SO!Way-back-when, there used to be a fourm game called Evolution: Not a debate, a forum game. Unfortunately, the people running it kept running out of time to do so, thus the games kept dying out. -I- will try my best to stay active and keep the game running. And I believe I will be able to.
Before I begin, I would like to state for old vets of the game, that I am modifying how the game works to an extent. I "think" it could make the game more fun and/or interactive for both me, and others. We'll see.
The PitchThe premise of the game is this, a player takes control of either a species on a developing planet, OR as a god.
Now before you jump right in, saying I wanna play a god! I wanna play a god! Just remember, playing a god can sometimes be harder/more boring than playing a species, though it can be the other way 'round as well! (You'll see what I mean soon).
The species' job is to evolve past a primitive life form into something more advanced by using Evolution points. (EP). You could aim to make your species into a wild creature, with many physical functions superior to the other races. On the other hand, you could try to develop sentience, fire, even machinery! Of course, you might want to make an evolutionary "split". You know how chimps, gorillas and (if you don't believe in this last part, well, that's up to you) humans are all related, albeit distantly? Well.. That's what an evolutionary split does.. It "splits" a species into two different.. Well.. Species!
As a god on the other hand, you influence the world a little more indirectly. You could fuel a races evolution, create disasters and influence the environment! You will probably end up in contest with the other deities, since your power comes from the worship of creatures.
The Crunch!The Species:
Every species is a combination of Breeding Rate, Biological Traits, Civil Traits, and Special Traits. Every trait has a Level between 1 and 50. Increasing any individual ability or trait costs Evolution Points (EP) – from 1 to 10 costs one EP per level, from 11 to 20 costs two EP per level, three EP for 21-30, four for 31-40, and five for 41-50. There is no list of traits that every species must have or anything like that – make up what you'd like to see, and I'll find a way to make it fit. Bear in mind the 1-50 rating, spending one point at a time won't make your species really effective.
Taken and modified from Evolution -3-- A general description of the Species is a great place to start. What they look like, act like, living conditions, any general points. This will be expanded over time as the species changes and grows.
- Breeding Ability is what it says. A species' population growth is determined by (besides outside factors) a Litter Size, Breeding Age, and Death Age. By default, a species will have a Litter of 1, Breeds at 10, and Dies around 20. Increasing Breeding Rate costs EP, but to account for the myriad breeding schemes nature can create, just describe a biology and general breeding ability and I'll come up with the numbers and cost.
- Biological Traits make up the Species' actual physique and abilities. By default, a species is a formless blob of no determinate size (consider a creature's size subsumed under other traits) capable of moving, perceiving it's environment, self-sustained survival, and little else. Build thyself, and nothing is too far beyond reason.
- Civil Traits include anything that isn't paranormal or biological, especially technologies – everything from construction to adaptations to sciences to governance to any conceivable tool or concept, including any kind of civilized organization beyond basic pack-like structures. Pick up a Civilization game if you need ideas. Progression must have a logic – it need not be Earthlike or even realistic, but always have a justification. Also: don't feel pressured to become civilized at all – wild monster species are great
- Special Traits are anything else, especially paranormal stuff – Psychic powers already being quite popular. Religious powers would fall under this as well – not the organization of a religion, but the actual ability to contact and influence the Gods. Again, don't feel obligated, mundanes are always welcome.To be honest, I would prefer for there to be as few special traits as possible, because of this, I would like anyone who wants to use a special trait to pm the gm (me) for permission
The Fickle Dice:
Every turn, I'll roll d100's to determine the effects of the various turn events and attempts by the player at doing things. Traits add to this roll as appropriate, as does Godly favor (disfavor does what you'd expect). EP points are awarded (or subtracted) based on the results, along with population growth, resources, new events, and so forth.
The Gods:
Gods don't have to do much besides exists, but Godly players should feel free to post whatever suggestions and guidance you want. Rules are pretty freeform – Describe the God's manifestations, story, and desires. Pick one Major Sphere and two Minor Spheres (DF's spheres are a good inspiration) – nothing too broad like 'Death' or 'Creation', but 'Pestilence' or 'Birth' would be acceptable. A God can perform as many actions per turn as they wish, expending Power Points (PP) to kick their chosen ones along the path they set(provided they HAVE the necessary PP). Gods are empowered by worship – every 10000 active worshipers generate one PP per turn. There will be more rules below as they're created.
The Planet
The planet is huge, with many species already existing and having evolved upon it. The species the players control are merely the more major ones. (This means, of course, that carnivors CAN survive, even when not near another species. BUT, them being around the other species will A: help make the other species weaker, and B: Probably be more nutritious to your little
piranhas!
Please know, the current game area is NOT the whole planet, but a portion of it. I may make more as the game progresses though.
Players:
All species start with 50 EP. Gaining 5 per turn. I know that 5 is almost nothing, but the whole point of the game is to get your species out there, so that they can EARN ep. (I will award it to you when I see fit, not putting up a particular system. I intend to be fair about it though.)
All gods start with 5 PP, gaining 1 each turn. Again, stuff must get done for you to earn PP. As said above though, for every 10000 worshipers you have, you gain another 1 PP per turn. Hoorah?
The GM
I, the GM, will be controlling "Gaia". The planet. I don't control any species or get any worshipers, instead, I work out how the environment changes over time. For example, if there is a huge group of herbivours squatting in a "grass" hex for a while, I may choose to change it to a desert hex. I might shifts the continents a bit, or create a natural disaster. Gods can also give blessings and natural disasters, but I will have to show how it effects the map. So, even though I am not playing, I am still having quite a large role in all this.
(yay me)
How to get approved?
PM me your god or species. OR post it here in this thread, when accepted, you'll get put into one of the two posts below, and be informed that you may begin.
If you feel I have left something out, please pm me, or leave a post in this thread. Thanks!
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Topic: Evolution: Not a debate, a forum game. Revised! -1- (Read 5319 times)