The Sage's Library: Harn

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[@sdev2749]

I have owned Harn since I was 16 back in 1982 - I still to this day run a group of players continuously in this setting EVERY Friday night since the 1980's. My players from that time are still here with me as well as many new ones who love the setting. I use Chivalry & Sorcery 2nd edition in this world to this day - It is the BEST suited game system for Harn

[@Tiggermk4]

I’m also a huge fan of the Harn setting. Lothrim Foulspawner is my favourite RPG villain. My current Ironsworn game is set on Melderyn…

[@video36]

Another great video. I think its important to mention that Harn is not just the material that was produced in the 80s and early 90s. Columbia has been putting out updated, expanded material almost the entire time- almost 100 pages of expansion materials are shipped via their subscription model every year. Also important is the thriving community you can find on social media and the forums, including tons of high quality fan made material free to download.

[@markt.atkinsonphotography]

This is a point worth repeating. IMO CG has done an admirable job of expanding on Harn's incredible foundation.

[@GrantDalgliesh]

Trevor, thanks for this enthusiastic primer. It was fun talking with you and I am excited for that interview to be released (Friday!).

[@agilemonk6305]

One of the best creations ever made. I started with it from its very first productions. ❤

[@DrCrazyPhenom]

Harn, now thats a name Ive not heard in a long time. Also, the new lighting works really well.

[@MisterWebb]

Books on your shelves that I would like to see reviewed: Mythic Britain, Mythras, Legend.

[@Kalarandir]

As good as the isle of Harn is, the world is much larger and you can play in any medieval cultural setting with so much produced for areas that cover mainland Lythia from the Viking culture of Harbaal in the north, through the Franco-German lands of Emelrene and Shorkyne, into the middle eastern/north African setting from Hepekeria in the west to Beshakan in the east, to name only a few, and all have amazingly good source material to draw on. The world of Harn is huge and so much more than a small misty island of the north west coast of Lythia. Other than that small spiel, great to see some Harn love.😀😀😀

[@shaneintheuk2026]

You didn’t mention the weather system that generates believable weather fronts, or the incredibly detailed financial information. Everything in Harn is just incredibly accurate and well crafted.

[@ARKavli]

And the pantheon was cool, too. That Morgath! The OG books were cream pages with brown letters... very nice and easy on the eye.

[@ruprecht8520]

The pantheon was well written for usability. No stats for the gods but instead details on how the temples and worship work. Very nice.

[@griselame]

I've used Harn stuff for my Pendragon game, it think it works beautifully

[@gandalf970]

Wow does this bring back the memories. I had harn as my world for Rolemaster and it was incredible!

[@breotan]

I'd just like to add that Columbia games has been producing new material and expanding old stuff to make Harn even more rich and detailed. Kelestia is currently working on a new version of the HarnMaster (RPG) rules. I'd really like to see this channel cover the new material, show how other systems could fit (TSR/WotC modules, Vikings tv show, etc.).

[@NefariousKoel]

It's great that they refuse to advance the world timeline and add more events. I much prefer extra setting material to delve deeper into the setting rather than continue to add junk later on. Wish most settings would take this approach. Many times those changes were for the worst, too.

[@schemage2210]

Eberron does this too, which is awesome.

[@ruprecht8520]

I think they do it because at some point you have so much detail it becomes overwhelming for new buyers, so they wipe the slate clean with a new apocalypse or whatever. This makes it easier for new buyers and pushes old hands to re-buy a ton of stuff. I hate the way this works but that's what they do.

[@TylerTheDestroyer97]

As much as I appreciate it, it does make getting into Harn a bit of a double edge sword, though. Soft reboots are usually, for better or worse, made to make it easier for newcomers to pop in. Harn, however, is basically slapping you on the back and saying "good luck" before pushing you down a moutainous ski slope. Not a bad thing, and gwnerally worth it, but it does make you work for it and is fairly intimidating to dive into.

[@NefariousKoel]

@@TylerTheDestroyer97 - Dunno, I think Harn basically has two or three levels of depth you can delve. The first derived from the original world overview set. Second being the numerous titles drilling down into one specific kingdom at a time. Perhaps a third level of focus regarding specific cities, orgs, and such (never browsed these myself). It goes backward compared to logically creating your own setting by starting small, but that seems to allow you a choice on where you want to specifically start and how much detail you want to get involved with at that level.

[@ARKavli]

Nasty, brutish, and short! I loved all the tribes and the Ivashu, too.

