In the Community Content Spotlight, I write up a short review of a GUMSHOE community content title, all of which are available on DriveThruRPG. See this page if you’re interested in creating something for our Community Program! Apocrypha, by Michael Rees, was another entry in our GUMSHOE Community Content Contest last year. It provides 214 […]
By Kevin Kulp Swords of the Serpentine (abbreviated SotS, or #SerpentineRPG) is Pelgrane Press’s new GUMSHOE sword & sorcery game by Emily Dresner and Kevin Kulp. It features morale-based social combat, a freeform sorcery system, cinematic combat, a canal-strewn setting that echoes classic fantasy cities like Lankhmar and Ankh-Morpork, and an Allegiance system that let […]
The Combat Modifiers section on page 171 of the core book suggests giving +2 to attacks that have “advantageous circumstances” and -2 to attacks from adverse circumstances. The bonus can come from a particularly clever use of the terrain or a surprising combat maneuver. A bonus might also come from some special circumstance of the […]
In the latest episode of their ummissable podcast, Ken and Robin talk unskippable F20 encounters, esoteric secrets of the London Eye, dream sequences in film, and that time pirates stopped the metric system.
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A scenario hook for The Yellow King Roleplaying Game: This Is Normal Now The investigators step into the path of the rubbery yellow entities called hazmats when they look into the disappearance of an environmental activist. They discover that she had planned to go undercover as an employee of a toxic waste disposal company called […]
In the latest episode of their inchoately terrifying podcast, Ken and Robin talk conclusive endings to ambient horrors, Barrett’s Privateers, Haunted West, and the Dead Man’s Hand.
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On the Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff podcast we recently wrapped our series on the various axes or oppositions that distinguish tabletop RPG designs. For future reference, here’s the list: A game has Elegance if all of its subsystems work in the same way, stemming from a central resolution mechanic, or is Ornamented if […]
In the latest episode of their furtive, pheasant-eating podcast, Ken and Robin talk compensating for GM skill when playtesting, Hassan-i Sabbah, Mutant City Yellow King, and alien big cats.
Within the creaking bones of this old home, you sit in awkward silence with faces you’d rather not speak at around a lavish table. You puppeteer your words and motions with cautious care, ensuring you don’t step out of line or startle any of the other guests. You play along until the bell rings. Dinner […]
In the latest episode of their lantern-equipped podcast, Ken and Robin wrap up the axes of RPG design series and talk about the wire game, Peruvian mine goblins, and the Georgia Guidestones.