The RPG Runeterra Roadmap

Greetings summoners!

Welcome to the first article of the "Hexcribe" column, a weekly column where I will write about the Runeterra RPG without fixed themes. In one week I can talk about ideas for some creation, developing with you the thoughts that lead to it, while in the next week I can criticize some narrative decision from Riot or just talk about some subject I consider pertinent.

Para estrear a coluna, o assunto que escolhi foi exatamente o sistema do Runeterra RPG, falar um pouco sobre seu passado, contar sobre o presente conturbado com o lançamento da aventura de Legends of Runeterra no DnD Beyond,  e compartilhar um pouco do que planejamos para o futuro. Antes mesmo de começar o texto, já deixo o aviso de que será um artigo longo, mas garanto que os realmente interessados no Runeterra RPG serão recompensados.

Past

Runeterra RPG was born from the will of a veteran with more than 20 years of RPG to play adventures in this world that he learned to love called Runeterra, thanks to a little game called League of Legends with which he had contact in 2013.

A little of this story is already known by those who read the preface of the books, but it is probably not known by those people that this same veteran (this writer who speaks to you) has always had a tradition of creating, translating and disseminating RPG content over the Internet, since the 1990s.

As ideias que fizeram o Runeterra RPG ser firmado como ele é hoje foram fruto de muito pensamento e raciocínio tanto sobre RPG no geral quanto em como seria uma boa adaptação de League of Legends, algo que explorasse esse mundo em construção e que carecia de um material feito com paixão.

Thoughts of doing this little by little have even emerged, perhaps creating a class, a race, a power or any other element and little by little putting everything together in a big patchwork quilt. But that didn't sound good from the beginning, remember what I said about passion? Because then, a passionate person usually flirts with madness and that's what Runeterra RPG became as a project, something crazy, especially because it's something totally free.

Se no passado do RPG no Brasil muito do conhecimento era reservado aos que tinham dinheiro para livros importados e se negavam a compartilhar com os outros, ou se contornavam essa barreira através da geração xerox ou mesmo deram valores para as primeiras traduções, em muito isso se deve a uma espécie de ganância das pessoas com conhecimento. 

Many who learn a lot about some subject tend to think this makes them special, different and part of an imaginary elite. No wonder, during the 90's it was common for the lack of access to material to create some aberrations, like masters who held the power in their hands because they had the coveted books.

This is the great reason why the RPG Runeter was conceived as a free project from its beginning. Piracy has existed since the 90's through photocopying (xerox) and in the 00's it escalated with an enormous force thanks to electronic means. If on the one hand book piracy reaches authors and publishers, at the same time it democratizes access to information. So that it was not necessary to appeal to piracy, the model chosen was the free one from the beginning.

A system up to a certain point open, based on a "public" license that allows the creation of variations, added to a first level intellectual property, promoted by one of the most important companies in the game industry... two elements that were ready and waiting to be united by someone who could not profit directly from it, would do so out of passion for both elements.

Assim o Runeterra RPG nasceu de maneira tímida, na versão 1.0 totalmente diagramada em Microsoft Word e criada com base em conteúdo disponível na Internet. Basicamente a primeira versão era um grande apanhado de material formatado e organizado em apenas um lugar, com pouquíssima criação e inovação. 

But this release was just a trap card, prepared to capture incautious people as crazy as the creator of this, who had an interest in going beyond, create something much broader than the first 60 pages, people who had the willingness to dare and patience to deal with such a boring writer.

Surgiu o Luke Nitole, rapidamente nos entendemos e percebemos que tínhamos, se não o mesmo objetivo inicial, uma capacidade de “contaminar” o outro com suas ideias e visões. Assim nasceu o Runeterra 1.01 que foi um espaço de testes feitos com esse novo colaborador, que a partir desse momento se tornou co-autor e co-criador. 

Dessa forma nasce o Runeterra 1.1, um marco nesse projeto pois trazia uma criação de conteúdo surrealmente maior perto do que existia até então. Classes foram criadas, as Raças se tornaram “Origens” e foram modificadas, o sistema foi se desenhando como uma ramificação do D&D 5ª edição e alcançou o grande público do RPG.

