In Search of Nine Worlds

Yeah, so I was reading blogs, as I do, and I came across an actual play of a game (produced in 2004, from what I can tell) called Nine Worlds.

The game sounds awesome. The game is concept based, so you don't truly have statted out characters and all that, just run with some basic ideas of characters and have fun. The game, just like any other rpg, can be very engaging and introspective or as juvenile as Warhammer 40k meets Clash of the Titans in space, and that's just awesome to me.

I'm not even sure of the particulars of gameplay, or really, any of the fluff, but it all just seems to thematically hook me. Afterall, who can resist intrigue and space theatrics with a backdrop including things such as centaurs, satyrs, and "primarchs" going by the names of the Greek pantheon, with aetherships offering passage between worlds.

My problem is this: I want the game, but can't find it anywhere for sale or download (I'm not sure if the pdf was free or not) anywhere. The full name of the product is Nine Worlds: The Game of Cosmic Myth, and if anyone out there can point me in the right direction for tracking it down, that would be keen.

Xalts

While I'm around, and thinking about gaming, I thought I would ramble on about an idea I had a while back, which I had decided to name "Xalts," though I've forgotten why, other than it's an obvious take on the word "exalt."
As usual, this model uses my most familiar gaming vehicle, D&D v3.x, to accomplish its goals.

Here's what it consists of so far:

• No change to races.
• No change to class selection.
• All characters are able to cast spells, at least to some degree.
• Surges: At first level, and every level thereafter, a character gets one Spell-like Ability to use At-will, corresponding with spells a character of their level would be able to cast. These are activated as the spell chosen, and acts like the spell for the determination of duration or other variables, or may be activated as Swift actions, in which case the "Surge" only lasts one round.
  

For example, let's say we have a 1st level Fighter. This character could have either a 0 or 1st level spell chosen as a Spell-like Ability, which they can activate as (let's assume they have True Strike, a 1st level spell) a Standard action, in which case it acts as the spell, or they can use it as a Swift action and it would last one round, which True Strike does, anyway.

A 3rd level Fighter would, similarly, have Spell-like Abilities, but more. They would have access of up to three 0 or 1st level spells, or two of either and a 2nd level spell as Spell-like abilities.

The idea is really just a rough sketch, but I think it would be fun. I have NO idea, as of yet, what I would do with actual spellcasters, since the model isn't on the table for play yet, but I'll be hashing out something soon.

As far as story goes, there needs to be limits and such for Xalts, as they would (easily) outclass and command the populace, so perhaps there are laws against use of their powers outside of the bounds of structured combat or something? Perhaps a divine ban on such acts.

It's interesting enough for me, at least, but any comments are welcome.

Dark Ho-Hum

So, as the time for the Dark Sun game approaches, it just seems like the enthusiasm and want to participate is running on low.

Attendance is low, attention to various other things seem to crop up during a time when character creation and realization should be happening, and there's just an overall "meh" attitude swimming around.

Perhaps it's just fatigue. I realize it's the holidays and such, but nobody is even talking about the game. Nobody is really discussing their characters or the whats/whys/hows of where they want their characters or story to go. This is highly unusual.

So, I'm gonna bring it up to the group on Tuesday. We're supposed to start then, but if there's a hitch, then it will just make the game lose some of its appeal. We just knocked back a year's worth of some D&D'n, so maybe we need a taste of something else for a short while to get back into gaming.

I dunno, we'll see. It's kinda frustrating/saddening.