This book (1989) combines two previous books – Character Law and Campaign Law.
Rolemaster is a weirdly organized system. Initially, it makes sense. First Iron Crown put out a replacement combat system for combat, then a replacement spell system. The success of those books pushed them to go all in and build their own system. But they never re-organized it in future editions, so you have combat rules in an entirely different book from all the other system rules that are contained in Character Law. And then Character Law on its own is a weird jumble of things (and at least in this version, sporting an utterly broken index – gee thanks). By way of example: you need to get to Chapter 10 (page 72!) before you get to the chapter on actual character creation.
As with all things Rolemaster, there are lots of options. There are 19 characters classes, the usual sort plus curious ones like Seer, Astrologer and Lay Healer. There are special abilities (these are neat, who doesn’t want to have a character whose voice can shatter glass thanks to a roll on a random table?) and crit/fumble charts for skill check (not nearly as legendary as the combat ones). Then there is the shockingly fine grain experience points system that logs everything from hits you dish out and take, religious experiences, travel and your own death (!?).
Campaign Law, on the other hand, is maybe the crowning achievement of the Rolemaster rulebooks. It is relatively brief, running about 30 pages, and provides a smart and snappy introduction to creating worlds and running ongoing campaigns. When it initially appeared in 1984, I can’t think of anything out there that has better or easier to use advice. In 2020, sure, it feels a little creaky. But only a little! Worth snagging the book just for a peek at that.
I don’t really know what is going on with this cover. Primarily, it gives us a good look at that elf mage, and I wish it hadn’t. It is also weird that all of the characters, (along with us!) are looking into a fuzzy pink void. They can’t all be winners.
