FATE test

[Yaw]

It would help to know more specifically why this didn't get you the character you wanted -- it's kind of important to know if it's in significant ways, and if they're fixable within this system.

I'll just resurrect the character from the previous combat testing. I'll create a Slith if this still looks promising (which will be a test of adapting the system to different races).

As a note after completing the below...I'm not sure how this will play, but I really liked going through this process. It's a bit annoying to keep track of the skills pyramid on-screen, but that's the only negative I found. Contrary to yours, I found this gave me a character I'd really enjoy playing, with a considerable amount of depth. The fact that the story has to come first, before the numbers, made all the difference. Working through phase 4 something just clicked and I knew how the story had to go. Very cool.

Name: Oduro bel’Anath
Player: Yaw
Race: Elf

Description: Young looking, 5’9” with fine features. Tanned skin, green eyes, with shoulder-length light brown hair worn in thin braids.

Background:

Phase 1: Oduro grew up in Alathi, a small Elvish settlement in the deserts far to the south of Amstaad. His family were herders, and he shepherded the family flock.

Aspect: Solitary (Fair)

• Herder
  
• Observation x 2
  
• Survivalism

Phase 2: Bandits attacked and razed Alathi. Oduro survived by hiding, but his livelihood was destroyed and there were few survivors. Realizing his life in the desert was over, he travelled north to the Briaf city of Loag on the plains, and lacking any other options joined the army. He wanted to be strong enough to defeat the bandits, singlehanded if need be.

Aspect: Soldier (Fair)

• Swords (Sabre)
  
• Athleticism
  
• Archery
  
• Focus

Phase 3: The army post in Loag had been having increased reports of armed bandit activity. Patrols are dispatched to hit isolated bands of bandits while they're weak. Oduro is a part of these, putting his training into practice.

Aspect: Soldier (Good)

• Swords (Sabre)
  
• Riding (Hiran)
  
• Observation
  
• Athleticism

Phase 4: Despite killing several isolated bands, the threat of banditry has not abated. A spy came with news of their main camp, and the army was sent out to attack. The ensuing battle is an overwhelming victory, but Oduro is so blinded by what happened to his people that he goes too far, killing some of those who had surrendered after the battle ended.

Aspect: Soldier (Great)

• Swords (Sabre)
  
• Riding (Hiran)
  
• Berserker
  
• Focus

Phase 5: As a result of his actions, Oduro was given a dishonourable discharge. Ashamed, he left Loag and travelled to the only place nearby that is independent of the Briaf Empire: Amstaad. He now works as a sword-for-hire and sometimes fights in competition, trying to restore his lost honour.

Aspect: Repentant (Fair)

• Swords (Sabre)
  
• Survivalism
  
• Athleticism
  
• Faith

______________________________
Final Character:

Aspects

O[col]Solitary (Fair)O O O[col]Soldier (Great)O[col]Repentant (Fair)

Skills

Swords (Sabre)[col]GreatObservation[col]GoodAthleticism[col]GoodRiding (Hiran)[col]FairFocus[col]FairSurvivalism[col]FairHerder[col]AverageArchery[col]AverageBerserker[col]AverageFaith[col]Average

Fate Points: 3

Goal: To atone for his past transgressions, and regain his lost standing within the Empire just outside the city state of Amstaad.

Equipment: Oduro carries a sabre and a buckler. He wears leather armour.

[Yaw]

FATE Combat Rules:

We're going to try exchange-based combat. This means that all combatants will submit their moves

at the same time

(or as close as can reasonably happen in such a format as this). Each move will contain the information that would normally be part of a turn -- "I'm going to attack, and aim for his leg," "I'm going to try to defend with my shield," "I'm going to run at him screaming," that sort of thing.

Then we roll once for each combatant, 4d3. The results map as follows: a 1 on a die means -1, a 2 on a die means 0, and a 3 on a die means +1. The mapped results are added together, and added to the relevant skill, then compared. Whoever's result is highest "wins" the round, with results as follows:

[mrow]Win by[col][col]Effect0[col][col]Scratched (Negligible)+1[col]O O[col]Clipped (Momentary advantage to the attacker: -1 to next action for player that got clipped.)+2 to +4[col]O O[col]Hurt (Persistent advantage to the attacker: -1 to all actions for player hurt until end of scene. This applies regardless of how many boxes are checked.)+5 to +6[col]O O[col]Injured (Wound that carried on until healed: -1 per box to all actions for player injured until injury is healed. This applies for

each

box checked.)+7 and up[col]X[col]Taken Out (Knockout, unconsciousness, etc. Not death, but not able to continue to fight.)

When a result occurs, the box gets checked. If all the boxes on a row fill, the next success of that type bumps up to the next level. (So if player X gets hurt twice, the third time he's hurt counts as being injured.)

