Fantasy 17. RPGs Old and New Part 1 Rolemaster

The first in a two part look at old and new fantasy RPGs - Rolemaster and Mork Borg. We take a look through Character and Campaign Law
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[@Alric66]

Rolemaster started as Arms Law and Claw Law which were intended to be an alternate combat system for D&D.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Ah, I never knew that, thanks!

[@Alric66]

Rolemaster Unified came out less than a year ago and, while a large book, the actual process is much smoother than the original edition. The new bestiary is due out soon.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Thanks, will check that out

[@MemphiStig]

We played this a bit bitd. There was a lot to like about it. But it was clearly made by people who thought D&D was too simplistic, especially the magic system, and didn't rely enough on tables, and wasn't deadly enough. Lots of pc deaths in my few games. It's definitely extremely well organized and comprehensive. But the best part to me were the critical fail tables for weapons. Hilarious. Overall, tho, way too much for me, and I like math. But I've borrowed from it frequently, and it's a constant source of ideas and inspiration to this day.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Interesting - yes the combat certainly seems less forgiving than having 80 hit points, lol. In that sense it reminded me more of Call of Cthulhu

[@osvaldoprado9906]

It's funny to see popular D&D KZbinrs trying to create "new" systems and rules without even knowing that Rolemaster existed and that those ideas already existed in that game. I played DnD, Rolemaster and one darker game... Aquelarre. Oh, also Vampire: the masquerade.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

True. Aquelarre - not familiar with that one, I'll look it up. One that I never mentioned is Runequest, though I never played it or even had the book.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Aquelarre looks very interesting! Might well track down a copy....

[@osvaldoprado9906]

@@DragonsTeeth2 Aquelarre is a weird one, not the best, not as a whole game, but has very interesting, specific mechanics. The rational/irrational world and how magic evolves around it is one of those things. I think it takes inspiration in some of Call of Cthulus games.

[@DragonsTeeth2]

@@osvaldoprado9906 Thanks. Certainly is an interesting setting

[@SeekersHollow]

Are you familiar with Against the Darkmaster?

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Hi, no not at all. Would you reccommend it?

[@SeekersHollow]

@@DragonsTeeth2 I have not played it myself, but I'm very intrigued by it. It takes a large amount of inspiration from Rolemaster and MERPS

[@DragonsTeeth2]

Thanks will check it out