Do you have a favorite small press publisher who makes a cool fantasy RPG we should know about?
Maybe something that got Kickstarted in the past that you enjoyed?
Maybe something from long ago?
I'm thinking non-OSR since we do talk lots about those games.
Here's my first suggestion:
WARRIOR, ROGUE & MAGE by Stargazer Games
It's a free PDF with lots of free supplements.
The system is kinda GURPS lite.
I find it meatier than The Fantasy Trip, but much more playable than GURPS Fantasy.
http://www.stargazergames.eu/games/warrior-rogue-mage/
Since I think Tunnels and Trolls doesn't count as "small", Pocket Universe by Jeff Dee (https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/classic/rev_7818.phtml) ties up for the title with Spellbound Kingdoms by Frank Brunner (http://www.spellboundkingdoms.com/) so close I can't decide.
One of them is the core system behind Bethorm. If anyone knows how much I love Tekumel, that should be enough. If you don't, just imagine a system that can be adapted for any setting, and is all of 30 pages I think.
The other system is made by someone who worked on some of the best 3.5 books. I suspect, purely based on gut feeling, that it has absorbed the ideas that might have been rejected for being too novel or setting-specific...:)
Suffice it to say that in SK not only does the combat system give me joy on par with TRoS and Mythras, but "meta" points aren't meta. That's how the magic work in the setting! And the setting is shaped around those facts, which lead to the core conflict of the setting;).
Does TRS have a review of Spellbound Kingdoms? I might write one if you want, since a KS for a supplement is upcoming.
Under the Moons of Zoon doesn't get near the love and attention it deserves. It is given away free by the author and also available on Lulu in print. It is a sword and planet RPG, combining Edgar Rice Burroughs, Clarke Ashton Smith, and H. P. Lovecraft in a delighful mix. A short, sweet, old school rule booklet. D6 based system, skills, no classes.
Fantasy Craft would be mine. It's d20 at its core, but differs in a few ways.
1) Sheds many core D&D assumptions and replaces them with modular add-ons (magic is not assumed but optional, gods are also optional, you can adopt D&D style alignments or make your own, etc.)
2) Many options, but building to a concept is usually all you need to make a playable character (e.g., if you want to make a "big guy with a big sword" and just take a soldier with the greatsword feats, you are probably going to be fine.)
3) Sheds d20s wealth by level and replaces it with a more organic "old school" economy. Magic items are more purpose built, but a more detailed crafting system makes non magical crafting more worthwhile.
It sort of depends on how small is "small press", but I wanna come forward and say Brendan's Terror Network/Crime Network material is top-notch. I haven't picked up Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate, but the sect books look really cool and kind of make me regret I didn't set my Godbound game in the China analogue (Dulimbai). I could use all of these sects as factions in a game.
Barbarians of Lemuria and BareBones Fantasy are both pretty neat, as is OpenQuest.
Is Shadow of the Demon Lord considered small press? OSR? How about Dragon Warriors?
Quote from: The Butcher;928895It sort of depends on how small is "small press", but I wanna come forward and say Brendan's Terror Network/Crime Network material is top-notch. I haven't picked up Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate, but the sect books look really cool and kind of make me regret I didn't set my Godbound game in the China analogue (Dulimbai). I could use all of these sects as factions in a game.
You still can use them if you so much as rename the techniques:). At least the first three are easily transferable to almost any setting, though I suspect the second might require the most work.
Quote from: DavetheLost;928841Under the Moons of Moon doesn't get near the love and attention it deserves. It is given away free by the author and also available on Lulu in print. It is a sword and planet RPG, combining Edgar Rice Burroughs, Clarke Ashton Smith, and H. P. Lovecraft in a delighful mix. A short, sweet, old school rule booklet. D6 based system, skills, no classes.
You mean this little gem (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/119991/Under-the-Moons-of-Zoon) right;)?
Yes, that is precisely the gem I mean.
I would also make a pitch for Pirates & Dragons from Cakebread and Walton. Either the d100 version or the OneDice version. It does exactly what the title says. A semi-historically inspired pseudo-Carribean setting. Native Islander magics. Dragon necromancers. Lost Atlantis. Alot of fun when you want to swashbuckle. Those Johnny Depp movies could be done easily with it.
