Top Secret (role-playing game)
Encyclopedia
Top Secret is an espionage
-themed role-playing game
written by Merle M. Rasmussen
and first published in 1980 by TSR, Inc.
, and allows players and gamemaster
s to build their own espionage story settings. The original boxed set of the game included a 64-page rule book and a sample adventure, "Operation: Sprechenhaltestelle." The game was developed over a period of two years by Rasmussen and TSR
editor Allen Hammack. As part of the playtesting for the game, a note written on TSR
stationery about a fictitious assassination plot brought the FBI
to the offices of TSR Hobbies.
The Top Secret game is based exclusively on 10-sided dice. All character attributes and other statistics
are percentiles; some scores are rolled, and some are derived from combinations of two or more other scores. Top Secret also features Areas of Knowledge, which function similarly to skills in more modern RPGs. Characters gain experience point
s and progress upward in level. Characters gained one attribute point for every hundred experience points in addition to going up in level. The levels had relatively limited in-game effects (most significantly, gained experience points were divided by the character's level).
Top Secret characters are employed in specific bureaus — Assassination (Killing), Confiscation (Theft), or Investigation (Research) — all in the structure of an unspecified espionage agency. Despite a character's primary vocation, he may be called on to perform any type of mission. The only in-game effect of a character's bureau is that he earns a 100-point experience bonus for mission objectives which fall within that bureau. An appendix in the rule book lists dozens of historical and fictional espionage organizations which could serve as employers or adversaries for missions.
An expansion to the game, The Top Secret Companion introduced enhancements to many game components. It included additional character classes and missions, as well as new Areas of Knowledge and abilities. A revised combat system was introduced that speeded up and provided more variety to combat results. New equipment and weapons were introduced as well.
. S.I. introduced a more structured gaming environment in which players worked as agents for secret intelligence agency ORION against its evil adversary, WEB. Later source books in the product line introduce both supernatural (Agent 13) and futuristic (F.R.E.E.Lancers) adventure settings. These settings introduced several recurring characters such as Sebastian Cord and Agent 13
.
s. With as little as a single die roll, a player can know not only if a character was hit, but what part of the body was hit and the extent of damage.
Based on a character's stats, skills, bonuses and penalties, the gamemaster
(Administrator) gives that character a certain percentage chance of hitting a given target. The player then rolls a percentile die; a result that is equal to or lower than the to-hit percentage succeeds. The hit location is determined by the 'ones' digit of the same roll, and hand-to-hand combat damage is determined by the 'tens' digit. Weapon damage ignores the 'tens' of the first roll, and requires a second roll based on the weapon's characteristics.
era setting were published.
published eight issues of 13: Assassin comic that featured stories set in the Agent 13
campaign setting bringing the story to a more modern era (1990's). The first six issues had a back-up story set in the Top Secret/S.I. setting (ORION vs. WEB) which seemed to take place at the end of the agency's covert war. Each issue also contained a miniature game and some issues included character stats for the role-playing game.
in 1997, which in turn was purchased by Hasbro
in 1999.
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
-themed 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...
written by Merle M. Rasmussen
Merle M. Rasmussen
Merle M. Rasmussen is an American game designer and writer best known for creating the espionage role-playing game Top Secret.Rasmussen has also authored several other role-playing game related titles such as Ghost of Lion Castle, Midnight on Dagger Alley, Quagmire!, The Savage Coast and Top Secret...
and first published in 1980 by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
Top Secret (original edition)
The original version of Top Secret was designed by Merle M. RasmussenMerle M. Rasmussen
Merle M. Rasmussen is an American game designer and writer best known for creating the espionage role-playing game Top Secret.Rasmussen has also authored several other role-playing game related titles such as Ghost of Lion Castle, Midnight on Dagger Alley, Quagmire!, The Savage Coast and Top Secret...
