RPG Print News – Vaesen, Powered by the Apocalypse, D&D, and More

It is time for fairy tales, swords, sorcery, and frying pans. Baba Yaga has landed for Vaesen, and Dungeons & Dragons and d20 fantasy get a host of new supplements from core rule supplements to an entire supplement based on cooking complete with themed art. Tasty. Powered by the Apocalypse gets a new RPG of redemptive fantasy, and two shoot ‘em up and drive fast RPGs are also out.

Note: RPG Print News covers recent RPG releases and some classics, reprints, and sales available from retailers. It does not cover products that are available directly to customers only through Kickstarter or as print on demand.

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Mythic Carpathia by Free League Publishing

• SYSTEM: Vaesen
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover supplement
• RETAIL PRICE: $50.33
• DESCRIPTION: PCs, part of the Carpathia branch of the Society, face Vampires, Rusalkas, Baba Yaga, and other even stranger horrors of Central and Eastern European folklore. PCs explore the busy streets of Prague, where history and myths collide as they face vaesen. PCs also venture into deep forests and high mountains to face these creatures from folklore. GMs get a gazetteer of the city of Prague, a chapter with local vaesen, and three full adventures. Includes the new archetype Vampire Hunter, 16 local mythical beings such as the Golem and the infamous Baba Yaga, and a large separate full-color map of Mythic Carpathia and the city of Prague.

Vale of the Failed and the Fallen by Wicked Clever

• SYSTEM: Powered by the Apocalypse
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover core rulebook
• RETAIL PRICE: $50
• DESCRIPTION: As children, the PCs went on a quest to defeat the ultimate evil. But they failed, and their friend died. 20 years later, as adults, they return to the magical realm of Eidylorn to get a second chance. The difference now is that the PCs know the price, and they have to decide if they are willing to pay it. PCs experience both regret and redemption in a childhood fantasy realm gone to ruin. The adventures begin in the past with collaborative world-building and PC creation, follow on into rebuilding the realm through player-chosen milestones, and ultimately ends with the PCs facing the big bad guy for a second time. PCs choose from artifact-based playbooks of Blade, Heart, Mask, Quill, Shadow, Tower, and Watcher with stats based on memories, inner child aptitudes, and adult vocations. The past gets fleshed out in “Around the Campfire” phases, while the PCs strive to forge alliances with strange denizens and establish a new stronghold. The final adventure sees the PCs facing down the Vassal of Darkness either to finally banish the enemy or fail again and witness Eidylorn's final end.

Nimble RPG - Boxed Set | Nimble Core Rules | Nimble Heroes | Nimble Game Master's Guide by Nimble

• SYSTEM: d20 fantasy
• PRODUCT TYPE: box set of hardcovers, screen, and cards/hardcovers
• RETAIL PRICE: $150/each hardcover $25
• DESCRIPTION: All three hardcover books (all available separately also) with lots of extras are included in the Nimble RPG - Boxed Set. Extras: over 70 spell cards, more than 12 magical item cards, storage box, 5 panel GM screen, holographic sticker, and six pregenerated PCs. Nimble Core Rules: rules including combat, five common and 19 exotic ancestries, 24 backgrounds, 15 adventuring motivations, gear, magical items, six new spell schools, 58 new core spells, 18 new utility spells, and 14 optional rules. Nimble Heroes: 11 new classes, 22 subclasses, and four story-based subclasses. Nimble Game Master's Guide: GM Tools, adventure rewards including secret spells, how to run monsters, a monster builder, 69 monsters, 21 legendary monsters with special rules, a starter adventure, a sandbox setting, nine locations with (NPCs, treasures, encounters, adventure hooks, and more), seven "10-minute prep" one-shot adventures, and rules for converting D&D content.

Path of the Aram Thyr by Gallant Knight Games

• SYSTEM: d20 fantasy for one GM and one player
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover core rulebook
• RETAIL PRICE: $39.99
• DESCRIPTION: The PC sets out on a journey to improve self, hone martial powers, and craft a legend while roaming the proto-Celtic continent of Aestran. The PC will find dangerous beasts, valuable treasures, and savage lands to explore. Features: an unexplored pre-medieval continent, a classless warrior creation system with 10 starting Paths such as the Path of the Rolling Boulder and the Path of the Invincible Blood, dozens and dozens of fighting techniques, rules for defeating enemies and stealing their techniques, and solo or GM-less co-op rule options.

