Phantasy Star : R Ag O L's C U R Se

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Phantasy Star : R ag o l's C u r se

A Tabletop RPG Based on Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst

The artwork for this document, as well as introductory text was obtained from the official Sega PSO website and is used in accordance to the following fan license:

This data is restricted to personal use, and for usage in PSO-related creations, activities, and website content. This includes any personal and public web pages that display PSO-related images and artwork, but may not be used for

any profit. Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star Online, and all related properties © Copyright 2000, 2006 Sonic Team / SEGA SEGA is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. PSO BB Community Site: Sega, the Sega logo and Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst http://www.psobb.com are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Corporation

T ab le o f c o ntents:

From PSO BB Official Community Site ...... 1 Dark Techniques ...... 25 Ragol Time Line...... 2 Recovery Techniques...... 26 Important People...... 3 Drops...... 26 More Important Information...... 6 Item Use...... 27 Welcome to the Tabletop ...... 11 Duration Effects and Down State ...... 27 Creating Your Character ...... 15 MAGs to the Rescue ...... 28 Select Race...... 15 Character Improvement...... 28 Select Guild...... 16 Equipment ...... 29 Record Character Type...... 17 Missions ...... 29 Record Starting Attributes...... 17 Death...... 30 MAGs...... 18 Respawning...... 30 MAG Attributes...... 19 Combat...... 31 Character Example: Cally ...... 20 Taking Action...... 32 Level ...... 21 Attack Summary...... 32 Starting Equipment ...... 21 Taking Damage...... 32 Techniques ...... 22 Getting a Lock-On ...... 33 Fire Techniques ...... 23 The Flow of Combat ...... 33 Ice Techniques...... 23 Out of Combat Actions ...... 34 Lightning Techniques...... 24 The Role of the Game Master ...... 35 Light Techniques...... 25 Character Sheet ...... 37

This work is meant as a salute to the computer game upon which it is based. It is an unsanctioned, unauthorized homage, a parody of Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst. This work was begun as a result of a forum discussion at http://www.1km1kt.net/community/ I had observed that the forums had on more than one occasion received posts from browsers who arrived at the site looking for computer games. I became aware that there may be people in today's world who may have played computer RPGs, but who knew nothing of the original tabletop RPGs that inspired the genre. I purposed the "Adapt A Computer Game Into A Tabletop RPG" challenge as an attempt to bridge this divide. The idea is that computer game players might recognize familiar concepts, settings, whatever, and be more willing to give the tabletop game a try. The competition was purposed as part of the "24 Hour RPG" challenge. What I wanted to do with PSO would require more from me than I felt the 24 hour time constraint could possibly allow, but I wanted to do it anyway. I did not attempt a 24 Hour Game for the competition, but I did set to work on what you have in your hands (or on your screen.) My congratulations to the winner of the challenge, Errin Famiglia, for "Quiz and Dungeons," and to everyone who completed the challenge. You can see all the entries at http://www.1km1kt.net/results.php?terms=24-Hour-Computer- Game-Challenge In the meantime I hope that you enjoy "Phantasy Star: Ragol's Curse."

Regards, [email protected] Jeff Moore http://www.1km1kt.net/Jeff-Moore.htm

Phantasy Star : R ag o l's C u r se

A Tabletop RPG Based upon Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst

The Pioneer Project:

A plan born of desperation, conceived in response to the imminent destruction of their home worlds.

As plans for the evacuation began, unmanned probes were sent into deep space to find a habitable planet.

When a potential site was discovered, the first interstellar transport ship, Pioneer 1 was sent to establish a colony. Pioneer 1 confirmed that the Planet Ragol was a suitable location, and the initial colonists started preparing the planet for the main wave of refugees, beginning with the construction of the Central Dome.

7 years later...

Pioneer 2 completed its long voyage with the main wave of refugees aboard. But as Pioneer 2 entered orbit and opened a communications link with the Central Dome, an enormous explosion shook the entire planet.

All contact with the thousands of men and women of Pioneer 1 was lost...

From PSO BB

Official Community Site ventures deep into lush worlds filled with mystery, intrigue, and powerful Since its debut on Dreamcast in enemies. You'll battle in real-time 2000, the revolutionary PHANTASY and draw off the magic of more STAR ONLINE series has received than 1,000 powerful rare items as 17 awards worldwide. Now the you continue to search the planet PSO journey continues on PC! for survivors of the Central Dome Each player takes on the role of a explosion, as requested by Hunter on the Planet Ragol and Governor-General Tyrell.

The planet Coral is the center of transmissions, a gigantic explosion civilization, not far from humanity's erupts on the planet's surface. own future. All communication with the Central As a seemingly never-ending war Dome is cut off. With a growing rages across the planet's surface, a sense of danger and unease, the new problem arises: the world's Principal orders Hunters (the environment is degrading rapidly. players) to visit the surface and The damage is irreparable and investigate the situation. soon the planet will be uninhabitable to human life. The What are the untold secrets of the Alliance of Nations, a group of 10 of mysterious "Photon" energy? Why the most powerful countries on is the native wildlife of Ragol going Coral, comes together and forms a berserk at every turn? Why are the plan to abandon the planet and Lab and the military both carrying search for a new world to call out harried operations separate home. from the government and how are these groups all connected? The Countless probes are sent into the answers to all of these questions furthest reaches of space, and yet and many more await players as only one happens to find a world they take their first steps on the that is suitable for human life. The mysterious planet of Ragol... Alliance of Nations names this planet "Ragol” and proceeds with The Pioneer Project, beginning Ragol Timeline construction on the first deep-space A.U.W.3060- Endless warring on colony vessel, Pioneer 1. Pioneer 1 the homeworld of Coral is so arrives on Ragol a year later, devastating to the environment, it carrying the first emigrants. These becomes uninhabitable. The settlers are charged with surveying Alliance of Nations, a group of 10 of and inspecting the most powerful nations on Coral, the surrounding area, ensuring its bands together to plan a mass safety and its level of viability, along exodus to another planet. The with priming the landing site for search for a suitable world begins, further colonization. Fortifications and an intricate plan known as the are set up, and the budding Pioneer Project are is mapped out colony's hub is constructed: the to construct a hyperspace vessel to Central Dome. transport colonists to their new

home. to this new world. ...Seven years pass.

A.U.W.3068 Out of the countless Upon receiving a confirmation unmanned probes sent into space signal from the colonists of Pioneer to search for a n inhabitable 1, the second colony ship, Pioneer suitable new world to colonize, only 2, leaves Coral bound for Ragol. one finds a suitable makes a After Pioneer 2 enters orbit around match. The Alliance of Nations Ragol, they attempt to make names this new world "Ragol" and contact with the Central Dome. The the construction of the first of the moment that they attempt to open colonization vessel s, Pioneer 1,

2 begins. The main purpose of the incidents and to ensure the safety maiden voyage of Pioneer I is of the colonists. research and planetary trailblazing. A.U.W.3084 Pioneer 2 enters orbit A.U.W.3076 Pioneer 1 takes off for around Planet Ragol. Just as the Planet Ragol. ship makes contact with the Central Dome, however, an enormous A.U.W.3077 Pioneer 1 lands on explosion occurs within the Central Ragol. The scientific research team Dome itself. investigates the planet's surface, and deems it to be suitable for A.U.W.3084+ After teleporters are colonization. Construction begins installed on the planet's surface, on the preliminary habitat the Principal sends the first round foundation, and the Central Dome of Hunters to investigate the is set up as the headquarters for surface of Ragol. the budding colony. Rico Tyrell is assigned to the Surface Exploration Team , which is (in charge of Important People survival planning and terraforming Principal Colin Tyrell opportunities ).

As the Principal of the Pioneer 2 A.U.W.3081 The Alliance of colony ship, he has the highest Nation's power base continues to position of authority onboard, weaken due to the unending including the military duties of wartime carnage on Coral. governor-general and those of top

political executive. He is an A.U.W.3082 Construction of the austere, just man of integrity, and is Central Dome and fortification of very popular with his subordinates the surrounding colony area are and the colonists. completed. The colonists contact the homeworld, and send the He is a widower and the father of message for to clear the second the famed Hunter hero, Red Ring colony ship to head out for Ragol. Rico. He has become deeply Also during this year, Heathcliff involved with his official duties in Flowen, the Deputy Commander of order to hide his deep concern for Pioneer 1's military forces, his only daughter's safety; one mysteriously disappears. rarely catches a glimpse of the

emotional hardship that he suffers. A.U.W.3083 Upon receiving the transmission from Pioneer 1, On their home planet, Tyrell served Pioneer 2 is launched for Ragol. An as a high-ranking government alarming number of violent officer and knew Heathcliff Flowen. outbursts increases near the There are rumors that he has a Central Dome amongst the local history with the Hunters, and wildlife, including new forms that compared to other political figures, are unknown to homeworld his trust and faith in their scientists. Rico Tyrell and her organization is quite high. companions are the first to form the Hunters, a self-defense group that seeks to find the cause of these

survival assistance and terraforming. She also founded the self-defense team that was in charge of investigating Ragol's bizarre mutants, but her entire group was destroyed in the mysterious explosion incident. Hunters have confirmed that she was the only survivor after finding message pods she left highlighting her ongoing investigations after the accident. Rico's current fate and whereabouts are unknown.

