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Old 03-25-2021, 08:22 PM   #1
Mambojack
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Default TFT Actual plays

My first post on the forum.

Played the original back in high school in the last century. ;) Seriously considered ditching AD&D due to the low cost of entry, but made the mistake of not going forward.

Now I have seen some examples of combat on YouTube, but has anyone posted here or on a blog of actual play which includes non combat? I want to read some actual role playing if possible.

Thanks!
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Old 03-25-2021, 09:43 PM   #2
Shostak
 
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Default Re: TFT Actual plays

I keep campaign notes for a game I'm running which I'd be happy to share. They are be considerably stripped of detail, but might provide some idea of what can be possible. PM me if interested.
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Old 03-26-2021, 05:18 AM   #3
Chris Rice
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: London Uk, but originally from Scotland
Default Re: TFT Actual plays

Not quite sure what you mean. “Roleplaying” if by that you mean “character interaction,” is pretty much the same no matter what system you play; it’s more dependent on the style of your group, player personalities etc, than it is on rules. There may be modern systems that try to interject rules into the Roleplaying part of the game, but that’s not something I’m a fan of.

If you mean the mechanical aspects of the game dealing with searching, movement, use of non-combat Talents, the jobs system etc, I don’t know if anyone has put up examples of that part of play either in written or video form. Would be interesting to see.
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Old 03-26-2021, 08:49 AM   #4
larsdangly
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Re: TFT Actual plays

I don't create written notes or blog postings about this sort of thing, but three differences you would note with respect to other common rpg's (e.g., D+D):

1) It is possible (and a lot of fun) to resolve non-combat tactical situations, such as walking around in a dungeon, using hex maps and counters and a quick version of turn-based movements and actions. Once you get used to doing this it is much more immersive and precise than theater-of-the-mind dungeon exploration. I've seen people do something analogous with lead figures and battle mats when playing D+D, but it's different because TFT's megahex tile system let's you lay down and take back up portions of a mapped space very quickly, so the table top always portrays the area of the labyrinth that the characters see (or very recently saw).

2) Lots of small, simple tasks, like listening, climbing, jumping, searching, etc. can be executed for all PC's using a standard set of simple d6 based die rolls, so you see less 'class specific' actions and more resolution of small actions using die rolls rather than GM fiat

3) Not all players do this, but there is enough structure to the 'down time' part of play in TFT (jobs, weekly pay and risk rolls, enchantment and new spell research rules, etc.) that some groups will spend time at the table in 'campaign play' mode (talking through each week as if it were a turn of play).

Edit: a fourth pretty noticeable feature you would note at my table: frequent use of cards and other standardized physical components (MH tiles, counters, etc.). We use the event, rumor and treasure cards, NPC cards and monster cards more or less continuously during sessions.
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Old 03-26-2021, 09:05 AM   #5
Mambojack
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Default Re: TFT Actual plays

What I am looking for is someone who is running or has run a campaign with TFT. What did you do in non combat situations, chases, and just a good story.

Just want to see how it goes outside of combat.
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Old 03-26-2021, 10:02 AM   #6
hcobb
 
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Default Re: TFT Actual plays

I have an ungoing survival game here.

It's all play by post so you can just read everything that's happened so far.

https://discord.gg/ehwyz2kC
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Old 03-26-2021, 12:22 PM   #7
phiwum
 
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Default Re: TFT Actual plays

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mambojack View Post
What I am looking for is someone who is running or has run a campaign with TFT. What did you do in non combat situations, chases, and just a good story.

Just want to see how it goes outside of combat.
I'm playing online these days. Last night, the PCs had a meeting with local priests in which there's an ongoing friction. I set up the characters on the map, so that the player (only one guy with multiple characters, alas) could have a good sense of where he was and what was going on. Then we talked through the discussion as anyone would and the characters were escorted out. As they were leaving, one of the NPCs behind them cast a spell.

The last guy out the door has alertness, so I gave him a difficult roll to notice the gestures of a spell out of the corner of his eye. He made the roll and the player had to decide what to do. He's not eager to let the hostility fester and he couldn't reasonably attack without serious repercussions and so he kept silent and walked on out the door.

Not really much different than any game. Because I'm online, I have all my maps drawn out in detail beforehand so I rely on them rather a lot during play. In person, I might use the megahexes as Lars mentioned or just describe the scene. There are plenty of times I skip the maps. We don't need to see the apothecary to go buy some potions, for instance, but the maps are helpful for proper roleplaying.

I agree with Chris that there's not much difference between TFT and other systems when it comes to character interactions and other kinds of roleplaying.

I have a question for the other TFT regulars. Charisma gives a boost in interactions with NPCs. I use reaction rolls rather a lot to give me an idea of how the NPCs behave, though within the confines of their motivations, interests, etc. An NPC assassin who aims to kill the party doesn't change his mind just because of a reaction roll, obviously.

Now, NPCs often have charisma too, but obviously players react as they want. Does charisma, sex appeal, bard, etc., play any role in NPC interactions with players? Do you tell the player, "You really like this guy," or, "You find hobbits adorable"?
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Old 03-30-2021, 01:12 PM   #8
Skarg
 
Join Date: May 2015
Default Re: TFT Actual plays

There are the texts for several completed play-by-post adventures on the TFT Discord site.


Quote:
Originally Posted by phiwum View Post
... Now, NPCs often have charisma too, but obviously players react as they want. Does charisma, sex appeal, bard, etc., play any role in NPC interactions with players? Do you tell the player, "You really like this guy," or, "You find hobbits adorable"?
I roleplay the NPCs to the the best of my ability, and/or tell them about the charm or likability of the NPC, and possibly have it affect the PC behavior in cases where it's up to the GM (e.g. if they player says they pick a fight with some schmuck at the bar, I'll tend to select an NPC who seems more like a schmuck than the one(s) with Charisma), but otherwise generally leave the PC's behavior/choices up to the player.
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Old 03-30-2021, 01:46 PM   #9
larsdangly
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Re: TFT Actual plays

One helpful thing for roleplaying NPCs is the suggested optional system of personality scores, traits and motivations; I've taken to recording one motivation and three personality traits for each NPC for which I create a permanent record. The end result is just a short list of keywords, but is often enough to get me in the right head space to present an NPC in a more convincing way.
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Old 03-30-2021, 02:00 PM   #10
Aleph
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Default Re: TFT Actual plays

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mambojack View Post
My first post on the forum.

Played the original back in high school in the last century. ;) Seriously considered ditching AD&D due to the low cost of entry, but made the mistake of not going forward.

Now I have seen some examples of combat on YouTube, but has anyone posted here or on a blog of actual play which includes non combat? I want to read some actual role playing if possible.
We did our own live play of The Fantasy Trip with players and GMs that were new to the system about a year and a half ago. The Death Test episodes are mostly combat, but things get a little more varied once the party gets into the adventure we ran past that.

The details and link to the Youtube playlist can be found here: Live in the Labyrinth.
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