I've have this crazy idea to run a non-Paizo game on Paizo's boards. Seeming how 5e games are running, I wonder if anyone has any objection to Rolemaster. We will be using RMSS/RMFRP (that is Rolemaster the Standard System/Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying). Dice mechanics are easy, just roll a d100. The rest of the system is easy to grasp as well. The world is Greyhawk, the setting is the kingdom of Nyrond. This is a test game to me, to see how well vanilla Greyhawk can work with Rolemaster (ah, but there is method to my madness).
We will be using the following books:
- Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying
- Character Law
- Spell Law: of Channeling, Spell Law: of Essence, and Spell Law: of Mentalism
- Arms Law, 2003 Edition
- The Armory (comes with a Nodwick attack table, in case you want to throw your favorite hench being!)
We will be using Greyhawk: the Adventure Begins and the Greyhawk: Player's Guide. There will be some conversions (like certain kits in the Greyhawk: Player's Guide can be converted to Training Packages).
Races Allowed:
* Man (both High Man and Common Man)
* Elf (Wood Elf, Grey Elf, and High Elf. Wood elves are listed in RMFRP, Grey Elves and High Elves are in Character Law)
* Dwarf
* Halfling
* Half-Elf (Recounted in Character Law)
* Half-Orc (Recounted in Character Law)
Professions Allowed:
Arms Users -- They don't usually use magic.
* Fighter.
* Layman. Usually reserved for NPCs, mind you -- recounted in Character Law)
* Thief.
* Rogue.
* Warrior Monk. Recounted in Character Law). This is the PF1 Monk, sort of.
Channeling Users -- Divine Casters in PF.
* Cleric.
* Animist. (recounted in Character Law)
Essence Users -- Arcane Casters in PF.
* Magician. This is the Wizard or Sorcerer in PF1.
* Illusionist. (Recounted in Character Law)
Mentalism Users -- Mentalism is like Psychic Magic in PF.
* Mentalist. My favorite profession in RM.
* Lay Healer. This profession has no class equivalent in PF. Recounted in Character Law.
Semi-Spell Users -- These are like part casters in PF.
* Paladin (of Channeling and Character Law). Like the regular paladin in PF.
* Ranger. Channeling. This is like the regular Ranger in PF.
* Dabbler. There is no PF1 equivalent to this profession. Try to think of him as a rogue/sorcerer multi-class.
* Monk. (of Essence and Character Law) This is like the PF1 Monk, sort of.
* Bard. (Mentalism) This is like the Bard in PF1, except he uses Mentalism instead of Essence.
* Magent. (Mentalism) An assassin. Both magents and dabblers can work like vigilantes from PF1.
Hybrid Spell Users -- No PF equivalent. Of course, they are like multi-class characters.
* Healer (Channeling and Mentalism, recounted in Character Law).
* Sorcerer (Channeling and Essence), this Profession is -- sort of -- like the Sorcerer in PF1. Recounted in Character Law.
* Mystic (Essence and Mentalism). Recounted in Character Law.
Talents
We will be using Point Buy for your talents. All of the Talents from Character Law may be used. But I reserve the right to veto your choices.
Training Packages
All are available. :) Remember, some kits (like the Rangers of the Gnarly Forest) can be converted to training packages if you so desire.
Stats
You get 750 points to figure your stats according the RAW in RMFRP. Usually is 700, but I want you to be fine examples for adventuring. 750 points is like 25 point buy in PF1. To be sure you are fine examples of your profession, you get free 90s for your temporaries in your profession's prime stats.
Skills
Unlike D&D and PF1, which are level based systems, Rolemaster is a skill based system. But you have the ability to choose any skill you desire. You are not restricted in the amount of skills you may take. Thus a mentalist may become a martial artist. Or a martial artist may use spells. Instead of multi-classing, you simply choose the skills you like to develop.
Levels
Rolemaster does use levels. There has been attempts to make Rolemaster leveless by players in the past. Levels are used as a way for people to set goals. Note that the system is down right gritty -- a 1st level character will be able to give grievous wounds that will incapacitate a level 20 character. A level 20 character might roll low and not hit and kill a 1st level character off the bat. The system is very realistic. You will start at level 1.
Alignment
To make things easier for you, we will be using the AD&D alignment system. Although Rolemaster is designed to work with custom alignments. Characters often have a demeanor, which the player describes their personality of their character usually in one sentence. But there is reservation for alignment as well, so we will use the AD&D alignment system.
