RPG Encyclopedia: L
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Laberinto
1st ed by Irma Amézquita y Tonatiuh Moreno (1999) Editorial Gráfica Nuevo
Laberinto is a sci-fi anime/manga RPG, the first Mexican RPG. The tagline for the book translates to: "A new and original game to live adventures in a magic and dangerous world. Is fantasy and science fiction. (A) Roleplaying game located within an anime-manga world. Into dungeons or in cities, with robots and dragons... martial artists, ninjas, psychics, monks, magic girls, knights, thieves and aliens live fantastic adventures. You are the hero. Walk the mind labyrinths."
Laborinthus
1st ed by Patrick Savary, Laurent Gabella (1988) Éditions ECG
A French-language fantasy RPG -- the first Swiss RPG. It features onirism, symbols, and psycho-analysis. The book is illustrated with original engravings and eau-fortes, and extremely expensive.
Labyrinth Lord
1st ed by Daniel Proctor (2007) Goblinoid Games
A variant of the original D&D game, mimicking the original basic game circa 1980 based on the third edition rules released under the Open Gaming License.
Labyrinths & Lycanthropes
1st ed by Joe J. Prince (2009) Prince of Darkness Games
A tongue-in-cheek dungeon crawl RPG, featuring random labyrinth generation and a rotating GM. The emphasis is on comedy and fast play, with streamlined combat and magic with no spell lists. Character creation is class-based, with the three classes being Fighter, Ninja, and Mage.
Lace and Steel
1st ed by Paul Kidd (1989) TAGG
2nd ed (1998) Plainlabel / Pharos
A swashbuckling fantasy RPG set in an alternate world parallel to our 1640's, populated with humans and civilized centaurs. It uses a skill-based system which uses cards in addition to dice. Tarot cards modify character creation (which is mixed random-roll attributes and point-bought skills), and special cards are used in combat.
Lacuna Part I: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City
1st ed by Jared A. Sorensen (2004) Memento Mori Theatricks
An experimental roleplaying game set in modern-day psychic world of black-suited Mystery Agents and shadowy spidermen. The PCs are "Mystery Agents" in the modern day, who go into a dream-state where they can explore a collective unconscious. This go to a place called the Blue City. Characters have four abstract attributes: Force, Access, Instinct, and Talent. These are rated in a five-step scale: 2d6, lowest 3 of 4d6, 3d6, highest 3 of 4d6, 4d6. There is a reward (Challenge Points) equal to difficulty for a successful roll that can be used to increase attributes. Since all action is psychic, there is no damage but PCs heart rates will rise with every roll. Character generation has random-roll age and mentor, freeform strength/weakness keywords, and optional picking a proficient/deficient attribute.
Land of the Rising Sun
1st ed by Lee Gold (1980) FGU
A fantasy RPG set in medieval Japan, using a variant of the original Chivalry and Sorcery system.
Lands of Adventure
1st ed by Lee Gold (1983) FGU
A generic fantasy RPG, with "culture packs" for specific settings. A short booklet covering mythic Greece and medieval England was included with the game. The system is percentile skill-based, with complex sub-systems for combat, encumbrance, movement, etc. Characters track Energy Points (EP, lost by fatigue), Body Points (BP, lost by wounds), and Life Points (lost by bleeding).
Laserburn
1st ed by Bryan Ansell, Richard Halliwell, Tony Ackland (1980) Tabletop Games
A sci-fi miniatures combat system: not really an RPG, but an ancestor of Warhammer 40K by the same authors. It features power armour, dreadnought armour, hand flamers, needle weapons, "sunguns", conversion beam projectors, bolt rifles and so forth.
The Last Exodus
1st ed by Nicholas Van Zandt, Jaz Michele (2001) Synister Creative
A modern-day magical/religious apocalypse RPG. It is set shortly after the millenium, where the PC's are all "Scions" -- powerful miracle- performer who act as either Messiahs or Antichrists. The rules system uses a standard playing deck and difficulty numbers for action resolution. Character creation is limited point based, with players spending points on four qualities: Mental, Physical, Cultural, and Spiritual, along with various other choices.
