Power 10 for 5E D&D.

As I play more and more fantasy role-playing games, especially D20 variants, I find that some of my favorites are the ones that boil the entire leveling experience down to only 10 levels. One reason is, I feel that leveling should be a major milestone rather than an incremental slog.

Going hand-in-hand with my post about redesigning character creation for 5th edition, I proposed the idea of condensing everything in 5th edition dungeons & dragons into 10 levels.

When I go back to running 5th edition I plan to use this alongside with my character creation redesign.

Combine every two levels, at first level characters get everything they would normally get from levels 1 and 2. (As well as the three extra feats from my character creation redesign. Optional)

Combined every two levels after into a single level. So everything I care to get at levels 3 and 4 is now level 2.

1+2= level 1

3+4= level 2

5+6= level 3

7+8= level 4

Ect.

The amount of experience needed to get to each of the levels is equal to the higher of the two levels that have been combined. So for example 14,000 to reach level 3.

An additional option I plan to use is, when the option comes up to either improve ability score or take a feat, do both. Rather take a +1 to any one, 

And chose a feat. That way weaker feats that give a smaller ability plus a + 1, will actually give a plus +2 and the feat. Stronger feats give no bonus but characters still get a +1. This in no way breaks the math of the system (in my opinion) but also doesn't make the player choose between a feat and an ability score increase. This will create a little bit more of a power curve, I personally okay with that.

As always, comments and criticisms welcome.

Redesigned character creation for 5E D&D.

When 5E D&D was announced and the D&D next playtest became available my group jumped on it. We've played our fair share or it. We really enjoy the underlining system, there is a great deal of what we like. It was even the first game that I got a chance to be a player in a very long time. 

But there has always been something about 5E that doesn't sit right with me.

I am currently running a 13th age campaign, a game I really enjoy and my players all find very enjoyable. I also recently read through the newly released Pathfinder 2nd edition. And I feel like both games have really shined a spotlight on one of the things that I like the least about the 5th edition of dungeons & dragons. The lack of customizability and options at level 1. 

The first three levels of 5E, along with character creation are so unimpressive. Much like character creation are very uninspiring. Besides a few minor choices all characters look pretty much the same, any two characters of the same class have very little that distinguishes them. Sure they may have different a racial ability and different backgrounds, a few skills and possibly a feat different. but by and large characters of the same class feel pretty much the same for the first three levels of play. so much so that it has actually been recommended that players start at level three or four, even hinted at by the designers of the game.

As has been pointed out many times, most D&D games do not make it past 12 level. I would say in our groups experience this is true. And I will admit to my personal bias to enjoying lower level play. While I run my 13th Age game I plan to do some changes to 5E, make the game I plan to run when/if (and I'm sure we will) my group does jump back to play 5E D&D. 

One of my ideas is to condense all the fifth edition down to only 10 levels, but that is a different blog post. 

There are two unearthed arcana articles, that are critical to my new design choice. One is the release of the racial feats. The other is skill feats. 

All characters at level one get a general feat. All characters at level one get a racial feat. All characters at level one get a skill feat that makes sense to either their racial heritage or their background. 

That's it. I believe this is enough to add a greater degree of character customization. Making beginning characters more interesting and unique. It does add a small amount of power to the characters, but not much in my opinion. 

As always, comments and criticisms welcome.

Cast Resurrect Spell

I'm back. I will probably post mostly about 13th Age for a while, that is the game that I'm currently running. But I have ideas and adventures planned for a few other systems as well. Please be patient with me as I crawl out of this shallow grave, and kick the dirt off.

Thank you,

The Gaming Ronin

Initiative in Index card RPG.

I've had some time to think about some of the workings of ICRPG. Being a tinkerer at heart I can't help but want to come up with material for it.

I'm also a big fan of highest roll starting, then going clockwise after them as advocated in the book, it's already my favorite method in other games. But I know that method may not be everyone's cup of tea, having options never hurts. The one change I make to the core method is I like using a d10 instead of d20.

