RPG Encyclopedia: H
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X-Z
Index
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Hackmaster
- 4th ed by Jolly Blackburn (2001) Kenzer & Company
- 5th ed (2009)
-
A humorous RPG based on the comic strip "Knights of the Dinner Table".
It uses a licensed variant of the 1st edition
AD&D
system, which adds on a set of more complex rules. Additional rules
include an honor system, critical hits, and a percentile skill system.
There is a character build point system, where points can buy skills,
advantages, attributes, or starting money. The original edition was
numbered "4th" because that was how it was referred to in the comic,
and the following edition became "5th."
-
Hahlmabrea
- 1st ed by Daniel A. Fox (1991) Sutton Hoo Games
-
A small-press fantasy-genre RPG about professional adventurers
hired by a Council City. It formalizes "adventurer" status as a
special profession within the city. The system uses mainly
percentiles but also a mix of d8, d12, etc. Character creation
is by random-roll attributes and selection of profession
packages (which provide skills with random levels).
Reviewed in White Wolf #29.
-
The Hammer of Thor: The Game of Norse Mythology
- 1st ed by Joe Angiolillo (1980) Gameshop
-
A boardgame with some RPG-like elements, where you play one of 365
characters from Norse mythology (each with a character card).
It includes a game board with stars and circles connected by lines,
representing places in Alfheim, Vanaheim, Valhalla, Midgard, and
so forth. Play evolves along two phases: adventures in the wilderness
to gather forces for Ragnarok, the final battle between good and evil.
The player who is on the winning side of this battle who has the
highest Reputation wins the game. In addition to the character cards,
there are card sets representing Offspring, Shape Changing, Magic
Items, Forged Magic Items, Fates, Runes, and Predictions. There is
also a color map, sheets of charts, sheets for character tracking,
counters and a rulebook. cf.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3867.
-
Happy Birthday, Robot!
- 1st ed by Daniel Solis (2010) Evil Hat Productions
Smart Play Games
-
A storytelling party game appropriate for children. Each player takes
turns starting a sentence to the story, using a limited number of words
based on a die roll and passed coins. Every story starts with the same
first sentence: "Happy Birthday, Robot!" On a player's turn, they roll
up to three dice to roll using d6s where 1-2 is "AND", 3-4 is "BUT",
and 5-6 is blank. The player keeps blank dice, passes BUTs to the
left and ANDs to the right. The player can continue to roll until
either neighbor has four dice. The player then writes a sentence
where each die is a word, and the word "Robot" can be used once for
free. Then the right neighbor can add words equal to his dice using
"and" once for free; and the left neighbor can add words equal to his
dice using "but" once for free. The storyteller player collects coins
(heads up) for each blank die used. A heads-up coin can be passed to
another player to be used as an extra word in a sentence, turned tails-up.
The game ends when a player has ten or more coins and there is the epilogue.
The rulebook includes optional rules as well as a number of sample
stories written by playtesters.
-
Harc és Varázslat
- 1st ed by Tamás Galgóczi, Péter László (1991) Sportorg LLC
-
A light-hearted Hungarian-language fantasy RPG, whose title translates
as "Combat and Magic" -- one of the first RPGs to be published in
Hungarian. It is set in a medieval fantasy world, "Dragonfire",
in roughly the genre of J.R.R. Tolkien, R.E. Howard, and fairy tales.
The simple rules are similar to Basic
Dungeons & Dragons.
Character creation includes choosing a race (where choices include
goblins and orcs) and one of four classes (fighter, ranger, priest
and wizard). Character attributes are percentile ratings that
increase with level. Unlike D&D, magic is based on a simple
spell point system.
-
HardNova ][: Space Action Adventures
- 1st ed by Brett M. Bernstein, Matt Drake (2004) Politically Incorrect Games
-
A space opera RPG using a variant of the genreDiversion system
also used by Coyote Trail.
This is the more rules-lite retake on the earlier HardNova game.
It is set in the United Sovereign Worlds (USU), with humans,
human-like Centaurians, insectoid Kt'sorii, ape-like Digronians,
the unsightly Migado (obese with redundant organs). In addition,
there are the mutated Tarkosians, now dependent on nano-symbionts and
grudgingly accepted into the USU after earlier hostilities.
Action resolution is by rolling under attribute + skill on 2d6, with
a possible bonus die (lowest 2 out of 3d6) or penalty die (highest 2
out of 3d6). There is also an advanced system with graded
difficulties. Character creation is limited point-based, spending 10
points on five attributes ranging from 1 to 5 (Fitness, Awareness,
Reasoning, Creativity, and Influence); 30 points on broad skills; and
selected Gimmicks (i.e. ads and disads). It includes simple rules for
combat, with 5 wound levels in two types (Injury or Fatigue). Ship
combat is handled using a variant of the personal combat rules, with
ships having stats and wound levels just like characters.
