Elfgame - A Classic Fantasy Role-playing Game
A downloadable game
Elfgame was written as part of the Icon0clasm Ball. Its premises are wide open: “This jam challenges you instead to make something novel; to deface the memory of this text (the original RPG game) with concepts untenable to the Gygaxian imagination; to resurrect this corpse into a new body.”
As such, we attempted to create a retroclone that is as far away as possible from its inspirations, without compromising its retrocompatibility:
There’s no class; no races; no ability scores; no XP for gold; no THAC0; no descending AC; one resistance instead of five saving throws; no Vancian magic; no thief skills or Listen rolls; no initiative tests; no hermetic text...
We tried to push it as far as possible in an effort to “consolidate ruthlessly,” as stated in The Goblin Laws of Gaming (GLOG). We made efforts to create something that allows for the play style hinted at in texts such as Quick Primer for Old School Gamers, Principia Apocrypha, Muster, New Simulationism, BLORB and the Oil Fantasy manifesto (yeah, you don’t know this one if you’re not from Brazil). A lot of New School Revolution sensibilities, all of those shiny, pretty blog posts everywhere (sorry everyone for not referencing the originals—I couldn’t keep track of who wrote what in the last 20 years or so).
Maybe we have gone too far. Nobody needs a new retroclone. No one will play this one, probably. Few even play the most notable ones, for that matter. The choices made are game design in exercise here. If any idea presented in this material proves itself worthy of being stolen by designers here or there, then it has reached its destiny. If not, delete this PDF—you’re welcome.
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This is pretty awesome! I love how it encapsulates the idea of “D&D if it was made from OSR/NSR blog posts”. The one mechanic I’m not a fan of is Resistance. RAW it works similarly to B/X saving throws, and it’s not very intuitive. Why isn’t it just d20 roll under or just a bonus vs a fixed DC? Otherwise, everything is wonderfully perfect.
This (d20 + bonus) was the more interesting idea i had. It would be more intuitive,as you said. But the reason that i didn't go that way was the retrocompatibility: since the Elfgame need to use the bestiary from BX/retroclones, it would create two rules for the same thing (PC would use d20+bonus, monsters would use the standard procedure)
The whole idea was to mantain the Elfgame able to be played with any and all material released in the past 40-50 years
Any print options coming?
Sorry, but not internationally. We have a total o zero contact outside our country... Here in Brazil, it'll be released after we complete the "expanded & revised" edition in 2026.
Sweet! I look forward to it!
looking forward to your future revisions on this, It is rare to see something that is both so functional and mechanically thought out, as well as so well presented all for free!! You truly have created something special!
Thanks! And yes, in 2026 we'll release a revised and expanded version. Right now, we're thinking about "making hexmaps" "making dungeons" "making monsters", expanded/revised Items of Power, Ritual and Recipes, and a concise bestiary!
one question i have about character creation: if I roll 7 do i have only 7 GP or is it supposed to be 10x what you rolled like in many retroclones? also, it says not to spend that right away, are characters supposed to start with no gear unless they roll some on their backgrounds?
Yes, just 7 coins. And yes, the idea is that the player characters starts the game with nothing (or close to nothing), at level zero.
The objective is creating a new character in less than 5 minutes and start playing right away.
This also includes shopping in game once you have the funds - instead of spending 10-30 minutes preparing your inventory before it even starts.
You can always decide to multiply the money by 10 and starting the game at level 1 - but then, character creation become a 20-60 minutes job again.
ah, I forgot that the game is starting you out at level 0, so it is more like a funnel, which usually creates level 0 characters with nothing on them! that makes a lot more sense.
I hope progress is still being made on the revised and expanded edition, I am waiting with bated breath for whatever comes next!
Yes! I already made a list of things to to be included in the revised/expanded: bestiary, how to make a hex, how to make a dungeon, more items of power, alternative origins tables (with standard "classes" and "races"), how to make a faction, maybe even simplified treasure tables. Now i only need a break from work and from Ancestral Península production/releases to work on it!
How does armour work? Can you wear a gambeson under chainmail and plate over top? The limit is 5 items ,so then the cheapest most effective amour is always; gambeson,chainmail, brigandine with helmet and shield. AC is +10 for 120 coins. Why bother with plate?
Hi there. Brigandine was written in game as a after though, so it did indeed made everything more complex than intended. On our revision at the end of the Icon0clasm ball, it'll be cut out of the game.
But yes: armor is used in layers, each layer giving +2 CA and acumulating with other "armor pieces"
i already know your work due to the portuguese modules for d20age, i really enjoyed this game, and shared with everyone i could. as always you are doing a really great work
Thanks! We will release it in Brazilian Portuguese after the Icon0clasm ball is over - and we are going to review everything, and expand the material!
cool man cannot wait to play the portuguese copy
Waiting anxiously for the portuguese version, any predictions of when it will be released?
Sorry man. We had some problem on our production line - Ancestral Península #2 (eng) and Península Ancestral #3 (pt) got delayed.
We're actually finishing both (and Península Ancestral #4 pt!) at the same time.
I believe the revised/expanded version (and it's translation) will be ready in this semester. Caramelo Jogos has already confirmed interest in releasing it in physical form - at least THESE are good news
Just because i really want to play this game with my irl group, is it still realeasing this semester? Also cannot wait to see more areas for the ancestral peninsula for my d20age game
Hey! Send me a email at gprovidello@gmail.com, i'll show you some THINGS lol
This game looks awesome! I'll try to play it soon with friends and at a convention. Cheers.
Thanks! Im glad the elfgame worked for you!!!
Approaching restocking in terms of 'active regional creatures' is the kind of extremely clever implied-system that's going to live in my head forever
Thanks you so much! Your comment made my day lol
That's sick.
Wow, thank you very much! Hope it serves you well!!! (I hope you're talking of the good sick, not the bad one lol)
The very good sick.