Davokar early morning recog (exp)edition
https://youtu.be/7NGTBzviPwA
>english pdf share (+a few minor ones in swedish)
http://www85.zippyshare.com/v/uSuMNELr/file.html
>link/info pastebin
http://pastebin.com/jDsaER8Z
>Community material
The Iron Pact - http://theironpact.com/
/tg/'s own Ordo Magica - http://www.ordomagica.com/
>stores to get additional pdfs not included in the share, and support the creators
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/8878/Jarnringen
http://butik.jarnringen.com/en/shop.php?id=41105
old campaign: >>47757466
Any traits or abilities you'd like to see, /tg/?
Davokar
World map
>+Wrath of the Warden kickstarter, if you're up for it
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/449518387/symbaroum-thistle-hold-wrath-of-the-warden/description
>>47865914
Cool, I've been wondering about the relative layout of Alberetor and Ambria.
Is there any plans on a Monster Manuel like update?
>>47868086
The GM handbook will come out sometime next year, and that should have more monster rules, adversary examples, and things of that nature. Until then, it seems like a pet project for the general is making a /tg/ bestiary. Someone should take the initiative to actually kick that off, but I'm gonna work on some monster stats in my free time.
>>47865862
Is there a collection with all the artwork somewhere? Because I'm willing to download it all separately, but not if there is a .zip out there, you know?
Also, let's talk music. What background music do/would you use for an Symbaroum game? I'm thinking that there is some fitting Dungeon Synth out there (Wongraven is pretty cool IIRC), and perhaps some ambient (ritual/nordic) like Wardruna and perhaps Aghast?
>>47870017
Wardruna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zdg-AMv8tw
Forndom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNt82XUoozk
Those two are my go-to recommendations for Symbaroum music. In my session playlists I also have parts of the soundtracks for Game of Thrones and the Witcher.
We should also post links to symbaroum games that are looking for players on roll20 or elsewhere
>>47870044
What manner of creature is that?
>>47870098
My guess is some sort of troll
>>47870122
It's a troll.
>>47870098
It's a troll!
>>47870044
Lol, just came in hereto post Wardruna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA38ffX1AHo
http://www.last.fm/music/Wardruna/+similar
I guess you could also go for pure ambience with a creepy vibe to it, for when shit starts to get real and such
In general - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fNMRtjTzs0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlDivIaiuMU
Caves - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zRIc1Y7-PQ
Also, I just remembered the scales might differ quite a lot between >>47865878 and this untranslated original.
>>47870359
Nah, the scale only differs slightly. I made an error and corrected that in the same thread.
>>47870017
I couldn't wait, so I saved all the pics that I knew was or looked like it could be official art, that had been posted in this or the last thread
https://mega.nz/#!2YZ0iRAJ!PHx40V9AWGBl6efOPLjp_FlK26uGm8M7ge5u4cacM4s
I spoke with Järnringen, and they said they're gonna print new GM screens (at least in Swedish) in late fall!
Hmm... 230k SEK on the Kickstarter. I hope they can claw up to 400k to unlock the artbook.
>>47873010
I might pledge. But it's always the same shit on Kickstarter.
>Creditcard only
>>47865914
The in-universe report that world map is from is very interesting. I might see if I can translate it for you guys.
>>47873483
Please do, I am very interested
>>47870730
Great, I was waiting for one. Thanks!
>>47873483
Please do, I'm much more interested in the lore than the mechanics.
Was thinking of making a separate thread for this, but might as well ask here;
What makes dark fantasy? Like, is it just the atmosphere, or is there something else, story tropes and such? I'm thinking, what is it that makes Symbaroum dark fantasy rather than just fantasy?
>>47873010
I'm just hoping for 300k so we'll get both the extra adventures.
>>47876435
Pretty much the atmosphere, the art and some mechanics for insanity/corruption/being nasty/getting screwed by evil forces. Also high lethality (allegedly) though in practice there isn't much difference between dark fantasy and regular fantasy. The world is supposed to be more dystopian.
>>47876435
Generally (i.e. outside /smg/) it's the tone. Instead of Gandalf sweeping in and saving the day in a firework of bright colours, there's a bad harvest and the whole countryside meets the winter starving, uneasy and at each others' throats.
The PCs aren't chosen heroes, they're a bunch of rogue fortune seekers that shake up what little peace the villagers have laid low enough to enjoy for a short time, and go against unknown odds where trained elite troops sent by local lord have failed.
Shit's bleak.
>>47873483
What's the original pdf called? Available anywhere?
>>47877014
http://butik.jarnringen.com/digitala/rapport-22-01-08.html
It's a free PDF to download.
>>47876435
The mechanics for corruption are a large part of it, as is the permanence of death. And while magic leads to power, it takes a toll on the soul.
Everything else is kind of just horrible to some degree, either highly or just abstractly. The whole Ambrian Empire is doing evil shit and trying to edge in on and plunder a forest full of corruption that they don't understand, and it's getting a whole lot of unwary or otherwise innocent people killed, while the barbarian clans aren't themselves of great reputation because they take slaves and kill without mercy.
