Pen and paper RPGs?

[Average Joe peasant]

Anyone know of a good, modern, accessible game that doesn't have the negative connotations associated with DnD(ie, something that I could actually convince some friends to play)?

 

[QuailLover]

Rouge Trader, which is a Warhamer 40000 based P&P RPG. (You could try Inquisitor, but I hear that one isn't as good)

I've found a free Starcraft one, a free Matrix one, various others, and I have a simple one that I've been making, but never had anyone test it.

 

[Merlkir]

Mouseguard? I hear it's a really good game and the cute mouseys could attract girls in case you wanted to approach normal people.

 

[Elisianthus]

Spoiler

Naturally, I kid

Call of Cthulhu or Paranoia would likely work.

 

[Tuckles]

Oh god Merl, that's the cutest thing ever.

 

[Ilex]

World of Darkness (the new version). Accessible (read: very straight forward and generalised rules) and modern. Also includes a pretty much optional horror toolbox setting, which you probably want to use since chicks dig vampires.

 

[Danath]

Haven't played it, but can't be bad

 

[Grumph]

Dark Heresy (WH 40k RPG), Shadowrun (Some weird stuff I never really got into)...

 

[Average Joe peasant]

World of Darkness (the new version). Accessible (read: very straight forward and generalised rules) and modern. Also includes a pretty much optional horror toolbox setting, which you probably want to use since chicks dig vampires.

I'll give this one a shot. The mouse guard rulebook costs $170.

 

[Merlkir]

World of Darkness (the new version). Accessible (read: very straight forward and generalised rules) and modern. Also includes a pretty much optional horror toolbox setting, which you probably want to use since chicks dig vampires.

I'll give this one a shot. The mouse guard rulebook costs $170.

O_O the ****?! I guess I found some second hand copy then. That's quite a bit though. Wow.

 

[Average Joe peasant]

Nevermind, appears that's only on Amazon.

 

[EdwardWellcraft]

I'm currently in an old World of Darkness campaign and if new WoD is anything like old WoD it should be much more accessible than DnD, mechanically speaking. There is very little combat and it is mostly about actual role playing and storytelling. The combat system is simple and to the point (though violent and fun.)

Also, it should be noted that 4ed of DnD is quite a bit more accessible than previous versions, mechanically speaking. Much has been simplified (to the chagrin of some older players, though I like 4.0 myself.) But yeah, there are some silly negative connotations about DnD and role-playing in general. Try pitching it as a cooperative storytelling experience, rather than as an RPG.

 

[MISHO]

Pardon me for my ignorance, but what IS pen and paper? Always wondered ^^

 

[Fierce Headmaster]

Games that are played using your

IMAGINATION!

The DM writes a story, the characters pursue it. A lot of dice are rolled, it ends, and everyone is happy, or not.

 

[MISHO]

hm. Can you be a little more descriptive?  I mean, what kind of story? what is it usually about?

 

[Elisianthus]

Right in short:

You choose a system. There's one for damn near everything if you look hard enough.
You create characters.
You then do pretty much whatever you want/can get away with and/or follow some arching plot determined by the Game Master (Group Leader).

 

[Shatari]

I used to play D20 Modern and D20 Future, but the rules are way too clunky (especially the vehicle, mecha, and spaceship rules). I'm currently in the process of gutting them and making my own d20 game system, but it's still quite a ways from completion.

You could always try GURPS, but I haven't played that since I was a teen. I hear the latest version is far improved over the old ones.

Also of note is TriStat, which is a free download these days.

hm. Can you be a little more descriptive? 

You basically write down all the stats of your character, and then the gamemaster tells a story while you and your friends use your characters to interact with the game world. It's basically a storytelling game, with combat and actions being controlled by dice and character skills.

 

[Thendes]

hm. Can you be a little more descriptive?  I mean, what kind of story? what is it usually about?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=RPG+pen+and+paper

edit: crap, ninjad. And i was trying to troll and all!

 

[Tuckles]

It's an RPG played with a pen and paper, dice, and, sometimes a game board and game pieces and NOT a computer.

That's about it.

By the way,

Would anyone want to play a P&P RPG over the internet? It shouldn't be that hard to do. As long as we have a dedicated DM with the right pieces, online character sheets (can be scanned), and an instant messaging system that provides video or image support.

That or... you know, the forum. It'd be a much longer game, and the players will have to be a lot more dedicated as well though.

I'd consider hosting a game of that Mouse Guard thing if I find a discount copy.

 

[Ilex]

I'm currently in an old World of Darkness campaign and if new WoD is anything like old WoD it should be much more accessible than DnD, mechanically speaking. There is very little combat and it is mostly about actual role playing and storytelling. The combat system is simple and to the point (though violent and fun.)

oWoD has 2-4 rolls for combat (to hit, to damage, to dodge, to soak) . nWod has 1 (to damage). Nuffsaid. Although more abstract doesn't always mean better.