Pandemonium deck and Ptolus Dungeon World: Difference between pages

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''This is a magic item for [[system::Pathfinder]] based on P.D. Magnus' [http://www.decktet.com/ Decktet]. Though inspired by the ''[http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/artifacts/minor-artifacts/deck-of-many-things deck of many things]'' and its [http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/artifacts/minor-artifacts/deck-of-many-things-harrow harrow deck version], it alters the whole concept of the deck (roughly) following the model used by ''[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786958723/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786958723&linkCode=as2&tag=div05a-20 Madness at Gardmore Abbey]'' to make the deck a less destabilizing force (at least at first).''
{{tocright|limit=3}}
This page details how we converted some of the basics from the 3.5-based ''Ptolus'' to the ''[[system::Dungeon World]]'' system. It is colored by having done this to support an existing campaign, switching to ''Dungeon World'' after the characters had already reached the upper-mid levels. At these levels, 3.5 tends to be about "you saved the city!", whereas ''Dungeon World'' is designed more towards a "you might starve while hiding from the rat men" sort of aesthetic. ''Ptolus'' is a bit more high energy and optimistic than the default of ''Dungeon World''. Still, ''Dungeon World'' works very nicely in a big urban setting with lots of factions and obligation, but where dungeon crawling is still the focus of play.


'''Aura''' strong (all schools); '''CL''' 20th; '''Slot''' none; '''Weight''' —
== Characters ==


This worn fortune-teller's deck bears an evocative image upon each of its forty-five cards. The deck contains six suits (in order: moons, suns, waves, leaves, wyrms and knots) with a complex structure. For each suit, there is an Ace and a Crown. Ranked between them are other cards numbered 2 through 9, each with two suits. Four Crowns each have three suits and are ranked beneath Crowns. Four Pawns each have three suits as well, ranked below Courts. The Excuse has no suit or rank. Suit combinations do not occur with equal frequency. All cards also have a theme or meaning, written on the face of the card.
We opted to use the alternative character creation system spelled out in ''Class Warfare'', as this allowed creation of characters that more readily matched the PCs from our existing campaign. But, even had we started with new first level characters, we still would have done this. The playbooks in ''Dungeon World'' were built with an "old school" feel, and that feel isn't a great match to the more cosmopolitan Ptolus. For characters we converted, we adapted them from 3.5's 20-level system to ''Dungeon World'''s 10-level system by cutting their 3.5 levels in half.


== Individual Cards ==
Some characters required custom moves or even custom specialties (in ''Class Warfare'' terms), some of which are detailed below. Most received one or two faction moves (see below), though most starting characters probably would not.


Cards of this deck are almost never found assembled, as the deck has the ability to scatter itself at random under certain circumstances. Most who come across cards find them singly. Individual cards are no more or less durable than mundane cards, but should a card be destroyed, it disappears and reforms itself whole at some other random location in the world.  
Ptolus contains many races beyond those in ''Dungeon World''. We just built custom race moves that sounded good, tailored to the characters.


Individual cards make their presence known whenever combat begins. Whenever an initiative check is made, gather all of the cards possessed by any of the participants and draw one randomly. This card then exerts an influence on the battle. A spectral icon representing the card appears on the ground in a random square adjacent to the character who owns the selected card. Anyone standing in the square containing the icon gains the influence effect listed for that card so long as they remain in the same square as the icon. If the character moves out of the square (or the icon moves out from under the character) the influence effect ends immediately.
== Special Moves ==


At the start of each round, the icon moves 1d4-1 squares in a random direction (roll 1d8, with 1 indicating north and the other numbers indicating compass going clockwise). Any creatures standing in that square immediately gain the influence effect of the card.
The basic moves remain as is, as do most of the special moves from the book. While in Ptolus, some additional special moves are available.


Characters who own cards may spend a move action attempting to force a card they own to become the influencing card. Success on a Use Magic Item check (DC 18) causes any existing influence to vanish, and a new influence icon to appear at a random square adjacent to the card owner. Any character in that square immediately gains the influence effect of the new card.
=== Outstanding Warrants ===


The character who owns the influencing card may also spend a move action attempting to move its icon. Success on a Use Magic Item check (DC 20) allows the character to move the icon up to 15'. Any creatures standing in the destination immediately gain the influence effect of the card.
The trigger for this special move changes to "when you return to a neighborhood or establishment in which you have caused trouble before".


