A Grimoire of Terror

Just before Halloween, the free booklet A Grimoire of Terror for Achtung! Cthulhu has been released, which introduces five archetypal horror creatures as opponents for the player characters on a double page each. A dangerous mummy, a brutal werewolf, a scary mesmer, a barghest, and a deadly clown make up the selection of enemies, which have been fitted into the setting by their background (e.g. the barghest is a creation of the Nachtwölfe) but still deviate from “normal” cosmic horror opponents. In addition, ten adventure seeds present these monsters or other puzzles in a few sentences for investigation by the game group. A Grimoire of Terror is definitely a suitable expansion for a Halloween special. Even though the style is a bit of a departure from the typical Achtung! Cthulhu setting, this supplement is well worth reading – and not just because it's free.

(Björn Lippold)

TL;DR: This campaign could be pretty good, but sadly it is a heavily mangled 2d20 A!C rehash of the original version (that was statted for Cthulhu/Savage Worlds). And I write that even though I generally like the more action-oriented approach of the 2d20 rules.

The story is a hunt (and race against the nazis) for Atlantean artifacts in various locations in 1939/1940, and consists of adventures playing in Vienna, Rome, Egypt, Nepal, India, Persia, British Honduras, Greenland and Atlantis. The British Honduras chapter is new and is an expansion of the original. It is a solid pulp campaign and would get 4 out of 5 points from me.

Unfortunately, however, the book really only contains the bare bones of the plot. While the original contained a lot of information to bring the various locations (and the atmosphere of 1939/40) to life at the gaming table, the new version doesn't include much more than "there's desert in Egypt" or "Nepal has mountains". The great and useful background material that was included in the original has been stripped to the bare bones.

That alone is a remarkable and unnecessary impoverishment, because even and especially pulp stories would profit from the most colorful and vivid background possible.

But that's not all. In fact, in some places, important information that would have been necessary to the campaign's plot has been thrown out the window by the radical pruning of the original. (For example, among others, the different Egyptian moons).

Overall, this makes the campaign less fun to read and much more work to run. I would deduct two points for this, but since I like A!C 2d20, I give the campaign 3 out of 5 points overall.

I love Homeworld. I bought it when it first came out (I’m also old). After beating it, I let a friend borrow my disc. Two weeks later I decided I wanted to play it again, so I bought another copy. So, buying this was a no-brainer. But, unfortunately, Modiphius seems to have done a less-than-stellar job with this book.

The book seems much more amateurishly put together than previous games. I'm sure the A4 presentation to my American eyes doesn't help. That just exacerbates the issue, it isn’t an issue on its own. However, beyond that, the fonts don't quite line up, even with themselves. The "e"s and "s"es in their blue font are all abnormally large, making words look funny (seriously, take a look at "The Great Wastelands" on p188, that word makes me motion sick just looking at it).

The two-column format with minimal art harkens back to Palladium books. When you get to the ships, there's more art, but, that's not that helpful. It looks like a first-draft of the print edition and it's . . . sub-standard. The book just doesn’t look professionally laid-out. That can all be fixed on updates.

I really wish that Modiphius' "new iteration" of their 2d20 system would have introduced a real combat range system. The area-based range-system is just awful. It might be okay for fantasy, but it is just useless for anything that isn't fantasy. It sucks in Star Trek, it sucks in Fallout, it sucks in Dune, it sucks in Infinity, it really sucks in Devil’s Run and it'll suck here.

Otherwise, it's basic 2d20. The rest of the system has a solid foundation, but is poorly implemented. Whatever their “new iteration” is, it’s not in the mechanics. Like Star Trek and Dune, it tries to do too much with too little, when there is ample room for more. Six attribute and six skills equal thirty-six options. Nuance is sacrificed. There’s a core for a good game system in there, and they’ve found it before (Fallout being the best, but Infinity is also good), but they seem bound and determined to over-simplify some IPs. It's the same game as all of the other Basic 2d20 games. Just the stats/skills have been crossed out and new terms written in, in crayon. Star Trek, Dune and Homeworld deserve better than this.

But, at the end of the day, with the exception of one of the worst range systems in modern TTRPGs, the rest of the system is functional. I won't use this game in 2d20. The implementation of the system is just too much hot garbage. I'll use the history and background and import it into a different system--one that doesn't prevent you from melee attacking someone on the other side of a door, because they're in a different, arbitrarily-assigned area. Look at the Star Trek maps for some absurdity and realize that, in many, many situations, shooting someone across the room is an easier shot than someone on the other side of the door that you're right next to. The range system may work fine for a fantasy game, but it's just awful for anything else. Could it be fixed? Absolutely. And, I had hoped that their "new iteration" would have done that.

Seriously, Modiphius, fire the person who thought areas were a good idea (out of a cannon--ideas like this should be punished). Hire someone to make you a new range system. Write a core book, based on the Fallout version and release a Generic RPG 2d20 system. There is a core of a good system that wants to get out; both from the flaming monkey poo that is the area/range system and the deliberate hamstringing of the writers.