Heathcliff Flowen

This military hero known as "Sir Greybeard" is the adoptive father of Alicia Baz, and mentor to Red Ring Rico Tyrell Rico. Along with Zoke Miyama and

Donoph Baz, he is one the heroes Beyond being the daughter of of the previous generation. The Pioneer 2's Principal, Rico Tyrell three of them together fought many has established quite a name for battles for their home nation, and herself in her own right, both as a later became high-ranking Hunter and a scientist. The people government officials. However, the affectionately call her 'Red Ring trio parted ways when Flowen’s Rico,' due to a red armband comrades became disgusted with accessory that she always wears. the government's activities, and Her trademark 'Red' weapon set absconded, while Flowen himself was crafted for her by Heathcliff remained. Despite being a military Flowen. man, he had a very influential voice

in political affairs. To this day, the As a young girl, she showed great military still uses Flowen's weapon talent, and spent a large amount of designs, and the man himself is time in the company of heroes such seen as a model by which to live. as Flowen and Donoph. These men

acted as father figures and helped He joined the Pioneer 1 crew as to shape her as she grew as a Deputy Commander. There is Hunter. Now she effectively reason to believe that the report represents the modern generation received by Pioneer 2 shortly of Hunters. before entering Ragol orbit, which

announced Flowen's death, was In order to escape the confines of fabricated. His whereabouts are still her father's authority, Rico signed unknown. onboard Pioneer 1, along with

Flowen. Holding several doctoral Dr. Osto Hyle degrees in science and linguistics,

she took part in the surface As an authority in the fields of exploration parties in charge of genetic engineering, bionics, and

4 mechanical engineering, he served a doctorate degree in genetic as the Lab Chief on the Pioneer 1 engineering. Research Team. Fellow scientific magnate, Dr. Montague, also joined He worked alongside Dr. Osto in up with the project aboard Pioneer developing Mags and initiated plans 2. Together, the scientific pair for the MOTHER Project. Once invented and developed "Mags." Hyle had departed aboard Pioneer The two also initiated a series of 1, however, Montague executed a plans known as the MOTHER sweeping change of plans for the Project, which caused interference Project. With an enormous budget and resistance against several at his disposal, he pioneered a new organizations, beginning with the form of emotional A.I., and military... developed the androids Ult (Prototype) and Elenor Camuel. Dr. Osto was deeply interested in Shortly after instituting these the ecosystem of Ragol, and changes, the military assumed studied a previously unknown set of control of the funding of projects. At lifeforms with D-cellular structure, this point, even Montague's daily secretly sending the results of his life on Coral was under total military research back to Coral. The results direction. showed that these creatures had been restructured on a genetic level Later, the military decided to by some kind of intelligent scientific incorporate Montague's plan with design. Fascinated by these newly- the launch of Pioneer 2; intending evolved lifeforms, he immersed to continue the Project on Ragol. himself fully in his studies. There is Montague insisted that he be put in the possibility that the many charge, claiming that he needed to strange mutants now found on be responsible for the project, and Ragol may be the results of his joined the ranks of the Pioneer 2 experiments. crew. In reality, Montague wanted to escape governmental Regretfully, it has been confirmed supervision, and had grown that Dr. Osto Hyle is deceased. intrigued by Hyle's data reports on the bizarre lifeforms he was Jean-Carlo Montague studying. He also had a certain scientific interest, as well as a The genius of this renowned young sense of pride in having an scientist is on par with the great Dr. environment in which to test out Osto Hyle. While his mannerisms Elenor. and attitude are unbearably off- putting, he is not a malicious The military then seized the android person at heart. He is an authority prototype Ult. After this incident, on biomechanics and mechanical Montague took Elenor and went engineering, with his primary into hiding; the whereabouts of Ult specialty in Photon Engineering. are also currently unknown. With Part of this field involves weapon Dr. Hyle dead, Montague may be construction, and in that area, the only living person who holds the Montague excels. While not as key to the MOTHER Project. talented as Dr. Osto, he also holds

Leo Grahart

Formerly Captain of the Space Mechanized Mobile Infantry 32nd WORKS Division, he comes from a very distinguished military family lineage. He is currently a high- ranking official in Coral's Alliance of Nations and through his hard work and charisma, he founded WORKS. His trustworthiness and influence grew, but he ended up with too much power. As a result, the government, in order to halt his actions, ordered the more skilled members of WORKS to join the crew of Pioneer 1, leaving Leo with what weak portion of WORKS remained behind. The current More Important WORKS division on Pioneer 2 is vastly inferior to the previous force. Information

Coral In the hope of regrouping with his (The Homeworld) personal team among the WORKS forces on Pioneer 1, Leo took his This is the planet from which the family and remaining supporters on people of Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 2 Pioneer 2 with him, but the emigrated. explosion on Ragol's surface destroyed what plans he had. He The entire planet had been caught currently commands a nearly- under the chaos and turmoil of war, powerless WORKS force on and as a result, the environment Pioneer 2, along with some trusted and ecosystem began to collapse. companions, secretly working Due to the high degree of infighting, against the MOTHER Project the power held by the military grew, behind the scenes. and as of present, the government

and the military have an unusually His father was the leader of the close relationship. special military tactical force "Team

00," but was killed during training. The Pioneer Project was the There is talk that this was a brainchild of the most powerful government assassination, and at national group on Coral, the the same time as that incident, Leo Alliance of Nations. lost one of his arms in a tragic

"accident." These incidents have Pioneer 2 Principal Government led people to see a sort of cat-and- mouse rivalry between WORKS The office of Principal Colin Tyrell forces and the governmental oversees all government functions assassination group, Black Paper. aboard Pioneer 2.

While nominally having a circle of elite troops were all cooperative relationship with the assigned to special duty aboard Pioneer 1, in order to further government, organizations with weaken the core of their might and strong homeworld backing like the influence. military and the Lab have their own plans and agendas about which As for the WORKS force aboard Tyrell knows nothing. Pioneer 2, Grahart does have a number of followers, and he has Due to the rapidly-changing some type of operation in motion, situation on the planet Ragol, as but his supporter on the technical well as the strange activities of side, Professor Montague, has other organizations, the Principal disappeared. Any details of the and his office have formed their operation itself are shrouded in own security team and research secrecy. There are also rumors that team. the Lab has some hand in strange dealings. Pioneer Military The government's directly- The bulk of the military forces for controlled special ops force, Black the Pioneer Project were sent Paper, while officially a cooperating aboard Pioneer 1 due to initial entity with WORKS, is actually colonization duties. Pioneer 2 is working against them. populated mostly by ordinary citizens, and therefore their forces Pioneer 1 Research Group are quite limited in terms of both (P1 Lab) manpower and weaponry. As a result, they have fallen behind the Pioneer 1's research team was hunters in terms of strength and headed by Dr. Osto Hyle, and was clout. charged with study and experimentation of Ragol's native However, there are rumors that wildlife, including genetic WORKS, a secret military faction engineering. headed by Leo Grahart, is currently conducting maneuvers behind the Whereas Pioneer 2's research scenes... group operates in the public eye, the P1 Lab carried out the WORKS combined intentions of the (Military Special Ops Task Force) government and military behind the scenes. This is the colloquial name for the 32 nd Space Mechanized Mobile During the initial colonization, they Infantry. set up an underground facility in order to study previously-unknown Because they grew to such power energy dynamics. Also, Dr. Hyle set within Coral's military forces, the up another facility on Gal Da Val government assigned the division's Island, away from the Central captain, Leo Grahart, to a non- Dome, for the purposes of carrying military rank government office. out bioengineering experiments. Furthermore, Grahart's own inner

