Building Dungeons of Hyrule: A Legend of Zelda d20 Tabletop Game

[Rethel34]

(NOTE: Nothing in this thread is necessarily set in stone. Anything you think is out of place, let me know and I'll take it into consideration. I'll do my best to explain the reasons behind anything I implement, but if you disagree, please inform me as to why. If I suggest a counter argument, please do not think I am shutting your idea down, but simply trying to elaborate on my reasons where I may have lacked in my former explanation. Also note that some of these details, even some GMs might not care for, but at the development level, I have to scrutinize every detail of this game to ensure proper flow for the most enjoyable game.)

So, the keyword in the title is "Building". In other words, I need assistance building the system before I can use it. Of course, I don't really have any major plans to GM an RP of this system in the near future. I'm currently switching between working midnights and working days about every couple days, and frankly, it's quite taxing.

First order of business is mechanics. Yes, it is using a d20 system. HOWEVER, this does not mean it inherently translates directly from Pathfinder/D&D into this game. When I first began this escapade back when Breath of the Wild was initially revealed, I thought such a translation might be about all I'd do, write up some races, implement the appropriate items, and go from there playing games in Hyrule. Unfortunately, I realized while attempting to develop this system that the lore of Hyrule itself would require something a little more to be an accurate representation.

So I have decided that I must turn to other members of the Legend of Zelda fanbase, along with other Roleplay fanatics, in order to make this system the best it can be. Anyone who has ideas is more than welcome to join in the discussion and help out.

Current Ability Score Ideas

While trying to brainstorm about these Ability Scores, I came up with some ideas, and I'll list their current possible functions below. While the Triangle of Power is practically a no-brainer (being a near copy-paste of the traditional D&D Physical stats), the other two Triangles are not quite so easy.

TRIANGLE OF POWER
Power - Used in calculating physical damage, the amount of weight the character can lift, and the distance the character can throw an object.
Reflex - Used when determining Initiative, when attempting to land a hit (particularly with ranged weapons like bows), and in determining a character's ability to avoid attacks.
Endurance - Used for determining a character's Heart and Stamina, as well as the character's ability to resist poisons relating to the Triangle of Power, Combat Maneuvers, and the like.

TRIANGLE OF WISDOM
Wisdom - High Wisdom scores increase the number of Spells known for spellcasters of all kinds (also used by Alchemists and Psychics [Zelda had some Psychic abilities, like telepathic communication, so please do not try the "Psychic has no place" argument on me] for their Extracts and Powers in the same way); Wisdom also is used when calculating magical damage, and is also used for a number of Skills.
Psyche - High Psyche scores increase the number of Languages a character knows, as well as serving as the base Ability Score for Knowledge-based Skills; Psyche is also used when calculating damage for Psychic Powers.
Spirit - Used for determining a character's Magic Points (Used for Spells, Spell-Like Abilities, Extracts, and Psychic Powers), and also Heart Points for Undead beings; Spirit also is used for resisting poisons relating to the Triangle of Wisdom, as well as harmful Spells.

TRIANGLE OF COURAGE
Courage - Used for resisting intimidation and fear effects, and also for granting bonuses when Hero Points (I could spend forever trying to explain this to those who are unfamiliar, but I feel this link does a much better job than I would) are spent.
Character - Used when trying to influence others, hide one's presence, lead anything from a small band of adventurers to a grand army, and can even increase the number of Hero Points gained.
Will - Used when resisting poisons relating to the Triangle of Courage, as well as harmful Psychic Powers; Will can also be used to resist non-intimidation or -fear effects from Character-related effects.

In addition, I'm considering having Feats which, at a cost (Likely in Stamina or perhaps even Heart Points) and under the correct circumstances (a.k.a. a crapton of prerequisites because it's kinda OP), allow you to temporarily use the Ability Scores from one Triangle in place of the scores from another Triangle, in which Courage, Wisdom, and Power would be interchangeable, likewise for Reflex, Psyche, and Character, and again for Endurance, Spirit, and Will.

