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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TwoSix" data-source="post: 5580087" data-attributes="member: 205">This is long, and possibly rambling.  And I'm still sure I'll miss something.  Additionally, this is pie in the sky, and I sincerely doubt this will happen, but a guy can dream.1)  Use 4e as the framework.  The underlying math and modular power system are gold.2)  Base on a software platform, not publication.  The base character builder is free and core rules are free.  Offer up the character builder as an "app store" to sell both 1st party and 3rd party products that integrate with the character builder.  Offer other software packages such as Monster Builder or Virtual Table either as apps or subscriptions.  Sell a "Rules Compendium" and box sets as physical products.3)  Characters built on 3 poles: race, class, and theme.  Class defines how you fight, and grants attack powers and bonuses.  Race and theme can provide attack powers and bonuses, but focus on developing non-damage/non-combat utility.  Roles are less defined, with every "class" functioning more as a striker.  Leader, controller, defender, and narrative support functions provided by race and/or class. 4)  Powers are built around power sources (martial, arcane), and can be shared between classes.   Powers should be built (roughly) with a mind towards simulationist/verisimilitude concerns.  No encounter trips, etc.  Weapon powers should be at-will.  Spells can be at-will or resource constrained.5)  Powers can be active or passive, and feats are subsumed into the power system.6)  Two conjoined resources, healing surges and action points.  Spending a healing surge gains an action point.  Healing surges provide tension to exploration and combat, action points provide incentive to continue pressing forward.  Resource constrained powers (i.e. "dailies") are powered by action points and may also require triggering situations.7)  Race, class, and theme all provide pools of powers to pick from, and also allow you to pick from a greater pool of general powers.  Fighter, for example, provides some class features (passive powers) which relate to the "Weapon" keyword, and the fighter can also select any general power with the "Weapon" keyword.  Mages can select any general power with the "Arcane" keyword.  8)  Explanation and limitation of power sources.  Arcane should be tied to the Elemental Chaos, and focus on effects of elemental power and transmutation.  Divine provides radiant power which is often creature specific, and also provides healing.  Primal is weather, plant, and animal effects, as well as spirit communication.  Fey is enchantments, illusions, and misdirections.  Shadow is death and necromantic effects.9)  Pick 4 powers at 1st level from list of race, class, and theme powers, and 1 power every level after that.  You can have a character almost completely defined by their race or class by picking only racial or theme powers, or ignore them entirely.</blockquote>

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