It is believed that the energy regarding the research performed experiments were part of the by Pioneer 1 on behalf of the homeworld's plan all along, but that Alliance of Nations. Dr. Hyle conducted the large-scale Recently, there have been rumors biological experiments on his own that they have been operating in accord, outside of any project concert with the Pioneer 2 Lab. guidelines approved by Coral. Leo Grahart's WORKS team is Pioneer 2 Research Group ostensibly cooperating with them, (P2 Lab) but in reality, the two organizations are at odds in their goals. The Pioneer 2 Research Group was set up to be the primary Hunters Guild establishment for analyzing Ragol research data, performing This is under the direct jurisdiction additional genetic and mechanical of Principal Tyrell himself. engineering tasks, as well as Photon energy research and Nowadays, hunters perform a wide experimentation. They report to variety of tasks, such as providing both the Principal and to Coral. bodyguard service, reclaiming lost valuables, and other beneficial There was strong support from the services. Until recently, they had military side for Dr. Montague, but been seen as little more than a the current government-appointed gang of uncultured rogues, looked Lab Chief is Natasha Millarose. The down upon by the public and organization, despite existing especially so by upper-class aboard Pioneer 2, has strong citizens. In order to create a more backing from the homeworld, and useful organization, they were put has achieved a strong degree of under governmental management. independence. Nominally, they work under the orders of the Back on Coral, when this move was Principal, but they have been first made, a number of hunters known to operate with military and decided to remain unaffiliated, and government backing without worked as mercenaries in the reporting these functions. multitude of internal planetary conflicts. Because of this, hunters Black Paper established quite a name and (Gov. Special Ops Task Force) reputation for themselves and there is a great deal of enmity between Known to most as an underworld hunters and the military. syndicate that operates in the shadows. On the surface, they Even aboard Pioneer 2, with the appear to be a small organization, Principal's specially sanctioned but they are actually the secret ops status for hunters, there exists a task force under direct control of gap between the lifestyle of the Alliance of Nations on Coral. average and high-class citizen and hunters. However, as the reputation On Ragol, they carry out their of hunters performing good deeds activities in secret, working to for the people has grown, the recover data and information general outlook toward them has

8 improved greatly, and their base of the fledgling colony and numbers are growing rapidly as serve as the command center for more and more aspiring folk (as task forces securing the well as people with a need to duck surrounding area for the second out of the public eye) join their wave of settlers. ranks. Seven years later, construction of Pioneer Project the Central Dome was complete. With that, clearance was given for This is the name given to the large- the second colony ship, Pioneer 2, scale emigration project devised by to make its way to the planet. the people of the planet Coral when it was learned that their planet's Photon ecosystem was collapsing. In ages long past, mankind The project began with the search performed experiments to study for a suitable planet to colonize. "ether," a substance that was Out of countless unmanned probes believed to be an intrinsic element that were sent into the reaches of that existed in empty space. space, only one responded with the signal of having discovered such a It was eventually discovered that planet. This planet was dubbed "Photons" in the atmosphere were "Ragol." responsible for binding the universe together. In other words, all forms After the discovery of Ragol, work of energy in the atmosphere could quickly went into the production of be grouped together to form the hyperspace colony vessel set to "Photons." lead the colonization effort, Pioneer 1. One of the most revolutionary devices in the history of mankind Due to the high number of unknown was the Photon Generator, which factors surrounding this new world, was able to take raw atmospheric a well-equipped military presence energy and reduce it down to its and a number of highly-skilled particulate nature in order to extract professionals were sent to Photons. accompany the ship's immigrant crew. The war hero Heathcliff As research continued, more and Flowen was assigned on board, as more uses were found for the was the renowned genetic engineer practical application of Photon Dr. Osto Hyle. Also aboard the ship energy. It was soon discovered that was hunter and scientist "Red Ring" using certain minerals as the Rico Tyrell. This primary group was source for Photons made it possible hand-picked by governmental to harness this energy to create authorities to set up a strong Photon weapons. presence on this new world. This new energy source was a Pioneer 1 was launched in AUW double-edged sword: Photon 3076. When it arrived at Ragol, the energy had saved the world from its crew began construction on the energy crisis and spurred on Central Dome, set to be the home scientific advancement, yet it also

9 doomed the nations of the world purpose of controlling the D-Factor; into falling into another arms race in lifeforms that become infected with the name of war and self-defense. the D-Factor are known as D- Cellular Lifeforms. D-Factor MOTHER Project On Coral, one of the most rapidly- advancing areas of scientific Photon Technology had become research was Photon Technology. indispensable in ensuring the future One event that accelerated the of the human race, and yet science development was a meteor impact, itself had not been responsible for which caused a tremendous these advances. earthquake. The meteor impact on Coral... The Cells of previously-undiscovered discovery of the D-Cells on the lifeforms were detected on the meteor... The discovery of the D- surface of the meteor, and from Factor within those cells, which so those cells, a new form of energy resembled Photons... was detected. This energy phenomenon was termed the "D- Science demanded, "We must Factor." investigate these D-Cells from the meteor if ever we are to find the The D-Factor bore a striking true nature of Photon Energy!" resemblance to the high-technology Photons that mankind had And so, renowned and esteemed developed. Renowned and scientists began research on this esteemed scientists began energy signature, thinking that it research on this energy signature, could shed some light into thinking that it could shed some unlocking the secrets of Photon light into unlocking the secrets of Energy. The first result was the joint Photon energy. The Photons that creation of the two genius scientists were produced by artificial means Professor Osto Hyle and Professor had no "will" to them, and were Jean-Carlo Montague: the Mag. simply pure energy. The D-Factor, That was only a starting point in however, did seem to have a sort of their research; they continued their "will," as if its very nature were work and began to develop and urging it to evolve into something create things like Androids, and the else. artificial lifeforms known as Newmans. The most stunning property of D- Factor’s effects on natural and The full body of their experiments, artificial lifeforms alike was its research, and development plans is ability to infect, fuse, divide, known as the MOTHER Project. transmit, and interfere with functions. Despite competition However, as might be expected, between varying organizations in the varying expectations of different their research, mankind's unlocking factions (the government, the the secrets of the D-Factor is still military, scientific institutions) were far off. "Emotional AI" was mixed. Unlocking the secrets of developed for the expressed Photon Energy and developing new

10 artificial lifeforms could conceivably Phantasy Star : lead to world domination. Under the surface, while each group R ag o l's C u r se continues to vie with one another, struggling for true control, things go is an RPG for the tabletop based deeper than anyone had ever upon the groundbreaking console / expected. The people of Coral did computer game: Phantasy Star not choose Ragol by chance. Online. Something on Ragol chose them… This is an unauthorized work of fan This data is restricted to personal use, and fiction. It is intended as parody. It is for usage in PSO-related creations, an homage to the computer game activities, and website content. This upon which it is based. It cannot be includes any personal and public web pages that display PSO-related images distributed for profit. and artwork, but may not be used for any profit. Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star Online, Phantasy Star Blue Burst, PSO BB Community Site: and Phantasy Star Universe are http://www.psobb.com trademark and copyright of Sega

SEGA is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Sega, the Sega logo and Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst are registered Welcome to the Tabletop! trademarks or trademarks of Sega Corporation "Role-playing Game?"

Many gamers today relate role- playing games to computer games. The computer role-playing game (abbreviated RPG) is actually a migration of a game that people can play together around a table. The migration from tabletop to computer is a popular trend in gaming.

Many games have made this transition. When is the last time you saw someone playing solitaire at a table with a deck of playing cards? When is the last time you saw someone play solitaire at their computer?

Like solitaire, computer RPGs and MMORPGs began life at the tabletop. The document you hold in your hand, (or read on your computer screen) contains systems

11 and mechanics for playing the tabletop version of an RPG.

"Phantasy Star: Ragol's Curse" is a set of guidelines for playing your own role-playing game at home with your friends.

"How does it work?"

Imagine that you are sitting around your dining room table with a few of your friends. One of your friends is describing a scene to you:

You are standing in a lush forest clearing. This is the planet Ragol. Rich foliage of purple, green and red assaults your senses. A path cuts through the clearing forming a primitive road. On the other side of the road opposite you is the forest's edge. You think that you can see PLAYER CHARACTER (PC) some kind of animal tracks on the ground near the trees. On the road The other players each adopt the ahead of you an android is role of a singular character within approaching. From the looks of the the game world. These players large energy rifle that he carries (generally from 2 to 4 in number) you can tell that he is RAcast. He is will listen to the descriptions heading your direction and appears provided by the GM and respond to to want to speak with you. What do the GM's descriptions by answering you do? the question, "What do you do?"

GAME MASTER (GM) Jennifer responds to the GM's description. "I want Cally my Phantasy Star: Ragol's Curse like HUnewearl to go look at the animal many tabletop RPGs assumes that tracks to see what they are. But one person will take the role of a since this guy seems like he wants special kind of player called the to talk to me, I'll wait to do that for a Game Master. This person will minute and go up to him. Cally will describe the game world to the walk up to the RAcast and say, other players, set the scene for *Greetings, Ranger. Were you sent them and help them to "visualize" in here by the Hunter's Guild to their imaginations where their explore Ragol?*" characters are and what they are doing at the moment. The Game Jennifer speaks on behalf of her Master basically serves the same character and addresses the GM as purpose as the computer. The GM though he were the android that creates the environment that you as was described to her earlier. Other a player character will explore. players around the table will each

12 take a turn to describe the actions BATTLES of their characters. This is how role- playing around a tabletop works. The RAcast steps up to you. He The Game Master will have a set of wears concern on his face and "encounters" in mind before the diverts his gaze over to the tree line game session begins. These and into the forest. "Greetings ..." encounters are meant to provide an He addresses you. "I was told that impetus for the other players and to help might be coming. The wildlife give their characters some on Ragol has become very hostile. motivation to take action. The string There are some large wolf-like of encounters and player responses creatures up ahead... more than I when taken together will work to tell can handle alone. I could use some a sort of adventure story. help."

