Factions represented in the rulebook include: Greco-Roman; Egyptian; Japanese; Aztecs; Pre-Islamic Arabs (Arabian Nights); Norse; Celts and Chinese. For every army list; a list suitable models from various manufacturers and scales will be included. New armies may be added as free PDF add-ons; keeping the game fresh for years.Two armies clash: Thor; surrounded by crackling lighting; leads the assault of a horde of Viking berserkers. Preparing to receive this charge stands a wall of grim-faced; determined Spartan hoplites; commanded by Ares. Of Gods and Mortals is a scalable skirmish rules set where the average scenario plays in about one hour using up to 20 models per player on a 4'x4' table. Each player controls one god; 1-3 Legends (priests; demigods; heroes; monsters or other mythical creatures); and 10 to 20 men (infantry; cavalry; and the occasional artillery piece). This creates a three-tiered structure in the warband. The three troop types are interdependent in more than one way.Gods lead men by their powers; while at the same time men give power to the gods by their faith in them. A God cannot exist without its Faithful. The Faithful cannot win without the help of their God. There is no automatic winning strategy: the player must balance his limited resources and outguess his opponent. A bit of luck helps; too!Gods may seem all-powerful but they lose power as their troops are killed. At the same time; if the God is defeated; the mortals' morale is weakened. Gods do not die but they disappear if defeated. Legends are a sort of middle ground and provide special abilities to the warband. Mortals are more effective when used against other mortals - kill your opponent's mortal forces and you will deprive his god of much needed energy.The faith level of the warband is tracked with dice at the side of the table. When the faith level is at the maximum; the army is bolstered; priests may invoke miracles and curses; mortal troops activate at +1; and so on. When the faith level is severely reduced; the power level of the god is reduced too; and priests may not perform miracles or use spells. When the faith level drops to zero; the god disappears and all the troops still in play must make a rout test.Combat between gods is conducted like normal; but in certain cases (if both roll a six); an explosion of power hits all mortal models in range. Combat between gods use a colored dice mechanic so they can battle each other for an extened time. Combat between mortals and legends use normal Song mechanics - opposed die rolls plus modifiers; with different game results based on how much the contest is won by. The game also introduces a mechanic in which a hero or other personality may swear an oath or boast that he will accomplish something within a set number of turns. If he manages to fulfill his oath; his army gets a morale bonus.
#1991253 in Books Random House Australia 2012-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 2.60 x 6.20l; 2.30 #File Name: 1741666600738 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GrippingBy R.K. MuchbutFitzsimons has a unique storytelling style that happens to agree with me. I would liken it to watching a Guy Richie film: it seems to run in fast forward motion; while still preserving a sense of intimacy. We learn something of daily life over the long winters in Antarctica as well as getting a gripping narrative of the struggle to survive of several of these explorers when missions go awry. I was unfamiliar with this history and found this book to be a great; and highly engaging; introduction.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The best account of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.By CustomerAn excellent book for anyone interested in the heroic age of Antarctic exploration ie just over a century ago. The author has woven together the Antarctic expeditions of Mawson; Scott; Amundsen and Shackleton during the first dozen years of the 20th Century with background of the previous explorers who had sighted or landed on the Antarctic continent and the scientific discoveries they made and the theories they were trying to prove. As a child; 60 or so years ago; I read all the classics but learnt a lot reading this well written and gripping book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Amazing tenacityBy Rowan WaltersIf you are interested in Australian history; then this is a must read. These men were incredibly resilient; driven and focused. The comaraderie between the four main explorers was fascinating as was the different approaches; with respect to the emphasis on either horses or dogs to convey them over the ice fields. Patience was integral along with with simple values and a 'never say die' attitude. Their capacity to improvise in any situation was compelling and their acceptance of fate was admirable. This is an easy to read account of a fascinating period of Antarctic exploration and inspiring to all who empathise with the harsh conditions. Brilliant.
