#barony

[vintagerpg]

Squares will tell you that the first punk rock band was the Sex Pistols, formed in 1975, but this is hardly a settled matter among punk enthusiasts, who will cite the Ramones, the Saints, Television, the New York Dolls, the Electric Eels, Death, the Stooges, MC5, the Sonics and sundry garage bands stretching ever-further back down the timeline as the true progenitors of the form. When you believe it all started with the Pistols and one of these other acts hits your ears, you can feel the ground shift under your feet. Barony (1990) is kind of like that for TTRPGS.

The folder contains three booklets. The core rules are called Conrad’s Fantasy, though I’ve no idea who Conrad is. In fact, I have a hell of a hard time reading these rules. They’re just…dense and amateurish, full of asides and often just plain unclear. Despite this, I can still see the outline of a completely different kind of “free-style” game for 1990, one focused on storytelling rather than dice rolling and laying out ideas decades ahead of their time. There are no hit points, for instance; rather, characters have a stack of keywords they lose as they take damage (very much like Goblinville, for instance). Skills are checked by rolling 2d8, but there are degrees of success. Weapons aren’t defined, but rather combat tests the way a character uses them. The magic system is free-form, similar to Ars Magica, where players pick a law of reality to break and, anticipating Mage, work to prevent Reality from blowing back on them. Two booklets are devoted to generating games — one for scenarios, the other encounters — using Tarot cards; a third system in the core book uses Tarot to resolve epic combat against dragons (and I can’t help but compare all this Tarot stuff to the recently released His Majesty the Worm).

The result is…curious. It’s strange to read because it seems like 21st century RPGs owe many of their idea to Barony. But like proto-punk, I am not sure that is actually the case — Barony is not often cited and proved damnably difficult to find. Rather, I think these things maybe work in cycles, and that similarly minded designers arrive at the same conclusions sometimes, even if those times are on different points in the timeline. It’s still an amazing read. Er, well, it would have been, at least, if they’d hired an editor.

[psycheetamore]

What Giedi Prime architecture learns us about the man Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is

If (when...) I think of Giedi Prime, this is what I think of from an architecture perspective. And what I believe it learns us about our main man.

Or rather said, that this is what I choose to think of - brutalism and concrete to provide our benevolent lord with the most beautiful architecture befitting of him and his planet

Ofcourse, I started my fanfic writing bc I wanted to see Feyd-Rautha paired with a female warrior who could best him. But I also desperately wanted to describe the architectural choices made from an urban planning perspective.

Which I did in 2 chapters of Choosing to Follow Destiny:

A new reality - here the na-Baron gives our lead lady a ornithopter tour over Barony, and manages to express his love for the city.

He explained how he loved the massiveness of the buildings, their bold and unapologetic shapes. The city expressed power, creation by man, imposingness. It reflected the Harkonnen nature.

By the time she had said “so you see yourself represented in this design of this city?” she recognised this could be interpreted as an insult, also given the tone of her voice. An insult he did not seem to pick up on as he answered: “perhaps you are right. The city is made to have a lasting impression, spanning generations.”

He added, while looking directly in her eyes: “I will take this as a compliment, for me and my city”.

Contemplating the further explanations he gave, she could not help but to start recognise the inventiveness he alluded to. The creativeness allowed when designing different buildings. Although they lacked colour and detailed colourful ornaments, and there seemed to be strict overarching architectural guidelines to adhere to, the buildings also had a form of honesty and perhaps even elegance. They were brutal in seeking to achieve their functionality.

Looking with a bird's-eye view, it became clear that Barony was not a city that had organically developed over time, but rather one build in accordance with an overarching city planning in mind, although it was and continued to be over the span of hundreds of years. She still didn’t feel it was a beautiful city, but could understand how someone would feel it had its charm.

Perhaps each of these observations also applied to Feyd-Rautha.

Each of them could be taken as insults, but are in fact compliments.

After leaving the ornithopter she sensed that he had opened up to her. Although he was not born in this city, or this planet, he had come to love it. He had taken the time to show her something that he loved, to express why he loved it and to uncover part of himself in the process. Without a need for him to do so.

