Sample file Table of Contents Runes by Stewart Wieck 3 Back from Europe, Stewart gets back up to date with the working world. From the Pack 4 Readers give their impressions of magazine content and beginning games to buy. All Horror is Mythos Horror by S. John Ross 6 Classical creatures of terror can belong to the Call of Cthulhu Mythos too. Scope of Magic by Wayne Ligion 8 This column provides a scary new series of Call of Cthulhu spells and magic items. Love by Christopher Kubasik 14 As Storm Knights quickly learn, love in Torg's land of Orrorsh is not a many splendrous thing. Hunger by Ray Winninger 28 Most Chill adventures are based on SAVE, but that organization never included Neathderthals! Cray Canyon Cold Snap by S. John Ross 38 With the rise of an ancient power, six-shooters aren't enough in this GURPS Old West / Horror adventure. Feature Review: Dark Conspiracy by Stewart Wieck 45 This look into one of GDW's latest game release tells us what makes a modern horror world tick. Feature Review: Vampire by Martin Wixted 46 This look into the game makesSample us realize the personalfile terror of becoming undead. Capsule Reviews by Line Reviewers 49 As usual, we take a look at a variety of new releases, including some for Call ofCthulhu, Chill, and Shadowrun. Doomsday Exam by Nick Pollotta 60 With the return offiction to the pages of WHITE WOLF, we offer an excerpt from the latest Bureau 13: Stalking the Night Fantastic novel. StarKhan by Lee VanShaick 66 Part three of the StarKhan saga, detailing the sci-fi world from Rafm. Silicon Dungeon by Jim Trunzo 69 Rome fell in a day, but with the games reviewed here, you can build and destroy an empire in day. Tabletop News by Ken Cliffe 73 With a flurry of new releases, this installment is dedicated to horror miniature reviews. PBMCorner by Bruce Kroeze 77 If you've ever wanted to organize your own PBM game, this column is for you. On the Horizon 80 A look forward at all the fabuluous stuff that will be in the Near Future issue. Annual Halloween Issue Credits Advertiser's Index October/November 1991 Bear Games 15 Publisher: White Wolf Cyborg Games 58 Editor-in-Chief: Stewart Wieck Dream Park 12 Assistant Editor: Ken Cliffe Contributing Editor: Stephan Wieck Empire Wargames 76 Art Director: Richard Thomas Emprise Game Systems 56 Cover Artist: Joe Develasco F ASA Corporation Back Cover Cartographer: Chris McDonough, Sam Chupp, and The Game Company 78 Ken Cliffe Typesetting: Sam Chupp Game Designer's Workshop 13 Advertising Director: Stewart Wieck Imaginative Mail Order 79 Starr Writer: Ken Cliffe, Jim Trunzo Koplow Games 57 Line Reviewers: Gene Alloway, Donnie Collette, Lance & Laser 54 Christopher Earley, Keith Eisenbies, Jim Foster, Matthew Marquee Press 48 Gabbert, H. Paul Haigh, Phillip Hessel, Chris Hind, Sean Holland, Daniel Huber, Wayne Ligon, Allen Mixson, Mayfair Games 51 Charles Peirce, Herb Petro, Thomas Riccardi, David L. Midnight Games 27 Pulver, Anthony Ragan, S. John Ross, John Setzer and Paraphase 77 Craig Schaefer, Martin Wixted. Pegasus Productions 59 Art Credits: Richard Thomas, Tom Dow, Ed McKeogh, Dave Miller, and Josh Timbrook Phage Press 79 Miniatures Photographer: Ken Cliffe RAFM 18,26 Mister 19%: Mark Rein-Hag~n Reality Simulations, Inc. 47 7th Street Games 63 Printed in the United States of America. Stone Mountain Miniatures 12 Special thanks this issue to: SampleSummit file Games Network 19 Sutton Hoo 52 Mayfair Games for providing the wonderful cover TSR, Inc. Inside Front Cover painting by Joe Develasco. Twin Engine Gaming 21 Jennifer Santanna of Mayfair Games for her role as agent and her edit of "The Hunger." Unicorn Games 78 RAFM for providing the StarKhan article. White Wolf Inside Back Cover Wizards of the Coast 25

WHITE WOLF Magazine (ISSN 0897-9391) is published bimonthly by White Wolf. The mailing address for all items is: White Wolf. 4153 Indian Manor Dr .• Stone Mountain. GA 30083. The phone number there is (404) 292-1819; FAX is (404) 292-9426. WHITE WOLF is distributed through subscription and distribution services throughout the United States, Canada. England. France. Germany. Spain, Australia and Japan. Overseas subscriptions are available. All subscriptions are priced as follows: any U.S. address: $25. any Canadian address: $40, overseas via surface mail: $52. overseas via airmail: $90. All rates are for twelve issues. Checks or money-orders should be made payable to White Wolf. Subscribers are given constant notification of the last issue of their current subscription by the number following their name on the address label. WHITE WOLF Magazine. Ars Magica. The Challenge. Campaign Book. Storypath Cards, Path