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The Nightmares Underneath Free Edition $0.00
Average Rating:4.5 / 5
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The Nightmares Underneath Free Edition
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The Nightmares Underneath Free Edition
Publisher: Chthonstone Games
by Atlictoatl C. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/27/2021 11:53:18

A previous review suggested that the mechanics of the professions of The Nightmares Underneath were uninteresting, which utterly confounds me. In contrast, I find them to be a joy to play and run. They're quite well constructed, and employ elements of both OSR design and Powered by the Apocalypse design. Characters are fashioned to be hyper-competent at what they are meant to do, and yet the majority of them are simple enough to fit on one page of rules and description.

As an example, Thieves (which was mentioned negatively in that other review) will always find what is hidden if they spend a turn searching and are in an environment of their level or lower. If they search in a dungeon of higher level than they are, they will always be at least 2x as good as it as other characters, and if they quickly search an area in any environment (instead of taking a full turn), they search as other characters do (though they are still likely to be better at it, because of their probably-high Dexterity score). Additionally, they have four customizable options at L1 which give them Advantage on rolls related to being a Burglar, Con Artist, Mastermind, or Guild Thief, and they get +level bonuses to being stealthy, to initiative, and to rolls related to a majority of thief activities.

Fighters inflict bonus damage on physical attacks (as opposed to magical attacks) whether they hit or miss on their attack roll, get a bonus to low HP when they join a fight or press an attack, add their level to physical attacks and intimidation rolls, and choose between 5 martial styles that help to broadly define what type of fighter they are (uses retainers, high initiative, fights with a partner, wears heavy armor, fights unarmed).

These character archetypes are designed to do their thing well, to help focus and determine play. Other systems of the game provide additional color and background to the characters. For instance, I make heavy use of the random equipment package tables during character generation in my games, because they provide rich, unexpected color to the PCs. Ranging from the mundane ("you have a brand-new sword, a lantern and a flask of oil, a set of tools for the profession of your choice, and a recent personal tragedy that you are trying not to dwell on") to the fantastic ("you have a pistol that spits forth the concentrated fury of a dead age, long buried and forgotten; it never needs to be reloaded"), the equipment is evocative and begs for additional questions to be asked of the player, in the style of a Powered by the Apocalypse game. For the former result, taken from the table for characters of the Middle Classes, I want to hear more about why the sword is brand-new, and we can uncover more about the personal tragedy in play. For the latter result, which is what you get if you roll a '3' on 3d6 on the table for the Wretched and the Lost (the penniless, prisoners, untouchables) there's clearly a tale to be told on how the PC came by such an object. An entire campaign could be constructed around that character and object.

These are just a few examples of how masterfully and colorfully player characters are treated in this game. Dungeons are given new meaning and life by making them living incursions of nightmare that can pop up anywhere (the wilderness, a ship, that house over there), with an ecology that assists the GM with thematic dungeon design. Magic is democratized. Homebase villages/towns can be developed by players to confer specific mechanical benefits to the party. This is a brilliant masterpiece of a game, and it's free (though your hard-earned coin would be well spent on the gorgeous art-filled version).

Any gamer would be doing themselves a disservice to not pick this game up and play it at their table.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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The Nightmares Underneath Free Edition
Publisher: Chthonstone Games
by Érico C. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 03/19/2020 13:24:32

I loved the idea and the setting, but I couldn't care less about most of the professions and their mechanics. Between an assassin and a thief, I would take the first always! Some of them do the same things with little difference.

If there is a second edition, I suggest to make the professions more interesting.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
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The Nightmares Underneath Free Edition
Publisher: Chthonstone Games
by Kenneth S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/09/2017 19:13:16

I picked up this free version to see what the game was about. I liked idea of living dungeons invading reality... but it turns out this game is so much more. The wider setting is compelling and unique in its flavor. Different than the usual Tolkienesque Eurofantasy but not so detailed that it's intimidating... there is a lot of room (and tools) for making it your own.

The 'Incursions' themselves are an excellent concept and, again, there are tools for creating them and fleshing them out. Each is very unique and thematic to the forces that led to its creation... rather than just being 'wizard built' basements full of random critters.

One small complaint might be that there isn't a full example of an Incursion in the book (perhaps the full version has one?). Thankfully, there is a module available called City of Poison that presents a great example of what an Incursion might look like, how it might spread, and why they are not just your run-of-the mill 'dungeon'.

I really need to go purchase the full hardback of this book... I've heard the artwork is excellent. Since I first got this on a lark it has really sucked me in and I'm chomping at the bit to give it a try. Excellent work!



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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