DF_Framework.cmpgn

When our regular gaming group dissolved due to people moving, we searched for ways to keep playing anyways. And we ended up using the Virtual Tabletop MapTool from the rptools suite. Find it here: http://www.rptools.net/

Over time I have added some functions to our campaign framework to support the Dresden Files RPG and it has developed into something i'd like to share with you all.

_{The Framework was inspired by DrVesuvius' Generic Fate Framework, which can be found here on the rptools forum.}

My Framework is geared specifically to DF, so it might not work as well for other Fate incarnations.
It is mainly just meant to keep track of things. Stress, Consequences, Fate points...
There is very little automated functionality and most of that is Dice-Rolls and a compel mechanic for the GM. Most everything else has to be done manually. And i don't plan on changing that.

You will need some familliarity with MapTool itself to actually use the framework and play the game. This description does not cover all that, so for a comprehensive guide on MapTool you will have to look elsewhere... maybe start here. :-)

But now to what this post is all about.

My Dresden Files Framework

There is a token called Lib:Fate on the map called "Backend".
Make sure you keep this token around, as it carries all the code used to display the character sheets. The easiest way would be to simply keep the "Backend" map as it is, and not use it for regular gaming.

There are two campaign macros.

One of them is called "CharSheet", and bound to the F2 key. It is used to display the character sheet if the window is not open (you need to have a token selected for it to work). Once open, the Char-Sheet window will always display the token you have currently selected.
If you clear your selection, it will still show the last token you selected. However you will need to have a token selected to make use of the functions on the sheet.

The other campaign macro is called "Physical Initiative". You can bind it to a key too, if you like. As you might have guessed it is used to add tokens to initiative, taking Alertness and speed powers into consideration. Other modifiers are not currently included.

The Character Sheet
Once you have opened a Character Sheet (Read below about token properties to create your own character, or use the example token to get a quick first look), you will see the following Stats.

Character Aspects
Skills
Stress Tracks
Consequences
Temporary Aspects

The full sheet is only visible if you are the token owner or the GM. Players will only see a very limited view of tokens they do not own, and will not be able to edit them.

Lets look at the individual sections

Character Aspects
A List of the tokens Aspects. Players will be able to invoke individual aspects by clicking on them. This will post a message in the chat, and reduce the Current Fate points of the token by 1.
The GM will see an exclamation mark in a circle in front of the aspects. Clicking on this will initiate a compel of that aspect. The owner of the token will recieve a chat message enabling him/her to accept or decline the compel, recieving or paying a fate point respectively. For this mechanic to work properly, it is required that the token has only 1 owner.

Skills
The skill display needs to be re-initialized for new tokens and after changing the skills of established ones.
Click the link next to the "Skills" Heading to do so. You will need to deselect and reselect your current token or reload the Charsheet by pressing F2, to show the refreshed display.
Owners and GMs will be able to click individual skills to post a skill roll the the chat window.

Stress Tracks
Like the Skills-Display, the Stress-Tracks will need to be re-initialized. Doing so will also automatically reload the Char-Sheet, allowing the re-initialize function to be used as a "Clear-Stress" function.
Clicking individual boxes will fill or clear them.
Boxes gained through thoughness powers are shown with a darker background.

Consequences
Clicking the consequence type will allow you to add a new Aspect.
Clicking the little

• beside it will clear the consequence.

Temporary Aspects
Entering something in the Text-Box and confirming with the Return Key will add an aspect to the list. Clicking an Aspect will remove it.
There is no compel/invoke mechanic for those aspects, nor do i plan to add one at this time.

Symbols in the Top Right Corner
Star: Pay a Fate point and post a message to the chat.
Die: Roll a bare 4df and post to chat
Ladder: Roll 4df with a ladder value attached and post to chat

That's pretty much it for the character sheet.

Over to tokens

Character Stats relevant to Charsheet-Display are saved in token properties. (Right-Click -> Edit, or Doubleclick a token to open the token-edit window)
Any other character data, like Background, Powers, Magic, Items etc. can be stored in the Notes Tab of the token.