-
HârnMaster
- 1st ed by N. Robin Crossby (1986) Columbia Games
- Core ed (1996) Columbia Games
- Gold ed (1999) self-published
- 3rd ed (2003) Columbia Games
-
A medieval fantasy-genre RPG set in the original game-world Harn.
Harn is a beautifully and extensively detailed world based on
medieval England with a Tolkien-esque style. It uses a percentile
skill-based system. Character creation uses random-roll attributes
and background, including details of family and social role. Skills
are based on a package for background, a package for the selected
profession, and five option points. Combat is very detailed,
including 38 hit locations and graphic injuries with different
effects depending on type. "Harnmaster Gold" is a divergent
second edition by original author Robin Crosby, which will be
converted into expansions to the core rules. It includes an
optional point-bought character creation system.
-
HARP (High Adventure Role Playing)
- 1st ed by Tim Dugger, Heike Kubasch (2003) Iron Crown Enterprises
-
A generic fantasy genre RPG, using an evolved and simplified version
of the Rolemaster mechanics.
It uses stat plus an open-ended percentile die roll, with result
determining degree of success (where totals over 100 are a success).
Character creation is class-based, with nine classes (Cleric,
Fighter, Harper, Mage, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Thief, and Warrior Mage).
Skills are divided into four categories: Combat, Outdoor, Subterfuge,
and Mystic Arts. Race is also a factor -- the core rulebook includes
Human, Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, and Gryx (a strong but peaceful
orc-like humanoid). A culture is selected separately from race, such
as "Nomad" or "Underhill". Advancement is level-based.
-
Haven: City of Violence
- 1st ed by Louis Porter, Jr. (2002) LPJ Design
-
A modern crime and crime-fighting RPG set in a fictional city
("Haven") on the eastern coast of the United States.
Action resolution uses rolling under attribute or skill
on 1d20. Character creation is skill-based including
templates for various professions.
-
Havoc! Live Role-Playing
- 1st ed by Clinton J. Staples, Wendy Speary (1997) Seventh Moon
-
A live-action fantasy-genre RPG system, printed in digest format.
It has rules both for "boffer" combat with mock weapons and
"static" no-touch combat.
-
Hawkmoon
- 1st ed by Kerie Campbell-Robson, Sandy Petersen (1986) Chaosium
- 1st ed by Gareth Hanrahan (2007) Mongoose Publishing
-
A post-apocalyptic medieval science fantasy RPG, based on the
Michael Moorcock's "Hawkmoon" novels. It uses a variant of
Chaosium's Basic Role-playing system.
The second edition used a variant of the
RuneQuest system
developed by Mongoose Publishing.
-
HeartQuest
- 1st ed by Michael Hopcroft, Robert Pool, Dimitri Ashling, Ewen Cluney, Robert Boyd, Robert Bain, Ismael Alvarez, Travis Johnson (2002) Seraphim Guard
-
An RPG in the genre of shoujo manga and anime -- i.e. Japanese
girl's comics and animated shows. The game describes sub-genres
of high-school romance, "magical girl" (superheroic), and
otherworldly adventure. It uses a variant of the
FUDGE system.
-
Hearts and Souls
- 1st ed by Tim Kirk (2006) Better Mousetrap Games
Silver Lion Studios
-
A superhero RPG with a simple narratively-focused system. Each
character has a single motivation, systematized as "Drive", such as
"Love", "Guilt", or "Spirit of Adventure". Players use Drive to gain
a reroll by either improvising a monologue, or accepting Stress
points. Once Stress maxes out, though, there are required failures.
There are six attributes: Might, Deftness, Resilience, Brains,
Prowess, and Resolve. Each attributed has a rank (Human/d4,
Superhuman/d8, and Cosmic/d12) and scale (Ordinary, Extraordinary,
Spectacular). The core book includes two sample settings. The main
one is "Analog Prime", where the world's greatest superhero team were
just wiped out in an explosion. The minor one, "Millenia", has
reality slowly shifting over time.
-
Heaven and Earth
- 1st ed by John R. Phythyon, Jr. (1998) Event Horizon Productions
- 2nd ed (2001) Guardians of Order
- 3rd ed by Lee Foster, Michelle Lyons, James Maliszewski, John R. Phythyon, Jr., Lucien Soulban (2004) Abstract Nova Entertainment
-
A modern-day occult RPG, inspired by surreal TV series like
"Twin Peaks", "The Outer Limits", and "Millenium". It is set in the
quiet town of Potter's Lake, Kansas -- home to an Air Force base that
hosts a "Project Grayscale" and many other odd denizens. There is a
deep underlying secret outlined in the book. The first edition game
uses a diceless system based on playing cards, where you first compared
attribute plus skill vs task difficulty. If greater, you succeed
automatically, but otherwise you draw a playing card. If it is a
number card less than your total you add +1, and if it is a face card
there are special results. Character creation is limited point-based:
distribute 30 points among 12 attributes, and 30 points among skills
and advantages. The second edition uses the "Tri-Stat" system from
Big Eyes, Small Mouth.