"Interesting, but what makes this a game?"

RPGs are generally meant to simulate dramatic adventure stories. Adventure stories are often filled with perilous action sequences that endanger the heroes of the story in some manner. To simulate this sense of danger an element of uncertainty is introduced into the game play.

Before there were RPGs there were miniature battle games. War game simulations that used miniature figures to represent troops have been used by combat tacticians for Assuming the player characters centuries. These war simulations decide to help the Ranger, the evolved over the years into battle above encounter is meant to games played by hobbyists. At first provide the PCs with a reason to the intent of these games was to venture out into the forest and do recreate historical battles. Then, battle with the beasts of Ragol. In thanks largely to the popularity of a most role-playing games combat is fictional work of magical high very structured and played in turns fantasy called, "The Lord of the just like any other game a group of Rings" players began to introduce people might play around a table. more fantastical elements into their On their turn each PC could roll battle simulations. some dice and consult the rules of

the game to determine if they were This was the beginning of an able to hit and injure their target. evolution that was to become the The GM would also take a turn on modern RPG. It is important to note the creature's behalf rolling dice to the origins of this hobby because it try to hit and injure one of the PCs. will help to explain the other primary focus of an RPG.

THE RULES IN PLAY She rolls damage again and the GM reduces this additional damage The GM tells Jennifer that a from the wolf's remaining "life." This gigantic wolf like monster, part- new damage drops the wolf's life panther, part-wolf and part-android total down to less than zero and the has jumped out from the under- GM reports to Jennifer that the wolf brush to attack her. falls to the ground lifeless and defeated. The GM tells Jennifer to roll to see who goes first. "How does the GM know what number Jennifer needs to roll in The GM rolls for the monster and order for Cally to hit?" Jennifer also rolls. "How does the GM know how much Jennifer rolls higher so she gets to "life" the wolf has? Or how much go first. damage an energy saber does?"

Jennifer explains that she wants That's what these rules are for. The Cally to hit the wolf-beast with her following rules will answer these energy saber. The GM tells Jennifer questions and make it possible for what she must roll in order to hit, the Player Characters and the and she rolls her dice. The roll is Game Master to simulate all high enough so Cally hits the beast manner of physical conflicts. with her saber. If you can, find someone who has Jennifer rolls more dice to played a tabletop RPG before and determine how much damage her ask them to be your GM. If not, weapon does to the beast and the review this introduction again, and GM reduces the monster's "life" by then read the rules presented here. the damage amount. Once you think you have a good "feel" for how things should go in Both the GM and Jennifer have your head, give it a try. There is no note paper in front of them. On this teacher better than hands-on paper are various pieces of experience. information. Like how much damage Cally's energy saber inflicts or how much "life" the wolf- DICE beast has. PS:RC uses standard six-sided It's now the GM's turn and he dice like those found in most board describes to Jennifer how the giant games. References to dice rolls are wolf-borg lunges back at Cally and notated as a number followed by tries to bite her. The GM rolls the the letter "d" for dice. If you see a dice but doesn't roll high enough for note that says roll 3d for example, it the monster to hit Cally, so Cally means roll three dice and add them evades the attack and his able to together. If you saw a note that said take her turn again. to roll 2d+1 it would mean to roll two dice and then add one to the Jennifer rolls to hit the monster sum. again and rolls high enough to hit.

C r eating Y o u r C har ac ter

Most of the players who play PS:RC will take the role of a single character. Each player who is not the GM must select a character for themselves. This character acts as the player's avatar in the game world. By describing the actions and behaviors and conversations of this character to the GM, the player is able to interact with the game world. Working together the player

characters (PCs) and the GM can Newman (newm/newearl) weave the adventures of these

characters forming thrilling action Newmans evolved from artificially stories. created lifeforms. They are smaller

and more frail than humans but Selecting a character for PS:RC is they are very graceful and have an incredibly simple process. It incredibly powerful psyches. involves combining the two choices Newman rarely join the Rangers of Race and Guild. This is a much Guild as they find ranged weaponry simpler process than you will find in awkward when compared to the other tabletop role-playing games, Focus disciplines to which they are but the hope is that with PS:RC, as far more easily attuned. Graceful with the computer game upon Newman Hunters are not which it is based, players will be uncommon, but certainly it is the able to select characters very Focus Guild where the Newman quickly and jump right into the race has found its home. In the action! world of PS:RC Neman males are

called "newm" while newman Step One: Select Race females are known as "newearl."

Human (mar/marl)

Humans are the most balanced of the races. A good all around mix of strength, speed and psyche, humans make good additions to every guild. Strong leaders with a powerful urge to blaze a trail that others can follow often leads humans to the Hunter's Guild where they are the most prominent. Human males are known in the world of PS:RC as "mar" while human females are known as "marl."

Android (cast/caseal) Montague, along with all data concerning the Mother Project. Like Newmans, Androids evolved However, a remarkable and from artificial lifeforms. Although unexpected side effect of the physically more robotic and infusing of D-Factor Energy into the synthetic in appearance than artificial beings of Doctors Newmans, Androids are just as Montague and Osto was the alive. Androids are fully sentient creation of the D-Cellular lifeform. independent beings. Unlike Newmans, Androids are Both Androids and Newmans are exceptionally strong but lack both D-Cellular lifeforms, and each has the grace and the psychic ability of both male and female gender their smaller, flesh based cousins. representations. Miraculously Androids are capable of incredibly despite appearances both of these accurate fine manipulations races are true lifeforms and are however, and make ideal Rangers. capable of procreation. They are also the most durable of all the races. They are however The magnificent properties of D- very weak psychically and Androids Factor energy has also lead to rarely join the Focus Guild. Male many advances in the medical Androids are called "casts," while sciences including the female androids are referred to as, developments of potions, fluids and "caseal." atomizers that work equally well for all three races.

Step Two: Select Guild

The next thing to do after selecting your race is to choose a guild. Your character's guild affiliation will determine what manner of combat training they have received.

Hunters Guild (HU)

D-Cellular Lifeforms Hunters are the front line explorers of Ragol. These brave explorers The key difference between must push forward into the Newmans and Androids lies in the unknown forests and caves of way that these two races were Ragol and they must be prepared originally created. to face any threat that they encounter. Hunters are experts in Newmans were grown from "living close combat and all Hunters begin cells" while Androids were forged play with an energy saber. wholly grown and assembled from manufactured components. Rangers Guild (RA)

The secrets of these creation Rangers are expert marksmen. processes have been lost with the Trained in the use of all manner of disappearance of Jean-Carlo energy guns and rifles: Rangers

16 generally back up Hunters, Now record the gender specific providing support and coverage. All designation for your race right next Rangers begin play with an energy to your Guild notation. Write this pistol. information in lower case. For example: mar or caseal. There is Focus Guild (FO) no need to place a space between the Guild and Race designations. Members of the Focus Guild are adept at "focusing" and using This combination of Guild + Race psychic energies. These energies written in the shorthand notation as can produce spectacular levels of indicated above is known as your elemental damage that it is difficult character type. for their targets to resist. Focus characters are very powerful but Examples: their disciplines take time to implement and Focus characters RAcaseal RANGER can render themselves helpless android, female should they drain all of their mental energies. All focus characters begin HUmar HUNTER play with an elemental energy human, male wand. FOnewearl FOCUS newman, female Step Three: Record Character Type Step Four: Record Starting Now that you know which Guild Attributes your character belongs to, it is a simple thing to record your Attributes represent the different character's information on your things you can do during a game. In character sheet (or a piece of paper PS:RC everyone begins play with if you don't have a character sheet.) the same attribute values. All character types set foot on the PS:RC uses a very specific format planet Ragol as equals. However for recording character information. characters will not remain the same This format is consistent with the for very long. In PS:RC characters computer version of the game and change and evolve quickly. For now makes referring to characters quick let's review your character's and easy. attributes we will talk more about character advancement later. To start, write down the first two letters that begin the spelling of ATP is your attack power statistic. your Guild affiliation. For example: HU for the Hunter's Guild, or RA for The higher your ATP, the more Ranger the Rangers Guild. To damage you will do when you hit make this part of your notation your target with an attack. This easily identifiable make both letters determines how powerful a melee uppercase or capital letters. weapon you can wield. All characters begin play with an ATP of 0.

can wield. All characters begin play DFP is your defense power with an ATA of 0. statistic. EVP is your evade power statistic. The higher your DFP, the less damage you will take when you are The higher your EVP, the harder hit by an enemy attack. All you are to hit with an attack. All characters begin play with a DFP of characters begin play with an EVP 0. of 10.