Still, even then there's room to navigate and appeal to greater understandings and knowledge and good, even at a price, which I think solidly places it in Dark Fantasy and keeps it out of Grimdark territory, where absolutely everything is irredeemable forever.
>>47873119
can't buy a prepaid credit card in a shop?
At least when they went through Amazon I could use Amazon gift cards and credit card cash back to pay.
>>47877420
Hm I guess that might work. But goddamn it it's [CURRENT YEAR] why do they have only one option to begin with?
>>47877305
lol. Shit sucks, eh?
Has anybody who ran Symbaroum have any advice? Specifically, how to really make the setting come alive, and set it apart from other Dark Fantasy games. Any general tips are welcome, too.
>>47865914
>>47873483
>>47873720
>>47875018
>>47877014
>>47877305
Here we go. Transcribed in flow, and not really proof-read, but it should mostly make sense.
>>47881078
You are doing the work of Prios, son
>>47881845
Praise the Sun!
>>47881078
Seems there's a lot of undead Mad Max going on, in some kind of arcane post-apocalypse outside of the Titans...
>>47882398
>some kind of arcane post-apocalypse outside of the Titans...
If I'm getting this right, Ambria and perhaps some ally empires were at war with some enemy called "The Dark Lords," or something. The resulting conflict seems to have left the Empire's original homeland a blasted landscape and hellhole full of corruption and blight, unfit for human life.
It's the whole reason Davokar is being colonized in the first place, the remains of the Empire packed up and moved as much as they could over the Titans and they're trying to plunder Davokar for riches to replenish the Empire. The Empire's new seat of power, its capital, is inhabiting the ruins of a great city that's been abandoned for 200 years prior, having been wiped out by some horrible weeping plague.
Symbaroum takes place at around year 15 after the recolonization or definitive end of the war from what I can gather.
Has it been explained why so many people seem to wear masks in the art?
>>47883190
One of the vectors is spores and post-apoc is meant to dehumanize things a bit
>>47883440
>tfw I thought this was the Degenesis thread
>>47883190
I have no idea, but it looks cool.
I think I'd fluff it as superstition. Spirits and evil mystics or stranger beings might be able to fuck with creatures they know the true face of. With shit so mysterious in this setting I wouldn't put it past it.
Also consider that shapeshifters and changelings are an actual part of the setting. Like, changelings are a core race and pixie-like elves and spirits and stuff can have the ability to change shape. Keeping your face under a mask might offer a means of protection from that.
>>47883190
Even those without masks tend to have blurry faces.
>>47883190
>Has it been explained why so many people seem to wear masks in the art?
There is one sentence in the description of one clan that indicates the barbarians often wear masks:
>GODINJA
>Many of the masks carried by barbarians are >crafted by the craftsmen of clan Godinja.
CRB, p.27
That is literally one of three occurrences of the word "masks" in the entire CRB. One other speaks of masks in the context of relics found in Davokar, the third regards a named character and doesn't seem related.
So my guess is they added the masks because Rule of Cool, and straight up forgot/didn't bother to explain them.
>>47884456
>So my guess is they added the masks because Rule of Cool, and straight up forgot/didn't bother to explain them.
Or it's the artist doing their own thing and the writers not really paying attention.
>>47884546
>Or it's the artist doing their own thing and the writers not really paying attention.
Entirely possible, entirely avoidable, and a little bit sad.
>>47884638
I've read up on some scifi authors and they've suffered much the same. Artists getting everything wrong about what the author wants to portray, to the point where authors seem surprised when they talk to an artist who seems halfway intelligent.
The thing is, artists who work professionally, especially those with a distinctive style that a lot of publishers in a specific genre like, they're going to be overworked to a huge degree. Often they don't have the time accurately portray what their image needs to, and many a time administration never gets them the reference material they need, or gives them enough time to read the description of what they need to draw.
However, this seems like it has a distinctive visual feel in order to make it seem both dark and unearthly, so we have masked men and beasts, with a few men not wearing masks at all only to reveal their inhuman features. I think it might be intentional, and simply not mentioned as much because it's not a huge component of the setting.
I'm subscribing to (and pushing) the "superstitious" theory about hiding one's true face, especially when shapeshifters exist fairly commonly in and outside of society. Still, hiding one's face while in a "civilized" setting might be acceptable only for those of higher societal standing (who reveal their faces in private settings) and arouse suspicion to most others.
>>47884747
Yeah, that all makes sense, and
>hiding one's true face
until I hear some kind of Word of God on the issue, I'm going with some explanation like the above, too. I posted a question on a semi-official forum though, will report any new findings.
>>47884546
I think it might be purposeful, masks are specific equipment listed under Clothes for 5 orteg. That's cheap enough that they're probably pretty commonplace. Maybe some even wear masks to show their fealty to Queen Korinthia?
