"Your history is gone. It was taken from you, or you from it. You were thralls. Now your master lies dead in the bottom of a raiding vessel, equipped for adventure. You are free."
The core premise is immediately intriguing: you are ex-thralls, freed from bondage after your master's death. Your history has been stolen or erased, leaving you adrift in a world where the old order is crumbling. This immediately provides a strong player motivation – to carve out a new destiny, reclaim a lost past, or simply survive in a hostile world. This sense of lost history and the struggle for identity permeates every aspect of the setting, making it far more than just a backdrop for dungeon crawls.
"The great tool of Creation is the knife."
The setting isn't a monolithic fantasy kingdom. Instead, it presents a fractured landscape of distinct cultures – the Norse-influenced Faroe, the Brythonic and Pictish kingdoms of Albann, the Frankish territories, and the mysterious, Atlantean-tinged Noos. Each region feels unique, with its own customs, languages, and power dynamics. The ever-present threat of raiding, political intrigue, and the clash of civilizations creates a dynamic and engaging environment for players to navigate.
"The faces of the mountain are sheer forbidding rock, jagged and sharp. No plant life clings to it. It is sterile."
Gearing's writing style is a key strength. It's evocative, gritty, and unafraid to delve into the darker aspects of the setting. Yet, amidst the violence and hardship, there's a sense of wonder and the potential for heroism. The magic system, with its strange rituals and unsettling costs, perfectly embodies this blend. Spells are not mere lists of effects but are tied to the world's lore and the character's choices, making them feel powerful and dangerous.
"The sky blackens with the presence of the Burning Lung. A single outcropping of burning stone preceded by steam and smoke. In its trail dead sea-life, cooked through, bob. Seagulls flock."
The rules and equipment lists are presented with a focus on practicality. The document "wutc-quickstart-equipment.md" provides a great starting point for equipping characters, and the core rules emphasize player agency and creative problem-solving. The combat system is streamlined and deadly, encouraging tactical thinking and resource management. The inclusion of morale rules and reaction tables adds another layer of depth, making social encounters and large-scale conflicts feel dynamic and unpredictable.
Warding and Witches
The Warding system is a standout feature, offering a detailed and flavorful way for characters to protect themselves from the supernatural. The descriptions of various wards, from the blood of animals to specific plants, are evocative and grounded in folklore, adding a layer of realism to the setting's magic. The inclusion of information about where to find these wards, and their limited effectiveness, encourages exploration and resourcefulness.
The Monsters and Isles
The monsters of Wolves Upon the Coast are far from generic. They are deeply integrated into the setting's lore, often reflecting the history and beliefs of the different cultures. The "Wandering Isles & Sea Monsters" supplement provides a host of bizarre and unsettling encounters, from the screaming tunnels of the Screaming Rock to the terrifying denizens of the Moon. These encounters are not just random challenges but are opportunities to explore the setting's themes and uncover its secrets.
A Treasure Trove of Detail
The level of detail in Wolves Upon the Coast is truly remarkable. From the descriptions of special coinages to the intricacies of naval combat, every aspect of the setting feels carefully considered. This wealth of information provides referees with a solid foundation for building their own adventures and allows players to truly immerse themselves in the world.
Appendix 1: Turn Undead - A nod to faith
The "Turn Undead" section exemplifies the game's nuanced approach to faith and the supernatural. The effectiveness of turning rituals depends on the beliefs of the deceased in life, adding a layer of complexity and encouraging players to consider the cultural context of their actions.
Wolves Upon the Coast is a triumph. Its focus on player agency, evocative descriptions, and deep integration of lore and mechanics makes it a truly unique and rewarding experience.
You can buy it here: https://lukegearing.itch.io/wolves-upon-the-coast-grand-campaign
It's fifty bucks. Totally worth it.
Comments
Post a Comment