Backswords & Bucklers Book One: Basic Rules

Backswords & Bucklers is a new, completely self-contained Swords & Wizardry: Whitebox variant, designed to run games of Elizabethan Fantasy. Inspired by works such as Michael Moorcock’s Gloriana and Sir Walter Scott’s Kennilworth, Backswords & Bucklers is a game of adventure set in Gloriana’s Britain. The basic game contains complete rules for the game with Fighting Man, Scoundrel and Wise Woman classes, and focuses on running games set in the Underworld of London, based out of a tavern. It contains a modified combat system, appropriate weaponry (including matchlocks) and money, sample magic items and tables to inspire the Referee with ideas for jobs; as well as a sample tavern complete with rumours and a short adventure. Stock monsters and magic item tables are abandoned in this game, as not being particularly relevant to the subject matter.