My first idea was giving a scene a target based on having the drop or advantages in combat. Surprise attacks and having the high ground could both be examples of having advantage. A straight stand off in the streets would be a 10 as neither side has advantage over the other. While a group of goblins jumping out in ambush could be an 18 for the players as the goblins have the upper hand. The idea is whether or not the round is stacked in the players favor to act first. If the players get the drop on some foes lower target to 8 or possibly 6. The idea here is every player rolls an attempt against the target number. Those that succeed go before the opponents do, those who fail the target number will go after. The order stays the same until the situation changes, as having the drop usually only lasts a round. Unless the players or ambushing goblins were just so effective in the first round,  their momentum gave them advantage in the second also.

The second idea I had was keeping the clockwise from the initiative winner as core, but instead players anounce their intentions and would roll the corresponding effort die (with no modifiers) connected to the action they plan to take. If a player plans to cast a spell he would roll the spell effort die, if a warrior is attacking with her sword she would roll the combat effort die. If a player is doing some simple action that normally would not require an effort roll then they roll 1d4-1. In this method the lowest roll would go first. Then go to the next player going clockwise as normal. This method can be more complicated if that is something the party wants and instead each player acts in the order of their roll from low to highest.

ArcanaPunk for Index card RPG

I'm toying with the idea of a setting for Index card RPG. Inspired buy my favorite Cyberpunk settings including Shadowrun. A mix of fantastic Transhumanism as well as magical spell slinging.

The first thing to consider is how magic and machine do not mix...no matter how perfect a synthetic body is, it can't be a conduit for magic. To cast magic, you must be in a meat suit.

The classes available from Alfheim will be Guardian, shadow, priest and Mage.
The classes from Warp shell will be Ronin, Ghost, and Gunner.

Magic will work on a Spell burn mechanic like on page 69 of the core book, and a push mechanic. Using a d4 to track. But instead of rolling when spell burn hits 4 spell burn a mage can use a recovery action to move the counter down a level.  every spell cast in an encounter moves the spell burn counter up one.

Mages can push spells adding a d4 of effort to a spell per level of push. Each level of push moves the spell burn die up another step. At a maximum of 4 on the burn die. When the burn die is at maximum the character is burned out and can't cast any spells for the rest of the encounter as long as the burn die is at max. Only way to lower the spell burn level is a recovery action.

Implement and fetishes.
Mages use implements while casting, a mage implement is a wand or rod. If a wizards casts a spell without an implement its always at hard (-3).
Fetishes, these hand crafted (loot) items are linked to an individual spell. Mages must have the fetish associated with the correct spell in hand to push a spell more than once on a single casting.

Counter magic in Arcanapunk works just like the core rules, but instead of having it's own timer die it moves the spell burn counter up one.

Synth sleeves (common) Genesys Rpg

I'm putting together notes for a game I would like to run centered around a lot of transhumanism themes. I'm trying them out for the Genesys rpg.

I'm toying around with work-ups for synthetic sleeves. My first step is making "core sleeves" that can be upgraded.

TK-131 "tic tok" Alpha
This model is a basic synthetic sleeve made by Takihashi Korp. It's cheap and available on the open market. Has a limited number of legal structural upgrades available from TK. The number of cosmetic upgrades is almost limitless. Alphas are the least likely of any model to pass for meat.
Brawn (2) Agility (2)
Wound Threshold (18)
Power threshold -Strain- (14)
Two levels of skill chip set space available.
Upgrades:
Upgraded synth musculature, +1 brawn.
Upgraded stabilization cortex, +1 Agility.
Level 1 reinforced frame, +5 wound.
Level 2 reinforced frame, + 1 soak.
Power cell upgrade, power threshold +5.
One of 8 optical upgrades.

TK-231 " Brute" Beta
Created as a labor sleeve. Standing at 6' 6" these sleeves are built tough and durable. They come with all the same upgrade options of the alpha but zero cosmetic options off the showroom floor. Plenty of mod shops have packages available. Brutes almost never pass for meat.
Brawn (4) Agility (2)
Wound Threshold (30)
Power threshold -Strain- (18)
Vital system shielding Defense 1
Upgrades:
Upgraded synth musculature, +1 brawn.
Upgraded stabilization cortex, +1 Agility.
Level 1 reinforced frame, +5 wound.
Level 2 reinforced frame, + 1 soak.
Power cell upgrade, power threshold +5.
One of 8 optical upgrades.

