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Live Action Roleplaying PDF

165 Pages·2008·18.38 MB·English
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Rules for Live Action Roleplaying Version 3.0 February 2008 KINGDOMS OF NOVITAS RULES FOR LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAYING ©2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 by the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club. Based on the Adventures in Mid-Land fantasy rules, ©1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004. Used with permission. All Original Artwork © Kingdoms of Novitas The Kingdoms of Novitas “KN” logo and the circle of seven seven-pointed stars design is © Kingdoms of Novitas All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. This information is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc. This book contains information and rules needed to run live action role playing games of the variety run by Kingdoms of Novitas and the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club. Groups not associated with Kingdoms of Novitas may still use these rules for their own purposes as long as they are not a professional organization. The charging of admission or collection of membership monies for non-sanctioned games is prohibited. The use of the name “Kingdoms of Novitas” for any group or event not sponsored by Kingdoms of Novitas or the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc. is also prohibited. Visit our web sites at www.mvgc.net and www.KingdomsOfNovitas.org 2 Disclaimers and Notices Kingdoms of Novitas and the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc., nor its individual owners, partners, employees, or members, assumes no responsibility nor liability for any injuries, physical, mental or emotional, received, or allegedly received, due to the playing of the game, Kingdoms of Novitas LARP, or any variation thereof. These rules are the result of over eighteen years of play testing by experts in live action role-playing, table top gaming, historical re-enactment, and martial arts. The information in this book, especially in regards to safety, is not to be taken lightly. Members of Kingdoms of Novitas are expected to follow the rules set down in this book. People intending to use this book to run live action role-playing games outside of Kingdoms of Novitas are urged to carefully consider all changes to the basic system before playing. Credits & Blame The Mohawk Valley Gaming Club partners are: Kevin Buckley, David Haldenwang, Steven Hunt, Craig Korycinski, Felix Mendez, and James Roth Kingdoms of Novitas was founded by: David Haldenwang, Felix Mendez, James Roth, and Rosemary Siebold Edited by: David Haldenwang and Drew Urbanek Contributors to this text: Todd Burnop, David Haldenwang, Jeff Kwasniewski, Felix Mendez, David Morgan, James Roth, Drew Urbanek, Rich King, and Rosemary Siebold Artwork done by: Ann Aumick and Julie Bednar Interior Photography by: Julie Bednar and Steve Marsh Front and back cover by: Julie Bednar Cartographers: Todd Burnop, Justin Capen and David Haldenwang Original Adventures in Mid-Land rules written by: Tom Gleason IV, Keith Jurgens, Lance Kazmark, Ben Pierce and Charles Waterman Special Thanks to: Steve Marsh, Daniel Meershaert, David Morgan, Todd Burnop, Justin Capen, Jordan Bellassai, Drew Urbanek, William Rexroat, Bob Manning, Mike Nichols, Rick King, Tom Hall and Vanderkamp. 3 4 Table of Contents Introduction Page 7 1. Fundamentals 8 2. The Kingdoms of Novitas 13 World Map 13 Free Lands Map 18 3. Religions in Novitas 20 4. Races of Novitas 34 5. Character Creation & Skils 41 Skill Charts & Descriptions 48 Equipment 59 6. Magic & Spells 62 7. Roleplaying Skills 70 8. Production Skills 75 Alchemical Compounds 78 9. Weapons & Armor 85 Armor Values 96 10. Adventuring 99 1. Combat 19 12. Traps & Locks 125 13. Lot! 127 14. Other Jobs: NPCs & GMs 131 15. Crime & Punishment 136 Apendix A: Spel List 138 Appendix B: Alchemical Compound Descriptions 155 Glosary 162 5 6 games lean heavily on imagination, players at Kingdoms Introduction of Novitas look, act and dress the parts of their characters, whether they are a simple human bard or a howling Tribesman warrior. Your blood surges, answering the yells of your While your character has skills written on a tribesmen as you clash your axes together, adding your character sheet like many other fantasy role-playing noise to the din of the others. Like a human wave, the games, those skills only serve to simulate fantastic sunlight glinting from the crest of your raised weapons, abilities (such as you charge forward to engage your enemies. As your axe This game is fantasy magic), or to provide strikes home, you realize that this is what you were made The world and events of game balance (most of for. this game take place in the the combat skills). The In another part of the world, you lift your head Limikaeg inaactitonrs ,o f tthhee ppllaayyeerrss. basic rule of Kingdoms from an ancient tome. Firelight reflects from your refer to each other by their of Novitas is that if it glistening scales as your apprentices watch you begin character’s names, and this can be physically done, your incantation. Your voice crescendos