ay ; ; a ISSUE 16 | : SPRING 2001 | Y | UK £350 US $595 /,TOL eee 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 ean find out all about it ‘on page 15, For now, just let me say that | think everyone involved has done «great job. We look forward to hearing your thoughts Tid deliberate long and hard about the inclusion of some of the ancl 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 Touch of Evil. This article developed fiom an incident in one of my gaming sessions. 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 setting {the section on Talabheim I have included what eould best be described as designer's notes, However, this is not just a case of| blowing ou ov trumpet. Talabhelm isthe biggest project that we have taken on and, if sucessful, we hope it will 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 isu, Isai that having extra pages would allow us 10 ty cout some very different ideas, Tivabrel and Aurore falls nto this category. This is not an article or piece of game background, but Something else entirely. It amused us, 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 inthe 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 HARSRZ, Email warpstone@bifootcom ‘Webs: wor arpa treet Editors So Foody Jobe Keane Atsoiate Editor: Mare Olver & Mel Too Jones ‘Adcioral Proofing: Steve Ge Cover Jol Keane ‘Garman inthe USA: Spener Wace Iseration John Ralph Horley tier Banco Besa” Steven “lain Map on pag 28 by Aled Noes, Symbols by John Keane Tain Smedley, Bry Sry, Faster Graeme Deis, Jas Walls, Pte ‘utero; Sebusten Boudri,Alfed Neves N. Arne Dam, Anthony Raga, ‘Anew Hind. Ryan Wilma, Peter Hunting, Toby Piling Like Twigs Toa SUBMISSIONS ‘Weone | happy fo eeie sso of both writen work anda, We wl always respond 1 ss ‘Soo evea they att suite fr puiston fo Warpstone yous ion a on eae ack ffomusts gnome, se do saline toremiodus Fate rep simpy arp ft caste ae ‘tihe Wareoneeegantion” Iyer tine with» abintn we wl ke ein o esp Payment ‘Apubisiedcontibton crs yous ee cony of Warton ‘Neuretuppytoresvessstios by pastoral Anil shuld ea Rich Text Fama) MS Weed Fer. Dike shouldbe erat for and arte wih youre 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 + look at the Iitest Hogsherd release, Chart of Darkness. “Any compilation like Apocrypha 2: Chart of Darkaess is always going to be a mixed bag. ‘This is no exception.” News of Warpstone 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 tha glaring omission from the \WERP portfolio is an Empire sourcebook. Tn time for the release of the final Doomstones book we look st the log history of the #393 “Instead it was converted from a series of Dungeons & Dragons supplements. answers, a5 a throat is lit “As the halfling had drawn the blade ecross the boy's throat he had smiled.” TanbeatAtr Taante ‘Amour Pits oll Crowe cont ater Manes Comey Rag ate Wore Dede slow leave Deny Inger Cleese oper Pits Intigence "Ware Wave Doar snl Gunes Warstop we ognersd waienats and Waaner Fay Reply The Eneny Wilin Sisdows Ove Dope Deal one ROP ‘Behind Troe, Coton up th Rel Maisbure Sad Dove te Kier Apocrypa Nom Apocrypha 2 Chr of Dress, Doone, Miers City of Chaos, Ege in Pars, Enpirein Iino Reno Sorcery rh mes al rest aay. pace nd characte waa i Warharonerweriare der of Gres Workshop Lis on ee emtason Warton recognises the a and ounerep ofall copyright tera gine rar th ny be we arent fe aforementioned ni hs peton Suid aobe costo as bling sch staan emer ‘Wpstone (ISS 1465-660) sas unpeeled PN reset) ‘Some actes on the bickgrovad of the ‘Telabheim project and how it came it aboot “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 Killian and Middenieim, amongst others.” erry ere. Afterall he promises part BE one strives. This iseve we look at much of st she background and history of the city “Welcome tothe great city of Talabheim, a haven of civilisation amid the dangers of the Great Forest." BYTE TO met Mrs scocd ‘Aa Imperial play that may seem a little familie. “The true author of this work is one Siegftied Schwartadler, a cleric of Verena of no small authority.” ne (A sce act uaonps the heighs sad dept of “brim “Across The Empey, the power an intone af te ob has bom shrly ered Although till weighty, the rise of the midale clam, eon te erin, bas Ber sonar tea” ‘The third and final part finde ovr hero discovering the source of hit mistress! problems ‘Some, like me, are simply men to small 0 care how they make ther living, and too good at murder to do anything else." Vovensr Sais ow Mavic Pons Sere Signs, Paty asin Range WER _Wstarmer Fate tle Seengit WER? Wistar Fate Role WS_ Weapons send Publishing Ld, Warton sated vwordwide by Hoganed Pantin Lt (8-20 Bromel's Ros. Landon, SW4 OBC UR) Al erga mae scone spose aor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, trivia