| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 23:03:25
Has anyone looked at Green Ronin's take on the Game of Thrones game (A song of ice and fire RPG). I'm tempted to pick up the campaign guide that came out in December off of amazon, but just wondering if the ruleset itself might be worth plundering (or maybe its even d20 compatible?). |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 16 Aug 2013 : 05:30:43
Some of y'all are making it very difficult to joke about the fact that people die at the drop of a hat in the Song of Ice and Fire novels.  |
| Venger |
Posted - 16 Aug 2013 : 04:05:50
quote:
I'm basing this on the books, where even Random NPC #3 dies in some agonizing, unspeakable way.
That's entirely based on the DM. If Martin were a DM he'd probably be a sadistic one, but people dying brutal deaths isn't baked into the rules. Besides, regular D&D campaigns can be rife with brutal and undeserved deaths, as well. I had a friend whose PC was killed off by a frightened horse which reared up and hit him in the face with both hooves, scoring critical hits on each attack. His character certainly didn't deserve it, and yet it happened. |
| WalkerNinja |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 11:38:33
Lands and Holdings are the best part of the system. It's sort of like an updated and less fantastic Birthright. |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 07:56:20
quote:
My main interest right now are the Destiny Points
https://greenronin.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=10798
quote:
I'd not be interested in it, myself. Low magic, low amounts of a lot of other fantasy elements, and the almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death, that's just not a mix that appeals to me as a player.
Well that would depend on the kind of gameplay performed and how the gamemaster puts forth the story/setting? I mean, I have a player who has played arguably the most lethal rpg system for six years with the same character (still talking about The Riddle of Steel). It depends a little bit on playing such a setting more realistically as a player as well, gauging danger in a different way perhaps. Of course its all a matter of taste but in my experience overcoming the odds in a low fantasy game are much more satisfying than in a high fantasy game.
quote:
Well, my interest is more for the campaign info. I mean, do they reveal more info about the houses, family trees, history/dates that things occurred, etc? I'd like to see the rules themselves too, because I've heard their mass combat system & whatever passes for a notoriety system is at least interesting
The Campaign Guide provides info but generally - generally - you can find most of the info online if you're so inclined (well except game statistics/rules. The Chronicle Starter provides some non-canon Houses for play. There are vague dates, but it is definitely not very comprehensive in lore. It's more about the rules really, and they are, for the most part, very good.
It is a mishmash of elements you've probably seen in other games with some new ideas to make it more icy/fiery. Characters are defined by attributes and each attribute can be further specialized, and you choose at creation from a pool how many dice you invest in each, so the basics can be similar to West End Games' D6 system (main attributes have a certain amount of d6, with skills using the same base number of d6 but usually modified).
The best parts of the game are the rules on "Lands & Holdings" where you can create a House in any of the Seven Kingdoms, and if you're inclined to do so, you can turn it into a turn-based strategy/war game, especially combined with the also-good mass combat rules that allows for some nifty scenes and sequences from both character and "god mode" perspective if you're so inclined. Finally there are the "Intrigue" rules which turn intrigues into verbal combats.
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| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 06:06:49
My best gaming sessions have been without a doubt in my lo fantasy setting influenced by Ice & Fire. They feel more real and exciting. We used a.very gritty but fantastic system, 'The Riddle of Steel', a precursor of sorts to games like 'Burning Wheel', 'Reign' and indeed 'ASoIaF'. 'The Riddle...' I could wax lyrical about for hours, its such a.brilliant system in many ways. I'll get back to destiny points tomorrow have to run [baby in the house] |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 05:20:08
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I don't mind the "low magic" elements. Being raised on BIRTHRIGHT kind of gives one a perspective that not all fantasy RPGs need to be, exclusively, 'about the magic.'
It's not just the low magic... It's the lack of elves, dwarves, griffons, goblins, fae, all that -- I like a little more fantasy in my fantasy.
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'm not sure I agree with the "almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death," element of the RPG though. My reading of the core rulebook suggested possibilities for PCs to enjoy productive [albeit, not so easy] and long adventuring lives.
I'm basing this on the books, where even Random NPC #3 dies in some agonizing, unspeakable way. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 03:44:31
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
I've the original rulebook that was published before the license reverted to Green Ronin and they republished the main rulebook again.
Regrettably, I've yet to find a group keen on the storyline of "A Song of Fire and Ice" to organise a campaign and play through it.
I'd not be interested in it, myself. Low magic, low amounts of a lot of other fantasy elements, and the almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death, that's just not a mix that appeals to me as a player.
I don't mind the "low magic" elements. Being raised on BIRTHRIGHT kind of gives one a perspective that not all fantasy RPGs need to be, exclusively, 'about the magic.'
