Hi Allan, As you'll probably see in another message, I'm not a huge fan of D&D. I think there are too many rules, and I find that mostly they get in the way of the good story. I like combat in my stories, too, but I want a game that can be well-rounded, whether my players are trying to fight off alien monsters, or chat up a suspect to obtain information, or play a game of chess, or even forecast the future ... whatever it is that they want to do. I don't want to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out all the modifiers for the thief trying to unlock a lock. Trust me, this occurred in a face-to-face game I was playing about a year ago. That disrupts the story.
For me, the game should be about the story. The rules should be the tool that helps the game move along, and not the focus of the game itself. But you did ask a question, and I digress. Please forgive me. Yes, many systems offer their rules on-line nowadays. Most of them charge for them, but I've always said that's not a problem. After all, if I were sighted, I would pay for a print copy, so I have no problem playing for an electronic one. Wizards of the Coast is releasing the new line of White Wolf games. Although I like the original world better, and have many of those books on cassette (dear friends who gladly read them for me), all of the new line of books can be purchased in easy-to-read PDF format at www.drivethrurpg.com. Shadowrun is a very popular game for running cyberpunk adventures, and has rules for everything from shamanistic magic in the future to net running. (For examples of good cyberpunk books, start with William Gibson's Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive, and other books). In any case, this, too, can be purchased from www.drivethrurpg.com. Eden Studios makes a game called Witchcraft, which also deals with witchcraft, mages, vampires, ghosts, and other creepy stuff in the modern world. The core rulebooks is free at www.edenstudios.net/witchcraft/WitchcraftCorebook.zip Supplements can be purchased at www.drivethrurpg.com. Ars Magica deals with magic in a fantasy setting, more like a medieval setting, I suppose, about 12th century Europe. The 4th edition rules can be downloaded for free at www.rpgnow.com, and supplements can be purchased there as well. I could go on. Some games are available in PDF format from other places, and a careful search can find rules for Marvel Superheros (based on the Marvel comic books series) and other games as well. Numerous individuals have also posted their home brewed rules up for free download, or for a token fee. I'll look for others. I'm thinking of putting the GURPS rules up on Bookshare, but I need to purchase the most recent rules set, and scan them. This is just a start. Hope it helps. ----- Original Message ----- From: "allan thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 6:01 PM Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. > Lora, > well put. There is alot of good games out there and they all have their > strengths and weaknesses. > Do you know of any other games systmes that provide their rules on the > web > for download? I would be interested in checking them out. > Your right about D and D being minatures oriented, but it is playable > without those things as well. I admit, it gets a llittle harder, and there > is some shooting from the hip as it were...lol > > allan > > > sage ----- > From: "Lorana Chanicut" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 7:58 AM > Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. > > >> For what it's worth, you raise levels by earning experience points. In >> the >> past, you typically earned experience points for killing monsters, >> getting >> past traps and the like, solving puzzles, etc. I'm not certain whether >> D&D >> actually moved to awarding experience points for good role-playing and >> things like that, but our group certainly did. >> >> As for rolling dice and calculating the result, here's a simple example. >> >> YOUR DM says that the only way to get into the old house is through a >> third-story window. If you can climb up there (difficulty 16), you can >> probably wrench the window open, and slip inside. >> >> You look at your climb skill, and realize that you have 2 ranks in climb. >> These will be added to any die roll you make. >> >> You pick up your 20-sided die and roll it. You roll a 10. 10 plus the 2 >> ranks you had in climb is 12, but you needed to score 16, so you don't >> make >> it. You manage to get about halfway up the wall before your foot slips, >> and >> you tumble to the ground in a heap. >> >> Now, each skill is also associated with an attribute, and that >> attribute's >> bonus also adds to your die roll. Without looking at my book, I believe >> Climb is associated with Strength. So, let's say this was a big, tough >> burly guy with a strength of 17. His attribute bonus is +3. So, we add >> that to our die roll. Now, we have 15 ... 10+2+3. Our guy still doesn't >> make it up the wall, because our difficulty was 16. >> >> But what if you had something to help you get up the wall, like spikes on >> your boots that helped you hang on to the wall. Let's say the GM says >> that >> these would be somewhat valuable, and gives you a +1 for your spiked >> boots. >> Now our roll is 16, 10+2+3+1, and our guy just barely makes it up the >> wall. >> >> Your character sheet will show most of these bonuses at a glance. With >> experience, you don't add up everything and individual steps, just all at >> once, but this is how it'd look if you were doing it one thing at a time. >> >> Combat is slightly more complicated. There are lots of rules affecting >> it, >> including the fact that a natural 1 on a die roll is typically a serious >> failure, where you might hit yourself or a friend instead of a foe, and a >> natural 20 on a roll might mean an extraordinary success ... you do >> double >> damage, etc. >> >> I hope this helps at least a little. D&D is not the rules system I use >> by >> choice, because it was originally a miniatures wargaming set of rules, >> and >> those origins are still obvious. Just remember, there are lots of other >> role-playing games out there. Your preference will really depend on how >> much detail you want in combat, whether you prefer taking an hour to >> create >> your characters (the system is very detailed) or ten minutes, when you >> only >> need to make a few choices, and things like that. >> >> Lora >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "FigureInTheCloak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 9:52 PM >> Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. >> >> >>> Yes Please! I have been wondering about the same things myself. I've >>> looked at a number of message-board RPs which, though not actually DD >>> were >>> based on it, and I found that there were certain things I just didn't >>> quite >>> get. Like, I get races and alignments and basic skills and atributes >>> and >>> stuff like that. But when it comes to raising your level, any kind of >>> level, or calculating dice rolls, I get kind of