Paradigm Concepts

[tinypoisonousfish]

I've used this method for jumpstarting new characters quickly, especially for introducing new players to gaming (or cured the indecisive player) and throwing jaded ones a curve ball. I always run it as a stripped down version of D&D.

Each descriptor represents one of the eleven core classes in the PHB. Other descriptors can of course be substituted.

Below are eleven traits, each representing the core nature of a protagonist type. Each is reflected in character class and skills. Choose one for your PC’s nature, their basic personality. Not every type is entirely capable in every situation, but so long as they stick to their nature, they will achieve better results; i.e. the GM will literally skew the dice in the player's favor when they follow their “shtick” (lower the DC.) Moreover, a PC might not always NEED to use their nature in a given situation where dice are needed. For example, an Elusive protagonist might just as easily be straightforward and honest with an NPC if it warrants (using Diplomacy instead of Fast Talk or Bluff) and get great results. This choice of actions is dictated by the player perceiving what is going on and deciding the proper course of action.

However, your skills and talents are based off of your nature, and when combined with a suitable persona, provided you keep your nature in mind per your interpretation, you will gain a strong picture of a very effective character.

And now to choosing:

1.) Primal
You are tapped into the primal essence of your being and reflect it in your actions. This is perceived by others as noble, backward, or even threatening...
(Vigorous and Resilient)

2.) Survivor
Whatever situation you are put into, you understand natural systems and will eke out an existence to ensure you continue to thrive by wits and strength.
(Vigorous and Insightful)

3.) Elusive
Yours is the strategy of entropy, that all systems and rules can be bent, manipulated or broken. One can survive by these traits, but often propel themselves much further.
(Fleet and Clever)

4.) Disciplined
Strength of will, insight and regimen makes you a force to be reckoned with in many situations.
(Insightful and Fleet)

5.) Pious
The path of enlightened thought and logical principles guide you through the toughest situations life has to offer.
(Insightful and Compelling)

6.) Gallant
A clean regimen and the side of right shield you from the ills of the world. Victory to the just and righteous.
(Vigorous and Insightful)

7.) Cryptic
Hidden knowledge and intrinsic understanding define your path. These things define the principles of reality, and as a student of these tenets, you hope one day to become their master, and thus master of yourself.
(Clever and Fleet)

8.) Willful
It is one’s will that is projected onto the world, bringing wanted change in every situation, sometimes to the highest degree. This is the key to control of one’s environment.
(Compelling and Clever)

9.) Vigilant
Whether you prepare and build for positive changes in life or guard against coming threats, perception, physical adaptation, and strategy are what you use to thrive.
(Vigorous and Resilient)

10.) Eloquent/Romantic
Wherever you go, you’ve realized that all folk enjoy a genteel hand and a refined tongue. Yours is a method of imaginative skills, if not downright elegance.
(Compelling and Fleet)

11.) Naturalist
You understand that nature is built on systems, which thrive on stasis and equilibrium. Your gift is finding, understanding and applying these principles to your advantage.
(Insightful and Clever)

Next step
The choice above already gives you your two primary descriptives from the list below. Choose two secondary and two tertiary pairs,and now the stats are done!

Primary: 16-18 (D2)
Secondary: 13-15 (D3)
Tertiary: 10-12 (D3)

Points could easily be assigned to this system.

Vigorous (Str)
Fleet (Dex)
Compelling (Cha)
Resilient (Con)
Insightful (Wis)
Clever (Int)

Players now have a pretty good idea what their character's personality and nature is about. I usually ask players to choose their professions, which determined what their resource was (after looking up comparable jobs and salaries.) Once this is done, you can surprise them with their character class.

Example: I started a modern campaign in my 'Fort Lauderdale/Strangeland' setting, with veiled arcana/high weirdness in the background, sometimes light, others full blown "Invisibles" scenarios("Name your master and strike!")

One player chose Willful, describing a mechanic recently moved to Hollywood Beach from NYC, named (catch this) Deano Carvino. It was hokey yet understated enough that everyone liked the name,and it stuck easy. The player also had a good handle on Deano before he ever knew his class (Sorcerer) and even disagreed with the choice after I told him - but he grew into it quickly. Every time Deano played up his shtick, I lowered the DC. Like racing in his tricked out muscle car to save Ariadne Dowell, the NPC contact/Computer whiz from a doppelganger disguised as a cop (she was also an unwitting sorcerer with spider themes. Her magical keyboard and magical programs were a hoot, alchemical and Tattwa elementalism symbols all over it, great stuff.)

Anyway, this Task res. exchange remained largely unspoken. I just asked him to describe what good ol' Deano did, and many times rolled for him behind the screen (some players strangely favor this over rolling themselves.) It was a blast and made for a great story. Especially when they were framed, captured and thrown into prison, only to be traded for magical tattoo ink from a white power gang to a Haitian houngan who eventually helped them escape.

I look forward to using it for my next Arcanis home game. Anybody else got any jumpstart tips?

[StatMonkey]

Well I will jump in here

When I start up a home game there are two things I shoot for

1) Party Unity
2) Character Driven plots and sub-plots.

