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Board Games and TCGs

Coriolis: The Great Dark Quickstart Guide is out!

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There are only ten days left on the Coriolis: The Great Dark Kickstarter, so go back the campaign if you are looking for a lore-rich, dark sci-fi adventure to run at your table. The campaign only has one stretch goal left, which means backers are receiving a nice amount of goodies. If you like physical media, it is your only chance to score a pretty special edition version of the rulebook. 

Since my last post, the publisher has released a free quickstart guide on DriveThru RPG to give people a chance to explore the system without any of the commitments. The quickstart guide includes a more streamlined and condensed version of the rules, but it will include everything you need to run a meaningful oneshot. It includes some of the rules, a pre-written adventure, and pre-generated characters. I did notice some grammar issues, but the game isn’t out yet and this isn’t the final version. I’ll leave copies of the PDF here, but you can always get them on DriveThru RPG. 

The Mission

A prospecting expedition has gone awry. The blight has taken its victims, and only one survivor made it back to Astroid City. The Explorer’s Guild will now send its best crew into the depths of Gilen’s point to retrieve any survivors and extract any valuable artifacts. But this mission is not without its typical dangers. The shady criminal organization, Black Toad, also has its sights on the contents of Gilen’s point and will do anything to get there first. Can the explorers survive another day in the depths of the Great Dark, or will they be another casualty the unforgiving void of space?

Impressions

Coriolis: The Great Dark uses the Year Zero system. If you’ve played any game that runs Year Zero before, you know how to play Coriolis. There are some shifts in mechanics for flavor, but most of it will feel familiar. If you haven’t played any game in the system, Year Zero is incredibly easy to learn. The system uses D6es and you pass checks when you roll a 6. 

What makes Coriolis unique is its lore and flavor. Coriolis is a neat story about space settlers trying to find their place in the universe. It the Great Dark is a sequel, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have played the original to understand what was going on. There are some references, but the guide does a good job at explaining everything you need to get started. I assume the full version will as well. 

Coriolis: The Great Dark features neat mechanics that help foster this sense of surviving in this unknown and unforgiving ancient place in space but also fuels a sense of wonder and exploration. It’s a neat concept that I would love to see a more complete version, but the quickstart gives a solid snapshot. 

I haven’t had a chance to run through the quickstart, but it seems like a solid adventure. It comes with maps, handouts, and pre-generated characters to get you started. It is an incomplete version of the game, but it should provide you and your table with a solid understanding of what to expect. Ultimately, if you’re thinking of running Coriolis: The Great Dark, or are looking for a new Sci-Fi TTRPG to run at your table, you should start with the quickstart guide and move from there. It’s a good idea to check if the system is a good fit for your table. If you end up liking it, go back the Kickstarter! 

I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, I can’t wait to see more. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Quickstart Guide

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Pregenerated Characters

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Board Games and TCGs

My First Session of The One Ring RPG was a Blast!

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I did receive a copy of The One Ring RPG rulebook and starter set as PDFs to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. These are my honest impressions.

I’ll be writing a more detailed review when I get a little deeper in the campaign, so stay tuned for that. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

I ran my first session of The One Ring roleplaying game this week and had a blast. I am running through the starter set adventures, and I was a little nervous because it is a little more roleplay and lore-heavy than what we’re used to. I was surprised by how quickly my players found their characters, and even more surprised at how true they stayed to their characters. It was a huge shift from where we started three years ago where we were all a band of murder hobos. 

Typically, our roleplay is just dominated by the person with the most TTRPG experience, but this time it was pretty consistent. Even my player with the least experience was into it. Having that session zero where we all came together to make the characters broke the ice enough to get the RP juices flowing. I never thought I would have so much fun in a game where we didn’t do combat and barely made any rolls. 

The Adventure

The starter set comes with five pre-written quests and pre-generated characters to get you started. While I understand the adventure was designed for these characters, I didn’t see the harm in letting my players create their own. We might encounter some balance issues in the future, but I can always balance on the fly if I need to.

