[23-Feb-21 07:33 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Guys! My name is Gavriel Quiroga, I created Neurocity and I am from Spain. Now I am campaigning in KS for my project Warpland. WARPLAND is a world that has been convoluted by the technology of an extinct civilization.
The sky has been turned into a mind bending kaleidoscope, occasionally delivering mutagenic maelstroms that change forever the appearance of both the landscape and its people.
Abysses have punctured reality, corrupting it all with their infectious energy while seducing with power those insane enough to listen.
Now, Humanity exists in a self imposed iron age where academia and scientific progress has been forbidden under penalty of death. Only those few brave enough to challenge anathema and the will of The Citadel dare to understand the past, seeking the discovery of ancient artifacts still hidden under crumbling ruins and forsaken temples.
{Reactions}
🖤
[23-Feb-21 07:33 PM] Gavriel#9659
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavrielquiroga/warpland
[23-Feb-21 07:33 PM] Gavriel#9659
done
[23-Feb-21 07:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks, @Gavriel! The floor is open to questions!
[23-Feb-21 07:34 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
How would you compare the game to Gamma World?
[23-Feb-21 07:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
(Howdy, @JeffZitomer! Long time no see!)
{Reactions}
👍
[23-Feb-21 07:36 PM] Gavriel#9659
Great question. Well they are both Science Fantasy I believe. But warpland is oriented more towards Sword & Sorcery, there is advanced technology but it is very rare and considered anathema. In both settings there are mutants, but in Warpland you also got demons and warlocks.
[23-Feb-21 07:36 PM] saintnexan#6715
So is there magic in this setting?
[23-Feb-21 07:37 PM] Henry#3418
Is this game its own system or more its own setting?
[23-Feb-21 07:37 PM] Gavriel#9659
There is Dark Magic. Gifts from the Void, the demonic entities from the other side. Its similar to Michael Moorcock in that sense.
[23-Feb-21 07:37 PM] saintnexan#6715
Nice.
[23-Feb-21 07:37 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Is this something characters can use?
[23-Feb-21 07:38 PM] Gavriel#9659
It is an original setting and we are proposing an optional system, the same we used with Neurocity but with a twist for more combat enhancement.
[23-Feb-21 07:39 PM] Gavriel#9659
Yes of course. Characters can be Warlocks, the problem with Void Gifts is that you can acquire Taint, a small essence of the Void corrupts your soul and slowly turns you into a dark being.
[23-Feb-21 07:39 PM] Gavriel#9659
So using Void Gifts is extremely dangerous.
[23-Feb-21 07:39 PM] saintnexan#6715
Can you give us some idea of how powerful Dark Magic is?
[23-Feb-21 07:41 PM] Henry#3418
As I understand Neurocity is for an advanced futuristic setting, how much of the setting is slave to this system? If it isn’t how did you free it from the constraints of a system designed for a futuristic setting?
[23-Feb-21 07:42 PM] Gavriel#9659
There are 15 dark gifts in the corebook. Anything from Shadow Portal, to Life Drain, Speaking with the dead, Viscera Seer. They are all very necromantic stuff.
[23-Feb-21 07:42 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
What are the advantages of playing humans vs. mutants?
[23-Feb-21 07:45 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Henry. Thats a great question. The main change was switching the Tension mechanic that related to stress and living in a dystopian system to Willpower, as measure of effort and spirit in a Sword & Sorcery setting. We have four stable playgroups testing the system for the last 6 months and they run their own campaigns.
[23-Feb-21 07:47 PM] Gavriel#9659
Jeff. For mutants we proposed a randomised system where you can either end having a few beneficial mutations or several flaws. I think the Mutant Epoch had something similar. So if you want to play it safe just choose to be a purebreed, also, mutants are somewhat discriminated in cities.
[23-Feb-21 07:48 PM] Gavriel#9659
There 20 mutants gifts, 6 complete mutations and 20 mutant flaws in the book
[23-Feb-21 07:48 PM] Henry#3418
Since this Willpower is core to the change can you expand on your answer and tell us about how will works?
[23-Feb-21 07:49 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Gamma World is an undefined world and most of the adventures are exploration. What kind of adventures should we expect in Warpland?
