Talomir Tales: Distant Shores Review

I think I've played enough games of Talomir Tales: Distant Shores to write a review. Most games I played I didn't record on my blog.

"What do we have here? He wouldn't make a mouthful!"

I think a little overview is in order. It's definitely in the vein of an "RPG Lite" kind of fantasy game but with the Two Hour Wargames flavor. You've got your reputation (rep) stat, class abilities, race abilities, and maybe some random abilities thrown in. Not too complex but just enough to make each figure unique whether it be a mountain giant or a man. Personally, I don't like looking up abilities in the rule book; I like having all of it right there in front of me to use at a glance. Hence I printed off a list of abilities on one sheet.  Additionally, on the QRS (quick reference sheets) any pertinent attributes needed for a test are right on the table, a nice feature.

Being logical reduces your interaction rolls by 1d6! Ouch! This knight is probably not going to recruit anybody.

As an option, you can also add the stats People and Savvy if you want more detail but you can just use your rep stat for everything. People is a measure of how you interact with people and Savvy is how well you perform physical or mental challenges. People is probably the most used stat as you use the "interaction table" quite a lot. There are also creatures but you can't interact with them, just intimidate!

"No money? No escort mission!"

One of my favorite things about this game is the aforementioned interaction table. Basically the leaders interact with each other. Both leaders 2d6 against their People skill (or rep if you want a simpler game). This could lead to further being able to interact and/or recruit people, losing or gaining rep rolls, could land you in a fight, etc. A very fun feature indeed!

There is a dungeon generator included. It has you rolling two dice of different colors on a table. Fairly simple but does it's job solidly.

I also really like looking for a job (which I'm currently doing, wish it was this easy!). You burn a PEF (possible enemy force) on a carousing encounter to look for employment. If there's a job you find out what it is.You might have to escort someone, guard a person's residence, explore a dungeon, and many others.

"I need a job!" Actual footage of me looking for a job.

Also included are encounters, adventures you go on. You don't have an involuntary encounter like All Things Zombies: Evolution but rather, you can pick or your encounter might have you go on another encounter, i.e. I go on a carousing and find a job. I then leave the tavern but get approached by robbers and go to the robbery encounter before I carry out the job! Fun stuff. Other encounters include hunting, explore, dungeon diving, and your usual fantasy tropes.

Uh oh, looks like slavers approaching! *Draws broadsword*

Your games take place on a "battle board." Basically it's an 8" x 10" area that you do your adventuring on. It includes one free battle board, the one included in the Swordplay 2018 I believe. I highly recommend you try Swordplay 2018 if you're interested in this game, it's free! I bought the 12 fantasy battle boards available and also made some myself, not too difficult. It also includes counters if you don't have miniatures but I like using my paper minis. Word to the wise, if you've got the All Things Zombies Evolution battle boards, you get a couple duplicates but still worth it in my opinion.

The battle board.

I really like this title! Easy set up and break down. Lots of fun and endless adventures. Definitely recommend this but bring your imagination as you need to fill in some spots but that's part of the fun!