Takuma Nuva Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) UPDATE 08/19/15: First version of the Bestiary has now been released. More Rahi and other creatures will be added in the future. UPDATE 06/25/15: Kanohi completely reworked. Added many extended universe Kanohi and now almost all Noble versions are available. I'm going to try and keep this short because, let's face it, you've got plenty of reading ahead of you. What you're about to see is a true labor of love. Never you mind how far back the changelog goes, I've been working solo on this project off and on for well over a year now. I have easily poured more than a hundred hours into the R&D of this project (big shout out to BS01). Now that I've graduated from college and, ergo, have more time on my hands, it's time to release this thing into the wild. I only hope that people enjoy what I'm presenting here. Truth be told, I was hoping to have a video demonstrating the system when I posted this but, while that's still coming eventually, too many people have been asking for this. It's time. Lost Chronicles is my homebrew for a (G1) Bionicle tabletop RPG system. I drew a lot of inspiration for the system from sources such as Fantasy Flight's 40k series of RPGs (e.g. Rogue Trader, Death Watch) and Star Wars KOTOR while obviously adding my own unique ideas. I wanted to make a system that was comprehensive enough, but at the same time not too complicated. Yes, it looks like there's a staggering number of rules, but you're only going to use so many all that frequently. Truth be told, this project isn't fully complete yet, though incredibly close. I still have things that need tweaking and polish, as well as a few things I'm just not sure how to implement properly. It is, however, in a playable state. The reason I'm releasing it in this "beta" version is because I've simply reached a point where it'll benefit more from people actually testing it out and giving me feedback/suggestions. That said, if you have any criticisms about rules, suggestions for new features, questions regarding rules that aren't clear, or maybe a request for some particular piece to be finished (e.g. a stat sheet for a specific creature), let me know and I'll get to it ASAP. So, gather your IRL friends around a table or get a group together online using Roll20.net or some other solution. Tell stories, have fun, and be sure you tell me all about it. Click here to download the latest version of the rulebook. Click here to download the latest version of the bestiary.Takuma Nuva Edited August 20, 2015 by Takuma Nuva 2 Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vakama35 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 I've been looking for something like this on-and-off for the past year. Now all I need is a roleplay group and I'll be good to go. I'll post something more akin to a review once I've had a chance to look it over. 1 Quote "Ten thousand futures have I looked at. A hundred thousand. And in only one does mankind finally unite, and flourish...and survive. Only one. Doomworld." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZBlue Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I need to find a group to play this with me now! I've read the rules over, and they seem simple enough, and I'm familiar enough with the source material, that I wouldn't mind this being my first DM attempt. Quote The Return Review All Bionicle Legacies Stories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemony Lepid Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 (edited) Yes! It's perfect! If you want background and page art, I can help you with that. Maybe. Edited May 21, 2015 by Loganto the Le-Matoran Quote ~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akavakaku Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) Wow, I'm overjoyed to see something like this reach a playable stage! I'll let you know what I think as soon as I've read it. Edit: Ok, first reactions to the system! Most of it is criticism, so I want to start off by emphasizing how happy I am that you've put in all the work to create this great system. I just found places where I thought the game could be better. I find it odd that Toa are given a base stat for their wealth. I don't think any Toa has ever used currency to purchase something in the storyline. Elemental stereotypes are pushed a bit too strongly for my liking. For instance, how every element automatically gives you a certain skill. Wouldn't this depend on the life of that particular character? If they're from a community like Voya Nui, for instance, with Matoran of all elements, they might not choose a specialty associated with their element. This is a minor thing, but why put in the part about required gender for each element? It's one of the most infamous story elements in Bionicle, and in roleplay I've noticed most fans prefer to ignore it. So Matoran are less intelligent and socially adept than Toa? I thought it was assumed that transformation into a Toa is only on the