Basic Information About These Rules
DMs, be sure to explore the Bubblegum Grunge Game Master's Guide for this project! It offers a wealth of information beneficial for planning your campaign. Also be sure to check out the Bubblegum Encyclopedia, which includes much more information on Bubblegum powers and details to include in your game! This rulebook aims to be an adaptation of the Wizards of the Coast D&D 5e rule books along with tweaks and lifts from other tabletop RPG systems like Kids on Bikes and Tales from the Loop. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of these rules before engaging with this system is essential. Once you've grasped the basic rules and terminology, you're good to go. Read the Ashcan to get started.
Furthermore, you'll need a solid understanding of the Bubblegum Grunge Universe. While it's less critical for players to be familiar with aspects outside of this rulebook, it is still beneficial. Below is a list of considerations and preparations needed before running a game with these rules.
Things you'll want to understand before playing
If You're New to D&D or Bubblegum grunge
Have a way to run the campaign. If playing online, use a platform such as Roll20 or something similar. If playing in person, make sure to have many of the required dice and character sheets set up prior to running a game.
Come up with a story and world! You can either set up a sandbox world or make a clear path for your players to take if they are less adventurous. Make sure to discuss this with them prior so that everyone is on the same page about what they find fun.
As stated above, familiarize yourself with Bubblegum grunge lore and the D&D rules for players and Dungeon Masters. Below are some more resources to check out!
Useful Links
Bubblegum - These are magical gum that have the ability to grant the eater super-human powers. There are some downsides to this, however. Read this to learn about Bubblegum!
Fighting Styles - There are many unique and powerful ways of fighting, even if you are a non-bubblegum user! Read this to learn more about these fighting styles in detail.
The Rules
If you are running a campaign with these rules, it is important to understand the rules. Take what you want from other system rules and add them to your own game if a rule isn't covered in this book! Many of the standard rules will apply from the 5e rulebooks such as:
Spells, class mechanics, leveling, ability scores, character sheets, and skills work similarly with some modifications.
Combat mechanics will function pretty much the same.
Classes and races have been changed or overhauled to fit the Bubblegum grunge theme.
New player Feats will be added and some will be slightly changed.
Mages and magic are treated a bit different in this world and can be explained through science, spiritual skills, and elemental powers people naturally use.
Most supernatural phenomenon are explained by Bubblegum and Willpower, which serve as a potential supplement for magic items.
All of this information can be found in the player options.
Important Side Note
Understand that when reading this, it is only used as a guide to help you run or play in a game of your own. It is entirely amateur homebrew. In other words, the Dungeon Master has the final say about what the rules are. You could use 100% of these rules or only 10% , it is up to how you want to run your world! There may be a few typos or grammatical errors, and I will try to spot and fix them. Otherwise, thank you for reading this!
The World of Bubblegum grunge
The map below gives a basic outline and potential roadmap for you to use for your own adventure. This section will also brief players who are new to the geography or nature of the Bubblegum grunge world. You can either use the cities, factions, regions, and objectives established in the world atlas. Or you could opt to make an entirely separate alternate universe with new factions, cities, and regions custom tailored for your group's adventure.
Alternatively, you could use a mix of both types of settings, giving homage to certain locations, groups, and characters with your own spin while creating several new islands, allies, and villains for the group to meet. However you choose to run your campaign, using this world map will give you and your players an idea of a path to take to move forward toward adventure and the Bubblegum grunge.