TK-500 "Exod" XO-XDT
This is the premier synthetic. Cosmetic options are almost limitless and can pass for meat very easily. Standard with top of the line synth flesh that looks and feels like flesh in every way. Comes equiped with improved nerve clusters that can be dialed up or down to enhance or diminish the users sense of pleasure or pain.
Comes as a bare bones model to be upgraded and modified to the customers desires.
Brawn (2) Agility (2)
Wound Threshold (20)
Power threshold -Strain- (20)
4 levels of skill chip set space available.
Vital system shielding, Defense 1.
Upgrades:
Upgraded synth musculature,+1-3 brawn.
Upgraded stabilization cortex,+1-3 Agility.
Level 1 reinforced frame, +5 wound.
Level 2 reinforced frame, + 1 soak.
Level 3 reinforced frame +2 soak.
Wired reflexes, +1 Defense.
Power cell upgrade, power threshold +10.
Biogen auto repair system.
Quick up link data core interface.
One of 8 optical upgrades.

Combat maneuvers for Basic fantasy

I'm working on some optional combat maneuvers for Basic fantasy. Instead of making making generic ones I feel it would be more fun to make them more class specific. I reference stepping up or down damage dice. The step scale is d2,d4,d6,d8,d10,d12.

Cleric Maneuvers.
Inspiring strike: after rolling a successful attack a cleric can rebuke his target, stepping down his own damage die to give all other party members a +1 to hit until the start of his next turn.

Smite: after making a successful attack clerics can sacrifice a casting of a spell to step up the his damage die a number of steps equal to the level of the spell sacrificed to a maximum of d12. If the step would take the step above d12 then roll 2d12 and keep the higher of the two.

Fighter Maneuvers.
Defensive stance: a fighter can choose to step down his damage die on an attack to gain a +1 AC for himself and one ally standing very close by until the start of his next turn.

Unbalancing strike: fighters can down step his own damage die to give a +2 attack to the next attack against the same target.

magic-user Maneuvers:
Ward of protection: magic users can place a ward to protect on himself and all allies within close range. All effected allies get +2 to all saving throws against spells until the start of his next turn.

Counter spell: magic users can sacrifice a casting of a spell and save the magical energy to counter a spell. When a spell is cast against an ally/allies within close range the magic user can expend the energy allowing all effected allies of the spell to use his own spell save modified by the level of the spell saved and his own intelligence.

Thief Maneuvers:
Trickery: a Thief can down step his own damage die in an attack to step up the next attack die by an ally to attack the same target.

Vital Strike: when making a sneak attack the thief can forgo his +4 attack bonus to instead step up his damage die 1 step.

Fantasy AGE Bestiary quick review.

I recently purchased the bestiary and have finally had time to really look it over. It's 139 page book of monster goodness for the fantasy AGE game using the AGE rpg system by Green Ronin publishing.

Pages 4-124 is the bulk of the book, with just shy of 60 monsters. Each monster taking up two to three pages. Each entry has a very full description, A well layed out set of game stats, and a beautiful full color picture. The absolute best part in my opinion is the Adventure hooks. Two to three Adventure hooks per monster.

Pages 127-132 is beasts and animals. Entries from beasts of the land, sea, and air. Very well layed out.

What makes this book really shine is the focus on customization of monsters to fit the GMs needs. Pages 133-138 is all about how to do that. All about how to add qualities to customize your monsters. Page 3 has an entry for beefing up adversaries, how to make elite, heroic, and epic versions of each monster.

I really like that the Fantasy AGE bestiary has such a strong focus on Adventure hooks and customization. Great monster book, and a great GM resource.

Tattoo magic, Fantasy AGE.

Tattoo magic is fairly new in the middle lands. An art that traces it's origin to the eastern islands.

When a spell is transcribed to flesh the caster no longer needs an arcane device (which in the setting I'm running is required for most attack spells *) to cast that spell, as their flesh becomes the implement. The tattoo has to be exposed and glows with arcane power, the tattoo is used to focus or direct magic attacks making them no more or less stealthy to cast from.

