The Zorcerer of Zo
Encyclopedia
The Zantabulous Zorcerer of Zo is a fairy tale
-themed independently published
role-playing game
created by Chad Underkoffler and published by Atomic Sock Monkey Press
. The game allows players to take the role of fairy tale characters.
, Truth & Justice
, and Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot, as well as the second edition of Ninja Burger
— simplified to increase the flexibility and simplicity required for telling whimsical tales of magic and fairies. PDQ offers three different levels of task resolution for any situation, in order to let players resolve encounters in as much or as little detail as possible.
PDQ also has three system elements of general interest: an abstracted system for damage or failure in conflicts, a method for generating future game events (or "Story Hooks") by taking damage, and a player-driven Hero Point
system.
The core mechanic is to add 2d6 plus a freeform stat or set of stats, and compare to a difficulty number either a fixed difficulty number or the opponent's roll. In conflicts, the amount which you beat another character's roll by is the amount of damage or failure ranks (see below). Stats are rated in five named ranks: Poor [-2], Average [+0], Good [+2], Expert [+4], and Master [+6].
Conflicts result in the accumulation of either "failure ranks" (which recover at the end of the contest) or "damage ranks" (which may take longer to heal). Each point of either type means that the loser must choose a stat to downgrade by one rank. So if you lose a conflict roll by 3, you must lower three stats each by one rank, or one stat by three ranks (with a minimum of Poor: -2). You can choose any stat to take your damage in -- i.e. you can downgrade your "Singing" quality based on a hit in a fight. When you can't lower your stats any lower (i.e. a hit when all stats are at Poor [-2]), then you have lost the contest.
Compared to the standard PDQ system, ZoZ streamlines character creation, magic, and conflict resolution.
Chapter 2 is an overview of the Land of Zo, a fantasy land reminiscent of Frank Baum's Land of Oz
, C.S. Lewis' Narnia, J.M. Barrie's Neverland
, and the lands of Florin and Guilder in William Goldman's The Princess Bride
, as well as the more classic fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm
, Charles Perrault
, and Hans Christian Andersen
.
Chapter 3 is an overview of the game system, where the rules have been simplified even from the basic PDQ system to support unfettered play, and Chapter 4 details character creation with numerous examples. These sections contain valuable advice for including children of varying ages in the game. Chapter 5 contains game master (GM) advice and techniques to foster a fairytale-like quality when creating and running stories.
The last two sections, as well as a substantial appendix, detail an example of campaign creation and play, from the initial pitch to the "Happily Ever After" conclusion. These sections include GM and player comments that give insight on how a group can produce satisfying, in-genre stories.
format in November 2006, and a print version became available through distributed retail in December 2006.
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
-themed independently published
Indie role-playing game
An indie role-playing game is a role-playing game published outside of traditional, "mainstream" means. Varying definitions require that commercial, design, or conceptual elements of the game stay under the control of the creator, or that the game should just be produced outside of a corporate...
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...
created by Chad Underkoffler and published by Atomic Sock Monkey Press
Atomic Sock Monkey Press
Atomic Sock Monkey Press is a small press game company that publishes “beer and pretzels” role-playing games and board games. The company is run by Chad Underkoffler, also known for his game columns on RPG.net and Pyramid magazine, as well as writing contributions to Atlas Games' Unknown Armies...
. The game allows players to take the role of fairy tale characters.
System
The game uses the Prose Descriptive Qualities (PDQ) system — also used in Atomic Sock Monkey Press's Dead InsideDead Inside
Dead Inside is a horror/fantasy role-playing game published by Atomic Sock Monkey Press based around the concept of characters who have lost or were born without their souls. These "Dead Inside" strive to regain or rebuild their souls...
, Truth & Justice
Truth & Justice
Truth & Justice is an "indie" tabletop role-playing game designed to emulate the superhero genre. It was created by Chad Underkoffler and published by Atomic Sock Monkey Press. The game allows players to take the role of superheroes and supervillains....
, and Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot, as well as the second edition of Ninja Burger
Ninja Burger
is a parody website started in late 1999, purporting that a sect of noble ninja have taken to secretly delivering fast food meals, anywhere, anytime, within 30 minutes or less. Failure to deliver within the ascribed time limit results in Seppuku. Some of Ninja Burger's rivals include , Otaku Bell and...
