The new range of editions Odonata is original (we’re used to this daring editor, Insectopia is definitely worth trying) and very complete. It already includes a basic book, a screen (which we have not received so no opinion on its relevance), an additional nine scenarios (very varied, a good way to get started if you have difficulty to make this game universe your own) and a context book accompanied by two scenarios as well. This book presents the geography of the game’s regions with pretty maps, the local NPCs to know and the background information to create your scenarios. This is the strong point of the range, a complete work, well laid out and useful for the leader.
The basic book, like the entire range, is richly illustrated. Its layout is clear and effective, it is easy to read and quickly immerses you in the atmosphere of the game. If you know nothing about the Incas other than the Mysterious Cities of Gold, don’t worry, the basic book covers the history of this exceptional empire, its very particular cultural functioning but also the organization of the Spaniards which at the time was also specific. There is also a fairly rich bestiary and secrets of the world such as the Nazca Lines. In short, background in abundance, supplemented by a supplement to better understand the world of Sapa Inca which is just thrilling.
The game world
We are in the 16th century and Spain is preparing to conquer the world… or not. Cortez has already conquered the Aztec Empire and further south, Pizarro discovers the great Inca Empire. The Spaniards are determined to convert this new indigenous people willingly or by force in order to justify their thirst for gold. On the Inca side, tensions around power did not facilitate the defense of the territory. Faced with the guns and swords of the conquistadors, the Incas will oppose their magic. Yes, their magic because in this uchronia, Inca magic is very real.
You will play heroes, Amachaqs, determined to defend the Inca Empire against all odds. They are elected officials in the service of the Sapa Inca, the son and representative on earth of his father Inti, the Sun God. The player characters are therefore exceptional humans, endowed with divine powers inherited from animals that can only be used as part of their mission. They can be of different origins, the Empire is large and even converted Spaniards.
Four generations after its founding, this elite body is made up of 5,000 members. They collectively ensure the defense of Tahuantinsuyu against various threats, whether external (the Spanish) or internal (non-subjugated peoples, the Underworld). Belonging to this order implies being recruited and trained, which means that your player characters can be novices or veterans of the Amachaqs, a bit like L5A where you can play your gempuku or already be a samurai.
The Amachaqs are not just warriors! They are in contact with the population who respect and fear them, they travel the ayllus to test people whose donations may have been reported. They help the dead of the communities to fulfill their last wishes. They also investigate phenomena of potentially supernatural origin. In short, they are very busy, which allows a wide variety of adventures according to the preferences of the leader and his players.
The game system
The Sapa Inca resolution system uses 8-sided dice. You will need around ten to carry out your tests. Your PCs are exceptional and tests will only be necessary for epic or completely offbeat actions. Odonata also offers sets of 8-sided dice with immersive symbols that I haven’t seen and which are a plus for fans, we can do without them.
Characters are defined by four characteristics that range from 1 (weak) to 6 (perfection): Viper (intellect), Puma (heart: physical power), Condor (senses) and Dolphin (agility), which reflect the skill level of the character.
These characteristics are complemented by skills which range from 0 to 6 and can be specialized. For example, under Viper, you will find the skills: Culture/Exchanges/Investigation/Herbalism/Languages, which can be specialized: investigation can be refined into excavations. It’s simple and intuitive, no difficulty even for beginner players.
As you can imagine, the tests will combine characteristics and skills to determine the number of 8-sided dice to throw.
The originality lies in the reading of the results: A success is obtained with a 3, a 4 and a 7, representing respectively the Chakana (the Andean cross representing the three worlds of the Inca cosmogony), the four sacred animals also the symbol the four suyus or regions of the Inca empire and the seven secret cities are the training centers of the Amachaqs but also the seven colors of the rainbow. Additionally, the 4 is “explosive” if the character does not have 0 in the skill, or if he uses a Spanish steel weapon or armor that is not of his culture. It counts as a success and can be re-rolled to try to obtain an additional success. It can be rerolled again as long as the player obtains 4s on his die rolls. A number of successes is necessary depending on the action undertaken.
Fortunately the Amachaqs benefit from help from the gods in the form of collective Inti points to spend on bonuses such as rerolling the dice. But also by endowing them with divine and animist powers received from their tutelary god and their totem animal.
Individually, the Amachaq is linked to a god. The Mystical Eye is a gauge which materializes the character’s relationship with his tutelary god. The failings of an Amachaq measure his corruption. This gauge goes up if the character acts while respecting the god, goes down if he offends him! Mystic Eye points allow the character to momentarily reach the state of Avatar (or he can transform into an animal), but he can also fall to be equal to ordinary mortals.
As you can see, the system is easy to learn and carries the Inca universe developed by the game.
