Near: The World of Shadows of Yesterday 20 and How to Customize It
Shadows of Yesterday 20: A Review of the Indie Role-Playing Game
If you are looking for a role-playing game that offers a unique blend of sword and sorcery, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and narrativist storytelling, then you might want to check out Shadows of Yesterday 20. This indie RPG, designed by Clinton R. Nixon and published by CRN Games, is a revised and updated version of the original game that won Best Free Game of the Year at the 2004 Indie RPG Awards. In this article, I will give you an overview of what Shadows of Yesterday 20 is all about, how it works, and why you should give it a try.
Shadows of Yesterday 20
The Solar System: A Flexible and Creative Game Engine
Shadows of Yesterday 20 uses a game engine called the Solar System, which was retroactively named after the original game's release. The Solar System is a simple but elegant system that focuses on character development, player agency, and collaborative storytelling. It uses FUDGE dice (or regular six-sided dice) to resolve conflicts and challenges in the game world.
The Solar System has three core elements that define each character: Keys, Pools, and Abilities. Keys are what drive your character's actions and motivations. They are statements that describe your character's goals, beliefs, or personality traits. For example, you might have a Key of Vengeance that says "You have sworn revenge on someone who wronged you". Whenever you act on your Key or face a dilemma because of it, you gain experience points (XP) that you can use to improve your character or change your Keys. You can also give up a Key if it no longer suits your character's arc, but you have to pay XP for that.
Pools are what fuel your character's actions and abilities. They are numerical values that represent your character's physical, mental, and social resources. For example, you might have a Vigor Pool that measures your endurance, strength, and health. You can spend points from your Pools to boost your dice rolls or activate special effects in the game. You can also recover points by resting or fulfilling certain conditions related to your Keys.
Abilities are what define your character's skills and talents. They are words or phrases that describe what your character can do in the game world. For example, you might have an Ability called Sword Fighting that lets you fight with blades. You can use your Abilities to overcome obstacles or oppose other characters in the game. You can also create new Abilities by spending XP or combining existing ones.
The Solar System is designed to encourage creativity and flexibility among players and GMs. You can create any kind of character you want, as long as it fits the game's setting and tone. You can also customize and expand the game's rules and mechanics to suit your preferences and play style. The Solar System is a game engine that lets you tell the stories you want to tell, with minimal fuss and maximum fun.
Near: A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy World with a Twist
Shadows of Yesterday 20 takes place in Near, a post-apocalyptic fantasy world that is undergoing a rebirth. Near is a world that was once ruled by a powerful civilization that collapsed three hundred years ago, leaving behind ruins, secrets, and dangers. Near is a world that is populated by four cultures that have their own histories, traditions, and conflicts. Near is a world that is inhabited by three races that are not genetically separate, but rather an evolution or devolution from human.
The four cultures of Near are:
Ammeni: The descendants of the fallen civilization, who live in the desert and cling to their ancient glory and pride.
Khale: The nomads of the grasslands, who value freedom, adventure, and hospitality.
Maldor: The islanders of the sea, who are known for their trade, piracy, and magic.
Zaru: The mountain dwellers of the snow, who are secretive, spiritual, and isolationist.
The three races of Near are:
Humans: The most common and diverse race, who can adapt to any environment and culture.
Elves: The graceful and immortal race, who have a strong connection to nature and magic.
Ratkin: The cunning and resilient race, who live in the shadows and scavenge what they can.
Near is a world that offers endless possibilities for exploration, adventure, and discovery. You can travel to exotic locations, encounter strange creatures, uncover ancient secrets, or create your own legends. You can also customize and expand Near by adding your own details, locations, cultures, races, or anything else you can imagine. Near is a world that invites you to make it your own.
Playing Shadows of Yesterday 20: Tips and Tricks for a Fun and Engaging Experience
Now that you have an idea of what Shadows of Yesterday 20 is and how it works, you might be wondering how to play it. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started and have a fun and engaging experience with the game.
How to create a character that fits the game's tone and style
The first step to playing Shadows of Yesterday 20 is to create your character. This is a simple and enjoyable process that involves choosing your Keys, Pools, Abilities, name, appearance, background, equipment, and anything else you want to define your character. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your character:
Think about what kind of character you want to play. What are their goals, beliefs, personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, quirks, etc.? How do they fit into the game's setting and tone?
Choose Keys that reflect your character's motivations and drive their actions. Keys are the heart of your character development and the source of your XP. Make sure they are interesting, challenging, and relevant to your character's story.
Distribute points among your Pools according to your character's role and style. Pools are the fuel of your character's actions and abilities. Make sure they are balanced enough to allow you to do what you want to do in the game.
Pick Abilities that describe your character's skills and talents. Abilities are the tools of your character's actions and challenges. Make sure they are broad enough to cover various situations in the game.
Add any other details that make your character unique and memorable. Name, appearance, background, equipment, etc. are all optional but useful elements that flesh out your character and make them more alive in the game.
