[Q&A] Connor Alexander & Derek Pounds (Coyote and Crow)

[27-Jan-21 07:32 PM] connorhalo#2266
Hey, I’m Connor Alexander, creator and owner of Coyote and Crow, a tabletop rpg set in an alternate future where colonization never happened. I’ve been a gamer since the late 70s and been working in board games since 2014. I currently work at PSI, a game distributor, as my day job. I live in Seattle currently. With me is Derek Pounds, my partner in crime in this adventure. A lead writer and developer.

[27-Jan-21 07:33 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
I’m Derek, Connor hired me to research and write the nation that formed in the Pacific Northwest, mostly in the Salish language group. Since them I’ve been a bit of a gofer, helping out where I can.

[27-Jan-21 07:33 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
A lead writer and developer makes me sound more impressive than I am.

[27-Jan-21 07:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
The game is helmed by a Native team when it comes to content creation and representation is a huge priority for us.

[27-Jan-21 07:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
And Derek is being really modest

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[27-Jan-21 07:35 PM] connorhalo#2266
To be a little more clear and specific, the game centers on the Americas, roughly 100 years in the future. However, the past is different than ours. Europe never settled here and a massive climate disaster changed history entirely.

[27-Jan-21 07:35 PM] connorhalo#2266
This was a great way to create a game focused on Natives, to give them a story that isn’t set in the past or in worn out tropes and to let our cultures flourish, untangled from colonialism.

[27-Jan-21 07:36 PM] connorhalo#2266
It was also important to create a system that wasn’t built on a pre-existing systems. We wanted a system that we could call our own.

[27-Jan-21 07:38 PM] connorhalo#2266
It’s also not a dystopia or a cyberpunk style future, although I’ve heard it referred to as NativePunk. The closest popular media examples I’ve seen are Wakanda and Horizon Zero Dawn, although neither of those is totally accurate either.

[27-Jan-21 07:38 PM] connorhalo#2266
I think plenty of Natives already have a dystopian world around them so I wanted to create one where things could still be full of adventure and mystery and challenges, but weren’t bleak on a day to day basis.

[27-Jan-21 07:39 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Nor is it a utopia. The world has real problems, political, environmental, and extraordinary. That’s why it needs heroes.

[27-Jan-21 07:40 PM] connorhalo#2266
Exactly. We also wanted to avoid any ‘noble savage’ tropes. Things are different. And in many ways better. But an RPG wouldn’t be any fun with out danger and drama, right?

[27-Jan-21 07:41 PM] connorhalo#2266
Thematically, it’s also important that the characters feel like heroes. I’m glad Derek used that word. Players should feel like their adventures are things that are going to be told to grandchildren by their grandparents for generations.

[27-Jan-21 07:42 PM] connorhalo#2266
We’ve got folks from more than a dozen tribes who have helped build the game and I’m really proud of where it is, how far it’s come, and the reception we’ve gotten so far.

[27-Jan-21 07:43 PM] connorhalo#2266
Not exactly an elevator pitch, but we had some ground to cover 😉

[27-Jan-21 07:44 PM] connorhalo#2266
Here’s the teaser video https://youtu.be/LLLmHw9jABk

{Embed}
Connor Alexander
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLLmHw9jABk
Coyote And Crow – An Introduction
This is our teaser trailer built for our Kickstarter which goes live on March 2nd, 2021.
You can find the Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/connoralexander/coyote-and-crow/
You can learn more about Coyote and Crow at: http://www.coyoteandcrow.net
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LLLmHw9jABk/maxresdefault.jpg

[27-Jan-21 07:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
And our Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/connoralexander/coyote-and-crow/

[27-Jan-21 07:45 PM] saintnexan#6715
(Just a reminder to give us a (done) when you’re ready for questions. 🙂 )

[27-Jan-21 07:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done!

[27-Jan-21 07:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
Hit me!

[27-Jan-21 07:45 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks, guys! The floor is open to questions!

[27-Jan-21 07:46 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
If you can’t tell he’s pretty passionate.

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[27-Jan-21 07:46 PM] saintnexan#6715
Can you give us an overview of the setting? What’s the world like?

