Hello, everyone.

I’m a couple of weeks away from publishing the new version of the game: 0.7. I’m also changing some of the visuals, as you might have noticed already.

I’m very excited about this version, because it’s coming closer to resembling a standalone game. But I’m still concentrating primarily on getting the mechanics right, before I do some writing about it.

While developing this game, I’m also exploring the style of play that I most enjoy. Through playtesting version 0.6, I have discovered I like it even less crunchy and less complicated, so I have stripped away some of the rules, or made them simpler.

My main design goal still remains the same: to have a fantasy game based on the BitD mechanics, but with less structure – although I like the narrative structure of Blades and other FitD/PbtA games, it is not what I want from H&G. I want a game in which genre, structure and the level of player agency are emergent and mutable through play, as much as possible. I still believe the core mechanics of BitD are the best tool for the job.

Here are some of the changes I’m planning to introduce in version 0.7:

• I’m moving away from 2d10+Modifier and returning to standard Blades-like d6 dice pools. – Although 2d10 worked well with some of the mechanics (Action Roll), they didn’t work well at all with other ones (Resistance Rolls).
• Character classes are now called archetypes. They are defined by mostly descriptive elements: features (skill/backgrounds/affiliations) and miracles (magic spells/rituals).
• Almost no mechanical progression for characters. Most of it will be moved to Party management. But in-fiction progression is still very much a thing: learning new features.
• The Harm table is expanded to become the Burdens table, which will be used to track both harm (short- and long-term), heavy equipment/gear and prepared miracles (magic).

I can’t wait to put the new version up and I hope that you will like it. I would also like to thank all of the people who have already playtested, given feedback, downloaded and/or financially supported Heart & Glory. I am endlessly grateful to you.

Here’s a work-in-progress version of the v0.7. character sheet, filled with a playtest character: