Category: Maelstrom
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Maelstrom
The elevator pitch: Adventure and intrigue in the time of the Tudors, with MAGIC! In the mid-1980s the Fighting Fantasy phenomenon kicked off and caught the attention of gamers and newcomers alike. The concept meant that you could enjoy fantasy and science fiction adventures with more interaction than simply reading a book, but you didn’t…
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Maelstrom Beggars Companion Appears
A year ago, I set about writing a Beggars Companion supplement for Maelstrom. Having struggled to write PARANOIA: The Underplex, a process that seemed to span a whole year and still turned out a product that felt a little wayward, I wanted to set myself a clear goal. At a minimum of 1,500 words a…
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Our Lady’s Mantle
Available: Su, Au 60% Preparation: none Cost: 1s. 6d./3s. Uses: 2 Effective: 65% / 30% A perennial plant, with rounded leaves and small green flowers growing in loose clusters. Found in damp places, such as meadows and shady woodland. The clean, fresh, green leaves of the Lady’s Mantle may, if taken as a tea, settle…
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Maelstrom Herbal Overview
Not the most exciting post for many, but I don’t care. I have compiled a ‘complete’ herbal overview for Maelstrom, and uploaded the result at Scribd.com. I did say this would very likely not excite many people. The herbal overview includes all the information from the original rules, broken down into a succinct and common…
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The Anvil
An adventure for Maelstrom, or other fantasy/historical games, featuring the supernatural. The following represents an overview only and requires some work by the Gamemaster to flesh out characters, expand plot threads and map out locations. While currently very linear in plotting, the Gamemaster should attempt to be as flexible as possible in supporting the characters’…
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Journal of Misfortune
An adventure seed for Maelstrom… While drinking together in an alehouse, an interruption breaks the evening’s festivities. A man crashes through the door wearing only filthy breeches, his hair tangled and his face flooded with tear. He wails and sobs, demanding justice for his injustice… oh, and a drink, if anyone will spare the money.…
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Improbable Leaping Flames
I watched “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” last night and a bunch of the Special Features, and while I can’t rate the film much beyond Disney eye-candy with paper thin characters, dumbed down plotting, and far too much pointless expositional mumbo-jumbo about aspects of magic, I did enjoy some bits. One moment that stands out for me…
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Planning and Passing
I have been tackling my editing duties with a determination of purpose rarely seen round my way. As I planned to have writing done by the end of December, I now have editing targeted for the close of play this weekend. Assuming all goes well with the publishers, we might have a green light for…
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Reasonable Resolution
The new year swings around and I had a wee dram o’ whiskey, so no need to worry about a hangover or anything this morning. Mind, a week off work has gone me out of my routine, which likely won’t make this week any easier. I’m relieved I managed to meet my deadline of a…