Martial Arts
There is a Martial Arts Companion for RM, but it's out of print and unavailable on drivethru. I have the pdf and two hard copies of this companion. What sets it apart from the Martial Arts Companion for PF1 is that it contains a system where you can make up your own martial arts. There are two kinds of martial arts: Weapon Arts and Non-Weapon Arts.
Since the game is set in the Flannaess, you may try to develop martial arts from a European context (in the RM MAC, there are rules describing Italian Fencing and Classic (Spanish?) Fencing. There are also guidelines that describe Savate.) Say you want to develop rules for Ringen (a classic European Martial Art from Germany that specializes in Grappling), the RM MAC allows you to do this. Of course, you might want to convert the Martial Arts described in the PF1 MAC to Rolemaster, but realize that those Martial Arts are high fantasy extrapolations.
Okay, I think that's it. We'll see how many will bite. Looking for 4-5 brave souls!
Stats
You get 750 points to figure your stats according the RAW in RMFRP. Usually is 700, but I want you to be fine examples for adventuring. 750 points is like 25 point buy in PF1.
Ditch the free 90s to your Prime Stats.
Count me in. I can see a mystic in my future:
Darius the Bold
In a rich purple shirt, flamboyant hat, armed with an impressive looking sword, Darius cuts an immediately dashing figure. On his shoulder is a large tabby cat, with a small bowtie.
He is constantly smiling, talking loudly and laughing at all manner of things.
Of course, he also carries a dark cloak, his hat neatly rolls into a side pocket and he can move as quiet as a mouse.
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*Trips over a turtle*
Would be interested...
Would be interested...
Neat. Thanks! :)
Would be very interested, played rolemaster in the late 80's and 90's haven't played for a long time. Have been wanting to find a game always seems to be the wrong time zone, and not too sure I've got 3 - 4 hr time slot to sit at my computer to play online. And the fact I'm on my works computer for half the day any way.
Happy to play any profession and race, I used to GM mostly in the past would be good to get back into a game. I knew rolemaster, might be very rusty, have looked at RMU, don't know much about Grey hawk setting.Keith
Well, thank you! Greyhawk is the first campaign setting for D&D, it originally came out 50 years ago. This campaign is meant for players who either knows Rolemaster or knows Greyhawk. But it's designed for first time players to Greyhawk as much as it's for first time users of Rolemaster.
Getting Started with Greyhawk
All you need as a player is the Greyhawk Player's Guide. Although I do suggest Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins to familiarize yourself with the setting.
Getting Started with Rolemaster
All you need is a copy of Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying to get started. The rest of the books we are using contain more advanced options.
Do we have a starting location and or story hook? Should the characters know each other?
Do we have a starting location and or story hook? Should the characters know each other?
You will be starting in Woodwych, which is a village in the center of Nyrond. For ease of use, the characters will have grown up together -- so yes, they should know each other.
Would love to get in on this if you still have space. Played a lot of MERP (Rolemaster lite) and Greyhawk 1st and 2nd Ed. and would love to meld the playing experience of both.
Please let me know if there is space still available.
Yes, there is space. :)
No chance of RMU instead of RMSS/FRP?
No chance of RMU instead of RMSS/FRP?
I have to get RMU first.
Looking over thing it looks like racial stats are different in RFRP and Character Law, or am I just confused... So many charts...
Hence why I suggest RMU. Choose a race, a culture and a profession.
I think a good way to start playing Rolemaster is by using pregens ;)
I think a good way to start playing Rolemaster is by using pregens ;)
If you need a character I can help you create one. Personally I find the problem with pregens is it hard to get a good feel for the character unless you make it.
Maybe I'm not looking for the right edition of Rolemaster, cause the one I got makes you roll 1d100 for your characteristics, and I haven't seen a point based system so far..
Can someone point me to the right path?
Maybe I'm not looking for the right edition of Rolemaster, cause the one I got makes you roll 1d100 for your characteristics, and I haven't seen a point based system so far..
Can someone point me to the right path?
You're looking at Rolemaster Classic. :) The version I'm using can be purchased here.
Maybe I'm too old. I was using the version I knew, decades ago. ^^
Maybe I'm too old. I was using the version I knew, decades ago. ^^
What profession are you playing?
SO are we doing this? :)
Excited by the whole idea and wanted to start rolling up character.
