The Modern Sagas RPG
The Modern Sagas is the second entry into the Sagas Triumvirate. Like its predecessor, the Fantasy Sagas, Modern Sagas delivers the Sagas Game (using the E-RPG system), however it focuses on game elements in our own modern world. It introduces computer systems, vehicle combat, and of course, firearms.
The Modern Age and Gaming
One of the greatest differences in a game set in the modern world and a historical setting is the technology. It has changed everything, which provides a unique element when compared to fantasy themed games. When presented with the challenge of fundamental changes, such as firearms, it is almost tempting to re-write the rules. However, Sagas does not re-write the rules to add elements to the game. What we do instead, is expand them to meet the new needs.
Firearms
This battle map was created and used for testing a small scale firefight. It uses multiple types of cover and positioning options for players. As can be seen, a straight up attack would result in a stalemate, requiring flanking and diversionary tactics.
Firearms add a new element to combat. While they use the exact same rules as fantasy sagas, they actually seem to play much different. Ranged combat is a huge focus, which also means that cover, maneuvering, and equipment load outs have taken center stage to the combat. New additions such as suppressive fire, positioning, and even how your character’s posture are added to the game for those players who want the extra strategy that modern weapons afford. Combat is faster, more lethal, and just as fun as in any other Sagas RPG.
As mentioned, equipment load outs are an addition to Modern Sagas. This allows seperate inventory sheets that allows you to easily manage weapons, their modifications, and other combat related equipment for your character. Players can use these to help them manage a wide array of customization options for weapons, which include ammunition variety (including things like incendiary ammunition), rail systems, scopes, and more.
In modern combat your characters equipment is just as important as how they approach combat. Using cover wisely will mean all the difference in the world as a single bullet can mean the end for your character’s career. Combat becomes a fast and chaotic game of maneuvering, flanking, and suppression. Successful characters take control of the chaos and meet out a definitive response. Modern Sagas combat is fast, explosive, and exciting in a familiar way that leads to all kinds of new surprises.
Modern World/Real World
Great care was taken to represent combat and firearms as realistically as possible such as this M4 and Optional Modifications.
The Modern Sagas is set in the modern age. While it is a game, we felt that by creating elements that were as realistic as possible players and gamers can expand from this foundation to make the game that suits their needs and tastes, whether it is realism or fantasy that they seek. We went through great effort to represent every weapon as realistically as possible, even including ballistics and real world physics to determine statistics such as damage and recoil. Contributors retired from the U.S. Army Intelligence were huge help in achieving this goal. Combat mechanics were also given this same treatment with tactics based on real world military and police force methods such as the 4F’s, suppression, Combined Arms, and Dynamic Entry (SWAT Entry).
Computers
Computers are a modern fact of life. In an RPG setting they usually provide a source for the most valuable loot in the modern world: information. Computers are designed as advanced equipment that can, in a sense, perform on its own through simple player declarations. However, characters can enhance a computer program’s performance through skills and through advanced programs. Players can purchase and design their own computer configurations, programs and viruses, and more. The system uses standard skill tests while the computer programs compare levels to simply determine success or failure. This allows computer and tech focused characters to really get into the specifics of the system while not bogging down play that other players may not be interested in.
Vehicles
Vehicles exist in other campaign settings but come into their own in Modern Sagas. Extensive rules allow for quick and decisive play with thorough resolution results. Vehicles are characters in their own rights, with equipment load outs and attributes. Players use skills to determine the success or failure of declared actions. The underlying detail allows interested players to explore an advanced system within the E-RPG rules, but plays quickly and dramatically. Players can take to the skies, land, sea, and more using the same rules that take into account terrain, environment, and traffic (which includes vehicles and obstacles) conditions. They offset difficulties with superior equipment, skill, and judicious use of standard and player designed maneuvers. Now, vehicle encounters are exciting for everyone, even the player audience.