== Cumulative Effects ==
=== Talk to the Press ===


As more of the cards come together, the deck gains potency. If a single character holds multiple cards, they bestow additional effects, depending on the number of cards and their suit combinations. All applicable effects from the following table apply if the character owns cards that qualify. All spell-like abilities function with a caster level equal to the character's level.
When '''you conduct an interview with the press''', say what you are trying to accomplish with the interview and roll+CHA. '''On a 12+''', the resulting article conveys what you intended to convey. '''On a 10+''', the article mostly matches what you wanted, but choose one. '''On a 7-9''', the article is close to what you wanted, but you choose one and the GM chooses one.
* The story slants heavily toward the paper's bias.
* You are significantly misquoted.
* The author embellishes details far beyond reality.
* You are also made to appear to be supporting or opposing something not actually covered in the interview.


{| class="wikitable"
=== Cast From a Wand ===
|-
! card combination
! effect
|-
| any 6 cards
| You emit an aura of chaos as if you were a cleric of a chaotic deity.
|-
| any 12 cards
| You are constantly ''protected from law''.
|-
| any 18 cards
| Your alignment shifts one step toward chaotic. You may cast ''magic circle of protection from law'' 3 times/day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| any 24 cards
| You may cast ''chaos hammer'' 3 times/day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| any 30 cards
| You may cast ''dispel law'' 3 times/day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| any 36 cards
| You may cast ''word of chaos'' 3 times/day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| any 42 cards
| You may cast ''cloak of chaos'' 3 times/day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| three moons + three suns
| You may cast ''flare burst'' at will as a spell-like ability, as a swift action.
|-
| three waves + three leaves
| You may cast ''endure elements'' at will as a spell-like ability, changing the range to medium.
|-
| three wyrms + three knots
| You may ''detect chaos'' at will as a spell-like ability, as a free action.
|-
| three moons + three wyrms
| You may cast ''deathwatch'' at will as a spell-like ability, as a swift action.
|-
| three suns + three leaves
| You may cast ''defoliate'' at will as a spell-like ability.
|-
| three waves + three knots
| You may ''detect law'' at will as a spell-like ability, as a free action.
|-
| four pawns
| You may cast ''suggestion'' at will as a spell-like ability.
|-
| four courts
| You may cast ''prayer'' at will as a spell-like ability.
|-
| six aces
| You may cast ''true seeing'' on yourself at will as a spell-like ability.
|-
| six crowns
| You may cast ''scrying'' at will as a spell-like ability.
|-
| one card of each rank + the excuse
| Once per day, you may broadcast a ''sending'' which is heard by any creature who owns six or more cards.
|-
| moons of each rank
| You may cast ''beast shape iv'' twice per day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| suns of each rank
| You may cast ''sunbeam'' twice per day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| waves of each rank
| You may cast ''seamantle'' twice per day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| leaves of each rank
| You may cast ''plant shape iii'' twice per day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| wyrms of each rank
| You may cast ''form of the dragon ii'' twice per day as a spell-like ability.
|-
| knots of each rank
| You may cast ''maze'' once per day as a spell-like ability.
|}


== Completing the deck ==
When '''you release a spell from a wand''', roll+DEX. Take -2 if you lack spell casting ability. Take +1 if the spell is from your schools, spheres or repertoire, or you are otherwise familiar with casting it. Take -1 if the level of the spell equals your level. Take -2 if the level of the spell exceeds your level. '''On a 10+''', the spell is cast. '''On a 7-9''', the spell is cast, but choose one:
* The wand cannot be used again for a day.
* The spell generates feedback. You take 1d6 damage.
* You draw unwelcome attention or put yourself in a spot. The GM will tell you how.
'''On a miss''', the wand likely loses its magic, becoming a glorified stick.


Should one character assemble the complete deck, the true power of the deck reveals itself. The owner of the deck may perform an hour long ritual culminating in the owner (or someone she designates) drawing one or more cards from the deck. If the one drawing is lawful, they may draw only one card. If the one drawing is chaotic, they may draw up to three cards. Otherwise the one drawing may draw up to two cards. Regardless of who draws, the owner of the deck chooses one of the drawn cards, and the major effect listed for that card activates (targeting the one who drew it, if applicable). Afterwards, each card drawn disintegrates and reforms at a random location (as mentioned above). The owner of the deck immediately becomes aware of the location of the card that was activated (but not the others, if any). No longer in possession of a complete deck, the owner must track down the lost cards in order to draw again.
=== Copy a Spell ===


