#arcanists

[mitchelldailygames]

Developer Deep Dive: Arcanists Preview

Arcanists Preview by Mitchell Daily

First look at a traveling spellcaster game

Oh, Arcanists. What high hopes I had for you.

Arcanists is a game where all players are spellcasters. Think of it like a classic fantasy party of a wizard, a sorcerer, a warlock, and a druid. They travel around using their magic to help communities deal with problems that could range from getting cats out of trees to slaying monsters and diverting natural disasters.

The mechanics go deep on the magic with lots of ways to shape different spells and multiple ways for the spells to do unexpected things. Reflecting on it now, I think the level of negotiation between GM and Arcanists and between players and the rules is pretty high. It worked out OK in my playtesting, but I would understand it being intimidating.

There is a lot I still really love about this game, enough that I might finish it at some point, even if it’s a relatively small release. I think the character creation (which isn’t in the Preview) is really strong. Characters can fit into archetypes while still feeling unique. I think the system for different approaches favoring different outcomes really works. Depending on what approach you prefer, your magic could end up being consistent but rarely surprising or really powerful but chaotic.

I also think the spell system is really cool and goes further into spell creation while still having pretty clear mechanics tied to it than I think I’ve seen in other places. Despite how much time might go into negotiating spell effects, I think it opens a lot of doors for creative problem solving, roleplaying with magic, and playing into disastrous and miraculous consequences of magic gone awry.

I also put a lot of work into the look of this game. I drew lots of runes, drew a decent amount of other art, and worked a lot on graphic design elements. There’s plenty I would probably do differently today, but it was a clear jump forward in my thinking about what a professional product should look like. I think some of that work is good enough that I probably won’t change it when I eventually return to this game.

This game has never gained very much attention, and that’s just how it goes sometimes, but if you check it out you’ll find it comes packaged with pre-generated characters, the rules for using magic, and an adventure. I hope you enjoy!

--Daily

[beornwulf]

Finished up my first Malifaux mini today. 'Eternal Flame' - a little automaton piloted by a fire elemental.

[holyfirethem]

Malifaux Arcane Effigy. Painted circa 2016.

[soylent-robot]

here’s Victor Ramos, mechanical genius who also does a line of steampunk prosthetics. hes also got a weird obsession about spiders

lads i think this might be a spider-man reference

[the-onceler-owns-my-uwus]

Took screenshots for the Madness of Malifaux teaser, pictured in order shown from the video. Damian not shown bc I don't respect him. Also guessing which factions they are bc I don't know

Harold Tull (guild)- love a bi-con with a cute pet cat can't wait for Shockwaves and movement BS out the ass with him

Tiri (explorers/neverborn) - tree lady lesbian with quirky upgrade shenanigans that'll make her a fun second master into McCabe

The Clampetts (Bayou)- this is either a brother/sister or a married couple and you won't know which even if you read the fluff. Also push/place BS based around fishing puns

Lynh Ly (Ten thunders) - Another pretty introvert to ship with Misaki, also will have so much deck/ha d fuckery she'd make Zoraida players cry

Kastore (ressers) - Obligatory vampire faction. Is either gonna be an absolute gremlin, or a posh British asshole. Either way will be a big hit with the Seamus crowd

May post the rest of the models later I'm at the DOT rn so I have time

[onipaintjobs]

Union Miners. Amazon HATES these men. Getting back into the rhythm of painting after a long stop. Riding Malifaux high after the local Infinity scene has gone completely quiet, while 40k has become a bit of a shitshow.

[areseiseart]

Classifications: Arcanists

Normal Clairvoyants are people capable of basic telekinetic manipulation. Most people who are only Clairvoyants have no ranking on the letter scale. They are quite nearly normal. These people make up the majority of the clairvoyant community, as strong psionic traits are hard to develop and maintain let alone live with. Clairvoyants can occasionally possess strong enough traits to be given a ranking. But they do not exhibit abilities outside of Telekinesis. 

The most common classification outside of the average Clairvoyant are called Arcanists. Arcane is the study of time and space, more specifically the manipulation of it. It is also what others would call magic outside of the Clairvoyant community. 

Arcanists are strong Telekinetic users yes, but they also often exhibit strong telepathic traits as well. Able to share thoughts though touch or if a higher ranking-from a vast distance. Some can even show pictures and memories. Though this particular trait is very rare. 

