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Thread: Real Role Playing
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06-10-1997, 03:05 AM #21EMagyar007@aol.coGuest
Real Role Playing
Hi again,
I am thinking about purchasing BR, but I have some reservations about
starting something completely new to me. I've DMed since about the mid-80s
and don't know if I want to spend that much on a new campaign world. I just
had some questions for anyone out on the list who would care to answer:
1. Do Arthurian-type Legends adapt well to this campaign setting? (Merlin,
Holy Grail, Excalibur, Lady of the Lake) Or, would you recommend making up
another world?
2. What if anything is detailed in the box set?
3. Are there thumbnails of the realms? Or, are the realms all contained in
their own books?
4. What problems have you come across in your campaigns? Are the rules for
realms pretty complete?
5. Can a commoner become a king? Or, do you have to begin as a noble to
rule?
6. Are there some rules for Etiquette? Jousting? Fencing/Deuling?
7. Are human multi-class players allowed?
8. Are there any new character classes in the BR set? {Kits}? The old
chevialier class?
9. Are there any new monsters in the BR set?
10. Does the history of the world appeal to you? Does it seem too
simplistic? Is there room for the DM to expand on?
11. Are there raise dead and resurection spells? Are clerics all powerful?
12. Just as an aside have any of you used elements of Monty Python's The Holy
Grail? I know it would probably throw off the mood of the setting, but I
just love that movie (Knights of Nee and all).
I guess that's my top 12 questions. Thanks in advance for your help.
M.
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06-10-1997, 09:27 AM #22L. WillettGuest
Real Role Playing
>1. Do Arthurian-type Legends adapt well to this campaign setting? (Merlin,
>Holy Grail, Excalibur, Lady of the Lake) Or, would you recommend making up
>another world?
Personally I've created my own worlds, one a rebellion of humans vs their
orc rulers, one based on the politicial climate of the city states of
italy, one based on the exploration of the new world, and one just plain
old fantasy world.
The BR mechanics are so clean that the setting isn't very important to
them. Now that I've said that, someone will think I'm against settings,
just the reverse, setting is everything, without you have no colour, no
background, etc.
If your into Arthurian stuff, you can easily create yourself a BR
arthurian world...(especially maybe if you have a copy of Pendragon about....)
>2. What if anything is detailed in the box set?
>3. Are there thumbnails of the realms? Or, are the realms all contained in
>their own books?
Just one section of the main continent, the other setions are in the
source books (purchased seperately, of course).
>4. What problems have you come across in your campaigns? Are the rules for
>realms pretty complete?
There are a few thigns that are poorly explained (IMO), but I'm sure
someone here has a list of them, or is the midst of compiling one...
>5. Can a commoner become a king? Or, do you have to begin as a noble to
>rule?
Simply - no.
To rule you need to have a bloodline (ie. a noble's bloodline)
>6. Are there some rules for Etiquette? Jousting? Fencing/Deuling?
Nope, nope, nope...
>7. Are human multi-class players allowed?
Yes.
>8. Are there any new character classes in the BR set? {Kits}? The old
>chevialier class?
No.
>9. Are there any new monsters in the BR set?
Not really.
>10. Does the history of the world appeal to you? Does it seem too
>simplistic? Is there room for the DM to expand on?
No room to expand.
Some source books might be slightly better than others (not sure).
The history is ok, the novels (i hear) really help explain more of it.
>11. Are there raise dead and resurection spells? Are clerics all powerful?
Kettle of fish in this question...
Yes they exist, but if you use them does the blooded noble retain his
bloodedness ? Its been debated to death....
Clerics arn't all that powerful, mind you, once the Book of Priestcraft
comes out, they might be better off, as there are only a few realm spells
listed in the BR rules (realm spells affect entire provinces, etc).
>12. Just as an aside have any of you used elements of Monty Python's The Holy
>Grail? I know it would probably throw off the mood of the setting, but I
>just love that movie (Knights of Nee and all).
Ah, no....
>I guess that's my top 12 questions. Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>M.
>************************************************* **************************
>>'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
>
>
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06-10-1997, 11:16 AM #23KATS1041@aol.coGuest
Real Role Playing
>Hi again,
>I am thinking about purchasing BR, but I have some reservations about
>starting something completely new to me. I've DMed since about the mid-80s
>and don't know if I want to spend that much on a new campaign world. I just
>had some questions for anyone out on the list who would care to answer:
>1. Do Arthurian-type Legends adapt well to this campaign setting? (Merlin,
>Holy Grail, Excalibur, Lady of the Lake) Or, would you recommend making up
>another world?
>2. What if anything is detailed in the box set?
>3. Are there thumbnails of the realms? Or, are the realms all contained in
>their own books?
>4. What problems have you come across in your campaigns? Are the rules for
>realms pretty complete?
