If you are unsure if you need this is your life, I have included the introduction to the book below to help you make up your mind.
Introduction
Welcome to Ghost
Stone, the latest supplement for Rangers
of Shadow Deep. This book is divided into two main sections. The first
section presents a new mission with four scenarios. Unlike previous missions,
this one is designed to be played by two different ranger groups of differing
levels. Scenarios 1 & 3 are designed for level 0–5 rangers, while scenarios
2 & 4 are designed for rangers that have reached levels 10–15. Each of the
scenarios has an effect on future scenarios, and the whole mission is
structured to show how different ranger groups sometimes work together to
complete a task that is too complex for one to handle alone. I did, briefly,
worry about writing a mission that would force players to create a second
ranger, as I know how people get attached to their characters. However, I
figure this mission gives players a chance to use their main ranger in the
higher level scenarios, while creating a new ranger for the lower level ones.
Plus, I’ve come to realize that most players take the need for a new figure as
an opportunity! As an added bonus, the mission potentially gives players the
chance to bring back some older companions that may no longer have a place in
their main ranger’s party and use them to support the new ranger. One of the
scenarios also calls for the rangers to work with a unique companion, who can potentially
be used in future missions, assuming she survives…
The
second part of this book is called ‘The Weapon Hoard’. Not long ago, I went to
the British Library to see a special exhibit on the Anglo-Saxons. The exhibit mainly
contained ancient manuscripts, but there were a few other items as well. One of
these was an Anglo-Saxon seax. The
word means ‘knife’, but most people would call such a large weapon a sword.
What was peculiar about this seax was
that it had bronze wire beaten into the blade so that it spelled out a name. No
one knows if the name belonged to the creator, the owner, or was actually the name
of the blade. Looking at that beautiful ancient weapon, I realized how
important a unique weapon can be to a legendary hero. King Arthur, Roland,
Strider, the Grey Mouser, they all had their own named weapons that accompanied
them on their adventures.
I decided in
that moment that I wanted to give Rangers
of Shadow Deep players the opportunity to find unique weapons with their
own special abilities and their own mysterious pasts. After all, the Shadow
Deep has existed at least as long as recorded history, and in that time it has
swallowed an unknown number of lands. Many of the weapons of those lands will
likely have survived, either left buried in the rubble, or recovered by the
minions of the Shadow Deep. So, ‘The Weapon Hoard’ is essentially a list of 52
unique weapons that can be found during your adventures. Hopefully, this will bring
a little more narrative, a little more mystery, and a little more fun to your
games.
As I’ve
continued to work on Rangers of Shadow
Deep, I’ve come to realize that there are two types of supplements, or, at
least, two types of missions: those that carry forward the main narrative, such
as the main rulebook and Temple of
Madness, and those that are part of the greater war but not driving the
central narrative forward, such as Blood
Moon. Ghost Stone fits more into this second category. While
it covers some large events, it really serves more as a side-quest. It keeps us
in touch with the ongoing conflict, but can essentially slot in anywhere during
the story. Going forward, I hope to continue writing both kinds of missions, to
keep the story rolling, but also to provide players with adventures that they
can work into their stories at any time.
Once again, a
big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has bought the game and otherwise supported my
work. I continue to get a huge amount of satisfaction out of developing and
experimenting with the game, and my ability to do so is largely due to your
support. I hope you enjoy this new supplement, and, if you get the chance,
please share the results of your adventures on the Rangers of Shadow Deep Facebook page, on Board Game Geek, or on one
of the great miniatures forums.
Sounds like a great supplement for the game and it reminds me I should pick up the game again.
ReplyDeleteI plan to order it shortly,
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see this game develop.
Just ordered all your current supplements. I only had the basic book for now. Back on track! Now, where are all my old fantasy figs? (loads of old Minifigs)
ReplyDeleteDid you like Spong Man at the exhibition?
ReplyDeleteFrom a read through, Ghost Stone maintains your usual high standard, and I look forward to playing it. I like the illustration of Nesra: it is a good fit to her description. Could she be a figure in the future?
I hope to see Nesra as a figure, but it's not completely up to me!
Delete