#1: Party Unity

I have run three Arcanis home games, and I have found some simple truth...

Make sure the party has a good reason to be... well... a party.

I like to have a character creation night where we all sit down and see how the characters fit, how they meet, and why they are such good friends (would you run into a cave filled with voiceless ones with anyone but your best friends? Would you trust “just anyone” with a secret?)

#2: Character Driven Plots & Sub-Plots

One trick I like to use is to have each player list three personal goals (which I keep away from the eyes of the other players) you will be surprised how many times you will find some common threads, allowing you to create personal plots & sub-plots which the players/characters have a vested interest in.

But don’t forget the tension you can create with two good friends, reaching for opposite personal goals…


Pedro C Barrenechea
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Paradigm Concepts

[TypoPanther]

~starts taking notes for whenever I actually a DM...~ I really like that personality chart thing, keeps someone from focusing on the stats and instead on how they will play...

Actually, one game that I'm playing is going really interestingly so far. Pretty much our GM didn't allow any of the players to know what the others were playing, and threatened to make us create another character if we blabbed.

Of course, he tweaked it so our 'real minds' got transfered into the bodies of the characters we created (co-existing with the character we created) so the unity of our party is based on the 'out of character' friendships we have as a gaming group (well, it's based in a forum, so as far as that goes, haha).

I think it's a really cool concept. We did end up with a fairly diverse group, so it's not like there are 4 fighters.

Of course, once I start DMing, since I prefer roleplaying over combat focus, I think I would want to create tensions between the characters instead of them being a cohesive whole. At least once in awhile. I think playing an adventure where you don't really know if the spellcaster behind you is going to help you when you charge into battle or not.
_________________
>^oO^< ~Typo Panther~ >^Oo^<

- Daniel James
a.k.a. Seppo Järvinen of Valentia

[StatMonkey]

[TypoPanther]

Good point... I probably wouldn't want to get it too evil like that unless every single person playing that adventure knew that kind of treachery could happen. If only one person decides to pull a stunt like that, it's a bit different than people having conflicting motives about a goal.

Oh well, I'm sure I would have much to learn. I'm still learning how to be a player! Oi!
_________________
>^oO^< ~Typo Panther~ >^Oo^<

- Daniel James
a.k.a. Seppo Järvinen of Valentia

[StatMonkey]

[TypoPanther]

Unfortunately no Origins for me.

Also, there is a group that is running a GM training thing in a few weeks here in Colorado that I'm probably going to go too... It's like $20 with a $5 refund if I judge at Tacticon or something like that. Seems like a good opportunity.

I'm also going to try running a mod online on a forum, not quite the same experience as running a table, but should be fun...
_________________
>^oO^< ~Typo Panther~ >^Oo^<

- Daniel James
a.k.a. Seppo Järvinen of Valentia

[tinypoisonousfish]

[

[EricGorman]

[tinypoisonousfish]

[quote="EricGorman
Hey TPF,

I've thought about this post off and on for a couple of months. Your system reminds me an aweful lot of the old Ultima 4 game for the Apple IIe I used to play as a kid waaayyy back when. In Ultima 4 they started off by asking you (the player) concrete questions about situations that involved 2 of (8?) philosophical ideals. For example you might be presented a short situation that made you choose between valor and humility. The quality you most embodied controlled what class you were in the game. Valor = fighter, honesty = mage, humility = shepard etc.

Anyway I was wondering what you'd do if a player looked at the 11 options and said..."You know none of them quite capture what I want to be all about. What about a 'Humanist' dedicated to collecting, teaching and using the greatest works of mankind to leverage your community to a better place.' I'm not really sure what cardinal abilities (clever, compelling or insightful) would match up to that."

Would you try to create a 12th class? Would you fit it into one of the other classes? If yes are there any guidelines you'd use in making that decision. By turns I could see turning that into Cryptic, Disciplined, Pious or Willfull - but am not entirely sure what I think would be the best fit.

Just curious.
[/quote]

I've never run across that yet, but in that case I'd still likely find a match on the list. Some classes fit this concept better than others right off. It might require a few more questions about the player's concept, but they'd probably have a stronger character as a result.

The most important part is that the player has a strong character concept foremost,and as stated above, I modify DC based on the PC's actions and their concept - shtick, as it were, although there should be more to the character than that, of course, at least later as they develop. If the player were impartial to what they played and just wanted to be "Humanist," it probably wouldn't matter to them much anyway what their class is.

One player I had made his concept first per usual (a chatty NYC auto mechanic) and he chose Willful, so a sorcerer. He didn't agree with the choice once he learned the class, but I explained how I thought it was perfect; he was very social (and auto shops tend to have a great cross-caste of people )and working on cars, while requiring some technical skill, is tactile and often based on instinct. He ran with it and understood what I meant. It was a great fit.

Another player chose a Wildlife officer and happened to choose ranger. It looked good at first, but he based his character too much on his job, rather than concept. Once the PCs went to jail and he was no longer employed as such, he thought his concept was ruined. I would've run with it and changed the PC w/the circumstances, but he just didn't get it.

Anyway, hopefully that answers your thoughts.