Also spells cast from flesh benefit from +2 spellpower. But tattoo magic is not without its costs and limitations.

Mages must sacrifice 2 permanent magic points per tattoo. This is permanentl invested magic into the processes of getting the tattoo.

The number of spell tattoos a mage can have is equal to half their level rounded up. Any tattoos beyond that limit costs a sacrifice of 4 magic points permanently. These can never be recovered by leveling past the limit, it is cost at the time of getting the tattoo.

Spell tattoos can be costly. The time and material cost are big factors. Novice spells are often relatively simple, and journeyman spells are larger and more detailed. Master level spells are very large and can take up an entire limb, and are works of intricate art.

* In the setting I'm running Arane devices are required for any attack spell that says "from hand or arcane device" instead of being optional. In previous games arcane devices were optional but granted a +1 spell casting and +1 damage when used. These we're entirety setting rules.

Demon, Soldier Brute. Fantasy AGE RPG

Lumbering brutes who stand head and shoulders above the average demon soldiers. Often sent in small groups to soften up a defensive line or fortifications.

2 Accuracy (Brawling)
0 Communication 
7 Constitution (Stamina)
0 Dexterity 
4 Fighting (Bludgeon)
2 Intelligence
0 Perception
8 Strength (Intimidation, Might)
1 Will power (Courage)

Speed 10
Health 60
Defense 10
Armor Rating 6

Punch +4.       1d6+8
2h Maul +6.    2d6+11

Armor hide: abnormally thick hide. Magically infused, projects against attack that normally bypass armor.

Fist and Stomp: brutes are known for their superhuman strength. When not using a huge two handed maul they smash everything in their path with their fists.

Darkvision: Brute demons can see perfectly in total darkness.

Favored stunt: Mighty blow.

Bringing more narrative to your combat.

I see GMs and players complain about the "I hit it with my axe" limited view of combat. People often feel that if the rules don't facilitate a more narrative approach than it's not "part of the game".

I personally don't feel this is the games responsibility, the rules are the structure and dice are the hand of rate. Story should be facilitated by the storytellers, Both the GM/DM and players. I feel many GMs miss golden opportunities to help player to help themselves. Narrative combat makes the game more exciting, and narrative driven combat makes the GM's job easier.

The two biggest opportunities for this is during the players action, both before and after the die is rolled. These might seem like a no brainer to some, but stay with me.

Two very simple phrases GMs can use to help players get into combat as narration is "what do you do? Describe it", and "what does/did it look like?"

"What do you do? Describe it".
Before the player rolls the dice, ask the player to describe their attack. Ask for quick details about weapon swings or how the character is moving. To further facilitate narrative combat do the same with monsters and NPCs. Describe the grimace on the orcs face, the assassin's fast blade slashes, and the sneer on the city guards face as he sets his spear.

"what does/did it look like?"
Take the narrative and apply it after the roll as well. After the player rolls ask the player to describe the effects of the dice roll. Use the player's description to guide the reactions of other combatants. After the player describes jumping from the cart, while sinking his dagger into the guard smirking, describe how the other guards react. Give the characters description impact, nothing would be less rewarding and more discouraging to a player than to give an amazing description, just to be met with a none narrative reaction.

Unusual rolling and combat options.

We are all familiar with standard ways we chuck dice. Players rolling their initiative, attacks, damage, saves, and skill rolls. GM do the same for monsters and NPCs.

Some GM's tell players the target number for attacks and how many hit points monsters have, many don't. But the players usually always know their characters own health and bonuses.

I've seen a few discussions lately advocating hidden hit points, descriptive combat, and alternative initiative systems. I thought it might be fun to go over a few of these ideas, and see how I would, or have used these options in a games using the Basic fantasy system.

Clockwise D10, initiative.
This is one I use, especially for larger groups. Rather than each player rolling a d20 once for the entire combat and acting in order of high roll to lowest roll, a d10 is rolled by every player, adding their Dex bonus at the beginning of every round. But rather than acting in descending order, only the highest roll is important. The highest roll acts first, then play moves clockwise around the party. One major advantage is it's fast, another is that players act in a different order every round not having to wait for everyone to take a turn before getting to take their own turn again.

by action, Initiative.
This option can be used with the standard d20 roll or the D10 clockwise option above. Players announce their action before rolling, then roll initiative with modifiers based on their action they chose.
+3 ranged attack or spell without moving.
+2 melee attack without moving.
+0 melee, ranged, or spell and moving.