How to use Keys, Pools, and Abilities in interesting and effective ways
The second step to playing Shadows of Yesterday 20 is to use your Keys, Pools, and Abilities in interesting and effective ways. These are the core elements of the Solar System that determine how you interact with the game world and other characters. Here are some things to keep in mind when using your Keys, Pools, and Abilities:
your character or change your Keys. You can also give up a Key if it no longer suits your character's arc, but you have to pay XP for that.
Spend points from your Pools wisely. Pools are what fuel your character's actions and abilities. You can spend points from your Pools to boost your dice rolls or activate special effects in the game. You can also recover points by resting or fulfilling certain conditions related to your Keys. Be careful not to run out of points or you might suffer consequences in the game.
Use your Abilities creatively. Abilities are what define your character's skills and talents. You can use your Abilities to overcome obstacles or oppose other characters in the game. You can also create new Abilities by spending XP or combining existing ones. Be flexible and inventive with your Abilities and try to use them in different ways in the game.
How to run a session or a campaign that showcases the game's strengths and potential
The third step to playing Shadows of Yesterday 20 is to run a session or a campaign that showcases the game's strengths and potential. This is the responsibility of the GM, who acts as the facilitator, narrator, and referee of the game. The GM creates the scenarios, challenges, and NPCs that the players encounter in the game world. The GM also adjudicates the outcomes of the players' actions and dice rolls. Here are some things to keep in mind when running a session or a campaign:
Focus on the characters and their stories. Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a game that emphasizes character development, player agency, and collaborative storytelling. The GM should create scenarios and challenges that relate to the characters' Keys, Pools, and Abilities, and that allow them to make meaningful choices and consequences in the game. The GM should also encourage the players to contribute to the story and the setting, and to interact with each other and the NPCs in interesting ways.
Use Near as a source of inspiration and variation. Near is a post-apocalyptic fantasy world that offers endless possibilities for exploration, adventure, and discovery. The GM should use Near as a source of inspiration and variation for their sessions and campaigns. The GM should also allow the players to customize and expand Near by adding their own details, locations, cultures, races, or anything else they can imagine.
Keep it simple and fun. Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a simple but elegant system that focuses on creativity and flexibility among players and GMs. The GM should keep it simple and fun by following the game's rules and mechanics, but also by adapting and modifying them to suit their preferences and play style. The GM should also keep it simple and fun by creating sessions and campaigns that are engaging, exciting, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a role-playing game that offers a unique blend of sword and sorcery, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and narrativist storytelling. It uses a game engine called the Solar System, which is simple but elegant, flexible but creative, and focused but fun. It takes place in Near, a post-apocalyptic fantasy world that is undergoing a rebirth, populated by four cultures and three races that are not genetically separate, but rather an evolution or devolution from human.
If you are looking for a role-playing game that lets you tell the stories you want to tell, with minimal fuss and maximum fun, then you might want to check out Shadows of Yesterday 20. You can download it for free from CRN Games website or buy it from various online stores. You can also find more information about the game from its Wikipedia page or its official forum.
Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a game that invites you to make it your own. So what are you waiting for? Grab some dice, some friends, and some imagination, and enter the world of Near.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are FUDGE dice?
FUDGE dice are special six-sided dice that have two sides marked with a plus sign (+), two sides marked with a minus sign (-), and two sides blank (0). They are used to determine how well or how poorly you do something in the game. You can also use regular six-sided dice instead of FUDGE dice by assigning values as follows: 1-2 = -, 3-4 = 0, 5-6 = +.
What are the differences between Shadows of Yesterday 20 and the original game?
Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a revised and updated version of the original game that won Best Free Game of the Year at the 2004 Indie RPG Awards. The main differences are:
The game uses FUDGE dice instead of regular six-sided dice.
The game has more detail and clarity on the rules and mechanics, especially on Keys, Pools, and Abilities.
The game has more examples and advice on how to play and run the game.
The game has a new cover art and layout.
What are the other versions and translations of Shadows of Yesterday?
Shadows of Yesterday has been translated into Finnish, Spanish, German, and Polish. Each translation has its own variations and additions to the game's setting and rules. There is also a generic version of the core rules called Solar System, which was published by the editor of the Finnish version. You can find links to these versions and translations in the resources section of this article.
How can I create my own setting or rules for Shadows of Yesterday 20?
Shadows of Yesterday 20 is a game that encourages creativity and customization among players and GMs. You can create your own setting or rules for the game by using Near as a base or starting from scratch. You can also use the game's content and mechanics as inspiration or reference for your own creations. The game's content and mechanics have been released under a Creative Commons license, which means you can share and modify them as long as you give credit to the original author and use the same license.
Where can I find more resources and information about Shadows of Yesterday 20?
You can find more resources and information about Shadows of Yesterday 20 from the following links:
CRN Games website, where you can download or buy the game.
Wikipedia page, where you can learn more about the game's history, setting, and mechanics.
Official forum, where you can discuss the game with other fans and creators.
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