The first quest is designed to set the scene for the adventure and get players comfortable with the game’s mechanics. The adventure starts at a party where the players can use the time to find their character and get comfortable with roleplay. It’s a solid way to start a campaign, but it’s only fun if everyone can get into character and participate. The adventure starts with a simple fetch quest, but it took us the entire session to get to the first skill check because we were having so much fun hanging out in this world with our characters.

Tips

Don’t be afraid to go off the book. We’ve all fallen into the trap of overpricing, but the most I’ve had in any RPG were in the sessions that I went into with only a handful of notes. TTRPGs are supposed to be a collaborative experience, and while you may have your plans, the players will always do something else. It’s okay if they do. 

The One Ring RPG has a well-written template of how to run the campaign. The prewritten sections have paragraphs with descriptions and dialogue to set the scene. We didn’t use any of it. I spent my prep time setting up Foundry VTT, reading over the adventure, and practicing what I had to say. Except for using Foundry for a couple of checks, we didn’t use any of it. My players started exploring the world outside of the script, and I went along. Occasionally I would gently nudge them towards a checkpoint, but I lost track of time and barely started the campaign. 

Another tip to run this campaign is to use the motivation and features offered at character creation. It helped my players find characters outside what they usually play, and it was fun to see the characters start to take shape at the table. Depending on your playgroup, you might want to brush up on the lore. At my table, lore isn’t so important, but it’s nice to have a reference for when it comes up. We usually make it up as we go because it is easier to keep track of, but The One Ring has interesting lore, and my players are actively trying to stick to it. 

The last bit of advice is to create an opening scene where the players can interact with each other as they walk to Bags End to start their adventure. This helps the players get into character and breaks the ice if it needs to. Once at Bags End, spend as much at the party as necessary. We spent most of our session at the party and exploring the world in character. We’ll eventually get to the combats, quests, and skill checks, but the party was a proper way to get the players excited for the rest of the adventure. 

Impressions

I was nervous about starting The One Ring because of how different it is from everything else I’ve run. We aren’t the biggest Lord of the Rings fans, and aside from the movies, our connection to the lore is minimal at best. That said, I love reading the lore that fills the pages of the rulebook, and I am enjoying the world it is trying to create. We may not stick to every bit of lore, but it’s the first time my players actually seem to care. I see them putting more effort into memorizing characters and places at least. 

The One Ring RPG is a narrative-focused system. Its mechanics are designed to foster this collaborative story between you and your friends. It is a beginner-friendly system, even if you’re not familiar with the works. The mechanics are easy to learn, and the lore is an interesting read, but you and your playgroup should be comfortable enough with each other to actively participate. There won’t always be a battle to fight or a check to roll. Sometimes, you just get to party as a dwarf. 

I’m enjoying the system so far and like the starter set as a way to get things started. If you’ve been looking for a new system to run, love The Lord of the Rings, and aren’t afraid to roleplay, go give it a shot. I will be writing a more detailed review once I get deeper into the book. Stay tuned for that.

Board Games and TCGs

The One Ring RPG: Session Zero and first Impressions

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Last night I held session zero for The One Ring campaign I am running for my table. I am running the prewritten campaign from the Starter Set, and while the initial plan was for my buddies to run the included pre-generated characters, we spent the time creating custom characters instead. I had a lot of fun hanging out and learning the system with my friends, and it was cool to see how engaged and interested they were in the new system. I know the adventure was designed with four hobbits in mind, but I don’t have it in me to squash anyone’s fun. 

What is The One Ring RPG?

The One Ring is a narrative-heavy TTRPG based on Tolkien’s classic fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings. Events of this game occur between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series and are meant to be stories that exist within the universe. While The One Ring is not meant to be canon, it does expand on the lore and gives fans the unique opportunity to create their own narrative within the universe.  