A party befitting Feyd-Rautha as bouncer

As if it was water, music came flowing from every part of the building to reach her ears and body. This utilitarian building could not have been anything else than be purposely made for this goal. Step by step she started to understand Feyd-Rautha's love for Barony.

Belgrade, Pyongyang, Berlin, Moscow, Jo'burg, Buzludzha (Bulgaria) - places I visited with the sole purpose of seeing these beautiful buildings through my own eyes

@sandwormrp - bc I recall one of your previous architecture posts which I adored

[videogamepolls]

Requested by anon

[fiyrball6063]

Artfight attack for user Pichepata

[linuxgamenews]

Barony Update: Keep Your Secrets Expansion Now Available

Barony update Keep Your Secrets releases for the first-person co-op roguelike game for Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the creative team at Turning Wheel for making this happen. Available now for all players on Steam and Humble Store. Turning Wheel just released a fantastic free expansion update for Barony, and it's live right now. The Keep Your Secrets update brings a whole new level of fun to the game on Linux and Steam Deck. While offering new features, more enemies, and a bunch of great surprises to make dungeon crawling even better. Plus, it's another one of their promised Kickstarter goals.

So, what’s new?

The Compendium

Let’s start with the big one — the Compendium. This is basically a magical encyclopedia filled with all the juicy secrets of Baron Herx's dungeon. It tracks everything, from items and enemies to game lore about different realms. And get this — it also keeps a record of your Barony in-game deeds, thanks to this update. Every time you encounter something new, more pages unlock in the Compendium. While giving you all the info you need to take down enemies, uncover traps, and master all those hidden treasures. To dive deeper into the dungeon’s secrets, you'll need Lore Points. These are earned by completing Achievements, which you can then use to research different entries in the Compendium. Already unlocked a bunch of Achievements? No worries—you’ll get credit for them too. Pretty slick, right? If you’re tired of getting wrecked by the same monsters over and over, this new feature is your best friend. Learn their weaknesses and how to counter them!

Keep Your Secrets Update for Barony

New Breakables and Enemies

Who doesn’t love smashing things? With this new content, you’ll find new breakable objects scattered throughout the dungeon. Break them open for items, gold, or—surprise! — even enemies. You never know what you’ll get, so smash away on Steam Deck and Linux. On the enemy front, the Barony dungeon just got even more intense in this update. Slimes are now more dangerous, with elemental types and spray attacks. Plus, you’ll also have to deal with Bats, Bugbears, and Gnomish Thieves lurking in the shadows. Each ready to make your life harder.

The Ruins Overhaul

Baron Herx’s Ruins have gotten a major makeover too. Around 170 new rooms have been added to this realm, with everything from ancient statues to arcane traps waiting for brave adventurers. You’ll need to tread carefully, as some rooms are downright deadly. Keep your eyes peeled for new Mechanist security systems and other surprises.

Gnomish Thieves

Speaking of enemies, let’s talk about the Gnome Thieves. These guys have abandoned their mining days and now roam the Ruins looking to rob anyone who crosses their path. They attack in groups, using both ranged and melee weapons, and they’ll even drop traps when they die in Barony in the update. Oh, and don’t get too bold — these gnomes are smarter than your average goblin. Watch out for their leader, too; take him down, and the rest will lose their nerve.

Bugbears

Last but definitely not least, meet the Bugbears. These bruisers are tough and carry serious weapons like battle axes and crossbows. They like to get up close and personal, using shields to bash you if you’re not careful. If you try to snipe them from a distance, they’ll just raise their shields to block your shots. They’re not just muscleheads, though—they’ll strafe around you and divide your attention, so you’ve got to stay on your toes.

Ready to jump in?

All this goodness is available now on Linux, Steam Deck (verified), Mac, and Windows PC. Whether you’re a veteran or just diving into Barony for the first time, the Keep Your Secrets expansion update adds tons of new challenges and content to keep things fresh. Available now for all players on Steam and Humble Store. Priced at $19.99 USD / £16.75 / 19,50€.

