Savage Souls (Inactive)

Game Master rungok

Hullo all!

I'm looking to see how much interest there would be in joining me for a Dark Souls game using the Savage Worlds system. The setting rules are on this page, but most of it won't be necessary right off the bat as I've intended on easing people into the specific mechanics of the Dark Souls side of things.

I'm looking to see if there are at least 4 people who would be willing to try out the conversion with me. If the game happens, I'm going to be setting it in the first age of fire and in the kingdom of Astora, where the characters start off as ordinary humans. Everyone would be making novice characters, please read the above material for any specifics before asking questions... However, if you have questions, please ask!

... I guess that's it for now. Hope to see some responses!

This could be very interesting.

I'd play it.

Same, I love the souls series. Not sure what I'd play though.

Preferably, I'd like to see at least one of the arcane backgrounds and a knightly type since Astora is known for the quality of its knights. Everything is open, however.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I will be playing a fire keeper using a bonfire sword and pyromancy, with the bonfire sword acting as my catalyst. I can get more into it, I GM a DS game for Pathfinder so I'm fairly confident in my ability to get something together.

I play Pathfinder lots, but Savage Worlds does look interesting.
I have the rules at home, but haven't had a chance to play it yet.

I wouldn't mind giving it a go, if the GM has patience and a good sense of humour.

I will be playing a fire keeper using a bonfire sword and pyromancy, with the bonfire sword acting as my catalyst. I can get more into it, I GM a DS game for Pathfinder so I'm fairly confident in my ability to get something together.

I don't have any info on playing a fire keeper yet, so would you be willing to work with me on setting it up? I didnt realize people would want to play one out the bat. Actually, would you be willing to start without being a firekeeper yet, since I'm starting everyone as a normal human? You can do pyromancy just fine and I can have something for being a firekeeper by the time the game gets going. I think at the moment I consider fire-keeping as a part of being an undead, and where I'm starting people undead are just barely a thing yet. (First age of fire)

I play Pathfinder lots, but Savage Worlds does look interesting.

I have the rules at home, but haven't had a chance to play it yet.

I wouldn't mind giving it a go, if the GM has patience and a good sense of humour.

Yes, I wouldn't mind working with players new to the system! That's partially why I'm asking people to start with regular characters; less system bloat to take in at the start!

I also have a sense of humor. Whether or not it's good... Who knows? No joke characters is where I set my foot down, but lighthearted is just fine. (I.E. I won't accept a guy named 'GiantDad', but a duelist with a Zweihander and an ego with a normal name? Sure.)

I generally am interested in any game played in SW (I know it well, having played and GM'd many games in it, albeit all PbP), altho I've never played Dark Souls. Having read the conversion sheet, I'd be interested in playing an AB/Miracles character, with a few questions :

How would Healing work, given that I and/or the target of my Healing might be "alive" (Humanity) or undead?

Are there any restrictions to Powers that an AB/Miracles PC can select?

What kind of "vow" would an AB/Miracles PC have?

Would you be using Power Points, or No Power Points?

Thanks!

So I'm a huge fan of the souls series, but I've never played savage worlds. It's one of those games that's been at the top of my list to play, I've just never had the chance. Is there a rules srd or something similar that can be found online?

How would Healing work, given that I and/or the target of my Healing might be "alive" (Humanity) or undead?

Miracles will heal humans or undead the same way; that's part of what makes them miraculous.

Are there any restrictions to Powers that an AB/Miracles PC can select?

I haven't built the comprehensive powers list for each AB (That's next on my list after the firekeeper thing). But, as a baseline, miracles tend to be healing/status removal, but there are some attack type spells as well (Lightning spear being the primary example). Basically, a miracle spell is actually a small snippet of a 'tale of the gods', that by reciting the scripture you can evoke a specific effect.

What kind of "vow" would an AB/Miracles PC have?

That's right, I need to add more context. AB:Miracles characters would be vowed to serve 'The Way of the White', a religion that's quite prevalent in Astora. It's a church run by Saint Lloyd, who was one fo the first people to understand the tales of the gods and bring miracles to man.

Would you be using Power Points, or No Power Points?