[27-Jan-21 07:49 PM] connorhalo#2266
Yeah, so the core book focuses on our take of a city that really existed called Cahokia. In our version, it’s become a metropolis. It’s an open city full of trade and technology and is sort of a cultural hub of Makasing (the north American continent). While the city is the default starting place and what we’ll have the most content for, the rest of the nations of Makasing are given some description to (and will have focus in expansion books). From there, you can run a number of types/styles of campaigns -inner city intrigue (ala Shadowrun) or exploring out into unknown lands (ala D&D).

[27-Jan-21 07:50 PM] connorhalo#2266
Characters can have campaigns set around inter-tribal or international conflict or it can be about encountering the unknown and the mythical. When you think about it, our continent is massive. There’s a lot to do, see and experience in this version. And best of all, so many chances for Native writers to bring their unique voices to that idea.

[27-Jan-21 07:52 PM] connorhalo#2266
A big part of your question is what I didn’t want it to be. Which is – too well defined. I’m Cherokee and I didn’t want to create a book that told folks from other tribes how this future looked for them. So a big part of it for me was leaving room for other writers to come in and play in this sandbox and tell us how their tribes fared in this alternate future. What tools, ideas and history do they want to bring to it?

[27-Jan-21 07:53 PM] connorhalo#2266
So, I sort of set the stage, wrote out this alternate history and then let writers like Derek come in and really start to fill in the canvas.

[27-Jan-21 07:53 PM] connorhalo#2266
Crap. I mixed my metaphors.

[27-Jan-21 07:53 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 07:53 PM] saintnexan#6715
Does the supernatural exist in this setting?

[27-Jan-21 07:55 PM] KinokoKami#1416
A room could have a sandbox. Glass house build with tools to contain a sandbox. A stretched metaphor.

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[27-Jan-21 07:56 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
But a stretched sandbox just becomes a dirty floor.

[27-Jan-21 07:56 PM] connorhalo#2266
Absolutely. But we also are crafting it in a way that it’s optional and removed from any potential misappropriations. First, there is the Adahnehdi (the Gift). Basically it’s a process/ceremony that most people go through at puberty that gives them an ability beyond human capacity. That’s called your Path in the game. These abilities can be explained through both science and belief. An important part of the game is blurring those lines.

[27-Jan-21 07:57 PM] connorhalo#2266
The other part of the supernatural comes from real Native legends along with ones of our own creation. And those are in the book, but they only exist if the Story Guide chooses to include them. They aren’t canon in every campaign. Is the Stone Man real? Or is that just a story? A rumor? Story Guides can decide.

[27-Jan-21 07:57 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
You can use a hover drone to target your clairvoyance when hunting a water panther. If that’s sci-fi or supernatural is up to you.

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[27-Jan-21 07:57 PM] Sigurd#1115
Broad question but you’re not using D20 correct? What new mechanics have you implemented and why were traditional systems not a good fit?

[27-Jan-21 07:58 PM] connorhalo#2266
And again, we’ve changed them from the real legends in a way that we’re working to not cross any lines with tribes. Instead, we want them to feel like we’re giving them nods and tools, rather than just aping their stories.

[27-Jan-21 08:00 PM] connorhalo#2266
Traditional systems weren’t a good fit for one big reason – they weren’t made by Natives. So no, no d20. I’ve played with a ton of systems through the years and there’s something to be said for familiarity and simplicity but I also wanted dice and a system that felt like they were integral to this world. So, we have a custom built d12 only system. It’s built around creating a pool of d12s (say 4-5 at a time) and looking for certain success numbers. I like to say that ‘degree of success’ is more important than pass/fail in C&C

[27-Jan-21 08:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
What event(s) in history led to the current state of affairs?

[27-Jan-21 08:02 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
From my end, and why I’m especially excited about this game. The most popular RPG, and many of its successors, is intrinsically colonial in nature. A group of ‘civilized’ heroes are either helping another ‘civilized’ group that are beset on all sides by ‘savage’ and evil outsiders; or going into a wilderness populated by those evil savages again, and finding mysterious signs of advanced cultures that the PCs couldn’t believe are from the natives there.

