ay ; ; a ISSUE 16 | : SPRING 2001 | Y | UK £350 US $595 /,faye) 7 eCenany We've boon working anit for along time, but in this issue, we can finally bring you the first part of our Talabeim background. 1 ‘won't talk 100 much about it here, as you can find out all about it ‘on page 15, For now, just let me say that | think everyone involved bas done «great job. We look forward to hearing your thoughts Tid deliberate long and hard about the inclusion of some of the anicles this month ~ fora different reason in each ease. 1 hope that you will write and let me know what you think of these pieces, and in particular whether you'd like to see more like this The fist such pice is 4 Touch of Evil. This article developed fiom an incident in one of my gaming Sesion. I think th article does stand alone, but nevertheless Tam concemed tht it leaves us open to accurations of vanity publishing, I hope you'll agree though that this isnot just a report on the editors gaming session, but a way of exploring some fairly important questions bout the game and its sting {the section on Talabheim I have included what eould best be described as designer's notes, However, this i not usta case of| blowing out own trumpet. Talabheim isthe biggest project that we have taken on and, if sucessful, we hope it wll help people to develop their own campaign sotings. As a result, | thought that Some of you might find these snippets of background and project history entertaining and informative. Last issue, Isai that having extra pages would allow us 1 ty cout some very different ideas, Tiabrel and Aurore falls into this catogory. This is not an article or pioce of game background, but Something else entirely. It amused ws, and we hope it will amuse you too ~ although I'm sure that some readers will conser ita waste of space. As ever, if you fel strongly (either way), we'd love to hear from you. ‘Now it wouldnt be an editorial without a bit ofa rant, To date, I've tended to stay off the topic of Games Workshop, knowing full wel tha I wil be whistling in the wind. It has long boen observed that Games Workshop have litle regard for the consistency oftheir worlds It is disappointing ~ but expected — that they ignore anything from WFRP, and its unfortunate tht their previous WEB background is also easly dismissed or changed. Whats even worse, though, is that few ofthese changes Seem to be deliberate; forthe most part it simply seems to arse fiom a lack of knowledge or respect for the background ‘Should this even bother us? In many ways, no. At an official level, Hogsicad have suffered from having thei work held up by Games Workshop because it doesn’t fit their version of the word However, when thet official version is forever sifting and ‘tating, i it surprise that things don't Fi? It slmostsooms like hypocrisy At an unofficial level we remain rec to pick and choose the background we prefer ~ but this isnot particulary satin. ‘The new version of Warhammer Fantasy Battle brought some of these iss to light again. The designers have moved the date forward to 2520, Although this provides some justifiation for the differences between different versions, inevitably, conflicts betwen the old world and their new version of it keep eropping wp Pat ofthe problem seoms to be Games Workshop's perception of their audience. They aim their games to a certain fge bracket, and thus the idividuols that comprise this are always tycling through it. It doesn't mater if the history ofthe world changes every few years ~ no one will notice. The danger of this fpproach was highlighted when they announeed thatthe sucess fof Pokemon had affected them adversoly. It seems absurd to make no atlempt to hold on those gamers who were once loyal fans Perhaps GW nocd to employ somcone solely to look after thoir world (They do have the Imperial Council who are allegedly responsible for this, but they seem to bo filing in thee task) The publishers of Star Wars Fietion do it. Thoy ensue that a solid and onsstent wold is presented in all the books. Would it relly be 0 had to ensure the Warhammer World was equally well cared for? ‘Well = that’s my rant and froth for this sus; a5 Um sure you've heard enough, on tothe ral stu. England HAISRZ, mall warpstone@bifootcom Webs: wor nrpson dareoreset Editors Jo Foody Joba Keane Atsoiate Editor: Mare Olver & Mel Too Jones ‘Adcoral Proofing: Steve Gee Cover John Keane ‘urna inthe USA: Spener Wate Isetations John em rah Noney lve Bano esteem” Steven Talim Map on pag 28 by Aled Noes, Sobel by Jon Keane Tan Smedley, Bury Sry, Fate Graeme Deis, aes Walls, Pte ‘utervorh,Sebesen Boudri,Alfed Neves N. Arne Damy Anthony Raza, ‘Anew Hind, Ryan Wilma, Peter Hunting, Toby Piling, Like Twigper Tom BO IETS (ey ‘Wepsone | happy eee sumsons of both writen work anda, We wl always respond sa ‘Soo eve they att suite fr puicaton x Warsong you sends ions on eae ack fromusta goons, plse dp saline reminds Fae reps snpy aryrpe of caste ae ‘tihe Wareone canton” 1790 ketene with = abinton we wil ke eine espe Payment ‘A pubisiedcontibton es you se cony of Warton ‘Neurtuppytoresve sso by postor eal Anil shald ea Rich Tex Fama MS Weed Fea. Dike shouldbe 3 een for and arte wih your rare andar ames ‘NC ane hvay king foc sits You mis hae an undensaning ofthe “Warharme se" (wch coves strostange of sles, ast cen! ats wlestify).tu were apy ook talkin ork, whe Sour speci is mops cates, pare or aayhng els Jast Se sa picture yoo tink shoul be Trloded in Wrpstne and sme engl o ry er rh you have de Plensrreaber nolo send Article Submision ‘Narstoo eset inci rice tha sewste une olesor arin themes slestey Inte sae vein ‘we arent ookng fr new monsters, caren, hl god