Hey all.

I was sitting looking at TROS next to a few other games on my "office" shelf just now, and I got to thinking (last time I did that I wrote a game...not good, not good). Why do you play/read/talk about TROS? What pulled you in? Was it experiences in actual play? Was it just the ideas that ran through your head as you read combat/sorcery/Weyrth/Spiritual Attributes? Maybe it was my dashing good looks at GenCon or some Demo I did somewhere...

I'm not trying to get all metaphysical here, but there's a lot of energy and loyalty around here, and I want to understand it. Well, and maybe I want a pick-me-up after this whole Russian Porn Site Fiasco...but who'd admit a thing like that?

Anyway, I just want your honest answers and...well...testimonials. No bitching. Bitch in another thread if you like (please do, actually), but I just want a positive group-hug sort of thing in here for a while. So speak up. Give examples. Be happy. Relive the moments.

Ahh...and we'll all feel better.

Jake

What pulled me in?
I read about the combat system somewhere on the net.
Saw the name that intrigued me.
Logged to the website (that was way before russian porn companies invaded...they will be cut down swiftly I am sure.)

Got the game.
Yes, the combat system was incredible and it brought the excitement of battle back to my games. Curiously however, the amount of fighting in our sessions was cut back a lot. But those few bouts that we have offer more excitement than anything before.

Still more surprising was the spiritual attributes. At last some system to really encourage my players to work towards their goals and beliefs. It is so much easier to make adventures now.

Thank you, Jake.

The thread on RPGnet of course!!! (reeled me in)

When you released your limited edition (or whatever you call it) and the rpg.net thread got started, I had just gotten burned by buying a game I knew nothing about, only on the basis of hype. I knew it was dumb, but the fanboys seemed nifty, and the setting seemed neat. Then I bought the game and despised the mechanics with an undying passion. (Which RPG I'm talking about really is irrelevant, so don't ask.

Then I see the rpg.net thread for TROS. My first thought was "oh, yay... more silly hype." Then I noticed the thing that was drawing people in was that the (combat) mechanics were not only usable, but apparently very good. But I was still hesitant. What finally pushed me over to buying the game was your commentary, Jake. Seriously, you did an amazing job of selling your game. You knew exactly why it was good and could articulate that effective ways. So, I bought the game.

So, I get it and start reading, and come to the Forge and start participating in discussion here. Thanks primarily to Valamir and Ron (and a few others), I realized a basic truth about TROS: the combat mechanics are what bring the people in, and the SAs are what make them stay.

So, I stayed.

My only regret about TROS is that it has now tainted my idealized view of internet porn.
*looks around, wondering who said that*

Unlike a lot of people here, I knew absolutely nothing about TRoS until I walked into my local gaming store.

There were a lot of new games in that day, all looking nice and new and exciting. I spent a good hour, sat down, going through them, looking for something to blow me away. After all that time, I found nothing....then, in the corner of the shelves, almost hidden by other games I saw TRoS.

Intrigued, I picked it up and flipped it over to read the back cover. Then I opened it up to get a look at the mechanics. By this point, however, I was pretty tired of going through game books, so the book only really got a glance.

Now, I'm the type of gamer who buys a lot of books, even books that I'm never going to play.

That day, I only left with one book, TRoS, and I've never regretted it. In addition to that, it was at least two weeks before I bought any more books, simply because I was so hooked on TRoS.

It's good to see that there are some game designers out there who still understand that a game doesn't have to be complicated to be detailed, or sacrifice it's ideas for the sake of game balance and mass appeal.

Long live TRoS

-Holt

I don't think I can write anything better than what people have already said in this post, but obviously for me, the combat system got my attention, and though I'll admit not caring much about SAs in the beginning, I didn't really understand them then. Now that I have gotten a better understanding of them and how they augment the game, I can't imagine playing a RPG without them. You really did an excellent job promoting your game on your website, and everyone who has gotten involved here in the Forum with their posts are a very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and courteous group of mature gamers that I wish lived in my area so I'd get more of an opportunity to play. Thank you very much for taking the time to produce such a fantastic game.

On my end of the group hug I just wanna agree with Durgil/Tony that you guys really are

a very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and courteous group of mature gamers...

I first found the (at that time) small tRoS thread on RPG.net. From there I found your now kidnapped website, saw the DOS combat-sim and the combat system demonstration on your site. Couldn't resist and bought it over the internet.

A decision I'll never forget, as tRoS probably won't come to Sweden anytime soon...

