Raven: Swordmistress of Chaos

[nexus]

She's a fairly obscure swords and Sorcery character from a series of five books written by Robery Holdenstock and Angus Wells under the pseudonym "Richard Kirk" in the 70-80s. The books were pretty good, IMO but the series was never finished (I'm not sure an ending was even planned) I was wondering if anyone might, by chance, have attempted a Hero System write up of her?

Edit: Also, I'm aware there are those that don't like the books but if all you really have to contribute is to say that you don't, don't bother please.

[Steve]

I've read the books (and still own them in my collection of paperbacks). I don't think I've ever seen a write-up of her (nor have I ever attempted one). I don't imagine she'd be very tough to write up. One thing I found amusing about the character is that she was blonde, despite being named Raven.

[nexus]

I've read the books (and still own them in my collection of paperbacks). I don't think I've ever seen a write-up of her (nor have I ever attempted one). I don't imagine she'd be very tough to write up. One thing I found amusing about the character is that she was blonde, despite being named Raven.

Me too, and weird that you mention that. I just read today that was acutally on purpose by the authors as a poke at some of the genre conventions. There were apparently a few.

[Edsel]

I have read these novels. But it was many years ago and I don't really remember clearly enough to hazard a guess at a write-up.

[Susano]

Uhm... "were pretty good"? Sorry, I read one, and gave up on the second. Not even hot two-girl action could save them.

But while we're talking.... anyone here ever read The War of Powers series?

[nexus]

Uhm... "were pretty good"? Sorry, I read one, and gave up on the second. Not even hot two-girl action could save them.

*shrugs* everyone doesn't like the same things. I can't stand some of the stuff that's so popular right now. I liked them quite a bit so yeah, for me the were pretty good. YMM (and apparently does) V

But while we're talking.... anyone here ever read The War of Powers series?

A couple of them a long time ago, I remember they were pretty ribald but interesting aside from that. I have the entire series but I haven't gotten around to reading them. I would appreciate if the thread didn't get sidetracked to talk about another series.

Edit: On second thought "ribald" is probably to light a word. They were pretty raunchy (not that I have a problem with that )

[Susano]

*shrugs* everyone doesn't like the same things. I can't stand some of the stuff that's so popular right now. I liked them quite a bit so yeah, for me the were pretty good. YMM (and apparently does) V

A couple of them. I have the entire series but I haven't gotten around to reading it.

I read them all once, and own all but the last volume right now. Not the best, with even more explicit sex scenes that Raven has. However, some of the elements make for interesting and different fantasy fare.

[nexus]

In any event, I guess I'll have to see if I can come up with one myself. Probably take me awhile since I'll have to at least skim through the books again, but I guess hopefully I'll get it done soon. I still have to finish my write up for Violet (of Ultraviolet) and Rushuna (from Grenadier).

[nexus]

Also, I'm aware there are those that don't like the books but if all you really have to contribute is to say that you don't, don't bother please.

[Susano]

It having been a while since I read the book(s), I can't offer much. However, I know she's really fast, fairly strong, agile, and hits plenty hard.

Good DEX, CON, STR, Combat Luck, Deadly Blow.

Does she wear armor? (I think she does.)

Has Riding, leadership skills, survival, and tracking, I think. Skilled with various weapons, IIRC (sword, dagger, spear, bow).

Some of the stuff I gave Conan for his character sheet would fit hers.

[nexus]

It having been a while since I read the book(s), I can't offer much. However, I know she's really fast, fairly strong, agile, and hits plenty hard.

Good DEX, CON, STR, Combat Luck, Deadly Blow.

Does she wear armor? (I think she does.)

Has Riding, leadership skills, survival, and tracking, I think. Skilled with various weapons, IIRC (sword, dagger, spear, bow).

Some of the stuff I gave Conan for his character sheet would fit hers.

She wore armor regularly, some what light armor but her fighting style seemed to rely on speed, very good with thrown weapons, particularly the "throwing stars" she favored crippled a man with one from what seemed to be over a football's field's distance, blinded people with called shots, etc. Has some martial arts manuver in Hero terms, joint locks, takedowns, nerve pinches, etc. I can't remember if her sword had any special properties aside from being very well made.

Clearly, she'd have a high Comeliness, probably in te 24+ range judging by reactions to her appearance.

[Susano]

She wore armor regularly, some what light armor but her fighting style seemed to rely on speed, very good with thrown weapons, particularly the "throwing stars" she favored crippled a man with one from what seemed to be over a football's field's distance, blinded people with called shots, etc. Has some martial arts manuver in Hero terms, joint locks, takedowns, nerve pinches, etc. I can't remember if her sword had any special properties aside from being very well made.

Clearly, she'd have a high Comeliness, probably in te 24+ range judging by reactions to her appearance.

Now that you mention it, I recall the throwing stars. Hmm... might want to give her the Naked Advantage of "No Range Mod" for her shuriken to hit people at those ranges. The sword seemed to be special, but I don't recall, I only really read one book.

Oh, I know she developed Contact here and there.

[Bismark]

Uhm... "were pretty good"? Sorry, I read one, and gave up on the second. Not even hot two-girl action could save them.

But while we're talking.... anyone here ever read The War of Powers series?

Ah, yes - The War of Powers... Apart from the unlikeliest event in the series happening within the first few pages (the first bit of, ahem, 'action' between the hero and heroine), it was pretty decent; there was even an attempt to deal with the logistics of trading between a flying city and the ground below (the silk balloons specially made by domesticated spiders - nice idea). I have the whole series (published in the UK as a 2-volume set with each volume containing 3 of the original books)

Creepy serpent men - check
Nasty monsters - check
Classic S&S - style sorcery (think much higher-powered Valdorian Age magic) - check
Sudden change of pace from S&S to epic (like the Elric books did) - check
Entertaining characters (horny genies, anyone? )

I have actually run Fantasy Hero in that world (about 15 years ago) - it was fun.

[Back on topic]

I only have the second book ('A Time of Ghosts') at the moment, and have only read the first 2 books in total (I read the first book when I was 18 - about the right time for the hot girl-on-girl action, I suppose ). I had the feeling that it was being deliberately cheesy and gently lampooning the genre a little; of course, writing up a Crugoan would be fun. The beastmen would be fairly straightforward, however. Must read the book again so I can get an idea of how to do HERO write-ups

[nexus]

Huh, I didn't find them cheesy at all and the War of the Powers struck me more as porn with some fantasy trappings though entertaining porn.

[Susano]

Huh, I didn't find them cheesy at all and the War of the Powers struck me more as porn with some fantasy trappings though entertaining porn.

Well, it was published by Penthouse Press.