Here’s a quick thing I just wrote up for Dungeon World. There’s a couple of ideas in these moves that could be useful for other hacks, specifically the “stacking” effect of the first move and the “GM+player map together” effect of the second one, which is a different take on Workspace, essentially. It’s easy to imagine collaboratively diagramming some sort of mechanical problem in a tech-oriented game, giving the player the fictional context they need to try to fix it.
Originally shared by J. Walton
Decided to write up a fun new compendium class after work, based on that earlier thread on thieves. The PDF is available here: http://corvidsun.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pathofghosts-050613.pdf
These are some awesome moves. I love both how they function, and the images they conjure.
I love the idea of tying number of options to stat score. That’s really smart.
I like that they’re not moves you take- they are wholly rooted in the fiction. I’m having a hard time finding a reason I like that, but I do.
Evocative stuff.
Curious, how would you roll this out? Did someone head down the path of ghosts already, prompting you to write up some moves? Or would you put this on the table and be like “Hey, this exists.”
It could happen a number of ways. This isn’t derived from actual play but clearly could be. Generally speaking, the players wouldn’t be surprised to learn that thieves guilds have advanced techniques that they only teach to their members, right? It would be easy to offer hints of that in play. Could have some NPC thieves scale a cliff face or tower with ease, etc. Or drop rumors about the Path of Ghosts. Or have them find out about it when they start interacting with the guild. Or write up this kind of compendium class after a particularly evocative Spout Lore result. You could certainly just drop it on the table too, but it probably makes more sense to introduce it through play, as it becomes relevant. Maybe the players won’t be interested and there’s no need to force things.
I’d definitely want to have one of these for everyone at the table, based on their desired flavor of badassery.
Man that last move is sexy as hell.
I love the idea of using half the page for “theme” and art. I spent last night doing the same thing. Though not as pretty, not remotely at all.
Yeah, I was searching for pics on iStock last night and was like “Ooooo, yup, it’s definitely that one.”
Here’s a slightly updated version based on feedback, primarily from Ben Wray and Dylan Boates. “Lonely Stair” is now more generally applicable, which makes it even more badass. http://corvidsun.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pathofghosts-050713.pdf
It’s now brilliant.
There are no words for how awesome the phrase “social terrain” is.
Vishakanya!
Jackson Tegu Yeah, I was going to call the move “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” but then I figured I should go with the true source. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rappaccini's_Daughter
The move is so elegant. It’s like a sneakier version of the Maestro D’ ‘s (heh) everybody eats or whatever. So fricken cool.
Thanks! It’s PC-agnostic too, so that’s always fun.