Mokkurkalfe wrote:
A decision I'll never forget, as tRoS probably won't come to Sweden anytime soon...

I skimmed through threads on Harn forum when I saw thread The Riddle of Steel. I looked it through and intrested in. Next I read thread on RPG.net and I was hooked. I took Combat Simulator, Damage Tables and Character Sheet from Riddle's website and looked them through and I was more hooked. Next day I got to my retailer and ordered the book. It took month before I got it, but it was worth of waiting.

I intrested in mostly because of great combat system. Everything else is great too, I have never seen more complete system where almost every rule is put on book. System is still simple enough, but realistic. I showed book yesterday to one of my friends and he was hooked too. He is going to buy book when he gets some money.

I also was bored for D20 and similar products, so I wanted some change. I have played paper-and-pen D&D or AD&D only twice (more with computer). I started may roleplaying with RuneQuest, so I have been always intrested in realistic systems and worlds. I looking for more Riddle products with great interest.

Oh, and disbruter here in Finland is Fantasiapelit, www.fantasiapelit.com.

Janne

Jake Norwood wrote:

Which is a friggin' shame, as the Swedes and the Finns really like TROS...I've sold tons over there through mail-order and otherwise.

Grr...who distributes out there?

Jake

What got me into tRoS? You did, Jake. Seriously, at first, I was starting to practice sword stuff, and it was good. Then, you told me that you'd made an RPG based on your research. At that point, I pictured you going outside with your waster and telling Earta that you were "going to do some... research." LOL.

Then, I was the first to buy a book from a store. Then, I read it, and combat simulator/skill system sounded kewl. I hadn't even touched actual play or the sorcery system yet, so I got into that first demo. That's really what did it. That demo was the first time I'd ever been in a homogenous character group in which everyone had an excuse to be interested. That was the cool part.

To sum up: A combination of being in the swordfighting group, knowing you (and wanting to support a friend in an RPG endeavor), liking the book, and liking the actual play.

Well, the thread on rpg.net was what got me interested. It had grown to something like 18 pages by the time I got to it, and it took me two days to read! Then I picked up the windows combat sim... you have no idea how many hours I spent with that thing!!!!! I missed a lot of practice time, I'm sure. ;) After that, I started the thread on the Harn Forum that Janne mentioned, because I thought this system (based on the sim alone, mind you) was too cool to keep to myself. FWIW, that thread is AFAICT the longest and most viewed thread on the Harn Forum.

Then I got the book. Boom. I was blown away. I must have read it cover-to-cover the day I got it (more practice time down the tubes, heh heh). Heck, I had even bought a bunch of 10-siders in anticipation of getting the book.

Everything in the book just smacks of "coolness", which very few other rpgs manage. From the combat to the magic to the very engaging Seneschal's section... I knew I had to play this game. It has everything I look for in an rpg... realistic combat, cool magic, reasons for character advancement... the list goes on. And it's exceedingly well-written, to boot. The whole thing just makes sense. I don't have to keep my disbelief suspended with a heavy-duty car jack, either, which is my litmus test for rpgs BTW.

So why do I play it? I play it because it feels real. In fact, I just used TROS to convert a newbie gamer just the other week. We'll be playing TROS during our band's road trips. Fittingly enough, the campaign is now set in a caravan. The combats are easy to picture, and play quickly. The system encourages intelligent play, not merely relying on your character's scores and attributes. I like that what your character believes makes a real difference. I like the fact that magic in TROS feels dangerous and mysterious. I like that I get to roll large handfulls of dice. ;)

I play TROS because it's a classic, and it was a classic before the main print run was even done. So there. It's one of the finest frpgs ever designed, and you only have to play it once to know that with certainty.

Well done, Jake. Bravo. May all your progeny be well-endowed. :)

-Mark

My first awareness that TROS was a product was when a friend of mine in my friday night gaming group bought it. He made some claim about it having the most realistic combat system. I flipped through it briefly and saw the hit charts. The D&D game commenced and i thought little more about it. An important note here is that the friend who bought it buys 2-3 different roleplaying books a week, so it didn't register much with me at the time (he's a collector).

Then one Friday night... Jake was in the store doing a DEMO.. My group of salted system breakers sat down to play after going through a wonderful charachter creation process. By the time the three merchants took out three guardsmen by a surprise flanking attack with a pewter mug, a stool, and dagger in one round... I was HOOKED. At last a game with realistic combat. Where surprise was meaningful and strategy rewarded. (I used the stool I was "moving out of my way"). That night the store sold it's last two books of TROS. 1 month later I'm running TROS for the Friday night group instead of D&D. Charachter creation this week after the Current Module is wrapped up.

