Intro

Back in the days when only Cpt. Kirk and NASA had computers RPG's were played very differently from the way most experience them in the Internet age. Role playing games were the purview of the kitchen table and the local hobby shop; a universe in which the monsters and heroes found their courage flowing from uniquely numbered dice and the pages of a book. These games are now referred to, generally, as "pen and dice, pen and paper, books and dice or tabletop rpg," as a way to differentiate the classic genre from its modern electronic counterpart. Pen & paper RPG"s like APOCalypse 2500 are games in which the participants assume roles, often as fantasy characters in a scenario that develops as the game progresses. The first widely known game "Dungeons & Dragons" by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974, was restricted to a mythical medieval world. Today the genre encompasses a wide variety of games in an endless number of settings all with a similar mechanics of play.

Basic Game Elements

The basic aspects of the pen and paper RPG APOCalypse 2500 can best be described by breaking down the different game elements. The first is the "game world or universe." All RPG games exists in their own unique universe governed by unique fantasy realities. The second is "game mechanics" and refers to the system of rules and die rolls used to determine player action, character creation, and physical manifestation. APOCalypse 2500 game universe and game mechanics are detailed in the Main Rule Book. The third is the Adventure Scenario which is a supplement to rule books and contains the adventure details such as back story and maps lists of hazards, treasures, characters and goals relative to its unique situations.

Game Master

APOCalypse 2500 like other's in it's genera is run by a moderator called a Game Master (GM) who is the administrator of game rules and story teller.The GM's role is to use rule books and scenario texts to lead a player group (Recommended 2-6) on an adventure while maintaining the fantasy realities of the game universe. Although GM's take on the roles of monsters that may attack players it is not the GM's overall role to be player adversary. The Game Master is rules moderator, story teller, bit player, and game referee. More instruction about the GM's role is contained in the GM's Campaign Guide

Player's Characters

The players take on different fantasy personas based on possibilities presented by the game universe. Utilizing the game rules and dice, players create a "Player Character"(PC) then equip them in preparation for upcoming adventures. The goal of the player in any RPG is to advance their character in ability and wealth through the undertaking of hazardous quests. The same PC will have many adventures within the game universe becoming more able to face greater challenges for greater reward as time goes by. All information on PC creation is contained in the APOCalypse 2500 Main Rule Book.

Note on the preceding:

As to the different roles, i.e. Game Master or Player, many people who play these types of games will be both. That is to say that GM's will often be invited to other games where they will create characters and play as a player and many players once they become experienced will also host games as GM's.

What do I need to get started

Potential Game Masters (GM's) will need a set of books to host and run games listed in the Game Masters Toolbox

Potential Players will usually utilize the Game Masters books but could benifit from their own copy of the main rule book and other material listed in Players toolbox

Both Players and GM's will need dice a simple seven (7) piece set including 1 of each: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, and d% will suffice.