Risus: The Anything RPG
presents

~Monty Python and The Holy Grail~

a totally insane adaptation by Samuel 'GraiMatter' Barry (who has nothing to do with llamas)
 
First, what is Risus? Risus is a free rules light RPG by S. John Ross and can be found here:

The World
It is the Middle Ages and England is in a state of confusion without a ruler or government or any sense at all. It is at this time that a young man by the name of Arthur Pendragon is given the mystical sword Excalibur by The Lady of the Lake (or that he pulled from a stone or anvil, depending on the legend), thus to unite all of Britania under one rule (mainly his). There are legends that talk about Merlin and Guinever, but they are not a part of this particular story (there is a sorcerer named Tim though). Magic is hinted at, but not widely used; except by witches or sorcerers (witches are burned at the stake for using magic because they're women and men are soooo much better at that sort of thing). If you need to know more, feel free to go to your local library or bookstore (or better yet, check out Wikipedia 'cause we all know that the information there is completely true and unbiased; and therefore, perfect for any game of Risus).
 
Character Creation
Creation is simple. Just follow the standard rules for Risus; hooks & tales, pumps, and double-pumps should be allowed. Funky dice should only be used for things like 3-headed Knights or Legendary Beasts of "Aaaaaggghhh." That said the sky's the limit.
 
Sample Cliches
  • Knight of the Realm (rescuing damsels in distress, being brave, knowing how to ride an imaginary horse, suspected of being gay)
  • Cleric of Weaponry (knowing the ancient book of armaments, carrying around said legendary armaments; see the entry under Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch)
  • Peasant (wallowing in mud, creating bogus governmental systems, being oppressed)
  • Old Wise Man (speaking in rhyming riddles/questions, appearring and disappearring mysteriously, being from scene 43)
  • Sorcerer (waving around a staff, having flashy special effects--fireworks, being knowledgeable about Grails and rabbits)
  • Witch (being young and pretty, turning people into newts--but they get better, weighing the same as a duck)
  • French Knight (speaking in a bad accent, taunting English k-n-i-g-h-t-s, knowing how to use a cow with a catapult)
  • Knight of the Round Table (singing, dancing, being silly)
Running a Holy Grail campaign
First, go out and either rent, buy, borrow or watch on cable, Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Second, go to the Risus site and download the game. Third, find a bunch of friends who are just as crazy as you and begin play. You could have someone play Arthur, King of the Britains or any of the other knights. Optionally, you could just play around in the world of Monty Python by having the knights go on any other Quests that King Arthur and his Knights were famous for. Reading any of the literature out there will give anyone some great ideas; like the Quest for the Isle of Avalon.
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