In short, I very highly recommend you buy this game. The long version follows:

Simply put, I think this is one of the best rpg systems currently on the market, and is definitely in my top 5 - simple and elegant mechanics, not too light on the rules but not too heavy either (the perfect sweet spot), the best of the old school and the new school gaming concepts with a healthy dose of innovation - I can't express how awesome the system is in words, it's that good. The setting is also a very interesting one, with many twists on your typical fantasy setting. David Vershaw's review covers the system pretty well - although he doesn't stress how awesome the scaling mechanics really are in play (they are a great innovation giving lots of tactical depth to player's dice rolls like no other system out there). So rather than talk more about the system, I'll give you some information on the setting.

Simply put, the setting is dripping with flavor and has years of gaming potential in the core book alone - there's no clear-cut good/evil, lots of shades of gray. The setting is based around the crumbling of the elven empire as they retreat from the area (the elven banner is the crimson banner, thus the name of the RPG - the crimson exodus - for the Elven exodus). The elves ran a huge empire, but are now retreating as the empire crumbles here on the peninsula (where the setting is focused). There are Elves (widely hated due to their superiority complex and years of harsh rule), Elnar (sort of like "lesser" elves though not as hated as the elves), dwarves, and humans too (of several cultural varieties), that's the bulk of races. There are Orcs (and the "greater Orcs", the Senshoul) as the main enemy races of the other races. There is a black-death-plague-like thing going on in the center of the crumbling eastern empire - except that those that get infected become the living dead (mix of typical fantasy vampires and ghouls). In the far east there are worshipers of an ancient serpent god that are a sort of "enemy" race as they gather strength and try to resurrect the long dead Serpent Empire that the Elves crushed when they conquered the lands here.

Well ok, a little bit more about the system - there are 3 distinctly different magic systems - witchcraft mostly used by elves/elnar, sorcery mostly used by dwarves and the black arts mostly used by worshipers of an ancient serpent god to the far east of the peninsula. There's also a separate system for alchemy magic and an herbal magic system. Each system has it's own unique flavor and feel, which a really awesome touch.

As an RP system it seems interesting to say the least. I would have to try it out to be sure I like it.

just like it says, it's a 1 page overview of the game system. it's a new style engine, and i don't currently have a gaming group to playtest with, so i can't give it a 5-star rating. though, a couple parts of the system deserve a closer look in my opinion.... they are intriguing!

Essentially Trauma is a medically correct and system-agnostic version of Arms Law's critical hit tables. Each chapter details all the things that can go wrong with a hit location (Head, Chest, Abdomen, Arm, Leg), with tables at the end for random results. Unlike Arms Law, these trauma results apply after combat; during combat, this supplement reasons it's faster and easier to use existing game systems and assume adrenaline hides immediate. It also describes what first-aid and medical techniques of the past, present, and near-future can ameliorate or repair the damage. If you're at all curious about what really happens to the human body when it's stabbed/sliced/bludgeoned/burned, or you think medical accuracy would enhance your game, buy this supplement.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. The resolution systems has a unique twist on the roll and keep system found in such games as Legend of the 5 Rings rpg. The resolution is based on an attribute roll that determines the number of dice rolled and the skill determines the type of die rolled. So someone with an agility of 2 and a skill of D6 would roll 2d6. This can be scaled up or down to 1d8 or down to 3d4. You keep the highest die and compare it to a difficulty or opposed roll. There is a margin of success that can raise the success level of things like damage based on how well you do the task. I did like the idea of being scaled up and down. This system runs throughout the game.

The damage system is result based with a wound level system ranging from superficial to mortal wounds that can occur with one well-placed shot.

The character system is path and skill based. The magic system reminds me a bit of Lord of the Rings rather than D&D. The book ways in at 340 pages and was well worth the 9.99 PDF cost or 24 dollar softback print copy

David