ELRIC RPG rules vs. d20 and Conan RPG

[FailedSpotCheck]

Hello all!
I've been a fan/player/GM of the Conan RPG for a couple of years and hang out mostly on those boards, but would like to learn something about the Elric RPG, if possible.

Firstly, I wish to know how different/similar the rules are to the mainline d20 system for one thing (as seen in the SRD), and by extension the Conan RPG system.

Secondly, I would like to know if MGP have done a good or poor job in representing Mr. Moorcock's Elric character and his milieu in this RPG thus far.

Thanks in advance for any input!


--FSC.

 

[weasel_fierce]

Runequest is almost the complete opposite of D20 in many ways. I wont get too much into why, suffice to say, RQ is one of my fave systems ever, and D20 is one I positively cannot stand.

The new Elric game stays very true to the novels. I find it very satisfying

 

[Mongoose Pete]

The new Elric game stays very true to the novels. I find it very satisfying

I'm sure Loz will be very happy to hear that. I can assure you that there has been a huge amount of effort to make this version as true to the books as possible, both in atmosphere and implementation.

 

[Loz]

Hello all!
I've been a fan/player/GM of the Conan RPG for a couple of years and hang out mostly on those boards, but would like to learn something about the Elric RPG, if possible.

Firstly, I wish to know how different/similar the rules are to the mainline d20 system for one thing (as seen in the SRD), and by extension the Conan RPG system.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Hi FSC. First of all, are you familiar with the Elric saga as it stands on its own, rather than from the sporadic cross-pollenisation with the Conan saga? If you're not, then Elric offers a VERY different world and world view. Elric (the character) was written to be the complete antithesis of Conan, and almost all of the fantasy tropes found in Conan are deliberately reversed in Elric. This makes for a very different and refreshing fantasy series - almost an antidote to the bluff heroics of the Conan stories - and I'd urge you to read the Elric novels.

As game systems, they are chalk and cheese. D20 you're obviously familiar with. RQ, which is the base system for Elric, is d100, roll under, for resolving most skills. There are certain elements that compare, but things such as magic and sorcery are very different and designed to accurately reflect the kind of magic found in the books.

Secondly, I would like to know if MGP have done a good or poor job in representing Mr. Moorcock's Elric character and his milieu in this RPG thus far.

Pete Nash is right - I'm very pleased to read Weasel's view! That was the intention. Ultimately its for others to judge how good a job has been done, but I think it does a very good job, matching the theme and tone of the Elric saga as well as any game can. :lol:

So, even though they are different systems, do give Elric a try. I think it would be very hard to model Elric's saga using d20 (Chaosium tried and didn't really succeed with 'Dragon Lords of Melnibone'), but that's not the point. You'll certainly find RQ to be a refreshng change to d20, although both systems have their merits and flaws. But then you'll also find the novels to be a refreshing change too, so it would be great for you to get into both sets of stories and their accopmpanying game systems.

 

[The King]

...
You'll certainly find RQ to be a refreshng change to d20, although both systems have their merits and flaws.

I'd be interested in knowing what you consider flaws in RQ.

 

[Loz]

I'd be interested in knowing what you consider flaws in RQ.

Here's not the place to discuss them without

a) Hijacking this thread
b) Opening-up the kind of debates that have raged long and hard on these boards before now.

And I'm not prepared to do either. Needless to say, no RPG system is perfect, and there are always things can be improved upon or redone. What I consider flaws others may consider merits and vice-versa. I don't want to get involved in the protracted debates that inevitably follow from answering such questions.

 

[soltakss]

Here's not the place to discuss them without

a) Hijacking this thread

Like nobody's ever hijacked a thread before.

b) Opening-up the kind of debates that have raged long and hard on these boards before now.

Have they? I can't remember seeing any. :roll:

And I'm not prepared to do either.

Awww! Come on, just a little one.

 

[FailedSpotCheck]

Thanks for the (re)views!

Last time I read an Elric tale was 25-30 years ago! :shock: All I remember is that, in the beginning, someone was being tortured (for information, I presume).

I've heard rumours that a publisher will reprint the original stories, but I don't know if they're what I remember or new stories by Mr. Moorcock.

 

[The King]

And I'm not prepared to do either. Needless to say, no RPG system is perfect, and there are always things can be improved upon or redone. What I consider flaws others may consider merits and vice-versa. I don't want to get involved in the protracted debates that inevitably follow from answering such questions.

Life isn't perfect so why should RPGs be?

Anyway I hadn't the intent to open any debate. I just aked out of curiosity.

 

[CruelDespot]

Firstly, I wish to know how different/similar the rules are to the mainline d20 system for one thing (as seen in the SRD), and by extension the Conan RPG system.

