Hi all,

recently, I have been thinking about starting to game in the fantasy genre again and I am currently looking for a good low-fantasy (i.e. little magic, mythic creatures that actually ARE mythic, etc...) other than Hârn. It is hard to find, though, and so I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable guys know of any such setting (and perhaps system)...? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

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Steer me straight, O German one.
O flamer of mail, O Carver in Stone...

Spartan on HârnChat

Long time to see, Sir Eldaen!

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Hmm Gurthang. What a nice name for a sword....

Not easy to find, IMO.

You can try to downsize Mystic Europe, the setting of Ars Magica. Just don't concentrate on Mages as dominant PCs, let them play Companions and Grogs.

Artesia might be another option. And there are always Middle-Earth. The old MERP/MERS modules (set in 1648 3.age) are a good start, although a little bit focussed on typical dungeon crawling.

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Michael - visit Tales of Chybisa.com.

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

Can you tell us why NOT Harn, and what it is about Harn that makes this site the place to look for guidance, but not the place for your game?

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

Would Medieval England work? Have a look at Merrie England. Another alternative might be BRP Rome or Crusaders of the Amber Coast.

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Peter Brink
Rollspelshörnan

John beat me to the question. And asked it more succinctly than I would have.

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-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

I don't know whether I just read this wrong (my apologies if I do), but I don't think I like the tone of this. I have a valid account here on this forum, I asked a clear factual question and did so in the appropriate forum, so I assume I may ask such a question without having to justify myself? Also, I don't see of what use/interest the answer to this question of yours would be to anybody and why you didn't ask me this (non topic related) question in a PM or - if need be - in another thread?

Again, I may just be taking your question the wrong way, and I apologise if I do. Still, I'd rather discuss this question either in a PM or in another thread - and keep this one here focused.

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Steer me straight, O German one.
O flamer of mail, O Carver in Stone...

Spartan on HârnChat

The old pendragon system/world might suit your needs....however is clearly set in Britain/France so might not...

By assumtion the Lionhart system (of which I have no knowledge) would fit a similiar niche.

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Plots and schemes are the same thing..

Knowing the answer to John's question might help point in some direction that would provide a better answer to you.

Personally, if I didn't use Harn, I'd use historical Europe. Ars Magica has lots of supplements which would be useful for setting material and there's tons of other material as well. Unfortunately nothing as detailed as Harn has, but there's plenty to work with. Lionheart comes with a really nice map of Great Britain, so it is a good place to start.

I don't want to put words in John's mouth, but since I had the same question as him, I will clarify that *I* thought this was a great question-- and 100% on topic-- because the answer to it would provide clearer direction as to what exactly it is that you want (and don't want) in a setting. You obviously have something in mind-- and it's not Harn (for whatever reason)-- but you think other Harn fans can provide more helpful guidance than say, those on some other gaming forum (for whatever reason). I genuinely believe that spelling out those reasons are would:

(a) make it easier for folks here to suggest good answers; and maybe even
(b) help you figure out exactly what you're looking for setting-wise on your own.

In short, I would suggest that you take John's question as a thoughtful and sincere attempts to help by encouraging further reflection and clarification on your part.

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-- Jim Chokey

"Argent, chief embattled tenne. A coney of the field and crossed carrots proper"

Okay, I hadn't seen it that way - so sorry if I misunderstood John...

I'll post a couple of thoughts on what I'm looking for later on after work.

Originally, I was just curious of whether you guys know of any such settings at all - because I found it hard to find any...

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Steer me straight, O German one.
O flamer of mail, O Carver in Stone...

Spartan on HârnChat

WFRP 1st edition might be a good fit.

If you can get it: Robin Hood - The Roleplaying Campaign I.C.E. #1010
It's divided in two part, one the classic Robin Hood Campaign, the other an outlaw campaign during the time of the english civil war between Maud and Stephen.

Another option might be Runequest - Vikings.

Mmh, seems my general approach to answer your question is "hey, take good old earth and treat tales of fae, legends of devils and saints and old sagas like King Arthur and the Nibelungen as a real part of history".

And don't forget: the old 4th edition of Ars Magica is available as a free download.

