Here we are at Con on the Cob - which is absolutely one of the most enjoyable and raucous convention experiences I've ever known - and thanks to Carinn finally getting me to load up the laptop, I've managed to stay on top of Picks here. Even better, here's this week's roundup of Picks. I gotta say, once again an accidental theme presented itself this week, and that theme is WEIRD! Card-based mechanics, alt-history, two-dimensional people, and talking garbage abound, so if you're someone who is really looking for the new and strange, this is a week of Picks to peruse!
The Original Flatland Role Playing Game
We step into the Wayback Machine today, for the cause of Doctors Without Borders (who receive all of the author proceeds). Marcus L. Rowland, a writer and designer with a very impressive list of accomplishments (especially in the vein of Victorian-era content across many systems), brought the 1884 fantasy/satire Flatland to gaming life with The Original Flatland Role Playing Game, and he’s now hoping you’ll take another look, both for the fun and brain-twisting aspects of the game, as well as to support one of the best (and, very recently, beleaguered) charities in the world.
From the Creator of Forgotten Futures and Diana: Warrior Princess…
Imagine a world of two dimensions and plane geometry, in which the very idea of height is considered insanity and the darkest heresy. Where the only thing that matters is the straightness of your sides and the regularity of your angles. Where the slightest deviation from the norm can lead to arrest, imprisonment, execution (and consumption by your peers) or a lingering death by starvation.
Welcome to Flatland. Enjoy your stay . . .
The Original Flatland Role Playing Game includes complete rules for a setting where characters are supposed to be two dimensional, with three adventures and four adventure outlines, a Flatland wargame by Matthew Hartley (Tusk, Aeronef, etc.), full-colour cut out character figures, extensive background material including the novelFlatland by Edwin A. Abbott, and much more. Best of all, by buying it you’re supporting charity:
All of the author’s income from this game is donated to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)!
And be sure to check out The Forgotten Futures Compendium for a free Flatland adventure!
Servants of Gaius
Today, I’m reaching into the “Games You Should Know About But Probably Don’t” bag and pointing you at one of the many Network-driven games from Bedrock. This one’s an alt-history Roman Empire with all kinds of interesting variations.
This is the original Servants of Gaius rulebook, a game of Roman intrigue and adventure with a curious twist.
Unravel sacred mysteries and explore the empire in this unique alternate Roman history setting where a mad emperor is savior of the world.
As Neptune’s armies threaten the empire, Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (“Caligula”) creates a secret order to root them out.
The Servants of Gaius come from all the ranks of the Empire, chosen by the divine emperor himself. In their quest to save Rome they face dark cults, backstabbing politicians and even the gods themselves.
Servants of Gaius is game of intrigue and investigation. It comes with a complete alternate history setting but is perfect for any Roman campaign.
Includes:
Tephra: The Steampunk RPG
This one is really late today, folks, for which I apologize. Just getting settled into the hotel room at this year’s Con on the Cob, and while Carinn helps the con staff with early set-up, I am finally getting online to share today’s Pick. It looks like steampunk is going nowhere but onward to history, and here’s one of the more beautiful and intriguing entries into the genre, with a strong fan base.
Long requested, now available: the Tephra Playing Guide in PDF!
Tephra: the Steampunk RPG needs only a single book to be played: your Playing Guide. This 288-page book is gorgeous, with the award-winning Clockwork Roleplaying System and a ton of lore and art that makes Tephra a fan-favorite setting.
This book includes everything you need to play, from our rapid-fire character creation system to a full chapter on narrating and everything in-between. You’re going to get our line-up of unique races, crazy characters options, and the most in-depth and complete crafting system you’ll find anywhere. This book has everything you need for the most intoxicatingly exciting steampunk adventures you can dream up.