We will be using standard power points. (No, I'm not going to use any powers from the Superpowers companion, btw)

Thanks!

You're welcome!

So I'm a huge fan of the souls series, but I've never played savage worlds. It's one of those games that's been at the top of my list to play, I've just never had the chance. Is there a rules srd or something similar that can be found online?

Here's the Test Drive PDF, which contains the entire rules system so you can grok the mechanics and stuff.

Count me in! Depending on the available Powers list, I *might* want to switch to AB/Magic, but I'll stick with Miracles for the moment...

Oh, one other question, I guess - will we be starting as just-made (0 XP) characters?

I'm interested. A knight or a mercenary, maybe with just a bit of magic (or not).

Count me in! Depending on the available Powers list, I *might* want to switch to AB/Magic, but I'll stick with Miracles for the moment...

Oh, one other question, I guess - will we be starting as just-made (0 XP) characters?

Indeed. You will be making Novice starting characters.

If you want, tell me about what kind of powers you WANT to take, and I can offer suggestions on what trappings to select to make them fit in the lore of the world. If it just won't work for some reason, we can figure things out. ;)
(The only power off the top of my head that would be completely denied is the Zombie power...)

I'm interested. A knight or a mercenary, maybe with just a bit of magic (or not).

Works just fine for me! Thankfully none of the AB's are affected by equipment, so you can be a sorcery-slinging knight if you want.

OH! That brings up something I need to make clear. I will be insisting we keep track of our encumbrance! Weight is critically important in both Dark Souls and Savage Worlds, so that's something I can't overlook.

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Yes, I wouldn't mind working with players new to the system! That's partially why I'm asking people to start with regular characters; less system bloat to take in at the start!

I also have a sense of humour. Whether or not it's good... Who knows? No joke characters is where I set my foot down, but lighthearted is just fine. (I.E. I won't accept a guy named 'GiantDad', but a duellist with a Zweihander and an ego with a normal name? Sure.)
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Cool! Hope it does go forward, then.

I shan't use a name like Silius Sorus or Nautius Maximus or Bigus (you-know-who) :D
I'm a life-time Monty Python fan, obviously.

I'll look through the SW rules, and your link, and see if I can get any ideas.
I also have the Savage Worlds module installed on Hero Lab, so that will help in the number crunching bits.

GM Mercanian wrote:

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Yes, I wouldn't mind working with players new to the system! That's partially why I'm asking people to start with regular characters; less system bloat to take in at the start!

I also have a sense of humour. Whether or not it's good... Who knows? No joke characters is where I set my foot down, but lighthearted is just fine. (I.E. I won't accept a guy named 'GiantDad', but a duellist with a Zweihander and an ego with a normal name? Sure.)
⋮

Cool! Hope it does go forward, then.

I shan't use a name like Silius Sorus or Nautius Maximus or Bigus (you-know-who) :D
I'm a life-time Monty Python fan, obviously.

I'll look through the SW rules, and your link, and see if I can get any ideas.
I also have the Savage Worlds module installed on Hero Lab, so that will help in the number crunching bits.

Savage worlds is really easy to work with, so even if you're in just the trial mode, you can build a character and jot down its stats in like 5 minutes.

I don't have any info on playing a fire keeper yet, so would you be willing to work with me on setting it up? I didnt realize people would want to play one out the bat. Actually, would you be willing to start without being a firekeeper yet, since I'm starting everyone as a normal human? You can do pyromancy just fine and I can have something for being a firekeeper by the time the game gets going. I think at the moment I consider fire-keeping as a part of being an undead, and where I'm starting people undead are just barely a thing yet. (First age of fire)

I don't think that's the case. Shanalotte was definitely human (-ish) and the description of the Fire Keeper soul from the first game doesn't imply anything about the person being undead, only that they are tied intrinsically to humanity. Speaking of, during the first age of fire there would still be a need for firekeepers to keep the fires lit.

So, yeah, I'd like to start as a firekeeper if it's all the same, but if that's a deal breaker I guess I'll figure something out.

