Well, I've been thinking about this, and here are my ideas for
guidelines for d20 software.
The main purpose (as far as I am aware), of the d20stl is to have users
buy a book (the PHB) to use the material in a d20 product (to the extent
where they need to know how to create and advance characters). If the
product does not automate the process (ie tell or give the user the
steps), of character creation, and advancement then it is fine.
Some of my comments not part of the guidelines are listed between (( and
)).
Here are my guidelines based on that:
The "Character Sheet Generator"
Purpose of this program is to print out a character sheet that has
values the user enters.
Creation:
1)The program does not roll ability scores. On one screen, the user
manually enters the values that he rolled for the character beside each
stat. ((Yes, a player could enter a 40, but the DM should smack the
player if he does ;-)).
2)The program lists Classes, Races, and Alignments available, for the
user to select. There could be either a drop down box where the user
selects a class, race, and alignment, or each class/race/alignment in a
list with checkboxes or radio buttons to choose from. In the case of
classes with restricted alignment choices, the program will not alert
the user that he has fewer choices. The program will also not modify
the ability scores based on the race the user chooses. ((At this point
the player chooses to play a Chaotic Neutral Paladin, or Lawful Good
Barbarian ;-)).
3)Based on the ability scores, class and race entered, the program will
not calculate the number of skill points the character recieves, how
many feats the character is entitled to, nor restricts what feats he
cannot take. The user chooses skills from a list, enters a value for
number of ranks. The user chooses feats from a list. For feats and
skills that have multiple options (say individual weapons for Weapon
Focus, or the Knowledge skill), a drop down list of possible choices
will be available. ((It will be up to the DM to make sure the user has
the correct number of skill points, and feats, and that the character
has the pre-requisites)).
4)The program will not calculate the amount of money that the character
has, and the user must enter in how much money he has. On the same
screen, the user chooses equipment that his character will have.
5)Any final screens would be for the user to manually enter in any
combat values, or miscellaneous details.
Once completed, the program can print out a character sheet with all
values entered.
Advancement:
1)The program may have a screen that the user can enter in the XP his
character has gained. The program will not determine if the character
increases in level.
2)The user is responsible for adjusting values based on his new level.
These guidelines, should cover most of the restrictions of character
creation, and advancement. The only minor "problem" is that someone who
creates this program would probably also create a character generator
(no d20 licence) to automate the process, and then allow a user to
import the generated character into the d20 program.
Thoughts ?
--
Korath,
http://www.korath.com
"He was already dead, he died a year ago, the moment he touched her.
They're all dead, they just don't know it." --Eric Draven, The Crow
