RPG Encyclopedia: E
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EABA
1st ed by Greg Porter (2002) BTRC
A universal system, published as a 150-page downloadable PDF file. It is a open-ended d6 system similar to the previous BTRC game CORPS but intended to be more heroic in scope. Character creation is limited point-based, with separate points for the six attributes (Strength, Agility, Health, Awareness, Will, and Fate) and skills. It uses a universal logarithmic scale where each +3 doubles the effect.
Early Dark
1st ed by Calvin Johns, Travis Rinehart, Chuck Wendig (2011) Anthropos Games
A low-fantasy game set in a world filled with magic, specifically a set of societies around the Hara Sea. It is set at the very end of a great war sparked by humans who had found secret ancient magick hidden deep within the earth. Human life is rough, and magick is unpredictable and feared, even by those who wield it. It uses a d10 dice pool, with stats for aptitudes (Fight, Cunning, Labor, Touch, Relate, Guile, Thrive) and for domains (Mundane, Arcane, Loom). Character creation is a mix of random-roll and limited point allocation.
EarthAD.2 RPG
1st ed by Brett M. Bernstein, Peter C. Spahn (2007) Politically Incorrect Games
A post-apocalyptic science fiction RPG, set in a future where the remains of earth is plagued by cyborgs, mutants, plague carriers, and sentient animals. It uses a variant of the genreDiversion system also used by Coyote Trail.
The Earth & Sky Roleplaying Game
1st ed by Scott C. Hungerford, Jesse McGatha, Richard Thames Rowan, Bahia Rowan (1999) Lamplighter Design Studio Rubicon Games
Collector's ed (2001) Gaslight Press
An RPG of modern urban faerie tales and fantasy, where the power of belief brings to life fictional characters. PC's include wizards and dream walkers. The background includes a faerie realm (the Borderlands), along with unicorns, dragons, and so forth. It uses a rules-lite system.
Earthdawn
1st ed by Greg Gorden, Louis J. Prosperi (1993) FASA
1.5th ed (1994)
2nd ed (2001) Living Room Games
3rd ed (2009) RedBrick LLC
A dark fantasy RPG set in a prehistoric mythic era of the world of Barsaive (a parallel Earth), where various "Horrors" have destroyed or corrupted most of the world. From strongholds ("kaers"), the people are slowly reclaiming the land from these Horrors. Races include elves, dwarves, orks, and trolls as well as windling, obsidimen, and lizardmen. It uses a combined class/skill based system. Resolution is by a "step-die" roll vs difficulty: skill + modifiers on a universal chart determines your die roll (d4,d6,d8,etc.).
Eclipse Phase
1st ed by Rob Boyle, John Snead, Brian Cross, Jack Graham, Lars Blumenstein (2009) Posthuman Studios LLC Catalyst Game Labs
A transhuman sci-fi/horror game, released under the Creative Commons license (non-commercial, share-alike). It is set 10 years after the fall of humanity ("The Fall") - when the Earth and colonies were devasted by advanced artifical intelligences (TITANs) that went out of control and then disappeared along with millions of humans whose minds were forcibly uploaded. Five wormhole gateways to other systems were found following the Fall, and contact has been made with aliens known as the Factors. It uses a percentile skill-based system, with success determined by rolling 1d100 under skill + modifiers, with doubles (11, 22, etc.) being critical. Since characters may switch bodies, stats are distinguished between ego (self) and morph (current body). Attributes are Initiative, Speed, Durability, Wound Threshold, Lucidity, Trauma Threshold, Moxie, and Damage Bonus.
Écryme
1st ed by Mathieu Gaborit, Guillaume Vincent (1994) Tritel / Délires
A French-language Victorian sci-fi RPG, a la Jules Verne. It is set in a detailed fantasy world drowned in a corrosive matter ("écryme"), where only a few islands survive. Civilization is early industrial -- with trains, airships, and muskets -- and rife with political intrigue. The book is divided into three parts of equal length: a worldbook, rulebook, and an introductory scenario for 5 pre-made characters.
