The Path to a Great RPG

[The Gwaga Gmonk]

First off, thanks for such a great response for my first article. Now, here's step two:

Heya, and welcome to the second instalment of the “Path to a Great RPG” series. Last time I told you about the paperwork, this time I’ll tell all what to do when you first open your RPG maker.
PART TWO: The Database
Now, when you first open it up, many people would want to either make the maps or intro sequence first. There is nothing wrong with that, but really, there is a better way to go. There aren’t a lot of things more annoying than making all your maps, getting halfway through an RPG and realising you’ve missed something out.
I know we’ve already planned it all out, but before we do anything else, let’s go to the database.

First of all, we need to make the characters that you will be able to play as. Obviously, put the main character as number 1; this will be the one the player will see on the map through the game, as well as being first in the party. Remember the paperwork from part one? Go back there and check up on your PC list. Make up a name, degree and everything that you planned in part one for each character. If you can’t think of a name try one of these methods:
1) Make a Japanese sounding name.
This is the method I used for the game Chrome Tide. Japanese sounding names are good because, as any RPG fan knows, most RPGS originate in Japan. So how ‘bout something like Karani, or Mushai. Keep these in mind: K’s, Ai’s and/or R’s are essential. End almost every name with a vowel. Make at least half the letters vowels. Try these and you’re set.
2) Look at the hero’s degree.
Many a time I have looked at the hero’s degree, thought of a synonym for it, and made a name by changing a few letters. Take, for example, the degree hero. Synonyms for hero:
Idol
Star
Icon
And so forth. Now, Star is a bit hard to work with. Good for a female non-lead role, but not for a male leader. Icon? Again, hard to make a name from. Idol, let’s see…Edel? Sounds alright. We can always edit it later.
3) Just think of a cool sounding name!
This is the method I used for the Fifle series, with the lead character Celsius. Also, Wizards of the Coast used it in making Jareth. Celsius and Jareth sound cool, right? Why not use them?

As for the degree, there are two ways to do it:
1) The character’s species.
Obviously, only for non-humans. Good for use with dragons, elves, goblins etc.
2) The character’s occupation.
For humans exclusively. I mean, it would be a bit strange having a dragon as a party member with “Degree: Baker” wouldn’t it? By occupation, I mean you can have “Hero”, “Soldier” etc, but also things like “Wizard” and so on.

Now, spells. To make these, try this pattern:
5 or so spells for each element in the game (light, fire etc.) that hit one enemy, with varying strengths.
5 or so spells for each element that hit all enemies with varying strengths.
One stat changer for each ailment (poison, burn etc.) that hit one enemy, and one that hits all enemies.
4 or so healing spells for one ally.
4 or so healing spells for the whole party.
One resurrection spell for one member, one for the whole party.
A few “hidden super spells”, maybe one for each element.
A few character – specific spells.

In vocabulary, most of the things are self – explanatory. But for things like inns and shops, try this:
Different classes for each. In Chrome Tide, for example, I used Too Friendly (Hello sir! Is that all sir? Thankyou sir!), Over Perky (Golly, it’s a great day! You sure have a lot of jolly stuff! Will that be it, nice man?), and Untalkative (Hi. Done? What?) for the shops.

That’s really it for the database, the rest is easy. Join me next time when I shall reveal the secrets of a great intro sequence and start of the game.
Until then, may you give your children Japanese sounding names for some reason.
BABUU!

[Ryoshin]

I've read this already at Darkolic RPG. It's great, but not so good than the first one.

[dead monkeys cry]

this one is good but the othe one is beter im waiting for the next part tho should be nifty