The New Jedi Order series captured the attention of many readers through the introduction of the Yuuzhan Vong. The Yuuzhan Vong were a unique species not only in their use of entirely biotechnology, but also in that they were unable to be felt or detected through the force. With this in mind, it is of course important to consider the role which the force plays in the series, and the best manner in which to capture it.
For me, the process has begun with going back to the novels themselves and trying to make notes of exceptional uses of the force, especially in their more iconic and unique moments. Some moments which really stood out include: Luke using the force to ensnare a void projected by a dovin bassal to destroy a large Yuuzhan Vong tank weapon, Alema Rar using the dark side to capture and slice a Yuuzhan Vong into pieces, and Ganner's last stand just to name a few.
From considering these moments, it then becomes important for us to consider the force powers which already exist within Saga Edition, and whether they can fully cover these moments from a rules perspective. This has been a big important first step in the consideration of what force powers, talents, and other rules which may be included in the sourcebook. To date, we have identified and begun to develop several force powers to be included in the sourcebook. The goal is to hopefully have some well written powers which fit mechanically into the system, are representative of how the force is used within the New Jedi Order, and are well balanced with the other powers within the system.
I'll post more updates as the force part of the sourcebook is further updated. Also as a small side note, we may be including a small special "optional rule" sidebar for using the force.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Word About Design Philosophy.
As somebody who contributed a fair bit of professional development of rules systems for at least one other RPG years ago, I've devoted a fair amount of thought to design philosophy and RPGs.
Basically, I'm generally in the opposite camp of the TSR/Wizards of the Coast school of building more rules so players can do something cool. I think, if D&D has a flaw, it's that it chokes itself to death with rule systems and players options without ever really looking at the cohesive whole of those systems. There comes a point with D&D where as a player or GM, you have to say enough, and stop collecting books, or drive yourself mad collecting every sourcebook. I still haven't taken too much of a plunge into D&D 3.5, and haven't spent a dime on D&D 4, as a result.
That being said, I can say that I'm actually grateful that WotC called it quits after 14 books with Saga. To me, that was about the sweet spot. In my opinion (and I don't speak for the other designers on the project) it is already reaching a point of diminishing returns with regard to developing new rules systems, talents, feats, classes, etc.
What is needed in Saga Edition is more stuff for GMs. Stat blocks. NPCs. Adventure ideas. Published adventures. Things that a GM can steal or borrow from, drop into a session, and minimize the work he has to do to run a game.
For those expecting a ton of crunch in terms of new rules systems for the book, prepare to be disappointed. We'll be giving the Yuuzhan Vong and the Killiks the treatment they deserve from the system in terms of character options, and we'll be filling in stuff that hasn't been published for the system already in terms of equipment, Force powers, etc. on the New Republic/Galactic Alliance, Imperial Remnant and Jedi sides, but I think a lot of what is needed to run NJO adventures in terms of rules subsystems, talents, feats, etc. is already there. All we need to do is point GMs and players in the right direction.
What the book will have is tons of adventure seeds. Generic and specific NPC stat blocks. New vehicles and starships, particularly on the Vong side. Cool ideas on why to consider running a campaign in the era. Campaign outlines. A published adventure to get you started.
That's the book I'd buy if WotC had published it. Obviously, your mileage may vary, so let us know what you think
Basically, I'm generally in the opposite camp of the TSR/Wizards of the Coast school of building more rules so players can do something cool. I think, if D&D has a flaw, it's that it chokes itself to death with rule systems and players options without ever really looking at the cohesive whole of those systems. There comes a point with D&D where as a player or GM, you have to say enough, and stop collecting books, or drive yourself mad collecting every sourcebook. I still haven't taken too much of a plunge into D&D 3.5, and haven't spent a dime on D&D 4, as a result.
That being said, I can say that I'm actually grateful that WotC called it quits after 14 books with Saga. To me, that was about the sweet spot. In my opinion (and I don't speak for the other designers on the project) it is already reaching a point of diminishing returns with regard to developing new rules systems, talents, feats, classes, etc.
What is needed in Saga Edition is more stuff for GMs. Stat blocks. NPCs. Adventure ideas. Published adventures. Things that a GM can steal or borrow from, drop into a session, and minimize the work he has to do to run a game.
For those expecting a ton of crunch in terms of new rules systems for the book, prepare to be disappointed. We'll be giving the Yuuzhan Vong and the Killiks the treatment they deserve from the system in terms of character options, and we'll be filling in stuff that hasn't been published for the system already in terms of equipment, Force powers, etc. on the New Republic/Galactic Alliance, Imperial Remnant and Jedi sides, but I think a lot of what is needed to run NJO adventures in terms of rules subsystems, talents, feats, etc. is already there. All we need to do is point GMs and players in the right direction.
What the book will have is tons of adventure seeds. Generic and specific NPC stat blocks. New vehicles and starships, particularly on the Vong side. Cool ideas on why to consider running a campaign in the era. Campaign outlines. A published adventure to get you started.
That's the book I'd buy if WotC had published it. Obviously, your mileage may vary, so let us know what you think
What is the Embrace of Pain? (A Brief FAQ)
What is the Embrace of Pain?
