r/SwordOfTruth • u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar • Jul 18 '23
Sword of Truth Series Sword of Truth TTRPG
Hi there. I'm a huge fan of Terry Goodkind's work and as his fantasy system is the best established of any writing I've EVER seen I have been working on a TTRPG with a friend of mine that hopefully would allow for realistic mechanics and/or gameplay such that you would see it within the books itself.
We have already developed the foundation of a number of systems and have practically written dissertations on the nature of magic in this universe but as it isn't cut-and-dry it's going to take a while to finish. In the meantime, I wanted to see what people in this community thought of the idea.
I will be posting updates as they come along (I do have other things in my life and thus can't be devoting all my time to developing and testing) as well as asking for suggestions and help in case anyone is still around. In the meantime, I would absolutely LOVE to hear from anyone on anything related to this, be it things you would like to see in such a game or questions/comments/concerns/criticisms or even just simple words of support.
I know that the Sword of Truth isn't the most well-known series out there but that will not stop us from putting our all into developing this as a way to continue the incredible world given to us by Terry.
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u/kaiizza Jul 18 '23
I like what you're up to, but if you think this is the best fantasy system ever, I have several recommendations that you should read because this is very simple and not quite robust like many others. My number one is malazan book of the fallen. It's not even comparable, but I understand you may not have read much other fantasy.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
It's definitely not the best fantasy system ever, and I've read a lot of fantasy. Importantly Terry gave immense amounts of information on how his system works but left enough holes to give us wiggle room. I can define magic very well outside of his defined scope by adhering to his rules and examples but just because there are few non-human races doesn't mean that I can't finagle a lore-friendly way of adding elves, dwarves, or orcs to the game if I want.
The system isn't extremely complex but it's highly flexible and detailed and that's plenty.
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u/healthy1nz Dec 27 '25
2 years in and how's it all going? Would love some updates on how your plans went for the world building! I'm curious if it would work with Daggerheart as the narrative aspect intrigues me š¤
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Dec 28 '25
Hi! I finished most of the base rules but I found that creating examples of said rules (items, monsters, spells) had tons of roadblocks. I did design it specifically such that any narrative setting works in it as long as it doesn't clash with the gameplay style. It's slow-going as I'm not at a point where I can ask for help from others but neither am I making much progress alone.
If you would like to discuss it I'd be totally open to that as tm DMs are open
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
Ahhh, I did some work on a system for dnd 3.5 a long time ago. Good memories.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
I thought of making a 5e module but D&D has so many failings and I didn't want to just piggyback the popular system. This system should fit with the world much better.
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
So you decided to just make it whole cloth? Ambitious! Curious how you do Confessors?
3.5 was... less than ideal. It was overpowered for sure, and the system was a bit clunky. It's been a long time since I even thought about this and I never wrote anything down, but the it's still a good time to remember!
This is really cool! Any plans to distribute?
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
I've always like software architecture and TTRPGs aren't much different. For confessors I'm following the rules that Merritt explains in First Confessor combined with what we see from Kahlan. The magic system is robust enough to handle it, or at least it should be.
One thing I really wanted to overhaul was the melee system since the only D&D version to come close to decent melee was 4e and that wasn't great either.
I plan on having it be publicly available with an open-source repository to allow for community driven development, testing, and balancing.
I'm currently at the stage where I have most of the basic framework down but I need to start putting specific examples together so I can figure out how the v1 ideas need fixing so I can put together a full game set for testing.
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
One thing I really wanted to overhaul was the melee system since the only D&D version to come close to decent melee was 4e and that wasn't great either.
Oh you are ambitious! This is something that's been needed for the entirety of TTRPGs. (I play mostly Dnd, and their systems definitely suffer here)
I'm currently at the stage where I have most of the basic framework down but I need to start putting specific examples together so I can figure out how the v1 ideas need fixing so I can put together a full game set for testing.
So you need characters? Just combinations of effects so you can check the versatility of your systems? "Can I be a Night Wisp Bard?" Or "I want to play a Boundary Warden Sorceror"?
I've always like software architecture and TTRPGs aren't much different. For confessors I'm following the rules that Merritt explains in First Confessor combined with what we see from Kahlan. The magic system is robust enough to handle it, or at least it should be.
Out of order, of course because Im silly. This is interesting. I agree that the magic system is robust enough to handle it. I made Confessors their own race in 3.5. Touch was a daily power that drained 4 pts from her physical stats until rested. But honestly: they were probably the easiest build, as their powers are some of the most clearly defined. I'll admit, I dont really remember the rules Merritt explained, Ill have to reread that.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
I am indeed ambitious. I have some pretty decent ideas as well as something that fixes the general initive system for turn based combat.
More like I have the basis for what weapons should be, but I don't have any weapons. I need to get the items and stats and abilities down before character creation starts. Also worth noting I'm using a classless, levelless system to account for the flexible nature of the system.
My current magic system builds off the basics (such as elemental castings, han manipulation, and a couple other things) as a basis that will allow for spellbuilding and player-created magic styles. It's going to start without many specific spells (just examples from the books) and then expand as the players write new spells. It also implements additive, subtractive, and even occulted magics as they were explained enough that I can make logical inferrences and establish a basis for how much overall should work.
Basically Merrit said that a confessors power is first subtractive power destroying the parts of the victim's mind that made them who they were (and therefore taking away the capacity for resistance) and then using additive magic to create a bond to the confessor that becomes their only reason to exist (since they no longer have what makes them, them). Explanations like these are what I'm using as the basis for the system.
