Lora, Thank you very much for all the information. I had no idea what was out there, and admittedly when it comes to computers and using all the stuff out there, it takes me a while. I am floored concerning wizards putting out white wolf books. Is this a d20 working or just a publishing issue? I do admit, I am biased towards Dungeons and dragons, I have played it for a very long time, but I am by no means attached to the hip with it. I have played numerous other rpg's, some better and some worse, and truly there is no perfect RPG system. Yet I think someone else mentioned this,it is the people who make the game not the rules. lol, I am starting to get all defensive about my game...Sorry. It is just that I have alot of fun and really great times with that system, and I have played it with heavy combat to no dice rolling at all. Thanks for your emails, they are always great to read and full of good info. allan
----- From: "Lorana Chanicut" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 9:24 PM Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. > 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 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/
