Brazillian rpgs - Old Dragon and the brazillian Old School Renaissance

Old Dragon
- the Old School Renaissance in Brazil -

I have already said a little bit about brazillian rpgs, like 3d&t, Daemon and Tagmar. Now I would like to talk about the Old School Renaissance (OSR) in Brazil, using its foremost examplar: the Old Dragon system.

Just like what happens with other OSR rpgs, the Old Dragon (OD) has its rules based in old D&D editions - however, while some may try to follow closely those editions, OD gathered many different concepts and created a new arrangement, although still being compatible with other Old School materials.

Da 1a Edição de D&d, OD usa as jogadas simplificadas de salvamento, tendo apenas uma jogada de proteção. Além isso, usa o mesmo sistema de tendências, possuindo apenas Ordem, Neutralidade e Caos. Com relação às classes, OD usa a base da 2a Edição de D&D, onde as raças se diferenciam das classes e não existe uma lista de talentos nem de perícias – os poderes especiais são ganhos a partir do avanço em níveis de uma classe específica. Com relação aos atributos, seus modificadores seguem o padrão da 3a edição de D&D (12 = +1; 16 = +3; 20 = +5; 30 = +10 etc) e, no geral, os valores estatísticos são semelhantes à 3a edição. Assim, de maneira geral, OD usa estatísticas da 3a edição, usando as mecânicas de resolução da 2a edição e com alguns toques pontuais da 1a edição.

From D&D 1st edition, OD uses simplified saving throws (having only a single score) and its allignment system of Order, Neutrality and Chaos. Regarding classes and races, it follows 2nd edition D&D, where races and classes are sepparated. Besides, they have no focus on feats and skills like third edition, and each class has abilities similar to those of AD&D. Finally, regarding overall statistics, they are very similar to 3rd edition - they use ascending attack rolls and Armor Class and its attribute modifiers are the same as 3rd edition (10 = +0, 20 = +5, 30 = +10, 40 = +15). In resume, generally speaking, OD uses therefore 3rd edition's stats with 2nd's edition mechanic resolution with a few touches from 1st edition.

Despite being relatively new (not even 5 years in market yet), OD has a very active rpg community in Brazil, with both old and new players that are always creating new supplements, rules and adventures for the game. OD, being of yet the only OSR published in Brazil, has been contributing a lot so that the the Old School trend continues strong in Brazil.

- Old Dragon with its outstanding illustrations- 

Espero que tenham gostado dessa pequena apresentação do Old Dragon e do Old School no Brasil. Pretendo logo estar postando sobre adaptações de lendas brasileiras para serem usadas com regras Old School, de modo a contribuir para os Gms de todo mundo que tenham interesse em usá-las nas suas aventuras e campanhas.

I hope you enjoyed this short presentation of Old Dragon and OSR in Brazil. I have plans to post some adaptations of brazillian legends and creatures to be used in Old School rpgs, so GMs over the world that are interested in such topics may use them in their adventures.

Until then, tell me what you think about Old Dragon,
Valete!

RPGaDay, old rpg you still read/play - Daemon and AD&D

Old rpgs I still read, Daemon and AD&D
- in the background, Septimus Malleus -

Hoje, seguindo o #RPGaDay, falarei sobre o rpg antigo que eu ainda jogue/leia. Para os leitores desse site, não será uma surpresa ao dizer que eu ainda leio os antigos livros de AD&D. Portanto, para ir além do óbvio, irei falar de outro rpg antigo que eu ainda leio: O Daemon.

Today, following the #RPGaDay, I will talk about an old rpg that I still read/play. For those following this blog, it will be no surprise that I say I still read the old AD&D books. Because of that, going beyond the obvious, I will talk about another rpg I still read: Daemon.

As I said before, Daemon is, to me, one of the foundation stones of Brazillian rpg (together with 3d& and Tagmar), and would be the brazillian equivalent to 'Gurps' or 'Call of Cthulhu'. It has, for me, the best attribute progression in any rpg, using a mathematical formula which, for evey 6 points, you double the effect of the attribute. Besides that, the system has one of the best fluff for magic system - since the book author, Marcelo del Debbio, is himself an occultist and the magical practices inside the book reflect, at least to my knowledge, directly his magical studies.

Arkanum, the classic setting of Daemon
- Medieval inquisition with cruel angels and ambitious demons -

Contudo, Daemon é envolto em infâmia e, hoje, muito mal visto por todos que ainda não o joguem. A maioria de seus livros consiste de cópias de texto uns dos outros. Suas regras costumam ser, muitas vezes, mal explicadas ou com a sensação de 'inacabadas'. Sua progressão matemática de 'a cada 6, dobre o efeito' não consegue ser aplicada de maneira efetiva às rolagens do sistema, e mesmo o sistema de magia, que é extremamente bem feito teoricamente, na parte mecânica do sistema é bastante simples e não passa de um sistema comum de 'pontos de magia'.

However, Daemon is shrouded in infamy and, today, kind of hated by all who do not play it. Most of its books have copies from texts from each other. Its rules are, many times, not explained well or have the sensation of 'undone'. Its mathematical progression of 'every 6 units double the effect' does not apply itself effectively to the rolls of the dice, and even its magic system, which is outstandingly well done fluff-wise, mechanically is very weak with simple 'magic points' applications.

Nevertheless, it is a very important rpg for me. Its aspect of 'undoneness' makes Daemon have an aura similar to that of old D&D, where GMs had to improvise rules. In the same way, one of the greatest Old Schools communities in brazillian tabletop rpgs is the one from Daemon, creating new rules even today, and even after a decade that the game has been 'dead'.

Well, but I will talk more about Daemon in another time. But how about you, folks, what old rpg do you still play/read?

Until then,
Valete!