From: [watters 10] at [osu.edu] (Coyt D. Watters)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.announce
Subject: [FAQ] SORD
Date: Thu, 06 Jun 96 04:52:32 GMT
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O{]|\\\\\\\\\|[ * >--- The SORD's Frequently Asked Questions --------~~--__
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The SORD is currently in its 5th Edition (version 5.25) and 28th
Internet version and it continues to grow. By late June, version 5.30
will be on the internet-doorstep for all to take free of cost! All
materials can be FTPed from ftp.indirect.com in the /pub/rpg/SORD
directory. If you can't FTP, you can mail [G--a--d] at [Leland.Stanford.EDU]
directly.
The SORD role-playing game system was designed to be quick and easy for
a Game Master with enough experience to create his or her own universe. Yet,
at the same time, generated Characters and the 'Conflict-system' are
completely realistic! Make role-playing what it was intended to be: your
favorite hobby! Now you will have at your e-mail doorstep a method for
increasing your role-playing variety, having new resources for your current
RPGs, and gaining insights into events happening in the role-playing world.
Current FAQ: As of May 1996
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~~--__ SORD FAQ __--~~
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1.1 What is SORD?
1.2 Where can I find SORD and all related files?
1.3 Can I distribute SORD to others?
1.4 Why was SORD created and what is available?
1.5 What is the best way to learn how to play SORD?
1.6 How many people currently play SORD?
1.7 What is the SORD-list? How do I subscribe?
1.8 How long should it take me to generate a starting character?
1.9 How do I contact Fractal Dimensions?
1.10 What is going to be the difference between the published
and the SORD internet version?
1.1 What is SORD?
-----------------
SORD is a generic role-playing game system that stands for: the
<S>ystem <O>f <R>ole <D>evelopment. It was first created to generate
characters only, and then more systems were imposed upon the basic
character structure. The Game Master is encouraged to modify the
system to his/her preferences and many optional rules throughout the
system are given. It is definitely recommended for at least an
intermediate role-player with some previous role-playing experience.
The SORD is a game to be played at home with your favorite buddies.
However, it can also be played over the internet used as a PBeM (Play By
e-Mail) if the Game Master is knowledgeable with the system. There are
some programmers currently working on using the core SORD rules as a
basis for future computer games such as CD-rom based as well as other
SORD utilities such as a SORD Character Generator.
1.2 Where can I find SORD and all related files?
------------------------------------------------
The best place to find the *most* current version of the SORD
Universal Rulebook or any SORD supplement is directly from SORD's creator and
editor: Scott J. Compton. He will always be available and immediately willing
to send you a free copy over the internet. Scott can be directly reached at:
[G--a--d] at [Leland.Stanford.EDU.] You can now access SORD files at:
http://www.fractal.cornell.edu/ or by FTPing to ftp.indirect.com (cd
/pub/rpg/SORD). SORD is also available in other parts of the net as it
continues to get distributed. Also check out Scott's personal homepage at
http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~galahad/ for other information.
1.3 Can I distribute SORD to others?
------------------------------------
You have Scott's permission to distribute the game for your own
personal use as much as you want, but don't distribute your personal
editing, additions, deletions, etc. Thus, you must always keep all
SORD materials fully in its original condition. If you find problems
with the system, Scott will want to hear about any constructive
criticisms to improve the system further. If you keep the system
*fully* intact without editing it in any way, you may pass or copy the
system (either printed versions or internet copies) to any one you want,
but it must be free to them. SORD is both Copyrighted and Trademarked,
and has an ISBN#. If you personally sell the game, it is a violation of
Federal Law and against Scott's personal wishes of making it widely available
to any person free of cost.
1.4 Why was SORD created and what is available?
-----------------------------------------------
Scott created SORD as his hobby. He wanted to find a game that
would be simple to use, but be realistic as possible to real-world
numbers and statistics. He also wanted to get role-playing away from
RPG marketing strategies of hindering the imaginative process, to build
a new art of sorts for the actors and actresses that can take on
characters that are realistically generated by a system. Scott also
wanted a system to develop random characters for a book he was writing. With
all of these things in mind, he wants to make it universal and limitless so
that any one could have it without having to invest money into countless
manuals that dictate how a Game Master should run his/her role-playing
game--with the core base SORD, you can do this. Scott has also written
several other supplements that attach on to the base system, but are not
necessary to the game itself.
Currently, there are several SORD Supplements in the making or
that have already been created. The commercial release of SORD at
GenCon'96 this year will include a Robin Hood supplement attached
to the SORD Universal Rules. Also in the making is a SORD: Herbalist,
SORD: Magic, and other SORD projects for commercial distribution
nation and worldwide (at your game store). Internet support includes
the SORD Ethaerios Fantasy supplment, the SORD QUASAR science-
fiction supplement, and the internet version of the universal rules.
