New DFRPG Ruleset Extension WIP

[Siggy442]

Posting here to document progress on the extension of the FateCore RPG that we have to be able to make it functional for the Dresden Files RPG. As I'm fairly new to this, and I tend to have to relearn coding every year or so (believe me, there is such thing as having too many hobbies), this make take a while, but I'm dedicated to it, as this is one of my favorite RPGs. I'm going to list some of the things that would need to be altered somewhat in order for the FateCore ruleset we have now to work with the DFRPG. I'll also be noting as I make progress on some of these things, which will be... well, trial and error comes to mind.

Please, if the community has any suggestions of things I should be trying to add or consider, let me know. I'm new here, and this is something of my first project. There's going to be a few bumps along the way, I'm sure.

Character Sheer

Change Aspects to have a High Concept and Trouble section - DONE
Add Social Stress Track. - DONE
Add the option to add additional stress tracks. - DONE
Add a Debt counter. - DONE


NPCs

Change NPC format to allow for quicker building of NPCs, possibly similar to what a PC character sheet looks like? - DONE


The extension is now relatively complete. There were no theme changes or the like - my artistic skills are lacking, though if I ever find someone who can help me out on this front, I'll let you know. But, without further adieu, the extension is attached. The sheets, both PC and NPC, should function pretty well for a DFRPG game.

Dresden Files Extension (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B98H5M5F6dX9ZFJIQVdNMXh3elk/view?usp=sharing)

[Trenloe]

Good stuff! I'll look forward to seeing how you progress.

Just my usual feedback/warning regarding copyright. Game mechanics aren't covered by copyright so as long as you just stick to the game mechanics you will be OK. Artwork and written text are covered by copyright.

I know that SmiteWorks have an agreement with Evil Hat for the Fate Core ruleset, so I'd recommend reaching out to them (PM ddavison) to see what they recommend, as you might be able to include more material than just the non-copyright game mechanics.

[Valarian]

Okay. For Dresden Files, you'll want to start with the Fate Core character sheets as the base, rather than those of the Age of Arthur extension. Use the extension as a guide to the structure of an extension, but replace all the campaign folder files with the Fate Core ones. This has the High Concept and Trouble already in place. The Social stress track should fit in the stress track frame already there, by moving the physical up slightly and then placing Social under the Mental stress track (one would think it was almost planned that way).

The only real remaining change is the skill list in the data_common.xml file (scripts folder).

You can drag and drop numeric values on to the stunt/powers list in abilities already, so that caters for the variable stunt costs in DFRPG.

The current DFRPG ruleset has the backing of Evil Hat as a community offering. I reached out to Fred Hicks when I was releasing that. The feedback was "No rules = okay".

[Valarian]

For the copyright text (fate_chat.xml), you'll need to reference the existing license in the Dresden Files pak file. It's Open Game License, so a link to the WotC OGL page may be an idea (HTML link over the Open Game License text).



Open Game License v 1.0 © 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Fudge System 1995 version © 1992-1995 by Steffan O'Sullivan, © 2005 by Grey Ghost Press, Inc.; Author Steffan O'Sullivan.
FATE (Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment) © 2003 by Evil Hat Productions LLC; Authors Robert Donoghue and Fred Hicks.
Spirit of the Century © 2006, Evil Hat Productions LLC. Authors Robert Donoghue, Fred Hicks, and Leonard Balsera.
Any material found in this book which is not directly taken from the above named works is deemed to be product identity.
The Dresden Files Roleplaying Game: Volume 1: Your Story and The Dresden Files Roleplaying Game: Volume 2: Our World © 2010, Evil Hat Productions LLC.
Based on the original works in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher as published by the Roc imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Arranged through the author's agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary Agency. The Dresden Files, all of The Dresden Files book titles, all of the characters, descriptions, and plots from The Dresden Files books and stories, and all quoted material from The Dresden Files books are ©2000-2010 Jim Butcher.

[Siggy442]

So I was tinkering this afternoon and I've been able to modify the sheet a bit. Added the Social and Hunger stress tracks by enlarging the sheet slightly, which also allowed me to get creative and put in a Debt Box, as well as add a Sponsor bit under Fate Points, because of how those are typically related quite a bit. Still trying to get some of the spacing right, but I wanted to show you guys the progress before I went off to class.

The other thing was that I added an Other stress box, because there's sometimes a need for an extra one, depending on house rules or the possibility of using it as a power source. Back to work!