DO we have a campaign thread yet?
Not yet. I wanted to select characters after they are submitted. :)
Starting to create a character: Human High Man fighter, with a background in berseker
Starts with free 90 in STR and CON, 750 points to use
Agi 80
Con 98
Memory 65
Reasoning 65
Self discipline 60
Empathy 50
Intuition 70
Presence 80
Quickness 80
Strenght 96
Cost 80+64+65+65+60+50+70+80+80+36=650
Hummm.. still 100 points to use? CON 98 should cost 154 (-90 free points=64), STR 96 should cost 126 (-90 free points=36). My maths might be wrong, but I guess I can rise both to 100, as you need 190 points and we already have 90 free. Is that what you want?
Waiting for your feedback on that
I don't think you get the free 90s anymore.
My stats are:
Ag 75
Co 75
SD 90
Re 70
Me 65
--
Em 90
In 43
Pr 90
St 67
Qu 75
Would like some feedback from the GM: do we still have two free 90 for our main stats or not?
Would like some feedback from the GM: do we still have two free 90 for our main stats or not?
You don't. :) I talked to Nash about it, and he felt it was overpowering.
It is overpowered... For a mystic with 3 PRs, you get 90s in your 3 PRs... then 750 points in your rememaining stats... which is 750/7 -> 107 points for each stat. So you can you have 93 (with a few extra points left over) in every stat; except your PRs which get 90s.
I will recalculate my character stats so
Agi 80 =95
Con 94 =96
Memory 65 =77
Reasoning 60 =79
Self discipline 60 =84
Empathy 53 =67
Intuition 70 =87
Presence 80 =96
Quickness 70 =91
Strenght 94 =98
Cost 80+106+65+60+60+53+70+80+70+106=750
I will recalculate my character stats so
Agi 80 potential: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 10) = 15=95
Con 94 potential: 1d7 ⇒ 2=96
Memory 65 potential: 3d10 ⇒ (1, 8, 3) = 12=77
Reasoning 60 potential: 4d10 ⇒ (7, 2, 1, 9) = 19=79
Self discipline 60 potential: 4d10 ⇒ (7, 9, 6, 2) = 24=84
Empathy 53 potential: 5d10 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 2, 5) = 14=67
Intuition 70 potential: 3d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 7) = 17=87
Presence 80 potential: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16=96
Quickness 70 potential: 3d10 ⇒ (7, 5, 9) = 21=91
Strenght 94 potential: 1d7 ⇒ 4=98Cost 80+106+65+60+60+53+70+80+70+106=750
That is about right.
Racial bonuses
-2 to Agi/Quickness
+4 to Co/Pr/Str
-5 to saves vs Mentalism, Channeling, Essence
4 background option
Skill bonuses
Armor Group 10
Body Development 10
Combat maneuvers 10
Weapon group 20
Final stats and bonuses (Initial/Potential/ Racial bonus/ Stat bonus/ Total)
Agi 80 /95/-2/+3/+1
Con 94 /96/+4/+7/+11
Memory 65/77/0/0/0
Reasoning 60 /79/0//0/0
Self discipline 60/84/0/0/0
Empathy 53/67/0/0/0
Intuition 70/87/0/+1/+1
Presence 80 /96/+4/+3/+7
Quickness 70 /91/-2/+1/-1
Strenght 94 /98/+4/+7/+11
Adolescence skills
Armor
-Light 1
-rigid leather 1
-Medium 2
-Chain 2
Athletics
Brawn 1
Endurance 1
Swimming 1
Gym 1
Awareness
Alertness 2
Searching 1
Body Development 3
Communication 3
Langages 12
Lore General 3
Own region 3
Own race 3
OUtdoor
Animals 1
Riding 1
Environmental 1
Power awareness 1
Science Basic 1
Tech/trade 1
Weapons
1H edged 2
Weapon of choice 2
2H weapon 1
Weapon of choice 1
Missile 1
Weapon of choice 1
Pole arm 1
Weapon of choice 1
Background 4
Hobbies 10
Racial bonuses
-2 to Agi/Quickness
+4 to Co/Pr/Str-5 to saves vs Mentalism, Channeling, Essence
4 background option*snip*
Background 4
Hobbies 10
I take it you're playing an elf?
Nope, an human (High man)
Nope, an human (High man)
Gotcha. Well, you can go on to Apprenticeship development I believe. :)