We may as well keep things simple for weapon/armour adjustments, at least for now. Which means the following things can get +1 to a roll: Superior weapons, superior armour, superior position, superior numbers, flanking your opponent, and surrounding your opponent. Choosing to go all out defense can also give +1 to a roll, but a success will not result in damaging the opponent.

We'll also run this twice -- the first time without any of Nithrar's sorcery, to see how the most basic combat works; the second time including the sorcery to see how that would function.

Edit -- Just to get it in here...I'm NPC in this case, so Jeep just posts and I work with it. In a PvP case, best idea would be to have both players involved PM the mod, and then have the mod post both moves and the resolution each exchange.

[Yaw]

The announcer calls, and the combatants step onto the sandy field. There is cheering in the stands as the two elves are announced. Nithrar and Oduro both step onto the field, weapons at the ready.

Sorry for bringing you down to the pits, Nithrar. I prefer an open area for the first fight, though -- no point bringing in obstacles to up the difficulty level this early.

I think we can rule that Oduro has better armour. I think it's reasonable to say that a set of weapons gifted by a hamadryad would be superior to anything Oduro would have. So +1 to each off that adjustment.

Let's go for round 1.

[Yaw]

Posture? This isn't like GURPS. It's not all that rulesy.

Rolls:

Nithrar:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (2, 1, 3, 3) = 9

Oduro:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 1, 3, 1) = 8

Post to follow with results.

[Yaw]

Nithrar:

Sticks at Fair
+1 from superior weapons
Dice are 0,0,+1,0 for +1 total.

End result: Great

Oduro:

Sabre at Great
+1 from superior armour
Dice are +1,+1,+1,-1 for +2 total

End result: Legendary

Currently, Oduro would win the round with a measure of success of 3. Unless you want an adjustment?

If you want an adjustment, you may:

Use a relevant Aspect as an intercession. ("Hey, I know Da-Tashi too well for this to happen!") This checks one of the circles of that Aspect off, but it allows you to choose either to reroll completely, or to change one of your dice to a +1 result.

You may also spend one Fate Point to raise your score by 1. This can happen in addition to an Aspect use. You may only spend one point in this way. (That said, this works like bidding, your opponent can spend a Fate Point of his to counter yours, you can re-raise by another one Fate Point, etc.)

[Yaw]

Let me write the scene first!

You try to dodge the blade, but it is just a bit too fast. The sabre just catches your left hip as you withdraw, and by the time you strike with your sticks Oduro has turned towards your position. The Da-Tashi sticks bounce harmlessly off his buckler. You can feel the sting of the cut as the battle continues.

Hurt result. One hurt box checked off. -1 penalty for the rest of the scene.

Next action?

[Yaw]

I think that since throwing and barehand combat are two different skills that you have, and you only get one roll per exchange, that you're going to have to choose between them. You can drop and barehand, or throw.

[Yaw]

Rolls:

Nithrar:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 3, 3, 2) = 11

Oduro

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 1, 1, 1) = 6

Post to follow with results.

[Yaw]

Nithrar:

Unarmed Combat at Great
-1 from Hurt status
Dice are -1,0,+1,0 for 0 total.

End result: Good

Oduro:

Sabre at Great
+1 from superior armour
+1 from superior weapons (Sabre > Hands)
Dice are -1,-1,0,0 for -2 total

End result: Great

Aspects or Fate Points?

[Yaw]

Ok, roll is now +2, which moves roll up to Superb. This checks off one of your Da-Tashi aspects. This beats Oduro's Great by 1, making a Clipped result. Oduro will take that.

Frustrated at your sticks failing to penetrate Oduro's defenses, you decide to fight faster. Dropping your sticks, you dodge the next sword strike and quickly push Oduro's sword-arm from the inside after it swings past. He lurches a bit to the right, stepping awkwardly to compensate.

Clipped result means -1 to Oduro for the next exchange. Your plan?

[Yaw]

I think you're having fun making me look up a new skill each time.

Rolling:

Nithrar:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 3, 3, 2) = 11

Oduro:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 1, 1, 2) = 7

Post to follow with results.

[Yaw]

Weapons aren't so easy here. On the one hand, sabre > knife. On the other hand, hamadryad > no hamadryad. I think I'm going to just call it even and give no bonuses to either side.

Nithrar:

Knife at Fair
-1 from Hurt status
Dice are +1,-1,-1,-1 for -2 total.

End result: Poor

Oduro:

Sabre at Great
+1 from superior armour
-1 from Clipped status
Dice are -1,+1,0,0 for 0 total.

End result: Great

Oduro is currently winning the round with a measure of success of 5, before any adjustments. Want some?

[Yaw]

Just can't wait for the scene, hm?

Both of you try to recover at the same time from the last strike -- you reach for your knife as Oduro regains his balance. Unfortunately, he does so first, catching your right arm with his sword as the karambit is coming out of its sheath. A long, thin gash appears, then starts to drip.

Injured result. One injured box checked off, and -1 applied to subsequent rolls until the injury is healed. Next?

