Gloriana

[Wombat]

Might be very intriguing -- Dr. John Dee vs. Nyarlathotep?

I'd have to hear more before I get excited, but the underpinnings show possibilities.

 

[Swoop109]

Looks like this will finally allow me to create the Solomon Kane style game that I've been wanting to do.

 

[Faraer]

If this is influenced by sources like Moorcock's Gloriana, Giordano Bruno and the medieval/renaissance art of memory, and Tim Powers's parahistories, and executed with intelligence and sensitivity, it could be great.

 

[Turanil]

GLORIANA will also be utilizing open content from SKULL & BONES, OGL HORROR, CONAN and a few other sources, as well as plenty of new material as well.

The 16th century is drawing to a close. <snip> The Court Astrologer is translating the Necronomicon. Darkness stalks the streets of London.

All of this looks very cool. I mean: VERY COOL. Of course, it will have to be done extremely well, with nice layout, nice illustrations (even if they are all drawn from ancient art), etc. I could be tempted to buy this game. After all, for years I wanted to run a Renaissance campaign with firearms, etc., but while A Mighty Fortress historical campaign sourcebook was interesting, its implementation of the 2e classes was not satisfactory.

Looks like this will finally allow me to create the Solomon Kane style game that I've been wanting to do.

Even if it is not accurate from a historical point of view, this setting NEEDS a Puritan and a Witch-Finder prestige class! (two prestige classes which I already created as amateur work in the Netbook of Classes; but they merit being done better and with d20 Modern in mind).

 

[Turanil]

On a side note. IMO, something which would really help that setting, would be to publish a companion book, that is: a whole campaign from level 1 to 20 in this setting. Something with enough variety so players don't grow bored doing the same things all the time. But then, have challenges appropriate for high level characters (up to 20th level) that would make sense in this setting.

For me it's already difficult to come up with adventures that "make sense" (coherent with the world) beyond 12th level in a typical D&D world, so I fear it would be extremely difficult (maybe impossible) in an Elizabethan setting. This is the reason why the setting I am currently designing is based on Moorcock's Elric, Corum, and Hawkmoon series: to have some excuse to bring really weird ultra-powerful situations and critters. In a Renaissance England setting, even with some black magic around, I think I would be unable to run anything past the 7th level. :\

 

[Banshee16]

I'm not 100% sure of this one....but it has potential....the guys creating it, Adamant, also created Skull & Bones, which was very cool....

Banshee

 

[Krieg]

Looks like this will finally allow me to create the Solomon Kane style game that I've been wanting to do.

Hmm, now that definitely strikes a chord...

I've always liked the atmosphere of Burton's rendition of Sleepy Hollow as well.

OK my interest in this product is rapidly growing!

 

[GMSkarka]

How historically accurate do you intend it to be though? Is it going to be pure fantasy with a veneer of historicism, or will it be closer to what the teaser seems to show: a highly historical setting with fantasy elements tacked on (possibly even in such a way that you could run it perfectly well without any fantasy elements)?

The latter. All of us on the design team are very well-versed in the Elizabethan period, and it has always been the intention to do this as the definitive game of the period, with fantasy elements added (and those being the darker elements, at that).

What Adamant did with SKULL & BONES is a good example---straight history, with a twist (which can be ignored if you prefer).

 

[GMSkarka]

On a side note. IMO, something which would really help that setting, would be to publish a companion book, that is: a whole campaign from level 1 to 20 in this setting.

That's a very interesting idea. Hmmmm.....

For me it's already difficult to come up with adventures that "make sense" (coherent with the world) beyond 12th level in a typical D&D world, so I fear it would be extremely difficult (maybe impossible) in an Elizabethan setting. This is the reason why the setting I am currently designing is based on Moorcock's Elric, Corum, and Hawkmoon series: to have some excuse to bring really weird ultra-powerful situations and critters. In a Renaissance England setting, even with some black magic around, I think I would be unable to run anything past the 7th level. :\

Keep in mind that at higher levels, the players will be more likely to be the true powers of the setting, meaning that adventures would tend to be more political/intrigue-based rather than dungeon-crawls, and would have truly world-shaping consequences.

Just off the top of my head: The players fall out of favor with the crown, and escape into exile----with the intention of taking over a colony in the New World, to establish their OWN kingdom....

Hell, that alone could supply adventures for YEARS, as they carve out a kingdom in North America, eventually possible getting to the point where they are strong enough to contend against the European powers....

 

[GMSkarka]

I'm not 100% sure of this one....but it has potential....the guys creating it, Adamant, also created Skull & Bones, which was very cool....

Thanks, Banshee! Glad you liked it.

We're definitely shooting for the same level of quality.