Simplified Reconnection Chart

Posted: April 27, 2006

Back to the blog.

I decided to simplify the reconnection rules: the Difficulty Number to reconnect is based on the type of zone the Storm Knight is in, with Pure Zones being the most difficult and Mixed Zones being the easiest. The DN is modified as per the "Bonus Modifier" rule on pg. 100, Torg Rulebook (this rule applies to reconnection already, I'm just clarifying that it still applies.)

Here's why: the current reconnection rules are troublesome in a couple of ways. The formula to produce them (presented in Infiniverse Update 1) is cumbersome, the in-game theory behind the formula is a bit dodgy, and the size of the tables produced is problematic.

The formula is: For character A in cosm B, take the largest Axiom A over B. This is the Base DN. Add +1 for each additional axiom A exceeds B by. Add in an additional fudge factor, and adjust for World Laws. Though this has to be done only once, assuming it is recorded in a table, it is long and cumbersome.

As well, if I am an Ayslish human, using a Tech 8 sword, and disconnect in the Living Land, why is my Magic axiom the base DN for my reconnection attempt? According to the Torg Rulebook, characters disconnect from and reconnect to the Everlaw of Two, so why is an axiom that is entirely unrelated to the tool relevant at all?

The chart itself increases by squares: each new reality adds a column and a row of numbers. A two reality Torg would have a 4 entry chart, a three reality Torg 9 entries, a four reality chart 16 entries.

This was acceptable, when Torg had seven realities and only 49 entries on the chart. But we added the Land Below, and that increased to 64. After the Space Gods landed, the chart had 91 entries. Once Tharkold came around, 100. Avalon, 121. The Aztec Empire, 144. Atlantis, 169. If a gamemaster added in Pulse (196), or Gehenna (225), or Lereholm (256), then the chart just got too unwieldy to consider. And if they had their own home-brewed realities...

According to statements by West End Games, Torg 2 may have as many as 40 realities, from which gamemasters may select among to design their own campaigns. This would give an official chart 1600 (sixteen hundred) entries.

Clearly, something needs to be done.