Trollszine guide to playing T&T

[quoghmyre]

Mar 16, 2021 7:28:48 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

Perhaps we could consider using this sort of structure for the pamphlet and embellish it to include pregen characters and NPCs?

This is a fantastic idea, with great resources. That gives us a clear guide to help keep it consitant. Anyone want to try a couple of outlines using this?

[ishtar58]

I'm ashamed to say how long I took to realize that Johnn's "5 Rooms" weren't actual rooms, but story segments.

The pregen characters are underway - I made a list of what character kindred/types I wanted and rolled lots of dice. They're 3d6 and TARO, with the results placed to provide the best character. I was thinking of rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest, but figured it was best to stick close to the RAW.

Is it confirmed that we're using the free rules from DriveThru? Because those use STR for spells and don't use WIZ - basically they're 5 ed. characters. They also only allow warriors and wizards, not rogues.

[quoghmyre]

Free and easy.

[ishtar58]

Okay then, no WIZ and no rogues it is.

[Piper]

Mar 16, 2021 8:36:49 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

Piper, this thread might get you started: Balance... (Looking for tips or guidance)

Yes, that's the type of info I was thinking of. Thank you!

[stefanj]

Hmmm. I wrote an essay, "Teaching Tunnels & Trolls in Three Easy Lessons," that would fit this very well. But I wrote it for the Flying Buffalo 50th Anniversary booklet, which still might see the light of day, so I'm reluctant to divert it.

[ishtar58]

Mar 17, 2021 14:09:10 GMT -5 stefanj said:

Hmmm. I wrote an essay, "Teaching Tunnels & Trolls in Three Easy Lessons," that would fit this very well. But I wrote it for the Flying Buffalo 50th Anniversary booklet, which still might see the light of day, so I'm reluctant to divert it.

Did you promise them first publication rights? Because otherwise you should be able to use it in both places.

[quoghmyre]

Thought for the characters, a wide array of adventuring items. Then the Adventures can use these in the puzzles. Ropes, hooks, chalk and so much more. Spread around the Characters so each game has different items to solve problems with. Make the Players feel clever;-)

[ishtar58]

Will do.

I've got the numbers worked out, but my eyes were crossing doing character sheets. I'll pick it up tomorrow. Then on to the fun part: background and motivations!

[ProfGremlin]

Just a quick thought, here: consider adding a mini-skills/talents section to the pamphlet. A simple explanation before/after the list of delvers showcasing how to use talents would suffice. No more than a three or four sentence paragraph. Present a list of three talents for each pre-gen character and encourage the player to select one. We could even tag one as 'recommended' in case the player just wasn't sure of what to do. This would minimize overhead in figuring out talents and give the players a chance to 'customize' their characters a little. As skills/talents have been around since 5.5ed. we're not adding anything to the rules rather, we're including the player in the creation/presentation of their character and helping them get into the character's mindset.

[zanshin]

Mar 18, 2021 8:27:48 GMT -5 ProfGremlin said:

Just a quick thought, here: consider adding a mini-skills/talents section to the pamphlet. A simple explanation before/after the list of delvers showcasing how to use talents would suffice. No more than a three or four sentence paragraph. Present a list of three talents for each pre-gen character and encourage the player to select one. We could even tag one as 'recommended' in case the player just wasn't sure of what to do. This would minimize overhead in figuring out talents and give the players a chance to 'customize' their characters a little. As skills/talents have been around since 5.5ed. we're not adding anything to the rules rather, we're including the player in the creation/presentation of their character and helping them get into the character's mindset.

I'll volunteer for a quick run down on Talents, unless prof gremlin is offering. (Inspiration as important as perspiration, obviously)

[ProfGremlin]

Mar 18, 2021 11:40:40 GMT -5 zanshin said:

I'll volunteer for a quick run down on Talents, unless prof gremlin is offering. (Inspiration as important as perspiration, obviously)

I can get us started and then we can edit from there!

Talents

Characters are multi-dimensional. Warrior or Wizard is the characters relationship to magic in the world but that’s not all they are. They have other hobbies, interests or things they’re just good at. To represent this, all first level characters start with one Talent.

A Talent is a broadly defined ‘skill’. It confers a +3 bonus to a saving roll anytime the GM deems it applicable to the situation. Talents may be related to combat skills but are not used during combat for additional bonuses.

Example, an archer could have the Trickshot Talent and use it to shoot the ruby out of the hand of the statue holding it but Trickshot would not add additional direct effect to a combat Hit Point Total.

Each character has some suggested Talents. Pick from one of those to customize your character or collaborate with you GM to create one of your own!

[ishtar58]

I'll put Talent on the character sheet.

[quoghmyre]

Not sure we want any Player choices, the Character is pre-made and print out ready to go. Any choice requires knowledge of how the game works.
The Players get no rules, just their Character with SR table, dice, pen.

GM reads a breif introduction to Role Play, Saving Rolls and they're onto the game. Learning by doing.

When they are ready to start making their own characters, they have the Free Rules or better yet buy the book.

Wouldn't it be better to find an Item that gives the buffs, that way the adventure writer can ensure they have the needed advantages.

Change my mind;-)

[ishtar58]

Mar 18, 2021 17:41:27 GMT -5 quoghmyre said:

Not sure we want any Player choices, the Character is pre-made and print out ready to go. Any choice requires knowledge of how the game works.
The Players get no rules, just their Character with SR table, dice, pen.

GM reads a breif introduction to Role Play, Saving Rolls and they're onto the game. Learning by doing.

When they are ready to start making their own characters, they have the Free Rules or better yet buy the book.

Wouldn't it be better to find an Item that gives the buffs, that way the adventure writer can ensure they have the needed advantages.

Change my mind;-)

I could also give each one a talent on the character sheet. I already gave each wizard one 2nd level spell to differentiate them; adding a talent would make all the characters even more individual and possibly help them overcome challenges in the game. I’d like to make the illkin characters in particular a little more rounded and less “Hulk smash!”

For those playing the home game, here’s what I have so far:

Two human warriors, one human wizard; one elven warrior, one elven wizard; two dwarven warriors (one of whom rolled TARO and is an absolute tank); one fairy wizard; one hobb warrior; one leprechaun wizard; one uruk warrior; one hrogr warrior; one sphinx wizard.

It seems like a good balance of warriors to wizards and at least one of each playable race. Comments?