The Inn's Modular System for House Rules

[sadkitchen]

I see where you are going with this. We would need to define how modules work outside of the other rules so that every different value/stat/idea didn't have to have "how modules work" included, but yeah this is looking good.

We should should call our rules compilation "YeOldeInnQuest: A collection of homemade rules for HeroQuest" or something fun like that. We could have the name be the first thing we argue over... I mean discuss.

-SadKitchen

P.S. Has anyone else notice how far off topic we have ventured?

[torilen]

Sad - hahaha - I thought of that today, too. Hmm...very far away from how to advance a character, huh?
That's okay. I think the project we are looking at will actually give me the thoughts I was looking for
anyhow - it'll just be a little longer getting them, is all.

Bene - I think I understand a little better now. For the example we're looking at.
Basic value for movement is as follows:
Barbarian = 2d6
Elf = 2d6
Dwarf = 2d6
Wizard = 2d6
This is modified in the game system as: plate mail allows only 1d6 movement.

From here - each module written by us (all the fans) could changes this. So, for those who wish to have a fixed amount of movement could do
the following:
For Movement, remove the Basic Value of 2d6 movement for each hero, and make it the following:
Barbarian = x
Elf = x
Dwarf = x
Wizard = x

Is that right?

[Big Bene]

Yes, this would be a way to do it.
Although I personally rather was thinking about something like this:

Basic Value is "Movement" (abrievated as "M"), which is for the original heroes:
Barbarian: 5
Dwarf: 3
Elf: 4
Wizard: 4

A module could now define that the heroes move is determined by 1d6 + M. Another one could define it as 2 x M. A more elaborate module could state that in combat, the heroes move by 1d6 + M, whereas in turns without combat they move M + 4 (Daedalus' approach), Or else that the player may choose each turn to move M + 1d6 or M + 3 (my approach). Each of these modules could add "special" rules to take into account armor, carried load, wounds, moving silently, etc.
The original game system would therefore be a "module" that defines movement as M - M + 2d6.

Point is, if we have a Movement stat as Basic value for each hero/monster class, we could just modify this value when making new heroes or monsters, or when writing rules for armor/equipment or for advancement/experience which affect movement.
It would affect just the Movement Basic Value, and by doing so, also affect the heroes' movement in the desired way, but will still not interfere with the more elaborated houserules for movement the group may have adopted.
Let's say I want to write a module about carried load. This would be a module that fits into the Equipment category, as it wold mainly restrict the amount of equipment the hero can carry. I decide, however, that I also want it to affect combat and movement. So I define that every 20 lbs a hero carries decrease his Movement (M) by 1. The players still may use their favorite Movement module, but it now also reflects carried load.
(For the original game system, this would be M - 1 (for 20 lbs carried) - M + 2d6, resulting in 2d6 - 1, which would be the original movement rule, with a modification for carreid load, just as intended).
The values given above (Barb: 5, Dwarf:3, Elf/Wiz: 4) are of course open for discussion. But even if we agree upon them, the author of a module can modify them as he sees fitting. When he wants to dope the Elf up to Movement seven, it's up to him. But still, another module (as our "carried load" one) would affect moement singely through the Basic Value Movement, so even in it's modified form it would take the load malus of 1 by 20 lbs (still - only an example!), and by this, the whole Movement rule system would "inherit" this malus.

Of course, the same purpose could be fullfilled with a random number as Movement Basic Value, as you stated it:
Barbarian = 2d6
Elf = 2d6
Dwarf = 2d6
Wizard = 2d6
In this case, the game system would be a "module" which leaves the Basic Value unchanged (movement is defined by M x 1), and, for example, Daedalus' approach would be a module which defines Movement as M/2 + a special "class bonus" (Barb:5, Dwarf: 3, Elf/Wiz: 4).
It would be more "true" to the original, but for practical purposes I would still stay with a fixed, class-based Movement Basic Value and add the random factor in the module. It's just easier to calclate.

[sadkitchen]

Ok, here is a unique (I hope) idea. Lets throw out having the number of spaces moved given at all in the instructions. Instead have something like this:

Movement : The maximum number of spaces a Hero can move during a regular movement phase of his/her turn.