The Edge of Midnight: A role-playing game of mean streets and lost souls
1st ed by Rob Vaux (2006) Edge of Midnight Press Studio 2 Publishing
A fantasy noir RPG, set in a world based on film noir mixed with magic and horror. The primary nation is the United Commonwealth, a parallel of post-war USA, but it is plagued by inhuman "gaunts". It uses a skill-based system, where the players rolls 2d10 and adds one die to skill (the skill die) and one die to attribute. If both the skill total and attribute total match or exceed the difficulty, it is a full success. If only one does, it is a partial success (either by skill or by raw talent).
Ehdrigohr
1st ed by Allen Turner (2013) Council of Fools Productions
A Fate Core based tabletop role-playing game where you play heroes in a fantasy world based on a mix of American Indian and other tribal cultures.
Eldritch Ass Kicking
1st ed by Nathan J. Hill (2001) Mystic Ages Online
Extended Remix ed (2004) Key 20 Publishing Mystic Ages Online
A humorous fantasy game about "arcane action and old men with sticks". The characters are wizards in the former fantasy realm of Anhelm, which has been torn apart and cast into a strange void. Now the wizards of the realm duel, gossip, and meet in taverns. It uses a simple system with three attributes: Agility, Endurance, and Concentration. Action resolution is by (skill or attribute) + 2d10, with zeroes counting as zero, and compare to difficulty. Success gives you limited ability to narrate the outcome. Magic is divided into schools, with the defaults being Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Magical effects are largely freeform. There is an optional rule for "Hubris" points which may be spent to alter rolls.
Eldritch Skies
1st ed by John Snead, A.J. Luxton (2012) Battlefield Press
A science fiction horror RPG, set in 2030 of an alternate history that proceeds from Lovecraft's horror stories. In 1931, an expedition found the elder ones' city in Antarctica; in 1947, the mi-go crashed in Roswell; in 1958, an occult trip to Mars was tried; in 1994, scientists mastered the lightspeed barrier. In 2030, there is spacefaring via sorcery-powered hyperspace along with machine-made telepathy, augmentations, and unprecedented levels of automation. Ghouls and Deep Ones are ab-human minorities, and a UN-run space patrol battles devious mi-go and marauding moonbeasts. It uses the Cinematic Unisystem originally developed for Eden Studios' Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG.
Elekhasë
1st ed by Alexandre Bidot, Caroline Jehan, Denis Bodin (1994) Ormékiane Productions
A French-language post-apocalyptic fantasy RPG, set 87 years after the second armageddon in an original setting (Eleckase). In a confused era, the twenty nations face various magical prophecies. The game features cosmic mysteries over the five entities: Chaos, Loi, Balance, Pendule and Magic. There are 13 races including dwarf, elf, gnome, and various others. Character creation is class-based, with 23 attributes and a wide variety of skills.
Elemental Axes
1st ed by Eric Seaton (2003) Crosstime Games
2nd ed by Eric Seaton (2007) Crosstime Games
A fantasy genre system. It includes an original fantasy setting, describing the history and geography of a great empire, along with savage creatures of the world. It uses a percentile skill-based system using a single skill-vs-skill action table for all challenges. Character generation uses a limited point-buy system, where you assign separate points for skills and backgrounds. There are no attributes, only a large skill list.
Element Masters
1st ed by Kenneth Burridge, Robert Finkbeiner, Kevin Nelson, Brian Pettitt (1982) Escape Ventures
2nd ed (1984)
A fantasy-genre RPG, set in a medieval fantasy world ("Vinya") into which aliens are pouring from a interdimensional gate (related to magical transporters which interconnect the continent). It uses a percentile skill-based system. Character creation is primarily random-roll with a few choices. PC's are assumed to be militia with some magic. The 3rd edition, or remake, of this game was published as Gatewar.
Elfquest
1st ed by Steve Perrin, Sandy Petersen, Yurek Chodak (1984) Chaosium
2nd ed (1989)
A fantasy role-playing game set in the world of the comic series "Elfquest". It uses a variant of Chaosium's Basic Role-Playing system.
