At first let’s explain what it actually is. FRPG, stands for Fantasy
Role Play Games which aren't computer
games or card games.
It may seem strange or uninteresting to people who only play computer
games with their friends via Internet seeking adrenaline and competition,
however FRPG were invented when both computers and the Internet weren't as
popular as they are now or maybe not even existing in world wide spectrum. So
what is needed to start playing if it doesn't require any kind of hardware?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Dados_4_a_20_caras_trans.png
The only things needed are a rule book or someone who knows it pretty well or you can create new set of rules by yourself, a few k6 (six-sided dice or twelve-sided dices, there is even a hundred-sided dice for those systems that 6k wouldn’t be enough), some paper, a pencil and your imagination. In addition you can have your own map or create a new one to visualize where your character is at the moment or a scenario book (and there are plenty of them. For sure you have heard of “Warhammer” or “Dungeons & Dragons”).
https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312030573l/847071.jpg
Creating game rules may sound easy but most of the common game systems
are complicated enough to be unplayable without the knowledge of the basics.
The complexity of these rules is the result of “describing life with numbers”,
because almost every action taken by a player, his or her character, or unindependent
character (NPC – non-player character, ruled by the narrator) is decided
(considered success or failure) by a dice roll.
The so-called Game Master is the narrator of the game. He isn’t one of the
players. He guides the players through
the game, explaining every situation, describing locations and objectively
deciding about the results of their characters’ actions or playing as NPC’s.
After we know how the game works
it is time to create our character. In most FRPG to create them you use a
character sheet. There are tables that contain all information needed by the
game system to rationalize the character’s actions. For example, their race
(human, elf, orc, etc.) their statistics (strength, agility, dexterity,
charisma, etc.) and their abilities like lock picking or 2-hand weapons
wielding. Furthermore it contains equipment and experience which rises after
every survived adventure so you go stronger and better.
Although the game is mostly taking place in your imagination, it allows
you to do whatever, whenever and however you want with your imagined character
in an imagined world, but always keeping in mind that sometimes it may end for
your character with his imagined death before reaching the goal of the
scenario.
1. Have you ever played one of those?
2. If yes, what was strangest situation that GM created?
3. Besides FRPG, do you know any other things that use D&D branding?
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Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_game
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_Fantasy_Roleplay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons
1. Have you ever played one of those?
2. If yes, what was strangest situation that GM created?
3. Besides FRPG, do you know any other things that use D&D branding?
------------
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_game
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_Fantasy_Roleplay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons
Comments
I've played "Talisman" - we made basement climate by switching off light, lighting candels and our friend has turned on some background music, so it was really great. What made it even better was the fact that this game belonged to father of one of frinds, when he was younger, so it was really old edition of game (older than us).
I know that there is also a MMORPG "Dungeon & Dragons Online" but I've never played it.
I think that there are some computer games and movies from D&D world, but I haven't had any experience with it.
If I understood right, this is an FRPG. There are dice, a master, a story. So, seems like the FRPG to me.
As I said, I'm not similar with that kind of games and I don't know any other things that use D&D branding.
I can't really recall any specific situations since I can barely remember what FRPG game I've been playing. From what I remember, though, our scenarios involved many travels and ambushes involved in them. We didn't really want anyone from us die in these scenarios, the worst thing that happened in them is one of us losing his arm in the battle.
FRPG's still seem to be pretty popular among some groups of people. There are even some computer adaptation of those board games, but I've never been interested enough in them to actually give it a shot. What makes them even more remembered is the fact that they're becoming part of some mainstream TV series like "Stranger Things." In this specific series, the kids were playing the original D&D board game.
In junior high school I used to play rpg with my friends an we used a very simple system designed by ourselves, where we didn't use dice and our character sheets consisted mainly of player's equipment, race and gender. The rest was just a story made up by a Game Master and players' choices. That was a real rpg game for me, without bureaucratic constraints that other systems have.
In fact, it's not true that FRPG are not present in computer games. Because early RPG games (Baldurs Gate, Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights etc.) was delivered on classical FRPG system where Game Master was your computer, your character has specific statistics, class, race and abilities. Also: damage, spell criticals, chance to persuade NPC, etc was based on dice rolls - it's a pity that this aspect was omitted.
I never played FRPG because none of my friends was into it. But I'd love to try it some day.
2. Cannot answer because of the above reason.
3. Yup early computer games like Baldurs Gate and The Elder Scrolls Arena used that system.
In fact it was so long ago that I don't remember the details.
Unfortunately I don't recall any other brands that are using D&D system.
As for strange GM situations i saw one GM make players betray each other without each of them knowing that they all are trying to betray their team. By the end of the game noone could be trusted.
I believe i saw one or two PC games Labelled as Dungeons and Dragons - they were turn based strategy games.
Ok, you have 15 minutes to tell me the pace and introduce me to the world of this game, and I'll enjoy it. You keep improvising or breaking the image you made during those first minutes, I will simply get bored.
I also don't "feel it" when some nerdy-looking guy is telling me a fairy tale, we are all sitting at the table and are making up imaginary stuff- even computer games have more reality in themselves, as you can actually see your surroundings, and play by already defined rules.