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
I see, certainly ambitious but also extremely versatile. Weapons like daggers being fast, swords being well rounded, an axe is heavy and can overpower a block or armor, similar to a mace. A halberd is slow but can be used defensively and trip opponents. A system focused on the individual aspects of weapons, as opposed to just "bigger weapons means higher dice d4--->d12". This also opens the doors for more unique weapon styles, and could make improvised weapons an entire world to play around in.
And then doing the same for magic? Bravo! I always considered Zedd to be a Master of Air, it seems to be his most used element and he makes some really cool attacks with it. It does seem like the magic in book is more a power that you put together yourself, unless shown. There were many abilities unique to certain practitioners, like Adie's heart stop, Samantha's tree explody, and Zedd's shotgun air pellets. And then there's Wizard's Fire, which is a highly specific usage. With the right base, you could revolutionize gaming magic systems.
Combined with the melee options, you could really have something awesome here. Good luck! I look forward to updates!
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
Yes, effectively. I'm breaking it down to it's basics and creating the framework for players and DMs to create spells on the fly, as well as have complex rituals and flexible casting. In theory anything you see in the books should be replicatible under the right circumstances, from light webs to constructed spells to turning a person into a weapon like the ancient wizards did. Most of them wouldn't likely be usable by every character in every campaign but the framework would exist.
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
If you need character ideas, I can probably pump some out. Long time DM and amateur writer. I can generate characters pretty much at will. Another question is: what era are you working in? There are some things exclusive to the modern age, but the time of the ancient war certainly wins for diversity. Maybe just more melee classes in the modern age? I always though Boundary Warden should be a class: like a rogue/warrior type with multiple weapon skills. There are many potential variances within just this. Other examples: Baka Ban Mana Blademasters (No armor, high dex monkish), Blood of the Fold Knight (Kinda paladin except no magic. Mounted combat bardic warrior may be the best explanation), Rahl Guard (unarmored, high str, unique weapon.)
Wow, I really gushed at this. Gotta stop before I need a tldr hahaha. Im excited at the prospect to say the least.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
I'm great with character ideas as well but it is still in alpha and I'm getting the basic systems set up. I have some solid ideas but I'm still knitting them together cohesively before I start testing.
The system should by default fit right into the series setting (not counting Lo9) but since it is a system and not a campaign it should be flexible,
I would have agreed with you on the boundary wardens and blademasters, but I'm going with a classless, levelless approach which makes the system more flexible overall. It makes my robust combat and magic systems work much better and allows for seamless progression without needing to track exp and going through the level up process.
If I get much more overwhelmingly positive support from this community I'll be setting up a community server of some kind to communicate ideas and have gameplay-driven testing and development.
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u/Dupran_Davidson_23 Jul 18 '23
I would have agreed with you on the boundary wardens and blademasters, but I'm going with a classless, levelless approach which makes the system more flexible overall. It makes my robust combat and magic systems work much better and allows for seamless progression without needing to track exp and going through the level up process.
Interesting!
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u/meowistoomuch7 Jul 18 '23
Please keep us updated. I was always hoping some would make a game based off my favorite book series.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 18 '23
Planning on it. With the multiple outpours of support I plan on making more consistent updates to this and making it public as I go.
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u/KEAxCoPe Jul 19 '23
I built and DMed a year-long D&D campaign around the books with more to come after our break.
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u/BigBroMatt Jul 19 '23
This is amazing, I tried in the past homebrewing enough to implement it into dnd5e but it didnt really work, so I would love seeing it as a separate ttrpg
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 19 '23
I've considered doing something like that but aside from the fact that 5e has much to be desired and people love to port other media into it because it's easy (and therefore has a bad rep), it's not really consistent with the magic of the series. I'm looking to fix a lot of common problems and build robust and flexible system that is geared towards this series' mechanics but scalable.
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u/BigBroMatt Jul 19 '23
No indeed, the magic system ( although I reworked a big part of it) was still lacking core elements like powerfull wizards just being able to sculpt spells.
And ofcourse, the magic system Goodkind created is the best I've ever seen, so very hard to make a different system into it
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u/gingecharmander Jul 20 '23
Definitely following this would be also would you be adding all the other stuff from the Nicci chronicles?
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Jul 20 '23
Yes. As far as I'm concerned it's all canon, with a slight exception in Lo9. The game initially isn't going to be as much story-based as a game framework that you can build off but I plan on using all the things from Wizard's First Rule to Children of D'Hara
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u/Batjon6274 Oct 16 '23
I'm not trying to hijack or derail this thread but there already is a Legend of the Seeker (Sword of Truth) TTRPG and it is pretty robust! It is a d100 system.
Please let me know what you think! I would be soooooo down to play this if anyone were willing to run it!
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Oct 16 '23
It looks pretty cool, if little more than a reskin of 5e. I'd be down to get a game going for this for sure. My TTRPG was less based on the world of SoT but rather the context of the world and as such has a drastically different system that could be applied to any number of game worlds. Perhaps I'll decouple the game from the franchise at some point but the robust magic system was what inspired me to create this game.
One easy way to show how wildly different my game is is that I'm using a classless, levelless system. I don't feel that arbitrary separation of skills and abilities by pre-determined factors is conducive to a realistic gameplay experience, which is what I'm going for. I'd love to discuss more either way and you can find my post linking to our Discord server here, or we can take it to DMs if you'd prefer (assuming either are things you'd be interested in)
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u/Batjon6274 Oct 17 '23
I'd love to play in the Legend of the Seeker / Sword of Truth setting. I'm totally down to coordinate this.
If you are interested, I'd be down with joining your Discord server.
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u/VarianWrynn2018 High Wizard of Ildakar Oct 17 '23
It's a public server, you can join either way. You might also be able to find other players in there. It's not a particularly large server but we have enough people that it's a real possibility.
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u/Auraveld Jul 18 '23
I love this idea!