I’m working on making an RPG of my own design, tying together a lot of different thoughts I’ve had for games over the last few years. I finally felt I had enough of a document that it was time to do a simulation play test, so I rolled up a character (finding a lot of holes in my rules as I did), and pitted him against a wolf.

The wolf won, hands down. But it was very useful for me and might be interesting for people who are interested in what I have going on with my rule system.

The Story of Leesoo

Leesoo finally left the farm. It was a tearful moment, but from a young age, he knew that he had a bigger destiny than the farm. He was going to be a hero, like the stories. And he couldn’t do that on the farm. He had a few coins in his pocket, the clothes on his back, and a pastie that his mother made for him. He carried a pitchfork, the closest thing to the Glaive that his hero Reesoo had wielded against the sky serpent that had once swallowed the moon. He walked away from the village and through the wood, following the faint track that was left when the tradesfolk brought their beasts laden with goods to the town for the trade days.

 If Leesoo was aware of things like Character Sheets and could somehow look at this abstract concept, he’d see the following summary attached to him as he jogged through the woods, occasionally wiping away a tear.

While running, Leesoo’s long ears pick up the sounds of a creature in the brush. Sliding to a halt, he draws out the pitchfork and readies himself. A wolf slinks out of the woods, snarling. In words that Leesoo cannot hear, although he realizes the sentiment, combat has started.

Wolf rolls a Initiative of 7

Leesoo rolls a Initiative of 5

The wolf sprints across the field, bodychecking poor Leesoo. He falls over and the wolf presses down on top of him, jaws opening wide. 

Wolf uses Takedown and rolls a 15. Leesoo rolls a 1. Leesoo takes 1 damage and is pinned. (19/20)

Wolf is now at 2 Initiative.

Underneath the wolf, there’s not much that Leesoo can do. He can’t bring the pitchfork to bear. He kicks up into the belly of the wolf. There is no effect. 

Leesoo uses Kick and rolls a 9. No effect.
Leesoo is now at 2 Initiative. 

The wolf bites down on the pinned tu’ren. Leesoo lets out a scream.

Wolf uses Bite and rolls a 19. Deals 7 points of damage. (12/20)

Wolf is now at -1 Initiative.

Through the pain, Leesoo thinks of his hero, and how pain never stopped him in the quest to save the moon. How can he let a mere wolf stop him?

Leesoo has completed the quest: “Endure: Take 5 or more damage in a single hit.”

Leesoo has gained 1 point in Endure.
Leesoo has gained a level of Tu’Ren and is now level 2.

Leesoo has recovered 1 Health (13/20)

For the next level of Tu’ren, Leesoo has drawn the Quest: “Tumble: Nimbly Escape being trapped 1 time.”

Leesoo, filled with resolve, tries to twist out of the wolf’s clutches and roll out from underneath the beast. 

Leeso attempts to break free from the Pinned condition. Leesoo uses Skitter, to reduce the Initiative cost to 0. He rolls a 6. The Wolf rolls a 9. Leesoo is still pinned.

Panting heavily Leesoo attempts to kick again. 

Leesoo attempts to kick the wolf. He rolls a 14, which hits, dealing 3 damage. 17/20.

Leesoo is now at -1 Initiative. 

The wolf snaps down on the rabbit-like hero hopeful.

Wolf rolls a 17. Deals 3 damage. (10/20)

Wolf is now at -1 Initiative. 

All parties are at Initiative 0 or below. New round.

Wolf rolls a 22, – 1 hold over from the previous round.

Leesoo rolls a 7, -1 hold over from the previous round 

Wolf bites Leesoo. Leesoo use block, activating steady readiness so it does not cost initiative. Leesoo’s defense is now 11. 

Wolf rolls a 20. It deals 8 damage. (2/20)

Wolf is now at Initiative 18

Wolf bites, rolls a 7. Misses. 

Wolf is now at initiative 15 

Leesoo has completed the quest block: Block 1 attacks with a single Block action.”

Block has increased to 2

Child of Peasantry has advanced to level two.

Child of Peasantry has a new Quest assigned: “Listening – Hear something sneaky 1 times.”

Leesoo has recovered 1 health. (3/20)

Wolf uses Bite. Rolls a 19. 4 damage.

Leesoo is under 0 health.

Combat is over.

Reflections

I realized when the Wolf rolled a nat 20 for his initiative, that there was a flaw. Mainly, at very high levels, it would not surprise me if people were rolling a 70+ for initiative. At 3 points per attack, they’d be making 20+ attacks in a round, which is too many. So I’m making attacks more expensive. Basically just adding 10 to the cost for now. Also, the negative values of Init is a bad idea, so that’s gone. Once you hit 0, you’re done for the round, but no penalty for doing something big at the end of the round.

I’m tweaking Defense and block a bit, nothing huge, just some small empowering clarifications. Same with a concept that didn’t come up, Damage Cap. But it informed my thoughts, which cost little Leesoo his life.

I also didn’t really have a good feel for Pin. Still don’t have an answer. I’d love to hear any thoughts or questions.

We’re still a bit away from me being able to really share the project, but having somewhat viable playtests are certainly a start.

Later!