Stormbringer was first published by Chaosium in 1981. The first edition was written by Ken St Andre and Steve Perrin, and was followed by a 2nd (see Publishing History of 1st Edition Stormbringer for further discussion), 3rd (Games Workshop’s Hardcover book) and 4th edition (Chaosium’s single book format ~ which also including material from the Stormbringer Companion). The Elric! edition was published in the 90s with the 5th edition of Stormbringer (a revised and expanded Elric! edition) published in 2000. With the rise of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition, a Dragonlords of Melniboné D20 version was released in 2001.
Please note: I have separated out the individual editions to their own pages on this site, rather than keeping them here on a single page. This will explain why the comments (found at the foot of this page) are inconsistent with the content.
In this catalogue, you will find the listings for:
Arthur
Is there any way to buy the digital version (pdf/kindle/ebook) of the 4th and 5th edition? I would love to test the system with my friends but could only find the option on Amazon for a physical book
Stormbringer
Hey Arthur,
Unfortunately there is no legitimate way of purchasing the now long out-of-print 4th & 5th editions. Amazon or ebay is your best chance, but be prepared to pay a pretty penny for them. In regard to digital copies… they can be found, but not via this site.
Thanks for reaching out!
André
I really wanna read more about the Scenario and System, where can I find the digital copies?
Stormbringer
Sorry I don’t think there is is any *legal* way of acquiring any of the old material (in any of its editions) at the moment. Some deciduous internet searching might help you out…
Michael
I liked both 3rd and 4th editions of stormbringer, the former because it introduced me to the worlds of Elric, the latter because after reading the novels the supplements enriched the background. That and the 4th felt tidied, even though the demon categories disappeared.
Elric! and the 5th were a bit hit and miss for me, the magic didn’t feel like it was as n the novels.
The mongoose RQ2 version of Elric of Melnibone is better than the first iteration, though I augmented it with 4th ed stormbringer and background from Melnibone sourcebook to flesh out Bright Shadows.
Michael
My personal favourite editions, having got into Stormbringer back in 1980s through the 3rd released by GW, is a toss up between the 4th (fun) and Elric of Melnibone for Mongoose RQ2. Would love to see Mournblade in English, when they get round to announcing the KS
Steven
THIS SITE IS AMAZING! I’m re-reading the books now, which made me go down memory lane and want to revisit the RPG’s. I had the 3rd edition and Elric! It’s all here, WOW. My favorite memory was creating a buddy’s 3rd ed. character. We rolled for country of origin, he got Nadsokor, the City of Beggars. He rolled a d4 for afflictions, (of course he rolled a 4)- 1 Mentally disabled, 2- grossly fat, 3- missing a hand, 4- missing a foot. I showed some mercy by arming him with a demon club (like a My First Stormbringer). Turned out to be an awesome character. Thanks for all the work!
Wayne
The updated Old Hrolmar monograph is awesome.
Regarding Stormbringer 5th edition, the only comment I have is that I feel the individual human cultures like Vilmir. Jhakor etc need to be fleshed out a bit to provide some variety . I will have a go at this I think and see how it develops.
Love this site. Keep up the excellent work
Stormbringer
Hey Wayne, thanks for your message (sorry been away with the Christmas/New Year break)… look forward to what you bring to the table! Do feel free to reach out if you want a sounding board as well.
Tedankhamen
Hi!
Glad to see the Stormbringer love.
I’m on a Stormbringer kick on my OSR blog.
Take a peek, feel free to leave comments.
https://tomboftedankhamen.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-cure-for-stormbringer-rpg-3.html?m=1
Stormbringer
Thanks Tedankhamen! Totally agree with you observations and assessments over on your blog. Hope the influence of Arioch continues for time to come.
George
Ah, the good old days when people still used their imaginations instead of their game controllers….
Years ago, I fell in love with Elric 2nd Ed., and was already a heavy player of Runequest Deluxe. Interestingly enough, the systems were HIGHLY compatible and blended well into a magnificent game multiverse true to Moorcock’s writings. At one point, we even threw in some Call of Cthulu. The richness and expansiveness was awe-inspiring, and the group NEVER tired of the game. Best part was how easily the system blended together and allowed characters to bounce between Glorantha and the Young Kingdoms.
Roldinosaurio
Have you checked Lobo Blanco?
