BIND

Jan 20, 2022 · 1 min read · RPG BIND

Overview BIND is a fantasy tabletop RPG designed to solve a number of problems: Character backstories are a pain. Solution: Story Points Players never engage in the adventure in the right way; when they should go left, they always go right, but railroading them never gives good results. Solution: Side Quests Standard …

Why BIND Rules Don't Allow Players to Go for the Eyes

Jun 7, 2023 · 4 min read · RPG BIND

(a story about spreadsheet failure) I've considered changing BIND's 'to-hit' system to let players 'go for the eyes' (or a headshot, or otherwise decide to attempt a vitals shot), and decided against it. My reasons sit below, but expect lots of boring numbers. You have been warned. (or just skip to the conclusions) …

Deriving from Magic

Jun 1, 2023 · 2 min read · RPG BIND

As I've mentioned, every fantasy novel needs two particular characters - [magic, and landscape]. For BIND's next edition (0.9) I'm hoping to tie the two together a little more. Specifically, more creatures could arise from magic. Nura (goblins, ogres, et c.) come directly from the nuramancy sphere. They exist because …

BIND Roadmap

May 23, 2023 · 3 min read · RPG BIND

BIND currently has 20 things to do, and needs translated into typst, the sparkly-new typestting tool. That's a lot, so I guess here's the roadmap. Magic Magic needs a complete do-over: Spells Not Spheres All spells should be 'level 1' (i.e. level distinctions must be removed). All higher-level spells should be derived …

Rewriting BIND as Zines

May 2, 2023 · 1 min read · RPG BIND

BIND RPG into the smallest functional units, and having each as a zine. The parts would be: Introductory adventure module (each with rules and pregenerated characters) Rules (with Stories, Codes, Combat Options, Races) Magic GM's Guide Adventure Module The adventure (or collection of adventures?) Instead of equipment …

New Handouts

Apr 29, 2023 · 2 min read · RPG LaTeX BIND

BIND's maps have their numbers and comments applied by its writing tool, LaTeX. This makes handouts really easy, because the same map can present different layers to different people. Here's the plan so far (it's untested, none of my players have seen this): The fallen temple to Qualme (god of death and pensions) has …

No Introduction Necessary

Apr 22, 2023 · 3 min read · RPG BIND Theory Memoirs

It's been commented that BIND has no introduction, saying 'what is a roleplaying game?', and I don't think it needs one. Of course, nobody's picking this thing up in a 90's game store, et c., but I feel we have a deeper problem. I think that no RPG - including D&D - really needs an explanation of 'how to do …

Minified vs Minimalist Rules

Mar 19, 2023 · 4 min read · RPG BIND

D&D got a way with a lot of bad habits, because it was the only game in town. People are expected to read the core rules, then the Dungeon Master's Guide, then an adventure. I've copied their style, and only now realized the error of front-loading MAXIMUM RULES. The order of books in this case is: Core Rules …

Group Rolls

Feb 5, 2023 · 3 min read · RPG Theory BIND

Dice can give unexpected results when groups of people roll. When a group of 5 players need to roll to sneak past a guard, you already know someone will fail, because they have 5 chances to fail. If everyone rolls for Alertness, they will succeed every time, because they have five chances to succeed. The Alertness roll …

Realtime Synchronization with Story Weaving

Jan 28, 2023 · 2 min read · RPG Theory BIND

Ideas on Campaigns with Real-time synchronization seemed interesting, but I'm unsure how they will interact with my Story Weaving methods of constructing adventures. Presumably, if nobody who started part 1 of a thread is present, then part 2 will simply not appear. But what if 1 party member who saw part 1 is present? …