Inside, you’ll get:
Low Life: Re-Dredged
In honor of Con on the Cob, at which Carinn and I are Special Guests, today’s Pick features the “beautifully twisted art” (Carinn’s quote) and utterly odd design and writing of CotC’s crazed head honcho, Andy Hopp. Low Life is a Savage Worlds like no other. In fact, it stands as one of the most original ideas ever published for gaming. Where else can you play a Cremefillian?
GAZILLIONS of years have passed since the Time of the Flush and the extinction of the vaunted Hoomanrace. Now, After the Wipe, the descendants of cockroaches, snack cakes, worms, and even lowlier things rule the Oith!
Waggle the arcane zazz of hocus pokery, dementalism, smellcasting, holy rolling, danged wrangling, and contanimation! Battle hideous things that want to eat you, risen from the rubble of ancient civilizations. Enjoy a light lunch at the Primordial Soup Kitchen…
Audacious times are upon us! Lost lands and forgotten civilizations await discovery. Terrible monsters and grand treasures lurk behind every rock. There are hoards to nab, foes to stab, and tales to blab. these are the days of Low adventure, where destiny is shaped not by circumstance of birth, but by strength of snazz, zazz, and jazz. It’s a bold world for bold peeps, where life is relatively inexpensive and even the lowliest werm can become a king by his own mop.
Are you croach enough to follow your destiny? Do you have the nuggets to take your rightful place among Oith’s most valiant heroes?
If so, strap on your esophagator hide shield, pick up your battle spork, mount your slog, whisper a prayer to Jelvis, kiss your larvae goodbye, and open the goosin’ book. The muck-riddled road to LOW ADVENTURE stands before you…
Today’s Pick does double-duty, as it’s a fairly exotic action-fantasy game which incorporates special custom cards, and it’s also featured on the all-too-cool sister site to DriveThruRPG, which is DriveThruCards. You should absolutely check out all the amazing things available there for download-to-print and print-on-demand.
Betrayal. Hubris. Punishment. Revenge. Subjugation. Salvation. Cataclysm. Perseverance. Hope.
This is Narosia — a world where cosmic forces vie for control and mortal beings struggle to reclaim past glories, hordes of Fel creatures threaten to escape Deepland prisons, and demonic Voidspawn stalk the world’s wilds and ruins. Those who venture forth seek fame and fortune, courting death, honoring the profession of adventurer, and ultimately bringing hope to those without.
Action Fantasy Roleplaying
Narosia adventures focus on competent characters overcoming larger than life obstacles with a backdrop of magic, monsters, and gods. You control your every move without getting lost in a sea of repetition, using a comprehensive action and combat system to enable over-the-top action, with called shots, grappling, and dynamic defenses.
Players Control The Gods To Influence The Plot
The gods meddle, and the players have a set of cards that allow them to say how a specific god influences the story — if they can explain the god’s motivation.
An Entire World Of Adventure Awaits
Narosia: Sea of Tears is a roleplaying game for two to eight players. Through a blend of imagination and rules the players will create the story of their heroes as they move through this world, having fun in the process.
Well, OK, then. That wraps up this week's Picks, posted to you from somewhere in northern Ohio (seriously, I realized just now I have no idea what town I am actually in, just that we're not far from Akron or Cleveland).
Off to run my third of four Savage Rifts games this weekend. I'm putting together a special one-shot Prowlers & Paragons (Ultimate Edition) game, set in my Modern Gods* universe, for one of my best friends in this world, Craig "Running Wolf" Henson (featuring the return of Carinn's Mistress Miracle as well).
Hope you have some fun planned as well, because...
The Adventure Continues!
~SPF
(*) - I make no claims to any of the art on that site; it's personal use for home campaigns only. When we get to official publishing, there will be new, original, properly-paid for art.
The Original Flatland Role Playing Game
We step into the Wayback Machine today, for the cause of Doctors Without Borders (who receive all of the author proceeds). Marcus L. Rowland, a writer and designer with a very impressive list of accomplishments (especially in the vein of Victorian-era content across many systems), brought the 1884 fantasy/satire Flatland to gaming life with The Original Flatland Role Playing Game, and he’s now hoping you’ll take another look, both for the fun and brain-twisting aspects of the game, as well as to support one of the best (and, very recently, beleaguered) charities in the world.
