[Notebook] We ask only... for WAR!

[Aldus Vertten]

Nice! Made myself a quick version to print and read properly... can't read rules in the screen...

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcCbTQOUV9J1ZGc5N2I3cmpfMjk4Y2c1czVmZ2I&hl=en&authkey=CP2Niv4I

all the chat about L5R and this is really making me wish to run a FC L5R game...

[Bill Whitmore]

This is the unit list in Birthright.  Many of these map directly into existing units you already have created.

Standard Units:
   Archers: Lightly armored, longbow
   Artillerists: Cover all the siege weapons, required to assault castles or fortifications
   Cavalry: Light cavalry
   Knights: Heavy cavalry
   Levies: Peasant Militias
   Scouts: Scouts don't fight well, but are necessary on the overland map, as they ID enemy forces in adjacent provinces
   Irregulars: Skirmishers, barbarians and the like
   Infantry: Standard Infantry
   Pikemen: Well...Pikemen
   Infantry, Elite: Heavy infantry

Then there are some racial ones:
   Dwarf Guards and Dwarf Crossbows: Heavily armored infantry and range units
   Elf Archers and Elf Cavalry: More mobile and superior archers
   Goblin Archers, Goblin Infantry and Goblin Cavalry: Cheap except the Cavalry (Warg riders) which can be quite fearsome.
   Gnoll Marauders and Gnoll Infantry: Looks like they are slightly tougher than their irregular and infantry counterparts.

These 4 races plus humans form pretty much the bulk of the war waging races.

Then there is one special one I can think of, though there may be others:
   Undead: Skeletons and Zombies.  Created by the most powerful regent mages.  Primary strengths lie in their fearlessness and resilience.

I am going to be busy this evening, but when I get some more time I'll work on this some more.

[Antilles]

Nice! Made myself a quick version to print and read properly... can't read rules in the screen...

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcCbTQOUV9J1ZGc5N2I3cmpfMjk4Y2c1czVmZ2I&hl=en&authkey=CP2Niv4I

all the chat about L5R and this is really making me wish to run a FC L5R game...

There's always PbP, just sayin'.

In any case, cool stuff Morg, will definitely keep an eye on this thread (as if I wasn't watching every thread you make like a hawk )

[Bill Whitmore]

There is an exiting method to destroy a fortification, but we need to actually include some fortifications for them to destroy.

[Morgenstern]

Several fortification cards from L5R should map to this format easily. I'll convert a small set for castle building . Fortifications are already in Fantasy Craft as an aspect of holdings... 

NEW PRIZES

Battlefield Fortifications
   While many locations include fortifications as a matter of course (it’s a dangerous world after all) Player Characters must spend Reputation to enhance their holding with such defensive measures. Battlefield Fortifications are an expansion to the holding rules, and do not take up an additional prize slot.
   If a battlefield confrontation erupts at a fortified holding, the defending commander may distribute any fortifications the location possess amongst fronts the battle will have, doing so before the attacking commander chooses which fronts he will commit leaders to. If the location is owned by an NPC, the GM should perform this distribution in a fashion reflecting the situation. In battles with multiple fronts, only the fortifications at that front provide a benefit (unless otherwise stated).
   You may purchase fortification with Reputation, selecting defensive features from table 2. You may acquire new fortifications (either replacing losses or exchanging existing construction with new selections) at the rate of 10 points per month of downtime. There are three limitations to adding battlefield fortifications to your holdings:

• You may only choose fortification with a Glory equal to or less than the holding’s fortification challenges (see FC, page 193).
• You may choose a maximum number of fortification equal to that holding’s Scale (see FC, page 192).
• You may not choose the same fortification more than twice per location.

A character may have fortifications at each holding he controls.

Common Fortifications

Connecting Walls: The defending army gains a +2 gear bonus to their Battlefield checks at all fronts.
Dragons’ Teeth: Each defending unit gains +1 Force. Each attacking cavalry unit has -1 Force.
Moat: Each attacking special character and unit has -1 Force.
Pitch and Fire: You gain a trick.
Burning Oil Barrage 3+3 (ranged battlefield trick): Destroy two enemy units of your choice with Force 3 or less or a single unit with a Force of 6 or less. You may use this trick until you have succeeded with it once per battle.
Trenches: If the defending army loses it is dispersed, but no additional units are destroyed.
Tunnel System: Once per battle one leader and all his units unit may escape (leaving the battlefield).
Unscalable Walls: The defending army gains a +4 gear bonus to their Battlefield checks.

