Have you played in the Mad Lands?

Carsonist · 04-17-2005, 07:23 PM

Some time ago, I bought GURPS Fantasy II, adventures in the mad lands. While I really like the setting in the sense that it's fun to read about, I really can't imagine running a game in it.

The world seems to doom everyone to: "Life sucks, then you die." Except sometimes, it's: "Life sucks, then you die, then you come back as a monster."

So, I'm curious, has anyone run a game in the Mad Lands, or been a PC in it? If so, how'd it go?

thastygliax · 04-19-2005, 03:11 PM

Haven't read it, haven't played it. But apparently some SJ Games writers share your opinion of Fantasy II, because the Madlands are mentioned in the "Hell Worlds" section of GURPS Infinite Worlds.

varianor · 04-19-2005, 06:13 PM

I playtested it when it was first written. My players hated it. (Quite possibly because there was no way to "win" really.*) I enjoyed it. With the right group, it's a terrific setting for roleplaying. Your odds of putting that group together are above zero, but statistically less likely than the Red Sox winning again this year. :)

*That and the fact that the great and terrifying gods were Winnie the Pooh takeoffs weren't appreciated. Years later I have a terrific appreciation for what Robin Laws did with that setting. Ah, but only if I had it when I was 29.

LittleShepherd · 04-20-2005, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varianor

That and the fact that the great and terrifying gods were Winnie the Pooh takeoffs weren't appreciated.

Ah...gah...cck...

I had that book for years and never noticed that! Now I'm sitting here, barely able to breathe from the shock, and...oh, I wish I hadn't sold that book! If I couldn't find a group to play with after that little revelation, I'd go out into the world and make one.

I'm...gonna be right over there...hyperventilating. Y'know, if anyone needs me.

Akicita · 04-21-2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleShepherd

Ah...gah...cck...

I had that book for years and never noticed that!

I doubt I ever would have noticed it on my own, because I never read Winnie the Pooh as a kid. Now, of course, I'm afraid to.

Saint · 04-22-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akicita

I doubt I ever would have noticed it on my own, because I never read Winnie the Pooh as a kid.

Same here.

I owned the Mad Lands once, but it's been so long, I can't remember all that much from Fantasy II.

Could someone give us a brief rundown on the parallels with the Pooh stories?

Pretty please?

zogo · 04-20-2005, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varianor

*That and the fact that the great and terrifying gods were Winnie the Pooh takeoffs weren't appreciated. Years later I have a terrific appreciation for what Robin Laws did with that setting. Ah, but only if I had it when I was 29.

You see I've known this for some time, but I've never laid eyes on FantasyII, so it makes me sad that I know, because if I buy the book of e-bay or e23 what I can't know is whether I would have figured it out. Just like my friends did to me with 6th Sense*

*I did figure out Unbreakable's Suprise Ending though

Carsonist · 04-21-2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varianor

*That and the fact that the great and terrifying gods were Winnie the Pooh takeoffs weren't appreciated.

I had to make a fright check when I first read that.

Before reading your post, I would have compared the gods to the Elder Gods of CoC. But you had to go and ruin one of my two favorite parts of the setting. (My other favorite part is the various undead-type guys. Skinless, Boneless, etc.)

My brain is still blown from that revelation.

angel_lord · 04-21-2005, 09:28 PM

Fantasy II: Madlands was one of about 4 Gurps books I had that were ruined due to some flooding. Add to that I lost my boxed set during a Typhoon on Guam. Over the years I have been slowly trying to replace them via e-bay, but that can be quite pricey. Now you guys have me hunting for it again.

Martichoras · 04-22-2005, 04:31 AM

To me it was the Kikavo Vo (Big Leaper) and Kikavo Dat (Little Leaper) that broke the Winnie the Pooh code. Kanga and Roo...

I have not played in the Mad Lands, but I find it one of the most original and interesting Fantasy settings. I think the combination of the sword and sorcery elements with Northwestern Pacific Indian culture is very interesting.

It does suffer from excessive nihilism, though, which is particularily annoying, both because the setting encourages building characters with developed backgrounds and meaningful goals, and because GURPS is not the best system for building cannonfodder characters.

04-17-2005, 07:23 PM	#1
Carsonist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Eden Prairie, MN	Have you played in the Mad Lands? Some time ago, I bought GURPS Fantasy II, adventures in the mad lands. While I really like the setting in the sense that it's fun to read about, I really can't imagine running a game in it. The world seems to doom everyone to: "Life sucks, then you die." Except sometimes, it's: "Life sucks, then you die, then you come back as a monster." So, I'm curious, has anyone run a game in the Mad Lands, or been a PC in it? If so, how'd it go? __________________ Paragraph 4 said: If Trapped by Fire, Endeavor to Escape. Do Not Open Doors If Warm. Do Not Use Stairs If Burning. If No Exit Presents Itself, Remain Calm and Await (a) Rescue or (b) Death.

04-19-2005, 03:11 PM	#2
thastygliax Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lexington, KY	Re: Have you played in the Mad Lands? Haven't read it, haven't played it. But apparently some SJ Games writers share your opinion of Fantasy II, because the Madlands are mentioned in the "Hell Worlds" section of GURPS Infinite Worlds. __________________ Tim Emrick / my blog: Studded Plate / my gaming site: Thastygliax's Vault

04-19-2005, 06:13 PM	#3
varianor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut USA	Re: Have you played in the Mad Lands? I playtested it when it was first written. My players hated it. (Quite possibly because there was no way to "win" really.) I enjoyed it. With the right group, it's a terrific setting for roleplaying. Your odds of putting that group together are above zero, but statistically less likely than the Red Sox winning again this year. :) That and the fact that the great and terrifying gods were Winnie the Pooh takeoffs weren't appreciated. Years later I have a terrific appreciation for what Robin Laws did with that setting. Ah, but only if I had it when I was 29.

04-21-2005, 09:28 PM	#9
angel_lord Join Date: Oct 2004	Re: Have you played in the Mad Lands? Fantasy II: Madlands was one of about 4 Gurps books I had that were ruined due to some flooding. Add to that I lost my boxed set during a Typhoon on Guam. Over the years I have been slowly trying to replace them via e-bay, but that can be quite pricey. Now you guys have me hunting for it again.

04-22-2005, 04:31 AM	#10
Martichoras Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oslo, Norway	Re: Have you played in the Mad Lands? To me it was the Kikavo Vo (Big Leaper) and Kikavo Dat (Little Leaper) that broke the Winnie the Pooh code. Kanga and Roo... I have not played in the Mad Lands, but I find it one of the most original and interesting Fantasy settings. I think the combination of the sword and sorcery elements with Northwestern Pacific Indian culture is very interesting. It does suffer from excessive nihilism, though, which is particularily annoying, both because the setting encourages building characters with developed backgrounds and meaningful goals, and because GURPS is not the best system for building cannonfodder characters. __________________ "I will prove it with string, iodine and a note from my mother" (Eddie Izzard, "Circle" album)