Adventurer's Companion - Speculation

[Fridokind Wargaug]

Most importantly though, the Callings need something to build or develop. A character should become a better slayer, treasure hunter, etc over time. The easiest way to do this is to create a list of virtues and rewards specific to Callings (which I think someone has posted here before, and I've made a list myself), but you could also make a new system for this that doesn't have to be too complex. For example, you could create a list of traits that can only be unlocked for certain callings by spending experience. Or, you could combine the two and invent a third statistic for Valour and Wisdom, and call it Expertise or Aptitude or something like that. Then you create three to five abilities for each Calling, akin to Virtues and Rewards, and call them Talents or something similar.

Just my two cents.

Great idea. After my exams (and before The World of Ice and Fire comes out ) I will work on something like that for my group.

[Stormcrow]

Callings give you your central reason for adventuring. This doesn't need mechanical trappings.

[Glorelendil]

Callings give you your central reason for adventuring. This doesn't need mechanical trappings.

I agree it doesn't need them, but it would be fun to have them. Mostly because I'd like to see more virtues and rewards, and not ones simply tied to new cultures, and Callings seem a great opportunity to create new non-general ones, across an axis different from the current ones so as to create a rich matrix of possible character designs.

(At the same time, I recognize that doing so makes it hard to ensure that you don't end up with overpowered synergies. E.g., Barding virtue X + Warden virtue Y = unintended superpower.)

[Andrew]

Thought I'd clarify: Ruins of the North is next, then the Adventurer's Companion. We'll talk about both in the not too distant future, I'm sure.

[Rich H]

I agree it doesn't need them, but it would be fun to have them. Mostly because I'd like to see more virtues and rewards, and not ones simply tied to new cultures, and Callings seem a great opportunity to create new non-general ones, across an axis different from the current ones so as to create a rich matrix of possible character designs.

... And lets not forget there are already mechanics that Callings use - favoured skills and traits, so it could be added to and would provide more mechanical drivers to an interesting part of a character allowing for more variations, like you say.

[Rich H]

[Edit] I just thought that the timing on this thread is appropriate. With the Lone Wolf KS out of the way and a week or so for the C7 crew to get that sorted it'll be time for a build-up for the next product.

... Lone Wolf is a bit more involved than that! The KS is only the beginning and will include backers as active participants in the playtest of the rules which we're aiming to get out to them for 1st October. It will be an active and engaging process but will be time consuming but very exciting and rewarding; I'm really looking forward to how things are going to be received.

Not saying it will impact on TOR's releases, I'm sure it won't, but I thought it worth mentioning just how interactive the development of Lone Wolf is going to be as I know many of us play other C7 games as well as TOR. Fun times for all of us Kai Lords!

[Falenthal]

I agree it doesn't need them, but it would be fun to have them. Mostly because I'd like to see more virtues and rewards, and not ones simply tied to new cultures, and Callings seem a great opportunity to create new non-general ones, across an axis different from the current ones so as to create a rich matrix of possible character designs.

... And lets not forget there are already mechanics that Callings use - favoured skills and traits, so it could be added to and would provide more mechanical drivers to an interesting part of a character allowing for more variations, like you say.

It would be a fun way to develop the game, without adding new things, but widening the ones that exist.
In the same line as we have cultural variations (Mirkwood Woodmen and Mountain Hall Woodmen), there could also exist variations of the Callings. A Treasure-Hunter might get to choose between 3 or 4 traits and 2 or 3 favoured skills.
It's not about adding new mechanics, but giving choices to players, the same way as you get to choose the starting weapons skills between two options or your traits among a group of them.

[Hermes Serpent]

Thought I'd clarify: Ruins of the North is next, then the Adventurer's Companion. We'll talk about both in the not too distant future, I'm sure.

Thank you Andrew for staying up late and monitoring the boards so you can give us this update. It's much appreciated. I tend to mine the published scenarios for useful bits that I put into my own adventures so Ruins will be less useful than the Companion to me but still appreciated for the art and flavour it will no doubt be filed with.

[Andrew]

Not saying it will impact on TOR's releases, I'm sure it won't, but I thought it worth mentioning just how interactive the development of Lone Wolf is going to be as I know many of us play other C7 games as well as TOR. Fun times for all of us Kai Lords!

As we've said many times before, work on one line rarely impacts on another, and Lone Wolf will be no exception - there are separate line developers, and mostly separate writer pools, on each. While the Lone Wolf Kickstarter has been going gangbusters, the One Ring team have kept themselves busy too

Thank you Andrew for staying up late and monitoring the boards so you cane give us this update. It's much appreciated.

Hate to disappoint you, but Total War: Napoleon till the wee small hours was the reason I was on so late

[Glorelendil]

Thought I'd bump this post with an idea that came out of another thread. Basic concept: "upgrades" for existing virtues. Each follows the model that already exists for virtues like Elf Lights, e.g. "spend XP, improve the virtue".

There are a lot of virtues, especially the ones that currently seem weak, that could benefit from having improved versions available for more XP. The easy version is just to increase bonuses or make them more versatile (e.g. "King's Men" Parry bonus in other stances). But even better would be abilities that get intentionally used, perhaps for a Hope point.