Those with high levels of concentration can also transport items or even themselves across space. Though it takes a lot out of the Arcanist and can be very dangerous if done without practice. Teleportation is thus seen as a last resort for those capable of doing it. 

While Arcanists are the most common classification beyond basic Clairvoyant’s. They should not be underestimated. Higher ranked Arcanists are dangerous as it is, even low ranked ones can often outclass their opponent in pure mental tenacity. 

Their psionic ‘energy’ is generally very high. Leaving plenty of room for improvement of their skills with patience, unlike many of the other classes found within our society. 

[ainarosewood]

Metamorphosis

@gatheredfates​

And the final one yay \0/ got all 30 done (even if a couple had to be done two on one day)  Thanks again for this it was a lotta fun

“What are your orders?” Aresthota asked looking down at the terrified K’lyhia.

Thyaa looked over and noted the woman was too frightened of this bastard to be able to focus.

The bastard pirate began commenting on not learning anything from the books as he picked up K’lyhia’s grimore and tossed it into the see.  He then began to stalk forward towards the prone woman.

She scrambled on the deck too scared to realize she wasn’t going anywhere with the mast behind her.  “Staay away from me!” she stammered

Aresthota moved between the pirate and his prey her axe ready as K’lyhia began to whine in terror.  Suddenly the woman passed out the Roegadyn woman before her having to grab hold stating, “Twelve forfend she’s passed out!”

Thyaa strode forward standing between the two and the pirate her carbuncle bouncing in front chiming in agitation.  Aresthota looked up at her in shock the whole time they had been traveling the miqo’te before her had seemed a goofy little furball but no more. 

Her pale eyes were hard and there was the unmistakable sharpness that bespoke of a seasoned Arcanist.  Softly she stated, “You and Geissfyrn get her to the boat I’ll deal with this lot.”

The Roegedyn nodded scooping up the unconscious  Foreseer and bolting to the side vaulting over.  Geissfryn was a pace behind her and as he began to vault over as well one of the pirates standing with their captain rushed toward him intent on stopping him only to have Thyaa’s carbuncle Rhen slam into his legs dropping him.

Swiftly Thyaa then cast Bio on all before her the Captain and his crew retching at the virulence of the spell.  The pirate captain lunged forward attempting slash her open with his axe she danced back and the axe blade shrieked as it met with the Stone Shield that her Carbuncle had cast over her to protect her.

She rewarded him with a Miasma then dashed to the rail herself before jumping up on it then over.  Behind her Rhen stood her ground allowing her summoner to be able to swim to the away boat and clamor aboard.

Once there the carbuncle vanished from the deck and the pirate captain came to the rail wheezing,  “Aye thats right slink back to yer mistress ye worthless curs,”

As they set sail back toward Aleport the two Roegadyn were silent looking at the miqo’te as she stood on the bow staring back toward the Morning Star.  Her face, her stance was completely different then what they had seen hours before at the Arcanist Guild and they were quite surprised.

In a few moments Thyaa appeared to shake herself then knelt down next to K’lyhia concern filling her features.  “Don’t suppose either of you know why that pirate terrified her?”

Both Roe shook their heads, they were baffled by the Foreseer’s reaction never in all the times they had escorted her had they ever seen her lose her composure like that.

Thyaa gave them a grim smile, “Well then guess we will have to find out then huh.”  

Aresthota nodded expertly guiding the little ship back to the port.  Once they approached the dock again Thyaa leapt over the side nearly falling into the sea before scrambling onto the stone and turning to catch the rope that Geissfyrn tossed her.

Aresthota shook her head unsure what to make of it.  For once back it seemed the miqo’te was the way they had seen to begin with not the way she’d been on the Morning Star’s deck.

“We’ll take care of K’lyhia.  You best return to the Arcanist’s Guild and report to Mistress Thubyrgeim.” the Roegadyn stating looking at the odd Miqo’te before her.

Thyaa smiled at her stating, “Aye, I’ll inform her of all that transpired.” she then sobered adding, “Please take good care of her ok?”

The lady marauder nodded wondering if all Arcanist’s were as odd as the two before her or was it just Miqo’te ones that were.  Before her Thyaa focused and concentrated floating into the air as she activated the Return spell to go back to Limsa Lominsa.