MST is your technique mastery LCK is your lock statistic. statistic. Acquiring a target lock is required The higher your MST, the more to score a critical hit. All characters easily you can target enemies with begin play with a LCK of 0. your psychic attacks. This determines how powerful a cane, TP is your Technique Points rod, or wand you can wield. All characters begin play with an MST This is the energy used to fuel of 0. psychic techniques. All characters begin play with a TP of 5. Every technique has a TP cost. You must reduce your TP total by this amount in order to perform that technique.

HP is your Hit Points

Determines how much damage you can suffer in combat before becoming disabled. All characters begin play with an HP of 10.

Step Five: MAGs

A MAG is a small floating metallic lifeform about the size of a grapefruit. Like Androids and Newmans, MAGs are alive. But they are a more primitive form of life than any of the three player races.

Some say MAGs are parasitic, ATA is your attack accuracy living off the life energies of those statistic. races with which they bond. But this is not entirely the case. A MAG The higher your ATA, the more bonded with a host represents a likely you are to hit your target with symbiotic relationship. an attack. This determines how powerful a gun-type weapon you

Unlike the truly sentient Android player race, MAGs are still MIND - (Mind) Primary Attribute of electronically programmed and Focus MAGs. artificially manufactured. The small floating drones are then teamed DEX - (Dexterity) Primary Attribute with a Human, Newman or Android of Ranger MAGs. host. The MAG will float just behind its host from this point forward Every character begins play with a feeding off of and sharing in its MAG symbiot. The MAG that you host's experiences. are assigned has been built and programmed by your Guild to assist The remarkable thing about MAGs your character in performing is that any programming entered functions relevant to that Guild's into a MAG is transferred as agenda. knowledge to the MAG's host. This means that the Guilds can prepare Your MAG bonds with you trained explorers quickly and easily permanently and will stay with you simply by programming a MAG and for the rest of your character's life. assigning it to one of their recruits. Your bond with your MAG adds Mobile Android Guardian bonuses to your character's Attribute Scores. Different Guilds The programming of a MAG is and Different Races receive unique to each Guild so the types different bonuses. When calculating of training that an explorer receives bonuses drop all fractions, do not from their MAG will differ depending round up. Always round down upon their Guild affiliation. keeping only whole numbers.

Further MAGs do not seem to be Hunter Ranger Focus able to interface with all beings in ATP POW x 1.5 POW x 1.0 POW x 0.34 DFP DEF x 1.0 DEF x 0.5 DEF x 0.34 an identical fashion. For this reason MST MIND x 0.5 MIND x 0.34 MIND x 1.0 each race seems to react to their ATA DEX x 0.5 DEX x 1.0 DEX x 0.34 MAG differently. Human Newman Android MAGs have attributes just like the EVP DEF x 0.5 DEF x 1.0 DEF x 0.34 player character races do. But, LCK DEX x 0.5 DEX x 0.34 DEX x 1.0 MAGs are less complex than the HP POW x 1.0 POW x 0.5 POW x 1.5 TP MIND x 1.0 MIND x 2.0 MIND x 0.34 other races and are defined by only four basic attributes. Your MAG's attributes are not static. They can be improved. As All MAG attributes begin with a your MAG's attributes are improved value of 1. your character's attributes will also improve. MAG ATTRIBUTES For now let's look at how your POW - (Power) Primary Attribute of MAG's attributes will change your Hunter MAGs. character.

DEF - (Defense) Evasion and resistance to damage.

Jennifer is creating a HUnewearl Because of her race, Jennifer's character. Looking at the charts HUnewearl has a +1 bonus to her above, she learns that some of her EVP and a +2 bonus to her TP. attributes will change. This gives Jennifer's character a ATP, DFP, MST and ATA have starting profile that looks like this: bonuses that are applied according to her Guild affiliation because the Cally Guilds each program MAGs HUnewearl differently. ATP 0 +1 1 EVP, LCK, HP and TP have DFP 0 +1 1 bonuses that are applied according MST 0 +0 0 to her Race because the MAGs ATA 0 +0 0 react differently according to the EVP 10 +1 11 Race with which they have bonded. LCK 0 +0 0 HP 10 +0 10 Jennifer belongs to the Hunter's TP 5 +2 7 Guild and her MAG has attributes that all begin with 1.

ATP Bonus = POW x 1.5 (1 x 1.0 = 1.5) DFP Bonus = DEF x 1.0 (1 x 1.0 = 1) MST Bonus = MIND x 0.5 (1 x 0.5 = 0.5) ATA Bonus = DEX x 0.5 (1 x 0.5 = 0.5)

Jennifer's character will get a +1 bonus to her ATP and her DFP attributes, but because fractional bonuses are never applied her MST and ATA attributes cannot be improved at this time.

Jennifer's character is a Newman. She gains some additional bonuses by virtue of her race.

EVP Bonus = DEF x 1.0 (1 x 1.0 = 1) LCK Bonus = DEX x 0.34 (1 x 0.34 = 0.34) HP Bonus = POW x 0.5 (1 x 0.5 = 0.5) TP Bonus = MIND x 2.0 (1 x 2.0 = 2)

Hunters begin play with an Energy Step Six: Level Saber.

Your character's level is used by Rangers begin play with an Energy the GM to determine the kinds of Pistol. "drops" received by your party while you are adventuring (more about Focuses begin play with a Fire "drops" later...) For now, what you Wand. need to know is that your character's level is always equal to Weapon Damage Attr Req Element the value of your MAG's primary Energy Blade 1d + ATP ATP 1 None Energy Gun 1d ATA 1 None attribute. Fire Wand 1d + MST MST 1 Fire

Jennifer's character is a member of When you hit a target with a the Hunters Guild so she has a weapon that target reduces the Hunter MAG. The Hunter MAG's total amount of damage that you primary attribute is POW. So inflict by their DFP. Any damage Jennifer's HUnewearl's level will remaining is then subtracted from always be equal to her MAG's the target's HP. Some weapons POW. Right now Jennifer's MAG's have elements. The damage from POW is 1. So, her character's level these weapons is not reduced by is also 1. DFP. Elemental Damage like that inflicted by a Focus Guild Fire Step Seven: Equipment Wand cannot be resisted by normal means at all. Your character can't 'port' down to the planet Ragol empty handed. In None of the races has natural addition to your MAG your resistances to the psychic elements character is going to need some not even the psychically initial equipment. Your guild will empowered Newmans, however give you a standard equipment where nature falters, technology package to explore Ragol. steps in.

WEAPONS FRAMES

The planet Ragol is a dangerous Frames are pieces of armor. They place, the thousands of colonists of are able to resist specific types of Pioneer 1 lost their lives on Ragol. damage to varying degrees. Your characters are meant to Frames are expensive technology explore the planet and unlock its and the most desired of these have secrets but you must not go there been designed to resist the unprepared. dangerous effects of psychic techniques. Frames have attributes Your guild will equip you with a that tell you what types of damage standard issue energy weapon to these pieces of armor can block help you on your quest. and how well.

FRAME RELATED THE HUNTERS GUILD attributes: Explorers who wish to use their ARM ("Armor" add to DFP to new training and equipment to go reduce non-psychic dmg) down to the planet Ragol can complete missions for the Hunter's EFR ("Eliminate Fire" reduce dmg guild. In this way, your characters from fire techniques) work as mercenaries taking mission assignments to the planet Ragol on EIC ("Eliminate Ice" reduce dmg a freelance basis in exchange for from ice techniques) commission. This frees the Guilds from any financial obligations to ETH ("Eliminate Thunder" reduce their trainees whose life dmg from lightning techniques) expectancies tend to be regrettably short. ELT ("Eliminate Light" reduce dmg from light techniques) The Hunters Guild trains its recruits for the perilous task of leading EDK ("Eliminate Dark" reduce dmg explorer teams into the unknown from dark techniques) dangers of the planet Ragol. This role places the Hunters Guild in All three Guilds assign their something of a leadership position explorers a Basic Frame. among the guilds and all exploration assignments now come FRAME ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK from the Hunters Guild directly. The Frame 1 0 0 0 0 0 high profile nature of the guild has created the convention amongst the Meseta population of Pioneer 2 to refer to all mercenary explorers as The Guilds pay explorers on a case "Hunters" regardless of their guild by case basis. For every mission affiliations. And members of all your character completes three guilds report to the Hunters successfully you will get paid a Guild to receive mission predetermined commission. The assignments to the planet Ragol. monetary unit in PS:RC is the meseta. Once a Guild has trained TECHNIQUES and equipped an explorer, that explorer is released from any future Any process for focusing psychic obligations to the guild. Starting energies to manifest elemental equipment is considered payment effects has come to be called a and the Guilds therefore pay new technique. In primitive times before explorers very little in way of initial science had learned to quantify compensation. such energies, techniques might have been called spells, and New explorers begin play with a technique points (TP) might have scant 3d meseta. To gain any real been called magic. wealth an explorer must complete freelance mission assignments for the guilds.

The Focus Guild will train all equal to your MST. Each Turn explorers in the use of techniques when rolling Initiative, HOT targets regardless of guild affiliation; suffer 2d Fire Damage (Reduced by however, members of the Focus EFR.) Guild are afforded a discount for this training.