As for mature players, that describes us. Average age in my group of 8 is over 30. The youngest is a school teacher who has been playing with this group since his Junior year in HIGH SCHOOL. 5 of us have been playing together for 7+ years. The new 3 are in thier 30's. I believe when we looked at it earlier this year we Averaged 16 years RPG experience (I have 23, one guy only had 9). For Riddle of steel, a couple people are swapping out, but the new people who are begging to get in all have 10+. Looks like i might end up running two groups. 1 weekly, 1 bi-weekly, and then play-testing Gladiators 1 night a week. lol, doing all i can to turn my store into a hotbed of TROS. Since your Demo Jake I believe we have sold 6 books... I'll be the First Seneschal running there.

I first came across TROS when I was just skimming through RPG.Net's forums one day. I saw this topic called "The Riddle of Steel" and of course it brought Conan The Barbarian to mind, so I went in to check it out. I think it was about 12-13 pages long at that point, and by the time I had read half the first page I knew I was going to read the whole thing :-)

After that a quick trip to the web site and a download of the dos combat sim got me hooked on the system (like many people, I was brought in by the combat but stayed because of the SA's). However, the one thing that truly got me "into" the game at the start was...

You, Jake. Hell, I have played a lot of RPG's in my life, and been involved in a lot of forums, discussion lists, etc. This was the first time I had ever seen a games designer so cool as to actually be in there, answering questions (even trivial ones) and chatting with all of these folk who were obviously very taken with the game. Then I emailed you personally about ordering a book and you replied really promptly and gave me great service. That was pretty much what sold me initially - you've "got the attitude", my man, and it's fucking refreshing to see.

And then of course I got the game, and it turned out to be every bit as good as it had been hyped up to be, and I have never regretted buying it for a second. Hell, there's never been a game that inspired me so much as to make me write a combat sim for it before (although in truth, part of that decision was probably dissatasfaction with the serious limitations of the DOS sim and the realisation that "even I could do better" *grin*).

I buy a hell of a lot of RPG's, and most of them just sit on my roleplaying shelf and never get played, just read once and forgotten. TROS, however, is a keeper - cool system, cool setting and cool developer, they all add up, mate.

Brian.

I remember leafing through a catalogue at work and seeing a promo for TROS. It conjured up ideas of Conan and gritty high adventure (not Arnold in a loin-cloth) and I was intrigued.

Like many others here, I would consider myself an experienced RPGer, but hadn't played seriously for a couple of years - I'd become disillusioned I guess. But something about TROS really make me take notice. Having the advantage of ordering RPGs for my shop, I could afford to order in a few copies.

Once they'd arrived, I was regularly flicking through the pages, putting off other jobs. By the end of the week, I'd finished it. I'd become excited. Here was a system which played on many of the flaws previous RPGs had, catering to a generation weary of power-gaming. People who wanted to be part of a story.

But would it work in practice? It all seemed very ambitious.

On the sheer basis of my rambling enthusiasm, i managed to convince a couple of mates to pop round and have a go. And to my delight, it did work. A system which truly encouraged thoughtful play, engineered fights to be so intense that scenes themselves were embelished.

So yeah, I really think you've catered to a crowd hungry for something like, Jake. Thoughtful, intelligent, but not overbearing. Congratulations, and many thanks.

Roleplaying is fun again!

Jake, I hope this thread has raised your spirits and gotten your mind off the domain issue. I think its quite clear that your game has met with a lot of positive feedback. Also, I think its also interesting that you yourself are a hit. In this day & age of online fanboys getting their jollies by attacking game designers, you were seen as cool & informative.

Honestly, I was going to buy the book anyway because Jake was going to be part of the GenCon indie booth, but also I wanted to see what Ron was going gaga over. However, once I actually saw the game...WOW. I was blown away by the production value. RPG quality and aesthetic runs the spectrum, and TRoS was high up there.

That, and Jake is an honest-to-Mergatroid good guy. He's friendly, he's enthusiastic, and knows what he's talking about.

