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Romance of the Perilous Land, created by Scott Malthouse, is a fantasy roleplaying game that draws its inspiration from Arthurian legends and British folklore. While it serves as an excellent starting point for those new to tabletop RPGs, it also offers enough depth and intrigue for more experienced players looking for a fresh campaign setting.
Streamlined Rules and Mechanics
At its core, the 256-page hardback offers a comprehensive RPG system rooted in Arthurian mythology. The game mechanics, inspired by Black Hack (which is itself based on classic 1970s fantasy roleplaying systems), introduces a streamlined five-attribute system: Might, Reflex, Constitution, Mind, and Charisma.
What sets this system apart is its straightforward approach to attribute checks. Instead of calculating various bonuses and penalties, players roll directly against the attributes listed above using a d20, aiming to roll under their score. While this "roll-under" mechanism might sound strange, and initially feels counterintuitive for those used to the traditional systems, our group found that it became second nature by the end of the first session.
As with most RPGs character creation offered several distinct classes (Knight, Ranger, Cunning Folk, Thief, Barbarian, or Bard) and various background options, each providing unique skills and abilities. Alongside the game mechanics character creation is streamlined, and our group of four managed to whip up characters in under an hour. If you exclude the time spent reading the book in advance we were able to get up and running in a relatively short period of time, a bonus for an RPG like this.
Arthurian Mythos Reimagined
One of the game's greatest strengths lies in its treatment of Arthurian legend. The beauty of working with these myths is their flexibility – with no strict canon to adhere to, the game provides a wealth of material for creating adventures. The book provides a comprehensive overview of all essential elements of the setting: from a detailed timeline of the world's key events to its pantheon of deities, memorable characters, and a richly populated bestiary featuring mythical creatures ranging from dragons and unicorns to ogres and vampires.
This abundance of material is both exciting and challenging for a Game Master when designing a campaign (at least it was for me). The world's depth and its diverse cast of characters and factions provide plenty of inspiration for crafting compelling narratives. However, the sheer volume of backstory can be somewhat daunting – it's easy to fall victim to "kid in a candy shop" syndrome, becoming overwhelmed by the amount on offer. For those just starting out, I highly recommend visiting the Osprey Games website, which offers helpful gaming resources including a starter campaign. These materials are useful if you want a quick start without the need for extensive preparation upfront.
Worth Considering for Those Looking Outside of D&D
As someone with modest GMing experience, I found this system approachable. Our group, relatively new to RPGs, quickly took to the streamlined character creation process, as mentioned we completed it in under an hour. The game world, while sharing some similarities with D&D, offers a more grounded experience, particularly in its approach to magic, which is notably more restrained.
While some players might need time to adjust to certain mechanical differences – particularly the roll-under system and this limited approach to magic – these elements contribute to the game's unique identity.
Overall, Romance of the Perilous Land offers an accessible yet rich roleplaying experience. Whether you're new to tabletop RPGs or a seasoned player seeking a fresh perspective on Arthurian legend, the game provides both mechanical simplicity and narrative depth. While some mechanical differences might require adjustment, the rich storytelling possibilities and opportunity at world-building make it a worthy addition to someone looking to expand their RPG collection.
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