Tomes
of Sword and Sorcery
BARBARIC TREASURES
CONAN: AQUILONIA - FLOWER OF THE WEST
CONAN: HYBORIA'S FIERCEST
ENTER THE WORLDS OF... HEROIC FANTASY
THE BLACK STRANGER
THE CRYSTAL SHARD
BARBARIC TREASURES
Misfit Studios: OGL Barbarian Sourcebook
We seem to be experiencing a long-overdue Sword & Sorcery renaissance.
I rejoice at the ever-growing volume of quality products now available
to fans of the genre: games, comics, books, toys... hallowed artifacts
to enjoy, collect and treasure.
The Barbarian archetype has also reestablished itself quite powerfully,
as is meet. These are good times indeed.
Steven 'Conan' Trustrum, a wandering adventurer for much of his gaming
career, established his own RPG kingdom not too long ago and has since
been very busy impressing us with his OGL Barbarian product line.
Barbaric Treasures is the latest offering from Misfit Studios and
it more than lives up to its name. Steven tackles the challenge of
providing exciting options for treasure found in a barbarian campaign,
and succeeds admirably.
First off, there are updated Skills, Feats and Professions related
to creating, or appraising, valuable objects. These are practical,
necessary and quite common sense. You start with the basics: goldsmithing,
gem cutting, taxidermy, animal handling, fur trading, tanning and
butchering, then move on to even more complex, yet savagely essential,
uses of profit-generating skills and abilities.
There is a variant rule on handling supply and demand in your world,
which adds a whole new dimension to raiding, trading and even questing.
An item's scarcity is a powerful factor in determining its value (anybody
out there who collects anything can understand what it is to want
something quite badly, and then go to extraordinary lengths to obtain
it; after many frustrations and long stretches of time... how sweet
it is to hold your long-sought treasure in hand!).
Mundane trade goods are subject to market forces, so Barbaric
Treasures starts with these. It even provides information
on what you need to establish a mundane business in your campaign
world.
New weapons, armor and combat maneuvers are, of course, introduced
(my favorite weapon: the Man-Axe, my favorite maneuver: Through the
Guts). There is also more on buying/selling/ using Piecemeal Armor
(an innovation introduced in Barbaric Warrior). And now... even your
trusty steed can get into the act.
Atlantean Weapons and Armor, practical artifacts with extraordinary
qualities, are then introduced. This is another OGL Barbarian
innovation. These rare items are definitely worth questing for and
fighting to keep. Think of Conan's Atlantean Sword in the movies and
live-action TV show: not 'magical' per se, but definitely something
exceptional.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Barbaric Treasures
actually did. It concludes with Bestial Treasures - things of great
value in a barbaric campaign (fur/meat/antlers/claws etc) and a catalog
of unique treasure items from prehistory. One of the features that
I really enjoyed was the 'knowledge known or misunderstood' tables.
Not everything is -or can be- known about the rare relics from yesteryear
one occasionally stumbles across. And sometimes our lore is downright
wrong. These tables painlessly introduce that element into the game.
There are a lot of extra little goodies scattered like gems throughout
the book. This seems to be a Steven Trustrum signature, and I enjoy
finding these unexpected treasures.
Barbarians, in reality and in fantasy, are shameless opportunists
and fiercely competitive to boot. Barbaric Treasures
provides GMs and Players with enough loot to keep their barbarian
characters happily hunting for a long, long, time. Which is a good
thing. A very good thing.
CONAN: AQUILONIA - FLOWER OF THE WEST
Mongoose Publishing: Conan RPG Sourcebook
I am a big fan of Mongoose Publishing. They consistently produce high
quality products that transcend their primary function as viable gaming
tools. They are excellent resource guides for anyone interested in
researching a topic - and serve as inspiring art-books as well.
Their Slaine and Conan RPG product
lines are great examples of their multi-level devotion to delivering
high quality offerings that are not only appealing, but maximally
valuable to gamers, scholars and collectors alike.