, and allows players and gamemaster
Gamemaster
A gamemaster is a person who acts as an organizer, officiant for questions regarding rules, arbitrator, and moderator for a multiplayer game...
s to build their own espionage story settings. The original boxed set of the game included a 64-page rule book and a sample adventure, "Operation: Sprechenhaltestelle." The game was developed over a period of two years by Rasmussen and TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
editor Allen Hammack. As part of the playtesting for the game, a note written on TSR
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
stationery about a fictitious assassination plot brought the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
to the offices of TSR Hobbies.
The Top Secret game is based exclusively on 10-sided dice. All character attributes and other statistics
Statistic (role-playing games)
A statistic in role-playing games is a piece of data which represents a particular aspect of a fictional character. That piece of data is usually a integer or, in some cases, a set of dice....
are percentiles; some scores are rolled, and some are derived from combinations of two or more other scores. Top Secret also features Areas of Knowledge, which function similarly to skills in more modern RPGs. Characters gain experience point
Experience point
An experience point is a unit of measurement used in many role-playing games and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game...
s and progress upward in level. Characters gained one attribute point for every hundred experience points in addition to going up in level. The levels had relatively limited in-game effects (most significantly, gained experience points were divided by the character's level).
Top Secret characters are employed in specific bureaus — Assassination (Killing), Confiscation (Theft), or Investigation (Research) — all in the structure of an unspecified espionage agency. Despite a character's primary vocation, he may be called on to perform any type of mission. The only in-game effect of a character's bureau is that he earns a 100-point experience bonus for mission objectives which fall within that bureau. An appendix in the rule book lists dozens of historical and fictional espionage organizations which could serve as employers or adversaries for missions.
An expansion to the game, The Top Secret Companion introduced enhancements to many game components. It included additional character classes and missions, as well as new Areas of Knowledge and abilities. A revised combat system was introduced that speeded up and provided more variety to combat results. New equipment and weapons were introduced as well.
Information supplements
- Administrator's Screen and Mini-Module. Corey Koebernick (1982). (Includes Operation: Executive One) ISBN 0-935696-79-2 (The agents must rescue the president, who is being held by a band of Canadian mercenaries in a haunted mansion).
- TS007 - Top Secret Companion. Merle Rasmussen (1985). ISBN 0-88038-102-7 (Expanded rules and new equipment).
Mission modules
- TS001 - Operation: Sprechenhaltestelle. Merle Rasmussen (1980). ISBN 0-935696-17-2 (German for "The place where speaking stops", this module details a town on the border between West Germany and East Germany where secrets and subterfuge are everywhere).
- TS002 - Operation: Rapidstrike!. Mike Carr (1982). ISBN 0-935696-57-1 (This module details a commando raid on an enemy complex to recover a kidnapped scientist).
- TS003 - Lady In Distress. Mike Carr (1982). (This module's plot involved agents parasailing to rescue a hijacked cruise ship. Eerily, the module's ship plans were based on the MS Achille LauroMS Achille LauroMS Achille Lauro was a cruise ship based in Naples, Italy. Built between 1939 and 1947 as MS Willem Ruys, a passenger liner for the Rotterdamsche Lloyd. It is most remembered for its 1985 hijacking...
, which was seized by PLO terrorists in 1985 and resulted in the murder of one passenger.) - TS004 - Operation: Fastpass. Philip Taterczynski (1983). ISBN 0-88038-011-X (This module details a defection at an international puzzle tournament being held behind the Iron Curtain).
- TS005 - Operation: Orient Express. David Cook. ISBN 0-88038-041-1 (This module details a series of 6 adventures set on trains in Europe).
- TS006 - Operation: Ace of Clubs. Merle Rasmussen (1984). ISBN 0-394-53464-6 (The agents investigate events at The Ace of Clubs, an exclusive resort and casino operated as a front by The Agency).
- TS008 - Operation: Seventh Seal. Merle Rasmussen (1985). ISBN 0-88038-134-5 (The agents have to deal with a nuclear threat by an organization that uses Tarot Cards as code names).
Modules published in Dragon magazine
- "The Missile Mission", Dragon no. 39. Mike Carr.
- "The Floating Island Mission", Dragon no. 48. Merle Rasmussen, James Thompson.
- "Mad Merc: The Alulu Island Mission", Dragon no. 56. Merle Rasmussen, James Thompson (1981).
