RPG Print News – Catalyst, Ulisses Spiele, Riot Mind, and More

Fantasy gets an infusion of books this week and a couple of sci-fi options make the list. A lot of third party D&D options: a magical library, magical tattoos, a heavy metal adventure path, a book of NPCs. Ruin Masters is back, this time with two adventures, and Shadowrun gets a book of Mr. Johnson patrons. Torg Eternity and Dungeon Fantasy also return with accessories to help GMs run campaigns in Tharkold and more campaign locations and an adventure respectively. So crack those books and crank those amps. Time to roleplay.

Note: RPG Print News covers new RPG releases and some classics, reprints, and sales available from online retailers. It does not cover products that are only available to customers through kickstarter, directly from a publisher website, or as print on demand.

Tales and Tomes from the Forbidden Library by Alligator Alley Games

• SYSTEM: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover adventure
• RETAIL PRICE: $29.99
• DESCRIPTION: Contains an introductory adventure trilogy for a party of 1st to 3rd level character and an extensive appendix describing wonderous tomes and volumes that could be found on the shelves of the magical library of Hearthglow Academy. The mysterious disappearance of two prominent faculty members led to the sealing of the school library’s Eastern Wing. Twenty years later the PCs, a group of students, is sent inside to see what they can discover.

Tome of Mystical Tattoos by Natwuns

• SYSTEM: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover adventure
• RETAIL PRICE: $49.95
• DESCRIPTION: Close to 200 illustrated magic tattoos waiting to be applied. Every design comes with its own history. Also includes an alternative tattoo system, a new class, and an adventure to rescue and secure the services of a storied tattooist.

The Red Opera - Last Days of the Warlock | The Red Opera - Last Days of the Warlock (Special Edition w/Slipcase) by Apotheosis Studios

• SYSTEM: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover adventure/hardcover in slipcase
• RETAIL PRICE: $99.95/$59.95
• DESCRIPTION: Includes ten main adventure acts, ten side quests, and new warlock subclasses, patrons, and races. The new setting of the Shadelands features the warlock ruled city of Yon’Cath with ten key story locations, numerous secondary locations, and unique characters, enemies, and magic items. Drawing inspiration from the DiAmorte heavy metal album of the same name, it centers on warlocks but any class can participate in the adventure.

The Game Master's Book of Non-Player Characters by Macmillan Publishing

• SYSTEM: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
• PRODUCT TYPE: hardcover supplement
• RETAIL PRICE: $23.99
• DESCRIPTION: Over 50 Non-Player Characters. Also includes more than 50 hand-drawn illustrations of select NPCs detailed in the book, 3 bonus one-shot adventures, and provides GMs with the information they need to fill in the holes in their campaign setting. Instantly add depth, color, motivation and unique physical characteristics at a moment's notice to unexpected or underwritten characters as they pop up during gameplay or while prepping the next adventure.

The Isle of Wraiths | Whispers from the Oldmark by Riot Mind Games

• SYSTEM: Ruin Masters
• PRODUCT TYPE: modules
• RETAIL PRICE: $15.95 each
• DESCRIPTION: The Isle of Wraiths is a short adventure with 3 maps. The preview says it is about an island cursed by elves. Whispers from the Oldmark is a short adventure. Looks like a prince wants the PCs help from the preview on Drivethrurpg. Little actual description is available, even direct from Riot Mind Games.

Johnson 'Dex by Catalyst Game Labs

• SYSTEM: Shadowrun
• PRODUCT TYPE: card deck
• RETAIL PRICE: $14.99
• DESCRIPTION: Includes 20 cards with stat, background, plots hooks, and more for Mr. Johnsons who provide jobs for the Shadowrunners.

Tharkold GM Pack | Tharkold Map Pack 1 and Tharkold Map Pack 2 | Tharkold GM Screen By Ulisses Spiele

