Setting idea!
Hello, everyone! So as you all know, I'm currently working on Broken Shores 2e, and as a matter of fact, today I finally wrapped up the exploration chapter. But I don't know what it is with summer that for some reason I always end up mulling about religious themes, and I was reading the Book of Enoch (again), when I got a really cool idea for a new game/setting. Now, this doesn't mean I'm going to drop Broken Shores and start working on a new game, I just wanted to write down what I thought could be the basis for a really cool setting, and share it with you. It's true when they say you should write what you know, because this sort of stuff feels super natural for me to write, the same way as last year with Choir of Flesh. And although it's very biblical, it's also very fantastic, so I think there's a lot of room to explore this strange, mythical land inspired by ancient Jewish and near-eastern beliefs.
So my question for you today is: should I pursue this, at some point? If I do, I would probably do so with a rules-light system, either Mörk Borg, or the dice pool system I came up for Salvage & Sorcery. I would want to focus on the setting itself and not worry about mechanics, since I've honestly haven't even stopped to think what the players would do in this setting. In any case, please read it, and let me know your thoughts!
Comments (20)
Dang, I forgot to vote earlier - today's update reminded me. Needless to say, I'm all-in on this one. I like the "Of blood and clay" title as well. Just get Broken Shores fully developed before you get to this one
Thanks! And yes, Broken Shores is my top priority, I'm so close to being done! Thanks for voting!
I will encourage you to take the weird, the strange and odd over the safe route anyday. You are skillful and insightful in a way that can make this a playable and developed roleplaying game instead of the myriad three-page-good-idea-one-shot-game authors.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm actually not worried about being able to make a good game out of this, I'm confident in my abilities. It's mostly a matter of time, I must finish other half finished projects before even considering jumping into a new one!
Heh I gave my thoughts on the discord lol. I dig it and I can see it being used in a modified Mork Borg rules set with an end-of-days condition, but I can also see this setting as being quite niche. You have KN with the classic dungeon crawl theme, Riftbreakers appealing to the MMO crowd, Machine Gods appealing to the MB and sci-fi fantasy meld crowd, Broken Shores appealing to the Water World and survival fans and those are just a few of the titles I’m familiar with from your library so far. Would this bring in more folks? I can’t say with certainty and while I like the idea, if it’s as a money-making venture I’m hesitant, but as a creative pet project then I say craft away!
Yes, it's the eternal conflict I have of balancing what sells with what I feel like writing cause I think it's fun, haha. Sometimes these two match (Ker Nethalas), but others it crashes and burns (Choir of Flesh, RHBF). I'm a bit broke right now so this is definitely not something I can pursuit at the moment, can't afford art for a new game.
Hmm, not really for or against it. I'm def FOR a chonky Salvage & Sorcery expansion, however :D
haha yeah, me too!
Hell yeah this setting sounds great!
Thank you!
Not going to bury the lead. Please use the Salvage & Sorcery system. I love that game as a trad rpg (haven't soloed with it). FYI Simon washbourne used a similar-ish system for Crimson Blades, which I love. Jason Vey did a Chainmail/OD&D derived retro-clone Conan fan project using the non-d20 system of resolution (its worth a look at grey-elf.com ). I love d6 driven adventure gaming and more is always better. In deed I want a full sci-fi space opera in the Salvage-verse. Get on that ok. LOL. Wink. Absolutely more of "Dust Breath" - I love a deep religious background for a setting as it helps flavour all the occult in the setting. I do think its one thing we frp'ers all misunderstand about the past ie just how pervasive religious thinking was and how its presence was ubiquitous. As modern folk in a much less religious era its easy to dismiss and underplay ( I have one lapsed catholic player who really wants to hate on religion in game, yet always plays Paladins and Clerics LOL) But I think its great if a core setting conceit is everyone is held in the 'tapestry" of religious "reality". weather they can literally see it (see "angels". "demons", "gods" etc) or not (simple "faith"). It makes a background more resonant if this mysticism is present.
Yeah next year I want to release a chunky expansion for Salvage & Sorcery, I love the game and it's done well enough. Thank you for your awesome feedback and thoughts!
Hi Alex and all of you here.....that's funny because I'm taking a break on KN these days while waiting to receive the Warrens soon( and also Carnage and S&S).As I own Sacrifice and its expansions,this afternoon I took a time to read again the rules and try to soak in a bit...For me, I think it is the good mix with religious theme, not sure I would enjoy Choir of Flesh for example...but I don't know if I will tell the same next year neither!... I know I'm still at the beginning with Solo play and a lot to discover and learn yet. I take the time it needed, don't always have much, your idea may be cool, I don't really feel I can give you an answer...My priorities are more on the one mentioned, Broken Shores, Warlord Ascendant 2d and as already said very curious and waiting for Frostbound Exiles! All of that can already take me a long way,...Very long! But I won't tell you that you have to forget anything...
Yeah this is definitely not a priority for me right now, I must finish other stuff. I just liked the idea and had to take it out of my system, haha. Thanks for commenting!
Just finished reading the doc and I agree with Mick, sounds cool but doesn't seem to be something your core patrons would be interested in
Yeah I don't know how I would approach gameplay if I actually sit down and write this... we'll see!
I'm not very fond of mix fantasy with history or religion. But if you do it, your S&S system is very cool, better than Mork Borg which is too dull for me.
I know, it's not a very popular thing to do, so we'll see if I actually move forward with this. Thanks for commenting!
I choose forget about it not because it doesn’t sound cool, but because I don’t think it will do well beyond your core patrons.
Haha yeah, that's a valid concern. We'll see what I do!