From: owner-runequest-rules@ (RuneQuest Rules Digest) To: runequest-rules-digest@lists.MPGN.COM Subject: RuneQuest Rules Digest V1 #174 Reply-To: runequest-rules@mpgn.com Sender: owner-runequest-rules@ Errors-To: owner-runequest-rules@ Precedence: bulk RuneQuest Rules Digest Wednesday, October 14 1998 Volume 01 : Number 174 RuneQuest is a trademark of Hasbro/Avalon Hill Games. All Rights Reserved. TABLE OF CONTENTS Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP: Fatigue rules Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer [RQ-RULES] Spheres for spells......... [RQ-RULES] Spell categories Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Re: [RQ-RULES] Spell categories [RQ-RULES] Re: Fatigue [RQ-RULES] Runes [RQ-RULES] Re: Rune related Spell categories [RQ-RULES] BFRP Design Re: [RQ-RULES] Inbound newsgroupies [RQ-RULES] New Spells RE: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer [RQ-RULES] BFRP Spell Categories RULES OF THE ROAD 1. Do not include large sections of a message in your reply. Especially not to add "Yeah, I agree" or "No, I disagree." Or be excoriated. If someone writes something good and you want to say "good show" please do. But don't include the whole message you praise. 2. Use an appropriate Subject line. 3. Learn the art of paraphrasing: Don't just quote and comment on a point-by-point basis. 4. No anonymous posting, please. Don't say something unless you're ready to stand by it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 15:45:00 -0400 From: "Bob Stancliff" Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer > Combat mechanics (simplifying and streamlining) > Weapon Types / Descriptions > Paul Bestwick Paul, please contact me about these categories, they are the ones I intended to focus on. I am also interested in character creation and skills. I may have to keep out of this project to work on my own version, but I could also organize and present this material on my web page. Lets drop BFRP and call it 'Legends'. Bob Stancliff (stanclif@ufl.edu) http://commnections.com/upgrades *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 16:14:46 -0400 From: "Bob Stancliff" Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP: Fatigue rules > : Fatigue is figured as per the RQ rules (i.e., STR+CON minus ENC). Each time > : a character rolls 96+ in combat, his fatigue level is dropped by 10. If it > : is still 0 or higher, nothing bad happens. If it drops to -1 or less he > : loses -10 off all his skills. He loses another -10 for every ten pts > : below -1; hence,-11 to -20 costs -20 off all his skills, and so forth. Note > : that even if your fatigue starts out negative, you suffer no skill losses > : until you've rolled that 96+. > Fernando The problem I see is that while the more encumbered character is going to have a larger penalty at any given moment, all characters will have the same probability to get worse and do so at the same rate. The more encumbered character should probably get tired faster. This system is not greatly different than RQ3 in results until some very lucky or unlucky player defies probability and either never gets tired or gets tired right away. What is so hard about the referee counting the round number and everyone checking it against their starting fatigue to determine if they have penalties? Bob Stancliff (stanclif@ufl.edu) http://commnections.com/upgrades *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 16:48:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Al Harrison Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer On Tue, 13 Oct 1998, Bob Stancliff wrote: > intended to focus on. I am also interested in character creation and > skills. Bob, I recognize I'm still a "newbie" here. Nonetheless, I have some ideas to contribute on character creation. I think characters are defined primarily by their background, expressed in skills and stated ethos (not "alignment" but I like my players to give me some idea of their character's motivations & moral limits). For skills, I favor a system built from "root skills" using points. The number of points would vary by character and probably would be set by the value of characteristics. Root skills: motion / agility sensation / perception manipulation / ? communication / ? information / knowledge spiritual / magic craft / - no equiv. in RQ - * As you will see, I am serious that "my" craft skill has no RQ equivalent. "Specialized" skills: The root skills are clearly(?) too broad for game play. Therefore, I suggest that the GM should devise or acquire a standard list of skills subordinate to these roots, the default values in the skill to be set by the character's root value or by some other means ("cultural occupations"?). _In addition_, the players should be encouraged at each character creation to devise new subordinate skills which neatly sprout from one of the root skills. This is particularly true for the "craft" root skill. Let's take "craft: noble" and "craft: stonemason" characters for an example, which will follow in my next post when I have time. Al Harrison www.coe.neu.edu/~aharriso/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 21:32:34 +0100 From: stephan Subject: [RQ-RULES] Spheres for spells......... hey Guys lets try something radical, how about just using the Rune affiliations................. Personally I always thought that an adaption of the Ars magica spell system, using the Runic affiliations instead of the latin names would have given a very good RuneQuest spell system, trouble is it worked best for sorcery rather than divine and I never really followed it through...... est *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 18:34:56 -0400 (EDT) From: bjm10@cornell.edu Subject: [RQ-RULES] Spell categories The problem with _a priori_ spell categories is that they cannot be made universally valid, unless you want to take the incredibly simple-minded expedient of insisting that all worlds have a single monoculture a-la the worst of AD&D-type "world design". Quick, how many "elements" are there? Four? Two? Three? Five? 108 and still counting? And that is an EASY question. When we get down to more explicitly social categories, it's even harder. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 09:13:21 +0000 From: "Ian Thomson" Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Fireblade: Fire or War/Weapon? Fire magic of course, (IMO) and you cast it on your sword Such questions have been occupying my mind the last week or so as I rummage around preparing my blasphemous document on Runic Sorcery :) - ------------------------------------------------------ ithomson@swin.edu.au "As private parts to the gods are we, they play with us for their sport" (Blackadder) *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 19:30:00 -0400 (EDT) From: Al Harrison Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] Spell categories On Tue, 13 Oct 1998 bjm10@cornell.edu wrote: > > The problem with _a priori_ spell categories is that they cannot be made > universally valid, unless you want to take the incredibly simple-minded > expedient of insisting that all worlds have a single monoculture a-la the > worst of AD&D-type "world design". No, that isn't fun. But the point of a spell category, no matter how it's represented (Rune, School, Sphere) is _not_ to be universally valid. It is a limit on the characters' magical authority, an implicit acknowledgement that mortal understanding is limited and that we struggle against our deficiencies to achieve heroism. Without the hard-won understanding embodied by the Category, the mortal mage would be forced to confront and control the raw power of magic - in my terms as a GM, each spell would require a POW check where success grants the spell effect and failure brings total destruction. (See Terry Pratchett's _Sourcery_ on this topic, plus numerous more "serious" fantasy novels like Donaldson's _Chronicles of the Unbeliever_). So by accepting the limited worldview established by lucky, clever, or exceptionally sturdy predecessors, the PC mage takes the safe path to finite but magnificent knowledge and power. As you point out, the "safe path" will vary depending on the cultural view point. That's why Europe produced sorcerers and alchemists, Asia brought forward fakirs monks and martial artists, and the Americas burgeoned with animal shamans. So why not, each of those so inclined develop a separate magic system for their favorite culture? And someone good at consistency, set up some rules to ensure the magic systems can work side-by-side w/approximately equal power:sacrifice ratio. Al Harrison www.coe.neu.edu/~aharriso *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 19:53:07 EDT From: Delecti@aol.com Subject: [RQ-RULES] Re: Fatigue Philip writes: Has anyone got a simple, working fatigue system? Sandy wrote the one that I use ... simple and easy. Fatigue - ----------- By Sandy Petersen CON+STR minus ENC gives you your initial fatigue. Fatigue does not affect combat at first. However, every time you roll a 96+, 10 is subtracted from your fatigue. In addition, after the first failure, you must look at your fatigue total each time you make such a failure. If it is ... < 0 subtract 10 from all skills < -10 subtract 20 from all skills < -20 subtract 30 from all skills etc. Rest after combat will restore you. It's actually pretty easy to keep track of. Let me give you an example. For example: Harry Hoplite has a CON+STR of 21, and wears 25 ENC of gear. His starting fatigue is -4. He fights normally until he rolls his first 96-00 of the fight, at which time his fatigue (FP) drops by 10 to -14. In addition, because this is < -10 he loses 20 from all his skills (i.e., he is near exhaustion). Mark Man-and-a-Half has a CON+STR of 27, and wears 5 ENC of gear. His starting FP is 22. He fights normally until he rolls his first 96-00. His FP now drop to 12, and he suffers no penalty. With his second 96-00 roll, his FP drop to 2 - -- still no penalty. On the third time he rolls 96-00, his FP go to -8 and he now has -10 from all his skills. The fourth time he rolls it, his FP go to - -18, and he now has -20 from his skills; the same as Harry Hoplite suffered after only one bad roll. It's easy for players to keep track of, it makes heavy armor problematic (so there's a choice as to whether you want it or not), and it doesn't affect most short combats. Also, it's easy for GMs to fake for their bad guys. AND it has no effect on the vast majority of monsters (who wear no armor). All very good, IMO. Finally, it makes the various Fatigue-boosting spells worthwhile without needing to change their descriptions. