World Tree: A Role Playing Game of Species and Civilization [Paperback]

Bard Bloom (Author), Victoria Borah Bloom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Readers can learn the detailed information about the inhabitants of the WorldTree and play their own games in its domain. (Games/Gamebooks)

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Padwolf Publishing Inc. (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890096105
• ISBN-13: 978-1890096106
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,658,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another World, November 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: World Tree: A Role Playing Game of Species and Civilization (Paperback)

"World Tree" is a thoroughly developed fantasy world. There are cities on branches miles wide and thousands of miles long, with people looking down into space and trading with flying ships. Magic is so common that even children use it, and you learn how it's used in ordinary life and not just adventuring. The races aren't just dog-men, otter-men, etc. -- they have unique customs, personalities, clothing, and architecture. Metal is rare, so wood and bone tools have become extremely advanced. Meddling gods look down from the sky.

The book's first hundred pages suck you in and make you want to play in this world, even before you see the rules and huge magic list. There are explanatory notes and one-page stories throughout the book written from the characters' perspective; these are useful and often funny. Even if you're not a gamer, it's worth reading. Writers can learn from this great example of world-building.

The rules are fairly simple, since most rolls are (Stat + Skill + d20) versus some number, though filling out a character sheet can take a long time due to the variety of spells and skills and the odd experience point system. The spells explore all combinations of the 7 magic Verbs and 12 Nouns (e.g. "Change" + "Flesh" = shapeshifting) and let you do many things in multiple ways. There are eight fully playable races with different specialties from the fast, shape-changing Orren with "species-wide ADD" to the physically puny but immortal and magically-gifted Zi Ri, to the armored insect Herethroy who use huge three-handed swords.

This is no generic medieval game with elves and dungeons; it's a complete world. Beware when reading, as I've seen people forget what time it is and where they are!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A game which is far more, February 4, 2002

By 

"rdinovo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Tree: A Role Playing Game of Species and Civilization (Paperback)

To be blunt, this is a game which is more then a game, for it is a deep, involved, and very, very beautiful world. This was not something that was slung together in a weekend for the sole purpose of making money. This is something that has taken the talents of many people from gamers to beautiful artists who have all left their touch in this game. Although at first the instructions seem simple, you realize how deep and well rounded they are. The old term 'A minute to learn, a lifetime to master' somes to mind.
On a side note, I have spoken to the creators of this, and they constantly ask for input and advice how to make it better. This shows how much they truly love this game. If you are a gamer, looking for a world to love, look no forther.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! Anthro RP that isn't just added in!, August 11, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World Tree: A Role Playing Game of Species and Civilization (Paperback)

I've got a lot of Anthropomorphic RPG's, but most of them just plug the furry into the real world (or something very similar). This is the first one I've seen that actually made an effort to create an entire world -designed- with the fur in mind. The system is relatively easy to learn, and character generation is simple and straightforward. There's enough setting information in the book that you don't need to worry about lines like, "Please look for more information on 'X' in our upcoming book ... " The art is well-done, as well, complementing the text rather than distracting from it.