9604

Additionally, I need some feedback. What are people's thoughts on the NPC loadout? Do you want it small to be easier to have a couple on the screen at the same time, or would you prefer it to basically resemble the character sheet? I'm leaning more towards the later because in the DFRPG, a lot of the NPCs are practically characters and PCs themselves. Thoughts and suggestions? This is my next step.

[Siggy442]

Requesting help now, actually. I decided to try and go ahead with what already exists as far as the NPC sheet. I decided that one solution would be to add more tabs to the Main and Notes tabs that already exist. Unfortunately, I seem to be struggling to grasp how it's done - I haven't any success. I'm usually able to reverse engineer how the things work (which is how I learned how to alter the PC sheet), but I'm having a difficult time grasping how the tabs are set up. Could someone help, or provide a good resource for me to figure this one out?

[damned]

I suggest you have a look at the MoreCore extension.
You will see two main sections - one is a character sheet extension - adds another Tab and the other adds functionality to the Combat Tracker.
It has a pretty good amount of Comments within the code so it should help you out.


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[Siggy442]

That's definitely getting more on the right track, but it seems I'm still running into problems.


<subwindow_record name="main">
<class>npc_main</class>
</subwindow_record>
<subwindow_record name="abilities">
<class>npc_abilities</class>
</subwindow_record>
<ft_record name="notes">
<anchored to="contentframe" position="over" />
<empty textres="ft_empty" />
<invisible />
</ft_record>

<scrollbar_record>
<target>main</target>
</scrollbar_record>
<scrollbar_record>
<target>abilities</target>
</scrollbar_record>
<scrollbar_record>
<target>notes</target>
</scrollbar_record>

<tabs_recordsheet>
<tab>
<icon>tab_main</icon>
<subwindow>main</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_abilities</icon>
<subwindow>abilities</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_notes</icon>
<subwindow>notes</subwindow>
</tab>
</tabs_recordsheet>

This is my current code. You can see I added the abilities bit in there, and I've defined the windowclass npc_abilities later on in the file. When I compare it to the MoreCore...


<subwindow name="more">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>charsheet_more</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="main">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>charsheet_main</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="abilities">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>charsheet_abilities</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="inventory">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>charsheet_inventory</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="notes">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>charsheet_notes</class>
</subwindow>

<tabs_charsheet>
<!-- Added new MoreCore Tab to the Character Sheet -->
<tab>
<!-- Create transparent PNG file with text for the new Tab. File lives under \graphics\tabs -->
<icon>tab_more</icon>
<subwindow>more</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_main</icon>
<subwindow>main</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_abilities</icon>
<subwindow>abilities</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_inventory</icon>
<subwindow>inventory</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_notes</icon>
<subwindow>notes</subwindow>
</tab>
<activate>1</activate>
</tabs_charsheet>

It's most the same thing with a few differences I didn't think meant much. The only thing I could pick up is that he's doing it for a character sheet while I'm trying to do it for an NPC sheet. I know the Abilities tab already exists in graphics, so as it is, I'm having a hard time understanding why I can't get it to show up.

[Dakadin]

Do you have the graphics for the <icon> and <class> tags defined?

[damned]

That's definitely getting more on the right track, but it seems I'm still running into problems.

....

It's most the same thing with a few differences I didn't think meant much. The only thing I could pick up is that he's doing it for a character sheet while I'm trying to do it for an NPC sheet. I know the Abilities tab already exists in graphics, so as it is, I'm having a hard time understanding why I can't get it to show up.

im not positive but I dont recall ever seeing a NPC sheet with more than 2 tabs....

[Siggy442]

Dakalin, pretty sure, yeah.

Damned, as far as I know, I think you're right. I've been looking through extensions trying to find one with no luck. Honestly, I thought this would be easy, but it's proved deceptively difficult xp

[damned]

Siggy442 in my experience it is most definitely NOT easy.
For NPCs I suggest that you extend the existing Main Tab. You will need to work out how the Anchors work and are defined.
Have a look at the Malestrom (community) ruleset - I have a bunch of different additions in there. A ruleset and an Extension are pretty similar.
I could not work out the anchors so there are some kludges in terms of element positioning.


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[Dakadin]

I just went through the process to refresh my memory and created an extension you can use as an example. Here are the steps I used:

Created a new windowclass that will represent the new tabs contents. I just copied npc_main and removed most of the fields.
Copied the main subwindow_record and changed the <class> to match the windowclass I created above in step 1.
Copied an existing tab in the <tabs_recordsheet>. Changed the <subwindow> to match the name of the new subwindow_record in step 2. Update the <icon> to match an existing icon that is defined in the ruleset or your extension. I used the tab_abilities.