The best part of this system is that you don’t need to be a fan of The Lord of the Rings series to enjoy it. I have never read the books, and the closest my table has gotten to the lore is watching a movie or two in passing. Despite not being true fans of the series, we found ourselves lost in the flavor and lore that comes with it. We had so much fun making characters and learning about the different races and places, and it was cool to see my players building characters that were true to the lore of the system. If you’re a fan of Fantasy, even if you’re not familiar with Tolkien’s work, you should look into The One Ring.

Narrative Heavy RPG

The One Ring is a narrative-focused RPG. Its mechanics are designed to create collaborative cinematic scenes, specifically how the game handles combat and travel. 

Combat in The One Ring doesn’t have initiative or movement. The system offers players the opportunity to be tactical through the use of stealth and stances, but the focus of combat seems to be creating an epic tale of battle. Players get to choose their order and be creative with their actions. Eliminating things like initiative and battle maps takes away features that tend to bog down a session, but it also means players need to be comfortable with being descriptive.

I am most excited about travel in this game. Players have to map out their adventures on the beautifully drawn maps included in the book, and the book has tables to determine what happens along the way. My biggest challenge as a DM is figuring out how to handle travel, but this has everything laid out so neatly. Players pick a role (guide, hunter, lookout, scout) and roll against the relative skill to determine what they encounter on their journey. The book offers a table with vague outcomes, and it is up to the GM and Players to make it exciting. 

What I love about this system is how it impacts the rest of the adventure. This can lead to some incredibly silly and epic moments, and I can’t wait to see what we come up with.

Impressions

We haven’t touched the adventure yet, so I can’t give an in-depth review. So far, I think The One Ring is an interesting shift from what we’re used to, and we are excited to get started. Even though we aren’t true fans of the series, we love the lore and flavor of the game. I have a player in my group who is new to RPGs and was ecstatic about starting the campaign. He read the book and his first character. He typically uses pre-generated characters, but he found the inspiration to create a character that fits the flavor of the world. We all had fun setting up for the game, and I plan on running a session zero every time now. We typically pick up and go, but I liked the experience of hanging out and learning the system together. 

If you’re a fan of fantasy, this RPG has an amazing amount of lore and flavor. The system has enough resources to get people acclimated to the expansive lore, but you don’t have to be a fan of the series to enjoy the game. Keep in mind that this is a narrative-heavy system, and you and you’re table need to be ready to create this epic collective tale of adventure and intrigue. I am impressed with The One Ring so far, but I’ll be back with a deeper dive. Stay tuned for that. 

If you want to pick up the Core Rules, the Starter set, or any of the accessories, pick them up on Amazon using my affiliate links. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to share the socials!

Board Games and TCGs

Coriolis: The Great Dark RPG Fully Funded in First 7 Minutes

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Coriolis: The Great Dark RPG just launched on Kickstarter, and it was fully funded in only seven minutes. At $381,234, it has unlocked seven of its eight goals, which means backers will get some exclusive goodies. If you’re looking for run a dark adventure about space exploration and discovery, you might want to go back Coiolis: The Great Dark on Kickstarter. 

What is Coriolis: The Great Dark

Coriolis: The Great Dark is the sequel to The Great Horizon, Free League Publishing’s first sci-fi TTRPG. The campaign takes place a couple of generations after the events of the first and explores the evolution of a culture pioneering through space. This means there will be new mechanics, new ideologies, and new goals introduced in this unique yet stand-alone adventure. While playing the original game may help players catch on to the nuances and history, it isn’t necessary for jumping into this new adventure. 

Some brave inhabitants of the Ship City take on jobs for the Explorers Guild to delve into the unknown in search of resources, information, and a better life. These expeditions eventually uncover abandoned ruins that spark a new era of exploration and adventure. What secrets will be uncovered within these ruins? Where will these answers take you?