Here are some key differences in the nuts and bolts of the game mechanics.

Elric uses the RQ system, with some adjustments to fit the flavor of the novels.

In RQ there are no classes per se. There are some background options during character generation, but they aren't restrictive. Any character can take any skill. This means that all the characters can be pretty good at combat, and any character can learn magic.

Hit points don't increase (or just barely, when attributes increase). This means that experienced characters are not as invulnerable as in d20.

For skills you have to roll your skill level or below on percentile dice.

To hit, you roll vs your weapon skill on percentile dice, and the target rolls to parry or dodge on percentile dice. Armor doesn't reduce the chance of being hit. It reduces damage after you are hit.

Damage is inflicted against a specific body part and this has special effects. If you hit the arm, the target may drop his sword. Hit the leg and he falls prone etc.

These are just some of the most obvious differences IMHO.

 

[The King]

To hit, you roll vs your weapon skill on percentile dice, and the target rolls to parry or dodge on percentile dice. Armor doesn't reduce the chance of being hit. It reduces damage after you are hit.

In fact this is the same in Conan (Conan is OGL), as well as the magic points and weapon hit points.

 

[Derro]

In fact this is the same in Conan (Conan is OGL), as well as the magic points and weapon hit points.

I would so have loved to see you guys do Elric OGL. Chaosium really botched in my opinion and Conan is just right. I've really considered adapting Conan to the Young Kingdoms. But that is probably a thread for the Conan forum.

 

[Vagabond]

In fact this is the same in Conan (Conan is OGL), as well as the magic points and weapon hit points.

I would so have loved to see you guys do Elric OGL. Chaosium really botched in my opinion and Conan is just right. I've really considered adapting Conan to the Young Kingdoms. But that is probably a thread for the Conan forum.

Elric is based on OGL - just not d20 OGL. It is based on the Mongoose RuneQuest
OGL.

Also, as far as I recall, in Conan, you roll a d20 to hit. The opponent's parry
also uses a d20 (it's called Defense I believe). And then armor absorbs
damage. These are not strict OGL d20 concepts, but were actually adapted
from other games that did it before - RuneQuest being one of them.

-V

 

[Hervé]

The main differences between the two systems is that one is made for roleplaying, while the other is made for powergaming. I let you guess which is what... :wink:

 

[zencadet]

Thanks for the (re)views!

Last time I read an Elric tale was 25-30 years ago! :shock: All I remember is that, in the beginning, someone was being tortured (for information, I presume).

I've heard rumours that a publisher will reprint the original stories, but I don't know if they're what I remember or new stories by Mr. Moorcock.

Sounds like you were reading Elric of Melniboné which, although it's the first chronological story, isn't actually the first book. All the same if someone is intending to read the entire series then I'd say start with this one and work through the books ending with the Stormbringer. If not then I would recommend only reading Stormbringer which was the first novel and actually concludes the entire saga (all of which are actually prequels).

There are a few prints out there and many old ones still available on Amazon (be sure to check out both UK and US if you're having trouble finding the exact copies you want). Gollancz, as part of their Tale of the Eternal Champion reprints of Moorcock's works have two volumes (originally titled Elric of Melniboné and Stormbringer) which contains all of his Elric writings (at least up to time of print 2001).

 

[elgrin]

Gollancz, as part of their Tale of the Eternal Champion reprints of Moorcock's works have two volumes (originally titled Elric of Melniboné and Stormbringer) which contains all of his Elric writings (at least up to time of print 2001)".

I actually have the 'Stormbringer' volume. For me it epitomises the aura of the Elric mythos in Moorcock's writings. The ending of Stormbringer itself is worth the cost of the volume - I may be naive but I never saw it coming! It is without doubt some of the best fantasy writing ever.

elgrin

 

[zencadet]

I actually have the 'Stormbringer' volume. For me it epitomises the aura of the Elric mythos in Moorcock's writings. The ending of Stormbringer itself is worth the cost of the volume - I may be naive but I never saw it coming! It is without doubt some of the best fantasy writing ever.

The first Elric novel I read was Stormbringer (the novel, not omnibus). I have the saga in the seven circa. 1989 Grafton prints. If you don't have the first volume, it's worth picking up the rest of the saga. It, after all, completes the saga and really does go a long way to illustrate Elric's ever-doomed existence.

A friend of mine who is not a great fan of Elric said to me once: "My response to all the Elric fans is to take away his sword." However, in Elric of Melniboné we see what Elric is capable of without Stormbringer at his side and aside from the time-limit on how long he can fight, he is no less a capable fighter. It is, however, the very fact that he is weak without the sword and in gaining the strength he needs he brings about a doom far greater than he could ever have anticipated that makes him such an interesting character.

And I definitely agree about the ending. Never saw it coming.