A few months ago I was contemplating putting together a group for a tabletop game when my girlfriend had the suggestion of doing something in the universe of His Dark Materials to coincide with the show.
Long story short, here is our setup the night before 'Chapter 1'.
To start, I am using the Genesys rulebook because it is incredibly easy to learn, and it has an emphasis on storytelling, rather than combat. It also specifically includes directions for modification for creating your own settings. More than half of the team playing with us has never played a tabletop game, so this has been a great way to introduce them.
I designed some house rules to modify Genesys to fit the setting a little better. You can download my house rules here. Included is my rules on how to use an Alethiometer. My talented girlfriend (and fiancee at this point!) drew the cards representing alethiometer symbols that you can see in the setup picture.
I have also created a character sheet generator that modified a little of the Genesys character sheet creation. Included is a special rule that calculates player age - if a player is younger, they may have a little less health, but will be significantly more talented with an Alethiometer. Link to download the character sheet is here.
I wanted to share these resources with you all in hopes that there could be some interest generated in more of these types of RPGs. We've had a lot of fun incorporating Daemons into the story already, and a few people have bought animal figurines to represent them.
If anyone has any feedback or suggestions, they would be very much appreciated. If you're interested in the plot of our campaign, there is a summary here.
This series was amazing. Never have I thought so much about my existence in the universe like I have with these novels. How this even classifies as a children’s novel I don’t know. The themes of religion, love, sex, power, and death are discussed in thematic and blunt detail. Phillip Pullman really has created a masterpiece I think it’s a series every child should read. It’s eye opening and makes you think. Can you think of other examples of children’s books that tackle such adult themes?
The show is generally mixed well, with good sound design, except for the ambience. It's as if there is a phaser creating a fake wind sound effect or it's some sort of digital noise because of compression after the fact.
Can anyone explain why it sounds this way or is something wrong with my sound system? (It only happens with this particular show) And if a studio like HBO actually released it with that terrible sound, why?? It takes away from everything else and makes me cringe.
i’ve always seen this strong connection between aurora’s music and the his dark materials trilogy by phillip pullman. granted, i started getting into both of them at the same time (about a year ago), but so many of her songs felt like they were written for the books. i know they aren’t but i just saw such a connection between both their themes, and being engulfed in both of them at the same time made some of her songs feel like they were linked to these books.
especially apple tree and little boy in the grass; i cannot listen to them without thinking about will and lyra and the whole series. was wondering if anyone else who’s read the series can see this connection too or if i’m just reaching a ton. lmk lads
Prompt by: /u/thestuffedalligator
For two hundred years, the Dark Lord Valghast cast his shadow on the lands of Man, Elf, and Dwarf. His legions marched against the armies of Light, burning and looting the lands of good. A party of noble adventurers—armed with the treasured weapons of Light, ventured into the shadowed lands. After many hardships, and terrible losses, the heroes of light managed to seal him and his lands away forever.
One hundred years later, the barrier which held back the shadowed lands is failing....
Tal'ir stepped out into the forest glade, light cut through the canopy in golden beams. He smelled Orcs on the air, a scent which hadn't been smelled in over a century. He sighed deeply, fingering the hilt of his sword. He had brought the Val'nir, the holy sword which had defeated the Dark Lord so long ago. He thought back on his father, the hero who had struck the final blow against the Dark Lord—sacrificing himself in the process. He hoped that he would have the strength to make the same sacrifice if the moment came.
The lithe elf ran through the forest underbrush, silent and swift. Coming to the post which marked the barrier, he found a great rent in the wall of gently humming energy. Cautiously, he steps through the hole. The smell of Orcflesh is stronger now, an almost overwhelming stink. This worried the elf, the only time Orc-stink was this potent, was just before a war... The concentration of Orc in the region must be immense. Pulling a scroll from his rucksack, he unfurls the scroll and speaks softly, "Send forces to the Southeastern barrier marker 231. Bring at least two divisions of Karak'karaz." The message would reach the Kingdom of the Dwarves with little delay, he hoped they would come swiftly.
This done, the elf ran swiftly through the forest, his deep green clothing obscuring him as he ran. Coming to the edge of the forest, he saw smoke rising into the sky. The billowing columns, like dark towers dominating the horizon. This wasn't good, they only industrialized on such a scale when preparing weapons for war. The Orcs were nearly as good at smithing as Dwarves, if they had weapons production on this scale, it could mean the entire realm of Light was at risk. Pulling out two more scrolls, he sent messages to the realms of Man and Elf. He suspected that war would once again dominate the world. Again, he fingered the hilt of his blade, growing ever more certain that he would use it this day.
Tal'ir
... keep reading on reddit ➡Personally, I love both. Both Top Ten Ever (don’t make me pick a favourite). Anyone else in the same boat?
And if not, now is a great time to give His Dark Materials a try. The perfect time, in fact.
Alethiometer
The device cannot be destroyed, but it can be stolen. He will not willingly allow it to be taken from the group (who trust the Alethiometer, and his ability to read it). Other than the Alethiometer, nothing changes.
R1: He has the Alethiometer and a book on how to use it, which he has studied for a decade.
R2: He can read it from instinct, with the same level of skill that Lyra had at the end of The Northern Lights.
#Bonus Rounds
B1: R1, but Enyaba gains an exact copy of the device, the book, and the level of training.
B2: R2, but Enyaba gains an exact copy of the device as well as the ability to read from instinct.
I won't rant about this appropriation, since it's hardly world ending, but surely whoever is responsible for it could do better.
I mean, you could have the same story without it existing, couldn’t you?
In real life, we've had armour for beasts of war, and warm (or simply cute) clothing for certain pets, for example. Daemons are smart enough to use complex tools and if they die, you instantly die too. Shouldn't they have some protection?
They're also frequently in situations where they could do with weapons or tools. Obviously most don't have opposable thumbs, but IRL trained animals can do some pretty impressive things, and we do see Daemons pick things up with their mouths and so on. Why aren't there dedicated tools designed for them?
Or is this a thing, and I'm just not aware?
