Shadowdark Shadowdark General Thread [+]

Retros_x said:

I wouldn't say so. The idea of flux space is to abstract away the detailed exploration of "samey" large exploration - one turn is exploration of multiple hours. Regarding time abstraction and torch timer it is similar to wilderness exploration in SD - where you don't use the torch timer because one turn represents multiple hours of narrative time. You just don't use torch timer in flux space as you wouldn't in classic SD hex exploration. But, as defined in the blog article about flux space - the moment you "zoom in" to explore a point of interest in flux space you do classic exploring with map and key. Thats the moment you bring back the torch timer. When the game mode switches to detailed exploration of space.

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So, I think I get what you're saying. However looking at the adventure I've written, each "zoom-in" is such a small part that bringing in a 1 hour timer would be superfluous for these small landmark sites. Also it begs the question that if you chart hex space for say two hours, then zoom in, and after 15 minutes you go back to hex space again, will those 15 carry over or will they start a new torch at the next zoom in.

What I'm trying to get across is that the abstraction of hex space, though very helpful for simulating large , maze-like environments and the resource spending of those adventures, takes away from the dread/anticipation that a real time torch is supposed to evoke.

Also this doesn't really take away from what I stated at the beginning that I have to keep this in mind while reading the adventure. If nothing else I would have to add a section explaining how to combine the abstract turns of flux space with the real time of SDs standard crawling turns. Wilderness exploration in SD, though similar, doesn't take into account these quick zoom ins apart from the PCs reaching an adventure location at which point the expectation is for that to represent an entire map of its own.

All that stated, I have to concede that you are, in fact, correct. It can be done. Flux Space and SD can be combined successfully. I still think that if you're writing a scenario using Flux Space, Shadowdark might not be your first choice of system.

Kromanjon said:

Flux Space isn't sci-fi, rather it's a way to handle exploration of a large dungeon in a simplified way. I think it's pretty great and works with most ttrpgs, just not with one who uses real time mechanics. Check it out.

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Ahh, well that might complicate the real time torch thing, sure.

kermit4karate said:

The torch doesn't literally have to be a torch, right? What about a power cell that powers a radiation suit, an air purifier or a headlamp for 1 hour?

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There is a whole cottage industry of using the Shadowdark license to make other games, including multiple science fiction and modern day ones. The torch timer typically gets shifted to something like you suggest -- an oxygen tank, radiation sickness, etc.

Kromanjon said:

each "zoom-in" is such a small part that bringing in a 1 hour timer would be superfluous for these small landmark sites. Also it begs the question that if you chart hex space for say two hours, then zoom in, and after 15 minutes you go back to hex space again, will those 15 carry over or will they start a new torch at the next zoom in.

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If the zoom ins are only that small than maybe reduce the timer? But yeah, the timer is only supposed to be for this zoomed in situation. Why would you try to be dreadful and build anticipation with a torche when players are for days in an underground maze. They probably need to have giant stack of torches anyway.

Kromanjon said:

I still think that if you're writing a scenario using Flux Space, Shadowdark might not be your first choice of system.

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hm, Flux space is a tool for a very specific design space, Torch timer is also a tool, Shadowdark is a full system. I don't operate like that I think - I choose system first. Then when I have a large, mazelike, samey structure in my game where I can see classic exploration rules falter, I might replace the classic exploration with flux exploration. But I don't need to replace the full system. Just remove torch timer and done that. The moment you maybe need the exploration back because maybe there is not just a small point of interest but a larger section of "zoomed in" exploration - you bring it back. I don't see the reason to be strictly mutually exclusive here. I think Shadowdark is flexible enough for that. I mean most games have some sort of subsystem or tool that will get to be "turned off" when using these flux space rules.

I need some updates on the Kickstarter to get me through this week.

Scribe said:

I need some updates on the Kickstarter to get me through this week.

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I refresh the updates for Western Reaches, Down Among the Dead and Glumdark far too often to be healthy.

Whizbang Dustyboots said:

I refresh the updates for Western Reaches, Down Among the Dead and Glumdark far too often to be healthy.

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It's purely coincidence that Dolmenwood finally started to ship in the US and the dramatic uptick in number of times I've checked my email this week. The two things are completely unrelated.

But yes @Scribe, a new Cursed Scroll PDF would be a pretty good boost to this week.

In other.news that gif looks a lot like my old dog.

Velderan said:

But yes @Scribe, a new Cursed Scroll PDF would be a pretty good boost to this week.

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I really want a look at the City of Masks. I've come to realize that I probably want a cool urban center in my fantasy campaign, not just a nice starting village.

Velderan said:

It's purely coincidence that Dolmenwood finally started to ship in the US and the dramatic uptick in number of times I've checked my email this week. The two things are completely unrelated

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oh is it that late in US? I'm in Europe and got my package 3 weeks ago. Its good, but I won't run it now as packaged. But will probably rip out a lot of adventure content for the setting of my SD campaign.