Troll Lord Games

I hope the Trolls won't mind me "promoting" other RPGs on their forum. I guess it's okay since these little guys' products are not competing with those of TLG. I won't bother reviewing those products since they already have been thoroughly reviewed on RPGnet among other sites. By the way, I am in no way, shape or form affiliated with any of these guys. My sole intention is to share their great stuff with other gamers. 8)

So here are some of my favorite small-press/independent and rules-light (I'm heavily biased towards rules-light systems; I'm getting too old/lazy/busy to learn new complicated systems ) RPGs out there :
Truth & Justice by Atomic Sock Monkey. A great superhero RPG which satisfyingly and efficiently conveys the genre's feel without all of the impediments of other "high crunch" simulationist systems. Obviously written with a lot of love and care by the author, Chad Underkoffler. Available in print or PDF from RPGnow.
The Collectors by Rogue Publishing. A modern spiritual horror RPG with a superb setting. It might honestly be the single best RPG concept I have ever read. It's also beautifully written. Unfortunately, it didn't get much support since its release (because of its theme?). Available in PDF from RPGnow and in print from Rogue Publishing's own site.
La Terre des Hros (only in French, unfortunately...) by Olivier Legrand. A magnificently crafted independent RPG based on the Middle-Earth setting which nails the Tolkienesque feel to near perfection. Available online for free. The author also created a Dune based RPG called IMPERIUM. I don't know this last one as much since I'm not really into scifi RPGs. These games would likely be very popular if it weren't for the language barrier.

I would be glad to hear about some of your own finds.
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"Abandon the search for Truth; settle for a good fantasy." author unknown
My C&C Page
My House Rules v8

Also, along this topic, check out BASH RPG, a great superhero game.
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I've recently picked up some stuff from Politically Incorrect Games, pretty good stuff actually.

Barbarians of Lemuria! An elegant (and free) little system for running true S&S style adventures:
http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/Barbarians_of ... ee_RPG.php

I knew about BASH and PIG (I own many of their products, good stuff!) but Simon Washbourne's game is pretty cool! 8) The guy sure is talented from what I've seen of his work.
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"Abandon the search for Truth; settle for a good fantasy." author unknown
My C&C Page
My House Rules v8

I'll chime in with a question ... anyone know anything about Burning Wheel? I saw a bit about it elsewhere, and it sounds interesting. But I'd like to hear from some of the regulars before I open the wallet.

anyone? anyone?

Geleg

I was thinking about that one as well. Cheeplives said that he has it and it is SUPER crunchy. I like the "duel of wits" idea though. It seems like it lays out a way for debate and diplomacy to be handled with stats AND roleplaying. Neat idea.

I have seen a few things but with the character sheet I was a bit turned away from it, too much rules for me right now, I have just given 3.X up, maybe in another year o two I might be in the mood for it. It does sound interesting in how and what it can accomplish.
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"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects." - Attributed to Herman Melville.

catenwolde wrote:
Barbarians of Lemuria! An elegant (and free) little system for running true S&S style adventures:
http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/Barbarians_of ... ee_RPG.php

That's a very need game. A great Conan style "beer and pretzels" game.

Damn. Wouldn't you know it? Learning four languages, mais je ne lis pas franais!

I'm not very fond of GMs running the show all the time, especially when I'm GMing. So the following recommendations are games that decentralize control of the game's story to some degree or another.

I found all of these through the Forge at about the same time I found TLG. I find that, between the two, I have finally begun to understand what I really want out of my RPGs.

All the theory in the world doesn't make a good game, though. But these... these are good games.
The Pool, by James V. West, or perhaps its several variants. I actually ran across this one a few years back, but have had limited (yet enjoyable) experience with it. I think the only reason I play other RPGs is I can never find enough players who are that willing to forgo crunchiness. And it's free, to boot.
Dogs in the Vineyard by Vincent Baker. It can definitely be an intense, emotional sort of game. All the players' characters are God's Watchdogs, and have the power to dictate the doctrine of the Faith to the towns of the Faithful through whatever means they deem appropriate. It's interesting to see what players will have their characters do, and how they will decide to judge them for it. Plus, you essentially get things done by betting dice rolls like in poker, which leads to a lot of back-and-forth in the conflict that's really cool.
Polaris: Chivalric Tragedy at Utmost North by Ben Lehman looks bizarre, yet beautiful. I haven't played it, but it's basically the next game I will purchase. The recommendation here is because it fascinates me. I'd have something more concrete to say in a month or so.

I've been playing for several months now in a Riddle of Steel campaign. lots of fun, especially the combat
I've also quite enjoyed the following "indy" games

- capes

- in a wicked age

- dust devils

capes is truly gm'less while the others are "gm lite"

fun nights of role playing with these as 1 shots

Cheers,

J.