Mörk Borg

Learn how to create a character and play Mörk Borg in less than fifteen minutes with this video, which will walk you through even the finer points of this rules-light, style-heavy game!

Creating a character is quick, simple, and mostly randomized. Optionally, you can choose a class before you begin, which changes the random tables you'll roll on, but by default, your character is an adventurer. Start by rolling for equipment, weapon, and armor. Then roll 3d6 and compare the results to a table to determine your abilities, Agility, Presence, Strength, and Toughness, rated from -3 to +3. A roll of 1d8 plus your toughness determines your hit points, and your character is complete, ready to rob graves or die trying! As a final touch, the book says, "Name your character if you wish. It will not save you."

The rules are rather simple as well: to accomplish a task, succeed at a test by rolling a d20 plus or minus the relevant ability and getting a result greater than or equal to a Difficulty Rating, or DR, set by the game master. DR is a target number measuring the relative difficulty of a task, and the normal DR in Mörk Borg is 12. In combat, players roll tests against their opponents' DR both to attack them and defend themselves. Armor reduces damage, and characters are knocked unconscious at zero hit points and killed at negative hit points. There are a few extra rules, including for powers and magic spells, critical hits and fumbles, morale and NPC reactions, and a doomsday calendar with omens leading up to the final end of the world! Most other rules are optional.