I'm not sure I agree with the "almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death," element of the RPG though. My reading of the core rulebook suggested possibilities for PCs to enjoy productive [albeit, not so easy] and long adventuring lives. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 15 Aug 2013 : 01:41:14
Well, my interest is more for the campaign info. I mean, do they reveal more info about the houses, family trees, history/dates that things occurred, etc? I'd like to see the rules themselves too, because I've heard their mass combat system & whatever passes for a notoriety system is at least interesting (from some reviews on amazon's site... but you never know if you can trust that stuff, because it might be someone involved with the product). The way they phrase it, you can play an old man with little combat skill in this game and still be as effective as a powerful knight. |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 23:14:05
My best gaming sessions have been without a doubt in my lo fantasy setting influenced by Ice & Fire. They feel more real and exciting. We used a.very gritty but fantastic system, 'The Riddle of Steel', a precursor of sorts to games like 'Burning Wheel', 'Reign' and indeed 'ASoIaF'. 'The Riddle...' I could wax lyrical about for hours, its such a.brilliant system in many ways. I'll get back to destiny points tomorrow have to run [baby in the house] |
| ElfBane |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 23:05:51
The ASOIAF series has, like LOTR, very subdued magic. There are undead and dragons for magical creatures. The maesters (the wise men in the series) seem to be just possessors of superior technology that's not apparently "magical". The clerics seem to have the most effective magic so far. The mages don't go around slinging fireballs and magic missles, THAT'S for sure. So any FR fan that likes to play magic-users will be disappointed IMO.
That being said, the series is still a good dark medieval fantasy... and it's not finished yet! |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 22:16:18
quote:
I'd not be interested in it, myself. Low magic, low amounts of a lot of other fantasy elements, and the almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death, that's just not a mix that appeals to me as a player.
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But the beauty of alternative game products is the inspirational material they provide. If nothing less, one can always port over maps and NPCs. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 21:25:58
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
I've the original rulebook that was published before the license reverted to Green Ronin and they republished the main rulebook again.
Regrettably, I've yet to find a group keen on the storyline of "A Song of Fire and Ice" to organise a campaign and play through it.
I'd not be interested in it, myself. Low magic, low amounts of a lot of other fantasy elements, and the almost-guaranteed painful and undeserved death, that's just not a mix that appeals to me as a player. |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 20:31:22
I think the products will be worth purchasing just as creative/idea generating material. My main interest right now are the Destiny Points, but I need a wait a couple of weeks before dropping $50 on the book. What I really want to see are guides to the various individual kingdoms and cities (such as Braavos). |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 16:49:50
I have all the books except "Night's Watch". Ask if there's anything you want to know :) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 16:18:23
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
I've the original rulebook that was published before the license reverted to Green Ronin and they republished the main rulebook again.
Regrettably, I've yet to find a group keen on the storyline of "A Song of Fire and Ice" to organise a campaign and play through it.
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| sleyvas |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 14:24:28
Yeah, I'm tempted to buy the campaign guide, because I'm suspecting as with any good campaign guide it shouldn't be too rules oriented (after all, I can easily make a Jaime Lannister or any other NPC's of my own using d20 rules) |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 13:55:42
As a fan of his work, I'm going to buy the game material. I'm curious about the Destiny Points mentioned in the PDF. |
| KacyCrawford |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 13:48:58
I too just checked out the free PDF download. not compatible with d20. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 12:57:10
quote:
Originally posted by Therise
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
And from what Jeff told me, the RPG doesn't answer my most pressing question, anyway: How can you have seasons of erratic length, but that last for years? I can get them lasting for years, it's the erratic length that mystifies me.
Here:
http://io9.com/5906300/5-scientific-explanations-for-game-of-thrones-messed+up-seasons
Yeah, I was thinking about the wobbly tilt, myself.  |
| _Jarlaxle_ |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 09:52:34
A wizard did it |
| Therise |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 06:35:24
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
And from what Jeff told me, the RPG doesn't answer my most pressing question, anyway: How can you have seasons of erratic length, but that last for years? I can get them lasting for years, it's the erratic length that mystifies me.
Here:
http://io9.com/5906300/5-scientific-explanations-for-game-of-thrones-messed+up-seasons
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Aug 2013 : 06:21:43
A guy at work plays... But I've never freed up the cash to get the books, myself.
And from what Jeff told me, the RPG doesn't answer my most pressing question, anyway: How can you have seasons of erratic length, but that last for years? I can get them lasting for years, it's the erratic length that mystifies me. |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 23:41:29
Just checked out the free PDF download...not compatible with d20. |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 13 Aug 2013 : 23:15:15
I didn't realize they had made a game for it. Me, I would pick it up just because I'm a major fan of the novels and work them into the Realms somewhere. |
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