>>47885795
Prios's theurge priests seem like they wear masks pretty specifically in the artwork, and I can see that making sense if it's a priestly custom. Yeah, odd that a mask would be specified under basic clothing in most settings, but I think it's in for the reason that it's commonplace or at least often depicted in the art.
Though plague has also been a factor in the setting, to the point that whole cities have been lost to them, so it could potentially be a defense against it. And they must have developed some strange customs in the war against the Dark Lords, not least of which is the church of Prios's very ingrained distaste for magical corruption of the body and soul. Might just also be Ambrian culture that goes back longer.
>>47883477
The world is seriously fucked up, but that's weeks of travel away from Ambria. Tough as shit might be inside the Titans, Ambria's probably one of the better off places in the world with something of a "normal" situation and way of life. Also, noone knew shit of what happened a few farms away in ancient times: This global situation report is only in the hands of the highest royalty and the spy ring it has sent out to survey. Ordinary people just keep their heads down, glad that there's not too much strange shit happening on these sides of the mountains...
>>47883190
>>47883892
>>47884456
>>47884747
>>47885114
>>47885944
I'm going the route of:
>It hides corruption
>>47889528
But then there would be a social stigma *against* wearing masks, because you always want to make your purity clear.
>>47889581
Or, corruption is so rampant, that masks are common.
Also, one would think, that the artwork is showing the adventurers. Not common folk.
Which ritual should be the next to get the Ordo Magica Codex treatment?
>>47890300
Could you do Magic Cirle or Posses?
As a question for everyone:
If I first use Exchange shadow one someone and then Posses him, he should appear to have his own shadow, right?
Exchange, well, exchanges our shadows so now I have his and Posses then gives him my shadow, which currently is his.
Also: If I use Borrow Beast in my witch circle it allows me to sustain it indefinitely because the circle feeds me, would you guys allow the same for posses?
Maybe requiring another [Resolute←Resolute] test after every 24 hours.
>>47890431
>As a question for everyone:
>If I first use Exchange shadow one someone and then Posses him, he should appear to have his own shadow, right?
>Exchange, well, exchanges our shadows so now I have his and Posses then gives him my shadow, which currently is his.
Yeah, I'd say so. Seems a clever combination.
>Also: If I use Borrow Beast in my witch circle it allows me to sustain it indefinitely because the circle feeds me, would you guys allow the same for posses?
>Maybe requiring another [Resolute←Resolute] test after every 24 hours.
Hmm... mmmmmaybe? Personally I'd lean towards Witch Circle synergizing with Borrow Beast because they're both Witchcraft. Possession is Sorcery so they shouldn't click together. However, I can easily imagine a dark witch character using Possess from the safety of a Witch Circle, so I could see it working thematically either way. Maybe if the mystic has both Witch Circle and Desecrating Rite they could combine those to make a Cursed Glade where they can also sustain Possession (but it attracts abominations like other desecrated places).
>>47890580
Having to combine Witch circle and Desecrating rite seems like a good tradeoff. Nice idea
>>47890300
Exchange Shadow or Seven League Stride would be very cool.
Right now I'm sketching up a homebrew mystic tradition that heavily leans on things like mind control and trickery, would there be any interest in me posting it once I have it fleshed out in a couple of days?
>>47891434
There are two Elite specialisations for Ordo Wizards in the PHB that probably cover what you're after: the Illusionist and the Mentalist.
>>47883892
>>47884456
I think it was said that Queen Korinthia's face was damaged from her time as a captive of the Dark Lords and that she now wears a porcelain mask.
Maybe Ambrians wear masks out of deference for their Queen?
(Though it also was implied that the Queen might have died and it's someone else behind the mask)
>>47891802
Or she's a spooky skellington
>>47891553
Is there an English translation of the PHB yet?
>>47891943
Nope. Still slated for "this year"
>>47891553
Has anybody shared the PHB in any language yet?
>>47889581
>>47889621
There are Stigmas which manifest as a result of corruption, which can be visual or not. Masks and cloaks or clothing can help to hide this to a degree.
Also true that the artwork, for the most part, depicts adventurers more often than common people.
>>47891802
This is also makes sense, that people would wear masks in solidarity with their Queen or to represent their allegiance to her and her authority. Certainly she must have picked up a heavy amount of corruption from her time as a captive to corrupted entities, and it might have manifested itself in the form of visible stigma.
It also makes sense for her to be back the church of Prios so heavily, because they can cleanse corruption through ritual and probably do their best to keep the corruption at bay, even if they can't fix the permanent stigmas she's afflicted by.
>>47892047
>There are Stigmas which manifest as a result of corruption, which can be visual or not. Masks and cloaks or clothing can help to hide this to a degree.
Yeah, but my point is that corruption stigmas can't be the only cultural reason for the masks, because if it was everyone would know that a mask conceals a stigma.
There must be another reason the barbarian and ambrian cultures are so fond of masks, and then troubled adventurers adopt the masks as a way to conceal their stigmas.
