Northern Crown

[Rigon]

Does anyone know anything about this setting? http://www.atlas-games.com/crown/ It reminds me of OS Card's Alvin Maker books. Is it worth getting? I'm starting to get a little burnt out on standard fantasy settings and this caught my eye as I was looking around the old interwebs.

R-

[Treebore]

Nope. Looked at and thought about it a few times, but never went ahead and got it. If you do be sure to let me know what you think about it.

[Rigon]

I looked on Amazon and they have the 2 books for about $15 in hardback. The PDFs are $15 a piece. I might pick them up at some point.

R-

[dachda]

I looked on Amazon and they have the 2 books for about $15 in hardback. The PDFs are $15 a piece. I might pick them up at some point.

R-

Now that I'm living in Maine instead of Oregon, the appeal was too much for me to resist. So I just bought the two books from Amazon. Not sure when I'll have time to read 'em, but I'll try to put up some sort of review when I do.

[dachda]

Oops. I just made the Gazetteer temporarily out of stock on Amazon. Hope that didn't ruffle any one's feathers.

I looked on Amazon and they have the 2 books for about $15 in hardback. The PDFs are $15 a piece. I might pick them up at some point.

R-

Now that I'm living in Maine instead of Oregon, the appeal was too much for me to resist. So I just bought the two books from Amazon. Not sure when I'll have time to read 'em, but I'll try to put up some sort of review when I do.

[Rigon]

No worries D. Let me know what you think of the books. I've always been interested in alternate histories and the early American time period is a great time period.

R-

[Lurker]

Nope. Looked at and thought about it a few times, but never went ahead and got it. If you do be sure to let me know what you think about it.

Wow, I actually have a game that Tree doesn’t

That is a first


I'll start this by saying I never was able to play the game/setting, so this is just from my read through of the rules years ago.

I like the 'idea' of the setting (the mix of real history with the existence of magic) and how the different racial groups are set up, etc. My big issue with it is that it is a 'D20' derivative, so it is more crunchy than I like.

If you like 'alternative' history fiction and like the D20 classes, prestige classes, skills, feats etc etc etc. I would assume you will like the setting.

However, if you don't like the crunch associated with D20, … are you good at converting it to a less 'crunchy' game?

[Rigon]

I'll start this by saying I never was able to play the game/setting, so this is just from my read through of the rules years ago.

I like the 'idea' of the setting (the mix of real history with the existence of magic) and how the different racial groups are set up, etc. My big issue with it is that it is a 'D20' derivative, so it is more crunchy than I like.

If you like 'alternative' history fiction and like the D20 classes, prestige classes, skills, feats etc etc etc. I would assume you will like the setting.

However, if you don't like the crunch associated with D20, … are you good at converting it to a less 'crunchy' game?

Once I have the extra funds to get it, I'll give it a read and decide if I'd want to convert or use 3e materials. Knowing how much I don't like all that crunch, I'd more than likely convert.

R-

[Omote]

I owned these book many years ago. Perhaps the early to mid 2000s(?). I remember loving the idea, but from what I can remember it didn't work out for me. I was looking more for fantasy version of Colonial America (elves, dwarves, etc.), but Northern Crown wasn't that. If I remember correctly, NC pushed the technology forward too so that there were more advanced firearms and whatnot. Ultimately, even for a pretty smooth d20 experience it was, it didn't do anything I was looking for, which was more gothic, colonial-era fantasy.

~O

[Lurker]

I owned these book many years ago. Perhaps the early to mid 2000s(?). I remember loving the idea, but from what I can remember it didn't work out for me. I was looking more for fantasy version of Colonial America (elves, dwarves, etc.), but Northern Crown wasn't that. If I remember correctly, NC pushed the technology forward too so that there were more advanced firearms and whatnot. Ultimately, even for a pretty smooth d20 experience it was, it didn't do anything I was looking for, which was more gothic, colonial-era fantasy.

