Kingbeast's Lair

-== What is it? ==-

Savage Worlds:Explorer’s Edition (SW:EE) is a universal role-playing game system that is published by Pinnacle Entertainment Group. It was written by several primary authors including Shane Hensley, Paul Wade-Williams, Simon Lucas, Joseph Unger, Dave Blewer, Clint Black, Robin Elliott, and Piotr Korys. There are also many other contributers listed on the title page that I will not repeat here. The Explorer’s Edition was released in 2007.

SW:EE is a soft cover book has a color cover and a vibrant color interior. The book is 6? x 9? and is 160 pages in length. There is a 2 page table of contents, no index, and a 1 page advertisement at the end. (Note that you can download a PDF index from Pinnacle if you really want one but I don’t think it is needed.) I am reviewing a first edition print copy that I purchased. To play the game you need SW:EE, a set of multi-sided dice, and a deck of cards with the jokers left in. (The cards are used for handling initiative.) I have not played the game I have only read the book.

-== What I Like ==-

SW:EE uses simple mechanics that are easy to grasp. In most cases results are determined using a single die with modifiers. This is a big plus for any RPG but it is not as common for universal systems. SW:EE is not a crunchy heavy system. The rules are focused on high action and fast combats. Don’t expect tons of realism from SW:EE.

One big plus is that there are a ton of support products for SW:EE both from Pinnacle and other publishers. There are settings available in almost every genre. Some that really stand out to me are The Savage World Of Solomon Kane (based on the wonderful novels by Howard), Rippers (Victorian magic), Necessary Evil (superhero), and Hellfrost (fantasy). (Watch this space for a review of Hellfrost by Triple Ace Games. I am pretty impressed by the Hellfrost setting. 😉 )

Normally when I write reviews I mention the price in the Summary section only but for SW:EE the price is exceptional. The core book is a paltry $9.99. That is a total steal for a universal system of this quality.

The interior artwork and layout in SW:EE are beautiful. In fact I have to seriously hunt to find a picture that is only average. There are many interior artists listed so I will not mention them all now.

-== What I Don’t Like ==-

I was a bit disappointed that SW:EE did not have an example combat. I would much rather have had this than the adventure at the end of the book which is essentially useless. Instead of the adventure in the book I would forward folks to the many excellent One Sheet Adventures that can be downloaded form the Pinnacle site. These One Sheet Adventures are PDF modules that often include characters. These are a great way for folks to start playing quickly.

Another noticeable omission from SW:EE is that there is not a blank character sheet or any sample characters. I personally like when core book lead readers through the creation of a character with an example sheet. Saying that there are several PDF character sheets on the Pinnacle download page.

In a couple of places in SW:EE the text mentions going to the Pinnacle site to get certain PDFs. In two cases I could not find these files. When I posted a question on the Pinnacle forums about where these files could be found it was not answered. 🙁

I also noticed a few typos and areas of book that are not completely clear. The good news is that you can download a neat Cut-and-Paste Errata PDF from Pinnacle. This is a PDF that one prints then literally cuts up and tapes into SW:EE. This is a pretty neat idea that I wish other publishers would try. 🙂

The cover artwork by Cheyenne Wright is only fair in my opinion. It is made to look like a travel logbook but the effect is not well executed. The yellow and red Savage Worlds logo that was also done by Cheyenne Wright is very cool. I love the old map inset with compass background.

-== Summary ==-

SW:EE is one of the best universal systems I have read and I a love universal RPGs. The first incarnation of Savage Worlds was the winner of the 2003 Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Game and I can see why if it was anything like this updated product. Pinnacle’s tag line for SW:EE is right on the money…”Fast! Furious! and Fun!”

You can get SW:EE for $8.95 at Noble Knight Games at this URL. Amazon has it for $9.99 at this URL. The PDF can be had at DriveThruRPG at this URL for $9.99.

I give it 9 out of 10 paws.