- "Chinatown: The Jaded Temple", Dragon no. 62. Jerry Epperson (1982).
- "Wacko World", Dragon no. 79. Al Taylor. (The agents must investigate a theme park).
- "Whiteout", Dragon no. 87. Merle Rasmussen (1984). (Suspicious incidents at an Antarctic research station require the agents to go undercover to investigate).
Top Secret/S.I. edition
In 1987, TSR published Top Secret/S.I. ("Special Intelligence"), a revised edition designed by Douglas NilesDouglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
. S.I. introduced a more structured gaming environment in which players worked as agents for secret intelligence agency ORION against its evil adversary, WEB. Later source books in the product line introduce both supernatural (Agent 13) and futuristic (F.R.E.E.Lancers) adventure settings. These settings introduced several recurring characters such as Sebastian Cord and Agent 13
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I. setting published by TSR, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent...
.
Combat system
Top Secret/S.I. uses a fast, simple combat system based on percentagePercentage
In mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100 . It is often denoted using the percent sign, “%”, or the abbreviation “pct”. For example, 45% is equal to 45/100, or 0.45.Percentages are used to express how large/small one quantity is, relative to another quantity...
s. With as little as a single die roll, a player can know not only if a character was hit, but what part of the body was hit and the extent of damage.
Based on a character's stats, skills, bonuses and penalties, the gamemaster
Gamemaster
A gamemaster is a person who acts as an organizer, officiant for questions regarding rules, arbitrator, and moderator for a multiplayer game...
(Administrator) gives that character a certain percentage chance of hitting a given target. The player then rolls a percentile die; a result that is equal to or lower than the to-hit percentage succeeds. The hit location is determined by the 'ones' digit of the same roll, and hand-to-hand combat damage is determined by the 'tens' digit. Weapon damage ignores the 'tens' of the first roll, and requires a second roll based on the weapon's characteristics.
Character sheets
Character sheets in Top Secret/S.I. resemble agent dossiers, and are intended to provide quick and easy reference to all a player's stats and skills. They also provide a detailed map of the ten possible hit spots of a character's body, and a blank portrait area for drawing or attaching a depiction of the character.Box sets
- Top Secret/S.I.. Douglas Niles, Warren Spector (1987). ISBN 0-88038-407-7
- High Stakes Gamble. Douglas Niles, Bob Kern (1988). ISBN 0-88038-545-6
Accessory books
- TSAC1 - G4 File: Guns, Gadgets & Getaway Gear. Merle Rasmussen (1987). ISBN 0-88038-474-3
- TSAC2 - Agent 13 Source Book. Mark Acres (1988). ISBN 0-88038-478-6
- TSAC3 - Covert Operations Sourcebook. John Prados (1988). ISBN 0-88038-479-4
- TSAC4 - F.R.E.E. Lancers. Jeff Grubb (1988). ISBN 0-88038-565-0
- TSAC5 - Commando. David Cook (1988). ISBN 0-88038-594-4
- TSAC6 - Covert Operations Sourcebook Vol. 2. John Prados (1988). ISBN 0-88038-616-9
- TSAC7 - F.R.E.E. America. Scott Bowles (1989). ISBN 0-88038-725-4
Mission modules
- TS1 - Operation: Starfire. Tracy Hickman (1987). ISBN 0-88038-476-X
- TS2 - The Doomsday Drop. Tracy Hickman (1988). ISBN 0-88038-480-8
- TS3 - Orion Rising. (1988). ISBN 0-88038-575-8
- TS4 - Commando Brushfire Wars. ISBN 0-88038-708-4
- TSA1 - The Web. Caroline Spector (1990). ISBN 0-88038-820-X
- TSA2 - The Final Weapon. Ray Winninger (1990). ISBN 0-88038-855-2
- TSE1 - Web of Deceit. Bob Kern (1989). ISBN 0-88038-714-9
- TSE2 - Sting of the Spider. Bob Kern (1989). ISBN 0-88038-732-7
- TSE3 - Web Wars. Bob Kern (1989). ISBN 0-88038-765-3
Modules published in Dungeon magazine
- "Operation: Fire Sale", Dungeon no. 26. John Terra.
