Lore 100 by Jesse Covner is a free role playing game supplement published by Sons of the Singularity. This is a core book for a d100 system.
The supplement is available as a 42-page PDF for free from DriveThruRPG. One page is the front cover and one the Contents and front matter.
The Lore 100 System starts with explaining the reasons for the system. It is stated to combine the traditions of d100 systems combined with narrative-centric mechanics found in such as GUMSHOE and the Lore System. It explains what is needed to play, it states that it doesn’t explain what and RPG is – it’s assumed the reader knows – that numbers are rounded down and that it has been customised for the Camlann setting but should work with others.
Basic Rules explains that players narrate what a character does. The mechanics of dice rolls, including advantage, disadvantage and difficulty modifiers, are covered. PCs Trained in pertinent skills automatically acquire clues and key information (this is similar to GUMSHOE); failing a skill roll means success with a complication.
Character Creation starts with a character sheet with the different steps outlined on it.
Step #1 is Theme and Species. The theme is a short description of the character; species is a choice of human, elves, half-giant and sithling, each of which has different advantages.
Step #2 is Create Lore Sheets. Lore Sheets are descriptions of a character and their relationship or history with other characters in the game world. One profession Lore Sheet and one general Lore Sheet should be picked or created. Lore Sheets come in general, profession and game changer types. There are explanations as to why they are used, how they can be gained and tips for making them. Profession Lore Sheets for the Camlann Chronicles follow.
Step #3 is Characteristics. Values can be assigned as an array or as numbers between 15 and 40. There are six different characteristics; Physique, Agility, Intelligence, Willpower, Charisma and Education.
Step #4 is Skills. Skills are grouped by characteristic and characters can add point to skills on their profession Lore Sheet. Some skills are also a subset of others; each is then described.
Step #5 is Specials, which are optional. These are special abilities, similar to things like feats and edges, and the ones described are for the Camlann Chronicles.
Step #6 is finishing up and covers determining several equipment, skill and characteristic-derived attributes.
Using Lore Sheets explain how Lore Sheets can be “tapped” to provide various benefits. Game changer Lore Sheets add special options that, as suggested, are major.
Conflicts covers combat, including manoeuvres, and has some conditions that can be suffered. Other rules include critical success and failure, modifiers, damage, defending against multiple attacks, shields, area of effect and reaction attacks.
The Reflection Point covers what happens after a PC’s Psyche reaches 0. The Reflection Point is a conversation between the player and GM about what happens to the PC; there are three options.
Magic starts by explaining initial spells and how spells are gained. Using spells requires a Lore Sheet or Special that grants a Magic skill. Spells have ranks, which are essentially levels. Casting magic requires a skill roll and costs Mana Points. How spells are described is covered next.
Schools of Magic are the different spells, as found in the Camlann Chronicles. Four schools are included; Seelie, Fey, Druidic and Theistic. Each school has a range of appropriate spells. There are a number of common ways that spells can be modified and an explanation of Alchemy, which is a way of casting spells by combining magic with potions.
Counters covers Progress and Risk Counters. These are altered by events until something is achieved, for Progress, or goes utterly wrong, for Risk, with milestone steps along the way as elements change.
Status is another attribute which determines a character’s initial money, income from Downtime work and ability to influence people. Income, for the Camlann Chronicles, and Status rolls are covered, and an example of purchasing a large asset, using a Progress Counter.
Equipment explains the system doesn’t use encumbrance. There are Kits used to simply some inventory management; these have a number of Stocks that are used up. Kits can still be used after Stocks have been depleted, but a player must be able to explain how they can pull this off.
Weapons & Armour has a brief list of such with their attributes.
Magic Items explains the general concept of plus weapons, followed by a list of named weapons of the Camlann Chronicles and a few other magic items.
Downtime is a period when characters regain expended attributes, earn money from work and develop themselves.
Optional Rules has some rules on PvP; only allowing meaningful rather than players themselves causing problems. There are rules on narrative, alternate rules for NPCs in combat and the GM’s Remit Sheet, where new rules and agreements are written, though the sheet itself is missing.
Creatures & NPCs provides stat box examples for these, then has a handful of common NPCs and monsters.
The final page is a character sheet.
Lore 100 in Review
The PDF is bookmarked, though not as deeply as it could be, and some of the bookmarks lead to the wrong places. The Contents are to a similar level of depth and are also hyperlinked. Navigation could be better. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be mostly free of errors. There are a few black and white illustrations. Presentation is okay.
Lore 100 is a pretty lightweight system, though not quite minimalist. It also has more of a narrative focus than many d100 systems do; such systems tend to fall into the crunchier range. Lore Sheets are a fundamental part of the game, and drive narrative. In addition, like with GUMSHOE, if a piece of information is important, characters will find out what it is, so the game doesn’t grind to a halt because of a bad roll. Just enough is really given to work out how the system functions; more magic for instance could easily be added, as well as more Lore Sheets. Lore 100 is an interesting variation from the more typical d100 game and it can be downloaded for free by clicking here.
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