[Audyssey] Combat descriptions
With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
This is why I'm such a major fan of the arborell stuff, the quality of the writing is exceptional! even though there is no underlaying programming, meaning you ned to roll your own dice and record your own stats, it's incredibly! well worth it. I'd even go so far as calling them the best examples of gamebooks I've seen, imho better than much of the famous commercial stuff such as lw, fun though that is. But sinse the creator is essentialy doing exactly what Tolkeen did, creating an entire world with it's own history, mythology, races culture and language, --- that's not too surprising. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 3:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Hi, Where can you fine those? Sounds intreaguing! Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 10:49 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions This is why I'm such a major fan of the arborell stuff, the quality of the writing is exceptional! even though there is no underlaying programming, meaning you ned to roll your own dice and record your own stats, it's incredibly! well worth it. I'd even go so far as calling them the best examples of gamebooks I've seen, imho better than much of the famous commercial stuff such as lw, fun though that is. But sinse the creator is essentialy doing exactly what Tolkeen did, creating an entire world with it's own history, mythology, races culture and language, --- that's not too surprising. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 3:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
www.arborell.comm is where. There's also a page on audiogames.net under the name the chronicles of arborell Hth. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 5:02 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi, Where can you fine those? Sounds intreaguing! Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 10:49 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions This is why I'm such a major fan of the arborell stuff, the quality of the writing is exceptional! even though there is no underlaying programming, meaning you ned to roll your own dice and record your own stats, it's incredibly! well worth it. I'd even go so far as calling them the best examples of gamebooks I've seen, imho better than much of the famous commercial stuff such as lw, fun though that is. But sinse the creator is essentialy doing exactly what Tolkeen did, creating an entire world with it's own history, mythology, races culture and language, --- that's not too surprising. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 3:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Hi, Also, remember that text has been here far, far, far, far longer than any audio or graphics, and has doing a marvelous job of describing things. Just look at Dante's The Devine Comedy, especially The Paradiso, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 9:42 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Well if you really want to be strict about it, you might go back to homers' iniad. over 2000 years ago, and they stil! knew how to describe a fight. Oh, and according to some sources i've seen, there's actually evidence Homer was blind ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 5:22 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi, Also, remember that text has been here far, far, far, far longer than any audio or graphics, and has doing a marvelous job of describing things. Just look at Dante's The Devine Comedy, especially The Paradiso, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 9:42 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Hi, The Iliad? Most definitely! And I've heard the same thing--play Curses and you'll get another reference to Homer's blindness (apparently Graham thought along the same lines). Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 11:35 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Well if you really want to be strict about it, you might go back to homers' iniad. over 2000 years ago, and they stil! knew how to describe a fight. Oh, and according to some sources i've seen, there's actually evidence Homer was blind ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 5:22 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi, Also, remember that text has been here far, far, far, far longer than any audio or graphics, and has doing a marvelous job of describing things. Just look at Dante's The Devine Comedy, especially The Paradiso, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 9:42 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions Hi Dark, Yeah, that's what I'm talking about man. That sounds like one heck of a battle. I love text exactly for that kind of detail and description. Woo, that sounded cool! On 5/5/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun. Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just and you won I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions
Re: [Audyssey] Combat descriptions
Hi Dark, Actually, that is the Iliad if you want to know. As for Homer being blind there is a lot of historical debates on who Homer was and weather he was really blind or not etc. Some Historians even have suggested Homer wasn't a real person, per say, but a pseudoname which authors used to write the Iliad and Odyssey. Whatever the historical case may or may not have been the writing of those two poems were great. Yes, there is a lot you can do with text that just can't be done any other way unless you can see it in a movie or in a video game. For us that just isn't possible so text is the next best medium. On 5/6/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: Well if you really want to be strict about it, you might go back to homers' iniad. over 2000 years ago, and they stil! knew how to describe a fight. Oh, and according to some sources i've seen, there's actually evidence Homer was blind ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
