Empire of the Petal Throne- PBP Game--Up For It?

[xerxez]

Hello. I was hoping to run one of the old convention scenarios for 2-6 players using the old EPT rules. Anyone interested? Message me if so!

[rredmond]

What system is EPT closest to? OD&D?

[xerxez]

rredmond: Some similarities to OD&D. Same kind of Combat System, (Low AC is desirable), There is percentile rolling for chance of successful spell casting (no automatic success), attributes are also percentile based.

There are only three true classes, being priest, magic user, warrior. The weapon restrictions from OD&D on spell casters also in use. Spells seem a little more powerful than OD&D.

Daggers and thrown stones do d4, all other weapons do d6 but 2 handed weapons get +1 or two on damage dice. High Attribute scores gain bonuses on hit and damage. Level increases also can add extra damage dice against lower hit die creatures.

There are quite a number of interesting alien races one can play, reptilian Shen, a sort of insectoid like creature ,the Pe Choi, a very strange barrel shaped wooly three faced, multi armed beast called an Ahoggya, and some others.

It's not overly complicated, really. I have a house rules or two- mainly initiative. I would go with DEX based combat order instead of the old each side rolling a d6.

Any other questions about it?

[Finarvyn]

If you want to run it here, let me know when it's ready and I'll set up space for you.

[tombowings]

Sign me up, please.

[xerxez]

Apr 12, 2023 5:01:58 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

If you want to run it here, let me know when it's ready and I'll set up space for you.

Ok, Fin. Thanks.

[xerxez]

Apr 12, 2023 7:29:45 GMT -6 tombowings said:

Sign me up, please.

You got it tombowings!

Look forward to gaming with you.

Any familiarity with the setting or rules?

[tombowings]

Apr 12, 2023 18:15:17 GMT -6 xerxez said:

Apr 12, 2023 7:29:45 GMT -6 tombowings said:

Sign me up, please.

You got it tombowings!

Look forward to gaming with you.

Any familiarity with the setting or rules?

Rules: Yes
Setting: Passing familiarity. I've read Flamesong.

[flightcommander]

How can I resist? Sign me up.

I've got some familiarity with the rules and the setting.

[xerxez]

Apr 12, 2023 22:25:58 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

How can I resist? Sign me up.

I've got some familiarity with the rules and the setting.

Will do, flightcommander.
I'll try to have it up tomorrow or Friday.

I'm thinking I'll roll a series of attribute sets for you guys and let you pick what's best for your character choices.

I'll get a rundown on all of that and list class choices, skills and abilities/powers and non-human races.

I was planning on the characters beginning as Non Tsolyani citizens as per the old Empire of the Petal Throne rules- also the 1st adventure scenario I've got is built around the characters being outlanders of the Empire and seeking citizenship.

Hopefully that's suitable for you guys.

[tombowings]

Sounds fantastic.

[Finarvyn]

I figure I should ping greentongue on this, just because it's EPT.

[xerxez]

Apr 13, 2023 5:04:06 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

I figure I should ping greentongue on this, just because it's EPT.

That would be great! So I need reminding, you set it up when I'm ready and then I can post preliminary info? I can be ready to do that tomorrow after work.

Thanks.

Xerxez

[Finarvyn]

Apr 13, 2023 13:43:44 GMT -6 xerxez said:

Apr 13, 2023 5:04:06 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

I figure I should ping greentongue on this, just because it's EPT.

That would be great! So I need reminding, you set it up when I'm ready and then I can post preliminary info? I can be ready to do that tomorrow after work.

Thanks.

Xerxez

Yeah, basically send me the name, what short description you want for the board, and I set it up for you.

[scottenkainen]

Ooo....this may be impossible to resist.

How frequently do you plan on posting?

[makofan]

OK, this I HAVE to try. I have the 1975 box, but have never played it. Count me in

[xerxez]

Apr 14, 2023 10:08:50 GMT -6 scottenkainen said:

Ooo....this may be impossible to resist.

How frequently do you plan on posting?

I'm going to post some beginning info to assist in character creation after work today.

Won't be posting heavily for the next six days as my wife whom I've been apart from during a job relocation is coming to visit.

I will still try to assist with character creation on my breaks this next week though.

After my visit I'll be on my own again for a good long while and I'll probably be posting pretty regular after work and evenings.

Glad to have you if you join and makofan too.

[xerxez]

Oh, I also have the Kurt Hills atlas for Bethorm.

It's got a grand amount of adventure material.

By the time I got around to trying to order a print copy of Bethorm the game the ones I saw were a bit beyond my price range.

