Ivinia

Game Review

reviewed by Philip Davis

Written by N. Robin Crossby
Columbia Games, Inc. P.O. Box 8006, Blaine, WA 98230
Released: April, 1985
Catalog No. 5101 Price: $20.00
Complexity: Intermediate
Solitaire Suitability: None
****

This is the newest in Columbia Games Inc.'s line of products for fantasy role-playing. Like Harn, its predecessor, it is situated upon the planet Kethira. Ivinia is described as a regional module suitable for the development of a Viking-style fantasy campaign. It may also be used as a complement to earlier releases.

Ivinia. describes a collection of islands of various sizes off the northwest coast of Lythia, the main continent of Kethira and northeast of Harn. It describes a Viking culture of fartraveling merchants and raiders.

The module arrived in an attractive blue box large enough to hold the components and notes that a referee may wish to apply to the pack. The box contains a magnificent 22 X 34 inch, full-color map, which is likely to be found mounted on the wall of gaming rooms and dens rather than being used for gaming alone. Besides the map, there are also two 81/2 X 11 inch booklets: a 32-page Overview booklet and a 46-page Index to Ivinia.

The components are professionally produced and packaged. The two booklets contain the only production fault, indeed the only fault that is readily found in the module at all is the paper and ink used. The paper is light brown or tan and the ink is dark brown. In reading the entirety of both books, complaints of eyestrain and mild headaches were voiced. The information presented, however, induced those complaining to reread those books over again.

Ivinia presents the flavor of the Viking life and the reasons those men left their land and roved so far afield. Although no Ivinian campaign has surfaced in the area yet, the module has sold out in our local hobby shops. The idea of such a campaign is already being discussed bv two local referees.

The Overview booklet is divided into two sections of approximately the same length. The first section is subtitled Overview and is subdivided into eight sections. The first is a map of Kethira that includes both Harn and Ivinia as well as the northwestern area of the main continent, Lythia. Following the map is an introduction to lvinia and the basics of the svstern found there. This section is brief and is followed by the core of the overview section: a general background of the history, culture, economics, and religions of Ivinia. Within these sections are maps that allow a referee to easily locate an appropriate area while reading the text.

The second section of this booklet is subtitled Using Ivinia and is also divided into eight subsections. These subsections provide recommendations and guidelines for the creation of a character. These guidelines include family background and possible family relationships. They also instruct the referee in a logical pregame development of the character who begins as a native of this culture. After this character section the booklet offers a series of possible scenario hooks that allow the referee to set up a cogent story line.

The last sections show a reduced map of the Ivinian islands, tables on possible encounters, and both natural and unnatural hazards while traveling in this area.

The Index booklet contains 46 pages of alphabetical listings that expand on and explain many of the items mentioned briefly in the Overview booklet. It gives additional information on most major and minor points of interest shown on the map. The most useful listings are the details about the political and cultural features of the islands. These additional details include a limited history of the kingdoms and the powerful clans within them. The economic base of a Viking land is shown by entries on average incomes and prices in this area. In many ways, this is the most useful set of entries because it gives referees who are familiar with wealthy economies a feel for a more gritty way of life. The religions of this area are detailed and there are also listings for those foreign sects that are slowly invading and influencing the culture of this land.

The Index is complete enough on its own to begin a solid campaign. It has many listings, however, that are crossreferenced to other Harn products, thus inviting the purchase of those products as well. The cross-referencing, along with the logical listings, makes its use in a game situation both fast and efficient.

This product is not a scenario pack or a reference work. it can serve as both, but this ignores the fact that what Columbia Games Inc. has produced is a solid, consistent basis for a continuing campaign. It opens up a whole world for the referee who uses it and for the players who participate in it.

In conclusion this item shows a professionalism and dedication to quality that should and, I hope, will inspire its competition to match it. Ivinia is an entertaining and useful supplement to any existing fantasy campaign and would he valuable to any who participate in such. I heartily recommend this product to those who are interested in the mud and blood of fantasy as well as its gold and glory.

More Role-Game Reviews

Back to Table of Contents -- Game News #11
To Game News List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1986 by Dana Lombardy.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com