>>47891553
Okay, I guess I learned how to clean at least rpg drive thru watermarks.
So, if the PDF is watermarked I can try to remove it, if you are willing to send it to me.
I know sending some anon something with your watermark on it is nothing you do lightheartedly, but I have at least some proof. I replaced the watermark on my bought Savage Worlds core book with "/tg/-/smg/" http://tempsend.com/E9B776CF1B/1631/Sav1.pdf
So if you want to give it a shot you can send me the file to [email protected] or if it's too big zip it up and give the archive a password, upload that somewhere and send me the password.
I swear I'll do no mischief with it. But yeah, the word of a stranger I guess.
Hm, well I could also tell you how to do it I guess.
I used mutool to decompress the file, then searched and replaced all occurences of the watermark text in an Hex editor (I guess there might be a text editor that you could use, but SublimeText3 fucked stuff up while saving, so I used wxHexEditor). And then I recompressed the PDF with mutool again.
the commandline arguments for mutool are
>mutool.exe clean -d -i -f PDFInputName PDFOutputName
-d tells the tool to uncompress the data streams, so they are in a readable format
-i tells the tool to toggle the decompression of images, so they will not be decompressed, since that would just bloat the file size
-f tells the tool to toggle the decompression of the fonts
and for recompressing simply use
>mutool.exe -z PDFInputName PDFOutputName
>>47892361
Well, as pointed out before; changelings and sorcerous spying. Who knows what's watching you when and who knows what power one can be subject to when an ill-intentioned force or entity knows one's face, could a changeling take your face and commit misdeeds in your name? Could a sorcerer subject one to a curse if they know your face or name? Can a ghost of someone known to you seek you out after death, seeking to balance their ledger of slights and grudges, real or imagined? Maybe there's just some common beasts that go for the eyes?
And consider that stigmas might be present and hidden, but for those whose job it is to question and root out or cleanse corruption, witchsight is a more effective tool in diagnosing one's shadow and seeking corruption laid bare, as stigmas in and of themselves might have also come about naturally or through injury or some mundane means.
>>47892737
>Well, as pointed out before; changelings and sorcerous spying. Who knows what's watching you when and who knows what power one can be subject to when an ill-intentioned force or entity knows one's face, could a changeling take your face and commit misdeeds in your name? Could a sorcerer subject one to a curse if they know your face or name? Can a ghost of someone known to you seek you out after death, seeking to balance their ledger of slights and grudges, real or imagined? Maybe there's just some common beasts that go for the eyes?
Yep I think this is it. There are a fair number of spells which require knowledge of a place or a person, so there may be a fair amount of real fear but also superstition about it which makes wearing masks a commonplace thing.
>>47892852
Especially to those who wander the wilderness of Davokar and who might have attracted unwanted attention to themselves.
Inside a city's walls the forest and its corrupted inhabitants have much more limited access, and I can imagine there's more arcane protections and attention paid to those in wealth and power to ensure no one scrys upon their affairs. Those far beneath them are perhaps too numerous to track, their shield is numbers, anonymity, and irrelevance.
So in that sense, the more at-risk you are (adventurers), or the higher the stakes (those in wealth and power), the more likely you are to wear a mask or acquire other forms of security against the conspiring darkness.
Again, this is just my fan-theory with no basis in canon, but I figure it's a nice, solid basic one. And it could be one developed long before the Davokar expedition began, when Ambria fought against the Dark Lords or perhaps long before that as well. I can imagine the Dark Lords presented a similar threat.
>>47892029
I'd be interested in a pdf of the swedish core book, if anyone has it? It's nice having the english one for conversation purposes, but if I am to play the game I'd like to use a swedish one. Everything sounds more more traditional and old-timey in the original language...
>>47892719
neat.gif
PHB translation just got added to Kickstarter stretch goals at 500k SEK.
>>47893968
Hm, so I can get Thorns, the Core book and the PHB in one swoop?
Neat.
>>47893968
Here's hoping they offer a digital version for those of us who don't want to pay an arm and a leg for shipping.
>>47894031
Don't forget the art book.
3 skills or 5?
Does anyone have images of changelings that would work for this setting?
>>47894791
>>47894591
It depends on what you want to do. Warriors excel with the 3 ability setup (putting your combat style to the adept level), but mystics and rogues tend to do better with the breadth offered by the 5 ability setup.
When changelings mature, do they become visually indistinguishable from elves? Or do they end up with a sort of half-elf half-human appearance?
>>47895474
They look like
>>47894901
That's official art
Changelings and mature elves do look very much alike, but they are visually distinguishable. Elves are specifically noted as being able to pass themselves off as changelings but that some basic scrutiny can see right through it.
Is there a good summary of the setting somewhere? Like, if I'd pitch Symbaroum to my players, is there something they could read to give them a good overview of the setting, or should I try to write it myself?
>>47896255
Here, that's one of their free PDFs
>>47897108
Thanks!
If a person becomes absolutely corrupt from using an artifact too much, do they still have access to the artifacts powers, only this time without the "risk" of corruption, since they are maxed out already? Need to know for a session I'm working on.