Across the Thunder River brought the Pictish Wilderness
to life, and introduced adventurers to the untamed wilds of Aquilonia's
northwestern frontier. Aquilonia - Flower of The West
takes you deep within the heartlands of the mightiest Western Kingdom
during the Age of Conan.
All known sources of the Conan saga were raided and looted to generate
this unparalleled treasure trove of practical Aquilonian lore. Howard's
original tales, pastiches and comic book yarns all contributed to
the booty, Mongoose Publishing then fleshed it out beyond all expectation.
This is the ultimate resource guide to the noble land that most influenced
Conan's unique destiny.
Life in Aquilonia: customs and costumes, one's place and social standing,
calendar and constellations... all here. Every region, including Bossonia,
Gunderland and Poitan is detailed in a national Gazetteer. There are
even entries on the Pictish frontier so wonderfully presented in Across
the Thunder River.
There are detailed sections on the lives of Aquilonian warriors and
priests, healers and politicians. Special Prestige Classes, Skills
and Feats allow you recreate the signature Aquilonian warriors in
Howard's tales: the Bossonian Archers, Poitanian Knights and Pike
men of Gunderland. The minutiae of feudal living are detailed as well,
providing greater context and meaning to your gaming experience.
The crown jewels in this sourcebook are the legendary personalities
you can now bring to life in your campaign.
King Conan the Usurper and the members of his royal household: Queen
Zenobia, Prince Conn, Princess Radegund, Prince Taurus. The passages
regarding these august personages are rich in lost lore from the Marvel
Comics series.
His trusted court: Dexitheus, Count Trocero, Pallantides, Prospero,
Publius. Recurring characters: Countess Albiona, Zelata the Seer and
her Wolf... all yours, to do with as you will.
The book concludes with a Bestiary, a practical treatise on Aquilonian
NPCs, helpful suggestions for the GM and a plethora of adventure hooks
and scenario suggestions.
Armed with Aquilonia - Flower of The West and Across
the Thunder River a GM can recreate Conan's rise to power
- from lowly Scout to exalted Monarch - and allow his players to experience
the excitement of life during the reign of our favorite Barbarian
King.
CONAN: HYBORIA'S FIERCEST
Mongoose Publishing: Conan RPG Sourcebook
I've been looking forward to this sourcebook since the launch of the
Conan RPG, and often speculated on the nature of its contents. Mongoose
Publishing had already given us the Quintessential Barbarian
I & II - both excellent and very comprehensive resources
for roleplaying barbarians in d20 games. What more could possibly
be said?
I expected a Gazetteer, Sourcebook and Gaming Guide to the Northlands:
Cimmeria, Asgard, Vanaheim, Hyperboria. Perhaps the Border Kingdom
and the frozen tundras far north of the Vilayet.
What Hyboria's Fiercest: Barbarians, Borderers and
Nomads delivered was much greater than anything I anticipated. For
starters, it radically redefined the Hyborian Age barbarian concept.
Though there are certainly barbaric cultures, barbarians can be from
almost anywhere, even Stygia and Shem! Wherever there is harsh wilderness,
Barbarians may be found. Wherever there are borders... Borderers.
This creates countless fascinating possibilities for the Hyborian
roleplayer.
Secrets of the Fierce gives you new Skills and Feats as well
as lots of useful information on surviving - nay, thriving - in extreme
and unforgiving terrain.
Abroad in Hyboria further hones your survival skills by tackling
each environment and its challenges seperately.
Not tough enough yet? You will be after mastering Fierce Feats such
as Extreme Might and Savage Cleave. If you really want to unnerve
your enemies choose Teeth Gleaming!
Joining the Fray gives you many extra fighting options, some
universal, others regional. Cimmerian Power, Hyperborean Stone Warrior
Style and Pictish Stalking Cat Style are some examples.
My favorite section is By Mighty Thews, which introduces
many barbaric multiclass options with a distinct Hyborian flavor.
