In 2 days Torchbearer has raised over $25k against a goal of nearly $15k - it is funded and then some.
It appears to be using The Burning Wheel for it's core rule elements, which is all Greek to me, as I no nothing about The Burning Wheel. Well, I know about it, but not how it plays.
Still, extremely strong support so early in the Kickstarter should indicate this game has potential, so I'm in for the PDF at $15 for the moment.
I find the following quote interests me - a lot:
In the spectrum of BWHQ games, Torchbearer is advanced Mouse Guard. It’s not as complex as Burning Wheel or Burning Empires, but it’s certainly more involved than Mouse Guard or even FreeMarket. From a broader perspective, it's Basic D&D on Hard mode.Basic D&D on Hard Mode. This I have to see ;)
From the blurb:
Torchbearer is a riff on the early model of fantasy roleplaying games. In it, you take on the role of an adventurer seeking his or her fortune. To earn that fortune, you must explore fornlorn ruins, brave terrible monsters and retreive forgotten treasures. However, this game is not about being a hero. It is not about fighting for what you believe. This game is about exploration and survival. You may become a hero. You might have to fight for your ideals. But to do either of those things, you must prove yourself in the wilds. Because there are no jobs, no inheritance, no other opportunities for our deadbeat adventurers. This life is their only hope to prosper in this world.
I'm going to back the project to get the PDF (too high shipping cost to Europe, I fear...). What I've read in the BWHQ forums about the game is inspiring :).
ReplyDeleteYeah, those ridiculously high shipping costs are killing me (to be fair, not only with this project but with Lulu, as well)...
DeleteI no nothing either of how Burning Wheel works, and I have Mouse Guard, but never read it. So I'm clueless on what Basic D&D on Hard-mode means, but I have a gut feeling that it means something different to him than it means to me. Because I think 3ed is Basic on Hard-mode. So, I'm thinking he means it's as easy to learn as Basic D&D, but gritty and deadly like...
ReplyDeleteand this is where he loses me...
D&D is a frigging hard game. Especially played "right". And by right, for me, is RAW and no fudging.
My understanding is that it has a heavy focus on resource management, and not just hit points, spells and arrows.
It is focused on resource management, that is clear. I am rather curious about it because of the structure is uses. But it would never be a replacement for OD&D at my table for the two games' aims are quite different.
DeleteCan I hack the resource management system into D&D is my only question.
DeleteYou can hack the encumbrance system quite easily. The rest, well, I suppose... but it either changes your D&D radically (for introducing defined factors not previously present, such as emotional status) or will alter the material so much it would turn out easier to extrapolate from D&D instead.
Delete