Shadow of the Demon Lord by Schwalb Entertainment.
Atlantis: The Second Age by Khepera Publishing for awesome Sword & Sorcery goodness.
I like DwD Studios. They do BareBones Fantasy and several other games. Their production quality is high without being overblown and both owners are very approachable and fun guys. DwD Studios games use variants of the D00 Lite system.
After not playing RPGs for many years, a friend wanted to learn and I looked at lots and lots of games and settled on BareBones Fantasy. We really, really enjoyed their Moral Code setup. You pick Somewhat, Very, or Totally for each Aspect and one option for each Aspect: Kind or Cruel, Focused or Unfocused, Selfless or Selfish, Honorable or Deceitful, Brave or Cowardly. Your character also has one or two Descriptors. When the descriptors come out in game play, the character gets an XP bonus. (My players used "likes needlessly complicate plans" and "loves water and swims any chance they can" in their first adventure.)
Skills are based on the character attributes plus specifics for specific skill training. Skills are broad and anything not covered can be done using attributes. It's a pretty fun and fast system.
I rather adore Cineflex
Quote from: The Butcher;928895It sort of depends on how small is "small press", but I wanna come forward and say Brendan's Terror Network/Crime Network material is top-notch. I haven't picked up Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate, but the sect books look really cool and kind of make me regret I didn't set my Godbound game in the China analogue (Dulimbai). I could use all of these sects as factions in a game.
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.
All the stuff I've seen from Better Mousetrap has been unusual and interesting.
Cakebread & Walton are a favorite, as is Design Mechanism.
Also the various guys making 'zines for some of my favorite games... Crawl, Crawling Under A Broken Moon, Crawljammer, The Undercroft, Green Devil Face.
Quote from: Simlasa;929003All the stuff I've seen from Better Mousetrap has been unusual and interesting.
Cakebread & Walton are a favorite, as is Design Mechanism.
Also the various guys making 'zines for some of my favorite games... Crawl, Crawling Under A Broken Moon, Crawljammer, The Undercroft, Green Devil Face.
If Design Mechanism count as "small press", then yeah, Design Mechanism get on my list as well:).
Oh, and Sanguine should be there, too. Apart from their systems assuming furry characters, which to me only makes sense in Usagi Yojimbo and the Ninja Turtles, they're actually pretty good systems:D!
Quote from: AsenRG;929023If Design Mechanism count as "small press", then yeah, Design Mechanism get on my list as well:).
I'm positive they count as small press, I'm just not entirely convinced that they don't count as OSR. ;)
Yeah, I know, not D&D, but the fandom overlap is huge.
A few years ago I would have said Phage Press's Amber Diceless RPG since it was a pretty amazing product for a company which was essentially a one-man-show. Sadly, Phage Press is long gone and ADRP has mostly faded away.
Now I'm not sure what I would answer, since most of my RPG action comes from large companies and/or is distinctly OSR in flavor. The best small-publisher thing I've played recently has to be either Outlive Outdead by Happy Bishop Games or Colonial Gothic by Rogue Games.
Would Precis Intermedia fall into small press? If so, they have good stuff. Flying Mice games is awesome.
Quote from: The Butcher;929029I'm positive they count as small press, I'm just not entirely convinced that they don't count as OSR.
If that's the case then most of what I mentioned is OSR, except for Better Mousetrap.
I'll toss in Unigames and Abstract Nova in their place.
Unigames has put out a few solid little games that I've liked recently. A system that's fast and simple and doesn't make a show of havings 'innovative' gimmicks.
Abstract Nova specializes in weird settings/situations (is Noumenon a setting or a situation? A self contained scenario with vague borders?).
Another one for Barbarians of Lemuria.
I don´t even own the newest one, Myhtic Edition. But It has been my go-to sword&sorcery games for... five-six years now? And my go-to game in general when not doing anything D&D related. I don´t really care for the core setting which I find boring, but I´ve had a lot of use for the system. I mainly used it to play in the Hyborian Age. But I also have used it to convert other games on the fly and different genres like running it in the 1700´s (before Honour+Intriuge) and action-orientated survival horror zombie games. And thinking about running 1ed Mutant Chronicles conversion soon-ish. Still wait/hope for BoL:Everywhen to become a reality.