[23-Feb-21 07:50 PM] Gavriel#9659
Sure! You can spend Willpower to reroll one single dice of the 2d6 roll, you need to state that before making the roll. It is also a variable stat that comes into use when resisting mind magic or personality flaws.
[23-Feb-21 07:51 PM] Henry#3418
Does environment have an effect on a persons will?
[23-Feb-21 07:53 PM] Gavriel#9659
Jeff. My intention is to use Warpland as a vehicle to discuss mature themes. You have several forces in conflict, you have the Warp which is the perversion of Light, you got The Void seeking to destroy reality and you have a stable obscurantism sustained through religion which seeks to prevent humanity from acquiring scientific progress and fall on the same errors. Mix all that with Mutants and demons and you got a pretty cool cocktail.
[23-Feb-21 07:54 PM] Gavriel#9659
Exploration is of course a big thing as well. There are many ruins and artifacts of great power hidden in them.
[23-Feb-21 07:55 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Henry. There are great Warp phenomena called Maelstroms that change the landscape, mutate living things and also can cause severe mood swings. The book comes with a table for this effects. The sky, called The Aether, is a big deal in Warpland.
[23-Feb-21 07:56 PM] Henry#3418
Can these things be resisted with will or do they have an effect on it?
[23-Feb-21 07:57 PM] Gavriel#9659
Mutations need to be resisted by the Might stat, but mood swings and personality effects are resisted of course with Willpower.
[23-Feb-21 07:58 PM] Henry#3418
how would you describe your system? Rules dense, light or something else?
[23-Feb-21 07:58 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
how long after the apocalypse is the game set?
[23-Feb-21 08:01 PM] Gavriel#9659
Light, fast. and intuitive. You can learn it in 10min. Leaves room for everyone to concentrate in roleplaying while allowing for customisation and choice. Honestly I could not be happier with the results, thought I insist, the meat of the book will be the setting and the lore.
[23-Feb-21 08:02 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff. It is not determined but the war between the Eloi and the Morlock occurred about 1000 years ago.
[23-Feb-21 08:03 PM] Henry#3418
Time is the currency of life, that being said why should people spend their time playing your game? What experiences can they get out of your game that they uniquely cannot from another game?
[23-Feb-21 08:03 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
What was the tech level before the apocalypse?
[23-Feb-21 08:07 PM] Gavriel#9659
I think that people will get a collage of themes and genres from Warpland that has never been addressed before. I am really trying to be as objective and sincere as I can. The game is driving everyone who has tried frickin nuts. It feels unique and a setting in its own right, it discusses really mature themes but allows space for heroism, action, drama and a plot that impulses everyone to explore and know more. If you want to have a glimpse of what Warpland looks like I recommend the movie Hard to be a God (1989) german version.
[23-Feb-21 08:08 PM] Gavriel#9659
The only thing missing from that is the Void and mutants. But the rest is pretty on spot. The setting is also related with Neurocity in 3 possible ways at the GM discretion.
[23-Feb-21 08:09 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff the tech level before the Apocalypse was very high. Weird futuristic stuff like plasma blasters, teleporters, etc. They used Crystals to power their technology and that is how they perverted Light essence.
[23-Feb-21 08:09 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Are there any plans to add more mutations? Are there rules to create new ones?
[23-Feb-21 08:10 PM] saintnexan#6715
Does the game have a bestiary, and if so, how large?
[23-Feb-21 08:12 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff. The rules are so simple that adding new mutations is super easy. I tried to concentrate on quality rather than quantity. I made an effort on tone and writing, you can get a dozen ideas just by reading two lines.
[23-Feb-21 08:12 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
So the mutations are generic?
[23-Feb-21 08:13 PM] Henry#3418
What were the pitfalls you had while developing this game?
[23-Feb-21 08:14 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Dan. There is a bestiary. About 12 different unique creatures. Some of them from the Warp others from the Void. Chimera for example are creatures made of a combination of animals.
[23-Feb-21 08:15 PM] Gavriel#9659
Jeff. No, they are pretty specific. Like cat eyes that give you infravision, a tentacle arm, iron stomach, etc
[23-Feb-21 08:15 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Any option to play an uplifted species?
[23-Feb-21 08:19 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Henry. I had a tough time figuring out a main conflict besides the forces The Warp and The Void. I did not want to make another Gamma World, or Mutant Epoch or any other post apoc or science fantasy clones I spent a lot of time reading and digging for ideas, I wanted to present dilemmas and moral conflicts in the same way I did with Neurocity. It hit me that the conflict I was looking for is obscurantism, and that is why the Warpland is stagnated in the Iron Age.