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delecti, Lord of the Upland Marsh aka Scott Knowles RL, USA Coordinator for The Chaos Society Delecti@aol.com ChaosSociety@iname.com http://members.aol.com/Glorantha/chaossoc.html Reserve your copies of Tradetalk #4 and Ye Booke of Tentacles (containing Sandy's latest sorcery rules, lore auctions, CoC stuff and more!) "I've always said you can get more with a kind word and a two-by-four than with a kind word alone." - -- Marcus Cole, Babylon 5 *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:31:13 +0000 From: "Ian Thomson" Subject: [RQ-RULES] Runes Hello Can anyone advise me on the lesser known Runes one I had at the back of my mind was Communication which I believe is the Issaries Rune and then there's the Triangle that L Mhy(?) has What is that? (scuse me if I just missed it on my Rune list) Any others I should know about? thanks Ian ithomson@swin.edu.au *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 11:14:07 +0000 From: "Ian Thomson" Subject: [RQ-RULES] Re: Rune related Spell categories For the dual purposes of adding to the discussion of Runes and what they do, and for getting constructive feedback If anyone wants to take a look at my 'work in progress' Runic Sorcery I can send it as an attachment, just mail me and ask ithomson@swin.edu.au Its too long to post here, I imagine It includes a detailed specualtion on what Runes do what It will be on my site but probably not until the beginning of next week, maybe this Friday *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 21:16:47 -0400 (EDT) From: Al Harrison Subject: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Design (fatigue) For real simplicity I think Bob Stancliff's scheme is best. Like the SRs it is highly deterministic which makes combat more predictable and reduces dice-rolling. 1. Fatigue = STR + CON - ENC +/- spell effects 2. on Melee Round = n * Fatigue, reduce all skills by Penalty 3. schemes for Penalty: - binary (1% .. 2% .. 4% ...) hard to keep track - 5% a time <-- my favorite (runes) there's a great list of runes at www.tiac.net/users/maranci/rqfont.htm triangle = LAW. I'll try to shut up now. Al Harrison www.coe.neu.edu/~aharriso/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 21:58:47 -0400 From: Tal Meta Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] Inbound newsgroupies Hibbs, Philip wrote: > > My brother just posted the signup details on uk.games.roleplay, 'cos some > folks was complaining about there not being an RQ list, so expect a > membership increase some time soon. And so there have been. Though about half as many have left, it seems (might be folk on both the list and the digest, scaling back to just the digest, though.) - -- talmeta@bellatlantic.net - I *am* one of the Chosen Few! ICQ - 12594453 AIM - talmeta1 TANJ Lives! - Alternate Homepage - *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 18:10:10 +0100 From: "Hibbs, Philip" Subject: [RQ-RULES] New Spells If anyone wants the new spells, send me an email with "GIVE ME SPELLS" in the title philip.hibbs@tnt.co.uk http://members.tripod.com/~PhilHibbs/ Any view of things that is not strange is false - Neil Gaiman, Sandman *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 08:56:34 +0100 From: "Hibbs, Philip" Subject: RE: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer >_In addition_, the players should be encouraged at each character >creation to devise new subordinate skills which neatly sprout from >one of the root skills. This is particularly true for the "craft" root skill. We are not writing a new roleplaying game, we *have* a base set of attribute and skill mechanics, which we are just bringing up to date. Obvious problem areas like fatigue and sorcery must be addressed, but other than that, I want to keep the *basic* game mechanics as they are, so that RQ3 characters are instantly compatible with *no* conversion required. Where rules differ, such as possibly Sorcery, the RQ3 rules can simply be used as an add-on. Maybe we will include traditional RQ3 sorcery as well as a Sandy's variant, and Runic, and Meldek, etc. philip.hibbs@tnt.co.uk http://members.tripod.com/~PhilHibbs/ Any view of things that is not strange is false - Neil Gaiman, Sandman *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:23:19 +0100 From: "Terje Tollisen" Subject: Re: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Designer Metals (Properties, enchanted and unenchanted) Combat - missile - -Terry Tollisen ********************* Terry Tollisen Kjelsaasveien 99 0491 OSLO Norway ********************* *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 09:52:41 +0200 From: Alain.RAMEAU@total.com (Alain RAMEAU) Subject: [RQ-RULES] BFRP Spell Categories >Fire / Sky >Water / Sea >Earth / Land >Wind / Storm I would say Air/Storm (Wind being Air + Movement, if this category exists) >Darkness / Underground >Moon / Madness >Battle / War >Fertility / Crops >Life / Healing For me Fertility and Life are smilar IMO and could be grouped. Therefore, 2 categories would now be missing ! >Death / Combat >Spirit / Otherworld >Community / Wealth >Chaos / Evil Alain. http://www.btinternet.com/~karamo/rqgb.htm *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. ------------------------------ End of RuneQuest Rules Digest V1 #174 ************************************* *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe runequest-rules' as the body of the message. RuneQuest is a Trademark of Hasbro/Avalon Hill Games. 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