OK, here's my (too long, I'm afraid) review for Sub Rosa #12:
In From the Line Editor, David Chart analyzes Ars Magica’s simulationist side (as opposed to its gamist or narrativist one, which are also there). Yes, this is related to the usual “there are too many rules for everything” criticism. I found this piece interesting (even though “simulationism” is out of fashion), and I agree when Mr. Chart says that, 25 years after its inception, Ars’ approach to roleplaying still works perfecty (even with tons of extra rules, for sure).
The Storyguide’s Handbook is devoted to Chance Encounters. I have a mixed feeling about this 15-page long feature. On the one side, I have on occasion felt the need to introduce a random encounter in my saga just to lighten up things a bit, so I find the article helpful. There are, however, lots of charts and tables and the whole thing seemed a bit confusing to me. Of course the main motivation behind these charts (turning any random encounter into a story, even if a minor one) is really worthwhile, and the “Ignore What You Don’t Like” rule makes up for any possible confusion. Also, taking into account the motivations and circumstances of the encountered creature(s) and the option of having an encounter based on some character's virtues or flaws, definitely removes from the equation any “I rolled a 28 so you meet 1D6 goblins” concept, which is nice. I’ll give it a try in my PCs’ next “easy” journey...
The Kievan Rus’ governance is a short piece about the complex system of ruling in Kievan Rus around 1220. If you have read The Dragon and the Bear (Ars 4th Ed.) some of the concepts will sound familiar. The three-headed system of government existing in the area receives some in-depth treatment that will be quite useful for any saga set in (or near) Novgorod. Finally, including a story seed for a mysterious and über-cool villain like Vseslav the Sorcerer (also appearing in TD&TB, by the way) is almost worth the whole piece by itself.
The next article, Love’s Labours Lost (or Kicking Darius of Flambeau up the Arse!), is the sleeper of the issue. A grog-only adventure set in a Tribunal, parodying Hercules’ Twelve Labors with constant twists and funny scenes. Even Darius himself makes an appearance, just to be kicked in the arse by a (suicidal) grog! This seems a perfect counterpoint for the seriousness and pomp of any Tribunal... Some of the labors are outright silly or hilarious (stealing a maga’s undergarments!), and other plainly devilish (I can picture a grog or two catching some nasty diseases in that cesspool...). The overall result is absolutely funny. Oh, and did I say that there’s no easy victory (or defeat) in this one?
From the Journal of Vulcanis Argens: This time, our merry gang is turned into little rodents and have a Faerie adventure full of bizarre meetings with... other animals, usually bigger than them. A weird piece that could inspire a couple encounters in Faerieland for any group.
Companion Piece: Lazar ben Yosef of Narbonne, a Redcap. Lazar is a Redcap with a widespread reputation as a good teacher throughout the Order. He takes his granddaughter with him everywhere he goes, and he charges a steep price for his services. However, those services may be worth the effort: Lazar is the proverbial teacher, reaching Source Quality totals around 30. Personally I found him a bit min-maxed, but I guess that’s the whole point. I know characters like him are relatively normal in some sagas, not in mine. My players would kill for having this character around even just one year in their covenant... Lazar is a good source for stories, no doubt.
Who wants to live forever: This article presents the optional rule of using Shape & Material bonus in your Longevity Ritual, as well as uses for dedicated vis and extraordinary vis with the same goal. Ways of implementing this, either as an initiation in a Fertilty Cult or a Minor Breakthrough in standard Magic Theory, are also discussed. Of course, the materials used in those rituals will have to be closely watched by the magus, since they could be easily used against him by enemies and such (so they become Hooks, in a way). The bonus gained can be quite hefty, by the way. Personally, I think using this in a saga would open up interesting ramifications: magi could make way better rituals at a younger age, which no doubt would affect the longevity ritual specialist market... Of course, this would also make a longer-lived Order in general.
Pilgrims of Darkness: This adventure won the scenario contest for Hermes Portal in 2002, and is presented here with the stats adapted for 5th Edition. I didn’t have the chance to read the original, but it’s a rather dark and sinister adventure around a pilgrimage that follows the “wrong” road, in every sense. The atmosphere is great, and the plot is flexible enough to create an unnerving voyage for the pilgrims. The final enemy is also quite cool, and my only issue with the adventure is that I might be a bit tricky to keep the characters unaware of “what is really going on” from a given point onward.
Mappa Mundi is quickly becoming one of my favorite sections in the magazine. You can always find something helpful in this page. In this case, two recommended readings from other systems: Merrie England and Crusaders of the Amber Coast. Both contain background information that can be applied to Mythic Europe. Having my saga set in the eastern side of the Rhine Tribunal with occasional forays into Novgorod, I’m specially interested in the second one...
Overall, #12 is another very solid issue. I would highlight specially the two adventures, each quite interesting, in its own (very different, in fact) style. Personally, artwork seemed a bit patchier than previous issues, but I can live with that (and some of the illustrations for Love’s Labours Lost were so funny!). As a technical suggestion/request for the nice folks at SR for future issues, would it be possible to add bookmarks for each section (which they probably already exist), and have the file display the bookmarks panel when opened? I think navigating the PDF would be much easier. (Not that it is specially difficult right now, but...).
Nice work!