Still sitting on the fence when it comes to the new Fabled Lands RPG? Shane Garvey and Jamie Wallis have created an elegant and versatile system that's worthy of your attention. Even if you're not a fan of the world of Harkuna, you can use it for other settings. I know of at least one Legend campaign that's switching from Dragon Warriors to FL rules.But don't take my word for it, see what Stuart Lloyd has to say in the comprehensive new review on his blog Lloyd of Gamebooks. Andrew Wright has also begun a multi-part look at it on Fantasy Game Book. And if you like what those gentlemen have to say, you might want to order a copy now as we'll have a scenario for the FL RPG here in a fortnight or so.
Okay, there's more Lloyd (Dirk, not Stuart) at the weekend, but before that why not drop by on Friday for news of Jamie's latest book? (Our own Jamie T, that is, not Mr Wallis.) It's The War-Torn Kingdom meets Harry Potter... or so he tells me. And I also just heard that BBC radio are repeating his Harkuna-set fantasy serial in which a bunch of adventurers seek the mythical Heart that will grant ultimate power. No, sadly it's not what you think, gamebook fans ;-) but you should enjoy it anyway. And talking of gamebooks, can you wait two weeks until the next installment of The Castle of Lost Souls? Truly, 'tis a veritable summer feast of fantasy around here.
I just bought it. I'm not too enthusiastic. There's some little mistakes and not immediately obvious rules. However these are little gripes. My big problem is the world write-up. I fell in love with the world of Harkun after buying the original Fabled Lands books in the mid-90's. I mostly bought the RPG as portal to those places I never got to in the games books. There is however nothing on Chrysoprais. Atticala's write up is a bit of a disappointment (everyone is bronzed and toned, urgh). And the Great steppes (my favourite book in your series) is barely mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am looking at this wrong. Sokara is interesting. Grieve Marlock is a far more sympathetic character here than in the original. The source-books (which I will probably buy all of) will more likely give me satisfaction. The RPG system, with its use of powers is interesting,though I still don't fully get the magic system (is healing unlimited?).
Fair points, Khadrim, but in a limited space the descriptions of each country are bound to involve generalizations, and I'm sure the sourcebooks will present a more rounded picture. The detail about Grieve Marlock is an example - as you say, we know a lot more about him from the RPG than the gamebooks tell us.
ReplyDeleteMagic is indeed unlimited, in the sense that you can keep on casting spells. I grant you that does make healing amazingly useful.
And the digital painting there is by Tony Hough (ie Me...google me if you want to see more.....)
ReplyDeleteTony, apologies, I didn't mean to miss off your credit - nor on the temple built from the upturned ship (Aug 4 post) which I assume is by you also? Great art, let me say, and I urge all fans of gamebooks, RPGs and fantasy in general to go take a look at your blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://tonyhoughart.blogspot.com/