There have already been multiple fantastic new source-books and expansions, in addition to the core rule book, announced for the game.
Additionally, the team behind the game and working very hard to remain true to the original source works of Robert E. Howard for this game and all its expansions.
If you contribute to the game now, not only will you have first access to the game, but you can also get many bonuses as well.
To tell us more about the game, the Kickstarter, and how you as a fan and reader can get involved, we've interviewed Jason Durall.
Modiphius was founded by Chris Birch in 2012, with the Achtung! Cthulhu game line on Kickstarter. After that successful launch and in the subsequent years, Modiphius has expanded dramatically, with Mutant Chronicles 3rd Edition, the Infinity RPG, the Thunderbirds boardgame, Dust Adventures, and other fine games, like the in-development Conan game.
As for me, Chris and I first started talking about working together on Mutant Chronicles, but the timing wasn't right. I later came on to take over Assault on the Mountains of Madness, the big Achtung! Cthulhu campaign that was the planned final Kickstarter release for that game line. From there I was one of the earliest writers and editorial voices for the Conan game, and took over as line developer back in September of 2015. Since then I've been recruiting writers, editing, writing, playtesting, promoting, demo-ing, revising, and providing editorial guidance for the writing team and assisting Chris as best I can.
How did the concept for doing a new Conan themed RPG come about?
I am not actually sure, but I believe it came about through Chris' initiative. His experience with licensed products in his previous line of work gives him a lot of access to licensors and a keen understanding of bringing IPs to the tabletop.
Simply put, the core system has players rolling 2d20, trying to reach a target number equal to or under than a value based on Attribute + Skill Expertise. If a result is under that, it's a success. Skills can also have Focus, which means that a skill rolling the Focus or below gets an extra success. Tasks are usually rated at difficulties, ranging from 0-5, with each difficulty rating the number of successes required to succeed.
For example, a character might have an Attribute like Awareness at 10, Skill Expertise in Observation of 3, and Skill Focus of 2. This means that any toll of 13 or less will yield a success, and a roll of 2 or less will yield an additional success.
Additional successes beyond the required result are turned into Momentum, which can be spent immediately to add additional effects or improve the quality of the result, or they can be placed in a shared pool for all the players to draw from. Momentum can then be used to roll additional d20s for tasks, up to a maximum of 5d20 allowed per roll.
Players use Momentum, while the GM uses Doom, a counter-mechanic that works in much the same way, being spent to activate or improve NPC abilities, upgrade enemies, and increase the difficulty of an action the PCs are undertaking. It can also be spent for other things, like giving NPCs additional dice to roll.
Player characters are also rated with talents, which usually have an in-game benefit towards specific actions or avenues of activity.
How do you feel the 2D20 system will work with and benefit the theme of Conan?
Quite well, as I've seen from numerous playtests.
We are hewing exclusively to the original Howard works, and ignoring the pastiche entirely. We are also working in close consultation with some leading REH scholars, and in every case we're going back to the source material for fresh interpretations rather than relying on a general impression shaped by a wildly-inconsistent variety of pastiche.
I think it's safe for us to say that this absolutely the most authentic treatment of the Hyborian Age in games, and head-and-shoulders closer than most of the pastiche material.
It shows on the Kickstarter that there will be many exciting source books to add more flavor, resources, and options to the game. What are some of the most interesting or exciting source books players should look forward to?
I'm particularly excited most by the Kull of Atlantis sourcebook, which was the first thing I suggested when we started discussing the line. The Book of Skelos and Nameless Cults are also very dear to me, thematically, as are the bestiary and the ruins books. I think the lineup of Conan the ... sourcebooks will be particularly awesome, and I'm also completely excited with what we'll be doing with for a few projects we haven't even announced yet, and may not be announced for a while.
Thanks! One of the big goals we're doing is to draw from the top drawer of established Conan artists, including many whose work has never graced an RPG, and bringing some new and original artists into the mix with an attempt at creating a Hyborian Age that feels lived-in. I will confess that while many of these covers are awesome, some of my favorite artwork we're doing are the environment landscapes... amazing portrayals of the countries and places that make the Conan setting resonate with so many fans.
What kind of writing/editing team do you have on board for the books?
I'm the line developer, and I am ably assisted by Chris Lites. The writing and editorial team consists of (at this point) dozens of people, including system designers Benn Graybeaton and Nathan Dowdell, Conan experts Jeffrey Shanks, Mark Finn, Chris Gruber, and Patrice Louinet, and adventure and sourcebook writers like Tim Brown, Vincent Darlage, Jeb Boyt, Jesse Scoble, Richard August, Steffie de Vaan, Mark Carroll, Jennifer Baughman, Helena Nash, Kevin Ross, Anne Toole, Rachel Cruz, Elle Goff,Todd Woods, Miri Weaver, Lou Agresta, John Snead, Jack Norris, Matt John, Gareth Skarka, Andrew Peregrine, Dirk Vandereyken, and others I apologize for forgetting. In addition, I have a variety of other writers I'm in discussions with, ranging from well-known names associated with other adaptations of the Conan IP to fresh and new talent.
Finally, is there anything special readers and gamers should know about the upcoming system?
I would rather have folks judge it for themselves, downloading the free quickstart adventure available from Drivethrurpg.com, and trying it out.
We want to thank Jason so much for his willingness to answer a few of our questions about one of the most anticipated games currently in the roleplaying community. Now is YOUR chance to get invloved. Head over to the Conan RPG Kickstarter page and give them your support now!