Date At Start Of Game: 10/21/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 18th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

The Temple – Level 2

After the unholy earthquake subsides Po and Cillian spring into action. Po starts healing Oren while Cillian finishes off the smith’s dogs. When the PC check the door to the forge they find that it has been thrown from it’s hinges by the quake! Expecting an attack Po hurries to wake up Oren. Once Oren is awake he collapses the stonework above the door which has been weakened by the earthquake. This traps the PC inside the room but also prevents the mutated Raven sentries (aka the Rooks) from entering. After recovering from their recent attack Bilby ties up the smith and put him in an adjoining bedroom. Later Oren collapses the doorway to the bedroom leaving him trapped inside.

At this point only Cillian can observe what is going on outside of the room using his earth vision. While the PC are trying to decide what to do Cillian provides updates on the actions of the temple forces. After a few minutes he spots three figures who appear to be leading the Rooks. The three figures appear to be Narduhl, a Raven Kin in a dark green cloak, and a gaunt looking Ape Kin in a gray cloak. To Cillian it appears that the men are in an argument. Specifically he thinks the Ape Man and Narduhl are in an argument with the Raven Kin. After a few minutes the Raven Kin approaches. Narduhl tries to argue with him again but the Raven Kin chastises him. With that Narduhl and the Ape Kin return to the depths of the temple. At this point immediately outside of the forge room Cillian sees two Rooks cast spells! One puts up a shield with circling Ravens and the other summons black magical talons. The Raven Kin directs them to take down some of the stones that are blocking the door. Once a small opening is present the Raven Kin calls out do see if Xander is ok. (The PC realize that Xander must be the Pit Bull Kin smith.) When there is no answer the Raven Kin then says that he can sense others in the room and tells them that it is useless to hide. Po then recognizes the voice of the Raven Kin as his son Kai! When Po emerges and speaks to his son in Raven Kin it is apparent that Kai has also been tainted with the same Dark Lord curse. After some discussion the Rooks take down some stones blocking the doorway and Kai, who now insists on being called Malotoch, enters the room. After entering the room Po asks him what happened. Malotoch relays the following story…

“I guess I should tell you about what happened that morning all those months ago. I was having a fitful night’s sleep when I heard something moving in our home. I saw Father leaving and decided to follow. He flew to where a nearby army was preparing for battle. Planning on having a jest Father weakened the ropes on their siege weapons. The next morning he watched in hiding to see his “joke” play out. When the army attacked their weapons failed. They still ended up winning the battle that day but they were not happy with their losses. Their commander put a bounty out on ravens and Raven Kin. The warriors decimated our village then took the heads from the dead to claim their rewards. In the chaos of the attack I lost track of Father and flew as fast as I could. Eventually I found shelter in an old set of ruins. I had nowhere to go…I could not return to my village and I could not return to Father. As I contemplated ending my life on my own terms I found a loose tile in the ruins. This tile gave me a purpose for living…it was obviously calling out to me. It says…”

A father’s jape goes the way of sin,
Sending his son to the edge,
From vengeance malevolence is reborn,
The Dark Lord’s heart beats once more,
This child’s taint will linger on,
Festering for all eternity.

At this point Malotoch asks Po to join him in serving the Dark Lord. He tells Po that he can grant him even more power than he has already felt. Po tells him that he does not serve evil but instead serves those that protect the land. Malotoch changes tacts and asks the PC to return his sword. Convincingly Oren lies and tells the Raven Kin high priest that they have already destroyed it in the forge. At that remark Malotoch tells Oren that he hopes he is lying as all of their lives depend on delivering Crimson Tears. Oren rebuffs him with a stern reply. At that point Malotoch shakes his head and quietly walks away. As he leaves the forge room Malotoch tells his Rook acolytes in Raven Kin speech to kill everyone in the room. With that the Rooks advance…

Date At End Of Game: 10/21/206

I’ve updated the 6th edition Spirit Storm Campaign Document (version 2.1) and added a new copy of the GM screen inserts updated to 6th edition. You can get them on the File Downloads page at the regular place.

GAME ON! 😀