te (Tt a you hoe someting ge ed it in Wee loking for arcs tha expand the wor of Wararme lig ihe ap te pre. Ne bo oot at hw the game lye essing ise leva fi gamer you have an ile tou" not ure whetor tbl sro cine. We wll oui ae are netesed seni devlped. you cou cede sage sone het work you's the sane in, hi wou be sel us ot ese). evens: Nowilavew WERPmatera. youwrshtownie review onsythereease WES.) plese heck with us fstto ate se ean ele ng i” Soul te 60 wor, Commences Wem ways locking fr rs we you pt wos our pint of iw on pie ‘cba Camens, Bie eatuters and avenue tins, Dota xa pies, ony deerptons ‘Scenarios ul eg detalles We repealed ear a dont nde ‘rst ou of giorno Cane atts. Wher hse el hy soud be ah egal pt feet A tbe of gobi with sword a rund weil prove the age that "he ers op et tanh sword. Shor ie Set frm ihe Wrhann Wosd. Sue giles a Sees Cec you watt ee any WERP rooted atl thn tw row, We wl ad 1 the a folowing on the itm the moment Crear As mnie in ue 1D. Not eons, it Desh ut clare an backyrounis er the crest Us Only beCONTENTS Summer 2001 REPORTS FROM THE HEART OF CORRUPTION ‘We take 2 look at the Iitest Hogshesd selesse, Chart of Darkness. “Any compilation like Apocrypha 2: Chart of Darkaess is always going to be a mixed bag, "This is no exeeption.” News of Warpttone in Freach, » couple of reviews and other news. ‘Le Grimoire's team have translated a selection of articles from issues one to ten and put them together with all-new art.” ‘why there should be more of it “Telieve that a glaring omission from the \WERP portfolio isan Empire sourcebook.” Tn time for the release of the final Doomstones book we look st the long history of the #393 “Instead it was converted from a series of Dungeons & Dragons supplements answers, as a throat is it “As the halfling had drawn the blade ecross the boy's throat he had smiled.” Tanbertattr Taian ‘Amour Pits oll Crowe cont Gatder Manenbrg Camas Comey Ratag at Wore Dede slow ‘ere Deney Inger Caesar apres Pits Inge PN esa) ‘Some actes on the bickgrouad of the ‘Telabheim project and how it came it abost “Warpstone had been planning to do the background for a city for some time, inspired {and occasionally frustrated) to some degree by such predecessors as Irillian and Middenieim, amongst others.” erry haere. After all the promises part SJ one arrives. This issve we look at much of at she background and history of the city. “Welcome tothe great city of Talabheim, haven of civilisation amid the dangers of the Great Forest.” Pincers ‘Aa Tnperal play that may seem a little familie. “The true author of this work is one Siegftied Schwartzadler, a cleric of Verena of no small authority.” ne (A serio ect amongst the heighs sod dept of “sbicim “Across The Emp, the power an infuene of te ooblly tas bon shy ered Although till weighty, thereof the midale dla, eopovlly te eeclasn, bas Bown sonsant trea” as ‘The third and final part finds ovr hero discovering the source of hit mistress’ problems Some, like me, are simply men too small t0 care how they make ther living, and too good at murder to do anything else." Vovene Saag ow Manic Pon's Sere Signs, Paty asinos Range WER _Wstmmer Farts tle Senta WER? Watt Fran Roleplay Maarhune SoldDown bei WP” WilPover Sec La WS_ Weapon i ‘Wartnarer Wie Dwar onl Gunes Warshop we ogni talenars sad Wane Fay Repay The ery Win Shaw Over Bogan Dea one RU, Power ‘Behind Troe, Con up th Rel Maiabure Sad Dove te River Apocrypa Nom Apocrypha 2 Ch of Dress, Doone, Mires City of Chaos, Ege in Fars, EnprelnChos Reals Seer he ees el romney. places ad hrs wat de Warhammer wr dare tds of Games Works L a ase wos emtasion Warton reprises the ae and owners ofall copyright ters rginred rar tht ny bee area tthe er aforementioned ni hs pbetion ‘Waptoae ISS 1465-6600 sa inept produced tapas nds pt ovo censor approve by Gaines Worksop Lido Hogshad Publishing Ld. Warpsone ssid wordwide by Hogahed Panic Lt (8-20 Bromell's Ros, Landon, SW4 OBC UR) Alexa meals conti othe spose atorsREVIEWS Apocrypha 2: Chart of Darkness Edited by Graeme Davis Reviewed by John Foody Apocrypha 2: Chart of Darkness isthe sequel, ifyou hadn't guessed, tothe poplar Apocrypha Now! I follows the ‘same format, mixing articles from old White Dwarfs and other long out-of-date WERP- ‘supplements with original ‘material. Another link with ‘Apocrypha Now, teivia fans, is that the cover of both volumes has the same tower. However, in this volume the newer stuiT ‘outweighs the old. Graeme Davis is the editor and primary author here, but he has conscripted the likes of Anthony Ragan and Ken Rolston fortis latest batch of writing. Much ofthe artis also fresh, and indeed in most cases the quality outshines older illustrations. We're pleased to say that many of you will recognise the presence of regular ‘Warpstone artists The book is broken into various chapters, each containing articles on 8 common topic. The firsts Crime & Punishment, which begins with a Took at beggars and other lowlifes including some new careers and sills “This offers a few nice ideas for encounters and background, and adds some depth to Beggar PCs. However, still more could have been done to expand upon the culture of begging itself. This entry is followed by some new rues forthe pickpocket skill which complicate matters but succeed in making the process more realistic. Next up is «handful of spells for Clerics of Ranald. These are potentially fun without being overpowered, Sensible ingredients too, The chapter finishes with a description of four prisons in different locations - mostly Imperial, but with one based inthe Southlands. All are interesting and would be useful ina campaign, The Southlands Colony also offers