• SYSTEM: Torg Eternity
• PRODUCT TYPE: accessory pack/map packs/GM screen
• RETAIL PRICE: $19.99/$14.99 each/$24.99
• DESCRIPTION: The Tharkhold GM Pack contains a dry-erase map of Tharkold showing invasion zones across Northern Europe, including which faction holds each zone. Also has threat cards with one side that faces the players and includes the defense numbers they need to calculate their own attack and the other side has the special abilities and attacks the GM needs. And finally, threat blips are tokens that match the monsters and foes encountered used with or without a map. The Tharkold Map Pack 2 and Pack 2 are detailed, double-sided maps. Pack 1 includes the Blasted Lands Highway, where the twisted wreckage of vehicles litters the decaying roads through the irradiated wasteland and the Technodemon Aerie, a home away from home for one of the dreaded monsters who rule the harsh world of Tharkold. Pack 2 has the Marauder Compound, a walled outpost in the depleted Blasted Lands and Urban Hell, a sprawling block of bunkers, hideouts, and decay. The Tharkhold GM Screen contains three panels of tables and modifiers. Traps and escape difficulties for the Grid, the time it takes for magical mishaps to draw Technodemons, random mutations, and a host of environmental hazards are included. Also includes 16 full-color archetypes and their character sheets including the Demon Scholar, the Psi Master, and the Renegade Infiltrator.

The Dragons of Rosgarth | Forest's End | Tower of the Moon By Gaming Ballistic

• SYSTEM: Dungeon Fantasy/Dungeon Fantasy/The Fantasy Trip
• PRODUCT TYPE: softcover supplement/softcover supplement/module
• RETAIL PRICE: $33.99/$30.99/$11.99
• DESCRIPTION: The Dragons of Rosgarth takes place in the Norse-inspired realm of Norðlond, 100 miles south of Rosgarth. Signs and portents say if brave thegns do not stop the threat of the dragons of Rosgarth, a new Ragnarök threatens. Includes Járngarðr, a city dominated by metalworking and crafting with complete maps. Covers the capabilities, back-story, and motivations of all the major players and encounters for the 100-mile journey from Járngarðr to Rosgarth. Includes over 20 new creatures in the bestiary including dinosaurs. Forest’s End includes the new settlement of Skógurenda (Forest’s End), and the jarls and karls that brought it into being. Includes several suggested starting hooks to draw characters into the adventure. Foes include dragons, faerie, outlanders and outlaws surrounding the town as well as 20 new creatures. Locations includes the Cavern of Blood and the Vault of Vaesukir. In Tower of the Moon there are rumors of trouble coming from the tower spread through the local village of Waldrand. An important person is missing, her last known destination, the Tower of the Moon. The locals all know the way to the Tower. They also know to avoid it. Just enough background to inform the scenario and give the characters some hooks. Includes maps and room details

 

[sevenbastard]

I saw "The Game Master's Book of Non-Player Characters" in the Target book section last week. They typically have some WoTC books but I was surprised to see a third party publisher.

 

[Marc_C]

I read Ruin Masters over the last two weeks. Old school hex and dungeon crawl vibe. Great random table section for solitary play. Simple classless d100 system with hit locations and magic that can disintegrate your wizard if you badly fail a magic roll. Includes a setting. The bestiary is a bit thin but serviceable. They are working on a bestiary book.

 

[Ulfgeir]

Tomorrow (14th October) is the official release-date for The Troubleshooters (for Europe), and can be ordered from Helmgasts webshop. US release will be Q1 2022 (can be ordered by European distributors in the meanwhile or directly from Helmgasts webshop. The postage might be a bit expensive though). No word on the French version yet.

 

[Sir Brennen]

Note that Tower of the Moon in the last entry is for The Fantasy Trip (as shown on the cover), not Dungeon Fantasy.

 

[Von Ether]

I saw "The Game Master's Book of Non-Player Characters" in the Target book section last week. They typically have some WoTC books but I was surprised to see a third party publisher.

MacMillian is the publisher and that’s why the book is under $24. They have reach and scales of economy that no one else in the ttrpg industry has.

If they really had the will - and - smarts, they could be a legit contender. It seems they are just dipping in their toes for now.

 

[Ravenbrook]

Tomorrow (14th October) is the official release-date for The Troubleshooters (for Europe), and can be ordered from Helmgasts webshop. US release will be Q1 2022 (can be ordered by European distributors in the meanwhile or directly from Helmgasts webshop. The postage might be a bit expensive though). No word on the French version yet.

Thanks. I'll probably buy it as soon as it becomes available from European distributors, maybe even Amazon.

 

[sevenbastard]

MacMillian is the publisher and that’s why the book is under $24. They have reach and scales of economy that no one else in the ttrpg industry has.

If they really had the will - and - smarts, they could be a legit contender. It seems they are just dipping in their toes for now.

Ot was also marked 30% off. (All the WoTC books are also marked 30% off) I was tempted at $17 and might get it next time.