Midgard (role-playing game)
Encyclopedia
Midgard is a fantasy
role-playing game
from Germany
. It was the first role-playing game published in German language
and the first to be created in Germany.
Midgard is also the name of the world on which the game is usually played (originally named Magira but later renamed due to legal problems). However, the rules of the game are designed in a way that makes it possible to play Midgard on nearly every world.
Midgard uses D20 for attacks, spells and skills. An action succeeds if the sum of the rolled value and the corresponding success score (Erfolgswert, usually +4 to +20) is at least 20.
The success score depends on the weapon or skill but is the same for all magical spells. Spells, however, cost exhaustion points and differ in the number of points they cost.
For attacks and attack spells, the damage is rolled with D6. The number of dice and the modifier depend on the weapon or spell used for the attack. For example, a dagger
may inflict 1D6-1 (roll one D6 and subtract 1) whereas a lance may inflict up to 3D6+3 (roll three D6 and add three, in case of a mounted charge). A damage modifier (ranging from -3 to +5, depending on strength and dexterity) is added to the damage roll.
The attacked player may try to parry or evade by rolling a D20. This is successful if the roll plus the character's defense or resistance score is equal to or larger than the sum achieved by the attacker, and the character only loses exhaustion points (light damage). Otherwise, the character loses both hit and exhaustion points (heavy damage), whereby the number of hit points (but not exhaustion points) lost may be reduced by armour.
D100 are used for tests (Prüfwurf) against the character's attributes (e.g. strength or magical talent), which range from 1 to 100. The player rolls a D100 (usually replaced with two D10) and the test is successful if the roll is below or equal the character's attribute score (Eigenschaftswert).
Compared to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons or The Dark Eye
, Midgard does not emphasise the character's level very much. Characters may learn at any time, only limited by their experience points. The level increases when the player has spent a certain amount of experience points. He or she may then spend some more experience points to increase the number of exhaustion points and there's a slight chance (determined by D100) that the score of one of the base attributes increases.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It was the first role-playing game published in German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and the first to be created in Germany.
Midgard is also the name of the world on which the game is usually played (originally named Magira but later renamed due to legal problems). However, the rules of the game are designed in a way that makes it possible to play Midgard on nearly every world.
Game Mechanics
Midgard, in its 1985 edition, was the first role-playing game system that separated exhaustion points from hit points. While the number of exhaustion points increases with the character's level, hit points usually remain constant. This has the effect that experienced characters can fight longer and cast more spells but they may still be inflicted serious wounds by a direct hit.Midgard uses D20 for attacks, spells and skills. An action succeeds if the sum of the rolled value and the corresponding success score (Erfolgswert, usually +4 to +20) is at least 20.
The success score depends on the weapon or skill but is the same for all magical spells. Spells, however, cost exhaustion points and differ in the number of points they cost.
For attacks and attack spells, the damage is rolled with D6. The number of dice and the modifier depend on the weapon or spell used for the attack. For example, a dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
may inflict 1D6-1 (roll one D6 and subtract 1) whereas a lance may inflict up to 3D6+3 (roll three D6 and add three, in case of a mounted charge). A damage modifier (ranging from -3 to +5, depending on strength and dexterity) is added to the damage roll.
The attacked player may try to parry or evade by rolling a D20. This is successful if the roll plus the character's defense or resistance score is equal to or larger than the sum achieved by the attacker, and the character only loses exhaustion points (light damage). Otherwise, the character loses both hit and exhaustion points (heavy damage), whereby the number of hit points (but not exhaustion points) lost may be reduced by armour.
D100 are used for tests (Prüfwurf) against the character's attributes (e.g. strength or magical talent), which range from 1 to 100. The player rolls a D100 (usually replaced with two D10) and the test is successful if the roll is below or equal the character's attribute score (Eigenschaftswert).
Compared to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons or The Dark Eye
The Dark Eye
The Dark Eye , is a German role-playing game created by Ulrich Kiesow and launched by Schmidt Spiel & Freizeit GmbH and Droemer Knaur Verlag in 1984. The name literally means "the black eye"...
, Midgard does not emphasise the character's level very much. Characters may learn at any time, only limited by their experience points. The level increases when the player has spent a certain amount of experience points. He or she may then spend some more experience points to increase the number of exhaustion points and there's a slight chance (determined by D100) that the score of one of the base attributes increases.