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The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations

Amidst the myriad of d20 offerings in the game market these days, it is refreshing to see that there are still entirely new and original games being produced. The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations is based on biblical mythology, with a great deal of focus on the Revelations of John concerning the epic battle between Heaven and the Legions of Hell. This struggle is represented symbolically by Seven Seals, which are broken in succession. The breaking of the Seventh Seal signifies the coming of John's Apocalypse.

The default setting for the game is the present time, and six of the Seven Seals have been broken. The demons of the Legion walk freely on the Earth, disguised as mortals, laying waste to the plan of God at every opportunity. Once their power on Earth crosses a threshold, the Seventh Seal will be broken, and in the cataclysm that follows the Legion will be destroyed by the wrath of God, but so also will be the Earth and all its inhabitants.

Humanity has one last chance to prevent its own destruction. Certain humans (portrayed by the player characters) are chosen to be Sentinels. These anointed ones are the last line of defense against the Legion, and are invested with supernatural powers to assist them in their struggle against the powers of Hell.

The book itself is very well produced. The softcover volume has a good binding that should resist the wear and tear of regular game sessions. While I have become quite fond of hardcover game books of late, I have not been overly excited by their price, and Creative Illusions is to be praised for packing so much good content into a reasonably sturdy book for under $25. The interior layout is well done, and the black and white artwork is plentiful. The borders on the pages, which depict the prophetic Seven Seals, are a nice touch. The Seals are shown as being broken, with the exception of the one corresponding to the current chapter number.

Throughout the entire book, each new section or concept is introduced by a related quotation (mostly biblical). This gives the reader a sense of how real-world mythical and literary ideas have been built into the setting and game system, rather than entirely fictitious ones. Bravo to the authors for their extensive research.

Introduction

This part of the book provides a general introduction to the game setting, including glossaries of terms useful to both players as well as their characters within the game. Some of the basic concepts are introduced, such as the use of Prophetic Revelations as part of the storytelling. This information allows the reader to easily delve into the more detailed chapters ahead, having already gained a basic appreciation for what the setting is all about.

Chapter 1: Sinners and Saints

Chapter 1 introduces us to the concept of the Anointing, whereby a character is elevated from being a normal person, and is counted among the "chosen". A detailed description of what it is to be a Sentinel is provided, giving the players a good idea of what types of roles their characters will portray. The description of the Anointing is accompanied by an excellent example: the story of the process for a character named Josh Cable.

Chapter 2: Signs & Portents

The history of the war between Heaven and Hell is detailed in this chapter, as told by a Fallen one who has left the service of the Legion. Various people, whom he visited, record the story as he tells it. This is quite a good chapter, and really provides the reader with excellent background information for the setting. The presentation of the story in first person is great, and the accompanying notes, letters and scraps of information make this chapter a lot of fun to read.

Chapter 3: The Chosen

This is the character creation chapter. The player characters in The Seventh Seal are members of one of four Orders of the Archangels, each of which represent different blessings that are vital in the struggle against the Legions of Hell. Players assign points to the twelve traits used in the game, which are grouped in a Trinity: Body, Mind and Spirit. Skills (called proficiencies) are selected by the player and are also allocated a number of points each. Players have a wide selection of benefits and detriments, and plenty of other information is provided for fleshing out character backgrounds. Characters in The Seventh Seal do not have levels, but instead gain abilities by spending experience points (called Free Will). The rules for character creation are straightforward and well suited to the setting. The Anointing process described in Chapter 1 can even be played as a pre-game of sorts, allowing character creation to take place during actual game play.

Chapter 4: State of Grace

Chapter 4 describes the spiritual and supernatural abilities granted to the Sentinels, which include Grace, Insight, Divinities and Blessings. All of these gifts are described in detail, providing information about how to use them, and the interpretation of the results. This chapter also describes Prophetic Revelations and Spiritual Conflicts, key concepts that make The Seventh Seal unique.

