Authors: John Robey, Peter Schweighofer, George Strayton, Paul Sudlow, Eric S. Trautmann. Published in 1996 by West End Games
96 pages. B/W
ISBN: 0-87431-436-4
Price: Out of Print
Introduction
This supplement was a bridge product intended to help players and game
masters to switch from Masterbook (the system used by WEG for TORG and a
couple of other games) to D6 (the new "universal" engine launched with the
WEG version of Star wars and subsequently adopted for all other games,
including Indiana Jones).
As such, the first 13 pages (plus a single page towards the back of the
book) were devoted to conversion notes and GM tips for converting existing
characters and published adventures to the new system. This may still
prove useful, giving a rough idea of how "average" characters are rated, and
so helping conversions to other game systems.
Apart from this, and the last pages, describing four character archetypes and including a blank
character sheet, the rest of the book is devoted to adventures. You get a
short solo scenario and three fairly long and detailed regular adventures.
The Adventures
I'm currently using this same supplement in my campaign, so the descriptions
will be even more short than usual, in order not to spoil the fun for my
players. I'll try to flesh out these ones more in the future, feel free to
write directly (marino "at" inrete.it) if you need more details.
The Carlisle Incident
Solo adventure, intended to familiarize
people with the D6 system. Set in San Francisco, 1935. Introduces Mack
Stanton, an archaeology expert "for hire" (sort of a cross between Marlowe and
Indiana Jones). The character is hired by a woman to retrieve her husband.
The catch is that along with the man, an ancient Chinese sculpture is
missing. Short and simple, with even shorter notes to change the scenario for group play.
On Ice
Chicago, 1926. The PCs are sent in by a Prohibition agent to investigate on
alcohol smuggling and sales. The introduction is a bit flimsy (the idea is
that the PCs are more reliable than the corrupt police, but it would work
only if at least one of them has good FBI connections) but the adventure seems pretty
funny.
The City of Dreams
Australia, no specific date, but probably around 1935. Professor Derek
Wallace disappears during a solitary expedition in the Great Outback. The
PCs should try to discover what happened to him. Includes notes on
Australia and a very short glossary ("bloody", "mate", "jackaroo"...).
An interesting change of pace from the usual China/South America stuff. Note
that it's also more in line with the movies, introducing the possibility of
tribal magic and legends being rooted in something real.
The Kweichow Exodus
China, 1933. The University of Chicago hires the PC to provide
assistance to a team of archaeologists working in the remote Kweichow
province. The dig is almost complete, but the team reported an increasing
number of alarming "accidents", probably due to some form of sabotage. The
PCs should help the group to get back to civilization with their
findings. Long and fairly fun adventure, with plenty of occasions for
action and interaction with NPCs. A little short in "technical" details,
like vehicles stats, for example, but seems fairly enjoyable, and can be
used to launch a campaign set in Hong Kong (where the expedition is supposed
to arrive at the end of the adventure)
Adapting Tips
The stuff should be pretty easy to convert, even without the conversion
guide in it. D6 was fairly simple (stats and skills are rated in number of
D6 plus adds, roll against difficulty or opponents roll) and there are
little or no "strange" uses of the system, like magic.
The adventures are fairly original, even if the launching point is always
pretty bland (you are contacted by "X" to do "Y"), and the last two can work
well to create a new party. They may also freely moved forward or
backward in time with little damage, except for the second one, which
requires Prohibition to still be in force.
Summing up
If you prefer globetrotting adventures to gritty urban sagas, this
supplement is probably a good buy... provided you can find it on eBay or in
some other second-hand shop.