If the launch of 1.1 was a milestone and a happiness, they just weren't bigger than the will to go further, create more and more, especially by the gratifying reception of the community and the affection transmitted by the interested people who became fans. With this version 1.2 came quickly to try to stabilize the system, bring corrections and many new content that were developed so that the experience with Runeterra RPG became even better.

And that brings us to the present.

Present

While I write this article, version 1.21 is in production and I can tell you that it should be released in the next few days. But don't expect too many revolutions, not even complete reformulations. Version 1.21 comes to further consolidate the system, organize content that has been redone and revised and try to bring a sea of calm to those who can no longer stand the spelling mistakes, continuity or other errors of a production made by fans.

In this version we will bring a new Source, the Rework of Ki Practitioners, as well as other content released since version 1.2 through the Vault, Hotfixes or other Reworks. Repeating again, it is a consolidation and stabilization version for those who use the system, provided by the contributions made by fans and people who have dedicated even a little of their time to send found errors (thanks Kenpachi).

The release of version 1.21 also serves as a starting point for the production of the English version which is potentially fuse for production in other languages, interest has already been shown and this has just not happened yet due to the lack of solidity of the system, it is terrible to try to maintain version in more than one language of a system that "changes" every three months.

Ainda nessa versão, trazemos algumas modificações em origens e classes que só foram possíveis com a publicação de conteúdo novo por parte da Riot, pois esses conteúdos são o que nos direcionam para onde a lore/história se desenvolve e quais esforços teremos que fazer para adaptar o sistema já criado às novidades do mundo. 

It is a somewhat complicated job, because with each new tale released, champion revealed or simply a short conversation with some Rioters, much of what we have created can be validated or completely nullified, requiring us to act quickly so that the system maintains its complete integrity with the official and canonical lore, something that we value from the beginning.

An almost certain possibility is that version 1.21 should be the last one made so quickly and in such a small spacing. Still, we do not recommend the printing of those who wish, more solidity is necessary for you to spend your money in the production of a printed book, without there being regret or a feeling of betrayal for a short time after a revision is released. Remember, we are fans, we don't get a penny and we have to earn a living while we do it, so we are failures.

Pertinente à questão de impressão, adianto que uma vez que tenhamos um sistema realmente estável, seremos os primeiros a avisar a vocês sobre isso, inclusive com um projeto que talvez agrade aos interessados em ter uma versão física desse livro de forma legalizada e que mantenha nosso princípio de um projeto não comercial em sem fins lucrativos. 

Quanto ao presente, muitos de vocês devem saber que o DnD Beyond lançou uma aventura em parceria com a Riot e o Legends of Runeterra, com algumas subclasses novas para a 5ª edição além de monstros, itens e outros conteúdos. 

Em um primeiro momento entramos (eu) em pânico pela possibilidade do Runeterra RPG ter que desaparecer, afinal, não somos uma empresa e seríamos esmagados se nosso “produto” entrasse em conflito com duas empresas enormes.  Mas não há pânico no horizonte, embora o conteúdo lançado seja “Oficial” do ponto de vista de ter relação com a Riot Games, ele não afeta a história de Runeterra e nem mesmo tenciona ser uma adaptação como é o Runeterra RPG.

About legality, we have been talking to Riot in Brazil precisely in search of clarification about the continuity of the project and all indications are good so far, so although this story is not yet finished, it points us to what seems to be a good future.

Future

And yes, it seems that the future will be good and very profitable, without this great legal impediment, our project can be maintained and continue to exist as long as the owner of Intellectual Property (Riot Games) does not feel bothered or harmed, thus bringing the chance to improve the system even more and always bring content that aligns with the universe of Runeterra.

But the time has come to talk about the future, something that until that moment we had kept reserved only for the members of the project and the closest collaborators. The whole RPG Runeterra is still incomplete, we can say that until version 1.21 still to be released, it will have reached about 1/5 of the original planning.

No, you haven't read it wrong, the more than 320 pages of 1.2 that should increase considerably with 1.21, are about 1/5 of the content we planned and already have in progress. Although this is a difficult time of pandemic, it has proved to be very productive as a way to try to keep the mind away from the problems and madness that the world finds itself.

So, let's go to the RPG Runeterra Roadmap, the planning we have for next year in search of the consolidated edition, although it will never be definitive, since Riot will probably continue developing content during this time and beyond.