Quote: I don't have any info on playing a fire keeper yet, so would you be willing to work with me on setting it up? I didnt realize people would want to play one out the bat. Actually, would you be willing to start without being a firekeeper yet, since I'm starting everyone as a normal human? You can do pyromancy just fine and I can have something for being a firekeeper by the time the game gets going. I think at the moment I consider fire-keeping as a part of being an undead, and where I'm starting people undead are just barely a thing yet. (First age of fire) I don't think that's the case. Shanalotte was definitely human (-ish) and the description of the Fire Keeper soul from the first game doesn't imply anything about the person being undead, only that they are tied intrinsically to humanity. Speaking of, during the first age of fire there would still be a need for firekeepers to keep the fires lit. So, yeah, I'd like to start as a firekeeper if it's all the same, but if that's a deal breaker I guess I'll figure something out.

Thats a good point. I think we can make it work. What would you want the background to do, exactly?

Im thinking a background edge, btw.

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Johnnycat93 wrote:

Quote: I don't have any info on playing a fire keeper yet, so would you be willing to work with me on setting it up? I didnt realize people would want to play one out the bat. Actually, would you be willing to start without being a firekeeper yet, since I'm starting everyone as a normal human? You can do pyromancy just fine and I can have something for being a firekeeper by the time the game gets going. I think at the moment I consider fire-keeping as a part of being an undead, and where I'm starting people undead are just barely a thing yet. (First age of fire) I don't think that's the case. Shanalotte was definitely human (-ish) and the description of the Fire Keeper soul from the first game doesn't imply anything about the person being undead, only that they are tied intrinsically to humanity. Speaking of, during the first age of fire there would still be a need for firekeepers to keep the fires lit. So, yeah, I'd like to start as a firekeeper if it's all the same, but if that's a deal breaker I guess I'll figure something out.

Thats a good point. I think we can make it work. What would you want the background to do, exactly?

Im thinking a background edge, btw.

This is the ability I wrote for Pathfinder:

So a minor boost to pyromancy use thanks to the sword (I hope everyone knows when I refer to the bonfire sword, I'm referencing the twisted iron sword that sticks out of a bonfire, not the huge greatsword out of DS 3) and then the sword itself.

EDIT: actually, checking my records you played a firekeeper in one of my games. Huh, small world.

Yes I did!

Well, I think taking it as a background edge will allow this:
Fire Keeper (Background)
You start with a coiled sword (Regular longsword stat-wise). Using the coiled sword as an implement grants +1 on pyromancy activation checks. You also can 'tend' to a bonfire by putting your coiled sword in the bonfire. While doing so, the bonfire provides Estus to undead and grants improved healing to normal mortals (+1 to vigor checks to heal). Additionally, as an added benefit, the bonfire won't ever 'go out' even if there's no new fuel added.

Yes i did!

Well, i think taking it as a background edge will allow this:
You start with a coiled sword. +1 on pyromancy activation checks. You also can can 'tend' to a bonfire by putting your coiled sword in it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Just for the record, it looks like the setting document you linked to in OP also includes a Fire Keeper Veteran edge. I think it's fine to have one as a background and another as a veteran edge, but that'd be up to you I suppose.

GM Mercanian wrote:

Yes i did!

Well, i think taking it as a background edge will allow this:
You start with a coiled sword. +1 on pyromancy activation checks. You also can can 'tend' to a bonfire by putting your coiled sword in it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Just for the record, it looks like the setting document you linked to in OP also includes a Fire Keeper Veteran edge. I think it's fine to have one as a background and another as a veteran edge, but that'd be up to you I suppose.

Sorry I was editing the prior post. Yeah, I'm actually going to include a Veteran Edge that will do something more advanced than just the basics I included in the prior post.

Johnnycat93 wrote:

GM Mercanian wrote:

Yes i did!

Well, i think taking it as a background edge will allow this:
You start with a coiled sword. +1 on pyromancy activation checks. You also can can 'tend' to a bonfire by putting your coiled sword in it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Just for the record, it looks like the setting document you linked to in OP also includes a Fire Keeper Veteran edge. I think it's fine to have one as a background and another as a veteran edge, but that'd be up to you I suppose.

Sorry I was editing the prior post. Yeah, I'm actually going to include a Veteran Edge that will do something more advanced than just the basics I included in the prior post.

Got it,

So I'm doing some outlining.

