Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Index Card RPG (ICRPG) is a universal, fast-paced tabletop role-playing game designed by Brandish Gilhelm (Hankrin Kapuf) and published by Runehammer Games. Originally released in 2017, with its definitive "Master Edition" published in 2021, the system is designed to strip away the mechanical bloat and analysis paralysis often found in traditional d20-based systems. It serves as both a standalone game and a philosophical design toolkit meant to be hacked, modified, and integrated into other role-playing systems. Description ICRPG is highly customizable and natively includes multiple distinct settings within its core rulebook, ranging from traditional high fantasy (Alfheim) and gritty sci-fi (Warp Shell) to weird west prehistoric survival (Ghost Mountain). The system treats game mastering as a visible, high-momentum performance. Rather than hiding information behind GM screens, ICRPG brings structural elements, like turn timers, room difficulties, and tracking metrics directly into the open. The game derives its name from the use of standard index cards to abstractly map encounters, represent terrain, track turn order, and quickly visualize items or monsters, eliminating the need for complex grid maps or expensive miniatures. System Overview & Key Features The Room Target Instead of assigning different Difficulty Classes (DCs) or Armor Classes (ACs) to every individual object, monster, and trap in an area, the Game Master sets a single "Room Target" number for the entire scene (typically ranging from 10 to 15). Every single d20 roll made by a player in that room, whether it is an attack roll, a saving throw, a stealth check, or an arcane spellcast: must meet or exceed that exact same Target number to succeed. The GM can temporarily adjust this target up or down by 3 points for specific tasks that are explicitly "Easy" or "Hard." Loot-Based Progression Characters do not possess traditional levels, nor do they gain intrinsic stat increases or health boosts when accumulating experience points. Instead, character progression is entirely physical and external, driven by "Loot." Every class feature, stat modification, magical spell, and unique ability is physically tied to an item equipped on the character sheet. If a character's gear is destroyed, stolen, or voluntarily traded to an ally, their mechanical capabilities shift completely, forcing players to focus on acquiring and managing an inventory limited to 10 carried and 10 equipped items. Visible Turn Timers To prevent tactical stalling and maintain pacing, the system relies heavily on explicit, visible timers. At the start of an encounter, the Game Master openly rolls a four-sided die (1d4) in front of the players. This represents the number of rounds remaining until a cataclysmic or complicating event occurs, such as a cave-in, the arrival of enemy reinforcements, or a bomb detonating. This mechanic converts passive exploration into an immediate, high-stakes tactical countdown. Abstract Range Zones Tactical movement completely abandons feet, meters, and grid counting in favor of four abstract distance zones: Close (touching or within arm's reach), Near (a few steps away, reachable within a single move action), Far (within sight and shootable, requiring a full dash to reach), and All the Way (distant or requiring specialized long-range capabilities). Positioning is easily tracked using index cards as relative zone containers. Links runehammer.online - Official homepage for Runehammer Games

Basic Roleplaying is the venerable "D100" engine that has powered Chaosium’s greatest hits for over four decades. Originally appearing as a slim booklet in 1980, it was most recently revitalized as the Basic Roleplaying: Universal Game Engine in 2023. In 2026, it stands as one of the industry's most important open-source platforms, released under the ORC License, allowing independent creators to build and sell their own games using its legendary, time-tested mechanics. Description BRP is a "genre-neutral" toolkit that discards character levels and rigid classes in favor of a pure skill-based system. Whether you are playing a Bronze Age warrior, a 1920s detective, or a futuristic mech pilot, the core experience remains the same: your character is defined by what they can do. Because it uses percentages (e.g., "I have a 65% chance to climb this wall"), it is widely considered the most intuitive and "transparent" RPG system for new players to understand at a glance. System Overview & Key Features The Universal D100 Engine Every action is resolved by rolling two ten-sided (d10) dice to get a result from 1 to 100. If you roll is equal to or under your skill rating, the action is deemed a success. This approach simplifies the mechanical process of the game, as there are no complex tables to keep track of and compare to decypher whether it is a success or failure. Organic Character Growth There is no "Experience Points" system in the traditional sense. Instead, when you succeed in using a skill, you mark a "Skill Check" on your character sheet. At certain stops in the game/story, the player rolls to see if the character improves in those skills, meaning your character evolves based specifically on the actions they performed (and succeeded at) during the game. Modular Rule Design The Universal Game Engine is designed with variations and systems to choose from. GMs can choose whether they prefer to just use "Hit Points" or add a more detailed wound system with "Hit Locations" for more realistic tactical consequences. Systems for Magic, Sorcery, Mutations, or Superpowers (depending on the setting) can be added, instead of being baked in the core mechanics, ensuring the mechanics always fit the theme of the game. Deadly and Tactical Combat BRP combat is grounded and dangerous. Unlike high-fantasy games where adventurers have a vast health pool, a single strike of a sword or bullet in BRP can be fatal. This encourages players to think creatively and use mechanics and terrain to their advantage. Talking their way out of situations is often seen as more reasonable (and survivable), than just treating every conflict as a forced combat situation. The ORC License Revolution By introducing to the Open RPG Creative (ORC) license, BRP started a wave of third-party "Powered by BRP". This has expanded the system into new genres like Cyberpunk, Wuxia, and Cozy Fantasy, all supported by a single, unified ruleset and system, compatible with most themes. Compatibility with "The Big Three" Because the core mechanics have remained the same since the beginning, a monster or spell from a 1980s supplement is almost always compatible with the modern 2026 engine. This gives GMs access to one of the largest libraries of pre-written adventures in tabletop gaming, spanning Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, and Pendragon. Additional links chaosium.com/brp : Official BRP Universal Game Engine portal basicroleplaying.org : The primary community hub and "BRP Central" forums

Risus: The Anything RPG is a universal, rules-light tabletop role-playing game designed by S. John Ross and published by Cumberland Games & Diversions. Originally released in 1993, with its definitive version 2.0 published in 2013, the system was created as a high-velocity framework to run casual, humorous, or completely impromptu gaming sessions across any narrative genre. Description Risus prioritizes improvisational storytelling and minimalist mechanics over granular simulation or tactical grid combat. Instead of tracking traditional numeric attributes, skills, or rigid character classes, characters are defined entirely by broad cultural or narrative tropes called "Clichés." The game operates on a high degree of system abstraction, utilizing a completely unified conflict engine where physical combat, intense debates, artistic competitions, and legal battles are resolved using the exact same mathematical pipeline. While frequently utilized for comedic play due to its loose restrictions, the system's structural logic allows it to be scaled for serious or dramatic campaigns. Links drivethrurpg.com - DriveThruRPG store page (Free) risusiverse.com - Risusverse, a community wiki