I just got this one in the mail, in near-mint condition. Flipping through it makes me think that this one is actually looks like a really nice setting, with clear drawings of towns and buildings. A bit more hefty than the Vikings module which is also not bad BTW. Not much use of magic rules, but then I did not expect that either (perhaps nuns can have memorized prayers that in game terms function like low level healing spells or something).  Have you used this module, or something based around a similar theme? (Robin Hood or RH-ish)

I got that around 10 years ago and still haven't had the chance to run it. Which sucks because it's such a good book and it's Robin Hood...not exactly a hard sell.

I never even knew it existed until now. Robin Hood is one of my favorite classic characters, and I have thought about doing a Robin Hood campaign before. I'll have to track it down. Maybe I'll use it if I ever get around to running Maelstrom: Domesday.

Quote from: ForgottenF on April 21, 2025, 10:00:43 PMI never even knew it existed until now. Robin Hood is one of my favorite classic characters, and I have thought about doing a Robin Hood campaign before. I'll have to track it down. Maybe I'll use it if I ever get around to running Maelstrom: Domesday.

There are a few copies on eBay for about $50, my suggestion is to buy one ASAP.

I didn't even know that existed, but very glad to see it.  Just last year I re-read Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood for the ?th (I've lost count) time.  Never used Robin Hood in a game, but I did stat him out once (using BRP rules) with the idea that players might magically summon him into their own campaign world.

Quote from: I on April 21, 2025, 10:46:32 PMI didn't even know that existed, but very glad to see it.  Just last year I re-read Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood for the ?th (I've lost count) time.  Never used Robin Hood in a game, but I did stat him out once (using BRP rules) with the idea that players might magically summon him into their own campaign world.

Another book for my reading list.

Had that many years ago. It is excellent. Never got around to using it though. They did a few books in that series - a Western Hero one, a Vikings one and I think a Greek Hero one. Maybe others too?

Quote from: Trond on April 21, 2025, 08:45:48 PMI just got this one in the mail, in near-mint condition. Flipping through it makes me think that this one is actually looks like a really nice setting, with clear drawings of towns and buildings. A bit more hefty than the Vikings module which is also not bad BTW. Not much use of magic rules, but then I did not expect that either (perhaps nuns can have memorized prayers that in game terms function like low level healing spells or something).  Have you used this module, or something based around a similar theme? (Robin Hood or RH-ish)

I never used it, but I remember being intrigued -- but a little put off by the detail-intensive approach of ICE modules that I felt sometimes missed the forest for the trees. (I did run a long vikings campaign where I looked over the ICE Vikings module, but I thought other viking sourcebooks were better.)

In the case of Robin Hood, the intriguing part is the very different style of adventure. Robin Hood is pro-active in that he wanted to change the status quo - in his case, by robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.

I've played in only a handful of pro-active criminal games, usually short campaigns. It asks for more flexibility from the GM and the players, because it can be more up to the players to decide what the adventure is.

I thought the ICE Robin Hood sourcebook seemed like it missed a bit on laying out fun swashbuckling action and heists which I'd expect for a Robin Hood campaign. My impression was it had lots of historical and literary detail, but less on how to get Robin-Hood-ish action. It's been an age, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Quote from: Simon W on April 22, 2025, 05:37:00 PMHad that many years ago. It is excellent. Never got around to using it though. They did a few books in that series - a Western Hero one, a Vikings one and I think a Greek Hero one. Maybe others too?

I had the Greek one. Almost got a Hero System campaign going with it, but it never got beyond starting characters and a short intro adventure.  It was a time that had a lot of disruption in our gaming group, and then I lost that book in a move shortly thereafter.  I thought they did a reasonably good job of capturing the themes of Greek myth, with at least the Hero System rules stacking up well.  I didn't know Rolemaster well enough to say how it translated.

Quote from: Steven Mitchell on April 22, 2025, 05:58:20 PM

Quote from: Simon W on April 22, 2025, 05:37:00 PMHad that many years ago. It is excellent. Never got around to using it though. They did a few books in that series - a Western Hero one, a Vikings one and I think a Greek Hero one. Maybe others too?

I had the Greek one. Almost got a Hero System campaign going with it, but it never got beyond starting characters and a short intro adventure.  It was a time that had a lot of disruption in our gaming group, and then I lost that book in a move shortly thereafter.  I thought they did a reasonably good job of capturing the themes of Greek myth, with at least the Hero System rules stacking up well.  I didn't know Rolemaster well enough to say how it translated.

A bit off topic, but next time I run a swords and sandals game I'll find that one. But here's another interesting book that I think could add to a Greek Campaign: the Bloodfeud of Altheus, which is actually an old solo-adventure fighting fantasy type of book. It's remarkably well researched.