One thing I like about this chapter is that, while the gifts that the characters possess are quite powerful, they do not create a feeling that the characters are superheroes. Despite being Sentinels, the characters are still human, with human fallibilities. The players will never feel that their characters are invincible due to their special abilities, and therefore the challenges they face will seem that much more daunting, and their successes more rewarding.

Chapter 5: Guidelines

The basic rules of the game are defined in this chapter, including dice rolling, using proficiencies, combat, health, equipment, etc. The mechanics of the game are easily learned. Only six sided dice are used. A typical resolution involves rolling a number of dice equal to a Trait value plus a Proficiency value. Each die result equaling or greater than a Difficulty Rating is counted as a success. The number of successes determines the outcome of the skill or ability being tested.

I like the fact that the game mechanics are not overly complicated, but manage to provide enough detail to resolve most situations. The Seventh Seal is definitely geared to role-players, and the authors recommend using imagination rather than game mechanics if they ever get in the way of the plot or an exciting scene.

Chapter 6: Revelations

This chapter is geared towards the gamemaster, who is called the Prophet. It provides excellent guidelines for portraying effective NPCs, running a horror-based game, scenario creation and many other topics, which will help the Prophet and players to have a fulfilling roleplaying experience.

Chapter 6 also includes a discussion of the fictional setting devised for The Seventh Seal. The authors are careful to point out that, while The Seventh Seal is heavily based on Judeo-Christian mythology, it is not an essay or opinion on modern religion, but rather a work of fiction and should not be taken as anything more than that. The world of The Seventh Seal is slightly different from our own, and presumes that certain biblical references are absolute truths, while others are deceptions created by the Legion. This approach has been taken in order to explain the role of the Sentinels, defining their struggle with evil within the scope of the world at the dawn of the 21st century.

Chapter 7: We are Legion!

A gaming book just wouldn't be complete without a guide to the bad guys, and Chapter 7 provides just that. This is not just a listing of "monsters" however, but a detailed description of the history, motivations and unique traits of the Fallen and their cohorts. Prophets are provided with descriptions and mechanics for the supernatural abilities unique to the Legion, as well as numerous suggestions about how to give depth to the adversaries of the players, which will provide a more rewarding gaming experience for all.

Appendix

This is a great part of the book, and the most useful during actual game play. There are many tables and charts and useful bits of information found throughout The Seventh Seal, and every one of these has been compiled in the Appendix for easy lookup.

Index

A wise person reminded me once that all gaming books are actually reference volumes, and as such they would certainly be lacking without a good index. The one provided with The Seventh Seal is well-formatted, easy to read and provides sufficient detail to be quite useful during game play.

Final Notes

I was initially skeptical of the biblical nature of the game, being a Christian myself. Through reading and game play, however, I have found nothing in The Seventh Seal that is either "too Christian" or, at the other end of the spectrum, "heretical". It is important to note that The Seventh Seal has no evangelical purpose whatsoever, and is only properly used for having fun in good faith and friendship. While the interpretation of the authors and the fictional setting they have created might not necessarily mesh with the personal faith of the reader, I did not find any material in the game that I considered offensive. I really like all of the guidelines that the authors provide which will help Prophets maintain an environment in which all participants are comfortable, regardless of their faith background.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this game to anyone interested in exploring biblical mythology while roleplaying an epic struggle of good vs. evil. In the words of the authors, those wishing to be "immersed in the elements and atmosphere of one of the world's largest, oldest bodies of faith and culture" will certainly find The Seventh Seal appealing.

