Any low fantasy games out there? Need a change of pace!

[GhostShip Blue]

Desolation is a Ubiquity game that take the post apocalyptic genre to the fantasy genre. Low magic, distant and forgotten gods and a gritty feel. The ruins of the High Fantasy world around give it a really nice feel. Especially if you're specifically looking to break out of the high fantasy mold. Another couple of thoughts, if d20 appeals; Midnight or Obsidian Apocalypse. Obsidian is more Dark fantasy, but magic is limited and divine powers virtually non-existent.

 

[Dragoslav]

Shadows of Esteren is my new favorite low magic, low fantasy system.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1176616619/shadows-of-esteren-a-medieval-horror-rpg-prologue
http://www.studio2publishing.com/shop/index.php?cPath=205

If you want a setting where magic and monsters are very rare and feared, that's precisely what Shadows of Esteren is about. It has a heavily Gothic atmosphere, so while people constantly live in fear of monsters lurking in the shadows, very few actually encounter any, and they are horrifying to behold. There is druidic and divine magic, but only very few have access to it, and their traditions restrict when they can use it, and thus very few actually see it being used.

My favorite part of the system is the Sanity system, which is very detailed (at character creation, you pick your PC's latent psychological disorder) and is meant to track your PC's descent into madness as they are faced with the horrifying secrets of the world. Going mad doesn't take your PC out of play, though, it just adds a new element to how you play him with not only consequences and risks but also bonuses.

The setting is low fantasy Medieval, but with three distinct kingdoms with unique flavor, including one that is more steampunk.

What I like most is that, while the system is designed to be grim and gritty, it's not an excessively complex system. You only need a d10, and the base rules for things like health and skill progression are complex enough to represent the danger of combat and the low fantasy, gradual zero-to-hero character progression, they aren't convoluted or punishing for players. (For example, your character can die easily and takes penalties while wounded, but you don't have to worry about losing an arm or other permanent disfigurement thanks to a critical hit).

If you want to check it out, you can buy Book 0, which has the basic rules and mechanics along with premade characters and 3 adventures that give a great overview of what kind of game Shadows of Esteren is. http://www.studio2publishing.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=205&products_id=3691

 

[Greg K]

Warrior, Rogue & Mage from Stargazer Games looks as if it could do it. It a free game that has received a lot of acclaim (I have not tried it (yet!), but it looks good).

For low magic, you will want the free supplement, "From the Imperial Library". It contains several options for controlling the degree of magic from No Magic to Very High Magic. You will probably want one of the following options:

No Magic Option: Warrior, Rogue and Scholar-Who-Doesn't Study Magic: This option can be used for either a no magic campaign or a campaign where magic is corrupt in found only in the hands of NPCs. It can also be use for a campaign in which magic is only found in enchanted items.
Low Magic Option: Warrior, Rogue and Scholar. In this option, spellcasting requires taking the talent "Spellcaster" to gain First Circle spells. "Spellcaster" also becomes the prequisite for the talents like "Blood Magic" and "Sorcerer". Accessing higher circles requires the "Advanced Spell Caster" Talent.
Very Low Magic option: Warrior, Rogue, and Wizard's Apprentice. Similar to the Low Magic version, but there are 4 Talents for acquiring spells (one for each circle) rather than just 2 (i.e. "Spellcaster" and "Advanced Spellcaster") in order to slow down spellcasting. There is also discussion about adding more prerequisites to slow down spell casting

 

[pming]

Hiya.

You could always just use your favored system and just make a new campaign world that is low magic and mosters. I have a 1e AD&D campaing setting called Eisla that is just that.

I find it works quite well, and at least 1e is easily modifiable.


/

 

[GMMichael]

I and my group are really get burnt out from high fantasy style rpgs and in need of a change. Are there any pen & paper medival 'like' games , beside HARN, out there? Looking for a game where adventure is king and monsters and magic are very rare and feared.

Pretty sure you can do this with D&D 3.5. But the important thing is to figure out what makes encounters interesting if they're not high fantasy.

High fantasy encounters feature magic, legendary efforts, and monsters. Well, toss those out.

This means you'll be limiting D&D 3.5 to about 5 levels of character advancement, and no casting classes are allowed. NPC classes are probably preferable. Further, combat becomes the -last- thing anyone wants to do, because there are definitely zero clerics waiting around with a Raise Dead spell. Also, unauthorized fighting gets severely punished by the local watch. You'll want to automatically include a status penalty for reaching half-damage, either Shaken or Sickened. (Or Immobilized...or Nauseated...)

Then you have to make your encounters interesting again. Make up for the lack of epic stuff. This means relationships, politics, threats, bribery, bargaining, and all that other good stuff. Does D&D include rules and helpful guides for using these things? No, you'll probably want a book on Shakespeare for picking up the drama in your game. But D&D has the mechanics and rules to back up the crunchier stuff (like who, statistically, is more likely to win a given round of negotiations).

Here's a link to my in-progress RPG, which is ultra-streamlined, partly so that you can add your own drama rules as needed. And like several above-mentioned RPGs, it's free.

http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/p-p-rpg/wikis/main-page

 

[JoshDemers]

If you can find the books, 7th Sea is a fantastic renaissance game about pirates, swashbuckling, and exploration. There is magic, but it is much more low-key than in most fantasy settings. And the monsters are at the fringes of the known world - deep in the dark woods, high in the mountains, and deep in the ruins of strange, long-gone civilizations. Great game.

 

[Mike Eagling]

This means you'll be limiting D&D 3.5 to about 5 levels of character advancement, and no casting classes are allowed. NPC classes are probably preferable. Further, combat becomes the -last- thing anyone wants to do, because there are definitely zero clerics waiting around with a Raise Dead spell.

Apart from the level limit this sounds pretty much like Mongoose's Conan d20 game, mentioned before.

Of course, that's a sword & sorcery setting rather than medieval but Aquilonia is essentially medieval Europe in disguise.

 

[Greg K]

I thought I mentioned in them in my other post.
Savage Worlds can do low fantasy as can Barbarians of Lemuria (if sword and sorcery is ok)

 

[Connorsrpg]

Immediately I thought of A Song of Ice & Fire RPG. I have just reread the book and it sounds perfect for the setting you are after. No real mention of magic in the players section (except for exceptional individuals that warg or receive green dreams).

I can't speak to the system, but I love the sound of it and really want to try it.

I will also back [MENTION=5038]Greg K[/MENTION] here and include Savage Worlds. Being multi-genre it can easily be done without magic.

Right now I am actually mashing these two games together. Basically I am using the mechanics of Savage Worlds, but the Ability list and Specialties from SIF.

(This is in its infancy, but I believe the two will work together to mesh into my favourite game. If interested, initial discussions/ideas are here: http://connorscampaigns.wikidot.com/forum/t-656364/skill-systems-abilities

Good luck. Let us know what you decide on.