In this episode I am joined by Mike and Brian, creators of Destined, to hear about their approach to some new skills including investigation and I talk about some new skills which we are exploring within our own campaign Welcome to Mythras Matters Season 1 Episode 23 - Investigation, interrogation and memory checks!
MUSIC
Hello and welcome to April! With the majority of our clocks springing forward an hour here in the northern hemisphere we are moving steadfastly towards the summer months and warmer weather and sunshine - of course, if you live in the southern hemisphere then winter is on its way, so it soon will be time break out those woolly jumpers!
I always have to remember that this podcast to listen to around the world! Although the majority of the downloads are from North America and Europe, if you are listening to this in South America, Australia and New Zealand and Asia, then thanks for downloading! The podcast hosting company, where I host Mythras Matters, gives me great stats about every episode - so I know we have even had downloads in Africa! - only 5 but I hope you enjoyed the content!
I would like to start this podcast episode with an announcement. Have you just paid more attention to my dulcet tones? Well, it is not a major announcement, it is just to say that this is not an April Fool episode! I'm not sure whether this is just an English tradition or worldwide - but on the first of April, we try and trick each other before noon. Major companies often run fake ads and news stories while children always say things like, your shoelace is undone, even if is not. If you fall for these jokes, then you are an April Fool! But, if you try to fool someone afternoon then the joke is on you!
I started think whether we actually use festivals within our own campaigns? I know in the MMOs of the internet there are festivals that can be celebrated with goodies and presents available, but do we use these in our own role-playing? I can see the appeal of these and they could lead to a variety of encounters and events. In the recent Lyonesse game we played with Loz as the GM, we experienced the rivalry and intrigue of the the festival which happens annually between the villages of High and Low Dudgeon. If you haven't seen the gameplay then it is on my YouTube channel and you can buy the actual adventure from all the usual online stores. It can easily be adapted to any campaign and allows the players to get involved in a range of events from Donkey Jousting to juggling with cats!
JINGLE
When I am joined by Brian and Mike later on in this episode we will be having a chat about skills and how they are being tackled in Destined. But to start of with, I wanted to share with you some possible new skills which we are trying out in your own campaign.
I've played, well GM, both Call of Cthulhu and Shadowrun in the past, and although the settings are both very different to each other and our fantasy campaign, the two games have some 'skills' which I have found useful while GMing sessions. These are not actual skills which the players can invest skill points in or even change at character development. They are what I would call static skills. The skills which we are currently exploring are Memory, from Shadowrun and Idea from Call of Cthulhu.
You might already use a standard skill to replicate the effects of these two new skills, but I found that this meant that these could be developed via skill rolls, something which I did not want to happen. So what do the two skills do and how are they calculated.
First up, Memory. This is A skill is described very well by its name. Essentially this is a skill roll that allows the character to remember something which they have seen, read or even heard. I often use this roll when the players own memory is failing, even with the aid of their notes. Or I might use it to provide more information about an encounter once the players have progressed further through the plotline. For example, they might be talking to a tavern owner about the local legend of the huge boar and then later notice that they have someone following them. A memory roll could be used at this point if the player says - was this person in the tavern when we were talking to the owner? I have found that it is useful to provide additional pieces of information and to make connections between different encounters.
The idea roll is a skill roll that is used when the players are stuck. We have all had that moment when we are finding it difficult to piece the information together or need a some support as to what we should do next in the adventure. This is where the idea roll comes in. Basically, a player to roll this skill and depending on their success you can provide them with a clue or an idea where to go next. I find that it is really used as a last resort when the players are really stuck but it can also be used for characters to see connections between the main plotlines. Seeing how everything is connected is often very important in my sessions since I go for more of a murder mystery vibe in my adventures rather than a hack and slay approach.
Memory is calculated by multiplying the character's intelligence by 5 while the Idea roll is the average of the character's intelligence and power scores, multiplied by 5.
You can either have a go at using them straight away in your campaign or just consider times within your sessions when these rolls could be used. Of course, these are not official new skills, just ideas which we are using in our campaign. And, if you have any views about these skills or if you use some of your own new skills then please do add them in the comments below the link to this podcast on the Tapatalk discussion forums - the link will be in the show notes!
Okay, time for some more new skills as I am joined by Mike and Brian as we talk about some new skills in the new game Destined.
INTERVIEW
JINGLE
We will hear more about Mike's playtesting and more about Destined in the second part of this interview which will feature in May's episode.
Remember, if you would like to contribute to the podcast then why not just drop me an email or message and let me know what you would like to cover. I am always looking for reviews or interviews with people. So if you are interested, you can email me at inwils@gmail.com or send me a message on the various forums I frequent.
Also, if you are interested, then remember you can watch my other content on my YouTube channel where explain the rules of Mythras, including some newly published shorter and focused videos, post actual play videos and talk about GMing in my series the gibbering GM.
Likes, subs and comments are always gratefully received - and I try to reply to all the comments you post.
JINGLE
And that’s it, another episode of Mythras Matters completed. Next month we will continue to chat with Brian and Mike with a focus on money and how this can be used and adapted in our campaigns. And, if you are interested in the Bartering and Haggling rules, then keep an eye open for the next Mythras Rules video on my YouTube channel.
So, until next time have a great month of gaming and I will chat again with you all in February
Until then I hope that all our opposed rolls succeed and provide you with a well-deserved special.
Thanks for listening cya - Bye!