[Mythras] Classic Fantasy

[shesheyan]

The Design Mechanism, the people behind RuneQuest 6, have rebranded their system «Mythras» after loosing the licence. They are now offering something called Classic Fantasy, a version of Mythras with classes and levels. As anyone read or played this ?

«Classic Fantasy
Classic Fantasy adapts the Mythras rules (d100 RuneQuest variant) to old school dungeoneering, featuring adventuring classes, ranks of progression, and magic familiar to those players and Games Masters who have played the grandfather of all roleplaying games. It contains many versions of well-known, well-loved (!) monsters, and extensive guidance on magic items, treasure and adventuring underground. So whether you want to play a Fighter or a Magic user, a Barbarian or a Paladin, A Half Elf or Half Orc, Classic Fantasy is the game for you.

Expansions
The Classic Fantasy line includes the Expert Set, which offers expanded magic for higher rank characters, and a growing list of modules, both dungeon and wilderness, spanning and developing the campaign world of Greymoor. All Classic Fantasy products are available from our Store.»

http://thedesignmechanism.com/Classic-Fantasy.php

[shesheyan]

Review by Steve P. [Verified Purchaser]
« At first glance this work would seem to be just another addition to the growing number of games that seek to recapture the magic of the first wave of Table top RPGs while fixing the frustrating inconsistencies and rules that just didn’t feel right. The author is very clear about this in his blurb, and true to his word there is plenty to ring the bells of fond memory for those whose memories go back that far.

However, there is more to this book than just another re-write of early D&D. This is a keenly honed, well-crafted, thoroughly considered work whose individual parts are as worthy of attention as the collected whole. The inspiration for this work is clearly D&D, in all of its iterations from the very start to second edition. It is not a slavish re-write, instead it cherry picks flavourful ideas and throws them liberally into the mix. Cavaliers and thief acrobats make their return from the obscurity of 1st Edition AD&D supplements, while Bards and specialist Magic Users (note Magic Users, not wizards) come from the more familiar 2nd Edition and Baldur’s Gate. Classic monsters and spells are also included, sometimes but not always renamed. Most of the old races and classes are there, ready for pre-loved characters from decades ago to breathe new life and seek out new glory.

While the outward appearance is that of vintage D&D, this is a supplement for Mythras/RQ6. All the mechanics of play are drawn from the host rules except for a few tweaks and clarifications. And it works well. Mythras does what it does best; combat that is not too far removed from real experience, skills that are open to everyone to learn and master, internally consistent mechanics that can both universal in approach but specific in detail. Classic Fantasy provides the familiar simple to identify heroic architypes and tropes that let you have a bit of not to serious honest fun.

There are also some useful ideas that can be cribbed for any 1d100/ BRP games. There are spot rules that can be lifted to replace or extend existing rules. There are rules for miniatures and/or playing on a square grid. There are new monsters, which are always welcome, and supporting wandering monster tables. There is a chapter on loot and magic items which is also welcome.

There is a settings chapter with an interesting take on how to approach deities in a pantheon. It is fair to say that these are not the complete set of rules, the GM should really have a copy of Mythras/RQ6. Also the are places where it does feel a bit thin, for example more spells would be handy but it’s a very fair price for what you get. There is promise of another supplement and there is plenty there to get you going and give you enough of an idea of how you may go about adapting and incorporating anything you feel is badly missing. If it has piqued your interest enough to have read this far then it is certainly worth a look. »

[Havard]

Interesting. I thought it was just a clone of RQ6. Reminds me of Drakar& Demonar...

[shesheyan]

Interesting. I thought it was just a clone of RQ6. Reminds me of Drakar& Demonar...

Seems like levels were not popular with fans of the game :

« When Riotminds released their first take on the venerable Drakar och Demoner ruleset, it featured a concept very close to levels ("yrkesnivåer"). It didn't take long before an official addendum appeared on their website, with optional rules on how to play without this feature. In the subsequent reprints (as well as later editions) little or no traces of "yrkesnivåer" remain. »

[shesheyan]

Correction. You don't need to buy the Mythras rulebook to play this game. All you need is Mythras Imperative, a free PDF. I might try this out now that I don't have to buy the Mythras Corebook.

«There are vast differences. While the BRP version was essentially a player's handbook, this one is all inclusive. It includes lots of monsters and magic items, as well as additional classes and spells. It is also designed to be used with nothing more than Mythras Imperative, a free PDF of the full Mythras rules, making it a more affordable product. Plus, the Design Mechanism is very interested in supporting the product with supplements and adventures, the first of which is just around the corner.»

Link to FREE pdf :
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/185 ... st_epoch=0

[Allen Varney]

I might try this out now that I don't have to buy the Mythras Corebook.

Wait until Monday afternoon to get Classic Fantasy.

[shesheyan]

I might try this out now that I don't have to buy the Mythras Corebook.

Wait until Monday afternoon to get Classic Fantasy.

LOL! thank you for the «inside trader information»...

[Big Mac]

MODERATOR NOTE (by Big Mac): Previous post, by Loz moved to a new topic, called [Lyonesse] Design Mechanism to make Jack Vance's Lyonesse into RPG

I see namechecks for both RuneQuest and D&D here. And mentions of d100 stuff. The website that The Design Network have seems to suggest the entire system uses d100 roles.

The review talks of converting stuff to RuneQuest rules. Is Mythras a campaign setting that has been published under D&D rules in the past?

[shesheyan]

I see namechecks for both RuneQuest and D&D here. And mentions of d100 stuff. The website that The Design Network have seems to suggest the entire system uses d100 roles.

The review talks of converting stuff to RuneQuest rules. Is Mythras a campaign setting that has been published under D&D rules in the past?

Its a variation on BRP and Runequest Chaosium percentile system. Mythras is a new setting created to replace the default Runequest setting. D&D is only mentionned as "the oldest rpg" as a teaser to attract players towads their Classic fantasy implimentation of Mythras d100 rules.

[Havard]

Interesting. I thought it was just a clone of RQ6. Reminds me of Drakar& Demonar...

Seems like levels were not popular with fans of the game :

« When Riotminds released their first take on the venerable Drakar och Demoner ruleset, it featured a concept very close to levels ("yrkesnivåer"). It didn't take long before an official addendum appeared on their website, with optional rules on how to play without this feature. In the subsequent reprints (as well as later editions) little or no traces of "yrkesnivåer" remain. »

Cool,
I guess I only played the first edition of Drakar & Demoner. I own one of the later editions, but since I never played it I may have overlooked many of the changes.

-Havard

[Tim Baker]

I found this collection of Classic Fantasy posts by UbiquitousRat to be informative. The Apologia is a helpful overview. If you want to get a better feel for how it plays, there's a series of examples of solo play, which are fairly detailed (see the "Mistamere" and "Legend of the Fire Opal" sections on the collection page).

[Allen Varney]

Classic Fantasy is in the Mythras Bundle of Holding offer that launched today. Check it out!

[Tim Baker]

Classic Fantasy is in the Mythras Bundle of Holding offer that launched today. Check it out!

Thanks for letting us know!