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[27-Jan-21 08:02 PM] connorhalo#2266
Also, while we are thrilled at the idea of RPG fans playing our game and enjoying it, I also really hope to reach non-RPG fans, especially Natives who may have never picked up an RPG previously. If that’s the case, I don’t feel bound to pre-existing systems. Especially ones that are build on old school war games (which tend to be colonial in nature)

[27-Jan-21 08:02 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Mine being an answer to why a new system, not history.

[27-Jan-21 08:03 PM] connorhalo#2266
Hope that explained it Kael! On to your history question Dan!

[27-Jan-21 08:05 PM] connorhalo#2266
The Awis is the primary event. It’s the event about 700 years in the past that really changed history. In modern times people recognize that it was likely an asteroid impacting in somewhere where we’d think of as Nepal. It pushed the Earth into a mini-ice age, and impacted Europe, Asia, and Africa far more than the Americas.

[27-Jan-21 08:06 PM] connorhalo#2266
During that time folks in the Americas were hit hard by climate change, long winters, a permanant ice sheet coming down from the north, brutal storms and sea conditions. It took centuries for people to hang on and then slowly pull themselves back as the Earth healed.

[27-Jan-21 08:07 PM] connorhalo#2266
But along the way, folks started noticing a purple stain on things -anything that was living. Sort of a birth mark. On all plants and animals. Eventually, people learned to harvest it and in concentrations, it became the trigger for the Adahnehdi, which gave people their gifts. That REALLY accelerated change.

[27-Jan-21 08:09 PM] connorhalo#2266
So 700 years later, you have a healing Earth, seas can be traveled, the ice is retreating and you have people really starting to come out of their proverbial shell. They have all this technology and power. And suddenly, when you don’t have to worry about the weather or food as much, you start to worry about your neighbors and what’s on the other side of the ocean.

[27-Jan-21 08:10 PM] connorhalo#2266
So political tensions are rising, rumors are stirring that maybe those folk tales aren’t as metaphorical as people thought and you have abilities that are driving a massive technological upheaval. What could go wrong?

[27-Jan-21 08:10 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:10 PM] saintnexan#6715
You mentioned the unknown lands. Why are some lands unknown so far in the future?

[27-Jan-21 08:13 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
The environmental disaster disrupted technology, navigation, and travel for a long time. It’s effects can still be felt as the North American continent is slowly coming out of an ice age.

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[27-Jan-21 08:14 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Oceans that can be safely navigated are a pretty new thing in this world, so cultures were about to develop in relative seclusion.

[27-Jan-21 08:15 PM] connorhalo#2266
Great question. Two reasons here. First, they’re aware of the other continents. Advanced math and science is definitely a thing. But for centuries there were just too many issues nearby and the seas were too dangerous to cross. But then about 100 years prior to when the game begins, the weather eases up and enough of the day to day problems are being handled that folks start trying to venture out a bit. But..that doesn’t go well. Most folks don’t return. The ones that do are full of outlandish stories or are delirious. The reasoning for all of that is two fold. First, I think there’s a trope in most modern sci-fi fantasy that there’s an inherit nature in humans to ‘expand’. I think most Native tribes would argue against that. Second, it creates a scenario where we can leave it to the players and Story Guides to decide what’s on the other continents, what’s happened to them and why no one has heard from them.

[27-Jan-21 08:15 PM] connorhalo#2266
Derek gave the TLDR 😉

[27-Jan-21 08:16 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
I’m an editor at heart.

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[27-Jan-21 08:16 PM] connorhalo#2266
There’s a great coffee table discussion to be had around the idea of technology in general. Everything from the development of the wheel to nuclear weapons gets mentioned in the book – as to why it exists or doesn’t.

[27-Jan-21 08:16 PM] connorhalo#2266
Why one piece of tech leads to another or doesn’t.

[27-Jan-21 08:17 PM] saintnexan#6715
Speaking of which, can you describe the tech level of the setting?

[27-Jan-21 08:17 PM] connorhalo#2266
One of my favorite things!! Yes!

