dLITE: Simple system for narrative (and PbP) games

[Aegir]

So, we're working on a system we're currently calling dLITE. Its specifically geared towards largely freeform gaming - and PbP play in particular - so its a very light system, in fact the rules currently fit on one page (with a bit of room to spare).

Core Mechanic
Roll d10. Add all relevant modifiers (such as skills). Success is achieved on a roll of 10 or higher.
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Focus
Focus (or Foci) are the core of a PCs abilities, and usually consist of different forms of power, be it physical (for weapon combat), magical, tech, or most anything else. They serve in much the same way as Skills (below), but can be used to stack with a skill if both are of relevance to the action. Example: picking a lock, by itself, may only use a skill (lock picking), but picking a lock using a lockpicking spell would allow you to add your magic focus to the check.

Usually, Foci are not purchased with Motes, and instead are acquired in creation (perhaps as a racial element) or earned as a reward for use in play. All Foci have a maximum score of 5.
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Skills
There are no pre-defined skills in dLITE, so a skill consists of any ability, action, or talent you feel your character would have some better than average skill in. Skills are raised by using "dots", which count as a +1 modifier on all d10 rolls against that particular action. Skills usually will not stack, and have a maximum score of 5 Dots. Skills are purchased using Motes (see below), at a cost of (10*purchased dot level). Example, dot 1 costs 10 motes, dot 2 20 motes, all the way to dot 5, which is 50 motes.
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Motes
Motes are the experience system of dLITE. How they're awarded may vary from game to game, but are usually given by the Visionary for completion of tasks, or by other players in acknowledgment of exceptional role play. They are spent directly on advancing player skills, but can also be used as Plot Points (below).
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Plot Points
Plot points, or "Retcon Points", are used in a multitude of ways, including purchasing abilities or tools that are beyond the scope of the skill system, as well as large plot pieces (such as a wizard constructing a golem or machinist building an automaton), advancements of ones personal plot (purchasing a plot of land to found a town/stronghold), or the games plot (building onto an existing town, founding a business, installing a rapid transit system). Plot Points are also used in emergency situations, where a tool is needed that had not previously been established. Example: player falls off a cliff. If he's previously established himself as having or building an anti-gravity belt, he's able to use it and avoid injury. If not, spending Plot Points would allow him to "retcon" one into existence. Plot Points may also be used in place of an action that may normally require a roll, to achieve an auto-success.

Each Plot Point costs one Mote.

Actions will usually be freeform and not need a roll, but when one is needed, the exact modifier is based on whats used in the action. If a rogue were to attempt to unlock a door, he might use a lockpicking skill to modify his d10. If that same rogue used a set of magic picks, then he might add his magic focus to the roll as well.

Mostly, we're curious if anything seems to jump out as missing, or if the rules themselves seem to have any obvious flaws. Yes, they are very simplistic, but that was the intended goal, and while they can be used for heavy combat games, thats not really their purpose.

[JoyWriter]

I notice that at the moment the system seems to encourage one super-skill. Now you can discourage this in a few ways, such as using a skill pyramid (each skill needs two more skills on it's level than on the level above before it can advance), or by requiring people to alternate through skill uses during a scene. You could also just veto frequently, but it might be good to get an idea of how many skills you expect people to have, and how general or specific they should be, at least as an example to those building characters.

[MacLeod]

I agree with JoyWriter. Go SBA style and do a pyramid; one 5 Skill, two 4 skills, three 3 skills, four 2 skills and five 1 skills. I think it scales well.

I'm not sure if other people feel that using the term "dots" is pretentious/annoying... but I do.
I'm sure some people will feel at home when they see a familiar term like that I guess... It doesn't really matter, it is just a small point of contention.

[Aegir]

There are no pre-defined skills, and I do agree it does to some extent promote a single "uber-skill". Skills are likely to be quite specific, while Foci figure to be the power behind your actions. We're also not minding the fact that odds are characters will start with one exceptionally strong skill, as the system is geared towards a very broad range of actions.

[visioNationstudios]

There are no pre-defined skills, and I do agree it does to some extent promote a single "uber-skill". Skills are likely to be quite specific, while Foci figure to be the power behind your actions. We're also not minding the fact that odds are characters will start with one exceptionally strong skill, as the system is geared towards a very broad range of actions.

Right.  The thought here is that a single, very powerful skill may prove extremely useful in that exact situation where it arises, but focusing all of your motes on such a narrow scope means that in every situation outside of said skill, you're largely useless.  So it's a give-and-take.

[MacLeod]

My point is... the pyramid is just a very loose structure used to avoid somebody becoming uberjuiceman. No harm in implementing munchkin protection. It doesn't really matter if you have predefined skills or not... it is just a smart way to array skills... in my opinion of course.

[visioNationstudios]

It very well could be great for that, yeah.  We'll spend some time weighing the pros and cons of that, as it may have the adverse effect of forcing a character into into a particular box due to system crunchiness, rather than because it's truly how the character would have developed on his own.

I usually spend too much time building AMFs (Anti-Munchkin Fields) around my mechanics, so the temptation and justification is certainly there.  But I'm purposely trying to pull myself out of that comfort zone and into a different thought process for this project.

