GATEWAY RPG (Aurican's Lair)

gatewayrpg.itch.io/

GATEWAY RPG has always been a 100% Free game. It also has been a 1 man passion project to help anyone in getting into the great hobby of tabletop roleplaying games. Over the years the imagery has evolved from using a mixture of artwork by various illustrators and then creating my own visuals using AI tools.

Obviously I know not everyone likes to support AI imagery even though for my 0 dollar budget, it helped immensely have a consistent final product.

So I decided to create a completely separate download page giving everyone the choice between the 2017 Classic Imagery or the Enhanced AI Imagery. Your Choice matters and I'm happy to provide choices for the community that I love. Enjoy!

#rpg #ttrpg #TTRPGCommunity #dnd #dnd5e

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

GATEWAY RPG (Aurican's Lair)

Create characters in minutes and get playing in your favorite universe! Happy May the 4th!

Link in the bio

#may4th #rpg #ttrpg #ttrpgs #starwars

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

GATEWAY RPG (Aurican's Lair)

If you want to try this out for free without downloading the rulebook or setting it up, you can use this free Shared NotebookLM Link: notebooklm.google.com/notebook/f8fcaf30-7fc2-4baa-…

When you get logged into the Notebook, just say Let's Play a Game and the AI assisted GM will guide you through the rest.

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

GATEWAY RPG (Aurican's Lair)

Hey everyone, awhile ago I created a free TTRPG called GATEWAY that's perfect for any setting (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk) and any player (new or vet)!

I know how hard it can be to get a new TTRPG group going, especially when you have to teach a complex, 300-page rulebook. If you're looking for a streamlined, d20-based game that lets you jump straight into the action, you should check out Gateway RPG.

It's a free, rules-lite system designed to be easy to learn, fast to play, and endlessly flexible. It's inspired by the classics (like D&D 5e) but trims the baggage to keep the game focused on storytelling. Whether you're a new player or a GM who wants a "no-fuss" system for a one-shot or a long campaign, this is for you.

I've put together a super-short tutorial below that literally teaches you the entire game mechanics in about 2 minutes.

This guide teaches you the absolute basics of how to create a character and play the Gateway RPG.

1. The Core Mechanic

Everything you do is decided by rolling a 20-sided die (d20).

 * The Goal: To succeed at a task (an "Ability Check" or "Attack"), you must roll a d20 and meet or beat a Difficulty Class (DC) number set by the Game Master (GM).

 * The 6 Traits: Your character is defined by six traits: Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX), Constitution (CON), Intelligence (INT), Wisdom (WIS), and Charisma (CHA).

 * How You Roll: Your traits determine how you roll the d20.

   * Proficiency ("+"): If you are proficient, you roll 2d20 and take the higher number. (This is also called "Advantage") .

   * Deficiency ("-"): If you are deficient, you roll 2d20 and take the lower number. (This is also called "Disadvantage") .

   * Neutral (Blank): If you are neutral, you roll 1d20 and take the result.

2. Character Creation (5-Minute Version)

Follow these steps with your GM.

 * Concept: Tell your GM your idea (e.g., "Half-Elf Wizard," "Dwarf Barbarian," "Space Wizard").

 * Assign Traits: With your GM, assign Proficiency ("+") to at least one of your 6 traits and Deficiency ("-") to at least one. All other traits are Neutral.

 * Determine Armor Class (AC): This is how hard you are to hit. It is based only on your DEX trait.

   * DEX Proficient: 14 AC

   * DEX Neutral: 12 AC

   * DEX Deficient: 10 AC

 * Determine Hit Points (HP): This is your health. It is based only on your CON trait.

   * CON Proficient: 5 HP

   * CON Neutral: 4 HP

   * CON Deficient: 3 HP

 * Choose Attacks: Note your weapons. The trait you use to attack depends on the weapon type:

   * Melee Attacks (Swords, Axes): Use Strength

   * Ranged Attacks (Bows, Guns): Use Dexterity

   * Magic Attacks (Fireball, Charm): Use Wisdom

 * Note Damage: By default, all successful attacks deal 1 Damage.