Last Train Out of Warsaw
1st ed by Jason Morningstar (2009) self-published
A roleplaying/storytelling game based on a historical fiction scenario. It is designed for a single, short session with 2-8 players - with included rules based on the free rule system Archipelago II, by Matthijs Holter. There is a Guide with no main character and a pre-determined sequence of ten scenes. In each scene, players take turns narrating what happens. The current narrator may use mechanics to draw from three sets of custom cards: Fate cards, Setting Element cards, and Resolution cards. The scenario is Warsaw in 1939 on the eve of the German encirclement- with players taking the roles of people on the very last train out of the city: the Conductor, the Quiet Man, the Engineer, the Fireman, the Adjutant, the Countess, the Old Man, and the Pretty Girl.
Lawnmower Man
1st ed by Barry Nakazano, David McKenzie (1993) Leading Edge
A cyberpunk RPG based on the 1992 movie about a treatment of drugs and virtual reality which unlocks genius intelligence and psychic powers in a retarded man, loosely based on a novel by Stephen King. The system has an extremely simplified version of the combat rules in Phoenix Command, which is still quite complex. It includes cybernetic enhancement rules.
LEF: DE SAMLEDE VÆRKER
1st ed by Jacob Octavius Jarlskov (1991) Caligula Forlag
2nd ed (1999)
3rd ed (2003)
A Danish-language fantasy game, whose title translates as "LEF: The Collected Works". "LEF" is an acronym for "Levende Eventyr og Fantasi" -- meaning "Living Adventure and Fantasy". It is set in the world of Valhel, a medieval fantasy world with humans along with elves, dwarfs and trolls. It uses a d6-based rules system, where action resolution is skill plus 2d6 vs difficulty (with some complications for combat). Character creation is point-based: pick one of two broad classes ("learned" and "practical"), and then spend starting experience points on attributes and skills. Attributes range from 1 to 3 dice, with 1 being the default (except for magic which starts at 0). Skills range from 1 to 6. The cost varies depending on skill and class, and starting rank is randomly determined as a 1d6 roll. There is a magic system with five types of magic, each of which work differently. The core rulebook is a oversize black hardback (30 by 19 by 3 cm), with a bookmark ribbon sewn in, and embossed logo of a crowned horse on the spine and back. There is a picture at the Danish Alexandria site. The original system concept was from 1981 -- with first publication in 1991, second in 1999, third in 2003.
Legacy: War of Ages
1st ed by Brandon Blackmoor, Susan Blackmoor (1993) Black Gate Publishing
A modern-day occult RPG in the "Techno-Gothic" genre, about secret immortal beings the 21st century (in the style of the movie Highlander).
Legacy
1st ed by J.D. Frazer (1992) Discordian Games
A "hard science" sci-fi RPG.
Legacy
1st ed by David A. Feldt (1978) Legacy Press
A universal RPG system, which uses a complex skill system where the GM creates statistics for the civilization.
The Legacy of Zorro
1st ed by Mark Arsenault (2001) Gold Rush Games
A swashbuckling action game based on the popular series of books and film. This uses the "Instant Fuzion" game system, and is intended for beginning players. It includes four pre-made characters, an introductory adventure, and cut-out cardstock figures.
Legendary Lives
1st ed by Kathleen Williams, Joe Williams (1990) Sage Lore Productions, Inc.
2nd ed (1993) Marquee Press
A fantasy-genre RPG, set in a light-hearted Celtic-flavored world thick with faeries. The system uses a universal Action Resolution Table (ART), included on the character sheet. You find the row for skill (modified by difficulty) and rolling percentile dice to find degree of success/failure (5 levels each). Character creation is largely random-roll with a choice of profession, developing a random "life-path" of the character's history.
Légendes
1st ed by Stéphane Daudier, Marc Deladerrière, Philippe Mercier, Jean Marc Montel, Guillaume Rohmer (1983) Jeux Descartes
Légendes des 1001 Nuits ed by Jean Marc Montel (1984)
Légendes Celtiques ed by Philippe Mercier, Stéphane Daudier, Guillaume Rohmer, Jean Marc Montel, Marc Deladerrière (1985)
Premières Légendes ed (1986)
De La Table Ronde ed by Anne Vetillard (1986)
Vallée des Rois ed by Christian Caroli (1987)
Des Cités ed by Didier Franque (1993) Antre du Dragon
A French-language historical fantasy RPG system, released as several games focusing on different time periods. "LÉgendes Celtique" was also released in English as "Celtic Legends". The original game has complex rules and focuses on very detailed historical/legendary background. "1001 Nights" also uses these rules. A simplified version of the rules ("Premières Légendes") was later released, which the later supplements use. The simplified version has 3 basic attributes, each of which has 3 sub-attributes. There are 8 Gifts, each of which govern a set of skills. Action resolution uses a d20. The official settings included "LÉgendes Celtique" (pre-Roman Celtic civilization); "LÉgendes de la Table Ronde" (Arthurian Britain); "LÉgendes Mille et Une Nuits" (based on 1001 Arabian Nights); and "LÉgendes de la Vallée des Rois" (ancient Egypt). There was also a third-party supplement for ancient Greece, "Légendes des Cités".
