No stopping you!
Born Athlete
You are just that damn fast!
• Cost: 12 Karma
• Game Effect: When performing an Athletics test, you gain a point of Edge that must be spent on that test, or it goes away.
Thoughts?
More acrobatics, and times for the one for level 10!
General Skill
Prerequisites master in arcana
You’ve picked continue to learn even more! Once per day, you can choose an arcane 1st level spell that is not uncommmon and attempt a DC25 arcana check. If you succeed, you cast the spell using as many actions as that spell normally takes. You use either your Charisma or Intelligence as the spell casting ability and are considered an expert to determine spell casting attack or save DC.
Thoughts?
Product– When the Wolf Comes: A Vikingverse Roleplaying Game
System- Shadow of the Demon Lord
Producer– Schwalb Entertianment
Price– $19.99 here https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/443491?affiliate_id=658618
TL; DR-Solid sci-fantasy Viking Shadows of the Demon Lord fun. 99%
Basics– Where will you be when the wolf comes?! When the Wolf Comes is a semi-post-apacalypic, semi-fantasy, semi-futuristic Viking version of Shadow of the Demon Lord. This book covers everything from basic mechanics to how to run a full campaign. Let’s break this down.
Mechanics or Crunch– Do you like Shadow of the Demon Lord? Do you like Vikings? Do you like Space Vikings? Then you will like this. This is just Shadow of the Demon Lord extended to its next evolution as the game moves forward in a solid way. My one minor issue that is more a personal view is that the end mythic paths are tied to race. That’s not even bad, just my personal taste in the issue. The mechanics work and the new stuff here is fantastic. One of my complaints in TTRPGs in recent years is that character progression was too linear. This version adds gifts which are akin to feats. And I love it! This version fixes my one issue with this system, so this is a solid improvement on an already excellent game. 5/5
Theme or Fluff– The opening of this book is from Schwalb himself praising the author. This is a solid introduction to the world the author created and ancient Norse as a whole. It’s a world like our own, but with a split a thousand years ago. This also isn’t just a reskin of a Norse god textbook. One of the races you expect, dwarves, is not here. Now you have robots. Robot servants, so if you want to explore the themes of slavery in your game, have at it! The base classes are different, and the classes that build off it are all different as well. This is not just a can of paint on an existing Shadows game, it’s a whole new world to play in. 5 /5
Execution– This is a solid book with one semi-unforgivable sin. The layout is excellent. The art is amazing. And, the book reads well, fast, and fluidly. I can find what I need as the hyperlinks guide me easily. There is guidance for new GMs and how to play the COMPLETE system. This is not just a fluff book, but honestly the whole Shadow of the BLANK system. There is even an adventure in the back to play right away! The one thing I want that is not here is four to six premade characters. I know Shadow characters are easy to make, but give me them so I can slam them down and have my friends play in exactly 10 minutes. Aside from that one, minor issue, this is a fantastic book. 4.9/5
Summary– The most unkind thing I can say about this book is it’s simply a splat book for a different version of Shadow of the Demon Lord. But that does not do this justice. Any time there are robot dwarves that are not just brass spray painted dwarves with some gears stapled on by another name, but a real, honest to god servitor race with their own issues and even capitalism killing them so you the homeowner have to buy the newest model if you want your floors vacuumed like a roomba with a death sentence, I am hooked. This takes the simple Shadows gameplay I love and builds it out to a completely new world with new themes and mechanics to explore. I even get my feats! It’s not a massive part of the world, but even that small change adds new things mechanically to the system. I love how the book is put together. The one thing I want Schwalb Entertainment to do is give me pregens and it will be a near perfect book. If you even just like the Shadows system and you even just barely like Vikings or you just want to learn more about Norse mythology, then this is the book you need to pick up. 99%
More acrobatics, and times for the one for level 8!
General Skill
Prerequisites master in arcana
You’ve studied enough magical beasts to learn a bit of how to handle a normal body. Once per day per ally, you may make a Arcana check in place of a Medicine check to do the treat wounds action.
Thoughts?
Shadowrun 6e needs more love. How about an adept power?
Health Transfer
Cost: 1 PP
Activation: major action
Feel better! When you use this power, you touch a willing creature and transfer your health to them. For every one point of stun or physical you lose, the target gains two of the same.
Thoughts?
More acrobatics, and times for the one for level 6!
General Skill
Prerequisites expert in arcana
You’ve picked up a few spells from the books. Once per day, you can choose an arcane cantrip and attempt a DC20 arcana check. If you succeed, you cast the spell using as many actions as that spell normally takes. You use either your Charisma or Intelligence as the spell casting ability and are considered an expert to determine spell casting attack or save DC.
Thoughts?
Your soul is mine!
Soul Drain
(direct combat)
RANGE TYPE DURATION DV Damage
LOS M I 6 P
Soul Trap
(direct combat, area)
RANGE TYPE DURATION DV Damage
LOS (A) P I 7 P
Drain your target’s very soul.. This spell deals damage as a normal direct damage spell, but for each point of damage dealt reduce the targets essence by 0.1.
Soul Drain targets individuals, while Soul Trap is area effect.
Thoughts?
More acrobatics, and times for the one for level 18!
General Skill
Prerequisites legendary in acrobatics
You are truly a blur. Once per hour, you gain an extra action that you can only use to do an ability gains from a acrobatics skill feat or do an action that moves your character.
Thoughts?
Product– Caverns of Thracia Legendary Adventure 5E+DCC
System- DCC+5e, note I am only reviewing the DCC version
Producer– Goodman Games
Price– FREE here https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/goodman-games/caverns-of-thracia-legendary-adventure-5e-dcc
TL; DR-More of what I expect from Goodman Games! 97%
Basics– Will you face the minotaur? Caverns of Thracia is a republication of an older DnD module from 1979 by Jennell Jaquays. Players enter the dreaded Caverns of Thracia to face the minotaur after multiple layers of adventure.
Mechanics or Crunch– Like dungeon crawls and DCC? Then you will like this. This is the normal DCC mechanics. It’s rules light, so it’s fast. It’s got lot’s of novel things here with over 100 new monsters to throw at the players and all kinds of traps along the way. It’s more of the same from Goodman Games. If you liked their previous materials, you will like this. 5/5
Theme or Fluff– I like what’s here, but I need a bit more story. The preview is just the first level with no other story. That’s a bit nondescript. I am not sure why there are the things that are here. The things are the Gonzo crazy off DCC’s appendix N fantasy, but the preview lacks all the context of the book. I’m interested, but I want to know a bit more as well. 4.5 /5
Execution– Like DCC’s layout? Then you will like this. This is the classic DCC layout you have either come to love or hate. It reads fast and clean, but it has lots of black and white pages. There is art and layout to help it read fast and easily, but it is minimal. I enjoy it, but it’s also very old school. So, I can see why it might drive away some people. 5/5
Summary– I love DCC and Goodman Games. I’ve backed all their kicksarters/backerkits and this will be no exception. It’s a fun book with lots of fun crazy stuff. I want to know more about the adventure, but when it releases I will get my chance. Now, it’s a fun adventure that has all the pieces I expect from Goodman Games. Check out the preview and see what you think! 97%
Throat Punch Games 