Book of Blades by Kobold Press

• SYSTEM: Tales of the Valiant
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover supplement
• RETAIL PRICE: $29.99
• DESCRIPTION: PCs enjoy new combat options and join the field of battle on the land and sea. Includes: 14 subclasses, talents, weapons options, combat options for every martial class including mechanists and more, rules for intense single combat, duels, wrestling matches, mounted combat, and more.

Dragon Stew (2025 Edition) by Hit Point Press

• SYSTEM: Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Edition
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover supplement
• RETAIL PRICE: $49.99
• DESCRIPTION: PCs and the GM are provided utensils to bring the magic of cooking into their games. PCs get new subclasses, backgrounds, cooking classes, dessert familiars, and a new race. Rules for the GM include ways to cook any monster, new monsters, and two adventures showcasing the new rules. Written and illustrated by Antonio Demico of Pointy Hat Studio. Time to add some campaign flavor and spice up the game.

Thunder Road Vendetta RPG by 9th Level Games

• SYSTEM: Polymorph
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover core rulebook
• RETAIL PRICE: $39.99
• DESCRIPTION: PCs experience road based over the top action as they explore the wasteland after the disaster. They strive to rule the racetrack and the radiation ruins. PCs grab a crew, race cars, and shoot guns across in the asphalt jungle while they try not to get wrecked. Includes rules for vehicular mayhem. Based on the board game and the boards and cards from that can be used in this RPG.

Miami 86 RPG by Archmage Arispen

• SYSTEM: d20 roll under rules light (Miami 86 RPG)
• PRODUCT TYPE: softcover core rulebook
• RETAIL PRICE: $22
• DESCRIPTION: PCs are blue collar adventurers, likely down on their luck and/or broke, who get embroiled in action and crime escapades. Inspired by the film Scarface, the TV series Miami Vice, and the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Solo play options included.

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[stormwriter]

Nice! I got Nimble PDFs and was actually impressed, it looked better than I was expecting. I don't even play 5e, but I liked Nimble, it's kinda doing its own thing really. I might pick up the physical books down the line.

Also curious about Path of the Aram Thyr, I like the other works from Alex T.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Miami 86 is probably amazing with the right group.

 

[Superchunk77]

Nice! I got Nimble PDFs and was actually impressed, it looked better than I was expecting. I don't even play 5e, but I liked Nimble, it's kinda doing its own thing really. I might pick up the physical books down the line.

Also curious about Path of the Aram Thyr, I like the other works from Alex T.

I got the boxed set for Nimble. Amazing game, and I'm planning on using it for any 5e adventures my group wants to play.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Vale of the Failed and Fallen has a great premise...

 

[John R Davis]

Vale of the Failed and Fallen has a great premise...

Is it like a dark version of the DND cartoons where they go back as adults?

 

[Charles Dunwoody]

Is it like a dark version of the DND cartoons where they go back as adults?

Yes. Imagine if Venger had killed Presto and all the rest of the kids were sent home defeated. Years later, they learn that Vengar has the Dungeon Master trapped and is draining his life force to conquer the entire realm. Only the PCs, now adults, can stop him or die trying. Uni might show up for the whole group as needed and provide that lost connection to Presto (in the RPG, this connection is the magical artifact the fallen hero used the first time around).

FYI, yes, there is a child death in the game which is carefully discussed. Obviously not a game for people if that topic is a deal breaker as the whole game involves the adults learning to deal with their trauma along with their failure and continue on and do something with their lives despite the death and losing the major battle. It is well handled (again if it isn't a dealbreaker regardless), and I have an interview with the creator that I'm working on.

I like it because I've never really wanted to run a game with the PCs as kids since all my players are adults. This game allows everyone to experience that childhood stress through campfire stories which I like much better. I picked up a copy myself, and I am impressed. An intense game and a sensitive topic; well handled.

 

[timbannock]

Similar but different from DIE (comic+RPG).

 

[Bill Zebub]

I haven't purchased any Vaesen because I doubt I'll actually get around to playing it, but I still kind of feel an urge to collect it. Love the concept and the artwork.

 

[Charles Dunwoody]

I haven't purchased any Vaesen because I doubt I'll actually get around to playing it, but I still kind of feel an urge to collect it. Love the concept and the artwork.

I'm in the same situation except I am buying the books. I can't quite figure out how to run it for my current group, but the concept, art, and I'm not going to lie the cloth map for Carpathia just draw me in.