Taking a look at m20# and where it is going.

[SethDrebitko]

So I have gotten some info back on the m20# files shipped out and thought I would give a general response to some questions, as well as fill some holes for those who are still on the fence about making a donation.

What are these trait/relationship things; and where the crap did my skill go?

Ok so, we are all familiar with m20's standard 4 skills and might be missing them but trust me you won't! Traits and relationships function the same as skills but are more personalized to the character. On top of that extra level of personalization they are simple to implement because they are literally descriptors which act as vivid jumping points for action.

Another facet of the traits and relationships that adds a great deal to the game is in the advancement system.

That'll leave a mark.
M20# has a built in system where after each encounter which could theoretically affect the character in the long/short term the gm will roll off on a table. This table indicates an effect which typically results in the character gaining a  temporary or permanent trait or relationship. An example might be after a dangerous encounter one player gains the temporary trait broken ribs, while another who nearly died gains the permanent trait bum leg. This also works in social situation which may result in the characters falling out with a noble family, or even their guild.

This ads a  huge facet to the game with a simple little roll at the end of encounters, or even gm fiat if so chosen. Not only will characters be counting down the seconds until they advance to the next level but every encounter has the potential to shape who they are, and what they will become.

I think we're missing something?

There are a few things missing from the book that some have noticed, for those who missed them I'll point the flaws out  :

• A healer class: Ahh yes the cleric, as promised, got the temporary ax. For those wondering what this means for group healing, all you need to do is wait for the release of alchemist class expansion which will add the buff back into your party with an engaging alchemy system.
• THE GM GUIDE! yes it is true I shipped out the players guide to give people a taste but the gm guide is not finished up. I will probably just shoot out the basic mechanical junk with a few tips and then put out the full thing. My plan for the gm guide is to have a mostly packed guide for beginners to experts on running m20#. It will also include an intro adventure. For now the basic gm guide for m20 is 100% functional.
• Where's the f*cking monsters? The monster manual is less of a concern because again the m20 version is 100% functional at the moment. It will most likely be the last of the 3 core updates done.

Things to come

So I thought in this little update I would give a quick preview of things to come as far as the expansions to m20# and in general.

M20#
After the 3 core booklets are finished up the first thing I will probably release is either going to be:

• M20#: With Class, a rules expansion that allows players to diversify the crunch of their characters. I have decided I will most likely be sticking with classes though there will be no set levels. Classes could be as little as 1 level and over 100, probably not though, and will be very tightly wrapped around some thematic concepts. The big trouble I am having now is in deciding how to best organize classes so that they don't become overwhelming to search through.
• Fiat: Fiat will start as an annual zine most likely using the ransom model style of publishing. I am thinking that a shared world setting will be supported through this, as well as supplemental material for other lines. This will at least make sure that their is a common string binding the issues together. The speed of releases will be completely dependent on the amount of support we receive, as well as the material submitted for publishing.

Other games
While M20# is my primary concern there will be 2 other games I will be putting out that  fulfill different styles:

• BP: Unlike the British Bullet Proof won't crap oil all over your beaches but it will promise to provide the high flying action of the classic BESM and D6 systems bundled up in one steamy plate of hotness.
• AI: Ad Infinitum is the microlited resurrected alternity system as I would have loved to see it done over.

Err...I am sure I will think of some other awesome stuff to do but this has gotten pretty long. Until next time Go Play!

Seth Drebitko
KoboldEnterprise.com

[Empty]

Aren't able to make a donation, so I haven't read it, but..

Traits and relationships function the same as skills but are more personalized to the character. On top of that extra level of personalization they are simple to implement because they are literally descriptors which act as vivid jumping points for action.

These sound a lot like Cliches from Risus.

Am I right?

[SethDrebitko]

They are very similar cliches, but will more specifically focus on relationships the character has with things, people, and organizations. The traits will focus primarily on background type stuff to mechanically define the characters background.

[Empty]

They are very similar cliches, but will more specifically focus on relationships the character has with things, people, and organizations. The traits will focus primarily on background type stuff to mechanically define the characters background.

Ah. K then.

[Luís]

So, any idea on the price? And how will you work things out when the Cleric gets thrown back in, will we have to rebuy the thing or will it come out on a separate document?

