In early 1976 I heard about a game called Dungeons & Dragons from a newspaper article called “Fantasies Come True”. They mentioned that it was being played weekends at a local hobby shop. A long time fantasy and science fiction reader, I had to stop by.
The Game Master (GM) was a local Society for Creative Anachronism armorer (he specialized in chainmail and helmets), and quite a charismatic individual. He helped me roll up a character – a dwarven fighter of the first level. I can remember now the head rush when I went into my first combat versus kobolds, and survived.
Several games later, I finally made 2nd level – I was so proud! Then a few weeks more of gaming, I made 3rd! Of course, by this time I thought the extra 14 hits would make me invincible, so I went first into a 5 foot wide corridor. No one told me it led to the orc city. 35 dead orcs later (a streak of pure luck!), I died a hero’s death.
My experience since that time has been mixed.
On the bad side I have experienced Monty Haul dungeons (“Congratulations, you have just gained 4 levels!”), unrealistic events (“I grab the fireball wand out of the bottom of my sack and shoot the onrushing dragon” or “I’m a 12th level fighter, I can attack 12 kobolds per round”, etc.), arbitrary GMs (“Gorf the demon appears, grabs the chest in front of you, and disappears”), grabby players (“It’s mine, I saw it first!”), weird dice system (“First throw a d20, subtract a d6, divide by 4, rounding up unless it…”) and other travesties of good game play.
On the good side I have learned much from a number of good GMs and great roleplayers. I have had opportunities to examine many different gaming systems, and see how they affect game play. I have seen how good GMs can work around the rules to keep a game balanced and enjoyable. I’ve seen how realism can be use constructively in a game system, and yet know how to avoid getting bogged down into details.
With Basic FANGS I have tried to re-create that original experience, that “head rush” for myself, and for others when I GM. I also am trying to create a system that prevents many of the perils of poor game play. This has not been easy–my first GM spoiled me.
The first version of Basic FANGS was initiated on CompuServe’s Gamer’s Forum in 1985 with a discussion of goals and initial rules proposal. Later FANGS was playtested on AOL’s Gamer’s Forum and in their Red Dragon Inn chatroom. This culminated ultimately in version 1.4 of the rules released in April 1991 (pdf version available here). This was the last public release of the rules.
In the early 90’s I played with the rules off on and on, including a major revision that used d20 instead of d100. Later in the 90s, when AD&D 3rd Edition system was released with an updated d20-based system I realized that that some of the concepts from Basic FANGS could be useful. In my version of FANGS low rolls on a d20 were good, but in AD&D 3rd high rolls were good. By turning my FANGS rolls upside-down, I realized that I could use my more skill/experience based d20 rules with existing “d20” brand modules. This resulted in version 1.6 of the rule.
In 2003 I talked Steve Perrin, one of original authors of Call of Chthulhu and RuneQuest 2nd edition, into stepping on board to make Basic FANGS even more professional. He has made a number of positive changes to it and has been play testing it with his gaming group in Orange California for several years.
Now proud to make this current version of Basic FANGS available online, not only under an open content Creative Commons license, but also made available in Wiki form so that players and game masters can contribute to the game system. I’m look forward to seeing how it evolves.
(tbw)
Design Goals I set some goals when creating Basic FANGS:
I have not completed or succeeded with all of these goals, however, I have made significant progress over the years that I’ve worked on the system.
Given the explosion of experimentation in RPG systems in the 80’s and 90’s, it is tough to design a system that is not somewhat similar to other gaming systems. Personally, I found myself learning as much from their mistakes as their successes.
But I must give credit where credit is due. From “The Fantasy Trip” I first adopted the idea of an system based on skills derived from characteristics (several systems have done this since, but TFT was the first I ran into). An obscure system called “Wizards’ Realm” inspired the specific technique I use to derive starting skills from characteristics. From “Champions” the idea of separating body damage from stun damage. From “Fantasy Hero” and “GURPS” the idea of character points, advantages and disadvantages. From “RuneQuest” I have adopted an advancement system based on skills, not levels. From “Tunnels & Trolls” inspired my many-vs-many combat technique, and the luck roll. From Chaosium’s “Basic Role-Playing” the idea roll, and basic combat theory.
Of course, I must also give some credit to Gary Gygax and the original Dungeons & Dragons for starting it all.
Finally, I would like to thank the members of the online role-playing forums on CompuServe, GEnie, America Online, RPGnet, as well as the computer-moderated RPGs such as Skotos’ Castle Marrach, Island of Kesmai and Gemstone, and my ASMRB friends here in Berkeley.
I originally started Basic FANGS in 1986 on CompuServe, and I must credit my original inspiration to some ideas from members there. Since that time many players from CompuServe, GEnie, America Online and some local BBSs have helped. Thus the “Networked” in the FANGS name, “Fantasy Adventure Networked Gaming System.” This game system is dedicated to these GMs and players.