Elfs
1st ed by Ron Edwards (2001) Adept Press
A humorous mini-RPG poking fun at elf stereotypes in fantasy RPGs. The mechanics are intended to allow for unintentional consequences of PC actions. Illustrated by Jeff Diamond.
El-Hazard
1st ed by Jesse Scoble (2001) Guardians of Order
An RPG based on the Japanese anime series El-Hazard, directed by Tenchi Muyo! co-creator Hiroki Hayashi. The series details the adventures of high school student Makoto Mizuhara after he is pulled into an alternate dimension, the fantasy world of El-Hazard, where he must battle against an evil insectoid empire. Like other GOO adaptations, the core book includes detailed background on the series. It uses a variant of the Big Eyes, Small Mouth system.
Elhendi
1st ed by Risto J. Hieta (1993) ACE-pelit OY
A fantasy-genre RPG set on a world dominated by elves. The world also includes humans, dwarves, orcs, bologs (an ogre-like race) and a gnome-like race called kah'jaar. However, the book recommends that the PC's all be elves, who have some unique powers. There are three sub-races of elves: forest, mountain and plains elves. The game is mid- to high fantasy in theme, and rather light-hearted in tone. The system uses 4-20 range of dice.
Elish
1st ed by E. Coltorti, M. Calamita, T. Yamanouchi, V. Castelfranchi (1994) self-published
2nd ed (2000)
An Italian-language storytelling fantasy RPG. It is popular and may make an appearance on the German market. The system allows both dice-using and diceless. It also incorporates some live-action elements: casting magic requires learning various hand combinations. Characters creation is based on deriving skills from a developed background (perhaps similar to Hero Wars).
Elric!
1st ed by Lynn Willis, Richard Watts, Mark Morrison, Jimmie W. Pursell, Jr., Sam Shirley, Joshua Shaw (1993) Chaosium
A dark fantasy role-playing game set in the world of Michael Moorcock's Young Kingdoms series. This is really an edition of Chaosium's Stormbringer with a different name, which was released between 4th and 5th editions. It uses a version of Chaosium's percentile system, Basic Roleplaying, notably with fast character creation and very high skills -- recommending combat skills of 100% or more.
Elric of Melnibone
1st ed by Lawrence Whitaker (2007) Mongoose Publishing
A dark fantasy role-playing game set in the world of Michael Moorcock's Young Kingdoms series. This is to some degree an edition of Chaosium's Stormbringer with a different name, released after the 5th edition. It uses a variant of the RuneQuest system developed by Mongoose Publishing.
Ember Twilight
1st ed by Troy Costisick, Peter Evan, John Gordon, Brian Hagerty (2002) Twilight Press, Inc.
A fantasy role-playing game set in an original fantasy world, It uses a percentile skill-based system. Character creation uses a system of many professions -- including warrior, paladin, archer, scout, essence bender, and intercessor.
Empire Galactique
1st ed by Francois Nedelec (1984) Robert Laffont, Editor
2nd ed by Francois Nedelec, Jean-Charles Rodriguez, Sylvie Rodriguez (1987) [trade paperback]
A French-language space opera RPG, set in a universe of thousand of stars and many alien races. PC's include merchants of "The Hanse", telepath priests, Empire soldiers, and teknorobot engineers. The 2nd edition was published as a mainstream book. The mechanics are based on stat multiplied by 2d6 vs difficulty.
Empire of Dust
1st ed by Amy Garcia, Clint Krause (2008) Red Design KNRPG Productions
A sci-fi/fantasy role-playing game set on a war-torn desert planet called Osaris, although there are fertile Riverlands. A demonic world-conquerer, Thron, crash-landed in the Xadian capital and killed the King, supported by human legions kept subservient by addiction to Osaris "dust." The Xadians have super-tech including sentient Geara androids along with "Gunknights." There are also native Bruta, and invading space-bugs (Krythids). The game uses the "Epiphany Engine" game system. Resolution uses rolling under attribute on 1d20, and if the roll exactly matches the rating is raised by one (called an epiphany).
