Fantasy Flight Games: Song of Fire and Ice`

[Skade]

I was curious, since Fantasy Flight Games has acquired the rights to George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice Series (Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings), and made a CCG, are there any plans for a RPG treatment?

The series, for those unfamiliar, is a "historical fantasy" that is somewhat light on magic and monsters but does posess dragons (more noble animals than superbeings) and the Others, creatures of cold and darkness that are the bane of mankind, and creation. There is magic however, and those who we see wield it are rare and powerful beings. The characters and plots are what make this series amazing though. I could go on at length, but I won't.

I think it would make an intersting d20 book, or any other system for that matter. It may only make a good one shot, re Wheel of Time, but I think it is certainly worth some thought.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

I agree that the books are GREAT. When is the next one out anyway?

I guess if you are looking for a real low magic setting, this could be a good alternative, but IMO, doesn't lend itself real well to D&D style of play.

There are so many other settings based on great books that would better serve the RPG community, like say John Carter of Mars or something...

 

[bolen]

That is a question is John Carter of Mars no longer under copyright since it is over 75 years old (or when does copyright run out)

 

[Fast Learner]

The next one will be out when it's done being written, something that's not true yet (even though Amazon has a release date and page count, Mr. Martin points that as of just two days ago it's still being written, so where they got the page count from is a mystery).

I, too, think it would make a most excellent setting. IIRC, FFG doesn't have a license for an RPG, just for the CCG.

So much is revealed about the universe with each book, personally I'd rather an RPG came out after another book or two so the magic system, etc., are more clear.

 

[Skade]

Unfortunatly it probably is not very well in keeping with normal DnD, but then neither was Wheel of Time. I am not a huge fan of the Wheel of Time series, despite my healthy respect for Robert Jordan, but I loved the RPG. The very different magic system of that world was translated fairly well into D20, I think the same could be done here.

As far as DnD rules go most of the classes work with minimal changes. Fighter and and rogue no change. Bard could be very similar to gleeman in WoT, or the nonmagical bard in AEG swashbucker book. Barbarian has no problem. Druid is possible, as we know there are least some Greensers in the world, Brand becoming one of them. They would be no more difficult to rationalize than all the Jedi that ran around during rebeliion era games. The same thing applies to Wizards and Clerics. The Red Priest Melisandre could be either (and made with the BoVD, IMO). We have other examples of spellcasters in the Danaerys chapters.

New classes presented could be cool. 1) Maester, the most educated men of the realm, mastering such varied subjects as chemistry, medicine, engineering, smithing and theoretical magic. Possibly built along bard lines, with more social skills and practical use feats. Not really adventurers from the examples we see, but younger more "adventurous" ones are possible. 2) Knights as a base class rather than a prestige class. You would have to play up the difference in training, like horse oriented abilities and courtly skills and feats. 3) Swordman-swashbuckling men with light weapons such as Syrio Forel. 4) a new nonmagical priest class

You have prestige classes like 1) wargs - barbarians who have learned to change shape into various animals. 2) Knights of the Watch, accostomed to the harsh lands of the frozen north. 3) Whitecloaks (admitedly there can only be seven? or is it twelve?) who are gaurdians of the king.


Just some thoughts

 

[Eosin the Red]

I would take the classes from WoT and just redo the magic system, add the Barbarian & Priest, and use the d20 Modern massive damage rules - wah la, low magic romper stomping GRRM.

 

[Tyrrell]

Personally I wouldn't use d20 (as seeen in D&D anyhow). For song of Ice and fire the large number of hit points that an advanced character would have would give more of a feeling of security than I think is warranted from the books. Personally I'd choose Riddle of steel to run the game. Of course you could twist D20 to fit (SW or d20 modern wound systems might eliminate the issue I brought up)

 

[Fast Learner]

The reality if you're GRRM, though, is that a d20 version would be vastly more popular, resulting in more people enjoying his world and, of course, more money for the author.

 

[Brian W]

FFG will not be doing an RPG, though we will be making a board game based on the series next summer.

If I had to guess, I'd speculate that we'll see the next book around late spring.

 

[kaiscomet]

That is a question is John Carter of Mars no longer under copyright since it is over 75 years old (or when does copyright run out)

If I understand copyrights, they actually last for 75 years after the death of the author. (Here in the US anyway). In some countries it's 50 years.

Does anyone know exactly?