The third edition uses a step die system, where you add attribute
number plus skill number plus a die roll versus a fixed difficulty of
9. The die rolled varies with difficulty, from a d20 for easy tasks
to a d4 for nearly impossible ones. Third edition character creation
is limited point-based, with 14 attribute points and 9 occupation
points. Occupations vary in cost based on breadth, and have three
ranks (Rookie, Professional, and Veteran).
-
Heavy Gear
- 1st ed by Jean Carrieres, Gene Marcil, Martin Quellette, Marc-Alexandre Vézina (1996) Dream Pod 9
- 2nd ed (1997)
- 3rd ed (2004)
-
A spacefaring sci-fi RPG and tactical miniatures game, set in
6132 on "Terra Nova", the first colony planet outside the solar
system which was abandoned by Earth due to domestic strife.
Terra Nova is split between the North and South factions which
are on the edge of war. The factions briefly dropped their
differences to repel an invasion from Earth, but are now again
on the edge of war. "Gears" are human-shaped combat mecha
about 4-5 meters tall. It uses the "Silhouette" system: a simple
dice pool system: roll dice (d6's) equal to skill and take the
best, and add attribute (-3 to +3).
-
Heavy Metal
- 1st ed by Croc, Mathias Twardowski (1991) Siroz/Ideojeux
-
A French-language sci-fi RPG, set in a near future where the
world is being controlled by a secret power using robots
troubleshooters, opposed by heroic rebels -- a la "Running Man".
-
Heimot
- 1st ed by Miska Fredman (2006) Ironspine Games
-
A Finnish-language "space noir" science fiction RPG, whose title
translates as "Tribes". Heimot is set in far future 500 years after
a great disaster decimated and divided humanity. At present known
space is ruled by the nine tribes of humanity. Outer worlds are
populated by the barbaric outlanders and aliens. Characters are
by default outlawed "clanless" humans who live outside the tribal
society, though tribal humans are available as options. Aliens species
exist, but are only NPCs. The rules mechanics use 1d10 + Aptitude +
Skill versus a Difficulty number or competing result. Character
creation and advancement is point based.
-
Helix: The Post Apocalypse, High-Tech, Fantasy, Western Role Playing Game
- 1st ed by Adam J. Weber, Gloria Weber, William Parker (2008) self-published
-
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the year 2081 after global war has
devastated the world, and subsequently magic has been re-awakened.
The world has broken down into city-states connected by the powerful
Umbrea Corporation, and the Wastelands in between. Player character
options include Cyber Mystics, Code Slingers, Gun Jacks/Jills, and
Average Joe/Plain Jane. The game is self-published by Adam Weber,
with information at
helixrpg.wordpress.com.
-
Hellas: Worlds of Sun and Stone
- 1st ed by Michael L. Fiegel, Jerry D. Grayson (2008) Aethereal Forge
Khepera Publishing
-
An epic space opera game, in a setting inspired by Greek myth --
where spaceships travel through another dimension called the
Panthalassa or "Slipspace", deploying aetheric force screen
emitters on cables to act as sails that pull them. It is
inhabited by a variety of races, including the Nymphas, Myrmidon
Goregon, and Zintar as well as humans ("Hellene").
It uses a version of the "Omni System" from
High Medieval,
licensed from Morrigan Press. Action resolution uses skill or
attribute minus difficulty + 1d20, interpreting the results on
a universal degree of success table. There is also a hero point
system to change rolls.
-
Hellboy RPG and Sourcebook
- 1st ed by Phil Masters, Jonathan Woodward (2002) Steve Jackson Games
-
A modern-day magic RPG based on the comic series by Mike Mignola,
about solving occult mysteries, beating up demons, and saving the
world from Things Man Was Not Meant to Know. It uses a version of the
GURPS system which is included
in the basic rulebook. The PC's can be characters from the comics,
or may create their own agents of the Bureau of Paranormal Research
and Defense.
-
Hellcats and Hockeysticks: A Role-Playing Game of chaos, anarchy, and decidedly unladylike behavior
- 1st ed by Andrew Peregrine (2009) Corone Design
-
A modern-day RPG set in a fictional English boarding school for girls,
St. Erisian's - complete with magic and weird science. Adventures
focus on the girls pulling off schemes, plans, and capers - inspired
by the St. Trinian's series of films. Characters come from one of
nine cliques, each with its own special ability and selection of
skills - Coquette, Emo/Goth, Exchange Student, Fixer, Hockey Girl,
Nerd/Geek, Prefect, Scientist, and Sweetheart. Character creation is
point-based, selecting a clique, spending 5 points on clique skills
and 15 points on any skills, choosing a Best Friend and Rival from among
the other player characters, and an optional Personality Trait.
Resolution uses a target number dice pool mechanic, rolling d6s
equal to 1 plus skill, where every result of the target number or
more is one success. Characters begin with 10 Willpower Points which
can be traded in for extra dice. The system has a very nonlethal
physical combat system as well as social combat rules.