of Intrigue. Path of Horror, Whimsy Cards, Vampire. Gothic-Punk, The Order of Hermes, The Storm rider, Jump Start Kit, Covenants, Mythic Europe, Running Rampant, Leader of the Pack, Tell It All, The Broken Covenant of Calebais, The Tempest. Saga Pack, Black Death, A Winter's Tale, The Pact of Pasaquine, A Medieval Bestiary, White Wolf Adventures, Dark Foe, Faeries, Bard's Song, Battle Cry, Melos Cavema, GehelUla, Tales of the Voyager, Chicago By Night, Storyteller's Handbook, The Player's Guide, The Camarilla. The Final Supper, The Kiss. The Hunters Hunted. A World of Darkness, Who's Who Among Vampires. Storyteller. The Masquerade, Mythic Europe, Blood Bond, The Succubus Oub, Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust, Storyteller's Screen, Alien Hunger. Werewolf, Magus, Faerie. Ghost, and White Wolf are all trademarks and copyrights of White Wolf. All material printed in these pages is the exclusive property of White Wolf unless prior arrangements have been made with the author/artist. None of the material may be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher. Third Class postage is paid at Carrollton, GA. Postmaster: Please send address changes to White Wolf. 4153 Indian Manor Dr. • Stone Mountain. GA 30083. The mention of or reference 10 any companies or products in these pages is nOl a challenge to the trademarks or copyrights concerned.

2 WHITE WOLF Magazine This is a catch-up and filled. The usual approach WW, catch-all RUNES for me. It was or any magazine for that matter, interesting to see what kind of takes when printing letters is to an issue of the magazine (#28 print a few letters representing in this case) would come each side of an issue. However, together without me around to in this case we obviously could nudge things in the right not do so. So was it fair to print direction. I was in Europe, but any letters at all? I felt we had did return before WW28 went to be worried about how this to press, so I did have a fmal, if hurried, By Stewart Wieck would look, but the conclusion I came to look. There are some disappointments, but this: it wouldn't have been journalistically that's to be expected, and there would have responsible to just drop the matter without been some even if I had not taken a a representation of the letters. vacation. By the way, Europe was great! Travel by rail and While I appreciate all of the support we received from our accommodations in youth hostels is everything it's cracked up to be! readers, I am interested to know if anyone does agree with any of the The first order of business is to introduce some new faces to points Mr. Siembieda makes. Please write to us. If you do not wish WW. Ken Cliffe, the long-time author of "Tabletop News" and recent the letter to be printed, then just say so. Canadian, is now the Assistant Editor. I say "recent" Canadian, since For example, I'm surprised that we did not receive any Ken has moved south under the auspices of the Free Trade complaints about the copies of the Vampire literature we irtserted in Agreement between the U.S. and Canada. And since he now has a WW26. This was a 16-page, glossy paper promotional that advertised Social Security Number, he's a bonafide American (don't edit this our then upcoming Vampire: The Masquerade, and I had to do a lot part out, okay Ken?). of thinking before I allowed it to be irtserted in WW. In the end, I Also new is Sam Chupp, who is typesetting the magazine. If the obviously decided to include it, but I don't think my decision to do so words or art is arranged in such a way as to make the magazine is something that I could adequately defend to those people who may unenjoyable, then it's Sam that you should complain to. However, feel that it was an unfair use of the magazine that proves WW is a give him an issue to warm-up with. Magazine layout is a tricky "house organ." business. I ultimately concluded that since the Vampire promo was also These two gentlemen replace Lisa Stevens and Nicole Lindroos being shipped to retail shops around the world and was part of a (or is it Lindross ...), both of whom have found positions with other legitimate advertising campaign, it could reasonably be printed as an game companies. Lisa will be lending her knowledge to The Wizards advertisement. While this shatters a limit of four pages of White Wolf of the Coast, a new game company in Washington state that should advertising I planned on limiting us to in the magazine, I felt the release some products before the year is out. Nicole is working with inclusion of fiction and a couple of essays in the promo softened this Atlas Games, the publisher of licensed products