Vikings (RuneQuest)
| Nordic Roleplaying for RuneQuest | ||
|---|---|---|
Designers | ||
| Publishers | Avalon Hill | |
| Publication | 1985 | |
| Genres | Fantasy | |
| Systems | Basic Role-Playing | |
Vikings, Nordic Roleplaying for RuneQuest
Contents
Vikings provides a
- a 38-page "Players Book"
- a 30-page "Gamemaster Book"
- a 46-page "Scenario Book" containing six linked scenarios
- a 20-page "Viking Digest"
- a 15" x 22" map
- blank character sheets[3]
Information includes daily life in a Viking village, the justice system, character creation, new magic spells, religion, and new monsters.[4]
Publication history
In 1984, Chaosium, the creators of RuneQuest, partnered with
In the 2014 book Designers & Dragons: The '80s, game historian Shannon Appelcline commented that after Chaosium partnered with Avalon Hill in 1984, "Over the next five years, Chaosium acted as creators of RuneQuest material. Glorantha was largely ignored, other than the singular Gods of Glorantha (1985), but Chaosium did create interesting supplements for the new Fantasy Earth background, including Vikings (1985) and Land of Ninja (1987)."[5]: 222
Reception
Oliver Dickinson reviewed Vikings for White Dwarf #74, giving it an overall rating of 8 out of 10, and stated that "This pack need not interest Viking-lovers only. The society described can provide many analogies for other RQ 'barbarian' societies, the special means for acquiring magic might interest many players, and the scenarios are easily adaptable. Overall, this is a promising start, offering reasonable value for money."[2]
In the May 1992 edition of Dragon (Issue #181), Rick Swan thought that, although Vikings at that time was seven years old, it was "still the one to beat — a thoroughly entertaining treatment of Viking culture, light on the historical clutter that makes so many campaign guides a drag to read." Swan admired both the packaging and the elegant writing. Although he thought the chapter on fantasy and magic was "disappointingly skimpy," he called the new monsters "a treat — an imaginative GM will still find a lot to work with." Swan also thought the campaign book was the high point of the boxed set, calling its contents "intelligent suggestions for staging Viking adventures." He concluded by giving Vikings an above average rating of 4 out of 5, saying, "This offers pure, engaging fun and, despite the rather superficial magic section, is a first-rate fantasy campaign set.[4]
Other reviews
- The V.I.P. of Gaming Magazine #4 (July/Aug., 1986)
See also
Avalon Hill 3rd edition Runequest books
References
- ASIN B000OU4U3E. AH8576.
- ^ a b Dickinson, Oliver (February 1986). "Open Box". White Dwarf. No. 74. Games Workshop. p. 8.
- ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
- ^ TSR, Inc.: 75.
- ISBN 978-1-61317-081-6.