Category: Reviews

[Review] The Unholy Fortress

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On October 27, 2023

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A Stormbringer 4th Edition Scenario written by Nick Hagger, with art by Gustaf Bjorksten

Lost at the edge of the Eastern Desert, where the remains of a fallen god lie dormant, the champions of Mistress Fate are drawn to the Unholy Fortress. Trapped between the madness of a long dead deity and a ravening horde of crazed nomads, the characters must ally themselves with the fortress’ inhabitants (and a band of untrustworthy Pan-Tangian pirates) to ensure an evil worse than nightmare is stopped before it can be unleashed upon the Young Kingdoms!

The Unholy Fortress is a 22-page scenario written by Nick Hagger, and appears as the third (of four) scenarios in the Sea Kings of the Purple Towns  collection (released by Chaosium Inc in 1992 for Stormbringer 4th Edition).

Please note, as with all such scenario reviews on the Stormbringerrpg.com site, these commentaries are the opinion of their author only, and are rated in three simple categories – Must Run, Should Run, Might Run (see the sidebar below for more information on these ratings).

The Unholy Fortress is recommended as a Must Run scenario.

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[Review] The Fang and the Fountain

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On September 14, 2023

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A Stormbringer 4th Edition Scenario written by Richard Watts

Upon a storm-wracked sliver of rock, lost for time immemorial in the chill waters of the Pale Sea, unholy blasphemies have been spawned. Driven by dream and prophecy, the heroes must embark on a mighty quest that will reveal not only madness and chaos, but the truth behind these mutant beasts and long-forgotten Dharzi magicks. Will they survive these terrors? Or are they destined to discover nothing more than a watery grave…

The Fang and the Fountain is a 15-page scenario written by Richard Watts, and appears as the third of five adventures in the Perils of the Young Kingdoms collection (released by Chaosium Inc in 1991 for Stormbringer 4th Edition).

Please note, as with all such scenario reviews on the Stormbringerrpg.com site, these commentaries are the opinion of their author only, and are rated in three simple categories – Must Run, Should Run, Might Run (see the sidebar below for more information on these ratings).

The Fang and the Fountain is recommended as a Must Run scenario.

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[Review] Black Sword Hack – Ultimate Chaos Edition

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On May 14, 2023

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BLACK SWORD HACK – Ultimate Chaos Edition
An Old School Renaissance (OSR) Fantasy Game
Written by Alexandre ‘Kobayashi’ Jeannette, with art by Goran Gligovic
and released by The Merry Mushmen.

It isn’t often that I look to review books outside of the vast library of Stormbringer (and Elric!) RPG supplements that I’m yet to critique here, but given the recent positive murmurings I’ve heard about Black Sword Hack – and its eligibility replicate old school gaming of the Eternal Champion – I thought it was worth taking a look at.

Initial observations

I should start by saying that I purchased this book as a pdf via publisher’s website having missed the very successful Kickstarter in late 2022. As an aside, while this is my first interaction with the French based Merry Mushmen, they seem to be a publisher of the most wonderful boutique games and roleplaying supplements, however there was little on their website to tell me much about them beyond the generally gorgeous quality of the material they produce. I should also say, the fact they are a small publisher does unfortunately reflect on the price of the game itself – with the PDF alone being €16 Euro and the Print/PDF option €29 Euro before shipping. Just to put that in context for myself, based in New Zealand, the PDF works out to be $28 NZD, while the physical edition comes in at just over $70 NZD!

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[Review] Hawkmoon: The Roleplaying Game – Mongoose Publishing – 2007

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On December 12, 2021

In Reviews

As a companion piece to the interview with Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan, Stormbringer is happy to present an extended and critical look at Hawkmoon: The Roleplaying Game. Released by Mongoose Publishing in 2007, this was their second (and final) setting released in their Eternal Champion series (the other being Elric of Melniboné).

Those who dare swear by the Runestaff must then benefit or suffer from the consequences of the fixed pattern of destiny that they set in motion. Some several such oaths have been sworn in the history of the Runestaff’s existence, but none with such vast and terrible results as the mighty oath of vengeance sworn by the Baron Meliadus of Kroiden the year before Dorian Hawkmoon van Koln set foot into the pages of this ancient narrative.

AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE HIGH HISTORY OF THE RUNESTAFF

About Hawkmoon

Hawkmoon (or to quote its full title from the book’s cover Michael Moorcock’s Hawkmoon: The Roleplaying Game) was released in 2007 by Mongoose Publishing and arrived the same year (although slightly later) than their only other Eternal Champion game, Elric of Melniboné. Like its more familiar cousin, Hawkmoon utilises the  enerable and well-respected Runequest ruleset – then licensed from Greg Stafford – but moves even further away from its parent mechanics as it attempts to reflect gaming in the strange and techno-magical world of the Tragic Millennium.

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[Review] The Book of Brilliant Things

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On March 13, 2019

In Reviews

Two Gods – one Dead yet Living, the other trapped behind the Barrier of Law – struggle for power in the Young Kingdoms. For too long has this battle has ebbed and flowed, and now through the manipulation of an innocent bard the plans of both sides reach towards a conclusion. 

Yet, even now the Mistress of Fate, Balance, acts in the guise of our heroes. Through their actions and decisions, the future is yet to be decided. Which God will prevail? Only time – and perhaps the Book of Brilliant Things – may tell… 

The Book of Brilliant Things is a scenario written by long standing guardian of all thing Eternal Champion, Loz Whitaker and appears as one half of the supplement – The Fate of Fools (released by Chaosium Inc in 1994 for the Elric! Edition). As with all scenario reviews on the Stormbringerrpg.com site, these commentaries are the opinion of the author only, and are rated in three simple categories – Must Run, Should Run, Might Run (see the sidebar below for more information on these ratings).

The Book of Brilliant Things is recommended as a Must Run scenario.

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