a potential change of scenery for GMs. wanting to move beyond the Olé World. The background on prison reform inthe Empire is valuable as well. Three adventure hooks are given for using these prison locations, although one is poor ait threatens to ruin the Set-up given inthe main deserption, [Next isa look at aspects of death in the Old World, concentrating on the Cult of Mor. A deseription ofthe cult opens the chapter, looking a its organisation and role. This is sold material, an essential addition to the culture of the world. However, it doesn't go far enough in detailing the workings ofthe cul; it does look ais structure and responsibilities in enough detail, for example. Spells for Clerics of Morr follow, including the introduction of Rituals ~a new kind of magic. The spells Deathsight and Locate Corpse further the Cults role asthe Forensic Scientists of theirday. Deathsight gives almost as many ideas as it causes problems! Sancity ofthe Grave examines the law concerning the dead inthe Old World, and isa very worthwhile addition. funeral parlour is well descried, but is mainly useful for expanding on the role ofthe undertaker. It could be run as an encounter, but isnot hugely inspiring Finally, several encounters are suggested for placing in graveyards of the (ld World, ranging from the good tothe downright daft The following section, People and Places tarts with the first reprint of the book, Otto's Printworks, This san interesting location with entertaining ideas fo expand and use ina wider context. Then comes The Vermillion Pawn, WERP' take on the fantasy magie shop, which plugs @ 2 hole in the game world and may be nice to use as a regula feature in campaigns. Morbog's Marauders i background on a bunch of Ore raiders. Really, this is just a waste of space which perhaps would have been better structured asa soenario. Far too rooted in Warhammer Fantasy Batle, here itis just pointless. The Pandemonium Carnival, on the other hand, is an original encounter from which much can be made. Thankfully it doesn’ fall nto the trap of over reaching itself. The chapter finishes with profiles snd descriptions of Felix and Goirek, the ‘main characters from William King's novels. This is another waste of space, This des not include anything a GM couldn't come up with if they eally wanted to include the duo. ‘With scenario kept forthe final chapter, the penultimate one contains everyting that doesnt fit elsewhere First up is addtional background for character creation, with tables for weight, height, hair colour and loads more. It all seems alittle much, but is ideal to pick and mix from if players want. One effective pats the listing of various names covering the various PC races. This i followed by some new hecbs, introduced by afpalfling herbalist. Herbs generally scem scarce in WERE, and this should help encourage thee use. In many ways they ean prove more interesting than magic. Divination isthe strongest article in the book, expanding onthe skill of the same name. Iis particularly effective where it interconnects with religion. The critical hit and mis tables for divination are also nice, although GMs may have to use them with caution. Although some advice is given, more guidance on how GMs can use Divination in their ‘campaigns would have been welcome. The las entry in the chapter is also the poorest: listing of magic arrows and bows, There isn't much bere that couldn be thought up by GMs to Git their own campaigns “The Scenarios begin with The Ritual, previously presented in The Restless Dead after first seeing the light of day in White Dwarf Itis rather simple, but transcends it limitations by virtue ofits atmosphere, ‘much supplied by the villains. The Affair of the Hiden Jewel is brief, ‘but nea, again witha proper ambience. Its fun to play and takes a differen’ approach to many WFRP adventures, one that works ois advantage, Ironstone Pas is als taken from the pages of White Dwarf. However, this s the weakest ofthe three, sulfering from many ofthe same faults 3s The Ritual but unfortunately not having the character to carry it through. Finally, there comes a new scenario, Deep Trouble in Karak-Zulvor, This is designed to go withthe Doomnstones Campaign and unfortunately saffers from many of the same problmes as that series. Is really just an average dungeon bash, and including an interesting villain doesnt help enough. The best parts are the Warpstone effect rules and the chance to look a the layout ofa dwarf hold, Some ofthe worst areas miror ‘mistakes I felt Ken Rolsten made in Something Rotten in Kislev. Chart of Darkness ends with a redesigned character sheet, Nothing revolutionary here, but it's a good looking template. ‘Any compilation ike Apocrypha 2: Chart af Darkness is always going tobe a mixed bag. This is no exception. Overall itis less useful supplement than te fist, but not by much, as both contain their share of poor articles. As with Apocrypha Now, the weaker pieces seem to be esigned for WFB. The magic items and all the seenarios, o some ‘degree, feel dated. Its also-8 book aimed finmly at GMs, withthe few ‘materials relevant to players mixed in amongst the GM's pieces. [could have been improved by giving more detail on various background topics «five more pages on the Cult of Mor, say, rather than magic arrows. However, {sl think the volume is an essential buy for WFRP GMs, even if only forthe Cult of Mor, the information on divination and the locations. This is especially true if you dont own the older aticles. You ‘may need to work a expanding some ofthe material, but this isnt a bad ‘hing; we are all used to this. twas a wise decision to introduce mare original