Empire of Satanis
1st ed by Darrick Dishaw (2005) self-published
A horror role-playing game, where the characters are fiends which live in a hellish universe called Yidathroth, or visit the human world (known to them as Sha-la). The content is offered free from www.cultofcthulhu.net, but there is also a print-on-demand version. There are fourteen races of fiends -- and all are unfathomably evil, and strive towards godhood through dark magics. It uses a dice-pool system, where resolution is by rolling attribute + skill d6s, and taking the highest -- where sixes are open-ended. Also, once each scene a player can roll 1d6, and if the result is a six, the player can declare a statement to be true in the game.
Empire of the Petal Throne
1st ed by M.A.R. Barker (1975) TSR
2nd ed (1983) Gamescience
A non-traditional fantasy game set on a unique alien world called "Tekumel". Set 60,000 years in the future, Tekumel was settled by Earth, but a great disaster threw Tekumel into a pocket dimension where gods and magic existed. The setting has a strong Hindu and Aztec flavor rather than European, and is lavishly detailed. There are three other games set in this world that were published later: Swords & Glory (1983), Gardisayal (1995), and Tekumel (2005).
Empires et Dynasties
1st ed by Patrick Durand-Peyrolles (1987) PB Productions
2nd ed (1988) Editions Dragon Radieux
A French-language fantasy RPG with a touch of sci-fi. It features playing thru many generations of characters (hence "dynasties").
Empyrea
1st ed by Massimo Bianchini, Mario Pasqualotto (2006) Asterion Press
An Italian-language medieval fantasy RPG with a planar setting emphasizing an involved cosmology. It uses a variant of the D20 system used by 3rd edition D&D.
Empyrium
1st ed (1996) CRJH
A French-language space opera RPG in the mood of the 60s-70s novels by Asimov, Dick and other similar authors.
Enchanted Worlds
Starter Kit ed by Matthew Rodgers, Daniel Price (2001) New Worlds Gaming
This is a fantasy RPG set in an original fantasy world called Unlond. The system is a simple skill-based system, where resolution is by rolling under attribute or skill on 2d8. Character creation is by allocating a pool of attribute points among the 8 attributes and a pool of skill points among the skills. The system includes a brief magic system. The starter kit includes the 32 page rulebook, a 20 page adventure: "Autumn Harvest", a reference card, a full color map, two eight sided dice, and a dice bag.
The End
1st ed by Joseph E. Donka (1997) Scapegoat Games
A bleak post-biblical-apocalypse RPG, where characters are the survivors of the Rapture whom God has abandoned: the Good being taken to Heaven and the Evil to Hell. Characters are ordinary people in a world where chaos reigns.
Endland
1st ed by B.S. Ilktac (2001) Moloch Studios
A German-language post-apocalyptic RPG, originally released as a free RPG over the web. The world was devastated long ago, and now five races fight for survival. The equipment ranges from handmade items to "high-tech" gear retrieved from the remnants of the old civilization. It uses a skill-based system, where players roll 1d10 against the sum of an attribute and a skill. Characters have five attributes and a variable number of skills, as well as personality stats such as curiosity, greed or vengefulness. Character creation includes various professions, including unusual ones (whores or jesters). In combat, the attacker has always to select a hit location, which determines the difficulty of the attack. Damage is determined by the weapon's damage class and is subtracted from a character's hit points.
Enemy Gods
1st ed by John Wick (2003) Wicked Dead Brewing Company
A mythic fantasy game, where players take dual roles of both a mythic Hero and a watchful God. The God guides the Hero and friends through adventures, and as the Heroes' popularity grows, the power of the Gods does as well. The more powerful the Gods become, the more they can aid the Heroes. It uses a narration-focused dice-pool system, the "Advantage" system, where extra dice can be acquired by looking for advantages your character has in a particular situation, each of which earns an extra die.
Enfer et Damnation
1st ed (unknown - pre-1990) Casus Belli / Excelsior Publications / Jeux Descartes
A French-language horror RPG, where the PC's are dead people sent back from Heaven for missions on Earth. Published in "Jeux et Stratégies" magazine.