Human will grant me one free edge for Arcane Background. After that, I'm considering taking Blind as a hindrance, which will give me two more edges (one for Firekeeper, then one unclaimed). I'll also probably pick up two minor ones also.

How much freedom do we have with making stuff? I wanted to mitigate some of the penalties of being blind with magic. Perhaps something like toph in the last airbender, but with fire?

I haven't thought that much about it... But it's surprising how many blind creatures there are in DS... and how do they see after all?

I haven't figured it out yet, but if you want to do something other than blind, and just flavor yourself as being so, that works. Mainly, because any way to get around the blind hindrance would cost an edge anyways, as far as mechanics are concerned.

Sure, but technically Blind gives two edges, so I'd still come out with one edge. I'll continue looking at my options. What are we allowed to use for sources? There's some other supplements outside of the core book that add edges that I could use to mitigate things.

Fantasy companion? That's the only other one I have.

Ok, that works. The fantasy companion has the familiar edge that I can use. There's also This supplement, but it's 3pp I believe. However, the heightened senses edges are pretty much what I'd need to run a blind character without having to worry about walking off cliffs

I will allow heightened senses and the improved one if you wish to take it later.

Actually, a character with blind treats Improved Heightened Senses as a novice edge.

The end result is that I'll be mostly blind - I won't be able to read or see color, etc. - but I also won't be walking into tables and I can still smack folks with my sword every once and a while.

Actually, a character with blind treats Improved Heightened Senses as a novice edge.

The end result is that I'll be mostly blind - I won't be able to read or see color, etc. - but I also won't be walking into tables and I can still smack folks with my sword every once and a while.

Fantastic. Works for me!

I’ve played in one Savage Worlds game on these boards. I don’t have any knowledge about Dark Souls and only done a cursory search about the setting. Other than the link above, is there any other site you’d recommend for setting information?

I have a question about armor. What the price and weight of a chain hauberk and leather armor will be if I want to divide them by piece? Like a plate armor - torso, arms and legs. Just divide the price and weight by 3 and round up?

I have several questions about the setting, since I've never played Dark Souls :

Is the only available race Human?
What's the tech level - medieval, modern, futuristic?
What skills would you recommend as important, besides Fighting/Shooting, and Notice? Any important Knowledge skills specific to this setting?
How would the Holy Warrior Edge work in this setting, as I assume the PC's will be turning into undead at some point? If I were undead, would it repulse Humans?

I'm already working on a PC, I'll present it once I have answers to the above. Thanks!

GM Mercanian:

What would be a good start for building a sorcerous type?
Typical stats and that sort of thing.

I've got the Savage World Deluxe Edition at home, as well as SW on HL, if that helps.

I should be okay for figuring out what to do if I've got a starting point.

I’ve played in one Savage Worlds game on these boards. I don’t have any knowledge about Dark Souls and only done a cursory search about the setting. Other than the link above, is there any other site you’d recommend for setting information?

I don't have a single web-site, so to speak, but if you want to get into an interesting look at the lore of the games, I suggest looking up Vaatividya on youtube (check link). He has a series going over the lore of each of the Dark Souls game (only DS1 is needed if you want to make it quick) that's very insightful and in-depth. I am going to be basing some of my lore 'decisions' off of his videos, since Dark Souls is known for leaving some bits of lore nebulous.

I have a question about armor. What the price and weight of a chain hauberk and leather armor will be if I want to divide them by piece? Like a plate armor - torso, arms and legs. Just divide the price and weight by 3 and round up?

Yeah that works for me. Body slots are Head, Torso, Arms, and Legs, so anything that would normally be multiple pieces should just be divided up as evenly as possible. Round up.

I have several questions about the setting, since I've never played Dark Souls :

Is the only available race Human?
What's the tech level - medieval, modern, futuristic?
What skills would you recommend as important, besides Fighting/Shooting, and Notice? Any important Knowledge skills specific to this setting?
How would the Holy Warrior Edge work in this setting, as I assume the PC's will be turning into undead at some point? If I were undead, would it repulse Humans?

I'm already working on a PC, I'll present it once I have answers to the above. Thanks!

Good questions!