body, not the mind? The elemental stereotype thing applies to species stereotypes as well. Couldn't there be a game in an AU where Xia is a rural society? I'm not sure what "basic" skills are supposed to mean. Surely any of those skills listed could be formally taught? And have explosives ever been a thing in Bionicle, aside from certain launchers? So, characters' learned biases are somehow permanent in the same way as their physical characteristics? Aren't traits like Disturbing Voice and Fearsome matters of opinion? Botar is fearsome, but he and another of his species probably wouldn't scare each other. Why would a mute character move inaudibly? Some of the traits (levitation, sonar, flight, toxic) seem more like powers with multiple possible levels. Others (stampede) seem more like behaviors that the character's controlling player/GM should get to decide. The feats all seem pretty gimmicky. Are they really necessary? Also, how do you learn something like Undying, Vitality or Phase? Ouch, the Trigger effects for Air, Water, and Plasma seem pretty extreme for Toa sworn not to kill. Techniques that could be added: Air: WhirlwindsGravity: LiftIce: Freeze SolidPlantlife: Forest BarrierLightning: Electric WallPlasma: OverheatShadow: Blind Techniques that don't make sense:Horrifying Gaze would require Illusion powers, not Shadow. I don't think Shadowport is an innate ability to elemental Shadow. Undertow and Rip Current seem the same as Flash Flood. You're missing Light, Magnetism, and Iron techniques. Rahkshi powers don't all really account for power level. You didn't specify, but I assume powerless masks have no Gear cost? Shouldn't almost all masks require Will rolls? Why can't arm blades be disarmed, if bucklers can? Where did the Eccentric Rock come from? And aren't eccentric rocks boulders that were carried by glaciers? I think the thing about Rhotuka always having a power that reflects the user is false. The Toa Hagah's shield Rhotuka had different powers from their natural Rhotuka. Why is Thornax Launcher an option if nothing else from Bara Magna is mentioned? I skipped to the end of the Vehicles section and found this:Flyers are used to trick young Matoran into eating their vegetables Huh? This is a bit of a petty thing, but it's actually impossible to surf on a calm river. You can only surf on a river when it's flash flooding. And that's all, or at least all that I can find without an actual play session. I am very interested in playing, so if anyone else is, please send me a message. Edited May 26, 2015 by Akavakaku 1 Quote ( The bunny slippers hiss and slither into the shadows. ) -Takuaka: Toa of TimeWhat if the Toa you know best were not destined to be? Interchange: The epic begins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prowl Nightwolf Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Sure you can surf on a calm river. As long as it is flowing, calm or otherwise you would follow the current. The momentum of which you can then use to go from one side to the other. I would love to try this game out though I am not sure exactly how to play as I've never done a Table top style RPG... Quote "A stranger will always be a stranger unless you give them a chance." || <- My Pokémon | BZPRPG Characters: Po-Matoran Doseki & Nui-Jaga Scorpio; Ga-Matoran Orca Matoran und Panzer: Doseki & Glitch | Marvel RP PC | Mata Nui Monopoly: Come... Own a piece of the legend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akavakaku Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 No, according to Wikipedia river surfing requires either a standing wave or a tidal bore, which is a special wave. Quote ( The bunny slippers hiss and slither into the shadows. ) -Takuaka: Toa of TimeWhat if the Toa you know best were not destined to be? Interchange: The epic begins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuma Nuva Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 Allow me to start by heading this all off with one thing. Such RPG systems are always guidelines and the GM/players can always adjust rules to their style of play. That being said...I find it odd that Toa are given a base stat for their wealth. I don't think any Toa has ever used currency to purchase something in the storyline.It may not have come up in any released story, but I find it hard to believe that Toa were always given everything and anything they want for free. Elemental stereotypes are pushed a bit too strongly for my liking. For instance, how every element automatically gives you a certain skill. Wouldn't this depend on the life of that particular character? If they're from a community like Voya Nui, for instance, with Matoran of all elements, they might not choose a specialty associated with their element.What you say is true, but you could say the same for any RPG with character classes/races. If you've developed a character with a rich back story that would be better represented by a different starting skill, then I highly encourage you to go with it. Just clear it