>>47898474
If you max out corruption, you lose control of your character and become an NPC abomination immediately hostile to everything not thoroughly corrupt.
Long before that, though, you should be hunted down by witch hunters, elves, the Empress's Rangers, servants of of Prios... Basically you'd become an enemy of everyone because of your thorough corruption before you become an abomination.
Getting corruption is something to be avoided if at all possible, and when you hit max corruption you're essentially dead, but worse.
Just decided to buy The Black Hack instead of back Symbaroum, sorry bros.
>>47898474
If a character reaches max corruption, they're gone.
>>47898631
>>47898535
Yes, but an NPC, living deep inside the forests of Davokar, who only survives due to an artifact they are using, and eventually becomes an abomination, do they still have access to the artifacts abilities? I'm not talking about a player.
>>47898678
They can still have intelligence and the ability to use stuff if they turn into an abomination, so they could become a dangerous NPC with their artifact's abilities.
>>47898704
Cool, that's what I thought, just wanted some second opinions.
>>47892047
I'm pretty sure that Korinthia wears a mask because her face got kinda fucked up in the rescue attempt.
>>47899127
That's the story. There are rumors she's corrupted, or it's not actually her. We don't know for certain.
>>47897108
Nice.Thanks!
Who else agrees that barbarians are much more compelling that sissy ambarians?
>>47901391
I really like the goblins myself.
How does the Corruption mechanic work? Is it like the spiral of insanity in other games or something like an accumulation of flaws?
>>47901391
You are just jealous for their 50 starting tallers, aren't you?
>>47901453
Both, I suppose. You start showing physical flaws, but I suppose you can roleplay to increasing insanity or a more fatalistic personality the more corrupted a character becomes.
Seems like the flaws are mostly aesthetic, though you could impose mechanical penalties if you want. Seems like the penalties are people who come to hunt you down, decreased corruption thresholds, and possibly damage taken sometimes from certain spells.
>>47901718
You're either buying a suit of armor, a greatsword your starting abilities didn't get you, or furnishing the party with lantern oil and rope and stuff.
>>47894791
Maybe look into pictures of changelings from D&D's Eberron setting? They seem to have similar features (grey skin, whispy white hair).
>>47902281
The Kor from M:tG is another good jumping off point for Changeling art.
Speaking of Changelings, what would you say were the limits of their shapechanging abilities? Is it limited to Humans? Could a Changeling conceivably change to become a 7 ft. tall Ogre?
>>47902434
An ogre without robust sure, but the 7ft plus ones would be stretching it. Any other cultural beings should be fine except for the Andriks since they are so small.
So are Andriks the comic relief race of this world, or do you think they'd be able to be played seriously?
>>47903342
Sure but don't laugh at them or they will ruin you.
>>47898474
Though if you're asking on behalf of a NPC, no problems whatsoever. Full corrupt motherfuckers are badguys, and badguys need their toys.
>>47903342
I wouldn't say comic relief as much as an insignificant lighthearted addition. There's a lot of tragedy rolled into the backstory and setting of andriks but sure, they can be used as silly characters for some one-off comedic situation. A badass andrik warrior, or pirate, putting the fear into and embarassing a bandit/soldier captain or a market thief caught bare-handed and either fucking up the escape or tripping the city guards chasing it into the tomato stand... Noone's forcing you to use andriks in this way though. They could just be a lesser fortunate addition to the world.
>>47902434
>>47903137
Yeah, I have a hard time seeing changelings transform their build or size in any way. It's more that they have a stable enchantment letting them dictate how other will view them, rather than a physical change alá Eberron's changelings. This illusion can make up for small differences in human physique but growing 10-20cms to ogre size seems a stretch?
Here's the Symbaroum Quick Guide, which they used to feature on their old Kickstarter.
Why is Diskret transliterated as Discreet, rather than Stealthy or Sneaky? Discreet has a different meaning in English.
>>47865862
What is this game?
I love the map, there's a gigantic forest, I love forests.
>>47906764
It's... Symbaroum? Plenty of info in the OP, but if you have questions, ask them.
>>47906892
>Symbaroum
Actually, it's pronounced Symbaroum.
>>47906911
That's what I said
>>47906934
Oh, I though you said Symbaroum. Sorry.
>>47906934
So riding Giant Moose as steeds is allowed in this game?
>>47906968
Only for the bad guys.
>>47906968
Elves are often pictured riding giant moose or boars, but there aren't really rules for them in the books.
>>47906764
Fantasy STALKER
>>47907031
this
One thing I really hate about these rules is that GM doesn't roll any dice. As a GM, I LIKE rolling dice. This diceless rule just feels like a [current year] gimmick yanked from AW that adds nothing. Any way to change this without unbalancing the game mechanics?
Some Wardruna music for the game.Track 6 at 28:08 is particularly appropriate for the deep forest.
>>47907617
Just use opposed checks, compare margins of success.