for Ars Magica and blow enough to make is a valid exception to the rule. Besides, those now Cyberpunk as well. She may well be running the show with sixteen pages were sixteen additional pages and did not count agairtst Atlas in Mirmesota before the year is out. the magazine's 80-page format. Also, any other company is free to do Anyway, I and the rest of the WW staff wish these two the best this sort of advertising in WHITE WOLF Magazine. of luck. Their skills profoundly affected the quality of the magazine The fmal issue is one that was pretty much put to bed in WW28 during the five issues produced since the White Wolf PublishingSample (and file this is an example of being able to print letters representing merger with Lion Rampant. more than one side of an issue), but since I wasn't here I thought I I have been very pleased with the number of letters we have would add a few more words before the topic fades away. This issue received recently. It's an encouraging sign when so many readers are concerns my RUNES in WW26 where I warned gamers about the willing to take the time to put their thoughts and opinions on paper. trials of creating and marketing a new RPG. I don't want to rehash Please, if you have something to say, then write to us. We are in the what I said in that RUNES, but I hold to one point very strongly, and midst of planning some major changes for this magazine that will be feel the need to repeat it. Creating a good game is not enough implemented with issue #31 next year, so now is the best time to let anymore. The market is currently demanding strong settings for us know what you do and do not like. games. This means that a generic fantasy game will have a hard time Of course, the number of letters we have received recently can going anywhere unless it also presents information about an mostly be accounted to a trio of major burning issues. First, there was interesting world. This was true even when Warhammer Fantasy my own response to a reader's request for advice on a choosing a Roleplay was released, and look how well it did. new game system. The original letter appeared in WW25 but the However, one potential avenue of help for hopeful game situation was inflamed by anocher letter in WW27. To everyone who designers and company owners does exist. One of the oldest and most wrote concerning this, I ask that you return to the original letter and knowledgeable hands in the game business prepared a 24-page my answer. Most of the arguments presented in your letters are booklet called "How to $ell Your Game Design" in 1988. Available invalidated by either the requirements of the game system or the at one time for about $5 from Gamescience (1512-30th Ave., context of my reply. Gulfport, MS 39501), this book was written by Lou Zocchi. Second, and of far more interest to the dozens of people who In the book, Mr. Zocchi discusses everything from selling your responded, is the letter from Kevin Siembieda that we printed in game idea to another company to printing it yourself. While some of WW27. In this letter, the president of Palladium Games leveled some the material is out of date, there is good information that will always harsh criticisms at us for the content of WHITE WOLF Magazine. be useful. Advertising strategies, how to contact distributors, The feedback from this letter presented me with a bit of a quandary packaging and identification tips are all discussed. Too bad this book - not a single letter we received supported any of the conclusions wasn't around when my brother and I entered this crazy industry in that Mr. Siembieda reached. Nor did anyone even complain about 1986! how much of the issue this letter, and Stephan Wieck's response,

Runes 3 letters from our readers "fairy tale-ish" by default. Avoid romance, keep chivalry in the background and populate your setting with dark, brooding figures in the midst of vicious estate wars, for example - Tackling Both Big Issues your choice. In one of my own group's Sagas, the wizards DearWW: are persecuted by Hell and are sinking into a miasma of distrust and treachery. No children's stories with happy I'm guessing that you've received quite a stack of letters endings here! Only one wizard survived that experience, and after issue #27's exciting "From the Pack," and I'm not sure 1 he's never been the same since. To bring a guest "expert" have anything new to add to your replies to either S.D. into this argument, Ken Rolston (in DRAGON #170) implied Anderson or Mr. Siembieda. But I'd like to voice a few that an Ars Magica covenant of wizards had more in affirmations and disagreements that leap to mind, along with a common