[Q&A] Ian Caple (Arcanus)

[7:38 PM]Arcanus Dev: I’m Ian, I’m the creator of Arcanus (http://arcanus-ttrpg.com/), a genre neutral d20 ttrpg that’s in a very final stages of development. In fact the final drafts of the Core Companions (As well as the limited edition Kickstarter Companions) are currently with the editors. Our Kickstarter is currently live, we’re about 25% funded and it runs until March 8th. Arcanus offers a new approach to ttrpg design, putting you the players and GM’s at the heart of the creative process. It was designed by GM’s for GM’s, as we like to say. It is first and foremost a roleplaying game, and a lot of work and emphasis was put into removing many ‘systemic and structural obstacles. To put the essence of roleplaying and creativity at the heart of the d20 system. The classless and level less character development system, the gritty fast paced locational combat system and the free form magic system, all make Arcanus extremely adaptable, immersive and engaging. Allowing it to morphed into whatever genre your campaign is set in seamlessly. Be the High fantasy, low fantasy, horror, futuristic, space, historical, modern day, or whatever. Arcanus’ Core Ruleset adapts to your world, rather than you having to adapt your world to fit the system. Arcanus’ is in short a Homebrewers best friend. Done. (edited)

[7:39 PM]Arcanus Dev: Ooops Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcanus-ttrpg/arcanus-the-tabletop-rpgKickstarterArcanus PublishingArcanus – The Tabletop RPGArcanus is a exciting new genre neutral TTRPG, designed specifically to seamlessly migrate into any campaigning setting.

[7:40 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (Ready for questions? )

[7:40 PM]Arcanus Dev: fire away

[7:40 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Thanks, @Arcanus Dev! The floor is open to questions!

[7:41 PM]Dan the GMshoe: When you say this is a “d20” TTRPG, do you mean that it’s based on/inspired by D&D rules, or do you mean that it simply happens to use a d20?1

[7:41 PM]Henry: @Arcanus Dev What is the biggest issue with developing a generic system?

@Dan the GMshoeWhen you say this is a “d20” TTRPG, do you mean that it’s based on/inspired by D&D rules, or do you mean that it simply happens to use a d20?[7:41 PM]Beyla 🎉: ( I was just about to ask that! )

@Dan the GMshoeWhen you say this is a “d20” TTRPG, do you mean that it’s based on/inspired by D&D rules, or do you mean that it simply happens to use a d20?[7:43 PM]Arcanus Dev: It’s losely akin to D&D and pathfinder, the d20 ‘genre’ shares many common systemic threads. But we approach and handle many things very very differently to other d20 systems. As you alluded to, we call it a d20 system because the d20 is used to resolve most systemic functions. There are some similarities in the way so things are resolved, but we’ve evolved or gone our own way on many aspects of game play.

[7:44 PM]Arcanus Dev: We even use the d12 1

@Henry@Arcanus Dev What is the biggest issue with developing a generic system?[7:48 PM]Arcanus Dev: The hardest part… really was breaking myself out of the classic ttrpg stereotype. When the Arcanus journey began like most here, I’d played d&D, Ad&d, pathfinder, vampire etc from white wolf, teenage mutant ninja turtles etc. Rolemaster.. loads of class based games. All of which are great by the way. But, as someone who loved homebrewing, you likes a sandbox, from which to shape and mould my own creations. I’d always felt that I was forced by these class based systems to compromise. My world had to fit the system I was using, I have jam square pegs into round holes if you will to allow players to play certain things.2

[7:50 PM]Arcanus Dev: But, once I broke those shackles and ditched the whole class based mechanics, I saw the freedom and sense of ownership arcanus provided. I had a system that adapted to my worlds, my vision and creativity and not the other way around. That’s when the light bulb turned on, the epithany moment. The Arcanus Core Ruleset (CRS) was truly genre neutral.

[7:50 PM]Henry: You have a universal system, what makes your universal system the one to play?

[7:51 PM]Arcanus Dev: You can literally adapt the game to any campaign setting. The genre sterotypes as mentioned about. You can even adapt to to Halo, Marvel, whatever you want. It adapts to your desires.

[7:52 PM]Arcanus Dev: And the CRS remain intact, so whatever your setting you have a simple, familiar, engaging and immersive ruleset.