Most Properties are self explanatory.

Like the first two groups.

Aspects
Skills

Simply enter Aspect names or skill ranks.

Next are properties for toughness powers and Hunger settings. These are needed for proper stress track display.

Toughness: enter the appropriate number 0=none/1=inhuman/2=supernatural/3=mythic
HulkingSize: Does the char have hulking size? 0=false/1=true

HungerTrack: Does the char have a hunger stress track? true/false
Tattoos: Does the char have Tattoos of St. Giles? 0=false/1=true

Next is the speed power. This is used to calculate initiative.

Speed: enter the appropriate number 0=none/1=inhuman/2=supernatural/3=mythic

Next are the options to modify which skill is used to calculate a certain stress Track. Make sure to keep the bracets.

PhysStressSkill:{Endurance}
MentStressSkill:{Conviction}
SocStressSkill:{Presence}
HungStressSkill:{Discipline}

Two slots for additional Mild consequences. Enter the type here (Mental, Social etc.) leave blank if you have none.

ExtraMildAType
ExtraMildBType

Refresh and Fate Points. The first two are for bookkeeping only. The third keeps track of you Fate points. No need to edit except at Char-Gen, and Fate-Refresh (Fate Refresh function for GMs is on the to-do list)

BaseRefresh
ModifiedRefresh
CurrentFate

Next are the Consequences. No need to edit those, they are set and cleared via the Character-Sheet.

Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extreme
ExtraMildA
ExtraMildB

The last few properties are for background calculations. Mess with them at your own peril. *g*


Well, that's all i can think of at the moment. If there are any questions feel free to ask.

I hope this will be useful to someone here. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Also, my coding style, if you can call it that, will probably make any real programmer weep. But hey, I'm a Celtic Studies Major. So gimme a break :-)

Here's a little something i've been working on. It has grown and developed since i've started with the Dresden RPG, and i think it has matured enough to let it loose on the public.

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Used Fonts:
Preston Script - Used on Sheets
Bank Gothic - Used on Sheets
Zhayad - Used on Sheets (ornamental purposes only)
_{Another one is Calibri. Follow the link to see how to get it. Only used in the Backend, so really not necessary.}

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Table Descriptions:

"Backend" for all the basics (Aspects, Skills, Powers, Stunts, Stress, Consequences)
Those are outputted on the various Sheets (Standart, Were-Form, the Short variants of both, and the Text Sheet)
All powers from YS and some of the Stunts (not all yet), as well as some homemade ones are in there. On how to add more see the notes on "tables"

"Magic Stuff" for the Spellcasting parts (Evocation/Channeling, Thaumaturgy/Ritual, Foci, Enchanted Items, Rotes)
Magic Stuff is currently outputted on the background table, this is subject to change.

"Background" is a table that is both a Backend and Output.

"tables" contains all the background tables needed for calculations.
This is also where you can add additional Power-Levels as well as Thaumaturgy and Evocation Specializations. (Just type them into the blue areas)
The same goes for new Stunts or Powers, that you want to be able to select via Dropdown menu, you just type them into the blue areas.
If the predefined lines are not enough, you can simply insert more.

I think i have managed to make it fairly self explanatory. If anything is unclear, just ask.

Ok, can't think of anything more to write right now.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

See the topic.
Shifts achieved in an attack roll (be it mundane or through evocation or whatever) can be translated into stress.

The question now is if either

a) They always and automatically translate into stress
Or
b) I can choose if they do

We've been talking it over... and over... and over... we just can't get to a conclusion *g*
I am certain that it is option b).
Our GM says it's option a)

Our GM's argument is that shifts represent uncertainty. And so they should be out of the players control.

My argument is that shifts represent the attackers skill and control in directing his attack, and therefore one should be able but not forced to use them to increase stress.

I'd like to see what the community thinks.

Also, if there actually is a quotable rule in the Books that would lay that argument to rest... PLEASE LET ME KNOW.... PLEAAASE.