== Card Effects ==
When '''you copy a spell in a school you know from one spellbook into your own''', roll+INT. '''On a 10+''', the spell is copied perfectly. '''On a 7-9''', the spell is copied, but the GM chooses one:
* You stumble over a booby-trap in the original. You gain a random debility.
* You introduce a flaw into your copy, which you will not notice until you first cast the spell (at which point, you can correct the book). Take -3 forward to casting this spell.
* You run out of room in your spellbook, and must carry an additional book to hold this spell.
* The spell vanishes from the original spellbook.
* The act of copying the spell causes it to go off, affecting a random target.
'''On a miss''', the original spellbook suffers some kind of calamity, ruining its contents.


=== The Author ===
=== Activate Chaositech ===


'''Rank/Suits''' Two (moons, knots)
When '''you activate a chaositech device''', roll+nothing. '''On a 10+''', the device works and you take +2 forward using the device. '''On a 7-9''', the device works, but choose one. '''On a 3-6''', the device doesn't work, and the GM chooses one. '''On a 2-''', the device may seriously malfunction, you might gain a mutation, become vulnerable to the influence of chaos, or some other malady, the GM will tell you which.
* Afterwords, the device is drained of power.
* Roll 1d6. On a 1-2, the device overloads, melts down, or explodes, dealing 1d10 damage to you.
* Roll 1d6. On a 1-3, you gain a random debility.


'''Influence Effect'''
== Faction Moves ==


'''Major Effect'''
While Ptolus, as written, contains factions and politics and such, it still remains largely about dungeon-delving, with the factions probably influencing the hows and whys of such exploration. And, while you could set a game entirely about political intrigue in Ptolus, that game wouldn't be ''Dungeon World'', which is significantly more focused on dungeon-delving than politics. Even importing more political tech from other Powered-by-Apocalypse games (such as replacing Bonds with Strings from ''Monsterhearts'') strays too far. So, how to mine the rich factions and politics of the setting in a way that plays to ''Dungeon World'''s strengths? We went with adding "faction moves" to the game.


=== The Bard ===
If you get involved with some faction within the city, the GM may decide to represent your membership in or associate with that faction with a '''faction move''' reflecting the advantages and costs of dealing with that faction. The term "faction" casts an intentionally wide net, and might represent a particular guild, noble house, political affiliation, neighbourhood, organisation, society, or even race. Generally, faction moves involve a roll that exchanges possible obligation or other cost for assistance, information, matériel, bonuses or some other advantage. Most such moves will be tailored to the character. Some might be available to any character willing to pay membership dues (see Delver's Guildsman, below). Joining some factions (e.g. the Inverted Pyramid) may be so involved that doing so opens up a new specialisation rather than supplying faction moves.


'''Rank/Suits''' Crown (suns)
=== Delver's Guildsman ===


'''Influence Effect'''
When '''you research an expedition under the city in the Delver's Guild maproom''', roll+INT. '''On a 10+''', hold 3. '''On a 7-9''', hold 2, but other guildsmen get wind of your expedition. '''On a miss''', hold 1, but some of the information you find will turn out to be dangerously misleading (the GM will tell you when). Spend hold while on the expedition to choose one of the following:
* Take +1 to spout lore, discern realities or undertake a perilous journey.
* Recognize a landmark when lost.
* Find a guild waystation.


'''Major Effect'''
== Ptolus ==


=== Battle ===
While it would be possible to create Ptolus as a steading, the city is so large that it would have nearly every tag. In addition, since nearly all play in a Ptolus game happens within the city, steading moves don't work as well if you are always inside one (moves often trigger upon ''entering'' a steading). Instead, treat each district of the city as it is own steading. When you do this, tags for defenses have to change meaning a little. While the city can easily call on 3,500+ soldiers for defense (not to mention the Commissar's guns), it is more likely to matter in a game what level of law enforcement can be expected. In the steadings that follow, consider the defense tag to measure the presence and effectiveness of the city watch against crime and unrest.


'''Rank/Suits''' Four (wyrms, knots)
Similarly, the prosperity tag changes to reflect the standard of living and economic class of the residents, rather than the commerce-centric definitions given in the book. For example, the noble district is given the ''rich'' tag, even though almost no commerce or labor happens in that district. The ''Ptolus'' book should tell you everything you want to know about commerce within a given district.


'''Influence Effect'''
Lastly, you can pretty much assume the ''history'' and ''personage'' tags for all of these districts. They will not be listed.


