Please help - New guy coming out of retirement

[Talislan]

Hi,

I have recently returned to the world of RPG gaming after a VERY long absence (like from back in the 1980's). The world has moved on it seems while I have been hiding under my rock and there are a plethora of changes going on as we speak.

This all being well and good for the industry but it poses me with something of a problem.

I am looking to build worlds you see. Not just planets, but cities, countries, people places the 'whole shebang'. I am looking at using the wonderful programs that have/are being created by the likes of ProFantasy, Twin Rose and the RPGexplorer guys though and there in lies the problem. What to use?

I would appreciate some advice on this from any and all who would like to give their opinion. Specifically I need a system (or group of compatible systems) that can do the following:
1. Generate Characters for 3.5 D&D, d20 Modern, Past, Future, Arcana
2. I need Mapping fascilities THAT LOOK GOOD as well as being functional and reasonably intuitive
3. I need campaign building, monitoring, recording
4. I need City,Town,Building Generation from Deepest Dungeon to modern corporate tower and maybe even space travelling structures
5. I would like (and in this modern day and age it aught to already be in place) for the things to look good. (not like stick drawings on a BBC Acorn)

I've looked at plenty of the things out there, just would like peoples opinions and advice on where to start what is best etc.

Many Thanks

T.

 

[Henrix]

That's a pretty tall order!
Are you looking for computer programs that do yhe above nentioned, or game systems?

 

[EricNoah]

PC Gen may be your best bet for character generation. I am a longtime eTools user but that program is no longer for sale.

I use SpellGen for pre-calculated spellsheets.

For mapping I use Campaign Cartographer. Has a steep learning curve; once you get the hang of the "CAD way" of doing things it's not too bad. I have also used Dundjinni for local/dungeon mapping. Honestly these days I most often steal maps rather than make them (from the WotC website and from Paizo's many Dungeon Magazine pdf web enhancements).

 

[Clueless]

For campaign records and monitoring - try some of the useful links, Excel sheets and pen-paper approaches found on the GM's Notebook thread.

 

[Talislan]

That's a pretty tall order!
Are you looking for computer programs that do yhe above nentioned, or game systems?

Yeah, I guess, Well reach for the stars and you may just get to the moon!
Seriously though, I am looking at programs individual or combined. The thing is(as I have found from my searching around) whilst there is plenty out there, I don't know what is best for what, and which resources are compatible with which others

I am looking at a number of demo versions this weekend but my main concern is how the different parts are going to fit together.
PC/NPC Generators needs to link to Campaign Manager which needs to link to Mapping tools. If I have to run 3 seperate programs or more its not a problem as long as files are transferable (Inport/Exportable) between the systems.

Plus could all do with having expandable datasets (see below)

I also have a major concern that 90% of the toolsets seem to have been made with fantasy/D&D in mind and don't cater for modern/Sci-fi rules,scenes,scenarios. Do these really have such a limited audience?

I know I'm asking a lot but with all the knowledge out there someone must have thought about bringing it all together somehow.

 

[Talislan]

PC Gen may be your best bet for character generation. I am a longtime eTools user but that program is no longer for sale.

I use SpellGen for pre-calculated spellsheets.

For mapping I use Campaign Cartographer. Has a steep learning curve; once you get the hang of the "CAD way" of doing things it's not too bad. I have also used Dundjinni for local/dungeon mapping. Honestly these days I most often steal maps rather than make them (from the WotC website and from Paizo's many Dungeon Magazine pdf web enhancements).

Thanks for the input, most appreciated.

 

[Talislan]

For campaign records and monitoring - try some of the useful links, Excel sheets and pen-paper approaches found on the GM's Notebook thread.

Will take a look, many thanks.

 

[kenobi65]

I also have a major concern that 90% of the toolsets seem to have been made with fantasy/D&D in mind and don't cater for modern/Sci-fi rules,scenes,scenarios. Do these really have such a limited audience?

In a word: yeah.

D&D is still, by far, the biggest RPG out there. When you add other fantasy RPGs to its market share, it just dwarfs any other genre.

 

[Dan Bell]

Hi Talislan

I'm a freelancer for HarnWorld (see some of the free downloads on www.lythia.com to get an idea of HarnWorld and what most articles looks like).

2. I need Mapping fascilities THAT LOOK GOOD as well as being functional and reasonably intuitive

Most of Harn's maps are drawn using Adobe Illustrator.

Here are some Harn online generators that might help also: http://www.phantasia.org/miju/rpg/harn/generators.html

Good luck.

 

[Darkwolf71]

1. Generate Characters for 3.5 D&D, d20 Modern, Past, Future, Arcana

I can't speak to your other topics, but for chargen, I would suggest either Heroforge (free) or The Only Sheet+ (not-free). Both have pros and cons. Of most intrest to you though, I know there are versions of HF out there that are made for d20 Modern, though I cannot speak to the compatability with Past, Future, or Arcana. TOS+ is set up to deal with D&D only, but there may be someone who has made plug-ins for d20 Modern.

Biggest difference in systems is:HF takes a level by level approach while TOS+ lets you make step in and create a Rogue 5/Wizard 3 without being concerned with when he took levels in which class.


Both are easily googled. For HF you want the 'Heroforge Download Page' it has links to several versions with have been made for various settings/d20 systems.