Well, actually jake, I have to give your wife credit on this one! She did an impromptu quasi-demo at a quark social last year and told me to go to your demo (incidently the same one Lance went to) and boy was I enthused by how well the game played. I have been trying to find a system that worked for years, I started RPGing in middle school on the palladium system, got sick of the way in which characters could survive multiple gunshots with no problems and I endeavored to make my own.
For me RPG's were about epic storytelling, an interactive novel that was written by a bunch of people at once, and most systems were not effective in this sense.
After playing that demo at the dragons keep where I wanted to see if your game could handle a non-combat character I was so impressed I decided to get the dang book the moment I could- there are two books in my apartment here in Utah and I gave my first book to some guys I introduced to TROS in VA and they are now introducing it to others. even one of the game store clerks got hooked on it! Your game caters to people like me who like games with epic tales of conflict, morality and humanism-
Now I just want all the supplements I can get!
-Seth

Thanks a lot guys. Yeah, this did raise my spirits a lot. What's more, is that it reminded me why I game and why I wrote the Riddle, which motivates me to write and produce more.

So here's an informal announcement. We're going to put Beasts and Men on shelves early next year. We'd do it sooner, but the industry has rules. I'll make a PDF available for you locals, perhaps, with credit toward the book, perhaps.

So thanks a million, and keep on playing (and posting).

Jake

I run a game store in Melbourne, Australia, and I see so many new role playing games come and go that I don't often buy them anymore. Sorry to say that was the case with Riddle of Steel. Then my friend, a rabid Conan fan, saw it and had to have it, just for the title. He told me how great it was, so I started reading the RPGNet thread, and then this forum. I was impressed by how even-handed the discussions were, and how you, Jake, put in the effort to dicuss your game and its mechanics, not just sell it.

So I bought a copy. And now I'm the one selling it to my customers, by discussing why it's the most mature and innovative game in the last few (well, several) years. Yes, the combat system is fabulous, all the more so for the lengths even good fighters will go to avoid it. But it is the maturity of the game as a whole that impresses me the most. An experience system that directly rewards role playing your character's goals? Unheard of! A sorcery system that is scary to everyone concerned? Incredible!

I have gamed with the same group of friends for the last 18 years, and I have never seen us all excited about one game before, but we are all excited about tROS. Don't let the bastards get you down Jake. You have produced a gem of a game, one that deserves all the praise it has received.

A decision I'll never forget, as tRoS probably won't come to Sweden anytime soon...

allahlav wrote: And now I'm the one selling it to my customers, by discussing why it's the most mature and innovative game in the last few (well, several) years.

Herr Nils wrote:

A decision I'll never forget, as tRoS probably won't come to Sweden anytime soon...

Well I’ am putting up a hardcore team of fencers and roll players that will hold an TRoS event at Gothcon XVII. We will probably do a quick ARMA information to. Hopefully this will rise the interest for TRoS In Sweden.

John C. Thinks really highly of you guys. I'm glad to hear of all the interest. Now, to find a distributor up there...
Jake

Jason L Blair wrote: That, and Jake is an honest-to-Mergatroid good guy. He's friendly, he's enthusiastic, and knows what he's talking about.

I've found that, honestly, other than net threads the number one seller of TROS has been game store owners that get hooked. I can name a dozen of them off the top of my head--it's where we got our start, actually. It's also the main reason I'm going to try and do as much as I can in print--because it helps you guys, and you guys have been very loyal and supportive to me.

SO keep on selling it!

Jake

So, my husband and I play a lot of CRPGs (computer role-playing games) together - Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, etc. One thing that has always irked us a little is how unrealistic D&D is. We would often say things like:
"Oh, sure, so I get a critical hit on this fire giant with a two handed sword, which should basically be the equivalent of slicing his head off, but he still has 10000 hit points left?!"
"What's up with memorizing spells, anyway? Sorry, I know I memorized Magic Missile last night, but I can only remember one at a time and I already cast it . . . it's the same spell!"
"What does a priest need to rest for? Either his/her god's listening, or they're not!"
"No, I don't know how our bard can wield a harp and a long sword at the same time. Hush."

Lyrax had been telling me about how cool this new RPG was, and I thought "yeah, yeah, just what the world needs, another D&D clone". Then one evening I picked up the book, and made a character just for fun. Not only was the book fun to read, but everything about making a character was fun, too. Especially the things that really make your characters come to live, like Flaws, Gifts, and Fate Points. The many cultures described in detail in the book were great, too. It was cool, too, how my husband's character was a scholar/archaeologist - and he actually got to play a vital role in the game.

The one thing that turned me off a little from the book was the one or two gratuitous scantilly-clad female characters. Luckily, the superb content of the book, and the other good illustrations sort of negated that.

Claymore wrote: Jake, when will Beasts and Men be solicited through game trader?

Jake Norwood wrote:

Claymore wrote: Jake, when will Beasts and Men be solicited through game trader?