Techniques Descriptions:

Starting Focus characters get the Rafoie (FR) Zonde (TH) Technique for free. cost 12 TP Techniques are divided here by MST REQ 14 element. Some techniques must be prerequisite: Gifoie learned before other techniques become available. Select up to three targets. Make a Psychic Attack against each target. For each target successfully hit that FIRE TECHNIQUES (FR) target is HOT for a number of turns equal to your MST. Each Turn when rolling Initiative, HOT targets suffer 3d Fire Damage (Reduced by

EFR.) Foie (FR) cost 4 TP MST REQ 2 ICE TECHNIQUES (IC) prerequisite: none

Select 1 target. Make a Psychic Attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target is HOT for a Barta (IC) number of turns equal to your MST. cost 4 TP Each Turn when rolling Initiative, MST REQ 2 this target suffers 1d Fire Damage prerequisite: none (Reduced by EFR.) Select 1 target. Make a Psychic Attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target is COLD for 1d turns minus the target's EIC. A COLD victim is frozen in a block of Gifoie (FR) ice and cannot move. COLD targets cost 8 TP cannot attack, but are still able to MST REQ 7 defend and all damage to a COLD prerequisite: Foie target is halved. (Half damage BEFORE subtracting DFP or Select up to two targets. Make a making any reductions for psychic Psychic Attack against each target. elemental resistances. Drop For each target successfully hit that fractions.) target is HOT for a number of turns

LIGHTNING TECHNIQUES (TH)

Gibarta (IC) cost 8 TP MST REQ 7 prerequisite: Barta Zonde (TH) Select up two two targets. Make a cost 2 TP Psychic Attack against each target. MST REQ 1 For each target successfully hit, prerequisite: none that target is COLD for 2d turns minus the target's EIC. A COLD Select 1 Target. Make a Psychic victim is frozen in a block of ice and Attack against the target. If the cannot move. COLD targets can attack hits, the target suffers 1d not attack, but are still able to damage (reduced by ETH of the defend and all damage to a COLD target.) If target is an Android target is halved. (Half damage DOUBLE the damage before BEFORE subtracting DFP or reducing by ETH. (Members of the making any reductions for psychic Focus Guild are trained in the use elemental resistances. Drop of Zonde free of charge.) fractions.)

Gizonde (TH) Rabarta (IC) cost 4 TP cost 12 TP MST REQ 6 MST REQ 14 prerequisite: Zonde prerequisite: Gibarta Select up to two targets. Make a Select up two three targets. Make a Psychic Attack against each target. Psychic Attack against each target. Each target successfully hit suffers For each target successfully hit, 2d damage (reduced by ETH of the that target is COLD for 3d turns target.) If any target is an Android minus the target's EIC. A COLD DOUBLE the damage to that target victim is frozen in a block of ice and before reducing by ETH. cannot move. COLD targets can not attack, but are still able to defend and all damage to a COLD target is halved. (Half damage BEFORE subtracting DFP or making any reductions for psychic elemental resistances. Drop Razonde fractions.) cost 8 TP MST REQ 12 prerequisite: Gizonde

Select up to three targets. Make a Select 1 Target. Make a Psychic Psychic Attack against each target. Attack against the target. If the Each target successfully hit suffers attack hits, the target suffers 5d 3d damage (reduced by ETH of the damage (reduced by the ELT of the target.) If any target is an Android target.) DOUBLE the damage to that target before reducing by ETH. DARK TECHNIQUES (DK)

LIGHT TECHNIQUES (LT)

Zalure (DK) cost 6 TP MST REQ 3 Deband (LT) prerequisite: none cost 6 TP MST REQ 3 Select 1 target. Make a Psychic prerequisite: none Attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target's DFP and Increase the DFP and EVP of 1 EVP are both reduced by 2d each target by +3 for a number of turns minus the EDK of the target for a equal to your MST. (Effects of number of turns equal to the multiple Deband castings do not caster's MST. (No attribute can be stack.) reduced below zero. Effects of multiple Zalure castings do not stack.)

Shifta (LT) cost 9 TP MST REQ 8 prerequisite: Deband Jellen (DK) cost 9 TP Increase the ATP and ATA of 1 MST REQ 8 target by +3 for a number of turns prerequisite: Zalure equal to your MST. (Effects of multiple Shifta castings do not Select 1 target. Make a Psychic stack.) Attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target's ATP and ATA are both reduced by 2d each minus the EDK of the target for a number of turns equal to the

caster's MST. (No attribute can be Grants (LT) reduced below zero. Effects of cost 12 TP multiple Jellen castings do not MST REQ 16 stack.) prerequisite: Shifta

Megid (DK) Reverser (RE) cost 12 TP cost 12 TP MST REQ 16 MST REQ 16 prerequisite: Jellen prerequisite: Anti

Select 1 Target. Make a Psychic This spell negates the status effects Attack against the target. If the of DOWN. It also heals the target attack hits, the target suffers 5d restoring 3d + MST of lost HP. damage (reduced by the EDK of the target.) GAINING TECHNIQUES

RECOVERY Cost to learn a Technique is TP TECHNIQUES (RE) COST x 1000 meseta or TP COST x 100 meseta if the character is a member of the Focus Guild.

Every technique has a minimum MST requirement. The character's

MST attribute must be equal to or Resta (RE) greater than this value or the cost 6 TP character cannot learn the MST REQ 3 technique. prerequisite: none

Many Techniques have This spell heals a target restoring "prerequisites" these are lost HP. The spell works equally techniques that must be learned well on all races. Restore 2d + MST before the character can be taught of lost HP to one target (HP the new Technique. restored cannot exceed maximum.)

DROPS

When the beasts and creatures of the planet Ragol are slain in Anti (RE) combat, mysterious D-Factor cost 9 TP energies are released into the MST REQ 8 atmosphere. The characters' MAGs prerequisite: Resta are able to absorb this energy as it is released and distill it into potions This spell negates the status effects that are then "dropped" by the of any one of the following status MAGs. The types of potions that a conditions: HOT, COLD, Deband, MAG is able to produce is Shifta, Zalure, or Jellen. unpredictable, but as the MAGs grow more powerful they will be

26 able to produce and drop more ITEM USE powerful potions. Potion effects take place A typical combat encounter with the immediately. creatures of Ragol will produce 1d Drops. The table below shows the effects of each type of potion. To determine what types of potions are dropped find the average level Item Use of all characters in the group. This Monomate Restore 1d HP is the Party Level. Dimate Restore 2d HP Trimate Restore 3d HP Monofluid Restore 1d TP Difluid Restore 2d TP Trifluid Restore 3d TP Party Level 1-5 Party Level 6-11 Monofene Reduce duration effects 1d* Difene Reduce duration effects 2d* Roll 2d6 Roll 2d6 Trifene Reduce duration effects 3d* Moon Atomizer Revive with 1d each HP/TP** 2 Monomate 2 Dimate Star Atomizer Revive with 2d each HP/TP** 3 Monofene 3 Difene Sol Atomizer Revive with 3d each HP/TP** 4 Monofluid 4 Difluid 5 Monofene 5 Difene DURATION EFFECTS AND 6 Moon Atomizer 6 Star Atomizer DOWN STATE 7 Monomate 7 Dimate 8 Monofluid 8 Difluid Duration Effects include the status 9 Moon Atomizer 9 Star Atomizer effects of HOT, COLD, Deband, 10 Monofene 10 Difene Shifta, Zalure, or Jellen. Monofene, 11 Monomate 11 Dimate Difene and Trifene will diminish the 12 Monofluid 12 Difluid duration of these effects.

Atomizers revive a character that is Party Level 12+ DOWN. A character is DOWN when their HP has been reduced to Roll 2d6 0 (zero.) There is no such thing as 2 Trimate a negative attribute value. HP (or 3 Trifene other attributes) cannot be less 4 Trifluid than zero. 5 Trifene 6 Sol Atomizer A DOWN character cannot be 7 Trimate healed by any means until the 8 Trifluid DOWN state is reversed. When a 9 Sol Atomizer character is DOWN, all Duration 10 Trifene Effects on the character end. Also a 11 Trimate DOWN character has their TP 12 Trifluid instantly set to zero.

DOWN is not considered a Duration Effect, the duration of the DOWN state is permanent until the state is reversed.

