This week we have some solid PDFs coming out. We have 8 new PDFs, but we packed in this week's WoTC rereleases into last week's Pretty Darn Fun and there were virtually no new Adventures for the week. However, the Spotlight: Most Interesting PDF of the Week is actually a large selection of new PDFs all from one company, spanning two different game systems. A lot of good product this week.
Book of Quests
Runequest is one of those games that keeps going despite the odds. Back in the day it was lauded as a great alternative to D&D due to its attempt to realistically portray combat and its rich worlds. Runequest 6 was released last year and this is the first new supplement for the game. This PDF presents 7 adventures spread over 224 pages and is a great resource for those using or trying out Runequest 6.
The Conspiracies Sourcebook
Conspiracy X has been around for over 15 years and some consider it the go-to rpg for X-Files type conspiracy/paranormal modern-day gameplay. In 2006 they came out with a 2nd edition of the rules and it was nominated for an ENnie Award for Best RPG. This sourcebook follows a successful Kickstarter and features an in depth look at one of the main conspiracies within the world setting, the National Defense Directorate. Also in the book is information on the background on some history of the setting, rules for creating conspiracies and an advancement of the world setting in storyline.
Space Conspiracy
This rpg looks a lot like Paranoia in space. Apparently random conspiracies are generated and the characters are sent to investigate them. The characters are made normally from classes and races, but if they die they come back as clones of themselves with mutations. Equipment features lasers, grenades and cabbage. Sounds like an excellent change of pace game and looks to be a complete game.
King for a Day
This is a huge (312 pages) system-agnostic sandbox setting/adventure campaign. It is a sandbox setting with over 200 NPCs and dozens of locations detailed. It is an adventure campaign telling a story from beginning characters to a climatic and epic end. The fantasy setting has a creepy Lovecraftian tone to it, instead of one filled with gore. Just lair your favorite fantasy system over it and you should have a long-running epic campaign available.
TrollZine! #7
Fanzines are always interesting things as they serve to augment a game system with a wide mix of content that goes beyond the sometimes singular vision of the game creator. This one is for Tunnels & Trolls and offers up a couple of adventures (one solo and one for a GM), new monsters, a story, a new town, advice and other useful bits. It is 74 pages long and supported by the publishers and authors of the game. And best of all it’s free!
BattleAxe
This fantasy rpg strives to emulate the fast and furious action of a video game and translating that into a tabletop game. The game has everything you need to play with three character types (warrior, mage and rogue), a leveling system, equipment (with magic items) and a setting as well. Also included in this PDF is Creeping Dead, a sourcebook on the undead to be used as antagonists or as player characters. IF you are the type of player who both likes video games and tabletop rpgs this might be the game for you. If you are curious about this 404 page rpg, you can check it out for free!
Traveller ROBOTS
Traveller is the epitome of science-fiction rpgs and robots are one the main things that make science-fiction different than other genres. This product seeks to be an all-inclusive PDF bringing robots of all types to the Traveller system. This 126 page book provides mechanics for creating different types of robots and computers (from the microscopic nanite to giant AIs), character options dealing with robots, rules for playing a robot character and stats for a variety of robots (almost like a monster book of robots). This sounds like a much needed addition to the Traveller game system.
Ascendancy
I missed it last week, but the rpg, Ascendancy, was released as a PDF. This week saw the release of the GM’s support book, Shattered Moon, which drew my attention to the original release. Ascendancy is a new game system that seeks to reinvent how rpgs are played. It uses a wagering system to adjudicate actions and seeks to add a touch of inspiration to a game. Along with the rules the game comes with a setting for play. Shattered Moon is a new setting wherein Earth has been invaded by a magic using race. It also adds more options for both player characters and GMs to the rules found in Ascendancy.
Spotlight: Most Interesting PDF of the Week
Frog God Games
This company is the bastard child of Necromancer Games, one of the companies at the forefront of the d20 third party market with their mantra of “3rd Edition Rules, 1st Edition Feel”. One of the principals of that company moved on to form Frog God Games and they seem to be continuing their rpg agenda. This week saw a whole slew of releases from them into PDFs. Let’s take a look at them…
Swords and Wizardry Complete Rule Book
This is one of the first of the retroclones and specifically sought to emulate 0E. It is hugely popular among those looking for the original rules. Frog God Games now has the publishing rights for the game and this is an expanded version of the rule set.