majestically, rulebook also adopts that and done safely, you climaxing as you clap your hands together. There is a ucassinuga l“ yoaup”p troo amchea, n “oyfoteunr have to do it. Climbing, burst of light, and your apprentices flinch reflexively. character.” In reality, you running, hiding – these When they look back at you, you are sheathed in a are no more your character are all things there are shimmering field of magic. “Observe,” you say, and than you are the king when no substitute for. While walk unharmed directly into the room’s central firepit. tyhoeu wpolralyd , chueltsusr.e sL, ihkieswtoisrye, combat is fought with “This, this, is the power of DRAGONS!” and religions of this world padded weapons called Somewhere else, you mentally quell a small are imaginary. It’s all just a “boffers”, it is full tremble in your hand as you slide through the forest. game for fun… speed, and very deadly Your light touch on the thin ceramic of the eggshell you for characters. Don’t hold steadies. You laugh to yourself silently, fangs worry though, it’s not gleaming in the moonlight, as you ponder for a moment that hard, and with a little practice you too will be able to the satisfaction your enemies would get from finding you hold your own against marauding ogres or shambling dead of your own poison – but not tonight, you think. Up zombies moaning for brains. ahead, you see the glow of your quarry’s campfire. How do I start? You’ve been watching them for an hour, so you know that their sentries are not vigilant. Too bad for them, you A good source of information is our website, found at think. Checking the load of your crossbow, you gather www.kingdomsofnovitas.org. Players should also yourself, and then burst from the trees. One elf gets a familiarize themselves with the contents of this rulebook. glimpse of your long white hair and pale face, and calls If you’re still a little unsure of your feelings about out, “Snow Goblins!” He dies first as your crossbow LARP, attending your first game is cheap, and we bolt, wet with virulent poison, slams into his chest. His encourage you to come check it out. While we know it’s comrades scrabble frantically for weapons, but it is too not for everyone, most people quickly find themselves late. You are a whirling dervish, poison death spraying hooked on the unmatched role-playing opportunities, the from your hands. Your left hand flashes out even as your depth of the immersion and the suspension of disbelief right moves to draw another weapon, and the ceramic they get. Welcome to your new world. eggshell whips through the air to impact on another elf. He starts to charge you, but suddenly falls over, clutching his throat. The last elf steadies himself, the tips of his two swords weaving through the air. Both your hands become blurs as you hurl four daggers in quick succession. The elf is good – he dodges three of them - but the fourth one nicks his arm, drawing a thin line of blood. He takes two steps toward you before he pitches over onto his face. “Snow GOBLIN, thank you.” Welcome to Kingdoms of Novitas live action role-playing, a game where you and your own abilities do as much to define you as your character sheet does. What is live action role-playing? Live action role-playing (LARP) is a fluid combination of fantasy gaming, interactive theatre, real-time combat, and medieval re-enactment. While some live action 7 Other players who see a player marked out 1. Fundamentals of game should ignore him. If contact is initiated at a distance, it is customary for an out of game player challenged to respond simply, “I’m out of game.” The Fundamentals section of these rules Sometimes, players who are out of game will tell covers a few things everyone at a Kingdoms of other players, “I’m the wind, ignore me” or similar Novitas event should know: what to do in unsafe nonsense. Once you have determined that a player is situations, what to do when you hear people yell out of game, you should leave them alone. After all, certain things, and other stuff that doesn’t fit they don’t exist. anywhere else in the rules. Every player is expected Out of game areas marked with orange tape to know and understand these things, and, as some of or flags should be completely avoided by players. them are vital to the functioning of the game, The instant you see orange tape on an area, you ignorance is no excuse. should turn around and leave. Don’t scout it out, and Even if you have played at other LARPs don’t “camp” the area – that’s cheating. The area is before, please take the time to familiarize yourself either hazardous, or is being prepared for something with how we do things at Kingdoms of Novitas. by a Game Master. In either case, you shouldn’t be there. A word on sleeping players is also in order. In game, Out of game Players sleeping in in game areas are considered in In game and out of game are two vital concepts that game, unless they have marked themselves or their every player should understand. bunk clearly with orange. Some players do choose to When a player is in game, he should be in remain in game for the entire weekend, adding to character, wearing the full costume and garb of their adventure. his character, and ready for anything. Players who