I can't recall my source, but no indie game developer ever, said, "This is easy."

A number of months ago, I putting the final touches on the design for a combat and effects resolution system that would give the game the flexibility and scoring reliability that it would need to move forward. Once I had this system worked out on paper, I took a look at my code and shook my head in despair.  The code is, at the time of writing, best described as piles of spag sitting atop other piles of spag (a mess). Not that I would expect anything else from a first attempt at a prototype, but getting from where I am to where I want to be (i.e. in a state where I could run the combat resolution system)...getting from this A to B is going to be a lot of work. 

Rather than give up and move on to brighter activities (I recall Diablo III being released at the time), I instead moved on to another game related activity: card design. Needless to say I've given Midjourney a great workout in these past months having just recently qualified for the Midji 10,000 club. Most of these card generations have been for character card designs, a few of which I'd like to share with you below.

 Introducing the Level 1 starting card class, Clankin!

Every RPG character has got to start somewhere. The idea of the IMI OW game is that you can use this base class to progress (evolve) your card up through the ranks and professions. There will be various flavours of Clankin, the one in the card above might be a card destined for warrior greatness. Following a profession path something like,  Clankin ➡ Warrior ➡ Raider ➡ Barbarian ➡ Warlord. Here is the descriptive text that might be attached to this rather handsome card (Clankin with warrior traits):

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In the heart of the Waldenlos, where even the shadows give and take life, the Clankin dwell—fierce and noble tribes of the endless woods. While many Clankin live a peaceful village life coexisting with the trees, some exhibit a fiery spirit, signalling their destiny as warriors of the forest.

These destined Clankin, from their first breath, are surrounded by tales of bravery and strength, passed down through generations. The murmurs of the trees and the howls of the beasts become their lullabies, fuelling their desire to defend and protect. With weapons forged from the hardest timber and armour interwoven with the thickest vines, they embody the relentless spirit of the forest.

Every Clankin possesses a bond with the forest, but the warriors have a visceral connection to its heart. While their brethren may forage mushrooms, or sing with the birds, the warrior Clankin clash with thunder and strike with lightning. Their raw power resonates with the elemental forces that define their homeland.

The journey of a Clankin warrior is fraught with challenges and perils. From confronting dark creatures lurking in the shadows to standing guard against invaders seeking to plunder, their path is never straightforward. Yet, with each battle, their legend grows, and their name echoes louder through the forest, heralding the rise of a new generation of warriors ready to bear the mantle of defender, soldier, or if they wander from their homeward path, raider.

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Here are a few more Clankin (with warrior traits) designs

I will continue to share character cards as they are developed, the next will likely be Clankin (with trelieber traits) and Clankin (with wiccan traits). Next development in the game is to provide a working prototype of the combat and effect resolution system.

<◕.◕> Sept, 2023