Fantasy Hero
Encyclopedia
Fantasy Hero is a role-playing game
book that supports the Fantasy
genre
using the Hero System
rules. Since the release of the 5th edition of the Hero System, Steven S. Long of Hero Games
has published a new version of the Fantasy Hero book, as well as several supplementary publications to support Fantasy Hero-based campaigns. The Hero system book is required to make full use of this work in a game. The book contains information that is useful to both the Game Master (GM) and the Player
s. Recently, a new edition of Fantasy Hero has been released, updating the genre book to the new Hero System
6th Edition.
The 5th edition book is a fairly extensive work, with 416 pages of text bound in a stiff-paper cover. Each 21.5 × 27.5 cm-sized page is printed in double-column text with occasional side-bar information. The interior is moderately illustrated with non-color drawings, while the jacket has a full-color painting. The book received the Gold Medal ENnie Award
in 2004 for Best Non-D20 Supplement. http://www.ennieawards.com/2004.html
A substantial portion of the book consists of information about fantasy gaming that is non-game-system-specific. This content can be used by game masters who want to create their own campaign setting
, or to modify an existing publication to suit their interests. The remainder of the work then delves into specifics of the Hero system in a fantasy campaign. However the flexible nature of the system is utilized throughout the book, allowing the Game Master to attune the rules to fit their setting.
The seven chapters in this work cover the following topics: an overview of the fantasy genre; information for constructing player character
s; rules for combat in a fantasy setting; various systems of magic and spell creation; the geographic, cultural, economic, and social aspects of fantasy societies; advice about creation of a campaign setting and how to run a game, and a small number of sample characters and structures that can be inserted into a campaign.
Fantasy characters in the Hero system are built using the point-based method. That is to say, each of the character's statistics are determined by spending "character points" based on the costs listed in the Hero system rules manual. The listed character races are the conventional types commonly found in many fantasy settings for role-playing games. Thus it includes the usual dwarves
, elves
, gnome
s, and halfling
s found in Dungeons & Dragons
, as well as giants
, centaur
s, orc
s, troll
s, and so forth. The race-specific modifiers are provided in the form of "packages" which can then be adjusted by the player, based on the allowances by the GM.
The character skills are described as they relate to fantasy settings, with recommendations for the GM. In particular there is a listing of the various professional and knowledge-based skills relevant to these settings. Skills that are specific to more advanced societies are listed as such. Similar commentaries are given for the prequisites, talents, and especially the powers available to the characters. Finally the book includes a lengthy list of equipment available for the character, although such a listing will likely need to be modified based on the type of setting.
True to the nature of the genre, there is extensive information provided both on tactical combat and on the use of magic. The system allows flexibility in implementing the type of magic system that the GM wants to make available in their setting. The magic discussion is replete with examples, something that is often necessary for newcomers to this system. There is also a "mass combat system" for use when the characters are operating as part of a much larger force.
in Fantasy Hero are an application of the Hero powers system, with appropriate limitations applied to simulate the conventional restrictions of magical spells. The spells commonly require incantations (verbal), gestures (physical), a skill roll, and in many cases some type of focus. This last is an object of some type that can be taken or destroyed, thereby hindering the spell caster.
However, practically any kind of magic system can be described within the context of the HERO System's open design to suit the needs, vision, or fictional inspiration of a particular campaign or setting. This extreme flexibility of design is both a feature that is particularly of interest to GM's and players that want to model very specific forms of magic in their setting(s), but can also be overwhelming to GM's and players that just want to play a game with some established boundaries and not have to worry about such things themselves.
The earlier edition of the Fantasy Hero book included a series of theme oriented "colleges", and a specific mechanical basis for spellcasting. This was a specific implementation of the abstract concept of "magic", but as it was the published example available, it in effect became the de facto standard. This runs counter to the "universal" precepts of the HERO System, and the 5th edition supplement excises it entirely.
Instead, 68 pages of Fantasy HERO for 5th edition are dedicated to Magic Systems and concepts, dealing in the broad concept of magic, and exploring topics that should be considered when making a custom magic system. Ways of modeling some concepts and tropes found in genre fiction and film are covered as well. The flexibility and expressiveness of the HERO System's buy-a-mechanic effects-driven character design model is highlighted in this fashion. In addition to the high concepts, twelve distinct example magic systems across the gamut of power levels and styles are presented in summary, with two to three columns each on average.
