Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
Castles & Crusades is a fantasy role-playing game that combines the classic feel of old-school games with the modern simplicity and flexibility of the SIEGE engine. The game allows you to create and play any character you want, from any genre or setting, with minimal rules and maximum fun. If you are a fan of Castles & Crusades, or if you are looking for a new and exciting way to explore the world of fantasy, you might be interested in one of the latest supplements for the game: Castles & Crusades Codex Slavorum.
What is Codex Slavorum?
Castles & Crusades Codex Slavorum is a supplement that explores the myths and legends of the ancient Slavic peoples. The book is written by Brian N. Young and published by Troll Lord Games. It contains 144 pages of rich and detailed information about the Slavic culture, history, religion, magic, and monsters.
What does Codex Slavorum offer?
The book is divided into four chapters: The Slavic World, The Slavic Pantheon, The Slavic Magic, and The Slavic Bestiary. Each chapter provides a wealth of material for creating adventures and campaigns in a unique and diverse setting that is often overlooked in fantasy gaming.
The Slavic World
The first chapter provides an overview of the geography, climate, society, and customs of the Slavic lands, as well as a timeline of their history from the prehistoric times to the medieval era. You will learn about the different tribes and kingdoms that inhabited the vast region of Eastern Europe, their wars and alliances, their trade and economy, their art and literature, their laws and justice, their festivals and rituals, and their daily life and challenges. You will also find a map of the Slavic world, as well as suggestions for creating your own Slavic characters and campaigns.
The Slavic Pantheon
The second chapter introduces the main gods and goddesses of the Slavic pantheon, such as Perun, Veles, Mokosh, Svarog, and many others. Each deity has a description of their appearance, personality, domains, symbols, allies, enemies, and worshipers. You will also find information on how to use the gods in your games, such as their role in the cosmology, their relationship with other pantheons, their influence on magic and clerics, their temples and shrines, their holy days and festivals, their myths and legends, and their cults and sects.
The Slavic Magic
The third chapter covers the various types of magic practiced by the Slavs, such as shamanism, witchcraft, runes, charms, and curses. It also presents new classes, spells, and magic items for Castles & Crusades. You will find rules for creating and playing shaman characters, who can commune with spirits and manipulate natural forces; witch characters, who can cast spells using herbs and potions; runemaster characters, who can inscribe runes on objects and surfaces; charm-maker characters, who can create magical amulets and talismans; and curse-caster characters, who can inflict misfortune and harm on their enemies. You will also find new spells for each type of magic user, as well as new magic items such as Perun’s axe, Veles’ staff, Mokosh’s spindle, Svarog’s hammer, and more.
The Slavic Bestiary
The fourth chapter presents a collection of monsters and creatures from the Slavic folklore, such as Baba Yaga, Koschei the Deathless, Zmey Gorynych, Vodyanoi, Rusalka, and many others. Each monster has a stat block, a description of their appearance, behavior, ecology, and combat tactics. You will also find tips on how to use them in your games, such as their role in the setting, their relationship with other creatures, their lairs and treasures, their motivations and goals, and their plots and schemes.
Conclusion
Castles & Crusades Codex Slavorum is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore the rich and fascinating world of the ancient Slavs in their games. It offers a wealth of material for creating adventures and campaigns in a unique and diverse setting that is often overlooked in fantasy gaming. Whether you want to play as a heroic warrior defending your homeland from invaders, a cunning shaman seeking to unravel the secrets of the gods, or a fearsome witch wielding dark magic against your enemies, you will find something to inspire you in this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves mythology, history, and fantasy.
And the Amazing Cover!
One of the most striking features of the cover is the way it pays homage to Chernabog, the iconic Disney villain from Fantasia. Chernabog is a colossal and sinister demon who rules over the night and summons his minions to celebrate his dark power. The cover captures his menacing presence and his fiery eyes, as well as the eerie atmosphere of the Night on Bald Mountain segment, where he appears. The cover also evokes the haunting music of Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, which accompanies Chernabog’s actions in the animation. The music is a symphonic poem that depicts a witches’ sabbath on a mountain peak, where the devil himself presides over the infernal festivities. The cover is a brilliant tribute to one of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in Disney history.
Castles & Crusades Codex Slavorum on DrivethruRpg