GM rolls all the dice, rolling technique.
I've only seen this option used, GMs use a control sheet with every players AC, hit points, and vital information. Players roll no dice, instead the GM rolls all the dice for the players. Players describe their actions and the GM describes the effects of dice rolls as story elements. Generally with this option players still track their own hit points, but numbers only follow after a narrative description. I feel like this option could be fun with the right group, but I know most players enjoy rolling dice.

Hidden hit points, rolling technique.
This option can be used with standard rolling style, or optional add on to GM rolls all the dice. The big difference here is players don't track their hit points, instead the GM tracks damage no matter who rolls the damage. The focus is entirely on narrative, all the players have to judge their mortality is the description the GM gives.

Players roll all the dice, rolling technique.
This option take more time in prep, but makes things easier for the GM during play. The GM can focus on narrative and storytelling. For this option players no longer have an armor class, instead they have a defense roll. Defense roll is figured by taking AC from armor -10, plus Dex modifier. AC 15 with a Dex mod of +1 becomes a Defense roll of +6. Monsters get an Attack stat, 11+ their normal attack bonuses. To defend against an attack a characters Defense roll is made against a creatures Attack stat. Monsters can either do average damage, or roll a list of damage rolls and use in order as needed. Which should be noted ahead of time.

For saving throws I often make 3-4 rolls ahead of time and write them in my notes next to a monsters stats, then later in game I use them in order. For a mob of goblins or other groups I might roll up 4-6 and if I need more I just start back at the time and run through them again. Monster initiative can be rolled as a pre set number based on 10 plus their normal bonuses.

Hero points in Fantasy AGE.

Adding Hero points is a way to add an even more heroic feel to your fantasy age game. Also allows players to bank stunt points at a 2 to 1 trade off.

Players start with 3 Hero points. Game masters can award more hero points as they see fit, most common being good roleplaying or teamwork. All heroes also gain a new stunt:
4: Fate smiles: gain a hero point.

Hero points can be used in a few different ways.

1: At any time a character can spend a hero point after have made a roll, they instantly get a reroll but must keep the second roll.

2: Characters can can spend a hero point to reduce a single source of damage they are about to take by half.

3: On a successful roll that gains the character stunt points a hero point can be spent to add +2 to stunt points, maximum 6 stunt points.

Arcane Adept, Fantasy AGE.

Arcane Adept
Classes: Rogue, warrior.
Requirement: Willpower 2. Unusual background.

You know how to use some magic, either from a small amount of training or heritage.

Novice:You have a small pool of magic points equal to 5+willpower+1d6. Choose an Arcana, you gain the novice level spells of that arcana. You do not have access to spell stunts.
Journeyman: your insight into magic increases. Gain Willpower+1d6 magic points and gain access to Powerful casting, Skillful casting, and Mighty casting spell stunts.
Master: your ability in magic increases. Gain Willpower in magic points. Gain the Journeyman level spells in the arcana you chose already.

Capt. Adrian (Hawk) Martel, Cortex Prime

Capt. Hawk is the leader of the newly formed spear's edge, Eco squad. After promoting his way up the elite and prestigious first company he was hand picked by General Sans to lead this newly formed spearhead unit.

Physical D6

Social D10

Mental D8

Keeping it frosty

Pack leader

"Don't believe everything you read kid".

"I'm not here to be your buddy"

D4(+1pp) or D8 

Aim D10

Athletics D6

Dodge D6

Pilot D8

Fighting D10

Notice D12

Bluff D6

Command D6

Cool D10

Knowledge D6

Twin Paladin auto pistols D8

* SFX Two for the price of one, keep a second  effects die, the second die is applies to a second nearby target.

* SFX In my crosshairs, step up an Aim die.

* Flaw pistols ran out of ammo, 1 turn to reload.

* Flaw pistol jams, this power can't be used til the gun is repaired, step up the next use of fighting skill.