Any idea for miniatures?

Will you be waiting until we have a shared setting or release both separatly?

[Snake_Storm]

i think microlite 20 is great and all, but i'm highly anticipating further news of this proposed mixture of BESM and D6. BESM was the first game i ever purchased and although i never got to play it, it still holds a very special place in my heart.

D6 on the other hand was a refreshing look at an old school rule behemoth. Sure the books were large and somewhat obtuse, but each rule seemed to actually have a place in it, as opposed to being thrown in to appease players.

I felt both were well thought out and designed, and a merging of the two could prove an interesting idea.

[SethDrebitko]

So, any idea on the price? And how will you work things out when the Cleric gets thrown back in, will we have to rebuy the thing or will it come out on a separate document?

Price is a tricky one. My running model thus far is to have the 18 page pocket mod sized booklet free, with a larger fuller detailed version for a small price. I have thought of creating a tiny boxed set with a super small box 12mm set of dice little pencils, the booklets, and character sheet stationary. All of this is all theory though I know the pocket mod sized booklets will be free.

The cleric is being replaced with the Alchemist, whose rules are posted at the new blog spot, but will return. Clerics will actually be a bunch of different classes separated by god and stuff like that. I have a working title of "In the name of" for the cleric specific booklet.

Any idea for miniatures?

I probably wont do miniatures. I might compile paper miniatures but I just don't see being able to afford doing this. If I could get the funds and interest I would be all over minis though.

Will you be waiting until we have a shared setting or release both separately?

The shared setting is separate of the m20 game. I really just thought it would be fun to create a setting all together. With how much work I am encouraging other people to pitch in with I feel uncomfortable just taking it and using it to make money.

i think microlite 20 is great and all, but i'm highly anticipating further news of this proposed mixture of BESM and D6. BESM was the first game i ever purchased and although i never got to play it, it still holds a very special place in my heart.

Sadly M20# is my front burner at the moment. I am hoping to start up work on that when I am comfortable with the core 4 booklets of M20#. The next up will either be the besm/d6 hack or the alternity hack.

Sorry again for having moved the blog over to the main domain name but it is just to overwhelming to send people straight to the forums.

[Snake_Storm]

Seth, i don't know how many people here are aware of this but Eric Gibson, the last owner of West End Games made the whole core system (d6 fantasy, space, adventure, and every supplement for them Completely open game content. They're also available for free at WEGFanforum.com, if i remember the address right.

There are like ten titles making up the last D6 series and every word except the name D6 system and west end games is open content. Also, i don't know too much about the legality of it but when Guardians of Order published BESM D20 they added a lot of the neat stuff that made Tristat BESM so unique. Anyway Evil hat productions has created a nice PDF of their SRD that i intend to use to micro size BESM d20 sometime in the near future.

My point is one is completely available, and the other most of the neat stuff is. i'm not sure if you knew about these or not but when you get around to it, they may be valuable tools.

i don't mean to put any pressure on. in fact i just wanted to give you a heads up on something that may make it go smoother.

Good luck on your current work, but i think i'll be sticking with classic microlite for a little while.

[Luís]

Seth, I didn't make my self clear, sorry.

I didn't inquire about miniatures "made" by or for m20, I'm quite happy with One Monk's offering (seriously, I've spent a week printing and cutting small paper minis and my last great session had a table full of paper armies).

What I mean is: Mini rules.

I know we have a set of those but I was thinking of something easier to read and pickup. Something like humans get 3 for movement rate, smaller beings get -1, bigger beings get +1, encumbered means a -1 to movement rate... something like that.

I think Swords and Wizardy has a nice section on it (too sleepy to know for sure) that we could take inspiration from.

[SethDrebitko]

Oh lol sorry for the misunderstanding; I would like to set something up where each product will have its own little pocket mod sized edition.

[Snake_Storm]

Still seems like something is sorely lacking without the cleric. An alchemist works in a completely different manner so it may just be a flavor i like. at any rate i always tweak clerics a bit first.

Just a thought.

[SethDrebitko]

Well the cleric won't be gone, just not included within the core material. I to am a fan of the cleric; but I want to have the chance to address them where I have a little more room to focus just on them.