ABS12: Description Build points, Special Verb Actions

All the changes from this page will be added to the complete master game page at A Basic System 12 (ABS12).

So far, when I added creatures I tried to convert them over from several other open sources games, using an unofficial conversion system that I have in my head, using general rules that I created after analyzing the Open Gaming License (OGL) data several weeks ago for the black bear. I wrote up a comparison chart of common creatures from different systems months ago for Aioskoru world. Equiped with the list and the general rules that were extracted I converted the creatures using OGL data.

Last night I began to build a spreadsheet to help look at descriptions from a point based system. This may lead to some sort of description creation guidelines. I also included my first sets of creature data, removing the bonuses gained during PL increase.

That chart is shown at the bottom of this post.

DL vs Special Verbs
When I wrote the descriptions initially, it began with the concept that being one of the descriptions, such as a thief, would begin with a DL1 in thieving skills. I realized shortly after that it would be nice to have special skill verbs (abilities, stunts, and powers) built into the overall description. And so I added verbs such as covert stab and covert which can go above and ontop the DL1 bonus.

I realized that I've never added the rules for the special verbs yet. I think I need to more explicitly write in. I am adding the following text to the game.

I changed a few of the titles to special verb skill and DL.

Special Verb Skilled action

1d12 + PL + DL + Special Verb

Special Verb Combat action

Offensive roll 1d12 + PL + DL + Special Verb Damage


Special verbs are skills that go beyond the normal DL bonus. They can be thought of as special feats, special abilities, stunts, or special moves. Use the bonus for the special verb on top of the DL for added bonus. For combat, used the special verb damage instead of the standard melee damage for attacks using special verbs.

Skilled Actions
The definition itself is a group of skills defined by the gamemaster or in solo play the player for whatever appropriate for whatever world is being played. Anything that fits in this definition in a game will get a DL bonus. For example. Thieves can do thief skills not mentioned in the special verb skill sections. They may get the basic DL bonus when picking locks - if that is something all thieves do in your game world. Maybe they are good at bar fights. Maybe they have underground connections.



Possible Reduction: 2 covert for the thief
On top I put the 4 character descriptions. Unfortunately for the thief, they may lose one point of covert in order to balance out the descroptions.

[Click to enlarge]

I'm adding this chart to the bottom of the game for future use and comparison. It may change over time. New definitions will be added.

A Basic System 12 (ABS12)
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ABS12: Character Creation Summary

All the changes from this page will be added to the complete master game page at A Basic System 12 (ABS12).

I just wrote up and added the character creation summary.

I also changed 'PL damage' to 'PL damage roll' in the combat rules, now that I have moved to variable damage. It just reflects the changes already made.

Character Creation Summary

1. Set power level to 1 unless you want to begin the game at a higher PL or 0 PL.
2. Pick a description out of the four currently available: fighter, magic user, thief, or healer.
3. Set your description level to 1.
4. This game considers all humanoid species equal in ability. Record one if you wish with your description. Humanoid species include humans, orcs, dwarves, elves, halflings, gnolls, goblins, hobgoblins, or kobolds. No benefit will be given for differing species selection.
5. Calculate your PL life. At PL 1, this should be 2 + description life bonus if applicable.
6. Record the PL1 defense which should be 2 + the defense for your description's armor.
7. Record your description's weapon damage.
8. Record your character's PL1 speed which should be 2 + any description speed bonus if applicable.

I also added the instructions for offensive roll as:
The attacker rolls twice. Once for the situation (the full amount) and once for the Damage roll calculation. Check the appropriate weapon or spell damage to calculate the PL damage roll amount.

A Basic System 12 (ABS12)
Index of my blog

A Basic System 12 (ABS12) Part 2: Basic rules: skills, unskilled, combat, and power actions

The ABS12 needs some rules. Although I provided mechanical structure, I need to add process or procedure to those mechanics. These rules are written much like the first set of mechanics. No evaluation nor judgement will be made until they are tested. For now, they are just raw untested formulas and ideas.

They will be added to the current overall page.
A Basic System 12 (ABS12)

Skills 

Characters and opponents need to perform tasks or actions in a game. These skilled actions can either be something not covered by skills learned, covered by skills learned, combat action, or spell used.

Unskilled action

1d12 + PL
For actions not covered by definitions, use the PL only to modify rolls. This means that your experience of living and advancing helps you with everything, but that you do not receive an expertise bonus.

Skilled action

1d12 + PL + Definition Level
For actions covered by definitions, use the Pl and the Definition Level to modify rolls. This means that in addition to your experience of living and advancing you also receive expertise bonus for learning more about those types of actions.

Combat action - to hit

Offensive roll 1d12 + PL + Definition Level + PL Damage
Defensive roll 1d12 + PL + Definition Level + PL Defense
Whichever total is highest, wins. Ties we will say goes to the defensive person.

Combat action - damage

Defender PL Life - Weapon PL Damage
If the Offensive attacker exceeds the defensive defender, then the defender is damaged. Reduce the PL Life temporarily by the weapon PL Damage amount. If the PL Life is reduced to zero, the defender is dead.

Power action

Power roll 1d12 + PL + Definition Level
We will just say that the only requirement is to be able to see the target to launch a fireball or heal a player. The difficulty for range of spells will be in 10 feet increments beginning with Very Easy (roll 3 or higher0 up to 10 feet from the caster. For a fireball, the defender may make a defensive roll.


A Basic System 12 (ABS12)
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