@HenryYou have a universal system, what makes your universal system the one to play?[7:53 PM]Arcanus Dev: That’s a great questions! TTRPG’s are by their nature very subjective. I’m not saying Arcanus will be everyone’s cup of tea. As mentioned we handle many things very differently to other ttrpg’s in the d20 genre.

[7:54 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Do you have a character sheet that we can see?1

[7:55 PM]Arcanus Dev: But, Arcanus put’s you in control. You shape and evolve your character, your npc’s, your monsters. In a way other games don’t. For the Class based systems. It’s a case you are adding flavour to pre-determined skill sets. It’s not genuinely your creation or character. With Arcanus you have total control.

@Arcanus DevBut, Arcanus put’s you in control. You shape and evolve your character, your npc’s, your monsters. In a way other games don’t. For the Class based systems. It’s a case you are adding flavour to pre-determined skill sets. It’s not genuinely your creation or character. With Arcanus you have total control.[7:56 PM]Henry: Can you give as a quick example?

@Dan the GMshoeDo you have a character sheet that we can see?[7:56 PM]Arcanus Dev: Here’s the 2 main pages, there are naturally others.. Inventory background and bio etc…

[7:57 PM]Arcanus Dev: Firstly, I’m sure you’ll notice some startling differences compared to other d20 systems.

[7:57 PM]Vegviseren 🥔🧙: What does the system use for balance? for instance in character creation

[7:57 PM]Arcanus Dev: Like, we don’t have a Charisma stat 1

[7:58 PM]Dan the GMshoe: You don’t have a Charisma stat? Well, that’s when things get ugly.

@Dan the GMshoeYou don’t have a Charisma stat? Well, that’s when things get ugly.[7:58 PM]Arcanus Dev: Not really, I’ll get to that in a moment. Let me answer Henry’s previous question. (edited)

[7:58 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (I was making a joke. )

@HenryCan you give as a quick example?[8:00 PM]Arcanus Dev: Here’s how character creation works in class based system… You browse the rulebook, find a class you like etc.. then you make up a character background to suit your class? Or you have a back story and you try and find a class that it will work with.. Agreed?

[8:00 PM]Henry: sure agreed

[8:02 PM]Arcanus Dev: Here’s how it works in Arcanus….. You begin with the back story.. your creative imaginings and vision.. and then as you can see on the character sheet (background skills) and within the framework of your GM’s guide lines, for example: starting characters get 9 background skills, 1d4 talents (everyone’s different after all)… then you populate your background skills to represent your characters life prior to the moment they began adventuring. (edited)

[8:04 PM]Arcanus Dev: You show it your GM.. they go.. yep.. looks fine.. go buy some equipped toys etc and off you go. Your character is shaped by you, not the system.

@Arcanus DevHere’s how it works in Arcanus….. You begin with the back story.. your creative imaginings and vision.. and then as you can see on the character sheet (background skills) and within the framework of your GM’s guide lines, for example: starting characters get 9 background skills, 1d4 talents (everyone’s different after all)… then you populate your background skills to represent your characters life prior to the moment they began adventuring. (edited)[8:05 PM]Henry: So would you put your system in the ‘streamline’ low mechanics system or a ‘crunchy’ mechanics intense system?

[8:07 PM]Arcanus Dev: It’s streamline, everything is arcanus is designed to try and get out of the way, and put you the players at the forefront. Even combat has multiple Engagement Points, EP’s as we call them, wherein you’re at the heart of what’s going on.

[8:07 PM]Henry: @Arcanus Dev What mechanic do you think we can find in your system that we won’t find in another?

@Henry@Arcanus Dev What mechanic do you think we can find in your system that we won’t find in another?[8:10 PM]Arcanus Dev: Firstly, compared to the vast multitude of ttrpg’s especially other d20 systems. As alluded to we have a classless organic character development system. Our locational combat system is fast paced and adds a gritty, authentic feel to combat. You can feel and visualise the ebb and flow and attritional nature of combat. You’re able to target, specific locations on a creature. Such as shoot dragons out the sky by breaking their wings, breaks arms and legs and even cut off heads

[8:10 PM]Henry: @Arcanus Dev Do you have art for your game? Can you share some with us?1

[8:11 PM]Arcanus Dev: But, ultimately, it’s the free form magic system that is our crown jewel. It allows you to simply create magic at the tabletop.

