Setting Idea
Just another far-post-apocalyptic Earth. Society has fallen and been rebuilt, much forgotten, yadda yadda yadda. The different thing is that the Earth is now saturated with nannites of different functions. They can be controlled by people who have corresponding control nannites in their bodies, which can be passed on to offspring. The control nannites integrate with the neural network and interpret desires into commands which are radioed out to nearby 'nites who do the thing. It looks like magic, and people think it is, because they've pretty much lost the knowledge of nanotech.
Perhaps other kinds of 'nites could exist in a body as well, nicely accounting for super-human powers and monsters. Basically, you've got standard D&D on Earth with a quasi-scientific rationale for magic. Do a standard bloodlines and organization power structure (like WoD) and you'd have enough politics/intrigue for a decent game, too. Certain areas have higher or lower concentrations of a particular breed of 'nite, making that kind of "magic" more or less effective in that area. Broadcast jammers become dead-magic zones.
Such were my thoughts on the train this morning.
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Brawlizard
this = awesome.
good setting, a lot of potential.
I had just started introducing Cenda to the nanite goodness of my post-apocalyptic world when we ended that campaign too :D
The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. -Niels Bohr
Castlin
Here's some stuff would have to change from standard D&D:
* No outsiders
* Incorporeal creatures become clouds of 'nites and are slightly less immune to things
* Undead become beings controlled by a collective 'nite intelligence and are essentially equal to constructs in this capacity.
* No conjuring, but perhaps spontaneous construct animation.
* No teleportation
* Healing becomes another category of magic: there wouldn't be a distinction between divine and arcane. However, a bloodline associated with healing could claim divine intervention.
* Standardized magic-user classes seem appropriate. I'd imagine wizards maintaining a broad spectrum and keeping their item-creation stuff, then screw sorcerers and re-tool warlocks a bit. Instead of their bolt make them pick a bloodline that has a d6-based power that auto-advances with level (lightning, healing, etc.), and fiddle with the incantations and special abilities a bit.
* Other classes may get tweaked a bit, but they all seem okay except for druids, clerics, and bards, which I'd boot. Paladins... we'll remake them as a special warrior bloodline and remove the alignment focus.
* More shapeshifters, please.
Brevity is the soul of
Brawlizard
this really seems like a worthwhile project.
The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. -Niels Bohr
Castlin
Another thought: certain kinds of magic in an area is limited. Calling upon it repeatedly tires the 'nites and they go into a regerative slumber. You can keep trying, but you have to keep going farther afield and using sluggish 'nites, which slows down the process and/or makes it less powerful.
Might be too much bookkeeping, but it would keep players with a healing talent from charging everyone to full hp after every encounter for free, or someone from animating a thousand little constructs. Either that or attach some kind of personal cost, like subdual damage.
Brevity is the soul of
Brawlizard
Intellect would still give you the level of complexity that you can handle (spell level), but con would determine how long you can keep at it. You can be as smart as you want, but if you tire easily (your nanites eat all your consumable resources), you're going to lose consciousness.
The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. -Niels Bohr
LowellNumba1
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"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." ~H. R. Mencken.
Vigo
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Death is but a door and time is but a window... I'll be back
Brawlizard
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The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. -Niels Bohr
Cenda
They have cookies.
Yeah that's how I got there in September. Definitely the way to go.
Vigo
They have cookies.
Death is but a door and time is but a window... I'll be back