Swords & Sorcery (No Art) (2e)
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This is the pay-what-you-want no-art version of the revised second edition of Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery. This version of Microlite74 is designed for low level play in swords & sorcery settings. If the fantasy stories of Robert E. Howard¸ Fritz Lieber¸ Clark Ashton Smith¸ C.L. Moore¸ Karl Edward Wagner¸ and David Gemell are more to your taste that those of Tolkein or Eddings¸ this version of Microlite74 may be just what you are looking for. Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery is based on Microlite74 Extended 3.0 but with many special rules designed for swords & sorcery style campaigns. For example¸ there are only two classes (Adventurer and Sorcerer) and 6 levels¸ magic is limited and casting certain spells can corrupt the caster¸ and many 0e style magic items are relics of dead civilizations from long ago. Humans are assumed to dominate the world and most enemies are other humans and animals. True monsters certainly exist but they are assumed to be rare. Unlike most Microlite74 games which use a Microlite20-based experience system¸ this version uses a more standard experience point system.
The revised second edition of Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery adds rules for allegiances (which replace alignments)¸ expands the rules for corruption -- using black magic effects the world (e.g weather¸ chance of wandering monsters¸ etc.)¸ adds a few new spells to the spell lists¸ adds rules for mounted combat¸ expands the section on adventuring (including adding a section on ocean exploration)¸ adds demons and lovecraftian monsters¸ etc. Second Edition also adds a section of optional rules including several that have not been in any other versions Microlite74 (e.g. player-defined feats¸ rules for corrupt and/or tainted locations).
Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery includes:
- Simple Character Creation Rules: Roll 4 attributes and select a class¸ a background¸ and allegiances.
- Two Classes: Adventurer and Sorcerer¸ both limited to sixth level - but advancements continues even after reaching sixth level.
- Backgrounds provide a simple and fast way to factor in a character's culture and non-class-related abilities.
- Simple and fast-playing combat system that tracks physical damage (aka body points) separately from luck/skill/fatigue (aka hit point) damage.
- Hit points recover with a night's rest. Spells cost hit points to cast. Actual wounds recover more slowly.
- Spells are divided into white¸ grey¸ and black magic. Using black magic eventually corrupts the caster and has strange effects on reality. Only first and second level spells can normally be memorized and cast directly. Other spells must be cast with lengthy rituals.
- Rules for hirelings¸ monster reactions (not every monster wants to fight)¸ morale (not every monster fights to the death)¸ and more.
- A complete list of spells¸ monsters¸ and treasure.
- Compatible with most other 0e based games and adventures.
The Digest/Epub version of this game has art¸ larger type¸ and is formatted in a single column digest-size that is much easier to read on tablets (and comes with an experimental epub version). The first edition of Microlite74 Swords & Sorcery remains available for those who perfer it.
Microlite74 games are trimmed-down miniature versions of the Primary Fantasy SRD rules designed to be quick and easy to play¸ especially when compared to modern incarnations of the game. The goal of Microlite74 games is to recreate the style and feel of that very first ("0e") fantasy roleplaying game published back in 1974 without giving up all of the clearer mechanics of modern D20-based versions.