'''Major Effect'''
=== The Docks ===


=== Betrayal ===
''poor, steady, guard, exotic (slaves)''


'''Rank/Suits''' Eight (wyrms, knots)
==== Dockmaster's Tower ====


'''Influence Effect'''
When '''you pay a suitable bribe to the dockmaster''', roll+CHA. '''On a 10+''', the dockmaster cooperates fully, then forgets all about it. '''On a 7-9''', the dockmaster cooperates fully, but later sells information about your activity to interested parties.


'''Major Effect''' The character's animal companion, familiar, cohort, or other NPC ally is alienated and forever after hostile. If the character has no such allies, the enmity of some powerful personage, community, or religious order can be substituted. This hatred remains a secret until such a time that it might be most dramatically and perilously revealed. Upon drawing this card, the character knows that someone or something will turn against him, but nothing more.
=== Guildsman District ===


=== The Borderland ===
''poor, shrinking, watch, guild (all varieties), craft (metalwork), resource (most raw materials), trade (North Market, South Market), religion (Iron God)''


'''Rank/Suits''' Pawn (waves, leaves, wyrms)
guilds?
foundry?
midden heaps?


'''Influence Effect'''
=== Midtown ===


'''Major Effect'''
''middle, steady, guard, safe, exotic (magic items), resource (fish)''


=== Calamity ===
delver's square


'''Rank/Suits''' Crowns (wyrms)
=== Necropolis ===


'''Influence Effect'''
''dirt, exodus, militia, lawless, power (death, infernal)''


'''Major Effect'''
=== Noble's Quarter ===


=== The Castle ===
''rich, steady, garrison, safe, divine (Lothian), exotic (luxury goods), power (political), power (divine)''


'''Rank/Suits''' Seven (suns, knots)
castle shard
holy palace


'''Influence Effect'''
=== North Market ===


'''Major Effect''' The character gains a personal demiplane, as per a permanent create demiplane spell.
''moderate, steady, guard, trade (outside farms), resource (food), market''


=== The Cave ===
market?


'''Rank/Suits''' Seven (waves, wyrms)
=== Oldtown ===


'''Influence Effect'''
''weathly, steady, garrison, power (Imperial, arcane, celestial), safe, guild (martial), arcane''


'''Major Effect'''
shade tower


=== The Chance Meeting ===
=== Rivergate District ===


'''Rank/Suits''' Seven (moons, leaves)
''moderate, growing, guard, safe, exotic (drugs)''


'''Influence Effect'''
dragonscales?


'''Major Effect'''
=== South Market ===


=== The Consul ===
''moderate, growing, guard, safe, market, resource (commodities, craftwork), exotic (bloodsports, books, spices, perfume)''


'''Rank/Suits''' Courts (moons, waves, knots)
gambling


'''Influence Effect'''
=== Tent CIty ===


'''Major Effect'''
''low, growing, none, lawless''


=== The Darkness ===
=== Temple District ===


'''Rank/Suits''' Nine (waves, wyrms)
''moderate, growing, guard, religion (most)''


'''Influence Effect'''
=== Warrens ===


'''Major Effect'''
=== The Spire ===


=== The Desert ===
Given that nearly all play in a Ptolus game happens within the
''rich, growing, legion, safe, religion (Church of Lothian, others), exotic (technology, magic items, slaves, drugs), oath (Empire of Tarsis), trade (every steading nearby, most major cities), market, history, arcane, divine, guild (all varieties), craft (metalwork), power (political, divine)''


'''Rank/Suits''' Two (suns, wyrms)
Like all settlements in ''Dungeon World'', Ptolus is a steading, an extremely large and prosperous one. Most locations in the city make available at least one custom move. Some examples:


'''Influence Effect'''
''when you worship at the...''


'''Major Effect'''
''when you enter the Necropolis at night...''


=== The Diplomat ===
''when you use the observatory...''


'''Rank/Suits''' Eight (moons, suns)
and so on.


'''Influence Effect'''
== Specialties ==


'''Major Effect'''
The following are some additional specialties for use with the ''Class Warfare'' character creation concept. Most of these exist to better match some d20 or ''Pathfinder'' concepts.


=== The Discovery ===
=== Alchemist ===


'''Rank/Suits''' Five (suns, waves)
[[Alchemist Specialty|Alchemists]] mix strange reagents to alter their forms and blow stuff up. This specialty is a loose approximation of the parts of ''Pathfinder's'' alchemist class that ever saw play at our table.


