Post originally by Dan Davenport at 2005-01-28 08:26:08
Converted from Phorums BB System
I have to agree with your overall assessment. The setting has great potential, but in the original version, at least, I recall feeling as though the noir elements were overwhelmed by the fantastic elements -- especially when such concepts as the war between Law and Chaos and the dangers of the Wilderness came into play.
I still wish the setting had taken the "alternate Earth" approach of <i>Cast a Deadly Spell</i>. I'm sure it could be fun to play, though.
Post originally by Manga Boogie Man at 2005-01-30 11:27:36
Converted from Phorums BB System
“One thing oddly missing from the Godwar information is the names and specifics about any of the cults involved. Order and Chaos are mentioned, as are the names of a few Gods and Demons, but more detail could have been used here.”
At first glance, this statement suggests that this lack of detail could be a problem. But as someone once said, “This isn’t a trap… it is a carefully disguised opportunity!”
The advantage to this lack of definition is that the setting's roster of heroes and villains from the past is wide open. Conspiracies of shadows become that much easier to create without having to adhere to a framework of "this cult did that, that cult did this and a bit of that, and this political group did these three things before they were destroyed by these guys, who disappeared then. And then... " Links to the past become easier to manufacture for your stories. And what noir-esque pulp story isn't improved by evidence of a millennia-old secret cult that manipulates events behind the scenes, usually through the use of ancient, long-forgotten dark powers?
GMs, take full advantage of this. I mean, most of the time, we GMs have to give at least some service to the latest metaplot in our favorite games. No metaplot here, so grab that bloody, still-beating ball and run with it!
There are games out there (“The Metabarons” springs deftly to mind) with far too little setting data to be useful for the GM. Hopefully, this isn’t one of them. I know there are novels and such, but it seems like you can do what you want with this setting, for the most part.
RE: Into the Night and Fog (OR, Lack of definition
Post originally by RJ Grady at 2005-01-30 14:14:43
Converted from Phorums BB System
It is a hard-boiled detective setting. Pulp detective stories are often hard-boiled. Noir is a film genre derived from hard-boiled detective settings. It really isn't noir.
Post originally by William A. Peterson at 2005-01-30 16:46:09
Converted from Phorums BB System
Here's one for you...
I was turned off from the original Bloodshadows by the 'Map' included...
It was a crudely scribbled sketch map showing about three cities, two roads, and the outline of the continent! No interior detail at all, no indication of any community smaller than a city (if there's no farms, what do these people eat?)...
Is this still true of the Current Bloodshadows, or is it more of the same?
Do they give you a map of the main city, or any worthwhile information?
Or, is it more of the usual "Any good GM can come up with the rest on his own, and now that we've got your money, we couldn't care less if you were satisfied!" stuff?
Post originally by Ron Fricke at 2005-01-30 16:54:57
Converted from Phorums BB System
There is a crude map of one area of Marl, and a better map of the city that appears to be the base of the seeting, Galitia. there are sevearl different maps showing the city divided up into sections, with important areas of each section marked.
I don't remember the maps from the first book, but these seem pretty good.
the info on the city is 27 pages long, and seems pretty extensive. It has industry, npcs, businesses, and other stuff.
Linear Mode