-
Hell for Leather: Gameshow Hyperviolence
- 1st ed by Sebastian Hickey (2010) Cobweb Games
-
A storytelling game about a deadly gameshow where the contestants are
hunted down across the world, though the game discusses alternate
settings as long as the main characters are being hunted down by an
overwhelmingly powerful adversary. It uses a GMless system that
requires no preparation, intended for play in 2-4 hours. Resolution
involves a diceless story pip system, and a challenge system of rolling
a d10 into a circle where 3 six-sided dice are stacked, trying to get
the d10 into the circle without knocking over the stack.
-
Helvéczia
- 1st ed by Gábor Lux (2013) self-published
-
A Hungarian fantasy RPG, set in a fantasy version of Switzerland in the period of 1650-1750,
called Helvéczia. It uses a simple system aimed at beginners, similar to
D&D.
-
Hercules and Xena
- 1st ed by George Strayton et al. (1998) West End Games
-
A fantasy-genre RPG based on the two TV series. It uses a fast
dice-pool system (the "D6 Prime" system), with special dice
(included in the game) marked only success and failure. Roll
dice equal to your skill and count the results.
-
Heroes
- 1st ed by Dave Millard (1979) Tabletop Games
-
A medieval fantasy RPG, set in Dark Ages Europe. It uses a
mostly percentile system. Characters are defined by their
country, social status, alignment, and five attributes (Strength,
Agility, Intelligence, Charisma, and a Combat Value). The system
is fairly detailed with the exception of combat.
-
Heroes and Hellions
- 1st ed by T. Dorsey (unknown, pre-1998) Travell Games
-
A small-press comic-book superhero RPG. It uses class-based
character creation with 31 classes of superheroes. The combat system
is involved, including special rules for critical hits and knockouts.
-
Heroes and Heroines
- 1st ed by James E. Freel (1993) Excel Marketing
-
A superhero RPG, which licensed characters from several comic
companies including Image, Malibu, and Continuity. Character
creation is point-based, including a long list of powers and
weaknesses. Combat is resolved by cross-referencing a d20
roll on a universal table. The basic game includes no background,
but has a short sample adventure. It has one sourcebook: "The Maxx",
an adaptation of the independent comic of the same name.
-
Heroes Forever
- 1st ed (2001) Guild of Blades
-
A superhero RPG set in an alternate history where the world is carved
into numerous empires by superbeings. It features a high-power system.
Character creation includes kits, with Vampire, Werewolf, Mutant,
Sorcerer, and Policeman kits included in the core rules.
-
Heroes of Olympus
- 1st ed by B. Dennis Sustare (1981) Task Force Games
- 2nd ed (1983)
-
A Greek-myth game which acts as an RPG, a wargame, and/or a
boardgame. It includes background on gods, limited magic (from
gods or magic places), sample races, and pregen characters from
the Argonauts. It uses a skill-based system, with point-bought
character creation. There are three combat systems: Noble
(i.e. duelling), Melee, and Naval. They are fairly complex,
although Melee is fairly fast.
-
Heroes Unlimited
- 1st ed by Kevin Siembieda (1984) Palladium Books
- 2nd ed (2000)
-
A fairly gritty "street-level" superhero RPG, using a variant of
the Palladium System.
Character creation is random-roll attributes with classes and levels.
Some classes get random powers, while tech-based classes buy their
cyberware/robotics/equipment with a pool of money.
-
Heroic Conquest
- 1st ed by David E. Blake (unknown, post 1990) Renaissance Ink
-
A superhero RPG. It uses a primarily percentile based system.
Character creation is either point-bought or random-roll.
-
Heroic Do-Gooders and Dastardly Deed-Doers
- 1st ed by Mathew Van Dinter (1999) self-published
-
An RPG in a modern-day setting with pseudo-science and super-human
powers. It is more of an action/adventure genre with powers, however,
rather than mainstream comic-book superheroes. The setting is the
real world complete with all normal features.
-
Heroic Visions
- 1st ed by William A Council (2002) New Vision Comics
-
A superhero RPG. The rules are a variant of the D20 System from
3rd edition D&D.
-
Hero Kids: A Fantasy Role-Playing Game for Children Aged 4 to 10
- 1st ed by Justin Halliday (2012) Hero Forge Games
-
A simple fantasy RPG intended for young players. Action resolution uses highest die from 1d6 to 3d6, compared with opposing roll. There is a simple rule for fighting, with three hits per character. Character creation is by picking a pre-built template, including Warrior, Hunter, Healer, Warlock, Brute, Rogue, and Knight. There are guidelines for creating new templates, but not complete rules. The core game includes a 19-page adventure, Basement o' Rats, featuring lots of fighting giant rats.
-
HeroQuest
- 1st ed by Greg Stafford, Robin D. Laws (2003) Issaries, Inc.
Steve Jackson Games
- 2nd ed by Greg Stafford, Robin D. Laws (2009) Moon Design LLC
-
A fantasy RPG set in the world of Glorantha, the setting for original
for RuneQuest and
for Hero Wars. This is
essentially a second edition to Hero Wars with a new title.