The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations
The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations Capsule Review by Brian McNeilly on 06/10/02 Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!) The Seventh Seal is a unique roleplaying game based on biblical mythology, set in the present day. Players will enjoy the role of Sentinels, mortals invested with supernatural powers, who are the last hope of humanity against the rising forces of darkness. Product: The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations Author: Scott Mitchell, Edwyn Kumar, Mark Bruno, Scott Lynch Category: RPG Company/Publisher: Creative Illusions Line: Cost: $24.95 Page count: 204 Year published: 2002 ISBN: 0-9713353-0-3 SKU: CTV10000 Comp copy?: yes Capsule Review by Brian McNeilly on 06/10/02 Genre tags: Modern day Horror	The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations Amidst the myriad of d20 offerings in the game market these days, it is refreshing to see that there are still entirely new and original games being produced. The Seventh Seal: Roleplaying Game of Prophetic Revelations is based on biblical mythology, with a great deal of focus on the Revelations of John concerning the epic battle between Heaven and the Legions of Hell. This struggle is represented symbolically by Seven Seals, which are broken in succession. The breaking of the Seventh Seal signifies the coming of John's Apocalypse. The default setting for the game is the present time, and six of the Seven Seals have been broken. The demons of the Legion walk freely on the Earth, disguised as mortals, laying waste to the plan of God at every opportunity. Once their power on Earth crosses a threshold, the Seventh Seal will be broken, and in the cataclysm that follows the Legion will be destroyed by the wrath of God, but so also will be the Earth and all its inhabitants. Humanity has one last chance to prevent its own destruction. Certain humans (portrayed by the player characters) are chosen to be Sentinels. These anointed ones are the last line of defense against the Legion, and are invested with supernatural powers to assist them in their struggle against the powers of Hell. The book itself is very well produced. The softcover volume has a good binding that should resist the wear and tear of regular game sessions. While I have become quite fond of hardcover game books of late, I have not been overly excited by their price, and Creative Illusions is to be praised for packing so much good content into a reasonably sturdy book for under $25. The interior layout is well done, and the black and white artwork is plentiful. The borders on the pages, which depict the prophetic Seven Seals, are a nice touch. The Seals are shown as being broken, with the exception of the one corresponding to the current chapter number. Throughout the entire book, each new section or concept is introduced by a related quotation (mostly biblical). This gives the reader a sense of how real-world mythical and literary ideas have been built into the setting and game system, rather than entirely fictitious ones. Bravo to the authors for their extensive research. Introduction This part of the book provides a general introduction to the game setting, including glossaries of terms useful to both players as well as their characters within the game. Some of the basic concepts are introduced, such as the use of Prophetic Revelations as part of the storytelling. This information allows the reader to easily delve into the more detailed chapters ahead, having already gained a basic appreciation for what the setting is all about. Chapter 1: Sinners and Saints Chapter 1 introduces us to the concept of the Anointing, whereby a character is elevated from being a normal person, and is counted among the "chosen". A detailed description of what it is to be a Sentinel is provided, giving the players a good idea of what types of roles their characters will portray. The description of the Anointing is accompanied by an excellent example: the story of the process for a character named Josh Cable. Chapter 2: Signs & Portents The history of the war between Heaven and Hell is detailed in this chapter, as told by a Fallen one who has left the service of the Legion. Various people, whom he visited, record the story as he tells it. This is quite a good chapter, and really provides the reader with excellent background information for the setting. The presentation of the story in first person is great, and the accompanying notes, letters and scraps of information make this chapter a lot of fun to read. Chapter 3: The Chosen This is the character creation chapter. The player characters in The Seventh Seal are members of one of four Orders of the Archangels, each of which represent different blessings that are vital in the struggle against the Legions of Hell. Players assign points to the twelve traits used in the game, which are grouped in a Trinity: Body, Mind and Spirit. Skills (called proficiencies) are selected by the player and are also allocated a number of points each. Players have a wide selection of benefits and detriments, and plenty of other information is provided for fleshing out character backgrounds. Characters in The Seventh Seal do not have levels, but instead