[23-Feb-21 08:20 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff, uplifted you mean The Eloi? Nah, they are supposedly extinct though some are hinted to be still living in the book.
[23-Feb-21 08:21 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Actually, uplifted animal species.
[23-Feb-21 08:21 PM] saintnexan#6715
If someone gets ahold of some powerful tech, can’t they just roll over anyone who tells them they can’t use it?
[23-Feb-21 08:22 PM] Gavriel#9659
not sure what is ´´uplifted´´ can you rephrase?
[23-Feb-21 08:22 PM] saintnexan#6715
Animals engineered to have human intelligence.
{Reactions}
👍
[23-Feb-21 08:25 PM] Gavriel#9659
Ah gotcha! All 6 complete mutations come from the union of a human with another animal or plant form. But nothing is engineered, it is pure chaos from the Warp.
[23-Feb-21 08:25 PM] Gavriel#9659
The complete mutations are Bestial, Plantoid, Insectoid, Avian and Aquatic.
[23-Feb-21 08:26 PM] Henry#3418
What is the one thing that is in your system which every system should have?
[23-Feb-21 08:26 PM] Gavriel#9659
Dan. Yes, that happens from time to time. But it would be just a handful of people against entire cities. There are hidden technocratic societies that seek to discover the ancient past.
[23-Feb-21 08:27 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
how do skills work?
[23-Feb-21 08:27 PM] saintnexan#6715
Actually, before answering @JeffZitomer’s question, do you have a character sheet that we can see?
[23-Feb-21 08:28 PM] Gavriel#9659
Henry. I like successes and failures with added complications. You can get those with a 1/1 or a 6/6. We are also using a damage on the attack roll mechanic which works very nice and allows for a proper damage range. Combat is dramatic, lethal and fast.
[23-Feb-21 08:29 PM] Gavriel#9659
Sure! Here it is.
{Attachments}
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/813960800275267594/character_sheet.jpg
[23-Feb-21 08:30 PM] Gavriel#9659
There are 15 skills in the game.
[23-Feb-21 08:31 PM] Henry#3418
What is the one thing you hate about your system and setting and why?
[23-Feb-21 08:31 PM] Gavriel#9659
From thief to healer. Beastmaster or merchant. Skills measure what your character can do and what he owns. If a PC wants to do an action he is unskilled he gets a -2.
[23-Feb-21 08:32 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
I gather skills are unranked – you have them or you don’t. How do you determine how many/which skills you get and what rolls they modify?
[23-Feb-21 08:35 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Henry. The main issue I get is that being such a niche genre it is sometimes difficult to convey the feeling of the setting to others without reading the book or playing the game. Some might mistake it with a post apocalyptic setting, others with Conan The Barbarian, others with Flash Gordon. It has a cool complex Lore and it takes some time to embrace it, but it is definitely worthwhile!
[23-Feb-21 08:36 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff. You can get one skill for every number above 5 in Lore. Each skill has a detailed explanation of what they are used for but they are pretty self explanatory and guided by common sense. If you want to pickpocket that merchant you are only skilled if you are a thief, if you want to track that animal you need to be a skilled hunter, etc
[23-Feb-21 08:37 PM] Gavriel#9659
Sorry, i dont know why i keep saying ¨hi¨ to you guys!
[23-Feb-21 08:37 PM] Gavriel#9659
😛
[23-Feb-21 08:37 PM] saintnexan#6715
Hey, you’re just a nice guy! 🙂
[23-Feb-21 08:38 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Since Lore determines the number of skills and Willpower, it seems like a critical stat.
[23-Feb-21 08:38 PM] Henry#3418
Many RPG writers never expect wild success, such as undertale and other niche games of this nature, lets say that happens. What is the one thing you would dread the one thing you would find ludicrously funny and the one thing that your going to try and expect now but wouldn’t expect if it surprised you?
[23-Feb-21 08:41 PM] Gavriel#9659
Jeff. Since we are using only 4 stats I made a special point of all of them being painfully balanced. For example, you can be a skilled hunter, but if you want to track that animal you would be using your Wits stat for that. I threw the game to mix-maxing playgroup to see if they could break it somehow. They failed miserably, so don´t worry, you used them all extensively!
