Chapter 1: Character Creation

Chapter 2: Mechanics

Chapter 3: Powers

Chapter 4: Fate

The last four chapters would contain some of the useful tools for running a game.  This would only be found in the dead-tree versions, or in the PDF version which I will have up for sale.  This is the full toolbox to help a GM tinker under the hood, build their own settings and would present three new settings to play in.

Chapter 5: Setting Design

Chapter 6: Hacks

Chapter 7: Stock

Chapter 8: Three Unique Settings

Since I have stated this publicly, I suspect that some of the above information will be forced to change.  Still, at this point, that is how the book is organized.

I have written first drafts of the first four chapters already.  I have done substantial revisions to Chapters 1 and 2 thus far, based on my early playtest feedback.  Chapter 3 revision is proceeding apace and I have a decent plan of attack for Chapter 4 when I reach that point.  I hope to have this (chapters 1-4) out to external playtesters in a few months and with luck I will be able to complete all of my editing by end of 2010.   I have a lovely line editor who will be helping me polish and clean up the countless residual errors when I am ready.  If all things go as planned, I should have chapters 1-4 complete in time for GenCon and on sale in a printed AshCan format.

So that is the current status of the Spark RPG.  I haven’t leaked that much content thus far, chiefly because at this early stage in development things are likely to change.  I just hacked off a significant sub-system the other day for example.    Still, I will try to give a few more trinkets as the editing progresses.

Anyone have any thoughts, comments, questions or concerns on my so-called master plan?

In other news, I am nearing the end of my first run of playtesting of the game system. A great many things emerged from the process; a mechanic which makes conflict most dynamic, how to handle shipboard combat and a host of other tweaks. I have finished this revision pass for chapter one (character creation) and the first half of chapter two (mechanics). Once this particular editing is done, I will be sending it off to a few external playtesters to see how it runs in the wild. I will keep you posted.

This is a clear example of a D12 Body attribute, representing the peak of human physical capabilities.  I am impressed and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Cantina Scene: I set the scene as the Cantina from Star Wars and asked the pair of them to make unique alien characters, with no other restrictions.   It took 30 minutes from conception to completion of the characters and both of them fit the bill.

Player A made Olivia the Octopod, a hard-drinking, fast flying, 8-tentacled pilot of a mid-size transport ship.

Player B  made Grog, a hideous ogre-like alien who has apparently liberated the plasma cannon from a fighter jet for use as his personal rifle.

Tavern Scene: After that success, I directed them to attempt a similar exercise within a standard fantasy setting and it took another 30 minutes to finish these characters off.

Player A made P’eri the Magnificent, halfling wizard with delusions of grandeur. She was a wizard with a talking and somewhat intelligent elephant familiar.

Player B made Hali-h’imam, an eternal water elemental who is spending his time one the dry lands to watch the solids and learn their ways. While he has a harder time affecting the physical world, his quasi-material state also protects him from many forms of harm.

Some useful feedback was given, but I am fairly pleased at how well the system is functioning.  Thirty minutes to make an unusual character is perfectly appropriate in my opinion.  I would be eager for new challenges though, if any of you fine readers would like to propose a type of character for me, I will try to see if the current system can accommodate it.  If it doesn’t, I will be happy to feature your character in the book.

An illustration of a tool used by a character

I am pleased to provide you all with a quick look at some of the art produced for the Spark RPG.   These are still the early days yet with regards to art direction, but I was eager to get this artist working on this project.

This piece is actually part of an expansive illustration of Tools.  The game system accounts for “Tools”, external aids which are used by characters to accomplish tasks.  Tools are not limited to physical items, but rather include any external aid which can help in physical, social or intellectual pursuit.  A magus might have a spell formula which helps her conjure demons from the ether.  A gentleman might have some juicy blackmail which assists him in confrontations with the mayor.

This particular illustration is showing off the staff as a tool for his magic use.  His red armor is another good example of a tool which will protect him from blades or arrows alike.

The artist in question is David Sondred, who can be found at Studio Colruophobia.  I have worked with him in the past and his dynamic figure illustration is impressive.

Links:

http://www.studiocolrouphobia.com

This will not occur in the immediate future, as I need to finalize all of the content prior to recording a word, but will show up in the future.  I hope you will join me when episode one is released.