Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Mar 19, 2023 8:46:39 GMT -5
I wasn't aware of many products outside of D&D when I first started going to the Tulsa FLGS. Most of the time I learned about new products from other game systems from the ads in Dragon Magazine. Some of the ads that really caught my attention were for the Talislanta game. As you can see, it looked different from the standard list of fantasy games available at the time.
I do not recall seeing the original Talislanta rulebook on the store shelves, but I kept looking when I would visit one of the local gaming stores. During one trip with a friend, I spotted the 2nd edition of the Talislanta Handbook and Campaign Guide sitting on the shelf.
It was the last copy available, so I picked it up for a quick browsing. I was immediately awestruck by how different it was from D&D and other similar games. Much of it was familiar but it was done in a different way. Rather than classes like "Fighter" there were archetypes that combined a race and occupation such as "Thrall Warrior" or "Gnomekin Crystalomancer" to name just a few of the 100+ available. Talislanta didn't use ability scores and modifiers but the modifier as the score so the scores might be STR +2, WIL -1, etc. The scores weren't randomly rolled either. Each archetype started with a typical array of scores and you got a few points to add and one point to subtract to customize your skills. Tasks were rolled on a D20 versus an Action Table and the various scores were used to modify the roll. Easy to use so you can just concentrate on getting on with the game rather than referencing a ton of rules.
I've messed with other versions of the game over the years but the second edition has remained my favorite. My original rulebook finally fell apart after many years of use and reading. I downloaded the official pdf from the Talislanta Library and I encourage anyone else that's interested in learning more about this game to do the same. No worries, it's completely legitimate. The original creator has released the entirety of early editions into the wilds for free. Go take a look and tell me what you think.
I do not recall seeing the original Talislanta rulebook on the store shelves, but I kept looking when I would visit one of the local gaming stores. During one trip with a friend, I spotted the 2nd edition of the Talislanta Handbook and Campaign Guide sitting on the shelf.
It was the last copy available, so I picked it up for a quick browsing. I was immediately awestruck by how different it was from D&D and other similar games. Much of it was familiar but it was done in a different way. Rather than classes like "Fighter" there were archetypes that combined a race and occupation such as "Thrall Warrior" or "Gnomekin Crystalomancer" to name just a few of the 100+ available. Talislanta didn't use ability scores and modifiers but the modifier as the score so the scores might be STR +2, WIL -1, etc. The scores weren't randomly rolled either. Each archetype started with a typical array of scores and you got a few points to add and one point to subtract to customize your skills. Tasks were rolled on a D20 versus an Action Table and the various scores were used to modify the roll. Easy to use so you can just concentrate on getting on with the game rather than referencing a ton of rules.
I've messed with other versions of the game over the years but the second edition has remained my favorite. My original rulebook finally fell apart after many years of use and reading. I downloaded the official pdf from the Talislanta Library and I encourage anyone else that's interested in learning more about this game to do the same. No worries, it's completely legitimate. The original creator has released the entirety of early editions into the wilds for free. Go take a look and tell me what you think.
You do have one on me, though. I found out about The Arcanum later but I never bought a copy. I really feel like that may be a BIG void in my collection. Any particular thoughts on The Arcanum?
