Servbot
2011-10-17, 11:26 AM
So then, I've been eyeing the GURPS system after reading through my Malazan Empire books again these past few days. It has been... quite a read, and I feel overwhelmed again by the setting that I'd like to try and see if there isn't some way to make a gaming system that can, at the very least, set up a simple version of it.
So I took to GURPS Lite. I do have access to the basic set and all, having bought them on a whim quite some time ago, but I've always liked the simplicity in systems that are easy to understand. When you need to first do research in the umpteenth degree just to be able to join an RPG, it becomes a bit of a joke to me.
So then. GURPS Lite. I think the standard set of stats will work just admirably, and indeed, so long as the races are restricted enough it should work fine. Meaning, no Thelomen Toblakai, no T'lann Imass, no Jaghut or Tiste. Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting, although those are likely the most fierce offenders of the balance inherent to any system!
Right then. Regular stat system, people are Humans. None of this D'ivers business or other legendary figures. Squalid humans.
All of this works out admirably and, indeed, I think it's possible to host a game based on it... but I stumble at the Magic system. I've done the following:
All Magic is drawn from Warrens.
Warrens are headed by Ascendants (human Warrens), Gods (Elder Warrens) and Primal Spirits (Wickan Warrens). Of these, there are Mages (AscWar), Sorcerers (GodWar) and Warlocks (Wickan). Of these, there are also Priests: whereas the three aforementioned casters draw out the power, the Priests kneel down for that power and receive it as a gift, as they ask for.
Typically priests need less talent as they can receive as appropriate from their Gods, etcetera.
Anyway, that's not the crux of the problem: rather, it's the diverse magic. I want to emulate that without bogging down the players with a rules system complex enough to rival the history omnibus of 0 to 2000 AD.
So then, is there anyone who has knowledge of an elegant way to provide players a wide range of powers while at the same time regulating the powers they can bring to bear so that it is not too restricting (creativity should be duly awarded) without making it limitless and boundless.
I am at a loss.
So I took to GURPS Lite. I do have access to the basic set and all, having bought them on a whim quite some time ago, but I've always liked the simplicity in systems that are easy to understand. When you need to first do research in the umpteenth degree just to be able to join an RPG, it becomes a bit of a joke to me.
So then. GURPS Lite. I think the standard set of stats will work just admirably, and indeed, so long as the races are restricted enough it should work fine. Meaning, no Thelomen Toblakai, no T'lann Imass, no Jaghut or Tiste. Probably a bunch of others I'm forgetting, although those are likely the most fierce offenders of the balance inherent to any system!
Right then. Regular stat system, people are Humans. None of this D'ivers business or other legendary figures. Squalid humans.
All of this works out admirably and, indeed, I think it's possible to host a game based on it... but I stumble at the Magic system. I've done the following:
All Magic is drawn from Warrens.
Warrens are headed by Ascendants (human Warrens), Gods (Elder Warrens) and Primal Spirits (Wickan Warrens). Of these, there are Mages (AscWar), Sorcerers (GodWar) and Warlocks (Wickan). Of these, there are also Priests: whereas the three aforementioned casters draw out the power, the Priests kneel down for that power and receive it as a gift, as they ask for.
Typically priests need less talent as they can receive as appropriate from their Gods, etcetera.
Anyway, that's not the crux of the problem: rather, it's the diverse magic. I want to emulate that without bogging down the players with a rules system complex enough to rival the history omnibus of 0 to 2000 AD.
So then, is there anyone who has knowledge of an elegant way to provide players a wide range of powers while at the same time regulating the powers they can bring to bear so that it is not too restricting (creativity should be duly awarded) without making it limitless and boundless.
I am at a loss.