— simplified to increase the flexibility and simplicity required for telling whimsical tales of magic and fairies. PDQ offers three different levels of task resolution for any situation, in order to let players resolve encounters in as much or as little detail as possible.
PDQ also has three system elements of general interest: an abstracted system for damage or failure in conflicts, a method for generating future game events (or "Story Hooks") by taking damage, and a player-driven Hero Point
Plot point (role-playing games)
Plot point is a term used in role-playing games . It refers to any point given to a player character which can be spent to alter the plot of the game...
system.
The core mechanic is to add 2d6 plus a freeform stat or set of stats, and compare to a difficulty number either a fixed difficulty number or the opponent's roll. In conflicts, the amount which you beat another character's roll by is the amount of damage or failure ranks (see below). Stats are rated in five named ranks: Poor [-2], Average [+0], Good [+2], Expert [+4], and Master [+6].
Conflicts result in the accumulation of either "failure ranks" (which recover at the end of the contest) or "damage ranks" (which may take longer to heal). Each point of either type means that the loser must choose a stat to downgrade by one rank. So if you lose a conflict roll by 3, you must lower three stats each by one rank, or one stat by three ranks (with a minimum of Poor: -2). You can choose any stat to take your damage in -- i.e. you can downgrade your "Singing" quality based on a hit in a fight. When you can't lower your stats any lower (i.e. a hit when all stats are at Poor [-2]), then you have lost the contest.
Compared to the standard PDQ system, ZoZ streamlines character creation, magic, and conflict resolution.
Setting
The whole of the first chapter of The Zorcerer of Zo consists of a discussion and analysis of the fairy tales genre and how aspects of it can be implemented in an RPG. Topics addressed include Fairytale Elements, Fairytale Settings (The Kingdom Entire, Otherworldly Visitors), Talking Animals & Living Objects, Fairytale Magic, Happily Ever Afters, Fairytale Tone: Nice vs. Neutral vs. Nasty, Fairytale & Nursery Rhyme Adventures, and an extensive bibliography, filmography, and "ludography" (list of other games).Chapter 2 is an overview of the Land of Zo, a fantasy land reminiscent of Frank Baum's Land of Oz
Land of Oz
Oz is a fantasy region containing four lands under the rule of one monarch.It was first introduced in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, one of many fantasy countries that he created for his books. It achieved a popularity that none of his other works attained, and after four years, he...
, C.S. Lewis' Narnia, J.M. Barrie's Neverland
Neverland
Neverland is a fictional world featured in the works of J. M. Barrie and those based on them. It is the dwelling place of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and others...
, and the lands of Florin and Guilder in William Goldman's The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is a 1973 fantasy novel written by William Goldman. It was originally published in the United States by Harcourt Brace, while in the UK it is/was published by Bloomsbury Publishing....
, as well as the more classic fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm
Brothers Grimm
The Brothers Grimm , Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm , were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who collected folklore and published several collections of it as Grimm's Fairy Tales, which became very popular...
, Charles Perrault
Charles Perrault
Charles Perrault was a French author who laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale, with his works derived from pre-existing folk tales. The best known include Le Petit Chaperon rouge , Cendrillon , Le Chat Botté and La Barbe bleue...
, and Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
.
Chapter 3 is an overview of the game system, where the rules have been simplified even from the basic PDQ system to support unfettered play, and Chapter 4 details character creation with numerous examples. These sections contain valuable advice for including children of varying ages in the game. Chapter 5 contains game master (GM) advice and techniques to foster a fairytale-like quality when creating and running stories.
The last two sections, as well as a substantial appendix, detail an example of campaign creation and play, from the initial pitch to the "Happily Ever After" conclusion. These sections include GM and player comments that give insight on how a group can produce satisfying, in-genre stories.
History
The game was originally published in PDF and Print on DemandPrint on demand
Print on demand , sometimes called, in error, publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book are not printed until an order has been received...
format in November 2006, and a print version became available through distributed retail in December 2006.