Psionic system (semi) unification - any interest?
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:04 am
Hi,
I'm not sure if this forum is still visited/used by world leaders/ DMs etc., but I'll give it a go...
Is there any interest in producing a unified psionics system that would be applied across all worlds, while allowing sensible setting-dependent differences?
At present, the basic system across worlds is the same, but various ad hoc modifications have been, bugs get or don't get resolved in different ways across worlds, and some powers work (or don't work) differently across worlds with no clear indication of whether this is due to bugs or deliberate script changes. (Summon Planar Creature is a good example of this, and we're in the process of sorting out the Avlis-side problems)
I don't know the politics here, so I'm just floating an idea -
(1) We have a common set of scripts that deal with psionics - I suggest starting with the Avlis scripts as these are actively being developed (by me, in particular - we have plans for a host of new powers to balance out the different disciplines) and probably least buggy.
(2) Each world leader / head DM, Lead producer / whoever, determines what kinds of modifications to psionics in general or specific powers in particular are necessary for their world - it would be better if these were clearly IC / Setting dependent as it would make the next step / whole process more logical.
(3) A combination of spellhooking and edits to individual impact scripts would be used to alter the way particular powers manifested on different worlds (ie modules) - with appropriate VFX &/or text feedback to the PC/Player so that it is clear that they are dealing with intended differences, not simply lack of update or bug.
Implementation of some things would need to be varied between worlds - for example, the increasing use of chat commands in the Avlis code would need to find an analogous solution elsewhere. The 'psionics language' - which allows IC short range telepathy without cheesing / griefing - that runs on Hala (& I think Arkaz?), could be added to the Avlis repertoire.
This would make bug fixes & improvements (whether nerfs, feature changes or simple tweaks) a one-time affair; it would relieve individual worlds of the need to maintain the system separately; it would provide a greater coherence of psionics across worlds, while still allowing things to be 'different' in different places.
Calzier
I'm not sure if this forum is still visited/used by world leaders/ DMs etc., but I'll give it a go...
Is there any interest in producing a unified psionics system that would be applied across all worlds, while allowing sensible setting-dependent differences?
At present, the basic system across worlds is the same, but various ad hoc modifications have been, bugs get or don't get resolved in different ways across worlds, and some powers work (or don't work) differently across worlds with no clear indication of whether this is due to bugs or deliberate script changes. (Summon Planar Creature is a good example of this, and we're in the process of sorting out the Avlis-side problems)
I don't know the politics here, so I'm just floating an idea -
(1) We have a common set of scripts that deal with psionics - I suggest starting with the Avlis scripts as these are actively being developed (by me, in particular - we have plans for a host of new powers to balance out the different disciplines) and probably least buggy.
(2) Each world leader / head DM, Lead producer / whoever, determines what kinds of modifications to psionics in general or specific powers in particular are necessary for their world - it would be better if these were clearly IC / Setting dependent as it would make the next step / whole process more logical.
(3) A combination of spellhooking and edits to individual impact scripts would be used to alter the way particular powers manifested on different worlds (ie modules) - with appropriate VFX &/or text feedback to the PC/Player so that it is clear that they are dealing with intended differences, not simply lack of update or bug.
Implementation of some things would need to be varied between worlds - for example, the increasing use of chat commands in the Avlis code would need to find an analogous solution elsewhere. The 'psionics language' - which allows IC short range telepathy without cheesing / griefing - that runs on Hala (& I think Arkaz?), could be added to the Avlis repertoire.
This would make bug fixes & improvements (whether nerfs, feature changes or simple tweaks) a one-time affair; it would relieve individual worlds of the need to maintain the system separately; it would provide a greater coherence of psionics across worlds, while still allowing things to be 'different' in different places.
Calzier