-
The Hero's Banner
- 1st ed by Tim C. Koppang (2006) TCK Roleplaying
-
A fantasy RPG about the choices of a hero on the cusp of his
greatness. It uses an abstract narrative system with a GM.
Each character has three stats ("Influences") representing possible
goals in life. The player can reroll failures by raising the
highest score (possibly switching it), such that eventually one of the
three goals will win out -- leaving the other two unachieved.
-
HERO System
- 1st ed by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson, Rob Bell (1989) Hero Games
- 5th ed by Steven S. Long (2002)
- 6th ed by Steven S. Long (2009)
-
A universal RPG system, also published as the 4th edition
Champions rules. Further editions count from
Champions, becoming 5th and 6th. Besides superheroes, several
genre books have been published for it for each edition - including
"Fantasy HERO", "Cyber HERO", "Western HERO", "Horror HERO," and
many others.
-
Hero Wars
- 1st ed by Robin D. Laws, Greg Stafford, Roderick Robertson, Shannon Appel (2000) Issaries, Inc.
-
A fantasy RPG set in the world of Glorantha (originally the
RuneQuest setting). It uses a
skill-based system with a single universal mechanic. Character
creation is (optionally) by writing a 100 word description
of the character, then extracting skills and abilities from it.
-
Hexicon Fantasy Roleplay: Fantasy Made Real
- 1st ed by Kielan Yarrow, Dan Fitt (2005) Hexicon Press LLP
-
A fantasy genre RPG set on an original fantasy world ("Korin-Thar"),
populated by elves, dwarves, and orcs along with various other
races. Character creation includes 22 races along with 50 professions.
Character creation includes a mix of random-roll and point-based
elements.
-
Hidden Invasion
- 1st ed by Paul Arden Lidberg (1995) Nightshift Games
- "Invasores" ed by Xavi Garriga, Dicky Miracle, Miguel Antón (1996) Farsa's Wagon
-
An alien conspiracy RPG, with reptilian "Greys" having taken over the
government with the help of ancient human conspiracies. It uses a
minimalist dice pool system, the "Cinematic Adventure System". There
are no attributes, just "talents". You roll d6's equal to 2 plus your
talent vs a difficulty number. Character creation is by allocating
10d of talents. There is a Spanish edition under the title
"Invasores: La conspiración alienígena,"
which adapted the background information for Spain and added a new
introductory adventure ("Convergence" by John Tynes, originally
written for Call of Cthulhu).
-
Hidden Kingdom: A Fantasy-Adventure Game
- 1st ed by Jon McClenahan, Stan Dokupil, Gene Riemenschnieder (1985) New Rules, Inc.
-
A fantasy RPG set in Arthurian times, highlighting political and
religious conflict. It was sold as a three-ring binder with a red
and blue illustration of a knight holding a banner on a horse on
the cover, and included fold-out color hex-maps of England.
You can choose from over three hundered Arthurian characters
whose statistics were given in the main book, including a mix of
knights/kings and ladies/queens. Characters also have a
spiritual/philosophical alignment based on the Arthurian cultural
context. The four alignments Pagan Powerlord (i.e. extremist pagan),
Pagan Chivalrous, Christian Chivalrous, and Christian Renunciate
(i.e. extremist Christian). In combat, a 20-sided die determines
whether you landed an effective strike against your opponent,
a 12-sided die determines the hit location, and an 8-sided die
determines the extent of injury. There is also a separate jousting
system.
-
Hidden Legacy
- 1st ed by Mark A. Schultz (1999) Valiant Games
-
A medieval fantasy-genre RPG set in the primitive World of
Korroth, populated by 9 races: insectoid Grrites, human-like
"Humuns", dragon-like Hynchar, amazonian Inyo, lizard-like
Koothron, weasel-like Kurk, lizard-like Moudunn, enigmatic Shii,
and insectoid Zhontal'rai. It uses a d12 dice-pool system, using
special icon-marked "Success Dice" and "Battle Dice".
-
High Adventure Cliffhangers: The Buck Rogers Adventure Game
- 1st ed by Jeff Grubb, Steven E. Schend (1993) TSR
-
A sci-fi RPG based on the original Buck Rogers comic strip. This is
a new take on the same source material as TSR's earlier game,
Buck Rogers XXVC.
The setting is the 25th century, where there a war between the Han --
the Mongolian rulers of the Earth -- and organized resistance. The
technology includes anti-gravity jumping belts, rocket pistols,
airships, biplanes, and disintegrator weaponry. The system uses an
additive d6 dice pool: roll a number of open-ended d6s (maximum 8d6)
based on your attribute rank, +1 for applicable skill) vs a difficulty
number. Each character has four attributes (Strength, Aim, Brains, and
Health), which are each rated one of four ranks (OK, Good, Better,
Best). They then pick five binary skills. Movement and combat are
regulated by action points. Earned Experience Chips help increase
your chances. The boxed set includes three booklets, maps, fold-up
counters, along with ten six-sided dice and a bag of white and red
poker chips.
