Earthdawn 3rd edition

[Brain Waster]

RedBrick just published a third edition of Earthdawn, it came out one week ago.

http://www.redbrick-limited.com/cms/index.php?categoryid=18

It looks like Earthdawn may still be alive.

[TheWake]

Earthdawn lives, it always has.  It will live for as long as people continue to tell the stories...

[Vocaloid]

RedBrick just published a third edition of Earthdawn, it came out one week ago.

http://www.redbrick-limited.com/cms/index.php?categoryid=18

It looks like Earthdawn may still be alive.

Lies. D8

[Dr. L. Loki]

Ed has informed me that these books can be ordered through the store and are not Print on Demand.  According to the website they are Hardcover as well.  I have placed an order for the GM Guide.  If the system looks fine, I my set a single shot adventure.

[TheWake]

I'd love to play more Earthdawn.  I welcome the chance!   

[Dr. L. Loki]

Once it arrives, I will let you all know.  I NEED EARTHDAWN!!!!

[gollum]

It would be fun to play a one shot adventure! I wonder if the game system is still the same or has it been redone. I look forward to the answer.


Long live Talmirian!

[Dr. L. Loki]

A few observations on the Game Master Guide:

The Product:

First, the book is well made.  It has a much higher production value than the 2nd Edition main book.  Each decorated page has more than a simple border, as was the style of previous editions.  The new design and layout stays true to the 1st Edition and removes itself from the 2nd Edition's anime undertones.  That being said, most of the artwork is taken directly from 1st Edition with very little new graphics so it was easy to stay true.

The Material:

After reading through the back-story (How it came to pass) the majority is verbatim from the 1st Edition.  It still contains the typo placing Parlainth in the northwestern corner of Barsaive (on the map it is clearly in the northeastern corner of Barsaive).  The writers added to the history, and carried it to the events in the Prelude to War, the first and last campaign of 1st Edition.  It ends the timeline in 1510 TH, and ignores the events of 2nd Edition.  I am not sure if this is merely so they can rewrite the events of 2nd Edition, or take the Epic Plot line in another direction. 

The book contains much more than 1st or 2nd Edition had in their main books.  In all it is a boiling down of the various sourcebooks into this one resource. 

The Rules:

The book is a consolidation of the rules that spanned the several books of 1st Edition.  Most of the rules and their text are not original just consolidated.  This makes it easier to find certain rules rather than scouring book after book for that elusive bit of text.  This should allow people who played previous versions to be able to pick up the game easily. 

Summary:

As the battery in my laptop is about to die, a final thought, it is a good book.  Don’t look to it for new material, but rather a consolidation.  If you have not read the various sourcebooks, it will enlighten you to the world of Earthdawn.  For those who have, it is merely a refresher course.  I look forward to further publications, and I hope unlike the two prior edition, this one has some staying power. 

[TheWake]

Very nice to hear this review.  As I suspected the Earthdawn Second Edition branch is a dead end.  The Classic -> Third Edition Branch is something that I will now want to check out.  I always thought that RedBrick's business model was the lower budget (reuse of art, e-books, PoD, reprints, etc.) of the two.  I am happy that this allowed them to survive and keep Earthdawn alive.  Perhaps with one storyline and one source the game can continue to grow.

I look forward to seeing the book myself.

[Dr. L. Loki]

Very nice to hear this review.  As I suspected the Earthdawn Second Edition branch is a dead end.  The Classic -> Third Edition Branch is something that I will now want to check out.  I always thought that RedBrick's business model was the lower budget (reuse of art, e-books, PoD, reprints, etc.) of the two.  I am happy that this allowed them to survive and keep Earthdawn alive.  Perhaps with one storyline and one source the game can continue to grow.

I look forward to seeing the book myself.

I agree.  With only one developer, the fan base won't be broken.  Hopefully they will be able to support this one line. 

[Dr. L. Loki]

Once my copy of the Player's Guide comes in, I will pick up and look for the subtle differences.  At that time I will begin planning a one shot deal....which may lead to a series of one shot deals.....but it isn't a campaign.  Nope not a campaign.  I am not allowed run a campaign....Too much of a time commitment.  Yup sure is...

[TheWake]

Once my copy of the Player's Guide comes in, I will pick up and look for the subtle differences.  At that time I will begin planning a one shot deal....which may lead to a series of one shot deals.....but it isn't a campaign.  Nope not a campaign.  I am not allowed run a campaign....Too much of a time commitment.  Yup sure is...

Then we will have a once a week series of one shot games.