Can 3:16 be turned into a fun universal system? There is already a SF variant, so I will focus on a Fantasy variant. Here are my thoughts so far:
The change the military setting into a fantasy heroic setting the 8 ranks are:
Rank – Gift
0. Adventurer – Force Weakness
1. Warrior (2nd highest FA) – none
2. Hero (Highest FA) – Retreat
3. Knight – Warhorse (free movement, NFA D3/1/1) + an extra 4-point weapon
4. Paladin – Barded Warhorse (horse armour) + an extra 5-point weapon
5. Chosen – One 6-point weapon
6. Champion – One 7-point weapon (Holy Avenger)
7. Lord – Campaign ending weapon (not sure yet)
NB The above ranks are for a martial PC. They should be modified for a magical or rogue-ish PC.
Other possible ranks:
1. Armsman
2. Warrior
3. Gallant/Ravager
4. Champion
5. Weaponmaster
6. Slayer
7. Guardian/Destroyer
8. Battlemaster
9. Warlord
or
1. Man-at-Arms
2. Warrior
3. Elite (eg Sparteatei)
4. Weapon Master (eg Swordmaster)
5. Local Hero (or Minor Hero)
6. Hero
7. Major Hero (eg Myrmidon)
8. Champion
9. Lord (or Legend
Freebooter/Adventurer:
1. Stripling
2. Vagabond
3. Skirmisher
4. Raider
5. Reaver
6. Warrior
7. Champion
8. Warlord
9. Hero
1. Humble
2. Worthy
3. Respected
4. Honored
5. Esteemed
6. Famous
7. Celebrated
8. Revered
9. Mighty
10. Renowned
11. Legendary
The 7 weapon ranks are:
pts roll
0 – 0
1 – 1
2 - d4
3 – d6
4 – 2d4
5 - 2d6
6 – 3d6
7 – 2D20
PCs start with one 5-point weapon and one 4-point weapon. For example, a PC can start with a 5-point weapon that does D6/D4/x or D4/D4/1. And one 4-point weapon, for example x/2d4/x.
To simulate the “from zero to hero approach” the players can start of with a level lower than 10. Below is the number of Strengths and Weakness a PC starts with at each level.
Level (=FA+NFA) Strengths Weaknesses
19 – 0 1 or 1 0
18 – 1 1
17 – 2 1
16 – 2 2
15 – 3 2
14 – 3 3
13 – 4 3
12 – 4 4
11 – 5 4
10 – 5 5
09 – 6 5
08 – 6 6
07 – 7 6
06 – 7 7
05 – 8 7
04 – 8 8
03 – 9 8
02 – 9 9
01 – 10 9
* The final Weakness for a PC is always “I’m no Hero”. This is the realisation that real heroes don’t exist and the PC certainly isn’t one – there is nothing left to achieve and thus the PC retires.
* Alternatively, the final Strength is “Attain Godhood”. The martial prowess of the PC has opened up a position in the Pantheon of the Gods
KILL THEM!
Enemies come in three grades. Enemies take a number of successes to neutralize:
Henchmen - Single success necessary, removes one Threat Token and causes # “kills”,
Leaders/Named (N)PCs – Two successes necessary, removes one Threat Token and scores 1 kill
‘Endboss’ enemies - The number of PCs = the number of successes necessary, remove a Threat Token for each success, scores 1 kill
Epic Enemies - 2x the number of PCs = the number of successes necessary, remove a Threat Token for each success, score 1 kill. A Strength cannot instakill this threat, but removes 3 Threat Tokens from its pool.
Players can join up in killing Endbosses and Epic Enemies. The players that removes the last Threat Token earns the kill. Endbosses and Epic Enemies are always fought in seperate encounters. Endbosses and Epic Enemies can have Abilities.
AND TAKE THEIR STUFF
PCs earn money after succesfully completing quests and missions. Money is used to keep track of a character’s wealth, and to buy items of equipment. Money can be looted from dead enemies or earned from employers.
The currency is divided into gold, silver, and brass coins. When you have 100 brass coins equals 1 silver coin, and 100 silver = 1 gold.
1 gold is equal to 1 weapon rank. E.g. 4 gold coins (or 400 silver pieces or 40.000 brass coins) can be traded in for one 4-point weapon.
Alternative Loot rule: Loot/Treasure works as a free Leverage for the PC. After a succcesful Mission/Quest each PC earns 1 Treasure. The player decides if this Treasure is beneficial to FA or NFA. During the next Quest the player can “spend” his Treasure to gain a +1 bonus to an encounter. The player narrates how his acquired Treasure gives a benefit in the encounter. This Treasure bonus is stacked on top of a +1 Spotlight Leverage bonus.
Charts
Locations
City
Jungle
Mountain
River
Lake
Swamp
Ruined temple
Ruined city
Castle
Village
Tomb
Cave
Temple
Tower
Desert
Oasis
Forest
Hills
Island
Hyborian kingdoms
The Eastern kingdoms
The Black Kingdoms
Stygia
The North
Threat
Demon
Raiders
Bandits
Picts
Hillmen
Merchant
Sorcerer
King
Noble
Scholar
Priest
Army
Sea monster
Undead
Zombies
Vampire
Pirates
Elder race
Keyword
Trade Goods
Betrayal
Treachery
Message
Mistake
Hidden
Supernatural
Omen
Prophecy
Battle
Skirmish
War
Attack
Defend
Kidnapping
Slaves
Slave market
Weapon
Armour
Thievery
Escape
Captured
Scroll
Book
Civil war
Event
Monument
Magic item
Romantic
Story twist
Unforseen
Ambush
Jewel
Treasure
Wealth
Power
Shrine
Statue
Reputation
Honour
Allegiance
Child
This is what I have so far. Input is greatly appreciated.