>5. Can a commoner become a king? Or, do you have to begin as a noble to
>rule?
>6. Are there some rules for Etiquette? Jousting? Fencing/Deuling?
>7. Are human multi-class players allowed?
>8. Are there any new character classes in the BR set? {Kits}? The old
>chevialier class?
>9. Are there any new monsters in the BR set?
>10. Does the history of the world appeal to you? Does it seem too
>simplistic? Is there room for the DM to expand on?
>11. Are there raise dead and resurection spells? Are clerics all powerful?
>12. Just as an aside have any of you used elements of Monty Python's The
Holy
>Grail? I know it would probably throw off the mood of the setting, but I
>just love that movie (Knights of Nee and all).
>I guess that's my top 12 questions. Thanks in advance for your help.
>M.
First off, I would like to say that I really think you should get
Birthright. It is my favorite campaign setting by far, for many reasons.
Now the answers that I can provide:
1.Yes, to a certain extent. I just completed a campaign in which I was, in
fact, Arthur. My kingdom was named Camelot. Another PC played a wizard
named Merlin. My lieutenants were Lancelot and Galahad. I was a paladin,
and my holy sword was given to me by a lady in the lake (the sea god Nesirie)
and named Excalibur. The legends fit in very well, with a little ingenuity.
2. The boxed set has everything you need to start the campaign. It has
maps, a rulesbook to teach about making characters and controlling domains, a
book of history, and a book detailing all of the nations in Anuire. The only
important additions to this set, though not vital, are the Book of Magecraft
and the Blood Enemies book.
3. Yes. The box gives decent entries on every nation, enough to start play.
You might want to choose a nation or two to get sourcebooks for, for more
detail.
4. Not many. There are a few minor inconsistencies, but nothing to worry
about.
5.Yes.
6.There are no set rules, you have to make your own. My group came up with a
pretty simple and effective jousting system with little trouble.
7.Not in the rules
8.Yes, the box introduces the magician and trader class, and slightly
modifies some older ones. there are no new kits.
9. Yes, big ones. The box introduces the Awnseghlien, incredibly powerful
and intelligent enemies that provide many a dangerous encounter. The
BloodEnemies book details every single one, but the box has a few.
10. I love the history. It is involved and detailed, but not too
complicated. There is room for the DM to expand on specific things in the
past, and to create the whole future. It is wonderfully epic, and lots of
fun.
11. These spells do exist, but priests are certainly not all powerful.
We'll know more when the Book of Priestcraft comes out.
12. I never have. You can, if you want.
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06-10-1997, 06:15 PM #24Brian StonerGuest
Real Role Playing
At 06:07 PM 6/9/97 -0300, you wrote:
>Has anyone else run their parties, or been in a party, that went through
>one of the published adventures? I'd like to hear some input on how they
>went. IMNSHO, they're some of the best adventures I've seen written in
>years.
>
Although I am the chief DM, one of my players has been helping co-DM a lot.
I let him run the "Sword and Crown" adventure. We thought it was lot of
fun. In fact, our characters managed to anger several NPCs during the
course of the adventure (although, we did manage to avoid starting a war
between Avanil and Boueruine as well as our own nation, Roesone). We've
already brought one revenge plot into the game and we have others planned.
"Sword and Crown" was well written and enjoyable.
- -Brian
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06-10-1997, 06:44 PM #25Brian StonerGuest
Real Role Playing
At 11:05 PM 6/9/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi again,
>I am thinking about purchasing BR, but I have some reservations about
>starting something completely new to me. I've DMed since about the mid-80s
>and don't know if I want to spend that much on a new campaign world. I just
>had some questions for anyone out on the list who would care to answer:
>
>1. Do Arthurian-type Legends adapt well to this campaign setting? (Merlin,
>Holy Grail, Excalibur, Lady of the Lake) Or, would you recommend making up
>another world?
>
It may be possible to adapt something similar. In the Birthright world
their is a historic empire that the players could fight to reclaim. In fact
it is the basis for a lot of the political intrigue in the region of Anuire.
Perhaps an Arthur like character is what they need.
>2. What if anything is detailed in the box set?
>
A lot is detailed. The history of the continent of Cerilia. The rules for
how domains are controlled, as well as the nature of the blood lines. The
blood lines are inherited magical powers that were unleashed by the death of
gods 1500 years ago. These bloodlines are also part of the ruling class,
like "divine right of kings."
>3. Are there thumbnails of the realms? Or, are the realms all contained in
>their own books?
>
Yes. Although the separate source books contain more detailed information,
there are thumbnails of the realms in Anuire in the boxed set.
>4. What problems have you come across in your campaigns? Are the rules for
>realms pretty complete?
>
The rules are fairly complete. Occassionally a problem may arise, but the
rules are complete enough to give the Dm precident for making up rules.
