The Inside Scoop on Gaming

If you haven't checked out Dominion Games RPG, shame on you! You owe it to yourself and your gaming group to give this game a try. Now, before I go farther, there is an old saying that you get what you pay for. With a free game, that usually means less than nothing. This is not the case with Dominion. http://www.dominiongames.com/index.html

I will also point out that I detest fantasy RPGing; sci-fi is more my cup of tea. But after reading this background and these rules and playing a quick game, I'm ready to strap on the old sword belt again!

The game is currently in a beta stage. But you would never believe it. Virtually every facet of a fantasy world is set down here, BUT it's not all filled to the gill with the company line. Well, actually it is since YOU, yes YOU the person reading this is part of the contributing staff. Want to make up a Goblin Horde or some such? Give it a try and the submit it to Dominion. They are taking player contributions on everything from ghosts to spells.

And speaking of spells: Man, I hate magic in RPGs. Actually, I hate how restrictive it tends to be. I mean, I want our group's witch (yes, that's what they call them in Dominion, though warlock, sorceror/ess and a host of other names is acceptable) to be able to whip butt from time to time. I also don't think we should know how many of this or that level spells the evil witch has or even want her entire repertoire consists of. This game has got surprises and how!

The rules even explains step by step skill and spell design processes so that you can not only make your group's game better, but everyone's game better. Next week that popcorn cannon spell your group's clowning wizard used could be available to everyone accessing Dominion's site.

Gotta admit, I also like Dominion's take on the public view of sorcerers. That is, folks who cast spells aren't looked at very kindly in society. They typically get shunned, rocked out of town or burned, drowned and buried. Next time your group's witch steps out into broad daylight and whips out a conjuration, watch her player's face as the lynch mob appears out of nowhere.

Here are the downsides of the game:

Since it's new (and reliant on player input), you're not going to see scads of skills or spells; in fact, the skills are quite gaunt for the moment. The only way to fix that, of course, is for everyone to send in their ideas.

The system is new, so give yourself time to adjust to the way the attributes and actions are rolled. Once you do it a couple of times, you'll be playing like a pro.

Vagueries in certain descriptions like animals. Actually, I don't personally view this as a flaw at all. I like the fact that the rules lawyer in the group has a lot of stuff going against him when he starts quoting monster stats. Do trolls know magic? The stats and description say it's untelling either way. Nevertheless, some folks will want a ruling they can jump on with both feet.

No character classes. Some folks will love this, as I do, while others will be angry over their absence. Instead, there is the softer concept of styles. For example, I typically play bumbling rogue types. There is a small guideline on standard archetypes: the witch, the soldier, the priest, etc., but it really is up to the player how she wants her character to be. In other words, you have to role-play with this game.

Well, I've done my part. I'm biased as all get out over this free product and I think you will kick yourself if you buy a new system without looking at this one first. After all, when it's all said and done, do you really need a specific company's logo on a book cover to validate your gaming?

Give Dominion a look. You won't be sorry.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Dominion Rules Fantasy Role-Playing
Author: Dominion Games Category: game Company/Publisher: Dominion Games: Open Source Role-Playing Line: Dominion Games Cost: FREE! Capsule Review by Daron "Dan" Patton on 03/25/00. Genre tags: Fantasy	If you haven't checked out Dominion Games RPG, shame on you! You owe it to yourself and your gaming group to give this game a try. Now, before I go farther, there is an old saying that you get what you pay for. With a free game, that usually means less than nothing. This is not the case with Dominion. http://www.dominiongames.com/index.html I will also point out that I detest fantasy RPGing; sci-fi is more my cup of tea. But after reading this background and these rules and playing a quick game, I'm ready to strap on the old sword belt again! The game is currently in a beta stage. But you would never believe it. Virtually every facet of a fantasy world is set down here, BUT it's not all filled to the gill with the company line. Well, actually it is since YOU, yes YOU the person reading this is part of the contributing staff. Want to make up a Goblin Horde or some such? Give it a try and the submit it to Dominion. They are taking player contributions on everything from ghosts to spells. And speaking of spells: Man, I hate magic in RPGs. Actually, I hate how restrictive it tends to be. I mean, I want our group's witch (yes, that's what they call them in Dominion, though warlock, sorceror/ess and a host of other names is acceptable) to be able to whip butt from time to time. I also don't think we should know how many of this or that level spells the evil witch has or even want her entire repertoire consists of. This game has got surprises and how! The rules even explains step by step skill and spell design processes so that you can not only make your group's game better, but everyone's game better. Next week that popcorn cannon spell your group's clowning wizard used could be available to everyone accessing Dominion's site. Gotta admit, I also like Dominion's take on the public view of sorcerers. That is, folks who cast spells aren't looked at very kindly in society. They typically get shunned, rocked out of town or burned, drowned and buried. Next time your group's witch steps out into broad daylight and whips out a conjuration, watch her player's face as the lynch mob appears out of nowhere. Here are the downsides of the game: Since it's new (and reliant on player input), you're not going to see scads of skills or spells; in fact, the skills are quite gaunt for the moment. The only way to fix that, of course, is for everyone to send in their ideas. The system is new, so give yourself time to adjust to the way the attributes and actions are rolled. Once you do it a couple of times, you'll be playing like a pro. Vagueries in certain descriptions like animals. Actually, I don't personally view this as a flaw at all. I like the fact that the rules lawyer in the group has a lot of stuff going against him when he starts quoting monster stats. Do trolls know magic? The stats and description say it's untelling either way. Nevertheless, some folks will want a ruling they can jump on with both feet. No character classes. Some folks will love this, as I do, while others will be angry over their absence. Instead, there is the softer concept of styles. For example, I typically play bumbling rogue types. There is a small guideline on standard archetypes: the witch, the soldier, the priest, etc., but it really is up to the player how she wants her character to be. In other words, you have to role-play with this game. Well, I've done my part. I'm biased as all get out over this free product and I think you will kick yourself if you buy a new system without looking at this one first. After all, when it's all said and done, do you really need a specific company's logo on a book cover to validate your gaming? Give Dominion a look. You won't be sorry. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Dominion Rules Fantasy Role-Playing