3. How to Play: The Game Loop

Gameplay is a simple conversation:

 * The GM describes the scene.

 * You describe what your character does.

 * If the outcome is uncertain, the GM asks for an Ability Check (e.g., "Okay, make a Dexterity check") and sets the DC.

 * You roll based on your trait (Proficient, Deficient, or Neutral) and tell the GM your result.

 * The GM narrates the outcome.

 * Critical Success (Natural 20): Rolling a 20 on the die means you succeed in the best way possible.

 * Critical Fail (Natural 1): Rolling a 1 on the die means you fail in the worst way possible.

GM Guide: Setting the DC

The GM sets the Difficulty Class (DC). Here are the guidelines:

 * Simple: 2-5

 * Easy: 6-10

 * Moderate: 11-15

 * Hard: 16-19

 * Near Impossible: 20

4. Combat Rules

When a fight breaks out, the game becomes turn-based.

 * Initiative: Everyone rolls a Dexterity check. The highest roll goes first, and so on down the list.

 * Your Turn: On your turn, you can take 1 Move, 1 Primary Action, and 1 Bonus Action.

   * Move: Move up to 30 feet.

   * Primary Action: This is your main action for the turn. Common options include:

     * Attack

     * Dash (use your action to move again)

     * Cast a Spell / Use Ability

     * Dodge (all attacks against you are at a disadvantage until your next turn)

     * Hide

   * Bonus Action: A small, quick action (e.g., switching weapons, casting a very fast spell).

 * Attacking and Damage:

   * To attack, make an Attack Roll (using STR for Melee, DEX for Ranged, or WIS for Magic).

   * If your roll meets or beats the target's Armor Class (AC), you hit.

   * A successful hit deals 1 Damage.

   * Critical Hit: If you roll a Natural 20 on an attack, it's an automatic hit and deals Double Damage (2 Damage).

5. Health, Healing, & Dying

 * Reaching 0 HP: When your HP drops to 0, you fall and are in a Dying State.

 * Death Saving Throws: On your turn, you must use your actions to roll a d20.

   * 10 or higher: This is 1 Success.

   * Below 10: This is 1 Failure.

 * The Result:

   * 3 Successes: You stabilize and are no longer dying. You return to 1 HP.

   * 3 Failures: Your character is dead.

 * Special Save Rolls: A Natural 20 counts as 2 Successes. A Natural 1 counts as 2 Failures.

 * Getting Healed: Any healing from an ally (like magic or a potion) instantly stabilizes you and brings you back to 1 HP or more.

 * Resting:

   * Short Rest (1 hour): You recover half of your maximum HP.

   * Long Rest (8 hours): You recover all of your HP.

6. Optional: Advanced Play Variants

For more customization, you can use these optional rules instead of the basic ones.

1. Skill-Based Proficiency

Instead of applying Proficiency/Deficiency to entire traits, you assign points to specific skills.

 * Saving Throws: Get 2 Proficiency Points and 1 Deficiency Point.

 * Attack Skills: Get 1 Proficiency Point (Melee, Ranged, or Magic).

 * Other Skills: Get 5 Proficiency Points and 3 Deficiency Points.

2. Advanced Damage Values

Instead of dealing 1 damage, weapons now use damage dice.

 * Light (Dagger): 1d4

 * Medium (Short Sword, Pistol): 1d6

 * Heavy (Longsword, Assault Rifle): 1d8

 * Great (Great Axe, Sniper Rifle): 1d10

 * Ultra (RPG, Bazooka): 1d12

3. Alternative Hit Points

When using Advanced Damage, you should also use Alternative HP. HP is based on your Constitution Saving Throw trait.

 * CON Proficient: 1d10 + 10 (per level)

 * CON Neutral: 1d8 + 8 (per level)

 * CON Deficient: 1d6 + 6 (per level)

That's it! You now know how to play.

The system is super simple but has just enough crunch with the "Advanced" rules to be satisfying for long-term play.

You can download the full rulebook for FREE at the official itch.io page:

gatewayrpg.itch.io/gateway-rpg-rules

8 months ago | [YT] | 1