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 Vis Imperia Victoriana |
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| Vis Imperia Victoriana by Colin D. Speirs The pen-and-paper role playing game (RPG) Vis Imperia Victoriana is based on the fantasy RPG Chivalry and Sorcery Essence, and works with the same Essence-rules. While the mother-game has to be purchased for a fistful of dollars, VIV can be downloaded for free from Britgame Designs. On the website are, apart from the game, other fine free downloads to adjust the game to your needs. The game is set up for Victorian/colonial role playing. The slender download does not contain pictures, so there is no real “feeling” available for how much fantasy, steampunk or Victoriana the makers had in mind. The choice of setting is simple: the British Empire, nineteenth century. Some help to flesh this out is found in the rule book. The colonies and the unexplored land are filled by well-known wild animals, that have their own table in the rules. The rules (a 20-sided die or D20 is needed) are not very inventive, and most rpg-ers will have no problem understanding them. However, the basic rules are more appropriate for a fantasy-game than for a Victorian game. Victorian adventurers didn’t run around with battleaxes, for example, nor would they carry a shield. There are even some magic-rules. But don’t despair. There is also a chapter for fire-arms and how to use them in the game. And on the website is a full essay on how to design your own set of weapons - could you wish for more? What I found a bit out of place was the remark on lady adventurers. Of course, in reality there weren’t that many, but it’s still a fantasy game, especially when you hand them carpet bags and parasols as weapons. I think in a more serious game, a lot more female characters can be used, even without “unsexing” them and keeping them fully ladylike. The “natives” are not really worked out either. Maybe because there’s a lot of different kinds of “natives” in the world, but the game would be somewhat more attractive when providing a little bit background on the colonies and how to play natives. All in all, the free game has a lot of value and with one free download, and the purchase of a D20, you are ready to play a nifty colonial game. © Yaghish 2003 |
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