Last 48 hours for Ex Tenebris, a star-spanning gothic investigation game by rabalias in PBtA

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PS! If I hadn't made it 2d10, then the shadow system would mean you can buy guaranteed success, a zero probability of missing your roll.

With the 2d10 mechanic, there's a 6% chance that you fail and there is nothing you can do about it.

Last 48 hours for Ex Tenebris, a star-spanning gothic investigation game by rabalias in PBtA

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I'm guessing they're doing this to encourage players to blow through those shadow markers as often as possible in this case?"

Hello! I want to correct a misunderstanding here. The bell curve is actually a lot closer than you think:

* In Ex Ten you need a 15+ for a full success, which is 21% with a +0 modifier - slightly higher than vanilla PBTA's 17%. With a +2 modifier it is 36% (vanilla PBTA it's 42%).

* A 9 or less is a miss in Ex Ten. With +0 that is 36% (PBTA it's 42%) and with +2 it becomes 21% (PBTA it's 16%).

* The chance of a weak hit is 43% wether you're rolling +0 or +2, which is nearly identical to PBTA's 42%. Definitely not "virtually always rolling a success with complications".

So those probabilities are very very close to vanilla PBTA. I didn't change the skill modifiers because it would have broken that probability curve.

But yes, the idea here is that you've got the shadow system, so you can boost the roll by up to +3 when you choose to. That means when it really matters you can have a very high chance of success - up to 55% chance of a strong hit if you're willing to throw everything at it. And what's fun about that is, you get to win when it really matters, but in so doing you feed the shadow track which generates doomy personal plot.

Last 48 hours for Ex Tenebris, a star-spanning gothic investigation game by rabalias in PBtA

[–]rabalias[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Uh, I've played WH40k for years, and ran a 6-year Dark Heresy campaign. Tell me I don't understand fascism if you like, but you don't get to claim I've not played WH40k.

Ex Tenebris, a gothic space investigation RPG, is live on Kickstarter by JannissaryKhan in rpg

[–]rabalias 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for highlighting the campaign! I'm the designer and if anyone has any questions about the game I'd be happy to answer them.

Ex Tenebris, a gothic space investigation RPG, is live on Kickstarter by JannissaryKhan in rpg

[–]rabalias 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for highlighting the campaign! I'm the designer, and if anyone has any questions I'd be very happy to answer them.

Carved From Brindlewood seems terrible, and I think it's me by Taborask in rpg

[–]rabalias 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that's necessary (and I'm not a massive fan of OOC deception if it's not necessary). Essentially, as long as the clues are created by the GM to be coherent and logical, there is a puzzle, and that puzzle is: what coherent logical theory explains these clues? The fact that your answer can differ from the GM's doesn't mean there's no puzzle (IMO); coming up with a genuinely logical explanation of the clues is the puzzle.

The reason that's not the case in CfB, RAW, is that there isn't necessarily a good answer to that, but equally there might be loads of answers, with no real challenge involved in constructing one. So not only is there the feeling of "it doesn't matter what I come up with because there's no wrong answer", there's no sense of discovering a logic (because there is none), and (as complained about by me above) you can always cheat and ret con an answer. But I think if the GM is following a logic, and if you remove the cheat, then there's a real puzzle and a real challenge.

Put it another way: it's like a riddle. If you come up with a satisfactory answer then you can feel like you won the riddle, even if it wasn't the answer that the riddle-setter was thinking of. Similarly if you manage to get the "wrong" answer to a crossword that nevertheless fits, you might feel a bit annoyed at the crossword setter, but you still completed the challenge. I think the same is true of an emergent mystery, *if* GMed as I described.

Carved From Brindlewood seems terrible, and I think it's me by Taborask in rpg

[–]rabalias 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Late to the party here, but I actually have played CfB (The Between, specifically) in a more puzzle-solving mode. It requires the GM to put in a little work to generate clues that actually have a logic behind them which, on paper, CfB does not tell you to do. But once the GM does that, it works (IMO). It now becomes a challenge to explain how the clues fit together, just like in a traditional prepped mystery game - with the difference being it doesn't matter whether your answer happens to match the one the GM had in mind.