Variant rules (which brilliantly redefine multiclassing) are also
provided for those craving even more variety in their game. Do you
aspire to be a Shaman? A Harrower? A War Chief? Now you can by following
these savage career paths.
The last two chapters By Honed Senses and By Beastly Union provide
the same range of options to Borderers and Nomads.
I'm impressed! Phenomenally much so. What more can I say? This is
a powerful and wonderful gaming tool and Hyborian resource.
And I can still look forward to Mongoose Publishing's eventual Gazetteer,
Sourcebook and Gaming Guide to the Northlands: Cimmeria, Asgard, Vanaheim,
Hyperboria. Perhaps the Border Kingdom and the frozen tundras far
north of the Vilayet (Hint! Hint! Hint!).
ENTER THE WORLDS OF... HEROIC FANTASY
Kaso Comics: Art Anthology
The artwork of Marcus Boas inspired me when I was growing up. I've
had the pleasure of speaking to Marcus many times over the years at
Conventions and it was my honor to interview him on my cable show.
He has drawn several of my favorite Sword & Sorcery heroes, ranging
from Conan (famous) to Kyrik (obscure).
Marcus has a passion for the classic protagonists and settings of
heroic fantasy and - indeed - his paintings graced the pages of Heroic
Fantasy, a Sword & Sorcery magazine in the late 70's, as well
as many pulp paperback book covers. Marcus places himself smack dab
into the worlds he is painting. He can be found battle-ready on Barsoom,
chest-thumping in primeval jungles, shooting aliens and monsters with
his pistol, and doing the gladiator thing in Roman times.
Enter the Worlds of... Heroic Fantasy is a collection
of Marcus' finest work. His paintings are featured - in color and
black & white - and there are many behind-the-scenes photographs
of Marcus and his model Erin Kimsey that demonstrate the process of
inspiration to creation. There are also images of the finished products
as they appeared on store shelves.
This work was a wonderful stroll down memory lane, a guided tour I
can now take whenever I am feeling a bit nostalgic.
THE BLACK STRANGER
University of Nebraska Press: Bison Books Trade Paperback
Steven Tompkins did an excellent job introducing and editing this
collection of Gothic American tales by the father of Sword & Sorcery
fiction. The stories themselves were old friends, and it was indeed
great to revisit them. Marvel Comics adapted many of these stories
into the Conan Saga, so newbies to the real deal may find them somewhat
familiar if they've come to REH from the old comic books. The introduction
and theme for this collection were refreshingly new, and quite exciting.
The Black Stranger and Other American Tales by Robert E.
Howard effectively focuses on REH's attempts to mythologize the American
landscape. As this is a major aspect of my own life-work I was greatly
intrigued by how one of my primary inspirations went about tackling
this challenge. I learned a lot.
The Black Stranger actually is a Conan tale. Most fans know it
as the Treasure of Tranicos, and indeed it is... but with a surprisingly
different ending. Conan does not proceed, loot in hand and with powerful
allies, to win the crown of Aquilonia. He actually detours to the
Western Ocean and returns, quite broke, to the pirate life once more!
Marchers of Valhalla, a James Allison tale of long-ago lifetimes,
features a tribe of wandering Aesir and a loyal Pict adventuring in
the post-Hyborian Age Americas. A rogue Vanirman is the Big Bad for
much of this story.
The Gods of Bal-Sagoth is a Turlough O' Brien yarn. Turlough
and his Saxon companion encounter a lost civilization and get involved
in political power-struggles.
Nekht Semerkeht blends the sorceries of the Old World and the
New during the time of the Conquistadors.
Black Vulmea's Vengeance features the Celtic pirate, Black Terence
Vulmea, and his cunning plan to revenge himself on an English officer.
The Celtic code Vulmea lives by subverts his original purpose yet
helps him succeed in a way greater than he could ever anticipate.
The Strange Case of Josiah Wilbarger is a strange story of
dreams and afterlife assistance.