Spreads

Art

Q&A

Kickstarter Levels

Digital Edition ($24)

  • Digital PDF of the Core Rulebook

Digital Combo ($43)

  • Digital Pdfs of the Core Rulebook & Campaign

Standard Edition ($48)

  • Standard Edition of Core Rulebook
  • Instant access to PDF of Core Rulebook

Kickstarter Exclusive Collectors Edition ($87)

  • Deluxe Collectors Edition of Core Rulebook
  • Instant access to PDF of Core Rulebook

Standard Combo ($87)

  • Standard Edition of Core Rulebook
  • Campaign Boxed Set
  • Instant access to PDF of Core Rulebook

Collectors Combo ($125)

  • Deluxe Collectors Edition of Core Rulebook
  • Campaign Boxed Set
  • Instant access to PDF of Core Rulebook

Deluxe Bundle ($154)

  • Deluxe Collectors Edition of Core Rulebook
  • Campaign Boxed Set
  • Instant access to PDF of Core Rulebook
  • GM Screen
  • Extra Dice set

Conclusion

If you’re trying to support a very cool-looking game, now is the time to do it. The flavor is cool, the art looks amazing, and the quality is going to be spectacular based on the other books I’ve gotten from the publisher. Most of you can probably wait for the full release of the game, but now is the time for some very cool exclusives, like the collector’s edition rulebook. Backing a Kickstarter always has its risks, but Free League Publishing regularly delivers on its promises. Go check out Coriolis: The Great Dark, and back it today!

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Board Games and TCGs

Coriolis: The Great Dark Coming Soon to Kickstarter

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If you’re looking for a new sci-fi TTRPG for your next campaign, you might want to back Free League Publishing’s newest roleplaying game, Coriolis: The Great Dark, on Kickstarter. 

Synopsis

Refugees escaping the horrors of war attempt to settle in the forgotten reaches of the galaxy. Expeditions are led into ruins of ancient civilizations in search of supplies and salvation. Venture through harsh desolate space in grand ships and search for a new beginning. What adventures lie within The Great Dark?

Kickstarter

While Coriolis: The Great Dark to The Third Horizon, this will be a stand-alone game with new and unique rules and mechanics. The Great Dark uses the Year Zero system and will focus on the thrill of adventure and exploration. I like the idea of playing space archeologist. It is an interesting approach to the genre, and knowing Free League’s proven track record, it is bound to be flavorful. 

I’ve run a few games that use the Year Zero system and thought it was a great transition from D&D. The system is easy to learn, and it introduces some fun and interesting mechanics. Everything I’ve received from Free League Publishing has been of a high quality with lots of flavor. If you enjoy physical media and like the theme in The Great Dark, this is a safe bet. 

If you’re a fan of the original Coriolis, you’re probably already following the campaign. If you’re still on the fence, it doesn’t hurt to follow for the notifications. The campaign goes live on March 19. Backers who pledge on levels with physical rewards will receive a copy of the PDF early and a secret bonus reward. 

I’ll probably get a copy for review, so stay tuned for that. Until then, don’t forget to follow the campaign! If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:

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The Alien RPG is a Bleak and Unforgiving TTRPG, but I like it?

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I was sent a physical copy of the Alien the roleplaying game core book for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I’ll be honest with my impressions. I haven’t had a chance to run a campaign in the system yet, but I have read through the book and have some thoughts.

If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:

The Book

What is Alien RPG

Alien RPG takes players into the unforgiving vacuum of space as humanity makes its feeble attempt at conquering the universe. You and your crew have been brought together by the siren’s call of necessity. Whether you’re on this ship for money, knowledge, or fame, you are all insignificant against the vastness of the universe. 

You are not alone, and the unknown is full of danger. Xenomorphs hunt you from the shadows, marauders chase after your cargo, or you can find yourself on the wrong side of a mutiny. To make matters worse, your resources are limited. While you are busy watching your back and doing your job, you must also manage your resources. Survival will take its toll, and as brave and tough as you may be, the stress will wear on you. 

Alien RPG is a bleak and dark tale of survival and horror. There is no winning, you’re just trying to stay alive long enough to cash your paycheck. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Alien RPG is a D6 system. Players roll a number of dice based on their stats and stress levels and succeed on every six they roll. You only need one 6 to succeed, but rolling additional 6s allows players to perform stunts. Stunts are helpful bonuses specific to the skill a player is rolling against. For example, a stunt when fighting could mean extra damage or let you help a teammate succeed in their role.  

