Many issues of Pyramid were devoted to a theme that tied in, roughly, to "times of yore." (In GURPS terms, this is anything from TL0 to TL4 – from the dawn of time through 1700 or so.) Since fantasy gaming is so popular, most of these issues also contain magical or fantasy-related ideas. Topics include historical exploration, magic on the battlefield, and tools for clerics.
Pyramid #3/36: Dungeon Fantasy (October 2011)
Go Underground!
This crypt has been sealed for thousands of years. Do you dare disturb it? Of course! This month's manifest takes an in-depth look at dungeon fantasy, with a special emphasis on GURPS Dungeon Fantasy. This gateway to adventure leads you to "The Demolisher," an explosive new template written by GURPS Dungeon Fantasy architect Sean Punch. This dwarven hero relies on things that go BOOM to get the job done.
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/33: Low-Tech (July 2011)
The Gear From Yesteryear Is Here!
Sticks and stones may break some bones, but inventors make sticks better! This month's issue is dedicated to technology of old, with a special emphasis on material that builds on GURPS Low-Tech. This issue's advances include "The Deadly Spring," a detailed optional system that lets you create a near-infinite variety of GURPS bows to your exact specifications. Designed to provide the same level of intricacy and nuance that gun enthusiasts already enjoy, this system uses the included spreadsheet to make creating bows painless for you and painful for the guy on the other end of the arrow. It also features 13 ready-to-use bows, from ancient to modern and everything in between.
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/32: Fears of Days Past (June 2011)
Terror Is Timeless
Since humanity began transcribing history, it's also been recording its fears. This month's missive is dedicated to bygone eras of terror, with horror-themed tricks and tools. This issue's forbidding features include "Creatures from the Pit," a GURPS Fourth Edition adventure for Atomic Horror. Written by Stephen Dedman (author of GURPS Dinosaurs), this 1950s fright-fest starts with the heroes in a desert and (hopefully) ends with the monsters getting their just deserts!
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/28: Thaumatology II (February 2011)
Mind Your Mana!
Can you ever have enough magic in your life? We say "No!" – and we mean it, as shown by this month's issue, entitled "Thaumatology II." Scrying this secret scroll reveals "ItŐs Pure Chemistry!" – an expansion of the alchemy rules from GURPS Magic. This article includes 10 new elixirs, three new techniques, and a new spell for those who make magical mixtures. GURPS Dungeon Fantasy delvers will love the options for expanding elixir effects.
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/25: Epic Magic (November 2010)
Are you looking to put the magic back in your game? Are you looking for something epic? Then this month's missive gives you both, with a theme of "Epic Magic." This over-the-top arcane issue includes "All the Epic Ways," a description of six different methods to work high-powered magical effects into a GURPS campaign. It includes an extended example that reveals different possibilities for the Seven Songs of Apollo!
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/22: Banestorm (August 2010)
If you're looking for a quaint little fantasy getaway, why not consider a trip to Yrth? Be warned; you may find it hard to go home again . . .
This month's excursion is devoted to GURPS Banestorm, the premier GURPS Fantasy campaign setting. Most of its articles can also be adapted to other fantasy settings or games with little difficulty – including GURPS Dungeon Fantasy. This issue includes "Ansonne: The Black Heart of Araterre," detailing the setting's swashbuckling cesspool of sin. Written by Matt Riggsby (GURPS Hot Spots: Renaissance Florence, GURPS Locations: The Tower of Octavius, and more), this complete guide to the city – including a full-page map – provides everything you need to make Ansonne the source for an exciting adventure or the focus of an extended campaign.
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/19: Tools of the Trade – Clerics (May 2010)
As long as there have been dark forces that prey on good souls, there have been those willing to pray for them. This month's installment presents new tools and tricks for use by clerics. This issue includes "Auras of Power," mighty mystical means of empowering friends and restricting foes. These 17 ready-to-use GURPS abilities are great for any moderate- to high-powered gaming, and especially well-suited for Dungeon Fantasy campaigns!
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/16: Historical Exploration (February 2010)
For this month's issue, we hoist the sails of adventure and assemble a crew ready for "Historical Exploration." This seafaring installment includes "An Age of Sails," a world where the siren's call of the ocean sets the stage for amazing discoveries. This detailed alternate timeline can be used by cross-time explorers in the GURPS Infinite Worlds setting or as a stand-alone campaign in a world of intrigue, mysteries, and secrets.
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/13: Thaumatology (November 2009)
This issue taps into the untold power of "Thaumatology." This fantasy-themed issue includes "The Magic of Stories," a full treatment of fairy-tale magic for GURPS Thaumatology. Use this system to emulate traditional fables – or as the power behind modernist self-knowing fairy tales!
See the sample!
Pyramid #3/10: Crime and Grime (August 2009)
This issue covers "Crime and Grime," and it's criminally full of helpful and fun ideas for a medieval- or fantasy-themed campaign. Whether your adventurers are agents of law and order, actively oppose those agents, or just want to stay out of the way, they're sure to find something they can use. This issue contains "The Justiciar," a new template for GURPS Dungeon Fantasy, written by GURPS line editor Sean Punch!
See the sample!
What kind of articles were in historical/fantasy issues of Pyramid? Try these sample articles and see!
- "On de Medici's Secret Service" from Pyramid #3/10: Crime and Grime, written by the author of GURPS Hot Spots: Renaissance Florence, Matt Riggsby.
- "The Book of Null" from Pyramid #3/13: Thaumatology.
You can also check out the introduction, table of contents, and sample pages for any issue of Pyramid, available via Warehouse 23!