The Magic Bites series is a collection of urban fantasy novels written by Ilona Andrews. The series follows the adventures of Kate Daniels, a mercenary who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where magic and technology battle for dominance. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the series combines elements of magic, mythology, and a supernatural underworld. The protagonist, Kate Daniels, possesses a unique ability to wield both magic and weaponry, making her a force to be reckoned with. She works as a "cleaner" for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, tasked with keeping the peace in a city plagued by magical fluctuations. Kate finds herself often caught in the crossfire between various magical creatures, including vampires, shapeshifters, and witches.
1. Can anybody find any already published/established game system rules for a Kate Daniels world setting? I don't want to reinvent the wheel, and all of the series, characters, creatures, and mechanics would be fun to play with.
In general Kate Daniels setting s an urban fantasy with the twist that about half the time active magic won t work but shifters are still unnaturally strong etc. In that book, the main characters and several of the supporting cast get pulled into a magical gladitorial type tournament known as the Midnight Games.
Kate finds herself often caught in the crossfire between various magical creatures, including vampires, shapeshifters, and witches. Throughout the series, Kate faces numerous challenges and battles against powerful enemies in her quest to uncover the truth about her heritage and find her place in a world where supernatural forces reign. Alongside her is Curran, the Alpha of the shapeshifters, with whom she shares a complex relationship filled with tension and intrigue.
Kate Daniels ("Magic Bites" series by Ilona Andrews): Midnight Games
Hi folks. For starters, I legitimately do not know if this should be a conversion, advice, or possibly even product discussion thread, and I have no idea how to make multiple category threads without duplicating. If I'm in the wrong spot, sorry, and please feel free to tell me how to relocate, do it your self, or asks the mods to.
This is a pure fan boy, passion project of mine; but the community often seems on board to help with this kind of thing, and maybe this will be useful to other fans or story tellers.
The entire series of Kate Daniels is worth a read, but I particularly loved the 3rd book "Magic Strikes". In that book, the main characters (and several of the supporting cast) get pulled into a magical gladitorial type tournament known as the Midnight Games. For various story reasons, the owners/designers of the games are fixated with the number 7. The grand tournament they hold annually involves an elimination style event with teams of 7 members, each of whom must fit a certain role.
This isn't even the most important part of the book, but the specialized team concept has been locked in my brain for over a decade now. Each role speaks to a different combat style and/or weapon/offensive choice. The 7 roles are as follows:
Shield - Defensive fighter
Shiv- Fast fighter (the character in the book dual wields military combat daggers)
Sling - Ranged fighter (guns, bows, whatever)
Spell - Magic user/caster
Stone - not defined, but implied that it's the big guy/gal
Stratego - not defined but implied captain/leader/strategist
SwordMaster - seemingly duh (only weapon specific role; maybe because main character is a sword user)
My questions/objectives are several fold.
1. Can anybody find any already published/established game system rules for a Kate Daniels world setting? I don't want to reinvent the wheel, and all of the series, characters, creatures, and mechanics would be fun to play with.
2. Anything by the authors to better define these roles? I'm reaching out, but the chance of getting an answer is likely slim. Anything with the creative input and authority of the authors would be ideal though.
3. If the above two can't be met (or if folks just want/like alternatives), how would you define these roles? What is required for a fighter (generic term, not the class) to qualify for a role? What actions, weapons, or styles might be restricted or excluded from a role?
In the book, several one off characters from other teams seemed like they could qualify for multiple roles. Obviously these terms are pretty broad in several places.
Is defensive waiting to strike back, using a shield, guarding others, or all of the above?
Is fast initiative, multiple attacks, precision damage, or other quick take down options?
All feedback, ideas, questions welcome. Anyone with superior search-fu, please feel free to provide links.
Thanks in advance to all.
Am I on the wrong forum, is the subject too niche, or just no takers?