[8:12 PM]Arcanus Dev: Using the skills and knowledge your character possesses to literally use your imagination. There’s no ‘spell-lists’ in Arcanus. Magic is totally free form.

[8:14 PM]Beyla 🎉: How does that work? Surely there is limiters or something aside from imagination being the boundary of what is possible.

@Henry@Arcanus Dev Do you have art for your game? Can you share some with us?[8:15 PM]Arcanus Dev: Here are the front covers for the standard and limited Kickstarters

@Beyla 🎉How does that work? Surely there is limiters or something aside from imagination being the boundary of what is possible.[8:16 PM]Arcanus Dev: Ahh yes, the universe is a very thickle thing, she doesn’t like pesky mortals, prodding and poking, and attempting to reorder her as they see fit 1

[8:16 PM]Henry: @Arcanus Dev What inspired you most artistically, musically or what fiction/setting inspired you most? It must be difficult given that you are attempting to show a universal game.

@Beyla 🎉How does that work? Surely there is limiters or something aside from imagination being the boundary of what is possible.[8:19 PM]Arcanus Dev: So, there are a number of checks and balances in place. Here’s an example for you: You find yourself trapped, a rusted locked door offers an avenue for escape.. You’re magician knows some basic engineering, has studied locking mechanisms and attempts to use his craft to unlock the door.1

[8:20 PM]Arcanus Dev: Because, they describe this to the GM, outlining what skills and knowledge they possess to aid them in their task.

[8:21 PM]Arcanus Dev: The GM takes all the factors into account and sets a CR (Challenge Rating) appropriate to the task at hand. The above scenario isn’t difficult so a CR12-14 would be likely. You roll a d20 add the relevant bonuses your knowledge allows for and attempt to beat the CR..

[8:22 PM]Arcanus Dev: Here’s the beauty though… even the magic system is adaptive… you can for ease sake work on a simple.. success or failure system.. Beat the CR success door is opened.1

[8:23 PM]Arcanus Dev: Or if your GM wants (and the players), you can have it flexible. So a near miss may weaken the lock enough for brute force to easily force it open.1

[8:23 PM]Beyla 🎉: Very cool

[8:24 PM]Arcanus Dev: You can also have more than 1 magic users combining their skills and knowledge to achieve more profound and complex magics1

[8:25 PM]Arcanus Dev: As the GMC (Gamemasters companion) says: If your players want to create a Volcano, well that’s up to them, just try and subtly remind the universe and the planet they’re standing on may not approve.

[8:25 PM]Arcanus Dev: Which brings us to the checks and Balance: Feedback.

[8:26 PM]Arcanus Dev: Success has it rewards, failing at magic, especially complex magic can result in the universe pushing back. As mentioned she’s a fickle mistress and likes things neat and orderly.1

[8:27 PM]Arcanus Dev: Fail by to much or roll a natural 1 and the universe pushes back… Then you’re completely at your GM’s mercy 1

[8:29 PM]Arcanus Dev: Feedback, can take many many many wonderful forms. Depending on what you’re attempting.. from simple psychic damage.. a bit of headache.. to randomly turning yourself into a pumpkin, or vaporizing yourself.. well that what you get for trying to create your own star!11

[8:30 PM]Beyla 🎉: What’s the bestiary look like? Do you have one?

@Henry@Arcanus Dev What inspired you most artistically, musically or what fiction/setting inspired you most? It must be difficult given that you are attempting to show a universal game.[8:32 PM]Arcanus Dev: Artistically, we wanted a wide range of things. Arcanus is by definition neutral. Literally speaking, I’m a huge fan of Raymond E Fiest.

[8:32 PM]Arcanus Dev: Our magic system is kind of a homage to the Greater Magic of Medkemia, and the Will and the Word from the Belgariad.

@Arcanus DevArtistically, we wanted a wide range of things. Arcanus is by definition neutral. Literally speaking, I’m a huge fan of Raymond E Fiest.[8:33 PM]Henry: There are people who don’t like Raymond E Fiest? Blasphemy… go on1

[8:33 PM]Arcanus Dev: And you have no idea how hard it was to get it to work!!!

@HenryThere are people who don’t like Raymond E Fiest? Blasphemy… go on[8:34 PM]Arcanus Dev: There are a few here.. but we’ve had heathens around fro about 5000 years or so.. it happens1

@Arcanus DevThere are a few here.. but we’ve had heathens around fro about 5000 years or so.. it happens[8:35 PM]Henry: So I will ask again What inspired you most artistically, musically or what fiction/setting inspired you most? It must be difficult given that you are attempting to show a universal game.

