Legends (PBM)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Legends is an award-winning ^[1] computer moderated play-by-mail fantasy strategy game. It was created in 1986 by Jim Landes from his previous game, Epic. This was “Legends I” (LI) which had three paper manuals and ran via paper turn-sheets and printouts via snail mail. In 1995, two years after Midgnight Games had been acquired by a new owner, Edi Birsan, the game system underwent a major update, with many major rule changes and new elements, often based on players’ suggestions. This was “Legends II” (LII), which in time could be played via email, first via a DOS utility called the Legends Turn Editor (LTE), and currently via the deluxe Legends Position Editor (LPE). In 2003, Legends again had a new owner, Sam Roads of Harlequin Games, U.K., and is heading for another update of the system, to increase the flexibility of the underlying program code even more.

The “modules” or game worlds that have been designed to run under the Legends game system:

-- Crown of Avalon (COA) - Gorgoroth, the god of Evil, tries to get the world, called Avara, under his control. Meanwhile, many political factions strive after their own dreams of glory, and after the Throne of the once powerful realm of Avalon. (LI module 1988).

-- Realm of the Immortals (ROI): the world called Verana is threatened by the evil Overlord, who already has conquered several nations. However the free people proudly try to oppose him. (LI module 1990). Revamped as Immortals’ Realm (IR) (LII module 2002).

-- North Island Campaign (NIC): The Elves return to their ancestral island, called Hasandra, and want to take it back from the other races who have settled upon it. (LI module 1992). Revamped as North Island Campaign II (LII module 2001).

-- Dark Domain (DD): Four big dynasties on separate continents are engaged in a race to get the central island called Tarvan under their control, after the island had been for ages under the dark rule of a common foe. (LI module 1994). Revamped as Dark Domain II (LII module 2002; for a special International Champions Game).

-- Swords of Pelarn (SOP): The world called Pelarn is engulfed by strong religious and political rivalries. The former Kingdom of Pelarn desperately tries to rise from its ashes to restore order again, but is faced with many opponents (some of which have descended from other Astral Planes). (LII module 1995).)

-- Crown of Chaos (CC): Elacrai, the Known World, slips into chaos while waiting for the finally final (sic!) death of its main Empire-builder, Emperor Trekwill. Several rivalling factions (some good, some serving Chaos) try to profit from the void he'll leave behind; and all are threatened by the unwordly Hive, insect races that seek to enslave or kill everyone and everything. (LII module 1997)

-- Twilight Crusade (TC): In a world split into the Spheres of Light and Darkness, the occupants of the remaining Twilight wait in fear or hope for the coming of the TechnoMages. (LII module 2003)

-- Hannibal’s War: The first (mini-)module located on Earth, with the conflict between Carthaginians and Romans as training ground for new players. (LII module 2003).

-- Adventures in Avalon (AIA): This module is an exciting experiment - for the first time we are proud to bring you a sequel module. Crown of Avalon was the first ever Legends module, brought out to great acclaim back in 1987. Adventures in Avalon is set 50 years later, following a series of extraordinary political events that lead to the end of the Crown of Avalon game 5.

-- The One Ring (OR): A shadow hangs heavy over Middle-earth. Yet hope still remains, so long as there is found courage in the hearts of those who would be free. Hope, too, so long as the Ring is not yet discovered. And thus the fates of many are tied and bound to its doom.

Up to 200 players participate in a single game, which can last between 18 months and 5 years ^[2]

It is owned and run in English language by Harlequin Games and run German language by SSV Graz.