The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen;
A Superlative Role-Playing Game In a New Style

Published by Hogshead Games

Designed by Baron Karl Friedrich Hieronymous von Munchausen and James Wallis, with Derek Pearcy and Michael Cule

$5.95

I should tell you up front that this role-playing game sort of isn't. I mean, you're playing a role, all right. At least one, that of a gentleman (Or lady, of course. To quote the first joke in the book, the disclaimer: "women are just as brave, capable and interesting as men, and in occasional circumstances more so. Bless their little hearts.") of the eighteenth century telling tall stories to his peers, among whom is (in spirit if not flesh) the Baron Munchausen. In the course of that story, you may find yourself playing yet another role, one that a too-stringent regard for the letter of the truth oft miscalled "Gospel" might prevent you from playing with quite the verve and elan that the potent spirits coursing through your veins demand. In short, you win drinks by lying well. You can already tell why writers love this game.

But you will, too. Basically, the Baron's game is a specialized version of Once Upon A Time, which makes us very lucky that James Wallis, one of that excellent game's co-creators, transcribed and edited this one. In Baron Munchausen, the object is to flummox the other players by suggesting a theme for a story (the Baron has kindly included around 200 such themes, for the slower-witted . . .

This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.



Article publication date: October 2, 1998

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