material rather than just relying on the ok. If there is third volume, we can only hope that it willbe comprised of entirely new ‘material rather than dredging up anything tha’ stil left lying around, Warpstone - Issue SixteenWARPSTONE FRAGMENTS } BRIEF REVIEWS AND NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WARHAMMER S Warpstone gocs French! E ssu 18 ofthe French WERP magazine, Le Grimoire, was a Best Of Warpstone special. Le Grimoire team have translated a selection of ales from issues one to ten and put them togetier with all-new art. The articles ‘hat appear in his Warptone wpecal are Secrets of the ‘Warhammer Artists (by Graeme Davis), The Templars of Sigmar, Ulric and Myrmii (by Peter Huntingdon, ‘emplats of Manana (by Antony Ragan), Other Templars (by John Foody and Tim Eecles), Prosthetics (by John Foody), Witch-Humtrs and Clees of Shaya (both by Tim Eocles). Am interview with James Wallis of Hogshead Publishing is also included, aswell as Te| Dwar inthe Moon (by Sebastien Boudaud) Le Grimoire 18 is avilable from Sebastien Boden 3 Rue Andre Le Notre, 49300 Choke, France for 95 BY scancs or checkout winlegrimoiresnet for me deals Tosll those of you awaiting our own Best of Warpstone, we sll ave an announcement neat issue REVIEW by Tim Eccles boxed supplemens forth hen)Chaosion game “gion 2 Kh WARPSTONE : Ro Isste Two of Legion, the (er) ocason newsketrmin fanzine rom he Wapstone team, was etl subcribers with issue fourten, Issue One his been available on the Warstone website fr some ine now and has proved very poputartndced, tis so popular the British Lay contacted ust ak hen the ner fue was om cut) las two willbe ave fom hee soon, Bergiborg Nensletr Also enclosed wit subscribers’ copes of issue 14 was the firs issue ofthe Bergsburg Newsleer Write by Luke Twiggs it gave some background to the project and included a fee scenario, Ifyou would like know moee shout the Beresbung projet checkout ne geocitin com Iuke_swiggertbb_index ml Kin Newma Wiser Congratulations to James MeGraw, who answered the ‘question, “Which character will you id in both Anno ‘rocula und Drachenfls?, corey. The answer was Genevieve Dieudonné.A signed copy of Life Lotery is ‘with James as we speak, ‘The Knights of the Rose and Crots (Supplement for 7 Sea) Preis 6 Big Rubble ‘ales of the Reaching Moos Elsewhere Iron Crown have gone bankrupt and Wizards ofthe Coast have aid off one hundred and fifty stalin the wake ofthe Pokemon sondown * Games Workshop are to produce 2 This reviewing | Lord of the Rings games movie tein (more net issue) * lacks ota easy issue 4, 1 reviewed 7h Sen ‘ita miner of favourable faigeesting that Hogshead and WERP could learn a thing oF two front the me and the Support it vas recelving Untitunatly. ny igh hopes appear to have been sadly unfounded. Te nights ofthe Robe nd Cros snot bid produ, bt Jsnocetcly turing eter The supplement pups > fxamine » Théahan secret society. Se it does Unruly thre senso bea shariles tempt simply ip off el woralstory by changing ew nes. tnd throwing in lt of NPC descriptions of dba ‘wath The problem tthe that should approve of thesthigsThave long aged nthe pages of Wario ito ahe constant srs of my group, that WERP would be mch beter tha mere sensible nl appropri fteal history. Equally hiek developing NPCs no ea people and not simply endboard stereotypes sence, Unforunately, 7 Seo appear o be degenerating ito oversiplinichiory, and bing tis By changing 90 od eter witia the names of people ad owes. ti think tt Sr ie ome net ese and is splemen ray well be worth the money, bu the honeymoon i efiely over 'm on safer ground with Pai & Big Rubble, o releate of # long outof-print classic Rineguest ‘Supplement, which ic aot going to let me down inthe fie. Okay the ter ‘lassi’ oe and ie ‘an often be very hats om what were once deemed ‘lass. For those of yu who don’t know these were Warpstone - Issue Sixteen ‘Runes in ts second edton guise, So, how have they fred over the yess? From a WFRP pespecve, thre site of immediate interest, Since Runequest was seinan ostensibly braze age word fall Goran However, whist this means tht it ‘omnotbepulld sight he shel, argue nmany way) walazod the hemes pushed by WERP humo (ether a very Americanized syle), roleplaying over hacking andthe development of eiferen human and ‘monster cues, The book offers eam for acy (avis) andthe mc larger uns suronding (8g Robbe). The ety is 2 hotbed of inigy, Between ts aman ntabians, wllsand oer non-human. Theta ate a lassie ht word an «ace a presented inthe Goran world, and additions interes eae by 60 competing human “ation”. These ae the descendants ofthe ovigaa inubians and theater uma invades, ‘he Lonar, Te lt rls the evasion of RPGs as they are snlyporayed ee a ated eden OF ancvilempire, whereas nthe cument Hero Wars version ofthe gue the areregreseniedasan qual validclure ‘with relative bt sacs, Whilst find some of ‘hence senatios very pemitve, ches are mich more developed andthe overal background isexrerel ch ‘There ave a numberof production issues, electing the problems Hogshead hs hal with eprint of the WERP ipplements Te otis aril, andthe peoduct shy no rans 35 groan reskng now ae i wae ent) years go = tow could ibe? That sid if you cannot find nything in here wor eaing and, tain, then you aren the wrong hobby. Pos Big Rubble indeed ‘taste proda, dated sound the edges, tt slag nd wort read ‘The same basic problem oftelevanc forthe Old World hols frth for Toles of the Reaching Mon, a Runeguest (Ge Hero Wars now tha anew Glan game 0) magazine Hoes very good value for money inten of presenti ard sie, nd if oa think Warpstne offers ‘ood production values, Tals probably surpasses it