Wow, I’ve been negligant again, huh?
To be honest though, I’ve had nothing much new to contribute recently to the blog, as most of the time I’ve been busy with work and also writing on the side, attempting to polish up Aniventure, my pen and paper Anime Roleplaying system, to a state where it can be fully released (which, hopefully, I should be able to do soon, most likely in an electronic format, though if it becomes popular I’ll look into paper publishing).
Anyway, to herald the fact that it’s nearly ready for release, I’ve decided to put up some samples for everyone to look at, rather than just the measly character sheet that’s been floating around the project page for awhile. I’ll also put up a brief commentary.
In case you’ve not looked into it before, my system is entirely of my own devising and all of the illustrations are also my own. It uses a unique dice system I have invented called the Stacks system; which was especially devised for the purposes of larger than life roleplaying, as it allows multiple attacks per dice roll, a system that awards low and high numbers in different ways, and crazy stuff like the ability to parry a burst of machine gun fire with just a combat knife (if you’re just that good!).
As always, click images to see them full size
Core to the game system is the fact that everyone has an Anime Class. There are 19 of them, ranging from the Avatar, above, through Desperados and Kensai, to Warlocks/Witches. A class alters your Talents (stats) and gives you your base dicepools, as well as granting you a discount to certain powers and a special superpower.
On the other hand, a class is merely a springboard for you to build from. Aniventure is meant to be versatile; allowing you any combination you can think of; as you can always take any power, even if its not favoured for your class (it just costs more).
On top of that customisation, there is the archetype, which allows you to customise your character with any one of a huge number of anime and media related cliche’s. Here’s some of the unique Male only ones:
Naturally, there’s also a general selection (7 pages!) and females only selection too.
Archetypes have been a big part of Aniventure since the early days of its conception. The system runs especially well off cliche; and relishes in its complete lack of political correctness; as appearance, gender, figure, looks and personality have a big effect on your characters stats and final outlook.
And of course, seeing as how you’re an anime character, its not unusual for you to vastly exceed normal human potential in most of what you do, especially when it comes to using amazing and mundane powers; of which there are significant selection. Here is some of Deadeye Shot, two of its sub-disciplines covering handguns and automatics:
Most interesting in Aniventure combat is the fact that tactical positioning, or in fact, any movement, doesn’t exist at all. You always automatically move as your choice of battle action requires.
Of course, this means squishy wizards and shooters need support, as nothing stops people from attacking them. Party support option powers exist in many forms, from the Defensive Supports of Aegis, to the inspiring actions of Majesty.
As you can probably see from above, you can also find other options, like learning to Parry attacks using Handguns (shoot the bullet!).
Aniventure also looks into less obvious combative powers that explain the crazy nonsense that goes on in Anime. Take, for example, the Magnetism discipline:
This covers everyones favourite: needless fanservice; which allows you to heal yourself as you get injured due to the hit actually just tearing your shirt off.
Assaults of superhuman attractiveness? Check. Harems of minions more concerned with fighting rivals than your personal safety? Check.
There’s also the sister discipline of Isei-Jikoshuji, that covers incredible egotism and angsting wind; and the Destiny Inversion discipline, that allows you to develop plot armour, xanatos gambits and bad pun mastery.
Finally, as well as esoteric disciplines, there’s a good selection of anime flavoured magic. Here’s the intro page for Witchery:
You can purchase spells singly, or select entire domains together as a discount package, which helps sorcerers fill out their spellbooks more easily. Spellcasters have both Instant and Complex spells available to them; allowing both to attack in the same way as more traditional combat bunnies (only with blood and fire and darkness, rather than guns and swords and fists) and also use powerful effects that take several rounds to cast.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this small preview. I should be releasing this system for full public consumption sometime in the near future.
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