Listen up knuckleheads D8

* SFX give command, after using Notice skill in an action, step up one skill die of a soldier under his command used in the same round.

* flaw Make the wrong call, 1pp to another player who agrees, step down any one die in their next roll. They choose and describe it's effect.

Lobo x-1 body armor d10

* SFX sealed system environmental reaction system, step up for environmental resist rolls. Lasts until danger is over.

* SFX Sensor sweep, step up notice die.

* Flaw the armor takes damage gain 1pp to step back armor die until repaired. (Can be reduced more than once).

Basic Fantasy RPG Review

Basic fantasy is a 164page old school style RPG written by Chris Gonnerman.
The page layouts and black and white art is reminiscent of old school role-playing games. With four races Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, and Humans. Classes include Cleric, Fighter, Magic-user, and Thief.

I've seen time and time again fans of the game try to compare it to a particular version of older editions of D&D. Since I didn't play those older editions I really can't attest to how close it is, but I have played enough retro clones and OSR games to get a sence of its old school vibe.

Basic fantasy is an OGL based game using the same core (although very scaled back) system as the 3rd edition of dungeons and dragons. Basic fantasy uses the core six ability scores, scaling combat bonuses, and abilities like it's roots. While keeping a simple feel and style that very much exemplifies older editions of the game.

This to me is the best of both worlds. Basic fantasy is simple and elegant while taking advantage of modern innovation and design like ascending armor class. I always give the example of a classic car. The classic styling and sleek lines, but under the hood is a modern motor, powerful while being fuel efficient.

Beyond being old school and mechanically elegant it's also a simple framework for hacking. With all the material out for OSR games and 3.x D&D it's easy to find resources for building the game you want to play. Build your game from the ground up.

While it's easy to use or convert other material to Basic fantasy, there is also a lot of material made for it, available for free on it's website at Basicfantasy.org.

One of the most amazing things about Basic fantasy is that it is a complete game. While there is a lot of resources (I'll cover that later) all you really need is the core rules to run it. To give you an idea how complete it is I'll give a quick page breakdown.

Quick page breakdown:
1-2 is introduction.
3-14 is character creation and gear.
15-35 is spells.
36-42 is rules for adventuring.
43-53 is rules for running encounters.
54-128 is monsters (2-4 per page)
129-143 is treasure and magical items.
144-163 Guide to game mastering.
164 is a very well done Index.

Another amazing thing about Basic fantasy, it's free on Basicfantasy.org
As a PDF. Print copies can also be purchased on Amazon in paperback for $5 as of this review, as well as a field guide full of monsters and adventure most under $4 as of the posting of this review. Hard bound versions of the core book can be purchased on Lulu.com.

The fact that I spent $25ish dollars and got the core books and a stack of supplements is pretty amazing value. Not even taking into account all the material available for free.

My own house rules and custom material can be found here.
And my Basic fantasy repository is here.

Fantasy AGE Rpg Overview/Review

I've been running games with the AGE (Adventure Game Engine) system since the first Dragon Age box set came out. While I was not all that happy with how those were released, I really liked the AGE game system that powered it. If you're familiar with the Dragon Age RPG or the Blue Rose 2nd edition RPG, then you're familiar with system that powers Fantasy AGE. For those not familiar I'll try to go over enough information to get a feel for the system. Fantasy age is a generic fantasy game system. There is a few things that make Fantasy AGE stand out, I'll try to cover them all. 

First of all the dice. In Fantasy age most rolls are made with 3D6 with one of those die a different color. The odd color die is the stunt die. If on a successful roll any two dice roll a matching pair the character gains stunt points. The amount of stunt points gained is equal to the number rolled on the odd colored die. Stunt points can be spent to add stunts and effects to the action they were rolling on. For example a combat stunt can push back to an enemy, do extra damage, or make the attack penetrate armor.

Stunts on a spell casting roll can lower the cost of spells, and add effects as well. Stunt points to me is the biggest reason to play Fantasy AGE...it's what separates it from the crowd. Although there is plenty more to like about this game. I'm personally a big fan of rolling 3D6 rather than a D20, it's less swingy. The 3D6 Bell curve keeps high and low rolls possible while mostly rolling to the average making abilities more meaningful.