@Beyla 🎉What’s the bestiary look like? Do you have one?[8:36 PM]Arcanus Dev: Though, the GMC has a small bestiary.. here’s the beauty of Arcanus’ GM tools…. like character creation. We provide you the GM with all framework, tools, guides and kits to make your own.1

[8:37 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Something about the character sheet confuses me… You say the game doesn’t have classes or levels, but there are spaces for both things on the cheet. (edited)

[8:37 PM]Arcanus Dev: Arcanus is by definition a Homebrewers best friend. IT’s designed to help you bring your worlds.

@Dan the GMshoeSomething about the character sheet confuses me… You say the game doesn’t have classes or levels, but there are spaces for both things on the cheet. (edited)[8:38 PM]Arcanus Dev: gahh… slight mix up there.. slapped sample on an old sheet Ignore those parts..1

[8:42 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Can you describe basic task resolution?

[8:45 PM]Arcanus Dev: As with other d20 system, basic task resolution is used using the GM.. but it’s more immersive than other systems.. You describe what you’re doing, tell your GM what skills your using to support it (if any), the GM sets a Challenge rating, you roll a d20 add bonuses to meet the CR.

[8:46 PM]Arcanus Dev: Like everything else. A lot of the onus is placed on the player to support what they are doing. The GMC goes to length to advice/guide GM’s to never say NO!

[8:47 PM]Arcanus Dev: But, to try and be objective and set CR’s according to the magnitude of what the player is attempting.

[8:47 PM]Arcanus Dev: For simple tasks….. Just let them get on with it… we don’t need to roll dice for everything.

[8:48 PM]Arcanus Dev: It’s a roleplaying game. Not a dice rolling game.1

@HenrySo I will ask again What inspired you most artistically, musically or what fiction/setting inspired you most? It must be difficult given that you are attempting to show a universal game.[8:49 PM]Arcanus Dev: As mentioned above, Raymond E. Feist had a large influence in Arcanus’ magic system. Trying to create a free form, knowledge based magic system that was both fun, balanced and allowed for the types of epic magics Pug was famous for.

[8:50 PM]Arcanus Dev: Arcanus began as a high fantasy system, and there’s more than a few influences from Fiest and David Eddings in that world.

[8:52 PM]Arcanus Dev: So, they’d be the two biggest literary influence. Artistically, I just see stuff. I worked with a Swedish artist called Johan Aronson (now art director for Stunlock Studios) and he helped capture the dark and gritty nature of that world.

[8:53 PM]Arcanus Dev: Outside of that, I spent time dredging though various online resources until I found an artist with a style and feel that connected with me. That capture my imagining of the official campaign settings I had in mind.1

[8:54 PM]Arcanus Dev: Then I reached out to them, to see if they were available to do some samples, to see if they could capture that vision. Those that were and did we commisioned.

[8:56 PM]Arcanus Dev: So, it was very much gut instinct and resonance. Oh… I like that.. that’s what I’m looking for. That’s how I envision Blakewood Manor or Taipan1 etc..

[8:57 PM]Arcanus Dev: Though, Arcanus is genre neutral. to show its adaptability and to give people new to the game something to get their teeth into first. We do have for official Campaign Settings.

[8:57 PM]Arcanus Dev: All of which will be supported with official content going forward.1

[8:58 PM]Arcanus Dev: The world of Athelen is our High Fantasy setting, the campaign world Arcanus was born from.

[8:58 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Does that appear in the core rulebook?

[8:59 PM]Arcanus Dev: Blakewood Manor is a victorian, lovecraftian homage, set amongst the fog of Dartmoor during Victorian England.

[9:00 PM]Arcanus Dev: Taipan1, is a furturistic Shadowrun meets Cyberpunk. High tech, low magic, hover bikes, street gangs setting.

[9:01 PM]Arcanus Dev: and only recently finished (just in time to go off to editing) was the Halon Galaxy. An epic space opera. With space battles, mystics, aliens, pulse lazer weapons etc..

[9:02 PM]Arcanus Dev: All 4 are included in the Players Companion, and supported in the GMC. The GMC contains premade characters to support adventures for each of the Core Settings.