'''Influence Effect''' The character knows the exact identity and location of all cards from the ''pandemonium deck'' within 300', even if contained within extra-dimensional spaces or protected from divination.
=== Chaositechnician ===


'''Major Effect''' This card grants the character the one-time ability to call upon an omniscient spirit to fully answer any question or solve any single puzzle. Whether the information revealed can be effectively acted upon is another question entirely. The character may use this card's effect whenever he wishes, but only once.
=== Dragon Heir ===


=== The End ===
The blood of a dragon courses through the veins of a [[Dragon Heir Specialty|dragon heir]], gifting the character with innate magical ability and some of the traits of their sire. We added this to handle ''Pathfinder's'' draconic sorcerer bloodline, but breaking it into a specialty makes more open ended than just for sorcerers.


'''Rank/Suits''' Crowns (leaves)
=== Hierophant ===


'''Influence Effect'''
A [[Hierophant Specialty|hierophant]] forms the basis of characters who can cast both arcane and divine magic. These are a type of Vancian caster that can use spheres of influence as well as schools of magic, though limited to casting spells below their own level.


'''Major Effect'''
=== Inverted Pyramid ===


=== The Excuse ===
=== Knight of the Pale ===


'''Rank/Suits''' None (none)
=== Spontaneous Caster ===


'''Influence Effect'''
A [[Spontaneous Caster Specialty|spontaneous caster]] connects to magic on an intimate, personal level, naturally manifesting spell-casting ability. This specialty exists to match d20-style sorcerers and other spontaneous casters, casting a more limited selection of spells, more often.


'''Major Effect''' the cards scatter.
== Monsters ==


=== The Forest ===
=== Ratmen ===
''horde, small, stealthy, cautious, intelligent, organized''<br/>
Sword (close, d6 damage), 3 HP, 1 Armor


'''Rank/Suits''' Five (moons, leaves)
The government offers a bounty on these degenerate, conniving, repulsive rats that walk upright and use tools. They eat almost anything organic but, though ferocious when cornered, are cowardly otherwise and avoid fights in which they lack a clear upper hand. Ratmen revere disease but fear light and dislike fire. Instinct: to scavenge
* Bum rush
* Disappear into the garbage
* Spread disease and filth


'''Influence Effect'''
=== Albino Ratmen ===
''solitary, stealthy, cautious, intelligent, organized''<br/>
Pistol (near, d10 damage), 12 HP, 2 armor


'''Major Effect'''
Albino ratmen always lead their groups (though not all ratmen leaders are albino), blessed with both greater intelligence and ambition. Favored among their own kind, they also carry the best gear. Instinct: to revel in the misery of others
* Stir the nest to fight
* Infect with a bite
* Use other ratmen as shields


=== The Harvest ===
=== Ratbrute ===
''solitary, large, intelligent, organized''<br/>
Greatsword (close, reach, d10+1 damage), 14 HP, 3 armor


'''Rank/Suits''' Pawn (moons, suns, leaves)
Albino ratmen always lead their groups (though not all ratmen leaders are albino), blessed with both greater intelligence and ambition. Favored among their own kind, they also carry the best gear. Instinct: to ruin
* Rip something apart
* Infect with a bite
* Defend the nest


'''Influence Effect'''
=== Rhodintor ===
''group, intelligent, magical''<br/>
Battleaxe (close, d8 damage), 12 HP, 3 armor


'''Major Effect'''
As creations of the Galchutt, rhodintor are not true demons, though they are every bit as devious and brutal. Instinct: to further the goals of chaos
 
* Electrocute
=== The Huntress ===
* Dispel magic
 
* Operate chaositech
'''Rank/Suits''' Crown (moons)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Island ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Courts (suns, waves, wyrms)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Journey ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Three (moons, waves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Knot ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Leaves ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (leaves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Light Keeper ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Pawn (suns, waves, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Lunatic ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Six (moons, waves)
 
'''Influence Effect''' For every five points of damage the character deals to a target with a melee attack, the target gains a +1 morale bonus to Strength and -1 AC penalty. Multiple attacks are cumulative (to a maximum of +7 Strength, -7 AC).
 
'''Major Effect''' The character gains the lycanthrope template, becoming a weretiger lycanthrope, and as such, remove disease and heal have no affect on this affliction.
 
