Basic Fantasy Questing

[Sir Bedivere]

Incidentally, as an aside (and I can't be the first person to raise this) when you look at it in detail, the standard BFRPG MU spell progression chart is a weird and wonderful thing. For instance, between level 9 and level 10 an MU gains a 1st level spell, a 3rd level spell and a 5th level spell. However, between level 14 and level 15 an MU gains just a 1st level spell. Just struck me as a bit odd!

Yep. That one 1st level spell you gain at 15th level is something I've noticed as well. They must give you an honorary doctorate of thaumaturgy or something to make up for the disappointment!

[Sir Bedivere]

I just thought of something else I like about your new MP chart. It gives MUs a really good reason to want a high INT. In BF, INT for a MU is just a prerequisite. You have have the minimum to join the class, but after that it's irrelevant for the class under the basic rules, I think. (There is an optional rule for trying to prepare a spell w/o a spellbook that uses INT.)

I guess you'll do something similar for the Cleric and WIS?

[JoeCarr28]

I guess you'll do something similar for the Cleric and WIS?

I've had a quick look at the figures, and 1d3 (rather than 1d4 as with the MU) + WIS bonus MPs/level seems about right for Clerics.

[JoeCarr28]

Draft version 0.2 attached. Updates include:

- Monster ability skills (saving throws) - thanks Joe the Rat!

- Points-based magic system overhauled to bring progression more into line with standard BFRPG (thanks Sir Bedivere!). I've also moved the points-based system to the 'Optional Rules' section and re-introduced standard BFRPG spell progression as the default system.

- Combination classes.

- Character sheet and example character.

- Compiled tables at the back of the document.

- Table of contents and glossary.

- Numerous minor corrections to spellings, grammar and tables.

Any further comments gratefully received. Otherwise I'll offer for general release.

Latest release available to download in the Showcase.

[Solomoriah]

I have Joe's release 1 document in hand. I think I'm going to drop it into the downloads area with Sword & Board, that is, as a full supplementary ruleset. As he did it in MS Word, I'm going to have to add an icon for Word documents.

ALSO, Joe... where did you acquire the artwork? Do you have rights to it?

[JoeCarr28]

ALSO, Joe... where did you acquire the artwork? Do you have rights to it?

Thanks Solomoriah. All of the artwork is from http://www.openclipart.org, and is therefore public domain, free of copyright and free to use.

[JoeCarr28]

I'm thinking of dusting this off and giving it a spin. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to indulge me in a spot of play-testing?

I'm looking at a play-by-post format. Probably some short encounters/adventures drawn from classic RuneQuest scenarios. One-offs with no long-term commitment.

Just looking for expressions of interest at this stage. We'll work out the details if there's any sort of positive response. I probably need at least four players so that we can give each of the classes a try-out.

Latest release available to download in the Showcase.

[JoeCarr28]

Release 2 is now available the Showcase. This is a major update. The core rules, which play similarly to standard BFRPG, have been streamlined and simplified. The optional rules, which have a flavour closer to the classic d100 fantasy game, have been expanded.

The specific updates are as follows:

- Individual weapon skills (e.g. Longsword: 58%) have been replaced with a single 'attack' skill. Individual weapon skills are now an optional rule.

- Racial modifiers to ability skills (saving throws) have been added. Humans get a bonus to skill improvement rolls.

- Thief progression has been simplified.

- A successful skill improvement roll now adds 1d3+1 percentage points (rather than 1d4+1).

- The chance of a critical is now 1/20th of the base skill (rather than 1/10th).

- A fumble now occurs on a roll of 99-00 (rather than 00).

- "Classless" characters have been added as an optional rule (i.e. the concept of Clerics, Fighters, Magic-Users and Thieves is removed from play).

- Examples of play to illustrate the rules have been added throughout the text.

You can download a copy from the Showcase.

[JoeCarr28]

Release 3 is now available the Showcase. This is a major update following the recent playtest.

The specific updates are as follows:

- The core mechanic of "target percentage = base skill + relevant ability modifier + situational modifiers" is more explicitly defined, both generally and in relation to each specific skill.

- The fact that humans don't get any racial ability skill (saving throw) modifiers, but do get a bonus to experience rolls is more clearly explained.

- The Intuition ability skill has been renamed "Perception". This better reflects the likely application of the skill in practice.

- An optional rule for "opposed skill rolls" has been added (e.g. stealth vs. perception, or strength vs. strength).

- For classless characters, the Open Locks/Remove Traps combined skill has been renamed "Mechanisms". Similarly, the Move Silently/Hide combined skill has been renamed "Stealth".

- The explanation of spell casting for "classless characters" has been significantly expanded and clarified. This includes the separation of the casting skill into "arcane casting" for Magic-User spells and "divine casting" for Cleric spells.

- For in-play reference, the character sheet has been updated to include information on the type (Cleric or Magic-User) and level of each spell a given character knows.

You can download a copy from the Showcase.

[JoeCarr28]

With the departure of Targus, there is a vacancy in the Basic Fantasy Questing play-by-post playtest game elsewhere in these forums if anyone would like to participate.