Engel

[Azure Trance]

I picked up Engel today; a beautiful hardcover gold and white book. While I'm not overtly interested in Christian prominent modern day RPGs, this one got my interest quickly through its setting. Post apocalyptic futuristic Europe post flood. Neomedieval. Angels fighting a war against Devils with ancient ruins of metal and glass. A ban on postflood technology. And at the moment it looks so darn tempting to plop into my game of which is a version of renassiance Europe.

-=-

Perhaps tone it down to more cloak and dagger war, but the premise is interesting. I don't know if i want too many concurrent themes in my world. I probably will have to wait a bit in order to think of the ramifications of a singular god (Oronothian ;D).

First my world was a proto-17th century Europe. Then it had steamtech (yet to influence the characters in any meaningful way though as long as their in the wilds). I've been adding nuggets here and there; Bluffside, psionics. And then this. It's probably conflicting since Engel has such a grimmy feel to it. I'll think of something.

 

[pisceanmars]

.

i have also looked through the book. i liked it.

 

[Kamard]

Sounds neat.

*sigh*

one more thing I can't afford...

 

[Azure Trance]

Sounds neat.

*sigh*

one more thing I can't afford...

Perhaps you can take a flip through it by ordering at your local bookstore. As I said it's not the rules or mechanics that interested me (playing as Angels) but the grimey, sort of Warhammer 40kish setting with Latin names.

At first glance I didn't even know what it was; no D20 logo was to be found on it. And flipping through it there are over 100 pages of backstory and history (the flood, the great crusade against the lord of the flies*, the dreamseed, etc) before I even came across any rules/stats at all.

*Coincidentally I found on the WOTC boards a prestige class called Lord of the Flies. Vermin oriented, very powerful.

 

[Warrior Psychic]

Engel is not what it seems.

I've had Engel for about two and half weeks now, and I have to say that as far the setting.. it is perhaps the moodiest most inspired campaign world I have come across in quite awhile.

I remember describing the game to my gaming group, and most of them balked. It seems that anything associated with Judeo-Christian mythology is somehow not cool. At least, with the gamers I know.

However, anyone who owns the book will undoubtedly know that almost everything in the book is *not* what it seems. It's a creepy, scary, and depressing story.. and I am not going to spoil it for those of you thinking to pick up the game.

It is for this very reason that I don't think plopping the Engel down in Renassaince Europe would work. By doing so, you'll miss the essential theme of the game and will probably miss out on a great way to creep out your players.

 

[Crothian]

How are the mechanics? Since you play Engels, how would they compare to low level characters from the PHB?

 

[Azure Trance]

Re: Engel is not what it seems.

It is for this very reason that I don't think plopping the Engel down in Renassaince Europe would work. By doing so, you'll miss the essential theme of the game and will probably miss out on a great way to creep out your players.

Well, I wasn't hoping on it being very prominent all over. My first thought was having it localized in a region; old crumbling empire to the south, for example. Something so that it doesn't change the entire theme of the game.

 

[Warrior Psychic]

Crothian - As for how low level characters in Engel compare to standard D&D characters of the same level,I would probably say that the Engel are slightly more powerful. Then again, Engel are not allowed to Multiclass into other classes.. thus they lack a bit of versatility. Engel also makes use of a Class Based defense system. Some of the Engel classes are more powerful then others (Like the Urielites.. full base attack, two good saves, fast movement, uncanny dodge and a good defense..aaaww).. but all in all, I wouldn't say that the Engel are "unbalanced" or superheroic gamewise.

Azure Trance - I guess what it comes down to is the type of setting it is. If it is a High Magic setting where mages conjure up celestials and fiends.. then the Engel probably wouldn't make sense considering that the "truth" would be known. It depends, I guess, on how powerful you are going to make the Angelitic Church. The more omnipotent they are, the more sense the Engel make. If you do integrate Engel into your game, tell me how it works out. I am planning on running it..

 

[Azure Trance]

Azure Trance - I guess what it comes down to is the type of setting it is. If it is a High Magic setting where mages conjure up celestials and fiends.. then the Engel probably wouldn't make sense considering that the "truth" would be known. It depends, I guess, on how powerful you are going to make the Angelitic Church. The more omnipotent they are, the more sense the Engel make. If you do integrate Engel into your game, tell me how it works out. I am planning on running it..

Are you using the setting mostly as is, modifying it slightly for your world ... ? I'll have to give the book a better read tonight myself

 

[Warrior Psychic]

I am probably going to run the setting canonically, which is saying much for the game considering that I rarely do such a thing. However, I won't make a final decision until the Dreamseed book is released. The few tinkerings I'm thinking about is increasing the power of the Diadoche and the access to Pre-flood technologies.

Oh, and Azure Trance.. if you had not done so already, read pg 97 through page 100. When you read that, you'll totally understand what I'm saying. I don't want to be the person to spoil the game for people. tee hee