Alpengard - A Deep Dive Review

Embark on epic adventures in Alpengard: Tales and Adventurers, the core rulebook for a thrilling new tabletop roleplaying game. Created by Phillip S. Benson, Alpengard plunges players into a stark fantasy world, the Stonemeres, ripe for exploration and conquest. Build your hero from five unique kindreds and choose from five versatile vocational kalls, shaping a character perfectly suited to your playstyle. A dynamic dice system utilizing d4-d30s, coupled with the strategic use of pneuma energy, ensures engaging combat and challenging quests. Whether you delve into the pre-built Stonemeres or forge your own world, Alpengard provides the tools for game masters and players to craft unforgettable fantasy sagas, filled with legendary heroes and perilous journeys.

Paperback 55.23 USD

5 / 12 ratings

Review Alpengard

Alpengard: Tales and Adventurers is a truly captivating tabletop RPG that left me thoroughly impressed. What initially drew me in was the remarkable flexibility of the character creation system. Instead of being pigeonholed into specific builds based on class or profession (which they call "kalls" here, a nice touch!), Alpengard lets you prioritize the stats that truly resonate with your character concept. I built a martial character, but I could still heavily invest in social skills and support abilities, feeling like a well-rounded hero rather than a one-trick pony. This freedom extends to world-building as well; you can use the provided Stonemeres setting, or forge your own, creating a truly unique experience tailored to your group's imagination.

But the real star of the show is the pneuma system. This resource, similar to luck or hero points in other systems, provides a fantastic layer of strategic depth and narrative richness. It's not just about re-rolls; you can enhance bonuses, amplify damage, or even boost healing. What truly sets it apart, however, is how it encourages collaborative storytelling. Our game master, cleverly, required us to justify pneuma usage narratively, prompting us to describe our character's actions and thought processes with vivid detail. This resulted in many hilarious and memorable moments. A failed jump across a chasm, for example, became an opportunity to showcase my character's athleticism and determination, as I channeled pneuma to represent a superhuman leap fueled by adrenaline.

These "micro-vignettes," as I like to call them, were incredibly effective in fleshing out our characters' personalities and motivations. We learned more about each other's inner lives through these spontaneous bursts of narrative, bypassing the often clunky method of lengthy flashbacks or exposition dumps. It also provided a satisfying way to deal with failure. Even when I spent precious pneuma and still failed, the act of narratively describing the attempt, and the subsequent consequences, led to fascinating character development. The feeling of high stakes and impactful decisions was genuinely thrilling.

Alpengard deftly balances control and risk. The system is sophisticated enough to satisfy players who enjoy the crunchier aspects of RPGs, yet remains accessible and fast-paced enough for those seeking a less intensive experience. The pneuma system is also a fantastic tool for game masters, offering excellent control over encounter difficulty and overall campaign pacing. It allows for dynamic adjustments based on player choices and the ongoing story. It's a wonderfully versatile tool that allows GMs to create a much more dynamic and rewarding experience.

Ultimately, Alpengard exceeded my expectations. It’s a well-designed system that promotes creative storytelling, strategic gameplay, and strong character development. The clever implementation of pneuma elevates the experience beyond the usual fare, resulting in a highly engaging and memorable RPG experience. It’s a game that invites collaboration, encourages imagination, and offers a truly unique and enriching tabletop gaming experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it to both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike.

Information

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.92 x 11 inches
• Language: English
• Print length: 390
• Publication date: 2024

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