I had my 'Gothic Transylvania' campaign blow up in my face due to a religious 'friend' freaking out because of this book's 'Satanic' content from Mayfair games.
Witches is one of my all time favorite books from Mayfair before they went into bankruptcy in the 90's due to T$R lawsuit.
This book has a lot going for it. High production standards and it has the late Nigel Findley's fine touch (I miss that guy's work, he was a great author of gaming in the early nineties before he passed away).
Witches is one of my all time favorite books from Mayfair before they went into bankruptcy in the 90's due to T$R lawsuit.
This book has a lot going for it. High production standards and it has the late Nigel Findley's fine touch (I miss that guy's work, he was a great author of gaming in the early nineties before he passed away).
For centuries, witches have been a source of fear and trepidation. Even in this day and age, the imagery of pots of gruel, bony beckoning fingers, and turning princes into toads brings on a chilling feeling.
Now, within the pages of Mayfair's Witches Sourcebook the witch is brought to life exhibiting her magical powers. All of the necessary information for including the witch as a new character class are contained within these pages. Each of the eight distinct witchcraft traditions: Classical, Dianic, Golden Dawn (of which the famous occultist Aleister Crowley was a member), Wiccan, Voodoo Animistic, Elemental, and Deryni (based on the series of Katherine Kurtz) is outlined in the book. Each of the witchcraft traditions has its own view of the world and its own respective culture. The book also encompasses new spells, new magic items, a sample witch character, and other must-have game-related information.
The Witches Source book will certainly spark player's imaginations and enhance game play in any fantasy role-playing adventure or campaign.
As I said the book has quite a bit going for it and its pretty well researched into the various historica and mythic takes on the class.
Because of the material that was in 'Tourist Guide To Transylvania' I began looking into the Fairy Witch from the book to help illustrate some of the witches that are found along the various parts of the fictional campaign. Fairy Witches are closely allied with 'The fey' who are indeed a boon and a dark as well as sinister part of this. "Each of the eight distinct witchcraft traditions: Classical, Dianic, Golden Dawn (of which the famous occultist Aleister Crowley was a member), Wiccan, Voodoo Animistic, Elemental, and Deryni (based on the series of Katherine Kurtz) is outlined in the book. Each of the witchcraft traditions has its own view of the world and its own respective culture. "
It takes each of these along with the Classic witch of myth and legend allowing the DM to weave them into their games.
This book along with To Hell and Back are two of my all time favorites and really filled in the gap for me during this campaign. Since the retroclone and OSRIC movements within the OSR these have once again become solid pieces of gaming especially for the horror gaming crowd.
Paizo has these on sale but I'd wait to see if you can get them on the cheap.
Right over
HERE
It takes each of these along with the Classic witch of myth and legend allowing the DM to weave them into their games.
This book along with To Hell and Back are two of my all time favorites and really filled in the gap for me during this campaign. Since the retroclone and OSRIC movements within the OSR these have once again become solid pieces of gaming especially for the horror gaming crowd.
Paizo has these on sale but I'd wait to see if you can get them on the cheap.
Right over
HERE
As for the campaign, don't sweat it folks. This isn't the first time I've faced this sort of thing.
I'll grab a couple of more players and be off again.
Man, I do miss the work of Nigel Finley though. The man was a genius and Rpg writing is still missing him.
I'll grab a couple of more players and be off again.
Man, I do miss the work of Nigel Finley though. The man was a genius and Rpg writing is still missing him.
I love witches too. They're great characters and not as done-to-death as other classic villains. The Wicked Witch of the West, Maleficent, and Baba Yaga are among the all-time greatest characters.
ReplyDeleteIn my current game I have a recurring witch named Dagfina who is heavily inspired by Baba Yaga. She also has three aspects, like the Norns. The players have met all three aspects though they don't know it's all the same being.
They're among my favorites and this sounds like a fantastic game Fractal! Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. I remember getting it in the early 90s and having a lot of fun with it. I loved the idea of the Traditions, something I had been playing around with myself after Dragon 114 came out. Only I had called them "Styles" back then.
ReplyDeleteMayfair always had a nice product back then.
The fact that the Mayfair products were/are a bit underpowered as well compared with many D20 products is another thing to take into consideration as well. They work very well for most retroclone games however!
ReplyDeleteDragon 114 was a real game changer though it brought the Witch class into complete focus. The nice part about this book though is that it can be used for both modern and Od&d style games making a 'Keep' style game a snap. Characters from the ancient past and modern effecting a location a reality. I have two copies of this book one given by a dear friend whose a Wiccan priestess.
Mayfair was pretty damn good for the money as well.
Thanks for the comment my friend.