From the Creator of Forgotten Futures and Diana: Warrior Princess…
Imagine a world of two dimensions and plane geometry, in which the very idea of height is considered insanity and the darkest heresy. Where the only thing that matters is the straightness of your sides and the regularity of your angles. Where the slightest deviation from the norm can lead to arrest, imprisonment, execution (and consumption by your peers) or a lingering death by starvation.
Welcome to Flatland. Enjoy your stay . . .
The Original Flatland Role Playing Game includes complete rules for a setting where characters are supposed to be two dimensional, with three adventures and four adventure outlines, a Flatland wargame by Matthew Hartley (Tusk, Aeronef, etc.), full-colour cut out character figures, extensive background material including the novelFlatland by Edwin A. Abbott, and much more. Best of all, by buying it you’re supporting charity:
All of the author’s income from this game is donated to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)!
And be sure to check out The Forgotten Futures Compendium for a free Flatland adventure!
Servants of Gaius
Today, I’m reaching into the “Games You Should Know About But Probably Don’t” bag and pointing you at one of the many Network-driven games from Bedrock. This one’s an alt-history Roman Empire with all kinds of interesting variations.
This is the original Servants of Gaius rulebook, a game of Roman intrigue and adventure with a curious twist.
Unravel sacred mysteries and explore the empire in this unique alternate Roman history setting where a mad emperor is savior of the world.
As Neptune’s armies threaten the empire, Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (“Caligula”) creates a secret order to root them out.
The Servants of Gaius come from all the ranks of the Empire, chosen by the divine emperor himself. In their quest to save Rome they face dark cults, backstabbing politicians and even the gods themselves.
Servants of Gaius is game of intrigue and investigation. It comes with a complete alternate history setting but is perfect for any Roman campaign.
Includes:
- A complete section of historical NPCs brought to life, including the Emperors Caligula and Claudius
- A map of the Roman Empire inspired by Pomponius Mela
- A complete list of Roman titles with descriptions
- Three different character sheets for alternate styles of play
- Monsters and Threats for a supernatural take on Rome
- A chapter on Roman culture, history and government
Tephra: The Steampunk RPG
This one is really late today, folks, for which I apologize. Just getting settled into the hotel room at this year’s Con on the Cob, and while Carinn helps the con staff with early set-up, I am finally getting online to share today’s Pick. It looks like steampunk is going nowhere but onward to history, and here’s one of the more beautiful and intriguing entries into the genre, with a strong fan base.
Long requested, now available: the Tephra Playing Guide in PDF!
Tephra: the Steampunk RPG needs only a single book to be played: your Playing Guide. This 288-page book is gorgeous, with the award-winning Clockwork Roleplaying System and a ton of lore and art that makes Tephra a fan-favorite setting.
This book includes everything you need to play, from our rapid-fire character creation system to a full chapter on narrating and everything in-between. You’re going to get our line-up of unique races, crazy characters options, and the most in-depth and complete crafting system you’ll find anywhere. This book has everything you need for the most intoxicatingly exciting steampunk adventures you can dream up.
Inside, you’ll get:
- The complete Clockwork Adventuring System, which uses only a single D12 to play
- Freeform character creation is surprisingly easy but has near infinite options
- 5 New Races unlike anything you’ve played before
- A complete and robust crafting system, letting you build and customize your own firearms, gases, explosives, automatons, jetpacks, and more
- Chapter on Lore and Narrating will get you into the action quick
Low Life: Re-Dredged
In honor of Con on the Cob, at which Carinn and I are Special Guests, today’s Pick features the “beautifully twisted art” (Carinn’s quote) and utterly odd design and writing of CotC’s crazed head honcho, Andy Hopp. Low Life is a Savage Worlds like no other. In fact, it stands as one of the most original ideas ever published for gaming. Where else can you play a Cremefillian?