Swords and Wizardry Monstrosities
This 544 page books combines all the old 0E monsters and 186 new monsters into a single illustrated book. It’s huge!
Swords and Wizardry Grimmsgate Introductory Module
The first of two introductory adventures, this one asks you to explore the lands around Grimmsgate.
Swords and Wizardry MCMLXXV Introductory Module
This 24 page module is designed as a second introductory adventure and works as a follow-up to Grimmsgate.
Hex Crawl Chronicles
This is a series put out by Frog God Games that provides hex wilderness maps that can be the basis for a world setting or plunked into one. Each has its own theme and provides a hex map with story hooks and encounters on the map.
The Shattered Empire
After a war of city-states, one has managed to attain rulership of the others through political maneuvers and successful armies. This is that land. There is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
The Pirate Coast
An old land area of a fallen stone giant kingdom, the rebels and slaves that formed their own nation and the pirates that moved into the region to prey on those too weak to defend themselves. Again, there is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
The Troll Hills
A fairly typical setting with a central community and the area around it which consists of hills, trolls and other areas of adventure. Actually, having a “typical” setting makes it even easier to insert into your own world setting and can bring the most enjoyment for players. As before, there is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
Splinters of Faith
This is a bundle pack for Pathfinder. It is a complete set of 10 adventures that can be run as an epic, levels 1-15, campaign. It can also be used in your own campaign as filler adventures if you are looking for a pre-made adventure within a certain level range.
Rappan Athuk
Rappan Athuk was a series hardcore adventure books for d20 that featured an epically large mega-dungeon spread over 3 books that really highlighted their “1st Edition Feel”. It gained a life of its own, eventually rivaling some of the older adventures in the TSR catalog. Last year they ran a Kickstarter to create a book that combined all three books into one and added new material such as new levels, new monsters, magic items and player options. The Kickstarter made $240k over its initial $25k goal. This is the PDF version of that project. It comes in a Swords and Wizardry version and in a Pathfinder version. In addition, they have released a Player’s Guide (dual statted for the players), a Book of Maps (handy for a DM), and a Bestiary (if you just want the new monsters) for Swords and Wizardry and Pathfinder.
All together this is a nice collection of Swords and Wizardry and Pathfinder products from Frog God Games. They have a reputation for putting out high quality products and it’s hard to go wrong with their books.
Book of Quests
Runequest is one of those games that keeps going despite the odds. Back in the day it was lauded as a great alternative to D&D due to its attempt to realistically portray combat and its rich worlds. Runequest 6 was released last year and this is the first new supplement for the game. This PDF presents 7 adventures spread over 224 pages and is a great resource for those using or trying out Runequest 6.
The Conspiracies Sourcebook
Conspiracy X has been around for over 15 years and some consider it the go-to rpg for X-Files type conspiracy/paranormal modern-day gameplay. In 2006 they came out with a 2nd edition of the rules and it was nominated for an ENnie Award for Best RPG. This sourcebook follows a successful Kickstarter and features an in depth look at one of the main conspiracies within the world setting, the National Defense Directorate. Also in the book is information on the background on some history of the setting, rules for creating conspiracies and an advancement of the world setting in storyline.
Space Conspiracy
This rpg looks a lot like Paranoia in space. Apparently random conspiracies are generated and the characters are sent to investigate them. The characters are made normally from classes and races, but if they die they come back as clones of themselves with mutations. Equipment features lasers, grenades and cabbage. Sounds like an excellent change of pace game and looks to be a complete game.
King for a Day
This is a huge (312 pages) system-agnostic sandbox setting/adventure campaign. It is a sandbox setting with over 200 NPCs and dozens of locations detailed. It is an adventure campaign telling a story from beginning characters to a climatic and epic end. The fantasy setting has a creepy Lovecraftian tone to it, instead of one filled with gore. Just lair your favorite fantasy system over it and you should have a long-running epic campaign available.
TrollZine! #7
Fanzines are always interesting things as they serve to augment a game system with a wide mix of content that goes beyond the sometimes singular vision of the game creator. This one is for Tunnels & Trolls and offers up a couple of adventures (one solo and one for a GM), new monsters, a story, a new town, advice and other useful bits. It is 74 pages long and supported by the publishers and authors of the game. And best of all it’s free!
