Sep. 25th, 2017

ffutures: (Default)
This is an interesting one because it's (a) British and set in Britain and (b) originally aimed at younger readers; Maelstrom was first published by Puffin Books, a children's imprint, in the 1980s:

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/Maelstrom

"This offer features Maelstrom, Alexander Scott's 1984 tabletop fantasy roleplaying game of Tudor magick and danger. Originally published by Puffin Books under the Adventure Gamebooks banner (alongside the famous Fighting Fantasy series), Maelstrom introduced a generation of British youth to roleplaying. Now the current publisher, Arion Games, has contributed this comprehensive bargain-priced offer of almost the entire Maelstrom line -- including two brand-new titles debuting in this offer and not yet sold anywhere else.

Set in Tudor England around 1540, Maelstrom lets you create and adventure with nobles, mercenaries, priests, tradesmen, and herbalists. The game's innovative freeform magick system, arguably a precursor to such classics as Ars Magica, allows mages to warp reality to their own ends. Combat is fast and furious, with dozens of weapons and armor types. The wound system means injuries are a real threat. The herbal section, a highlight of the original Maelstrom rules, has inspired many net-based RPG herbals.

We provide each ebook complete in .PDF (Portable Document Format). Like all Bundle of Holding titles, these books have NO DRM (Digital Restrictions Management), and our customers are entitled to move them freely among all their ereaders.

Ten percent of each purchase (after gateway fees) goes to the charity designated by Arion Games owner Graham Bottley, the Yorkshire (UK) Air Ambulance. "In the area where I live it is a literal life saver," says Graham. "I very nearly needed it myself a couple of years ago, but it could not fly at night at that time. In the United Kingdom these services are funded only by charities, and because there is a reasonable chance I may need it again, it is the main charity I support."

The total retail value of the titles in this offer at launch is US$105. Customers who pay just US$11.95 get all six titles in our Starter Collection (retail value $43) as DRM-free .PDF ebooks, including the complete Maelstrom core rulebook (retail price $10) and the Maelstrom Companion (retail $8); Maelstrom Domesday (retail $15), a standalone companion game set in AD 1086 (previously in the August 2015 Bundle of the Ages +2), plus its Investigators Guide (retail $6); and the two supplements MQ1 Tournaments and MQ2 Inns & Taverns (retail $2 each).

Those who pay more than the threshold (average) price, which is set at $23.95 to start, also get our entire Bonus Collection with no less than eleven more titles worth an additional $62:

  • NEW IN THIS OFFER! Maelstrom Gothic (retail $15): A complete standalone game that adapts Maelstrom for supernatural investigations in 1850s Victorian England.
  • ALSO NEW! Domesday North Yorkshire Moors (retail $8): A remote and wild region with enough supernatural action for an entire Domesday campaign.
  • Classic Fantasy Toolkit (retail $5) and Bestiary (retail $3): Grab your 10' pole for traditional dungeon-crawling using the Maelstrom system.
  • Beggars Companion (retail $8): The lowest of the low can get into a lot of mischief.
  • Four Maelstrom adventures (total retail $13) -- The Beast of Ledsham, Purple Mushroom Caves, The Sward [sic] and the Stone, and The Yuletide Spirit.
  • Domesday Maps and Charts (retail $5) and Manor Cartography Symbols (retail $5).

At least one more title will be added after launch. "When a title is added after launch, ALL customers who previously purchased the bundle automatically receive the newly added title, REGARDLESS of whether or not they paid more than average. This is their reward for buying early."


This is one I'll certainly be downloading, it looks interesting and I want to see how they handled aiming an RPG at this age group - I missed it when it was in dead tree format. It looks to be reasonable value for money - but as usual I wonder if I need yet another fantasy system I'll probably never use, or would get it if I was paying for it. Since I don't, I have to point out that as usual your mileage may vary.

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