Trinity of Vitality

Next is what I am calling the Trinity of Vitality (an element I would like to implement, if deemed wise): Heart, Magic, and Stamina. Heart is another name for Hit Points, the name change simply for aesthetic purposes to fit the world better, and is determined by Heart Dice and Endurance, just as Hit Points are traditionally determined by Hit Dice and Constitution. Magic is where things start getting tricky, as rather than spellcasters getting a set number of Spells per Day, each Spell (or Spell-Like ability--meaning even non-spellcasters will still have a Magic Meter) will have a Magic cost, and when a character's Magic Points reach 0, they can no longer cast Spells until they can replenish their Magic. Magic would be determined by Magic Dice (akin to Hit Dice) and likely Spirit (if not Spirit, then Wisdom). Lastly, Stamina is consumed by strenuous activities similarly to Magic being consumed by Spells. However, Stamina would automatically recover over time for each round the character is not doing strenuous activity or in combat. When all of a character's Stamina has been depleted, they are overtaken with fatigue: they can only move at half their normal speed, and cannot partake in combat or strenuous activity until their stamina is restored, which would now recover at a quarter of the rate it normally would. Overexerting a character's Stamina would result in the difference being subtracted from their Heart Points. Like Heart, Stamina would be determined through Stamina Dice and Endurance.

Why the Triforce-Based Stats?

When a character comes in contact with the full Triforce without earning it, or without the perfect balance and purity of character with which to obtain it, it shatters into three, Power, Wisdom, and Courage. Since there's not always going to be a Link, Ganon, and Zelda around to possess the pieces, there has to be a way to distribute the Triforce during such times. The idea, to keep things perfectly fair, is that when a character touches the complete Triforce--be it a player or an NPC--the "Goddesses" (a.k.a. the GM) would then evaluate the characters of the game. Then, based on the stat totals in each Triangle, the Triforce is scattered with the appropriate pieces given to the appropriate characters. A GM might simply place the Triforce off-limits, but for campaigns which do have it available, the game needs an unbiased method with which to distribute the Triforce.

This is not to say I cannot simplify it to less than 9 stats, but simply that each piece of the Triforce needs to be equally and properly represented in whatever stat system I use, so that order and fairness can be upheld in an event such as described above.

There is still a great deal more to be done, but this at least gives the major idea thus far.

[Grnmachine]

I am very interested! Allow me to try and boil down the stats into something a bit more manageable for someone who wants a TL;DR. I'm also using D&D terminology, as thats what im familiar with.

Triangle of power:
Power: Strength
Reflex: Dexterity
Endurance: Constitution, and defense for certain potions and poisons

Triangle of wisdom:
Wisdom: Spells known, spell damage
Psyche: Intelligence
Spirit: Magic points, replaces Endurance for undeads, and defense for certain potions and poisons

Triangle of courage:
Courage: Will vs Intimidation and Fear, and influences inspiration points
Character: Charisma
Will: Magical defense, Will vs other effects, and defense for certain potions and poisons

[Rethel34]

@Grnmachine Thanks! Does it make sense so far? Or is there something you would suggest changing? I've received some mixed replies both irl and online about this, so I know I won't please everyone, but as long as I can make it sensible to where people might be willing to play, then I've done something right.

[Grnmachine]

I think its a little too complex for its own good. I suggest the following:

I would reduce the potion/poison resistances to Endurance, as it's your body's ability to fight off poisons. If the potion has a spell attached to it, then it would do a Endurance check, and then if you fail, you make a resulting Will check based on the spell.

On the topic of will, it seems somewhat useless. I think Will should be the save stat for psychic magic, and will vs any influence (intimidation, persuasion, etc). This leaves Courage with only Inspiration, but its complex enough imo to still be significant.

In addition, increasing your Psyche doesn't automatically learn you languages. I think it should be your mental capacity to learn and adapt.

That's all i can think to change on a baseline level right now, and it is your system, so all of these are just suggestions.

[Rethel34]

Haha, that makes 2 who have suggested almost the exact same thing. I have a sister thread for this over in General Interest Checks, and I received quite the large post from someone who was studying what I wanted, and tried to better rearrange the system as he might have done it. Let me link that post, as it's quite insightful and I think I may heavily lean toward what has been suggested there: Big Insightful Post from 0 Azzy 0