BattleAxe
This fantasy rpg strives to emulate the fast and furious action of a video game and translating that into a tabletop game. The game has everything you need to play with three character types (warrior, mage and rogue), a leveling system, equipment (with magic items) and a setting as well. Also included in this PDF is Creeping Dead, a sourcebook on the undead to be used as antagonists or as player characters. IF you are the type of player who both likes video games and tabletop rpgs this might be the game for you. If you are curious about this 404 page rpg, you can check it out for free!
Traveller ROBOTS
Traveller is the epitome of science-fiction rpgs and robots are one the main things that make science-fiction different than other genres. This product seeks to be an all-inclusive PDF bringing robots of all types to the Traveller system. This 126 page book provides mechanics for creating different types of robots and computers (from the microscopic nanite to giant AIs), character options dealing with robots, rules for playing a robot character and stats for a variety of robots (almost like a monster book of robots). This sounds like a much needed addition to the Traveller game system.
Ascendancy
I missed it last week, but the rpg, Ascendancy, was released as a PDF. This week saw the release of the GM’s support book, Shattered Moon, which drew my attention to the original release. Ascendancy is a new game system that seeks to reinvent how rpgs are played. It uses a wagering system to adjudicate actions and seeks to add a touch of inspiration to a game. Along with the rules the game comes with a setting for play. Shattered Moon is a new setting wherein Earth has been invaded by a magic using race. It also adds more options for both player characters and GMs to the rules found in Ascendancy.
Spotlight: Most Interesting PDF of the Week
Frog God Games
This company is the bastard child of Necromancer Games, one of the companies at the forefront of the d20 third party market with their mantra of “3rd Edition Rules, 1st Edition Feel”. One of the principals of that company moved on to form Frog God Games and they seem to be continuing their rpg agenda. This week saw a whole slew of releases from them into PDFs. Let’s take a look at them…
Swords and Wizardry Complete Rule Book
This is one of the first of the retroclones and specifically sought to emulate 0E. It is hugely popular among those looking for the original rules. Frog God Games now has the publishing rights for the game and this is an expanded version of the rule set.
Swords and Wizardry Monstrosities
This 544 page books combines all the old 0E monsters and 186 new monsters into a single illustrated book. It’s huge!
Swords and Wizardry Grimmsgate Introductory Module
The first of two introductory adventures, this one asks you to explore the lands around Grimmsgate.
Swords and Wizardry MCMLXXV Introductory Module
This 24 page module is designed as a second introductory adventure and works as a follow-up to Grimmsgate.
Hex Crawl Chronicles
This is a series put out by Frog God Games that provides hex wilderness maps that can be the basis for a world setting or plunked into one. Each has its own theme and provides a hex map with story hooks and encounters on the map.
The Shattered Empire
After a war of city-states, one has managed to attain rulership of the others through political maneuvers and successful armies. This is that land. There is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
The Pirate Coast
An old land area of a fallen stone giant kingdom, the rebels and slaves that formed their own nation and the pirates that moved into the region to prey on those too weak to defend themselves. Again, there is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
The Troll Hills
A fairly typical setting with a central community and the area around it which consists of hills, trolls and other areas of adventure. Actually, having a “typical” setting makes it even easier to insert into your own world setting and can bring the most enjoyment for players. As before, there is a version for Swords and Wizardry and one for Pathfinder.
Splinters of Faith
This is a bundle pack for Pathfinder. It is a complete set of 10 adventures that can be run as an epic, levels 1-15, campaign. It can also be used in your own campaign as filler adventures if you are looking for a pre-made adventure within a certain level range.
Rappan Athuk
Rappan Athuk was a series hardcore adventure books for d20 that featured an epically large mega-dungeon spread over 3 books that really highlighted their “1st Edition Feel”. It gained a life of its own, eventually rivaling some of the older adventures in the TSR catalog. Last year they ran a Kickstarter to create a book that combined all three books into one and added new material such as new levels, new monsters, magic items and player options. The Kickstarter made $240k over its initial $25k goal. This is the PDF version of that project. It comes in a Swords and Wizardry version and in a Pathfinder version. In addition, they have released a Player’s Guide (dual statted for the players), a Book of Maps (handy for a DM), and a Bestiary (if you just want the new monsters) for Swords and Wizardry and Pathfinder.
All together this is a nice collection of Swords and Wizardry and Pathfinder products from Frog God Games. They have a reputation for putting out high quality products and it’s hard to go wrong with their books.
