Wha?!?!?!
I just casually open up the latest Warpstone
and something drives me to read the editor's column. And there,
to my horror, it is stated that people have written in complaining
about the size of the font, as in it is too small. Consequently,
the font is bigger, and there is less material. This comes as
a shock to me, people wanting less "bang" for their
"buck".
Clearly the shock of this did something to my
perspective on the magazine. Silly I suppose, but after reading
that, this issue seemed a bit lacking in both breadth and depth.
I just couldn't shake the feeling that there should have been
a little more. I finished the magazine and immediately thought:
"Is that all?".
In the choice between content and slightly smaller
fonts, I'm always on the side of more content. Shame on Warpstone!
Reviews
The issue begins with reviews of the Black Library
materials, a GW division that now produces considerable literature
for WFRP. The kid gloves are on apparently, and Mr. Foody is
exceedingly generous in his reviews. A cursory glance at some
of the offerings of the Black Library, it fails to warn off
the unsuspecting…
The real treat here is the interview with Marc Gascoigne that
proves interesting. Warpstone has done some illuminating interviews
that give us some insight into what transpires "behind
the curtains" at GW.
Warpstone Fragments
News and bits about the world, the "Corrupting Influence:
Best of Warpstone…", Hogshead News, White Dwarf, news
about Strike to Stun and Critical Hit. There is also a mini-review
of "Battle Cattle" and "Land of Og", whose
inclusion here strikes me as odd.
The Correspondent
Tim Eccles' column goes speculative, and proves as nearly boring
as any "What If Hitler…" question. I found it
dreadfully boring of little relevance to anybody - after all,
its up to the individual GMs to wonder what will happen in the
future of the WFRP world - if there even is one. To get the
gist of the argument, you merely have to read the Summary at
the end, which makes you wonder why this article was stretched
out four pages.
Guilds Within the Empire
Tim Eccle's has another go, and once again the difference between
his columns and his articles is apparent. This one article is
not as good as his earlier article on money, but proves far
better organized. Its exhaustive in breadth, but lacking in
depth. The latter may be remedied by the future articles that
look in greater depth into the subject matter. Next issue promises
Medical and Engineer's Guild that should provide greater content.
Now, That's What I Call Chaos
A single page devoted to squeezing, pigeonholing, and cramming
every element of every WFRP product in an epic campaign. I disagree
with the concept from the start, and I find this article by
a fellow Strike to Stun author entirely unnecessary and uninspired.
The Trust
This Warpstone issue proves pretty disappointing, until its
saving grace: The Trust. This article goes further than any
other piece in revolutionizing the way that we conceive of Chaos.
This is quite simply the most pioneering piece published by
Warpstone, and its author Robin Low should be applauded.
Yes, the article does deal with the forces of Chaos. For that
matter alone, it was a mistake titling this article with the
name of the group in question. That aside, this article takes
a novel approach to chaos and the goals of a cult. Ideas ooze
out of this piece, and this article alone makes this issue worth
purchasing.
Up the Ladder
Warpstone has made a point out of not publishing too many careers.
Why they would violate this useful guideline for these two careers
is beyond me. "Up the Ladder" presents us with two
advanced careers. Both suffer from the same thing. There are
three cardinal sins most bad careers can commit. The first:
no background for the career. Both of these careers have considerable
background that enhances the feel of the WFRP world. The second
is that the advance schemes are too out of control. Both careers
have generous schemes, but none an affront to my sensibilities.
It is in the third of these sins that the careers go awry:
Kitchensinkism, where every conceivable career is piled into
the career. The Cat Burglar career has a bewildering 21 skills!
The "Master Thief" has 25 skills, and an absurd and
diverse range of skills. These careers are sprawling messes
and sorely lacking in definement. The Cat-Burglar is more an
archetype than a career, an interesting NPC rather than a career,
while the Master Thief is a poorly conceived career.
Talabheim
I'm still fond of this series, but I am starting to have some
misgivings. Every time I read a new article, I have to go back
and reread what I read before: simply put, serialization may
be the wrong way of providing us with a flourishing background.
This would be better served in one issue, or on a website; I
suppose they are doing the best with what they have.
The next problem is the disorganized nature of this article:
"Abroad in the City". We get a small blurb on Proscribed
Cults, a rather longish article on a political movement, and
details on Blutberg. It seems to be about power and politics,
but it comes across as lacking a real sense of direction.
The article is a bit uninspired until we get to the section
on Blutberg, where some of the original atmosphere of the first
article is clearly apparent. This section invokes a real sense
of what the designers were originally intending: it has a sense
of mystery, a well conceived and realized context, and many
wonderful small details that make the area unique and intriguing.
If there is a second reason to purchase this issue, it is for
the Blutberg section alone.
A Recipe for Trouble
I'm never a fan of ready-made scenarios - hardly
ever employing them, but this one seems interesting: no chaos,
no cultists, lots of intrigue and investigation, and human rather
than caricature villains.
The Nature of the Obligation
Hmmm… I'm not a fan of fantasy fiction, I'm still trying
to wash the taint off of the GW novels I was compelled to read
for WFRP. Rather than read anything more and then write a prejudiced
review, I'll simply inform you that the magazine includes a
four page short story, and allow you to read it and form your
own opinion. If it turns out to be good, email me, maybe I'll
go back and read it… maybe…
The magazine concludes with "The Forum".
Having finished it, I feel that the "meat" of the
fanzine seems (I stress: "seems") to have diminished.
Nonetheless, it is a must buy for the sole reason of "The
Trust" article in Warpstone 18 alone. For those like me
who look forward to the Talabheim article, the bit on Blutberg
alone makes it worth purchasing. The Guilds article could turn
into an intriguing series of articles as well. All in all, this
product is a good buy, although the quality of some of the contributions
could be higher.
Rev. Lepper