Hopefully it helps.

[Siggy442]

That helped a lot. I was able to start creating the new tabs no problem. I've been doing a lot of tinkering and have managed to figure out a few more things. Since then, I've decided I was going to reorganize the way the NPC sheet was set up, so that I could have different menus on the main section. Thus, I started butchering some of the code... and now I'm running into an error I can't seem to get rid of.

My Code for the setup of the general window:

<windowclass name="npc">
<frame>recordsheet</frame>
<placement>
<size width="350" height="300" />
</placement>
<sizelimits>
<minimum width="350" height="300" />
<dynamic />
</sizelimits>
<minimize>minimized_npc</minimize>
<tooltip field="name" />
<nodelete />
<script>
function onInit()
onLockChanged();
DB.addHandler(DB.getPath(getDatabaseNode(), "locked"), "onUpdate", onLockChanged);
end

function onClose()
DB.removeHandler(DB.getPath(getDatabaseNode(), "locked"), "onUpdate", onLockChanged);
end

function onLockChanged()
if header.subwindow then
header.subwindow.update();
end
if main.subwindow then
main.subwindow.update();
end

local bReadOnly = WindowManager.getReadOnlyState(getDatabaseNode());
notes.setReadOnly(bReadOnly);
end
</script>
<sheetdata>
<sub_record_header name="header">
<class>npc_header</class>
</sub_record_header>

<subwindow name="main">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>npc_main</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="abilities">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>npc_abilities</class>
</subwindow>
<subwindow name="notes">
<bounds>0,65,-1,-20</bounds>
<class>npc_notes</class>
</subwindow>

<scrollbar_record>
<target>main</target>
</scrollbar_record>
<scrollbar_record>
<target>abilities</target>
</scrollbar_record>
<scrollbar_record>
<target>notes</target>
</scrollbar_record>

<tabs_recordsheet>
<tab>
<icon>tab_main</icon>
<subwindow>main</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_abilities</icon>
<subwindow>abilities</subwindow>
</tab>
<tab>
<icon>tab_notes</icon>
<subwindow>notes</subwindow>
</tab>
</tabs_recordsheet>

<resize_recordsheet />
<close_recordsheet />
</sheetdata>

</windowclass>

The errors are all control() anchoring to an undefined control(contentframe) in windowclass NPC. Except, I'm confused, because I don't have any contentframe referenced in my code. Everything I've tried removing and adding doesn't seem to get rid of these errors. At this rate, I'm thinking about just going back to the sheet the way it was as opposed to adding my own menus, though I would like to try and figure out these errors. This has been as much of a learning experience for understanding FG as anything xp

[damned]

See post #12 above! :)


I could not work out the anchors so there are some kludges in terms of element positioning.

You really need to track down the anchoring and get your head around that. Use Notepad++ and use teh Find In Files feature and track down every instance of "names" until you find all the files that make up the element you are working on.

[Trenloe]

The errors are all control() anchoring to an undefined control(contentframe) in windowclass NPC. Except, I'm confused, because I don't have any contentframe referenced in my code.
The error is saying that it can't find contentframe so it makes sense that you don't have contentframe in your code, otherwise it would be able to be found. ;)

Controls templates used in the XML are set to anchor to a frame called "contentframe". Do a "find in files" in the base CoreRPG ruleset for contentframe to see where it usually is and you'll be able to put it back into your code. (Hint, look in campaign\record_npc.xml). The extension will overwrite code from CoreRPG - so your definition of <windowclass name="npc"> will overwrite the base CoreRPG definition of the same windowclass.

[Siggy442]

Project [Relatively] Complete. After much trial and error, I decided to stick with what I knew I could edit confidently and make it as usable as possible. No graphics changes, but the game can now be used rather effortlessly with the DFRPG. Link to download is attached to the first page.

[damned]

Hi Sigg442 - can you zip the files up - with the extension being in the base (eg dont zip up the parent folder) - and rename the file dfrpg.ext or similar?

[damned]

Hi Sigg442 - can you zip the files up - with the extension being in the base (eg dont zip up the parent folder) - and rename the file dfrpg.ext or similar?

Ignore my dumb-*** comment! the web page showed the unpacked files - it is already a zipped up extension :)

[Siggy442]

Ha, it's ago Damned. That threw me the first time I saw the files on a Google Drive, too.

[Dakadin]

I just thought you were that fast. ;)

[Hector Trelane]

Thanks for your work, Siggy442. Consider me a customer!