There is also this mailing list for discussing ideas with others.
>5. Can a commoner become a king? Or, do you have to begin as a noble to
>rule?
>
Generally, because of the bloodlines, only the Nobility is likely to find
itself in a position to rule. However, I personally think that commoner may
be able to work his way up. But it will be a challenge. The hardest part
would be aquiring the blood abilities.
>6. Are there some rules for Etiquette? Jousting? Fencing/Deuling?
>
Not really, but these can be found in some generic AD&D books. For the most
part, Birthright is a classic medieval world.
>7. Are human multi-class players allowed?
>
No.
>8. Are there any new character classes in the BR set? {Kits}? The old
>chevialier class?
>
Not exactly. However, because of the nature of the bloodlines and regency,
there can be some differences from the standard classes. Particularly for
Wizards. The races have the biggest differences from the standard AD&D.
And the bloodlines can result in differences as well.
>9. Are there any new monsters in the BR set?
>
There are a few. Most important, however, are the Awnsheigh. These
creatures are all unique. Each one is endowed with different powers and
abilities which it enherited from it's bloodline.
>10. Does the history of the world appeal to you? Does it seem too
>simplistic? Is there room for the DM to expand on?
>
The history is interesting. It mostly explains the origins of the
bloodlines and the political situations. However, there is also a lot of
room for the DM to manuever.
>11. Are there raise dead and resurection spells? Are clerics all powerful?
>
These spells do exist, however they are very rare. Clerics are not all
powerful. They are limited according to which god they follow. Also, few
NPCs are of high enough levels to cast such powerful spells.
>12. Just as an aside have any of you used elements of Monty Python's The Holy
>Grail? I know it would probably throw off the mood of the setting, but I
>just love that movie (Knights of Nee and all).
>
Not yet... :)
>I guess that's my top 12 questions. Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>M.
>************************************************* **************************
The Happy Birthright DM
- -Brian
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06-10-1997, 07:00 PM #26Gregoire Alexandre SeguiGuest
Real Role Playing
Here again, I have to put my foot in my mouth....
At 11:27 AM 6/10/97, you wrote:
>>1. Do Arthurian-type Legends adapt well to this campaign setting? (Merlin,
>>Holy Grail, Excalibur, Lady of the Lake) Or, would you recommend making up
>>another world?
>
This is the perfect place for them (anuiria). You have everything from
the good nights to the evil kings, to foren barbarions who might come and
kill all your beloved people unless you can convince a dragon to help you.
Cerelian Dragons (the only ones yet found on the plan of BR), have a
tendency not to listen to human and kill any that would bother them. In
any case, you can go in any direction you want with this because Birthright
allows it.
> The BR mechanics are so clean that the setting isn't very important to
>them.
I think that you are right, but I still like to use the already made up
world that peopla haave already had 200+ days of prep to make.
>>2. What if anything is detailed in the box set?
In the first box set: Races and classes difference with traditionalk AD&D
worlds. This is a world full of neat little quiqs that we don't know about
yet. The 5 human races add alot of civilisation in the game.
- - You don't have to play a barbarian class, you can play a character from
a race of barbarians. If you are a barbarian mage, you might be called a
shaman, for example.
- - Then, there are the rules for Blooded characters. This is the base of
Birthright, where it is said that blood of many goods fighting in a fight
of the gods, infused many humain and demi-humas with their magical power.
Also note the rules for troup combats and Realm magic (wich can cast spells
on entire troops, or entire realms)...
- - Another book describes the realms of Anuire, containing the Anurians, one
of the more civilsied human races, (perfect for knights of the round talbe).
- - A last book entitle Atlas of Cerilia, containing gen info on the land, as
well as a large map, a large calandar and some battle cards with unit
description.
>>4. What problems have you come across in your campaigns? Are the rules for
>>realms pretty complete?
>
The rules are verry complete, but the information is verry hard to find
through all of the information. The way it appears to have been made, they
explain the base of the rules verry clearly. Then, they get to the
specifics alot farther down the road, mostly for those who cannot invent
their own. One example: Bloodsilver is the only described way of steeling
blood points other than making the last swing go through the heart. It
never mentions how to know if in battle the sword really goes through the
heart or not. Hence you have to determine your own way or use the AD&D
special crit optional rule. There may be other way to usurp the blood of a
character wich are simply unknown.
>>5. Can a commoner become a king? Or, do you have to begin as a noble to
>>rule?
>
> Simply - no.
> To rule you need to have a bloodline (ie. a noble's bloodline)
A commoner can be placed in a position of leadership, but he cannot have
the benifits (Regency Points) that a blooded character can gain.
Henceforth, through time, unblooded rulers became rarer and rarer, finally
to be eliminated through the greed and desception of some older rulers.