stylistically with a cyberpunk-genre institution than further suggestion for the novice RPGer. with other fantasy-type wizards' college. First, I'd like to defend one of S.D. Anderson's points: But I've followed that tangent long enough (no need to level of complexity and the pricing for a complete game give more ammunition to those who would call this magazine system cannot be brushed aside as concerns, despite the high a house organ ... ). Time for the tougher Palladium topic. ideals with which WW's editors approach the role-playing I won't attempt to cover every point of contention in hobby. A reader came to WW as a novice, asking for an easy Kevin Siembieda's letter, or WW's reply, since this letter game and explicitly mentioning a concern for money. Such would quickly become article-length. I will say, however, issues are therefore legitimate, even if only to acknowledge that I cannot for a moment perceive WW as a house organ. the letter writer's persPective. As a free-lance writer, I purchase many game systems from Fortunately, Ars Magica and Pendragon are reasonable many game companies, and if I like one enough to adopt it as on both counts. When 1 imply that these games are low in my own, I may write an article or adventure for it. I know in complexity, however, 1 am speaking specifically of game my heart of hearts that if I send WW a solid manuscript for a mechanics. Campaign feasibility for the long term is another new game, the Wieck brothers will give it every consideration matter entirely. These systems are not easy to keep up and toward publication it deserves. running without a background in the hobby and a serious The most typical gap in White Wolf's coverage of scholar/storyteller flare, despite their accessible mechanics.Sample systems, file that has many adherents, deals with those games that For this reason, Runequest, Fantasy Hero, or even GURPS already have forums through which they are known - ICE Fantasy would be better suited as the D&D alternatives Steve has its own "organ" as does Steve Jackson Games (even if it's Bush was looking for when he wrote in (but all three push the smaller), and GDW has a full-fledged magazine, so articles on money issue again, and 1 can only vouch for RQ's long-term these companies' games tend to make their way somewhere popUlarity). other than into the pages of WW. Players of those games feel Another possibility not yet mentioned is the Talislanta that the material is more "official" when found in its "proper" game. 1 will presume it wasn't listed because it has an earned place. This is not an inherently bad attitude, but it is hardly reputation for being "exotic" in nature. Exotic, however, does WW's fault (and the magazine does still pick up the not mean esoteric, or inaccessible. Talislanta's approach is occasional piece for those games). In the less demanding area very much in the way of traditional fantasy values (that is, of reviews, WW is trying to tackle those and other games, AD&D-spirited play); it's just populated by an unorthodox though review coverage of smaller companies still needs version of those fantasy staples. And it's hard to find a improvement. simpler set of mechanics, especially for D&D-knowledgeable As to Palladium's role in all this ... yes, I am surprised, players. When the third edition is done, a "complete" system in retrospect, that so little has been done for such a prominent should require only two books (under $40). The game doesn't and well-marketed company. PersonaI1y, I have never been instruct its players on the ins and outs of role-playing to any able to get through a Palladium rulebook even for a genre I depth, but Mr. Bush has indicated that he has already been at enjoy. Also, I dislike "machine combat" and superheroes, so least exposed to one other RPG, so the logistics should be those products never even had a chance with me. I don't comparable. know why I react as I do to Palladium products, and I don't At this point, 1 feel obligated to defend Ars Magica, wish to foist my foibles on other gamers (I even have friends though Mr. Wieck has covered most areas. The only thing I whose opinions I trust that are fans of Palladium), but the wish to add to this topic is that the atmosphere of a Saga is point I am making is that I can understand both the fact that entirely in the hands of the gaming group, and is not no WW staff member has in-depth knowledge of Palladium

