Forbidden Kingdoms

Pick up the Babbage version of FK today!

Paris: The Spectral City, the first supplement for FK is available as well.

Check out FK: Modern. It's Forbidden Kingdoms using d20 Modern.

Introduction

By and large the world of Forbidden Kingdoms is very much like our own. The timeline for the setting spans the 50 years from 1889 to 1939 and captures the full reign of the pulp era. We’ve set the stage on an alternate Earth that is full of “what if” possibilities and Forbidden Kingdoms is a world that still has the spark of adventure in it, where you can still traverse the darkest parts of Africa in search of hidden caches of treasure or stop the World Crime League from taking over the world. It's a place where Good vs. Evil is as simple as black and white, and where “the seed of crime” does indeed bear bitter fruit.

The world in which we live is oftentimes an angry place filled with strife, angst, depression, and malice. Travel with us back to a time when life was easier and all you needed was a trusty .45 and a good right hook.

Forbidden Kingdoms was the first pulp setting for the d20 system. We've recently updated it for use with d20 Modern, and soon we'll be releasing it for other game systems.

In both d20 versions you play one of the following character classes in the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, riches, or fame.

The Academic:

Present in almost every civilization that has the capacity for higher learning, the Academics are those people who spend a vast majority of their time in the pursuit of knowledge. Doctors, professors, scientists, students are all examples of the Academic. The Academic character class allows for quick development in the proficiency of several skills. It is not uncommon to see several characters with at least one level in Academic before moving on to another Class as they progress.

The Clergy:

In almost every culture there lies Faith, and with this Faith there are those that have been called upon to spread the word of the "divine message", a calling if you will. These are the people that take this word to the masses, with full support in their god's doctrine. Amongst the Clergy there are those that are beneficial, wise, and kindly, but also within these ranks lay the fanatics, cultists and followers of the Darker Faiths that are the diametric opposite from the goodly brethren. Witch doctors, Shamans, Priests, etc. fall into this class. The Clergy character class allows for a direct tie to the Character's Belief and particular deity that he/she worships, being provided special Abilities as well as Spiritual guidance.

The Expert:

Experts are people who excel in one particular field. This class covers everything from bush pilots to master mechanics to world-famous merchants. They are needed by anyone who demands and expects excellence. As children they usually showed aptitude in one particular field, be that mechanics, engineering, or the ability to drive anything that moves. The pilot of the dirigible in The Mummy Returns is an excellent example of the Expert class.

The Explorer:

The Explorer: Trained in the arts of investigation, deduction, and exploration, explorers are known for their keen minds and daring adventures. Even as children, there is a sense of wonder about the world around us and the world beyond. And as we grow, the explorer never loses this sense of wonder. Always willing to take whatever risk is necessary to reveal the Truth, they sometimes forget the danger into which this leads them. The Explorer Character Class is a well-blended mix of investigator, combatant, and a dash of the criminal element.

The Idle Rich:

Some call them 'dilettantes', others refer to them as 'Ne'er-do-wells'; either way, these people have so much money that they hire advisors just to handle all of it. Most of them have the very best that money can buy: elegant cars, clothing, jewelry - even an education. The problem is, they just haven't settled on a particular path in life, and have decided to try Everything. Unfortunately, this drive means they tend to lose fervor in their current interest rather quickly. They are flashy, sophisticated, charming, and the life of the party, but from an outsider's point of view, they may seem shallow and insincere. That is the price one pays to stave off a jaded view of the world.

The Mystic:

The Mystic is a rare breed indeed, one that delves into the very depths of the unknown without fear of what lay there. Whether it is Eastern philosophies or modern Spiritualism, the Mystic is at the heart, always searching for answers to untold questions. With a colorful assortment of unexplainable "gifts" at their disposal, the Mystic leads the way in matters of the Occult, but this power comes with an exacting toll. Society instinctively distances from that which it does not understand. A wise Mystic reinforces this stigma in order to preserve their mystique. Eastern monks, Spiritualists, Mediums, and Escapologists are all good examples of this character class.

The Scoundrel:

Sometimes the loud-mouth braggart, oftentimes the dashing rake, the Scoundrel never ceases to keep himself/herself out of trouble. They have contacts everywhere, most of them being of a seedier reputation. If you need objet d'art smuggled into the country, then the Scoundrel is the person to see. Unfortunately for the Scoundrel, local law enforcement know this truism, too. Classic examples of this Character Class include: smugglers, brigands, facilitators, and catburglers.

The Soldier-of-Fortune:

This two-fisted man of action leaps headlong into danger and doesn't really worry about the consequences that follow. The Soldier of Fortune is a hands-on, no-nonsense, take-charge kind of guy/gal. At the core, they push towards excellent physical fitness and superiority. They are highly trained combatants, lending their skills to anyone in need. Single-mindedness is a two-edged sword; Soldiers of Fortune rarely walk away from a fight, but every one of them has a story to tell about a fight they could have thought their way out of, if they'd stopped to think at all.