NEW FROM THE BLACKSBURG TACTICAL RESEARCH CENTER

EPIPHANY - THE LEGENDS OF HYPERBOREA BY GREG PORTER ($9.95/48P)

Epiphany is a new diceless RPG set in the legendary land of Hyperborea (which includes the kingdoms of Atlantis, Lemuria, and Mu). The game mechanics are very simple. Task resolution is unusual, being conducted with a finger game. Conceptually it's somewhat similar to rockscissors- paper, but you have the ability to allocate your points (which are derived from your 4ittributes and abilities) between a "defense" and "offense" hand.

The magic system is also unconventional, incorporating a random element - you draw from a pool of cards or tokens to determine what spell or elemental power source you can play that round.

Epiphany includes a sample adventure and advice on how to launch a campaign, as well as a world map and a blank character sheet.

SLAG - COMBAT ON THE HIGH FRONTIER
BY GREG PORTER ($7 95/MP)

Slag is a "beer and pretzels" space combat game. The designer's note claims that they intended it to be fast, fun, and affordable, and it looks like they've hit the mark. Combat is conducted on a hex map, and there are very few charts to wrestle with.

Ships are easy to design, and can be equipped with everything from ablative armor to nuclear dampers. Simple schematics are used to show the layout of a ship's hull and systems, and track damage to them. 35 example ships are included to get you started.

NEW FROM GREY GH0ST GAMES

Grey Ghost Press P. 0. Box 838 Randolph MA 02368-0838

Gatecrasher 2nd Ed. ($18.95)

Gatecrasher is an eclectic mix of sci-fi and fantasy, set in the year 2371. Magic has come back to the world, and as it says in the introduction, physics is under-martial law. Gatecrasher is based on the FUDGE rules system, which has developed quite a following.

SMALL PRESS GAMES

SYNERGY

By S. ISAAC DEALY ($21.00/143P)
DarkSIDE Press 15775 Hillcrest Road #508 Dallas, TX 75248-4199

Synergy is a blend of high-tech and fantasy with a money-back guarantee. Even though it has a 1993 copyright, we just found it recently; you'll probably have to contact the publisher directly if you want to check it out.

LORDS OF FANTASY

BY MICAAEL MALSE ($? - NONE GIVEN/159pgs)
World Builder Publications P. 0. Box 7196 Bonney Lake WA 98390-0932

Elves, dwarves, and centaurs make up a solid traditional fantasy foundation, but additional races such as avians and felines give Lords of Fantasy some more character. The rules use a rolland-add mechanic for task resolution, and spell lists are provided. There's also a section detailing various locations and NPCs to use in your games.

THE LEGEND OF YORE

BY ORD" TAYLOR ($26.99/236P)
Galileo Games, Inc. 3630 Capitol Drive Ft. Collins CO 80526

The Legend of Yore is another traditional feeling fantasy RPG. It's a skill-based system, but you're given plenty of archetypes to work with. The magic system uses spell lists, but in a nice touch the spells priests use are limited according to who their patron is. All in all, one of the better independent fantasy RPGs I've seen.

OF GODS AND MEN

BY JUFREY KONKOL ($25.00/=P)
NonSequitur Productions 1513 N. 69th St. Wauwatosa WI 53213 (414) 297-9803

Unlike most fantasy games, there are no nonhuman races in Of Gods and Men; PCs come from different human tribes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The rulebook is full of nice touches like lists of plant properties for herbalism, an alchemy system, and a magical rune system. Like most games these days, it's skillbased. This is also one of the better indie fantasy RPG out today.

CROSSROADS - MODERN MYTHIC ROLEPLAYING

9Y JASON & TINA ADREW ($? - NONE GIVEN/125p)
Xanadu Games P. 0. Box 28065 Spokane, WA 99228-8065

An eternal, secret war is taking place between the forces of corruption and those determined to save humanity. Sentinels, Defilers, and Guides are the Eternals involved in the conflict. Lots of White Wolf-style character archetypes are provided to get you going.