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The Future King | ||
Author: Tom Moldvay
Category: Company/Publisher: Spellbinders Line: na Page count: 19 Capsule Review by Papyrus on 04/19/00. Genre tags: Fantasy Science_fiction Historical |
Published in 1985, this self contained adventure/rules system was written and designed by the author of 2 D&D adventures (The Lost City and Castle Amber) and Lords of Creation (Avalon Hill) game system. What really caught my interest was the cover, which has portraits of Cyrano De Bergerac, Bruce Lee, Doc Holliday and Nostradamus. In this adventure, players take the role of one of 6 (above 4 plus Harald Hardraada and Owen Glendower) historical figures, brought together by a mysterious guide. Their mission involves the awakening of King Arthur. To do this they have riddles to solve, Nostradamus' speteries to decipher, foes to vanquish and traps to defuse.
Each historical figure has a half page narrative to assist in role playing, and specific powers/skills/tools to assist in the adventure's completion. Random and planned encounters are tailored to more than one of the heroes' specific capabilities and although the adventure is heavily scripted there is plenty of room for character interaction and play-acting. The adventure itself is surreal and obviously mystical in nature, though hero disbelief is not addressed. The game system takes up one page, and uses 2d6. Die are designated primary and secondary, and roles are compared primary die to a primary score. The secondary die and score is only used should the primary die equal the primary score. Whenever the die is less than the score, the task is successful, the opposite being true when the die is greater than the score. Modifiers are applied for character and NPC skills and for situations that change a tasks chance of success (a running target, for example). This is an interesting product and a unique role playing opportunity. Distributed by a game, book and magic shop, it probably received very little exposure. I like the originality and the simplicity of the whole package. This could be a great one niter for a group of gamers looking for a break from their regular campaign.
Style: 3 (Average)
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