What is RuneQuest?

[mike]

Since most of the players in my up-coming RQ campaign have never played the ssystem before (and since all the first-timers have asked me how RQ works), I thought it might be worth posting a few basic rules.

Now, I could write a document to rival War and Peace in htis subject, but I suspect this might be a little OTT, so instead I'll just point you to www.basicrps.com/core/index.html.

Actually this isn't RQ, it's the core system that RQ built from. Moreover, it is by no means complete. However, all the essentials are present and correct so it should give you a reasonably good idea.

Hope this helps guys.

Mike

[Stephen Mawson]

Between that page and the character generation rules you kindly provided last monday it's pretty much all fallen into place. I think the only thing I need to see now in order to generate a character is the professions table, so I know what starting skills each offers.

Looking forward to getting things started next Monday now.

[Legionnaire]

Just some added minor questions Mike. Would it be possible to play an older, more "seasoned" character or has the characters age way to much impact on skills etc? And how standardized are the occupations? Are there any differences between a mercenary, rank-and-file soldier and a gladiator or are they all Soldier and get the same skills or can you choose the skillsets to do a bit of costumizing? Are there any equivalents to skirmisher, game wardens, ranger/ tracker or would they all technically be Thiefs (as the scouts mentioned)?

I agree with Stephen in that so far it's the occupations that I'd like to have a gander at to decide what character I'd like to play in the end, have a few ideas, depending on how the system works.

Many thanks Mike, looking forward to Monday.

The Swede.

[mike]

Glad that helped - in fact, you'll find it's actually quite a simply system to play (one of the reasons I like it)

Regarding the occupation tables:

The key point is - these are class definitions (like D&D), all they really do is provide a set of starting skills (fighter types get lots of combat skills, wizards get lots of magic skills, etc) so don't get too hung up on them

Actually, there is an alternate generation system that allows you to simply spread skill percentiles amongst the skills you want (I don't have the rulebook to hand at the moment and I can't remember the exact figures - I think it's about 30 percentiles per years previous experience, but don't quoite me on that)

Legionnaire - to answer your specific questions:

The system is entirely skill based - occupations or professions (like soldier, mercenary, thief, tracker, etc) are really just labels - if you want to play a soldier put lots into combat skills, if you want to be a ranger put lots into tracking / fieldcraft skill - I'm sure you get the idea

Regarding character age, that's really up to you - the 10 years' previous experience was chosen simply because it generate reasonable characters without overpowering everything

If you really want to play an older character I don't have any real objections to that - take the standard 10 years experience and I'll give you some bonus percentiles to customise him afterwards

After all boys, the intention is to have fun - so no point playing a character you don't like ;D

[joeoe18]

Hi guys, I've recently moved back to Clapham from Sheffield and have been looking for a local RP group.

Is this game full/is it too late to join? I've not played it before, but from the sounds of it neither have most of you

Let me know, Cheers.

[mike]

Hi Joe

Always nice to meet a new face - hope to see you down the club

Regarding the RQ game - I usually figure that 3-5 players is about right - I've got 4 at the moment (which is ideal), but I should be able to fit one more in - so come see us tonight

If you don't know how to find us, check out the main website at gladiators.wordpress.com/about/ for directions

Look forward to seeing you - we don't bite, honest (well, not on your first visit anyway ;D)

[John]

edit: Mike posted a far more useful answer at the same time.

[joeoe18]

Excellent, that was all very efficient

I'll see you tonight then, thanks!

EDIT: Having had a quick look over that rule link posted up thar, they seem to be quite similar to Call of Cthulhu - which is what I've been playing for the last year

[mike]

Correct joeoe - they're very similar

Basic RP is the core system from which they both developed (as well as Hawkmoon and Elric)

If you've played CoC you'll have a pretty good idea of how the system works

See you tonight then