gain abilities by spending experience points (called Free Will). The rules for character creation are straightforward and well suited to the setting. The Anointing process described in Chapter 1 can even be played as a pre-game of sorts, allowing character creation to take place during actual game play. Chapter 4: State of Grace Chapter 4 describes the spiritual and supernatural abilities granted to the Sentinels, which include Grace, Insight, Divinities and Blessings. All of these gifts are described in detail, providing information about how to use them, and the interpretation of the results. This chapter also describes Prophetic Revelations and Spiritual Conflicts, key concepts that make The Seventh Seal unique. One thing I like about this chapter is that, while the gifts that the characters possess are quite powerful, they do not create a feeling that the characters are superheroes. Despite being Sentinels, the characters are still human, with human fallibilities. The players will never feel that their characters are invincible due to their special abilities, and therefore the challenges they face will seem that much more daunting, and their successes more rewarding. Chapter 5: Guidelines The basic rules of the game are defined in this chapter, including dice rolling, using proficiencies, combat, health, equipment, etc. The mechanics of the game are easily learned. Only six sided dice are used. A typical resolution involves rolling a number of dice equal to a Trait value plus a Proficiency value. Each die result equaling or greater than a Difficulty Rating is counted as a success. The number of successes determines the outcome of the skill or ability being tested. I like the fact that the game mechanics are not overly complicated, but manage to provide enough detail to resolve most situations. The Seventh Seal is definitely geared to role-players, and the authors recommend using imagination rather than game mechanics if they ever get in the way of the plot or an exciting scene. Chapter 6: Revelations This chapter is geared towards the gamemaster, who is called the Prophet. It provides excellent guidelines for portraying effective NPCs, running a horror-based game, scenario creation and many other topics, which will help the Prophet and players to have a fulfilling roleplaying experience. Chapter 6 also includes a discussion of the fictional setting devised for The Seventh Seal. The authors are careful to point out that, while The Seventh Seal is heavily based on Judeo-Christian mythology, it is not an essay or opinion on modern religion, but rather a work of fiction and should not be taken as anything more than that. The world of The Seventh Seal is slightly different from our own, and presumes that certain biblical references are absolute truths, while others are deceptions created by the Legion. This approach has been taken in order to explain the role of the Sentinels, defining their struggle with evil within the scope of the world at the dawn of the 21st century. Chapter 7: We are Legion! A gaming book just wouldn't be complete without a guide to the bad guys, and Chapter 7 provides just that. This is not just a listing of "monsters" however, but a detailed description of the history, motivations and unique traits of the Fallen and their cohorts. Prophets are provided with descriptions and mechanics for the supernatural abilities unique to the Legion, as well as numerous suggestions about how to give depth to the adversaries of the players, which will provide a more rewarding gaming experience for all. Appendix This is a great part of the book, and the most useful during actual game play. There are many tables and charts and useful bits of information found throughout The Seventh Seal, and every one of these has been compiled in the Appendix for easy lookup. Index A wise person reminded me once that all gaming books are actually reference volumes, and as such they would certainly be lacking without a good index. The one provided with The Seventh Seal is well-formatted, easy to read and provides sufficient detail to be quite useful during game play. Final Notes I was initially skeptical of the biblical nature of the game, being a Christian myself. Through reading and game play, however, I have found nothing in The Seventh Seal that is either "too Christian" or, at the other end of the spectrum, "heretical". It is important to note that The Seventh Seal has no evangelical purpose whatsoever, and is only properly used for having fun in good faith and friendship. While the interpretation of the authors and the fictional setting they have created might not necessarily mesh with the personal faith of the reader, I did not find any material in the game that I considered offensive. I really like all of the guidelines that the authors provide which will help Prophets maintain an environment in which all participants are comfortable, regardless of their faith background. In conclusion, I highly recommend this game to anyone interested in exploring biblical mythology while roleplaying an epic struggle of good vs. evil. In the words of the authors, those wishing to be "immersed in the elements and atmosphere of one of the world's largest, oldest bodies of faith and culture" will certainly find The Seventh Seal appealing.