Sleeping players marked with orange are are in game are playing the game, and should react out of game, and they and all their gear, both in accordingly – as their character would. Most game and out of game, should be left alone. If you characters are assumed to be in game at all times. are sleeping out of game and you are awakened by in If a player is in game, it also means that all game activity in your sleeping area, you are honor of his in game items, such as money or treasure, are bound to remain out of game until the encounter has also in game. It is strictly against the rules for a ended. Stay quietly in your bunk, try not to hear player to be in game, while his hoard of potions, anything you shouldn’t, and don’t get involved. If scrolls, money, and valuable items is safely stowed you wanted to be involved in such things, you should out of game in his car, under his bunk, or other out of have stayed in game while you slept. game place. Players found securing their treasure in such a manner are cheating, and will likely lose all their items if caught doing this. GAME HOLD! Players can go out of game at any time, One of the first things you should know is what to do except to gain advantage for their character – like if you think there is a dangerous, or potentially in the middle of a fight or encounter. Players should dangerous, situation. This would cover things like go out of game when they are going to the bathhouse, dropped glasses, broken bottles, nail-filled boards, their vehicle, or leaving the game area for any reason. fighting very close to campfires, bears, injuries, etc. Game Masters will frequently mark themselves or In the normal course of play, you should simply do their NPCs or encounter areas out of game until they what you can to remove the hazard – pick up the are ready for use. Out of game players should mark glasses, bury the broken bottle, move away from the themselves with a fluorescent (hunter) orange vest, campfire, and so on. If the game is in full swing, i.e. armband, or headband. Any object or area marked everyone’s fighting and yelling and running, you may with hunter orange tape or flags is out of game. not have time to take that action. This is when you When a player goes out of game, all of his in call a Game Hold. game items on his person or in his tent or bunk go out To start a Game Hold, simply yell out, as of game with him, whether or not they are attended. loud as you can, “GAME HOLD!” All players and However, unattended in game items left out in the Game Masters hearing this should immediately open are fair game, so if you go out of game to use STOP what they are doing and repeat the game hold the bathroom, but leave your silver dagger on a table as loudly as they can. in the middle of the game area, it’s likely to When you hear the call of GAME HOLD, disappear. If in doubt, take it with you when you go all action stops. Players are free to talk quietly about out of game. out-of-game stuff, or to assist with the situation at hand as necessary. Otherwise, players should not 8 move, adjust equipment, discuss in game plans, or Time stop other related things, as this is cheating. When the situation has been dealt with, the Sometimes the Game Masters will need to position person who called the Game Hold is responsible to something, impart information, or otherwise set the end it. All players should be in the position they were scene for an encounter that’s already in full swing. in when the hold was called, holding the same When this happens, the Game Master will frequently equipment, and call “TIME STOP!” Good Game Holds with the same When a player hears a Time Stop called, • You are injured intentions. The they should IMMEDIATELY stop what they are • You see a dangerous person who called doing, take a knee, close their eyes, and begin situation the Game Hold, or making meaningless noise. The object of all this is • Someone else is a Game Master or to prevent you from seeing something you shouldn’t injured and cannot call the Game Hold other responsible yet see that would upset the plot or ruin the surprise themselves player if that person for you. • Dropped glasses. is gone, should Players in a Time Stop should not speak to Although they should count down loudly, each other, look around, or move. To do so is be secured with a “Three, two, one, cheating. Unlike a Game Hold, players should never safety strap, accidents happen. GAME ON!” call a Time Stop. It is a tool for GMs only. • Illegal hits in combat. If When A Time Stop is ended in the same way as a you get your bell rung players hear the call Game Hold – the person who started it will call due to a bad hit, it is of Game On, they “Three, two, one, GAME ON!” At that point, action OK to call a hold to clear your head and are free to act should resume exactly where it left off. recover. You should normally again. Safety not be at a Any player disadvantage because can call a Game Safety is a paramount concern at Kingdoms of of your opponent’s illegal hit. Hold at any time, Novitas. While it ain’t golf, and people are frequently but please try and hitting each other with padded weapons, this doesn’t Bad Game Holds ensure you have a mean we want to see anyone injured. good