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What is an RPG

RPG stands for Role-Playing Game.�� A Role-Playing Game (RPG) is in essence, a game where several people work together to play the game and tell a story. 

Many of you will probably relate to the childhood game, "Let's Pretend."� In this game someone pretends something is happening.� This pretending usually forms some sort of story.� This game could be classified as a� very low level, unstructured, one-player RPG.

Many of you might have tried to do some sort of "Let's Pretend" game with more than one person, long ago.� This probably generally resulted in something that sounded like this.� 

Person 1:� "Since I'm so smart, I can get through the lock easy. "�
Person 2:� "No, you don't!"
Person 1:� "Yes, I do.
Person 2:  "Well, then a big person hits you on the head."
Person 1:� That doesn't happen!"


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.