Fatal Games - A Realistic Fantasy Medieval Role-Playing Game - Welcome

Oct 5, 2026

A medieval fantasy role-playing game framework emphasizing realism and detail while still assuming core fantasy elements: magic, spellcasters, fantastic creatures, and a multi-god pantheon. The text explains how historical accuracy is applied to support the game’s fantasy setting, including minimizing Christianity and limiting external influences. It clarifies what role-playing means—players making character-based decisions—how outcomes are mediated by dice rolls and odds, and why the format enables extensive imagination and enjoyment. It also introduces necessary gaming materials and dice types.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages977

Reading Time41 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome

Fantasy and Historical Accuracy

What is a Role-Playing Game?

Necessary Gaming Materials

Byron Hall [www.fatalgames.com](www.fatalgames.com) Fatal GamesTM, 3055 N. Clybourn \#3, Chicago, IL 60618 Cover Art: Andrew Dobell Internal Artwork: Adam Briggs, Andrew Dobell, Steven MnMoorn, and Steve Willhite. Typeface: Garamond and Tiepolo Book. Garamond was selected as the main font due to its historical accuracy. Claude Garamond (1480-1561) was the first independent typefounder and first used his typeface in 1530. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: Copyright © 2004 Published by Fatal GamesTM 3055 N. Clybourn, Suite 3 Chicago, IL 60618 e-mail: [fatalgames@excite.com](fatalgames@excite.com) To Order: 1-773-248-1471 [or www.fatalgames.com](or www.fatalgames.com) F.A.T.A.L., the F.A.T.A.L. logo, Fatal Games logo, and Mean System logo are trademarks owned by Fatal Games. All characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by Fatal Games. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Fatal Games. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Copyright © 2000-2004 Fatal Games. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN | Welcome to a fantasy medieval role-playing game that focuses on realism and detail whenever possible without sacrificing fun. Despite the focus on realism, several tenets of fantasy are assumed. In the world of this game, magic exists as well as spellcasters such as mages, witches, and druids. Second, fantastic creatures roam the world, including kobolds and dragons, among others. Finally, dozens of gods exist, and moreover these gods are concerned with their worshippers, the state of the world, and their own godly interests. Aside from these basic assumptions of fantasy, realism is sought in every other respect and applied to these fantastic tenets as well as the gaming world and role-playing system.
Fantasy and Historical Accuracy
Since the fantastic tenets above contradict historical accuracy, the relationship will be clarified. Since multiple gods exist in the game, Christianity has been extracted or minimized from historical references. Although the technology of the game represents 1335 A.D., many elements of pagan cultures are included in this fantasy medieval game.
This game attempts to isolate Europe from influences that originate outside it. Therefore, spices from the East are not included, all human characters are Caucasian, zombies are not presumed to exist, and human corpses are burned--Egyptians invented embalming, and Egypt is outside Europe.
The fantasy of [F.A.T.A.L. is](F.A.T.A.L. is) a polytheistic, European-based world with medieval technology, in which Christianity never existed. Although it is technically impossible to be historically accurate in a fantasy game, historical accuracy that supports the fantasy of this game is referenced at the end of this book. Footnotes appear throughout this book to reference classical, historical, or scholarly sources.
The application of historical accuracy to the fantasy of this game is a neverending goal. Scholarly sources are preferred above all others. For consideration, please suggest references to [fatalgames@excite.com](fatalgames@excite.com). | What is a Role-Playing Game?
A role-playing game is a game in which the players make decisions as though they were a certain character. The decisions a player may make are diverse compared to other games. Table-top roleplaying games allow more decisions to a player than any other type of game.
For instance, assume you are an adventuring knight who has just fought his way to the top of a dark tower where you find a comely young maiden chained to the wall. What would you do? Some players may choose to simply free the maiden out of respect for humanity. Othe

FAQs

What fantasy elements does the game assume?

Magic exists, with spellcasters such as mages, witches, and druids, and fantastic creatures like kobolds and dragons roam the world. The world is also served by dozens of gods with interests in worshippers and the state of reality.

How is historical accuracy handled in the fantasy setting?

The book clarifies that historical accuracy conflicts with fantasy tenets, then frames realism to support the game’s invented medieval European polytheistic world. It minimizes extracted references to Christianity and includes pagan cultural elements while referencing scholarly sources via footnotes.

How does a role-playing game work according to the text?

Players make decisions as their character would, with many possible choices leading to high immersion and fun. Outcomes are determined through dice odds and rolls rather than solely by player will.

Oct 5, 2026

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