On the reverse side, failing can leave a player stressed. Stress that builds up leads to adverse effects that affect gameplay. You can waste your bullets and empty your clip or even go on a rampage and start killing your crewmates. Add all the rolls you need for survival, and you have a very unforgiving adventure, as you should expect from a game in the Alien universe. 

Combat uses a simple D6 system with a few factors to affect the outcome, such as cover, enemy size, and aim. The panic, stress, stealth, and resource mechanics are what give combat its complexity. Do you have enough ammo to kill a Xenomorph? Do you have enough nerve to stay and fight? Is it even worth fighting?

In the end, Alien RPG is a game of survival, and its unique mechanics attempt to capture that spirit. 

Thoughts

If you like physical media, the Core Rulebook is a solid purchase. You get a nice hardcover book with beautifully printed pages. The physical copy of the rulebook also gets you a copy of the PDF at no extra charge. I have both versions and while I like the convenience of the pdf, nothing beats that new book smell. I spent a lot of time just flipping through the pages and admiring all the beautiful illustrations. 

If you are a fan of the Alien franchise, you’re going to love the amount of flavor that is put into this book. You’ll enjoy the carefully crafted sci-fi aesthetic, the carefully selected quotes and references, and the unique lore that fills its pages. I loved the lore and reading about all the factions, worlds, and aliens so much that I’m planning a deeper dive into the universe after this review. I’m already working on a list of books and movies. 

The game itself seems like a solid RPG experience. The mechanics are simple to learn and seem to leave enough room for RP and drama. The book also includes enough lore, items, and monsters to fill a campaign. If you need a little extra help, the game also has tables for encounters, events, maps you can reference, and even a couple of quests you can use for one shot. If you’re thinking of running the game, the core rule book is a solid resource for any GM. 

What I appreciate the most about this system is its flavor. As small as it may seem, I love that GM in Alien RPG is short for Game Mother. Aliens have a queen, and this game has one too and I love it! The rest of the game is filled with this bleak and almost hopeless adventure that can easily end from a bad roll, and I am here for it. 

I am very impressed with how the survival mechanics work in this game. I love the stress of having to survive a situation where everything seems stacked against the players. It is a lot different than the fantasy we are used to at my table, so it may take some getting used to, but I think they can come around. 

It’ll be a while before I run a campaign of Alien RPG, but we will get around to it eventually. I am getting ready to run The One Ring for my group because even though I have read through my physical copy of the Alien RPG core rulebook, my friend wants to play Legolas and I got outvoted. Stay tuned for that. 

If you’re looking for a new RPG that is dark, gritty, and full of danger, consider the Alien Roleplaying Game. You can pick up a copy of the core rulebook on the official Free League Publishing website ($54.21) or Amazon ($42.30) if you need it a little faster. 

Board Games and TCGs

StartPlaying Games is Hosts a Weekend in the Loop March 7-10

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The official Tales From The Loop Alchemy module is live on the marketplace, and in celebration, StartPlaying is hosting A Weekend in the Loop! Players from around the world wanting to join a game run by experienced and vetted game masters should take advantage of the event. StartPlaying is a site that connects players with professional Gamemasters. Sessions are paid, but steps have been taken to eliminate any guesswork that would go into finding some random on the internet. The event runs from March 7 – 10. There are seats available as of writing this.

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What is Alchemy RPG

Alchemy RPG is a VTT that aims to enhance the focus on the story rather than combat through ambient sounds, music, visuals, and easy-to-use system integration. While DMs and players can upload their content to the platform to use freely, Alchemy RPG sells specially designed modules for its systems. Alchemy works closely with publishers to produce high-quality animated images and immersive soundscapes for these modules that are sure to bring your next story to the next level.

The platform also has an integrated voice chat function, end-user customization, and most importantly, it is easy to use.

