Chivalry and Sorcery
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| Chivalry and Sorcery | |
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| Designer(s) | Edward E. Simbalist, Wilf K. Backhaus |
| Publisher(s) | Fantasy Games Unlimited, Highlander Games (3rd edition), Brittannia Game Designs (Ligth & Rebirth edition) |
| Publication date | 1977 (1st edition) 1983 (2nd edition) 1996 (3rd edition) 1999 (Ligth edition) 2000 (Rebirth edition) |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| System | Custom, Skillscape (since 3rd edition) |
Chivalry and Sorcery is a fantasy role-playing game that was first published in 1977 by Fantasy Games Unlimited. It is a game set apart by its approach to fantasy that is grounded in the historical Middle Ages, including a magic system based loosely on the beliefs of the time. The third edition was published by Highlander Games. Its current incarnation, Chivalry and Sorcery: The Rebirth, is published by Brittannia Game Designs. Chivalry & Sorcery was originally created by Edward E. Simbalist and Wilf K. Backhaus of Edmonton, Alberta.
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[edit] Setting
There have been six settings for Chivalry and Sorcery to date.
[edit] First edition
[edit] The historical world
- Celts, vikings and Mongols in Swords and Sorcerors.
- feudal Japan in Land of the Rising Sun
[edit] Fantasy
- Arden. A kingdom based on England set in a much larger game world (Archaaron, hinted at in an article onin Different Worlds)
- the world of intelligent dinosaurs in the Saurians supplement
[edit] Third Edition
- Tannoth for third edition
- The World of the Dragon Reaches of Marakush by the publishers of the current, 4th, edition Britannia Game Designs.
None of these areas, with the exception of Arden, have been explored in any great detail. A project to fully develop Tannoth broke down in disagreement between some the writers, particularly with the lack of support of the publishers regarding artwork supposed to have been supplied by them.
The overriding theme of Chivalry and Sorcery settings is a world where magic is rare, and whose societies mimics real medieval Europe. It places strong emphasis on nobility and family rank, as well as relegating magic and the supernatural to more mythical and arcane roles.
[edit] History
The first incarnation of Chivalry & Sorcery was Chevalier, an advanced version of Dungeons & Dragons which focused on realistic, medieval, low fantasy. Self-published by Ed Simbalist and Wilf Backhaus, with an orange cover and ringed binding, the booklet was rejected by Gary Gygax after his meeting with the authors at the 1976 Gen Con. Scott Bizar of Fantasy Games Unlimited, however, purchased the book on sight.
By 1977 Chivalry & Sorcery saw its first publication. Over the course of the year the book went through significant rewrites, which among other things, converted it to a stand-alone game system. Additionally Scott Bizar requested that the name be changed to Chivalry & Sorcery, since he felt that few people would know what a Chevalier was.
1983 saw the release of the second edition of Chivalry & Sorcery. This set of rules was also released by Fantasy Games Unlimited, and was primary an update to the original.
In 1996 Chivalry & Sorcery 3rd Edition was released - this time published by Highlander Games. The third edition was a major departure from earlier Chivalry & Sorcery rules. While still focusing on the low-fantasy, realistic feel that permeates the system, the underlying game mechanic was completely changed. Instead of a complex level and skill based advancement system, everything was unified under a mechanic called Skillscape. Skillscape is based completely on a percentage system. Every success or failure can be determined by a roll of a d100, with an accompanying d10 "crit die". The d100 determines success or failure, while the crit die determines the degree of that success of failure. This mechanic was applied to virtually everything in the game, making it significantly more playable. In addition to Simbalist and Bakhaus, GW Thompson of Highlander Games is listed as a primary contributor to the book.
Chivalry & Sorcery Light was published in 1999. It is a simplified, bare bones version of the 3rd edition, available at a lesser cost. Chivalry & Sorcery Essence is an even simpler rule set and is available as a free download.
In 2000 the most recent version of the game was published: Chivalry & Sorcery: The Rebirth. The Rebirth is published by Brittania Game Designs. It primarily improves and tweaks the rules of the 3rd Edition, although it does bring back some of the best rules from the 1st and 2nd edition that were omitted for the 3rd Edition (converted to the Skillscape system).
[edit] Publications
[edit] Core rules
- Chivalry & Sorcery (1977)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 2nd Ed. (1983)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 3rd Ed. (1997)
- Chivalry & Sorcery Light (1999)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 4th Ed. Deluxe (2000)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 4th Ed. Core Rules (2000)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 4th Ed. Magick & Miracles (2000)
- Chivalry & Sorcery 4th Ed. Gamemaster's Companion (2000)
[edit] Rules Supplements
1st edition
- Castle Plans (1977)
- Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook (1978)
- Swords & Sorcerers (1978)
- Bireme & Galley (1978)
- Destrier (1978)
- Fortification Plans (1978)
- Land of the Rising Sun (1980). By Lee Gold this is a completely stand alone version of C&S 1st Edition
- Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook 2 (1981)
2nd edition
- Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook (1983)
- Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook 2 (1983)
3rd edition
- Game Master's Handbook (1997)
- Creatures Bestiary (1998)
- Chivalry& Sorcery Gamemaster's Shield (1998)
4th edition
- Knights' Companion (1999)
- Armourers' Companion (2000)
- Dwarves' Companion (2000)
- Elves' Companion (2000)
- The Book of Items, Vol 1 (2002)
- The Book of Vocations, Spells & Skills Vol. 1 (2002)
- The Book of Vocations, Spells & Skills Vol. 2 (2002)
- The Book of Vocations, Spells & Skills Vol. 3 (2004)
- C&S Player's Pack (2004)
[edit] Supplements
1st edition
- Saurians (1979)
- Arden (1979)
3rd edition
- The Dragon Reaches of Marakush (1998)
- Anderia (1998)
[edit] Adventures
2nd edition
- The Dragon Lord (1984)
- The Songsmith (1984)
3rd edition
- Stormwatch (1998)
4th edition
- Where Heroes Fear to Tread (1999)
- Under the Castle Gates (2000)
- Marakush Treachery (2002)
