Free RPG List: new

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The 10 Minute RPG by Scott J. Compton
Keywords: genre fantasy traditional rules-lite
A very simple generic fantasy RPG. Resolution is by rolling a number of d10s and summing the total with stat to compare to a target number. Higher task difficulty increases the number of d10s rolled but increases the target number even more. (The easiest is 1d10 + stat vs. 20; the hardest is 5d10 + stat vs. 100.) Character creation is by choosing a number of selections from race and profession, included in the Excel file. There is no setting per se, but there are 24 races described - including many monstrous ones. ~10 pages (Microsoft Excel format).
44: A Game of Automatic Fear by Matt Snyder
Keywords: genre modern scifi rules-lite
A scifi horror RPG about humans in an alternate 1950s - who discover and resist Section 44, a robotic conspiracy that threatens to replace all of humanity. Play proceeds in 4 rounds where in a round each player frames one scene. Characters may be replaced by robots, in which case they continue to play and work to replace the others. Character creation is limited point-based, with players assigning 6 points among three qualities (Resolve, Contact, and Material), 3 points among Bonds (other people), and 4 points among player-defined Anxieties. Resolution is scene-based, with player and GM rolling a number of d6s for stat + modifiers, and taking the highest result, +1 for every tie for highest. 37 pages (PDF).
Dvreem RPG by David V.S.
Keywords: universal fantasy rules-lite
A diceless storytelling RPG. It gives detailed guidelines for GM judgment but no numerical resolution mechanics. Character creation is skill-based, spending 40 points among the 16 skills. It roughly outlines four genres: Frontier, Technology, Steampunk, Intrigue/Horror. It also has a sample setting, the fantasy world of Creagadier. ~31 pages rules (HTML)
Guilddom Adventures Made Easy by David V.S.
Keywords: genre fantasy rules-lite
A generic fantasy rules system. Resolution uses a roll of one to three d8s based on difficulty, taking the lowest. If the result plus skill is 8 or more, the check succeeds. Character creation is skill-based, spending 35 points among the 16 skills. There are brief rules for Alchemy, Chemstry, Machinery, and Transmutery - but no spellcasting and no monsters. ~10 pages rules (HTML)
MECHA Quickstart Guide by Chris Perrin and Clint Krause
Keywords: genre scifi preview
A free preview of an upcoming anime scifi game. It uses a dice pool system, rolling a number of dice equal to attribute, where every roll that is equal or lower than skill is one success. Any die that comes up "1" counts as a success and is rerolled. Any roll with 8 or more successes lets the player define a "cut scene" and take and extra action. Players also take turns defining personal scenes (either social, field ops, or repair) to improve stats. The quickstart has four pregenerated characters but no character creation rules. 24 pages rules (PDF).
MonkeyDome by Epidiah Ravachol
Keywords: genre postapocalyptic scifi rules-lite
A post-apocalyptic storytelling game. The players decide on what sort of apocalypse happened, and then proceed to set up scenes that the Game Blaster (GM) sets up. The scene and character reactions are determined by rolling ThunderBones: two six-sided dice, the Grim Die and the Zany Die. Whichever is higher determines the overall tone of the scene and of individual character reactions. 33 pages rules (PDF).
Nexus D20 by Garrowolf
Keywords: genre fantasy scifi long wotc-d20
A science fantasy RPG based on an extensive variant of the D20 system, set in an interdimensional Nexus - a realm that connects to other realms, but also contains its own islands floating in a vast astral sea. There are levels and races but no classes, and no base attack bonus or saving throws. Instead there is a custom character framework, and the system focuses more around skills. There are many feats, each associated with a skill. It also includes a new magic system with powers rather than spell lists. 100+ pages HTML.
Owl Hoot Trail, Playtest Edition 2 by Clinton R. Nixon
Keywords: genre preview open-license wotc-d20
A game set in a fantasy version of the American Old West, using a variant of the Microlite20 system. It includes Humans, Half'ins, Ferals, and Hill Folk as races - along with Lawman, Scout, Gunslinger, Ruffian, Scoundrel, Gadgeteer, Mentalist, Preacher, and Shaman as classes. 22 pages playtest rules (PDF).
Super Powers Unlimited, Basic Version by David Michaels
Keywords: genre modern superhero preview
The basic version of a superhero RPG published as a browsable website with character sheets as spreadsheets for Excel or Open Office. It uses a combat-focused resolution system, where actions usually have fixed result from spending energy points. A roll of 1d20 is used to determine criticals for an action - a 20 is a critical hit (200% of standard result) while a 1 is a critical failure (50% of standard result). Character creation is limited point-based, spending 100 points among the four primary attributes (Health, Energy, Attack, and Defense), 25 points among the five secondary attributes, and 6 "slots" among power, equipment, skills, pets, and property. ~60 pages online HTML browsing only.
John H. Kim <jhkim@darkshire.net>
Last modified: Tue Jul 13 13:03:47 2010