, but it seemed to work for a first draft. Do you have any specific suggestions after reading the discipline skills?
It is certainly an interesting approach. Like you say it is not really like what BareBones intends but it is an interesting approach to the Problem. I was wondering how you would convert a setting where the classes basically are woven into the mythology of the world and a "real" thing and not only an abstract concept like in DnD. Well done on that front. I haven´t played Earthdawn since a dozen years round about, hence I can´t really comment on how well you have translated the classes. It is a good start. For easy of reading I would suggest putting it in a PDF though. Because this wall of text is really draining ;)
Not to worry, ToferC. The game is a new creature. It begs to be expanded or modified. I've certainly made several modifications and expanded rules. There are certainly to be all sorts of offshoots. Besides, Bill and Larry encourage such things.
Alright. It's ugly, but I've converted the (8 pages!) text into a PDF for easier viewing. Please consider this version 0.1. There are probably a few typos and the skill balance has been eye-balled, but I haven't considered everything as a whole yet. For example, what happens when you have a high level Warrior with a blade forged by a high level Weaponsmith who also has access to one or two Swordmaster maneuvers. Could get ugly. :)
NEW DROPBOX LINK for v0.2.
As always, comments and constructive criticism welcome. :)
Cheers,
ToferC
Under Wingling, it says "threads" instead of "threats".
The T'skrang image has a white field around it.
Dwarf has "Infravision", but Troll has "Heat Vision" and its description references Dwarf. Why not just give it the same ability name and description as Dwarf?
I'll take a close look at the skills later.
I went through and gave it another revision. Main changes are in Air Sailor, Archer and Scout disciplines.
Access to the file is now here.
Cheers!
ToferC