True20

Infobox RPG
title= True20


caption= True20 Adventure Roleplaying
designer= Steve Kenson
publisher= Green Ronin Publishing
date= 2005
genre=Universal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror
system= True20
footnotes=

"True20" is an award winning [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Ogre's Choice 2006 | work = | publisher = Ogre's Cave | date = | url = http://www.ogrecave.com/ogres_choice/awards_2006.shtml | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11] universal generic role-playing game designed by Steve Kenson and published by Green Ronin Publishing.

ettings

Although presented as a generic role-playing game, the original hardcover printing of the "True20 Adventure Roleplaying" book included four sample settings. These were chosen among publisher submitted setting with the winners announced in Dragon Magazine [cite journal | last = Strohm| first = Keith| title = True20 Adventure Roleplaying: Worlds of Adventure | journal = Dragon| volume = 30(9) | issue = 340| pages = 19| publisher = Pazio Publishing| location = Bellevut, WA| date = Februrary 2006| issn = 1062-2101| accessdate = 2008-04-11] :
* "Caliphate Nights", a fantasy version of the golden age of Islam, circa 800 AD. A full-color stand-alone hardcover was released for the setting at Origins 2006.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Paradigm Concepts News : d20 / True20 Archives | work = | publisher = Paradigm Concepts | date = | url = http://www.paradigmconcepts.com/d20_true20/ | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11]
* "Lux Aeternum", a swashbuckling space opera.
* "Mecha vs. Kaiju", in which giant robots protect Japan from giant monsters.cite web | last = Wright | first = John | authorlink = | last2 = Todd | first2 = Michael | authorlink2 = | title = Mecha vs Kaiju | work = | publisher = Big Finger Games | date = | url = http://www.mechavskaiju.com/ | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11]
* "Borrowed Time", a setting of Kung Fu action and gunplay against a backdrop of time-controlling conspiracies.

A follow up volume, "True20 Worlds of Adventure" includes five additional settings:
* "Agents of Oblivion"
* "Blood Throne"
* "Land of the Crane", an Asian fantasy setting.
* "Nevermore"
* "Razor in the Apple", a horror setting in which kids face monsters lurking the neighborhood, inspired by films such as The Goonies.

ystem

Utilizing the Open Gaming License, "True20" is derived from Wizards of the Coast's "d20 System". Differences from the parent game include the following [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = True20 Adventure Roleplaying | work = | publisher =Green Ronin | date = 2005-06-16| url = http://greenronin.com/2005/06/true20_adventure_roleplaying.php | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11] [cite journal | last = Schneider| first = Wesley| title = First Watch: Natural 20 | journal = Dragon| volume = 30(7) | issue = 338| pages = 20| publisher = Pazio Publishing| location = Bellevut, WA| date = December 2005| issn = 1062-2101| accessdate = 2008-04-11] :
* There are only three character classes, referred to as roles: warrior, adept and expert.
* A single 20-sided die is used for each roll.
* Ability scores are given as simple modifiers (+1, +2, etc.) rather than as a statistic ranged from 3-18 (which in other systems would then be cross referenced against a table to convert them to simple modifiers).
* There are no class-specific or restricted skills, thus characters of any role can have any skill.
* New feats are available at each level.
* Magic spells are treated as feats and do not have "levels".
* Instead of hit points, characters simply experience "damage conditions" like that of Mutants & Masterminds.
* Instead of experience points, characters automatically increase in level at the Narrator's discretion, usually after one or two adventures.

History

The True20 system was originally used in Green Ronin's award winning "Blue Rose" [cite web | last = Gray | first = Tim | authorlink = | title = REVIEW OF TRUE20 ADVENTURE ROLEPLAYING | work = | publisher = RPGNet | date = 2005-07-11| url = http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11392.phtml | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11] ("Blue Rose" won the Gen Con ENWorld Roleplaying Silver Medal for Best Rules in 2005 [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = 2005 ENnie Awards Archives | work = | publisher = ENWorld | date = | url = http://www.ennieawards.com/2005.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11] ) which itself was based on their multiple award winning Mutants & Masterminds RPG. [cite web | last = Grigsby | first = John | authorlink = | title = True20 Adventure Roleplaying Review | work = | publisher =d20 Magazine Rack | date = 2006-09-20| url = http://www.d20zines.com/v7/node/2941 | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-11] Later that year, Green Ronin released a PDF distillation of the "Blue Rose" rules, with an appendix of some modern-era rules, as a generic form of the game. This was followed by an expanded hardcover release in 2006. [cite web | last = Richeson| first = Christopher| authorlink = | title = REVIEW OF TRUE20 ADVENTURE ROLEPLAYING | work = | publisher = RPGNet | date = 2006-06-23| url = http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12267.phtml | format = Review | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-12] A revised softcover rulebook, combining the rules section of the "True20 Adventure Roleplaying" book with the "True20 Companion" was released April 25, 2008. [ [http://true20.com/comments.php?id=119_0_2_0_C Message by Chris Pramas concerning 2008 True20 products] ] [Amazon.com True 20 http://www.amazon.com/True20-Adventure-Roleplaying-Revised-Kenson/dp/193454714X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208016305&sr=1-4]

Licenses and Third Party Products

Since before its release, the True20 system has been open to users under the terms of the Open Gaming License [cite web | last = Baichtal | first = John | authorlink = | title = True20: D&D With a Twist | work = Review | publisher = Wired | date = 2008-06-09| url = http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2008/06/true20-dd-with.html| format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-06-10] . To use the True20 logo though required a separate license and license fee purchased from Green Ronin. Several companies have taken advantage of this to produce their own True20 titles. [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = RPGNow.com – True20 titles | work = | publisher = One Bookshelf | date = | url = http://www.rpgnow.com/index.php?filters=0_0_10080 | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-13] [cite web | last = Robertson | first = Megan | authorlink = | title = RPG Resource – True 20 | work = | publisher = RPG Resource | date = 2007-07-20 | url = http://www.rpg-resource.org.uk/index.php?article=2987&visual=1 | format = Review/Analysis | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-13]

On April 12, 2008, Chris Pramas of Green Ronin Publishing announced a new, free, licensing agreement with third party publishers to produce True20 products. Details were posted on the company’s website [cite web | last = Pramas | first = Chris | authorlink = | title = Licensing True 20 | work = | publisher = Green Ronin Publishing | date = 2008-04-12 | url = http://true20.com/licensing/ | format = website | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-12] and forums [cite web | last = Pramas | first = Chris | authorlink = | title = True 20 Licensing details | work = | publisher = Green Ronin Publishing | date = 2008-04-12 | url =http://true20.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2258 | format = post | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-12] and met with praise from publishers, freelancers and players alike. [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = True20 Licensing Fee to Go Away | work = | publisher = RPG Net | date = 2008-01-14 | url = http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=373867&page=1 | format =Announcement | doi = | accessdate = 2008-04-13]

ee also

* Blue Rose
* Mutants and Masterminds - True20's damage mechanics are shared with this game.

References

* Steve Kenson "True20 Adventure Roleplaying" (Green Ronin Publishing, 2006) ISBN 1-932442-57-X
* Various Authors "True20 Worlds of Adventure" (Green Ronin Publishing, 2006) ISBN 1-932442-65-0

External links

* [http://www.true20.com/ Official True20 website]
* [http://true20.com/files/True20_quickstart.pdf True20 quick start rules]