-
High Colonies
- 1st ed by Edwin King (1988) Waterford Publishing House
-
A sci-fi RPG, set in 2188 where Earth is a wasteland and
humanity lives in several hundred space stations scattered around
the solar system. There are also "bio-gens" (biological
androids) and a friendly alien species. The system is a
percentile skill-based system, with random-roll attributes.
Does not include rules for spaceships. Reviewed in White Wolf
#15.
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High Fantasy
- 1st ed by Jeffrey C. Dillow (1978) Fantasy Productions Inc.
- 2nd ed (1981) Reston Publishing Company Inc.
-
A fantasy-genre RPG, from makers of the
AD&D
scenarios "Fortress Ellendar" and "Moorguard".
-
High Medieval: Adventure Through History
- 1st ed by Scott Agnew, Jim Andrews, Aaron Dembski-Bowden (2005) Morrigan Press
-
A historical fantasy RPG that adds fantasy and magical elements to
late medieval Europe. It uses the "Omni RPG System," also released
under Wizards of the Coast's Open Game License. Action resolution
uses skill or attribute minus difficulty + 1d20, interpreting the
results on a universal degree of success table.
-
High Valor: Dark Age Fantasy Roleplaying Game
- 1st ed by Tim Kirk (2010) Better Mousetrap Games
Silver Lion Studios
-
A fantasy RPG set on an original world, where demonic Fane-Lords are
returning to the Free Kingdoms of the West after centuries absent.
Races include Humans, the Sidhain ("elf-touched" humans), Dvegar (Dwarfs),
Sidda (Elves), and Fomoradgh (feline beast-men created by the Fane-Lords).
Resolution uses a dice pool system, where players roll a number of d10s
equal to their attribute and take the highest die, then add any related
trait's rank (+2 to +10). A highest die result of "10" also adds the
next-highest die. Character creation is limited point-based, with
players spending 5 points to raise the attribute pools (Will, Faith,
and Valor) up from rank 1, and then spending picks on traits.
-
HindSight
- 1st ed by Tonio Loewald (1987) self-published
-
A variant of the Foresight
sci-fi rules for the fantasy genre.
-
Historia Rodentia
- 1st ed by Emily Fontana, Matthew Whitehouse, Pedro Panzardi (2010) On The Lamb Games
-
A miniatures skirmish game and role-playing game set in a fantasy
world of anthropomorphic animals that closely parallels the historical
Napoleonic era. The inhabitants of the various factions include
anthropomorphic rats, rabbits, dogs, hamsters, badgers, and moles --
including Emperor Moleon II. It uses a version of the percentile
skill-based rules from Mongoose Publishing's
Legend RPG.
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HIT
- 1st ed by James Overton, Jonah Miller (1999) Stormcrow Games
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A generic "modern action" RPG system. It has several levels of
rules complexity which work on the same stat scale and basic
engine. The levels range from "freestyle" (LARP rules, almost
diceless); "dramatist" (6 skills, point-build, d20 against
stat+skill); "gamist" (more skills, more special cases, same
basic rules engine as dramatist); and "simulationist" (still
more skills and special cases, action point move-combat rules).
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Hokago Kaiki Club
- 1st ed (unknown) Hobby Japan
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Roughly: "Twilight Zone in School". A Japanese-language RPG in
the genre of "Gakuen-mono" (school genre), about schoolkids who
deal with ghosts and other supernatural beings. The rules are
a variant of Basic Roleplaying.
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HOL: Human Occupied Landfill
- 1st ed by Todd Shaughnessy, Daniel Thron, Chris Elliott (1993) Dirt Merchant
- 2nd ed (1994) White Wolf
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A blackly comedic sci-fi RPG, set on a dismal prison planet. The
rulebook is hand-written (!!) and portrays the twisted world of
Sodomy Bikers, Wastits, Jumpslugs, and more. The rules are basic
attribute + skill + 2d6 vs difficulty, with the attributes being
Greymatta, Feets, Nuts, Mouth, and Meat.
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Hollow Earth Expedition
- 1st ed by Jeff Combos, Brannon Boren, Bruce Baugh, Eric Cagle, Jason Carl, Patrick Bradley, Steve Winter (2006) Exile Game Studio
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A pulp action game set in the 1930s, inspired by the lost worlds stories
of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
It uses a dice pool system, the "Ubiquity System", which can use any
even-sided dice. Action resolution is by rolling dice equal to skill,
where each even result is a success. Results can be modified by
spending Style Points.
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Hollowpoint
- 1st ed by B. Murray, C.W. Marshall (2011) VSCA Publishing
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A modern-day action RPG, inspired by ultra-violent action movies.
Character creation is by assigning priorities to the six skills:
values (5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) to Kill, Cool, Con, Take, Dig, and Terror.