MAGs to the RESCUE! Item Feed to MAG Monomate roll 1d, if > POW then up POW+1 If a character has a recovery item in Dimate roll 2d, if > POW then up POW+1 their possession that they cannot Trimate roll 3d, if > POW then up POW+1 use because a status effect is Monofluid roll 1d, if > MIND then up MIND+1 Difluid roll 2d, if > MIND then up MIND+1 preventing them from using it, the Trifluid roll 3d, if > MIND then up MIND+1 character's MAG will (if the Monofene roll 1d, if > DEX then up DEX+1 character's player desires it) use Difene roll 2d, if > DEX then up DEX+1 the recovery item on the character's Trifene roll 3d, if > DEX then up DEX+1 behalf. Moon Atomizer roll 1d, if > DEF then up DEF+1 Star Atomizer roll 2d, if > DEF then up DEF+1 Sol Atomizer roll 3d, if > DEF then up DEF+1 For example, Jennifer's HUcaseal

character, Cally, looses all her HP As your MAG's Attributes improve, in a battle and is DOWN. Jennifer your character's Attributes will also has a Moon Atomizer in her improve. possession. On her next turn

Jennifer declares that since her When calculating bonuses drop all character is unable to take the fractions, do not round up. Always potion for herself that her MAG round down keeping only whole feeds the potion to Cally reviving numbers. her!

Hunter Ranger Focus Your MAG's action counts as your ATP POW x 1.5 POW x 1.0 POW x 0.34 action for the turn, your character DFP DEF x 1.0 DEF x 0.5 DEF x 0.34 cannot act again until their next MST MIND x 0.5 MIND x 0.34 MIND x 1.0 turn. On her next turn, Cally will be ATA DEX x 0.5 DEX x 1.0 DEX x 0.34 able to perform actions normally. Human Newman Android EVP DEF x 0.5 DEF x 1.0 DEF x 0.34 CHARACTER LCK DEX x 0.5 DEX x 0.34 DEX x 1.0 IMPROVEMENT HP POW x 1.0 POW x 0.5 POW x 1.5 (Feeding your MAG) TP MIND x 1.0 MIND x 2.0 MIND x 0.34

The Distilled D-Factor Energy that As your MAG advances your creates these curative potions can character advances. As your also be fed back to and consumed MAG's attributes improve it will by a character's MAG. When a require better and better items to potion is fed to a MAG its effects cause these attributes to advance. are quite different. The quality of items your characters Any time you feed a potion to your will receive is dependent upon your MAG, roll the number of dice party level. Your individual level is indicated and compare the roll to always equal to your MAGs primary the MAG attribute indicated. If the attribute so it becomes important to die roll is GREATER (not equal give that attribute priority as you are too... but higher... ) than that advancing your MAG to ensure that attribute, then the attribute your party will always receive the improves by +1. best possible drops.

EQUIPMENT Wands, Canes and Rods can be any element, Fire is used here as Weapon Damage Attr Req Element Price an example. Elemental damage is Energy Blade 1d + ATP ATP 1 None 1000 resisted by the elemental attributes Energy Gun 1d ATA 1 None 1000 of Frames and Barriers but these Fire Wand 1d + MST MST 1 Fire 1000 weapons do not recreate other special effects that are associated FRAME ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK Price with Techniques of the same Frame 1 0 0 0 0 0 1000 element. Barrier 1 0 0 0 0 0 1000 Characters can resale items for Weapon Damage Attr Req Element Price 10% of their original price. For Energy Saber 2d + ATP ATP 6 None 4000 example: something that costs Energy Carbine 2d ATA 6 None 4000 1000 meseta can be sold for 100 Fire Cane 2d + MST MST 6 Fire 4000 meseta.

FRAME ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK Price MISSIONS Diframe 4 0 0 0 0 0 4000 Dibarrier 2 0 0 0 0 0 2000 The Hunters Guild offers mission assignments to freelance teams of Weapon Damage Attr Req Element Price Guild trained Mercenaries. As these Energy Sword 3d + ATP ATP 12 None 8000 "Hunter" teams grow in experience Energy Rifle 3d ATA 12 None 8000 and reputation the Guild will offer them more dangerous (and more Fire Rod 3d + MST MST 12 Fire 8000 profitable) missions.

FRAME ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK Price Triframe 8 0 0 0 0 0 8000 Any team that is sent to explore the planet Ragol must be teleported TriBarrier 4 0 0 0 0 0 4000 down to the planet's surface. Team members carry special devices Barriers are small shield generators called "Telepipes" that will allow the that can be worn on the arm. Their team to recall back up to Pioneer 2. bonuses combine with Frame bonuses. Only 1 Frame and 1 Teleportation to and from Ragol Barrier can be equipped at a time. uses a lot of energy and is therefore a costly process. Teams For Frames and Barriers each sent down to Ragol are paid based bonus increases the cost by 1000 upon how many times the Hunters meseta. To find the cost of a frame Guild is required to transport them. or barrier total all bonuses and multiply by 1000. A standard Commission is equal to average Party Level x1000 meseta. Examples: This fee is paid per Mission to the Party as a whole. The party is FRAME ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK Price responsible for dividing the Frame X 1 1 0 0 1 0 3000 commission fairly between its Frame Y 4 1 2 1 0 0 8000 members. Frame Z 8 0 0 0 3 3 14000

Any character that is teleported Trips to Ragol Payment while DOWN must roll a 1d test to Mission Completed in Commission x 1.5 Bonus! see if they survive the trip. If the one round trip! character rolls a 5 or 6 they survive. Mission Completed in Commission x 1 Standard two round trips. Humans get +1 to this roll, and Mission Completed in Commission x 0.5 Androids get +2 to the roll. Deduction three round trips Mission Not Mission Failure. No If the roll is failed the character Completed in three Failure payment received dies. round trips

RESPAWNING

When a MAG's character dies, their MAG will return to the Guild for reassignment. A player whose character has died has the option of playing a new character who has been paired with their old character's MAG.

A MAG who has formerly been assigned to an explorer will retain

much of the knowledge and Nightfall memories from their experiences with their previous host. Hunter teams cannot spend the night on Ragol. Any team who has The strain of loosing a symbiotic stayed on Ragol after nightfall has link with one host and then never returned. If the players establishing a new link with a new decide to allow their characters to character is stressful for the MAG. stay on Ragol after nightfall then All of the MAGs attributes are the entire group is automatically reduced by -1 (minimum 0.) This destroyed. No natural recovery on reflects the knowledge lost in the the planet Ragol can therefore strain associated with occur. Groups who return to reassignment. Pioneer 2 can benefit from free hospital facilities and can recover However the MAG will retain quickly with one very important memory of much of its experiences exception... and it will pass these memories on to its new host. The new host will DEATH be a different person with a unique past and background, but once

bonded, this person will remember A character whose status is DOWN the experiences of the MAG's is in danger of dying. In such a previous host as though they were delicate condition teleporting back their own. to Pioneer 2 can be more trauma

than the body can handle. Persons who undergo this kind of

bonding will often find themselves

30 confusing the MAG's memories are working together to explore the with their own and will seek out old planet Ragol. It is therefore not associates and loved ones to try important which player takes their and reestablish these relationships. turn first. After all the players has taken a turn, the GM will take a turn A player who chooses to adopt a for all of the characters (called Non- new character that has player characters or NPC's) that "respawned" in this fashion will are not controlled by the players. remember their character's experiences with their old Taking a Turn adventuring party, and will seek them out, looking to reestablish the On their turn a player can have friendships and camaraderie that their character: they "remember" from their previous life. 1) move then act ...

A "respawned" character must be 2) act then move ... affiliated with the same Guild as the original character because MAGs 3) prepare then act ... are Guild specific in design and programming. However, the new 4) or move and move... character does not need to be of the same Race or even the same gender as the original character. move ...

A player is not required to The character changes their "respawn" their character; they may physical location. For example: choose to select an entirely new closing in on an enemy. character with a new inexperienced MAG. If the players are using miniature figures or tokens to represent their COMBAT characters, a figure can travel 5 inches on the tabletop in a single The creatures of Ragol are almost move. entirely violent and dangerous. Adventuring parties to the planet's prepare ... surface must be prepared to deal with the threats of Ragol through A character that does not need to the application of force. move this turn can prepare their action. This gives them a +1 on the Combat in PS:RC proceeds around action's task roll for this turn only. the table in "turns" much like playing a board or card game. The act ... GM allows the players to take their

turns first and will proceed around The character does something that the table from player to player is not movement. Performing an allowing each player to take a turn. Attack or a Technique for example.

Since PS:RC is a role-playing game

it is not competitive. The players

TAKING ACTION TAKING DAMAGE

To perform an action roll 3d and The listings of weapons show how add to this roll one of your much damage a weapon will do. character's attributes. Most ATP (Attack Power) adds to the commonly players will add MST or Damage of close combat weapons ATA to these rolls. like blades, sabers, and swords. MST adds to the Damage of ATA Psychically Powered Weapons like Wands, canes and rods. Attack Accuracy - this is added to action rolls when your character is Damage is subtracted from a attacking with a weapon. This can character's HP after the effects of be any weapon, a gun, a blade or resistances have been applied. even a wand. There are two categories of resistances. MST

Mastery - this is your skill with psychic techniques. Add this to action rolls when attempting a Psychic Attack.

The value of this roll must be compared to a difficulty number. When making an attack that difficulty number is the EVP of your target.