=== The Market ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Six (leaves, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Merchant ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Nine (leaves, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect''' The mysterious entity known as the Foreign Trader appears and offers the character any treasure he wishes in return for years of his life. If the character accepts, he must choose to age a number of age categories. The character takes all the ability score penalties for his new age, but gains none of the benefits. For each age category he advances, however, he gains 20,000 gp worth of credit with the Foreign Trader, which can be spent on any non-unique magic items. Any credit a character does not spend is lost. After the character is done spending his credit, the Foreign Trader vanishes. Years taken by the Foreign Trader cannot be restored by any means. The Foreign Trader does not trade with characters who cannot die of old age. If the character is immortal, the Foreign Trader vanishes, leaving behind another card. If the character declines to bargain with the Foreign Trader, the trader disappears in a puff of acrid yellow smoke.
 
=== The Mill ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Eight (waves, leaves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Moon ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (moons)
 
'''Influence Effect''' If the character casts a spell of up to 4th level, it does not consume one of the character's spells per day.
 
'''Major Effect''' The character is granted a single wish. This wish functions similarly to the spell ''wish'' when it comes to affecting rules and statistics, but can also change reality in ways outside the bounds of the spell's effects—such as rerouting a river or ending a war. The GM decides what the wish can and cannot accomplish.
 
=== The Mountain ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Four (moons, suns)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Origin ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Two (waves, leaves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Pact ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Nine (moons, suns)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Painter ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Three (suns, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Penitent ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Six (suns, wyrms)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Rite ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Courts (moons, leaves, wyrms)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Sailor ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Four (waves, leaves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Savage ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Three (leaves, wyrms)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Sea ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Crown (waves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Soldier ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Five (wyrms, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Sun ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (suns)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Watchman ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Pawn (moons, wyrms, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Wave ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (waves)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Windfall ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Crown (knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Window ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Courts (suns, leaves, knots)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
=== The Wyrm ===
 
'''Rank/Suits''' Ace (wyrms)
 
'''Influence Effect'''
 
'''Major Effect'''
 
== Destruction ==
 
If the entire deck is assembled and then the cards ordered by rank, then the first suit on the card, a ''dispel chaos'' spell will cause the deck to disintegrate without regenerating.
 
[[Category:Magic Item]]

Revision as of 22:47, 18 December 2014

This page details how we converted some of the basics from the 3.5-based Ptolus to the Dungeon World system. It is colored by having done this to support an existing campaign, switching to Dungeon World after the characters had already reached the upper-mid levels. At these levels, 3.5 tends to be about "you saved the city!", whereas Dungeon World is designed more towards a "you might starve while hiding from the rat men" sort of aesthetic. Ptolus is a bit more high energy and optimistic than the default of Dungeon World. Still, Dungeon World works very nicely in a big urban setting with lots of factions and obligation, but where dungeon crawling is still the focus of play.

Characters

We opted to use the alternative character creation system spelled out in Class Warfare, as this allowed creation of characters that more readily matched the PCs from our existing campaign. But, even had we started with new first level characters, we still would have done this. The playbooks in Dungeon World were built with an "old school" feel, and that feel isn't a great match to the more cosmopolitan Ptolus. For characters we converted, we adapted them from 3.5's 20-level system to Dungeon World's 10-level system by cutting their 3.5 levels in half.

Some characters required custom moves or even custom specialties (in Class Warfare terms), some of which are detailed below. Most received one or two faction moves (see below), though most starting characters probably would not.

Ptolus contains many races beyond those in Dungeon World. We just built custom race moves that sounded good, tailored to the characters.

Special Moves

The basic moves remain as is, as do most of the special moves from the book. While in Ptolus, some additional special moves are available.

Outstanding Warrants

The trigger for this special move changes to "when you return to a neighborhood or establishment in which you have caused trouble before".

Talk to the Press

When you conduct an interview with the press, say what you are trying to accomplish with the interview and roll+CHA. On a 12+, the resulting article conveys what you intended to convey. On a 10+, the article mostly matches what you wanted, but choose one. On a 7-9, the article is close to what you wanted, but you choose one and the GM chooses one.

  • The story slants heavily toward the paper's bias.
  • You are significantly misquoted.
  • The author embellishes details far beyond reality.
  • You are also made to appear to be supporting or opposing something not actually covered in the interview.

