Creeps and Corridors

Creeps and Corridors is a role playing game that is quickly gaining popularity. Created in 1979, the game focuses on bands of brave heroes who venture down dark corridors to face the unholy creeps that no doubt fill them.

The game consists of three main books outlining how one makes a character and plays it (Character Handbook), a book that gives more input in the nuts-and-bolts of the game for the person running it, aka the Realm Master/RM (Realm Master Handbook) and a book that gives information on monsters and creeps that the characters will no doubt be able to fight (Creeps Handbook). While these are the main handbooks, and are required to play the game, other material is needed, including a character sheet (outlines the characters information such as armor, weapons, abilities, etc.), dice (ranging from a 4-sided die all the way up to a 20-sided die), as well as "miniatures" or small objects that represent the characters and creeps.

When the characters do battle, the RM puts out a map or grid and the players then put out their miniatures (as well as the RM's creeps). The characters then are able to move their miniatures around and use their abilities to attack the creeps, which are played by the RM.

When not in battle, the characters are part of a Story, ranging from "Save the Princess" to "Kill the High Priest." The characters then use their skills (non-combat abilities) for the everyday situations, such as Foraging, Sneaking and Detecting, which must meet a prerequisite number via rolling the dice, the number being decided upon by the RM.

Controversy

The game (C&C) has gotten some controversy since its introduction, with false accusations of leading children who play it to do such acts as devil worship and suicide. Though there is no actual evidence of these, the rumors still exist. When asked what they thought about the rumors, the game's creators said it is the best publicity they could get.

The game has also been banned in the Patrimony of St. Peter and Greece over the allegations of demon-worship being practiced by it's gamers.

Realms

The game has a several official spin-offs, called Realms, plus numerous fan-made Realms. A Realm is simply a world or setting in which the game takes place. The four official Realms are: Gaui, a Realm that draws heavily on medieval Europe and Asia; Refernis, a Realm that is a unique blend of high tech and fantasy elements; Castle Crow, a horror themed Realm that focuses on a very small area around the aforementioned castle; and the most famous Realm of them all, Other World, a Realm that is similar to Gaui, but much more fleshed out and detailed, and of which numerous novels have been written, including the Realm's mascot hero, Telzenus the Shadow, a sneaky thief-mage from the magical city of Highspire.

Characters

The players must create characters to interact in the Realms. The Character's Handbook gives the races (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Beastmen, and Dragonspawn), as well as the classes (Priest, Warrior, Witch, Mage, Shaman, Beserker, Bard and Thief). The characters are then assigned a number of points which they use to fill their Statuses (Strength, Dexterity, Comeliness, Wisdom, Intelligence, and Stamina). All of their abilities and skills are given bonuses or negatives based on how high their various Statuses are, such as how hard they hit with their sword or how sneaky they are. When they fulfill parts of their Story, they go up in Power (also known as Level). Gaining Power grants more abilities, improves skills, increases various Statuses, etc.

Versions

When originally released, the game caught on very quickly, but sales began to fall off in the mid-80's. A decade after it's original release, 1989, the creators Utawia Board Games was bought out by a larger corporation, Lake Tiger Games. The game underwent a major overhaul in rules, abilities and such and introduced a new concept: Talents, abilities they can choose every few levels that provide a constant upgrade, such as learning new languages, increasing the chance to hit an enemy, etc. The game based on UBG's rules is known as Original C&C, while the LTG version is known as New C&C.

There is also a fan-adapted version for use in which the players dress up as their characters and do battle with foam weapons and armor. LTG has stated they have no intent on attempting to make this "live" version into standard rules.

Popular Culture

The game has received various reviews over the years, ranging from good to (of course) the controversial. It is often treated as a joke that people with little in the way of a social-life often play the game. That being said, numerous famous people have come forward over the years stating that they have played the game, including, most famously, Conán Ó Briain, who often uses this fact at the buttend of some of his jokes or skits.

There has also been a theatrical movie produced based on Telzenus the Shadow called "Telzanus: The Prophecy of the Moon". The movie focuses on Telzenus attempting to figure out an ancient prophecy that possibly regards him. It ends with Telzenus besting the High-Priest of the Moon God, but the Priest had been corrupted by an evil entity and was attempting to use the prophecy for his own benefit. The movie got average reviews, and a sequel is currently being looked into.

Spin-offs

The game has led to a number of spin-off roleplaying games, notably Chaos Cards. One of the original creators of C&C fell out of UNG over a dispute regarding their upcoming buy-out by LTG. He left and in 1992 released Chaos Cards. The game is similar in concept to C&C, but it's main focus is Chaos Cards, cards that detail abilities and items. Rather than using dice and miniatures, the player instead uses their cards to determine effects. LTG attempted to sue, but the courts threw it out stating "the game may be similar, but it's core rules are vastly different from those employed in LTG's Creeps and Corridors game." The lawsuit provided both C&C and Chaos Cards with free publicity, and the two companies are now fairly cordial with one another.