Product Description
While the study of the history of rhetoric has expanded to include an ever-growing range of rhetorical traditions, lesser-known figures, and under- and un-studied texts, it has continued to exist in the hermetically sealed binary of West and Rest. Rhetorical scholars have begun uncovering the many marginalized rhetorical traditions silenced by the homogenous nature of our histories themselves, reading and writing new histories of the rhetorical tradition through frames from gender to geography. Despite these substantial challenges to the traditionally received history of rhetoric, many voices are still silenced and many spaces are still excluded - voices speaking within the spaces of the less-than-monolithic West itself. This silencing and excluding continues, perhaps, because of assumptions that no texts exist from these marginalized voices or that substantial rhetorical activity was not conducted in these marginalized spaces - regardless of already extant evidence of rhetorical activity as diverse as rural civic ethos in Classical Greece and Etruscan influences on Roman rhetoric or long-standing passive knowledge of scholarly activity in Medieval Andalusia and Ireland. 'Rhetoric in the Rest of the West' attempts to expand the conversation in those gaps in the history of rhetoric by examining the traditions that lost the cultural competition and have been shrouded in the shadow of the rhetorical tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of the best Region sourcebooks for Deadlands.
"South O' the Border" contains a gold-mine of information on Mexico in the Deadlands setting. Rules for creating Mexican characters and a new Arcane Background give this book a lot of tasty "crunchy bits." The sheer number of campaign ideas packed into this tome are incredible. A lot more depth is given to the previously neglected Mexico, and it's all good. ... Read more

Product Description
This creepy collection updates many of the mysteries presented in the Player's Guide and Marshal's Handbook. We'll tell you about the Butcher, the November Offensives, and wrap up more loose ends than a frayed los diablo tail! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

History, the way it never happened!
Tales of Terror: 1877 introduces Marshals and Posses to the wonders of the Weird West. There are new weapons, Edges and Hindrances and Knacks, but the best part is the Tombstone Epitaph, incorporated into the book. The first part relates the happenings of the year 1877, as told by a reporter travelling the West. The second part reveals to Marshals (and Marshals only!) what's "really" going on behind the scenes of the various news stories.

The writers of this book did their homework, and this book is a very enjoyable read, whether or not you actually intend to play the game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Cosmic Horror in the Old West
First, the setting:

The year is 1876, and the American Civil War is still going on.Why?Because on July 4th 1863, a group of Indians crossed over into the spirit world and opened the door for hostile being to move from thier world to ours.Our fear is their currency and they are on a spending spree.California fell into the ocean, revealing deposits of something called Ghost-rock.It burns practically forever (imagine that as a power source), but wails like a banshee as it does.With the renwed power of the Indian tribes and the loss of California, the USA and CSA are at a standoff against each other.meanwhile, the released spirits are wreaking havoc and the deaD RISE AGAIN.Some of these things you can't shoot; that's where it helps to know how to handle the cards.That is, you can cast magic with a deck of cards if you know the right moves.Sometimes having religion will give you some supernatural tricks to pull too.As a setting, DEADLANDS is just incredible and has a lot of fascinating stuff going on.

The mechanics: As an old AD&D player and then a Cthulhu player, I had trouble understanding the mechanics.After having looked at a White Wolf product for the first time, I now understand that the mechanics of DEADLANDS are the World of Darkness dice pool with some proto-D20 aspects and a card-playing gimmick attached.

I think the basic concept is that you have a dice pool based on either your skill OR your attribute.However, the die-type ranges from d4 to d12.Your attribute is determined by a card draw; the value of the card determines the die type and the suit determines your pool size.If you get an "ace" (best number on a die), you roll again and ADD the rolled to the base.Your best value counts in a dicecheck against a target number chosen by the GM (this sufficiently reminds me of a DC that I'm interested in the d20 version as well).You have wound levels that track your health and you use experience to buy up your dice pool.You have merits and flaws and taking more flaws gives points to start your character with.Sound familiar?

