My Little Pony D10 Second Playtest

A while back, I ran a bit of a playtest for my pony RPG. It unfortunately petered out, but was still a lot of fun. I've been convinced to give it another whirl and tere is already quite a bit of interest being shown, but I'd like to keep things a bit more organised this time.

Some have requested that this time I host the game off-site, which I'm willing to do.

Especially as some would prefer organised sessions rather than play-by-post (which would be great ... if we can manage that).

In any event, I'm keeping a Skype group dedicated to players and helpers to aid in organisation, even if we don't play their. Roll D 20 was also suggested and I do like what I see their, so that's a real possibility.

I will naturally be Hasbro and running the game, but I'd like a bit more input from the players this time on exactly what kind of campaign they'd like this time.

We're still in the organisational phase, so suggestions and signups are still possible.

EDIT:

Applications are now closed.

Accepted character sheets so far are:

Group A:

Rhyme Beat

Echo Test

Lost Time

Over Yonder

Klepto Mane

Filligree

Gustave

Stray Thoughts

............................... Group B:

Madcap

Gneiss Foundation

Cardicia

Penumbra Dewdrop

Captain Seaheart (assuming reduction of HES to legal levels)

Hobble Hooves

...................................

Some character sheets are still pending though.

edited 4th Apr '14 5:59:18 AM by Sereg

I'd like to do something you've probably never expected and be the first to sign up.

How many character points can we spend at character creation? Speaking of character creation, you might want to link Rhyme Beat's template for a character sheet.

An excellent point. It's very good for something made by someone new to the system.

Signing up and stuff.

I'm interested, although I'm not sure how often I'll practically be able to take part.

Tentatively interested?

Intrigue has brought me to consider interest upon joining this D10 system.

Okay. Discussing it with a couple of people on Skype, it looks like we have a desire for something that starts low-powered and low-key and becomes epic later on.

I can work with this.

I think that 30 character points will be a good start for this.

Princess Celestia is coming to visit your town. Your Mayor has roped you all into helping prepare to make a good impression as she wants national support for your town due to it's sudden inability to compete with the Saddle Arabians in their primary source of income (textiles).

I would like to try this out, schedule permitting.

I'd be interested in joining in. Do we have anything resembling a start date?

I am intrigued and wish to participate.

Definite interest here!

Sounds like a plan.

30 char points? Damn need to adjust the sheet.

Sorry. There was some interest in starting low-power

What do attributes mean in general? Just curious. Also I fixed the char sheet.

Do you mean, "What falls under attribute x?" or "What does having a score of y in attribute x mean?"

Or what?

The latter.

Question:

So just to make sure I understand this right:

• Each pony starts with 1 point in each virtue and each attribute. Is there any rolling for stats make the bases for each character different outside of race?

• To increase one, you pay the current value unless there's an exception (e.g. you have a 5 in strength, it costs 5 CP to increase it to 6 unless you're an earth pony, in which case it costs four). Does this system also apply for virtues and skill ranks? (e.g. would going from level 4 to level 5 in say, "appraise" cost 4 CP?)

Also a few suggestions:

1. I think having the "virtues" be another set of stats that have to be upgraded is a bit much; there are already like half a dozen things that have to be balanced already. Personally, I think it might be more interesting to have it be a psuedo-alignment thing where each character has personal virtue that gives bonuses/penalties to other actions. Like a character who chooses "honesty" as their virtue would be seen as more trustworthy by NP Cs, but also take large penalty to their bluffing skills due to being a Bad Liar. It would still let them influence the game without having to add another set of stats to keep track of. You could also have like a "dump virtue", that a character sucks at. Like you could make a character who has the "honesty" virtue, but dumped "kindness" and as a result ends up in Brutal Honesty territory.

2. Under the magic section, I think it might be easier to categorize the abilities based on which races can use them. I.e. have separate sections for unicorns, EP, and Pegasi, and then just copy/paste repeating ones. As is, it's kind of annoying to read through. In general, I think the doc could use some formatting work. I'll leave some more comments on there at some point.

3. A specific suggestion regarding the magic section: to keep things more consistent, maybe you could try something that I'm going to call the "tier" system. Basically, each individual skill, (I'll use telekinesis as an example) would have multiple tiers of power. In order to go up to the next one, you'd have to have the previous level, plus the required skill. It wouldn't be functionally different from how you have it, but it would make it look more organized. And you could have them branch out with different specialties. For example:

Telekinesis: Unicorn

That way, someone playing a unicorn could develop them either as lifting really heavy objects, or manipulating lots of small objects at once.

edited 25th Mar '14 11:22:37 AM by JapaneseTeeth

I think I'm going to write up a few characters and see which one will fit in best. So far, I got a travelling performer, a hatter and a con artist.

So many ideas, so few campaigns.

@Rhyme: Do you mind if I step on your toes a little and try to make my own version of the character sheet? I think it would be helpful to have an online version where we could actually type stuff into it while we play.

Make an online version? Sure. Also I'm not sure I got this right but here's my character sheet.

The simple answer is that a "1" represents the minimum possible for a normal, healthy pony. A "2" would be 50% better, etc.

No rolling for stats. It's pure point buy.

Yes.

... This is a big change, but one that I think has real merit. Hmmm ... This changes my long term goals, but I think that overall, it would work better in the long run.

Yeesh. That's not going to be easy to change.

Yeah. I realise that it really could do with better formatting. I just always put it off for later. Hmmm ... Okay. Rearranging the magic that way does make some sense.

Hmmmm ... If it's functionally just an organisation issue ... I suppose that I can do that.

EDIT:Okay. I haven't properly checked the maths yet (I started, then got lost and decided that I'm to drowsy to do it right now), but your HES needs five fives each. Not four. It's the same number as ... well ... the number.

edited 25th Mar '14 12:07:46 PM by Sereg

I didn't see JT's statting rules before making it. I think this is accurate though. I hope it is.

edited 25th Mar '14 12:22:57 PM by RhymeBeat

I've decided on playing the travelling performer. His name is Hassle Hoof. Yes, that is a pun, and I can't stop giggling at the thought of introducing myself like that.