Quote from: jhkim on April 22, 2025, 05:43:58 PM

Quote from: Trond on April 21, 2025, 08:45:48 PMI just got this one in the mail, in near-mint condition. Flipping through it makes me think that this one is actually looks like a really nice setting, with clear drawings of towns and buildings. A bit more hefty than the Vikings module which is also not bad BTW. Not much use of magic rules, but then I did not expect that either (perhaps nuns can have memorized prayers that in game terms function like low level healing spells or something).  Have you used this module, or something based around a similar theme? (Robin Hood or RH-ish)

I never used it, but I remember being intrigued -- but a little put off by the detail-intensive approach of ICE modules that I felt sometimes missed the forest for the trees. (I did run a long vikings campaign where I looked over the ICE Vikings module, but I thought other viking sourcebooks were better.)

In the case of Robin Hood, the intriguing part is the very different style of adventure. Robin Hood is pro-active in that he wanted to change the status quo - in his case, by robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.

I've played in only a handful of pro-active criminal games, usually short campaigns. It asks for more flexibility from the GM and the players, because it can be more up to the players to decide what the adventure is.

I thought the ICE Robin Hood sourcebook seemed like it missed a bit on laying out fun swashbuckling action and heists which I'd expect for a Robin Hood campaign. My impression was it had lots of historical and literary detail, but less on how to get Robin-Hood-ish action. It's been an age, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Yes, there's tons of historical information. It gets deeper into how to run a campaign of outlaws on page 58 (of 160), and I actually think it looks pretty good, and much more hefty in that department than the Vikings module. It gives some useful info on how various characters end up as outlaws, typical encounters that fit campaigns, very nice layouts of castles and forts etc.

The more general historical reason why "heroes" are outlaws is also outlined nicely; it all has to do with Norman rule. Not only are the Norman aristocrats and sheriffs excessive in their taxation and draconian laws; they look down upon Anglo-Saxons and other Brits. Some of this I think is easily communicated by throwing in some "snooty" French terms whenever a Norman is speaking.

Quote from: Trond on April 22, 2025, 06:36:44 PM

Quote from: Steven Mitchell on April 22, 2025, 05:58:20 PM

Quote from: Simon W on April 22, 2025, 05:37:00 PMHad that many years ago. It is excellent. Never got around to using it though. They did a few books in that series - a Western Hero one, a Vikings one and I think a Greek Hero one. Maybe others too?

I had the Greek one. Almost got a Hero System campaign going with it, but it never got beyond starting characters and a short intro adventure.  It was a time that had a lot of disruption in our gaming group, and then I lost that book in a move shortly thereafter.  I thought they did a reasonably good job of capturing the themes of Greek myth, with at least the Hero System rules stacking up well.  I didn't know Rolemaster well enough to say how it translated.

A bit off topic, but next time I run a swords and sandals game I'll find that one. But here's another interesting book that I think could add to a Greek Campaign: the Bloodfeud of Altheus, which is actually an old solo-adventure fighting fantasy type of book. It's remarkably well researched.

The I.C.E. books were generally well-researched and included a ton of detail on the setting, but they sometimes felt like encyclopedic infodumps rather than playable gaming material. They had Mythic Egypt, Mythic Greece, Pirates, and Vikings along with Robin Hood.

I played in a Renaissance Italy campaign using Rolemaster, and had two other campaigns using Rolemaster in custom fantasy settings (non-historical). Especially, the class-based magic system was difficult to adapt to settings. I've favored systems like RuneQuest or Savage Worlds or HERO or GURPS for historical or semi-historical settings.

Speaking of which, there is a Sherwood campaign from Battlefield Press that was originally D20 but has a Savage Worlds adaptation (along with Pathfinder, Swords & Wizardry, and 5E).



https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/236870/sherwood-the-legend-of-robin-hood-2e-savage-worlds-deluxe-edition

https://rlyehreviews.blogspot.com/2021/02/savage-sherwood.html

EDITED TO ADD: I have no knowledge of the Sherwood campaign - I just saw it listed as a Savage Worlds setting. Anyone know anything about it?

Darkwood is also about Robin Hood, or more specifically creating your own legends of Robin Hood style heroes. I was recently told it was "probably the best in its genre..."

(DTRPG: https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/32/Precis-Intermedia/subcategory/126_29996/Darkwood )

Just to continue my praise a bit here, the illustartions within are good too, probably among the best of ICE products.

Several compelling recommendations here. Sadly, I'm on an RPG spending freeze for the moment, so I suppose I'll have to wishlist things and hope they're still around later.