EVP

Evade Power - this is your character's ability to avoid attacks. Any attack whether it is from a weapon like a blade, gun, or wand, or a psychic attack like from the Zonde (TH) technique is opposed by EVP.

Defensive Power ATTACK SUMMARY Guns and blades and almost all Make an Attack roll on 3d and add attacks that are not generated by either your ATA or your MST. psychic techniques are resisted by Compare the result to the EVP of your character's Defensive Power your target. If your roll is equal to or or DFP. Armor (ARM) can help to greater than the EVP of your target increase this resistance. Add ARM then your attack successfully "hits." and DFP together to find the total resistance to these kinds of attacks.

Elemental Resistance GETTING A LOCK-ON

Damage created through the use of When performing an attack action, Psychic Techniques is not resisted if the attack roll is 3 or more greater with DFP or ARM. It is reduced by than the target's EVP the character Elemental Resistance. There are should check for a LOCK-ON. many types of Psychic Elements and resistances for each. They are: To check for a LOCK-ON roll 3d and add your LCK (Lock) attribute EFR - the ability to eliminate FIRE to the roll. If the result of this roll is damage. equal to or greater than the target's EVP, then you have scored a EIC - the ability to eliminate ICE LOCK-ON. damage. A LOCK-ON indicates that your ETH - the ability to eliminate character has successfully hit a LIGHTNING (Thunder) damage. vulnerable area of the target.

ELT - the ability to eliminate LIGHT If you score a LOCK-ON your damage. character inflicts critical damage.

EDK - the ability to eliminate DARK Critical Damage damage. If your character achieves Critical Elemental Resistance is not a Damage double the total dice of character attribute at all. Frame and damage inflicted by your weapon or Barriers are pieces of technological technique. Any weapon can equipment that a character can achieve a lock on and thereby wear to grant themselves the score critical damage, as can any benefit of these resistances. technique that requires a Psychic Attack to hit its target. Each Technique has a specific element associated with it. If a Any modifiers to the dice rolls are technique has a LIGHTNING not doubled, only the total number element than the character should of dice that are rolled. look at the ETH value of their Frame and their Barrier to THE FLOW OF COMBAT determine how much resistance they have against the attack, for The GM will go around the table example. and allow each player to declare an action. Once every player has had Wands, canes and rods also inflict a turn the GM will perform actions Elemental Damage and are not on behalf of every NPC (or resisted by DFP or ARM. monster) involved in the combat.

If your character's HP are reduced Characters should remember to to zero your character is DOWN reduce HP to show damage taken (see page 17.) and to reduce TP to pay for Techniques that they have used.

Remember lost or spent HP and TP even "IMPOSSIBLE" actions might can only be restored by potions, be achievable. techniques (in the case of HP) or by returning to Pioneer 2. Difficulty Levels:

Once the GM has completed 3 - Automatic actions for all NPCs it becomes the 7 - Simple players turns again. This cycle 11 - Routine continues until all enemies (or the 15 - Difficult players) are DOWN. 19 - Really Difficult 23 - Nearly Impossible At the end of the combat the GM 27 - Impossible rolls for DROPs and tells the players which potions their MAGs Action Categories have produced. Players can choose to use the potions themselves, feed Next the GM should decide how to them to their MAGs or save them categorize your action. Action for later use. Effects of potions are Categories define the nature of the resolved immediately upon use. task your character is attempting and will reveal which character OUT OF COMBAT ACTIONS attribute you should add to your roll.

Frequently players will want to do Athletic - Actions of strength, things not defined by the combat stamina and physical grace or rules. Much of this can be balance. Roll 3d and add ATP. accomplished just through dialogue with the GM. But sometimes Mental - Actions of intelligence and circumstances will require that the reason. Roll 3d and add MST. player resolve some action where the outcome is uncertain. In these Technical - Actions involving cases, the GM should have the interaction with technology and any player roll an action check for their use of fine motor skills. Roll 3d and character. add ATA.

Difficulty Social - Actions that involve interacting with others. Roll 3d and First the GM should decide just how add DFP. difficult the action requested by the character actually is. A scale has Combat - See COMBAT rules. been provided defining a range of difficulties and the target number To perform an action roll 3d and the player must roll in order for their add to this roll one of your character to succeed in the action. character's attributes. The value of In the scale of difficulties below this roll must then be compared to inexperienced characters will have the difficulty number. a really tough time completing "DIFFICULT" actions and will not If the roll is equal to or greater than be able to complete "REALLY the difficulty number, the action has DIFFICULT" actions at all. At higher been completed successfully. levels "NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE" and

THE ROLE OF THE drink in the bars and visit their GAME MASTER friends here.

As the Game Master, your job is to Pioneer 2 is so vast that it may be paint the universe of PS:RC for the possible to run an entire game players, adjudicate the rules, take campaign on Pioneer 2 and never the roles of countless other venture down to the surface of ... characters in the universe for the players' characters to meet and Ragol interact with, and to write exciting adventures that will unfold before The planet Ragol is a dangerous the players eyes. place full of mysteries... it is a world of lush forests, and deep caves ... That seems like an awful lot of and the fragmented remains of the responsibility doesn't it? Being a Pioneer 1 colony. Pieces of colony GM isn't nearly so daunting as it walls are fused with trees and may seem. Let's look at each of the underbrush as though they had aspects of GMing mentioned grown there. Working powered above. doors open and close with no obvious source of power. Nature PAINT THE UNIVERSE seems to have consumed the city OF PS:RC and the technology that's left has found a place of its own as part of

the landscape and nothing here The Universe of PS:RC is really makes sense. only two key areas. There is the

colony ship, Pioneer 2, and there is Getting to the surface of the planet the planet Ragol. requires use of Pioneer 2's

teleportation systems. Use of these Pioneer 2 is supposed to be restricted to the Hunters Guild but powerful special The Pioneer 2 colony ship is a huge interest groups and rich investors vessel like a large city. Millions of have found a way to get access on people live here anxiously awaiting occasion. The players will only be any information they might receive able to teleport to the planet with about the mysterious fate of the aid of such a group. Generally Pioneer 1. Tensions are high as this sponsoring group will be the people grow impatient with the Hunters Guild and the players will close quarters. Many colonists and be working as a mercenary team on crew had family or friends lost when a Guild sponsored mission the Pioneer 1 was destroyed and assignment. pressure is high on the Hunters Guild to find answers. ADJUDICATE THE RULES The characters live on Pioneer 2.

They report to the guild As GM it's your job to answer headquarters for mission questions about the rules and make assignments and free hospital decisions about rules services. They shop in the malls, interpretations. Just be fair and open minded and don't be afraid to

35 change your mind. Make a decision WRITE EXCITING and the players will abide by your ADVENTURES choice, later, if you decide the rule should work differently, change it This is your chance to really shine. and let the players know. These Adventures are loose story outlines rules are guidelines... they are that create an impetus and really only suggestions on how to motivation for the players to follow. play. Feel free to work with your Maybe there's an Android rights riot players to change any rules that in the public square smack in the don't work for you. middle of Pioneer 2 and the Hunters Guild has asked the PCs to TAKE THE ROLE OF try to help make peace. Maybe the OTHER CHARACTERS players are at the rally themselves. Or the players might be sent to Shop owners, scientists, prostitutes Ragol to find a missing scientist and policemen ... Pioneer 2 is full of who went down to the planet's all manner of person each biding surface to gather samples of the their time and trying to survive the wildlife. Maybe the players are sent best that they can from day to day. to Ragol to find working remnants As the GM you will fill these roles of technology and recover any data and more. When a player goes to a they can from the data stores of this shop to buy new equipment, you technology. suddenly become a shop owner... you speak as the shop owner Your adventure is meant to set-up speaks and interact with the player the possibility for action... then it's as a shop owner would until that up to the players to respond. Their player has purchased what they responses will sometimes follow need for their character and exactly with the story outline that announces that the character has you have envisioned or they will moved on. sometimes surprise you and go in a completely new direction... it's your You are the world that the players job to keep pace with the players experience... you are their interface and help them tell the best story to the game... you are the monitor, possible. the keyboard, the mouse and the speakers... have fun with it... try giving different characters different voices or strange personality quirks... try not to get too serious about casual encounters... have fun... make stuff up as you go. Being GM is fun.

36 Phantasy Star : R ag o l's C u r se C har ac ter r ec o r d

NAME MAG

CHARACTER TYPE POW DEX

ATP 0+ (POW x ) = DEF MIND DFP 0+ (DEF x ) = PRIMARY ATTRIBUTE MST 0+ (MIND x ) = CHARACTER LEVEL ATA 0+ (DEX x ) = WEAPON DMG REQ ELEMENT

EVP 10+ (DEF x ) = LCK 0+ (DEX x ) = ARMOR ARM EFR EIC ETH ELT EDK

HP 10+ (POW x ) = FRAME TP 5+ (MIND x ) = BARRIER ITEMS TECHNIQUES ELEMENT TP COST

MESETA

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