The Alchemy Module

The emphasis on storytelling makes Alchemy RPG an excellent VTT for running a Tales From the Loop Campaign. There is no combat in the system. The focus of the RPG is to create this collaborative adventure with your friends. I’ve messed around a bit with the module, and am impressed with what it can do. Full disclosure, I did receive a copy of the module for free, but that doesn’t affect my options. 

The VTT is easy to learn, which is important when you’re bringing people from different backgrounds to the table. I run games for a table of busy dads, and they don’t have the time to learn anything complicated. Simplicity is crucial for my pitch, and Alchemy RPG does it beautifully. I appreciate that moving parts like images and soundscapes are cool and impressive, but they aren’t distracting. 

Most importantly, I like the convenience of the module. All the core rules and mechanics are preprogrammed, and I can easily pull and reference rules as needed. If you’re running a prewritten adventure, everything you need to run it is ready and neatly organized. Programing homebrew or anything outside of the modules doesn’t seem too tricky, but as a busy Dad myself, I appreciate not having to do it. 

What is Tales From the Loop

I’ve done a post on the Tales From the Loop where I go into more detail that you should read if you have time. Tales From the Loop is essentially Stranger Things. In this alternate 80 timeline, technology has advanced unprecedently. Governments around the world race for supremacy, but there is a cost. In the small towns near these research facilities, strange things start to spring up. Only the kids in these sleepy boring towns seem to notice, and it is up to them to uncover what is going on. Gather your friends on a mystery adventure you’ll never forget. 

The game doesn’t have combat or death, and the focus of the system is to create this collaborative narrative together. This means it can be a bit more roleplay-heavy than the typical RPG, but that isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve been playing with my current group for a couple of years now, and we’ve come a long way from the murder hobos we used to be. While I don’t think we’re ready for Tales From the Loop, we’re getting there. I recommend you check it out, it might surprise you how much you want it at your table. 

Board Games and TCGs

Runescape Hits the Tabletop as a Boardgame and TTRPG

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In a bit of a nostalgic shock, I’ve discovered that there is a Runescape ttrpg and board game available now! Runescape was my first MMO and a very influential phase in my gaming history. I still go back to Runescape from time to time to relive some of that nostalgia, but nothing will ever beat being a poor kid in the library, grinding levels with my friends. Now it is time to take this nostalgia to the tabletop in a pair of games you’re going to want to add to your collection. 

The games come to us from the good folks over at Steamforged Games, who have steadily been building their repertoire of excellent licensed games over the years. They’ve got well-known titles such as DARK SOULS, Monster Hunter, and Resident Evil, but have also seen success in their own IPs like Bardsung, Epic Encounters, and Animal Adventures. With a catalog this good, I have faith in their Runescape line of products. 

RuneScape the Roleplaying Game

RuneScape Kingdoms: The Roleplaying Game promises to capture the spirit of the source material in a streamlined 1-5 player experience. The book takes players and GMs to the world of Gielinor and gives them the tools they need to run a successful campaign. There is a crafting, magic, and prayer system as you see with the MMO and a bestiary full of enemies and bosses to fill your next adventure. 

The game uses a 3d6 system, which is always a nice change of pace. The game seems pretty easy to learn, but to put it simply, you roll your dice and pray. You can check out the official Steamworks video for a more detailed dive into the book. 

The corebook is 200 pages and comes in a standard hardcover edition and a beautiful collectors edition. If you’re looking for a new fantasy RPG with a detailed mechanic and a whole lot of nostalgia, you might want to pick up RuneScape Kingdoms

RuneScape the Board Game

In RuneScape Kingdoms: The Shadow of Elvarg is a 1-5 cooperative narrative game where players work together on iconic quests from the video game. Fight monsters, complete side quests, and do a lot of crafting. This unique board game experience allows players to build their characters however they want, regardless of the miniature you choose. That means you aren’t tied down by the preconstructed archetypes you see in other games and only limited by your imagination. The game looks fun, the minis look like they’re good quality, and there seems gaming included in the box. Check out the official Steamforge dive for more, and pick up your copy today!

