Okay, I'm thinking about running a game, and I need a system reccomendation.

The basic idea for the game will be a rather standard heroic fantasy idea where the PCs village is attacked and they have to first escape the attackers then follow them to save their family/friends that have been taken prisoner. I have lots of ideas about setting and such, but that's not particular important here.

Anyway, I need a system where villagers without a lot of fighting skills can be created a differentiated from each other. That is I need a system where personality and such counts for something, because basically skill wise all the PCs will be quite similar.

I like systems with easy chargen and a generic conflict resolution system (as opposed to a specific combat resolution system and different skill resolution system, etc).

So far I've been thinking Risus or Hearts and Souls. Both are generally "looser" than I like, I prefer the very controlling systems like DitV and MLwM.  However, those systems are generally really specific and not terribly flexible, so they don't really help me unless there is one specifically made for this kind of game (which I would love to find ).

So, what would you reccomend?

GURPS is the king of skill grain.



EDIT:  Sorry for the short reply, I'm at work.

Anyway, GURPS will let you go loco with skills, advantages, disadvantages and quirks -- you have can have a freaking rainbow coalition of PCs if you want.

But beware the honeytrap!  Exercise caution!  Keep your lser hand- uh, choose wisely!

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!GURPS is the king of skill grain.



EDIT:  Sorry for the short reply, I'm at work.

Anyway, GURPS will let you go loco with skills, advantages, disadvantages and quirks -- you have can have a freaking rainbow coalition of PCs if you want.

But beware the honeytrap!  Exercise caution!  Keep your lser hand- uh, choose wisely!

Oh god no... No no no no no. Sorry. Hate GURPS. Have always hated GURPS. Unless GURPS becomes something entirely different, will always hate GURPS.

Plus, grain really doesn't help. I mean, GURPS might be good because there is a difference between characters who have low applicable skills across the board but slight variations, but I'm looking for a system where skills really don't matter that much at all. I mean, peasants rising to be heroes and taking out soldiers and stuff is a trope of fantasy and it seems like determination and willpower matter far more than skill.

Edit: Plus, GURPS is the anti-easy chargen. It's not HERO, but it's pretty damn close... Risus is easy chargen. Unknown Armies is easy chargen.

want something short and sweet? already familiar with d20?

Microlite20
 is great if you already have a working knowledge of d20.  Then just vary the skills and viola.

alternately, what the Doc said and grab a copy of the GURPS Lite over here for free.

Quote from: kregmosierwant something short and sweet? already familiar with d20?

Microlite20
 is great if you already have a working knowledge of d20.  Then just vary the skills and viola.

alternately, what the Doc said and grab a copy of the GURPS Lite over here for free.

ooo, never heard of microlite d20. Very need.

I  need to check out GURPS again I guess, but I think what bugs me is that it is a very list oriented game. Lists of skills and lists of ads and lists of disads... Yeck.

Pendragon might be fine. You'd have to replace the knights with peasants of course, but it's a simple game and the personal traits might suit your players.

Artesia is pretty crunchy, but the system of "Bindings" might suit you. It replaces a priori disadvantages with on-the-fly emotional ties. It also uses a lifepath character generation and if you narrow it down to the peasents you want to generate, it doesn't overwhelm you totally with its options. But it's certainly not light on the rules.

Fudge with some free-form traits and attributes is a bit crunchier than Risus, but allows some neat customization. FATE is a rather interesting variant.

RuneQuest once had a good system for rural characters. Don't know whether the Mongoose version stuck to that.

Quote from: SethwickOh god no... No no no no no. Sorry. Hate GURPS. Have always hated GURPS. Unless GURPS becomes something entirely different, will always hate GURPS.

Well, I tried!

I'd suggest Warhammer Fantasy Role Play v2.  The chargen is extremely fast you can easily run the game with only one rule book.  The combat and skill systems are similar (though offer some good crunch when you want it).  NPC's and PC's follow the same rules the only difference is PC's basically have luck and fate on their sides.

Quote from: SosthenesPendragon might be fine. You'd have to replace the knights with peasants of course, but it's a simple game and the personal traits might suit your players.

Artesia is pretty crunchy, but the system of "Bindings" might suit you. It replaces a priori disadvantages with on-the-fly emotional ties. It also uses a lifepath character generation and if you narrow it down to the peasents you want to generate, it doesn't overwhelm you totally with its options. But it's certainly not light on the rules.

Fudge with some free-form traits and attributes is a bit crunchier than Risus, but allows some neat customization. FATE is a rather interesting variant.

RuneQuest once had a good system for rural characters. Don't know whether the Mongoose version stuck to that.

Hmm... Nice suggestions. RuneQuest and Artesia are probably heavier on rules than I want but Pendragon and Fudge/Fate are great suggestions... Is Pendragon still in print?

Edit: Rotwang, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so ungrateful. Thanks for the suggestion. Just... not to my tastes.

Quote from: kregmosierMicrolite20 is great if you already have a working knowledge of d20.  Then just vary the skills and viola.

Oooh!  Neat!

Quote from: SethwickHmm... Nice suggestions. RuneQuest and Artesia are probably heavier on rules than I want but Pendragon and Fudge/Fate are great suggestions... Is Pendragon still in print?

It is. The current (fifth) edition doesn't differ much from the previous one rules-wise. It actually contains less material, really focusing on playing British Knights.

And both RuneQuest and Artesia could be cut down to size easily. RQ has very few statistics, so you don't have lists of advantages and disadvantages. Just some attributes and skill where the grain is fine enough to distinguish two characters. And you could use some of the old "Instant Fuzion" rules, basically mating Artesia and Usagi Yojimbo
(Three attributes, very few skills + bindings/gifts)

As weird as it sounds, Tunnels & Trolls might even fit the bill. Just a few attributes to describe the characters plus the new Talent system. Very easy to create the peasants and the collaborative combat works fine for low-power characters, too. It's also easy to extend to non-combat situations. Debate, searching for food, etc.

Quote from: SethwickThat is I need a system where personality and such counts for something, because basically skill wise all the PCs will be quite similar.

Although it's probably too much hassle for you to bother with, the above quote makes me think that taking Unknown Armies, and modifying it for fantasy play would be the way to go.

Quote from: kregmosierwant something short and sweet? already familiar with d20?

Microlite20
 is great if you already have a working knowledge of d20.  Then just vary the skills and viola.

I'd not seen this before... but I think I like it!

PDQ, the system Truth & Justice, Zorcer of Zo, and a few other games use, could easily handle it and is available free online.  The non-physical qualities of the peasants can and will have an effect on combat.

Quote from: C.W.RichesonPDQ, the system Truth & Justice, Zorcer of Zo, and a few other games use, could easily handle it and is available free online.  The non-physical qualities of the peasants can and will have an effect on combat.

Another great idea.