4 WHITE WOLF Magazine products, and that WW readers aren't demanding support for pages. Both of those letters were interesting, and both require their games. responses. Despite my admittedly narrow view, I have examined First, S.D.'s letter contains a factual mistake, maybe two. support materials for many Palladium games (the stuff without It does not cost more than forty dollars to start playing rules and charts), and I find them to be well-written. I think a Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. The paperback edition of column directly from Palladium's staff, perhaps appearing in WFRP costs $24.99. Given that the complete game is every other issue, would let readers see the "meat" of each of contained in this one book - characters creation, combat, their game settings, and might be a catalyst for freelance magic, religion and campaign world - that represents a pretty submissions. Perhaps this would even clear some of the bad good deal ..Any extra books are strictly supplementary and blood that seems to be circulating between these two wholly optional. The GM need never buy another companies. (Gee, and I thought the RPG community was such Warhammer book. a friendly place!) As for AD&D, while it may cost over $40 to buy the While the topic is at hand, I'd like to make a personal plea Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and the for more "from the horse's mouth" material, such as this Monstrous Compendium, Basic D&D, its near cousin, does theoretic staff-written Palladium column. If (when?) WillTE not cost that much. And it's a great game for beginners to WOLF Magazine goes to 96 pages, I think there will be ample boot room to increase such coverage. And if this is anywhere close Mr. Siembieda's letter was really unfair. I've read quite a to possible, please, bring back "Segment J orune!" wide variety of gaming magazines over the past 15 years, and WIllTE WOLF Magazine is one of the furthest from being a Christopher Earley "house organ" that I've ever seen. If certain games are more Mastic, New York represented than others, I would suspect that's due to those games having more fans willing to write about them, or because the games' parent companies are more actively providing WHITE WOLF Magazine with material. Only One Big Issue The coverage in WIllTE WOLF Magazine is quite broad. If not for WIllTE WOLF Magazine, games like Age of Ruin, Dear Stephan: Legendary Lives, Manhunter, or Talislanta would get no Please run this in your next From the Pack. coverage at all. Mr. Siembieda's charge that the editorial staff As an owner of a truly small game company I feel plays favorites is ridiculous. compelled to respond to some of the charges leveled against When he says that the capsule reviews shows bias on White Wolf by Kevin Siembieda in #27. WIllTE WOLF Magazine's part, Kevin has lost touch with A small hobby company is best defined as an amateur reality. In my opinion, the number of reviews for a game venture, wherein the principals can afford neither employees system reflects the rate at which the parent company puts out nor the luxury of quitting their regular job, and mustSample look to products,file provided that there is a reviewer for that particular savings or surplus earnings for [mance. As one of these, system in the first place. I speak from experience: I review usually ill-fated entrepreneurs (typically having a shorter life GW's Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. Games Workshop expectancy than Pack 35's Alpha Male), I find Kevin's issues a new WFRP product only once every few months, so defining of "small" according to who makes less millions than there will perforce be only a few reviews for WFRP. The whom laughable. Please, leave the fantasy with the little green editor's preferences have nothing to do with this. If Hero and guys. Rolemaster garner lots of reviews, that's because ICE rolls I, for one, would remind [White Wolf] of their duty to out lots of new releases each month. make as much money as possible. No one else delivers like On a strictly personal note, I've never been a fan of they do, and God knows, we wouldn't want to be stuck Palladium products, but I've tried to keep an open mind in playing Saturday morning cartoon characters five years from case Palladium ever produced something I might enjoy. But, if now! the temper tantrum in that letter represents the attitudes of In three years of publishing I have come to value WIllTE Palladium Games, forget it. WOLF Magazine as the only professional quality forum not tainted by high-brow snobbery, nor made remote by price; Anthony Ragan [it's] a well-placed window on the gaming world. Perhaps Los Angeles, CA there will be A Renaissance in Games. Thanks.

James LaFond Baltimore, MD

Dear Editor: Well, the letters column was certainly exciting this month! No, there's no lack of fire and brimstone in these

From the Pack 5