with whomever your GM is. I'm doing this myself with the players in my test run about to start. I've got somebody with a Su-Matoran lawyer that swapped out a few things after I okayed it. Again, these are guidelines which best represent that particular "race" as a whole. This is a minor thing, but why put in the part about required gender for each element? It's one of the most infamous story elements in Bionicle, and in roleplay I've noticed most fans prefer to ignore it.And if they GM permits it, they can ignore it. My goal with this project is to keep to canon as much as possible. I'm building an RPG system here, not writing a fanfic. So Matoran are less intelligent and socially adept than Toa? I thought it was assumed that transformation into a Toa is only on the body, not the mind?I originally had certain stats the same for both. I'm not entirely sure when they got changed or the exact reason why I balanced them this way. It may change again as time goes on. The elemental stereotype thing applies to species stereotypes as well. Couldn't there be a game in an AU where Xia is a rural society?Again, guidelines and canon. Also, I can't account for every possibility that might be in another reality. There's a canon alternate universe where Matoran are tall and Toa are short, but you're not going to see me writing rules for them. I'm not sure what "basic" skills are supposed to mean. Surely any of those skills listed could be formally taught? And have explosives ever been a thing in Bionicle, aside from certain launchers?The thing that's really confusing to me right now is how inconsistent your criticisms are. You keep flipping back and forth between "this isn't canon, but it should be accounted for" and "this isn't canon, so why is it in?" In any case, the difference between basic and trained skills is explained at the very beginning of the skills section, but I'll recap for you. Basic skills don't require specific training to attempt, but will certainly benefit from it. Trained skills are those that require particular knowledge in order to even attempt. Anybody can attempt to climb a tree in some capacity, but if you don't know the first thing about plants and their properties, you won't get too far in your alchemy attempts. We may not have seen everyone running around with C4 and detpacks, but, yes, explosives in Bionicle are a thing in some capacity. Even if not, of all the non-canon things to account for explosives would seem one of the few things important enough to consider. So, characters' learned biases are somehow permanent in the same way as their physical characteristics?You should be seeing a pattern by this point in the post. Aren't traits like Disturbing Voice and Fearsome matters of opinion? Botar is fearsome, but he and another of his species probably wouldn't scare each other.Yes and no. While not everybody may find something disturbing to the same degree, there are certain characteristics that everybody can agree on. Same thing could be said for concepts such as beauty, taste, or fear. Also, one of the reasons for having a GM is because no tabletop RPG can account for everything. The idea here is to give the players as much freedom as possible (within the confines of the universe) and sooner or later there will be some holes that need to be covered. Can you imagine how many more pages of arbitrary rules this thing would have if I had to start adding tables detailing things like what was scared of what else and to what degree? *shudder* Why would a mute character move inaudibly?I'm going to assume you're just thinking of the wrong definition of the word "mute" here. I'm not referring to beings who can't/won't/don't speak. Rather just the fact that no sound is emitted. A synonym you could use is "silent". Some of the traits (levitation, sonar, flight, toxic) seem more like powers with multiple possible levels. Others (stampede) seem more like behaviors that the character's controlling player/GM should get to decide.Maybe if you consider real bats and snakes to have super powers. And the effectiveness can always be adjusted by the GM where appropriate. Furthermore, behaviors are still a trait, just not a physical one. GM always has final say, but as always, guidelines. I fail to see how this applies to players though, unless you're running some crazy campaign where everybody plays as Kikanalo in which case a lot of this is about to go out the window anyway. The feats all seem pretty gimmicky. Are they really necessary? Also, how do you learn something like Undying, Vitality or Phase?Not any moreso than any other perk system in an RPG. It offers players more tactical options and the opportunity to specialize their character's role and flesh out their play style and maybe even contribute to the character's fluff in some way. As for the "how", the same way perks work in any other RPG. Phase just seems to be in the wrong place though, that should be a Trait. Ouch, the Trigger effects for Air, Water, and Plasma seem pretty extreme for Toa sworn