CAIRN OSR

 

This is an RPG I originally picked up on a whim. it had that 0E feel/vibe to it -- that I still remember from back in the day. (My very first foray as a player was in a homebrew dungeon using the white/brown D&D booklets. I quickly graduated for an equally brief time to the Holmes basic and B1: In Search of the Unknown, before we dove into the newly published 1E.) And boy, oh boy, does this game deliver on the vibe! It is an even more stripped-down version of the original RPG experience. (And when they Kickstarted their "boxed" second edition, I immediately signed on!)

Some differences from standard D&D of any edition. First of all, there are no other species than Humans in the game. There are, however, different occupations / backgrounds to choose from, somewhat reminiscent of DCC. Second, EVERYTHING, including magic use are item-based and rely on a very simple slot-based encumbrance system. Second, there are NO TO-HIT rolls. You just roll damage. Third, you only have three stats: STR, DEX, and WIL --plus HP (Hit Protection) -- to deal with.

Roll damage, subtract armor and remaining HP. The use of stats is two-fold. You roll against them to perform any actions that have any degree of risk attached to them or to use them to potentially save against any other negative effects. They are also used to represent your personal wherewithal to survive different types of permanent damage.

Monsters are pretty straightforward, too. HP, armor, the three stats and a brief description that describe what they are, what they look like, how they behave, and any strange or unusual abilities that might have relevant game effects. Haven't played it yet, but I'm eager to on-spec. And I will, as part of our Summer Reading Program at the Library, under the heading of Try a Different RPG.

Grade: Right now, I'll give it an A, because I do love its aesthetics. I will update my grading after I actually play the damn thing!