~O

Rgr that, there aren't any of the normal 'fantasy races' but they should be easy to convert (it is d20 so ...) if you had to have elves and dwarves alongside Davie Crocket

I remember another game I look at back then that wasn't a d20 based game but fit the time/setting of NC. It was something like America Gothic or colonial gothic or something like that. If I remember correctly, it was a skills based game and also leaned a little more to the horror side of the game. But it was a long time ago so I could be off on that!

[Omote]

Colonial Gothic is indeed a game. It's pretty cool, very rules light, and really nothing like traditional fantasy. It's mood and setting intensive, and pretty close to the horror genre. While it doesn't have the fantasy races, it would be easy to add in. I'm more likely to convert the spells from Colonial Gothic to C&C and use the C&C ruleset for my fantastic colonial era games (if I ever do). I'm definitely a fan.

~O

[Rigon]

I'll have to check that game out. Thanks guys. I don't know if I'm so much fascinated by the fantasy aspects or the colonial aspects, but I think I need to look into this a little more.

R-

[Lurker]

The more I think about it, the more I remember a 3rd game I saw right about the same time I found NC. It was .... ?something? hunter... for the life of me I cant remember the name ...

It was more fantasy than NC, and less 'gothic' than the other one. I can't remember why exactly I got NC over the other ones. It may have been on sale or something like that... I admit that I prefer lower fantasy in my settings so that could have been a big selling point for me over the other games.

... I'm more likely to convert the spells from Colonial Gothic to C&C and use the C&C ruleset for my fantastic colonial era games (if I ever do). I'm definitely a fan.

~O

O, a question, would it be easier to convert to C&C or Amazing Adventure ? I have the AA pdf but haven't done more than a quick brush through. Which system would be easier to put the setting material on top of?

[Omote]

Depends on your familiarity with the systems. I'm way more familiar with C&C, so that would be easiest for me.

~O

[Rigon]

I looked at the primer for CG. Not really what I was looking for. I was thinking something more along the lines of OS Card's Alvin Maker series and NC fits that bill more than CG. Now, if Lurker could remember the name of that other setting, I could check that one out too.

R-

[Lurker]

Depends on your familiarity with the systems. I'm way more familiar with C&C, so that would be easiest for me.

~O

Stating the obvious ... I should have thought of that - I guess I'm not getting enough sleep to see that obvious point

That said, I'm not sure C&C (or any D&D/AD&D derivative) fits what I picture the setting as ... I guess the AD&D 2e 'historic' settings came close, so I might have to cede that point right out of the gate ... Hmmm that might actually make it an easy conversion, use the old "Mighty Fortress" rules, update them with C&C, then layer on the NC (or CG which ever you prefer) setting. That will be easier than I thought!

I guess it takes a cup & half of good coffee to get the ole brain to work

... I was thinking something more along the lines of OS Card's Alvin Maker series and NC fits that bill more than CG. Now, if Lurker could remember the name of that other setting, I could check that one out too.

R-

I'm not sure I recognize OS Card's work. I'll have to give it a look see.
That said, I remember the other game !!!! Witch Hunter !!! I don't know anything about it, but I did find the name … hope it helps & isn't an empty rabbit hole to go down …

[Rigon]

... I was thinking something more along the lines of OS Card's Alvin Maker series and NC fits that bill more than CG. Now, if Lurker could remember the name of that other setting, I could check that one out too.

R-

I'm not sure I recognize OS Card's work. I'll have to give it a look see.
That said, I remember the other game !!!! Witch Hunter !!! I don't know anything about it, but I did find the name … hope it helps & isn't an empty rabbit hole to go down …

Here is the Wikipedia entry for the series. It's a very good read and if you like Orson Scott Card's work, you like the series.

And thanks for remembering the name of the other game. I'll look into it as I get the chance.

