[Rq-rules] [RQIII] Unpradictability vs SR

[postmaster at runequest.za.org]

> You keep quibbling at examples, but keep circling my main point: the
> predictability of SR.
>
> As I said, my personal life-experience with fights that aren't carefully
> staged athletic contests informs me that fighting is if ANYTHING
> unpredictable.  Hell, that's one of the reasons RQ combat attracted me in
> the first place; RQ offered a combat system where yes, when someone
> pointed
> a cocked crossbow from 10', even a skilled, veteran warrior might pause a
> moment.
> <snip>

Hmm, thats something I often forget to keep in my ead when I GM combat.
Unpredictabbility that is. Sure the rules allow for some funnies, but just
to remember to make a lad make the odd DEX check when he steps in  a
rabbit hole, or trips over a rock. (Of course if combat is in the palace
throne room thats not a factor, but there are still dias steps, tapestries
which could be torn down etc). Hmm, one could go movie style and have the
obligatory fire (Ah ha, dropped oil lamp table has a use!! hoody hoo:)

Maybe I will whip up a wee optional table for my group - I like tables,
act as nice reminders for me anyway. Something like:

Underground, Rough Terrain, Field, City, Indoors. Then a list of
possibilities for each, using the above:

Bats fly by, Trip over rocks, Step in rabbit hole, Slip in effluent, Oil
lamp knocked onto rushes.
Anyway, thanks for this reminder, will be sure to use it this saturday
when I GM.
Tony