Skills! Each caster type (Pyromancy, Sorcery, and Miracles) needs a skill for 'casting' their spells. This will help determine when they get a raise on their magic, etc.
They are Faith (Miracles), Spellcasting (Sorcery), and Flame control (Pyromancy).

Repair may be quite helpful, since combat with bigger than life monsters can be hard on your equipment and they will break without regular maintenance. Having some skill at stealth can open doors for characters. Knowledges can be useful, but depend on the subject. (History can yield important stories for later on in the game). Healing is great for the living... not so much for undead.

Holy Warrior will work as intended. As with healing miracles, the state of Undead is very much different from how Pathfinder interprets it. The ability of Holy Warrior would work on completely hollow undead, but non-evil, non-hollow undead (including yourself) would just be treated as a normal character.

If you go hollow, your Holy Warrior edge changes to unholy warrior, and it works on the living/undead instead of Hollows!

GM Mercanian:

What would be a good start for building a sorcerous type?
Typical stats and that sort of thing.

I've got the Savage World Deluxe Edition at home, as well as SW on HL, if that helps.

I should be okay for figuring out what to do if I've got a starting point.

Having a high smarts and spirit is a must for sorcery characters. The extra Power Points Edge is fantastic to give you more spells cast before resting. The aforementioned Spellcasting skill is also needed to cast spells at all. Then, when you've figured out what powers you want to start with, post them up here and we can work on texturing them to fit the world.

Are we doing statblocks now?

Sure. Go ahead. I'll just use this for recruitment since it seems we have at least 3 interested

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Xunal wrote:

GM Mercanian:

What would be a good start for building a sorcerous type?
Typical stats and that sort of thing.
I've got the Savage World Deluxe Edition at home, as well as SW on HL, if that helps.
I should be okay for figuring out what to do if I've got a starting point.

Having a high smarts and spirit is a must for sorcery characters. The extra Power Points Edge is fantastic to give you more spells cast before resting. The aforementioned Spellcasting skill is also needed to cast spells at all. Then, when you've figured out what powers you want to start with, post them up here and we can work on texturing them to fit the world.

Right! I'll see what I can come up with.

What are Starting Powers and Power Points for Pyromancy?

Power points are 10
Powers I've curated so far are:
Battle Lust (Power Within)
Bolt (Fireball)
Burst (Great Combustion)
Damage Field (Firestorm)
Elemental Manipulation (Fire)
Smite (Flame weapon)
Fire Walk (Flash Sweat)
Jet (Fire Snake)
Blast (Fire Orb)
Havoc (Chaos Storm)

Now keep in mind some of those have a rank requirement. If you happen to have noticed a spell that I overlooked please point it out to me.

Ok, how many powers does pyromancy start with? You're also missing Warmth

So, the crunch so far looks like this:

I'm a little bit over my finances with the gear, but Ordric is Count, so I think that's fine, no? ;) I also assume that some mundane items like clothes, some food, torches, stuff like this he can procure easily enough.

Also, about the Noble edge. Will it be relevant in your game?

What about riding, swimming or climbing?

Madcaster, you might want to up your Strength and/or lighten up on the equipment. A -1 to every Agility, Strength, Fighting, Shooting, Stealth, Riding, Climbing, etal. roll is a *big* deal in SW, unlike in Pathfinder/D&D. A -1 to a d6 roll drops your chances of success from 75% down to 55%, and a -1 to a d8 roll drops your chances from 81% down to 67%!

Mercanian - so, how common are evil, completely Hollow undead in this world? :) Or would Holy Warrior work on *any* completely Hollow undead (and if so, how common are they)?

Also, since this is the world we grew up in, will there be many Fear tests, or are we all just used to it?

Ok, how many powers does pyromancy start with? You're also missing Warmth

Okay you start with 3 powers, and I was trying to figure out warmth but there isn't any 'heal over time' effects among the powers that I could see, so I'll probably have to custom make it.

So, the crunch so far looks like this:

** spoiler omitted **...

I'm a little bit over my finances with the gear, but Ordric is Count, so I think that's fine, no? ;) I also assume that some mundane items like clothes, some food, torches, stuff like this he can procure easily enough.

Also, about the Noble edge. Will it be relevant in your game?

