Game Geeks #49 The Savage World of Solomon Kane

[darnpenguin]

Shane Lacy Hensley wrote for Eden's Army of Darkness game, so I'm sure you're already forgiven for going astray.

[taranaich]

Clive Barker's Undying - 2001.

"Red Shadows", first Solomon Kane story - 1928.

Conan is pronounced the Irish way. That's how the Irish pronounce it, that's how Howard pronounced it... that's how it's pronounced. i.e., Cawn-n'n, not Koe-nahn.

As for Solomon Kane being a "prototype" for Conan: not seeing it. They're both though-as-nails warriors who wander the earth with black hair, and that's really all they share. Cormac Fitzgeoffrey and Kull are more like Conan than Kane is.

[phaedruslive]

thats not true at all. romans referred to all tribal civilizations as 'celtic' and the word by definition conjures more galeic than hybernian references. his cimmerian people were more closely modeled after early scottish and welsh barbarism. of course theres been an enormous in-flux of irrational irish tribalism and you see folks trying to lay claim to everything.

[taranaich]

Howard specifically notes that the Hyborian-Age Cimmerians were the ancestors of the Gaels and the Highland Scotch in "The Hyborian Age" essay. Novalyne Price Ellis confirms Howard's pronunciation of Conan in her memoirs, "One Who Walked Alone."

I agree there's a lot of Hiberno-centrism running about, but this is a case where it's not totally misguided.

[phaedruslive]

fair enough. however, conan with all be KO-NAN to me. in my mind it suits him better. its proud and bash, not unlike the man himself

[Wened]

reminds me about Clive Barker's Undying. Kinda

[Qwufi]

well the world was created a bit earlier than Clive Baker.

[smilingburrito]

With the popularity of Conan O'Brien, you'd think people would stop mispronouncing the name Conan. Still, nice review.

[Amaraxis]

he pronounced the Barbarians name correctly

....

[smilingburrito]

Only if you go by the terrible movies and not by Robert E. Howard who gave Conan a Celtic name because Conan was a pseudo-Celt. Seriously, do some research.

[clayisajedi444]

lol "I'm gonna stop talking now.... sorry"

[finniksa]

I was thinking of doing something with Savage Lands, but instead of mixing in Buffy/Angel, I might go for a Call of Cthulhu sort of vibe.. Haven't talked to my players yet, since amazingly enough, we're still happily doing Ravenloft... :P

[NodDisciple1]

Cthulhu would fit nicely /w Solomon Kane as Howard and Lovecraft were friends and would insert/mix beings and monsters in thier various stories.

Example (REH): In one of the "Pheonix and The Sword" drafts, Epemetrius' Tomb had statues of Cthulhu and other Old Ones.

HPL Example: I can remember which tale, but in one of them a 20's-30's era protagonist communicated /w a War Chief from Cimmeria and various other beings from other times and planets past and present via dreaming.

[Ahrimanius666]

Sorry I know this aint a Eden review but I could not resist.

My Unigames are the same I use every Book in the line.Terra Primate is an Invaluable Resource when using the Full Classic System.

Kurt you ever tried Playing Angel Feng Shui Style? Best fun I ever had with Cinematic Unisystem.

[Fietje42]

Hey, that digest sized, orange-purple book in front of your right hand ... I think it's still smoking a bit! Watch out! ;)

[knwiegel]

How many out of work comedians in the world and you're trying to be funny. Geeze....

I kid, I kid

[affablevagrant]

Thanks for doing a SW plot-point game! I'd like to see more in the future! Good job!

[Ahrimanius666]

Move away from the Unisystem Why would I want to do that:)

Also I would love to see Witchcraft or Armageddon reviewed.

[knwiegel]

I intend to every time, but (1) I forget and (2) I always think I've done it already.

I'm never likely to leave my precious, precious unisystem.

Even though I have a bag of Fading Suns right now.

[ShubertCVGC]

I would also love to see you review the other unisystem games. So far, I've bought every single unisystem book you've reviewed, All Tomorrow's Zombies is one of the best purchases I've ever made.

[knwiegel]

I actully backed off because my producer said that we'd done too many. I'll do more in teh future. I'm runnign a Torchwood-style game now using almost all the full unisystem books. Big fun.

[ShubertCVGC]

Awesome review Kurt, very well done!

[acm4bass]

Gasp! mess with Angel, Buffy, or Firefly and you'll wake up with more than a knock at your door.

.......................ES

[Jeffrywith1e]

I like how you felt the need to whisper the alternate Buffy game option. Good stuff.

Kurt, this may be a stupid question, but have you actually run these games you review for your group?

[astareth9]

Good, I'll check them out, could you make an episode about how can people create or publish their own games?, how hard is it, or what have in mind.

thanks, I love your program,

[astareth9]

First, to comment! sweet!, thanks for the review.

What can you recomend, for a setting pulp like, like the shadow, indiana jones or the rocketeer??.

[knwiegel]

Go with Hollow Earth Expedition + Secrets of the Surface World or All Flesh must be Eaten + Pulp Zombies. All good products, both provide a lot of good pulp action.

[Kergillian]

Go with Savage Worlds.

You don't need anything else except maybe a history book.

The Savage Worlds core book does pulp with zero modification needed. But if you want some really good ideas, buy the Savage Worlds Pulp tool kits available as pdf files from RPGnow dot com.

The Savage Worlds message boards are full of free support for any rpg setting you could imagine!

[steelmax73]

The Revised Edition of Two-Fisted Tales

Spirit of the Century

[walt776]

You ask one question and get 10 different answers :) Anyway, I also say get the Savage Worlds core book (only $10) and get the pulp toolkits from Pinnacle's online store. Hollow Earth Expedition also is wonderful for ideas, although I think its system is a little clunky. As for Spirit of the Century, I'm not sold on its FATE system, because after a while there is a certain sameness to all the encounters. That said, I think FATE is good for more story-centered games, such as a pulp mysteries.

[Fairlyhyperman]

Spirit of the Century; nothing better.