It is not so easy to survive here … – review of the manual for the third edition of the role-playing game “Agonia 3 Edition”

On the way through Exidium

Agony is known as a “grim role-playing game”. There is nothing strange about this. It was created in the dark fantasy style. Players take on the role of Wanderers, people who want to become heroes or earn some money and improve their current life. To this end, they travel through the land known as Exidium, fighting monsters and completing their assigned tasks. Their path, however, is not very simple. There are numerous mutated animals, the undead and demons on the trails. Above their heads hangs the dying god – Kruentis, nailed to the sky. When blood begins to rain from his wounds, the world descends into even more chaos and monsters grow in number. However, this is not the only threat waiting for the daredevils. The game is set in a medieval atmosphere. There are wars of influence all around. More countries, cities and villages come and fall. There is a handful of the powerful ruling the world and living in prosperity. The rest have to get along somehow. Some are lucky and run taverns, tailor shops or work as protection for nobles. In this world, we see hungry barefoot people. They try to survive one more day. Dirt and stench are common here, and the inhabitants are plagued by diseases that turn into epidemics. If someone survives the attack of a two-headed bear, the rat carrying the plague will finish him off. And if someone thinks that this is the end of misfortunes, it is worth adding that earthquakes and floods also happen. There is also no magic here that could help people in any way. And how to live in such a world? If someone survives the attack of a two-headed bear, the rat carrying the plague will finish him off. And if someone thinks that this is the end of misfortunes, it is worth adding that earthquakes and floods also happen. There is also no magic here that could help people in any way. And how to live in such a world? If anyone survives the attack of a two-headed bear, the rat carrying the plague will finish him off. And if someone thinks that this is the end of misfortunes, it is worth adding that earthquakes and floods also happen. There is also no magic here that could help people in any way. And how to live in such a world?

Village idiot? Why not!

The plot clearly explains why the RPG released by Hengal is called Agony. Mechanically, it is not “pink” at all. We will only use d4 in the game. In many cases it will mean a very slow death. Besides, we don’t have health points here, and healing is not easy at all. A broken limb will not be healed magically or regenerate overnight or after a tasty meal. In turn, losing eyes will make our character permanently blind. In practice, this means difficulties in controlling the hero, which translates into, for example, the result of a fight. The character we play will also be influenced by other factors, such as the weather, terrain or even a common cold, which is very easy to catch. How strong and resilient we will be depends, however, on our luck. From the beginning, the game focuses on randomness. It is with the help of cubes that we will choose our profession, learn about the features, good and bad signs, talents, flaws and even names. Of course, you can choose everything yourself, but in my opinion, a lot more fun in this case is blind fate. In addition, this way we will be able to create our hero faster. There are over 100 professions here, so reading and considering each profession would take a long time. Anyway, would you normally become a banker, gardener, coachman or village idiot?

It’s hard, but it’s easy

The game should be classified as difficult, but not too complicated. What does it mean? As I mentioned, it’s easy to die here, but it’s hard to pass a test. Initially, many of the character’s features are equal to 1, which means that in the test he will only use one tetrahedral die. It usually takes at least 4 to pass, so the hero has only a quarter chance of success. It’s not easy in combat either. To kill an enemy, deal four damage to their head or torso. First, however, you should hit them, and our weapon will just as well reach the enemy’s arm or leg. Another difficulty is the enemy’s armor. Fortunately, our hero can also wear armor, and his opponent also has to roll his dice to the hit site. We will lose a hand, but we will still live!

Mechanically Agonyit is not difficult. It is enough to read the manual carefully and we are already able to play the game. If someone has not dealt with RPG yet, I recommend reading the introduction describing what role-playing games are. An appropriate example is given for each element of the game. As I mentioned, we will need a d4, which we will roll almost on every occasion (only to determine where we hit the enemy, we will need a d6). To obtain a result during activities such as climbing, searching or noticing, you must pass the test. These, in turn, are divided into easy (score four) and difficult (eight is needed). It is the Game Master who determines how much we need to be successful. Two 1s (and more) on the dice will mean bad luck, while raising the result by four will give you additional benefits. There is also a second type of checking if we can do what we have planned. If we want to parry a blow, pick someone up, persuade someone to something or intimidate them, then we will perform the opposite test against them. The Wanderer and the GM roll the dice in this case, and whoever rolls the most wins. Simple isn’t it?

