The LUG Narrator's Guide

[redwood973]

Sorry if I did not post this in the correct board. I was torn between posting it here or in the Star Trek chat. Since it was RPG related here is where I stuck it. Please move it to its appropriate place if needed.

Can anyone tell me if the ICON Narrator's Guides are a good item to get. I have seen them on e-bay every now and then but have not heard much about them.

Do they have additional Templates, Overlays or expanded character development? Or are they just items to help a narrator set the tone or develop story ideas?

Thanks for the assist guys.

[Owen E Oulton]

No such animal...

The ICON games consisted each of a Core Rule Book and a Narrator's Screen. The Narrator's Screen typically consisted of the screen itself and a booklet with a number of essays on running a game (very good essays by all accounts) and a scenario. The TNG version of the game had a Players' Guide which had advanced rules, additional Templates and Overlays, and other goodies. It is well worth picking up - it sems to be just what you're looking for in your description of a "Narrator's Guide."

[redwood973]

Thanks for the quick response Owen.

Just for reference here is one of the items in question (if the link works).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=2547

[Owen E Oulton]

That's the screen.

Rant mode on:
I dunno why RPG companies have to come up with new and different names for old concepts. It's like going to the auto shop to buy a tire and finding out that they've changed the name to "pneumatic wheel cushion." Feh! A pox on all their houses.
Rant mode off.

It's widely considered to be a good buy, with some of the best advice on how to run an SF RPG and a pretty decent scenario. I never picked up any of the "toolkits," but I heard very good things about them... If you're running a DS9-era game, it's probably worth picking up. With a buy it now of $11.50 and shipping of $4.50, you'll essentially be paying cover price for it.

[AslanC]

I have this one and have to say that it is a top shelf product, great for help in running darker Star Trek campaigns.

[redwood973]

ROFL "Pneumatic wheel cushion". I am gonna ask for those next time I go into Sears for tires. . .can't wait to see the look on the guys face.

Thanks for the feedback Owen and AslanC. That is a bit confusing having two names for the same item.

I had to pass on the DS9 Narrator's Screen/Tool Kit. . .due to cost, as someone whom I live with (she shall go unnamed) would kill me if I picked up both the NextGen and the DS9 Narrator's Screen/Tool Kit (yep, I got the NextGen NS/TK).

Owen if ya can figure out who you need to contact to get the commission for the sale. . .I purchased the NextGen NS/TK based on our praise. [Same cost as for the DS9 NS/TK: $11.50 + $4.50 shipping. I assume this is a good deal too for the NextGen set?]

Thanks for the assist, both of you.

[erhershman]

If you can somehow get your hands on the TOS Narrator's Toolkit, you should get it... the method for generating adventure ideas are great, and create episode that really "feel" like Star Trek.