The card playing motif returns for initiative (you draw cards for actions in a turn and follow order) and magic (the strength of your effect dpends on the poker hand that you draw).You also get fate chips, which allow you to add dice to your dice pool.There are also some color plates that show an archetypical character; this was a big help in figuring out character creation goes.

Content:A lot of the book is spent on mechanics (about third).ANother third is 1-2 page descriptions of character "classes", including being undead.Unfortunately, these are very short with minimal information on anything (obviously, you should buy all the splatbooks).My big beef is the huckster (spellcaster).For the hex to work, there is a minimum poker hand that must be drawn.Usually this is 1 pair or higher.Frankly, it's not that easy to get a pair without extra cards.I believe that the power level was raised in future splats, but the huckster seemed somewhat ineffective of a character.

The last third is for the GM only and tells of the ssecrets of Deadlands.Overall, a good section.

So to summarize, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Good: very innovative concept, looks fun to play, great atmosphere.I like the fate chips (although I would make them more powerful; white rerolls one die, red choose a value for 1 die, blue allows a change of reality that is small, like the villain's holster is still buttoned or the character remembered to bring his pocketknofe after all).

The Bad: many aspects not well explained; more samples of rolling dice for different situations needed.Hucksters' magic seems ineffective

The ugly:EVERYTHING requires buying another splat, and the book is so vague, and the metaplot requires keeping up with the releases.Wait, who published this again?

Anyway, DEADLANDS was a fun read and looks exciting to play.If you are just starting, the d20 version might be more natural to the game but this version has many fun aspect, like drawing cards for attributes.

Most unique role-playing system out there.
When I first saw the sourcebooks for this game, I thought the playing-card based system would be too complicated. Once the Marshal and the Players have all the rules for combat down, the system goes down like a bottle of The Good Stuff, smooth and quick. The storyline is very imaginative and interesting, it makes it easy to keep your players captivated for many, many sessions and keep them coming back for more.

A totally innovative roleplaying system
This system is a must for roleplayers who have either become jaded with their existing system or just want to try something new. It provides a comprehensive story-line and time-line and gives the characters a whole newlease on development. The lay-out the book is easily read-able and engagingand provides the reader with an understanding of just how much is left tothe players and Marshal.When I bought this book, I just had to show it tomy roleplayign buddies, and they now are totally hook as I am sure you willbe. If you wish to know more contact me or the Deadlands list serve.Marshal Psycho.

Deadlands: all roleplayers should try it, and like it.
After reading Deadlands, I just thought I had to share this with my players. Now, when I happen to say 'I may marshall a Deadlands next week', I just happen to have too many players.

It is the first time a WesternGame has been good. And it will be hard to ever do better.

The Frenchtinhorn with a Great name

new, innovative amazingly fun
A great game with a great history and a great and annovative character creation system. The combat system is quick to learn and drastically more deadly than your beginner RPGs like AD&D. I've never had one problemwith this game or any of the sourcebooks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Classic Monsters and More!
Rascals, Varmints, & Critters 2: The Book of Curses, is an excellent supplement to any Marshal's game.The book is choked full of all sorts of monsters that the party could run into, the vast majority of which could add a distinct Cinimatic flavor.Characters such as Frankenstein and his Monster, Dracula, and dangerous mummies are detailed, as well as ghosts and haunted houses.I great buy! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just average
It's a good book, but I've come to expect better from Deadlands line of products. Sure, it's a useful setting, but there is something missing - perhaps lack of uniting theme, or not enough of those 'in-universe touches' we all came to love. For example, there are a few great pages of Gommora's newspaper - the Tombstone Dispatch - presenting history of the town; they contrast sharply with the 'just average' list of prominent characters - how better would they be if they had been also done in newpaper style or similar...

All things considered, it's a good rpg book, not outstanding - and thus only average one for the Deadlands series.

