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Moonstone rpg |
This is the latest version of a role-playing gaming system I developed back around 1991. It was originally intended specifically for a setting that would incorporate elements of fantasy and gothic horror, but it has since evolved into my own efforts to take on the quest for a universal gaming system. I know that several others already fit the bill, but I wanted something free of copyrights, even beyond the open gaming license of Wizards of the Coast's "d20" and the latest version of Dungeons and Dragons. As a result, Moonstone is published under the GPL.
Bear in mind that this is a beta version. It's not flawless, and I'm making an effort to streamline it. I'm particularly doing a lot of soul-searching over some of what I have so far in the disadvantages list. But, overall, I feel Moonstone today is a much more streamlined game than it was when I actually ran it.
The GPL is designed for use with software, and is most well known through Linux. It's format is the closest match to the spirit of the open license for Moonstone, and therefore it applies. Any derivative work of the Moonstone role-playing game must additionally include with the GPL an explanation of how it translates to roleplaying games.
Explanation of terms:"Software" applies to the game system itself, including but not limited to the concepts of "raw scores," "fine scores," the conflict system, the tables and charts contained within, and the standard roman numeral system of advantages and disadvantages. "Derivative Works" applies to variations of the game system, customized or rewritten versions of the game system, or additions to the game system. Campaign settings written for Moonstone may contain elements that are not covered by the GPL. The GPL would cover character statistics but not character names and concepts. This would be analagous to programs that may or may not be open source, written to run within Linux. "Machine-readable source code" does not apply, since game systems by design must be released in a readable form. Alternatively, one can interpret this rule to apply, but that the end product is the same as the source code. |
One could also interpret the GPL to mean that decent writing is a requirement of Moonstone's licensing.
Here you'll find a basic synopsis of how to make a character in Moonstone. It also includes a run-down of the conflict system, designed to handle both combat per se and other forms of conflicts of interest, ranging from attempts at deceiving opponents to beating someone at chess.
This is a list of some available character advantages, as well as guidelines about how to make your own. This began as everyone's favorite single page of Moonstone way back in 1991. During my years in medical school, I had the idea of standardizing abilities with Roman numerals, to help polish the system up and make everything easier to track.
Ditto, but for disadvantages. Oddly enough, this was also a popular page in the early days of Moonstone, because it gave people a way of getting extra Advantage points, throwing in help with building a character concept to boot.