Cast From a Wand

When you release a spell from a wand, roll+DEX. Take -2 if you lack spell casting ability. Take +1 if the spell is from your schools, spheres or repertoire, or you are otherwise familiar with casting it. Take -1 if the level of the spell equals your level. Take -2 if the level of the spell exceeds your level. On a 10+, the spell is cast. On a 7-9, the spell is cast, but choose one:

  • The wand cannot be used again for a day.
  • The spell generates feedback. You take 1d6 damage.
  • You draw unwelcome attention or put yourself in a spot. The GM will tell you how.

On a miss, the wand likely loses its magic, becoming a glorified stick.

Copy a Spell

When you copy a spell in a school you know from one spellbook into your own, roll+INT. On a 10+, the spell is copied perfectly. On a 7-9, the spell is copied, but the GM chooses one:

  • You stumble over a booby-trap in the original. You gain a random debility.
  • You introduce a flaw into your copy, which you will not notice until you first cast the spell (at which point, you can correct the book). Take -3 forward to casting this spell.
  • You run out of room in your spellbook, and must carry an additional book to hold this spell.
  • The spell vanishes from the original spellbook.
  • The act of copying the spell causes it to go off, affecting a random target.

On a miss, the original spellbook suffers some kind of calamity, ruining its contents.

Activate Chaositech

When you activate a chaositech device, roll+nothing. On a 10+, the device works and you take +2 forward using the device. On a 7-9, the device works, but choose one. On a 3-6, the device doesn't work, and the GM chooses one. On a 2-, the device may seriously malfunction, you might gain a mutation, become vulnerable to the influence of chaos, or some other malady, the GM will tell you which.

  • Afterwords, the device is drained of power.
  • Roll 1d6. On a 1-2, the device overloads, melts down, or explodes, dealing 1d10 damage to you.
  • Roll 1d6. On a 1-3, you gain a random debility.

Faction Moves

While Ptolus, as written, contains factions and politics and such, it still remains largely about dungeon-delving, with the factions probably influencing the hows and whys of such exploration. And, while you could set a game entirely about political intrigue in Ptolus, that game wouldn't be Dungeon World, which is significantly more focused on dungeon-delving than politics. Even importing more political tech from other Powered-by-Apocalypse games (such as replacing Bonds with Strings from Monsterhearts) strays too far. So, how to mine the rich factions and politics of the setting in a way that plays to Dungeon World's strengths? We went with adding "faction moves" to the game.

If you get involved with some faction within the city, the GM may decide to represent your membership in or associate with that faction with a faction move reflecting the advantages and costs of dealing with that faction. The term "faction" casts an intentionally wide net, and might represent a particular guild, noble house, political affiliation, neighbourhood, organisation, society, or even race. Generally, faction moves involve a roll that exchanges possible obligation or other cost for assistance, information, matériel, bonuses or some other advantage. Most such moves will be tailored to the character. Some might be available to any character willing to pay membership dues (see Delver's Guildsman, below). Joining some factions (e.g. the Inverted Pyramid) may be so involved that doing so opens up a new specialisation rather than supplying faction moves.

Delver's Guildsman

When you research an expedition under the city in the Delver's Guild maproom, roll+INT. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2, but other guildsmen get wind of your expedition. On a miss, hold 1, but some of the information you find will turn out to be dangerously misleading (the GM will tell you when). Spend hold while on the expedition to choose one of the following:

  • Take +1 to spout lore, discern realities or undertake a perilous journey.
  • Recognize a landmark when lost.
  • Find a guild waystation.

Ptolus

While it would be possible to create Ptolus as a steading, the city is so large that it would have nearly every tag. In addition, since nearly all play in a Ptolus game happens within the city, steading moves don't work as well if you are always inside one (moves often trigger upon entering a steading). Instead, treat each district of the city as it is own steading. When you do this, tags for defenses have to change meaning a little. While the city can easily call on 3,500+ soldiers for defense (not to mention the Commissar's guns), it is more likely to matter in a game what level of law enforcement can be expected. In the steadings that follow, consider the defense tag to measure the presence and effectiveness of the city watch against crime and unrest.

Similarly, the prosperity tag changes to reflect the standard of living and economic class of the residents, rather than the commerce-centric definitions given in the book. For example, the noble district is given the rich tag, even though almost no commerce or labor happens in that district. The Ptolus book should tell you everything you want to know about commerce within a given district.

Lastly, you can pretty much assume the history and personage tags for all of these districts. They will not be listed.

The Docks

poor, steady, guard, exotic (slaves)

Dockmaster's Tower

When you pay a suitable bribe to the dockmaster, roll+CHA. On a 10+, the dockmaster cooperates fully, then forgets all about it. On a 7-9, the dockmaster cooperates fully, but later sells information about your activity to interested parties.