Anyway, Tales is excellently produced wits hgh quality aera My ony ericsm fora WFRP readership that “The pic on pg 30 of lst issue was Olivier Berger's. if you dons now the Runoquet game (as wan world ‘of Gloranha at af then you might bea litle lest. The world is ruber more unique than most fantasy virorments and Tales very thorough im examining Is sabect. Ifyou fed some of what in Warpsone 8 tse oo ‘academic’, then you probably won't ike his Bu, fly you cannot ge £3.50 won ener hme, you are probably jaded trom t0 many Slatneshi paris. Issoe 19 has full gzeterf the Upland Marshes 8 perfect template for developing the WERP regions ‘Bint i, Hogshand Publishing The mars shore to @ believable Undead ultra credible tskin iso From AL WERP perspective, this makes excellent material and dea for fealitie developmen of Sylvania the adlsnde and paricularly-the Zombse Swamps. Tote tie Wey pcrone Tales continues his pean rovion tate shuld a sppor Voyrie magazine on Thebasisit sth oly professional UK magazine | would suggest you would be ttter off supporting these two proctets oth are sharper, cleaner, beter writen and in The case of Taos) cheaper That way, we might get more seateold materi reprinted and gevinely high quality ragaznesprodoced that seem to be Beto ble o offer fens what they want. Tales recogaites tat widening readership doesnot have to mean eaering tthe lowest ‘deromiwtorofmonserbases, swine ikne and ate ‘otnew monstarvcaseril spell Peis & Big Rubble (645 hardback or £20 sof cover) & Tale ofthe Reaching Moon (30; tre iss for 10. athugh 1 fishing om issue 20) are eval from David Hall 11 Barons Lodge, 110 Monchster Road, London E14 3BL Aithough understand ht David ony has hardhock copier of Pav & Big Rubble your local ome store ought have the sof cover sil More Fragements overleaf 3THE BRETONNIA PROJECT COMPETITION “Ws an understatement say that Games Workshop's version of Bretnnia was | We have a signed copy of Apocrypha 2: Chart 8 dcpoinien may aye, Gane was te de, deave od of | of Darkness (reviewed on page 2) to give ‘ery wel forthe Bate game but at what we had hoped fora WFR. py fy cea ct oF Os books However alls not ost For those of you dissatisfied with this version, anet___|_atists and a number of the editorial team have project hasbeen stated that aims to pruce a complete soureebook for put pen to paper to sign it for us. And as if that Bretonnia ‘wasn't enough, we're also going to throw in @ }_ | prove ote WEES Antren pe taco aod iinamratacd one _ | 228° subscription to Warpstone fr the lucky atscrinion inthe WFRP alstook tnd inspired by hsorkal Franc a east toa | Winner. To compete for this great trophy, just erin exten). Our view of Breton eso be athe Iw faa. As some of he poet answer the question below and send itt us by iter are Preach, he bckground benefits fr te genuine French ouch on” The proce will | mail e-mail, carrier pigeon, UFO et. All provide a song sn orginal background forthe compe kingom of King erie tte ha ene ea aries, with decadent nobles, daring musketeers, archer nd mic, eres to bea the backct by the 1st. rch ore 2001. “This an abious project for and by WFRP fans you want to set saute apes cer eo Oo ihe, please consider taking part in it. Anything Bretoonian is of interes. Question: Apocrypha Ne play on the For further information, please visit the project website worw.wfip.dethasied! title, Apocalypse Now, the classic Movie by tomo email eter buterwortyreom.niin for wri oP Francis Ford Coppola. But why is Apocrypha -Golant, France Il called Chart of Darkness? Hogshead News designed and lavish plans are being made fr special eitios ofthe book. A »,Hogshead has just re-released Deaths Dark Shadow, a _ few years ago Hogshead was talking about enter bound edition but we shall ‘eprint of he 1991 supplement by Car Sargent I features have to waitand se. They are hoping to have i released in time fr the majo cover art by Dave Gallagher andthe text has had afew minor American conventions, which are i July and August revisions the ation no longer takes place after the end of Otherwise Hops tll us they're in the milo th, boring but necessary. The Enenty Within campaign. The eight-page section of ational new-year fury of reprints ofl the Books hat are about to go cu of [NPCS taken fom the od Warhammer novels has aso been removed. (On sock. separate note we hea rumours the old novels are tobe release). (On the ther RPG fronts, ther next hig release, Nobis, coming lone More exiingly, in fnry Games Workshop Sally responded to the nicely Bryan Talbot (of Lahr Arkwright fame if yu haven't red ths, check manuscript for Real of Sorcery. The “Imperial Council who veted such ito). Michael Kalta and Martin MeKenna have al greed to provide fll projects had held up at GW. However, we ear they no longer exist and apart page art forthe rulebook, adit planed for release in earl sumer. The next from afew minor editorial changes, they've given it clearance for publication. release for SLA Thies wil be the Contract Directory, which progresses Is now action-stations and ar i bing commissioned, layouts are being apace Warpstone - Issue SixteenTHE CORRESPONDENT Culture in the Old World by Tim Eccles A theme that has been discussed in earlier Corespondent articles is that of regional cultures, and their sein Neshng out background fr games. Although issue 14 offered some ideas for Ostland as an exsople of how this could be achieved, [believe that glaring omission fom the WFRP potfolioisan Empire sourecbook that could address this more widely. What's more, I believe that wha itl Imperial culture we do know abouts Fequently ignored in adventures, Tothisend, like offeracricism of some paring