Here's a sneak peak at one of the foes from the Bestiary: the Ruffian. Note that the layout is not finalized. We have also stripped the "fluff" description of the Ruffian and the "seeds" suggestions for the GM how to use them. However, it should give you an idea what to expect as a GM.

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=575

To complement the Ruffian from yesterday, we present the Rebellious Peasant. Unlike the Ruffian, they suffer from an Affliction – a disorder stemming from their Corruption Points total. Take a look within to learn more!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=583

The community has been asking about how larger creatures are handled in ZWEIHÄNDER. Naturally, we didn’t want to simply “buff up” their Primary Attributes, as it would throw off the delicate math balance on the back end. Instead, we use Primary Attribute Bonuses to reflect how each size category of creature is handled. To better understand these distributions, we’ll show Gamemasters how to craft their own creatures in the book.

For now, take a look at the Lumbering Giant. You’ll note they’re heavily influenced by the Giants of Warhammer Fantasy Battle with their abilities. Let us know what you think!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=591

One of the most glaring omissions from Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay second and third editions was the Gnome. One of our favorite Races, we've decided to include them into ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous RPG. Although we are still working through their Racial Traits, take a sneak peak at the description of the Gnome at the link below!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=597

A grim & perilous world is fraught with danger from all sides. Beyond the sword blows of marauders and gunshot of highwaymen, there are other ways to perish. Raging infernos, drugged foods, exhaustion, plummeting from upon high and even the Poisonous effects of alcohol can whittle down the weary. Aught for enterprising barber surgeons and apothecaries, the lichyards would be filled with the bones of the dead!

Categorized below are several types natural hazards you will face in ZWEIHÄNDER. They include Disease, Falling, Fire, Intoxication, Poisons, Sleep Deprivation, Starvation and Suffocation. In addition, you can learn how to Heal Damage with bandages, treat Injuries using surgery, stem Bleeding with a hot poker and treat Infection with leeching!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=612

From isolation, utter powerlessness, ambition denied, paranoid delusions, perversions of nature and nightmare-inducing terrors from beyond, madness punctuates all but the mildest of adventures in ZWEIHÄNDER. There are countless horrors waiting to prey upon the intrepid, foolish enough to blunder into their midsts. However, nothing is more insidious and treacherous than one's own mind. As the veil is pulled back upon reality, the unwary begin to realize the decrepit remnants of something far more insidious than merely the dark secrets men hide within their hearts. Nightmares are real, dwelling upon the threshold while seeking to consume or despoil those who wander too close to the wretched truth.

Inspired by other wonderful horror RPGs such as Ravenloft and Unknown Armies, take a closer look at how Madness and Corruption works in ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous RPG.

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=617

Since the dawn of time, the forces of chaos have sought to corrupt the seeds of life and twist the soul of mankind. Locked within this eternal struggle, the Templar Fanatic knows there is no place for half measures. Vows of unwavering faith and fealty drive them to face the abominations of this world, and perhaps more importantly act as the scourge to those tainted souls that would lead their kin down the path of destruction. It is their duty to be ever watchful, ever prepared, and ever ready to use any means necessary...

Preview the Templar Fanatic from the Bestiary at the following link: http://grimandperilous.com/?p=623

It's time for another sneak peak in the Bestiary! Today, let's look at one of the most notorious of roadwardens, the Crooked Bailiff!

A deputy so hard, the Crooked Bailiff bleeds ice. For when the road warden speaks, they never speak twice!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=652

Last minute update: return to the page to see the entry for the Crooked Bailiff's dog companion, the Mastiff Hound!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=652

It's time for another sneak peak in the Bestiary! Today, let's look at the Corsair. These fearsome, river-going and seaborn privateers plunder and pillage as they see fit.

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=658

You have been very patient with us as we've been working on readying our second public beta. Titled "GRIMDARK Edition", it includes all of the gritty, perilous adventure mechanics you'd come to expect from ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous RPG!

We've prepared the vast majority of what's been internally playtested into one single document. It includes character creation, combat, wilderness travel and more! While some parts of the playtest are not quite ready for GRIMDARK Edition, this document includes practically everything you need to build characters, equip them, run combat, engage in wilderness exploration, fight perilous foes and more!

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=663

Unlike most role-playing games, ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous RPG doesn't require you to track "hit points" or wound numeric values. Instead, it uses a narrative mechanic to derive what condition a character is in, and when they sustain long-term Injuries.

Learn more about the world's first Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay retroclone at the following link: http://grimandperilous.com/?p=670

I am seeking to get early reviews in for the second beta version of ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous, my Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay retroclone.

Send in a full-page review of the product by email (250 to 500 words) by January 15th, and I'll send the best reviewers a free physical copy of the book once it's ready. We'll publish the review - good, bad or indifferent - on our home website.

Reviews must be written in English, both clear and concise. While we like praise, we also want to hear constructive criticism. Reviews including overt negativity or language which isn't deemed constructive will not be considered. If you are unsure how to construct a review, please see this site's forum for examples.

Message me here for further details, and thanks in advance!

Many role-playing games use alignment to help illustrate character attitudes and temperament. In ZWEIHÄNDER, characters have a similar approach to overall character disposition, which directly impacts their personalities, how Lady Fate shows favor and the lure of power subvertly corrupts them. A Grim & Perilous campaign is not the stories of people who change the world. It is a story of a world that changes the people within it.

A strong arm or a slow wit are not the measures which fully define a ZWEIHÄNDER Character, far from it. Weaknesses and strengths are not expressed by the same categorizations used for beasts of burden or slaves. Nor indeed, are they simply a general predictor of outward behavior, but rather a deep and personal pair of flaws and strengths which define your very existence. In this world, the true monster is not a scaled drake or a pack of faceless bandits for you to conquer and parade through the main thoroughfares, where you are showered with adoration and coin. Rather, it is your fellow man, whose words conceal their intentions until you run afoul of their cruel intentions.

In this stage of creation, you will select one critical value which will largely determine your Character's personality for both good and ill. These Temperaments are role-playing tools, meant to aid you as you determine the choices and judgements your Character makes. In short, they are your weapons and weaknesses when engaging in tense social situations (such as during Social Intrigue). Put more simply and in broader terms, the first you select will likely be what keeps you alive, more than any well-drawn arrow. The latter is what will likely be your cause of demise. These two Temperaments are defined in the game as your Order and Chaos Temperaments.

Learn more here: http://grimandperilous.com/?p=684

Early reviews for ZWEIHÄNDER Grim & Perilous RPG – the world's first Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay retroclone – are in. Here's a snippet from Gabriel Lauzon-Payette:

Zweihänder is heavily inspired by Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay's second edition. Designer Daniel Fox's game remains true to its dark, bloody roots and the core themes from Games Workshop's roleplaying system are very present. If you want to play unlikely "heroes" who are down on their luck in an unfair medieval world, look no further. Zweihänder is setting-agnostic, usable for any dark medieval-renaissance universe. The book's writing may not be top notch and there are lots of repetitions and needless enumerations, but it quickly sets you in the game's mood: your characters are going to bleed, suffer, go mad or die from gangrene and somehow, you know you're going to love it.

Zweihänder manages to perfect some of Warhammer's most clunky systems. Character creation has all the fun randomness you'd expect from a game that prides itself on its unfairness. Races are all balanced, no longer giving stat bonuses. Players also get to choose which skills and upgrades they want to buy for their starting profession, making your character's "class" customizable from the start. Beginner characters are also a little more competent than in Warhammer, which feels like a welcome change to me...

http://grimandperilous.com/?p=693