Realistic Medieval Game Possible?

[Twin Agate Dragons]

When Lankhmar Unleashed comes out I'll be buying it plus the core rules of RuneQuest (the deluxe version).

Though I'm curious, I know RuneQuest has a magic system. Does the game have a class system like 3.5 D&D that keeps magic tied to the classes or is it classless? If its classless it would be a good asumption that magic is more of a talent/skill system.

If that's the case than it wouldn't be too difficult to run a realistic medieval setting. This is one thing I'd definitely like to try to do with RuneQuest.

 

[rabindranath72]

Yes, magic is skill based (sorcery, actually). Each spell is considered a separate skill. It works quite well, and if you like magic different from the Vancian type of D&D, I think you will like it.
Actually, I prefer an even more freeform type of sorcery, like the one in Call of Cthulhu; there are no skills for spells, but casting spells may reduce the Sanity of a person or harm him physically.

 

[Deleriad]

When Lankhmar Unleashed comes out I'll be buying it plus the core rules of RuneQuest (the deluxe version).

Though I'm curious, I know RuneQuest has a magic system. Does the game have a class system like 3.5 D&D that keeps magic tied to the classes or is it classless? If its classless it would be a good asumption that magic is more of a talent/skill system.

If that's the case than it wouldn't be too difficult to run a realistic medieval setting. This is one thing I'd definitely like to try to do with RuneQuest.

It's very easy to run RQ without any form of magic. There are no classes in RQ, instead you create previous experience for characters which creates the skills they know. If magic doesn't exist in the world then any magic gains during previous experience are ignored.

Also the game itself doesn't need magic to work properly so you're not missing out on anything.

I've run RQ in the past in both magic light campaigns (i.e. magic exists only as a plot device) and magic free ones and never had a problem.

 

[RosenMcStern]

Our Alternate Earth supplements are very magic-lite: I usually put magic in them because people prefere to have some fantasy elements even when they play in the real world, and giving some limited blessings to Priests and Templars is appropriate IMO. But you can strip away all the magic without doing them much harm, if you wish.