Tell me about Warhammer Fantasy, please

[Jürgen Hubert]

I'd like to qualify the earlier "Chaos is Everywhere" statement.

Sure, there are hordes of chaos beastmen lurking in the forest who will try to kill and eat you if you venture into their domain - or even if you are living nearby. But that's not all there is to Chaos.

There's also your everyday mutant - someone who has had the misfortune to have born with (or grown one later in life) a third eye, a tail, or some other minor deformity. Sometimes they manage to hide in society by covering these things up with clothes, desperately trying to live something like a normal life. But more often they are driven out to live in the wilderness, or killed outright.

As a Sigmarite priest, it will be your mission to kill these abomination. Not neccessarily because they have done anything bad yet, but because they represent a taint of chaos that must be stopped at all costs. It is highly likely (though not certain) that they will eventually mutate further and end up depraved and insane, so killing them now is an act of mercy.

And there are also the cultists who embrace the Ruinous Powers in a quest for more power and influence. Eventually, they will probably self-destruct - but until that happens, they have the power to bring a lot of misery to those around them. What's worse, they are often outwardly respectable and powerful citizens of their cities, so proving that they are evil Chaos cultists can be quite hard if you are a random adventurer. So some vigilante street justice, together with some breaking and entering will have to suffice to stop something horrible from happening.

Of course, that means you will also be hunted by the forces of the law. But that's also standard for Warhammer campaigns...

 

[glass]

I ran WHFRP awhile back. It is a great game--would give D&D run for its money if was marketed better.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with that. WFRP is a great game, but it is much too bleak for the mass market IMO.

Also, nothing is going to 'give D&D a run for its money', however good it is.


glass.

 

[glass]

So imagine Europe. Add weird stuff coming from the north, and probably from underground.

...and the south, and the east, and out of the forests and down from the mountains and from across the seas...


glass.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Keep the players hungry, watch the treasure. It is good for them to get a bit ahead but day-to-day cost should concern them some. Even the showing of it should be of concern, thieves, tax collectors, city watch, will question why a rat catcher is carring a high quality dagger worth a house (he had to have stole it, the question is from who).

Be sure to follow the 'every action, results in a reaction' rule. If the players do something; kill a monster or someone, save someone, burn down something, etc. something should result from it. This will soon have them working for someone and in the Warhammer world that may be a middleman for someone or thing else, be it a noble, church, cult, or ruinious power.

 

[Tharen the Damned]

Living under most cities are the Underempires of the Skaven, seeking to spread disease and death to the lands above.

Skaven do NOT exist! You are a heretic and will burn on the stake! You are probably a Mutant and Chaos worshipper too.

Neca eos omnes. Sigmar suos agnoset.

 

[PieAndDragon]

Wear a shield. Trust No One. All people are potential heretics.

 

[JVisgaitis]

The settingh borrows heavily a lot from other settings namely Moorcock's Elric. Its not as obvious until your familiar with the setting for awhile. Some of the stuff that they used (or ripped off, however you want to look at it) still baffles me.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I got invited to a game of WHFR (havent played anything in over a year!) and I wanted to know something about the setting. Ive read everything I can easily find online, all the Chaos stuff and a few things about the Empire. Me and the GM worked out the basics of my chracter: a Sigmarite warrior priest, a smiter of Chaos. Does anyone have any helpful advice or info for a first time Warhammer player?

For your character, you might want to read some Solomen Kane by Robert E. Howard. Fight those forces of dark sorcery man!

% based.

Changing careers isn't quite the same as going into a PrC but more like multi-classing. Going into an advanced career is more like going into a PrC but still not quite the same.

Stats and abilities are bought up with experience points.

No levels.

Most characters will suck even at their choosen profession with experienced 'adventurers' missing roughly 50% of the time.

 

[Piratecat]

D&D: A game where you valiantly battle the forces of evil and destruction and ultimately become a super-powerful, super-wealthy adventurer.

WFRP: A game where you valiantly battle the forces of evil and destruction and ultimately die in a ditch. Alone. In the rain. And nobody cares.

You forgot "and eaten by rats."

And I loves me some WFRP, too! Crazy-stupid-fun.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Most characters will suck even at their choosen profession with experienced 'adventurers' missing roughly 50% of the time.

This will result in players not wanting to get into a fight unless they know they can beat their foes, either by numbers or by creative thinking, ambush is a winning tactic, so is the backstab, and using a pistol in close combat in your off-hand (recommend pirate style - carry 3 in your belt, each with a chain around your neck, draw-fire-drop-repeat).

No witchhunter is your friend
No wizard is good

That makes it sound bleak. It is not, it is a lot of fun but players have to adjust to the world and nature of the game.

Don't forget the undead!