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Kalrex · 02-20-2013, 10:21 PM

Maximus,

The names changed from game to game. This was so that on turn 0 someone couldn't cast a sleep spell or say, locate character, in order to locate a players capital or something. There were a few sets of names that seemed to rotate- I think it needs to remain this way.

Ideally there'd be a random name generator, per kingdom as to maintain flavor, but as it is ought to still work out.

I always thought the "Ancient Ones" derived their power from being so old and over time gained knowledge and whatnot. Wisdom of the ages... The team game made them sound good as the title of the teams were basically good/evil.

***admin*** · 02-21-2013, 05:13 AM

Well, if the names are going to rotate, from game to game, then that will simply save me the time bothering with coming up for new character names for the various kingdoms. Even Hyborian War disallowed kidnappings and assassinations, on turn # 1.

Of course, if the names are to stay the same, is there really anything of note to do with the various kingdoms? I think that I'll just switch my focus to the reformatting of the rules. I only ever played one game of Alamaze, and even then, it was only one or two turns that I actually played. I just wasn't aware of the whole generic names that switch around from character to character each turn thing.

Lord Diamond · 02-21-2013, 06:45 PM

(02-21-2013, 05:13 AM)Maximus Dominus Wrote: Well, if the names are going to rotate, from game to game, then that will simply save me the time bothering with coming up for new character names for the various kingdoms. Even Hyborian War disallowed kidnappings and assassinations, on turn # 1.

Of course, if the names are to stay the same, is there really anything of note to do with the various kingdoms? I think that I'll just switch my focus to the reformatting of the rules. I only ever played one game of Alamaze, and even then, it was only one or two turns that I actually played. I just wasn't aware of the whole generic names that switch around from character to character each turn thing.

Names are a much bigger deal in Alamaze than any other game I played. It's not just a turn 1 thing. You might spend a considerable amount of effort locating an enemy capital just to get his king's name.

The Witchlord starts off with a level 4 wizard who has access to the spell 'Curse' which can reduce an enemy king's influence. If I had his name I could start screwing with his game right away.

Kalrex · 02-22-2013, 12:39 AM

Yep.

The other thing is that that wizards name is Ry Vor and it has never changed. He can be located as well and then you know where the 1WI probably is and also possibly where his capital is.

It was always a fine line cause Ideally you want the "flavor" of the kingdoms. On the flip side like LD says you don't want to get cursed from the outset or have your prince slept or anything...

It's not a massive problem but it could be exploited a little hence they did the random name changes.

- Hyborian War, MEPBM types of games wanted to "immerse" you into the setting by those authors. Those companies had to pay a fee in order to do so. Some people tried them simply cause they like REH or LOTR.

-Alamaze is more rooted in Avalon Hill and D&D type of setting. Fundamentally it's a great game. Flavor wise (background stuff) should be more leaning towards those concepts imo, if that means anything. It's more difficult to do than those above games because Alamaze was designed as a game first. Hyborian War/MEPBM were designed as a setting first. So, those systems will obviously have rich background characters and whatnot and those characters HAVE to exist in those games. Elrond, Conan, Gandalf... who wants to play a LOTR game without Elrond/Gandalf?? Those games were successful due to that "immersion" more-so than the game itself. Alamaze did it the other way around. So, it's probably going to require more work to come up with the background info and whatnot but on the flip side your imagination pretty much has free reign. Just like D&D did Wink

DuPont · 02-27-2013, 03:23 PM

I always changed the name of my king given that it was an option and I prefer to put my own little spin on things. Of course, you couldn't change the name of anybody else in the kingdom.

Harry O · 04-30-2013, 02:32 AM

Ancient Ones,

Entire societies kept secret by magical means beyond explanation and only lately coming into prominence in the world of Alamaze because they were always there but hidden? Here’s a different theory that neither the Ancient Ones nor Demon Princes will acknowledge . Mystery and ignorance are the defense for both. The Ancient Ones main strength is adaptive organization. The Demon Princes use chaotic manipulation. Perhaps the Ancient Ones have been thrust into Alamaze from alternate timelines and dimensions by powers opposed to the Demon Princes. Are the Ancient Ones a nation or a collection of warlike humans gathered from another world? Ancient Ones unite to survive, they have more in common amongst themselves than they have with anyone from this new world. Perhaps the Demon Princes have been let loose on Alamaze to combat an alien invasion? What would the response be if an Ancient Ones soldier was asked if Persian, Roman, Greek or Egyptian meant anything to them? Of course no one in Alamaze would know these names. Why would an Ancient Ones or Demon Prince ever say anything other than the popular myth? Who came first Ancient Ones or Demon Princes? Who asks what happened to the Halflings of Alamze? Who cares what a Mad Halfling imagines? No one, but they will all humor him as long as the diamonds flow. In the meantime there’s lots of fun to be had with this Game of Kingdoms in Alamaze.

Harry O
Halfling gatherer of…shiny stuff.
Not scene in Greyhawk for at least 30 years.

Jumbie · (This post was last modified: 04-30-2013, 02:38 PM by Jumbie.)

My take:

The Demon Princes are the fallen angels who hate humanity.

The Ancient Ones are fallen angels too, but they fell because they loved Earth too much. (I think the fathers of the Nephelim are depicted almost as rapists in some stories so, not them.)

So the two sets of fallen angels battle each other, one side trying to destroy, the other trying to protect.

Or maybe, it's Duncan McLeod, Methos and Amanda... (Yes, I watched too much TV in the 90s.)

Lord Diamond · 04-30-2013, 12:25 PM

That does it. When I play the Ancient Ones, I am naming my Consuls after Immortals from Highlander. I have been watching the tv series over again while walking on the treadmill. I am up to Episode 3, Season 1!

Jumbie · 04-30-2013, 02:55 PM

3/4 are the best seasons in my opinion. Good ethical dilemmas and development of the mythos.

Lord Diamond · 04-30-2013, 03:04 PM

(04-30-2013, 02:55 PM)Jumbie Wrote: 3/4 are the best seasons in my opinion. Good ethical dilemmas and development of the mythos.

I watched them all back in the day, but felt it was a good time to start over. I do remember that the last season sucked. That was the season that had no budget and they couldn't travel outside of Paris.