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epos

a Fantasy-Roleplaying Game

Introduction

This is the english translation of the rules for my Fantasy-Roleplaying Game EPOS. Since my english is not very good i hope you forgive any mistakes i make. I will be glad about any suggestions about improvements concerning the syntax, words and even the contents. (jens@gacel.de)
I have tried to keep the rules as simple as possible to encourage a fast and easy gaming. Rules should suport roleplaying, not prevent it.
There is a world called EPOS, too. But i don't think that i will translate it into english, since EPOS works with any world this should be not a problem.

I think that the unpredictability of dices is an essential part of roleplaying how i like it. So i have choosen a simple dice system in favor of a pure "Storytelling" approach. Every dice throw is made with a D10. If the throw is "open" then the calculation starts in positive direction (add). If the result is a 10 a second throw must be made and the result is depending on direction added or subtracted. A throw of 1 changes the direction and a further throw must be made.
For Example:
1. Throw: 8
result: 8

1. Throw: 10
2. Throw: 6
resukt: 10+6=16

1. Throw: 10
2. Throw: 10
3. Throw : 2
result:10+10+2= 22

1. Throw: 1
2. Throw: 7
result: 0 - 7 =-7
( the one only changes direction and is not counted)

1. Throw: 1
2. Throw: 10
3. Throw: 5
result: 0-10-5=-15

1. Throw: 10
2. Throw: 1
3. Throw: 8
result: 10-8=2

High results are good, low bad.

All rules are a 'can' and not 'must'. I encourage any GM and Player to change them as they like it.

Character

I think you know what a Charakter in a RPG is.
 

Races

The available races depend on the world you use. You should make a table with  modifications of the Attributes.

Basic Data

 Every Character has some basic data:

• Gender
• Name
• Age
• Size

Attributes

There are 5 different Attributes:

This values can change during the life of a charakter. The range for a human is 1 to 10. All values are absolute, not relative to a race.
 

Endurence

Willpower+Strength
 

Reflexes

Dexterity+Intuition

Skills

Skills are all the things a Charakter learns during his life. How good a charcter has learned the skill is shown on a scale from 0 to 10 (and more). Every skill belongs to a attribute. The value of the skill can't grow over the value of the atribute.
A (incomplete) list of skills:
 

Equipment

The Equipment of the Chakter must be clearly noted somewhere. Especially where the item is stored is importend.

Increasing Values

Skills

Skills are increased with "experience dices" (ED). A ED is either "free" and can be used as the player likes or "linked" to a group (or single) of Skills.
Free ED are distributed after solved tasks or adventures, linked ED after using special skills very often. (E.g.: a Charakter has spend some time in the woods, so he gets a ED linked to wood skills). ED must be spend at once, it is not possible to "store" them. The GM should only distribute ED  if the gameflow is not disturbed (e.g. after a Session, or in a break)
When the Player has chosen a skill he throws a open D10. If the result is higher or equal than the actual value +2 the skill rises by one. Instead of throwing the dice the Charakter can learn a new Skill on 0. The circumstances should be so that it is possible to learn the skill (Book/Teacher...).
A skill can't rise above the attribute it belongs to. ED with bonus are possible (e.g. +1 for a good teacher)

Attribute

Attributes are increased with the same ED, but one more point is neaded for success (actual value +3). Additionally must be potential available.
 

It is up to the GM to decide if potential is avialable.

Tests

The GM decides how difficult the intended action is ( 0 to 20 or more) (don't tell the player). Then the player throws a open D10 and adds the value of his skill. If the value is greater or equal than the difficulty it is a success. If the value is lower the GM decides what happens.

Charakter Creation

How to create the player charakters is up to the GM (there are a lot of possiblities)
One way is the following sequence:
 

The amount of ED depends on the kind of campain the GM will play. I suggest 1 or 2 per "Year"
 

Combat

Fixing the actions

Combat is divided into rounds. At the start of every round all players decide what the charakters try to do. It is a general declaration of intent which can be devided into 5 categories:
 

Performing the actions

The sequence of the actions is declared by the GM (or with a Reflex check if preffered)

Close combat

All attacks are simultanesly. Every character who attacks or is attacked in the round calculates his combatpower (CP)
If the Character

• needs his full concentration for a action :CP = 0
• attacks: CP = Weaponskill
• defends himself with a weapon:CP = Weaponskill * 2
• moves (even on one place = defending without a weapon): CP = DE
• performs a simply action, which allows some movement: CP = DE/2 (.5=.0)

There may be modifications of the CP (injuries etc)

The CP can be distributed freely on the attacking opponents.
Example:
If a charakter has a CP of 6 he can attack one opponent with 6 or two opponents with 3 or one with 2 and one with 4 or one with 3 and three with 1 or any other combination.
Against all opponents he allocates no point he defends with CP=0. To cause damage the character must attack and at least allocate 1 CP against the opponent.

When the distribution of CP is decided every player throws one open D10. This throw counts for all attacks/defenses in this round. A character who is completly unmoveable (e.g. sleeping) is not allowed to throw the dice  (® Value 0)!