R-

[Treebore]

Yeah, Witch Hunter's setting is much closer to that of Alvin, the 7th son of the 7th son.

[Omote]

I am also not sure if these Gothic Colonial & Fantasy type games fits with the C&C or D&D-type rules. IMO, the whole of the setting and mood is based on the storytelling between the GM and the players. Definitive, and codified rules don't work as well in those instances when the object is to tell stories that don't focus on combat so heavily. However, and it took me a long time to figure this out, but sometimes it doesn't matter the nature of the rules as long as the emphasis is on the character's stories, and not combat. Hyper detailed rules sets can get in the way of this, but a good GM can usually wring out some of the mechanics. That is one reason why I consider doing a Colonial Gothic game within the C&C framework.

There's also a neat little game of Colonial fantasy called Sabres & Witchery by Simon Washbourne.
http://beyondbeliefgames.webs.com/Sabre ... y%20v1.pdf

~O

[Rigon]

I am also not sure if these Gothic Colonial & Fantasy type games fits with the C&C or D&D-type rules. IMO, the whole of the setting and mood is based on the storytelling between the GM and the players. Definitive, and codified rules don't work as well in those instances when the object is to tell stories that don't focus on combat so heavily. However, and it took me a long time to figure this out, but sometimes it doesn't matter the nature of the rules as long as the emphasis is on the character's stories, and not combat. Hyper detailed rules sets can get in the way of this, but a good GM can usually wring out some of the mechanics. That is one reason why I consider doing a Colonial Gothic game within the C&C framework.

I've been thinking that an adapted StarSIEGE would work well for an altered historical setting.

There's also a neat little game of Colonial fantasy called Sabres & Witchery by Simon Washbourne.
http://beyondbeliefgames.webs.com/Sabre ... y%20v1.pdf

~O

Why have I never seen this before? Now I have to give it a look over and and maybe start thinking about a North America setting.

R-

[Lurker]

I watched the first episode of "Salem" the other night. - It was ok, but a bit to NC-17 for my taste.

It got me thinking again about gaming in that era/setting. With that, is anyone else still chasing this rabbit?

If so what did you go for as the rules of choice?

If I had to, from what I have access to, I think I'd have to use the old AD&D 2e 'Mighty Fortress' supplement as a basis for classes, equipment etc, then mix it with the Northern Crown rules for the setting and more on classes (cutting out the d20 3e crunch and feats etc) then put it on a C&C rules framework (I still think Amazing Adventures or Star Siege may be better, but I'm to green in those rules).

Did anyone look into witch hunter? would it be valuable to look into ?

You know I think I've got some of the old AEG 7th sea &/or the D20 7th Sea conversion books somewhere. They might make good mines for classes etc ...


Oh yeah Omote, thanks for sharing the 'Sabres & Witchery ' game. That could help in makeing the conversions too!

[Rigon]

I watched the first episode of "Salem" the other night. - It was ok, but a bit to NC-17 for my taste.

It got me thinking again about gaming in that era/setting. With that, is anyone else still chasing this rabbit?

If so what did you go for as the rules of choice?

If I had to, from what I have access to, I think I'd have to use the old AD&D 2e 'Mighty Fortress' supplement as a basis for classes, equipment etc, then mix it with the Northern Crown rules for the setting and more on classes (cutting out the d20 3e crunch and feats etc) then put it on a C&C rules framework (I still think Amazing Adventures or Star Siege may be better, but I'm to green in those rules).

Did anyone look into witch hunter? would it be valuable to look into ?

You know I think I've got some of the old AEG 7th sea &/or the D20 7th Sea conversion books somewhere. They might make good mines for classes etc ...


Oh yeah Omote, thanks for sharing the 'Sabres & Witchery ' game. That could help in makeing the conversions too!

I was thinking of using C&C classes with a little bit of tweaking, but could see how AA classes would work here also. As for StarSIEGE, those rules can do just about anything with the right set of trappings.

R-