Cities of the YK

[tarkhan bey]

Ok, so It's finally out and I have a copy in my mucky mits. So what do I think?
10/10 Loz my man, 10/10.
It does exactly what the blurb says it does, and more. Its got a mini campaign linking the three main city locations
This is the first completely original release for Eternal Champion 2ed and the bar is now set for any future ones.
The only maps are of the cities themselves but that's not a problem for me. Besides, with the previous maps in Mongoose products, it may be a blessing. The maps appear to be done in the style of the Lone Wolf City maps that appeared a few times in S&P.
From the little time that I've had to peruse it, there is enough treachery, backstabbing and skullduggery to appeal to even the most machiavellian of GM's.
One question LOZ, will you do one for the very much underdeveloped(gamewise) western continent? There's virtually nothing about Shazaar and I would love to see a mini campaign based around the border conflict between Dharijor and its neighbours.

 

[languagegeek]

All right, I know absolutely nothing about the Elric universe, but I'm greatly tempted by the positive comments about the MRQII setting. Let's assume I have access to good libraries and used-book stores, what should I be reading to get familiar with Elric's world?

 

[tarkhan bey]

Hey Languagegeek, if your not familiar with Moorcock you are in for a treat. I would say that reading the books from the original series is your best bet.
1) Elric of Melnibone
2) The Sailor on the Seas of Fate
3) The Singing Citadel
4) The Weird of the White Wolf
5) The Vanishing Tower
6) The Bane of the Black Sword
7) Stormbringer

These are not necessarily listed in chronological order and many are found in collections now rather than in their original titled formats. Most are collections of short stories and I think that only Stormbringer is a full length novel.
There are a number of later books of which I think Fortress of the Pearl is the best(it fits with the others in the original series as well).
Later Elric books became much more confusing and increasingly strange(though I did enjoy them) and won't add much to a campaign in the Young Kingdoms.
There's also a graphic novel entitled, The Making of a Sorceror which is both excellent and useful.

Eternal Champion gaming is my favourite setting to run as GM. It is rich in character and detail(but not to extent that it can stifle creativity-as in say,LOTR). If you want your Villains truly vile and the constant suspicion that even your allies are likely to betray you, then this is the setting for you.
:twisted:

 

[havercake lad]

Still awaiting my copy, hopefully my order through local retailer will come soon.
If all RPG material by different companies is taken into account the Western is the one least detailed.

 

[Loz]

Glad you like Tarkan. I'm currently running a campaign in Ryfel which is my favourite of the three cities described.

I don't know what the future holds for me personally penning volumes for the west (which does need some TLC) or the north, but the plan is to cover each of the continents and, dare I say it, the Unknown East.

 

[jarulf]

Completely off topic, but what on Earth does TLC mean? Tender and Loving Care, Tragic Lily Combustion, Treacherous Leverage Combination or something else entirely?

 

[Loz]

Tender Loving Care.

 

[havercake lad]

Teaming Legions of Chaos ?

 

[jarulf]

Thanks Loz.
Good thing you replied so quickly or I'd have been tempted to suggest more possibilities, which would not have been a good thing.

 

[DamonJynx]

...and many are found in collections now rather than in their original titled formats. Most are collections of short stories and I think that only Stormbringer is a full length novel.

Gollancz? publish omnibus editions of most of the Eternal Champion series under the Fantasy Masterworks label. There is also another publisher who has a series Tales of The Eternal Champion - both of these you should be able to find on Amazon without too much trouble.

I have only read the books listed by Tarkhen and IMHO they are all excellent - considering when they were written. They were very influential in developing my love of the fantasy genre and I have just about finished re-reading them.

It's a bit subjective, but I'd class Elric Of Melnibone and Sailor On The Seas Of Fates as novels (though the latter is actually 3 linked novellas).

The whole EC series is worth reading (I can only speak for the tales concerning Corum, Elric, Erekose, Hawkmoon (my personal favourite, my favourite character has to be Hulliam D'Averc!), Illian and Urlik Skarsol and the Mars novels). Some of Micheal's other novels weren't to my taste, though I enjoyed The Ice Schooner.

My campaign is currently taking place on the Western Continent (Aflitain, Dhakos and soon, Gromoovra). For what it's worth, I'm happy to contribute in some way to other "Cities Of The Young Kingdoms" endeavours.

 

[ryhopewood]

All right, I know absolutely nothing about the Elric universe, but I'm greatly tempted by the positive comments about the MRQII setting. Let's assume I have access to good libraries and used-book stores, what should I be reading to get familiar with Elric's world?

I've been reading through the paperback series Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melnibone. All six volumes are now out.

This is the link to the first http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elric-Steal...23/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1302596354&sr=8-10

Don't be put off by the high price of the first volume (someone making mischief on Amazon's Marketplace I suspect). There are lots of copies out there.