Fraught Fellowships, Vol. 2: Ad Arcanum (for Vaesen)

In this exciting new series from Melpomene Games (authors of three Vaesen Mysteries, ‘The Gold in the Green’, ‘The Double’, and ‘The Devil Take Order’), new factions for the world of Vaesen are introduced. Each volume of Fraught Fellowships focuses on a unique type of faction, presents details on each, along with example NPCs, new mechanics, and story seeds. A new mechanic called Favor is used to provide a currency for interacting with these factions.

The second volume, Ad Arcanum, focuses on magic items. It introduces two unique factions with very different goals concerning magic artifacts, a Favor system that rewards engagement with each, and the biggest new feature – a system for making your own magic items! The system works through a series of steps to generate a Value level, and one or more magical effects with corresponding Risks, and a random Theme and Form to give the item substance. Then we go one step further: we introduce new mechanics for Limitations to make the items more constrained in their use – often in ways that clever players can overcome or work around. Finally, some items will become Sentient, meaning that they have their own willpower and goals, and will try to influence bearers! Four large tables and a procedural system is made to guide Game Masters, and then a dozen unique magic items based on Nordic lore are provided with full stats.

Here you will find:

The Shadow-Traders: a group of like-minded businessmen and industrialists who seek to covertly exchange magic items at a profit, and focused on exploiting magic items for their industrial uses.

The Temple of Uppsala: a religious group that seeks to understand the hidden purposes and wishes of magic items, so that their destinies can be fulfilled – whether or not the items’ bearers like it!

4 NPCs for each faction with mini-art.

Unique tables for gaining and spending Favor for each of the factions.

A new system for generating magic items, as well as a Limitations toolkit to keep the power creep under control and impose interesting problems on the bearers.

12 new magic items that are fully statted within the new system.

Price: $3.99