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Where Men Become Myth - and Myths Become Men
“Gestalt” is Scott Bennie's unique world of superhuman archetypes. Superhero comic books contain worlds of Archetypes, individuals who represent important symbols. They are populated by characters who represent concepts such as Heroism, Strength, Speed, Cleverness, The Elements, Kindness, Cruelty, and Ambition. All fiction deals in archetypes or symbols, but comic books apply them more consciously than most fictional forms.
The Gestalt campaign takes the idea of "character as Archetype" one step further. In this campaign world, Gestalt-Earth, the characters are the symbols. A physically powerful superhero might not just be a strong guy - he could be an embodiment of Strength. A Gestalt martial arts master isn't just a superb fighter - he's also a human representation of his chosen art. The master lives its philosophy at all times, getting into situations where he demonstrates his art and its virtues, championing those who follow the art, and using the art to advance his or her personal fortunes.
While characters in the Gestalt-Earth setting look and act like superheroes, in many ways they fulfill the role of mythological gods, becoming the champion of concepts and portfolios.
“Gestalt: The Hero Within” uses the HERO System. A Mutants & Masterminds edition is planned in time for GenCon 2007.
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Greetings Herophiles, I picked up Gestalt: The Hero Within for Champions. On Thursday, October, 8th, 2007 around 1539hrs I picked up my copy from my local FLAGS and have written a short Review.
Art: (4 out of 5): My Top 5 Favourites are Back Cover, Labyrinth and Lament on p.12, Indian Monkey King on p.192, The Blood Red King on p.298, Powerjack on p.311, The Questioner on p.313, and the ATF on p.357, My Favourite Map is the Columbia Headquarters on p. 218. Overall I was greatly impressed with the Art it makes me wish the Colour version was cheaper. Of all the pieces only one did not suit me Terradan p.319 but that was the only one. The quality of paper and lamination matches that of The Algernon Files and Fire of War source books for Champions. Well Done.
Layout: (4 out of 5): - The Layout has changed a little from previous source books, but still is easy to read and reference. Always a plus. again to do the book justice I have to divide it up a little...
Contents - Very clear and basic set-up. I would have added lines or shaded areas to divide it up for ease of reference, but it makes up for it with clear and large sized type face.
Prologue: In Mourning - WOW! Scott proves again that he can write and write well. The story really left me with a feel for the Campaign/World Setting and left me half in love with Lament.
I: Campaign Basics - This Chapter serves as a great introduction to the setting and sets the theme for the whole book.
II: Character Creation - The section on Power Level and Powers and Skills is very well done. The unique setting section on Gestalt Immortality and Luck (Variant) deserve a good read.
My favourite is the Comeback Kid p.29. Technology vs Gestalt Technology section is interesting for the classification, restrictions, and definitions on the Gestalt setting. You may find me using that term a lot, but it appplies. The section on Disadvantage is not only a nice creation tool, but an excellent GM Hook. I especially liked the Achillies Heel p.33.
III: History of Gestalt-Earth - Simple enough to say, but hard to quantify. Scott's writing here is almost perfect (Never tell and artist its perfect, then they stop trying). The campaign Meta Plots and Plot Seeds unofficially start heree. As do the Secrets of the Universe... Player Information anyway. The Key Events boxes are great.
IV: Background Character of Gestalt-Earth - The really Good, the really Bad, and the really Ugly. What can I say without a spoilers box. Hmmm.... The Notes on PCs in the World is essential reading for the setting. After the History Chapter we have the Major Players section. I really loved reading this and skipped ahead a couple of times to look up the characters stats. It also introduces Gestalts from around the around the World.
V: Sample of Gestalt Archetypes - This section will make fans of The UNTIL Super Powers Data Base estatic... I was literally have character concepts leaping off the pages and fighting for dominance over who is going to be first. GMs and Players alike make find this Chapter alone the Gem of the whole book. I agree with Ghost Angel that this should have been Chapter III, but will score high with fans keeping track.
VI: Extraterrestrials - Introduced in the History of Gestalt-Earth. This chapter deals with those who have had the most contact with Gestalt Earth. The Ar consist of 3 groups of Humans transplanted humans from earth thousand of years ago. The turely alien Fndnti (Classic Higher Tech) and Eiko (Classic Evil).
VII: The Gestalt Dimension - The creation of human (un)conciousness. The fastest to read and the hardest to comment on. There are so many ideas and concepts writen here to leave you dizzy with possibilities. Among my FLAGS friends calling some one a "Rat Bastard" is a compliment just before you hand over your money to buy the next cool Comic, RPG, etc... so Scott in the best way possible "You Rat Bastard" Pick this book up and read it. Then look at your watch and do a double take as you realize you have just lost 30 minute somewhere inside.
VIII: Everyday Life in Gestalt-Earth - p.187-214 is a real page turner. It is exactly what it says it is and a bit more. Great stuff to go over with the PCs before they get to far into their character creation mode. A great section to promote the campaign theme.
IX: Character Write-Ups - The competition or The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly all over again. All with their Flaws and Achillies Heel's standing out. Quote: I was reading Firefighters - Enemies of Urban Blight, Idle Poverty (and Compassion) p.275-280 and in Deissenter p.226-228 and recognized in his description a part of my dark side. Self righteous, reactionary, and knee jerk responses to local and world events. Some of these characters are very deep. This section alone gets a 6 out of 5.
X: Campaign Secrets - Labeled for GM's Eyes Only and he means it. If you plan on using the Gestalt Setting than this section alone tells you what kind of GM Scott and friends must be like. Thank you Scott and Dave for publishing it.
XI: Campaigning - The Matters of Play box makes me wish I lived closer to Scott's gaming group. This section could almost be a primer for new GM's and Players looking into GMing on their own.
XII: Adventures - Challenging without being overwhelming both in Role Playing and Combat. My only complaint is how small the Battle Maps are. A PDF Sale for Larger Maps would sell.
XIII: Scenario Seeds - Gestalt (Archetype) specific Plot Hooks and Adventure for your Gestalt Campaign. This is great for One on One Session or impromptu Adventures. Like Ghost Angel I like the fact many of these are collected from section seeded through out the book.
XIV: Index - Clear, Bold, and Large Type make this easy to use. Only time will tell if it covers everything you need in this 400 page tome.
Writing: (5 out of 5): I am repeating myself here but, WOW! Scott reminds us again he can write and write well. Just to be clear. I have yet to find the errors others have pointed out yet. The Section on Common Gestalt Archetypes alone is a pleasure to read and reflect on. While I one of those early fans of Gestalt. I think that Scott really matured into a great writer with this book. There are to many examples to draw from the book. So you'll just have to go out an buy it to see for yourself. Definitely add this on to you Christmas list.
Content: (5 out of 5): I covered this in the Layout section. This is an excellent piece of work and well work the price in Canadian dollars (You know "Real Money", Sorry could not help myself).
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Gestalt Resources:
Gestalt: The Hero Within by Blackwyrm Games
http://www.blackwyrm.com/Gestalt.htm
Gestalt Player's Guide by Blackwyrm Games - (Warning pdf)
http://www.blackwyrm.com/Extras/Gestalt/Gestalt_Player's_Guide.pdf
Blackwyrm Games Forums - Gestalt
http://www.blackwyrm.com/Forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=13
Gestalt: The Hero Within Extras
http://www.blackwyrm.com/extras.htm
Red October BBS by Bob Quinlan - Campaign Files
http://www.mactyre.net/october/Campaignf/Files.html
[Review] Gestalt: The Hero Within by ghost-angel - Another Review
http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59718&highlight=[Review] Gestalt: Hero
Cheers
QM
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