[19:11] <+Sam_Rikard> So for the formal introduction. Hello everyone, I’m Sam Rikard. I’ve written a few novels. Done some work in a castles and crusades expansion, and a few other small contracts here and there. I’ve spent the last several years building an original concept D20 game that simplifies the rules, while grounding it with the fantasy systems we all love.
[19:12] <+Sam_Rikard> The Eldarlands D20 RPG is in production and currently on Kickstarter with the hopes of getting me out of my day job to write full time. Whether it’s a successful campaign or not, this book is going to happen.
[19:13] <+Sam_Rikard> I suppose I’m open for questions.
[19:13] <~Dan> Thanks, Sam_Rikard!
[19:13] <~Dan> The floor is open to questions!
[19:13] <+Sam_Rikard> Noproblem, Dan
[19:13] <~Dan> Is this a setting as well as a system?
[19:14] <&Doctor> (link?)
[19:14] <~Dan> (Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895250179/the-eldarlands-d20-rpg)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895250179/the-eldarlands-d20-rpg
[19:15] <+Sam_Rikard> The setting can vary greatly. All of my novels are bases in the game world, and they cover a several thousand year period. im working on an accurate timeline, but we’ve always refered to it as 7 cycles. each cycle lasting around 4k years. But the game does not have to be played in the world I created. In fact, I’d perfer players to make their own.
[19:15] <+Sam_Rikard> Thank you Dan
[19:16] <+SirGene> How do you handle Character Generation?
[19:18] <+Sam_Rikard> One of the things I developed the game to do is allow for the broadest possible spectrum of character creation. I don’t like cookie cutters. When a party groups up and 3 people play a rogue, there is only so much they can do without stepping on each other. In this system, if the entire party were to play a rogue, they would all be extremely different characte
[19:18] <+SirGene> OK, how does that work?
[19:18] <+xyphoid> is this a D20 OGL game?
[19:20] <+Sam_Rikard> We have a roll for stats system. Once you’ve assigned your ability scores, with modifiers, they get spent like points into 12 sub stats. Everything is modified by these substats. Skill points are pretty simple, only you can save them to purchase additional feats, talents, ability increases and other cool things
[19:20] <+Sam_Rikard> It will fall under the OGL when its finished. and yes, D20
[19:21] <+SirGene> I will ask what everyone ask. Gotta Character Sheet for us to see?
[19:21] <~Dan> Well done, SirGene. 😀
[19:22] <+SirGene> I say Slay the Dragon and worry about the rest later!
[19:22] <+Sam_Rikard> The largest chapter will be races. I’ll have all the standard races, along with several others. And each and every race will have the ability to evolve into it, like cross classing.
[19:22] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. Give me one moment and I’ll link it.
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[19:23] <~Dan> (Howdy, LevLafayette!)
[19:23] <+LevLafayette> Hi Dan, what’s on the agenda today?
[19:23] <~Dan> LevLafayette: (Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895250179/the-eldarlands-d20-rpg)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895250179/the-eldarlands-d20-rpg
[19:23] <+xyphoid> so wait, you’re after a year’s full-time salary for this project?
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[19:24] <+SirGene> I agree he may be a little ambition for a first Kickstarter Campaign. Also I don’t care what he uses the money for as long as I get what I pay for.
[19:24] <+Sam_Rikard> That was the goal. I’m in the process of shifting to a full time author. This was nothing more than a long shot and making it happen quicker.
[19:25] <+Sam_Rikard> (Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bzcd88SakybsTks4S0FBX1NFUk0)https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bzcd88SakybsTks4S0FBX1NFUk0
[19:26] <+SirGene> My first campaign failed, and I scaled back and succeeded the 2nd time. My suggestion would be to do this in stages. Release a basic game and add too it. Not only would you have more chance of succeeding. I think you would build more audience.
[19:27] <~Dan> Looking over the character sheet here…
[19:27] <+Sam_Rikard> I figured the 30k target was a bit much. But that’s my target to quit my day job and write full time. I made a decent amount with my novels. But not enough to live off yet.