fans, 1s 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 bepgars and other lowlfes including some new eareers and sill “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 asa regular 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 iti just pointless. The Pandemonium Carnival, on the other hand, is an original encounter from which much can be made. Thankfly it doesn fall nto the trap of over reaching itself. The chapter finishes with profiles and descriptions of Felix and Goveek, the ‘main characters from William King's novels. This is another waste of space, This doesnot include anything a GM couldnt come up with if they really wanted to include the duo. ‘With scenarios kept forthe final chapter, the penultimate one contains everyting that doesnt fit elsewhere, First up is addtional background {or character creation, with tables for weight, height, hair colour and loads more. It all seems alittle much, but seal 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 herbs, introduced by afnalfling herbalist. Herbs generally soem scarce in WERE, and this should help encourage thee use. In many ways thy ean prove more interesting than magic Divination isthe strongest article in the book, expanding onthe skill of the same name. Is particularly effetive where it interconnects with religion. The eitical hit and miss 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 inthe chapter is also the poorest: listing of magic arrows and bows. Tere isn't much bere that couldn't be thought up by GMs to Git thie 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 its limitations by virtue ofits atmosphere, ‘much supplied by the villains. The Affair of the Hiden Jewel is bref, ‘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 MOIR ESG IE Preis 6 Big Rubble ‘ales of the Reaching Moos ‘The Knights of the Rose and Crots (Supplement for 7 Ses) This reviewing lacks ota sy Warpstone gocs French! E ssue 18 ofthe French WERP magazine, Le Grimoire, was a Best Of Warpstone special. Le Grimoire tear 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 Artist (hy 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 Eccles), Prosthetics (by John Foody), Witch Hunters and Clees of Shalya (both by Tim Eocles). Am interview with James Wallis of Hogshead Publishing is also included, aswell as The| Dwar inthe Moon (by Sebastien Boudaud) Le Grimoire 8s avilable from Sebastien Boudeud, 3 Rue Andre Le Notre, 49300 Choke, France for 95 BB Feancs or checkout wnlegrimotestet for mor deals Toll those of you awaiting our own Best of Warpstoe, we sll have an announcement next issue REVIEW by Tim Eccles Sonepat ce) Cane ae Feet ts ond ein se Sabo five hy fe oe te yeas? fron WERE issue 14, 1 reviewed 7th Sen ‘ita miber of favourable fageesting that Hogshead and WERP could learn a thing oF two front he me and the Support it vas Tecelving Untitnatly. ty igh hopes appear to have een say unfounded. Te nights ofthe Robe nd Cros snot bad produ, bt Jsnocexcly string ether The supplement pups to cxamine 8 Théahan secret society. Se it does Unorunaely thr senso bea shartles step 1 simply ip off el worldly by changing ew nes. tnd throwing in lot of NPC descriptions of dbus ‘wath The problem withthe that should approve of ‘hese things Thave long aged nthe pages of Parone tothe constant dss of my group, that WERP would be mch beter tha mere senile anal appropri = fteal history. Equally hiek developing NPCS no ea people and not simply endboard stereotypes sexclent, Unforunately, 7 Seo appear o be degenerating io oversimplinichior, and bing tis By changing 90 od eter win the names of people ad owns. sti think tht Su ie some net ese and eis 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 out-of-print classic Rineguest ‘Supplement, which i¢ aot going to let me down inthe fate Okay. thee ‘lassi Isoen isa and ine ‘an often be very harsh on what were once deemed ‘asin. For those of yu who don’t know these were Warpstone - Issue Sixteen pespecsve, thre site of immediate interest, Since Runequest was seinan ostensibly braze age word Called Ghraib However, whist this means tht it ‘onnotbepulld sight he shel, argue inmany way) wablazed the hemes pushed by WERP humour (client a very Americanized syle), roleplaying over hacking and the development of eiferen human and ‘monster cues, The book offers campaign for 4 cy (@avis) and the much larger rues sunounding I (Big Robbe). The ety is 2 hotbed of inigy, beeen te aman nabs, wllsand ote non-humans. Theta ate a lassie - ht word aun «ace a presented inthe Goran world and additions] interes eae 160 competing human “ston”. These ae the descendants ofthe oigaa inubiants and theater uma invades, ‘he Lunar. The late reflect the evasion of RPGs es ‘hey te ecenly portrayed ese a ated