[luphorics]

2 and a half minutes of my friend trying to level up her swimming skill in barony (a roguelike dungeon crawler rpg, very fun and would recommend!!) while our dc server bot plays tokyo drift

[syrips]

after playing bg3, this barony post-death thing really reads differently

pic from 9/04/2022

[wereblossoms]

gonna be playin barony w a friend tonight! will hopefully not get smooshed by boulders

[gorematchala]

I was losing my fucking mind last night cuz I tried Shaman in Barony and when you shapeshift into a rat your sniffler is dead center on the screen and you have cheese-o-vision. The blue rat is my thrall

[sleetmonster]

Barony. It's a game about dying and going to hell, and hell is another run of Barony.

May the rats be merciful to our remains.

[vintagerpg]

Surely a time machine was involved in the development of this game. This week on the Vintage RPG podcast, we’re looking at Barony (1990), a game that sought to redefine RPGs with concepts that were decades before their time. Open-ended character progression, keyword-based health, a free-form magic system that anticipates Mage — how the heck does this exist? And why don’t more people know about it? And who the heck is Conrad?!

[would-anyone-like-some-bears]

I FORGOT I BOUGHT ALGERNON THE BOSS RAT PLUSHIE HE SHOWED UP AFTER A BAD DAY I LOVE HIM

[redratt]

Break sketch of Lindsay, one of the three anarch Barons of Boston. Initially part of a different Barony in New York, Lindsay was exiled for her growing influence and her steadfast stance against the Camarilla.

A counterpart to the other two Anarch Baronies of the Boston area, Lindsay's barony operates like a mercenary group. Their meeting places are secret until you're drawn in, and all anarchs are organized into connection teams.

It seems draconian, but the Barony almost fell 4 years ago in a Sabbat seige. Lindsay took it over after the survivors banded together. The barony borders Sabbat territory, and the fighting has claimed lives on either side.

It isn't quite an active war zone yet, but there are concerns. Lindsay is one of the last Harmonists, courtesy of her partner, who helped her find the path despite her young age.

To outsiders, it looks a bit much. To those inside it, the Barony is almost holy ground. It is their territory, and they know they must hold it or die-- either the Sabbat will kill them or the Camarilla will have them killed in their moment of weakness. They are afloat in a sea churning with sharks, but they float together.

For those with werewolf knowledge: Lindsay is Black Spiral Dancer Kinfolk with Get of Fenris/White Howler ancestry. Shes a Brujah vampire, though.

[robug-lyon]

Two unlikely heroes for monsters prove that not even all-powerful liches can stop them.

[nita-nebula]

DOUBLE FEATURE STREAM. SMT AND BARONY W/ MY GIRLFRIEND AND POSSIBLY A FRIEND OR TWO.

THIS ONE I'M EXCITED TO DO! SMT AND BARONY WOAH!!! MY GF WILL BE THERE AND SO WILL MY BUDDY! MAYBE 2 OF MY BUDDIES!

START TIME 5PM PST/8PM EST!

[blueempty]

Posting super late cuz today was really good

Its 5am so I gotta recap quick and go to sleep but, me and the partner went back to the farmers market and got some stuff including marigolds that I hope will help control pests around the other plants. I really wish there was a way to let bees into our balcony though cuz the bee's were loving those things

We went and got boba and it was super good, then we came home and I played Dokapon Kingdom some more which has been a fucking nightmare but we are closing the wealth gap between us and my brother. Then he went to bed and me and my friend started a Barony run. I'm a skeleton warrior and shes a human rouge. We have had some insanely good luck and we stomped the baron easily, like super free, and I had classic ending off so we're going on to the last 5 levels and its looking really promising as long as I dont get bone blasted by magic enemies. But I've never fought any of those guys so its a little scary. I got a life saving buff from the Sokoban gods though so I think I've got a revive plus the fact that one of us can be a ghost and help the other. That game is so good

The ooooother thing me and the partner did was carve pumpkins, which was her first time. They came out really good and we have a bunch of seeds to cook now. She had a lot of fun de-gooping them. Shes da best I love her

The Umbreon is hers, Rowlet is mine. Time for sleeeeeeep

Peace and Long Life