Combat in Fantasy AGE works in a familiar way with attack rolls being made against an opponent's defense. Attacks that roll greater than the defense means the attacker gets to roll damage dice against the target. But that's where similarities end. In Fantasy AGE Defense is a set value plus dexterity and shield bonuses. Armor doesn't add to Defense. Instead armor subtracts from the damage roll, heavily armored targets are not harder to hit, but rather harder to wound. I really like how this works, it's once again one of the reasons to pick Fantasy AGE over other fantasy games.

Fantasy AGE uses nine ability scores. Ability scores range from -2 to 4 to start but can go as far as 8. In most rolls a player rolls 3D6 and adds the appropriate ability score as a modifier to the roll. Rolls are either against an opponent's defense, an opposed, or against a static difficulty.

Each ability score has multiple focuses, these focuses are deeper skill and training. Having a focus grants a +2 to ability score rolls they apply to. For example a character with a Dexterity of 2 tries to pick a lock, she also has a focus on lock picking. When making a Dexterity roll to pick the lock she adds 4 to the roll. I really like how simple and intuitive this is. As players level they gain more ability points and focuses. Like most fantasy RPGs there is a power creep in leveling, but I find that Fantasy AGE does it fairly intuitive and without a truck load of numbers to track. 

Characters are also made up of Race, Background, and Class. Races are your standard fantasy examples of Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Human, and Orc. Each race gets some set bonuses as well as one thing rolled randomly on a chart. Backgrounds are based around social class. Rolled randomly or chosen if the GM allows, adds a focus and some strong role-playing flavor. 

Fantasy AGE has only 3 classes Mage, Rogue, and Warrior. While this really seems limited, there is a lot of layers of customization, allowing two players of the same class to play totally differently.

The most profound way to customize your character is with talents. Some talents are class specific they cover things like fighting styles and special training. Talents cover things like learning Alchemy, Lore, weapon styles, and Scouting. Talents often have requirements to take beyond class specific. For example to take Mounted combat you must first have a focus in Riding.

Talents come in 3 steps novice, journeyman, and Master. When gaining new talents you often have the ability to gain a new talent, or step up one you already have. I find talents to be great, especially with the limited number of classes in the game. This is the one area of the book I wish there was more of. They cover all the bases but that is about it. I would assume any settings or companions to come will add more.

The next level of of customization is class specialization. At level 4 characters can specialze in an aspect of their class. Mechanically these work like talents with three steps, but are only open to a single class. For example miracle worker is a mage specialization that makes them better healers.

Magic in Fantasy AGE is learning and casting of set spells. Characters spend magic points to pay the cost of the spell and make a spell roll. Spell rolls can generate stunt points giving the caster the ability to add effects. There are 12 schools of magic with 4 spells in each school. I like how magic works, especially how stunt points and the magic system works together. 

Fantasy AGE has about 20 pages of GM advice. This section is full of advice on how to flavor the game, how to emulate different styles of play. About what you would expect in a generic fantasy RPG. The advice seems like it would be very helpful to new GMs, better than most RPG GM sections. There is 10 pages of monsters, it's a small section but they pack in a lot, most your basics are covered from goblins to dragons. There is another 7 pages on rewards, how to handle giving experience points and sample magic items. A small section on campaign settings and even a sample Adventure in the back.

All in all I think Fantasy AGE is a really good game. The mechanics are solid and don't get unweildy. Most my run time with the AGE system was with a Dragon Age campaign I ran. But I've run Fantasy AGE enough to see it's really solid.

If I have any criticism I would say I wish there was more. More races, more talents, more specializations, more spells, and more monsters. Strangely enough I think the three classes in the book are just fine. Fantasy AGE has enough layers to branch into that having only three classes as roots works fine. As far as more of all the other character aspects, I assume we'll get those in the companion and or setting books.