confused. >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "allan thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> To: <[email protected]> >>> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 7:55 PM >>> Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. >>> >>> >>>> Hi Thomas, >>>> I am not sure where to find anything like that which is accesible on >>>> the >>>> web. If I remember right, There is an introductory box set that is >>>> geared >>>> for exactly what you are talking about. You would have to scan in the >>>> two >>>> booklets however. It has pre made characters and little adventures as >>>> well >>>> as introductions to leveling up and skill and spell use etc and so >>>> forth. >>>> It >>>> doesn't go into character creation however, which in my opinion is one >>>> of >>>> the most enjoyable part of any RPG. >>>> Perhaps I can write up a basic and simple run thru of all of the >>>> basic >>>> concepts for you if you want, since I have a lot of free time at the >>>> moment. >>>> I have been wanting an excuse to go over all of my Dungeons and dragons >>>> files and this is a perfect oppurtunity. *smile * >>>> >>>> Let me know if you are interested and I will get cracking. It really is >>>> no >>>> trouble. Just like you can sit up all night programming, I am the same >>>> concerning my role playing hobby. >>>> >>>> PS: I am not sure what you mean concerning the wizards in your example. >>>> There is something similar in D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) called >>>> specialist >>>> wizards. They each focus on a particular Type or school of magic. For >>>> example a necromancer or conjurer.They get certain advantages for being >>>> a >>>> specialist, but a few drawbacks as well. >>>> One of the advantages of Dungeons and Dragons is it's ability to be >>>> modified. The Dungeons and Dragons rules are actually an overlay on >>>> what >>>> is >>>> called the D20 rule set. This rule set is able to be modified and >>>> adjusted >>>> to fit all sorts of fantasy, modern, and science fiction environments, >>>> including even gothic horror. >>>> Once a person has an understanding of the basic rules of D20 (which in >>>> case >>>> you didn't know is kind of short hand for a twenty sided dice), that >>>> person >>>> can play any other D20 game. Some of these game worlds are Star wars, >>>> call >>>> of chtulu( a game based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft), farscape, The >>>> wheel >>>> of time, superheros, secret spies similar to double O 7, and >>>> everything >>>> in >>>> between. Of course, I am getting ahead of myself. later, >>>> >>>> Allan >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: "Thomas Ward" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 1:52 PM >>>> Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. >>>> >>>> >>>>> Hello, Allan. >>>>> thanks for the info. Although, so far what I have read it is still a >>>>> bit >>>>> out of my league. I really need something novis level that explains >>>>> simple basics of the game, gives some example stories/adventures, as >>>>> well as some premade characters already put together. >>>>> For example, I like to know how to have a basic character and slowly >>>>> increase that characters ratings, skills, etc... >>>>> If we had a dungeon where there were several wizards of a different >>>>> order like yellow, gray, white, etc...Each possessed specific areas of >>>>> power like earth, wind, fire, and water. That would be there areas of >>>>> expertees, but being wizards they would have to grow and be able to do >>>>> more and more of there favorite kinds of spells. As well as have more >>>>> deadly spells. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> allan thompson wrote: >>>>>> Hi Thomas, >>>>>> concerning dungeons and dragons there is a website that I hope I got >>>>>> right, >>>>>> here it is: >>>>>> >>>>>> http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html >>>>>> >>>>>> This official site lists all of the most important information needed >>>>>> for >>>>>> playing D and D third edition. It is loaded with downloadable RTF >>>>>> format >>>>>> text files that cover almost all of the manuals you could purchase >>>>>> in >>>>>> a >>>>>> store needed to play the game. >>>>>> There is also a link from that site that leads to the3.5 edition of >>>>>> the >>>>>> same game.Third edition and three point five edition is very similar >>>>>> except >>>>>> for some changes in some spell descriptions, character classes and >>>>>> other >>>>>> minor things. You probably want to check out the three point five >>>>>> edition >>>>>> first if you are not familliar with the previous one, to avoid >>>>>> confusion. >>>>>> >>>>>> I have played the game a lot before I went blind, and for some time >>>>>> afterwards until recently and I can help you with any kind of >>>>>> Dungeons >>>>>> and >>>>>> dragons question you might have, most of the time anyway. Another >>>>>> great >>>>>> resource is GMA dice roller which is free on the GMA site. >>>>>> As for the forum playing, I never got around to trying it, so I am no >>>>>> help >>>>>> there, sorry. >>>>>> if I can be any help further, send me an email. >>>>>> >>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>> >>>>>> allan >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ge ----- >>>>>> From: "Thomas Ward" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 10:39 PM >>>>>> Subject: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hello, list. >>>>>>> As of late I have begun to get interested in roll playing games. >>>>>>> However, I don't really know where to start, or where I might join >>>>>>> in >>>>>>> some accessible roll playing games. >>>>>>> For example, I would like to get in to perhaps some sort of fantacy >>>>>>> worlds like Dungeons and Dragons, but can't get an accessible set of >>>>>>> player's guides and handbooks. It appears I have to buy the print >>>>>>> copies >>>>>>> and scan them which I am in no mood to scan each and every book just >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> find out the rules, characters, etc... >>>>>>> In addition I am looking for online forems where I can play to get >>>>>>> practice. Any ideas? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> to leave send a blank Email to: >>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>> to go nomail send a blank message to: >>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >>>>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> to leave send a blank Email to: >>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>> to go nomail send a blank message to: >>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >>>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> to leave send a blank Email to: >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>> to go nomail send a blank message to: >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>> to go nomail send a blank message to: >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindgamers/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