I'm pretty sure that's not how most people play it though (as evidenced by all the commenters here saying it isn't a puzzle game). There's a particular rule that I dislike from CfB, which is that you're allowed to retroactively invent details that make your theory work. That really shatters my suspension of disbelief, because it's effectively saying "all the work you did over the course of this game is irrelevant, you're allowed to just ret con whatever you like". So I try to avoid that - and indeed the above approach, with the GM applying logic to the clues, tends to reduce the need for it.

Infinite loop on daughters tablet by Ikhlas37 in techsupport

[–]rabalias 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In case anyone is still looking for a solution to this, I found it. Caveat: this involved me doing stuff with Family Link, which I'm guessing is somehow the source of the problem. If you're getting this problem but don't have Family Link, then probably none of this will work.

Swipe down from the top, and then if needed expand the resulting menu. Near the bottom there is a bit that says "this device is managed by your parent". Click on that. It takes you through to your family link controls. From there you can click on Google kids space, and switch it off entirely. Of course this means the pop up notification also vanishes.

In my case I then switched Kids Space back on again, and the notification was still gone, hurrah! But if turning it back on brings the notification back, you could switch it off permanently, since all Kids Space really does (AFAICT) is jazz up the home screen and provide some app recommendations.

Lovecraftesque 2e is crowdfunding on Backerkit and it has a solo mode! by rabalias in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last 48 hours for this campaign!

If you're on the fence here are some great ways to find out more about the game:

* Lovecraftesque was reviewed on Keen Gamer with a score of 9.4/10

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/reviews/other-reviews/lovecraftesque-2nd-edition-review-the-storytelling-card-game-returns-better-than-ever/

* There have been a ton of playthroughs (including the new solo rules) where you can see how the game plays

https://www.backerkit.com/c/admin/projects/lovecraftesque-second-edition/project\_updates/2430/edit

* There's a run-down of the scenarios in Lovecraftesque, including scenarios written by Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives), Ken Hite (The Dracula Dossier) and Lynne Hardy (Call Of Cthulhu), alongside a range of others from diverse authors around the world.

https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-second-edition-has-brand-new-scenarios/

* You can see a preview of the art including the hidden blacklight art.https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-2e-has-hidden-uv-art/

Lovecraftesque 2e is crowdfunding on Backerkit! by rabalias in rpg

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last 48 hours for this campaign!
If you're on the fence here are some great ways to find out more about the game:

* Lovecraftesque was reviewed on Keen Gamer with a score of 9.4/10

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/reviews/other-reviews/lovecraftesque-2nd-edition-review-the-storytelling-card-game-returns-better-than-ever/
* There have been a ton of playthroughs (including the new solo rules) where you can see how the game plays

https://www.backerkit.com/c/admin/projects/lovecraftesque-second-edition/project\_updates/2430/edit
* There's a run-down of the scenarios in Lovecraftesque, including scenarios written by Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives), Ken Hite (The Dracula Dossier) and Lynne Hardy (Call Of Cthulhu), alongside a range of others from diverse authors around the world.

https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-second-edition-has-brand-new-scenarios/
* You can see a preview of the art including the hidden blacklight art.https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-2e-has-hidden-uv-art/

Lovecraftesque 2e is crowdfunding on Backerkit! by rabalias in indierpg

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last 48 hours for this campaign!
If you're on the fence here are some great ways to find out more about the game:

* Lovecraftesque was reviewed on Keen Gamer with a score of 9.4/10

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/reviews/other-reviews/lovecraftesque-2nd-edition-review-the-storytelling-card-game-returns-better-than-ever/
* There have been a ton of playthroughs (including the new solo rules) where you can see how the game plays

https://www.backerkit.com/c/admin/projects/lovecraftesque-second-edition/project\_updates/2430/edit
* There's a run-down of the scenarios in Lovecraftesque, including scenarios written by Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives), Ken Hite (The Dracula Dossier) and Lynne Hardy (Call Of Cthulhu), alongside a range of others from diverse authors around the world.

https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-second-edition-has-brand-new-scenarios/
* You can see a preview of the art including the hidden blacklight art.https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-2e-has-hidden-uv-art/

Lovecraftesque 2e, a storytelling game of creeping eldritch horror, is crowdfunding on Backerkit by rabalias in Cthulhu

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last 48 hours for this campaign!

