# Robin Hood in RPGs: More Likely Than You Think tags: #thoughts #game/rpg/blades-in-the-dark #game/rpg/scum-and-villainy #game/rpg/fantasy-world #game/rpg/ironsworn This is another one of those situations where a question on social media kicked off a response that's probably entirely too long and entirely too involved. But that's how we roll, right? If you ask a question, I'm going to give you a *complete answer*. In this case, a complete answer actually involves ahead and creating the entire character of Robin of Locksley in **[[Ironsworn]]**. I'm not sure that's a great idea, but that's what we're doing. Along with some other recommendations for RPGs in which the Robin Hood myth is very playable and very alive. ---  --- If you're just looking to play someone who steals from the rich and the powerful and redistributes that wealth — potentially to your own pocket — then **[[Blades in the Dark]]** is the right game for you. Sure, the traditional way to play it is as a group of morally questionable thugs, but that's a perfectly reasonable place to start or be seen by the powers that be. It certainly allows for derring-do, sneaking about, getting into trouble, and subverting authority. https://evilhat.com/product/blades-in-the-dark/ ![[Blades in the Dark (cover).jpg|400]] --- If you want something more modern, but keeping to the same theme, I would definitely suggest **[[Scum and Villainy]]**. Yes, the same mechanical underpinnings, but in space, with a little more style and panache, but slightly less swashbuckling. Still a fantastic game where you can steal from the rich and give to the somewhat more poor.^[Also it's the best **[Blake's 7](https://blakes7.fandom.com/wiki/Blake%27s_7_Wiki)** game ever written, so there's that.] https://evilhat.com/product/scum-and-villainy/ ![[Scum and Villainy (cover).png]] --- If you really want to lean into a fantasy setting, more specifically, and something a little more traditional while keeping to modern mechanical style and aesthetics, might I suggest **[[Fantasy World]]**? It is also of the [[Powered by the Apocalypse|PbtA]] lineage but goes straight into classic **D&D**-style fantasy with better mechanics and clearer gameplay. Plus, it's free, which is the best price for anything. And a game that you can have for free and start playing in hours is always better than the game you have to drop nearly $20 on or more. https://unplayablegamesrpg.itch.io/fantasy-world ![[Fantasy World (cover).jpg]] --- Being me, I would be horribly remiss if I didn't bring up **[[Ironsworn]]**, which might not be something that immediately pops to mind for a lot of people, but it's too good a game that does too many things well to fit the Robin Hood aesthetic to not mention. https://www.ironswornrpg.com/products-ironsworn ![[Ironsworn (cover).jpg]] Consider: central to creating characters is coming up with their vows, things that are important enough to them that they will pursue those interests actively. You always start with an Epic vow, something that would be hard to do and will take time, thus structuring your background story. You also have a more immediate vow, which represents what is often referred to as a kicker in story games. It's the thing that's happening right now that you have to deal with. There are five stats that are fast and easy to allocate, and you have a set of assets, which define things that you have a mechanical advantage to do. *Let's do Robin Hood real quick. We can do that.* We'll grab his Assets first. We need 3. Well, we know up front he's an Archer. We'll grab that and it comes with the first ability unlocked on it, making Robin a badass when he aims his mighty bow. ![[Ironsworn - Assets - Archer.png|400]] Robin also has a reputation as a man with the ability to sneak in and out of places without making too much noise or attracting too much attention. Let's give him the chance by taking Infiltrator, which comes with an unlocked ability, giving him more chance to succeed and get more out of that success when he's sneaking into places he shouldn't be. ![[Ironsworn - Assets - Infiltrator.png|400]] While we could take an asset which represents the Merry Men and his ability to command them to help out in larger situations, let's take an earlier Robin in his career. We've covered sneaking into enemy areas, but let's cover just lying, bluffing, cheating, and stealing. This is a pretty upbeat and cunning Robin Hood version. We've got something for that. Let's go with Trickster. ![[Ironsworn - Assets - Trickster.png|400]] That's assets chosen. So how about stats? Robin is a ridiculously good archer and doesn't tend to get in trouble by depending on his speed, agility, and reactions. So *edge* is his best stat. He's good at giving rousing speeches and sneaking around, so *heart* and *shadow* are right behind. That leaves *iron* and *wits* as his lowest stats. That doesn't mean that he can't take a hit or isn't bright. It just means that when he leans on solving problems using either, he tends to get into more interesting and complicated situations. Which is *great!* That's where the drama is! > *Edge: 3, Heart: 2, Shadow: 2, Iron: 1, Wits: 1.* Boom, stats done. All the trackers set to their initial conditions and we're almost ready to play - we just need the bonds and vows. *Bonds* are people you know and are close to. Or hate. Whichever. It can be complicated. Take up to three to begin with. We'll grab Little John (a strong friend and a good mate), Will Scarlett (a headstrong, impetuous, potential turncoat), and Maid Marion (aristocratic lady and love of our life) as our initial bonds. Epic vow is easy: *"Remove the Sherriff of Nottingham and return rule to it's rightful liege!"* Possible milestones? - Steal his payroll to his guards, causing disloyalty - Steal the tax shipment - Distribute the funds secretly to keep the smallfolk from being accused - Embarrass John whenever possible - Meet with Marion Each and every one of those things can be its own complicated quest, which involves recruiting people, getting into bad situations, getting out of bad situations, and generally having a good time. Now we need an inciting incident. And if there's nothing else in the Robin Hood myth, it has a great inciting incident. The sheriff of Nottingham has called for an archery competition with a significant prize of gold, knowing that Robin can't resist an opportunity to show off. Robin knows that it's obviously a trap, but it's also a really good opportunity to embarrass the sheriff in public. This plays to Robin's core motivation, so it's perfect. He swears an iron vow: *"Win the archery competition and escape with style."* It's going to be Formidable (a difficulty rating) to accomplish. Possible milestones: - Enter the competition without being recognized - Distract the guards while Robin's within the castle - Meet Marion and have some action - Actually win the competition and reveal himself - Get out unharmed Boom. You're ready. It's Robin of Locksley time. Break out your favorite bow, put on your favorite feathered hat. Prepare to buckle some swashes. It's about to get reverse taxation up in here. And that's it. You're done. By the way, did I mention that **Ironsworn** is free? You can have the core, not insubstantial, book for the great big price of $0.00. If you want some more options for exploring and dealing with greater threats, pick up **[[Ironsworn|Ironsworn: Delve]]**. It's a great book and it's totally worth it.