Shadow of the Demon Lord (PDF/ePUB) By Robert J. Schwalb read online for free.
Shadow of the Demon Lord Information
| Book Name: | Shadow of the Demon Lord |
| Author: | Robert J. Schwalb |
| Pages | 60 |
| Language: | English |
| File Type: | PDF/ePub (Downloadable) |
| PDF Size: | 56 MB |
| Also Read | The Sea of Monsters (PDF/ePUB) By Rick Riordan Read Online |
The conclusion marks the commencement of a new phase. Occasionally, the global community finds itself in need of individuals who embody heroic qualities.
However, during these final days, the global community will embrace individuals from all walks of life: heroes, villains, those with unstable mental states, and anybody else who is willing to confront the impending darkness. Will you engage in combat with the malevolent entities, or will you opt to incinerate everything and partake be a celebratory dance amidst the resulting remnants? What will be the nature of one’s identity in the event of global demise? The role-playing game “Shadow of the Demon Lord” provides access to a fictional realm that is under the control of a powerful cosmic entity. Welcome to a realm immersed in the tumult and insanity that has been unleashed during the latter stages of existence. Within this domain, entire territories have been overtaken by raucous packs of beastmen, ethereal entities released from the Underworld, and indescribable abominations awakened by the near advent of the Demon Lords.
About The Author Robert J. Schwalb
Robert J. Schwalb, a renowned game designer and accomplished writer, gained prominence in the field of Dungeons & Dragons, a popular role-playing game. Schwalb embarked on his professional journey in 2002, and since then, he has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to his craft. The individual in question has been involved in the creation and production of about two hundred gaming books, encompassing both physical and digital mediums.
These works have been published by esteemed businesses like as Wizards of the Coast, Green Ronin Publishing, Black Industries, Fantasy Flight Games, and various other entities. Several of his most renowned literary works encompass the Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Player’s Handbook 3, A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying, Grimm, and Tome of Corruption. The initial publication of Robert’s debut novel is anticipated to occur in the latter part of 2011.
Shadow of the Demon Lord Book Summary
Shadow of the Demon Lord can be classified as a horror fantasy role-playing game (RPG) with a moderate level of complexity. The game is situated within a fantasy empire that is on the verge of collapse, as it faces imminent danger from the Shadow Lord, a malevolent entity that consumes reality. The protagonists engage in combat with monstrous entities originating from far regions, infiltrating through fissures in the fabric of existence, and conjured by individuals afflicted with severe mental instability, with the aim of enduring another day and potentially rescuing a select few individuals dear to them.
The aforementioned approach is widely regarded as the pioneering implementation of the 1d20+k +/- nd6 mechanics, which have since become a defining feature of the Lancer role-playing game. The magnitude of static bonuses is quite modest, but the difficulty class (DC) values are in proximity to 10. Additionally, situational factors provide advantageous and disadvantageous effects, represented by the rolling of six-sided dice (d6s) that offset each other, with only the greatest value being considered. The process of combat is expeditious and straightforward, characterised by stringent constraints on permissible acts.
A notable aspect of game design is the inclusion of a mechanic where characters have the option to execute a Fast Turn, including a single action or movement, or alternatively, to defer their turn until a later point in the round and instead do a Slow Turn, allowing them to both move and attack. In addition, characters are granted a single Triggered action, typically an attack of opportunity, as a default option when an individual advances. However, as characters progress, they may acquire additional skills that offer other choices for Triggered actions.
In the game, characters are constructed by selecting from a range of classes, including novice, expert, and advanced, which are available at various levels ranging from 0 to 12. The initial selection for the player’s character class includes options such as mage, priest, rogue, or warrior, with the potential for further specialisation as the game progresses. For instance, the cleric class can evolve into a paladin and subsequently into a templar.
The selection of classes has significant importance, but, subsequent choices pertaining to abilities and spells are comparatively constrained. The aspect of the character development minigame pertaining to magic items is also characterised by a lack of abundance. Enchanted artefacts exhibit peculiar characteristics rather than possessing inherent potency. Skills are managed using a profession system, wherein individuals possess prior experience in a specific occupation prior to embarking on their journey as adventurers. It is presumed that these individuals possess a high level of proficiency in the corresponding professional domain.
The setting incorporates several innovative concepts. The concept of soul reincarnation entails the belief that individuals undergo a cycle of rebirth, wherein morally upright individuals relinquish their personal identities and exist as ethereal entities in the realm of the afterlife, prior to their subsequent return to the mortal world. The malevolent individuals undergo a process wherein their souls are purged of corruption by supernatural entities known as devils, a particular kind of faerie, prior to their reintegration. The presence of halflings and elves is acknowledged, although they are not included as playable characters. Instead, goblins, changelings, and clockworks are featured in their stead. The recent overthrow of the Emperor by the Orcs has resulted in only implicit political ramifications.
There exists a multitude of commendable concepts, alongside a few inadequately developed ones. The inclusion of an insanity system in the game appears to primarily result in the loss of control over characters during critical moments. This implementation can be seen as a direct adaptation of the previous mechanics from Call of Cthulhu, without a comprehensive reconsideration of the interplay between adventure, horror, and psychological distress.
In a similar vein, within the context of this game, characterised by its dark and morally ambiguous nature, there exists an element of objective malevolence referred to as Corruption. Players have the ability to acquire Corruption by engaging in reprehensible actions and acquiring knowledge of nefarious spells. Additionally, the game incorporates a central antagonist known as the Demon Lord, who poses imminent threats to the players. The setting, although highly suitable for gaming purposes, is more effective when it embraces the unconventional elements of sword and sorcery, rather than excessively incorporating elements from the Warhammer Fantasy universe.
The current game under consideration exhibits a higher level of competitiveness compared to various iterations of Dungeons & Dragons and my personal preference, 13th Age. However, it is important to note that this game is subject to certain limitations and ultimately falls into the category of a fantasy heartbreaker. I am gradually adopting the perspective of individuals who advocate for the utilisation of “Blades in the Dark” as a viable alternative. Alternatively, if I were to pursue a more contemporary option, I would consider exploring Massif’s ICON.