Comments on: [CFMS] Design Goals

By: Aramis

Aramis — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:32:34 +0000

“Otherwise, why not just play Reign?”

because…
…one has CF and not Reign.
…one doesn’t like Reign’s dice mechanics.
…one’s player group doesn’t like Reign’s dice mechanics.

What I’d like to see is the ability to handle and differentiate guilds from landholds, but run them both under the same basic mechanics.

Something that handles better than Pendragon’s Lordly Domains or AD&D’s Birthright…

By: Jeremy Keller

Jeremy Keller — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:12:39 +0000

Reign will certainly be listed among the influences for this system. That said, I want to make sure the manor system is not just Reign’s companies with step-dice. I’m really trying to approach the themes and mechanics from a different angle. Otherwise, why not just play Reign?

For example, I too like the versatility of Reign’s companies and the way you can easily use them for any type of organization from any type of society. Chronica’s manor system, however, will be laser focused on medieval hierarchies and feudal land holdings. You’ll be able to bend and twist the rules for a wide definitions of “lord” and “vassal” but it–fingers-crossed–should do a good job of bringing out setting-specific elements of the culture through play.

By: Daniel Elenius

Daniel Elenius — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:10:38 +0000

One existing system that does at least 1-3 above is Reign’s company mechanics. An interesting aspect of those rules is that it handles non-landed types of organizations as well (the “Territory” stat of your “company” could be zero).

By: Serge

Serge — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:52:21 +0000

Hello, just bought CS yesterday. Very nice job; The goals are reached. I haven’t played the game yet, but i’ve been in the rpg since 81 and i know a good one when i see it !

The system is very interesting, switft, global, very open to characterisation. I am sure that if you translate it into french you’ll have plenty of new players too.

Keep going !

By: Conall Kavanagh

Conall Kavanagh — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:14:41 +0000

I would add:
Provide a bottom-up mechanism for determining population density and the sizes of local towns and cities. Incorporate the effects of infrequent but catastrophic events (eg. famine, crop disease, etc.) into gameplay.

By: Jeremy Keller

Jeremy Keller — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:50:27 +0000

I added a sixth item, “Avoid using charts…,” above.

By: Jeremy Keller

Jeremy Keller — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:48:38 +0000

Definitely. Family is an important factor. Marriage is a method of acquiring more land and strengthening alliances. Your heirs will be potential future characters for generational play.

By: Graham Bottley

Graham Bottley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:44:14 +0000

I think that some rules for Family both close and extended would be good, as these are important concepts in a Manor setting, whether the character is a Peasant or Noble