Movement calculators: There are three ways to determine movement; Fixed, Variable, and Mixed.
Fixed: Your Hero moves the same number of spaces every turn.
Variable: Use a formula to determine the number of spaces your Hero can move at the start of each turn.
Mixed: Your Hero will either have a choice or be forced, based on the situation, between two or more Movement Calculators.

Use one of the following 267 modules.
Core Module
Variable: Movement = 2 Red Dice.

Ethica's Module
Fixed: Movement = 7

SadKitchen's Module
Mixed: If no monsters are on the board at the beginning of your Hero's turn, Movement = 12, else Movement = 2 Red Dice.

Someone Else's Module
Mixed: At the start of your Hero's turn, choose between a fixed move of 7, and a variable move of 1d6+3. Barbarian receives and additional +1, Dwarf receives an additional -1.

Random module somewhere between 20 and 214
Mixed: If it is the 12 day of the month, Movement = the number of heads from 15 flipped pennies. If not the 12th but it is a Sunday Movement = 2. All Else movement = number of monsters on the board + 2. Barbarian's Movement will always be 6 or higher (raise lower results to 6). Dwarf's Movement can never exceed 10 (lower higher results to 10).
(Though rater unorthodox, I put this in to show how just about any rule would work, even the less sane ones)


-SadKitchen

[Daedalus]

Rule sections:
We have to define a set of aspects or "chapters" of the rules, for example Movement, Combat, Searching and, to keep up with the thread topic, Advancement (I will give a more elaborate outline below).
I'm still thinking of a better name - "aspects", "chapters" and "sections" all sound lousy , any suggestion is welcome!
These would serve as "slots" for the modules. For example, there could be various different modules how to handle Magic, and a group would choose one of them to "fit" the Magic "slot" of their house rules.

Loretome is very HQ. Why not call our compilation The Tome of House-rules and each section a Lore?

[Daedalus]

Big Bene- This thread sure is moving in a new direction. I think you should start a new one with a more appropriate title that others could easily find in the General HeroQuest Discussion section. I'd be willing to transfer the applicable posts using quote and edit functions and add them in. I could start the thread as well, but you ought to title it. Once the posts were transferred, individual posters could delete their posts in this thread and return it to torilen. What do you think?

[Big Bene]

Ok, here is a unique (I hope) idea. Lets throw out having the number of spaces moved given at all in the instructions. Instead have something like this...

That's a very good example of a "Basic Rule" and how modules could work with it. I even think we should use it as a start to build our final Movement Basic Rule upon.
Only objective is that I would still like to have a fixed Basic Value, that every author of other modules (ones which are not about Movement rules, but still affect Movement) can easily refer to.

Loretome is very HQ. Why not call our compilation The Tome of House-rules and each section a Lore?

When writing a post at Monday, the name "categories" came to my mind, wich I think is already much better than "sections" etc. and would have done for me. But a "Tome of Rules" containing the Lore of Magic, the Lore of Movement and the Lore of Battle, is much better. Let's collect some suggestions and make a poll to decide.

I think you should start a new one with a more appropriate title that others could easily find in the General HeroQuest Discussion section.

Agreed.

I'd be willing to transfer the applicable posts using quote and edit functions and add them in.

Agreed even more - every hard work done by someone else than me is A Good Thing ™.

Once the posts were transferred, individual posters could delete their posts in this thread and return it to torilen

Wouldn't really like this. I think it's also interesting to have the history of the developement of our thought remaining visible.

OK, so I will open a new thread and start it with a poll if there is any common need for such a project at all.

[torilen]

I'm fine with leaving the posts here as a history of how the whole thing got started. I've gotten some good advice
already, and this new project will hopefully provide to us all a good deal of advice and thoughts on advancement...
as well as other topics.

By the way - I like the use of Tome of Rules, with using Lore of ______ - I like that a lot. Very HQ-ish.
(is that a word)

[drathe]

I'd be willing to transfer the applicable posts using quote and edit functions and add them in.

If you would like any posts moved to the new thread, you can report the posts using the Red Exclamation Mark !. I can move the posts to the new thread the next time I'm on the forum.

[LordZeke]

I would love for a way to take existing quests.. make them modular... and play them with two players, each playing two heroes... I have thought about it a little but not being a very artistic indivdual I have not really pursued it on my own.

I have tried Dungeon Plungin’ over at http://www.oversoul-games.com/index.html which is along the right path although the mechanics are less simple than heroquest.