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Michael - visit Tales of Chybisa.com.

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

Strange...
Just a year ago you sold me your Lionheart. Do you want it back, perchance?

Actually I am not kidding you as much as it may sound.
As Sir Mellestin pointed out, Europe (Mythic or not) is probably suiting you best. There's plenty of stuff about. You can find historic data and encyclopedia-entries all over the net. Maybe there are scarcely any ready-to-play adventures around, but the resources for this setting are just fantastic!


Recently I mentioned Francois Bourgeon's outstanding Comic "Les compagnions de crepuscule" (dt. Die Gefährten der Dämmerung). Set during the 100 years war in France, there is tough intrigue and the general hardships of ordinary life during the middle ages, as well as some fantastic episodes with mythic beasts that may be no more than shared dreams, but who knows? I always wanted to use that setting for a campaign. I think it could work.

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"The purpose of the game is to entertain the players and the GM. The rest is just semantics."
-by Munin from the forum-

If it just a setting you want. I would suggest googeling "The Norwegian civil war" (There are some decent wikipedia articles)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkebeiner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_war_era_in_Norway

Tonnes of intrigue and action.

- Steffen

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"Ofnær nefi" kvað karl, var skotinn í auga."

(To close to the nose, he said, when he was shot in the eye)


www.stridshest.no

I apologize for being misunderstood and then being away!
Jim was quite right - my question was intended to help us understand your needs so we could better answer them. I see the team has done just fine in my absence!

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

I didn´t check these in detail, but both products seem to have some interesting aspects and both of them are for free:
1. http://www.vintyri.org/daring/dungeons_daring.htm
2. http://www.die-dunkle-dimension.de/ (edit: just seen: no setting, just rules...)

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everybodyTHINKShimselfSOwellSUPPLIEDwithCOMMONsenseTHATevenTHOSEmostDIFFICULTto PLEASEneverDESIREmoreOFitTHANtheyALREADYhave. RENEdescartes.

Another option is not to use a RPG setting but a novel as a base for your game, i.e.: Bradleys Darkover series especially the time of the Hundert Kingdoms.

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Michael - visit Tales of Chybisa.com.

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

What system are you planning to use?

The Dragon Warriors RPG setting, whate'er it's called, is sorta in the range you want. The pseudo-historical bent the several others have boosted is where I'd look if Harn was off the table.

Are you fixed solely on Europe-like settings, or are you looking further afield? For that matter have you thought of stepping outside the Middle Ages?

IMO the corner stone in a mystic campaign is the way 'the unexplainable' (Magic, religious wonders) is presented. Best way: Let you players witness magic but not use magic.
1. No spellcasters or fancy priests in your group
2. No rules for magic in the system. At most some minor, unreliable gifts.
3. Explainations are delivered as stories. Thats a lot of work as you need at least one detailed religious background (see Gurps Religion for ideas), a history of the greater area and ten to twenty 'historic' stories and fairy tales about the local setting (to make it easier, change the names in some real word stories).

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Michael - visit Tales of Chybisa.com.

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

I think I read this topic pretty thoroughly. Heck, I went through it twice to make sure I didn't see it. Did NO ONE say Conan? Really, like the ORIGINAL low-magic / low-fantasy setting? No one mentions Conan? Also, I agree with the first couple of posts. What are you looking to do, exactly? Are you looking for a realistic setting, or grim and gritty? Are you wanting to use custom rapid prototype miniatures, or would simple grid paper do? Are you want an old-school game, or something more modern?

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I can never seem to find better facebook statuses than these.

Yes currently running a Conan game with The Riddle of Steel and converted original Dark Sun adventures, players seem to like it.
Allan

Where you found Riddle of Steel conversion of Conan?

Iam not converting, just running TROS in the setting. But using the d20 books for material. NPC only magic. On the second Dark Sun adventure and that will be the last one, will see where the players want to go from there. Game set in Zamora, with the city of Tyr from Freedom becoming one of the city states of that kingdom, Kath I think I was locating it on. The army of the King of Zamora is mustering to squash the rebels.
There are a number of groups interested in helping bring down the King of Zamora, including one of the kingdoms religious groups.

Allan