How the NERO Game System Works


In NERO, a cast of NPCs (non-player characters) are used to set the tone and provide background for the player characters). They often serve important town functions (such as Guild leaders) and otherwise help to propel the plot and action. Much of what happens on an event, however, can be completely decided by the players.

NERO uses padded weapons to simulate actual combat, and a magic system that uses "packets" made of fabric and bird seed to represent the hurling of spells. Mock (and sometimes real) armor and other costumes are used to enhance the atmosphere.

There are two basic types of adventures: An Adventure Weekend and and Adventure Module. When on a module, you and a group of trusted traveling companions will go off on a quest in search of adventure and reward.

An adventure module usually runs for about two hours and has a definite start and conclusion. It sounds simple, but when you are in the middle of a dungeon, with shadowy shapes moving towards you in the darkness and strange sounds echoing down the halls, and you are trying to remember what that fellow in the tavern said a half hour ago about how to get through this infernal door, your perspective on the difficulty of the situation may change.

Adventure Weekends are much more extensive, and run from Friday night through Sunday afternoon (and sometimes Monday afternoon), and bring to life a medieval town with all its inhabitants and intrigues. This is what NERO is all about! There is nothing to compare with the feeling of playing for 24 hours a day along with possibly hundreds of other players, each with their own desires, fears, and aspirations.

As your character continues to be successful, you gain abilities and influence, and may one day gain a noble title or great fame and wealth. Tales of your adventures may some day be sung by bards, or retold time and again by story-tellers sitting by the fire with a cup of spiced cider.

What your character does is entirely up to you. You decide what you want and where you want to be. The future is yours to define and create.