I've been working on an expansion, tentatively titled Path of the Mystic. It's essentially a hybridization of 3.5e psionics and incarnum: mystic characters have talents which can be manifested to provide a constant benefit (like a soulmeld), and can also channel ki through their talents to create various spell-like effects (like psionic powers). Shared with both is the idea that each talent scales in power; each talent has five manifestation ranks and five corresponding channel ranks, with higher ranks being unlocked at later levels.
I've got the core mechanics nailed down, and three full base classes. Now it's on to the talents themselves, which is no small task because each one is basically ten separate effects (manifest and channel, five ranks each). And here's where I'm a little uncertain how to proceed... basically, I'm to a point where I'd love to get some creative input, not to mention extra eyes on the mechanics and their clarity. So on the one hand, I kind of want to share what I've done so far.
On the other hand, I've put a pile of work into this already and I know I've got several piles more to go, and I want to be able to sell it. Self-publication is something I find myself shying away from for various reasons, so I don't want to ruin my chances of finding a publisher by having already spewed my original content into cyberspace! Now, qualifying for the PFRPG compatibility license requires that you distribute under OGL in the first place; so it's very possible that publishers hereabouts are less concerned with advance exposure. It's also possible that self-publication is a more viable option in this particular niche (and hey, I do have a talented artist in my pocket).
Essentially, this is unfamiliar territory and I'm hoping for some pointers on how best to conduct myself. :) Do want: feedback, ideas, playtesting; do not want: to ruin my chances of getting paid for all this work.
Any advice?
Best advice I could give you would be to select a few dozen trusted people, email them the rules for evaluation and feedback, and let them help you playtest it.
Or better yet, either send your trusted testers a hard copy or have them retrieve it from a secure FTP site. Probably no one's going through e-mails hoping to steal copyrighted gaming materials, but E-mail's NOT a secure method of transfer of information, generally.
Also, make sure to note what materials are open content and what are not open content, assuming you're using an open license.
Hmm... probably a good way to start. Now I just need a few dozen trusted people. Kyrt, you interested? Anyone else? :D
Shame there's no private messaging function hereabouts. I can think of at least a few people I'd invite immediately.
I should probably shape up a proper preview PDF and then post a separate topic, since this one's subject line isn't likely to attract as many eyes...
(Err, I should also make sure this is a kosher use of the forums. I really hope so because I'm very rural, the local gaming scene is very small, and the Pathfinder forums seem like the best possible resource for finding a reasonable number of Pathfinder players.)
Tejon might I recommend another website?
Barrok's Tower (link) has a lot of people that do design work for 3.5/pathfinder on a regular basis. Even if you don't want to share with the greater public (understandable) you can PM the people there and set up to have them review/help you.
I'd be happy to review it and take a look at your math and such. Can't promise anything about playtesting though, I'm pretty busy between taking care of my grandpa and handling matters online.
Actual playtesting can't happen until there enough actual talents to play with, so yeah, it's just extra eyes on basic system/class balance right now. (And talent ideas. Can't have too many of those.) I'll do some clean-up and post my email (in a fresh thread) for anyone interested.
Barrok's Tower (link) has a lot of people that do design work for 3.5/pathfinder on a regular basis.
Augh, yet another set of forums to follow! We'll see if I've got the time and mental bandwidth for that. ;) Don't see a PF-specific section there, I assume such banter goes on in the 3.5 section?
Yes that is where it generally goes. Barrok, Mindforge, Niko_Kaze, and Knight of Roses are the usual suspects but Speaker, and a few other ones are the "new guard" so to speak.
I would be willing to playtest on line at some point, depending on time.
Google Docs is a good way to share stuff and get other people's input. I've used it for similar scale projects and it works well.
Google Docs is a good way to share stuff and get other people's input. I've used it for similar scale projects and it works well.
Y'know, I totally forgot about the sharing option there. Well, more to the point I forgot they had a word processor module... I've done that with spreadsheets on a number of occasions.
If I can just upload an ODT or PDF, that sounds like a winner.
Google Docs is a good way to share stuff and get other people's input. I've used it for similar scale projects and it works well.Y'know, I totally forgot about the sharing option there. Well, more to the point I forgot they had a word processor module... I've done that with spreadsheets on a number of occasions.
If I can just upload an ODT or PDF, that sounds like a winner.
Not sure about ODT but if not Open office can export to RTF or .doc.
Yes that is where it generally goes. Barrok, Mindforge, Niko_Kaze, and Knight of Roses are the usual suspects but Speaker, and a few other ones are the "new guard" so to speak.
What's your handle over there, Abraham? Forum registration has a "referer" field. :)
Meanwhile, the local call for assistance is over here.