Table 2: Common Fortifications
Fortification   Cost   Glory   Notes
Connecting Walls   8   4   +2 rolls, all fronts
Dragon’s Teeth   4   2   +1F defending units, -1F attacking cavalry
Moat   10   5   -1F for all attackers
Pitch and Fire   4   3   Burn!
Trenches   0   3   Messy escape
Tunnel System   4   2   Escape route
Unscalable Walls   6   5   +4 rolls

[Morgenstern]

Nice! Made myself a quick version to print and read properly... can't read rules in the screen...

That is a very pretty document. I find it inspiring .

all the chat about L5R and this is really making me wish to run a FC L5R game...

That would be what the tools are for...

[Krensky]

What about allowing Spellcasting feats to generate force as well?

[EmptyOwl]

Pathfinder just finished up their Kingmaker module path.  There is the rough outline of a mass combat system (I believe it is module #34) that uses the number of figures in the army and the CR of the units to determine army stats.  Also based on the number of figures is the size (Fine, Tiny, Medium, Large, etc) of the army.  Interestingly, a single figure is considered a Fine army (and requires a high level character or CR monster to compete on the army scale of combat).

Certainly a different direction then you are going, but it might have some usable ideas for you if you have access to it.

[Morgenstern]

What about allowing Spellcasting feats to generate force as well?

Interesting thought. I don't thik I want that as the default conversion, but they should probably contribute in some fashion . Will ponder.

[glimmerrat]

What about allowing Spellcasting feats to generate force as well?

I have images of the Elemental Masters smashing a castle to rubble with a meteor shower falling from the sky...

[Morgenstern]

Yes, but I was specifically thinking of the elemental masters... who have generally a Force of 1 or 2 (until very recently). If modelign the CCG, magic should do cool stuff in battles - but not often.

[Morgenstern]

Pathfinder just finished up their Kingmaker module path.  There is the rough outline of a mass combat system (I believe it is module #34) that uses the number of figures in the army and the CR of the units to determine army stats.  Also based on the number of figures is the size (Fine, Tiny, Medium, Large, etc) of the army.  Interestingly, a single figure is considered a Fine army (and requires a high level character or CR monster to compete on the army scale of combat).

Certainly a different direction then you are going, but it might have some usable ideas for you if you have access to it.

I'll have to look at it - approaching it from a "take NPCs and convert them to battle stats" direction is what paralyzed my attempts to do a mass battle system in the past. If somebody has a good solution I'll definitely have to take a peek . (I have all the Pathfinder series - regular subscriber)

[Krensky]

What about allowing Spellcasting feats to generate force as well?

Interesting thought. I don't thik I want that as the default conversion, but they should probably contribute in some fashion . Will ponder.

If you're thinking of this only in terms of the ccg using the force stat, sure. But considering how much power a good magic user (god I loved the naga casters, ) could add with their abilities and ability to use spell cards then the question becomes how complex do you want the system to be.

Caster units and leaders should contribute, so give caster unit's a low Force and a cool trick, or two. Caster leaders thow should be equivalent to non-caster leaders, and the easiest way to do that is to give them an equivalent way to get a Force score.

Either that, or add Chi in and let them use that in place of Force.

[Aldus Vertten]

Nice! Made myself a quick version to print and read properly... can't read rules in the screen...

That is a very pretty document. I find it inspiring .

That was the idea as well. Updated with fortificactions.


I've read the rules properly and i really like them. The only thing i'm missing is some kind of subsystem for individual actions inside a battle. The system is about leading an army, which is good, but not about being part of one. What if my character is part of the peasants infantry? Not the leader, but a fine soldier.I imagine that's a different take on the same thing, probably not compatible with this...

Also, i'm reading now Way of Kings, and while checking the units, i keep thinking about using the Bridgemen as a unit. groups of forty or so that transport wood bridges in order to help the army cross the chasms. They dond fight, but usually are the first ones running toward the enemy...

[Morgenstern]

BASIC COMBAT FEATS

Battle Magic
   Your understanding of magic makes you a formidable presence on the battlefield.
   Prerequisites: Miracles or Sorcery campaign quality, 1 or more Ranks of Tactics
   Benefit: Your Force during Battlefield Confrontations equals the number of Spellcasting feats you have if that is higher than the number of Basic, Melee, or Unarmed combat feats you have. You also gain a trick.
   Subtle in War (Battlefield trick): You may add your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma modifier to this check instead of your lowest attribute modifier.

Yes, it forces a mage/priest to actually lay off the Spellcasting feats to pick it up (they'll get plenty of unique love later...). It's also a really eeeeevil feat in the hands of a Captain... Share that one out with cadre and not only are your casters Force-happy, but even Courtiers and Keepers start looking unusually cunning...