"Gloire"
Written by Pete Murray
Based on the rules by Richard A. Johnson
A Rattrap Production
$17.00 USD USD
"Gloire" is essentially an excellent 15th and 16th century "mod" of the "45 Adventures" pulp miniatures game that many, if not most of us are already familiar with. In this adaptation Pete Murray, the author, has successfully created a world where "heroes clash with sinister enemies of the state and grim villains in dark cloaks and deadly ladies seek to ensnare the proud and the powerful". In short, the novels of Sabatini and Dumas and the films of Errol Flynn are brought to life in this rules set. The system is exactly the same as 45A with additional rules, characters, weapons and scenarios to simulate "swashbuckling adventure in the age of kings" with no problem that I can see with recreating your favorite fictional character or characters of that period.
The rules begin with the same "basics". There are a few small changes to the "Stat line" as Shivs become Blades and Heaters become Muskets. Otherwise Dodge, Speed, Guts, etc. remain the same.
There are some minor changes in the "Actions" section that make them a bit easier to understand and "Snap shot" is not included. Ranged Combat is different than in 45A to reflect the differences between modern weapons and smooth bore muskets and pistols. From what I can see, these modifications are well thought out and will accurately reflect the sort of gun fighting that would have
occurred in the fictional world of this period, but it's in "Close Combat" where these rules really shine! This subsystem is well designed and allows many "Abilities" to enhance and determine a sword fight. These "combat skills" like "Connor's Appel" which "wins all ties in close combat, and all combats where the defender wins by one point" and "De Fontbrune's Pass" where "A model with this ability is never forced back as a result of close combat" add a great deal of period flavor to a skirmish.
The characters are fully rounded with many of the familiar types that you might see or read about in a Dumas novel or in an Errol Flynn movie. As you might imagine, Highwaymen, Ruffians, Courtiers, Master Swordsmen, Military Officers, Sheriffs, Foreign Agents,and Thieves are all here, but the fun surprises are Fops, Executioners, Philosophers, and a Man of the Cloth. There are many other character templates
included as well. Too many to go into here. But if you can't find your favorite among them I'd be very surprised.
Once you've gotten into the rules you'll see that this is Pete's "labor of love". He's an amusing guy in his posts on the HLSS and Gloire Yahoo groups and this sense of humor pervades the rules set as well. There's a very funny section on "how to insult someone to the point of a duel" and many of the character "virtues and flaws" like "Prone to Flattery" where "If the model loses the test it spends it's next activation completely absorbed in self-admiration" and "Disdainful" where "this model may not initiate combat with a model of a lower grade" will allow your scenarios to replicate scenes from your favorite fiction with accuracy. I can see "Rochefort" refusing to fight that "Bumpkin" D'Artangan and "Aramis" stopping in the middle of a swordfight to listen to the compliments of a lady.
In addition to these very imaginative rules there are a couple of very nicely done illustrations and a striking cover! The scenarios are good and there's also a timeline
included to help to determine and inspire your own scenarios too. I found it not only interesting, but informative as well.
The best recommendation that I can give is that I've always found some disappointing element of every rules set that I've ever purchased, but not so with "Gloire". It's all in there, but better still, there are already some
additions on the web site and knowing Rich and Pete there will be more to come! I can't imagine anyone that's interested in this genre not enjoying this very useful rule book. I give it four stars.