Like I said...unnoficially, Feb or March...

Its not that we can't get it out sooner, but distributors have this whole 4-month waiting thing. Grrrr.

Jake

qirien wrote:
The one thing that turned me off a little from the book was the one or two gratuitous scantilly-clad female characters. Luckily, the superb content of the book, and the other good illustrations sort of negated that.

Claymore wrote:
Jake, when will Beasts and Men be solicited through game trader?



Like I said...unnoficially, Feb or March...

Its not that we can't get it out sooner, but distributors have this whole 4-month waiting thing. Grrrr.

Jake

qirien wrote: The one thing that turned me off a little from the book was the one or two gratuitous scantilly-clad female characters. Luckily, the superb content of the book, and the other good illustrations sort of negated that.

"I didn't get irked by the numerous (and gratuitous) scantily clad male characters in the book."

Good for you. But, for the record, I didn't really like those, either. :-) I mean, I guess it's fine if someone has a *reason* for being scantily-clad, ie, they're a barbarian from a hot climate, they're a cabaret dancer, etc. I guess that's what I mean by "gratuitous" - there's no apparent reason for their attire, except to be provacative to the readers. Anyway, you don't have to agree with me, but I do reserve the right to be offended at whatever I want. :-)

But, there's just no way that any one would voluntarily wear a chainmail bikini for fighting. I just can't believe that. Of course, if someone wore clothes like that in a game I was GMing, I would probably give them social penalties (or bonuses) depending on the company . . . bwah ha ha ha!

Anyway, like I said, it wasn't really a big deal, but it did make me go, "huh, that's pretty dumb and unrealistic" once or twice. Since I thought maybe no one had ever said anything about this before, I thought it would be good if people knew that some people feel that way. Don't worry; I still love tRoS! :-)

Not sure this belongs here, but didn't want to start a new thread. They aren't in the forum here yet. but We did charachter creation tonight after wrapping up the module for the Iron Kingdoms. I knew i was spending too much energy on the combat side of TROS. the group I've named the system breakers, Love the combat system so much... 5 of the 7 have made MAGES

lol, we have to almost beg someone to play the mage. In the Iron Kingdoms game... I am the only mage. 2nd level mage, 2nd level cleric, 1st level fighter. I wear platemail and my staff is a Great AXE.
As a Dwarf, the only party member with more hit point, is my in game wife, the dwarven cleric... she is 1 level higher.

Not So in TROS. It seems from the SA's that we have a coven going to war with the Satyr Race. They are getting help from a bishop in the Church of the three gods made one(if i got that right) and an escaped pleasure slave from AHR? ok you got me there... I've got no clue on how she fits in.

Brief charachter descriptions... DM from last campaign playing a gifted hafling (his mother was involved with a seelie elf, a Satyr cast glamor on himself to impersonate the elf and impregnated her. When it turned out the Elf's child was Half satyr, they were permanantly split. Knowing too much about his past... The Halflinf is looking forward to the day when he can say "Hello! my name is ......... You raped my mother, Prepare to Die." I guess i'll make it a 6 fingered Satyr. After the trauma of growing up half satyr in a human community... Killing DAD isn't enough, all satyrs must Die. This conflicts beautifully with his conscience. And in the impossible quest Category... He seeks for the seelie elf to accept him as his son... His signature Formalized spell? To make the Target charachter act as a magnet for vermin class creatures for a minute per success. In line of sight of the target, fleas and ticks, lice, and mosquitos will travel at 10y a second to gather on the target. Spell of three CTN 8. As a half-satyr.. naturally he took lecherous.

A scottich Druid from a wee Glen hidden deep in a forrest. love of glen, Faith that The Land provides all, and A burning Desire to fill in the Gaps in his knowledge left by the secluded upbringing in the glen. He has an undergrowth/vines grow/entagle spell of three, slowing travel to a crawl across a 200 foot square piece of ground. Also dabbles as an herbalist naturally.

A wizard who is intent on learning the hidden secrets in magic, and the ultimate secret of magic his destiny is to have his magic determine the fate of a kingdom.

A gifted Bookworm who was raised by monks he has just discovered in old records that he was only survivor from the destruction of his village... He searches for the rest of the truth, Drive to avenge his village, And a burning desire to not be powerless against the world. This charachter took the intriguing step of starting with F in proficencies and Vaguaries (NO TRAINING).

Another mage still being born. Destined to marry the daughter of a king. His drive, To build a new city where mages and common folk prosper together.