Enforcers
1st ed by Gary Bernard, Charles Mann, Larry Troth (1987) 21st Century
A sci-fi superhero RPG set in 2046 after superpower mutations began arising in 1999. It uses a percentile system. Character creation is random-roll attributes, and point-buy of superpowers and of binary skills. Reviewed in White Wolf #11.
En Garde
1st ed by Daryl Hany, Frank Chadwick (1975) GDW
2nd ed (1977)
3rd ed (1989) SFC Press
A tabletop game of duellists in 17th Century France. As originally published, it is primarily a set of duelling rules with rudimentary rules for membership in regiments and social interaction (carousing). It has been greatly expanded as a PBeM game, however. cf. the En Garde homepage and SFC Press.
En Garde
1st ed by Gunilla Jonsson, Mikael Petersén (1988) Ragnarok
A Swedish-language RPG of duellists in 17th Century France.
Engel
1st (German) ed by Oliver Graute, Oliver Hoffman, Kai Meyer (2001) Feder & Schwert
1st (English) ed (2002) White Wolf
A biblical fantasy RPG, set in the 27th century after the Biblical End Times has fallen over the land. The PCs are either "engels" or their human allies -- where engels are essential angels created to battle insectile demons known as the Dreamseed. The original German edition uses a system (the "Arcana" system) using tarot cards, with an emphasis on storytelling. The English edition uses a standalone system based on the D20 System used by 3rd edition D&D. Engels have five new classes, while Humans may be Fighters and Rogues priests of the Angelitic Church tend to be Experts or Aristocrats (the OGL NPC classes).
eNIGMA (αιΝΙΓΜΑ)
1st ed by Panagiotis "Aiollus" Laskaris, Themis Mpalomenos (2004) Initiative
A modern-day Greek-language fantasy RPG, playable either live-action or tabletop. The basic rules also introduce players to the ongoing official campaign, and gives credit in the official campaign currency (10 "talanta"). The PCs are organised in "Brotherhoods", and try to discover the truth behind an unfolding conspiracy. They work for eight ancient Guilds, which assign missions that loosely resemble treasure hunts. The Eight Guilds are: Order of Gaia, Creators' Stage, School of the Occult, Academy of Alchemists, Contract of Merchants, House of Brothers, Caste of the Warriors, and Society of Leaders. The "talanta" are used to buy spells, skills and equipment. Actions are resolved by 1d20 + stat vs difficulty. There is a simple combat system with binary damage -- i.e. whenever you are hit, you are out of the game for as long as this battle lasts.
Eon
1st ed by Carl Johan Stróm, Marco Behrrman, Krister Sundelin, Ola Nilsson (1996) Neogames AB
2nd ed (2000)
3rd ed by Petter Nallo (2004)
A Swedish-language heroic fantasy RPG, set on an original world called Mundana with extensive description. It has versions of many traditional fantasy races including dwarves, elves, tiraker (orcs) and misslor (fairies). The rules system is fairly complex, and includes a magic system with both formulaic and improvised magic. The third edition includes some simplification of the damage system, and splits the core rules into two books (a Player book and a GameMaster book).
Eoris Essence RPG
1st ed by David Torres, Alejandro Cárdenas, Nicolás Acosta (2009) Visions of Essence, LLC
A fantasy RPG emphasizing high-quality art in an original world. It uses a dice pool system, rolling a number of d20s equal to skill or attribute, where every result over the target number (base 15) is a success. Each rool includes an additional d20, the "essence die," that modifies success or failure.
EPIC Role Playing
1st ed by Chris Organ, Kent Davis (2005) Dark Matter Studios
Revised ed by Chris Organ, Kent Davis, Andrew Mertz, Andy Monroe (2007) Dark Matter Studios
Mark III ed by Chris Organ (2011) Dark Matter Studios
A fantasy role-playing game set in an original fantasy world, Eslin, centered on the high feudal kingdom of Rullaea along with the Scandanavian-like icy lang of Rimenor and the region of Ursyos-Elkiknon where men are enslaved to by cruel invaders from another dimension -- the seven-foot tall, grey-skinned, mentalist Buruk. Action resolution uses 2d10. Character creation uses a life path at the end of which the player selects a profession, guild, lone master, or teacher is chosen from the specific realm of the campaign.
