Role-Playing Games
Basic Role-Playing (BRP) is a generic role-playing game system first published by Chaosium in 1980, designed to be adaptable to any setting. It uses a percentile-based skill resolution mechanic, where success is determined by rolling under a character's skill percentage. The system originated from the rules of RuneQuest and has been used in numerous games, including Call of Cthulhu, Pendragon, and Stormbringer. BRP is known for its simplicity, modularity, and emphasis on skill-based character progression rather than class-based advancement.
Basic Role-Playing was designed by Steve Perrin and others at Chaosium, drawing from the rules of RuneQuest (1978). The goal was to create a simple, generic system that could be adapted to any genre, from fantasy to horror to science fiction. The core mechanic is percentile-based: each skill is rated from 1 to 100, and a roll of d100 (two ten-sided dice) must be equal to or less than the skill value to succeed. This intuitive system emphasizes character skills over classes, allowing for flexible character development.
The system is modular, with optional rules for magic, sanity, and other elements, making it easy to tailor to specific settings. Its design philosophy has influenced many later games, and it remains popular for its ease of learning and depth of customization.
In BRP, characters are defined by attributes such as Strength, Constitution, Size, Intelligence, Power, Dexterity, and Appearance, which are generated randomly or by point-buy. Skills are derived from attributes and improved through use or training. The game uses a resistance table for opposed rolls, and combat is detailed with hit locations and armor points. Critical successes and fumbles add flavor, and the system supports both gritty realism and heroic play.
One of the distinctive features is the use of a 'characteristic roll' for unskilled attempts, and the option for 'augments' where one skill can enhance another. The rules are designed to be transparent, allowing players to understand the odds easily.
BRP has been the engine for many acclaimed games. Call of Cthulhu (1981) uses BRP to model sanity and investigation in H.P. Lovecraft's horror universe. RuneQuest itself continued with its own rules, but BRP became the generic core. Pendragon (1985) adapted BRP for Arthurian legend, introducing personality traits and passions. Stormbringer (1981) brought Michael Moorcock's Elric saga to life. Other games include Superworld (1983) for superheroes, Ringworld (1984) for science fiction, and Nephilim (1992) for occult conspiracy.
The system has been translated into several languages and has a dedicated fan community. The current edition, the Basic Role-Playing: Universal Game Engine (2023), consolidates decades of material into a single comprehensive rulebook.
Beyond the famous games, BRP has been used in many niche titles. Elfquest (1984) adapted the comic series, and Worlds of Wonder (1982) was an early multi-genre boxed set. The system also powered Hawkmoon (1985), set in a post-apocalyptic Europe, and Magic World (2012), a fantasy game. A little-known fact: the original BRP rulebook was only 16 pages, yet it contained the entire core system.
BRP has also influenced other games, such as the Mythras system (2016), which is a descendant of RuneQuest. The system's flexibility has led to its use in educational settings and even in computer games, such as the King of Dragon Pass (1999), which uses a variant of the rules. The BRP community maintains a wealth of fan-made supplements and resources, keeping the system alive.
Basic Role-Playing remains a cornerstone of tabletop RPG design, celebrated for its elegance and adaptability.
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