I've successfully downloaded and used your extension, and like what I see. It'll be quite helpful, since I'm hoping to run a DFRPG campaign down the line, and starting with the Night Fears one shot sample adventure provided by Evil Hat. I'd already started building those into two rulesets, both by Valarian: his original DFRPG and the more recent Fate Core. The good news is that your new DFRPG Extension for Fate Core seemlessly converted what I'd built previously to your new format. See screen shot:
9635

One issue I've noticed: new PC's created with the DFRPG Extension all are created with blank skills, whether or not the "Blank Skills" extension is used. I don't know if this is intentional or not. (I prefer having the skills populate to save typing. Ideally the two extensions could be compatible with one another for maximum GM flexibility.)

Your NPC sheet format is also very nice, and seems more ready-made for Fate. One minor issue there: when I typed more than one Aspect for an NPC, the display of the Stress Tracks and box for Consequences pushed down the window, accessible only by scroll bar. It'd be an appreciated feature if this window was resizable (by dragging the corner) so it could all fit in one eye-shot. (I couldn't work out how to do this.)

Final issue: compare your (very nice) new PC and NPC sheet formats to this screenshot of Valarian's original DFRPG ruleset:
9636

There are many tabs (for both PC and NPC sheets) included in the latter with space for recording the many things tracked by (the more complex, compared to the streamlined Fate Core) DFRPG. As someone new to both rulesets, I plead agnostic on which format is most desirable. Perhaps Valarian has already put thought into the whether and why of the redesign and could share some comments?

[Siggy442]

Thanks, Hector. Your comments are appreciated!

With regards to the skills, that was actually intentional. The reason I left the skills out on purpose was in order to err on the side of less rules. That is to say, while the skills for FateCore and the DFRPG are similar, there are some noticeable difference. In the interest of not getting into any copyright issues, I went ahead and removed the pre-written skills outright. It's an easy fix to add the original FateCore skills back, but that's why I did it that way. If someone else more experienced than myself has a word on what's ok for me to put there (I presume the original FateCore skills are fine), I'll happily edit it to be more helpful for players.

As far as the window resizing, that's already an option! You just need to click ctrl and then click on the corner of the window (bottom right). Then you can resize the window as you like. I just left the sizing as it was originally in order to maintain the ability to have a bunch of NPCs up at once without there being too much clutter.

Not sure on the last one. The reason the main is the way it is currently is because it has all the stuff the GM is typically going to need to see immediately. Skills and Stunts were kept together because they usually have an impact on one another... aaaaand because I wanted to keep the window's original size, in order to avoid cluttering the screen too much. Some of this was also limited by my coding skill with what we currently have, so there's that.

[Hector Trelane]

Window resizing [facepalm]... I simply forgot the basic controls. Thanks!

Good to know on the skills population feature, too.

As I get the chance to build the adventure into the ruleset further, I'll share more thoughts.

[Valarian]

I'd leave the skills out. Putting Fate Core skills back in will lock those skills for editing (if you do manage to remove a skill and close the character sheet, the skill gets loaded back in when you open it again). A simple right-click and add will enable people to put the skills in for Dresden Files. It's a little clunky, having to add the skills in each time, but I also err'd on the side of caution and didn't put a skills list in for the original DFRPG ruleset. Fred Hicks' agreement was "no rules = okay". Fan-made character sheets in PDF form don't usually have skills in them, so I didn't put them in either.

[theharper]

Posting here to document progress on the extension of the FateCore RPG that we have to be able to make it functional for the Dresden Files RPG. As I'm fairly new to this, and I tend to have to relearn coding every year or so (believe me, there is such thing as having too many hobbies), this make take a while, but I'm dedicated to it, as this is one of my favorite RPGs. I'm going to list some of the things that would need to be altered somewhat in order for the FateCore ruleset we have now to work with the DFRPG. I'll also be noting as I make progress on some of these things, which will be... well, trial and error comes to mind.

Please, if the community has any suggestions of things I should be trying to add or consider, let me know. I'm new here, and this is something of my first project. There's going to be a few bumps along the way, I'm sure.

Character Sheer

Change Aspects to have a High Concept and Trouble section - DONE
Add Social Stress Track. - DONE
Add the option to add additional stress tracks. - DONE
Add a Debt counter. - DONE


NPCs

Change NPC format to allow for quicker building of NPCs, possibly similar to what a PC character sheet looks like? - DONE


The extension is now relatively complete. There were no theme changes or the like - my artistic skills are lacking, though if I ever find someone who can help me out on this front, I'll let you know. But, without further adieu, the extension is attached. The sheets, both PC and NPC, should function pretty well for a DFRPG game.