Quote from: Spinachcat;928792Here's my first suggestion:
WARRIOR, ROGUE & MAGE by Stargazer Games
It's a free PDF with lots of free supplements.
The system is kinda GURPS lite.
I find it meatier than The Fantasy Trip, but much more playable than GURPS Fantasy.
http://www.stargazergames.eu/games/warrior-rogue-mage/
I'd call that OSR, but like it as well. Very much like the TFT clones.
I'm not sure if Palladium Books is considered small press. System aside I enjoy Palladium Fantasy. My first post D&D rpg. Going from beating Thaco and wizards forgetting spells. To a combat system where one can dodge and parry. With a point based non-vancian casting magic system. At the time was quite a revelation for myself and my gaming group.
When Palladium Fantasy first came out they were definitely small press. Their physical products amazing quality. Thick paper and signature sewn bindings.
I also enjoyed Palladium Fantasy a lot. Eventually, like most PB lines, it became top heavy with encrusted new toys, but teh core was great fun.
Besides WoTC as part of Hasbro, what RPG publisher isn't "small press"? Palladium is essentially self-published, I don't know what the current status of White Wolf is, but they haven't been a "big dog" in over a decade, I can't imagine any current RPG publisher that operates with more than a few dozen employees at best.
White Wolf is still around. They go by the name of The Onyx Path. Though no longer in gaming stores and POD. They keep publishing new material as well.
Low Fantasy Gaming... but I'm biased for good reason.
Hogshead, back when they were doing WHFRP1e.
Who were the guys who published Wizard's Realm? Mythic or Mystic Productions maybe?
Barbarians of Lemuria all the way.
Quote from: DavetheLost;928841Under the Moons of Zoon doesn't get near the love and attention it deserves.
Thank you!
Quote from: David Johansen;929222Who were the guys who published Wizard's Realm? Mythic or Mystic Productions maybe?
Mystic Swamp. Do you have this game?
Thank you so much for the kind mentions, Simlasa and Running Laser! For my money, Precis Intermedia and Bedrock Games both rock! :D
My votes go towards Everstone and Radiance. Everstone is a good point based version of D20 derived from BESM D20. Radiance is also a D20 based system.
Mythras by The Design Mechanism.
There are some great suggestions here! And lots I have not heard about. Definitely would love to see some threads discussing your actual play with any of these favorite games!
Precis Intermedia would be my pick too. Ancient Odysseys Treasure Awaits is pretty cool.
Quote from: RunningLaser;929285Mystic Swamp. Do you have this game?
I had it, many years ago. Sadly, I've given games as gifts and trimmed my collection many times since. Had a little game called Warhammer Mass Combat Roleplay at one point too. KABAL (Knights and Berserkers and Ledergermain), High Fantasy, Thieves World, Sword Bearer. But yeah. I wish I still had Wizard's Realm. It was a neat little game that always inspires my thinking on game design. To whit, a game doesn't need to be eight hundred pages to get the job done.
Tales of Blades & Heroes by Ganesha Games.
Rules-light, but still very tactical. Open-ended magic system. Check it out. It's one of the best Fantasy RPGs out there.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/100334/Tales-of-Blades-and-Heroes-Fantasy-RPG-rules
Quote from: Nerzenjäger;929504Tales of Blades & Heroes by Ganesha Games.
I really like Ganesha's skirmish games. Is this one fairly similar to the basic Song of Blades & Heroes rules?
Quote from: Simlasa;929510I really like Ganesha's skirmish games. Is this one fairly similar to the basic Song of Blades & Heroes rules?
It is. They're compatible in fact. But I find the RPG to be even better. It's highly underrated.
Quote from: Nerzenjäger;929504Tales of Blades & Heroes by Ganesha Games.
Rules-light, but still very tactical. Open-ended magic system. Check it out. It's one of the best Fantasy RPGs out there.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/100334/Tales-of-Blades-and-Heroes-Fantasy-RPG-rules
They don't have a PDF preview. And their website is down. Not the best first impression.