>>47905465
This is great, thanks for sharing
>>47905465
Yes, that's a very good short introduction. Thanks.
>>47905465
In the combat example in this PDF, what determines how many actions the PC has?
Edogai uses his Persuasive ability to prevent the Jakaar from attacking, then uses it again to do damage. That's 2 actions. How does he get that? How many actions can the Jakaar have?
>>47907783
Characters have one movement, one active action, and any number of passive, reactive, or free actions they can use in a turn.
At Adept level, the Dominate Ability gives the character one passive effect (can roll Persuasive instead of Accurate for melee combat) and a free action which can make a target enemy hesitate.
So he uses the free action to stun the Jakaar, then uses his active action to make an attack and uses the passive effect of Dominate to roll against Persuasive.
Question about Kickstarter: I'm moving to a different city in a couple months. Does Kickstarter use my address at the time of backing as my delivery address? Should I make arrangements with my landlord now to have the package forwarded? Just dropped $150 on this game, I don't want to waste it.
>>47907854
Ah, okay, thanks.
So each ability has unique mechanics? That could get quite confusing with 55 Abilities.
...and potentially quite unbalanced since people can mix-and-match abilities.
>>47908045
>...and potentially quite unbalanced since people can mix-and-match abilities.
Yes, Symbaroum is quite an easy system to break.
>>47907617
Just make enemies roll against your players' defense/abilities like players do against enemies.
So is 'Symbaroum' the name for the whole world, or the region presented on the main map, or the forest's heart?
>>47908352
Symbaroum is the name of an ancient civilization that lies in ruins at the heart of Davokar (the forest). The barbarian tribes call the darkest heart of Davokar "Symbar" in reference to this lost civilization.
Is there a Forked River in Symbaroum?
>>47908029
Contact devs. In my experience people usually remind backers to update their shipping info when they are about to start sending stuff.
Since the two general threads have had different acronyms associated with them, I thought we ought to see how the community feels we should identify ourselves:
http://www.strawpoll.me/10554650
>>47908202
I feel it's intentional or they just don't care. Like, look at backstab and feint, noway nobody noticed their crazy synergy.
>>47908522
>not just using smbrmg
>>47908522
Don't you have more important things to worry about?
Having a general thread for a niche game is kinda silly too.
>>47908610
>Having a general thread for a niche game is kinda silly too.
Not him but if it weren't for these threads I wouldn't have known about the game and wouldn't have backed the new Kickstarter to get my copy. The general helps build the community for this niche game - the "general" moniker is mire of a joke.
>>47908610
>>47908836
Yeah, I discovered this game a week before the general came, and it's the only somewhat active community I can find that's not in Swedish. I'm really grateful for it.
>>47908836
>>47908868
I'm happy to have a Symbaroum thread too, but you guys don't quite get what a General thread is. It's for games that are so popular that several threads for it pop up every day, so over time people just create a General thread every day that everyone can post their questions to.
Eg, there's always a D&D 5E thread, a Shadowrun thread and a Flames of War of thread every single day. If there wasn't, people would be putting up 20 threads about 5E or Shadowrun. That's not the case with Symbaroum yet, and it's kind of premature and pretentious to assume it's already so popular that it ranks up there with all the majors.
Otherwise, just call it a Symbaroum thread, period.
>>47908935
>complains about thread nomenclature on 4chan
>thinks others are pretentious
>>47908935
We can call the thread whatever we want, call the cops if you don't like it.
I'd like to see some more detail on the subterranean aspect of the setting. Well, both that and the forest itself are completely unmapped.
>>47910847
>wherever you need a dungeon/giant series of grottos, there'll be one
>>47908935
Im sorry that what I like isn't as good as what you like
>>47909374
this
I'm going into town tomorrow and I'll probably get the novels and start reading them. Can't promise that I'll finish them any time soon, but if you guys wants I can update you on cool stuff in them?
>>47909374
Thread nomenclature is a serious business, anon.
>>47913824
I've never understood the distaste for "general," though.
Kickstarter just broke 250k. No word on bonus upgrade #7 yet.
>>47916750
Let's hope there will be an update tomorrow.
>>47917805
Yeah, I assume the folks at Jarnringen are going to be getting into the office in a few hours to update us.
I can't open the PDF in the zip; says the destination file can't be made.
Hang on, why do they want $100 us for a print of the corebook?
The order of their rewards is super strange.
>>47918173
Time to install proper pdf reader?
>>47918207
I've got adobe acrobat mate.
I'm getting pretty excited about this, reading about the tone and theme of the game, but I have to ask:
Is the system actually good, and does it emulate all of these proposed themes well, or is this just another "art first" game that doesn't really bring anything new mechanically speaking?
Because honestly, you can draw whatever you want in the game's art, but if it's not in the rules, it's not in the game.
>>47918972
The rules seem pretty simple as far as checks go.