[@joeadams3228]

Great review! I've been part of the HarnWorld writing team for a long time and it's really rewarding to see someone get into the material enough to appreciate its depth and complexity.

[@wileydutkiewicz3569]

😮😮😮 I'm 37 years old and I've been playing d&d for 25 years!!! 😢 I wish I'd learned about this sooner!!! Holy sheet!!!

[@scrapperlock9437]

Harn is amazing. Thanks for introducing me to it in your Harnmaster video. I am dying to try running a Savage Worlds game in this setting.

[@liamtaylor4955]

Well done review, thank you! This book sounds like it would be a real pleasure just to read. As I've never seen it my comparison may not be good, but I am reminded of the whole-world feel of Empire of the Petal Throne. I'd love to see the Harn setting, an appropriate rpg, and the Mythic GME all brought together for a play through!

[@GrantDalgliesh]

Sounds like an epic good time!

[@liamcage7208]

I had an original copy of Harn from 1982, I wish I had that setting materials now, it had great regional maps.

[@kathyevans3251]

The history aspect has intrigued my interest.

[@barryhorsley6949]

That sounds like it could even work as a setting for a space fantasy game.

[@himurogentoku7117]

The Great Sage Devall has returned!

[@georgeakritidis6941]

Wow! TIL all these behind the scenes things about Harn I didn't know about. That's great! Thanks!

[@mikhailjosephagudo8462]

That sounds awesome, was interested in Harn but might get it now. Gives me Prophesy of Pendor vibes

[@animatorFan74]

Very cool..... sounds like a nice game to explore using Ironsworn as well..... Ironsworn could fit well in here. :)

[@FrostSpike]

Sounds like Chivalry and Sorcery might be a good ruleset to use with this setting. Used to play a lot of C&S 1e back in the day when I had better eyesight to read the 6 point text!

[@davidthompson3798]

I ran a C&S 2e campaign on Harn, it worked well.

[@himurogentoku7117]

It is indeed cool that the Harn world timeline doesn't advance and the publisher just keeps adding details instead.

[@BubbaBobba]

Thanks for getting me hooked on Harn. Became a harn quest subscriber and have been sucked into the world I've the last few weeks. The lythia forum and website is one of the most impressive fan base I've ever witnessed, the fan made content is in many cases as impressive or more so than the original content. Yes the price is high for the official modules, but the quality is second to none in my opinion and will remain timeless for many decades to come.

[@CONTINGENCY_sys]

Setting looks great. Love detail and capable spaces with which to create.

[@video36]

Seems to me the artist for Harn should draw a character on Harn who is based onTrevor Devall. Someone should contact him about doing that.

[@JDarach]

I really love the *idea* of this really richly developed world, but in terms of how much use or enjoyment I'd get about this specific world, can't say it's worth it for me right now, because I'd just want it to read it for the worldbuilding rather than for using it for play , (and I have too many books unread as it is) but if not for this video I'd never have heard of Harn, and it's certainly interesting enough to look into in the future, more generally. So thank you for this video.

[@himurogentoku7117]

I will check the Kickstarter, Mr. Devall.

[@odstbane]

Looking forward to that interview!

[@APaganPerspective]

Trevor my dude, another great video. Question for you , have you thought about doing a solo campaign in Harn using something like GURPS 3 as your rules set. i would kill to see something like that...on your channel of course

[@GrantDalgliesh]

Seconded!

[@ricardo.mazeto]

Yes! That would be perfect!

[@hoos-karl7807]

If the point is Harn then Harn it all the way. HarnWorld & HarnMaster!

[@theyxaj]

I know it's Harn, but I'm definitely reading it as Ham and I'm fine with that.

[@ricardo.mazeto]

That's perhaps one of the most interesting reviews your ever made, in my opinion. But I got the impression that Harn is a huge scenario, and I would have to read an entire book before playing or GMing my first adventure. And I struggle with ADHD. So is there an alternative, maybe a smaller version? A way to start playing Harn right away?

[@hoos-karl7807]

HarnWorld publication is an overview of the Island. Each Kingdom is a separate product and you can start slow. Be warned the virus may get you and turn into an addiction.

[@ruprecht8520]

Harn is not a single kingdom. You can pick a region, learn about the situations there and go. Each region has a different dynamic which makes them each unique and fun.