JOHN
Please note that I have no experience with this specific game and I know almost nothing about it. But I would like to play the full storie so I need to know witch ones I should buy…
JOHN
Is every edition a stand-alone? I mean are the expansions of each edition only meant for the specific edition or can you combine them with any of the other core sets?
Stormbringer
Hi John,
Yes, every edition is standalone and comes with all the rules you need to play. That said the earlier editions are very very different from 4th Edition, and even more removed from the ELRIC! and 5th Edition versions. My suggestion is that you pop over to the BRP Central forum (see the link on the site) and ask any questions you might have. Lots of long time players there and they are always friendly!
Erik Brickman
Is there a possibility to change the old front pictures for the 1st edition and 2nd edition boxes? I mean they’re on their side and not really anything but puny in size. I´know I am biased as those are the versions I love, but surely there should be a chance of finding them online. Here is one on Pinterest for instance!
https://br.pinterest.com/pin/758504762212000241/
Stormbringer
Done!
mark ramsdale
in third edition, “including the separately published Stormbringer Companion”, sounds great.
Do you know if this is included in the editions after the 3rd?
Stormbringer
In spirit only… 4th edition was a complete rewrite (undertaken by Ben Monroe) which was a tidy up of 1st/2nd. The later ELRIC! and 5th edition were a total reworking of the Basic Role Play system.
Mike
Personally my favorite SB Ed is the 1st ed Red Book. With the GW edition right there with it. After that it seemed to lose something primal. At least for me it did.
I’ve often thought of bolting the SB setting and 1st ed sorcery onto the RuneQuest 3rd Ed, (AH version), or even use the Big Gold Book. I like location hit points but enjoy the parry system of SB better than RQ. I also think one could easily use Stormbringer or RQ , (any BRP product really), to play in Glen Cook’s Black Company setting. Another dark and deadly world.
I would like to see a Basic Role Playing book which was setting agnostic and stripped of magic and powers. Just the full system, various options and a nice array of weapons. Then source books would add the setting which should include magic, power, tech etc; as required for that setting. I doubt this will ever emerge from Chaosium as they seemed to have dropped the system agnostic approach in favor of RQG and CoC. But we all have our ‘ideal’ BRP and the great thing is we can easily tweak the system.
Personally I dislike combining attack and parry, (Elric! and SB5), which feels wrong to me and turned me off to those editions. The BGB defines it as a simplification and I agree. I really enjoyed that if a character never parried in game with his short sword that he did not gain skill doing so. If this guy lost his ever present shield, it hurt. That and I really hated being yelled at (Elric!!!!). The name sucked mainly because of the exclamation. That said E! and SB5, (nearly identical), really is a nice game in itself but I still like the raw, unfettered format of 1st Ed.
David
how can I help with the scenario DB? send you lists?
Stormbringer
Of course! Drop me a line over at stormbringerrpg@gmail and we can chat!
David
This is a fantastic site. Loads of interesting and helpful stuff. I just wonder why the scenarios database got stuck? It would be great to have a complete list of officially published scenarios plus scenarios from magazines maybe. Anyway, thanks for the great work!
Stormbringer
Hi David, Sorry for the late delay. State of the scenario DB? Comes down to time really, and knowing what to add… happy to have any assistance in the collection of SB or related material!
Mark Ramsdale
Great Site. Good to be able to look this all over.
Mickey
Is there a form fillable character sheet for Elric! edition?
Steve Valladolid
The Old Hrolmar supplement is a tremendous resource and a work of art. The is an astonishing amount of useful information throughout.
Tom
We played 4th edition in the late ’90’s making …introducing it to my nephew…
How much change between 4th an 5th?
Max
Can i find the official character sheets here?
Stormbringer
Try here – https://stormbringerrpg.com/?p=1407
Mark Roland
Great site! Makes me want to dig out all my old Stormbringer game stuff and start running again. I am already planning a scenario in which the PCs meet Ulrich von Bek from The War Hound and the World’s Pain. On a related subject, has anyone noticed how often anime series and video game companies plagiarize Elric? My nephew was so angry when he found out who REALLY created Elric that he is now reading all the Eternal Champion stories and spreading the word. I guess there’s some hope for the next generation, after all.
Erik Brickman
I second that! A wonderful site and true to the spirit of the old Stormbringer RPG.
Stormbringer
You’re welcome. I do wish that there was more I could do, but these days SB and the multiverse in general aren’t that popular. Still this site will remain here for a good while yet. Thanks again!
Rob
I just discovered your site – it’s wonderful! Thank you.