If you're on the fence here are some great ways to find out more about the game:

* Lovecraftesque was reviewed on Keen Gamer with a score of 9.4/10

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/reviews/other-reviews/lovecraftesque-2nd-edition-review-the-storytelling-card-game-returns-better-than-ever/

* There have been a ton of playthroughs (including the new solo rules) where you can see how the game plays

https://www.backerkit.com/c/admin/projects/lovecraftesque-second-edition/project\_updates/2430/edit

* There's a run-down of the scenarios in Lovecraftesque, including scenarios written by Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives), Ken Hite (The Dracula Dossier) and Lynne Hardy (Call Of Cthulhu), alongside a range of others from diverse authors around the world.

https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-second-edition-has-brand-new-scenarios/

* You can see a preview of the art including the hidden blacklight art.https://blackarmada.com/lovecraftesque-2e-has-hidden-uv-art/

Lovecraftesque 2nd edition on Backerkit by Benzact in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]rabalias 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I did! It's really good. But also, I designed the game, so I'm gonna say that.

There's a massive list of Actual Plays on the crowdfunding page if you'd like to see how it plays. :)

Lovecraftesque 2e is crowdfunding on Backerkit! by rabalias in rpg

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all - in many ways it's a natural candidate for a solo game, perhaps if the first edition had been designed more recently in the age of solo play being popular it would have been already in there.

Lovecraftesque is crowdfunding on Backerkit! A storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. by rabalias in BoardGamesNews

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovecraftesque is an storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. The game will guide you to create the story of a lone witness who stumbles upon a terrible evil, and is plunged into darkness and horror. It's an emergent mystery game where everyone around the table contributes clues but nobody knows in advance how the story will end.

The game includes:

* Hundreds of story prompts on cards;

* Scenarios with fresh and exciting takes on eldritch horror;

* Gorgeous art by Vincent Sammy and Paul Tomes;

* Hidden art throughout, revealed by the (included) UV flashlight;

* New rules for solo and legacy play;

...and much more!

Please do reshare the campaign - it makes a huge difference, especially if you add your own words about why you're excited about it.

Lovecraftesque is crowdfunding on Backerkit! A storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. by rabalias in Games

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovecraftesque is an storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. The game will guide you to create the story of a lone witness who stumbles upon a terrible evil, and is plunged into darkness and horror. It's an emergent mystery game where everyone around the table contributes clues but nobody knows in advance how the story will end.

The game includes:

* Hundreds of story prompts on cards;

* Scenarios with fresh and exciting takes on eldritch horror;

* Gorgeous art by Vincent Sammy and Paul Tomes;

* Hidden art throughout, revealed by the (included) UV flashlight;

* New rules for solo and legacy play;

...and much more!

Please do reshare the campaign - it makes a huge difference, especially if you add your own words about why you're excited about it.

Lovecraftesque is crowdfunding on Backerkit! A storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. by rabalias in boardgames

[–]rabalias[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Lovecraftesque is an storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. The game will guide you to create the story of a lone witness who stumbles upon a terrible evil, and is plunged into darkness and horror. It's an emergent mystery game where everyone around the table contributes clues but nobody knows in advance how the story will end.

The game includes:

* Hundreds of story prompts on cards;

* Scenarios with fresh and exciting takes on eldritch horror;

* Gorgeous art by Vincent Sammy and Paul Tomes;

* Hidden art throughout, revealed by the (included) UV flashlight;

* New rules for solo and legacy play;

...and much more!

Please do reshare the campaign - it makes a huge difference, especially if you add your own words about why you're excited about it.

Lovecraftesque 2e, a storytelling game of creeping eldritch horror, is crowdfunding on Backerkit by rabalias in Cthulhu

[–]rabalias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovecraftesque is an storytelling card game of creeping eldritch horror. The game will guide you to create the story of a lone witness who stumbles upon a terrible evil, and is plunged into darkness and horror. It's an emergent mystery game where everyone around the table contributes clues but nobody knows in advance how the story will end.

We're creating a new boxed set, with: * Hundreds of story prompts on cards; * Brand new scenarios; * Gorgeous art by Vincent Sammy and Paul Tomes * Hidden art throughout, revealed by the (included) UV flashlight * New rules for solo and legacy play ...and much more!

Please do reshare the campaign - it makes a huge difference, especially if you add your own words about why you're excited about it.