Hârn - The Most Medieval of Campaign Settings

[Captain_Blood]

Ooph, it's been a long time since then, and I can't really recall that session. Though a no magic Harn World adventure would be fun.

[Ancalagon]

I've been reading over the combat section of HârnMaster 3rd Edition. So far so good... except that I'd house rule initiative.

By rule, Initiative is one of the combat stats with a % value. All combatants are ranked highest to lowest by Initiative scores and each combatant takes a turn in that order. The sequence is the same for every round thereafter. I don't like static initiative so here is what I'd do:

Since HârnMaster is a skills based game in which skills are tested with % rolls, do the same with the Initiative stat. When a skill is tested there are 4 possible results: Critical Success, Marginal Success, Marginal Failure and Critical Failure. A combatant scoring a Critical Success on the Initiative test will go first in the round. If multiple combatants score Critical Successes then rank them by the Initiative stat value from highest to lowest. Do the same thing with marginal Successes then Marginal Failures and, finally, Critical Failures.

Here is an example: Lucian has Initiative 65, Sava has a 53, Aaron has a 49, Harold has 84, and Shortshanks has 39.
The GM calls for an Initiative test and the results are Lucian 16 (marginal success), Sava 09 (marginal success), Aaron 15 (critical success), Harold 95 (critical failure), and Shortshanks 41 (marginal failure).
Rack and stack and the initiative order for the round is
1. Aaron due to the critical success even though his Initiative stat is less than Lucian, Sava, and Harold
2. Lucian who tied with Sava with a marginal success but has the higher Initiative stat
3. Sava who tied with Lucian with a marginal success but has the lower Initiative stat
4. Shortshanks with a marginal failure
5. Harold who. even though possessing the highest Initiative stat by far, rolled a critical failure.

[Necron 99]

I've been reading over the combat section of HârnMaster 3rd Edition. So far so good... except that I'd house rule initiative.

By rule, Initiative is one of the combat stats with a % value. All combatants are ranked highest to lowest by Initiative scores and each combatant takes a turn in that order. The sequence is the same for every round thereafter. I don't like static initiative so here is what I'd do:

Since HârnMaster is a skills based game in which skills are tested with % rolls, do the same with the Initiative stat. When a skill is tested there are 4 possible results: Critical Success, Marginal Success, Marginal Failure and Critical Failure. A combatant scoring a Critical Success on the Initiative test will go first in the round. If multiple combatants score Critical Successes then rank them by the Initiative stat value from highest to lowest. Do the same thing with marginal Successes then Marginal Failures and, finally, Critical Failures.

Here is an example: Lucian has Initiative 65, Sava has a 53, Aaron has a 49, Harold has 84, and Shortshanks has 39.
The GM calls for an Initiative test and the results are Lucian 16 (marginal success), Sava 09 (marginal success), Aaron 15 (critical success), Harold 95 (critical failure), and Shortshanks 41 (marginal failure).
Rack and stack and the initiative order for the round is
1. Aaron due to the critical success even though his Initiative stat is less than Lucian, Sava, and Harold
2. Lucian who tied with Sava with a marginal success but has the higher Initiative stat
3. Sava who tied with Lucian with a marginal success but has the lower Initiative stat
4. Shortshanks with a marginal failure
5. Harold who. even though possessing the highest Initiative stat by far, rolled a critical failure.

I tend to agree, I've never been a fan of static initiative either. I like combat that swings from one participant to another. In a typical d20 system, I like the idea of modifying an initiative roll based on the action of a character. A fighter swinging a standard weapon rolls d10, an archer firing an arrow that is already knocked and ready rolls a d4, a caster casting a low 1st level spell may roll a d6 plus casting time...lots of variation.

The way you have the % rolled is a good option for HM's combat, based on success or failure.

[Captain_Blood]

That sounds like a nice way to do it. I like that it's consistent with the rest of the system.

Regarding initiatives in general I've found several ways to do that I like. I personally prefer when it's not static, like Jay. For whatever reason the deck of cards with jokers method that Savage Worlds used has always seemed fun to me. I don't think it translates well to systems that define actual initiative stats though. In those systems I tend to prefer crunchier methods even though it's harder to keep track of. Weapon speed adjustments for AD&D 1st Edition as an example there.

[Ancalagon]

The good folks at Columbia Games just launched another Hârn-related kickstarter. This one focuses on the game setting, HârnWorld, with tons of info in a hardback book.

HârnWorld: Medieval Fantasy RPG SETTING Hardback
40th-anniversary deluxe HARDCOVER of the classic fantasy role-playing setting, rich with authentic medieval detail and bonus material.



A warning is included which states
"Unlike other fantasy roleplaying environments, the HârnWorld setting and Cities of Hârn include some unpleasant, but realistic aspects of real-world medieval life, including violence and sexual themes." Emphasis mine.

Table top gamers are well-acquanited with violence (murder hobos, slasher/torture films, over-the-top violent effects a la Kill Bill blood sprays, etc.) but in 'Murica a lot of people seem to lose their minds over anything related to nudity and sex. The inclusion of such material makes sense for a setting built on authentic medieval detail. I've read over a fair amount of HârnWorld info and can say there is nothing gratuitous and/or puerile in the material.

I'll be pledging!

[Ancalagon]

The good folks at Columbia Games just launched another Hârn-related kickstarter. This one focuses on the game setting, HârnWorld, with tons of info in a hardback book.

<snip>

I'll be pledging!

It is done.

[Necron 99]

Haha, nice dude. Should make a great addition to the shelf.

[Ancalagon]

Here's a cool, short video from Me, Myself and Die! discussing Hârn. Check it out!

[Ancalagon]

The good folks at Columbia Games just launched another Hârn-related kickstarter. This one focuses on the game setting, HârnWorld, with tons of info in a hardback book.

HârnWorld: Medieval Fantasy RPG SETTING Hardback
40th-anniversary deluxe HARDCOVER of the classic fantasy role-playing setting, rich with authentic medieval detail and bonus material.



A warning is included which states
"Unlike other fantasy roleplaying environments, the HârnWorld setting and Cities of Hârn include some unpleasant, but realistic aspects of real-world medieval life, including violence and sexual themes." Emphasis mine.

Table top gamers are well-acquanited with violence (murder hobos, slasher/torture films, over-the-top violent effects a la Kill Bill blood sprays, etc.) but in 'Murica a lot of people seem to lose their minds over anything related to nudity and sex. The inclusion of such material makes sense for a setting built on authentic medieval detail. I've read over a fair amount of HârnWorld info and can say there is nothing gratuitous and/or puerile in the material.

I'll be pledging!

Here is a video discussing the new HârnWorld kickstarter with info about what will be in the book.

[Ancalagon]

Here is a video from Me, Myself and Die! with an interview from Grant Dalgliesh from Columbia Games discussing all things Hârn!