A new world, ripe for adventure - that’s the strapline for the newest book in the Empire range, the Duty & Honour 1810 Miscellany. Following on from the success of last years collection of articles, optional rules and adventures, this years collection takes the Empire system to places, and indeed, times they have never seen. The book will include material for both Duty & Honour and Beat to Quarters and it will include all of this year’s convention scenarios - including the infamous ‘Irish Rover‘ scenario written for Furnace 2009. Take your characters to sea on the HMS Sirius, into the depths of intrigue in the world of Georgian politics or into the battlefields of Europe as we meld game and history. New rules will be included for playing a character from the Black Brunswickers - the Deaths Head Legion - and the book even takes you for our first foray into the American Revolutionary War alongside the Hessian Jaegers.

Written by Neil Gow with added material from Gary Bowerbank, the Miscellany will be available this autumn.

Beat to Quarters had the honour of finishing 2nd Runner-Up in the ‘Indie RPG of the Year‘ and 1st Runner-Up in the ‘Best Support‘ categories of the Indie RPG Awards 2009. Here is what some of the voters said about the game:

Finally, a game that captures, the drama, spirit, and derring-do of Hornblower, Aubrey, and Maturin! Like its landlubber predecessor Duty & Honour, it circumnavigates the problems of rank and military procedure, allowing you to enjoy thrilling games of action and adventure on the high seas.

Neil has tapped into a hitherto untapped area of roleplaying with BtQ and Duty & Honour - Napoleonic military roleplaying, but done in such a way that it’s uncluttered with historical realism and instead taps into the feel of the setting. Great stuff.

Omnihedron knock the socks off better known outfits with their online support and free supplements.

Needless to say, I am ridiculously touched by this show of peer support and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me in bringing my vision into reality. Huzzah!

Want to know whats happening with Omnihedron Games over the next year?

• What new books will be coming out?
• What is Empire!?
• Which fantastic artist has come onboard?
• and much more

Skip over to the Omnihedron forums for all of the latest news in a special update.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Ryan Shelton for the RPG Haven podcast. Ryan and his co-host, ‘Walkerp’ spend the entire episode talking about my games and talking to me.  If you’re interested in the origins of the game, the design process or even some hints as to what will be coming in the future, you can listen to the interview at therpghaven.com

LULU are having an Easter discount offer where you can get 20% off your Omnihedron Games products. Simply click on the LULU link and enter EASTER as the promotional code, before April 6th.

Omnihedron Games are proud to announce the release of Beat to Quarters

Beat to Quarters takes your players into the Age of Sail and conflict with the French, the Spanish, the Americans and even Pirates with grape, chain and shot!  Inspired by the novels of O’Brien, Forester, Kent, Stockwin et al, Beat to Quarters is a roleplaying game where you take the role of the officers and sailors of one of the Royal Navy ships that sailed the globe during the time of Napoleon. The game uses the same Mission system and card based resolution as Duty & Honour but introduces new mechanics for social advancement, ship-to-ship combat, weather, grog as well as a slew of other character options and everything you will need to life at sea. Beat to Quarters  is a stand-alone game which is fully compatible with Duty & Honour. 

The game is 162pp, B&W interior with art by Peter Frain and retails at £13.00.  It is available directly from Omnihedron Games, Lulu and other outlets from 12th October and also in PDF format from RPGNow.

The winner of the Mystery Sailor competition is Dave McAllister. His character, Tolani, has been placed into Beat to Quarters and a free copy of the game will be despatched to him presently.

And here is the inked and painted cover figure from Peter for the front cover of Beat to Quarters!

This is the first of the signature character pieces for Beat to Quarters, drawn by Peter Frain (the artist who did the art for Duty & Honour). Inspired by Queequeg from Moby Dick, this samoan-looking sailor would be a formidable addition to any crew. What’s his story? Wait and see…