Some thoughts on magitech, part 1.

What is magitech you say? First magictech (or magitek if you prefer) is a portmanteau of magic and technology. Now since this is a fantasy blog it's safe to assume that everyone here knows magic and technology are, though I do feel like giving a more in-depth description of what technology means. Technology is the practical application of science/knowledge. So if you had a world in which magic exists, that means it could be observed, examined and studied, and with observation, examination and study can ultimately come application. If you really want to get pedantic any deliberate use of magic could count as magitech by this definition. That's all I have to say on the topic for now. There's more for when I can post it.

(A little bit of this and a little of that) Segment based initiative and some other combat rules. Here we go again.

Initiative: Who Goes First?

Let's start things off with one of the most contentious topics in role playing games. Not alignment, which for the most part is only a thing in D&D, Palladium and the 'World games. I'm not even talking about encumbrance. No, I'm talking about the real most controversial topic in most if not all RPGs. I'm talking about initiative, what others have called the Kobayashi Maru of D&D.

(BECM mash up) A really ill-advised idea of mine, wound thresholds.

One of the things I've noticed about D&D in general is that damage doesn't really matter until the last few hit points. Now I know that's just fine with a lot of people, but I feel I can do better. At the very least make it a bit more complex. A lot of it is borrowed from SWSE (Star Wars Saga Edition) and Iron Saga as well as the Vitality/Wounds system with 5e's short and long rest mechanics and some d20 conditions.

Damage Threshold

Wrestling with Giants

No jokes about bigger boats please. We've had enough of them already.

There comes a time in D&D and many other fantasy role playing games when the heroes, such as they are, the players control end up fighting against some sort of large/giant beast or monster. An earthshaking creature of immense size with nigh impenetrable scales or hide. Yet in Dungeons & Dragons, especially OD&D and BECMI, treats fights against giant creatures the same as fights against tiny little pissant weakling kobalds and goblins. I see this as a bug and not a feature.

The Voyage Begins

"Something hidden. Go and find it.
Go and look behind the Ranges —
Something lost behind the Ranges.
Lost and waiting for you. Go!"

— "The Explorer", Rudyard Kipling

 

Adventure, excitement and exploration. In my opinion these are among the major cornerstones of fantasy, horror and science fiction. In fact much of fiction has journeying into the unknown or the unraveling of mystery as a main focus. But fantasy and science fiction also deals with the acceptance, or at least acknowledgment, of the strange and weird.

 

For the most part I expect this to be a fantasy RPG blog, not exclusively old or new school by any means, just what I find interesting. I'll include some house rules, homebrew and attempts at world building too. That's not counting making and posting characters. In addition I'll discuss my D&D/fantasy RPG inspirations, ranging from books to TV shows, movies and video games.

 

With all this in mind I present to you A Voyage Into the Fantastic.