Fudge Points and Your Table

In Fudge, five options are given for the use of Fudge points. The rule states, "Here are some suggested ways to use them—the GM can create her own uses, of course. A GM may allow as few or many of these options as she wishes—the players should ask her before assuming they can do something with Fudge Points."

Immediately, I wonder: How many GMs allow all of the options versus some of the options? How many use only one? How many expand or replace the options with their own? Do they ask for the input of their players? Do they vote on it?

Four or five different options is a bit much to keep in mind, and I have a feeling most players would forget to use them when it would be most advantageous. It's also a thing that removes one from the in-character state, which I would consider a flaw in the system. I think it would be better to limit the use of Fudge points to one or two options in order to better internalize the rule and reduce its out-of-character impact.

Regardless of the number of options used, I think every character sheet ought to have them listed close to the Fudge points entry. The longer the list of options, the more crucial it is to give players a visible reminder.

I welcome any comments on this topic.

"and Bake for 15 Minutes" Fudge

Over the years, I have been gravitating more and more toward simpler, more streamlined Fudge rules of my own design, and I am always pleased to see others heading in the same direction. Today, I discovered another Fudge variant in line with my preferences entitled "and Bake for 15 Minutes" Fudge. Designed by Doug Bolden, it is based on the concept of "phrases" as the core of character creation. I am always interested in systems that take this approach, and I feel it's worth a playtest.

Daily Movement Rates

Sometimes a GM may find it easier to describe movement rates in terms of the distance that can be covered under various circumstances over the course of a day, instead of determining exact speeds and hours traveled. This is especially true when the mode of travel is primitive. Movement rates for vehicles may be found in various vehicle descriptions.

Modes of Travel
Marching	40 miles (64 km) per day
Mounted	60 miles (96 km) per day
Caravan	20 miles (32 km) per day

Terrain Modifiers
Road	Normal
Offroad	× .75
Forest	× .5
Jungle	× .25
Swamp	× .25
Hilly	× .5
Rocky	× .5
Mountainous	× .25

Weather Modifiers
Medium Rain	× .75
Heavy Rain	× .5
Medium Snow	× .5
Heavy Snow	× .25
Sandstorm	× .1
Blizzard	× .1

In the charts above, Modes of Travel refers to unmodified daily movement rates. Marching assumes a disciplined, steady pace on foot. Mounted refers to travel by horse, pony, camel, or other similar beasts. Caravan refers to travel by wagon, cart, or simple walking.

The movement rate is modified by conditions of terrain and weather. Terrain modifiers are applied first by multiplying the movement rate by the appropriate modifier. The product is then multiplied by any extant weather modifiers. For example, if a party is marching over hilly terrain in the snow, the movement rate would be 5 miles per day (20 × .5 = 10; 10 × .5 = 5).

In swamps or mountainous terrain, mounted characters move at the marching movement rate.

Certain obstacles, such as a river to be forded, may delay progress, but the time lost depends on individual circumstances to be determined by the GM.

[Originally posted in Fudgery.net in 2006.]

[This article is not specific to Fudge, of course, but it is of universal utility (much like Fudge) and originally appeared in Fudgery.net, which I think is sufficient justification to re-post it in Creative Reckoning.]

Fudge Thought of the Day 2023-07-06

The recent Great Controversy of our hobby regarding the antics of Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast and the Open Game License has led many game publishers to reconsider their reliance on the OGL and explore other options including the Open RPG Creative License (awkwardly dubbed "ORC"), Creative Commons licenses, and licenses unique to their companies. Fudge, of course, shifted from the Fudge Legal Notice to the OGL years ago, and now we await a decision as to its future from its official publisher, Grey Ghost Press.

I have been distrustful of the OGL from the beginning. I have never felt comfortable granting power over my work to a company that had nothing to do with the game system for which I create content, and I have certainly never condoned giving any company the illusion of ownership of information (such as game mechanics) that cannot be copyrighted.

My preference—for Fudge and any role-playing game for which I desire to create content—is for either a Creative Commons license or a license created by the individual publisher (such as the free compatibility license for Awfully Cheerful Engine!). This would remove much of the concern I sometimes have about sharing material and give me more incentive to write it. Most creators are undercompensated for their efforts. Let's do something to help, rather than hinder, their ability to contribute to the hobby and the community.

When Best and Worst Meet in Singular Fudge

In Singular Fudge (q.v.), under normal conditions, without modifiers or Fudge point expenditure, it would seem that a character with a Below Average trait can never do better than Average, and a character with an Above Average trait can never do worse than Average. So, what happens in an opposed roll when the Below Average contestant rolls the best against an Above Average contestant who rolls the worst? Is the best the Below Average contestant can expect a draw?

In such cases (and in such cases only), the tie is immediately followed by a roll of 1dF on equal standing by each contestant. That is to say, each rolls 1dF and the result is the relative degree of the opposed roll in favor of whoever rolls highest (unless the relative degree is 0, which case the tie stands). This applies to any kind of opposed roll, combat-related or otherwise.

Singular Fudge

The Premise

Is Fudge viable when it is restricted to 1dF and a five-level trait ladder?

Character Creation

Regardless of the method of character creation and the kinds of traits used, there are only three levels available for any trait: Above Average, Average, and Below Average.

