A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Ratters

Ratters by Brent Bailey is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster.

The supplement is available as a four-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $2.98.

The first page explains that rats are a serious problem for both Hârn and Lythia and ratters control them. It is filthy but steady work and can be one of the most lucrative non-guild professions. It explains that rats are a universal problem and catching rats can be practiced by anyone; just because it’s unguilded doesn’t mean there aren’t rivals. The sidebar looks at ratter characters, both as PCs and NPCs, and the possibilities there are for playing such an often-overlooked profession. Skills, including an overlap with Hunting, are covered, along with rules for rats from Rodents and ratters being hired to deal with other pests.

Life of the Ratter looks at the job itself, how ratters can be tempted to dishonest conduct, bribed by the Lia-Kavair or end up with a good relationship with the watch thanks to what they see. Most ratters worship Peoni and there’s mention of an Agrikan cult that worships Agrik as the bringer of plagues. Ratters also welcome recent research by the Order of the Balm of Joy about rats spreading disease. The sidebar looks at a disease common to ratters and a horn that used to be in a temple of the Irreproachable Order.

Catching Rats looks at the means to do this, with animals, nets and traps. Poisons are rarely used, because there are too many dangers from such. The sidebar looks at tools used and has tables for ratting results depending on the method.

Disposing of Rats looks at their use as food, as a cheap source of fur and in rat pits. The sidebar looks at the payment for ratting and tall tales, or not so tall ones, about rats.

Ratters in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that they are not needed, but there are enough sections that they would have been appreciated. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a single column with sidebar format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of colour illustrations. Presentation is decent.

Though this does have some HârnMaster stats, it should still be easy enough to adapt this to other systems. Though it is also somewhat tied to Hârn, it could be adapted to other settings, as much of the information is useful background information on a profession that would be common in most fantasy settings. Ratters is a bit overpriced at full price and it can be found by clicking here.