Dresden Files Extension (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B98H5M5F6dX9ZFJIQVdNMXh3elk/view?usp=sharing)

Hi,

Thank you for this development. It is not working for me, however... I have just downloaded your zipped file, unzipped it and copied it to the relevant folders, but to no avail. Would you please help out a green one and let me know how to get this file. I would like to start a Mindjammer campaign and for this a flexible stress track section is required. There are 3-4 stress tracks and I would like to incorporate all into the character template.

Thank you in advance,
Norbert

[dberkompas]

theharper,

When you download the file, does it have a file extension? .zip, .pad, .ext???

The link in the first post is for an extension (.ext)

This goes directly into the 'extensions' folder for Fantasy Grounds (on my Windows 8 box, that would be:
C:\Users\BoomerET\AppData\Roaming\Fantasy Grounds\Extensions

Hope this helps,


BoomerET

Just noticed, on the link, you'll need to click the down -> arrow that will download the file, as opposed to downloading everything individually.

[Trenloe]

And you need to activate this extension in a FateCore campaign - it isn't it own ruleset.

[theharper]

And you need to activate this extension in a FateCore campaign - it isn't it own ruleset.

Gents,

Thank you very much! It is working now. sorry for that, but one more question: How can I edit the stress tracks? I would like to have four with mostly different names...

Thanx a lot,
Norbert

[dberkompas]

That would require you to make changes to the extension (Provided the extension is where the stress tracks are defined). Do you know LUA and XML?


BoomerET

[theharper]

That would require you to make changes to the extension (Provided the extension is where the stress tracks are defined). Do you know LUA and XML?


BoomerET

Yes, I Know. I have already tried to unzip the "DresdenFiles.ext" edit the "record_char_main.xml" overwriting the social and hunger stress sections and zip itagain, but no change in the character after logging in. What am i doing wrong?

Thanx

[dberkompas]

For Hunger, take a look at char_label_stresstrack4 in strings/strings_campaign.xml

Also, no need to zip it back up.

Leave the .ext as is, unzip the file, and make changes in the folder.

Changes in the folder will over-ride the .ext file.

Make sure to /reload after making changes.


BoomerET

[theharper]

...and voila... Thank you very much guys. Really appreciated.

[Hector Trelane]

Check in on this thread--any recent plans to continue work to further develop this (or additional) DFRPG extensions for the Fate Core ruleset? Trying to evaluate which base ruleset to use for DFRPG play--this or the original by Valarian. Thanks.

[Hector Trelane]

Also another question re: the DFRPG Extension for the Fate Core ruleset: The Consequences area on the Main tab of the character sheet does not seem to allow me to type on Aspect to attach to any given Consequence. Also, error messages consistently spew forth for many, if not all, clicks in this box. Any help here? Thanks

[Hector Trelane]

More feedback on this extension (which I'm making use of for an upcoming game, thank you): CT gets constant error messages during use and function of CT tools seems garbled (inconsistent functionality of various buttons). Finally, advancing the round only recognizes Friendly CT entries--Neutral and Hostile are skipped (although the flag can be dragged manually).

[Hector Trelane]

im not positive but I dont recall ever seeing a NPC sheet with more than 2 tabs....

Valarian has a three-tab NPC Sheet in The One Ring ruleset, as I’ve recently learned.

[Hector Trelane]

Here is a copy of Siggy442's fate extension from the first post on this thread, which currently produces a "Not Found" error on Google Drive. Reposting so other have access to it.

[Hector Trelane]

To rekindle interest in the Dresden File RPG, I share this post from jim-butcher.com:

https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/peace-talks-16


Peace Talks (#16)

As of July 22nd, 2019, Peace Talks is in the hands of Jim’s editor! Look for a release date announcement in the next couple weeks.
We’ll announce further details as we have them!

Seems like a good time to organize a one-shot or short adventure! I'll volunteer to play ;)

[Uendilor]

Hector, I'm not sure whether I'm missing something, or if your attached file aged off, but all I get on your post "reposting" Siggy442's extension is a paperclip followed by Attached Files, and I can't download anything. I've been unable to download what you attached. Could you repost again? Or if I'm just being foolish (definitely a possibility) could you tell me how to download what you've already attached?

[damned]

welcome Uendilor

go to the very bottom left of your screen and choose FG Responsive theme.
and then go back to that post.

be warned its an old ruleset now and may not work as intended.