Homebrew: The Masquerade

I’m working on this homebrew world, and the idea of masks has been floating around in my head for awhile. I really love the idea of masks representing different classes, and the idea that a character could change masks simply by taking one off and putting another on.

Art by: https://lovestruck2.deviantart.com/

Then today I fell down a youtube hole and spend three hours watching Kingdom Hearts videos. All I wanted to do was dump every other thing I’m working on, and jump into a Kingdom Hearts system... especially since there don’t appear to be any really great ones out there (if you know of one, point me in its direction!)

But I resisted. I’m already running three different games. I don’t need to pick up a forth. 

But then the idea of the masks came back to me, and a bunch of things fell together for me.

I really like it when settings have a way to control power. Not everyone should be a level 20 wizard like in Faerun.

So this is what I came up with. In my homebrew world there are three ways to access power (aka, class levels).

• Training
• Spellbinding
• Inheriting or calling a mask.

Training is available for all classes but Sorcerer, and maybe Warlock (depending on what I decide to do with patrons). However, without supernatural means, mortals can only access a certain amount of power. A character can train to a total of five class levels.

Spellbinding. In my world, spells are literal people. They are beings of chaos thrust from the elemental planes to land on the material realm. Sorcerers bind spells, and the different types of spells that they bind act as their origins. Binding one spell let's a Sorcerer train through 5 levels. But then it maxes out, and a sorcerer must bind a new spell. The first spell a Sorcerer binds is the only one that grants an origin, and binding a spell is an inherently evil act.

Inheriting a mask (or performing a masquerade) is the path to ultimate power. A mask allows you to train in any class, up to level 20. Once received, a mask is bound with your soul, and you can never have another. The mask grows along with you, so it starts at level one, and can level from there. Masks can also gain visages which grant them unique appearances and abilities (extra spells, feats, etc). Masks are not inherently good or evil, although many specific masks are associated with good or evil since they are generally handed down from master to apprentice.

In the end, masks ended up looking almost nothing like keyblades. But... that's pretty much where I started from. So, go figure!

Livestream Tonight!

Live Streaming tonight at 9pm est! I decided to ditch map making, which I'm not very good at, and instead work on preparing a small adventure in Syl! Then at 10pm I'm going to turn Baldur's Gate on and die. Over and over and over again!

Join me here!

https://twitch.tv/mutebanshee

Oh, and, uh, here's a token I made for the Blue Dragon Fera I posted about yesterday. Her art is from a Magic the Gathering card.

Sunday May 3rd Twitch Stream

So... Baldur's Gate is a thing I guess.

This is actually my official stream announcement for Sunday! I'll be starting at 9pm est. First I'll be doing an hour or so of productive Dungeon Master Stuff. I'm thinking about doing some map making for the world I'm developing. Let's find out what outside forces are intruding on The City of Steam!

But after the stream I'm going to take a jump into this gem. Full disclosure, I haven't played Baldur's Gate since I was maybe fourteen. I didn't like it then, and I don't really expect to like it now.

In fact, I think I might hate it. But I'm going to make the stupid game as hard as humanly possible, and torture myself with it.

And who knows, maybe I'll end up having a blast. I know most people do.

So, until then, I'll see you at my twitch channel!

Confused World: Syl, The City of Steam

Yesterday I had my first even livestream, where I spent some time going over the brainstorming steps of a brand new world. You can find a link to the recording below, but I also wanted to share a more finished product with everyone.

Here is a link to the story and description of Syl, The City of Steam. It's almost ready to be dropped into any campaign, all it really needs is a good improv sheet!

Live Stream Tonight 9pm est!!!

So this is a thing I do now! Apparently. Join me for my first ever live stream event tonight at 9 pm est! I'm going to start building an entirely new world so people can see my process and hopefully learn a thing or two while watching. I'll also be monitoring the chat (when I remember), and taking suggestions. So it might be a bit of a loose collaboration as well.

This is my first ever live stream... so be kind. Now, here's a pitch to lure you in.

Imagine a world where magic isn't just a force to be manipulated. Spells are another race, as real as humans and dwarves. However, spells can be bound in books of magic, their power available to any who can speak the words. Or instead, they can be bound to a single mage, providing that mage immense power.

How does that work out? What are the moral ramifications of being a wizard in such a world? Where do the spells come from in the first place? All that and more tonight at 9!