In The Valley of the Lost, the dim past eerily touches frontier
America.
Black Canaan, a tale of African Voodoo run rampant, will
offend some modern sensibilities, as will Pigeons from Hell. Howard's
admiration for savages and primitives, however, shines much brighter
than the shadow of words no longer considered politically correct.
Old Garfield's Heart is about the perils of having the heart
of a pagan god beating in your chest.
The Horror from the Mound is a cautionary tale warning what
happens when you casually dismiss local superstitions.
The Thunder Rider is a story of reincarnation and remembered
lives, much like the James Allison saga but with a Native American
protagonist. It appears to be the first in a series of untold tales.
Kelly the Conjure-Man, The Classic Tale of the Southwest
and The Grim Land (a poem) read like living folklore and
legend, definitely a direction Howard was moving towards.
I was especially impressed by REH's command of occult lore. His knowledge
of actual arcana permeates this entire collection and makes me wonder
how he acquired his magical information. Next time I re-read the biographical
information I've accrued, I will seek clues among the many written
words.
And I never before realized how pervasive the Hyborian Age mythos
actually is in Howard's non-Conan/Kull tales. The Lovecraftian element
is represented here as well, but echoes of Howard's unique and panoramic
prehistory reverberate in every wonderful chapter of this great collection.
Thank you Steven Tompkins for opening my eyes to dark new horizons!
THE CRYSTAL SHARD
Wizards of the Coast: Hardcover
Almost twenty years ago, I impulsively bought a paperback book at
a comic book convention. Not an unusual thing for me to do. It had
a young hammer-wielding barbarian wearing a pelt on the cover, and
lots of rocky, icy terrain. There was a dark-skinned savage ranger
and what I took to be another barbarian, both kneeling, to the right
of the youth.
Had I realized that these other figures were an elf and dwarf, I may
not have bought the book. I would have dismissed it as too Tolkeinesque.
I read it on the way home and was hooked. I reread it, savoring each
page, shortly thereafter.
Wulfgar the heroic barbarian, Cattie-brie the rough-cut but strangely
appealing warrior woman, gruff Bruenor Battlehammer - the dwarf with
a heart of gold, crafty Regis the rogue halfling, Gwenhyvar the astral
panther and Drizzt do'Urden the enigmatic dark elf... I grew to care
about these characters by book's end and eagerly looked forward to
their further adventures.
The Crystal Shard by R.A.Salvatore had it all: a barbarian's
rise from servitude to kingship, heroic quests in the savage Northlands,
a crystalline intelligence, demons from the Abyss, giants, ice-dragons,
weapons of power, primitive warfare, snivelling goblin lackeys, trecherous
wizards...
And the then unknown author (this was R.A.Salvatore's first Forgotten
Realms book by the way) brought it all to life, created complex characters
who cared about eachother and loved wreaking havoc with deadly weapons!
Two decades later, and I am still hooked. I've patiently followed
the many adventures of these characters and have explored their world
at great length between book releases. I even got really into the
drow and their fascinating culture. Although I still avoid Tolkieneque
fiction and spit at the mere mention of most fantasy elves and dwarves,
Icewind Dale and its environs are exempt from these strong dislikes.
Though the quest to regain Mithril Hall, Bruenor's ancestral homeland,
which unfolded in the second and third books of the Icewind Dale trilogy
was pure fantasy cliche, I relished every page of it and rooted for
Clan Battlehammer.
The Crystal Shard was recently released in hardcover
for the very first time - with stunning new cover art - and is now
officially Book IV in the greater saga of Drizzt do'Urden. Though
the dark elf has captured the popular imagination and is accorded
one of the greatest fantasy creations of all time, for me: the saga,
which began with this book, is primarily Wulfgar's.
And shall always remain so.
Among modern Tomes of Sword & Sorcery, The Crystal Shard is a
classic, a must-read for anyone who loves the genre.
I am Thor the Barbarian and I have spoken.
(c) 2005 The Barbarians
