Lawrence Whitaker's page

Here is the RQ6 cover. The similarities must surely be deliberate.

Very deliberate.

One the whole numbering thing, there were good reasons for Mongoose breaking with the existing edition cycle, but I felt that it was time to set it all back into context. The whole RQ2/MRQII thing is wearisome and confusing to explain.

Lawrence, is that same Book + pdf deal going to be available through the Bits'n'Mortar scheme? My FLGS participates and I like to support them with some of my money.

Although we're not in the B&M scheme (yet - my fault; too much to do and too few hours), we're more than happy to offer a free PDF if you send us proof of purchase of the hard copy through your FLGS. So, the roundabout answer is: Yes.

Book of Quests - the first Design Mechanism supplement for RuneQuest 6th Edition - is now available for pre-order at: www.thedesignmechanism.com/products.

We estimate that print copies will be shipped from our warehouse at the end of March, although the PDF version of the book is available for immediate download. If you buy Book of Quests directly from us, you will be offered the PDF free of charge.

Book of Quests Print (+ free PDF) = $19.00 (+$9 shipping): 224 pages
Book of Quests PDF only = $8.00 (immediate download): 224 page (fully indexed and bookmarked)

This adventure supplement contains seven very different scenarios that can be played as a complete campaign, or as one-off adventures that should fit with most fantasy settings. Each scenario is complete with maps, diagrams, handouts and full RQ6 statistics for all the NPCs and creatures encountered.

Book of Quests offers months of play. Can the characters thwart Jedakiah's schemes? Can King Myur be saved from himself? What evil lurks in the heart of Aylesford? What secret does the mournful Contessa keep?

Find all these answers - and more, in the pages of Book of Quests.

But size as a characteristic seems really limiting/restircitve

A stat/characteristic should always be relevant, strength should do fine for damage bonus, but you need to consider size as well?

Size (SIZ) is used to calculate Damage Modifier and Hit Points. It also functions as a general comparator for height/weight and mass, which some players find important, whereas others do not. It is both functional and indicative, and I've never come across anyone who finds SIZ to be limiting or restrictive.

I did find that creatures can use a different weight chart, since its hard to make a blue while fit, or an elephant etc.

Yes, creatures have a separate height/weight chart because differing physiologies require a different treatment of the SIZ characteristic. If you also read the section detailing how to determine a creature's combat capabilities, such as damage and reach, you'll see that SIZ is an integral part of the process.

It seems to be a hold over that they have failed to revise out.. through 6 editions

There are certain things that are inherently 'RuneQuest': SIZ is one of them. Although you may not like its presence, 'revising it out' would have resulted in howls of protest from long-time fans, and accusations that 'without SIZ its not RQ'.