Board Games and TCGs

Enhance Your Dragonbane Campaign with the Upcoming Bestiary

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If you’ve been running Dragonbane and need to spice it up, consider preordering the Bestiary released on February 27. The book includes roll tables, random encounters, adventure hooks, and 67 new monster blocks. The book is available in a hardcover Standard Edition and a faux leather cover with gold foil print Collector’s Edition. The collector’s edition looks very pretty and will look amazing on any shelf. Both versions come with instant PDF access to the Bestiary. You will be able to purchase the PDF on DriveThru RPG at launch if don’t care about physical media. 

Standard Edition ($41.80)
Collector’s Edition ($71.30)

Free League Publishing is also releasing cardboard Monsters Standee Set ($24.62) for folks in need of miniatures with the Dragonbane flavor. I can’t speak on the quality of the standees, but at least they look cool. 

Monster Standee Set ($24.62)

Impressions

I was sent a free copy of the Bestiary PDF to cover for my blog. I haven’t had a chance to run any of the monsters as I finish my current campaign, but I am planning on running a couple of one-shots soon to close things out. I did flip through the book, and I remain impressed with the art and flavor. 

The book includes nine chapters of monster types: Nightkin, Rare Kin, Insectoids, Trolls, Giants, Beasts, Undead, Dragons, and Demons. Each monster introduces new lore, an adventure hook, and a random encounter for when you need it. At a glance, the stats and mechanics of the new monsters seem fun and fair, but I’ll need to test them to know for sure. For those of you who love Dragonbane and need access to new lore and monsters, go preorder the Bestiary. For those of you who don’t mind waiting, you can pick up a copy of the Standard Edition on Amazon for $39.99. 

I will be posting a more detailed review once I run a couple of encounters, so stay tuned for that. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Check out the Shadow Over Gloomshire Kickstarter – Dragonbane

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Update: Yon can now preorder the book if you missed the kickstarter.

I’ve been running my Dragonbane campaign for a couple of months now, and have been impressed with the system. With my campaign coming to a close, I’ve written a more detailed review that you should read if you want to know more about the system.

As I was prepared to move on to a different system, I came across an interesting Kickstarter Dragonbane adventure: Shadow Over Gloomshire. The campaign is fully funded, and with ten days left on the campaign, I thought it deserved more exposure. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to back the Kickstarter!

What is Shadow Over Gloomshire?

Shadow Over Gloomshire is a Gothic horror prewritten adventure for Dragonbane. It features unique hand drawn art, maps, and it introduces 2 new classes: Paladin and Monster Hunter. There are also role tables, a new location, and descriptions to help get things moving.

Two new professions. Work in progress

I’d love to play a malard kin paladin or a wolf kin monster hunter.

The temple. Once a place of worship, now home to twisted evil. Work in progress

You find yourself stranded in the remote village of Gloomshire. It’s a haunting place full of strange and frightening dangers lurking in the shadows. Travel through a haunted forest, investigate a creepy mansion, and embark on a spooky adventure I’m sure you’ll never forget.

Minerva, Cleric of Light. By FukamiHB
Stygian wolf by John Bilodeau
Demonic artifacts by Melker Holmgren

Impressions

If you like gothic horror, it definitely seems like it has the right flavor. I am a huge fan of the artwork, and for $11, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal. There is always a risk in backing Kickstarters, but Robin Fjärem has a few other projects under his belt, so it seems pretty reputable.

You can pick up a copy of the Shadow Over Gloomshire adventure PDF for $11, or a booklet and PDF for $20 which isn’t bad for an adventure.

I like running my own adventures, but it’s always nice to take a break and build off what other people have come up with. We always end up going off script, but it is always nice to have things like role tables, encounters, and loot at the ready. I think its a pretty cool project, but go check the Shadow Over Gloomshire Kickstarter and see for yourself!