[27-Jan-21 08:20 PM] connorhalo#2266
So, the biggest thing are gats, which are basically biofueled 3d printers on steroids. Imagine being able to print out almost anything you need from extremely durable and complex plastics made primarily from corn and other easily obtainable things. But here’s the great part! let’s say you print out a mag-bow (more on that in a second). You use a generic schematic. But then, if you’re a bow crafter, you take that basic, stripped down thing and you make it unique, you craft on all your little touches. So you have advanced tech to print anything you want, but nothing feels generic. There are no ‘stock models’ of things, really. Ok, on to the mag-bow

[27-Jan-21 08:22 PM] connorhalo#2266
The mag bow is like a rail-gun but it’s a bow. And electromagnetic force plays a big part in the weapons tech. But so does solar, wind and hydroelectric, which powers flying vehicles, hovering barges and a host of other sci-fi items. The key here is that things are built to order, are almost all biodegradable and are built from renewable resources (because these people never went through a fossil fuel era)

[27-Jan-21 08:23 PM] connorhalo#2266
I’m kind of in love with the mag-bow. Even a real world compound bow can exert so much incredible force on an arrow and I love thinking about how much damage and range a good archer could get with something that can exert electromagnetic force.

[27-Jan-21 08:24 PM] connorhalo#2266
I’ll fully admit to being influenced by the Expanse. Not the specific tech, but the thoughfulness with which they went about applying their tech to their society.

[27-Jan-21 08:24 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:24 PM] saintnexan#6715
Is there any body modification, be it genetic or cybernetic?

[27-Jan-21 08:27 PM] connorhalo#2266
There is! Although that’s a touchy subject in world. I think part of the issue stems from real world body shame when it comes to people missing limbs. There’s an impression or a feeling that someone is “less” because they don’t have a leg for example. Here, people can replace a limb with a replica or an improvement, but it’s maybe a little controversial. Someone without a leg wouldn’t be treated as less than. So cybernetics are absolutely present, but they are not without some …issues.

[27-Jan-21 08:28 PM] connorhalo#2266
As for genetics, no. At least not like we see in sci-fi currently. But that’s something that could be a fun story topic in game. The science is there. Their COULD be genetic modification. Most people believe the Adahnehdi is a form of genetic modifciation…so maybe?

[27-Jan-21 08:28 PM] saintnexan#6715
Speaking of which, what kinds of powers does the Adahnehdi provide?

[27-Jan-21 08:30 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
When putting together characters I try to think of them like X-Men. Most have a single extraordinary power, ranging from mind control to adahnehdi fulled rage that grants them inhuman strength.

[27-Jan-21 08:32 PM] connorhalo#2266
Great question. In terms of mechanics, when Players choose a Path, it gives them two Stat bonuses (there are 9 stats). Each Stat has 3 different abilities related to it and thematically connected to that stat. Players can choose any 1 ability from either of their two affected stats. So, for example a strength related ability is Warrior’s Rage. basically a hyper adrenaline that allows for damage boosts. For things like social stats there’s Coyote’s Gaze, which allows the player a form of supernatural charm, rendering their targets susceptible to suggestion. So, 9 stats, 3 abilities each, 27 abilities in the core book. But more will be added in future books as the abilities are expressions of the animals that the gift has been culled from.

[27-Jan-21 08:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:33 PM] saintnexan#6715
What animal provides mind control?

[27-Jan-21 08:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
And thanks for Adahnehdi correctly 🙂

[27-Jan-21 08:34 PM] connorhalo#2266
It’s a tough one

[27-Jan-21 08:34 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Coyote’s Gaze was the ability I was referencing.

[27-Jan-21 08:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
Ah, I see.

[27-Jan-21 08:34 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Coyote is a trickster figure in the default setting of the game.

[27-Jan-21 08:35 PM] connorhalo#2266
Derek is correct. So it’s stat related. So Coyote’s Gaze is a Charisma based Ability. So if you choose any path that has Charisma as a modifier, you could choose that Ability. It allows for a wide range of customization.

[27-Jan-21 08:36 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done (unless you need clarification there)

[27-Jan-21 08:36 PM] saintnexan#6715
Nah, I think I’m good there.

