Scraps

--- The (Slightly) Less Simple System (SLSS) ---

--- Version Alpha, for real this time. ---

 

 

 

Welcome to the SLSS! Whole new worlds of nerdiness await you in these tomes of wanna-be Dungeons and Dragons goodness! And of course as usual, I, your loyal rule buttslave, will accompany you along the way! Aren't you excied?! Come on buddy, I need the money I'm as unhappy to be here as you just...ok, back to business, YFGM is looking sternly at me. So what is the SLSS? Well the SLSS is the system that was supposed to replace the SSS....4 months ago. But let us not dwell on the past but dwell on this here PnP system. Unlike the SSS and SSSS, the SLSS IS a bit more complicated and will put more weight on GM and Player shoulders, but it still is easy enough to be played by complete PnP newcomers without a problem I promise. In return, we get a far richer system that allows us to play more unique characters and encounter many many varied situations all backed up by solid rules. The people who will be burdened the most by using the SLSS will be the GMs, because they are the ones you turn to whenever something is unclear. So I urge any prospective SLSS GM to carefully study the rules IN FULL before attempting an actual, canon PnP. SLSS also introduces something strongly avoided in the SSS: Character Customization. You will be able to design your character very uniquely not unlike in the SSSS, but you have FAR more options. So many in fact it seems a bit rediculous looking back...Hell the more the better! The system is NOT complete, not even close (as usual), the balance SHOULD be MUCH better than in the SSSS, but stuff can creep in. So as always, I appreciate any playtesting, feedback and comments! (Whenever I am not disabled) You are currently looking at the "Nexus Document", which contains links to all mini sourcebooks that include different rules, along with meta thoughts, news and more! Check by here regularly for all your SLSS needs, updates will land here first. So, let's take a look at this document:

 

 

 

 

((((Meta concerns)))

-- Design Philosophies in the SLSS --

 

-Highly Modular: The system is designed to be easily expanded upon by other players and GMs. Have some ideas for spells or feats? Throw something up on a pastebin, discuss it a bit in thread and it may be right here in the nexus under your name within the day!

 

-Easy for players: Players without much prior PnP knowledge should be able to pick up and play this system within under an hour. GMs will probably need a bit longer to master it fully, but no longer than a day.

 

-Flexible: Unlike previous systems, the SLSS aims to integrate casual and PnP RP more seemlessly, not needing you to completely switch the rules of the universe whether you are in or outside of town.

 

-Exhaustive: The SLSS is a first attempt to not be completely 4C focused, but allow the designing of other characters as well. In theory, you could stat your local drunk, Equestrian Embassy inhabitant, mane 6 character or Celestia herself with this system.

 

-Lore tight: Every ability in the SLSS is backed by it's own story and lore, integrating it into the world as a whole. Many spells and abilities include a small paragraph discussing it's use in normal Equestrian life, how it was developed and how it works.

 

-- What the SLSS Is and Isn't --

 

The SLSS Is:

 

-A PnP system

-A magic system

-A general guide to structured RP

-A lore repository

 

The SLSS Isn't:

 

-A crafting system

-An economics system

-A social interactions system

-The final judge on everything

-Complete

 

-- What the SLSS is based on --

 

The SLSS heavily borrows in spirit from the d20 Open Gaming License system, but many many core aspects are inspired by the General Universal Role Playing System (GURPS). People familiar with GURPS or d20 based systems (such as Dungeons and Dragons), will be able to fit in relatively quickly. One could see this as a logical expansion of the SSS system, and SSS players will recognize most core aspects. The idea of time based XP and spending it on abilities is also maintained from the SSSS. Many rules from the ESSS are reproduced here as well. Lore is taken from the hard work of many players of Fourcannon, with a particularly respectful nod to Able Tome and Rain Drop for their many contributions over time. My autistic Grand Unifying Theory of Quantum Thaumatology is briefly mentioned a few times for flavor. While this system is meant for use in Fourcannon, with just a little adaptation it could easily be used in many many Equestrian or even generic fantasy scenarios.

 

-- What will happen to the SLSS later --

 

The hope is that many players and GMs will come forth to contribue ideas and lore to be added to the SLSS, along with bugfixes and changes where necessary. I would hope that someday, I could create a working crafting and economics system and lore bible to be combined with the SLSS, creating a true, complete game system for Fourcannon or any fantasy wilderness-survival-adventure-city-building-casual-RP games (FWSACBCRPGs). Of course knowing me that could take centuries.

 

 

-- Why rules at all --

 

Two reasons: First, a game without rules is not a game. It's just a fact of life. 99% of all shitposting and conflict could have been avoided if there would have been a stable character and lore system. Second: For fun. I like designing rule systems and many people like playing with them. So it's win win really.

 

 

-- I don't like these rules and don't want to follow them --

 

This is a serious concern right here. The way I see this, I will create these rules for Fourcannon, and how they implement them is their business. But I will give a clear recommendation: Implement them universally or not at all. You can't have two people in the inn, one following SSS rules and one following SLSS, test their magic against one another or similar, it just won't work nicely. There is a quick and dirty SSS to SLSS conversion template, along with a SSSS to SLSS conversion template, but my recommendation is just to go all the way, it will save a lot of headache later on.