Reconsidering Fantasy Role-Playing

As faithful readers of my blog will know, it is no secret that I have dabbled in the dark art of Dungeons and Dragons.

I must admit that I have been drawn again to the siren song of fantasy role-playing games (RPG).

However, I'd like to take a cautious step into the unfamiliar, blossoming world of other RPG games, to a world outside D&D, perhaps to a world without tragedy -- where a gnome thief in his underpants getting bit by a rat and nearly dying is only a troubled teen's fanciful nightmare.

At this point, I'm considering two possible options for my new RPG adventures.

---

I'm intrigued by RuneQuest, the RPG Royal Crown Cola to D&D's Coke.

I have taken an interest in this particular game module.



I tremble at the description of the world I may be thrust in:

"Taint is evil. It is a corruption so deep that it warps the very plane of reality."

---

I have one more fantasy RPG I am also considering -- Werewolf: the Apocalypse. I am having some difficulties following the elaborate details of this wondrous game, but this particular entry caught my eye in the game's House Rules:

Triatic Taint - This rule covers Wyrm-Taint, Wyld-Taint and Weaver-Taint. As described in the Player’s Guide to the Garou, Taint is a trait ranging between 1 and 5 dots. When sensory Gifts are used to detect Taint, the difficulty, normally left vague in the books, acts upon the following base of 9-Taint level. Thus a Fomor with 3 Taint is detected with a 6 difficulty unless other modifiers apply. STs and Assistants may determine what outside factors will affect this difficulty such as ambient triatic energies and assign a modifier at their discretion. Detecting a Gorgon is obviously much easier in the midst of a factory than in the middle of an insane asylum. Levels of Taint for various character types are listed in the FAQs relating to those character types, but a ‘generic’ possessed creature with no Autonomy trait can generally be assumed to have about 3 dots of Taint unless specified otherwise. Characters with the Touched Background also have one dot of Taint per level of the Background.

---

I'll keep you informed as to my decision. As Marachi Zed Caracas, 3rd Level Ranger of Ooln once said, "T'aint a decision to be taken lightly, me lads."