Nobilis - The Game of Sovereign Powers


A game of theological conflict¸ where the characters are Powers each set to defend some aspect of reality (like Joy¸ or Duels¸ or Calenders Days¸ etc.). They are fighting ""Excrucians"" who are trying to destroy all of the larger reality¸ of which our world is only a small part. It uses a diceless system where players spend ""miracle points"" to accomplish their actions. The second edition greatly expands the text with examples of play and GM advice. - A description from https://darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/encyclopedia/ with kind permission of John H. Kim
Nobilis¸ a role-playing game by R. Sean Borgstrom¸ originally published by Pharos Press¸ has been completely revised and substantially expanded for the new Hogshead edition. Nobilis will be a large format¸ heavily illustrated 'coffee table' style book. Hogshead Publishing changed owners in early 2003¸ and Nobilis moved to Guardians Of Order¸ but it is being maintained by the same production team and remains the same stylish game that Hogshead brought back to life in 2002.
In Nobilis¸ players take on the roles of the Sovereign Powers¸ each the personification of one single aspect of reality: perhaps Greed¸ or Roads¸ or Fire¸ or Murderers. Once human¸ each character has been forever twisted and changed by the addition of a single soul-fragment from their Lord or Lady Imperator: giving them awesome power and terrible responsibility. Heaven and Hell¸ Yggdrasil the World-Ash¸ the Angels and Devils¸ the Giants and the Old Gods¸ all are real; each with aeon-old plots and rivalries. All are united in the Great War against the Excrucians¸ whose goal is to destroy all Creation¸ but divided by their own rivalries and feuds.
'We're also talking about other games in the same background¸ and possibly even fiction¸' said James Wallis¸ director of Hogshead Publishing. 'This may seem premature¸ but Nobilis is the most stunningly original and brilliant game I've seen in many years. If it's not a huge success then the RPG market has no taste.'
'It's been wonderful watching the product develop¸' said R. Sean Borgstrom¸ the creator of Nobilis¸ 'I've had the opportunity to polish and improve the game mechanics and setting; to put in substantial new material; and to incorporate the feedback of a legion of great playtesters. Bruce Baugh did a marvellous job editing the result. The art¸ layout¸ and presentation look to be positively glorious. I said the last time a press release came around that I was looking for miracles and wonders in terms of product design¸ promotion¸ and overall line direction; they seem to have arrived.'
Bruce Baugh is the line-editor for Nobilis. Baugh¸ a long-time industry professional best known for his work for White Wolf on projects such as Wraith: the Great War¸ Hunter: the Reckoning and Trinity¸ has worked closely with Borgstrom on revising and expanding the original rulebook.
The Hogshead edition of Nobilis is a hard-cover book of around 304 pages (exact page count TBD)¸ retailing for $42.95. The unusual format (11' x 11') is complemented by a stunning cover image of the Sphinx Mysterieux by Art Nouveau master Charles van der Tappen¸ and beautiful full-page interior art by major fantasy artists including Bryan Talbot¸ Michael Kaluta¸ Martin McKenna¸ Denise Garner¸ Lee Moyer¸ among others.
Hogshead will be regularly supporting the Nobilis line with three supplements each year¸ the first of which¸ A Society of Flowers¸ is to be released later this year.