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[27-Jan-21 08:37 PM] saintnexan#6715
In terms of scale, how powerful do these powers get? Could you, for example, compare them to well-known superheroes?

[27-Jan-21 08:38 PM] connorhalo#2266
No, definitely not. I’d say Derek’s comparison of X-men is on target. Most folks have a single ability (although you can eventually get more). No one’s flying around there’s no one punching through steel walls. But they do allow a group of players to do things no normal group of humans could imagine.

[27-Jan-21 08:39 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
The game also assumed that the characters themselves are highly competent. The powers are a cherry on top. Super vision tacked on to Jason Borne.

[27-Jan-21 08:39 PM] connorhalo#2266
They also can’t be used freely all the time. There’s an expenditure of points activating abilities meant to discourage over use.

[27-Jan-21 08:39 PM] saintnexan#6715
Who are the characters? Is there any built-in assumption about what they’ll be doing in the game?

[27-Jan-21 08:41 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
The core mode of the game is the players representing a Suyeta. Combination special ops team/regional marshals. From their home base they are sent to investigate and deal with threats all over their country.

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[27-Jan-21 08:41 PM] connorhalo#2266
The game’s default set up for characters are sort of a combination of marshals/bounty hunters/diplomats that work for the city of Cahokia, but that’s just to give new folks an easy jumping off point. There are six ‘classes’ in the game called Archetypes (Warrior, Scout, Tinkerer, etc) but they are very loose and not binding in any real way.

[27-Jan-21 08:42 PM] connorhalo#2266
Folks don’t have to go the Suyeta route if their Story Guide has other ideas. It’s an easy way to motivate a party of new players to stick together.

[27-Jan-21 08:42 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:42 PM] saintnexan#6715
Oh, regarding tech, I forgot to ask: Has anyone succeeded at space travel?

[27-Jan-21 08:43 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
(I’m gonna be running a team of con-artists/spies from the PNW making trouble for the other nations)

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[27-Jan-21 08:43 PM] connorhalo#2266
No one and no country has officially admitted to going into space….;-) “Why go where you can’t breathe?” is a common answer in game.

[27-Jan-21 08:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
But…that all may be changing. If a nation or group sees a benefit or a way to get a leg up…..? Which is a big part of the games ‘changing politics’ situation. Now that the climate has eased, the gloves are coming off.

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[27-Jan-21 08:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
See that? I made a pun.

[27-Jan-21 08:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done.

[27-Jan-21 08:45 PM] connorhalo#2266
And Derek, I wanna see that group!

[27-Jan-21 08:46 PM] saintnexan#6715
Aside from the animal powers, is there any other form of magic? Rituals, perhaps?

[27-Jan-21 08:46 PM] connorhalo#2266
Love your questions BTW. You’re nailing all the stuff that kept me up at night for the last couple of years.

[27-Jan-21 08:46 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks! Not my first rodeo. 😉

[27-Jan-21 08:49 PM] connorhalo#2266
So, there’s a Skill in the game called Ceremony. It’s currently written in a very generic way that we wanted to make sure non-Natives can use. There’s an option for Native players to adapt things like Ceremony to their tribes traditions and modify the effects. But “Magic” starts getting into areas where to define it one way is to start excluding certain tribes and their beliefs from the game. We’re working hard on making sure that the game is structured enough to feel like you can ground it, but open enough that Natives can still feel free to adjust it to their liking. Short answer: No magic in the D&D sense. Longer answer: It depends on the Story Guides and the beliefs of the players.

[27-Jan-21 08:49 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done.

[27-Jan-21 08:50 PM] saintnexan#6715
Speaking of beliefs, does the setting have a definite cosmology, or is that all up to individual beliefs?

[27-Jan-21 08:50 PM] connorhalo#2266
Feel free to add your thoughts there too Derek. I feel like that’s a big question.

[27-Jan-21 08:51 PM] connorhalo#2266
No, outside of the historical timeline and some myths we’ve created based on that timeline (the game is named after a short story I wrote about how Coyote and Crow helped the Great Spirit during the Awis), the game is left open in those terms.

