Basic Roleplaying (2023)

Overview

Basic Roleplaying is the venerable "D100" engine that has powered Chaosium’s greatest hits for over four decades. Originally appearing as a slim booklet in 1980, it was most recently revitalized as the Basic Roleplaying: Universal Game Engine in 2023. In 2026, it stands as one of the industry's most important open-source platforms, released under the ORC License, allowing independent creators to build and sell their own games using its legendary, time-tested mechanics. Description BRP is a "genre-neutral" toolkit that discards character levels and rigid classes in favor of a pure skill-based system. Whether you are playing a Bronze Age warrior, a 1920s detective, or a futuristic mech pilot, the core experience remains the same: your character is defined by what they can do. Because it uses percentages (e.g., "I have a 65% chance to climb this wall"), it is widely considered the most intuitive and "transparent" RPG system for new players to understand at a glance. System Overview & Key Features
The Universal D100 Engine Every action is resolved by rolling two ten-sided (d10) dice to get a result from 1 to 100. If you roll is equal to or under your skill rating, the action is deemed a success. This approach simplifies the mechanical process of the game, as there are no complex tables to keep track of and compare to decypher whether it is a success or failure.
Organic Character Growth There is no "Experience Points" system in the traditional sense. Instead, when you succeed in using a skill, you mark a "Skill Check" on your character sheet. At certain stops in the game/story, the player rolls to see if the character improves in those skills, meaning your character evolves based specifically on the actions they performed (and succeeded at) during the game.
Modular Rule Design The Universal Game Engine is designed with variations and systems to choose from. GMs can choose whether they prefer to just use "Hit Points" or add a more detailed wound system with "Hit Locations" for more realistic tactical consequences. Systems for Magic, Sorcery, Mutations, or Superpowers (depending on the setting) can be added, instead of being baked in the core mechanics, ensuring the mechanics always fit the theme of the game.
Deadly and Tactical Combat BRP combat is grounded and dangerous. Unlike high-fantasy games where adventurers have a vast health pool, a single strike of a sword or bullet in BRP can be fatal. This encourages players to think creatively and use mechanics and terrain to their advantage. Talking their way out of situations is often seen as more reasonable (and survivable), than just treating every conflict as a forced combat situation.
The ORC License Revolution By introducing to the Open RPG Creative (ORC) license, BRP started a wave of third-party "Powered by BRP". This has expanded the system into new genres like Cyberpunk, Wuxia, and Cozy Fantasy, all supported by a single, unified ruleset and system, compatible with most themes.
Compatibility with "The Big Three" Because the core mechanics have remained the same since the beginning, a monster or spell from a 1980s supplement is almost always compatible with the modern 2026 engine. This gives GMs access to one of the largest libraries of pre-written adventures in tabletop gaming, spanning
Call of Cthulhu
Call of Cthulhu (2014)Released in 2014 by Chaosium, Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition is the latest version of the cult-classic...Beginner-friendlyHorrorRules-medium
, RuneQuest, and Pendragon.
Additional links chaosium.com/brp https://chaosium.com/brp : Official BRP Universal Game Engine portal basicroleplaying.org https://basicroleplaying.org : The primary community hub and "BRP Central" forums

Active games and players

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PATH2E
Pathfinder 2E
PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
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Online
Chris
So, about me, been playing for 11-12 years, started out GMing and probably on the whole find that the more rewarding part of the hobby, but I enjoy playing as well. Played quite a range of systems by this point; did my mandatory few years of D&D and Pathfinder, actually started with Dark Heresy. But I've run Shadowrun briefly, Mutants and Masterminds, dipped my toes in World of Darkness.  I think a benefit of my time behind the screen is that I'm relatively flexible in what I enjoy. I can go for deep and character driven games, but I also appreciate the fun of a good dungeoncrawl or epic combat. I'm absolutely a sucker for intrigue, but I'm not above playing characters dumb as a brick. I'm perhaps overly comfortable playing morally grey grand bastards, but when I think of my favourite recent characters, the Lawful Good Rogue probably ranks as the most compelling.  I'll admit, though I'm by no means someone who can only enjoy hyper-simulationist games, I do occasionally tend to press up against overly artificial system restrictions. In Starfinder, my character did over time trend towards 'why don't we vent the airlock before we go in... soften them up.', and in general, I see a balanced encounter and will often think 'how can rig the deck a bit more in my favour'. Also not a big fan of 'Narrative' games, like Powered by the Apocalypse. For whatever reason, they are the one genre I've never quite meshed with.  But yeah, I am generally open to try different systems, and flexible about my exact role in whatever party I join.
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DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
DND5.5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E (2024)
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Online
Ariel
Name: Ari Pronouns: She/Her Timezone: EST, or I believe GMT-4 in summer or UTC-5 Game Type: 1-on-1 or group up to 5 max. Asynchronous pbp, live pbp I'd have to check times, and no paid games. Type of Player: I prefer roleplay and a story first and foremost, but I enjoy all aspects of TTRPGs. I enjoy making characters that suit the setting, story, and/or party. I usually end up playing more good-aligned characters than edgelords. I want to be immersed in a story and worldbuilding. I am big on communication and making sure everyone is enjoying themselves. Not promising this, but I'd be willing to host little one-shot scenarios as well if we get bored and want to change things up for a bit, as long as life allows at the moment. Lines/Veils: My big no-go is harm to pets, particularly dogs and cats; otherwise, I'm willing to go and will communicate if something is too much. I'd also prefer to communicate only with people over 18, as a 23-year-old. Additional Information: I am a disabled adult who usually has a fair amount of free time and will communicate when I'm busy with other things or will be offline. I prefer flexible people who remember this is a fun hobby, but people have lives as well, and busy periods do come up. My biggest interests are video games I can play on handheld Nintendo systems, Pokemon, and drawing or writing when I’m able. Where to Contact: Discord or Reddit by Pokemaster0304 Thanks for your interest!
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