[The Grey Elf]

Excellent review. Thanks!

I do want to make one clarification, however: I've been lauded by several reviewers for "my" innovative take on grognardian magic.

I cannot take credit for this, and I should be clear about that before someone like Old Geezer comes along and outs that fact.

The magic system is, in point of fact, strongly inspired by the magic system in Chainmail's Fantasy Supplement, just like the combat system is inspired by Chainmail's Man-to-Man combat.

This isn't to say that either one is an exact mirror, mind you. S&S is an original game in many respects, having as much in common with its source as any other original OGL game does, but containing a lot of original thought and interpretation as well.

As Samsara points out, the game's not perfect; as a game designer I've become accustomed to looking at finished products and thinking, "Why did I do that?" I expect it happens to all of us, and certainly there are things that, if I ever do a full print run with distribution, or a second edition through Lulu, will be cleaned up. But there's a way to go before that.

As for the elite paths, my original thinking was that the harsher requirements to enter them made up for the experience advancement; I didn't want them looked at as separate classes, but rather extra abilities you got for being a sort of paragon. It's possible, however, that the harsher requirements aren't enough. If that's the case in your game, I'd recommend just increasing experience requirements by 10% for elite paths.

Again, great review! Thank you!