Anvilwerks had something very specific in mind here: a gothic fantasy world with plenty of room, combined with narrative-friendly mechanics. If that's what you're looking for, the Shadow of Yesterday is your game.
Post originally by James_Nostack at 2005-01-07 06:09:44
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A few things I forgot to mention:
1. Character creation involves selecting a species--Human, Elf, Goblin or Ratkin. And then selecting an aptitude, like Fighting or Social abilities.
2. An attempt to explain Bringing Down the Pain: participants declare their intentions and roll. Whoever has the higher degree of success inflicts abstract harm on the user, who must roll to resist. Failing the roll weakens that character, leaving him vulnerable or eventually utterly defeated. Changing your tactics costs you an action. It's a system that can handle poetry contests, sword fights, or political infighting very gracefully.
Post originally by Clinton R. Nixon at 2005-01-07 07:02:46
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"It's a system that can handle poetry contests, sword fights, or political infighting very gracefully."
Not to pimp myself too hard, but it's a system that can handle all of those <i>at the same time</i>. Seriously. I've run scenes where one character is swinging his sword wildly at another, and the target character is insulting him until he gives up.
Post originally by tetsujin28 at 2005-01-07 07:20:38
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Yet more cool ideas from mister "R for Quality" himself! I have to say, though, that TSoY just left me drooling for Paladin 2e. Is there going to be such a thing?
Post originally by Ian Noble at 2005-01-07 11:13:03
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This is beautiful game design and really combines a ton of great elements that I've wanted to see together for years. It's as close to my perfect game as I've ever seen published. I say "my" because I don't want a lot of crunch and this rpg offers just the right amount for me. Others will feel differently, of course.
Post originally by James_Nostack at 2005-01-07 14:58:04
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"it's a system that can handle all of those at the same time. Seriously. I've run scenes where one character is swinging his sword wildly at another, and the target character is insulting him until he gives up."
Actually, yes: our own experience with this can be found in the Example of Play on the game's Wiki. A wizard was locked in a sorcerous combat as a bunch of people tried to chop his head off. Ah, the glories of an abstract damage system!
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