Busted! Archaia tells on the Dark Crystal RPG

[Totally Guy]

Archaia: Archaia news out of #GenCon: In addition to three graphic novels, we are developing an RPG for THE DARK CRYSTAL for release next year!
Karen: Oh, the Dark Crystal was one of my favorite movies as a kid. Would LOVE to see what you do with it.
Shannon: Smooth Action! Burning Wheel style?
Archaia: ‎@Shannon Yes, like a lighter version of the Burning Wheel system.

Could this be the mystery licence we heard about in one of Luke's podcast interviews?

[Durand Durand]

How very cool.

[MTChurchill]

Could this be the mystery licence we heard about in one of Luke's podcast interviews?

Man. Another game I'll have to buy, but I'll probably never get to play.

[Irminsul]

Archaia: ‎@Shannon Yes, like a lighter version of the Burning Wheel system.

Could this be the mystery licence we heard about in one of Luke's podcast interviews?

Neat! The visuals of the Dark Crystal have always been a favorite of mine. Coupled with a BW-system = game on!

[Ludanto]

Wow, neat! Over on another forum, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the thought of a Dark Crystal RPG being "ruined" by Burning Wheel. That seems crazy to me. I mean, even if you don't like Burning Wheel, Mouse Guard (for example) only resembles it in the broadest of strokes. Dice pool, some scripting and good GM advice. That's about where they diverge. Plus, you know, it's well done and fun. Anyway, guess I'll start saving now.

[stormsweeper]

Haters gonna hate. Especially the ones who have never read or played any Burning game.

[Durand Durand]

Over on another forum, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the thought of a Dark Crystal RPG being "ruined" by Burning Wheel.
Is there going to be a 4E or Pathfinder version?
;P

[NkEnNy]

As much as it delights me that BWHQ is getting more business-- I cannot help but hope against hope that this isn't yet another reboot or retelling of a classic story/franchise. *sigh*

-k

[stormsweeper]

As much as it delights me that BWHQ is getting more business-- I cannot help but hope against hope that this isn't yet another reboot or retelling of a classic story/franchise. *sigh*

-k

ASP has been putting out a manga series for awhile now.

[NkEnNy]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_of_the_Dark_Crystal

The story is a prequel, set several centuries before the film, about two Gelflings, Lahr, a herder and musician, and Neffi, a weaver, who put up a resistance against the oppressive Skeksis, and their destructive army of giants, the Garthim. Three volumes were planned. The second volume was released in August 2010, but the third volume has been cancelled.

[Durand Durand]

Now the Bog Hobbits from this thread (http://www.burningwheel.org/forum/showthread.php?11085-Some-Changes&p=111721#post111721) make sense. Podlings!

[Trithemius]

I hate their whimpering!!

(It has to be said...)

((Forged Lord... uh General and Chamberlain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKdki7_EQX0)))

[Verrain]

I want rules for the TRIAL BY STONE! I envision it being like Duel of Wits only its different ways to smack the rock.

[Totally Guy]

I want rules for the TRIAL BY STONE! I envision it being like Duel of Wits only its different ways to smack the rock.

Trial by Stone is a bit... I go, you go. It totally screwed the chancellor as the other guy got two tries.

[Trithemius]

Escalate to Stone.

[Ludanto]

Trial by Stone is a bit... I go, you go. It totally screwed the chancellor as the other guy got two tries.

Yeah, as the challenged, the chancellor should have at least gotten first swing.

[stormsweeper]

I guess I need to watch the movie again. I've seen it a couple times but the only thing I recall is that female gelflings have wings (sometimes?).

[buzz]

I'll freely admit that this seems bizarre to me. Is there actually demand for an RPG based on The Dark Crystal?

If I'd want Archaia to hand Luke anything, it would be Burning Artesia.

[Melmoth]

If I'd want Archaia to hand Luke anything, it would be Burning Artesia.

Hell yeah!

[Irminsul]

If I'd want Archaia to hand Luke anything, it would be Burning Artesia.

Agreed! :)

[jessecoombs]

I think it would be really cool to play a game to see if the world would be destroyed or if you could fulfill the prophesy by uniting the Ur-ru and the Skeksis. A prophecy-burning system, Skeksis, Ur-ru, and Gelfling lifepaths (you are the last one), and yes rules for Trial by Stone; how would this not rule?

[savagehominid]

If I'd want Archaia to hand Luke anything, it would be Burning Artesia.

I would pay an absurd amount of money for this, especially if it was a box set with maps, minis, dice...

oooh yaaa

[amnesiack]

Could this be the mystery licence we heard about in one of Luke's podcast interviews?

Can you link to the original FB entry?

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it here: https://www.facebook.com/ArchaiaEntertainment/posts/220586611321620.