[Yaw]

Rolls:

Nithrar:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (3, 1, 1, 3) = 8

Oduro:

Original Roll String: 4d3

4 3-Sided Dice: (2, 3, 2, 2) = 9

Results to follow.

[Yaw]

Nithrar:

Knife at Fair
-1 from Hurt status
-1 from Injured status
Dice are +1,+1,0,-1 for +1 total.

End result: Average

Oduro:

Sabre at Great
+1 from superior armour
Dice are 0,0,-1,+1 for 0 total.

End result: Superb

Oduro currently winning the round with a measure of success of 4. Adjustments?

[Yaw]

Again you try to dodge the first strike from Oduro, but exertion has slowed you down. The sabre thrust clips your side. You did see it coming, but had to dodge the wrong way, and only have a shield to aim at with your strike. Rebounding off the shield, you stumble backwards and realize this fight is not in your favour. You drop the karambit and hold out your hands, empty, to end it.

Hurt result. Second hurt box checked off. No additional -1 penalty, but additional Hurt results count as Injured.

[Yaw]

And that's the end. Lasted 4 rounds.

I think it ended up with the reasonable result, based on the character sheets. (It might be different when the sorcery starts coming into play, but not quite sure how to work that yet.) Didn't seem too hard to do either -- evaluating rolls was easy, most time spent was looking back at Nithrar's sheet for the newest weapon skill and looking up the ladder for the proper adjective. With some small amount of experience that would go pretty fast too.

One important point is that the narrative is flipped from the original combat tests -- instead of the PC writing up what happens, here it's the mod. I think it makes more sense this way, but it's something to consider.

[Yaw]

I'm not sure it's a good idea to take those off the table. First of all, 4 rounds or thereabouts is not long. More importantly, though, a player may pre-program, then just shank a roll. I'd rather they have the opportunity to do something about it. (It should be noted that Fate Points can be spent in advance, though, which can speed things along a touch. So you could have said, "This round I'm going to try to disarm, and because this is important I'm going to improve my chances by spending a Fate Point." Can't really do that with Aspects, though.)

[Yaw]

Oh! Now I see what you mean. I thought you meant players should be able to program the

entire

fight in advance.

Yes, that makes sense. It would require a bit of a change in format, but not too much. A fight would now look like:

Post 1: Mod introduces combat. Mod should make clear any advantages/penalties existing at the beginning (superior weapons, superior armour, superior position, etc.)

Post 2: Player posts plan for round. Player may opt to use a Fate Point to aid success.

Post 3: Mod rolls dice.

Post 4: Mod adds up dice, bonuses, and skills, and presents results. Mod states the current measure of success/failure for the player, and what that would mean if unchanged (scratched, clipped, etc.) Mod offers chance to use Fate Point (if unused this round) and/or Aspect to modify.

Post 5: Player opts to change, or not. Player posts plan for next round. Player may opt to use a Fate Point to aid success in the next round. (Player should make clear where Fate Points are going, so it doesn't look like two are being spent for one exchange.)

Post 6: Mod posts final result for round, with story. Mod rolls for next round.

Post 7: See post 4, and loop.

It's worth making clear that FATE combat

is

FUDGE combat, so under either system this is how combat would function. The only difference is in how the adjustments work (FUDGE doesn't have Aspects and Fate Points).

[Yaw]

Races:

Jeep's suggestion for this was to make each race an free Aspect. So everyone chooses one race Aspect from a list, which goes in right at the beginning and doesn't otherwise affect the character creation process...though it would affect the character. Each Aspect contains a collection of benefits and challenges which a character can draw on (and a mod can use).

We can discuss what ought to be involved in each of these Aspects, but here's a starting point:

Aspect: Human

• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Great)

Aspect: Human (Tiktuk)

• Poor
  
• Lucky
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Tiktuk (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

Aspect: Human (Passani)

• Rich
  
• Close-minded
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Passani (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

Aspect: Elf

• Fair
  
• Thin
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Elvish (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

Aspect: Dwarf

• Tough
  
• Short
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Dwarvish (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

Aspect: Aerin

• Intelligent
  
• Uncoordinated
  
• Gains Skill: Flight (Average)
  
• Gains Skill: Unarmed Combat (Poor)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Aerin (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

Aspect: Slith

• Strong
  
• Ugly
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Slith (Great)
  
• Gains Skill: Language -- Trade (Fair)

The basic idea is to make each Aspect essentially value-neutral -- there are both good and points to moving off a typical human. It should be noted that the Aerin are a bit different -- Flight is definitely a skill unique to them, so it gets added. To balance that out, I decided to take the whole "not as coordinated on the ground" idea from the old character creation rules and take a level off unarmed combat on that basis. This means an Aerin would have to spend

two

skill levels to raise unarmed combat to Average. Unarmed combat does not count towards the skills pyramid until it is raised to this level.

All skills mentioned here (other than the hit to unarmed combat) are outside the skills pyramid. This means that all languages and Aerin flight count as extras.