Players also choose five unique descriptive traits, such as
"thirst for revenge" or "I love black magic". Action resolution
is by rolling d6s equal to skill and looking for matching sets,
trying to beat matching sets from the GM's opposed roll. Players
can gain more dice by using traits that apply, or by drawing from the
Teamwork Pool - a limited resource used when helping or praising
other players.
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Hollywood Lives
- 1st ed by Reiner Knizia, Kevin Jacklin (2004) Fantasy Flight Games
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A semi-freeform live-action game which mixes party game, trading
game, and role-playing elements. A group of 10 to 25 players take
on the nominal roles of old Hollywood stars and producers, then break
up into teams and collaborate to perform three-minute trailers for
a set of films. There is an economy of cash and fame pips for the
film production, along with bonus points from awards voting after
all of the trailers are performed. The game provides a selection of
parody names of stars and movie titles.
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Holmes & Company
- 1st ed by Mario Corte, Antonello Lotronto (1986) E.Elle
- 2nd ed (1989) Universal Editrice
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An Italian-language investigation RPG, in the style of Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. The original game was focused
on pure investigation. The second edition added rules for action
investigations including firearms, car and foot chases, and
more. The second edition also shortened the title to
"Holmes & Co.".
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Holocaustic Dungeons
- 1st ed by Kristoffer A. Silver (1986) Silver Wolf Games
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A dungeon crawl game, where the PCs delve into futuristic dungeons
designed to protect certain artifacts while providing media coverage
of the dungeoneers as entertainment for the masses.
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Holy Lands: The Christian Role-Playing Game
- Light Edition ed by Matthew Nigro (2004) Faith Quest Games
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A Christian fantasy game, set in a generic fantasy setting. Action
resolution is generally 1d20 + modifiers vs difficulty. Character
creation is class-based, with ten classes: Bard, Cleric, Knight,
Martialist, Saint, Scout, Spy, Warrior, Devil Hunter, and Soldier.
Each class has attribute requirements, Life and Faith points, and
skill selections. The nine attributes are determined by random-roll:
Intellect, Wisdom, Patience, Strength, Agility, Speed, Endurance,
Beauty, and Charisma.
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Homicidal Transients
- 1st ed by A. Miles Davis (2011) Left of the Moon Games
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A tongue-in-cheek RPG where the PCs are gangs who wander aimlessly and
kill things to get their stuff - a satire on Dungeons & Dragons
and similar games. It uses a simple rules system requiring only one
pencil, a piece of paper, and a single die.
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Hong Kong Action Theatre!
- 1st ed by Gareth-Michael Skarka (1996) Event Horizon Productions
- 2nd ed by Scott Kessler, Nicole Lindroos, Jeff Mackintosh, Chris Pramas, Lucien Soulban (2001) Guardians of Order
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An extremely cinematic RPG which emulates Hong Kong action movies.
For example, your chance to hit an opponent is not based on range
or armor, but solely on the Star Power of the opposing actor, or
the character's importance to the current plot! The 2nd edition
rules were adapted to be compatible with the
Big Eyes, Small Mouth
system, while still keeping many of the innovative features.
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Honor + Intrigue
- 1st ed by Chris Rutkowsky (2005) Basic Action Games
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A swashbuckling game, using rules based on Simon Washbourne's
Barbarians of Lemuria
RPG, with new features intended for the swashbuckling theme.
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Hoodoo Blues
- 1st ed by Carl Warner, Brian St. Claire-King (2010) Vajra Enterprises
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A horror RPG set in the modern American South, haunted by the past of
slavery, oppression, and magic. Character creation is point-based and
class-based, and includes flavor choices such as deciding on your
character's musical tastes in Step Two. Players splits 80 points
between eight attributes, chooses from among six classes,
and split 100 points among skills (with costs based on class).
Action resolution is attribute + skill + 1d20 vs difficulty.
It has a detailed combat system with maneuvers and three Health
attributes: Blood, Body, and Incapacity. The classes are:
Crossroader, Hag, Hoodoo Doctor, Loup Garou, Medicine Worker,
and Voodoo.
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Horror Show
- 1st ed by Brendan Davis, William Butler (2011) Bedrock Games
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A horror movie RPG, focusing on monster horror. It uses a d10
dice pool system (the "Network System"), rolling dice equal to skill
and comparing the highest roll to difficulty or opposing skill.
Rolls of 10 are open-ended. Character creation is point-based, with
default "roles" (such as cop, bookworm, survivor, or scientist) which
determine how many points they get in each skill group
(defense, combat, physical, mental, specialist and knowledge).
Players can also take Shortcomings (such as "addict" or "cowardly"),
and Acquaintances - NPCs who provide one favor per session (either
support or information).
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Hostage... a Pawn of Terrorism
- 1st ed (1986) Force Four Games
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A modern-day action RPG narrowly focused on hostage situations.
One can play a terrorist, a hostage, a policeman, or a civilian
(negotiator, policy, journalist) within the framework of a taking
of hostages. The 70-page soft-cover rule booklet includes an
extensive list of equipment (up to rocket launchers), and an
experience system based on specific objectives achieved for that
role -- i.e. a hostage earns points for hiding and surviving,
for example.
