2nd Edition: Historical Reference Books

[Angel Tarragon]

I am curious to know how many of the Historical Reference titles were produced and the titles of each. Thanks for any help.

 

[Staffan]

HR1: Vikings
HR2: Charlemagne's Paladins
HR3: Celts
HR4: A Mighty Fortress
HR5: The Glory of Rome
HR6: Age of Heroes
HR7: The Crusades

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Thanks Staffan, I appreciate it!

 

[Blackwind]

Hands down my favorite 2E books.

 

[lior_shapira]

Hands down my favorite 2E books.

Really? I have them all, bought most of them at the end of 2nd edition at a very low price, but haven't used them ever. Maybe I'm just not a historical oriented gamer but I didn't even enjoy reading them too much...

If any roleplayer (in Israel) wants to buy 'em off me I'll be glad to get rid of them.

lior

 

[Huw]

Really? I have them all, bought most of them at the end of 2nd edition at a very low price, but haven't used them ever. Maybe I'm just not a historical oriented gamer but I didn't even enjoy reading them too much...

Even if you don't intend to run a period game, they're good inspiration for low magic campaigns. I found Celts and A Mighty Fortress the best.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

My favorite was "The Glory of Rome".

But then, I'm a fan of the roman empire...

 

[Ron]

They are pretty good. However, they are mostly about history with somewhat short roleplaying notes. I thought it would be a best investment to buy real history books and adapt the historical period yourself to your rpg needs.

 

[johnsemlak]

They are pretty good. However, they are mostly about history with somewhat short roleplaying notes. I thought it would be a best investment to buy real history books and adapt the historical period yourself to your rpg needs.

Real history books are always good but I think it's not bad to have RPG books about historical settings because they're written with an RPG in mind. Even if they're not for the system you use.

Books like these deal with classic RPG issues like how to fit D&D wizards in a historical setting like Rome; where you would put clerics in a setting; which classes to use, not use, and/or modify; what prices should be set on various goods, etc.

A good RPG book will also provide ideas for adventure hooks for a D&D adventuring party.

History books can obviously provide a much greater amount of information but will not cover the gamist issues at all.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

They are pretty good. However, they are mostly about history with somewhat short roleplaying notes. I thought it would be a best investment to buy real history books and adapt the historical period yourself to your rpg needs.

I study history, so real history books aren't a problem in my house. However, it's always nice to have a.) a handy reference, b.) a book written with a game in mind, c.) something that isn't written in high scientific style (Just finished reading a book that deals with the developement of the judicative system of the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz during the 19th and 20th century. It's 500 pages long, about 300 pages too long...), and finaly, d.) something I can just hand my players together with a one or two page addendum about what I'm changing.

I love the historical GURPS books...