� The big, big difference between a true
RPG and this is that an RPG is a structured game.� It has rules to resolve is a
person accomplishes what they tried to do and a numerical system to determine
the outcome of actions.� Also, an RPG uses dice or cards to simulate randomness
and give an entertaining random effect to the game.
�
�
How Does an RPG Basically
Work
To play an RPG you need two or more players, although
when you hit around eight players the game gets annoyingly slow.�
First of all you must choose someone to be "Game
Master."� The Game Master (GM) acts as the narrator/referee for the game.� All
the rest of the players are called "Players."
Each "Player" takes or creates a character to
represent his/her self.� The "Game Master" does not.� More will be explained
about character creation in the "Rules" pages.
The "Game Master," acting in a spirit of fairness,
describes the setting and outcomes of the "Player's" actions.� Yet, the "Game
Master" (GM) doesn't just decide the outcome.� There is a numerical system for
determine the outcome to some degree.� To achieve the outcome of a character's
actions an RPG uses dice or in TAB RPG, cards plus "Stats."� "Stats" are a
numerical value given to symbolize a character's ability to do certain things.�
The "Game Master" brings the outcome to life.� More about the system will be
described in the "Rules" pages.
The Game is divided into "Rounds."� A round is the
time it takes for all the "Players" to have a "Turn."� A "Turn" is a chance for
the "Player's" character to make an action.� A typical "Round" in a RPG might go
as follows:
�
GM:� "You are all now sitting
in an inn.� Around you are various people, including a man you recognize as your
enemy, Fred." Player 1:� "I walk up to Fred and sit at the table in
front of him, saying 'We meet again.'" GM:� "He turns to stare at
you." Player 2:� "I take my club and hit him on the head without him
seeing me!" GM:� "That take skill.� Lay down a card to see if you can
manage to do that." Player 2 lays down a card GM:� "Now let
me consult your character's stats...� No, I'm afraid you fail.� The result
wasn't high enough.� Fred sees you coming and ducks in time." Presuming there
was two players, it would be Player 1's turn
again. |
�So you have it.� This is how an RPG basically
works.�
Materials Needed
Paper
Pencil
Spare Time
Some Friends
A Deck of Cards (Only
use the number cards, aces and jokers.)
Character Creation
The first thing you
need to do is make a copy of the character sheet included with this writing.
Now that you have a
copy of it, let's go over the blanks in order.
Name: Here you
provide the full name of your character.
Race: You can
choose from the list of races (provided in the "Races" section) as to
what race you wish your character to be.
Class: Here you can
choose what class (general character type) you want your character to be.� You can find out about all the different
class choices in the section titled "Character Classes."� Note:�
Some races might not be able to be a certain class.
Physical:
Put a physical description of your character here.
Level: Here is put
what level your character is at.� The
higher the level, the more powerful your character is.� All new characters start at level 1.� More on levels is provided under the section
titled "Upgrading Your Character."
Now draw eight cards
from your sorted card pile.� You are
going to determine your character's "stats".� Stats are numerical ratings of various
aspects of your character.� When
determining stats the number cards count as the number they represent, aces
count as one and jokers count as a negative one.� Add up your cards.� You
now have this many points to distribute amongst the different stats, using
these rules:
��� Only
1 stat can be 7 or greater
��� Your
class's primary stat has to be at least a 5 (See class descriptions.)
��� Know
that a 5 is average
��� No
stat can be over 10
��� Your
stats must be within the racial minimums and maximums
��� The
higher the number, the better
Here are the stats
and what they represent:
Strength (Str):
How strong your character is.� This
influences how much damage your character causes when attacking with melee
weapons.� This can be used in an arm
wrestling match.
Endurance (End):
How long your character can go on without a break.� How far they can run, walk, swim, ect.� This effects your character's hit points (HP) This can be used
when trying to see how well you withstand damage taken during conflict.
Speed (Spd):
How fast you character is.� This can be
used when your character is trying to out run someone.
Flexibility (Flx):
The ability of your character to bend and twist.� This can be used when trying to squeeze through a crack.
Intelligence (Int): How
smart your character is.� This can be
used when trying to decipher ancient runes.
Perception (Per): How
observant your character is.� This can
be used when trying to spot a person following you on the horizon or when
trying to hear a person whispering across the room.
Determination (Det):
How much sheer force of will a person has.�
This can be used when you are trying to resist pain.
Charisma (Chr):
How you inspire people.� This can be
used when trying to obtain a band of volunteers.
Personality:� Here you write a some information on your
character's personality.
History: Here
you write the epic history of your character.
Spells: Here you list
what spell lists your character can use; if they can use any.
Hit Points (HP):
Each character has a cretin number of hit points.� You can attain how many hit points you character has by taking
your endurance, squaring it and adding your determination.� Hit points can be thought of as your
life.� Each wound your character
receives takes away a number of hit points.�
When your character's hit points reach zero, your character is
dead.� Your character can regain hit
points through magic, first aid or just waiting for the wound to heal over
time.
From here on are
material possessions that your character has.�
A character starts with a weapon of his or her choice, a backpack that
contains some essentials needed to live and 15 gold pieces (GP.)
Weapons/Armor:
Put a list of what weapons and armor your character has in their possession
here.
Money: Here you can
enter in the amount of currency your character currently has.
Items: Here you enter
a list of the items currently in the character's possession.