EPICS: Deserve to Survive
1st ed by J. Scott Pittman (2000) Dragonslayer Games
A universal RPG system, an acronym for "Easy, Player-Initiated Game System". It uses a system of developing characters as you go. Players earn Survival Points for thinking fast, good role-playing and adding detail to their characters during the course of play. The basic game includes a sample setting, "A.N.G.E.L.S.", a modern world where heroes with rare inhuman powers fight against supernatural creatures and government plots.
Epiphany
1st ed by Greg Porter (1996) BTRC
An Atlantean-age fantasy game using a unique diceless system. Players match against the GM by splitting their stat into fingers of each hand (i.e. stat 5 could be 3 in one hand and 2 in the other, say). This is similar in principle to rock-paper-scissors, but accounts for a range of skills and difficulties.
Epoch: Age of Magic
1st ed by Chris Rutkowsky (2001) Basic Action Games
A fantasy RPG using a percentile system which mixes pure skill and trade grouping. Skills are grouped under three trades: Warrior, Rogue, and Scholar. Each character designates one trade each as Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. The priority determines a multiplier: x6 for Primary, x5 for Secondary, and x4 for Tertiary. Action resolution is by adding attribute + skill, multiplying by trade multiplier, adding difficulty modifier, and then rolling under that number on percentile dice. In combat, a hit roll is by a roll modified by targets avoid percentage -- followed by hit location and damage (using d6s) upon success. Character creation is a mix of random-roll and point-buy, where skill points can be used to modify the results of random rolls for race, social class, handedness, and attributes. Remaining skill points are used to buy skills within the three groupings.
ERA
1st ed (1999) editore Clinica tbf/multiserver
An Italian-language fantasy RPG and combat simulation. The system uses cards in combat to determine the way you attack. It has a web-based expansion dedicated to the videogame "Soul Calibur".
Era Ten
1st ed by Joseph Hillmer, George Rahm (1992) Better Games
A sci-fi space marine RPG, set in a future where humans and their four alien allies (known as the "Tetra League") have been infected by a "pacification virus." The PC's are rare members of the species who are immune to the virus, and are thus pressed into service as powered-armor marines who defend the league from outside attack. It uses the "Free-style Roleplay" system from Crimson Cutlass, and also comes with extensive guidelines for generating random missions and other scenarios. The Space Gamer magazine published two mini-RPGs based on this: Battle Born (in issue #1) and Guardians of Sol (in issue #5). The PC's gain abilities by downloading capabilities into their spacesuit. Use of these suit skills are the only types of rolls the player makes during game play.
Eric Flint's 1632 Resource Guide and Role Playing Game
1st ed by Jonathan M. Thompson (2005) Battlefield Press
An role-playing adaptation of the time-traveling novel by Eric Flint, where in May of the year 2000, a six-mile sphere, centered on Grantville, West Virginia, was displaced in space and time to 1631 Germany. The system is a variant of the Action! System from Gold Rush Games.
ERPS: Das neue deutsche Rollenspiel
1st ed by Ernst-Joachim Preussler (1995) Edition Ulisses
A German-language low-magic fantasy RPG, aimed at beginning roleplayers. The system uses stat + an open-ended d10 roll (on a 10 reroll and add) vs difficulty. Character creation is point-based. The player distributes 4 priority points among 4 fields (2 max): physical, weapons, mental and psi. This defines how easily you can learn skill in those fields. There are 6 attributes (Strength, Skill, Constitution, Knowledge, Charisma, and Psi) and 5 sense values (seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling). Skill selection is also point-based with fields and attributes making it easier to gain related skills. It also includes a magic system.
Das E.R.S.T.E.
1st ed by Ralf Sandfuchs (1997) Harlekin
A German-language universal RPG system aimed at beginners: the name means "The First One" and is an acronym for "Beginner's RPG, very easy". It is a small booklet with no character classes, skill lists, or magic systems.