[@ruolbu]

This sounds a lot like a German game system called the Dark Eye (Das Schwarze Auge). It exists for many decades now and mainly revolves around one big continent that essentially has fantasy places, names and races for European countries and cultures. The actual game system is not easy to get into but before the D&D 5e boom it was the first thing people heard about here when learning about table top RPGs and so a big legacy community exists. A big focus lies on the very deep and nuanced cultural aspects of the world, people enjoy the political and social gameplay a lot more. It is more down to earth, but definitely has a stronger fantasy element that's canon then Harn appears to have. Go check it out. There are also a few video games but I only played the 90s game Realms of Arkania: Star Trail. I quite like it, worth a look if you're into that.

[@TylerTheDestroyer97]

TDE/DAS has a very cool setting but my god, that level of crunch scares me. Few systems out there that feel like a statsheet worker simulator as much as an FRPG as that game.

[@ruolbu]

@@TylerTheDestroyer97 I've heard, yeah. I wonder, I just watched Trevors Harnmaster video and he desribes that system as very detailed as well. Do you know how that compares to DSA?

[@trioofone8911]

I never caught that thing about Sinn Fein, Michael Collins, and the Jarin of Orbaal. Wow

[@mathwitch24601]

Yay, a new video!

[@MrPrimalAndrew]

Howdy! I was considering subscribing to the Patreon but I was hoping you could define what the exact, articulate difference is between the $10 Tier & the $20 Tier. If possible, I think this would be best answered in a video! Every creator has a beginning or/and end blurb about, "... please subscribe..." but shockingly few go through the efforts of posting an informational video to *showcase* (maybe via clips) what it is they'd be purchasing. Regardless, thanks for your time.

[@eclat4641]

Your videos are awesome!!

[@The_Shadowy_Mr_Evans]

Still sad we never got past that one game of Harn using RQ6 you ran, saw a ton of potential there

[@metallsnubben]

HAAAARN

[@liamtaylor4955]

STERNN! :)

[@wildgoose77]

I think Trevor’s using a teleprompter 👀

[@MisterWebb]

Yes, and he does it very well.

[@chrisstokoe3169]

Lol I was 2 year old Brit baby when this came out

[@telzen6781]

I'm curious for those who have used the Harn setting, what system do you prefer to pair it with?

[@mihaisereanu9455]

Also wondering the same thing.

[@odstbane]

I really enjoy the system that was made for it, Harnmaster

[@hoos-karl7807]

HarnMaster is tailor made for it. There is a crunch factor, but it fits and with engaged players it really is not that difficult to understand.

[@Kalarandir]

I use Mythras as it fits very comfortably.

[@CastleArchon]

There is a 5th edition kit on DriveThruRPG. The Fantasy Trip fromSteve Jackson Games works well for the tactical combat as well.

[@JohannesB-ij9eo]

This channel is causing major problems for my rpg supplement buying restrictions…

[@jacobc8019]

When is the new Season? And will you use UNE again?

[@Spectre2434]

Chivalry and Sorcery ❤❤❤

[@ruprecht8520]

Harn is full of name games. I'm not sure these have much more meaning than in-jokes.

[@nvRfear1911]

[@synthastro]

Skyrealms of Jorune - please tell me you know it?

[@chrisstokoe3169]

I am going to get me this simply for material

[@CastleArchon]

There are a number of people who get it just for the read!

[@Lwilibert]

looking for a hyexcrawl I can play with The Fantasy trip rules.

[@dane3038]

300xp

[@jloren4647]

God i hate Mozart! But i stuck with it cuz i like you... lol.

[@SneakyNinjaDog]

I still find the Harn setting intolerable dry. You can claim all you want that you can twist it for high magic and such and such... But you could also just buy a setting made for that instead of this fixer upper :-) It does have pretty maps or rather it has realistic looking maps. I actually find those boring as well.

[@schemage2210]

I kinda feel that ripping off real cultures and real history is problematic. In the Forgotten Realms, when you say that the Goliath Tribes are an analogue for X irl, the Goliaths have been written in such a way that they are several degrees separated from real history, from real racial and cultural disputes. That isn't the case here, and it could be dangerous if not handled properly.

[@breotan]

The writers have taken great care to borrow from history without being tone deaf to it. As stated in the video, Orbaal is an analog for the medieval Danelaw while the Jarin rebellion takes inspiration from the original Sinn Féin movement of the early 1900s. There's really no analog for King Æthelwulf in the source material so a rebellion like this actually makes sense in the context presented.

[@MisterWebb]

Dangerous?! In what way?