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Lion & Dragon (a brief review)
Some initial thoughts.
In general, the writing's not bad. I wouldn't say Pundit is the flashiest of writers, but it's solid enough. And seems to have actually been proofread which is rarer than in should be with modern rpgs.
The presentation is excellent. Well laid out with a logical order. And the use of period artwork is really evocative. Bonus points for actual proper bookmarks. An index would have been helpful but it's put together well enough that the lack of one isn't that vital. (A bibliography would have been even better but a lot of rpg authors seem strangely averse to that concept).
I've not seen them in play but the mechanics seem decent. Based on OD&D but with their own twists. The new (non Vancian) magic system looks like a lot of fun. The herb list is also good. (Obviously influenced by Maelstrom but that's standard for herb lists in RPGs.)
The claim to being "medieval-authentic" is less convincing. I won't go through picking up every historical error (villains were cottars, not townsfolk), but I will say that you can't legitimately claim to be the only true medieval fantasy game, based entirely on what people at the time believed and then put Moorcockian alignment at the centre of your game. I'd say it's about as historical as Dragon Warriors. It certainly mines actual folklore for ideas but it uses it in a fictionalised and fantastical way. This sours the game somewhat for me. Normally, lack of historical accuracy doesn't bother me. But if you're going to make sweeping statements like "Lion & Dragon will have you discovering real medieval fantasy for the very first time" damn right I expect academic textbook levels of research from your game. (Especially as, while the system is awful, Fantasy Wargaming did the whole "medieval fantasy RPG based on real beliefs from the time" thing far more accurately back in 1981).
This doesn't detract from the fact it's a good game.
Who should pick this up:
Definitely: Anybody who likes/runs Dark Albion. I don't own Dark Albion myself but from what I can tell this is a no brainer if you want something to go with that.
Probably: If you fancy an OSR version of WFRP. I haven't gone into detail but the game is heavily influenced by WFRP from chaos cults toskaven ratmen. If you like the WFRP setting but prefer a D&D based system this is an excellent option.
Possibly: If you want a game that is in pundit;s words "20th century fantasy with a slight medieval veneer" but does things a bit differently. It's a bit more medieval themed than your average Tolkein influenced high fantasy and a lot darker and grittier than your standard dungeon crawl. I'd have to get Dark Albion to know from sure but what I've picked up from L&D is that it's a good low fantasy OSR setting.
Avoid: If you want a historical game, even one with magic and mythology. Pick up Malestrom: Domesday instead.
Some initial thoughts.
In general, the writing's not bad. I wouldn't say Pundit is the flashiest of writers, but it's solid enough. And seems to have actually been proofread which is rarer than in should be with modern rpgs.
The presentation is excellent. Well laid out with a logical order. And the use of period artwork is really evocative. Bonus points for actual proper bookmarks. An index would have been helpful but it's put together well enough that the lack of one isn't that vital. (A bibliography would have been even better but a lot of rpg authors seem strangely averse to that concept).
I've not seen them in play but the mechanics seem decent. Based on OD&D but with their own twists. The new (non Vancian) magic system looks like a lot of fun. The herb list is also good. (Obviously influenced by Maelstrom but that's standard for herb lists in RPGs.)
The claim to being "medieval-authentic" is less convincing. I won't go through picking up every historical error (villains were cottars, not townsfolk), but I will say that you can't legitimately claim to be the only true medieval fantasy game, based entirely on what people at the time believed and then put Moorcockian alignment at the centre of your game. I'd say it's about as historical as Dragon Warriors. It certainly mines actual folklore for ideas but it uses it in a fictionalised and fantastical way. This sours the game somewhat for me. Normally, lack of historical accuracy doesn't bother me. But if you're going to make sweeping statements like "Lion & Dragon will have you discovering real medieval fantasy for the very first time" damn right I expect academic textbook levels of research from your game. (Especially as, while the system is awful, Fantasy Wargaming did the whole "medieval fantasy RPG based on real beliefs from the time" thing far more accurately back in 1981).
This doesn't detract from the fact it's a good game.
Who should pick this up:
Definitely: Anybody who likes/runs Dark Albion. I don't own Dark Albion myself but from what I can tell this is a no brainer if you want something to go with that.
Probably: If you fancy an OSR version of WFRP. I haven't gone into detail but the game is heavily influenced by WFRP from chaos cults to
Possibly: If you want a game that is in pundit;s words "20th century fantasy with a slight medieval veneer" but does things a bit differently. It's a bit more medieval themed than your average Tolkein influenced high fantasy and a lot darker and grittier than your standard dungeon crawl. I'd have to get Dark Albion to know from sure but what I've picked up from L&D is that it's a good low fantasy OSR setting.
Avoid: If you want a historical game, even one with magic and mythology. Pick up Malestrom: Domesday instead.