Molfars - Carpathian Wizards

Lynn · May 13, 2019, 02:10:00 AM

I get some news from Ukraine and a first link lead me to some interesting videos about these 'white magic' wizards.

Here is a documentary about Molfars, and here is a rather old movie that touches on it:

[video=youtube;rb6GMSG2cEY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb6GMSG2cEY[/youtube]

I had heard about them in passing before. For all the settings out there, it would be interesting to see a 5e setting based on the region. Other than something like Mythic Russia, has there been anything like it?

Marchand · May 13, 2019, 03:32:48 AM

There was a GURPS Russia book for 3E...
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/russia/

kanePL · May 13, 2019, 03:37:30 AM

Quote from: Lynn;1087605it would be interesting to see a 5e setting based on the region. Other than something like Mythic Russia, has there been anything like it?

No from what I know. Maybe some obscure setting known to small bunch of people. There is Witcher RPG which draws from Slavic folklore and themes, but it's not what you meant I guess. Shame, it's an unexplored region of settings. Usually there is a travesty of Slavic-like region like Kislev in Warhammer. I'm guessing it's hard to grasp and feel for non-Slavic people, thus little material in RPGs. But hey, if anyone wants to make Slavic setting, I'm in to help

As for the documentary, the portrayed syncretism between the occult and christian religion is fascinating.

Spinachcat · May 13, 2019, 04:24:48 AM

Rifts has Warlords of Russia and Mystic Russia, neither are particularly "accurate" to anything, but definitely a fun setting.

JeremyR · May 13, 2019, 04:40:04 AM

Quote from: kanePL;1087609No from what I know. Maybe some obscure setting known to small bunch of people. There is Witcher RPG which draws from Slavic folklore and themes,

Ah yes, Slavic folklore and themes such as dwarves, elves, ghouls, zombies, wargs, and you know, halflings. But completely Slavic and not at all a ripoff of Tolkien. And D&D. Just ignore those dopplegangers (er, I mean dopplers, they are completely totally slavic and not because he read the AD&D monster manual)

Michele · May 13, 2019, 05:47:42 AM

Quote from: Marchand;1087608There was a GURPS Russia book for 3E...
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/russia/

Why the past tense? Still available. Not up to speed as to the rule edition (which is now 4e), but since we're talking about source materials, that's not a real problem. And as with many GURPS sourcebooks, this is not bad at all. Disclaimer: seen from my POV, which isn't a Russian one.

kanePL · May 13, 2019, 05:57:35 AM

Quote from: JeremyR;1087616Ah yes, Slavic folklore and themes such as dwarves, elves, ghouls, zombies, wargs, and you know, halflings. But completely Slavic and not at all a ripoff of Tolkien. And D&D. Just ignore those dopplegangers (er, I mean dopplers, they are completely totally slavic and not because he read the AD&D monster manual)

Yeah, absolutely, it ripps off many themes, with strong Slavic theme included among many others. This is what I meant, but probably wasn't precise.

Lynn · May 13, 2019, 12:56:13 PM

Quote from: JeremyR;1087616Ah yes, Slavic folklore and themes such as dwarves, elves, ghouls, zombies, wargs, and you know, halflings. But completely Slavic and not at all a ripoff of Tolkien. And D&D. Just ignore those dopplegangers (er, I mean dopplers, they are completely totally slavic and not because he read the AD&D monster manual)

For all the folks that complain about Western fantasy being a ripoff of Tolkien, it would seem this would be a great alternative.

I find it also interesting that the Russian Santa is Ded Moroz, who really isn't a nice guy.