Legacy of the Green Flame (Pacesetter Games)

Fellow RPG enthusiasts, if I may, I would like to direct your attention to a few fine new projects that recently funded on Kickstarter.

Legacy of the Green Flame (Pacesetter Games)

Legacy of the Green Flame (solo play for 5e and “classic”): It was the oldest trick in the book. A man on a dark road asked for directions and you let your guard down. You awake in a nearby inn with a bruised skull and ego. All your possessions are gone, but your courage endures. Helped by the kindly and concerned innkeeper, you are equipped and the chase is on. The bandits fled into the forest, but you will have your vengeance. (Series of linked adventures; this was the first description).

The project successfully funded on Kickstarter in less than an hour, and wrapped up September 21. According to the April 8 Progress Report, they are close to ordering books for retail delivery. Keep an eye out for this one.

[Click the images for Weird & Wonderful sizes.]

Prison-Pit of the Agelast King (ThrowiGames)

Prison-Pit of the Agelast King (ThrowiGames)

Prison-Pit of the Agelast King (Shadowdark RPG): An exiled king’s castle has aged centuries overnight, terrifying locals and passing travelers. Although relieved to be rid of the ruthless despot, farmers are fearful of what the small keep’s sudden and unexplainable ruination could mean. Will some curse or foul magic now creep into their lands?

This one funded on September 6, and PDF copies are already available on DriveThruRPG for just $5.

Closet of the Eye Wizard (Planet X Games), and interior
art by JamieJordan (Noirfade) and Bruno Prosaiko

Closet of the Eye Wizard (Planet X Games)

Closet of the Eye Wizard (DCC RPG): Open your inner eye and explore the sepulchral mysteries of Loz, the Eye Wizard! Some say he was a master of eldritch high magics who was without peer, cast down in a titanic battle that raged across the land. Others whisper of an ascendence to godhood in ages past, lost and forgotten to the merciless ravages of time. What is inarguable is the legacy he left behind… the many wondrous magical hats, sorcerous leghorns and mysterious caps dwelling within his arcane closet.

Closet of the Eye Wizard is a weird fantasy zine for Dungeon Crawl Classics. The project funded on Kickstarter last September, and Planet X Games had the first issue in stores by November. Buy it at Exalted Funeral for $20.

Dragonslayer RPG (OSR Publishing, February 2024). Cover by Jeff Easley; interior art by Kennon James

Dragonslayer RPG (OSR Publishing)

My friend Greg Gillespie has a great new release. Dragonslayer RPG has been described as being a blend of AD&D 1e and B/X. And check out the cover art above by the legend, Jeff Easley! Really wonderful.

You can ordered finished copies — $80 for a hardcover, and $30 for PDF — at DriveThruRPG, and check out the artwork and all the details at the original Kickstarter campaign, which funded in less than 24 hours.

Elric in The Young Kingdoms map. Art by John Collier

Elric in The Young Kingdoms (Jayde Design)

I had the opportunity to acquire this treasure some months ago: A brilliant map of The Young Kingdoms, Michael Moorcock’s world of Elric, gorgeously rendered by John Collier, and inspired by the work of the late, great Jim Cawthorn. This print is #19 of 20, signed by Michael Moorcock and John Collier. A lovely piece that I must get framed at some point.

Signed and numbered prints are available from Jayde Design. All proceeds go to the charity Doctors Without Borders.

Swords & Wizardry Complete Revised (Mythmere Games)

Swords & Wizardry Complete Revised (Mythmere Games)

Last July I received my much-anticipated copy of Swords & Wizardry (Complete Revised), by Mythmere Games. It’s a beautiful, Smyth-sewn hardback with gorgeous art. Congratulations to Matt Finch and Suzy Moseby for a job well done. Everything you need to enjoy a great session of role-playing is contained in this book. Take this framework, and as Matt always says — “Imagine the hell out of it!”

Order copies directly from Mythmere Games. Hardcovers are currently $5 off, on sale for just $35, and PDFs are only $4.99.

Forged With Fire (Solarian Games)

Forged With Fire (Solarian Games)

My friends at Solarian Games (Peter Bryant and Jayson Elliot ) have a great new project for the Top Secret RPG, a fantastic espionage game from the brilliant mind of Merle Rasmussen!

Forged With Fire is an ideal starting point for new characters or as a setting for ongoing adventures. This is a two-book set with about 108 pages of materials, including maps of The Crucible, a secret training base hidden in North America. The campaign successfully funded last summer, and you can get all the details at RPGGeek.com.

The Spattered Patina of the Barbarous Blades (Silver Bulette)

The Spattered Patina of the Barbarous Blades (Silver Bulette)

The Spattered Patina of the Barbarous Blades, a level 3-5 Dungeon Crawl Classic-compatible adventure for Weird Frontiers, is indeed another great looking project by my brothers in arms at Silver Bulette!

Check out the wonderful work of Jayson Rocky Gardner, Ian McGarty, and their contributors, and pick up a copy at Goodman Games for just $16.

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Jeffrey P. Talanian’s last article for Black Gate was a review of the classic Hammer Horror film Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter. He is the creator and publisher of the Hyperborea sword-and-sorcery and weird science-fantasy RPG from North Wind Adventures. He was the co-author, with E. Gary Gygax, of the Castle Zagyg releases, including several Yggsburgh city supplements, Castle Zagyg: The East Mark Gazetteer, and Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works. Read Gabe Gybing’s interview with Jeffrey here, and follow his latest projects on Facebook and at www.hyperborea.tv.