However, Ganesha is my favorite Hindu deity and I like to review magic systems. Can you tell me more about the magic system? It sounds like they took the "combine words in this manner" to create spell effects. Is that correct?
Quote from: Tod13;929526They don't have a PDF preview. And their website is down. Not the best first impression.
However, Ganesha is my favorite Hindu deity and I like to review magic systems. Can you tell me more about the magic system? It sounds like they took the "combine words in this manner" to create spell effects. Is that correct?
You combine power words to make spells. It's fun, open, and feels natural. I have a dislike for spell lists though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Characters are single stat. There are no classes or races, you build these yourself by buying advantages. A completed character fits on an index card.
Combat, being derived from the miniatures game, is tactical, but still simple.
The main mechanism revolves around rolling d6s. 6s explode, but you aren't rolling the same d6 again, but rather have to decide if you wish to split it into two new dice.
Quote from: Nerzenjäger;929529You combine power words to make spells. It's fun, open, and feels natural. I have a dislike for spell lists though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
Any details?
I've run into issues with similar "power words" type magic systems (at least, I think it is an issue).
In my opinion, there are inadequate rules for the results of magic in those systems.
The lack of "results rules" brings in too much GM adjudication.
Fantasycraft - Crafty Games
Atlantis 2nd Age - Khepera Publishing
Shaintar - Evil Beagle Games
Barbarians of Lemuria
OpenQuest
Conspiracy of Shadows Revised
Quote from: Tod13;929534Any details?
I've run into issues with similar "power words" type magic systems (at least, I think it is an issue).
In my opinion, there are inadequate rules for the results of magic in those systems.
The lack of "results rules" brings in too much GM adjudication.
The number of successes determines range, area of effect, time and duration, possible difficulty to resist, etc.
You have small tables for all of these. There's still some GM adjudication involved, but in most situations the outcome is pretty clear.
Quote from: 3rik;928897Barbarians of Lemuria and BareBones Fantasy are both pretty neat, as is OpenQuest.
Is Shadow of the Demon Lord considered small press? OSR? How about Dragon Warriors?
Exactly that! Every single one of them!
And Symbaroum.
Quote from: finarvyn;929034Colonial Gothic by Rogue Games.
I like Colonial Gothic a lot for its setting fluff, but I'm not entirely sold on the system. This might improve with the upcoming CG 3E, though.
Quote from: jux;929738Exactly that! Every single one of them!
And Symbaroum.
I played Symbaroum twice now and while I enjoyed it, I'm not entirely sold. I wouldn't GM it.
Quote from: Nerzenjäger;929734The number of successes determines range, area of effect, time and duration, possible difficulty to resist, etc.
You have small tables for all of these. There's still some GM adjudication involved, but in most situations the outcome is pretty clear.
Thanks! Appreciate it!
ETA: I still wish they had a preview PDF. I like to see the quality of work (editing, style, and typography) before I buy.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;929218Hogshead, back when they were doing WHFRP1e.
I would kill for an actual release of their planned RPG FRP.
Quote from: remial;931668I would kill for an actual release of their planned RPG FRP.
Did you mean FRUP (http://www.whatisfrup.com)?
Quote from: Dirk Remmecke;931702Did you mean FRUP (http://www.whatisfrup.com)?
Hmmm... there's some interesting tattle at that link explaining what happened to the Bugtown game I was so excited for wayback when. Sounds like Wujick was a bit of a prick.
Quote from: Simlasa;931724Hmmm... there's some interesting tattle at that link explaining what happened to the Bugtown game I was so excited for wayback when. Sounds like Wujick was a bit of a prick.
I never worked with Erick (except for Erick being a moderator for me on this very site), but what's mentioned in that blog absolutely doesn't match any of my long experiences with him. Nor does it match anything I've ever heard about him in public or private conversations. I'm not saying it's not true, but I certainly never heard any story like that before.
Erick did have some flaws, including letting other priorities get in the way of what he was doing, but I'd never seen anything in my conversations with him to give me the sense he was a control freak.