Escape from Tentacle City: A Dark Comedy Game of Survival Horror
1st ed by Willow Palecek (2009) self-published
A comedic horror RPG for 4-6 people, with a rotating GM position and a pool of many characters. Each player creates a group of characters from among marginalized members of society within Tentacle City, which is being menaced by giant tentacles. Each player then also creates one character in each of the other groups. The players then take turns setting a scene and acting as GM for the group they created.
The Esoterrorists
1st ed by Robin D. Laws (2006) Pelgrane Press
A modern-day horror RPG where the PCs are investigators in a secret conspiracy cell, fighting the Esoterrorists -- a loose affiliation of occultists intent on tearing apart reality itself. It uses a new system, called the GUMSHOE rules. It uses diceless point-spending to resolve investigative skills, and die rolls modified by points for core skills. Character creation is limited point-based, with no attributes and splitting between the 39 investigative skills and the 13 core skills.
Espionage
1st ed by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson (1983) Hero Games
A secret agent RPG, using a variant of the 2nd edition Champions rules. This was revised with a new title as Danger International in 1985.
Eternal Soldier
1st ed by Chris Arnold, Rob Arnold, Joe Mays (1986) Tai-Gear Simulations
A universal system, providing combat rules usable in any genre or time period. It uses a skill-based percentile system, using other polyhedral dice as well. Character creation allows attributes to be generated by several means, with point-bought skills. The rules were later made available free from Tai-Gear's website. Reviewed in White Wolf #9.
Etherscope
1st ed by Nigel McClelland, Ben Redmond (2005) Goodman Games
A modern fantasy RPG using a variant of the D20 System as found in D20 Modern. It is set in the year 1984 of an alternate history where psychic technology using the ether was discovered in 1874. Modern etherscopes are devices by which human minds could enter Etherspace, a psychic parallel to the Internet. There are many other steampunk and cyberpunk elements, including eugenically-modified humans. The strains include the standard Betas, improved Alphas, ratlike Gammas, doglike Deltas, and horselike Epsilons. In the larger world, there are three superpowers: Britain, America, and Germany's New Reich. Among all, Victorian virtues like social stratification, imperialism, and scientific progress rule unchallenged. The system includes six basic classes (Broker, Combatant, Enginaught, Pursuer, Savant and Scoundrel) and twelve advanced character classes (Cybernaught, Explorer, Tab-Jammer, Thief, Industrialist, Occult Investigator, Program Crater, Scope Rider, Scope Warrior, Spy and Street Mercenary).
Everlasting
Book of the Unliving ed by Steven Brown (1997) Visionary Games
Book of the Light ed (1998)
Book of the Spirits ed (1998)
Book of the Fantastical ed (2003)
A modern-day urban fantasy game, which comes in several parts detailing the "Secret World" of eldritch creatures unseen in everyday life. The fantasy elements are much more traditional than White Wolf's similar series (i.e. based on folklore rather than recent fiction like Anne Rice, neo-paganism, etc.) The shared system uses a pool of d12's (based on attribute) rolled against a target number based on skill and difficulty. The game(s) also have diceless and percentile-die variants.
"Book of the Unliving" details Ghuls, Revenants, and Vampires. "Book of the Light" details angels and divinely-inspired humans fighting demons and werewolves.
EverQuest Roleplaying Game
1st ed by Steve Wieck (2002) White Wolf
A fantasy genre RPG based on the popular multiplayer online computer RPG. It is set on the world of Norrath, inhabited by humans, elves, and dwarves as well as reptilian Iksar and aquatic Kedge. The rules are a variant of the D20 System from 3rd edition D&D, although it does not use the D20 trademark and includes complete character creation and combat rules.
Everway
1st ed by Jonathan Tweet (1995) Wizards of the Coast
1.5th ed (1996) Rubicon Games
2nd ed (unknown) Gaslight Press
A dimension-hopping fantasy game, using a story-oriented diceless system. The game features a fixed deck of "fortune" cards, similar to a tarot deck, which is used to subjectively influence the GM's resolution. There are collectible "image" cards with various original artwork on them, used to inspire character creation and adventure design. Character creation is guided by a set of image card draws, using a loose point-based mechanic to buy attributes, special powers, and magic. There are four attributes: air, earth, fire, and water -- with each element representing a side of character ability.
