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Differentiating characters more in human-only fantasy worlds

Started by jhkim, December 29, 2021, 07:03:33 PM

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Blankman

#15
December 31, 2021, 04:32:54 AM
Quote from: Aglondir on December 30, 2021, 11:12:13 PM

I don't know, it sounds too New Age-y to take seriously.
You think astrology being a real thing is too new age in a game with actual functioning magic?

PencilBoy99

#16
December 31, 2021, 11:57:08 AM
A lot of the  BRP game (Mythras, Runequest) have "cultural" packages you buy at character creation that give you different skills. Works well. One Ring gives you culturally exclusive talents.

Palleon

#17
December 31, 2021, 03:10:44 PM
Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 31, 2021, 11:57:08 AM
A lot of the  BRP game (Mythras, Runequest) have "cultural" packages you buy at character creation that give you different skills. Works well. One Ring gives you culturally exclusive talents.

Yes, this is something the more skill-based games seem to handle better.  The Modiphius 2d20 Conan read like it would do a good job here as well, but I have yet to get it to the table.

Slambo

#18
December 31, 2021, 04:40:19 PM
Quote from: jhkim on December 31, 2021, 01:04:41 AM
Quote from: Aglondir on December 30, 2021, 11:12:13 PM
Quote from: jhkim on December 29, 2021, 07:03:33 PMAs another option, I've thought that for a game closer to medieval history, PCs might have traits based on their Horoscope. With the strong belief in astrology, it could draw players in to thinking that their party could really use a Taurus to balance out the Aries and Virgo, say. If someone's astrology made a big difference to how they operated in play, it would highlight that part of medieval belief.

I don't know, it sounds too New Age-y to take seriously.

It's certainly a matter of taste. I would note that astrology can be authentically medieval rather than modern / New Age reinvention of the concept. I'm familiar with Chivalry & Sorcery, and Fantasy Wargaming - which both take star sign into account, but more as shifting stats around than a major difference in character. I don't know enough about real medieval astrology to do a historically accurate version - but I'd be curious.

I actually like the star sign idea. My own game has a list of special traits based on tarot cards (i use 2 alternate cards cause its annoying to roll a d22 but a d12 and a coin will do a d24 well enough). The actual only reason its based on tarot cards is i wanted some theme to rationalize  it and it made it easier for me to make.

Aglondir

#19
December 31, 2021, 04:57:14 PM
Quote from: Blankman on December 31, 2021, 04:32:54 AM
Quote from: Aglondir on December 30, 2021, 11:12:13 PM

I don't know, it sounds too New Age-y to take seriously.
You think astrology being a real thing is too new age in a game with actual functioning magic?

It all depends on the implementation.

Wrath of God

#20
January 05, 2022, 12:20:08 PM
I'd say while doing human-only RPG I'd probably add minor attribute differences between various ethnic groups just to annoy wokesters alone.
Then I'd also sort of removed actual cultures from those differences, just because your ethnicity is +2 Str and -2 Int, won't turn you into barbarians - culture arose from geopolitical conditions, not from biology alone (especially since those differences would be relatively small in population scope).
"Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon."

"And I will strike down upon thee
With great vengeance and furious anger"

"Molti Nemici, Molto Onore"
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