invaders OF ncvilempire, whereas nthe cument Hero Wars version ofthe gue the arerepresenedas an gully validclure ‘with relative bt sractres, Whilst find some of ‘hence senaios very pemitv, ches are mich more developed, andthe overall background isexreel ch There area murber of production issues, electing the problems Hogshead has ha with eprint of the WERP ipploment Te at is aril, andthe oduct shy no reans 3 groan reskng now ae i wae twenty Years go = tow cond ibe? That sid if you cannot find anything in here wor eaing and, tain, then you tren the wrong hobby. Pos Big Rubble indeed ‘tasstprod, dated sound theedges, tt sila ighy ed wort read ‘The sam basic problem ftelevance forth Old World ols forth for Toler of the Reaching Moon, a Ramegnest (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 Warpstone offers ‘ood production values, Tals probably surpasses it Anyway, Tales is excellently produced with high ality aerial My ony ericsm fora WFRP readership shat “gion 2 Isste Two of Legion the (vr) occasion newsletter fanzine fom the Warpsone team, was sen to all sulbsoribers with issue fourteen. Issue One as been svalableon the Warpstone website for some ime now and has proved very popular(indced, it is so popular the ish Library contacted us to ask when the new issue was comi cut) ssue wo willbe avalable From Bergtborg Nensletr Also enclosed wit subscribers’ copes ofissue 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 1 know moee shout the Beresbug projet checkout ne geocitien com luke tigger index ml Kin Newman Wiser ‘Congratulations to James MeGraw, who answered the ‘question, “Which character will you id in both Anno ‘Dracula and Drachenfels?, corey. The answer was Genevieve Dieudonné.A signed copy of Life Lavery is ‘with James a8 we speak, Elsewhere, Iron Crown have gone bankrupt and Wizards ofthe Coast have id off ne hundred and fifty stain the wake ofthe Pokemon sondow * Games Workshop are to produce 2 Lord of the Rings games movie tein (more net issue) * “The picure on pg 30 of lst issue was Olivier Berger's. if you dons know the Roques game (as wan world (of Gloramha at af then you might bea litle lest. The world is ruber more unique than most fantasy enviroments and Tales very thorough im examining Is subject. Ifyou fed some of what i in Warpsone 8 tse oo ‘academic’, then you probably won't ike his Bus fal you cannot ge 3,50 won etersnment tame, you are probably jaded trom 0 many Slaaneshi paris. Issoe 1 has full gzeterf the Upland Marshes 8 perfect template for developing the WERP regions "Bint i, Mogshaad Publishing The marsh shore to 3 believable Undead cultura credible task in iso Fram ALWERP perspective, this makes excellent material and ‘Bea for fealitie development of Sylvania the Badlande and paricularly-the Zombse Swaps. Troe tat ike Wey pcrone, Tales continues his peu rovion tate shuld a sppon Voyrie magazine on Thebasisit sth oly professional UK magazine | would suggest you would e ttter off supporting these two progtets oth are sharper, cleaner, beer writen and in The case of Taos cheaper That way, we might get more seateold materi reprinted and genuinely high quality magazines prodoced that seem 1 be Beto ble o offer tins what they want. Tales recogaites tat widening readership doesnot have to mean eaering tthe lowest ‘deromiwtorofmonserbases, cine knead iste ‘ofnew monstarcasersil spell Peis & Big Rubble (645 hardck or £20 sof cover) & Tales of the Reaching Moon (30; tresses for 10. athugh 1 fishing on issue 20) are aval from David Hall 11 Barons Lodge, 110 Manchester Road, London E14 3BL Aithough understand ht David ony as hardhck copier of Pav & Big Rabble ef your local ome store ought have the sof cover sl More Fragements overleaf 3THE BRETONNIA PROJECT COMPETITION tis an understatement o say that Games Workshop’ Version of Bretomia was | We have a signed copy of Apocrypha 2: Chart 8 ccpoinien may ay, Gae was te deeded of | of Darkness (reviewed on page 2) to give ‘ery wel forthe Bate game but ot what we had hoped fora WFR. sy te hy reat Ect of ths books However al is ot lost. Fo those of you dissatisfied wit his version, a net | atists and a number of the editorial team have project hasbeen started that aims to pruce a complete sourcebook 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 @ } |) spre ote WEES Antren pe taco sodinacratacd on e222" subscription to Warpstone fr the lucky atseriion nthe WFRP alstook td inspired by skal Franc a east toa | Winner. To compete for this great trophy, just cern exten). Our view of Breton eso be ae ow faniagy. As some of he poet answer the question below and send itt us by re et i chen bat ue ei Fence" Thee | e-mails cai pigeon, UFO Al provide a song sn orginal background forthe corp kingdom of King Sa tea ea eens dS a Cares, with