[19:27] <+xyphoid> i don’t quite understand hte finances here
[19:28] <+xyphoid> like you’re offering printed books shipped worldwide
[19:28] <+Sam_Rikard> Can you narrow down your question a bit, so that I can better answer it?
[19:28] <+xyphoid> aren’t you going to also need to spend KS funds to print/ship stuff as well as living costs
[19:30] <+Sam_Rikard> I will. I’m already a published author. Printing the books wont be that big a deal. All in all, the project wont require an absurd amount of money. I just need to buy my time so I can finish it quicker.
[19:30] <+SirGene> Well I would like to know who your printer is so I could use them.
[19:31] <~Dan> What’s your thinking behind the attribute divisions (e.g., Strength into Brawn and Body)?
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[19:32] <+Sam_Rikard> I publish with New Babel Books. Just recently broke into my first self pub. I’m looking at about $14 per book.
[19:33] <+Sam_Rikard> The split started with a conversation about the Intimidate score, and just kind of took off. Brawn and Body were kind of difficult to narrow. One implies muscle tone, while the other is brute strength. You can have one without the other. Dex became agility and accuracy. and so on.
[19:34] * ~Dan nods
[19:35] <~Dan> Do you treat combat as a function of skill or of class?
[19:36] <+Sam_Rikard> The only thing I can say about the money is that I don’t expect it to be a successful campaign. If it is, great. It puts me exactly where I want to be so I can do what I love without having the work 18 hour days to achieve the same amount of production. I would be extremely surprised if it’s successful. Either way, I’m making this book, and all my others.
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[19:36] <~Dan> (wb, LevLafayette)
[19:37] <+Skullz> I’ve got a million questions. Firstly, $14 a book? You said that’s through New Babel?
[19:38] <+Sam_Rikard> It’s a mix of the two. You’ll see there is no base attack bonus. Basiclly, if you want to hit something, you roll a d20 and add your modifiers into the roll, same as before, only without bab. Your target will also roll a d20 and add their ac score into it. Who every has the highest number wins.
[19:38] <+Sam_Rikard> That’s the print cost I was quoted. Haven’t done any more digging into it since then.
[19:39] <~Dan> So do you increase combat ability as you would a skill?
[19:39] <+Sam_Rikard> Many factors improve combat ability. Weapons, feats, class abilities, stats, the list goes on.
[19:40] * ~Dan nods
[19:40] <~Dan> And you use damage reduction for armor, correct?
[19:41] <+Sam_Rikard> This system plays just like D&D 3.5 or pathfinder. Only the rules don’t contradict each other, and it has as minimal stagnant numbers as possible, which makes for smoother game play.
[19:42] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. Armor subtracts from damage, each time damage is receives. It can be locational. Certain things stack, others don’t
[19:43] <+Sam_Rikard> And certain weapons have what is called DR Penetration, which ignores a set amount of damage with each hit.
[19:44] <~Dan> Do you use increasing hit points?
[19:44] <+Skullz> How does the Level / Class / Race system work?
[19:46] <+Sam_Rikard> Hit points is a unique system. It never made sense why your class was solely responsible for hit points. In this game, Hit points are decided by your race. The more hardy the race, the more hit points you have. You will also receive a set amount of hit points from your class, in addition to your vitality and any feats taken.
[19:46] <~Dan> Sensible.
[19:47] <~Dan> Do hit points increase with level progression?
[19:47] <+Sam_Rikard> This keeps hit points on par and lower levels, but slowly recedes at higher levels, to account for skill.
[19:48] <+Sam_Rikard> Level is determined by experience points. Race and class are player choice. Though it’s fully customizable.
[19:49] <+SirGene> So what makes 3 different Rogues different more than any other game?
[19:49] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. Odd levels, a character receives their racial hit die roll + their class bonus + their vitality + misc.