The Embrace of Pain is intended to be a fan-created Sourcebook for Star Wars Saga Edition Roleplaying Game. It is intended to cover the New Jedi Order, Dark Nest, and Legacy of the Force series of novels from the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
Why are you doing this?
It had become increasingly clear over the last year that Wizards of the Coast would not be designing a sourcebook for the era. With Wizards' recent announcement that the April publication of The Unknown Regions would be the last book published for the line, it became increasingly clear that if there was going to be adequate support to run New Jedi Order campaigns in Saga Edition, I was going to have to step up. Within a week of Wizards' announcement, we put together a team to do exactly that, and work has commenced.
Who is the design team?
We're basically a bunch of folks from the d20 Radio forums for the Order 66 Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to discussion of the Star Wars Saga Edition RPG (and an Ennie Award winner at that.
For those familiar with the forums, we are myself (Darth ObiWan), Zrissa, madoule, Imbasel, Revan_the_2nd, Cyril, and watanabe2k
We are a team of diverse talents united by one common theme, a love of Star Wars Saga Edition.
As for my own experience, I have been a player and GM of RPGs since 1979. I have played in and run games as diverse as old-school D &D AD&D, Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, d20 Modern, Traveller: Fourth Edition, GURPS, 3rd Edition/3.5 D&D, Paranoia, and all three d20 versions of Star Wars, including Star Wars Saga Edition.
I was also a writer and designer for the following books for Traveller: Fourth Edition:
Milieu Zero sourcebook (both the hardcover and softcover versions), Psionic Institutes, Pocket Empires, Alien Archive I, and the unpublished adventure: The Vilani Hypothesis.
How can I help?
We are not currently soliciting for writers, game designers. We've got a good sized, manageable team, and I'm not comfortable adding any more, although this is always subject to change.
We may have need for additional artwork.
We will solicit for playtesters as we get closer to completion. We are not soliciting playtesters at this time, however.
How much will it cost?
The cost is nothing, nada, zip, zero, bupkus. It will be free.
The final publication will be in .pdf format. We don't have a license to produce this (which is why it is considered fan material), and we have no desire to wind up pissing off George Lucas, a man we respect and admire deeply, or Wizards of the Coast, who in our opinions did their finest work on Saga Edition.
While we're on the subject of Lucasfilm, and Wizards of the Coast. This book will be a derivative work based on works copyrighted by Lucasfilm and Wizards of the Coast, based on trademarked and copyrighted material that is wholly owned by Lucasfilm Limited and its subsidiaries. This is fan material only and is not, in any way, intended to be a challenge to said trademarks and copyrights. With luck, maybe it'll sell a few more novels for you guys.
More to come on this one.
The Embrace of Pain is intended to be a fan-created Sourcebook for Star Wars Saga Edition Roleplaying Game. It is intended to cover the New Jedi Order, Dark Nest, and Legacy of the Force series of novels from the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
Why are you doing this?
It had become increasingly clear over the last year that Wizards of the Coast would not be designing a sourcebook for the era. With Wizards' recent announcement that the April publication of The Unknown Regions would be the last book published for the line, it became increasingly clear that if there was going to be adequate support to run New Jedi Order campaigns in Saga Edition, I was going to have to step up. Within a week of Wizards' announcement, we put together a team to do exactly that, and work has commenced.
Who is the design team?
We're basically a bunch of folks from the d20 Radio forums for the Order 66 Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to discussion of the Star Wars Saga Edition RPG (and an Ennie Award winner at that.
For those familiar with the forums, we are myself (Darth ObiWan), Zrissa, madoule, Imbasel, Revan_the_2nd, Cyril, and watanabe2k
We are a team of diverse talents united by one common theme, a love of Star Wars Saga Edition.
As for my own experience, I have been a player and GM of RPGs since 1979. I have played in and run games as diverse as old-school D &D AD&D, Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, d20 Modern, Traveller: Fourth Edition, GURPS, 3rd Edition/3.5 D&D, Paranoia, and all three d20 versions of Star Wars, including Star Wars Saga Edition.
I was also a writer and designer for the following books for Traveller: Fourth Edition:
Milieu Zero sourcebook (both the hardcover and softcover versions), Psionic Institutes, Pocket Empires, Alien Archive I, and the unpublished adventure: The Vilani Hypothesis.
How can I help?
We are not currently soliciting for writers, game designers. We've got a good sized, manageable team, and I'm not comfortable adding any more, although this is always subject to change.
We may have need for additional artwork.
We will solicit for playtesters as we get closer to completion. We are not soliciting playtesters at this time, however.
How much will it cost?
The cost is nothing, nada, zip, zero, bupkus. It will be free.
The final publication will be in .pdf format. We don't have a license to produce this (which is why it is considered fan material), and we have no desire to wind up pissing off George Lucas, a man we respect and admire deeply, or Wizards of the Coast, who in our opinions did their finest work on Saga Edition.
While we're on the subject of Lucasfilm, and Wizards of the Coast. This book will be a derivative work based on works copyrighted by Lucasfilm and Wizards of the Coast, based on trademarked and copyrighted material that is wholly owned by Lucasfilm Limited and its subsidiaries. This is fan material only and is not, in any way, intended to be a challenge to said trademarks and copyrights. With luck, maybe it'll sell a few more novels for you guys.
More to come on this one.
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