errors, andalso number of customs, trations and generic pices of folklore. Too often, folklore i simply used asa senario hook, when itcould add background and bring games to life ~ and confuse players when these things turn out not tobe a lue oF ‘ental tothe adventure! The Old World shouldbe a vibrant and ich pce in its ‘own Fight, regardless of whether group of grubby adventurers happen totum up inguiting about a one-eyed slatue used in the Festival of the Golden Hammer What Gime Culture Ignores Region “The Empires described asa federation of states, each ruled by their own elector (tater than the emperor) and yet there are no regional diferenesin politics, Jaw culture, language or any diversity. Even where religion is concerned, the Uiric-Sigmar division i underssed and few other local gods are developed oall Osanders realy worsip Sigmar? Why do none reflect the influences of those Kislevans living just across the border? Why don't they worship the type ‘of gods more aki othe dark foress that comprise te lnc? Despite the clear statement that The Empire i strongly diversified, there i very itl sttempt to build upon this. NPCs donot express regional rentmens, “They donot complain about theirneighbours. have ruminated on his particular theme befor in Warpstone 13, and offered ideas for Ostland in Warpstone 14, ‘but tis a problem that will ot go away. Language Wisprety self-evident thatthe dea ofa universal language like Od Worder is {an improbable construct used fo aid gameplay. Sinilaly, the idea ofa universal Cesc tongue echoes thereof Latin fr Europeans asthe language in which ‘knowledge was recorded by ancient Roman) scholars and rediscovered during the Reformation. The fact thatthe Old World has no equivalent tothe pan European Roman Empire that could have provided such a language could also be excused in the name of playabiliy, My paticularconcem with language, dawn from the above comments about the power and independence ofthe region, isthe lack of dialects - of even accents. Modem Brian sill retains regional dalecs and acces. As languages, Welsh and Cornish (technically westem Welsh) are wellknown; Seotish Gaelic is less so, but even my native Lancestian, for example isan arcane language sill recognisably reminiscent of Norse. thousand yeats ago these languages were much more familia. Modern German consists of a High German and a Low German, and, tthe time of writing, a disagreement is ongoing between the EU and certain German politicians about herules of German that should be followed in EU documents. Language isnot uniform or univers, and yet The [Empire with poo transport nd communication and strong regional identity ~ as no regional languages, dialects, or even accents. As things stand, someone in Ostnd would he more ely to understand someone from across the county in Wissenland ‘hana minute arose the border in Kislev Granted, dialects make things more complicated. {am nat suggesting that the Warpstone - Issue Sixteen ‘common tongue of Old Worker be ignored. However, think that the world would seem more plausible if locals could also speak a local dilest, ort eas, speak Old Worlder with a strong accent. This could even be the focus for adventures, where words might have different meanings or connotations when used ina local daleet. Communication not impaired unless the GM wishes into be- but diversity and colour are added, Liteney ‘Actassic example of how WERP develops anidea only tignoreitisthe concept ‘of an ilterate society [ts likely that most PCs ae literate. It is certain that ‘mast NPCs arliterate Yet there ae posters, scrolls letters and oer forms af writen information in practically every published adventure, Even ore read and write! Thisjust would not happen, From the background, and the allocation of sil literacy israre. Scenarios need wo reflect this; GMs should stop relying ‘on the written word in adventures and consider the altematives. AL its simplest, one can make the read/write skill more valuable, Make obtaining a serie tread writen words part of the adventure, a leas for NPCs. ‘But perhaps the most obvious application in your game is the use of eiers. All ‘ows would have own cre for proclamations. In addition, most organisations ‘would have theirown ret, ad there would bea number of private riers whose services could be purchased, Publi spaces would havea numberof these plying ‘heir trade, calling notices and briefing citizens on new laws, special offers and anything else that needed robe disseminated. Rather than have nice boards and trees to pin notices to, make publi spaces more central to adventures asthe location of eriers, nd hence the sole source of information, There might even be attempts to silence crer ~by the appalled masses, by a professional val, ‘orby someone opposed to the message they ae reading. However, there is no noedto penalise your players by introducing thes ideas. Tam proposing to make the game more colour, not harder. literate characters would have developed better memories to overcome their problem of being ‘unable to maintain permanent cords. There sno need to preven player from -eping nots; tis simply that the world would not be clttered ith pape. Currency \WERP offers an inteosting diversity of coinage, in that it states that money i not centrally produced but minted by local urs, It then mysteriously presents the Gold Crown as nt only universally equivalent within The Empire, and also with te Guilder. Rulers that eannt agree on religion ~ of much else—amazingly mint coinage with exactly the same precious metal content. Obviously this males ‘the game simpler ~ but if simplicity is regained why bother to mention local ‘minting