Légendes des Contrées Oubliées
1st ed by G.E. Ranne, Stephane Bura (1995) Delcourt
A French-language heroic fantasy RPG, adapted from a serie of French comic books of the same name.
Legendmaker
1st ed by Howard I. Scott III (1998) Chaos Enterprises, Inc.
A traditional fantasy-genre RPG. It uses a percentile skill based system, also using Xd10 for damage and other rolls. Character creation is by random-roll attributes, and choice of race and class. Class (Fighter/ Thief/ Cleric/ Mage) determines your central skill -- increase in that skill brings you up a level which improves saving throws and hit points.
Legend of the Five Rings
1st ed by John Wick, D. Williams (1997) Alderac Entertainment Group
2nd ed by Ree Soesbee (2000) Alderac Entertainment Group Wizards of the Coast
3rd ed by Rich Wulf, Shawn Carman, Brian Yoon, Seth Mason, Fred Wan (2005) Alderac Entertainment Group
A medieval fantasy-genre RPG, set in the world of Rokugan where clans struggle for dominance. The names, appearance, and other features are Japanese-based, but there are also European influences. The "five rings" are the elements of Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Void which group the basic attributes. It uses a dice pool system where you roll a number of d10s equal to attribute + skill, keep a number equal to attribute, and sum them. This is modified: rolls of ten add an extra roll, and in contests you throw out dice less than the opposing attribute. Character creation is skill-based, with a choice of 7 clans and 2 professions: bushi (warrior) or shugenja (mage).
The Legend of Yore
1st ed by Brennan Taylor (1997) Galileo Games
A fantasy-genre RPG, which allows PC's of giants, goblins, and trolls as well as elves, dwarves, and humans. It uses a simple skill-based percentile system: roll under (skill * 5) + attribute. Character creation has random-roll of race and attributes, followed by selecting a career (1 of 30) and picking skills from that career's list.
Legend Quest
1st ed by John Josten (1991) Board Enterprises
2nd ed (1994)
A generic fantasy genre RPG system, including rules for magic and "mentalism", but no background material. It uses a simple skill-based percentile system (roll under attribute*10 + Skill*5) for all tasks. Character creation, however, is point-bought and time-consuming.
Legends of Kralis
1st ed by Levi Davis (2005) Fantasy Makers Industries, LLC
A fantasy genre game with some science fiction elements, set on an original world ("Kralis"). There are fifteen races: Acires, Aelwyn, Ba-liyan, Centaur, Dwarves, Elves, Firbogs, Gnomes, Humans, Jakara, Kanus, Manax, Minotaurs, Sprites, and Trolls. The world is late Renaissance with the addition of magical war machines, airships, and related elements. It uses a percentile skill-based system (the "Talarius Gaming System"). Action resolution is roll under skill on d100 where successes (skill - roll / 10) must be greater than Target Successes. Character creation is limited point-based. Distribute 200 points plus racial modifiers among eight attributes: four Physical (Strength, Stamina, Agility and Perception) and four Mental (Intelligence, Wits, Willpower and Charisma).
Legends Walk!
1st ed by Tim Gray (2002) Silver Branch Games
An electronically-published superhero RPG set in a near-future world in the year 2020 where certain people have become empowered by creatures of popular myth. Each hero represents a single being from legend: a God like Thor or Athena; an Angel like Michael or Gabriel; a Hero like Hercules; or a Monster like Fenrir or a Spriggan. The setting is described, but the true reasons behind the event are left up to the group. It uses a dice-pool system, rolling a number of d6's based on skill + modifiers, where any result of 4-6 indicates a success. Character creation is limited-point based (spending points on Attributes, Skills, and Advantages) plus a selection of template, i.e. a pre-define mythic source which provides your powers. The core rulebook includes Greek, Norse, Celtic, and Angelic sources, plus there is a supplement for Aztec, Maya, Sumerian and Babylonian sources.