To my knowledge and a quick google there's no RPG conversion already. In general Kate Daniels' setting's an urban fantasy with the twist that about half the time active magic won't work (but shifters are still unnaturally strong etc.), and when magic's working 'technology' (not really defined; skyscrapers suffer so it may go into materials sciences even, but guns and swords aren't damaged. I dunno) doesn't work. Balancing that sounds a pain.
Leaving the magic/tech up thing aside urban fantasies have much more limited arrays of magic powers available than PF. It might be better to work with a system which limits that a bit, perhaps by buying each power separately (Savage Worlds edges) or which tend to be limited conceptually (FATE aspects).
I don't remember the Midnight Games well enough and I don't own a copy of that book, but a team for a gladiatorial game is unlikely to want exactly that balance unless it's enforced somehow. Is it?
Yep. Each team member is one of those roles, and a full starting team is seven members. However, depending on the capabilities of the character, it's entirely possible that one could qualify for multiple roles. To draw a rough analogy, you might be an excellent forward, but if you start a soccer match as the goalie, you're staying near the net.
This is part of what I'm trying to figure out or create. I want to know what the rules are for what qualifies a fighter to be a certain role. As important, are there any traits that exclude one from certain ? Once they're in the pit, it's use the tactics that let you win/survive, so the role defining qualities have to be more like wrestling weight categories, things that are set before the reality of the chaos of the match begins.
Also, in the elimination round before the finals, not all seven must participate in every match. So, different combinations of roles and abilities come into play. Part of that is the Stratego's job to sort out. A team must have four surviving fighters to stay in the games. A Stone, presumably the BIG (and strong/tough?) fighter, may still fight with a sword or be preternaturally fast, but he/she's always the team Stone.
As to the setting at large, the powers may not be as limited as you think. All types of magic uses exist in that world, because when magic came crashing back to the world it was colored by the faiths and folklores of all cultures and tribes throughout history. Some stuff is more common than others, but nearly anything is possible.
Post Shift Resonance (the magic/tech shifts) are more challenging, but not impossible. I'm thinking something along the lines of a modified and semi-randomly cyclical version of the Time of Troubles and/or Spell Plague. As far as how the magic treats "tech" it seems to be a vaguely Amish approach. Not a perfect equivalency, but any mechanically complex, technologically or chemically sophisticated items fail, break, or go inert. No guns, no computers, no internal combustion. Basic hand tools, forges, and possibly simple pulley machines work. Weirdly too, sometimes phones (but that's a rather funny bit from the books).
Shield - Defensive fighter
The Magic Bites series is known for its fast-paced action, unique world-building, and compelling characters. Ilona Andrews masterfully weaves together elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance to create a captivating and immersive reading experience. Each book delves further into Kate's journey, revealing new secrets and escalating conflicts that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of urban fantasy will appreciate the intricate plotlines, well-developed characters, and the richly imagined world of the Magic Bites series. Ilona Andrews has crafted a compelling and addictive series that leaves readers eager for the next installment. Whether you're a fan of magic, adventure, or strong female protagonists, this series is sure to enchant and captivate..
Reviews for "The Butes Series and the Quest for Power: Corruption or Redemption?"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I had high expectations for the "Magic Bites" series, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. The world-building also felt lacking; it was difficult to visualize the setting and understand the rules of the magic system. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the story and the characters, and it left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I found the "Magic Bites" series to be unoriginal and formulaic. It seemed like a mash-up of various fantasy elements without offering anything new or unique. The dialogue was cliché, and the pacing was off, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the writing style felt lackluster; it lacked descriptive language and failed to create a vivid atmosphere. Overall, I was not impressed with this series and would not recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars
While the concept of the "Magic Bites" series was intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The protagonist was difficult to root for; she came across as arrogant and lacked relatability. The plot was predictable, and the twists and turns felt forced rather than organic. The world-building was also underdeveloped, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Overall, I found this series to be mediocre at best, and it didn't live up to the hype for me.