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A topic by maxcan7 created Jul 08, 2020 Views: 487 Replies: 7

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maxcan7Submitted4 years ago (1 edit) (+2)

So, I've read several ItO / EB-related books such as Super Blood Harvest, Death is the New Pink, Silent Titans, Mutants of Ixx, and Maze Rats, and also follow Chris' blog. I've been meaning to read ItO / EB-proper for forever but I am a bad person who has a mental block around buying anything that doesn't have a red slash and a lower number next to the normal cost (and yes I know there's a free version but still...).

From everything I've read / seen / heard, the system seems like something I would mostly really like (minus a few quibbles but nothing major), but I still have not played it. However, I'm pretty well-versed in OSR and the tabletop RPG scene more broadly and think I have a reasonable grasp on it.

I joined this jam partially as a way to force myself to learn more about ItO / EB since it seems like one of the most interesting developments in tabletop RPGs in several years (or so I think) and partially to force myself to take a stab at producing something for the first time in a while.

That being said, I've got not a lot of time to get comfortable enough with the system to produce something for it, so does anyone have any suggestions for the quickest way for me to "figure it out" in time to do this?

For reference about me, my blog is weirdwonderfulworlds.blogspot.com where you can see the kinds of things I've done, what I'm interested in, how I think about RPGs, etc.

I've produced a single game, pixels & platforms, which is available on itch and I believe I originally produced it for another jam, and it's loosely based on lasers & feelings. It definitely needs more play-testing and more content but I'm relatively happy with it in its current form, for what it is. If possible, I would like to produce for this jam something of roughly the same scope and quality.

Yochai GalJam HostSubmitted4 years ago (1 edit) (+6)

Hello!

I feel you about not having a lot of time. First off, let me point you to the Into The Odd Syllabus. I try to keep it up to date, so if it isn't please let me know!

Now, as far as maximizing understanding within a limited time.

Chris produced a wonderful podcast series with the release of EB. It does a good job of "deep diving" how the setting and mechanics work together.
Chris ran an actual play for the creators of Mothership RPG. Also available on the podcast.
This series of building Bastion boroughs, Deep Country, the Underground, etc.
Join the ItO Discord and ASK QUESTIONS. We love to help.

maxcan7Submitted4 years ago

I've already listened to the podcast series but I'll check out the other stuff, thanks!

Alchemagician4 years ago(+2)

I have a draft adventure that's already on the Syllabus (The Vevela Catalyst) that I'd like to polish up into a Real Thing. Is this jam an appropriate place to do that?

Yochai GalJam HostSubmitted4 years ago(+2)

Absolutely.

Alchemagician4 years ago

OK! I've begun the process of souping up my Google Doc module into something better!

maxcan7Submitted4 years ago

I managed to get my pre-covid local group together and we're going to do a zoom game weekend after next. I'm still deciding which version of ItO / EB I want to run, or if I want to go for a hack right from the get-go. I love Super Blood Harvest as a read, but I generally prefer to make my own settings and I don't know how well SBH would work with a different setting (although I guess I could just hack the Dirk Rules). I'm tentatively thinking I want to play in my Maximum Recursion Depth setting, although I'm worried it's a little too personal for a group of IRL friends. It's sort of like The Matrix meets Persona 5 meets Bojack Horseman meets Chinese Mythology / Journey to the West.

If I do that, I'll probably make it a fairly tightly-constrained scenario, where the characters will be largely auto-generated or pre-made. Likely a key feature will be their Poltergeist form / Karmic Attachment. The scenario would involve them in one of the Numberless Courts of Hell for some reason, with some mission that they need to get done and then escape / reincarnate.

Another idea I'm having is an emphasis on non-combat combat. Basically splitting damage into STR DAMAGE, DEX DAMAGE, and CHA DAMAGE (or whatever I decide the three stats to be). All three affect HP the same way, but if HP is reduced to 0, they then affect their respective attribute.

Still very much in the brainstorming / spitballing phase, but any suggestions, advice, thoughts, etc. appreciated!

Alchemagician4 years ago

I ran a psychic villain that dealt CHA damage and it worked just great! I can confirm that it's a flavorful way to run other kinds of encounters.

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