What's different as far as I can see:
Corruption/magic system is pretty unique
Dm doesn't make any roles
The rules seem pretty simple once you get the hang of them
It all seems really streamlined/polished/well done
Also as far as I can tell, you never really go up in HP. So that definitely works with the theme of being a deadly and unforgiving world
>>47919192
I just read the quick guide, and it's pretty stream lined; I'm liking it a lot so far.
Is the core game well tested, though? How breakable is the system?
>>47919272
Very breakable, unfortunately. It's pretty gamey in mechanics, but I think it's offset by the primarily narrativist player base.
>>47919291
Damn, that's a shame.
Where exactly does the system break? Is it so obvious that a group of veteran D&D players would definitely break it eventually, or is it more like of a "breakable if you're trying to break it" situation?
>>47919339
It's broken in that the right combination of abilities right off the bat can give you huge advantages. It's really simple to figure out. Combat is still often deadly of you aren't careful, so hopefully it will be more often avoided than not. There also aren't a whole lot of non combat options, so it's bound to happen
>>47919427
Oh, so the game is easy to min-max, but it doesn't suffer from actual playability problems then, right?
Like, the rules still work as intended, even if smart players figure out OP combos?
>>47919339
Using a few abilities you can make most of your core mechanics key off of a single attribute. HP are capped at 15, but there's a good number of ways to keep packing on more damage.
Advancement seems slow if I am reading this right you only get 1 exp per challenge so the intro adventure should yield something like 7-8 exp?
>>47920037
Also it's 10 Exp to get a new skill
Or 20 to advance one you already have to lvl 2
So as far I can tell it should take about 3 adventures to get a lvl 2 skill
>>47919476
Right.
As damage mitigation is much harder to achieve than just building a character that can dish out mad damage, even a "broken" character could be killed if he's ganged up on by a few weak opponents.
And if your players get cocky, the system has a huge toolkit for the GM to construct monsters that are just as broken.
Can your group's archer fire half a dozen arrows in a turn and just turns every mundane enemy into a pin cushion? Let's see how arrows fare against a monster that leaks acid.
Can your group's ogre dish out enough damage to flatten a boulder? Well, he still probably still can't hurt an immaterial ghost.
What's the general tech level of the setting? I've seen someone mention primitive rifles?
>>47923422
There is no firearm in equipment, that's for sure.
>tech level
Your typical fantasy. High quality steel, yet gunpowder is only used for bombs. Don't expect realism, it's not about that even if the world is pretty deadly.
>>47923422
>>47923542
Actually, the PHB has "fire pipes", cannons, rocket batteries, and other inventions based on alchemical explosives. It is said that this science came from the city states far to the west of Ambria.
Do the books offer any kind of dungeon delving tips and suggestions or are they more focused on wilderness exploration?
>>47916750
Oh good. They're just going to print the map from the #6 bonus upgrade on bigger paper.
I really like the work they're putting out there, but some of the decisions that Jarnringen has made regarding this kickstarter are really bizarre.
>>47923542
Cool. Can't wait for the translation!
>>47924940
Bonus #8 is definitely just the map printed on A1 paper (at least this means the map doubles in area every time we hit a stretch goal).
>>47923660
Just adding that fire pipes are flamethrowers, not projectile launchers.
>>47925538
That's actually way cooler
>>47925538
hmm, right you are. for some reason I got the idea in my head that they were like crude muskets
>>47925538
So how long until somebody homebrews a technological Ambarians vs. natural Barbarians setting/campaign? Imagine the tribes coming together to fight off the foreigners trying to clear-cut their way into Davokar.
>>47928258
Why would you homebrew anything?
The setting as is already lets you do that.
So is a Black Cloak/Twilight Friar a good idea for a pc or are there any issues with making such a character? Would you allow it in your campaign? How would one go around making such a character? I was thinking a Witch Hunting Rogue but I'm not that sure.
>>47931253
If you have a good reason to not be constantly following the orders of your superiors, like you are retired or on leave. Usually, I would keep those connections to your background, unless it fits particularly well with the group
>>47931253
Given that witch seems by far to be the favorite flavor of mystic, it could be problematic if you run it like a Lawful Stupid paladin. Make sure you discuss it with your group and play it half intelligently and it should run smooth.
>>47933212
It says witch hunters recognize that a crusade against the darkness means that the darkness will eventually overtake you, from without or within.
Witch hunters don't seem to be opposed to using magics and seem to take corruption as the price for defeating darkness. It's only a short hop from that to working with witches against corruption in striving for balance.
The witch hunter entry seems to suggest that they are somewhat like a 40k Inquisitor, and they can be just as radical as them as well. Actually, even the theurge accepts corruption as a part of life even if they strive against it and keep their own faith burning. Corruption seems commonplace in this setting and it's not uncommon for people to have a tinge of it on their shadow, quite unlike 40k where all corruption needs to be eradicated wholesale and the earth salted. They also make mention of purification rituals.
>>47925538
I MUST know more.
>>47933762
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_fire
>>47933762
>>47933948
Pretty much this. The pipes themselves are thick metal constructions that you can use in melee. All in all a very good weapon, unless you set yourself on fire.