Two related products, the Fantasy Hero Grimoire and Fantasy Hero Grimoire II, are compilations of spells intended for use in the Fantasy Hero genre, particularly suited to be used with the default magic system of the Turakian Age, one of the four published HERO System Fantasy settings. The spells are subdivided into colleges or schools. The available schools are alchemy
, conjuration, divination
, druidry, elemental
magic (for each of the elements as well as ice, light, and shadow), enchantment
, necromancy
, sorcery
, thaumaturgy
, witchcraft
, wizardry, and divine magic. Fantasy Hero Grimoire II extends the spells and magic in the first grimoire, and adds a number of more unusual and esoteric colleges of magic. Thus the book details spells for shamanism, chaos magic, rune magic, areomancy, and so forth.
Publications since 2003 support the new 5th edition Hero System
rules:
In addition, these Hero game system publications could be used to support a Fantasy Hero campaign:
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
book that supports the Fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
using the Hero System
Hero System
The Hero System is a generic role-playing game system that developed from the superhero RPG Champions. It is used as the underlying mechanics of other Hero Games role-playing games such as Dark Champions, Fantasy Hero, Star Hero, and Pulp Hero...
rules. Since the release of the 5th edition of the Hero System, Steven S. Long of Hero Games
Hero Games
Hero Games is the publisher of the Hero System, a generic roleplaying rules set that can be used to simulate many different genres, and was the co-developer of the Fuzion system.-History:...
has published a new version of the Fantasy Hero book, as well as several supplementary publications to support Fantasy Hero-based campaigns. The Hero system book is required to make full use of this work in a game. The book contains information that is useful to both the Game Master (GM) and the Player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
s. Recently, a new edition of Fantasy Hero has been released, updating the genre book to the new Hero System
Hero System
The Hero System is a generic role-playing game system that developed from the superhero RPG Champions. It is used as the underlying mechanics of other Hero Games role-playing games such as Dark Champions, Fantasy Hero, Star Hero, and Pulp Hero...
6th Edition.
The 5th edition book is a fairly extensive work, with 416 pages of text bound in a stiff-paper cover. Each 21.5 × 27.5 cm-sized page is printed in double-column text with occasional side-bar information. The interior is moderately illustrated with non-color drawings, while the jacket has a full-color painting. The book received the Gold Medal ENnie Award
ENnies
The Annual Gen Con EN World RPG Awards are annual, fan-based awards for role-playing game products and publishers hosted at Gen Con in Indianapolis, Indiana...
in 2004 for Best Non-D20 Supplement. http://www.ennieawards.com/2004.html
A substantial portion of the book consists of information about fantasy gaming that is non-game-system-specific. This content can be used by game masters who want to create their own campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
, or to modify an existing publication to suit their interests. The remainder of the work then delves into specifics of the Hero system in a fantasy campaign. However the flexible nature of the system is utilized throughout the book, allowing the Game Master to attune the rules to fit their setting.
The seven chapters in this work cover the following topics: an overview of the fantasy genre; information for constructing player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s; rules for combat in a fantasy setting; various systems of magic and spell creation; the geographic, cultural, economic, and social aspects of fantasy societies; advice about creation of a campaign setting and how to run a game, and a small number of sample characters and structures that can be inserted into a campaign.
Fantasy characters in the Hero system are built using the point-based method. That is to say, each of the character's statistics are determined by spending "character points" based on the costs listed in the Hero system rules manual. The listed character races are the conventional types commonly found in many fantasy settings for role-playing games. Thus it includes the usual dwarves
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
, elves
Elf
An elf is a being of Germanic mythology. The elves were originally thought of as a race of divine beings endowed with magical powers, which they use both for the benefit and the injury of mankind...
, gnome
Gnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
s, and halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
s found in Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, as well as giants
Giant (mythology)
The mythology and legends of many different cultures include monsters of human appearance but prodigious size and strength. "Giant" is the English word commonly used for such beings, derived from one of the most famed examples: the gigantes of Greek mythology.In various Indo-European mythologies,...
