The setting itself is what first attracted me to Cursed Empire and its world of Thargos. Its medieval, akin to Europe in the Dark Ages, with warring factions and fantastical races. I enjoyed the twist on half-breed races because they’re not just descriptions of an elf thrown together with a dwarf. The book is beautifully done, and would be a great addition to any RPG collection.
1. Roll your characteristics (throw 10 times 2d8 +1d4 and note the results) or use the Characteristic Points Allocation Rule.
2. Choose your Race and apply the Race Characteristic Modifiers.
3. Choose your Class/Subclass and allocate Background Points (BP) to select your sub-class. Make a note of your starting Points of Renown (PR) at this phase (rules relating to these points will be developed in Chapter 8).
4. Establish your Appearance (Height, Weight, Age etc) and Unique Physical Attributes.
5. Calculate and distribute your Energy Points (EP's).
6. Calculate your Magic Points (MP's) and Sanity Points (SP's).
7. Calculate your Aptitudes and use BP's to modify them (for rolled and points-based characters) as per the following formula: Base + Race + Childhood + Class/Subclass + BP
8. Choose your line of conduct and your character traits (check thoroughly that there are no incompatibilities between the class, the race and the character alignment). You should also choose your Cult/Order here.
9. Determine the character possessions: starting money and any possible inheritance (Optional rule).
10. Equip your character with weapons, armour and equipment (note the Armour %, its absorption dice and modify).
11. Calculate Parry/Dodge accordingly taking into consideration the armour worn and a potential shield (see Chapter 3).
12. Prepare your personal history (the MT must give his or her permission for this).
13. Determine whether the character possesses elemental powers or special faculties (Optional Rules).
14. Choose a name for your character.
===========================
I don't mean to be cruel, but this looks exactly like D&D mated with a few CoC House Rules (Magic points, Sanity points). I mean, c'mon, Alignment?
Rulewise, I almost don't see why they bothered making an entirely new system. Adopting the above wholesale to D&D, or moving the whole thing over to BRP, would have kept it just as familiar.
The setting seems interesting, in a D&D Homebrew World way... that is, a very few number of quirks in an otherwise "Greyhawk" feeling setting. What specifically sets Thargos apart from My High School Fantasy Campaign?
Post originally by Extrakun at 2005-06-17 19:51:49
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At the end of this review I find myself scratching my head. This review sounds more like a promotion. It gushes about how great Cursed Empires is without telling us why.
Character creation
In the review, it is written: "Character creation is a large focus of the core book."
But actually how is character creation handled? Careers? Lifepaths? Roll 3d6 for each attributes? Each player must answer 20 questions?
And then
"The character sheets are quite extensive but, as another game publisher pointed out to me, having a well-structured character sheet doesn’t necessarily mean the game itself will be rules-intensive""
This is strange, for in the first paragraph the reviewer did say that the game is rules-intensive.
"For someone who plays games that are not mechanics-intensive, Cursed Empire can appear intimidating."
I just don't get the point of the publisher saying that.
2. Half-breeds
It is written so:
"The setting itself is what first attracted me to Cursed Empire and its world of Thargos. Its medieval, akin to Europe in the Dark Ages, with warring factions and fantastical races. I enjoyed the twist on half-breed races because they’re not just descriptions of an elf thrown together with a dwarf."
What's the twist?
3. Combat
We have this description of combat:
"As a result of the way combat is structured in this game, players catch on quick that this is not a “beat up the bad guy” “loot the treasure” kind of game. The theme is much more political in nature, and no bad (good) deed goes unpunished in game."
How is it so structured such that players will think twice before drawing weapons.
All right, I could go on and on:
4. Magic
This is the only part where the reviewer reveals some information. There are 63 runes and a syntax for arranging them into spells. Some examples would have been great, especially for those who have experience in Ars Magica.
Post originally by Chris Camfield at 2005-06-17 21:23:15
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The use of quotations in the review bothered me, so I did a search on the reviewer's name and "cursed empire". And not surprisingly I turned up the Cursed Empire website, where the reviewer is listed as one of the supporting writers.
If someone involved with a game wants to write a self-review of the game, I think the guideline here at rpg.net is that it be identified as such. Checking the review form, there is a checkbox labelled "I *am* affiliated with the publisher".
That aside, the "review" doesn't tell enough about the game to be really useful.
Post originally by spike at 2005-06-18 04:46:06
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As in, HEY, I already have this!! I picked it up am my local game store several months ago under Chrimson Empire. I don't think much has changed in the new edition.
If I can get my copy mailed out to me, I may just review it. Until then, let me give you my impression, dredged up from the stygian depths of memory...
The book is big, evocative 'I'm so Goth' artwork, everyone is peirced and tatooed. Not the best quality, but still reasonably good.
I read the rules a couple of times, as I remember. Some stuff was easier to grasp than others. My overall impression was 'this isn't D&D' as in thats what the writers were trying to say. It wasn't particularly innovative.
As for the setting; well, hmm. I'm trying to recall the details here, but my overall impression was that it was... strained. Creative, sure, but alot of elements seemed to be of the 'let me tell you how to run your game' types that I dispise in any setting.
Overall, it was one of those books you buy more out of curiosity than to actually play. I certainly wouldn't have given it a 4/4 rating. Then again, maybe this new edition means more than a name change.
Post originally by RPGpundit at 2005-06-18 10:18:12
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This is just a fantasy heartbreaker game, and the reviewer has been outed as being one of the guys who actually wrote the game.
Usually when someone does something like this its a clear sign that its the type of game that only the writers of the game could possibly want to play.
Pathetic
RPGpundit
My blog (rants about RPGs and other stuff):
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=RPGpundit
Post originally by Matthew Knight at 2005-06-18 10:20:30
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Not only that, but it appears that this review is actually lifted directly off a promotional page on the company's website. Go to the "Interactive Member Area". At the bottom of the page is a link to "CE 2nd Ed - Monica Valentini - Flames Rising site" that takes you to this very same review. Also, going to the "Flames Rising" site itself brings you to yet another copy of the same review.
I have no problems with self-promotion, as long as it is labeled as such. If your product is really as good as you say it is, trust that other positive reviews of it will appear here in time.
Post originally by Motorskills at 2005-06-18 12:19:47
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But you yourself have never played it or seen it, correct? Then kindly keep your equally uninformed opinions to yourself.
I have not played, but I have been around those that have (at two conventions), they were lapping it up.
The artwork was stunning, just a bit too Goth for me.
There is no excuse for a disguised self-review, but it does not automatically make the game itself unworthy, as you have intimated. I will wait for a proper review.
In the meantime, lighten up.
Motor
BTW, the change of name was something to do with a potential copyright clash the authors wished to avoid.
Post originally by Jack Fortune at 2005-06-18 12:22:10
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I really dislike the need for the reviewer to be so sneaky. I remember not too long ago, an author of a product caught some flak for giving himself a perfect score on a review (Sorry, I can't remember the name of the game). All I have to say after reading this promo is at least he had the guts to be up front about his affiliation with the product. If this game is that good, than deception wouldn't be necessary.
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