Finally, Scott is working on a comprehensive Arthurian Legends
setting, a continuation and advanced version of QUASAR, and has
completed an exotic and unique fantasy supplement that has been
play-tested for a solid year known as the Tallanios supplement.
1.5 What is the best way to learn how to play SORD?
---------------------------------------------------
The best way to learn is with Scott himself. You can do this
at many conventions like BayCon or GenCon. But he has also filmed
his own Introduction-to-SORD home video that explains how to make
a character in thirty minutes, and how to play the system. If you
are really interested in learning the rules from the video, Scott
might try to make available the video through Fractal Dimensions
in the future, but at the moment, Scott might let you borrow a
copy.
As recommended in the base SORD system, the new gamer of SORD
should fill out a character sheet as s/he reads through the system.
The Glossaries should be referred to if ever in doubt, due to the many
cross-references. In the 5th Edition, the main glossary is integrated
into the introduction to understand instantly every detail of the game.
In the Appendixes, there is also helpful information including a nice
description of what should be contained on a character and non-character
sheet.
The Game Master will need to be very familiar with character
generation and the Conflict system to run a SORD campaign. The best
way to learn the details is to set up sample situations between char-
acters and Non-characters. With time, the game will naturally become a
tool for the GM, rather than a typical gaming nightmare. Finally, Scott felt
that it was time for players to have more liberal control over their
characters, so that the attributes, personality characteristics, and skills
could be manipulated to the desire of the Player, rather than being directly
controlled by the Game Master.
1.6 How many people currently play SORD?
----------------------------------------
It is not known if people are actually using the system (or parts
of it), but it is known that more than 8,000+ users worldwide have
received various versions of it since Autumn of 1994. As of Sept. 1995, SORD
is more heavily concentrated on the west coast of the US, in Canada,
Austrailia, and Great Britian. With the commercial release of the game, SORD
will start to attract higher numbers as the summer of 1996 approaches.
1.7 What is the SORD-list? How do I subscribe?
-----------------------------------------------
The SORD-list is a specialty list set up at Stanford University
by Scott to talk about any aspect of SORD or role-playing in general.
To subscribe or unsubscribe, mail to: "[M--r--o] at [list.stanford.edu]",
and type the line in the body of the letter: "un/subscribe sord-list".
To mail a regular letter to the list, send it to: [sord list] at [list.]
stanford.edu and everyone that is currently on the list will receive
it. All recent and updated information will be posted to the list,
so eager list members can learn about the latest changes and status of
SORD files.
1.8 How long should it take me to generate a starting character?
----------------------------------------------------------------
If it is your first time reading the system and making a character, give
yourself two full hours. However, once you have learned where things are on
the character sheet and how to located things in the system, every starting
character should only take 20-30 minutes to generate at maximum if you have a
good Setting Supplement as your guideline. Non-characters should also take
about this long or shorter. Once the GM learns the system, efficiency will be
unbelievable when you compare SORD to other systems.
1.9 How do I contact Fractal Dimensions?
----------------------------------------
You can get a hold of Fractal Dimensions over the internet by
the World-Wide-Web at http://www.fractal.cornell.edu/ or by e-mailing:
[F--c--l] at [Fractal.cit.cornell.edu] --or-- [r--t] at [bloodshot.cornell.edu]
By phone, call (607)753-9246 and by snail-mail you can reach them at:
Fractal Dimensions
c/o SORD RPG Materials
17-29 Main Street, Suite 316
Cortland, New York 13045
1.10 What is going to be the difference between the published
and the SORD internet version?
------------------------------
Of course, the published version is being professionally edited, and the
writing format will be more user friendly. Additionally, there are more
add-ons to it like a supplement built in so that players can under- stand how
to play it without having to purchase other supplements. We are having
professional artists lay it out and the final reason is to distrubute it to
those without internet access. The version you see over the net is 100%
Scott's work, while the published version is comprised of a 'SORD Team' of
many people working on different parts of it, including Scott Compton.
Fractal Dimensions wants to give the public a nice product. With all of the
added features & supplements, beautiful art, quality of the rulebook, crisp
fonts, and other bonuses aside, the outlined rules of the internet version are
essentially the same. Scott will continually keep the internet SORD materials
updated about once every three months.
=-= Why is this such a short FAQ?
SORD is very straight-forward. After reading the system, it is easy
to grasp all concepts and start game play. Also, since SORD is in
its 5th Edition, most of the bugs have been weeded out. But more
version of the Rulebook and supplement are still in the making as
more improvements, formula changes, and other statistics are play-
tested toward perfection side by side with simplicity. Any future
questions or comments about the game should be addressed to Scotty
([G--a--d] at [Leland.Stanford.EDU]) or to the [sord list] at [List.Stanford.EDU.]
Thanks for your time and the pursuit of a role-playing system that
keeps its realism in tune with simplicity.
--
-=- Scotty
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HTTP://www-leland.stanford.edu/~galahad/ E-mail me to get the SORD free!
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