Greg Stolze is a veteran game designer and the creator of the One Role Engine, ORE. He's also a hell of an author, and can make even rules text a fascinating read in its own right. In REIGN, he presents his updated version of the One Roll Engine, tooled for use in fantasy gaming (the world of Helusa and Milonda is the setting provided in the book). In short: it's one of the best games of the year.



REIGN shows the logical evolution of the ORE engine. Tasks are resolved by getting a number and rolling that many ten-sided dice For instance, a roll of Body 3+Fight 2 results in a die pool of 5. One looks for matching numbers; a roll of 3, 3, 3, 5, and 7 is a 3x3 result, meaning three (width) matching threes (height). Width measures the speed of an action (and damage in combat), and height its quality (including the location of a successful hit).



This setup is simple, but packed with detail. Adding a wrinkle to the dice are special die types. Expert dice are set before the rest of the dice are rolled; Master dice are set after, meaning one always succeeds unless one chooses not to. Spells can make use of leftover dice to power up. Getting multiple matches may mean choosing between getting something done fast or well, or you can attempt multiple actions by dropping a die and hoping for two or more matching sets. Combat success, damage, and even initiative are all told from one roll of the dice. In short, the game runs fast, tactical, and detailed with a minimum of rules complexity.



The rules on magic are solid and full of tough choices (specialize and be powerful, or generalize and be prepared?) and excellent advice on design. Not a mage? Get superhuman ability through Esoteric Disciplines for non-combat skills and Combat Secrets for the Weapon skill.



The standout rules are for companies. Companies are player character groups that go far and beyond a band of adventurers and range from gangs to conspiracies to entire nations, all made like characters. (This isn't wholly new, but nobody else does it this well) Ambitious characters can rise from a rag-tag band who gather to drink and wear elaborate hats to a full-blown world power (that wears elaborate hats); hence, REIGN.



It's also got a brilliant setting. Helusa and Milonda are fully realized locations, filled with interesting peoples with interesting customs (the one about men and horses comes to mind), and their descriptions are deftly woven through the book. The book covers everything about each nation, from government to fashion, in a few pages apiece. Starting a game can be as easy as picking a starting region, assembling a company, and rocking out.



The book is a beaut; I've got the Solis cover, and it's one of the best-looking books I own. While the illustrations (outside of the beautiful margins, which serve to make each section visually distinct) are few, they are of excellent quality, and fascinating short stories take the usual place of pictures; my favorite is about the soldier who kills the last magician who knows the Heaven's Palm spell.



Stolze's advice on design--from designing threats against PCs to the importance of knowing what magic can't do--is invaluable and inspiring. The text is conversational and enjoyable. The book drips with flavor and the rules are solid like a dinda sword.



Complaints? None at all, save that I don't have much room to mention Passions and Problems and other beautiful touches. Quite simply, if you love roleplaying games, you're doing yourself a disservice by denying yourself this game. It's worth every dollar, and hey, the supplements are free (after they get ransomed, anyway). Get yourself a copy, ride forth, and conquer!