[19:49] <+Sam_Rikard> Even levels they receive everything except their die roll
[19:51] <+Sam_Rikard> Everything about this game makes them different. Their stats, their skills, the feats they take, but probably the most notable difference is the archetypes. Each class will have a set number of archetypes to follow, though being customizable, they do not have to stay to one path.
[19:51] <~Dan> Can you give us some examples?
[19:54] <+Sam_Rikard> I’m still ironing out that particular portion of the book. But I’ll give it a shot. If you take a triangle. One corner is a fighter, one corner is a rogue, and one corner is a caster. You have other classes between these lines, for things such as a cleric or ranger. But imagine you have 4 triangles atop of each other. Any combination is possible and balanced
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[19:55] <~Dan> (Howdy, Le_Squide!)
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[19:56] <+Sam_Rikard> The goal here is to allow any possible class combination, while keeping them on par to the others. It works so far, but I haven’t finished play testing that part.
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[19:57] <~Dan> Hmm. So, for example, “cleric” would have multiple archetypes?
[19:58] <+Sam_Rikard> The reason there are 4 triangles is because there are 4 types of magic. Arcane, Divine, Psionic, and Soul. Each one will be available, and each one operates on a point system, opposed to a spells per day. This allows casters to stay in the fight a bit longer and adds the usage of mana potions. But they can be addictive if abused.
[19:59] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. It functions similar to the 5th ed archetypes, but you can pick and chose what you want instead of having to follow the simgle list.
[19:59] <+Sam_Rikard> single*
[19:59] <~Dan> So can you give an example of a cleric archetype?
[20:02] <+Sam_Rikard> I haven’t named them yet. But lets say you want to play a battle cleric, you can select which tree you wish to follow in order to be the best at what you do. But lets say halfway through you want to be a healer type cleric, you can simply jump to another tree and advance through the ranks. The only thing to this, you cannot wipe the previous abilities.
[20:03] <+Sam_Rikard> It works kind of like the ability trees in Diablo 2. Only your class serves as the prerequisite, so you don’t have to start at the bottom of one tree to get an ability at the top
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[20:03] <~Dan> (wb, Doctor)
[20:04] <&Doctor> ty
[20:04] <~Dan> On a related note, how do you handle multiclassing?
[20:05] <+SirGene> I’m not seeing how this makes 3 Rogues completely different more than any other game.
[20:05] <+Sam_Rikard> It works just like it would in D&D.
[20:07] <~Dan> Can you describe what Soul magic is?
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[20:08] <+Sam_Rikard> The rogue can follow the path of the informant, the thief, the assassin, or another, which I haven’t named yet. It’s still a d20 game, and rogues are still going to follow similar standards. But the character customization allows them to serve a wider range of functions than a singular rogue class would.
[20:10] <+xyphoid> are you keeping 3e prestige classes on top of that?
[20:10] <+Sam_Rikard> Soul magic is basically the power of the gods. In the storyline, the gods first created a race called the Itish. they were powerful, equaling the gods. after a long and bloody war, the itish were banished or killed. But some of them hid away. After that the gods created the eldar races, where arcane, divine, and psionics were present, but not as powerful.
[20:11] <+Sam_Rikard> In short, soul magic is the power of creation.
[20:12] <~Dan> What sorts of things can it accomplish that the other kinds can’t?
[20:13] <+Sam_Rikard> I have to balance them, so in truth, they can all do the same thing, just in different ways. Soul magic is kind of a cross between psionic and divine, if you want to look at the mechanics.
[20:13] <~Dan> Really? That’s an interesting mix.
[20:15] <~Dan> Do you offer any twists on the standard fantasy races?
[20:15] <+Sam_Rikard> It functions off power points, like psionics. But with divine and arcane using mana, its not that big a deal. But it effects the world like divine does.
[20:16] <~Dan> What distinguishes mana points from power points?