Legione
1st ed by Danilo Moretti (1994) Beholder
An Italian-language superhero RPG.
Legio VII
1st ed by Marco Donadoni (1980) International Team
An Italian-language sci-fi boardgame, only marginally an RPG. It is set in a vast galactic empire along Roman lines, where players go exploring the galaxy. The title is Latin for "7th Legion". It is a strictly table-driven game, where the GM only rolls dice and reads results on tables.
Lejendary Adventures
1st ed by Gary Gygax (1999) Hekaforge
A fantasy RPG, packaged in several volumes ("Lejendary Rules", "Lejend Master's Lore", and "Lejendary Earth"). It uses a fairly rules-lite percentile skill-based system. Character creation is point-bought attributes. Skills are picked and then ranked in order of importance -- the picks add to attributes, and then attributes and rank determine individual skill values. There are class-like packages ("Orders") which enhance your picks if you qualify.
Leluelo
1st ed by Risto J. Hieta, Hans Zenjuga (2000) Artic Ranger Production
A small-press Finnish-language RPG in which the PC's are live toys (as in the Disney film "Toy Story"). It uses a fast d6-based system, and allows you play with real toys (cars, trains, dolls, soldiers..) as props.
Lemuria
1st ed by Anders Blixt, Krister Sundelin (2004) Rävspel
D20 Modern A Swedish-language action-oriented "dieselpunk" game, set on the lost continent of Lemuria in the 1930s. This is a sourcebook for use with the D20 Modern system, and is the first D20 game made in Swedish.
Lex Arcana
1st ed by Leo Colovini, Dario De Toffoli, Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello (1993) Dal Negro
"Essential Rules" ed (1998) Nexus Editrice
An Italian-language alternate-history RPG with magic, set in an alternate history 476 A.D. where the Western Roman Empire survived rather than fell. Players take the role of Custodes, members of the Cohors Auxiliaria Arcana, a special branch of the Praetorian Guard devoted to search deep into the mysteries of the known world. In the late 90's, Nexus Editrice bought the game from Dal Negro and distributed the remaining copies. They also published a new geographical supplement called "Italia", by Andrea Angiolino and Francesca Garello. However, the "Essential Rules" edition is really an 8-page introduction to the original game, published in #54 of the magazine "Kaos".
Little Fears
1st ed by Jason L. Blair, Greg Oliver (2001) Key 20 Publishing
Nightmare ed by Jason L. Blair (2009) FunSizedGames
An RPG of childhood terror, set in a world of bullies, curfews, tattle-tales, werewolves, vampires, and things much worse. The PC's are children below the age of 13, who have the gift of Innocence which monsters hunger for. Upon passing 13, they lose their Innocence and are safe from the monsters -- but they become blind to the terrors of their youth. The "Nightmare Edition" features a complete new system, the "Top 3" System.
Live System: Modernised OGL System
1st ed by James Desborough (2004) Postmortem Studios
An electronically-published universal RPG system, intended to be a more free-flowing variant of the D20 System of third edition D&D and D20 Modern. Character creation replaces classes with packages of skills and feats.
Living Legends
1st ed by Jeff Dee, Jack Herman (1999) Unigames
A superhero RPG, a 3rd edition / revision of the classic Villians and Vigilantes.
Living Steel
1st ed by Barry Nakazono, David McKenzie (1987) Leading Edge
2nd ed (1988)
A sci-fi post-apocalyptic RPG, set on an alien world called Rhand in 2349. Alien "Spectrals" assaulted the corrupt human Imperium, and invaded the isolated tourist world of Rhand. The invasion craft was destroyed, but chaos reigns after the devastation. The PC's are human champions equipped with power armor called "Living Steel", dedicated to restoring civilization. The game focuses on realistic powered-armor combat, using a version of the system from Phoenix Command. The second edition featured a simplified version of the rules, which is still quite complex.
LodlanD: Ein Rollenspiel in den Tiefen des Meeres
1st ed by André Wiesler (2003) Image 3033
A German-language post-apocalyptic RPG, set in a future where the Earth's surface has become uninhabitable and humanity survives in domed cities beneath the oceans, complete with farms of genetically engineered algae. See www.lodland.de for more information.
