Hero Wars from Michael Cule on 1998-09-29 (Glorantha Digest Vol 06)

From: Michael Cule <mikec_at_room3b.demon.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 18:41:59 GMT

David Cake says:
> >Hit Points and Wounds that are real as soon as they are made. If I have to do
> >a rules fix then the first step I will take is to restore wounds that hurt and
> >harm even the mightiest.
>
> These do actually exist as an optional rule in the current draft,
> well not Hit Points (cheers from me), but Wounds. Of course, they are all
> tied up with SPs, so Mike may not like them anyway. FWIW, I like the option
> - - and I like that its optional even more.

Well, I'm glad to hear that much. I was planning to make my wounds-based system be based on the level of some traits which is the point that SPs are based on so no problem there. I'm muchly glad that people are doing some of the work for me.

>
> >I think the rules system should be modelling the world. That way I can
> >discover
> >what happens just as the players will. If my personal prejudices are
> >allowed to
> >rule the outcomes then I become (as GM) a puppetmaster not a co-creator.
>
> This really goes to the heart of Mikes objections. As far as I can
> see, Mike is a died in the wool 'simulationist', believing that RPG rules
> should try and simulate reality. Which presumably means that there are all
> sorts of other rules that try and simulate literary conventions above
> reality that he objects too as well as Hero Wars
> Its probably best to agree to disagree, Mike. If your objections
> are to fundamental issues at the heart of the design rather than specific
> mechanics, there isn't much hope it will ever become something you are
> happy with.

Well, I'm not too happy with the term 'simulationist'. It implies that I care about the exact ratio of metals in Gloranthan bronze or how Lunar armour is made or other sorts of tedious detail. But otherwise you're right. I've got a philosophy of gaming that HW isn't likely to serve without me doing some work.

I want the world to be part of the system. I want people to think about how it works and how to go about surviving and succeeding in it.

> (SUBLIMINAL MIND CONTROL MESSAGE TO MIKE CULE
> Shut up about the damn status point mechanic. You've lost this one.
> END SUBLIMINAL MIND CONTROL MESSAGE)
But you see, I have 'Bloody minded and stubborn grognard' 6/14.

-- Michael Cule

Actor And Genius
AKA Theophilus Prince Archbishop Of The Far Isles Medieval Society Arms Purpure An Open Book Proper: On the Dexter Page an Alpha Or On the Sinister an Omega Or. Motto Nulla Spes Sit in Resistendo (Resistance is Useless). Ask me about the Far Isles: Better Living through Pan-Medieval Anachronisms.

End of The Glorantha Digest V6 #228