[9:04 PM]Arcanus Dev: The GMC effectively contains all the guides and tools you need to homebrew, plus an introduction to our official campaign settings and a starting adventure for each campaign, with ready to go characters, npc’s etc to give people the chance to try Arcanus out without all that pesky stuff like reading the rule book!

[9:05 PM]Arcanus Dev: And we’re that confident that Arcanus is that easy to just pick up and play. I’d like to offer the RandomWorlds community the opportunity to do just that.

[9:06 PM]Arcanus Dev: In the very near future on our official Twitch Channel, we’re going to host a Kickstarter One Shot.1

[9:07 PM]Arcanus Dev: Wherein, we’re going to live steam an actually Arcanus game. Pre-gen characters will be provided, no experience is necessary. You just show up and play. Your classic lets try this new game at the local hobby store scenario.

[9:09 PM]Dan the GMshoe: What sorts of paranormal powers does the core rule contain? You’ve alreay mentioned magic. (edited)

[9:09 PM]Arcanus Dev: Well that’s the beauty…. whatever evil machinations your GM can come up with 1

[9:10 PM]Arcanus Dev: Blakewood Manor has lots of things that go bump in the night. Ghost, Werewolves, Vampires etc.

[9:12 PM]Arcanus Dev: And as the magic system is totally free form all you need to do to adapt it to a new campaign setting is is edit the skill lists accordingly. So, though there are no fire wielding pyromancers. Clairvoyance, telepathy, telekinesis, and the alike exist. and within those mystic sphere’s though with the talent operate.

[9:13 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (brb)

[9:13 PM]Arcanus Dev: Athelen is very much your classic high fantasy world, high magic setting. Dragons, werewolves, vampires etc.1

[9:14 PM]Beyla 🎉: What is your favourite part of this whole endeavour?

@Beyla 🎉What is your favourite part of this whole endeavour?[9:14 PM]Arcanus Dev: Finishing it so I can go to bed!11

[9:15 PM]Arcanus Dev: To be honest, throughout all the ups and downs, the set backs, of which there have been many.1

[9:15 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (back)11

[9:16 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Can the game handle superheroes?

[9:16 PM]Arcanus Dev: Without a doubt, seeing other people playing and listening to the joy and wonder, the laughs, and the feedback (both positive and negative) from thsoe who have been involved.

[9:18 PM]Arcanus Dev: I’ve had some remarkable moments, like the first time I saw 2 players interacting in character to teach other skills, turning what is normally something ignored into a pure Roleplay moment around the table top.1

[9:19 PM]Arcanus Dev: To, a small cabal of sorcerers spend 20 minutes of pure roleplay discussing in character how they were going to orchestrate and safely (haha) summon a demon.1

[9:20 PM]Arcanus Dev: And being able to see the system do what I built it to do. Put the players first.

@Dan the GMshoeCan the game handle superheroes?[9:21 PM]Arcanus Dev: Yes, as humbly as I can put it, Arcanus can handle anything you throw at it. Whatever your setting, whatever campaign you want to run. Arcanus can adapt to it.

[9:24 PM]Dan the GMshoe: In the time remaining, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?

[9:24 PM]Arcanus Dev: If you want to create Asgardians, I believe the saying ‘Asgard isn’t a place. it’s its people…’ so they’re just a character Race. The Racial Template is easy to use and create your own.1

[9:26 PM]Arcanus Dev: I’d like to thank you Dan for the opportunity. Once again, I’d like to shamelessly plug our Kickstarter. If successful and beyond we’ll be able to roll Arcanus out by this summer. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcanus-ttrpg/arcanus-the-tabletop-rpgKickstarterArcanus PublishingArcanus – The Tabletop RPGArcanus is a exciting new genre neutral TTRPG, designed specifically to seamlessly migrate into any campaigning setting.

[9:27 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Thank you for joining us, @Arcanus Dev!

[9:27 PM]Arcanus Dev: As alluded to above. I’d like to extend the opportunity for 4-5 members of this community that would like to, to join me on stream for an Arcanus Kickstarter One Shot.

[9:27 PM]Beyla 🎉: 

[9:27 PM]Dan the GMshoe: 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! Ko-fiBuy Dan Davenport a Coffee. ko-fi.com/gmshoeBecome a supporter of Dan Davenport today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

[9:27 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Give me just a minute here, and I’ll get the log posted and link you!

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