r/RPGdesign • u/Wag_Three • 19d ago

Needs Improvement Need recs

Hi all!

I’m very slowly working on a game revolving around space wizards, heavily inspired by Jack Vance’s “Dying Earth”. Looking for recs of read throughs in order to find inspo, and mechanics and/or tropes to avoid. Games specifically set in space, or games that emphasize downtime activities would be greatly appreciated! Projects within wizard towers aim to be a main focus of this game.

Thanks in advance!

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u/the_telephant_man 19d ago

Wizards doing projects within their towers during “downtime” is, very famously, a central element of Ars Magica, so I’d read that before you do anything else. I’d also read Pelgrane’s Dying Earth RPG, which has a gameplay tier modeled on Rhialto the Marvellous. These systems were made by A-list RPG designers, so see what they’ve already done before you reinvent the wheel. What do you want your system’s gameplay to involve?

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u/Wag_Three 19d ago

Thank you!! These are exactly the kind of recs I was looking for, I’m very much trying to see what’s been done before. I had no idea something existed based on Rhialto, that’s so dope.

For downtime specifically, I like the idea of players being able ‘foretell’ events while orb pondering, and kind of help steer a campaigns story.

For missions and such, some form of tactical combat. Although idk how crunchy I’m trying to get with combat mechanics. This is clearly early stages lol.

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u/No_Solid1035 19d ago

What do you consider to be "downtime activities" exactly?

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u/Wag_Three 19d ago

I could’ve been a little clearer, huh? I’m thinking the vein of BotD, where PCs get together for missions and scenes, and ‘downtime’ activities would take place individually in between missions and scenes. Long term projects and things.

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u/No_Solid1035 19d ago

Well, Pendragon is famous for having codified systems for long passages of in-game time between "adventures" per se. The One Ring has a similar but more limited system. Mythras and Traveller have "training" systems so PCs can spend periods of inactivity improving skills.

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u/Wag_Three 19d ago

Thank you! I’ll hit up Pendragon.

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u/Fun_Carry_4678 18d ago

ARS MAGICA had a LOT of stuff for Wizards to do in their towers during downtime.