>>6. Are there some rules for Etiquette? Jousting? Fencing/Deuling?
>
> Nope, nope, nope...
Actually, there are rules for Intrigue, Engeneering and others, since the
rules for Etiquette are in the AD&D Player's handbook, wich is required
with Birthright. As for the Jousting and Fencing/Dueling, you can use the
normal AD&D rules, and put a special rule that if he misses by more than 10
AC class he actually injures the opponent. There are rules in AD&D for
subdoing or not doing the opponent any real dammage. These rules state
that the receiver always takes at least 10% of the damage as real damage.
>
>>7. Are human multi-class players allowed?
>
> Yes.
I didn't know this. I thought they could be dual-classed, but not
multi-classed.
>>8. Are there any new character classes in the BR set? {Kits}? The old
>>chevialier class?
I built my own, they call themselves the Emporor Knights of Anuiria. They
are semi paladins and semi chevaliers. These use an additional stats I
made for them (prestige) wich require them to be brave and daring. These
always follow the god Hylin. This may not be traditional Birthright, but I
think that the author expected us to make these modifications in order to
adapt the campain for our role playing.
>>10. Does the history of the world appeal to you? Does it seem too
>>simplistic? Is there room for the DM to expand on?
>
> No room to expand.
> Some source books might be slightly better than others (not sure).
> The history is ok, the novels (i hear) really help explain more of it.
I really don't agree with that. Birthright allowed me to easily create
some races and classes and insert them in the land. With all the unknown
as the shadow world and such, everything is new and up to you to add. They
tried to make Birthright as complete as possible so that we could then
modify it to our liking and re-invent what we didn't like, instead of
inventing part of an incongrous world full of irregularities.
>>11. Are there raise dead and resurection spells? Are clerics all powerful?
>
Nope. Very powerful clerics are powerful like powerful mages are very
powerful,.... higher level characters are powerful, wichever their class
may be.
The power level is low, with barons being of the 7 th level and so, not
many peopla can cast resurects.
I use Birthright mostly for role-playing campains, and I love it. The
semantics resemble Tolkien more than Arthur, but it still makes for
beautiful stories.
Greg,
EEoa.
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06-10-1997, 08:00 PM #27Gregoire Alexandre SeguiGuest
Real Role Playing
>THERE ARE TONS OF NEW MONSTERS. ALL ARE UNIQUE, THE AWNSHELEIN(SP?)
>ARE BLOODED CREATURES OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS. SIMILAR TO GREEK OR
>ROMAN MONSTERS OF MYTH RATHER THAN THE TYPICAL D&D MONSTERS. EVERYONE
>HAS KILLED A MINATOUR BY THE FIFTH LEVEL, I DOUBT ANY FIFTH LEVEL
>CHARACTER WILL KILL THE BIRTHRIGHT MINATOUR, CALLED THE GORGON.
Actually, there is The Minautor and The Gorgon. They are both seperate
Awnshelein.
Greg
EEoa
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06-10-1997, 10:52 PM #28NadastorGuest
Real Role Playing
EMagyar007@aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi again,
> I am thinking about purchasing BR, but I have some reservations about
> starting something completely new to me. I've DMed since about the mid-80s
> and don't know if I want to spend that much on a new campaign world. I just
> had some questions for anyone out on the list who would care to answer:
>
Enough answears to your 12 questions, i'm not going to add my own.
But i want say something about BR that i think is more important than questions.
If like role-play, you like role-play. But if you like war-game too ?
Now, you can play a day role-play, a day war-game.
What BR has unique in the great pot of role-play is this. It's a role-play as well as a
war-game. Neither it's lessen role-play than other ones, or it's lessen war-game than
other ones. It's simply the most succesfull war-role-game actually on the market.
Well, aside this it has a lot of great and unique features, but this is thanks to the
great stuff who worked at this setting. If such great people would have worked for
another setting, this would be a great one in itself.
If you are satisfaited from your plays, then you haven't to buy a new setting only for
its name. If you are searching something new in the direction of war and world shaking
events game, BR is what you need.
To a newbite i'd suggest to start with BR even as a simply dungeon role-play, as it's
anyway the best i know, but to an old players i won't suggest that, if he's not
searching for something new and different.
- --
Nadastor, nadastor@mail5.clio.it
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06-12-1997, 12:09 AM #29EMagyar007@aol.coGuest
Real Role Playing
I would just like to thank each of you for your thoughts on BR. You
might be pleased to know that I have purchased the basic campaign and will be
reading as fast as I can so I can contribute something to this list.
Question: Have any of you used either Diplomacy or Kingmaker by Avalon Hill
in your BR campaigns? Either as source material, or variant rules? I think
they both have some interesting featrues.
Ta ta for now,
Thanks, M.
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