THARDIC REPUBLIC, OVERVIEW
"Thardic Republic" (Henceforth "Tharda"), is a nation book designed for use with Columbia Games, 'Harn' generic fantasy setting.
Unlike the other Harnic states, Tharda is a republic, clearly based on the late period of the Roman Republic. The government is dominated by blatant corruption and a 'patron/client' system which has almost paralyzed the Senate. There are of course several would-be "Julius Caesars" waiting for the opportunity to take control of the state.
As with all of the 'Harn' material the book is divided into independently numbered articles, which were supposed to be removed and placed in a 3-ring binder to form the "Encyclopedia Harnica". In this book, the articles are:
Thardic Republic (18 pages): The history and organization of the Thardic State, from the Corani Empire to the 'present' (TR720).
Telen (6 pages): This article provides information on the third most important city in Tharda (The capital, Coranan and the second city, Shiran are in "Cities of Harn"). Telen is dominated by the Nordaka family who plan to build a road from Telen to the Harnic Coast, as soon as they can buy the necessary political support.
Moleryn (6 pages): The capital of the lightly settled Ramala province, Moleryn is the easternmost town in Tharda, it is also home to a thugee style death cult.
Taztos (6 pages): Last outpost of civilization between Moleryn & the Kingdom of Kaldor, Taztos is surrounded by hostile natives, ghosts & rumors of treasure.
Hikun (4 pages): Hikun mine is the control point for a secret mine located outside the boundaries of the Thardic Republic. Details of the mines at Hikun and Iracu are provided along with a mysterious map that may lead to treasure in the depths of Iracu.
Gozyda (2 pages): A tribal people who contest Tharda's control of Ramala province.
Pamesani (2 pages): Brutal and decadent gladitatorial contests sponsored by the Church of Agrik, God of Bloodshed.
THARDIC REPUBLIC, COMMENTS
As with all Columbia Games products "Tharda" has excellent maps, of special note is the 'poetic' map on page 9 of the Thardic Republic article, complete with giant octopus eating a galley.
The high level of intrigue present in Thardic society should provide the GM with plenty of ideas for adventure aside from the plot ideas presented in the individual articles. And if the GM does not wish to use the presented background then they can use the maps as the basis for their own ideas.
The only problem with this product is the fact that, unless the GM is lucky enough to find this book in a second hand shop, the only way they will be able to purchase it is to buy the digital photocopies offered by Columbia Games.
THARDIC REPUBLIC, VERDICT.
"Tharda" is a solid book that provides the GM with a society that is noticably different from the pseudo middle-ages societies normally presented in role playing suppliments.
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