Customer Reviews

The Dragon and the Bear (Ars Magica)

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Ars Magica is a truly great system. It is inherently set in Western Europe around 1220 AD. But what of Eastern Europe? There were people there as well, obviously, and your character migth wish to travel there. Pity the poor storyguide who had to run to the books trying to understand Kievan Russia. That is until now.

This book, like Lion of the North, dispells many myths concerning the Kievan states at this time. This is not a unified land. It has been converted, yes, but in many ways superficially. Peoples attitudes are, well, different. This book gives you background on social structures, civic organization, politics, the Old Ways, faeries, and even arms & armour. On top of this, for better or for worse, it lets you glimpse the coming of the Golden Horde, as the mongols will soon overrun this territory (wisely the game suggests setting your time-period rather earlier than the usual 1220 AD, for otherwise you would have a short campaign).

The Order of Hermes is a stranger in this place, thus making it easier for players to plead blessed ignorance. The locals understand this and will pity you for your ignorance. They will send you to the local druzhina for assitance, to a volkhv if you seem wise, or call down the boyars if you get out of line.

At least the storyguide will know what all this means now.

If you want an interesting campaign using Ars Magica, buy this book and perpare for a world of wonder. Dozvedanya!