Guildsman District

poor, shrinking, watch, guild (all varieties), craft (metalwork), resource (most raw materials), trade (North Market, South Market), religion (Iron God)

guilds? foundry? midden heaps?

Midtown

middle, steady, guard, safe, exotic (magic items), resource (fish)

delver's square

Necropolis

dirt, exodus, militia, lawless, power (death, infernal)

Noble's Quarter

rich, steady, garrison, safe, divine (Lothian), exotic (luxury goods), power (political), power (divine)

castle shard holy palace

North Market

moderate, steady, guard, trade (outside farms), resource (food), market

market?

Oldtown

weathly, steady, garrison, power (Imperial, arcane, celestial), safe, guild (martial), arcane

shade tower

Rivergate District

moderate, growing, guard, safe, exotic (drugs)

dragonscales?

South Market

moderate, growing, guard, safe, market, resource (commodities, craftwork), exotic (bloodsports, books, spices, perfume)

gambling

Tent CIty

low, growing, none, lawless

Temple District

moderate, growing, guard, religion (most)

Warrens

The Spire

Given that nearly all play in a Ptolus game happens within the rich, growing, legion, safe, religion (Church of Lothian, others), exotic (technology, magic items, slaves, drugs), oath (Empire of Tarsis), trade (every steading nearby, most major cities), market, history, arcane, divine, guild (all varieties), craft (metalwork), power (political, divine)

Like all settlements in Dungeon World, Ptolus is a steading, an extremely large and prosperous one. Most locations in the city make available at least one custom move. Some examples:

when you worship at the...

when you enter the Necropolis at night...

when you use the observatory...

and so on.

Specialties

The following are some additional specialties for use with the Class Warfare character creation concept. Most of these exist to better match some d20 or Pathfinder concepts.

Alchemist

Alchemists mix strange reagents to alter their forms and blow stuff up. This specialty is a loose approximation of the parts of Pathfinder's alchemist class that ever saw play at our table.

Chaositechnician

Dragon Heir

The blood of a dragon courses through the veins of a dragon heir, gifting the character with innate magical ability and some of the traits of their sire. We added this to handle Pathfinder's draconic sorcerer bloodline, but breaking it into a specialty makes more open ended than just for sorcerers.

Hierophant

A hierophant forms the basis of characters who can cast both arcane and divine magic. These are a type of Vancian caster that can use spheres of influence as well as schools of magic, though limited to casting spells below their own level.

Inverted Pyramid

Knight of the Pale

Spontaneous Caster

A spontaneous caster connects to magic on an intimate, personal level, naturally manifesting spell-casting ability. This specialty exists to match d20-style sorcerers and other spontaneous casters, casting a more limited selection of spells, more often.

Monsters

Ratmen

horde, small, stealthy, cautious, intelligent, organized
Sword (close, d6 damage), 3 HP, 1 Armor

The government offers a bounty on these degenerate, conniving, repulsive rats that walk upright and use tools. They eat almost anything organic but, though ferocious when cornered, are cowardly otherwise and avoid fights in which they lack a clear upper hand. Ratmen revere disease but fear light and dislike fire. Instinct: to scavenge

  • Bum rush
  • Disappear into the garbage
  • Spread disease and filth

Albino Ratmen

solitary, stealthy, cautious, intelligent, organized
Pistol (near, d10 damage), 12 HP, 2 armor

Albino ratmen always lead their groups (though not all ratmen leaders are albino), blessed with both greater intelligence and ambition. Favored among their own kind, they also carry the best gear. Instinct: to revel in the misery of others

  • Stir the nest to fight
  • Infect with a bite
  • Use other ratmen as shields

Ratbrute

solitary, large, intelligent, organized
Greatsword (close, reach, d10+1 damage), 14 HP, 3 armor

Albino ratmen always lead their groups (though not all ratmen leaders are albino), blessed with both greater intelligence and ambition. Favored among their own kind, they also carry the best gear. Instinct: to ruin

  • Rip something apart
  • Infect with a bite
  • Defend the nest

Rhodintor

group, intelligent, magical
Battleaxe (close, d8 damage), 12 HP, 3 armor

As creations of the Galchutt, rhodintor are not true demons, though they are every bit as devious and brutal. Instinct: to further the goals of chaos

  • Electrocute
  • Dispel magic
  • Operate chaositech
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