Still, definitely worth a download.
The generator settings are quite easy to manipulate, consisting of four main variables with some sub-options as well. One thing I think is really great is that when you set up the variables the way you like them you can just save those settings. One way I think this is useful is I can set up the general parameters for an area and just regenerate or quickly tweak things on the fly.
When you generate a tavern you get a short description of all the people at occupied tables, a listing of what they have to pick-pocket, and a map. The map can be printed or saved as a BMP file. While the map is pretty simple, it does give a scale and even a coat of arms for the establishment.
It doesn't take too long to figure out that there is a lot of potential for this program, like adding tavern menus, etc. Unfortunately the project seems to have stalled out some years ago. Still, even in just this limited program offering there is a lot a GM can get out of this. If you need a tavern on the fly, use this to generate one, make any tweaks needed, then just add some names and menus.
TavernMaker can really cut down some of the work of putting together a tavern for your FRPG.
2014.06.20 Edit
When setting up my new office computer after a HDD crash I found I was missing some TavernMaker files and tried to download the program, with not too much luck. Fortunately I did find some help from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, specifically the last update of 2013: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.tavernmaker.de/eng/men-eng-inf.htm
I've gone ahead and left the original links up in case they come back.....
It's a bit of a shame this hasn't been upgraded in a while, as it looks pretty darned useful. Nice find!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletethanks for this blog-entry. (I'm actually one of the two guys who did TavernMaker and the current host of the site.) Yes, the project has gone out-of-date quite severely due to life progressing from "students" to "professionals" and "family" :c)
We (I) can only spent so much time to have minimum-maintenance, but I try to at least answer to emails and registration requests :c)
The important thing, however, is: the databases behind tavernmaker (those which create the table & pickpocket descriptions) can be user-edited and the system is made open to accommodate all sorts of RGB-settings. (But it is HACK of a work to start a useful-sized database for a new system!) People interested in helping out and developing further can always sign up as "developer" to get access to the database-editor program.
At the same time: There were plenty of ideas for improving the system, and the latest was a "menu-generator" based on similar concepts. Unfortunately, life got in the way and the project never left "beta" state. As "the other guy" was the chief-programmer of us (and has/had all the source code), there is not much more development to be expected anytime soon, though :c(.
Anyway, I'm VERY GLAD that people still find the program useful in their games more than 15 YEARS since I launched the project! (And several years since my own last pen&paper RGB... )
regards,
bejoscha