artisticI had promised myself that I wasn't going to do it, but then it came along... For those who are roleplaying gamers and interested in such things, there's a new fantasy roleplaying game on the horizon that's currently being Kickstarted. At least new to the English speaking market.
Capharnaüm is a French roleplaying game that's been out for over 10 years now. More properly called Capharnaüm: The Tales of the Dragon-Marked is a fantasy roleplaying game of Arabian Nights adventure that is being published in English by Mindjammer Press and will be distributed by the folks at Modiphius Entertainment. The game rules look really simple, the artwork is lavish and fantastic and has that Arabian Nights feel to it, and the game has some rather neat conceits and conceptions. Here's the link to the Kickstarter itself:
Capharnaüm: The Tales of the Dragon-Marked Kickstarter Page
Capharnaüm - The Tales of the Dragon-Marked is a fantasy roleplaying game set in an imaginary Arabia-like world. It borrows from the tales of the One Thousand and One Nights, as well as semitic legends and the ancient and mediaeval epics. Capharnaüm doesn't aim to be a historical game, but a heroic one, a flamboyant refraction of historical, cultural, and mythical themes, filled with light and thrilling adventure!
In Capharna¨m, you play the Dragon-Marked, heroic individuals with a special destiny, born with a birthmark on their backs in the shape of a dragon's claw. The Dragon-Mark announces to the world that you are capable of astonishing feats, for good or evil. Chosen by mystical dragons in accordance with an unknown divine will, you are offered a place in the great game of the gods. You'll be cast into colourful adventures, political, military, and magical intrigues, and much more.
Capharnaüm is a simple yet profound game. We all know the tales of Sinbad, of Ali Baba, of Aladdin and Scheherezade - we grew up with them, they form part of our personal culture. The world of Capharnaüm is familiar, easy to pick up and play. And yet - scratch the surface, and a whole world opens up. Meticulously researched, the game aims to provide fantastic takes on real-world Mediterranean cultures, from ancient Greece and Rome, Egypt and Sumeria, right through to the crusader kingdoms, dark age and mediaeval Europe, the kingdoms of Africa, India, and the distant East. Uniquely, Capharna¨m is centred upon a fantastic version of the Middle-East, where all these cultures meet, clash, come into conflict with the profound cultures of the peninsula of Jazirat, and where something new is being born.
As the Dragon-Marked, you transcend cultural differences. You're united by an unknown, mystical, yet common destiny. Side-by-side with people who would otherwise be your foes, you adventure in this vibrant, chaotic land, where the fate of the future is at play, and where you are destined to change the world...
For some interesting aspects of the game, I recommend the following link:
Dan Davenport's Q&A with Sarah Newton
There are several other places that you can learn more information about the game, but there are only 14 days (as of this writing) left for the Kickstarter, so if you're interested in supporting the game, pledge around the Kickstarter and help out with getting this roleplaying game produced.
Overall, Capharnaüm looks to be a really neat, fascinating fantasy roleplaying game, and I finally caved in and pledged around it today. Part of that was due to the fact that I'm a sucker for Arabian Nights games, but also the fact that it's being done by Sarah Newton and the folks at Mindjammer Press. I hope this post gives you some interest in the game, and perhaps motivates you to take a peek at the Kickstarter, and perhaps pledge around the game.