Review by C.J. Bunce
Just in time for your December game nights, fantasy RPG characters for the holidays are coming to the Everyday Heroes D&D 5E-derived gaming platform (which includes fantastic RPGs like Escape from New York RPG discussed here at borg and The Crow RPG discussed here). Evil Genius Games has just released a holiday-themed bundle at DriveThruRPG. Game designer Sigfried Trent’s Holiday Heroes rules supplement pulls some good pop culture fun from yuletide folklore to bring some spirit into your gameplay, coupled with the new adventure Lumps of Coal.
Lumps of Coal is an adventure from creator Bryan C.P. Steele for a team of Santa’s Little Helpers, elite misfits who defend the North Pole against Krampus and his Naughty Listers. Mrs. Claus has put out the call: the workshop is under attack and Santa is missing. Grab your candy cane launcher and put on your holiday best, because it’s time to save Christmas! Not for the faint of heart, walk away now if you are opposed to unwrapping Christmas gifts BEFORE Christmas, cookies and/or milk going to waste, classic toys that did not require the Internet, partaking in Reindeer Games, or you’re not quite ready for an intense amount of Christmas Cheer. Whether you see yourself as Kringle Kin, a Gingerbread Person, a Toy Maker, or a Mall Santa, get ready to bring some magic to the holidays.
Are you Naughty or Nice?
Holiday Heroes features Christmas-themed character options, including Magical Reindeer, Snowfolk, crafty North Pole Elves, or one of the mysterious Kringle Kin. New classes include the Miracle Worker. And holiday-focused backgrounds, professions, weapons, and magical holiday artifacts seem to come straight from Santa’s workshop–but be wary of the Slay Bell and take care where you put that Snow Globe. Characters include the Magical tag on some of the Talents and effects for compatibility with the Everyday Arcana game.
Of course it has a visit from Krampus! Other nonplayer characters include an Animated Toy, a Bad News Bear, a Sugar Plum Fairy, a Vile Humbug, or the dreaded spoiled Figgy Pudding.
The game should take a team of four or five 3rd to 4th level heroes roughly 3-4 hours to play. Best of all, there’s no assembly required.
Included with the Lumps of Coal adventure are two holiday maps, ten holiday themed tokens, and six pre-generated hero helpers.
All in, the 22-page supplement and the 34-page adventure includes character stats for all the key NPCs and pre-generated characters. As written the RPG isn’t for kids, but any wily GM should be able to alter the story for players of all ages.
To expand any RPG for the holiday-themed fun, don’t miss Holiday Heroes and Lumps of Coal available now from Evil Genius Games at DriveThruRPG. The digital download bundle is currently only $8.98.