Solo Operations Casebooks
- The Final Bug. Jean Blashfield (1988). ISBN 0-88038-553-7
- Foul Play at Fool's Summit. Troy Denning (1989). ISBN 0-88038-621-5 (Note: though this module has an ISBN, it was never actually released, as the Catacombs gamebook line was cancelled before its release.)
Novels
Five novels were published by TSR from various campaign settings from Top Secret/S.I. game.- Agent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I. setting published by TSR, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent...
#1: The Invisible EmpireAgent 13: The Invisible EmpireThe Invisible Empire is the first of the short series of fast-paced, action-based adventure of Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger, written by Flint Dille and David Marconi in a style reminiscent of popular 1930s pulps....
by Flint DilleFlint DilleFlint Dille is a screenwriter, game designer, and novelist. He is best known for his animated work on Transformers, G.I...
and David MarconiDavid MarconiDavid Marconi is an American screenwriter and film director. His writing credits include the screenplays for Enemy of the State and Live Free or Die Hard.-Filmography:*Rumble Fish...
. ISBN 0-88038-281-3 - Agent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I. setting published by TSR, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent...
#2: The Serpentine AssassinAgent 13: The Serpentine AssassinThe Serpentine Assassin is the second of the short series of fast-paced, action-based adventure of Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger, written by Flint Dille and David Marconi in a style reminiscent of popular 1930s pulps...
Flint Dille and David Marconi. ISBN 0-88038-282-1 - Double Agent: Acolytes of Darkness/Web of Danger by Flint Dille and David Marconi/Aaron AllstonAaron AllstonAaron Allston is an American game designer and novelist of many science fiction books, notably Star Wars novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for several role-playing games, several of which served to establish the basis for products and subsequent development of TSR's...
ISBN 0-88038-550-2 - Double Agent: Royal Pain/The Hollow Earth Affair by Richard Merwin/Warren SpectorWarren SpectorWarren Spector is a role-playing game designer and a video game designer. He is known for having worked to merge elements of role-playing games and first-person shooters. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, fantasy writer Caroline L. Spector...
ISBN 0-88038-551-0 - Double Agent: The Hard Sell/Glitch! by Richard Merwin/David CookDavid Cook (game designer)David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...
ISBN 0-88038-589-8 - F.R.E.E.Lancers by Mel Odom ISBN 0-78690-113-6
- F.R.E.E.Fall by Mel Odom ISBN 0-78690-493-3
Comics
Two graphic novels based on the PulpPulp magazine
Pulp magazines , also collectively known as pulp fiction, refers to inexpensive fiction magazines published from 1896 through the 1950s. The typical pulp magazine was seven inches wide by ten inches high, half an inch thick, and 128 pages long...
era setting were published.
- Agent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight AvengerAgent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I. setting published by TSR, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent...
by Flint Dille, David Marconi, and Dan Spiegle ISBN 0-88038-581-2 - Agent 13: Acolytes of Darkness (loosely based on the novel)
Agent 13
TSRTSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
published eight issues of 13: Assassin comic that featured stories set in the Agent 13
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger was the name of a novel series based on Top Secret/S.I. setting published by TSR, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. There were three stories in the series, following the actions of the protagonist referred to in the novels only as Agent 13, or simply, The Agent...
campaign setting bringing the story to a more modern era (1990's). The first six issues had a back-up story set in the Top Secret/S.I. setting (ORION vs. WEB) which seemed to take place at the end of the agency's covert war. Each issue also contained a miniature game and some issues included character stats for the role-playing game.
Warhawks
Warhawks was a four issue comic/module series that took the Top Secret/S.I. game to a time traveling setting where characters derive powers from tattoos. The four issues featured character stats and served as a campaign book in addition to the comic book adventures.Current status
The Top Secret brand ceased production in 1992. TSR was purchased by Wizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
in 1997, which in turn was purchased by Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
in 1999.