[27-Jan-21 08:52 PM] connorhalo#2266
Especially because we’re planning on Central and South American expansion books that will feel VERY different.

[27-Jan-21 08:52 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Right now my head is ringing with the paw patrol theme song. But yeah, as an example in my game will allow for ceremonies to communicate with Loons and Orca.

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[27-Jan-21 08:53 PM] connorhalo#2266
That’s excellent! Great example Derek.

[27-Jan-21 08:53 PM] saintnexan#6715
Does the game include a bestiary, and if so, how extensive?

[27-Jan-21 08:55 PM] connorhalo#2266
It does! I’d say not massive in the intro book. Part of that is a space issue as the book is already clocking in at around 250 pages. We’re including human NPCs, real world animals, fictional groups and organizations, mythical creatures and spirits. A handful of each. Enough to get folks started. The regional expansion books will definitely expand on those. There’s so much amazing lore in real world Native stories, let alone all of the things we can create from whole cloth for this world.

[27-Jan-21 08:56 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:56 PM] saintnexan#6715
What’s your favorite mythical creature in the book?

[27-Jan-21 08:56 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
That’s been one of my favorite parts of this process. We’re all having fun digging deep for myths. Every game that mentions us fills the world with Wendigo, Sasquatch, and Skinwalkers. And those are cool and have a place here. But learning about and trying to figure out how to implement Dry Fingers, Killer Flounder, and Jogah has been educational for me. (Note these may or may not appear in the book, tbd)

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[27-Jan-21 08:58 PM] connorhalo#2266
Oooh. Yeah, I definitely have a favorite. I took the traditional character of the Raven Mocker from Cherokee lore and spun it into something else. If you’re Cherokee or just familiar, you’ll recognize it, but I really like my modern spin on it. Currently called a Raven Wizard, but I’m going to come up with something with more flair. lol

[27-Jan-21 08:58 PM] connorhalo#2266
😉

[27-Jan-21 08:59 PM] connorhalo#2266
Kalu Kyeki, in the in game language

[27-Jan-21 08:59 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 08:59 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Oh, and my favorite beast is the Flying Head. Just a huge human head with magic powers that flies. If the makers of M.O.D.O.K. didnt read native myths I’d be surprised.

[27-Jan-21 09:00 PM] connorhalo#2266
Derek, I’ve been meaning to tell you. We need to include those!

[27-Jan-21 09:00 PM] saintnexan#6715
Do you have a character sheet that we can see?

[27-Jan-21 09:02 PM] connorhalo#2266
You know, I do…but I’d ask that you take it with a grain of salt as these are beta test pre-gen characters and much of this is still a WIP (including the sheet itself, which is being redesigned right now)

[27-Jan-21 09:02 PM] connorhalo#2266
Should I just drop a PDF in here?

[27-Jan-21 09:02 PM] saintnexan#6715
Sure, you can do that.

[27-Jan-21 09:02 PM] saintnexan#6715
And understood, re: the sheet. This is just to facilitate talk of the system.

[27-Jan-21 09:03 PM] connorhalo#2266
Sample Beta Pregen Character for Coyote And Crow

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https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/804184904992555059/SPOILER_Aten.pdf

[27-Jan-21 09:03 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
It’s a strong game, but even now we’re going through rounds of playtest and updating things. Connor has described it as the “kill your darlings” phase and it’s been a little brutal.

[27-Jan-21 09:03 PM] connorhalo#2266
I marked it as spoiler…because?

[27-Jan-21 09:04 PM] connorhalo#2266
Keeping it 100, if I have to burn the whole thing down and start again to get a good game, I will.

[27-Jan-21 09:05 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
We won’t, the bones are solid as a Flint Coat

[27-Jan-21 09:05 PM] saintnexan#6715
So at a glance, this looks to be a fairly conventional attribute + skill system with a familiar attribute breakdown.

[27-Jan-21 09:05 PM] connorhalo#2266
You know the way into my heart Derek.

[27-Jan-21 09:06 PM] connorhalo#2266
Yep! It shouldn’t be a shocker to any RPG’er who’s been around the block.