TL;DR: It’s 2d20 Basic. If you like that, you'll like this. If you're here for the Homeworld lore, it's a good buy. It's more valuable as a sourcebook than an RPG.

I kickstarted this after falling in love with Ironsworn. Getting the physical books I was immediately blown away by the quality of the art and the immaculate and clean layout. The companion book and the Asset deck as well were a joy to leaf through. Now all this sounds fine, but how is the system I hear you ask. It is an improved Ironsworn system, so Shawn Tomkin took something already pretty darn good, and polished it even further. I'm looking forward to enjoying this book for years to come. Only if I had a 6th star to give...

Shocked by how easy it was to pick up the 2d20 system (this was my first one in the system) and how plug-and-play creating an adventure was with the wealth of adversary information/stat-blocks in the book itself. It feels like a very, very faithful adaptation of the games to a TTRPG, and I am interested in seeing further supplements or additional products after trying this out. Pretty impressed!

The ultimate quick introduction to Achtung! Cthulhu? - a Mephisto review

As Professor Guilbert Paschal, a member of Section M, tries to evacuate his research from Normandy, his convoy is attacked. It's up to the player characters to search for the professor and secure his artifacts before they fall into enemy hands.

Operation Ultimatum is a free introductory adventure composed of three short scenes appropriately structured to illustrate key game mechanics and concepts. First, it is necessary to investigate the location of the attack, then to eliminate or evade Nachtwölfe at a ruin, and finally, to confront the plans of an alien force.

Operation Ultimatum offers no real story but is rather a showcase of the game, its mechanics and themes. Veterans of the game will probably find too little here. However, for newcomers or at a convention, Operation Ultimatum offers a quick and easy showcase introduction to the world of Achtung! Cthulhu.

(Björn Lippold)

Liminal is a beautiful book and a gret system for telling supernatual stories. My group had a lot of fun with the sessions I've done so far.

Operation Snowstorm

While the British agents of Section M and their fight against the Black Sun and the Night Wolves in Europe have been in the foreground of the Achtung! Cthulhu adventures, Operation Snowstorm takes players to British Columbia in the role of Majestic agents. There, in the wilderness, a Majestic research facility is located, to which contact has suddenly been lost. When the agents check up on the site, they get caught in a blizzard, which is only the prelude to their fight for survival.

The adventure begins with the tour to their destination, which becomes the first challenge due to the weather and wilderness. Still, the real threat awaits the agents unsurprisingly at the base. Cthulhu connoisseurs will already suspect what awaits them there. The research outpost plays as a typical dungeon adventure, where the agents have to explore the rooms, fight enemies and gain access to certain areas. Ultimately, it is up to the players whether they just want to escape alive or stop the greater threat, which will confront them with a challenging finale.

Operation Snowstorm takes up an iconic Cthulhu setting and offers a tough fight against the elements and dangerous enemies. Unfortunately, the finale falls slightly short in description and elaboration compared to exploring the base, although showing lots of potential for more.

Nevertheless, this operation also offers an exciting adventure. It also deviates from the standard approach with its location and opponents, and thus provides a nice change from the constant fight against Nazi occultists.

(Björn Lippold)

Shadow to the Light

A gutter mage of the Mercury Collegium has disappeared, and various parties are looking for her - because she betrayed the Council of Merlin and sent out a call for help to the Mercury Collegium. The crew of the players is supposed to pick up her trail, which leads them first to an old fort and then to Avalon.

As usual for Liminal, the adventure Shadow to the Light is presented in a few pages with a few scenes that allow (and necessitate) freedom in filling in the details for the game master. Again, the game master is presented with a basic plot that he can and must adapt to his group. The story framework linking to aspects of the Arthurian saga creates a connection to the folklore of Britain and combines it with the factions of Liminal. If you are willing to spend some time fleshing out the details, you will get a case for Liminal that can also serve as a prelude to larger developments.

(Björn Lippold)

One Boggart's Rubbish

The feuds and intrigues between fairy creatures are often confusing and incomprehensible to outsiders. But the consequences of these intrigues and disputes between courts such as the Winter King and the Queen of Hyde Park can throw more than just London's fortunes into chaos. So, it makes sense for a group of Liminals to take on the task of recovering a lost piece of jewelry before it ignites a dispute that threatens more than the fate of a fae knight.

One Boggart's Rubbish is another case file for Liminal, this time allowing the player characters to investigate the fragments of a piece of jewelry in London. Finding the fragments is less complicated than getting hold of them because, of course, the current owners won't just hand them over - and taking them by force is no solution either. The adventure's approach is a tour to introduce London in the world of Liminal and the city's inhabitants as a setting. Still, the case challenges the player characters to succeed in the end. Here, it is often up to the ingenuity of players and game masters to flesh out the setting and find solutions to the challenges. As an introduction to the world of Liminal in London, the adventure serves its function well with its exciting story.