PS. Of course, add one star if you are fan of the Doomtown card game :)

One of Those Books Targeted at a VERY Select Audience
This book is created for fans of the Doomtown CCG the Deadlands Card Game.The Doomtown CCG is set in the town of Gomorra California, where 9 (Formerly 10) factions fight for control of the town and the surroundingmines.This book was written before the current storyline in the CCGended, before almost the entire town was destroyed, so it is a bit out ofdate.So if you are a fan of the card game, and want to play the RPG, getthe book and play in your favorate town.If you just play the RPG and wanta heavily detailed town, where all the major players are around, pick upthis book.Over all it is a interesting read, and can provide themeta-plot for a long term campaign. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reverend Grimme's theocratic society
A setting for Deadlands, Lost Angels explores the twisted culture that Reverend Grimme has created on the west coast.From cannibalistic "holy" men to just what is in the "Sunday Meal" that Grimme hands out, this book is an excellent addition to the other Deadlands settings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Epic adventure for a great system
This adventure is pre-D20 Deadlands but is double statted for use with the classic DL or a D20 system.
The Posse must follow in the footsteps of the Grand Canyon explorer Powell and figure out why so much odd stuff is going on in and around this great natural feature.
As is expected with Deadlands, some factual information is built upon to bring out the challenge and creepiness expected in the Weird West. The Posse must get to the canyon and then travel through some of the most challenging terrain ever provided. Miners, Thieves, and Indians are just some of the living challenges they will have to face in this very long adventure. The not-so-living make plenty of appearances as well!
The Posse also gets a chance to interract with some of the forces that made the Weird West as weird as it is. This is a great chance to get your characters involved in some of the high-level goings on that have affected the game world.
I highly recommend this adventure, especially since Deadlands is a fading system and finding good adventures will only get harder. ... Read more

Product Description
This Dime Novel-sized book holds the greatest tales of the Weird West written by heroes on the front line of the war with the Reckoners. The authors? The players themselves! Each book comes with pages for players to record their posse's deeds, a deluxe character sheet, and rules for using these journals in your Deadlands: The Weird West campaign! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Easily the best
This is easily the best character-booklet I've seen for any RPG.With plenty of detail for all aspects of the game, and plenty of space for notes or a journal, this little companion will quickly become your best friend in the fight against the reckoners. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

VERY useful for the Marshals
Others may not seed the need for a book that is full of "Blank Pages", but as a long-term Deadlands Marshal (aka GameMaster)I love it! The Marshal's Log is a great way to keep campaign notes together in one, visually pleasing, package. I use mine to map out towns that my players like to frequent, and stock them full of interesting NPCs. Its a great place to store a few quick-statted enemies so when the players suddenly start up a bar-fight, you've got a couple of goons ready. The Marshal's Log really is a great time-saver, and it helps keep the GameMaster's side of the table clutter-free. Ciao.

It's cheaper to buy a notepad!
This book contains nothing but blank pages! I know a lot of gaming companies are doing this sort of thing now, but it still seems ridiculous that they expect us to be so dedicated we'll even buy blank paper bound in colourful covers. When I bought this book, it was in a hobby shop and I didn't realise what it was until I was shelving it with the rest of my acquisitions. I should have known better, as I had the option of looking for it before I bought it. In mail, order, this sort of misunderstanding is even easier to happen into. I'm a very dedicated Deadlands player, and I am almost as into L5R and the others (I don't know which company thought of it first) . . . but this sort of thing seems underhanded somehow. If you're looking at this, and the detail-oriented collector that is in most gamers is telling you to buy it, consider yourself lucky that you noticed this review. If you choose to buy it anyway, you must have been the type they had in mind all along - not to mention the fact that you will be confirming P. T. Barnum's oft-quoted opinion that "there is a sucker born every minute." ... Read more

Product Description
A volume of poetry and prose published by Bucknell University. ... Read more