maxvonpuppet.bsky.social
Hi, I'm Chris. I'm 50+, a husband, father of a trans kid, and I play TTRPGs and RPG and Survival Craft video games. He/Him
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I guess what I am really saying is trying to mash together cozy mystery and epic fantasy is hard. But also, that's what makes it fun.
#writing
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Or I could go with a more standard murder mystery, and have the murdered wizard be killed because he cut someone out of his will, or he stole his most famous spell from someone else? It still works for a good story. Just not sure if that's what I want to do. #writing
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My original idea for a fantasy murder mystery was "Imagine that Gandalf, while in the library researching the ring, was murdered by agents of Sauron, and then another Wizard comes in to investigate what happened." I could still go with that here. #writing
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Now, onto the plot. The question here is how strongly do I want to lean into fantasy tropes? For example, is the murder related to a "returning darkness," or some kind of "chosen one" idea? Or is the magic and non-humans fantasy enough, and the story should be more cozy mystery murder? #writing
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Emmet Otter the RPG. Nice.
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Grandma was great in this video, too! Loved it.
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Given that he's not currently holding or running for public office, this is easy for him to say. I'm not holding my breath that he won't later bend the knee because he needs something.
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I mean, those aren't mutually exclusive ideas.
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I had originally thought they were refugees into the country as a result of a war 5 years ago, as that makes for some interesting in-built drama in the setting, but it also comes with some difficult politics that I would have to deal with. So, figuring out what to do from here. #writing
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How to they fit into the world? Are they equals to the humans, holding positions all through society and treated exactly the same? #writing
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What I am working on now is non-humans in the world. I want there to be non-humans, but who are they? Elves and dwarves? Orcs? Centaurs and satyrs? Something more from mythology, like Redcaps and Sluagh? Fairies? Something more original? #writing
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I mean, I thought the Squid Games: The Challenge was in bad taste...
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This is an actual reality show, and not, like, an episode of Dark Mirror, or something? Unbelievable. They made the Torment Nexus.
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Oh, man! I used to have these. I think mine had the new logo on them. Man, that brings back memories.
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Earlier in the campaign, they met Princess Arvia of the Crombe, who I am planning to have come to them. She has received intelligence about the gathering happening at the Haggler's House temple, and plans on going in disguise. She wants the party to come with her.
#TTRPG #ForbiddenLands #FreeLeague
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I guess what I was thinking was something along the line of the Rookie meets D&D.
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I don't think I've ever thought of the Harpers that way. I'll have to mull that over. It might, at the least, point me in a direction.
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Really like all of these, but my favorite one is that armored piece in the middle. Really fantastic design!
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I guess the other question would be what system to use? Or, if not an existing one, should I make up my own? Personally, I'm a fan of Villains and Vigilantes. It looks complex, but past character creation, it's a pretty smooth system. But maybe something like Savage Worlds would be better? #TTPRG
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My wife and I were really into that show in season 1, but never got past that. Similar, only I was thinking the PCs would be powered individuals. But, also, I really dig the idea of powered people not being costumed heroes, but like super strength working construction, or super speed delivery.
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I could make up my own stats, sure, but that defeats the whole purpose of having a monster book in the first place. I don't need dwarf stat blocks, because that dwarf guard is just a Guard with dwarf traits. And as of 2024, the same rule applies to orcs. And I think that's good. #D&D #TTRPG
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Here's why that matters. If I, as a DM, only ever buy the 3 core rulebooks (which is really all I ever need to play D&D forever), I need stat blocks for things that are not in the PHB, like centaurs or gnolls. Otherwise, I can never use them in my game, as monsters or NPCs. #D&D #TTRPG
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But what I find really interesting is this argument. "But there are other PC races in there, like centaurs or gnolls!" Okay, but none of those are CORE PC races. From a CORE rulebook. They're from OPTIONAL books. They're optional races, so they get dedicated stat blocks. #D&D #TTRPG
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So, honestly, I don't care about there not being a dedicated orc stat block. Orcs are a core PC race, it makes sense to me there isn't one. I can easily slap orc racial traits to any NPC stats block, and done. Or, if I don't want to, the 2014 stat blocks still exist, and are usable. #D&D #TTRPG
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See, though, according to the constitution, Congress establishes new government departments. Not the President.
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So, the NCAA doesn't get to decide for itself what happens in it's sports, the President of the United States get's to tell them what they can and cannot do...
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So, this provides my detective something to find, a residue, that also allows them to know what kind of magic was used. Or at least, what kind of power was used. I need more details, of course, but this is a good start, I think.
#writing
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3. Magic, by nature, isn't 100% efficent in it's use of power. So it leaves behind a residue. Lay lines leave behind a blue powder. Blood leaves behind a red powder. And life power leaves behind drained and dead plants. Maybe a green powder too?
#writing
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To that end, here's what I am thinking right now:
1. Magic requires a power source. Typical power sources are Lay Lines that crisscross the countryside, blood, or life force from small animals and plants.
2. Blood and life force are illegal (seems obvious, but I should delve into why later)
#writing
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I keep the LazyDMs Workbook at my table for just this reason. That and FantasyNameGenerator.com are my go to resources for NPC names.
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It might have something to do with Dear Leader Trump signing a EO punishing students for pro-Palestine protests. Because, you know, apparently fuck the 1st amendment.
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LOL. Yes, exactly! And it would be a unique evolved fantasy setting. I'd rather that than try to explain why elves and dragons exist but no one ever sees them.