Exalted
1st ed by Geoffrey C. Grabowski, Robert Hatch, Ken Cliffe, Richard Thomas, Stephan Wieck, Andrew Bates, Dana Habecker, Sheri M.Johnson, Chris McDonough (2001) White Wolf
A fantasy RPG set in a mythic age when the Exalted ruled a vast empire which controls the world. The Exalted are those who can channel Essence for magical powers. It uses a variant of the "Storyteller" dice pool system.
Excursion into the Bizarre
1st ed by Wolfgang Trippe, Brian Carlson (1985) Blind Dog Games
A tongue-in-cheek cross-genre RPG where some denizens of a fantasy world are carried by "Vorpal Winds" into a strange new world: twentieth century Earth. There are two home dimensions: Oort, a dimension of treasure-obsessed, dungeoneering elves, orcs, and the like; and Chon-Blu, a parallel universe where furries rule the earth. Character creation is by rolling best 4 out of 5d6 for the five attributes (Strength, Constitution, Agility, Intelligence, and Wisdom/Intuition); then dividing 250 points among a set of percentile skills (with a minimum of 5 skills and a maximum of Intelligence/5). The basic game includes a magic system and division of humanity into enemies, allies, and neutrals.
Exo, juego de rol e interpretacion de ciencia-ficcion
1st ed by Juan Carlos Herreros Lucas, Raul Lopez Diaz-Ufano, Fernando Ruiz Tapiador Gutierrez, Hugo Wifredo Serrano Ruiz, Javier Sevilla Villafañe (2000) Ediciones Sombra
A Spanish-language science-fiction RPG in a galaxy with hundred of alien races that fight to survive. The game system uses a single 3d10 roll indicate check, sucess level, location and damage.
Expendables
1st ed by L. Lee Cerny, Walter H. Mytczenskyj, Michael A. Thomas (1987) Stellar Games
A spacefaring sci-fi RPG, where PC's are explorers hired to find new planets to be exploited by the monolithic company they work for. There is not much background except for extensive equipment lists. Character creation is class-based with random-roll attributes and point-buy skills (assigned a number of dice to different skills). Advancement is level-based. Reviewed in White Wolf #10.
Exquisite Replicas
1st ed by Lee Foster, Monica Valentinelli, John R. Phythyon Jr., Werner Hager, Todd Cash (2008) Abstract Nova Entertainment
A modern-day horror game set in a world where people and things are being replaced by mysterious duplicates. The player characters are people who have joined the Anonymous -- a loose movement mask-wearing rebels that is set on destroying the replicas and attempting to return the real versions to this world. Character creation is limited point- based, by declaring priority between physical attributes, mental attributes, occupation, and advantages. Characters are also rated in three psychological areas: Paranoia, Violence, and Immorality. It uses a dice pool system, rolling a number of d10s equal to attribute plus skill, where each result of "1" gives one success, each result of "2" gives two successes, and all other results are ignored.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen
1st ed by Baron Munchausen, James Wallis (1998) Hogshead Games
2nd ed (2008) Magnum Opus Press
A storytelling game, part of a series of new games that are innovative, short (typically 16 pages), and quick-to-play(1 hour or less). The characters are 18th century nobles outrageously boasting of their accomplishments.
Extreme Vengeance
1st ed by Tony Lee (1997) Archangel
A highly cinematic action-movie game where players take the role of type-case actors in action movies. The game, in theory, allows the gamemaster to move the characters into any type of action movie. Characters are designed by combining a Descriptor and a Designator, which gives two attributes: Guts and Coincidence, along with ads ("Repertoires") and disads ("No-Goods"). It uses a simple dice-pool system, totalling a number of d6's based on attribute, modified by how exciting the GM rates the action. There are two supplements: a sourcebook titled "Maximum Damage" and a trilogy of adventures titled "Die and Die Again".
John H. Kim <jhkim@darkshire.net>
Last modified: Mon Jul 2 09:15:53 2018