[xerxez]

Hi. I've been rolling up 32 different stat or attribute blocks (in EPT they are called Basic Talents). Each comes with a starting amount of Gold Kaitars.

I will get the Talent details posted with them as well, essentially the modifiers for high or lower scores.

The Basic Talents are:

Strength
Intelligence
Constitution
Psychic Ability
Dexterity
Comeliness

STR works pretty much like D&D, but exceptional STR grants bonus to both hit and Damage. It's the prime talent of warrior profession for XP purposes.

INT is the prime talent of the priestly class, and affects spell use and also can confer bonuses to combat in EPT.

CON can increase hit points, affect how efficacious healing magic and revivification affect you, and can also increase combat damage by the character based on size.

P.A. is the prime talent of a magic user. It's also important to priests as both cast spells in a similar fashion and high P.A. adds to your chances of casting.

DEX affects combat rolls.

Finally, COM is physical beauty or lack thereof and affects social situations and reactions since the Tsolyani people place very high estimation towards your looks.

Bear in mind that they can all be raised throughout the game.

A final note is that your Talents also act as "feat" chances and savings throws, with the player rolling percentile and needing roll at or below thier Talent for success.

I will get the Talent score blocks posted and will dice for each of you with highest score getting first pick and when everyone has chosen the order is reversed and each player may choose a back up block in case you need to create a new character.☠️☠️

When everyone has a set of Talents and starting Gold Kaitars I will roll for your beginning skills from early life, your specific professional skills and magical/martial abilities.

We can equip in game in the markets of Jakalla!

Starting point will be the port city of Pala Jakalla, after a sea voyage.

Your characters will be strangers to Tsolyanu with a basic to middling command of some basic Tsolyani language (priests may possess some advanced language skills). You will be the stalwarts of what remains of your small tribe after fleeing a far southern continent to begin a new life in the glorious Imperium.

You will be led by your old village Shaman, Be'van by name.

Beginning with no clan or temple ties to the empire, any spell casters among you will possess some raw natural talent there along with some magical tutelage by Be'van.

If all goes well for you perhaps your training will be continued by Temple Circles or powerful magic users!

I will also post the "friendly to Man" non human races should any of you wish to play a non human.

These are the basics. Please ask anything else you'd like to know.

[greentongue]

Is the contents of the original rules what is being used or is the massive amount of detail that was added later being included?

Anyway? As the previous games I ran are posted, my preferences are clear.

I guess the fact that I have to ask says I should just follow along and maybe step in if someone has to drop.

Good to see a lot of interest in playing certainly.

[xerxez]

Apr 17, 2023 12:19:44 GMT -6 greentongue said:

Is the contents of the original rules what is being used or is the massive amount of detail that was added later being included?

Anyway? As the previous games I ran are posted, my preferences are clear.

I guess the fact that I have to ask says I should just follow along and maybe step in if someone has to drop.

Good to see a lot of interest in playing certainly.

Greentongue, would be great to have you.

I'm using the simpler Tekumel in EPT. Not so much the massive detail.

It does seem different in the later writings.

I own and have read the novels, I've read the sourcebook but I'm hoping for some fun swords and sorcery with the alien monsters and races.

I have a short list of some house rules but nothing very impactful.

[greentongue]

In the later version and when more "real" setting details are added, you certainly do not want to play as "foreign scum"/ "Nakomé" / clanless.
The original rules were more "traditional swords & planet" then what is later revealed. Also, more fun in my opinion.

I'm not sure I understand what "your Talents also act as 'feat' chances and savings throws" means in play. I've always played rules loosely and that Talents were justification for doing things not hurdles against it.

[xerxez]

Apr 17, 2023 15:34:17 GMT -6 greentongue said:

In the later version and when more "real" setting details are added, you certainly do not want to play as "foreign scum"/ "Nakomé" / clanless.
The original rules were more "traditional swords & planet" then what is later revealed. Also, more fun in my opinion.

I'm not sure I understand what "your Talents also act as 'feat' chances and savings throws" means in play. I've always played rules loosely and that Talents were justification for doing things not hurdles against it.

I did err about the savings throws, there is a D&D style d20 table in the very back of the rules book, and goes by profession and level. The only exceptions are certain monster descriptions which may have different saving throws for the party as they're tougher.

I agree with your take. Non- Tsolyani can join clans and function without or with clans as I run it, and not every Tsolyani person treats them as scum, many are quite friendly. You can gain citizenship at 6th level, etc.

I have used the Talent scores at times as a percentage chance (low rolls are good) at performance of a related task, like roll your strength or under to move that rock, etc.

[dtspurrier1]

ok count me in if there is room