Random musings

From: Thom Baguley <t.s.baguley_at_...>
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 11:30:04 +0000

> From: Frank Rafaelsen <rafael_at_...>
>Subject: Random musings
>
>
>Hi there, I'm still in the process of adjusting my style of play to Hero
>Wars, and just as important, my players style of playing.
>
>There are a couple of things that keep bothering me. For instance, why
>14? Why is the basic resistance for stuff 14? Why not 15, or 12 or even
>better, 10? Could anyone give an educated guess?

Maybe it worked well in play-test?

>Neither I nor my players understand the logic that if you describe your
>character as Resistant to Magic (or whatever) his default resistance is
>still better. It is a minor problem, but still strange. I've solved this
>by letting my players augment the basic resistance with their ability.

I think the augment works fine. I'd also rule it is a magic trait and therefore can be used to augment with a suitable mundane ability. If you want it more powerful just make it 1W or 5W.

>Another thing that bothers me is the wealth rating. Now this is supposed
>to reflect a lot more than just money. It is also supposed to reflect how
>much resources you can claim from your family and clan. So where do you
>draw the line between wealth and Relationship Family/Clan? Isn't this the
>same thing in a clan based society?

Surely not. The Orlanthi have personal wealth, favours etc. they can claim from the bloodline and individual posessions. I might have a personal claim to 10 cows worth of goods from clan and get on badly with my family or have claim to 3 cows and be greatly loved by them. The net effect might be the same (because I can augment wealth by relationship), but there is a big role-playing difference between a loving father giving you money to buy a horse and you using personal resources to so (you might still owe him favour). A narrator might choose to make this interplay more or less explicit. For example, selling cows to buy a sword might have knock on effects on your stead (less milk etc.) which in turn might lead to resentment that you aren't pulling your weight with the farming and so on.

For Orlanthi cows, favours, gold, weapons are all forms of wealth. Of these favours are probably the best (they can be translated into and of the others, can't be stolen, can't die or spoil, and can be used to forge friendships and alliances).

>Wouldn't it be easier to use the relationship as a measure of how 'rich'
>you are? And if your to much of a burden to your clan, your relationship
>will suffer (as in the wealth rules). Being a steady source of wealth for
>your clan on the other hand, would no doubt make you a very popular guy.

It would be simpler but less interesting (and in some cases confusing).

Thom