I'm bored.  Tell me about Nightbane.

Take Clive Barker's Cabal, mix in the Cenobites from Hellraiser, and a dash of "supernatural" superheroes like Ghost Rider, with typical Palladium "Great Evil Empires invade..."

Basically one day around 2000, the sun and stars were blacked out--communications fizzled, and bad things happened, for a whole Day. These terrible (MDC iirc) monsters called the Night Lords had begun their invasion.

However, for some unexplained reason, a LOT of orphans showed up after dark day--these orphans, are Nightspawn/Nightbane. Whose true form is some strange mightmaric creation. Rolled randomly--you could have perfect angels with glass thrust their their eyes, or a motorcycle centaur with a TV for a head, or multi eyed panthers--these were the Nightbane, basically supernatural superheroes who the Night Lords hated and who had the built in agenda of not only surviving, but fighting back.

It was written by CJ Carella (Witchcraft, Armageddon) which means it had a solid writer, but seems to have been warped by Palladisms.

It's actually one of their decent games, that, in some ways just doesn't work.

What could have been a surreal, dark but heroic fight against evil, with powers you barely understand and makes you closer to peoples fears of evil, than what evil is actually out to ge them instead spins out more like superpowered freaks without spandex.


I rolled up a Nightbane whose human form (Facade) was a college student. His morphus form was a skullheaded (animal, I am not sure what kind, I think cow or goat) but with rams horns and blazing flaming eyes, atop a human shadowy body. Who could punch through tanks. (Ok, maybe not, but 70 PS...70!)

I really wish CJ had owned the setting rights, and would love to have seen the theme spun out in a unisystem game. I think Armageddon, does vaguely similar themes better. (Although the heroes in it are less nightmarish, being angels, Atlanteans, ancient demigods, and the enemies far more frightening lovecraftian servants of a Mad god..)

In a good GM's hands, it might still be fun--but it will take a lot of work to keep it from looking like Heroes Unlimited "for"  goth fans.

Nice review Silverlion!  Thanks!  I've seen this game in the used books bin at my FLGS several times for $5, but I didn't know what it was.  I think I will have to pick it up.

Nightbane...it's WoD minus the angst and you can play a half-motorcycle centaur.

Quote from: Silverlion;247850What could ahve been a surreal, dark but heroic fight against evil, with powers you barely understand and makes you closer to peoples fears of evil, than what evil is actually out to ge them instead spins out more like superpowered freaks without spandex.

Like any horror game, the tone and atmosphere depend heavily on the GM.  

Nightbane is a fun game if you have a group who can balance the superhero vs. the horror aspects of the game.    The dicotomy of your facade's lack of power vs. your nightbane's huge power is interesting to roleplay.  

Easily worth a purchase.  Doubly so if you like random monster generators because the morphus random tables are awesome for creating weird monster ideas for any game.

Quote from: Spinachcat;248032Nightbane...it's WoD minus the angst and you can play a half-motorcycle centaur.



Like any horror game, the tone and atmosphere depend heavily on the GM.  

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Agreed, although I think it could have added a few tools to support the idea a bit more. There are ways to help GM's tell these kinds of stories, adding some suggestions would have been nice.

The book is easily worth 5 dollars for just the ideas it can spin.

No, I'm bored! YOU entertain ME! Dance, puppet!

-clash

OK, now anyone want to elaborate more on the Nightlands book other than it's a Mirror Mirror universe sourcebook?

Quote from: Gabriel2;248076OK, now anyone want to elaborate more on the Nightlands book other than it's a Mirror Mirror universe sourcebook?

I don't know much about it, beyond the fact that it is where the Night Lords rule, and their home base to make attacks on Earth from. Nightbane can use mirrors to travel there and back, but its hazardous IIRC.

Half-motorcycle centaurs you say?

Interesting.  I may have to check this game out.  I think I'd go with the motorcycle being the front half, on a horse's body just to mix things up

Fun game, plays like how most actually played WoD. Go with the gonzo and have a blast.

The magic book for Nightbane is one of the best of Palladium's, and good for most any Palladium or modern magic rpg. Some interesting magic systems, more human caster classes and lots of flavor too.

The astral book expands the non-Nightbane PC options (i.e. more normal humans), giving a base outside of earth and more locations to play in. I remember the Astral / Dream stuff to be good to great.

Quote from: sztin10;250821you can read free manga Full Metal Alchemist

Nope.  Not that damn bored.