GAZILLIONS of years have passed since the Time of the Flush and the extinction of the vaunted Hoomanrace. Now, After the Wipe, the descendants of cockroaches, snack cakes, worms, and even lowlier things rule the Oith!
Waggle the arcane zazz of hocus pokery, dementalism, smellcasting, holy rolling, danged wrangling, and contanimation! Battle hideous things that want to eat you, risen from the rubble of ancient civilizations. Enjoy a light lunch at the Primordial Soup Kitchen…
Audacious times are upon us! Lost lands and forgotten civilizations await discovery. Terrible monsters and grand treasures lurk behind every rock. There are hoards to nab, foes to stab, and tales to blab. these are the days of Low adventure, where destiny is shaped not by circumstance of birth, but by strength of snazz, zazz, and jazz. It’s a bold world for bold peeps, where life is relatively inexpensive and even the lowliest werm can become a king by his own mop.
Are you croach enough to follow your destiny? Do you have the nuggets to take your rightful place among Oith’s most valiant heroes?
If so, strap on your esophagator hide shield, pick up your battle spork, mount your slog, whisper a prayer to Jelvis, kiss your larvae goodbye, and open the goosin’ book. The muck-riddled road to LOW ADVENTURE stands before you…
Today’s Pick does double-duty, as it’s a fairly exotic action-fantasy game which incorporates special custom cards, and it’s also featured on the all-too-cool sister site to DriveThruRPG, which is DriveThruCards. You should absolutely check out all the amazing things available there for download-to-print and print-on-demand.
Betrayal. Hubris. Punishment. Revenge. Subjugation. Salvation. Cataclysm. Perseverance. Hope.
This is Narosia — a world where cosmic forces vie for control and mortal beings struggle to reclaim past glories, hordes of Fel creatures threaten to escape Deepland prisons, and demonic Voidspawn stalk the world’s wilds and ruins. Those who venture forth seek fame and fortune, courting death, honoring the profession of adventurer, and ultimately bringing hope to those without.
Action Fantasy Roleplaying
Narosia adventures focus on competent characters overcoming larger than life obstacles with a backdrop of magic, monsters, and gods. You control your every move without getting lost in a sea of repetition, using a comprehensive action and combat system to enable over-the-top action, with called shots, grappling, and dynamic defenses.
Players Control The Gods To Influence The Plot
The gods meddle, and the players have a set of cards that allow them to say how a specific god influences the story — if they can explain the god’s motivation.
An Entire World Of Adventure Awaits
Narosia: Sea of Tears is a roleplaying game for two to eight players. Through a blend of imagination and rules the players will create the story of their heroes as they move through this world, having fun in the process.
- Distinct magic systems for divine and arcane powers
- Detailed cultures and races integrated into the story of the world
- Setting-specific martial arts
- Comprehensive skills and abilities to define any character
- Battle-tested system that scales from commoner to demi-god
- Bestiary that expands on the 300+ creatures from HERO System Bestiary
- Over 30 years of HERO System material to draw from (180+ sourcebooks)
- Ready to print GM Screen panels
- Whatever your interest — dungeon delving, intrigue, or exploration — Narosia provides a rich background for the legends you forge.
Well, OK, then. That wraps up this week's Picks, posted to you from somewhere in northern Ohio (seriously, I realized just now I have no idea what town I am actually in, just that we're not far from Akron or Cleveland).
Off to run my third of four Savage Rifts games this weekend. I'm putting together a special one-shot Prowlers & Paragons (Ultimate Edition) game, set in my Modern Gods* universe, for one of my best friends in this world, Craig "Running Wolf" Henson (featuring the return of Carinn's Mistress Miracle as well).
Hope you have some fun planned as well, because...
The Adventure Continues!
~SPF
(*) - I make no claims to any of the art on that site; it's personal use for home campaigns only. When we get to official publishing, there will be new, original, properly-paid for art.
