Re: Odyssey

From: sjoerd@cs.vu.nl (Sjoerd Schreuder)

Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000

Mark Lyon <mlyon@interramp.com> writes:

>Rob Rodgers wrote:
>
>> Here are some things I think would add interest to the game:
>>
>> 1.  Construction, like building castles

>This actually exists, to a limited extent.  You can build up the defenses
>of a location, even from nothing.  It just takes a long time.  Spells,
>items, character actions help, but it still is time-consuming.
>Unfortunately (for the defender, anyway), it's a whole lot easier to
>knock down the castles.

Of course, as it's easier in the Real World to destroy capitals
than to build them.

>> 2.  Summoning spells for melee combat

>Interesting idea.  I am also hopeful that newer modules will have other
>unusual spell combos that we haven't seen yet.  There are some spells
>that characters can obtain in HQ that are not on the list.  One thing I'd
>like to see in future modules would be more such unique spells/abilities,
>etc. that characters can gain from certain titles or items.  Perhaps
>whole spell classes (as an example of a class:  the necromancer summoning
>spells) that can only be gained from a certain title chain?  What about
>spells directly from the Old Gods?

>> 3.  Random events

>To some extent, there's enough randomness in the game for me as it is.  I
>have enough trouble planning contingent orders for screw-ups or failures
>to get spells even with 90+% chances.  :-/

I don't want more randomness either.

>> 4.  More active NPC characters and armies--move around, attack you, etc.
>>

>This I would rather not see, at least with respect to armies.  If there's
>an active enough player contingent, the players provide enough army
>movement and surprise attacks.  It certainly distracts you from claiming
>VCs when you're borders are attacked from all sides by other players.

>However, certain NPCs that have a "role" to play in the game might be
>good.  For example, what if Neclor actually went around the lands and
>rewarded his followers while punishing the followers of the elemental
>gods?  Wouldn't this make Darkfriends a little more interesting?
>Especially if the counter was true:  the elemental gods sent out
>elementals to track down Darkfriends.  Other aspects could be carried
>out.  What about the "war" between the Sect and the Shadows and Knives?
>Shouldn't there be a little jealousy between the elemental guilds?  Etc.

I totally agree.

I've to add another point:

5. A way to reduce the prestige of prisoners.
It's possible to own so many titles, guilds and locations that even when
you get captured and beheaded, others still aren't able to claim titles
and guilds away, as most titles and (important) guilds don't ignore the
prestige of dead owners, and prisoners still get the glory stipends.
Maybe a rule that prisoners get but 50% of the normal glory stipends (they
already don't get any gold) could be helpfull here.

>Rob, good idea to spur discussion.  Odyssey is a great game.  There's a
>lot to learn about HQ still, much less the new factional module (I can't
>wait!) that GD is planning.

Odyssey is a great game, I totally agree, but I don't have much left to
learn about HQ, so I'm looking forward towards the new factional module too.

Sjoerd

References

Odyssey
Rob Rodgers <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu>
Mon, 17 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Odyssey
Mark Lyon <mlyon@interramp.com>
Mon, 17 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000