Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Castles & Crusades Codex Classicum is a supplement for the Castles & Crusades role-playing game that explores the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome. The book contains new classes, spells, monsters, and adventures inspired by the classical world, as well as historical and cultural information to enrich the game setting. The book is written by Brian Young, with illustrations by Peter Bradley and Jason Walton.
What’s Inside?
The book is divided into four chapters: The Classical World, The Classical Mythos, The Classical Magic, and The Classical Adventures.
- The Classical World provides an overview of the geography, history, society, religion, and art of the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as their interactions with other cultures such as the Etruscans, Celts, Persians, and Egyptians.
- The Classical Mythos delves into the rich mythology of the classical world, describing the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and creatures, and legendary places and events that shaped the stories and beliefs of the ancients.
- The Classical Magic introduces new options for players and Castle Keepers (the game masters), such as new classes (the Bard, the Gladiator, the Oracle, and the Philosopher), new spells (mostly related to divination, enchantment, and illusion), new magic items (such as the Golden Fleece, the Helm of Hades, and the Wings of Icarus), and new rules for fate points, oracles, sacrifices, and curses.
- The Classical Adventures presents four adventure modules that can be played separately or as part of a campaign: The Labyrinth of Crete, The Voyage of the Argo, The Trojan War, and The Odyssey.
What’s Good?
The book is well-written and well-researched, with plenty of references to primary sources and classical literature. The author clearly has a passion for the subject matter and conveys it in an engaging and informative way. The book also offers a lot of flexibility for Castle Keepers to adapt the material to their own preferences and styles. For example, the book suggests different ways to incorporate the classical elements into a fantasy world or a historical setting, as well as different levels of realism and fantasy for the myths and magic. The book also provides tips on how to create original adventures based on classical themes and motifs.
The illustrations are also very impressive, with a mix of realistic and stylized art that captures the essence of the classical world. The maps are clear and detailed, and the monster illustrations are especially striking. The book has a nice layout and design, with sidebars, tables, charts, and quotes that enhance the readability and usability of the book.
What’s Not So Good?
Some of the information in the first chapter is repeated in the second chapter, which could have been avoided with better editing. Some of the spells and magic items are not very balanced or original compared to the core rules or other supplements. Some of the adventures are more linear or railroady than others, which could limit the choices and actions of the players.
Final Thoughts
Castles & Crusades Codex Classicum is a great addition to any Castles & Crusades game that wants to explore the classical world in a fun and creative way. The book is full of interesting facts, inspiring stories, exciting options, and challenging adventures that will appeal to fans of history, mythology, fantasy, or adventure. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Castles & Crusades or classical culture in general. It is a book that deserves a place in your gaming library.
Castles & Crusades Codex Classicum on DrivethruRpg
