D&D 4E 4e Fantasy Backdrops Discussion

[Rechan]

I've realized that I could probably do an entire supplement on just "Bridges," there are an insane number of variants I could come up with from crawl bridges to monkey bridges to incan bridges... and that's just rope bridges! I'm going to really have to think about how to condense all these possibilities. They all have something unique to offer DMs and players in terms of tactical options, but I'm not certain I want to write "Bridges of Made-Up County."

Easy option:

Present only two or three variants.

The rules should be uniform enough that you can re-skin the bridge without needing to alter the rules too much. In fact, I'd say that you could do any "bridge that sways and is a little precarious dangerous" by just taking "Standard Rope Bridge" rules, then apply the terrain rules in the DMG.

 

[77IM]

You might use an "effect-based" design. Instead of thinking, "what are all these bridges like and how do they affect game play?" work backwards from "what are all the ways bridges can affect game play, and what sort of bridges would have that effect?"

For example, a rope bridge might be Swingy, Easily Severed, and Hard to Walk On. An ancient wooden bridge might be Shakey, have a Maximum Weight Allowance, and have Squares That Fall When You Step On Them. Both would have Catches Fire Easily. This book is going to be awesome!

-- 77IM

 

[jaldaen]

Present only two or three variants.

I'm considering this...

The rules should be uniform enough that you can re-skin the bridge without needing to alter the rules too much. In fact, I'd say that you could do any "bridge that sways and is a little precarious dangerous" by just taking "Standard Rope Bridge" rules, then apply the terrain rules in the DMG.

I'll have to think about how best to reskin things. I want the rules to be robust enough to mimic most types of rope bridges, but without overwhelming the DM and player with a complexity of options.

 

[jaldaen]

You might use an "effect-based" design. Instead of thinking, "what are all these bridges like and how do they affect game play?" work backwards from "what are all the ways bridges can affect game play, and what sort of bridges would have that effect?"

Interesting idea... I'll think about it and see what I can come up with

For example, a rope bridge might be Swingy, Easily Severed, and Hard to Walk On. An ancient wooden bridge might be Shakey, have a Maximum Weight Allowance, and have Squares That Fall When You Step On Them. Both would have Catches Fire Easily. This book is going to be awesome!

I see... so make it modular in design based on the effects you want as a DM and then say here are the effects a "monkey bridge" has and these are the effects a crawl bridge has. That could work really well. I'll have to see how it works and how best to organize each section so that DMs can see how they can build their very own fantasy bridge with the modular effects (swingy, Easily Severed, etc.).

 

[Raven Swords]

Hope I'm not to late to throw in my suggestions..

I'd like to see solid clouds, sky ships, flying carpets, giant birds and floating islands as backdrops for fights.

Sounds like it'll be a great book.

 

[jaldaen]

Hope I'm not to late to throw in my suggestions.

Not too late yet

I'd like to see solid clouds, sky ships, flying carpets, giant birds and floating islands as backdrops for fights.

Thanks for the suggestions... I'll add them to the list of possible backdrops.

Sounds like it'll be a great book.

Thanks... I'm looking forward to writing it

Btw... I'll be on vacation next week so it'll probably be a couple weeks before any updates. However, when I get back I'll try to get a short preview up to get feedback on it