reason. While all rules of the game are important, • You fall but are not Dropped weapons, rules dealing with safety concerns always take injured falls not resulting in priority. Players ignoring Game Holds, initiating • You drop your weapon • You don’t agree with a injuries, or arguing bodily impacts during combat, using unsafe weapons, rules call rules are NOT valid and other such things, especially to gain advantage • Combat is going badly reasons for calling a for their character, will be dealt with far more harshly for you Game Hold. If you than players who break other rules, whether • There is no immediate see a person fall, knowingly or inadvertently. danger to anyone they should call the Touching other players at Kingdoms of Game Hold Novitas is sometimes a, well, touchy issue. People themselves, if they need it, as they are the one who who are friends and are comfortable with each other knows if they are injured. The obvious exception to sometimes forget that other people, especially new this would be if they are too injured to speak, in players, might not appreciate a clap on the back or a which case you should immediately call a Game friendly hug. Players in game at Kingdoms of Hold and get help. This is very unlikely, but should Novitas should always ask before initiating be addressed. physical contact with another person. Don’t just Please try to refrain from reflexively assume that because you’re “rescuing” the maiden calling a Game Hold every time someone takes a that she wants to be grabbed and slung over your tumble. After all, people fall down in medieval shoulder – she may have very different ideas! fantasy all the time and the world doesn’t stop for Contact in combat is another matter, and is them. Being aware of your surroundings is just as covered in greater detail in the Combat section of much of a part of the game as everything else, and is these rules, but, in short, the only contact in combat part of what makes it “live action”. But, as in that should be happening is with weapons. everything else, safety first. If you are unsure of the situation, call a Game Hold. 9 treasure, but this must be done in a certain way. Not In game theft every player wants another person touching them to Invariably, characters get the urge to steal from each search them, and not every person desires to have to other. While this is allowed, there are a few rules to pat down other players who may have hidden their follow. loot in dubious places. First, Kingdoms of Novitas has no character skills that allow theft. If you want to steal from another character, you need to actually pick their pocket, empty their pouch, or otherwise take their items. Second, only items that are in game items may be stolen. All in game items, even though they may be in the possession of a character, are Kingdoms of Novitas props, and must be returned to Logistics if your character dies or you permanently leave the game. Looking at it another way, character theft is more a matter of game props changing hands between characters than stealing from another person. Normal weapons, armor, garb and equipment all may not be stolen. Potions, scrolls, magic items, and marked treasure are all fair game. An easy example of this is a character who has a wooden chest that he keeps some of his belongings in. While the things inside that chest may be in game items, and hence fair game for stealing, the box itself usually is not. If you wish to steal the items inside that box, you may do so, but you cannot simply pick up the box and walk off with it. You also may not damage the box to get inside it. Real world personal items should NEVER be touched. Things like medicines, wallets/money, car keys, or cell phones are all off limits. Players who take these items are committing a real world crime, and will be dealt with accordingly. Often, characters will want to search a cabin or building. This is allowed, but there is one important rule: things under bunks are out of game. Under your bunk is the place to store things like clothes, food (in sealed containers), etc., and in game items should never be stored there unless the player who owns them is out of game. To do so is cheating, and if a Game Master sees you taking in game items To deal with this potentially delicate issue, from under your bunk while you are in game, you Kingdoms of Novitas uses the following procedure will likely lose them. for searching other players: Characters sleeping out of game should likewise not be touched. Neither them, nor their 1. Announce your search, and wait for a equipment, including their in game items, are in response. A simple declaration to the fallen game at that time, and they should have marked person of “I’m going to search you now” is themselves or their bunk clearly with orange tape, or sufficient. an orange glow stick if it is dark to be sure. 2. Players who do not wish to touch another Searching players player to search may simply begin a detailed search. The first thing on many character’s minds after a battle is loot. Naturally, they will want to search the fallen for information, money, magic items, or 10

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Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.