White Lies is a modern OSR espionage game from Bill Logan of DwD Studios. They’ve recently released a second edition of the game. Like the first version, it’s completely free to download.
I discussed the first edition of White Lies in a previous post, where I also made a fillable version of the character sheet. I wanted to discuss some of the changes of the new version, and also provide some new sheets.
The principal changes are cosmetic. The book is much more colorful, and better designed. There’s quite a bit more art, mostly AI generated. Minor nitpick – the 2nd edition no longer has bookmarks.
The license has also changed. The 1st edition was OGL, while the new version is CC_BY_SA.
Action Checks
The basic mechanic for both editions is the Action Check. In the first edition you’d roll a D6 and add an ability modifier.
In the new version an Action Check is a D20 roll, where you add your stat value and any applicable skill. The GM sets the target number.
Action Checks in the second edition also replace Saving Throws from the first edition.
Characters
The rules concerning stats have changed. They’ve changed from the standard D&D stats in the first edition to Toughness, Dexterity, Intellect, Discipline, & Influence. Each stat is now a number from -5 to +5. Stats are generated randomly with a D20 roll on a table. You ran arrange the stats in any order.
White Lies characters are class-based. Classes in White Lies are called Divisions. There are seven divisions – Confiscation, Elimination, Engineering, Infiltration, Investigation, Recon, & Transport.
The division determines what Stamina (HP) you get, what skills you have, and other special abilities.
Combat
Combat is pretty simple and in the OSR style. Initiative is handled with a D20 roll modified by Dexterity. Attacks are basic Action Checks against the target’s Defense score. Defense is basically Armor Class. It defaults to 10 + Dexterity. Body armor can improve the Defense score.
Other Stuff of Interest
- Advanced rules for Martial Arts, Leadership, and Command skills
- Various spy-related gadgets, operational kits, weapons, and vehicles, with rules for upgrades.
- Random tables for creating Enemy Organizations, Master Villains, Security Systems, and Missions
- Stats for various possible opponents (Spies, Guards, Soldiers etc.)
- There are also stats for more fantastical creatures if your game dabbles in that sort of thing (Greys, Vampires, Draconians)
- Information on Bureau 19, the default campaign background.
- Several pregenerated agents
- Operation Wounded Wolf – a sample scenario.
Conclusion
If you’ve any interest in running an espionage game, it’s totally worth picking up (it is free). Even if you don’t want to use an OSR system, it’s worth it just for the various random tables, and equipment lists.
Character Sheets
The game includes a Agent Dossier file, with multiple character sheets with values for the various divisions, and a blank one that can be used for any division. I’ve taken this blank one and made it a separate fillable file.
I’ve also taken the sample pregens from the corebook and made a fillable character sheet in the same style. These are intended for GMs to make pregen characters. You can import an image into this version.
I’ve added this post to my ever-growing, ever-unwieldy list of character sheets.
Polyhedral Nonsense 