arnold@umcp-cs.UUCP (04/23/84)
This past week I bought the game Lords of Creation (LoC),
it is published by Avalon Hill. This is a role playing game which
can be set in any time future, present, past or fiction.
They include 6, 10, and 20 sided dice and describe how to
generate different ranges of random numbers. The only range they
describe which is different than one expects is 2-16 which is rolled
by adding the value on the 6 with the value on the 10. d6 + d10
has a different frequence graph (much flatter) then 2d8.
Characters are created by rolling five basic stats (2d10): Muscle,
Speed, Stamina, Mental, and Luck. Each of these stats are used to create
bonus abilities ( stat/10 rounded up). Personal Force (PF)is sum of
Stats divided by 10 rounded up. Physical Score is the ave of Muscle,
Speed and Stamina rounded up (see sample character). Life Points are
Stamina plus 1d10 per PF title attained.
Each character based on his Personal Force (PF) has a title, number of
powers, special abilities and amount of XP to increase one stat.
Increasing one stat can increase the stat's bonus ability, Personal
Force and Physical Score. The higher the PF is the more XP are needed
to increase a stat.
Characters buy their skills using PF points, this is done similar
to The Melee,Wizard FRP game by Steve Jackson (In The Labyrinth??)
The each skill-type has levels (normally 5) with each level
representing different abilities. Sample skill-types are: Building,
Bureaucracy, Combat, Detective, Master Criminal, Medical, Pilot,
Magical and Futuristic.
Combat is done in the D&D sense with the attack scores (pos.) +
defense scores (neg.) + Physical score base to hit. If character
rolls less than or equal to that total on a d20 then he hits
and damage is weapon damage + skill damage + Damage modifier.
Different weapons and armor, attack and protect againist different
defense (regular, ballistic, Energy, none defense, and luck).
Since the Physical Score (PS) can get above 20 multiple attacks are
allowed. Example PS = 27 has 2 attacks at a base of 13 each (13x2).
There are to hit modifiers for different ranges, size of targets,
and speed of target. One can rearrange the base of attacks if he has
multiple attacks.
LoC includes sample scenarios from the past, future, fantasy, and
fiction.
They also include a books of Foes. It seem like a well balanced game
but I have not played it yet. Avalon Hill has came out with another
fine product. The scenario in Avalon Hill's Magazine HEROES for
LoC seems to be a good testing base for the game and players.
Sample character from page 7 of Rule book.
Character: Virgil "Doc" Fortunato Player: Tom Moldvay
Basic Ability Scores /10 Modifications Character
Muscle : 8 Damage 1 Abilities
Speed : 18 Init. +2
Stamina: 11 Healing 2 Interdimensional
Mental : 14 Powers 2 sight
Luck : 19 Roll(+5) 7
Total : 70 PF 7 Money $810
Physical 13 Life Points 18 Move 60'/turn
Title: Neophyte Weapon: Attack Damage
Skills: Shotgun 15 3d6+2
Stage magician 3 (slight of hand, card manipulation, escape artist)
Medical 1 (general practice)
Master Criminal 1 (international connections)
Shotgun 2
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Arnold Miller, U of Maryland, College Park Md.
UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!arnold
CSNet: arnold@umcp-cs ARPA: arnold@maryland