, centaur
Centaur
In Greek mythology, a centaur or hippocentaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse...
s, orc
Orc
An orc is one of a race of mythical human-like creatures, generally described as fierce and combative, with grotesque features and often black, grey or greenish skin. This mythology has its origins in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien....
s, troll
Troll
A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, the term troll was a generally negative synonym for a jötunn , a being in Norse mythology...
s, and so forth. The race-specific modifiers are provided in the form of "packages" which can then be adjusted by the player, based on the allowances by the GM.
The character skills are described as they relate to fantasy settings, with recommendations for the GM. In particular there is a listing of the various professional and knowledge-based skills relevant to these settings. Skills that are specific to more advanced societies are listed as such. Similar commentaries are given for the prequisites, talents, and especially the powers available to the characters. Finally the book includes a lengthy list of equipment available for the character, although such a listing will likely need to be modified based on the type of setting.
True to the nature of the genre, there is extensive information provided both on tactical combat and on the use of magic. The system allows flexibility in implementing the type of magic system that the GM wants to make available in their setting. The magic discussion is replete with examples, something that is often necessary for newcomers to this system. There is also a "mass combat system" for use when the characters are operating as part of a much larger force.
Magic
SpellsMagic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
in Fantasy Hero are an application of the Hero powers system, with appropriate limitations applied to simulate the conventional restrictions of magical spells. The spells commonly require incantations (verbal), gestures (physical), a skill roll, and in many cases some type of focus. This last is an object of some type that can be taken or destroyed, thereby hindering the spell caster.
However, practically any kind of magic system can be described within the context of the HERO System's open design to suit the needs, vision, or fictional inspiration of a particular campaign or setting. This extreme flexibility of design is both a feature that is particularly of interest to GM's and players that want to model very specific forms of magic in their setting(s), but can also be overwhelming to GM's and players that just want to play a game with some established boundaries and not have to worry about such things themselves.
The earlier edition of the Fantasy Hero book included a series of theme oriented "colleges", and a specific mechanical basis for spellcasting. This was a specific implementation of the abstract concept of "magic", but as it was the published example available, it in effect became the de facto standard. This runs counter to the "universal" precepts of the HERO System, and the 5th edition supplement excises it entirely.
Instead, 68 pages of Fantasy HERO for 5th edition are dedicated to Magic Systems and concepts, dealing in the broad concept of magic, and exploring topics that should be considered when making a custom magic system. Ways of modeling some concepts and tropes found in genre fiction and film are covered as well. The flexibility and expressiveness of the HERO System's buy-a-mechanic effects-driven character design model is highlighted in this fashion. In addition to the high concepts, twelve distinct example magic systems across the gamut of power levels and styles are presented in summary, with two to three columns each on average.
Two related products, the Fantasy Hero Grimoire and Fantasy Hero Grimoire II, are compilations of spells intended for use in the Fantasy Hero genre, particularly suited to be used with the default magic system of the Turakian Age, one of the four published HERO System Fantasy settings. The spells are subdivided into colleges or schools. The available schools are alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
, conjuration, divination
Divination
Divination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
, druidry, elemental
Elemental
An elemental is a mythological being first appearing in the alchemical works of Paracelsus in the 16th century. Traditionally, there are four types:*gnomes, earth elementals*undines , water elementals*sylphs, air elementals...
magic (for each of the elements as well as ice, light, and shadow), enchantment
Enchantment
Enchantment may refer to:*Incantation or enchantment, a magical spell, charm or bewitchment, in traditional fairy tales or fantasy*the sense of Wonder or Delight**for the usage by J.R.R. Tolkien, see "On Fairy Stories"titles and proper names...
, necromancy
Necromancy
Necromancy is a claimed form of magic that involves communication with the deceased, either by summoning their spirit in the form of an apparition or raising them bodily, for the purpose of divination, imparting the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge...
, sorcery
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, thaumaturgy
Thaumaturgy
Thaumaturgy is the capability of a saint or magician to work miracles. It is sometimes translated into English as wonderworking...
, witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, wizardry, and divine magic. Fantasy Hero Grimoire II extends the spells and magic in the first grimoire, and adds a number of more unusual and esoteric colleges of magic. Thus the book details spells for shamanism, chaos magic, rune magic, areomancy, and so forth.
