GURPSing Kids
October 30, 2009 – 10:27 am
Yesterday evening I mastered a little RPG for my both kids, Jasa (12) and Janos (10). I basically choose GURPS for that, since I like this system most. Sure with the kids it’s GURPS Lite (free copy available) and even for this I decided to mitigate some rules. E.g. there is just one simple “Attack” and one simple “Defend” combat option.
I made up a small setting based in Caithness on Yrth within the Banestorm universe. Very interesting place though. First I was somehow deterred by the idea transporting earth philosophy and religion into a Tolkien like world. But on a deeper second thought and reading about what has happened to this ideas and ideals in a elves and dwarfes world separated for more than 1000 years from Earth but with rare one-way contacts from Earth to Yrth is … amazing! Having Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judism and even Paganism right next to elves, dwarfes, trolls, goblins, orcs, etc. is sure stuff enough for a lot of interesting adventures.
For my kids, I just develop the story how it comes to my mind. I’m developing the story offhand. Kitton is a small village right in the middle of nowhere in Caithness in the province belonging to Oakwood. Both play 16 year old farmer twins ought to go out into the world - and return eventually with a job learned. Currently they are assisting the local sheriff on guarding mission. The situation in Caithness is tense since the land is on an edge to civil war and after decades of absent the Orcs in the west, lead by dwarfen renegades, are starting small skirmish attacks which could be the sign of an uprising Orc invasion.
However, funny thing is, that even if my kids play 16 year old boys, they still behave like 10, 12 year old boys. It was hard getting both into contact with the sheriff to assign them their first jobs, since at first they eagerly avoided him as an authority representative. They preferred to spy through one’s windows in order to get a hint of what’s inside. Also they didn’t bother why the church was closed but instantly tried to break in, just for the fun of it with no apparent reason. Without noticing the church exactly opposite the the sheriff’s office!! Right at 3 pm afternoon!!!! Luckily they had a critical failure and broke their tools. So they blew it off … KIDS!!! =)
For the records: if anyone of SJGames sees this: I took the GURPS logo from their webpage and added a drop shadow. GURPS and the GURPS Logo is a registered trademark (I think) of Steve Jackson Games: http://www.sjgames.com.