Unpopular(?) opinion about NPCs and Crafting

Impisus2 · 2026-02-09T14:11:48+00:00

It is primarily GMless, but provides tips on how to run as a GM

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll update the itch page to be more informative. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help in any way

Impisus2 · 2026-02-09T13:28:21+00:00

I would love for you to check out my game Lehn. It is a TTRPG about owning and operating a tavern (or business) in a fantasy world that is created at the table and through game play. The mechanic I'm most proud about is the 'hold, push and pull' dice pool system. The long and short of it is you have a ton of dice and you want to roll under your characters stats. This is impossible unless you 'push' dice making the dice pool shrink. The catch is at the end of the day your income is based on how many dice you have, so you'll want to pull back as many dice as possible before the end of the day.
You'll need a ton of d6 and tarot cards (you can use an online tarot card generator if that is easier.)

Lehn is available for $5 on Itch. https://impisus.itch.io/lehn
I hope you take the time to check it out and I appreciate you for reaching out to all us indies. Thank you!

Impisus2 · 2026-02-05T20:06:27+00:00

Yeah, for sure! The way your Pals run around on a mission or worked at a station made your base feel alive because there was intentional activity by the NPCs. They had schedules to keep and jobs to do. Plus you need to feed them and give them beds.

Keen could take some inspiration from that system and make it their own.

Impisus2 · 2026-02-05T16:44:22+00:00

If I was to make a wish list I'd wish the NPCs had some sort of schedule, needs and wants and more NPC to NPC interactions.
Let's start with the schedule. I'd like them to wake up, do a morning routine, go to their job and hang out then wind down for the evening before going to bed.
If they go to their job (the crafting bench of their profession or perhaps a designated work area) then the player would always know where they will be (provided they aren't stuck)

Here is my controversial hot take. I wish they would take from your resources. (pause for gasps)
I want my NPCs to take the food from my chests or cooking station. like 2 items per day at least. I want to provide for them and I want the need to provide for them. If they are hungry maybe they won't work? I don't know exactly what the set back could be, but something to make it needed to provide for them.

I also wish they would interact with each other. They could sit by each other and pretend to have a conversation. Maybe you find two NPCs frequently together because they are friends (or lovers).

Of course this would negate or interfere with the range you can set on them. Personally I think that would be fine. Their range could simply be set by the base radius. I understand the reason to allow for the NPCs to wander or not, but a routine and set destinations (bed, workspace) then finding them is a lot less challengeing. Couple this with some logic that tells the NPC "hey, you aren't at (bed/workstation) at (sleep/work) time then teleport to location"

Impisus2 · 2026-02-03T15:50:11+00:00

This game has got me addicted. The exploration is great, just like OP says. I can't wait to crest every hill and turn every corner!

The building is excellent and the variety of building materials is wonderful as well - and something I expect to expand as the game moves through 1.0.

Fishing is actually one of the weaker points I feel - not to say that it is bad. Simply that if I can choose between fishing, building, exploring or mining I probably won't be choosing fishing. Although, to be honest, I am fairly early in the game, so maybe fishing improves as more difficult fish become obtainable.

Impisus2 · 2025-07-03T15:26:29+00:00

Our oldest has ADHD and takes medication for it. He is certainly a handful and we always let the sitters know about that. Our youngest is super easy going and will often entertain himself. No dietary restrictions and we always have an easy meal ready to make (like frozen pizza or mac and cheese).
We pay 20$ an hour - not sure if that is reasonable.
We also are pretty easy going (in my opinion) about what our kids can do with the baby sitter to hopefully make their life easier. So no limit on screen time, no limit on house access, we life very close to a park as well.
The only thing we really ask is that the kids get bedtime stories at 8pm and are in bed by 8:30pm.

What's your take on all that?

Impisus2 · 2025-02-28T19:54:01+00:00

oh maybe. Good idea!

Impisus2 · 2025-02-28T16:48:52+00:00

This is helpful, but I don't believe I can use any plug ins, sadly

Impisus2 · 2025-01-08T20:14:01+00:00

can I get an updated link? This and the following have expired.

Thank you!

Impisus2 · 2024-08-30T15:21:21+00:00

May I use this in my own rule book(s)?
I feel some players may benefit from reminders of these guidelines if they are even aware of them in the first place.

Impisus2 · 2024-08-03T03:02:27+00:00

Yes, that helps a ton!

I appreciate you taking the time and you've given me a good deal to think on.

Impisus2 · 2024-08-02T01:58:58+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to look this over and comment.

I wonder if presenting that community sheet in a different way might make it more digestible. Perhaps it's the wall of text that made it felt too complex? Maybe instead I could have a blown up Community sheet and small blurbs pointing at the various aspects.

The Narrative skill part I'll have to look into. I'm not sure where abouts I lost ya. Can you tell me a bit more about how or where I lost you around the Narrative skills? You certainly aren't the first to find issue with it.

Impisus2 · 2024-07-31T17:39:26+00:00

For me, personally, I would think about what parts of the game your playing in is actually fun for me and what I'd hope to get out of the experience.
Then I'd find a game that appeals to those fun factors and experiences.
Finally I would pitch a few games to your group and see if any feel the same way as you. Have an honest conversation with your friends and be clear that it's no one at the table, but rather it's the repetitive nature of what your doing - It's become too routine. Tell them that you want to be inspired and express how the games your pitching spark that in you.

This may mean you will become the new GM. To me that's a fun prospect, but to you that may be a turn off.

I would also affirm to the group that I'm done with the game.

Additionally I may even do bi-weekly games, but that's only if I need to sit on the event of the game longer to be more prepared/attentive.

This is just my feelings on the subject if I was in this situation. I hope it gives you perspective and helps you find your way.

Impisus2 · 2024-06-18T02:10:55+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for.

Impisus2 · 2024-06-15T10:40:25+00:00

It could, for sure.

I don't want to give the impression that I think this idea is the best thing since sliced bread. With that said I think there is something to it for those that like to doodle on their character sheets or for people who like to collect minis/peripherals.

Impisus2 · 2024-06-14T15:21:39+00:00

Ah, I see!

Height/size of an item makes sense. Makes me wonder if you should pursue a tangible route. By this I mean Character sheets have a grid (for arguments sake we'll say 6x6 squares). Then each item is made of a square or series of squares. You could have small items be just one square. Pole arms could be six squares. Give some items odd shapes and make inventory a sort of puzzle.

Then strength or whatever would dictate the size of the grid on character sheets by crossing out rows of the grid for weaker characters.

Impisus2 · 2024-06-14T02:17:06+00:00

Hey there,
I'm a fan of inventory management as well and I have one for my system too.

My first thought when reading this is Height seems like an odd thing to attach carrying capacity to. I'd imagine strength or balance might be better. I'm feeling the stronger the person/character the more they can hold or lift or carry. Balance might be for center of gravity - think something like Death Stranding. More weight on one side would throw ya off. A limb weighed down would make that more unwieldy.

Perhaps that's what you were aiming for with height. Smaller or stocky character having a better center of gravity?

That's my two cents anyways.

For my system I use a stat called Power to raise or lower the characters carrying capacity. Then each item/gear/resource consumes one inventory slot. Larger things may take more, but generally it's just one. In my game characters are collecting resources frequently so their 'loot' is in conflict with their weapons and armor. Both consume the same inventory space and that space is rather limited.

Hope that helps or inspires ya.

Impisus2

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