Pen and Paper RPGs

Kelly · Dec 31, 2003

Let's hear it for sitting around a table with a bunch of friends, exploring, dicing out out combat, laughing it up.

Bohemian · Dec 31, 2003

Whooo!

Blessed-one · Dec 31, 2003

there're two types of pen and paper RPG, one with a system that keeps scores and levels, one that doesn't have such a system.

there's also a distinction in RPG, some allow players to control other players' characters, some don't.

personally i prefer one without a number system, since having number just doesn't add up when you're writing a story.. and it's restrictive and drags the pace of the rpg.

but i guess i can get used to it since i haven't tried a lot of that before.

Blake · Jan 1, 2004

But, don't the numbers make the story all the more beautiful? It adds an unpredictable element to the story.

Kelly · Jan 2, 2004

how else can you determine success? Otherwise it's just a group 'storytime'

Blessed-one · Jan 2, 2004

well, having numbers drag the story down and everything happens in little bits and pieces rather than large bits and pieces...
experienced rpg players would know not to write that the heros win all the times, so in a way, the number system would be good for inexperienced ones as they usually get to end a fight really quickly with no damages whatsoever.

and just to clarify, i'm not saying this type of gaming system is good for non-experienced only.

Kelly said:
how else can you determine success? Otherwise it's just a group 'storytime'

as i said before, rolling dice makes it seems so restrictive in terms of creativity expansion, and i don't think it's a group story time, rather, it's a group 'using your imagination to write coherently' fun time.
by coherently i mean not to write in a way that contradicts each other.

have you guys tried rpg without the number system?

Astragoth · Jan 2, 2004

I love pen and paper rpg... I've been playing D&D for 2 years now.

I hope to fiend a friendly group somehwere near where I live, (I moved last september) so I can start playing again.

Dracil · Jan 2, 2004

If only I had time and could find a group to play...

CeeBee · Jan 2, 2004

How do you do this? I have tried to make up pen and paper games before, can someone help me?

Kelly · Jan 2, 2004

I was speaking mainly of published games such as D&D, Spycraft, Top Secret, Vampire, etc.

Blessed-one · Jan 2, 2004

nope, haven't tried those Kelly. i suppose they would be fun.

if you don't mind online rpg Catholicboy, come check out the rpg section in CF, just click at 'RPG' on the top of the page. It's less confusing this way.

Kelly · Jan 3, 2004

One element they provide that co-op narratives do not is the element of randomness. The Game Master (the person who knows the basic elements of the story and represents all the non-player characters the group encounters), has the power to alter the die roll but should do so sparingly and secretly. When players detect dice fudging they often lose respect or push the limits and abuse the gesture.

Having statistics to represent a character's abilities allows everyone to determine their character's exact potential, rather than leaving it up to who can pontificate the greatest.

The narrative side of the gameplay is not lost, however, because the players are encouraged to speak in character and to describe actions along with rolling their dice. Situations where the player would not have the mental capacity to narrate, the dice speak for themselves, without much talk- disarming a bomb for example. Sure my secret agent would know how, but I don't. I roll my explosives skill and let the dice do the work in this case.

seebs · Jan 3, 2004

I've been in diceless games, and not liked them as much, but I think it's a personal preference.

Blessed-one · Jan 3, 2004

personal preference.. definitely seebs.

ok, i think i'm getting it Kelly.. well, looks like we're talking about two different types of pen and paper rpg sorry for being confusing.

that does sound fun. But you said speaking out, do the players have to act the characters?

Kelly · Jan 3, 2004

It's typically a mix of in and out of character speak. The player doesn't completely 'become' the character while playing or anything freaky like that.

It's all about comfort level. Some of my players are not very good at roleplaying and just describe what they are saying. "I tell the magistrate that we will search for the staff but try to get him to pay us more." instead of roleplaying it out.

Tier · Jan 3, 2004

EDITED.

Blessed-one · Jan 4, 2004

you're talking about RPG Tier, it IS time consuming.

blackbelt2 · Jan 4, 2004

Does anybody play legends and lairs or at least know if it is good or not.

Tier · Jan 4, 2004

EDITED

blackbelt2 · Jan 4, 2004

Oops Sorry!
Ill be more careful.

Pen and Paper RPGs

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