Re: Odyssey

From: Rob Rodgers <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu>

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000

Mark Lyon wrote:
>
> 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.
>

True, but I'm talking about something different here, for two reasons.
First, it's difficult to establish borders in the game, because only
locations can act as fortifications.  In one game I actually considered
building a string of locations betweeen some rough terrain areas to form
a fort line, but at 50 glory apiece it was not practical.  (I was going
to call them all "Maginot.") Second, and to me more importantly, the
game needs more "flavor" to it.  Building castles and naming them adds a
level of personalizing that the game currently doesn't have.

> > 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?

I like that idea.  It goes back to the personalizing thing.  There are
some ways to modify your character similar to what you are talking about
(If you haven't found them I'm sure not going to give them away here)
but the more the merrier.

>
> > 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.  :-/

Oh, but what fun random events would be.  They can (and should) be both
positive and negative.  The only one in the game now that I can think of
is the "you got lucky and received +1 grit" thing.

>
> > 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 agree, but I'd still like to see NPC parties that attack and move
around.  In the early game when the other players aren't aggressive yet
it's possible to send one lone priest from city to city packing tons of
gold and picking up titles.  Also, if you are on good terms with your
neighbors you can leave all your locations with no garrisons.  I'd like
to see raiders, rebellions, etc.

> 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.
>
> ML

Here's two more:  Sea movement and flying characters and mounts/monsters
that really fly!

Rob Rodgers
rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu

*     *
*      *        *
  *  If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind - Robert Hunter
*      *
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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