And ultimately, with its free-form roots, the hope is that rolls would only be called for in two situations:
1) When failure would result in the mission/goal being a failure as well.
2) When failure would result in the death of a party member.

All else can, and should, be roleplayed out.  Good or bad results.  I guess maybe I'm banking on the lack of munchkins playing this sort of system, as it's almost an anti-Gamist system.

[MacLeod]

That makes sense. I'm probably out of my element here because I'm the Gamist sort, so just ignore me.

[visioNationstudios]

That makes sense. I'm probably out of my element here because I'm the Gamist sort, so just ignore me.

Like I said, it certainly makes a lot of sense, and I suspect that if we start testing this with a crowd and find that people just aren't "getting it", we may implement something like what you've suggested, if only as a sort of "corral" to keep the stray livestock fenced in.

[Aegir]

That makes sense. I'm probably out of my element here because I'm the Gamist sort, so just ignore me.

I can definitely understand that, cause I'm the same in many ways. I guess you could say my work on this is caused by my rebellion against my d20 roots, and its over-crunchiness sending me running to the opposite extreme for a while.

[MacLeod]

The D20 systems can be silly things... not that I don't like the D20 itself, I love how it goes perfectly into 100, for instance. ^_^ I understand where you are coming from though, I'm trying to get away from D&D fantasy. Probably for different reasons than you. I'm doing it because while D&D3.5 is crunchy it isn't in the ways that I would like. It loses out on what I like to think of as fun complexity... D&D4E's Powers system could have been good but was handled poorly*, completely replacing class features was a stupid idea.

Anyways... I don't see why your rules wouldn't work just fine for a narrative game. One question, which I'm sure you expected from a Gamist... Are combat situations played blow-by-blow or is a single roll used to define an entire scene?

*pointlessly huge lists of different powers that could easily be condensed into effects in order to apply them to different frameworks).

[Aegir]

Anyways... I don't see why your rules wouldn't work just fine for a narrative game. One question, which I'm sure you expected from a Gamist... Are combat situations played blow-by-blow or is a single roll used to define an entire scene?

This is close to accurate, but not quite. The system will have a "skill" (its handled like a skill for purposes of raising it, but isn't a skill per se) called Wounds that acts something like HP. If you haven't invested in Wounds, one successful attack will drop you, with each Wound point acting as a buffer from that. Armor would likely grant Wound points as well.

Every successful attack does one Wound damage, until finally you've burned through your Wound points, at which point the next blow drops you unconscious, with a "killing blow" needed to truly finish you off. At least, thats the thinking ATM.

[MacLeod]

Cool. I guess that makes Wounds the only defined 'skill'? I think you may want create a Resolve skill as well, for mental anguish inducing attacks. I imagine your final draft would end up with a sample list of skills...

How is character creation handled, by the way? I always assume structure cuz that is the sort of guy I am... but I'd imagine you'll have very loose "power levels" or something similar? (average characters have 10 motes to distribute amongst skills, 15 for pros, 20 for human peak, 25 for superhuman, etc...).

Also, why 'motes'? It is a funny bit of terminology... It doesn't really identify itself very well, ya know? I'm a stickler for terminology I guess. @_@

[Aegir]

Cool. I guess that makes Wounds the only defined 'skill'? I think you may want create a Resolve skill as well, for mental anguish inducing attacks. I imagine your final draft would end up with a sample list of skills...

That is a possibility, but right now theres no plans for it. Though as you say, Wounds is likely to be one that gets defined.

How is character creation handled, by the way? I always assume structure cuz that is the sort of guy I am...

Bit of a mix of structure and not. Right now what we're kicking around is a creation with the GM where you're asked three questions about your character, and based on how you answer, the GM suggests related skills, and finally three are put on the sheet at one point each. After that, an undetermined number of Build Motes are given (likely somewhere between 100-150, with skill points costing between 10 (point 1) and 50 (point 5), with which you can round out your character largely however you see fit. Foci are based on race and aren't bought with Motes.

Also, why 'motes'? It is a funny bit of terminology...

Honestly... I couldn't tell you. Its the term vNs uses for its experience in its other products, and we simply went with it to remain consistent. For where it came from beyond that, most likely mister vNs himself (who posted earlier in this thread) could tell you. I'll see if I can't beat an answer out of him tomorrow.

[Selene Tan]

And ultimately, with its free-form roots, the hope is that rolls would only be called for in two situations:
1) When failure would result in the mission/goal being a failure as well.
2) When failure would result in the death of a party member.

All else can, and should, be roleplayed out.  Good or bad results.  I guess maybe I'm banking on the lack of munchkins playing this sort of system, as it's almost an anti-Gamist system.

So the dice only get rolled when there's a possibility of, effectively, ending the game? That seems backwards to me. I think those are the situations where players will try very hard not to go to the dice, or else will scramble for as much mechanical advantage as they can (e.g. burning through Plot Points) to give them a certain victory.

I like to go to dice when it seems clear that "just roleplaying" is getting nowhere in terms of resolving the fictional situation, but then I've probably been in a few too many games of "Guess the GM's magic keyword" that went on for ages. My thinking is: I gave my character high charisma for a reason, let me use it. So maybe I'm not exactly in your target audience for dLITE.