Although many do not appreciate them, a really long time ago, I was thinking and drawing a diceless RPG system.
There are already several notable diceless RPG systems, like the one listed here, but I'm not sure if any of these use a math-based system to evaluate conflicts.
The big issues are:
- How to resolve conflicts between creatures with the same skills/characteristics?
- How to emulate the fate in a mathematical way w/o using a random function?
A couple of practical examples:
The Highest just cloned Conan, and he wants to know who will win in a tournament.
Teodius, a new thief of the Roast Guild, is trying to open a kind of lock he has never seen before. It's immediately clear that it's a complex one, but ....
The idea would be to use some math for comparison, modifiers for comfortable/uncomfortable situations (like a thief in the thief school), and some Fate points used by the master and/or by the players to tilt the balance in favor of one or the other.
- Do you have some nice ideas (math and background)?
- Do you think it's interesting?
- Do you know any free (in terms of license) existing projects?
Thanks a lot.
Update
By Math, I mean some simple (or rather complex) formulas to compare one or more characteristics (or skills) against another creature's skill set or against a difficulty level of a certain task. Let's give an example:
Conan : Str (80), Dx (60), sword (30) Teodius : Str (60), Dx (80), sword (20)
Which formula can I apply to compare the two? I'd say simple differences and Conan should win.
Conan : Str (80) Wall: Str (120)
This case the wall should win, but if Conan will pass the whole day to beat, slam, whisk, bang, whip, flap, and knock the wall?
The difference between points/bidding system (if any) is in the way players and the master can use the points, and how many. I think that opportunity should come in certain specific moments, not every time the user has a bunch of them. This is what dice simulate really well (the chaos).
I'm looking for some nice solutions; are you aware of any? Do you have any nice ideas?
Update
I was more thinking about a cause/effect system, where the action of each creature can effect the destiny of others.
A system like this needs special rules and formulas to calculate the result of some actions.
What would have happened if Conan didn't open that door?
The Master can take note of these special events and allocate some fate points (positive or negative), then he can decide himself how to change the course of some events or give the choice to the players.
- Destiny is written (by the master) and math formula provide the result of actions.
- If a PG takes unexpected decisions, it changes the destiny.
- Positive and negative fate points are applied to each formulas used during a session/party (by either the master or the player).
- As the master change the main story he will apply fate points as he likes.
So normal events are already written my the master that will just use narrative techniques to show the result. It's the player that have the power the change these events, and will get positive or negative points depending of his choices.
If this is a good idea, how would you translate this in rules?