decadent nobles, daring musketeers, acc kris ar mic, ries to besa the bark by the. 1st. uch mor 2001. "This an abious project for and by WFRP fans you want to set seis? Ipneiopaar ater Coe Ea sshd, please consider taking par init. Anything Bretonnian is of interes. Question: Apocrypha Ne play on th oe further information, please visit the project website woew.wfip.dethasied! title, Apocalypse Now, the classic Movie by toni o email eter buerwortyreomsnilin for wri oP Francis Ford Coppola. But why is Apocrypha -Golant, France I called Chart of Darkness? Hogshead News designed and lavish plans are being made fr special eitios ofthe book. A Hogsbeed has jus re-eleased Deaths Dark Shadow, few years ago Hogshead was taking abou leather bound edition but we sll ‘eprint of he 1991 supplement by Car Sargent I features have to wait and se. They are hoping to have i released in time forthe majo cover art by Dave Gallagher andthe text has had afew minor American conventions, which are m July and August revisions the ation no longer takes place after the end of Otherwise Hopsead tll us they're in the mile of he, boring but necessary. The Enenty Within campaign. The eight-page section of ational new-year fury of reprint ofl the Books tha are about to go ou of NPCs taken frm the old Warhammer novels has also been removed. (Ona stock separate ote we hear rumours the old novels are tobe release). (On the other RPG fronts, ther next big release, Nobis, coming lone More exciingly, in fnury Games Horkshop Sally responded tothe nicely Bryan Talbot (of Lahr Arkwright fame if yu haven't red ths, check manuscript for Realm 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 Tnhries wil be the Contract Directory, which progresses Is now action-stations and art 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 earior Corespondent articles is that of regional cultures, and their sein Neshing out background fr games. Although issue 4 offered some ideas for Ostland as an exsople of how this could be achieved, [believe that glaring omission fom the WFRP potfolioisan Empire Sourcebook that could address this more widely. What's more, believe that wha itl Imperial clture we do know abouts Fequently ignored in adventures, Tothisend, like wo offer acricism of some paring errors, andalso number of customs, trations and generic piees 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 clue oF ental to theadventre! The Old World should bea vibrant and rich pce in its ‘own righ, regardless of whether a group of grubby adventurers happen totum up inguiting about a one-eyed statue used in the Festival of the Golden Hanmer What Gime Culture Ignores Regioelion ‘The Empires described asa federation of states, each ruled by their own elector (rather than the emperor) and yet there ae no regional diferenes in politics, Jaw; culture, language or any diversity. Even where religion is concerned, the Ulric-Sigmar division i under-sed and few other local gods are developed oall Osanders realy worship 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 tothe dark foress that comprise te lnc? Despite the clear statement that The Empire is strongly diversified, ther i very tle sttemp to build upon this. NPCs donot express regional sentiments, ‘They donot complain abou theirneighbours. have minated on this particular theme before in Warpstone 13, nd offered ideas for Ostland in Warpstone 14, ‘but tise a problem that will ot go away. Language Wispety selievident thatthe dea of «universal language ike Old Worder is tan improbable construct used fo aid gameplay. Sinilaly, the idea ofa universal Cesc tongue echoes the rle of Latin fr Europeans asthe language in which knowledge was ecorded by ancient (Romain) seolars and re-diseovered 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 - or even accents. Modem Briain 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 Lancstian, for example isan arcane language sill recognisably reminiscent of Norse. thousand yeats ago these languages were much more familia. Modern German consists of High German and a Low German, and, at the 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 universal, and yet The [Empire with poo anspor and communication and strong regional identity ~ has 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, datects make things more .. complicated. am not A 5 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 dies, o teas, 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 itto be - but diversity and colour are added, Liteney ‘Actassic example of how WERP develops anes only to ignoreitisthe concept ‘of an iliterate society [ts likely that most PCs ae literate. It is certain that most NPCs areiliterate. Yet here are posters, srols, eters and other forms of writen information