Kingbeast's Lair

-== What is it? ==-

The Esoterrorists is a roleplaying game from Pelgrane Press. It is written by the well respected Robin Laws. The setting is one where elite investigators from a group called the Ordo Veritatis attempt to prevent others from tearing the fabric of our world. If this fabric, or membrane, is torn the Esoterrorists will be able to let loose hordes of horrific monster. I would classify the genre as modern investigative horror.

The book has a color cover and an entirely black and white interior. The book is 8 1/2? x 11? and is 86 pages in length. It includes a nice index and a character sheet. I reviewed version 1.3 from November 2006. Everything that is needed to play is in this one book. I have only read the book and several of the supplements; I have not yet played the game.

-== What I Like ==-

Probably the shining star of this book is the Gumshow system. The Gumshoe system is the rules system that Mr. Laws released first in The Esoterrorists. The system is geared for investigative type stories. One key mechanic that has given the game some attention in the roleplaying community is in regards to uncovering important clues. The PC are considered to be experts in certain fields. If a PC has an investigative skill he WILL find an important clue if it exists. By spending points devote to that skill he will uncover even more facts about that clue. The key is that this knowledge does not include the meaning behind the clue…that is still up to the players. If you think about TV police dramas this is really how they work. The characters on crime dramas find the critical clues they just have to figure out what they all mean. Same idea here. It is a really awesome concept that I have informally used in the past but this is the first time it has really become part of a game system and defined as such.

The Gumshoe system is very fast. Most actions take place quickly with simple dice rolls. For those who want detailed combat rules you will not find them here. The key is simple and fast. I consider this a strength for this genre.

The sample adventure in the back of the book is called Operation Slaughter House. I thought it was well written and really goes a long way in describing how the setting works.

The interior artwork and layout by Jerome Huguenin is really wonderful. In fact it is better than all of the other Esoterrorists related products that I have read after it. Mr. Huguenin also shows several characters multiple times through the book. The effect is almost like reading a comic on top of the game book. The layout if evocative of the setting and does not make the text harder to read. In other Esoterrorists related products the layout can be very dark and very hard to read.

-== What I Don’t Like ==-

By far my biggest complaint about the book is the lack of setting material. There is very little presented on the Ordo Veritatis or the Esoterrorists. There really needs to be a lot more material to explain how the PC are grouped, how the Ordo Veritatis is organized, how missions are handled, etc. In fact I don’t think the translation for “Ordo Veritatis” is given in the book at all. It is a huge problem with the material in my opinion. (Note that since reading this book I have started reading the Esoterrorists Fact Book from Pelgrane. This supplement has 25 pages or so that really give great detail on the Ordo Veritatis. This material should be in the main Esoterrorists book.)

Even though I enjoyed the interior art quite a bit I think the cover it rather plain and uninteresting. It is also a bit dark and takes some studying to pick up the nuances. Maybe that was intentional but I was not fond of it.

-== Summary ==-

I really enjoyed reading The Esoterrorists. I think it really has a lot to offer for folks who enjoy modern horror and especially investigative games. As I am a big fan of monster hunting games it really hits a sweet spot for me. At a price point of $19.95 I think it is a good deal. If you plan to give it a try pick up this book AND the Esoterrorists Fact Book. Together these products make a complete and evocative game.

I give The Esoterrorists book alone 7 out of 10 paws. If you pick it up with the Esoterrorists Fact Book then I up that to an 8 out of 10 paws. (Note that I may review the Esoterrorists Fact Book in another blog entry. Watch this space in cyberspace for details.)

Date At Start Of Game: 06/01/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 5th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

Exploring The Bellies Cave Complex

After taking stock of the situation the PC devise a daring plan to attack the Belly cave complex. First Bilby and Cillian sneak into the left tunnel so that they can jump anyone who is tries to run or advance. Once they are ready Oren begins to dig into the wall of the right tunnel to collapse it. The Bellies who are not very bright at first don’t know how to react. Eventually one Belly in the right tunnel approaches Oren but does not engage him. In the left tunnel one of the Bellies turns to alert the complex. Bilby stabs at him with a killing thrust from the darkness. Cillian runs through one of the other two guards at left tunnel. When Oren finished the entire party heads up the left tunnel.

When they reach a fork that leads to the main village center Oren again starts to collapse the tunnel. Bellies inside watch but again do not approach. Kanga holds them back with arrow shots. As Oren is nearing completion of sealing off the tunnel the PC hear a squeeky Ape Man voice asking the PC who is attacking. Oren replies with a command to give up the prisoner and Narduhl or they will continue attacking. The squeeky voice laughs and says that he does not plan to give himself up. With that Oren finishes collapsing the tunnel. Just before it seals a swarm of bugs attack the PC.