Of all the rules described in the handbook, I like the last one the most. If the presenter is unsure about something, he does not have to waste time browsing the pages. Downtime in a game is not a good thing. The creator allows for full improvisation and adapting the rules to the current situation of the team.

Survive at someone else’s expense

The most interesting thing that, in my opinion, is Agony, there is a fall board. Your hero failed the test and he failed to find the enemy? You are bitten by a rat and there will be an infection soon? Your opponent’s blow will deprive you of your hand? The monster is charging and will tear you to pieces in a moment? Fortunately, there is a good Game Master who can help. It is enough to put a cross on the said board and we are safe. At least theoretically. Kruentis doesn’t give you anything for free. So you have to sacrifice the world or someone on the team instead. If we choose option number one, then somewhere on the ground there will be a flood in a moment, new fiends will come out, the blood of god will flow from the sky. Nobody said it wouldn’t happen right in front of us. In addition, we also put the lives of our family and friends at stake. It may also happen that we are betrayed by a trusted person. There are many options and the risk is high. If we choose the second option, a member of our team may lose a valuable item or become ill for him in a moment. The second cross will have greater consequences. Our friend will suddenly become blind, possessed, lose his memory or be sterile. At the fourth consecration, he will have an irreversible and very drastic end. Burning alive, being torn apart by a giant bird or smashed against rocks are just a few of the many options. The fun begins when you place the first “X”. After all, other Wanderers, as long as they are alive, will gladly pay us back for good. And so everything is headed for death. And the Game Master doesn’t even have to try too hard. Our friend will suddenly become blind, possessed, lose his memory or be sterile. At the fourth consecration, he will have an irreversible and very drastic end. Burning alive, being torn apart by a large bird, or smashed against rocks are just a few of the many options. The fun begins when you place the first “X”. After all, other Wanderers, as long as they are alive, will gladly pay us back for the beautiful ones. And so everything is headed for death. And the Game Master doesn’t even have to try too hard. Our friend will suddenly become blind, possessed, lose his memory or be sterile. At the fourth consecration, he will have an irreversible and very drastic end. Burning alive, being torn apart by a giant bird or smashed against rocks are just a few of the many options. The fun begins when you place the first “X”. After all, other Wanderers, as long as they are alive, will gladly pay us back for good. And so everything is headed for death. And the Game Master doesn’t even have to try too hard. they will gladly pay us back for good. And so everything is headed for death. And the Game Master doesn’t even have to try too hard. they will gladly pay us back for good. And so everything is headed for death. And the Game Master doesn’t even have to try too hard.

Changes, changes and additions

The third edition of Agony by Szymon Piecha is slightly different from the previous ones. At first glance, we will see a new setting, a fall card and character cards. An improved system of rituals, character development and special characters has also been introduced. Wanderers will also be burdened with depression, with many unwanted consequences. The monster tables have also been written much better. Hengal publishing house has added all additions to the textbook, including those created by fans. So we get everything we need to play. And even more. To diversify and make browsing the following pages more pleasant, we also find here numerous pictures. All of them are black and white and modeled on medieval engravings. It is a procedure that introduces the right atmosphere of the game.

Not that gloomy at all

Agony is a very good RPG that is suitable for both new players and old stagers. Thanks to the simple mechanics, you will be able to sit down at the table fairly quickly and start your own adventure. An interesting and huge world, full of strange creatures and a complex history will ensure that you will not leave it soon. Unless your Wanderers die quickly, but then you can roll the dice and after a while we will have another hero ready. Even though everything is gloomy here, you can have a great time. It all depends on the attitude of the players. Just watch out for the fall board. It will probably be a lot of fun for the Game Master, but the team can be split quickly.