The Pierson Monster, Savage Worlds

D6 Agility
D6 Smarts
D6 Strength
D8 Spirit
D10 Vigor

-2/+2 Charisma (depends on who you ask)
6" Pace
6 Parry (based on argument, internet house rule)
4 Toughness (based on immersion, house rule)

Skills:
D10 Knowledge: Reading chicken bones.
D4 Knowledge: immersion
D8 Knowledge: Argument

D10 taunt

D4 persuasion

Edges:
No mercy
Arcane background: Arcane banter
Allies: Nerds-international

Hinderances:
Addiction: games with funky dice
Enemy: Dragonspawn (one who attacks from behind).

Powers:
Vapor of confusion (Confusion)
Banter til you die (Entangle)
Argue in a circle (Drain power points)

Dwarven Honor Guard for Fantasy AGE RPG

I'm going to work on a few racial Talents.

"Even if the whole world was to take arms against my house, I will stand against the world".

Dwarven Honor Guard
This talent can be exchanged for a level one starting talent. You once served or currently serve in the guard detail of one of the great Dwarven houses.

Requirement: Dwarf, fighting 2, weapon group Bludgeon.

Novice: You are specially trained to react to danger, gain the Focus Dexterity (initiative).

Journeyman: Honor guard are specialzed  fighters with hammers. You inflict +2 damage with hammers.

Master: Reacting to danger becomes second nature to veteran honor guard. Seize initiative stunt costs 2 rather than 4.

AGE system freeform magic system, Fantasy AGE RPG

I've been toying with the idea of freeform magic for Green Ronin's Fantasy AGE system. Using both Ubiquity and D6 system as inspiration I created some basic guidelines. I'll refine them as I go.

To cast a magical effect the player describes the effect they wish to cast. The player calculates any bonuses or penalties based on Range, area effect, familiarity, and time. 

The GM looks over the spell effects and decided the appropriate base cost. Take the base difficulty and add bonuses and penalties plus ten. This final number is the cast difficulty.

Casting difficulty:

TN of spell effects is 10+ spell effect, then add bonuses or penalties for Range, Area of effect, familiarity, and time. Casting rolls are made on Intelligence with focuses being the four spell type catagories.

Range:
Touch -1
Close   0 (within 10 yards)
Medium +1 (within 30 yards)
Long +2 (within 50 yards)
Extreme +3 (within 100 yards)

Area of Effect:
Single target 0
Circle, small 6yard, +1
Circle, large 10yard, +2
Cone or beam +1 

Familiarity:
Held, touched, true name -1
Seen up close, conversed 0
Seen from a distance,  +1
Can't see but know it's presence, +2

Time:
End of turn/Instant. 0
End of round. +1
End of end of scene/combat. +2
End in an hour. +3

Spell effects:

Control (push/pull)
1 really small object, under 5 pound
2 Small object, up to 20 pounds
3 medium object, up to 100 pounds
4 large object, up to 200 pounds

5 extreme object, up to 600 pounds

Alter/Enchant
1 change appearance, superficial.
2 limited physical change, property. +1
3 strong but uncomplicated, nature. +2
4 Significant and invasive, +3
5 powerful and complicated. +4

Create/Conjure
1 simple raw material
2 small simple items
3 summon mindless,tool, weapon,
4 summon larger, complex, attack animal,
5 summon intelligent attack, large.

Damage/Heal
Chosen 1-6 for difficulty.
Damaging or Healing effect equals 1d6 plus a bonus equal to the difficulty.
Apply an element or source for damage add +2 difficulty. Damage is penetrating x 2 difficulty.

For example the mage character wants to knock down a bolder from above a goblin camp. The bolder is about 200 lbs and it's 30 feel away. Looking at Control the GM sets the difficulty to 15. (4 for weight, +1 for range, +10). The bolder comes rolling down causing the goblin guards to go investigate.

My original idea was for a system without magic points. But if using magic point cost to cast would be equal to final spell effect. Final cost equal to spell difficulty -10. Using the example above the Mana cost would have been 5 MP.

Another option is drain, rather than having magic points characters could have a backlash or drain for failed rolls. The idea here is that Characters can play it safe with easy difficulties, or push their luck and risk more. My first idea for this is on a failed roll the character takes damage to their health equal to the difference in their roll. If the spell effect TN is 15 and the player rolls a 10 he would take 5 damage.

Another option is that for every 5 the player rolls below the TN the character takes 1d6 penetrating damage.