in practically every published adventure, Even ore read and write! This just would not happen, From the backround, and the allocation of sil literacy is rare. Scenarios need wo reflect this; GMs should stop relying ‘on the written word in adventures and consider the altematives. AA its simplest, one can make the read/write kill more valuable, Make obtaining sribe tread writen words part of the adventure, a leas for NPC. ‘But perhaps the most obvious application in your game is the use of eiers. Al ‘ows would have own cre for proclamations. In addition, most organisations ‘would have theirown ret, ad there would bea number of private crits whose services could be purchased, Public spaces would havea numberof these plying ‘heir trade, calling notices and briefing citizens on new laws, special offers and snything else that needed tobe disseminated. Rather than have nice boards and trees to pin notices to, make publi spaces more central to adventures asthe location of erirs, nd hence the sole source of information, There might even be attempts to silence erer 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 these ideas. Tam proposing to make the game more colourful, not harder. literate characters would have developed better memories to overcome their problem of being ‘unable to maintain permanent records. There sno need to preven player from -eping nots; tis simply that the world would not be cluttered ith pape. Currency \WERP offers an interosting 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 he Guilder. Rulers that eannt agree on religion ~ of uch else—amazingly mint coinage with exactly the same precious metal content. Obviously this makes ‘the game simpler ~ but if simplicity is required why bother to mention local ‘minting inthe ist place? Coltoral 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 he game, without (necessarily) having any direct relevance toa particular plot. They Key is thatthe PCS should not kaow these things are irelevant to their problems Bell: Most setlements havea boll tower or bell shack, since the sound of bells ‘keeps demons away. Smaller selements frequently sound them when visitors rive, 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. Used by Imperial, itis an obvious eric 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 evil spirits about Light acante 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el DOOM STONS STOLEN lp Who are the Feathered Priests? A Fresh Look at The Doomstoncs Campaign by Toby Pilling ln my view itis one of the grat eagdis within he WFR fraternity hat the Doomstone campaign snot piven the eet it deve, Too often itis bei as ie sore thana magic atic quest witha few dungeon bases Nothing in my view could ‘efor from he rth With the lese of Heat of Choos, the final chaptrn this pic campaig itis a god timc to revit the Doomstones ceric, The ogi of Doomstones gos back fre tan the orignal ‘Games Workshop pit ender the Flame Pblicaton bane) Mest people brow hati was't writen oil forthe WFRP game or ackround ut that intend tae convere rom a eis of Dungcons Dragons supplement Peed by Simon Foret and Assit Bare, vinlly noone knows much about toe orgs This something tend to change ‘Te Doomstones Carp ranks amongst my plys's favourites and ined I anki highes than the superb Enemy Wain ‘Why? To answer tat question Ihave to go bck to the mi eights. History Inthe dys, white Thompson Tis ad Homa Jones tapped Shecharts he Gans Werabop at Hanmer London ay ‘nue of faa elgheaen. White Dw was wort purchasing and twas toh ta potion {ead new ‘es of mata coming at by an independent compan eat Enos “The capain was rial lead as“ suplenct (at pace DAD o Rares) at pt ote plo Danger Maes. Thera bo ay re aace ofhuman war eld We Heming, wo were ange o Ors ine WERP eon nts the rer which hy came ot ied fom tat which as adoped ae by Flame Publetons ‘The pu as pubs 1835 a in 987 (COMI "hel of the Darin Kings” ha“ Wa {CoM2 "The Lot Sin of Kasra "Blan a Dakss” {CDM ~The Witches fh Sse lane” ha “Fen the Moanin CDN "The Fated Pres aka “Death Rock {CDMS “Deep Water~ Shallow Graves never car prin which tomcat ahs ery aed te roman ape ft Carin ds general mtg. Tis epncy ough ha {ly nen conece by Hogsend wih fs peoingconeoing pores of Chane Al plished wae shor sero in se or Tod Sol! (Gest Herpes a semaine cle tenn Fe and Sloe and are wees cota tee Lene "Te Baro” “he ferme ad» Galinotinfted complex tthe Duan ‘ns inte Venn ley, Ustornatty ar bie wok eae totum tio mote as snp geo ath be he pea the to anton he resident it vine nd pore Yo tact ‘it beoce eo warng Dwarf cos. This works Cxpcialy wel ith bik rae med i meer rer than ev) Oe who cat let be negate wih t “Theater wim exonerate Be gust cho sane! Contents ‘Apa fom theory ine which 1 wl go int at, the ting hat