For the version 1.21 that is about to come out, we have:

1.21

• Text Revision of 1.2
• Anima of Runic Scars for the Brute
• Origin, Troll
• Languages -Revision and organization
• Rework and Class Review:
  • Ninja
  • Bodisatva
  • Hunter
• Ki System for Ki practitioners

Before version 1.22, we will have a surprise, much awaited by all fans of Runeterra RPG and that will count with the interaction and participation of the community. Keep an eye on what's coming.

1.22

• Rework and Class Review:
  • Arcano – Revisão
  • Tecmaturgo – Rework
  • Combatente – Revisão
• Epic Levels
• Capstone in Subclasses
• Revisão Mágica +  Tipos de Dano
• Conjuration Chapter

We know that the Arcane as well as the Techmaturge and the Combatant need an additional affection, with more consistency between the levels and a better definition of the power peaks of each of these classes.

The Epic Levels are coming: Your dream is to have a campaign and go beyond level 20? Let's try to make it viable.

As for the Capstone of Subclasses, we intend that the level 20 of all the classes do not have a class characteristic, but a subclass characteristic, rewarding those who stay faithful to a class and do not run to multiclass in search of combos that have early peak power but do not become so interesting in the long run.

In the Magic Review + Types of Damage, we will complicate things a bit, giving more options and possibilities and expanding the range of both magic and types of damage caused, with a better definition of them, their sources, resistance, vulnerabilities, among others.

1.23 and 1.24

• Runessences

In these two versions, we intend to expand the available Runessences addressing aspects not yet fully covered by the system until this moment, through sets of Runes that have a theme and history as we are already used to in the world of League of Legends.

Essas Runessências servirão para consolidar esse sistema, trazendo talvez até uma revisão menor das já existentes até essas versões. Queremos dar mais possibilidades e formas de permitir personalizações cada vez mais únicas para os personagens criados, recriando e celebrando a grande diversidade de Runeterra e do Runeterra RPG.

1.2?

After the previous versions, our plans are mostly open, because much of what we do is directed by the Riot releases, as in this time can be released champions, more detailed information about regions and other characters that bring us the need for adaptation.

1.3

A versão “oficial” e recomendada para a impressão do Runeterra RPG, contendo um sistema completo e que necessitará apenas de um livro,  equivalente ao Player’s Handbook e ao Dungeons Master’s Guide da 5ª edição e finalizando a formalização de que o Runeterra RPG é um sistema baseado na 5ª edição, mas independente o suficiente para ser auto-sustentável.

?

After that, the future is uncertain and will be defined in much by what the Riot bid for content, but still does not represent the end of the journey. Besides the basic book, we intend to release at least 3 more books, which will be the following:

Santangelo – Um livro de monstros e criaturas contendo o bestiário mais completo para Runeterra e suas aventuras, com poderes únicos para monstros, regras adicionais, regras de ações de covil entre outras mecânicas que achamos interessantes de serem inseridas;

Helium – Um manual de magias, runas, sutras e outros recursos únicos de Classe. Um verdadeiro compêndio de poderes e possibilidades a serem explorados pelos aventureiros de Runeterra;

Icathia –  Um livro de conteúdo duvidoso, com coisas que foram removidas da história, possibilidades que não foram tão bem exploradas e lacunas que não estejam em total conformidade com a história canônica. Um tributo também ao extinto site que criei no passado e publicava fanfics.

And if you think that's all, you're wrong, besides all the content we already publish regularly in the Vault, remember that yes Riot releases content often, this often gives openness to new creations and adaptations and in some cases requires a Rework or a Review, which makes the surprise and uncertainty of the future, always allow news in the Runeter RPG.

With this, I believe we are being as transparent as possible about our plans and goals for the future of the RPG Runeterra, demonstrating where we will invest our time, where we may need help and creations of people attuned to these goals and volunteers willing to put their hands to work under the "Dictatorial Command of an Old Man".

Espero que com esse artigo  vocês também entendam um pouco de nossas limitações e condições que fazem muitas vezes um conteúdo ter que ser reescrito, refeito ou simplesmente removido, lembrem-se de nosso compromisso em maior fidelidade possível com a história do League of Legends.

See you next week, and thanks for reading so far!