One simple method is to allow two traits at Above Average for every one trait at Below Average. Any trait not listed is considered Average.

The Trait Levels

Far Above Average
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Far Below Average

The Die

The only rolling technique is 1dF, so the range is always –1, 0, +1, with a 33% chance of any given result. The only way for a Below Average trait to reach Above Average or Far Above Average performance is through GM-sanctioned modifiers or the expenditure of Fudge points.

N.B. These rules have not been playtested.

Fudge Dice Rollers at Grey Ghost Press

There are "New FUDGE Dice Rollers" at the Grey Ghost Press, Inc. site, and they might be the first to accurately capture how Fudge dice are supposed to work in relation to trait levels. I am particularly pleased with the standard version, although I'd prefer it if the ladder either dropped "Legendary" or added "Abysmal." I think the standard version ought to have just the original seven trait levels or the original seven plus both of the optional trait levels to avoid confusion, but it's still a great improvement over most other online Fudge dice rollers.

Advice and Perspective

I don't think the hobby is served well by those who presume to dictate a "correct" way of running or playing a role-playing game. It is different at every table, it has always been that way, and it shall always be that way. You can try to convert others to your way of thinking, but gamers will do what gamers do—their own thing. If you have what you believe is good advice for those who might enjoy your style of gaming, go ahead and share it, but keep in mind there is no One True Way. Recognize that every table is different and every person at that table is an individual. Respect our differences, and remember that some gamers have needs with regard to accessibility.

If you have a voice in the hobby, use it to help others to participate. Fight for inclusion, not exclusion. Be aware of your responsibility to other hobbyists and those who wish to join.

[This article is cross-posted here in Applied Phantasticality.]

Buying Time

Sometimes I run adventures for which I have prepared extensively, and those are fun (especially if I've written them myself), but sometimes the best adventures are those I've concocted an hour before running them—and those rely on a heavy dose of improvisation inspired by a hastily composed mental outline and some notes. Regardless of the amount of preparation involved, there will inevitably be moments during any session when the player characters will do something unexpected and I will need to create a locale, non-player character, or bit of information spontaneously. Improvising is one of my favorite aspects of role-playing and I am happy to go with the flow of it, but there is always a chance I might forget about this wonderful thing I brought into existence at the spur of the moment and it will be lost forever—instead of being integrated into the setting and the shared experience of the participants—if no one records it. This can be a tragic loss of lore and gaming potential. All it takes is someone to write down the details, but how can it be done without destroying the momentum that helped create it? These ideas are born of the moment, and if I, as the GM, just clear my throat and mumble apologetically, "Give me a moment to write this down before I forget it, please"—the flow of the game is disrupted and the willing suspension of disbelief is compromised.

The solution is simple. Misdirect attention like a magician and query like a psychoanalyst. Just pick a player at random and say, "[insert character name], how does that make you feel?" The player will probably be delighted to supply a brief monologue, and that gives you the time to jot down the details of whatever you just made up without interrupting the role-play. If the player declines, you can ask another player.

Of course, you could hire a stenographer or use a dictaphone, but "How does that make you feel?" is free.

Accessible Gaming Quarterly Year 4 Crowdfunding Project

I shall be posting this to each of my five gaming blogs because the cause is worthy and time is of the essence. Jacob Wood of Accessible Games has launched Accessible Gaming Quarterly Year 4, a crowdfunding project on Kickstarter to produce four more issues of Accessible Gaming Quarterly, "a zine about accessibility and inclusion in tabletop RPGs." As it states on the project page, "This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Thu, March 9 2023 11:59 PM EST." AGQ provides a much-needed service in this hobby, and I hope you will join me in lending support.

Of special interest to readers of Creative Reckoning, Jacob Wood is also the designer of several role-playing games based on Fudge including Monster Kart Mayhem, Psi-punk, and Survival of the Able.

Purchase Accessible Games products here.

Adjectives Are the Key

I still think the best way to promote my favorite form of Fudge — subjective Fudge — is to concentrate on creating interesting adventures and writing up characters, creatures, places, and things using the traditional trait ladder. In a Fudge adventure, that's all you need, and it instantly renders it system neutral for use with any other role-playing game. Don't worry about which injury system is in effect or how much damage a particular weapon causes. That's a decision for the group playing it. Just rate capabilities and levels of difficulty using those familiar adjectives that everyone understands. That way anyone can use it for any flavor of Fudge or any other role-playing game.

Stating Mediocrity

I have mentioned that Mediocre is the default trait level in plain traits and Elementary Fudge, and that any Mediocre trait need not be specified on a character sheet, but I failed to mention that there may be cases in which it might be advisable to list Mediocre traits. There are, in fact, those who are Mediocre at their professions, and although anyone could conceivably fill their positions at the same level of inadequacy if pressed, it is nonetheless a defining aspect of their character by virtue of the time they invest in it. Jane Doe is a Great Martial Artist and a Good Amateur Detective, and it may seem irrelevant that she is a Mediocre Pizza Chef, but if her primary occupation is working at a pizzeria (that may or may not serve as a headquarters for her fellow sleuths), then "Pizza Chef: Mediocre" would be an important fact to record. It's how she pays her bills and it's one of her motivations to take risks in her search for a more rewarding life. She may not be good at it, but it partially defines her.