With that the PC continue up the left tunnel structure to an area where the Belly leader was seen. Kanga pins a guard then the PC take him out. Oren rushes forward with the rest of the PC behind him. Cillian picks up clubs with gel sacs and mops up some of the lizards. Bilby fights the bugs. Po heals anyone who gets hurt. Eventually the king Belly leads a charge at the PC. The entire time his helmet glows with magic. With a VERY powerful blow he stuns Oren. Luckily he can catch his breadth before being exposed. Kanga pins the belly shaman and starts picking at the king. Po throws the worm idol from Frazz into the fray near Narduhl. A black shadowy worm appears that with a gaping maw full of sharp teeth that drip acid! Cursing the PC for using his own worm against him Narduhl backs down a tunnel and throws out some of his Shadow Mantis creatures like the PC encountered in the first adventure to block the passage. The worm begins to plow through the mantis as it tries to engange Narduhl. After some dangerous play the PC manage to clear the room of Bellies. As the last Belly is falling Cillian see through the wall that Narduhl seems to be transforming into something. He is shrinking! What is the little insect mage up to now?!?

Date At End Of Game: 06/01/206

Lately I have been having a ton of fun running and playing games. In a strange moment of clarity that is very unlike me I pondered, “WHY am I so happy gaming right now?” This quickly gelled into the article that you are reading now. Here are seven things that make me happy to be a gamer. Try some of these out and see if they work for you!

1. Play Instead Of Run OR Run Instead Of Play

Over the last two years I have started to play in a regular campaign. It is the first time is probably 20 years that I have played at a consistent basis. Typically I am the GM for my group. It has been really fun not only tuning my playing skills but also not have to worry about preparing too much. My gosh players have it easy! 😀

2. Help Someone GM A Game But Don’t Take Responsibility

About a week before one of our sessions our current GM (i.e. the fabulous Derek Heimforth) had an issue come up and could make a planned session. I offered to step in and run a session in his campaign world. After I made the offer I realized that even though I have been gaming for 32 years I could not remember every running a game in someone elses campaign world! I converted an adventure I ran for another campaign that had a vaguely similar theme and ran it for that crew. Last minute Derek was able to make the session and played. At first I was a but wary but after some thought I realized that I really have a lot less pressure running a one shot like this in a different campaign world. There was no sustaining plot pressures of any type. It was a BLAST! 🙂

3. Buy An RPG Product That You Never Plan To Run Just Because It Looks Cool

Playing RPGs is a REALLY cheap hobby. Think about the amount of time you spend playing RPGs vs that cost of the books. It is practically nothing. It costs almost $15 to see a 2 hour movie in the Bay Area…jeez loueez! Instead of going to see a movie this weekend go to your FLGS and pic out something that looks really interesting that you are likely never to run or play. Read the book cover-to-cover and enjoy it. You never know…you might find something for your current game or decide to give it a try.

These days there are some cool products out there that are fun reads. Many of the newer story game products from Indie Press Revolution are great suggestions. Here are some crazy cool products to try. (Note that I will have extended reviews on these in the next few months.):

• Day After Ragnarok / Atomic Overmind Press – Ken Hite is just plain brilliant and when he write alternate history products he hits another level. Imagine the midgard serpent falling across the planet causing tidal waves and mass destruction. The setting is completely crazy and very very cool. It comes in Savage Worlds or Hero 6th Edition flavors.
• Don’t Rest Your Head / Evil Hat Productions – Fred Hicks did this little gem that involves lack of sleep and madness. Everything you need to play is in one book.
• Esoterrorists / Pelgrane Press – Robin Laws has a very unique approach on running investigative games. The culmination of that approach is the Gumshoe system. Esoterrorists is a modern horror setting that was the first published Gumshoe product. Awesome stuff. Everything you need to play is in one book.

4. Buy Some New Dice

We all know that gamers can never have enough dice! Go out to the store, weigh all your options, then buy a new set. Try a different color scheme that you can use to mix up your bag OR try square edge dice instead of rounded ones. You never know…you may change your mind on what works for you.

5. Try A New Game At Your FLGS With Strangers

There are several phenomenal game stores in the Bay Area that really foster a sense of community (see Endgame and Game Kastle). Often they host gaming session with new products to let you try them out. Not only is this a way to meet other gamers in your area but it is also a way to find a product that someone is passionate about running. The combination is winning.

6. Explain Gaming To A Non-Gamer

Next time that non-RPG geeks asks you what you do with your spare time don’t lie…say playing pen-and-paper role playing games! After a second or two of watching their blank stare explain our wonderful hobby. It can be very satisfying explaining something that you love.

7. Think About All The Lasting Friends You Have Met Over The Gaming Table

This last one is probably the easiest to do but is one of the most rewarding. After reading this article close your eyes and think about all the lasting friends you have met through gaming. I know to me the list is long and beautiful.

GAME ON! 😀