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Hot Chicks: The Roleplaying Game
- 1st ed by Scott Corum, Victor Gipson (2008) Dakkar Unlimited
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A near-future sci-fi game set in 2015 of a world where an alliance of
corrupt capitalists, actual demons from the Netherworld, and sinster
alien scientists who all have their own reasons to exploit human
suffering -- especially attractive human women. It uses a skill-based
system called the "Inverted 20" System, where resolution is by rolling
under attribute + skill. Combat uses a damage save using a d20,
where failing takes damage in "shrugs". The core rules include
options for magic, psionics, cyberware, and super powers.
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Hot War
- 1st ed by Malcom Craig (2009) Contested Ground Studios
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An alternative history/horror game set in London of an alternate 1963,
one year after a world war erupted in Europe using nuclear as well as
occult weapons. The PCs are members of the Special Situations Group.
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Houses of the Blooded
- 1st ed by John Wick, Storn A. Cook, Daniel Solis (2008) Wicked Dead Brewing Company
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A fantasy RPG set on an original world, where the player characters
are nobles of the Ven -- the ruling race divided into a set of noble
houses. It uses a dice pool system that adapts Aspects from
Spirit of the Century.
The player rolls a number of d6s equal to attribute plus 3 dice for
each aspect invoked. If the total is over 10 or the opponent's roll,
the character succeeds and the player can narrate what happens. There
is also a wager system that lets the player remove a die for a chance
at more narrative power. The system focuses on the intrigue within
the nobles houses including social interaction, economics, and
clothing style.
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How to Host a Dungeon
- 1st ed by Tony Dowler (2008) Planet Thirteen Games
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A solo dungeon-building game, where the single player traces out the
history of a dungeon from the Primordial Age through the last Age of
Tyrrany. There are a series of randomized events using assorted dice
(d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20); as well as beads in two colors
to track effects.
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How We Came to Live Here: Stories of the Fifth World
- 1st ed by Brennan Taylor (2010) Galileo Games
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A story-telling game based on myth and legend of American Indians of
the Southwest, intended for two GM-like roles and 1-3 players. The
player characters are the heroes of a village of people in a world filled
with monsters. GMing is split between the "Outer Player" who controls
external threats, and the "Inner Player" who controls internal conflicts
within the village. All players take turns setting scenes, and conflicts
are resolved by rolling pools of Fudge dice that are pushed in sets
to win an overall conflict.
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The Human Interface for Fantasy Roleplaying
- 1st ed by Martin Melhus, John F. Sasso (2002) IGS Games LLC
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A fantasy-genre RPG set on an original world, published electronically.
The commercial rules include 28 character races, 66 character background
packages, 150 skills, 40 magic spells, and 85 creatures.
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Hunter Planet
- 1st ed by David Bruggeman (1986) TAGG / HPAC Pty, Ltd.
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A humorous sci-fi RPG about aliens come to Earth to hunt humans
(or rather, come to "Dirt" to hunt "hoomans"), using a minimalist
system.
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Hunter: The Reckoning
- 1st ed by Bruce Baugh, Geoff Grabowski, Angel McCoy, Greg Stolze, et al. (1999) White Wolf
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A modern-day monster-hunting RPG, where the PC's are normal humans
who find that they have supernatural powers ("Edges") which allow
them to notice and fight monsters hidden around us. It is set in
the "World of Darkness", filled with vampires, werewolves, wraiths,
mummies, and other supernatural creatures. The origin and purpose
of the hunters' powers remains an unknown mystery. It uses the
"Storyteller" dice-pool system.
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Hurlements
- 1st ed by Valerie Bizien, Jean-Luc Bizien (1989) Éditions de la Lune Sang
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A French-language historical RPG where the PC's are with
a caravan that has slowly rolled thru France from the middle ages
to the beginning of the 20th century.
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Hyperborean Mice
- 1st ed by Frank Sronce (2010) Kiz and Jenn Press
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A fantasy-genre role-playing game in the swords and sorcery subgenre, as
portrayed by anthropomorphic mice and rats. It is set in the valley of
Hyperborea, where albino mice with magical powers (called the White Lords)
rule over an empire threatened by barbarian rat tribes, deadly predators,
and political intrigue. Instead of fantasy monsters, there are giant
predators such as foxes and owls as well as smaller ones such as shrews.
It uses an original system, with resolution based on attribute + skill + 2d6
vs. difficulty, with every 5 points that you succeed for fail by being
one level of success. Character creation is limited point-based.
The attributes are Agility, Brawn, Cleverness, Perception and Magic -
with derived combat stats based on averages between these, such as
Melee (Agility + Brawn) and Dodge (Agility + Cleverness). It includes
an original magic system focused around six different magical arts and
four levels of spell effects.
John H. Kim
<jhkim@darkshire.net>
Last modified: Mon Jul 2 09:15:53 2018