Lone Wolf the Roleplaying Game
1st ed by August Hahn (2004) Mongoose Publishing
A fantasy genre RPG, based on the Lone Wolf series of gamebooks and novels. The original gamebooks were co-authored by Paul Barnett (aka John Grant) and Joe Dever. The game is set in the kingdom of Sommerlund, grandest nation on the world of Magnamund. There, Kai monks with mystical powers defend the land against the Darklords of the west. The RPG is officially set some 50 years before the plot of the gamebooks (wherein all but one the Kai monks are killed in a war with the Darklords). It is a standalone RPG, while the rules are a variant of the D20 System from 3rd edition D&D. Combat has been made faster by the elimination of Attacks of Opportunity and Feats, and there is special magic appropriate to the setting.
Long Live the King
1st ed by Mark Rein•Hagen, Stewart Wieck, Dale Cook, John Dashler (2006) White Wolf
A strategic live-action role-playing game for five or more players, which uses cards and three sets of points (Gold, Status, and Favor). It is set in a generic historical kingdom where the prince is dead, and a new heir must be chosen by the ailing king. There are eight named characters: the King, Queen, Royal Bastard, Archbishop, Steward, Ambassador, Baron, and Treasurer. Each has a card with stats provided for it. The game is played with formal rounds for diplomacy and council.
Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game
1st ed by Steven S. Long, Christian Moore, John Rateliff, Matt Forbeck (2002) Decipher
A fantasy RPG based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. It uses a version of the "CODA" system (also used by Decipher's Star Trek RPG). Action resolution is by attribute + skill + 2d6 versus difficulty. Character creation uses random-roll attributes (with a point-bought option), and chosen skills -- taking 'picks' of skills from racial background and selecting an 'order' (i.e. warrior, wizard, rogue). There are also Edges and Flaws (advantages/disadvantages).
Lords of Creation
1st ed by Tom Moldvay (1984) Avalon Hill
A dimension-hopping game about characters rising to become masters of their own dimension.
Lore: Origins
1st ed by Troye W. Gerard, Bryan P. Donihue, Jeremy L. Huffman, Daniel E. Beatty (2001) Lore Roleplaying
A small press fantasy-genre RPG with the usual elements of elves, dwarves, orcs, and dragons. It is not yet released.
Lost Souls
1st ed by Kathleen Williams, Joe Williams (1991) Sage Lore Productions, Inc.
2nd ed (1992) Sage Lore Productions, Inc. Marquee Press
A supernatural RPG of playing ghosts trying to reincarnate, fighting evil ghosts and other creatures to improve their karma. It uses a variant of the system from Legendary Lives. The system is percentile-based, with degree of success indicated by a universal chart printed on the character sheet. There are five degrees of failure (from Catastrophic to Poor) and five degrees of success (from Passable to Awesome). Character creation has many random rolls, but the key selections are profession in life and lost soul type -- which may be either rolled or chosen. Creation begins with generating appearance, then profession, then how you died, and then the type of ghost you become (which determines your powers). There are 22 types of ghosts, including Bansee, Doppelganger, Haunt, Shade, and Spook. There are also 12 attributes, each of which has 4 associated skills. Ghosts have "will-to-live" points, which when you run out of you have a chance to reincarnate. Experience is via karma, which grants powers as well as improving your luck in reincarnation.
'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' Role-Playing Game Book
1st ed by Greg Farshtey (1997) Putnam Publishing Group
This is a card-based RPG for young children (ages 7 and up). The book contains three interactive adventures, which use 24 punch-out cards. Some cards portray characters from the film, while others contain facts about dinosaurs or the Jurassic era. Each character has four attributes (agility, strength, perception, and mind) which are used with a d6 roll to determine action resolution.
Luftwaffe 1946 Role Playing Game
1st ed by Jonathan M. Thompson (2003) Battlefield Press
An RPG set in alternate-history Europe of 1946, based on Ted Nomura's comic book series of the same name. It uses a variant of the Action! System.
La Lutte des Gemmes
1st ed (1995) Presses du Midi
A French-language medieval fantasy RPG.
Jack Vance's Lyonesse
1st ed by Philippe Genequand, Raphael Kissling, Boris Leu, Didier Salzmann (1999) Men-in-Cheese
A French-language fantasy RPG based on the trilogy of novels by Jack Vance. It is set in the kingdom of Lyonesse, within an imaginary archipelago ("Isles Anciennes") between Spain, France and Ireland. The background has a strong Celtic flavor mixed with historical medieval background.
John H. Kim <jhkim@darkshire.net>
Last modified: Mon Jul 12 12:47:57 2010