Crown & Skull is a new TTRPG created by Brandish Gilhelm, Hankerin Ferninale and Ingrid Burnall and published by Runehammer Games. The RPG looks great and uses a d20 roll below mechanic. Now the author mentions in the introduction of this RPG that both David Wesely and Dave Arneson were huge inspirations when getting into the hobby. This is all very good in my book, but looking at the map, I wonder if this should be called inspiration, homage or something else? There are differences between these maps and the map of Blackmoor, but the similarities are hard to ignore. Some locations have been completely changed, while others like Bramwald, Bramford or Cloudtop are used as is. The game also features frogfolk as a playable race.
Are you pleased to see all of these Blackmoor-like elements appearing in a new RPG? Do you wish they had come up with their own world? Or do you think this is something you could borrow back into your Blackmoor campaign?
Whatever your thoughts are, it is pretty clear that the creativity of Dave Arneson lives on quite well 50 years after the publication of D&D.
Thanks to my friend who sent me links to this RPG.
Discuss this article at The Comeback Inn.
-Havard
It seems that Runehammer Games is taking quite a risk as there seem to be enough similarities, particularly with the place names, for IP lawyers to build a case. If they don't have some sort of agreement with Arneson's estate I can see C&D letters being issued. Personally I don't mind creators reusing old-school stuff that has a lot of nostalgia value, but if you are going to publish it for money then you should at least check that it is alright with the original creator (or whoever now holds their rights).
ReplyDeleteOr WotC?
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