[20:16] <+Sam_Rikard> All standard races are available. All the eldar races are available, the Dalari, Devonie, D’Zhuni, Dragons, Elementals, and Itish. But I’m also including the sub races from each race. In addtion to the evolved levels each one offers.
[20:17] <+Sam_Rikard> There isn’t much of a different. It just limits how much a caster can do before they’re spent.
[20:17] * ~Dan nods
[20:18] <+Sam_Rikard> and its better than the confusing spells per day system
[20:18] <~Dan> I certainly agree with that.
[20:18] <+SirGene> That is true.
[20:18] <+xyphoid> do you regain points over time or nightly?
[20:20] <+Sam_Rikard> 8 hours of sleep for a full restore. Mana potions. Certain items can store additional points. and in game nodes or fountains can be used. But over use of artificial mana can have permanent consequences on the character. Characters can also cast from their ability scores if they must. But it can easily result in death.
[20:21] <+SirGene> I kind of like the Negative Consequences for dabbling in magic.
[20:22] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. the usage of potions has also aided in profession type skills. It wives them a purpose, where before they were little more than storyline stuff.
[20:22] <+Sam_Rikard> gives*
[20:23] <~Dan> I see that there are skills for using magical and psionic devices. Interesting.
[20:23] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir.
[20:23] <~Dan> I assume that doesn’t include magic items that enhance normal abilities, like magic swords?
[20:23] <+Sam_Rikard> skills arent typically required for those type of items.
[20:24] * ~Dan nods
[20:25] <+Sam_Rikard> One thing the ability system has done, it allows magic items to target specific traits, instead of overshadowing a certain one. I use this a lot with Dex. Better to give the archer a boost to accuracy and leave his agility as is. Keeps me from over powering them.
[20:26] <~Dan> “Trait” refers to the attribute divisions?
[20:26] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir.
[20:27] <~Dan> Does the core rulebook include a bestiary?
[20:27] <+Sam_Rikard> In addition to feats, we also have talents, which are typically taken only at first level, but can be learned with additional skill points, as can ability increases. There are also bloodlines, which can have beneficial effects on your character.
[20:29] <+Sam_Rikard> As of now, no. Maybe one day I’ll do a monster manual of sorts. But for now I don’t intend on it. Instead I’ll have all the conversions listed so you can port over ANY d20 character, beastie, or other creature from another game.
[20:31] <+Sam_Rikard> I basically took every d20 game I’ve every played. Put them all into a blender and picked out the pieces I liked from each. Then I wrote the rules to make them all function in unity. the past decade has been very successful with this game.
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[20:31] <~Dan> What are some other adjustments you’ve made to d20?
[20:34] <+Sam_Rikard> Lets see, stat split. AC/DR, combat, skills, feat and talents, race, class, magic, there really isn’t much else I can think of. I’ve done some movement modifications based on agility, but that’s trival.
[20:36] <+Sam_Rikard> Aside from this book, I helped develop the magic system in a castles and crusades expansion, as well as a few other small pieces here and there. But those don’t count for this project.
[20:36] <+xyphoid> have you pulled any systems ideas from outside the D&D space?
[20:38] <+Sam_Rikard> Monte Cook, Midnight, Pathfinder, D&D, Dragon Lance, Warcraft, Farscape, and a few others have helped aid in this. I took many of the ideas from these books and formulated them to work in this system.
[20:39] <+Sam_Rikard> Though a great many simply came from post game discussion as well. I can’t claim all the credit. My group has helped a lot over the years. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
[20:40] <+Sam_Rikard> For anyone interested in some of the stories that have taken place in The Eldarlands world, you can find most of it on my website, (Link: http://www.samuelrikard.com)www.samuelrikard.com
[20:40] <~Dan> So let’s say you’re able to make a living at this. How do you see the game developing?
[20:43] <+Sam_Rikard> That’s a tough question. For starters, I’m a novelist first. that’s where I want to make my living. Gaming is a big part of my life and will remain so, but it’s more my escape and meditation time. I haven’t put much though into future development after this book. I simply wanted to make something that
[20:43] <+Sam_Rikard> others could enjoy, as I have.
