Solo Gamebooks

[zhenxiao]

Several years back, Mongoose Publishing released a d20 RPG game based on the Lone Wolf gamebooks.  I actually have the core rules and the sourcebook, Magic of Magnemund.  While it's cool to be able to play an RPG set within the world, it really was a great idea tacked onto a mechanic, while quite good, just didn't give it that Lone Wolf feel.  Don't get me wrong, all the character types were there: the Kai Lords, The summerlund knights, the dwarven gunners, etc.  But it just felt like a DnD game with familiar characters from my youth.

But now, Mongoose has really done it!  They lost the d20 license (I guess cause the d20 license is officially over due to the 4th ed of DnD?), so they took the Lone Wolf rpg game back to it's roots. They created the Lone Wolf Multiplayer Game.  Get this, a character has just 2 stats: Combat Skills and Endurance.  The character sheets look very close to the original action chart found in the gamebooks.

I just took a quick skim through the core book, Lone Wolf Multiplayer Game, and the first source books, Heroes of Magnemund.   I can tell you, that it really looks great.  It really captures the feel of the original gamebooks, and, again, all the character types are there.  And with the reviews of their first campaign book, Terror of the Dark Lords, this looks to be a very promising game.

It looks like it will appeal to fans of the original gamebooks, as well as those looking for rules-lite systems and those that are new to RPGs.

Looks really really good.  Check out Mongoose's webiste: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/

Edit:  I've finished a pretty thorough read through of the core book.  This game is genuinely nasty, and I take back my initial statement that this would be a good game for those that are new to RPGs.  This game, while having simple rules, allows for a lot of player ingenuity.  Meaning bonuses are given when the players use things that are at their disposal to create clever ways to pass Tests. 

Combat is simple but clever in its use of ranged and close combat.  However, after reading through the rules, I've realized that this game is extremely deadly.  Not only combat, but other situations, as disease and poison, are incredibly deadly. 

This is  not a game for new players, but it is for players want to try something a little less rules heavy but still challenging.  It's also good for those who are into the story more than the dice chucking.

[zhenxiao]

While technically not a solo book, the Lone Wolf Mutliplayer RPG uses the basic rules from the Lone Wolf game books, so I will post here.

I've managed to pick up the LWMP core book, Heroes of Magnamund (which introduces new character classes), Book of the Magnakai (which expands the all basic character class levels to level 20),the beastiary, and a campaign book. 

Anyone up for a rpg session on Sundays?  I'm in the south, so somewhere in the Bicutan area would be ideal.  There's an Army + Navy burger joint that has plenty of room for us to play. 

Cheers,
zhen

[dmnyo]

sounds like a challenge 

[Rolf]

If it's face to face, I can probably only commit to one sunday a month

[zhenxiao]

The campaign is for 2 to 5 players, so three of us could effectively play.  Rolf, once a month is ok with me.

While the game is "rules light" and reminiscent of the original red box dnd, it really focuses on the story telling aspect. Which is truly the challenge.

I've put some of the character classes that I would allow for the campaign up here:
http://wasteworldrpg.lefora.com/forum/category/lone-wolf-mpgb-character-creation/

*Edit*  the link above is for public viewing, and it's working now.

[RogueGreenArcher]

If told in advance, and which army+navy you refer to and where, i might be able to join 

[zhenxiao]

Anyone up for a Lone Wolf game this Sunday, the 25th?  Perhaps later in the afternoon, say 4ish?  I'm thinking the Army+Navy, which is within walking distance to SM Bicutan.

[RogueGreenArcher]

I'm interested, will keep you posted on any status change to my schedule. By the way, will we create our characters in advance or when we meet there?

[zhenxiao]

It's completely up to you if you want to make your character up before or when we meet.  Characters take all of 5 to 10 minutes to make, so there isn't like a lot of time invested in the creation process.  But I'm only allowing the following character classes:

Kai Monk
Summlending Knight
Border Ranger
Brother of the Crystal Star
Herbwarden of Bautar

One player MUST be a Kai Monk, preferably 2, but 1 will work ok.

*edit* if you are wanting to make your own character ahead of time, I found these character sheets for you to use. All of the classes are there, but just pick out the class you want to play from the above list and print that specific sheet to use.  Here's the link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8024229/BotM%20Action%20Charts.pdf

[RogueGreenArcher]

Calling dibs on the Border Ranger 

[Rolf]

sorry...this sunday isn't good for me.  I already have commitments

[zhenxiao]

No worries, Rolf.  This was an off the cuff kinda wim, so I wasn't sure if anyone would be interested or available. 

[zhenxiao]

RGA, just to make sure you understand, the game uses a d10, but the 0 or 10 on the die is actually a 0.  This means the highest you can roll is a 9.  It's odd, but that's the way the game goes.  I'm not sure I made that clear in the character class creation.

[zhenxiao]

Hmm, it's not looking like a Lone Wolf game will be happening.  There just aren't enough players.  Sorry RGA, but if I don't have anyone else by Saturday, I'll have to cancel.

cheers,
zhen

[zhenxiao]

RogueGreenArcher and I may still go ahead with the Lone Wolf rpg on Sunday.  Anyone else care to join us?