Hey cool! Wow! You really know your RPGs!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Lorana Chanicut" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 7:54 PM Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. > Hi, > > D&D has the luck of being the first real role-playing game. It has lots > of > books out there, describing numerous campaign worlds, and probably > thousands > of pages of rules. > > The problem with D&D is that it was really meant for war gaming. If you > want to tell stories that focus on things other than combat and dungeon > exploration, D&D falls short. > > Although D&D has the fortune of being one of the earliest role-playing > games, there have been many RPGs released since, from large-scale releases > like White Wolf Games' World of Darkness books, to small-scale publishers > such as the British company Hogshead, which released a game called > Nobilis, > in which you can play gods, or perhaps incarnations, if you think of Piers > Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series. > > Many of the role-playing games released over the past thirty years bear > little resemblance to D&D. In Champions, GURPS and other systems, you are > given a pool of points to use in choosing options for your character, and > the resulting character is very individualized. These are usually my > favorite kind of games. > > In other games, such as the Amber Diceless game, they use no dice at all. > Your narrative actions, and the choices you made during character > creation, > help determine just how well you do. > > White Wolf's Storyteller system focuses on the modern-day world, and the > creatures of the night, the creatures that lurk behind the scenes: > vampires, mages, werewolves, ghosts and the like. > > Many other systems specialize. Champions, one of the systems where you > are > given points to select options for your characters, specializes in > superhero > role-playing. > > Another system, GURPS, also uses points to create characters. GURPS > stands > for Generic Universal Role-Playing System. They publish one huge book of > rules, and then world books that add specific rules and information for a > setting. For instance, they have world books for Humanx (a science > fiction > series by Alan Dean Foster), Wildcards (a superhero system by George R. R. > Martin), Celtic Mythos (games based in the world of the ancient Celts), > and > countless others. > > In conclusion, many of the games released nowadays look nothing like D&D. > Most are more well-balanced, allowing characters to be strong in areas > that > aren't combat-related: diplomacy, starship racing, detectivework, etc. > > Most systems nowadays are also somewhat more rules light. You don't have > to > memorize 300 pages of rules, charts and other data in order to determine > if > you're successful in hitting the thug with your fist, able to find the > clue > under the tablecloth, or able to barter the painting you acquired in > Bangkok > for the magic bauble in the display window. > > This isn't to say that I despise D&D. For me, though, it's place is in > role-playing game history. It was a fascinating starting point, but I > like > where we've gone since then, and I don't think D&D has really kept up. > > On the other hand, if designing a computerized role-playing game, there > are > numerous advantages to using the basic D&D rules to create and manipulate > characters. D&D is one of the most well-known games out there, and even > those of us who have moved on to other systems are familiar with the > rules. > > Of course, you can devise your own, far more streamlined, system to create > and control characters, and put that in the game. > > I hope this helps. > > Lora > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "FigureInTheCloak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 1:40 PM > Subject: Re: audyssey: Roll Playing Games. > > >> Hey thanks! That does help. You've finally made the D and D dice roll >> sort >> of make sense. Isn't D and D though the system that most fantasy RPGs >> are >> based on? In other words, are other systems as widely used to create new >> games and is there as much info about them? >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> 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! 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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/