What about riding, swimming or climbing?

Okay. So in Astora, where you will all be starting, Noble will be very relevant, since that means you're going to be of top pedigree and likely be wearing the Elite Knight set (Just cosmetic plate mail, really.) I do agree with ZenFox42's assessment about weight, however. You might be better served by having a lighter set of gear until you get a few advances to increase your strength another step.

Mercanian - so, how common are evil, completely Hollow undead in this world? :) Or would Holy Warrior work on *any* completely Hollow undead (and if so, how common are they)?

Also, since this is the world we grew up in, will there be many Fear tests, or are we all just used to it?

Okay, Holy Warrior will work on ANY completely hollow undead. But to clarify, right now the first age of fire hasn't started to decline, so the Darksign is only now just starting to appear on people.

Plate armor is ridiculously heavy in this game. Brawny plus Strength d12 is the only way to wear it, kite shield and long sword without an encumbrance penalty.
To raise strength to d12 from d6 will take three ranks (since you can raise an attribute only once per rank). That's 12 advances. From d8 to d12 two ranks. That's 6 advances. I don't know how much is this, since I haven't played any other SW game but it's still over the top, in my opinion. Strength d12 is like, the best in the world, yes?
Now, with chainmail it becomes just Strength d8 and Brawny, barely. For comfortable margin you still need d10 strength - almost best in the world.

Encumbrance is fricking crazy in this game. I mean, come on, chainmail weights half the full plate? Kite shield weighs as much as chainmail? Pike as much as chainmail. Really? Really?!

I wonder, did they do any research into actual medieval armor?

I end my rant.

I'll try to think of something. Maybe change my concept from noble knight to something else.

Plate armor is ridiculously heavy in this game. Brawny plus Strength d12 is the only way to wear it, kite shield and long sword without an encumbrance penalty.

To raise strength to d12 from d6 will take three ranks (since you can raise an attribute only once per rank). That's 12 advances. From d8 to d12 two ranks. That's 6 advances. I don't know how much is this, since I haven't played any other SW game but it's still over the top, in my opinion. Strength d12 is like, the best in the world, yes?
Now, with chainmail it becomes just Strength d8 and Brawny, barely. For comfortable margin you still need d10 strength - almost best in the world.

Encumbrance is fricking crazy in this game. I mean, come on, chainmail weights half the full plate? Kite shield weighs as much as chainmail? Pike as much as chainmail. Really? Really?!

I wonder, did they do any research into actual medieval armor?

I end my rant.

I'll try to think of something. Maybe change my concept from noble knight to something else.

Thank you for pointing out a flaw in the system, that doesn't represent a part of the game. While I want encumbrance to be a thing, I don't want it to be THAT much.

Let's see... normally it's 5xstrength capacity, 8x with brawny right? Why don't you try doing the calculations with 8x strength for normal, 12x for brawny? Does that fit better but still sits in the realm of possibility?

Also, once you're undead, you don't have the limitations of d12 in a stat. You can continue to increase it to d12+1, +2, etc.

Well, every system has its flaws. The advantages of SW, as far as I've seen, is that creating a PC is really fast, even if creating an experienced character. Still shudder when remember how I created 9th level gish for a DnD game - it was awful.

Your fix will actually work really well. With d6 a brawny warrior will be able to wear chainmail, full helmet, kite shield and a sword. And with d8 a full plate. It also gives a little bump to those without Brawny - which is nice, with those weight numbers.

By the way, ratio of x7/x11 is closer to x5/x8 than x8/x12. It doesn't look as nice though. :)

Mercanian - thanks for all the info (and raising the Encumbrance levels!), but what about the commonness of Fear rolls?

Mercanian - thanks for all the info (and raising the Encumbrance levels!), but what about the commonness of Fear rolls?

Sorry! that request got lost in my brain while I was doing the calculations for weight.

Fear will happen occasionally, but I will only make you roll those tests if you encounter something particularly horrifying (I.E. the first time you encounter a demon, particular boss-type monsters, or if they have a magical fear-inducing effect). Otherwise, I assume your character is somewhat mentally prepared for stuff to go down. I mean, dragons, drakes, giants, and giant rats are a thing that happen.