[27-Jan-21 09:06 PM] connorhalo#2266
I wear my influences and loves on my sleeve lol

[27-Jan-21 09:06 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Mostly, there’s some more flexibility in the stat/skill combos, and the XP system is very non-standard.

[27-Jan-21 09:06 PM] saintnexan#6715
Can you describe the basic task resolution system?

[27-Jan-21 09:09 PM] connorhalo#2266
Yep! Aten is a great example for that. Aten wants to use a bow, specifically his mag-bow. On his sheet, his total there is 8, so he grabs 8d12 (that’s pretty high btw) and changes two of them from Standard (white) d12s to Major (grey) d12s because that’s the effect the weapon gives (under equipment). So, 6 white, 2 grey. The number Aten wants to roll is determined by the target’s Physical Defense. Let’s say 9. Player rolls, every thing 9 or higher is a hit and the number of Successes determines damage.

[27-Jan-21 09:10 PM] connorhalo#2266
1s are crit fails and take away a success. Nat 12s are crit hits and add an additional d12 upgraded.

[27-Jan-21 09:10 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
By design characters are highly competent, to match the levels of threat they’re expected to face. Most of the time when you roll you’ll succeed, but the question is will you make the right choices up to those points.

[27-Jan-21 09:11 PM] connorhalo#2266
Yep, like Derek said, you”re likely going to get a success, the question is how many successes did you need?

[27-Jan-21 09:11 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
brb, the floor is lava.

[27-Jan-21 09:11 PM] connorhalo#2266
HA

[27-Jan-21 09:12 PM] connorhalo#2266
There’s also ways after you’ve rolled to affect the actual dice roll. It’s called Focus and you spend points from “mind” (listed just below the stats). Point for point you can change a die value. you can’t change crit fails. But it allows for players to craft epic moments.

[27-Jan-21 09:12 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done.

[27-Jan-21 09:13 PM] connorhalo#2266
Hopefully that all made sense

[27-Jan-21 09:13 PM] danhunsaker#2553
Slipping in just long enough to ask the dreaded Question™. What is your least favorite aspect of Coyote and Crow?

[27-Jan-21 09:14 PM] connorhalo#2266
HAHA Dan, you sneaky so and so.

[27-Jan-21 09:15 PM] connorhalo#2266
Currently, and this is something we’re digging into in development right now really hard, I’m not a fan of how long it takes for a single player to resolve their action. It’s not chart heavy, but it feels fiddly to me. Some gamers like that (Shadowrun players will love it), but for me, I want players new to RPG to be able to get a lot of story and feel out of a single action. At the moment, it feels ….30%? too slow.

[27-Jan-21 09:16 PM] connorhalo#2266
I think one of the worst things for players new to RPGs is wanting to do something but waiting for 20 minutes while everyone else finishes their actions.

[27-Jan-21 09:16 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done.

[27-Jan-21 09:17 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Personally I’m a fan of the omnicompetent toolbox style character. Since PCs are intended to work in teams, while it can be done specializing a little is the better choice.

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[27-Jan-21 09:18 PM] connorhalo#2266
Also, thanks for the italicization Dan. I feel so…authentic 😉

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[27-Jan-21 09:18 PM] saintnexan#6715
Good answer!

[27-Jan-21 09:18 PM] saintnexan#6715
How does combat work?

[27-Jan-21 09:19 PM] connorhalo#2266
Well…that’s a can of worms. You’ve done it now.

[27-Jan-21 09:19 PM] connorhalo#2266
Let’s talk initiative.

[27-Jan-21 09:19 PM] connorhalo#2266
I hate it. HATE IT.

[27-Jan-21 09:20 PM] connorhalo#2266
But…necessary evil, at least from what I can tell. At least the core concept of who takes their action first.

[27-Jan-21 09:20 PM] saintnexan#6715
You have to start somewhere.

[27-Jan-21 09:20 PM] connorhalo#2266
Exactly.

