Etherne: Ancient RPG

Type : Basic Book RPG
Formula : Book 230 p. B&W, softcover
Writer : Elwin Charpentier
Detour: Siths
Cover illustration: P. Quidult
Interior illustrations: O. Garidel, A. Girondengo, B. Trvit
dition Franaise: Yes
PPC: 19 EUR

“Ether It is a role-playing game inspired by antiquity in the Mediterranean where the characters find themselves at the center of the intrigues of the powerful Latin Republic.

They are agents, vassals, or members of the families of senators who participate in the race for power within the republic.

The intrigues of senators and foreign powers, trips to distant lands and the struggle between mysticism and reason form the background of their adventures.

Perhaps, over time, they will be able to free themselves and climb the highest steps to get to the desired consulate.

Ethern is a great ancient city, built between the sea and the mountains.

For centuries, it began a slow transformation that led it to expand more and more.

From the city became a nation.

From a nation, will you become an empire?

Senat strongmen realize that they are surrounded by many other civilizations.

Each has its own language, traditions and way of thinking. Each has its own architecture, artists, and professors. Each has its own ambitions.

After a quick introduction, the basic book is divided into 3 main parts:

being (88 pages), presents the Eternal Republic, its allies, and the geography of its interior lands.

legs (48 pages), describing dice rolls (1d10 unlimited, 0 re-roll), duels, lucky rolls, calling deities, character creation, skills, fighting, healing, diseases, ascension and experience.

Mysticism and reason (32 pages), explains both sides of the game, the pantheon and logic.

The book ends with several 46-page appendices (equipment, habitat, archetypes, animals, GM advice, script, inspiration, glossary, chronology, summary of combat rules, civilization and character sheets).

We will easily recognize the main inspiration of the game: From the movie the gladiator Storyboard Alex Go of course through the classic novel Odyssey An excellent RPG Celtic legends (And its great scenarios, they can easily be ported to Ether.) There are even allusions to further references (called a play by Romos and Julietus).

So the idea is to bring together all the cultures of Mare Nostrum, in this game inspired by history (and its simple rules). And she succeeded.

In fact, as for the two aspects that make up the genre, political intrigue and dangerous journeys, the author had a good idea to let pervasive doubt pass (in the manner of an excellent RPG Pavillon Noir). Are supernatural phenomena a manifestation of the gods or is there a logical explanation for all these strange things?

Doubts, puzzles, plots and journeys are then the ingredients of adventures that will remind us all of old memories of classrooms or watching our childhoods from old peach on our TV in 4:3, with beautiful pastel colors and special effects frame by frame (impressive for the time).