not to kill.What? Have you seen all the stuff that goes on the in the comics and books? Toa are always launching people into the air, smashing them into walls, and generally beating up the bad guys. I also fail to see how weakening armor, an effect that doesn't even deal any actual damage to a target, seems "extreme". I will admit that I was running low on ideas for water and would like to probably change it in the future, but if you're constantly getting water slung at you I find it hard to imagine that at no point will you find yourself with a mouthful of water to choke on. Besides, I'm pretty sure that there was a point in the story where Gali created a sphere of water around someone's head to suffocate them. Techniques that could be added:Air: WhirlwindsGravity: LiftIce: Freeze SolidPlantlife: Forest BarrierLightning: Electric WallPlasma: OverheatShadow: BlindTechniques that don't make sense:Horrifying Gaze would require Illusion powers, not Shadow.I don't think Shadowport is an innate ability to elemental Shadow.Undertow and Rip Current seem the same as Flash Flood.Powers are definitely not comprehensive yet and I'm still adding to them. I'll certainly be taking your suggestions into account. "Freeze Solid" is covered by Freezing Shot with its expanded Trigger Range. You'll have to describe what you mean by "overheat" for me. For Horrifying Gaze, "The user’s face is disfigured by shadow into a grotesque image." I fail to see what that has to do with illusions? For Shadowport: http://biosector01.com/wiki/index.php/Shadow Flash Flood is an AOE damaging ability that can knock targets down. Rip Current is a CC ability meant to move a target into a more compromising position in the battle (maybe over a ledge or closer to an ally's blade). Undertow is similar to Flash Flood, but it is used for CC instead of damage and covers a much smaller area, but costs less energy to cast and is far more likely to actually knock someone over. That being said, I feel like these could use some tweaking, but I need to see them in action to know in what way. You're missing Light, Magnetism, and Iron techniques.Yep, I'm fully aware of that. Part of the reason for that is that Magnetism and Iron are not only going to be inherently overpowered simply by their nature -- they weren't hunted down by Makuta because it was in season -- but also because the sheer number of applications in a universe where darn near everything is made of metal is staggering and will take no small amount of time. As for Light, I just haven't made it quite that far yet and didn't want to hold up the release to add it when, canonically speaking, we've never had more than one Toa of Light anyway. Rahkshi powers don't all really account for power level.I'm guessing you mean the power level of the Kraata. Unless I've missed something, there's never been any indication that the manifestation of a Kraata's power persists when channeled through the Rahkshi armor. When/If I eventually do actual Kraata powers, that may be a different story (and a heck of a lot of work). You didn't specify, but I assume powerless masks have no Gear cost?Correct. Shouldn't almost all masks require Will rolls?I don't see why. Maybe for a rookie Toa that hasn't quite grasped the concept yet, but it seemed fairly obvious to me that the use of Kanohi eventually became second-nature to a practiced user. I can't think of a point in the story where a Toa had difficulty activating their mask aside from the Toa Metru immediately after transforming. It has also been established that certain more "passive" masks are always "on" at some level, making a test to activate them pointless and illogical. Why can't arm blades be disarmed, if bucklers can?A fair question. Honestly, I hadn't made the comparison myself before. I gave the arm blades disarm immunity because I felt like the Trigger effect wasn't enough to keep it on par with other weapons and it seemed like a neat idea, but as with everything, I'll have to get some feedback from actual testing/play with it before I can do further balancing. Where did the Eccentric Rock come from? And aren't eccentric rocks boulders that were carried by glaciers?http://biosector01.com/wiki/index.php/Eccentric_Rock I think the thing about Rhotuka always having a power that reflects the user is false. The Toa Hagah's shield Rhotuka had different powers from their natural Rhotuka.http://biosector01.com/wiki/index.php/Rhotuka Why is Thornax Launcher an option if nothing else from Bara Magna is mentioned?Because I simply haven't added it in yet. I skipped to the end of the Vehicles section and found this:Flyers are used to trick young Matoran into eating their vegetablesHuh?Haha, I forgot about that. As you can obviously see, the vehicles section is far from complete. That's just placeholder text. This is a bit of a petty thing, but it's actually impossible to surf on a calm river. You can only surf on a river when it's flash flooding.Fair enough and I'll probably change it in the future, but that was just flavor text that shouldn't be taken too literally. Hopefully I've cleared some things up for you. Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akavakaku Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) Wow, thanks for going through all my feedback! Your reasoning seems really solid, I can't wait to try the game. Oh, and let me know if you'd like any help adding things into the game. Edited May 28, 2015 by Akavakaku Quote ( The bunny slippers hiss and slither into the shadows. ) -Takuaka: Toa of TimeWhat if the Toa you know best were not destined to be? Interchange: The epic begins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuma Nuva Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 So, major update. I realized how stupid it was to have the Kanohi drain from the Will attribute (seriously, where did that idea come from?) so I completely reworked them. Now they use "daily charges" instead. I also added quite a number of Kanohi to the list, mostly consisting of the extended universe stuff, as well as almost all Noble Kanohi to the mix. I'll be continuing to update this in the future and you can expect a sort of bestiary to be started soon.Takuma Nuva 1 Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naota Takizawa Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Question regarding rahi: Will they wear infected kanohi and can we tame them? Quote If you like Pingu & want to support a good project, click here. Also, I've rejoined the BZPRPG & I have a new profile for a new game. Click here to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuma Nuva Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 Question regarding rahi: Will they wear infected kanohi and can we tame them?The taming skill is on page 28. As for infected Kanohi, that's up to the GM to decide. It's not like there needs to be rules for what is essentially superficial.Takuma Nuva Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionicleFanatic Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Can I just say: You've done a spectacular job with this! [] Everything looks very professional and easy to find. I haven't had a chance to play it yet (I'm in the middle of a Star Wars game and a D&D/Mythic crossbreed), but this is definitely on the agenda. [] Kudos for a great system, smooth layout, and professionalism [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_jaga_genius Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Just wondering, what dice would one need to play? I see d10s and d20s are mentioned in the introduction, are any others used? Quote Avatar by Nicholas Anderson (NickonAquaMagna)My blog: The Jaga's Nest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge8 Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 The rules keep on mentioning stat "factors." Could someone explain what that means? Is there somewhere it explains it and I just missed it? Quote Six Kingdoms Characters: Mazor, Jephro, The Janitor, Informant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuma Nuva Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 Just wondering, what dice would one need to play? I see d10s and d20s are mentioned in the introduction, are any others used?Currently, nope. Those are the only 2. The rules keep on mentioning stat "factors." Could someone explain what that means? Is there somewhere it explains it and I just missed it?Huh. Somehow I missed defining those completely. Check for the new section at the beginning for your explanation.Takuma Nuva Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge8 Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Thank you! Also, the bestiary looks great! Lets hope my first time GMing goes well. Quote Six Kingdoms Characters: Mazor, Jephro, The Janitor, Informant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naota Takizawa Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I respect that you're trying to follow the canon, but the genders being tied to elements is bound to turn off a lot of players and make them not want to play the game. Quote If you like Pingu & want to support a good project, click here. Also, I've rejoined the BZPRPG & I have a new profile for a new game. Click here to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuma Nuva Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 I respect that you're trying to follow the canon, but the genders being tied to elements is bound to turn off a lot of players and make them not want to play the game.And what's keeping the GM from ignoring that rule?Takuma Nuva Quote If The Good Lord had intended us to walkHe would not have invented roller skates.-- Willy Wonka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionicleFanatic Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 That's the Great thing about RPGs: they lay out the boundaries, but really the only limit is your imagination. A bit like lego, in a way... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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