[20:44] <+Sam_Rikard> If it ends up being a huge success, I see no reason why I couldn’t write additional materials, but I’m designing this book to be a stand alone. When its finished it should be the only book needed to play a full and in depth campaign.
[20:45] * ~Dan nods
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[20:45] <&GKG_Alan> Good plan 🙂
[20:45] <&GKG_Alan> I approve
[20:45] <+Sam_Rikard> I have a library of rpg books. We rarely touch them. If I can make it all fit into one book, I’m happy.
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[20:46] <~Dan> Is most of your experience with D&D-based games?
[20:47] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. I’ve been gaming for about 20 years. first time was 2nd ed. then 3.0 to 3.5. we looked at pathfinder and others, but it’s always been d&d based, regardless of the books being used. I’ve played some white wolf, serenity, starwars, and others. But I cant claim to know them nearly as well.
[20:48] <+Sam_Rikard> We didn’t bother touching 4th ed. and be bought 5th ed, but haven’t played it
[20:48] <~Dan> Yeah, 4th edition didn’t do much for me.
[20:49] <+Sam_Rikard> There is another game that out called, Tortured Earth. We’d done some looking into it, but haven’t gotten arounf to playing it yet. Though it looks interesting.
[20:49] <~Dan> Is that d20-based?
[20:49] <+Sam_Rikard> I think so, but its a very unique style.
[20:50] <+Sam_Rikard> my brother knows more about it than I. He was the one pushing to try it. If memory serves, its a levelless d20 system.
[20:50] <~Dan> Interesting.
[20:51] <~Dan> In what remains of regular time, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?
[20:52] <+Sam_Rikard> Nothing I can think of. I’d love for my KS campaign to be successful, but I’ve never figured it would be. I was raised to work for what I have, so crowd funding seems like cheating to me. But I figured I’d give it a shot. Maybe I’ll get lucky and be able to live my dreams a bit sooner.
[20:53] <+Sam_Rikard> Though I’m very stuborn. Once I set my mind to something, I gets done no matter what. This book will be printed one way or another.
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[20:53] <+SirGene> Sam I think doing your own game is admirable. Don’t plan of failure. But you should scale back and do it in steps.
[20:54] <+SirGene> Perhaps you ought to do your game in Drive Through RPG
[20:54] <+Sam_Rikard> Thank you, sir.
[20:54] <+Sam_Rikard> I’m afraid I dont know what that is.
[20:54] <+Skullz> Sam: Contact me outside chat when you can. I’d like to talk with you.
[20:55] <+Sam_Rikard> Will do.
[20:55] <+SirGene> Just as a marketing thought. NO one cares about your living expenses or needs. Put out what you need to get the project done and see if they support it.
[20:56] <+SirGene> Google Drive Through RPG, Vanity Publishing for RPG’s and such.
[20:56] <~Dan> Thanks very much for spending time with us, Sam_Rikard!
[20:56] <~Dan> No need to run off. I’m just going to wrap up the “official” chat and get you a link to the log.
[20:56] <+SirGene> Thanks Sam. Good Night all
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[20:56] <+Sam_Rikard> Yes sir. I’d initially set it at 10k. Figured that would be more than enough to make it. But that didnt account for a short time span. and upon reviewing other RPGs it looked like it might be a good number. Perhaps I’ll try it again some time.
[20:57] <~Dan> And as a reminder to the readers, my tip jar is here: (Link: https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/the-gmshoes-tip-jar/)https://gmshoe.wordpress.com/the-gmshoes-tip-jar/ 🙂
[20:57] <+Sam_Rikard> Thank you guys for joining in. It’s been a pleasure.
[20:57] <~Dan> Likewise!
[20:57] <~Dan> Just a sec, and I’ll get you that link…
The Hardboiled GMshoe's Office 