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From: west@cs.reading.UUCP (Jeremy West @ Reading Unversity)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Paladins, The Religion Problem.
Message-ID: <997@cs.reading.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-May-85 19:05:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: cs.997
Posted: Fri May 17 19:05:51 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 20-May-85 04:05:19 EDT
References: <119@sdlvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: west@reading.UUCP (Jeremy West @ Reading Unversity)
Organization: Comp. Sci. Dept., Reading Univ., UK.
Lines: 27
Xpath: reading cs gateway.cs


In article <119@sdlvax.UUCP> drw@sdlvax.UUCP (drw) writes:
>
>All restrictions placed on the different character classes and races are to
>try to remove the inherent inbalances between them. Hence clerics have retricted
>weapons usage and hopefully a few morals to go along, all based on a christian
>ethos background. Moving away from this causes one massive headache for the DM
>who has to maintain game balance between the character classes. Most players
>can find a religion which should entitle them to use edged weapons, bows etc
>but how do you control them?

Try John Sapienza's solution : the limited clerical training
only gives them limited weapon damage (ie clerics get d6 with
longsword etc). See his articles in A&E, TD etc.

Also, I totally agree with the "keep the characters (not the players)
in the dark" mode of play, much more realistic to seperate
characters from hit points. That way, play can move like a
fantasy story "you are struck by a sudden blow and fall to the
ground... what is your reaction?" rather than "he hits you for
4 points damage, roll your dice".
For example, read the Golden Witchbreed by Mary Gentle and
imagine a player character in the heroine's position, the
target of at least four assassination attempts, she survives
because of luck, circumstance and a good mercenary guard! But
she does survive, and this feel CAN be simulated by role-play.

-- Jerry