>>47933948
I was looking more for game mechanics and numbers, rather than historical inspiration.
>>47935734
Make shit up, it's what RPGaming is all about.
I've started on the first novel, and they mention the masks. The character wearing one is a dark elf (don't know how they translated this race, so might be off on this) and primarily wears it in battle. Pic related is a page from the book, claiming it's an ancient war/battle mask crafted by the barbarians' ancestors, and that it has some corrupting abilities due to being an artifact from old Symbaroum. Kind of.
Also, on the book in general; it's not a literary masterpiece, sometimes I think it a little pretentious, but I'm enjoying it.
>>47939467
That's a lot of Swedish.
I like the Symbaroum system, but I wanted to run a setting that's a little less dour and grim. Does it seem reasonable to change the corruption system to something akin to fatigue (ie.some penalty to stats for increased fatigue, when you hit your threshold you pass out for a few days)?
>>47865862
Is there a succinct explanation of the basic task resolution system? I get the roll-under, but the fact that the DM never rolls dice keeps jacking me up. 'Cause I'm a faggot.
>>47940995
Yeah, I suppose. Honestly, just run any game the way you want it, using whichever system you like. As long as everyone is having fun, nothing else matters
>>47942608
If you look at NPC stat blocks they are modifiers to the PCs rolls or static values that the PCs roll against. PC rolls to hit a big NPC so the PC needs to roll under his Accurate +/- the NPC's defense.
A PC Accurate of 10 and a beast defense is listed as +2 so the pc needs to roll under 12 (10 + 2)
same PC attacks something really quick with a better defense of -5 so the pc needs to roll under 5 (10 - 5)
If the PC hits they roll damage and subtract NPCs static armor value.
NPC attacks a PC so the pc has to roll under his Defense +/- NPCs Accurate (see pic)
The PC has a defense of 11 and the NPC has an Accurate of 12 so the pc needs to roll under 9 (11 - 2)
If the PC fails his defense roll he is hit and the NPC deals its static damage value - the PCs Armor roll
>>47940995
I think that would work for sure, the system while simple is only but a system. I was thinking of running a Dark Souls inspired game and instead of corruption using it as hallowing. Where every time you die is one point towards hallowing out/insanity.
>>47945113
That's p good.
But how would you manage magic then?
>>47945291
As anyone can learn magic, I'd leave it be, the game would be a little bit more deadly tho'.
>>47940995
I wouldn't even institute the stat penalties. As is the corruption system's stigmas are mostly RP related with few mechanical effects at all beyond people being able to see your corruption without witchsight.
I'd just make your character "feel exhausted" at Resolute/2 and then do the passing out at Resolute.
>>47947261
>with few mechanical effects at all beyond people being able to see your corruption without witchsight
Don't discount the effect of a visible stigma on your character, it's likely to make his interactions with NPCs much more difficult.
Running my first session in a free days. Any tips?
>>47865862
Is there anyone running this on Roll20? I'd be really interested in joining a game or setting one up with a few people.
Can you play a bard in this? Seems a perfect setting for barding it up
>>47954811
Yes. Loremaster, Beast Lore, Medicus, Alchemy, and maybe a good Combat skill or a Ritual/Mystic Power, and you are a well rounded knowledgeable type. Add it a high Persuasion and Discreet and fluff it as a performer/storyteller, and there you go.
>>47865862
I'm having trouble finding information about character improvement. I see references to getting Experience but not what you can improve and how much it costs.
>>47956194
Page 162
Basically, all you can do is to buy/improve abilities for 10/20/30 points.
>>47956275
Sounds pretty silly to not be able to improve attributes, especially with a wide 1-20 range.
>>47956363
There's an ability which lets you improve a stat. Each rank gets you +1, so Novice is +1, Adept is +2, and Master is +3. I'm pretty sure you can buy this once for each stat, but I could be wrong.
Attributes are also capped at a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15, and you can only have one stat at 5 and one stat at 15. So you could raise your lowest stat to 8 (if you decided to have a 5 in something) and your highest stat to 18 (if you decided to have a 15 in something).
Add in "Advantage" which you might have through roleplay, abilities, or situations, and that nets you +2 to the attribute, so in the right circumstances you can auto-succeed on something that needs to be rolled. Of course, if something should auto-succeed because it's easy then you should just be able to do it.
>>47956434
Ok, that sounds pretty ok tho.
>>47956434
Goddamn I am falling in love with this game. Originally I thought the roll under mechanic was a bit wonky, but I realized I'm just so used to D&D. Now that I understand how the game flows, it seems really simple and easy; now I just need to find a game.
>>47953122
I'm going to bump by repeating myself. Anyone interested in starting a game online?
>>47956791
Yes. When and on what platform?
>>47956791
>>47956720
There is a chat here for people to set up games. Currently, mostly one-shots whenever people are available. Feel free to organize something with the people here.
https://discord.gg/epXAm