Also, there's a new comment on the thread from David Petersen that pretty much confirms it.

[Durand Durand]

If I'd want Archaia to hand Luke anything, it would be Burning Artesia.

I'll pipe up here ans add my "Hell yes!" to the chorus.

I actually asked Mark about his at GenCon in 2008, and he said then it wasn't on the cards then.

[ghashsnaga]

I do hope the Dark Crystal RPG thing is true plus the BW group working on it. Hmmmm so great.

I met one of the puppet makers for the Dark Crystal and had a chance to talk with him. I also showed off my Dark Crystal tattoos to him.

ara

[Dwight]

I guess I need to watch the movie again. I've seen it a couple times but the only thing I recall is that female gelflings have wings (sometimes?).

Always. They are retractable.

[Wrathbone]

I would also shell out for Burning Artesia.

[yeloson]

I'll freely admit that this seems bizarre to me. Is there actually demand for an RPG based on The Dark Crystal?

A little hinted at in the movie, and more filled out in the novelization and the big art book that came out later, is the age when the Gelflings worked with the Skexis. Since the Skexis were always maneuvering against each other for power, I imagine the Gelflings were the tools in this and it probably became more and more blood opera until a) they figured out how to drink essence of Gelfling and b) the prophecy about Gelflings ending their little foray into freedom from the Mystics kicked in. At which point, we're talking pogrom and genocide.

That sounds pretty BW to me...

Chris

[LincolnSmash]

I hate their whimpering!!

(It has to be said...)

((Forged Lord... uh General and Chamberlain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKdki7_EQX0)))

Oh, you mean those guys from the movie, not RPGnet. ;)

[Trithemius]

Oh, you mean those guys from the movie, not RPGnet. ;)

Either/Both!

[Fuseboy]

I love, love, love the Dark Crystal; my sister watched it so many times she'd memorized the dialogue. The one thing that makes me nervous about the game, though, is the enormously world-changing nature of the story - almost every important element is seemingly accounted for. There are two (and only two) Gelflings, only a handful of Mystics and Skeksis, only one Aughra, etc. The Garthim, podlings, and the bizarre ecosystem are beautifully rendered, but don't strike me as fertile ground to draw protagonists from.

Seems that a fair amount of invention would need to take place, either setting it much earlier or much after the great conjunction.

[Dean]

I've heard some people have modded Ganakagok to run a very cool rendition of Dark Crystal. Ganakagok is all about world-shattering events, so it's a perfect match. I hope BW can live up to this.

[Mindflayer]

Awesome news!

So what system are all those turds wishing for over at that other forum? D20? The only systems that scream Dark Crystal to me are BW or Fate.

Seriously, so many tears......

[Ludanto]

I think I saw mention of Savage Worlds, which made me shudder. I keep trying to like Savage Worlds. I understand that it's a toolkit and that I can make it what I want, but by default it's painful (IMO).

[Mindflayer]

I love me some Savage Worlds, but its not the right system for this. SW is a great alternative to d20 or 4e (gross). I would almost rather make a Fiasco playset for Dark Crystal than use Savage worlds. Dark Crystal Coen Bros style!

Back to the point, I think that 90% of the hate is baseless, made from either a read through of BW, a poor play experience or hearsay. I am sure there are legit dislikers, as with any system but I doubt much more that a handful.

PLUS who the fuck knows what Luke has up his sleeve. Wait for it to come out, read it, then make your "boo Burning Wheel, whaaaa!".

argh, stupid rpgnet dorks.

[The Dragon Master]

... Dark Crystal Coen Bros style!
...

Sounds like a great mash-up! Gonna have to add that to my list of playsets to make :-)

[Aramis]

Consider:

1) There are comics set in the world at the other end of the Dark Crystal's saga, shortly after the Crystal shard comes loose and the Skexis and Mystics became distinct.
1.1) Gelflings are fairly common in that era
2) We don't know that Augra is unique. Only that she's uniquely qualified.
3) We know that there were many more gelflings prior to the shatter from the film - in the scene where they discover the abandoned gelfling village
4) Podlings seem to be all over the place in the film.

So, since Luke is working for Archaia on this, and they did the comics, it's likely that it is as much a tie-in to the comics as the movie, if not more so.

[luke]

2) According to the World of the Dark Crystal, Aughra is the first and the last of her kind.

[Aramis]

2) According to the World of the Dark Crystal, Aughra is the first and the last of her kind.

I realize it's almost thread necromancy, but having just gotten Archaia's luscious hardcover volume Dark Crystal Creation Myths Vol 1... I noticed she has a son, Raunip... Ch 3 makes it clear she is his mother and he her child. Ch 4 implies both are essentially unaging.

But yes, I can see "first and last of her kind" since her origin isn't replicated... but she bred... I'm now even more drooling with anticipation.