inthe ist place? Coltural Bickgrouad - Some Sinple Nuggets The following terms and traditions are offered as simple ideas for GMs to incorporate into a campaign as background colour. Use them to esh ou the game, without (necessarily) having any direct relevance to a particular plot. They Key is that dhe PCS should not know these things are ielevant to their problems Bell: Most setlements havea boll tower ot bell shack, since the sound of bells ‘keeps demons away. Smaller selements frequently sound them when visitors arrive, whilst others have formalised the sounding ta regular evening time - justin case Brabant: A term for someone fiom the Border Princes. Sometimes used to describe a mereenary camp, the inference being thatthe two are pretty much the same Bretonnian Silver: Copper Use by Imperial, itis an obvious eriticiin ofthe amount of silver ina Bretonnian silver coin, Brownle: A household spirit, worshipped by Hallings and some domestic servants, ad thought to watch over the house particularly the kitchen. ‘Candle: Ifa candle blows out, a el pits about Light acandte on each ll 5‘moon (Mannslcb) foreach deceased relative in that year. ‘Copper Note: A bill of exchange or promise of payment, ‘Cordon: A military tem, denoting someone who has eamed the right to wear an edtional ribbon. The colour and typeof ribbon varies by unit ‘Cornage: Tenancy on land reclaimed from wilderness or chaos, usually it ‘payment of debtor similar crime, Some academies belive the tem derives from Khome, but this is unlikely (Cotereaux: An infamous group of Bretoanian feotpads and cut-throat thought tohave been wiped outa century ago. They were also a major sect of Khaine CCoterle: Derisive term fora guil, particularly one involved in potccking, Countess de Cvilari: A cesspool or sewer. The Countess was anoted paramour ‘of many famous lords, ands taken as indicative ofthe wantonnes ofthe nobility bby many peasants, ‘Cousin Mikhael: A dimit, Used in teference to Kislew politcal circles to Kislev asa whole generally and in Demon's Throat: An instrument of torture, used to extract heretical beings and thoughts fom the stomach, Divorce: Throw the PCs an inn in which slavery is taking place. A woman placed om a leash is paraded around the market in ron of prospective buyers legal? Actuals, itis a divorce. The concept of divorce is unknown to the ‘majority of poor within The Empit, but there isa custom that dates back to he days before Sigmar where aman can sell is wife another inorder to be rid of her. Usually, these sales are arranged beforchand, between wife and her lover. “Civilised” Old Worlders frown upon the practice, of course, but itis sometimes the only escape fora poor woman from an unhappy marvage. The exact origins ofthe practic ae unknown, but courts recognise its validity since itis derived from eustom Dragonade: A dragoon in religious service, Also wsed to mean a witeh-hunt in Which these soldiers reused to scour the region for suspects Droit a’Aubaine: A Bretonnian law, well known tall imperial, tht allows ‘he monarch ownership of foreigners possessions upon his death in that land, Suspicion concerning deaths in tat land is endemic, Drum Party: A party whereby evellersare attracted by the beating ofa drum. Polite partes usea small ketledrum, Duende: Esalian bandis ating Habits: Never tua loaf upside down aftr ithas had aslice removed Eat fish from the head towards the tail, Dropping a fork frctells visitor When sting places before the meal, always se one place too few Estafette: A Bretonnian term fora courit. Used in The Empite to describe one ‘who caries a message between (ble) lovers. Fate Holder (Fate Stealer; Fate Pointer): Albrecht Suzmann argued that ie is controled by the gods, but that they have ony a certain amount of power they can wield. He termed tis fate or mass of fate. He believed that certain individual were awarded more fate than others were at birt, However, if these people couldbe found and killed, then their fate could be more evenly distibued among the rest—whom he described as Natral People of Chance, Heis reputed tohave been killed by a wandering band of adventres, Fld Spirits: A proscribed belit within The Empite that soms to have been a sivaltothe worship of Ry since the ealiest days. It involves esenbing divinity to various plans inthe form of representative spirit, who i still occasionally represented asa kornwelf or harvest dll Hog Folk: A legendary folk believed tive in caves, being both mischievous and la, ‘Kerrigan: An Imperial chancellor of felklore, who bankrupted the government with mismanagement. Used by the lower classes to deseribe thieving or ‘nelicient oficial. Also, usedby theelite classes to desribe one whois working luder impossible circumstances, and so nt an inslt in that particular context, Kiteat: type of mutton pasty, named after its halling creator Ktiam Muscat Localised Laws: In Nuln itis illegal to drive a coach faster than 4Smph; ety safety statute notes that a coach traveling at 4Omph wil kill ts occupants and driver through a lack of sit In Aldo itis illegal for nonsteamsters to dive his blindfold. Ia Middeneim, ti egal to walk on main thoroughfares ‘upon your hands. In Talabeclan, is illegal to transport any typeof rodent in your pocket. In Ostermark, its ilega to Keep pets. In Sylvania, speaking Reikspiel backwards is a hanging offence, unless your listener hears only backwards, “Moon-man: A madman, paticulaly one affected by the waxing of Morb A plural that is sometimes used is Moonie. Many of the insane become even ‘more irational asthe chaos moon rises in power. The term canbe applied to chaotics who seem to become more powerful, or at last