From publisher blurb:
Welcome to an issue of Fenix where Madness plays the leading role. Perhaps fitting this year, when we are all trying to handle Corona as best as we can. Graeme Davis helps you use Madness in game, without ending in stereotypes while Pete Nash presents an adventuring location, a monster, and an alchemical concoction which all produce madness in one way or another; and can be easily introduced into almost any genre of game setting
A Method to Madness: Graeme Davis on how to avoid lazy and insensitive stereotypes
Most roleplaying games are stuck in the 1980s when it comes to the treatment of mental illness. Real-world attitudes have moved on over the last 40 years, and so should games. Instead of treating mental illnesses as nothing more than a colorful roleplaying challenge or an impediment to be removed as quickly as possible, it is time to approach these matters with greater sensitivity and understanding – and by doing so, to discover a deeper level of challenge and possibility.
A Blooming Madness: A fun tripartite on chaotic insanity for any campaign by Pete Nash
Madness. Maaaadnesss. Always an entertaining subject matter for roleplaying. In the immortal Call of Cthulhu insanity was core to the gaming experience, but psychological problems are not the only manifestation of madness. Other interpretations are stupidity, foolishness or even a mania for a particular object or person. In summation; aberrant, not normal behavior.
With that in mind, this issue we present an adventuring location, a monster, and an alchemical concoction which all produce madness in one way or another; and can be easily introduced into almost any genre of game setting. For added insanity, lets base all of it loosely on the zany imagination of a certain children’s author famed for his tongue twisting stories.
Bernard the Barbarian peels bananas: A comic strip by Åke Rosenius
Åke Rosenius brings three new comic strips into every issue of Fenix. Here is one of them.