(Björn Lippold)

You may be asking yourself, "Should I sprn $15 on this book?". The answer is if you are looking for a different and unique way to run a solo RPG session then "Yes".

I have been playing RPG's for many, many years. And have purchased hundreds of books and supplements. This is the first time I have felt compelled to leave a review.

I have tried gaming solo several times, without success. After reading this book I am now inspired to approach it in a whole new way. This book is chock full of tips, examples and advice on how to make your solo gaming more exciting and meaningful. Plus the author has a YouTube channel showing actual play sessions using the techniques in this book.

So, if you are looking for a way to jump start your solo sessions then this book will help!

Like the Core Rulebook, this is a pretty good product overall.

Also like the Core Rulebook, this product has an annoying number of typos, which can make some parts difficult to understand. I'm honestly not sure if the section titled "Roll of the Peerage" is supposed to be "Role of the Peerage" or if there's some other definition of "roll" I'm not aware of that would make that make sense.

The book's content is good, but the typos bring it down.

This is a huge campaign book that takes the characters around the globe and perhaps even to Atlantis itself. Eight missions, each with several acts comprise this saga that details numerous locations as well as story seeds for future adventures after the characters defeat the Nazis (Or after they themselves have been defeated). The adventure itself is over 200 pages long and also includes pregenerated characters for quick gameplay and numerous handout pages for easy printing. Also several spells as well as fantastic Atlanean devices and source material are detailed for future use. This giant book can easily provide a months worth of gaming and perhaps much, much more.

Recently, I soloed my way through Legends of Avallen – Quickstart Guide (43 pages, free at DriveThruRPG). This 52 card RPG system is described as a world Inspired by Celtic mythology in Roman Britain, Legends of Avallen is a roleplaying game that takes you to a mystical island occupied by faithless invaders. I used Paul Bimler’s Solo Adventure the Dungeon Oracle as the solo engine. Here are the highlights of the adventure which are included in the quickstart.

So, I started with the five characters that are included in the module. They picked up the quest from Branwen the village leader. She decided to travel with them (and this was a huge mistake). They travel with a cart and horse along with some supplies. Things start out quiet, but soon they deal with an obstacle, and a bit later, the horse suddenly freaks out. A ten meter tall giant appears and the PCs make a run for it. When it gets quiet, they slowly creep back and discover that there are no tracks or evidence of its presence. They figure out that it was an illusion. They search for the cart. When they find it they see that Branwen is dying. She uses her last words to give them directions and instructions. They feel bad about what happen and continue towards their destination (a cave). Next, they have to deal with five wolves. The PCs win, but they are damaged. They set up camp and tend to their wounds. The next day they reach the cave and explore it. They discover one mermaid who is very helpful with advice. She tells them that the mushrooms they have found will help them see through Fae illusions so that they can get to the Otherworld. When they get to the Overworld, they find a quest item (white rabbit which is actually a transformed NPC) and a bunch of Fae. They are willing to parley, but the PCs discover that they are in a hurry (almost time for a Wild Hunt). So, they experiment with which actions seem to distract the Fae. They are successful with, sleight of hand tricks and singing. Llys uses her own tactic which is a barrage of questions. The Fae never knew what hit them. Time passes and the Fae leave. The PCs now find the sealing stone, repair it, and put it back where it belongs in front of the cave.

So, the team did not get a perfect score, but hey, they did all survive. Maybe you will have better luck. Note – I did like the adventure. The last third of the game I started changing the RPG rules. The cards were getting on my nerves.

Starforged is the absolute pinnacle of solo role-playing, science-fiction role-playing, and narrative gaming. The system is elegant and the various moves are flexible enough to provide for most any type of action. The Paths (kind of like classes) can be combined to make the kind of character that suits your imagination. The Truths section helps you to define the particular kind of universe you want to play in. I was able to create a literal Biblical apocalypse, with the very real possibility that the Forge in which my characters exist might be some astronomical equivalent of Hell. But you could as easily have a hopeful setting, or something like Firefly, or the Expanse, or whatever suits your preferences. The mechanics for Connections, Journeys, and Challenges all use the same underlying mechanics, allowing players to get on with the action without having to constantly flip through the book (there's a short reference guide included if you need to do that, though). The real gem among these excellent rules are the Scene Challenges and Clocks - mechanics that help to create some real tension. Will you hack into the system before the guards arrive? Can you make it to the rendezvous before the drop ship leaves without you? Anything prolonged task or challenge with an uncertain outcome can be made more exciting with this feature. And we cannot overlook the absolutely GORGEOUS presentation. Full-color throughout and the artwork is beautiful and really helps players to visualize the setting. If you buy ONE game, ever, it should be this one. I'm not even kidding and if you disagree, come fight me.