{Reactions}
👍
[23-Feb-21 08:42 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Henry. Let me answer in parts. It is a difficult question!
[23-Feb-21 08:42 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
You’ve crested $20K. Any additional stretch goals planned?
[23-Feb-21 08:48 PM] Gavriel#9659
Henry. I dont know how to answer all that. I dread working in an office. I quitted my job to do what I love, that is creating games, and I am very happy with the reception this wonderful community has given me. I struggle writing in a language that is not my own, but still some have dared to read me beyond my spelling mistakes. Now I am hiring both a corrector and a proofreader to ensure my work is up to standard. The words passion and heart are maybe a cliche, I honestly have a few things to say, so I am making games to say them. Regarding your question, I am going full experimental mode on everything I embark myself upon, my next projects are going to be totally different.
[23-Feb-21 08:52 PM] Gavriel#9659
Hi Jeff. At the moment I am fully commited to finishing the book and not having any delays. Adding stretch goals would have the objective of increasing my fundings but it feels a bit unethical. My main issue right now is substraction, not addition. I feel that the book needs to be perfect and concise, it is too much information to digest if I keep adding all the stuff I have written so far.
[23-Feb-21 08:52 PM] saintnexan#6715
How large will the book be?
[23-Feb-21 08:53 PM] Gavriel#9659
from 140 to 160 pages. Depends on design decisions. I want every single page to be something you can just stare and make you want to play.
[23-Feb-21 08:54 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
Sounds like a supplement could be in the works.
[23-Feb-21 08:56 PM] Gavriel#9659
Sure! We can add a a cluster of islands, chaos mages, parasites that enhance your senses and a story that ties up with Neurocity. But first we need to get the core setting right! I have been working for 7 months on this!
[23-Feb-21 08:59 PM] Gavriel#9659
So, thanks guys for the questions and the opportunity to talk about my game! You have all been really cool!
[23-Feb-21 09:00 PM] saintnexan#6715
Oh, do you need to head out?
[23-Feb-21 09:00 PM] Gavriel#9659
Not at all!
[23-Feb-21 09:00 PM] Gavriel#9659
Just shoot. I will grab myself a coffee
[23-Feb-21 09:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
Ah! Okay. 🙂
[23-Feb-21 09:01 PM] JeffZitomer#4097
I’ve got to run – thanks for the Q&A.
[23-Feb-21 09:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
Come by any time, @JeffZitomer!
[23-Feb-21 09:01 PM] Gavriel#9659
Cheers jeff, thanks
[23-Feb-21 09:02 PM] saintnexan#6715
If you said this, I think I missed it… What is the basic task resolution method? The dice mechanic?
[23-Feb-21 09:03 PM] Henry#3418
What is the thing you wished people knew about your game?
[23-Feb-21 09:03 PM] Gavriel#9659
2d6 roll under or equal your stat. Like in Neurocity.
{Reactions}
👍
[23-Feb-21 09:04 PM] Gavriel#9659
Henry, I think that if anybody knew the amount of hours and sleepless nights this thing has they would be worried about my sanity.
[23-Feb-21 09:05 PM] Gavriel#9659
😛
[23-Feb-21 09:06 PM] saintnexan#6715
I know you need to head out soon, @Gavriel, so is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?
[23-Feb-21 09:07 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! 🙂
{Embed}
https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe.
Buy Dan Davenport a Coffee. ko-fi.com/gmshoe
Become a supporter of Dan Davenport today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.
https://az743702.vo.msecnd.net/cdn/useruploads/fd098f08-0a4f-46f7-bada-26f4cdc8af51.png
[23-Feb-21 09:10 PM] Gavriel#9659
I would like to thank you again Dan and everyone who is supporting this project. A big shout out to all the wonderful guys that presented projects in Zinequest. I am really excited by the reception we are having and honestly the book is going to blow our minds.
[23-Feb-21 09:11 PM] Henry#3418
Thank you for coming in
[23-Feb-21 09:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
You’re very welcome! Thanks very much for joining us!
[23-Feb-21 09:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
Please know that you are always welcome!
[23-Feb-21 09:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
Now, if you’ll give me just a minute, I’ll get the log posted and link you. 🙂