Enderain Ruleset

[Darkson71]

I tried to open a support ticket (as a club mate is interested) and it timed out, so I think it's gone.
I might try the email, but don't hold out much hope.

Find it odd it was never made available as a PDF.

[Khusru2]

I ordered the softback version.
After it timed out I got a message from PayPal that the transaction was completed. I'll wait a week to see if it comes but there was no automated email about the purchase.

[Bloggard]

blimey, flakey or what. Quite brave of you Khusru.

My attempt just timed out - no Paypal message about completion. As far as I'm aware, I haven't paid for anything.

And, at the time, messages on the Skyseer website to check my payment history, to see 'if it had completed' or something like that ...
I  mean, that's not really on, is it?

[Bloggard]

I tried to open a support ticket (as a club mate is interested) and it timed out, so I think it's gone.
I might try the email, but don't hold out much hope.

I'd seen that thing on their website about the (non-availability of a) PDF - and it's a bit condescending in its wording, imo.
Plenty of games which have bespoke components (Battle Systems for example), and produce PDFs (many of them 'free').

I think it's more likely they were trying to avoid piracy etc, which is understandable, but might have been self-defeating.

[zemjw]

I think my main issue with Parsec as it stands is ... I find it a bit complicated 
Of course I haven't tried to read the book/s sequentially, much less play a game ... but I have dipped in and found sections that I can't read comprehensively (literally), as it stands  - The story arc optional rule section for example ...

The book doesn't really work if you try to read it front to back (I tried ) Some chapters are sequential, but otherwise it's mostly just sections that make sense on their own. It confuses me every time that the game rules are at the front, but then not really mentioned until much later on, when other bits are added to them without really referring back.

I have read the story arc stuff multiple times, and it still feels like there's an introduction missing, something that says how it's expected to be used. I think you're meant to map your own games to it to create the arc, but it feels so abstract I'm not really sure it helps.

But I think it's pretty clear it's the best tool/sand-box for solo-gaming a campaign, and it's my failing.

definitely a tool box, but also definitely not your failing. A lot of the sections only started to make sense when I worked through them for the game. Just reading them beforehand left me bewildered.

[Darkson71]

I'd seen that thing about the PDF - and it's a bit patronising in its wording, imo.
Plenty of games which have bespoke components (Battle Systems for example), and produce PDFs (many of them 'free').

I have to disagree - there are some games that really shouldn't be available as a pdf, at least not without a way of paying for the 'extras'.
The "Guards of Traitor's Toll" game has just come out, and you NEED to have the plot cards (dice you can bodge), but the author made a pdf of the rules available to buy before the cards are available, and he's got flak from people angry that they got the pdf and can't use it.

[Burgundavia]

I'd seen that thing about the PDF - and it's a bit patronising in its wording, imo.
Plenty of games which have bespoke components (Battle Systems for example), and produce PDFs (many of them 'free').

I think it's more likely they were trying to avoid piracy etc, which is understandable, but might have been self-defeating.

I have to disagree - there are some games that really shouldn't be available as a pdf, at least not without a way of paying for the 'extras'.
The "Guards of Traitor's Toll" game has just come out, and you NEED to have the plot cards (dice you can bodge), but the author made a pdf of the rules available to buy before the cards are available, and he's got flak from people angry that they got the pdf and can't use it.

You can absolutely release a PDF with bespoke components. Sellswords and Spellslingers requires a custom deck for monster AI. And yet it is available via print on demand at DriveThruCards. Methods exist.

And I was one of those people who gave the author flak for selling a useless PDF. It soured me pretty quickly on the rules.

[Bloggard]

okey dokey, folks, think the rights and wrongs of PDFs etc in general is for another thread if anyone wants to start one?

I do think that not releasing one for Enderain prob. didn't help it commercially. But obviously their perogative, so let's agree to differ Darkson. 

Anyhow, think we're all flogging the proverbial dead quadruped here and Enderain, for whatever reason/s is a closed door (or too difficult to open, anyway) for anyone not already owning a ruleset.

** in the unlikely event anyone's slogging through this thread - please see post from Khusru2 below (reply 41) - who was able to buy a copy using Paypal.

[Bloggard]

The book doesn't really work if you try to read it front to back (I tried ) Some chapters are sequential, but otherwise it's mostly just sections that make sense on their own. It confuses me every time that the game rules are at the front, but then not really mentioned until much later on, when other bits are added to them without really referring back.

I have read the story arc stuff multiple times, and it still feels like there's an introduction missing, something that says how it's expected to be used. I think you're meant to map your own games to it to create the arc, but it feels so abstract I'm not really sure it helps.

definitely a tool box, but also definitely not your failing. A lot of the sections only started to make sense when I worked through them for the game. Just reading them beforehand left me bewildered.

very interesting to hear, Zemjw. Certainly a little relieving, if not surprising, when it comes to the Story Arc bit 
As mentioned above, and you bear out here, I really should make myself engage with it properly: good (and much needed) exercise all 'round 


But have to admit, I'm leaning towards the Battle Systems ... er ... system.
Pain, as there are aspects to all 3 of their games I'd like to merge together, and that's going to be a frustrating challenge for someone as lazy as I am

[zemjw]

For solo rpg, have a look at Mythic Game Master Emulator - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/422929/mythic-game-master-emulator-second-edition

She does a bunch of magazines as well, with things like how to create your own star system. I would post a link, but drivethru has stopped responding 

[Bloggard]

bloomin' heck, that does look good - and the supplements etc.

Certainly worth a read even if not necessarily ideal for a miniatures skirmish foundation (I'm not sure without getting into it ...)

Not sure how I've missed this before.

Thanks very much zemjw 👍
picked up pdfs of the main book and the adventure supplement.
like the look of the hardback core book - would like to get that if the content clicks with me.

[Khusru2]

Surprise!
My copy came through. I confess to being a little worried that no confirmation of the order was sent. The time out happened both for the order and the support and as there is no other means of communication it's a bit iffy. But it shows that if the order manages to be placed you will likely get your order.

It is similar at first sight to Five Parsecs , but looks to have more depth.
It comes with rule book, 2 dice, initiative deck of cards dice and 3 cards with various charts and QRF.

[Bloggard]

Well, there you go...
ship's sailed for me I think, more reasons than one; not going to try and place an order again with such a flakey 'might go through' situation.

But having said that - hope to hear more from you about the rules - they do look good.

[Darkson71]

Still hung for me.

They have replied to a post I put in the FB group, pointing to an update they've put on X (readable without an account):
https://x.com/skyseergames/status/1950567650012078389

[Bloggard]

Facebook or X ... they really are stars aren't they.

No thanks.

In all honesty, I appreciate that this is an open thread on a public forum, but I started it ( ), and it descending into a discussion of content in those two organs of mis-information and madness will piss me off not a little.

Could I ask: if anyone wants to do that, can they start their own thread please?