Conversion: Engel-Quest

[Robert Calder]

Hello,

I'm considering running Engel in the near future. The d20 rules included in the English translation are garbage, and for some reason, the Arkana rules (published via web in English this summer) don't do it for me.

I'm considering three routes (Unisystem, Tri-Stat, and Hero Quest); Hero Quest appeals to me the most, even though I'll be working with the old Hero Wars version and fixing problems with the conversion notes on the Issaries website.

Anyway - I've having heartache over a couple of things, and was hoping you fine folks might be able to offer some advice.

First, I'm a bit hung up on the basic keywords. These would be stuff like culture and religion in "normal" Hero Quest. But the only "basic" keyword I can come up with for Engel is whatever Order the Engel belongs to. Religion is handled, the only memories a new Engel has relate to his experiences awakening in the Himmel, and any "magic" seems to tie right into the Order keyword - there's basic things all Engel can do, but being a Michaelite means you have very specific Potestates (semi-magical abilities) that, say, a Urielite really can't have.

Barring brainstorming up more grainy sub-divisions within each Order, I can't think of any other "basic" keywords that the characters would have. Any comments?


My second problem is that I'm not sure how well starting characters in the setting can take advantage of one of the best features of HQ - it integrates relationships right into the character stats.

 New Engel characters are children - not only in the sense that they look young, but also, they have virtually no memory of anything prior to their awakening in their Himmel (the earthbound homes of the various Angelic Orders) and their presentation in Roma Aeterna.

This doesn't leave a lot of opportunity for "unique" relationships - each character will have a connection with their Order, and with the Church, and *maybe* with other Engel of his Order who were awoken around the same time, and possibly with some of the Engel responsible for their training for living in the world of the flesh.

I guess I could have all characters have a Connection to Church-like keyword (maybe as another basic keyword??) that is supposed to indicate how staunchly they believe the doctrines of the Angelitic Church?

It just seems like I must be thinking about this wrong - I mean, in Glorantha (or some other setting with more "normal" characters) they can have things like, "Lost Love - 17" or "Hates Grandfather - 11". But, for all intents and purposes, Engel are like amnesiacs who just recently woke up and pull everything they know about the world from the last couple of months.

[Emmerson]

Great minds think alike, when I first saw heroquest I thought it would be ideal for Engel. Personally I think a conversion is very easy.

As far as keywords go remember that the keywords really give you signposts as to what the character can do. As long as players get all the skills and abilities they need to be the appropriate Engel then thats enough.

Basically the engel can be considered to be one of a handful of Orders, these roughly equate to warrior, scout , scholar, leader etc. The concept of each order will tell you what skills the engel need. Narrow skills start at
17, wider skills start at 13 and away you go. The great thing about heroquest is that you can just wing it, making up the skills you need to fit the characters concept.

As far as the Potestates go then look in the engel book at those that are already there and come up with abilities that are similar, you should be able to get a good idea of what each order specialises in.

The relaltionships part is a little tricky, but you can have some of their contacts as part of the order, they could form friendships with other Engel, members of the church, servants etc. The alternative is thta using the games big secret conceal some of their relationships for revealing through play.

Anyway those are my thoughts on the subject, Im sure you`ll find people who can give you more mechanically interesting ideas. Anyway good luck, and have fun