Publications
The following publications have been released to support Fantasy Hero:- Broken Kingdoms (2001) – a unique Fantasy Hero setting.
- Fantasy Hero (1st edition, 1985)
- Fantasy Hero (2nd edition, 1990)
- Fantasy Hero Companion (1990) – included mass combat rules.
- Fantasy Hero Companion II (1992) – included detailed naval rules.
- Magic Items – an early-edition magical items list.
- The Spell Book – an early-edition spell list.
Publications since 2003 support the new 5th edition Hero System
Hero System
The Hero System is a generic role-playing game system that developed from the superhero RPG Champions. It is used as the underlying mechanics of other Hero Games role-playing games such as Dark Champions, Fantasy Hero, Star Hero, and Pulp Hero...
rules:
- Fantasy Hero (20032003 in literatureThe year 2003 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Peter Ackroyd - The Clerkenwell Tales*Atsuko Asano - No...
, 416 pages) - Fantasy Hero Battlegrounds (2004, 128 pages)
- Fantasy Hero Grimoire (20032003 in literatureThe year 2003 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Peter Ackroyd - The Clerkenwell Tales*Atsuko Asano - No...
, 270 pages) - Fantasy Hero Grimoire II: The Book of Lost Magic (20042004 in literatureThe year 2004 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Canada Reads selects Guy Vanderhaeghe's The Last Crossing to be read across the nation....
, 144 pages) - Monsters, Minions, and Marauders (2003, 128 pages)
- The Turakian Age (2004, 319 pages) – a high fantasyHigh fantasyHigh fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
setting - The Valdorian Age (2005, 199 pages) – a swords & sorcery setting
- Asian Bestiary, Vol. I (2006, 144 pages)
- Asian Bestiary, Vol. II (2006, 144 pages)
- Nobles, Knights, and Necromancers (2006, 176 pages)
- Tuala Morn (2007, 300 pages) – a pseudo-Celtic fantasy setting
- Enchanted Items (2007, 240 pages)
- The Atlantean Age (2008) – a high fantasyHigh fantasyHigh fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
setting - Urban Fantasy Hero (2009)
- The Book of Dragons (2009)
In addition, these Hero game system publications could be used to support a Fantasy Hero campaign:
- Hero System Almanac 1 (1993)
- Hero System Almanac 2 (1995)
- Hero Bestiary (2nd edition, 1992) – a general Hero bestiary that includes fantasy genreGenreGenre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
creatures. - Hero System BestiaryHero System BestiaryHero System Bestiary is a compilation of creatures for use with Hero System role-playing game rules. It was published in 2002 for the 5th edition Hero System release. The cover is thick paper and illustrated in color, while the interior is 239 pages in length and illustrated in black and white...
(20022002 in literatureThe year 2002 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*March 16: Authorities in Saudi Arabia arrested and jailed poet Abdul Mohsen Musalam and fired a newspaper editor following the publication of Musalam's poem The Corrupt on Earth that criticized the state's Islamic...
, 239 pages) - Hero System Combat Handbook (20052005 in literatureThe year 2005 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*February 25 - Canada Reads selects Rockbound by Frank Parker Day as the novel to be read across the nation....
, 160 pages) - Hero System Equipment Guide (20052005 in literatureThe year 2005 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*February 25 - Canada Reads selects Rockbound by Frank Parker Day as the novel to be read across the nation....
, 206 pages) - Horror Hero (1994)
- Ninja Hero (1st edition, 1990)
- Ninja Hero (2nd edition, 2004, 160 pages)
- The Ultimate Martial Artist (1st edition, 1994)
- The Ultimate Martial Artist (2nd edition, 2002, 192 pages)
- The Ultimate Mentalist (1st edition, 1995)
- The Ultimate Mentalist (2nd edition, 2006, 290 pages)
- The Ultimate Metamorph (2005, 248 pages)
- The Ultimate Mystic (2005, 230 pages)
- The Ultimate Skill (2006, 400 pages)
- The Ultimate Speedster (2006, 292 pages)
- The Ultimate Supermage (1996)
- The Ultimate Vehicle (2003, 236 pages)