I am contemplating running one or two new games later this year and want to put this out to test the waters. Each game would be for a small group of four or five players and be bias towards player dialogue and role play, although there is always room for a good serving of violence. Also, both games have a serious and adult element to them which will involve situations which some may find unpleasant or uncomfortable. 

Can I ask that you all take a moment to read through, and if any of this interests you then please let me know. I will then have a better view on if either of these will fly.

Here is a brief overview of each system and setting.

Here comes a rich man turned to a beggerman,

Here comes a master bound for a thief.

Here comes a father led by his daughter.

Here comes a priest with no belief.

We’ll lie side by side my love in a World turned upside down.

It is May in the year of our Lord 1642 and England stands on the brink. The King has been refused entrance to Kingston upon Hull and the people and establishments of the country start fragmenting on religious and political fault lines. Even establishments such as the nobility and Order of the Tree are not invulnerable to schisms as former friends and allies become bitter enemies.

Into this settling you will plunge. As representatives of the one of many factions you will also be linked to the Order of the Tree, that ancient society that has been responsible that magic is tempered with humanity and not exploited by Crown, Church or Commoner.

The system belongs to the “Old School Renaissance” family using the open game licence, andis a stripped down form of D&D. There are four classes, Fighters. Clerics, Mages and Specialists, each of whom may serve the Order in their own way.       

The Rivers of London 

Based on the Ben Aaronovitch books, and using the Chaosium Basic Role Play System, Rivers of London is set in the City of London around 2015. It follows the exploits of the  Special Assessment Unit (AKA The Folly), that less than well known part of the Met Police. The Folly has been the home of Newtonian magic since 1775 and deals with the “weird bollocks” investigations that causes the Commissioner sleepless nights and can upset the public if not cleaned up.

Background wise, magic is everywhere (although few can feel it) and very very dangerous, especially if left in the hands of unregistered hedge wizards or ,God forbid, a member of the Demi-Monde. Oh, for the uninitiated the DM are those who have been changed by magic or are of a magical nature, you know, weird bollocks.

Newton theorised that human interaction with their environment over a period of time led to a build up of, well magic. This can manifest itself into a Genius loci or spirit developing in the location. The many lost rivers of London have over thousands of years of human interaction become very human looking and powerful beings, some would say River Gods. They reflect the cumulative, nature, attitudes and prejudices of those lives that have helped create them.

 It is the duty of The Folly to uphold the Queen’s peace, maintain law and order, and hopefully stay alive long enough to maybe understand what it’s all about. And yes, you do have to act within the law. This is London, not Los Angelese so firearms are strictly controlled. There is a special place and punishment for rogue coppers, and it isn’t Chelsea.

It is a steep learning curve for recruits to The Folly but the opportunities for career progression are there for all. You may even learn a bit of magic, but good solid policing skills are not to be dismissed.      

On behalf of Mark Stewart