Character generation
So, aside from all this coding what have we been up to, you ask?
Well, gentle reader, I’m glad for your curiosity as I think you will be pleased with the answer.
With the major systems now in place we have begun testing character generation!
Yes, it is now possible to submit a background, get it approved and then start buying stats and gifts for your character. At the moment this is limited to humans and vampires, but we hope to be able add shapeshifters to this mix soon.
At this time we are still populating the Gift and Lore databases, largely based on what characters are being created. We’re working closely with the players to build gift trees that both give them the abilities desired for the character and have ample room to grow. Wherever possible we also try to insert ‘easter eggs’ that the intrepid players will be able to discover with a little thought about what Lores and Gifts they learn and buy once on the grid.
The downside to this is that the process is a bit slow as the players have to wait on use to create the Gifts and Lores. On the flip side of this it’s all but guaranteed the character will be very close to the player’s vision.
Also, as we do this we are uncovering bugs and better ways of doing certain things, so those slow things down somewhat. Though the incidence of those is declining steadily.
So! If you have a cool character idea and can be patient and work with us, please come and apply for a character.
System Overview
This post is as much for my benefit as for that of any potential players reading it. I want to explain the system for the curious and to force myself to take a step back and look at the whole instead of being mired deep in the code of a particular part.
So! As we’ve alluded to out system is heavily influenced by that of Road to Amber. I can’t call it a clone, it’s more of a reverse engineering modified to what I think we need for Mission Hill.
First, the character sheet. There are three sections of it: the 4 stats (which describe the character’s aptitudes at very tactics for overcoming problems), the Gifts (which tend to be things inherent about the character, such as being a vampire, or being able to do magic, but can also be items and learned preternatural abilities), and Lores (which tend to be learned things like how to use a sword or what you know about werewolves).
Stats are independent of the other sections and each other.
Gifts and Lores are both somewhat hierarchical: as one obtains Gifts or Lores new ones become available. On RtA some Gifts have Lores as prerequisites, though the reverse does not seem to be true.
As far as character generation goes, the steps are as follows:
1. Pitch a concept/background. Once it’s approved CG can be entered.
2. In CG Stats and Gifts are purchased in accordance with the concept and background.
3. Staff determine and set the character’s initial Lores based on the concept & background.
4. Finishing touches (+finger, public background, description, etc).
In addition to the public background viewable by everyone, players will have the option of setting backgrounds (which I called concepts in my comment to the previous post) which require a particular Lore at a certain level.
Shotgun Progress Report 2
More policies in +news? Check.
Inching toward Character Generation? Check. But it’s hard not to rush forward when one’s head might split open for the well of new-sprung ideas.
Fleshed-out staff positions? Yes. And might I add I’m looking forward to getting more staff. (Interested? Please stand up.)
Brilliant ideas? (Jonquil just told me had yet another one.) Check-check. (Note to self: LORES . No +info, and I hope this translates later.)
Distracted? Sometimes.
Overwhelmed? A bit.
Excited? Incredibly so.
Tired? Beat.
Resisting the siren-call of slumber in order to write a wimpy update? Obviously.
Overall, things are going well.