more open, with the inereased influence ofthe red moon. The verb to mons sometimes applied to those who, usual trough intoxication, temporarily engage ia madness Nix: Shape-chenging creatures that lve in water, and are usually regarded as evil However, nixes are supposed to have helped Sigmar in his negotiations withthe Laurelom Elves because anix princess lin ove with the god. Nixnackt issillelebratedin parts of The Empire inorder to celebrate Sigma'seiendship with yet another people Redeap: Imperial name for goblin bogeyman, socalled due tos preilestion| for dyeing his helmet in human blood. Various scholars have ascribed the ttle to a particular creature, but the evidence is inconclusive. It is usually used to ‘denote the leader of the goblins sain by Sigmar in sermons of hope inthe face ofevil by the clergy. Hug: Different regions have diferent hug. An Ostland hug means check your walle. A Middenbeim hug is taken asa term of hostility to Sigmarites. An AltdsThug means watch your back. ATalabheim hug isa wrestling move ‘Stone Heads: Many buildings in the Old World were built with earved heads ‘over the door frame and/or stn the walls, Tiss believed to date back to the times when the tribes removed their enemies” heads and placed them around the camp. As they became civilised, Old Worlders began to use stone instead, ‘Theheads areoflen grotesquely demenic or goblinoid but may equally be human, ‘Thetraitionis generally not continued today, although itappearsto have cased ‘on uti late int the last centary in more remote areas. However, many buildings ‘hyoughout Kisle are stil ult with carved heads. Tisisbeievedto date back to the times when victors placed the heads ofthe defeted as trophies tothe natural spirits. It was fel thet stone provided & more permanent offering. The practice sill continues today in areas where such worship persist “Tel that tothe Freikorps": Freikorps ae miltas formed of mile and appr cass individuals, often linked to guilds, churches or particular noble ‘Whilst they form an excellent volunter coc for Imperial armies, they are also id of involving themselves in private wars against thse they disapprove Conclusion One ofthe major selling points of WERP i the game-world. Everyone likes ‘he Old World. realise that this column has reglarly pushed the need for ‘more deph inthis world, butt my mind the nature of RPGS has become ‘much more complex twenty years on, and so the need for greater depth remains. No longer sit enough for WERP to beat off its competition simply because it has a world and doesnot delve in dungeons every other adventure ‘This world has tobe believable, both o make the game more realistic and to allow GMs to make their adventres more comples. As things stand in most \WERP adventures any cultue that is offered is ental othe adventure Every ancient history book, every scroll one comes across, every village festival, every ritual sa central part ofthe scenario, ad the PCs know to use itassuch, The Old Word lives outside our heroic PCs. As GMs, ry and make it consistent and give it depth. Use folklore, books, tals, stories in taverns and old wives tales as exactly what they are -background. These ‘things are simply pat of ie, not merely a clue in the lates adventare that the characters have tumbled ito, 6 Warpstone - Issue Sixteenee Who are the Feathered Priests? A Fresh Look at The Doomstoncs Campaign by Toby Pilling ln my view itis one of the grat wagdis within he WER fraternity hat the Doomsione campaign snot piven the eed teva, Too often itis eid as ie ‘more than a magic atic quest witha few dungeon bases Nothing in my view could ‘be farhorfrom he rth With the lease of Heat of Coos, the final chagrin his ‘pic campaign itis a god timc to revit the Doomstones ceric The ongins of Doomstnes gos back farther tan the erin ‘Games Workshop pit ender the Flame Pblicaton bane) Mest people kro hati was’ writen oil forthe WFRP game or ackround it that intend tas convene rom a eis oF Dungcons Dragons supplement. Peed by Simon Foret and Assit Bare, vinlly noone knows mich about thee ergs This someting tend to change “The Doomstonos Carp aks amongst my plys's favours an ined I anki highes than the superb Enemy Wain ‘Why? To answer tat question Ihave to go bck to the mi igh. History Inthe dys, white Thompson Tis ad Howard Jones tapped thecarts he Ones Weraop at Hanser London ay seu of a elgheaen. White Dwar was wort purchasing and twas rohit potion {beard new Fenesof modes coming ot by an ndpedent company eat Enos “The capaign was rial lead as “yt suplenct (atm pace DAD or Rureust) at pat o te plo Danger Maes. Thea bod ay re aac ofhuman wars cade Heine, wo wee angele Ors ine WERP en nkresinghy he rer which hy came ot ied fom tat which as adoped ay Flame Publetons ‘The pa as pbs a 18 ae a in 1987 (COMI "he of the Dart Kins” ka“ Wa {CDM2 "The Lot Sin of Kasra "Blan! a Des” {CDM ~The Witches fh Sed lane” ha “Fen the Noting CDN "The Fated Ps ka “Death Rock {CDMS “Deep Waer~ Shallow Graves never crs pis which tomes sas erey aed the roman spel ft Csrpign od general mystic. Tis epncy ough ha {aly tne conee by Hogsead wih ts peringconeoing paris of Chane Al pulsed wats shor sear in oe So Tose Sol! (Gest Etre a oe maging elle tenn Fe and Sloe and ae wees enon ene Lene "Te Baro” “he ferme ad» Galinotinfted copies the Duan tnns inte Veni ley, Ustornatly ir bie work eae totum tio mote ss snp geo at be he ea ther to tanto he resident int vine nd poe to tact ‘it beoce eo warng Dot fact. This works Cxpcialy wel ith bik dre med i meer rer thn ev) Oj who cat let beneath nt “Theater wim exonerate be gust sho sane! Contents ‘Apr fom theory ine which 1 wl go int ate, the ting hat