I wasn't sure whether to make Goblintown a setting for another game or it's own game altogether. Eventually I decided that making a game system wouldn't hurt, and it'd be fun! It's really small, small enough to fit in a blog post, so I hope it will be easy to test and tweak. I've got all the main stuff down, just gotta see how well it actually works.

The system is actually based on a post over on RPG.net, describing a very easy d100 RPG. You have skills with ratings from 80% down to 40% and roll 1d100 (that's 2 d10s, one for ones digit and one for tens) and try to get your skill rating or lower. There are nine skills, each useful in different circumstances. When you create your character, you put choose 4 skills to raise to 80, 70, 60, and 50 percent, and the rest stay at 40%. The skills are as follows;

Hit Points Not really a skill, each goblin has 5 hit points and loses one every time he or she fails an endurance roll in a dangerous situation. Combat being the main one but also walking through a desert or holding your breath underwater. When the character runs out of hit points, they fall unconscious. Hit points can be regained different ways, depending on how they were lost. Heat exhaustion damage can be healed by merely sitting in a cool stream, while combat damage will need first aid or magical healing.

Fighting (All kinda of up close fighting - wrestling, punches, axe strikes, you name it.)

Throwing (Not-up-close fighting - shooting bows, throwing axes, spears, rocks, or whatever)

Athletics (Climbing, swimming, balance, escaping from a pin or grab, jumping)

Sorcery (Casting or reading magic. just about any possible outcome is reachable with sorcery, but it requires more successes for more powerful effects. If you don't put points in this, it starts at 20%)

Perception (Noticing things amiss, overhearing a conversation)

Stealth (Sneaking around, spying, stealing things, laying traps)

Endurance (Your ability to endure pain and effort. Taking a hit in combat requires you to roll against endurance. if you fail, you lose one hit point. Also rolled against in harsh environments, like a poisonous cloud or harsh desert.)

Charisma (Convincing others, lying, leadership)

Knowledge (reading difficult texts, guessing others' motives, Remember Facts (see below))

Remember Facts is a mechanic that I want to include but is fairly untested in RPGs I've played. The player would just say "I remember..." and state a fact about the game world. They roll their knowledge, and if they pass, the fact is true. If they fail, however, the GM can turn their attempt backwards. For example, Jills' redcap sorcerer is running from an ogre. She says "I remember there's a hidden tunnel in the bushes around here that leads me back to where the others are..." and rolls Knowledge. If she passes, she can use the newly created hidden path to escape the Ogre (as long as the ogre doesn't notice!) If she fails the knowledge roll, the GM might say "The path is up on your right. but as you follow it, you realize it's leading you back to the ogre's den!" Now Jill has ogres on both sides, and must think of another way to escape.


Those are the big things, there's a little more I'll post later. Tell me what you think of these, especially the remember facts - most of the other stuff is basically stolen from older RPGs.

Goblintown: Subspecies

Goblins have lived in the ruins of the tower for nearly seven centuries - almost as long as it's been ruined. They've established customs and laws that make perfect sense to members of the goblin race. Many people outside Goblintown believe goblins to be vicious monsters or greedy nuisances. Further, they usually only know of one or two goblin subspecies. There's actually five different types of goblins living in Goblintown;

Gremlins: Short green goblins with sharp canines and flat, round heads. (shaped like an M&M on its side.) Gremlins are the most proliferous of the Goblins and the most well known. These are what most people think of when they say "Goblin." Gremlins are the backbone of goblin society, and are usually mischievous and clever. Like most goblins, they have a respect for others and take pride in their accomplishments.

Brownies: Thick-limbed brown goblins with square jaws and massive hands. Brownies are usually more forceful than other goblins and tend towards more militaristic roles. Most impressive goblin generals (if you could call them that XD) in history were Brownies. They also tend to be smiths and craftsmen, working with their big strong fists. Their teeth are flat, but they tear through meat just like any other goblin.

Redcaps: Blood-red skinned goblins with long limbs and white eyes that glow in the dark. They are taller than Brownies or Gremlins, and have long ears that extend far back from their heads. All of a Redcaps' teeth are sharp, and most have a tendency to only eat meat, sometimes raw. Their eyes help them see in the dark, and because of this are commonly cast as killers in public opinion. Some do become assassins and thieves, but many Redcaps live peaceful, productive lives.

Hobs: Also called Hobgoblins by outsiders, Hobs are tall yellow goblins with tall heads and wing-shaped ears. Hobs are also the only goblins that can grow beards, leading to prideful Hobs wearing long handlebar mustaches or massive muttonchops. Goblinkind is not known for its fashion sense. Hobs are naturally more focused, many learning the sorcerous arts or studying ancient tomes. Some Hobs think themselves the natural leaders of the Goblin race, but the other goblins usually just ignore them and let them continue thinking that way.

Bugbears: massive four-and-a-half foot tall brutes with arms as thick as Gremlins' leg, and legs as thick as its torso. They hunch over and so only stand at four feet most of the time. Bugbears have heavy, protruding lower jaws and tiny eyes. They aren't as clever as the smaller goblins, and often get what they want through violence. You'll find many Bugbears serving as guards or laborers, lifting and carrying heavy loads. Other goblins pay them respect, though, and they are not taken advantage of. Bugbears have loyalty and determination unrivaled among Goblins - when they decide on a course of action, they do not swerve, taking out any obstacles in the way. Sometimes, they need smaller friends to bail them out of situations they get themselves into.

Goblintown

In a far off land, there was an ancient forest which humans and elves and orcs never entered. It had grown in a day, created by powerful nature magic, and towered over the countryside. Since its creation 700 years ago, it has been forbidden to all. but some creatures ignore this warning, and make their home inside.

In the center of this forest is the ruin of a stone tower. The forest itself seems to leave space for this relic. The walls, once soaring 13 stories above the ground, now stand at only five feet tall. This is high enough for the current occupants - Goblins.

Over the centuries, multiple trible of Goblins have created a stable civilization in this ruined castle. Here, they raise pigs and farm mushrooms, they work and trade, they raise their children. And they also fight to protect it all.

The Goblins' castle is coveted by kobolds - tiny rat men living in tunnels and caves underneatht the ancient forest. The Goblins stand watch for them, but have kept their home safe so far. But if the Kobolds were ever to unite, instead of bickering amongst themselves, the Goblins might not withstand their might. And even if the Kobolds never succeed, there are many other threats to Goblinkind in the ancient forest - some immigrants like them, others created by the magic of the forest.

Idea time soon...

Okay, decided to change gears and share my ideas with this blog i set up... about a year ago for that exact purpose. It was getting disorganized in the Google doc for Goblintown, this should be easier to see what's new and who says what. Plus anybody can see it, so no bothering with permissions! Now if only I hadn't left my notebook at work :(