Harwel
07-10-2009, 12:35 PM
So I've stumbled across Barbarians of Lemuria (http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/barbarians-of-lemuria). Let me immediately state for the record that while the link above is worksafe, there is a link to the PDF download that is potentially not worksafe due to some (very poorly drawn) partial nudity. I'll remove it if the mods deem it inappropriate, I wouldn't want anyone getting in trouble at work.
So anyway, BoL is kind of like Cinematic Unisystem but even faster to get started. The core mechanic is 2d6 (rather than 1d10) + skill + attribute + mods to beat a target number of 9. The average roll is higher by 2, but an average human stat is 0 rather than 2, so it evens out, and gives it a bell curve rather than linear probability curve. Max stat is around 4 for a normal human. You get some "Hero Points" (like Drama Points in CineUni or Bennies in SW). If the core mechanic sounds like a tweaked CineUni, you're right.
The game doesn't really have skills, in the traditional sense. There are 4 fighting skills (Brawling, Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons, Defense). Then you pick 4 "Careers". Careers are somewhere between a skill package, a character class, and a FATE Aspect or Risus Cliché. Stuff like Hunter, Soldier, Barbarian, Farmer, Mage, Noble, Priest, Thief, Beggar, Minstrel, Alchemist... you get the idea. They are pretty loosely defined, and intentionally so. Again these rate from 0 to 4 or higher.
The upshot of this is that character generation is very fast but makes a pretty detailed character with a good mix of skills. Take 4 points and assign them to attributes. Assign 4 points for fighting skills. Take 10 points for your 4 careers (a 4-3-2-1 spread is recommended but not necessary, and yes you can have a level 0 career). You are assumed to have equipment appropriate for your careers, and you're ready to go.
Magic is freeform. You decide what you want to do. The GM determines what tier of spell this is based on how powerful the effect is (cantrip, level 1, level 2, level 3). This determines the spell requirements. So basically, this covers anything from a simple "light" cantrip, to raising a volcano in the middle of a city or summoning an elder god. Obviously these last two are not going to be easy, and will likely have very difficult requirements. Guidelines are provided so it's actually very easy.
It's designed for REH-style fantasy, but it is incredibly easy to port to other genres since it's incredibly easy to make careers. Just name a profession and think what that profession would reasonably be skilled at. Want a space explorer? Star Pilot 4, Engineering 3, Scientist 2, Computer Expert 1. Want a Cthulhu Mythos style occult investigator? Detective 4, Occult Knowledge 3, Literature 2, Scientist 1. I doubt anyone would have trouble understanding what these characters can do, but it took me no time to put together.
The game seems to have a bit of a following and I think it would get a lot more hype and be taken more "seriously" if the production on the rulebook were better (bad art, ugly font). Anyone else familiar with it? Looks fast, easy to learn, and versatile.
So anyway, BoL is kind of like Cinematic Unisystem but even faster to get started. The core mechanic is 2d6 (rather than 1d10) + skill + attribute + mods to beat a target number of 9. The average roll is higher by 2, but an average human stat is 0 rather than 2, so it evens out, and gives it a bell curve rather than linear probability curve. Max stat is around 4 for a normal human. You get some "Hero Points" (like Drama Points in CineUni or Bennies in SW). If the core mechanic sounds like a tweaked CineUni, you're right.
The game doesn't really have skills, in the traditional sense. There are 4 fighting skills (Brawling, Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons, Defense). Then you pick 4 "Careers". Careers are somewhere between a skill package, a character class, and a FATE Aspect or Risus Cliché. Stuff like Hunter, Soldier, Barbarian, Farmer, Mage, Noble, Priest, Thief, Beggar, Minstrel, Alchemist... you get the idea. They are pretty loosely defined, and intentionally so. Again these rate from 0 to 4 or higher.
The upshot of this is that character generation is very fast but makes a pretty detailed character with a good mix of skills. Take 4 points and assign them to attributes. Assign 4 points for fighting skills. Take 10 points for your 4 careers (a 4-3-2-1 spread is recommended but not necessary, and yes you can have a level 0 career). You are assumed to have equipment appropriate for your careers, and you're ready to go.
Magic is freeform. You decide what you want to do. The GM determines what tier of spell this is based on how powerful the effect is (cantrip, level 1, level 2, level 3). This determines the spell requirements. So basically, this covers anything from a simple "light" cantrip, to raising a volcano in the middle of a city or summoning an elder god. Obviously these last two are not going to be easy, and will likely have very difficult requirements. Guidelines are provided so it's actually very easy.
It's designed for REH-style fantasy, but it is incredibly easy to port to other genres since it's incredibly easy to make careers. Just name a profession and think what that profession would reasonably be skilled at. Want a space explorer? Star Pilot 4, Engineering 3, Scientist 2, Computer Expert 1. Want a Cthulhu Mythos style occult investigator? Detective 4, Occult Knowledge 3, Literature 2, Scientist 1. I doubt anyone would have trouble understanding what these characters can do, but it took me no time to put together.
The game seems to have a bit of a following and I think it would get a lot more hype and be taken more "seriously" if the production on the rulebook were better (bad art, ugly font). Anyone else familiar with it? Looks fast, easy to learn, and versatile.