Fantasy Europe Setting/Game?

[Tiefling]

After a considerable time examining published settings, as well as thinking up my own, I've come to the conclusion that not even the most talented, brilliant, realism-loving, detail-minded designer can create a world matching the incredible panorama of geography, history and culture that can be found in the world we live in. I'm sure I'm not the first to come to this conclusion. With that in mind, has anyone created a decent setting or game set in medieval Europe (or, I suppose, the Near, Middle and Far East), and adding a layer of monsters and magic to it while maintaining believability? Something like Dark Lands? And if not, why not?

 

[Teflon Billy]

Mythic Europe, the Ars Magica setting is a excellent example of what you are talking about. Give it a look if you can find it.

Quality stuff.

 

[Sulimo]

The Mythus setting Aerth was just that. The setting book is well worth the find if you're into that kind of thing.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

How about 7th Sea, from AEG? I've never played it, but I DID have several of the books.

Also, on the plus side, AEG is going to be putting out a 7th Sea d20 book. I think. It won't have all the background, but it's a place to start.

 

[Skywalker]

WFRP's Old World is essentially fantasy Europe. Gemini RPG has very strong European flavours too.

 

[Patrick-S&S]

You could also try Hârn because IMO it is the only RPG that really gets that medieval gritty feeling. It is extremely detailed too. And can be used with d20 if you have the right guide. Try:

www.harnlink.com

www.shadowharn.net

www.swordsandshields.org

www.columbiagames.com

 

[Tiefling]

I did actually try Harn. I finished the HarnWorld book, and I'm working my way through the Harndex. It's quite nice, and of the settings I've tried it's the closest, but even Harn can't compare to the real world.

TB et. al, thank you for those names, I'll look around for them.

 

[Olive]

I saw a GURPS Middle Ages book at the game shop today...

no idea whats its like, but have a look.

But if Harn doesn't give you what you want, then maybe you want a time machine? I'm not sure that a game can actually reproduce the actual feel of the middle ages.

 

[Patrick-S&S]

I did actually try Harn. I finished the HarnWorld book, and I'm working my way through the Harndex. It's quite nice, and of the settings I've tried it's the closest, but even Harn can't compare to the real world.

Well if you want a real feel 100% you need to buy a time machine like Olive wrote... However I can almost guarantee that you will not be disappointed with Hârn if you are looking for that type of game. Have a look at my site and download some of the castles, adventure encounters and so on and you will see what I mean. The HârnWorld book is one of my favorites but it only touches the surface.

 

[Frosty]

You could take a look at the new Vampire Dark Ages or whatever it's called. It has very good background and follows European histroy but with a twist.

Now, this is only interesting if you'd like to have vampires as the main antagonists. In Vampire you are supposed to play one but I don't think that's necessary. In fact it could be quite cool to be your ordinary D&D hero and play out the vampire clans against each other Yoyimbo-style. (Yoyimbo is Last Man Standing, right?)

Only one downside. I wouldn't want to convert a 10th generation Ventrue warlord into a D&D 10th level Sorcerer with the vampire template and then do the same thing with a 14th generation Tremere. Oh well...