The female pleasure slave from AHR is destined to become the heir to a kingdom. Hmm we have the destiny marry the daughter of a king on another charachter..... She has NO memory of her life before AHR. Beauty of the Ages, Not gifted...(as a mage anyways) this charachter is only roughed out, but it is better than the tantric wizardess the player almost made, This gaming store isn't the place for the ritualized gestures she was going to have to make to cast her spells. The half-satyr was disappointed by her change direction, but not too much.

Lastly the bishop of the church, Youngest son of a landed nobleman.. he didn't want to be a soldier, so daddy bought him a nice cushy job. as a landed bishop. this charachter is only roughed out slightly... this player is the only one who missed jakes demo... and the only one who hasn't bought the book yet. Everyone else in group bought book in the last month afterJakes demo. the store has reordered 3 times, only has one on shelf and I am running an open demo tonight to try and move it.

Well thats my group, 6 people that played in Jakes demo at the store, or watched parts of it. + 1 more. You know the game is a hit, when domestic partners get two copies of the rule book so they don't need to share. Way to go JAKE.

Where did I learn of TRoS?

Well, you see, I was looking for Russian porn...

Sykora wrote: Where did I learn of TRoS?

Well, you see, I was looking for Russian porn...

Claymore wrote:
Jake, when will Beasts and Men be solicited through game trader?



Like I said...unnoficially, Feb or March...

Its not that we can't get it out sooner, but distributors have this whole 4-month waiting thing. Grrrr.

Jake




I don't understand this. The book doesn't need to be completed four months in advance, just solicated 3-4 months in advance. If your target date date was December, you would of needed to get the infomation in by late August/early September. If you didn't realize that, it should be enough time to get into the next Game Trader soliciting for January, or Febuary at the latest. This would be ideal as the typical buyer has all of his or her "Christmas" money to spend. All you need is a stock number and price (cover is great but not absolutely necessary) If you are having any problems I know the buyer personally, drop me a line. I also know a company that handles distribution directly for smaller press companies by the name of Unicorn.

Claymore

qirien wrote:
The one thing that turned me off a little from the book was the one or two gratuitous scantilly-clad female characters. Luckily, the superb content of the book, and the other good illustrations sort of negated that.

quot;qirien]Good for you. But, for the record, I didn't really like those, either. :-) I mean, I guess it's fine if someone has a *reason* for being scantily-clad, ie, they're a barbarian from a hot climate, they're a cabaret dancer, etc. I guess that's what I mean by "gratuitous" - there's no apparent reason for their attire, except to be provacative to the readers. Anyway, you don't have to agree with me, but I do reserve the right to be offended at whatever I want. :-)

But, there's just no way that any one would voluntarily wear a chainmail bikini for fighting. I just can't believe that. Of course, if someone wore clothes like that in a game I was GMing, I would probably give them social penalties (or bonuses) depending on the company . . . bwah ha ha ha!

Anyway, like I said, it wasn't really a big deal, but it did make me go, "huh, that's pretty dumb and unrealistic" once or twice. Since I thought maybe no one had ever said anything about this before, I thought it would be good if people knew that some people feel that way. Don't worry; I still love tRoS! :-)

Thirsty Viking wrote:
Better question... when can i send a paypal payment to Driftwood Publishing for you to ship me a copy :-) I'd want it signed by you and brian... but i think i remember he lives in newzealand or austrailia or somewhere... lol not good. Maybe i can get him to sign it at gencon next year.

qirien wrote:
The one thing that turned me off a little from the book was the one or two gratuitous scantilly-clad female characters. Luckily, the superb content of the book, and the other good illustrations sort of negated that.

I played at Origins (ran the sorcerer character). I really liked the magic system for one. Second, the game and system was clearly well thought out.

The other thing that hooked me was how well you ran the game (not specifically TROS, but more generically). You ran a great game, which is saying something under convention circumstances!

Lastly, I want to mention that you actually have a GOOD index in your book and almost the last thing in the book. Thank you!

The state of indices in most RPG books is pathetic. Quite a few don't have one. Most of the ones that do, have lame ones. And perhaps the worse offence (to me at least) is sticking it 20+ pages from the end of the book! (Think the DnD3E Player's Handbook [which is in my closet now and not on my shelf]. Apparently the 2nd printing has even more crap after the index.) What's the point of the index if I have to know the friggin' page of the index???

Okay, 'nuff ranting for now!


Cary

qaphsiel wrote: Lastly, I want to mention that you actually have a GOOD index in your book and almost the last thing in the book. Thank you!