Q&A with the new BRP Author

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

What were the goals you had in mind when revising and updating the rules?

Consistency and completeness. The original title I submitted was The Complete BRP but it got changed to Deluxe, then to the current title. I was amused that they announced the newest title before letting me know.

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

Just to get them to work together?

See above.

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

Make them model certain types of play better?

No. If anything, making them more modular so GMs could do that.

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

Reality testing them?

Not a huge consideration, to be frank. I'm much more in the "does it play well" than "is it realistic" camp.

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

Other?

Turning it into a lingua franca for future BRP games. Basically, I wanted to write the core set of BRP rules I (and other writers) could use to create new BRP games with.

Originally Posted by Joseph Paul

BTW saw your post on RPGNet of the addition to the family. Congratulations! You will get to sleep again someday.

Thanks!

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Lord Twig

Charisma or Appearance? Or something else?

We kept APP, because it's the most current version of the characteristic, but the characteristic roll (characteristic x 5, used for simple tests) is the Charisma roll.

Originally Posted by Lord Twig

P.S. Congratulations on the new baby! At least that is what I assume it is. I have a 2-month-old baby myself.

Thanks! Now go get some sleep!

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Chaot

First off, welcome to the boards!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Chaot

1) Do you think you'll get sleep anytime soon with all of the questions from this board directed at you?

This is nothing. Fun to do.

Originally Posted by Chaot

2) Do you really like the cover of the book? (I kinda do, actually. But I don't think it will play in the current marketplace. I actually like someone's suggestion of a black background with a grey Chaosium dragon logo filling the cover. Also, I acknowledge that this is a loaded question. Feel free to ignore.)

I should probably ignore the question.

Originally Posted by Chaot

3) Was it worth it? As a playtester, I believe you've provided a great manuscript. From you're live journal, I know there's a lot of change happening in your life. What about the process would you like to have been different?

See the answer to the previous post.

Originally Posted by Chaot

4) How's your daughter doing? Too bad you're on the other side of the continent. We could set up a play date with my Fiona and your little girl.

She's awesome. Best thing I've ever done with my life, which I am astounded now to think. Every day is a joy.

Maybe we'll have them meet up at a future Gen Con!

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

Something tells me this will be a busy thread. Especially after I spread the word to draw more people to the forum!

Spread the word, though I'll likely be doing a bunch of evangelism for the book on various forums over the next two-to-forever months.

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

Sanity?? Allegiance?? This is optional spot rules I hope?

Optional rules in the GM's chapter.

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

CoC skill modifiers? Do you mean like RQ3?

Like from the Call of Cthulhu Keeper's Handbook. If a skill is being performed under ideal conditions and isn't essential to the plot, the GM can make the skill Easy (double the chance of success). If it's going to be hard, the GM can rule that it's Difficult (1/2 chance). It's a simple means of quickly resolving issues, or for making them tougher. There are also rules about when you'd add a modifier from -20% to +20% for various things, applied after a skill is either doubled or halved.

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

The rumoured scenario pack, which might get cancelled because the sci-fi scenario was not handed in. Would be great if you could get som news on this.

I wonder if the sci-fi scenario was mine? It is admittedly late. I'll ask Dustin about it.

[Nightshade]

Got just one big question for you at this time, as its been a bit of a sore point in adapting BRP based games to more general use in the past. How did you end up setting up character generation? Some simple build/roll attributes mode and a skill point distribution system? Or something else?

[Atgxtg]

Jason,
Thanks for the answers. Hope you get through the BRPer stampede!

More Questions (sorry, answers tend to spawn them)

1) You said all stats will get characteristic rolls. While most such rolls seem to be pretty intuitive, does this mean that the characteristic rolls will replace the resistance table for things like lifting or pushing?

2) Any there any settings in the works, and what are they?

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Nightshade

Got just one big question for you at this time, as its been a bit of a sore point in adapting BRP based games to more general use in the past. How did you end up setting up character generation? Some simple build/roll attributes mode and a skill point distribution system? Or something else?

Character generation is normal BRP, but allows for point-based character generation. Skills are "get a dump of points and spend them as appropriate for profession and personal interest".

The rules for different character power levels (normal, heroic, epic, and superhuman) allow for different starting characteristic bases and more skill points.

The super powers system also includes skills like "super characteristic" and "super skill" which let you put character points into characteristics and skills.

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

1) You said all stats will get characteristic rolls. While most such rolls seem to be pretty intuitive, does this mean that the characteristic rolls will replace the resistance table for things like lifting or pushing?

They're not intended to replace the resistance table in any way. Instead, they're there for things that might not have an immediate or obvious opposing value.

Some examples:

- Idea (INTx5), Knowledge (EDUx5), and Luck (POWx5) rolls are already a known quantity
- doing a hundred pushups might require an Effort (STRx5) roll
- eating 50 hot dogs might be a Stamina (CONx5) roll
- catching a drink you've dropped might be an Agility (DEXx5) roll
- attracting the notice of a total stranger to come over and speak to you in a social situation might call for a Charisma (APPx5) roll

and so on...

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

2) Any there any settings in the works, and what are they?

I think a couple have been mentioned on the front page of this very site.

[beeber]

hiya jason!

is there a SIZ chart included? a simple one-pager with silhouettes of different SIZ scores would help understanding the numbers.

can't wait for this to come out!

[Jason Durall]

Originally Posted by beeber

is there a SIZ chart included? a simple one-pager with silhouettes of different SIZ scores would help understanding the numbers.

I'm pretty sure there's a SIZ chart, but nothing like a silhouette, as the value is a pretty nebulous one (which drove me a bit crazy).