This article originally appeared in d20 Weekly
Splintered Peace
Published by Atlas Games
Written by David Chart
Illustrated by Bradley Alexander, Brian Figur, Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim, Jesse Mohn and Chad Sergesketter
112-page black and white hardback; $26.95
One of the first publishers to release material for the d20 System launch, Atlas Games' Penumbra imprint has included some of the most thoughtful and interesting titles. Their focus is invariably upon roleplaying and social interaction over hack 'n' slash, and never more so than with Splintered Peace. Indeed, this campaign sourcebook hardly dwells upon combat at all, and suggests that it be the last resort in resolving many of the problems it presents. Those that prefer to solve problems at the point of a blade will have a hard time with Splintered Peace, which calls for interaction with a wide array of personages from all walks of society as well as a strong element of the time management of several different factors.
The setting for Splintered Peace is the 250-year-old walled city of Marchion, located on the frontier astride an important trade route. The ten thousand inhabitants are comprised of a roughly equal mix of humans and demi-humans, including over a thousand half-orcs that prefer to reside somewhere more civilized. Originally founded as a magocracy, the city has been ruled by a council of merchants, priests, and mages ever since the Day of Green Smoke, when all of Marchion's then-arcane spell casters disappeared. Always dependent upon trade, its merchant caravans . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: April 2, 2003
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