Lair of the Liche Lord from Fantasy Nations: True Gaming

Last week I wandered into my local game store and noticed a display of new games arrayed on a table. The games were notable for their packaging and production values: plastic bags and  photocopied rule books.    On impulse, I picked up “Lair of the Liche Lord” from Fantasy Nations.

“Liche Lord” is a tabletop war game that uses chits and some basic dice.

Here are a few shots of the contents:

The front cover:

Some terrain tokens.

This is one of the item/monster die-cut sheets.

I entitled this post “True Gaming” because “Liche Lord”  reminded me that games did not always come on glossy paper and in pantone colors. That a single gamer with an idea can publish a game on a tiny budget. That every game, every game began with some torn bits of paper on a kitchen table. That the only need was a game be fun!

Above all this though, “Liche Lord” represents the courage to risk your own money and ego by sharing your game with the world.  I am  in awe of an entrepeneur, especially in the brutal game market.   In an age when large game companies all too often fear risk and just copy the mechanics of last year’s “Game of the Year Winner,” this is priceless to the hobby of gaming. Diversity is strength.

I have not played “Liche Lord” yet, so this post is not a review or a recommendation. Rather,  I use “Liche Lord”  as a reminder to all that the difference between a game player and a game publisher is an idea and ambition.  Take that first step without fear.

Trask, The Last Tyromancer

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trask

Trask is a long-time gamer, world traveler and history buff. He hopes that his scribblings will both inform and advance gaming as a hobby.