reports:Another new game was being presented at Gen Con as well. Shadowstar Games, Inc. owner Mark O'Bannon created Fantasy Imperium, a historical fantasy role-playing game. While that combination may seem like an oxymoron, the game takes pains to present a world based on Medieval Europe, its cultures and technology. Fantasy elements such as Dragons, Elves and Dwarves are added. Characters do not have classes, levels or alignments, but professions. They can have magical abilities as well. Some example characters are a vintner who's wines act as potions, a beggar who can literally curse those who are uncharitable, and a fortune teller who really is gifted with the ability to see the future.
The book is heavily illustrated, with images making up about a third of the content. Included in that are 500 illustrations of historical weapons and armor – each keyed to indicate the time period when they became available. There are two full-color maps at either end of the book. The first shows the political boundries of Europe and North Africa in 1121 AD, while the map in the rear inside cover depicts the situation in 1348 AD.
Heavy emphasis is given to the story aspects of the game. Rather than spell points and the like, magic and abilities arise from character development and the plot – devised by the gamemaster. Combat tends to be quick and lethal, with attacks and defensive actions based on percentile rolls compared to the character's skills. Weapons range from daggers and pole arms to rapiers and firearms and on to include siege weapons. Larger weapons' slower speeds directly affect the initiative rolls, and characters are given the choice to attack or defend during combat. If a player rolls a percentile equal to or less than their character's skill, then an attack will succeed. The defender takes an immediate skill check to see if they can dodge, block with a shield, or otherwise avoid being hit – again requiring a roll equal to or less than their skill level with shield, etc. In the event of a successful hit, the location where the blow landed is determined and whether it penetrated any armor in that area. Ten points dealt to a character's head will render that character unconcious.
Combat may take place in other forms as well, including, spiritual warfare (such as that against spirits, demons or the like), psychic, unarmed and dream warfare. Historical actions such as crossing oneself, for example, grant benefits – 5 points of spiritual armor in this case.
There are 13 disciplines of magic in four major types within the game. Magic can be very powerful with players being able to enchant items and places. But there is danger in its use as well. Failing a skill check can lead to negative results such as demonic posession, or "burn out" where the magical ability is lost with fatal results.
Characters have "luck points" which can help mitigate the hazards of physical or magical extremes with the expenditure of a few points limiting the damage to being able to eliminate the damage (or even the event itself) with the expenditure of more points. Further information can be found at shadowstargames.com.
A few rows over is Darkson Design's booth. Robert Kingery and his wife, Crystal, have returned for their second Gen Con. Robert reports that "we did well" on Thursday, but Friday looked to be better. Their booth featured their range of Alternate Events World War 2 figures, which Robert described as "retro sci-fi."
Their new figures are the American sniper and Buffalo walker, the German Altered Gorilla and "Fraulein Raina Tod" (Warrior Death). The latter is a convention exclusive. She will be available only at conventions, or from their website darksondesigns.com during the conventions. She has a choice of heads, among other things. A variant on her will be released at a later date. The sniper figure contains a lot of options, including two heads – one with softcap, the other with netted helmet – a choice between rifle or silenced pistol, and a choice between ghillie suit or the rifle (broken down for transport as a pack).
Currently, their range consists of figures portraying Germans, Americans and Russians. Robert indicates that their are plans for other factions within these nationalities, but for the moment there is one faction each. The Germans are represented by the Geneticists, who have "revived" gravely wounded soldiers as Emaciated Troopers who are no longer entirely human. Techs represent the Americans as they bring to bear weapons and equipment designed by Nikolai Tesla. Troops with flamethrowers and a Tesla lightning gun are on the way as well. The Soviets are made up largely by the Stalinists and their chumans – chimp/human hybrids will be produced soon.
Darkson plans on releasing two boxed sets in the first part of December. Consisting of 6 figures each, one set will represent the Germans, and the other the Americans. Quick-start rules will also be included. Advanced rules are still in beta, and can be downloaded for free from their website.
Darkson is also selling scenery from Pegasus Hobbies, as well Revelation Miniatures.