[27-Jan-21 09:23 PM] connorhalo#2266
So, we decided to at least remove the randomness from it. Everyone has an initiative score from 1-12. Players individually choose their initiative after the Story Guide has assigned numbers to the NPCs. Players can discuss. Actions are resolved from highest to lowest. Ties are broken by highest initiative score. You might want to chose a high score if you’re fast or a low score if you want to wait to see what others do. Everyone gets one primary action (*exceptions) and any number of secondary actions as long as they don’t conflict. Primary by definition involves a dice pool. So – attack = primary, move, talk = secondary.

[27-Jan-21 09:25 PM] connorhalo#2266
Once the round is over, everything cycles again. same initiative scores. Players can choose to give up a primary action to change their initiative score for the following round. You can’t choose an initiative higher than your score.

[27-Jan-21 09:25 PM] connorhalo#2266
How many times can I say initiative in this Q&A

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[27-Jan-21 09:25 PM] connorhalo#2266
?

[27-Jan-21 09:26 PM] saintnexan#6715
How is damage determined?

[27-Jan-21 09:26 PM] connorhalo#2266
Done

[27-Jan-21 09:26 PM] connorhalo#2266
number of successes. You got five successes with that bow hit, the target takes five Body

[27-Jan-21 09:27 PM] connorhalo#2266
Get to your negative Endurance score and you’re pushing up daisies.

[27-Jan-21 09:27 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
“HP” are not high in this game, and as mentioned before successes are common. It’s no 1st Ed L5R, but combat is dangerous.

[27-Jan-21 09:28 PM] connorhalo#2266
Indeed it is! But healing is also pretty quick as well. The damage should feel dramatic rather than ultra realistic.

[27-Jan-21 09:28 PM] saintnexan#6715
If damage is just determined by successes, what impact do weapons themselves have?

[27-Jan-21 09:28 PM] connorhalo#2266
Weapons upgrade your dice (currently) upgraded dice give more successes.

[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] connorhalo#2266
Also, certain weapons have critical hit effects.

[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
And greater chance of narrative changing crust

[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Crits.

[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] connorhalo#2266
mmmm crust. I miss carbs. I’m on a whole 30 diet right now and I’m dying.

[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
The crust is delicious but rarely has effect on the narrative.

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[27-Jan-21 09:29 PM] saintnexan#6715
In the time remaining, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?

[27-Jan-21 09:31 PM] connorhalo#2266
Yeah, just a couple of things. First, while we’re a team of Natives we’re also a team of nerds who love RPGs. So it’s equally important for this game to be something that gamers can dig into and something that Natives can see themselves in.

[27-Jan-21 09:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
Second, we’re thinking big over here. Of course it’s dependent on the Kickstarter success but we have ideas beyond expansion books, dice, maps and campaign books. I’ve got plans for a board game and an expandable card game. I think this world we’re building has a lot to offer and lots of room to grow. I’ve created a fair amount of media in my day, but this is the thing I’m far and away most proud of and excited for.

[27-Jan-21 09:33 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
I want this game to be for everyone. Everyone should be able to imagine a future that might have been, and remember that we are living thriving cultures.

I know that I feel squidgy sometimes sitting around a mostly white table and playing Japanese or African inspired heroes, but you have my personal permission to explore what being Native American means in this setting.

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[27-Jan-21 09:33 PM] connorhalo#2266
Well said, my friend.

[27-Jan-21 09:33 PM] saintnexan#6715
Usual reminder: If you’ve enjoyed this Q&A and would like to treat me to a coffee or two, you can do so at https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe. Anything’s appreciated! 🙂

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[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks very much for joining us, guys!

[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] connorhalo#2266
Thanks so much for your time, Dan! This was a lot of fun. Great questions!

[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you guys will hang out with us whenever you like. You’re always welcome. 🙂

[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
Hòy7sxwq’e, this has been fun.

[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
If you’ll give me just a minute, I’ll get the log posted and link you. 🙂

[27-Jan-21 09:34 PM] connorhalo#2266
Thank you so much! Wado!

[27-Jan-21 09:35 PM] connorhalo#2266
Will do!

[27-Jan-21 09:35 PM] Tallyrand (He/Him)#6501
(Yeah, my language has 7s, it threw me off too)

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