Sea Omens: A Narrative Analysis by Berin Kinsman is a generic role playing game supplement published by Lightspress.
The supplement is available as a 21-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.95. One page is the front cover, one the front matter, two the Contents and one is an ad. The supplement also comes in an epub version and there’s also a colour png of the cover page.
The Introduction explains that this is a system agnostic fantasy tool designed to make the sea not a terrain to cross but something that affects everything. It then briefly explains what each section covers.
Narrative Function has tools to determine what the sea represents in the narrative. There are ten examples of the sea, each with a descriptive paragraph then a fluff one.
Character Ideas has ten ways a sea could have shaped a character, with a descriptive paragraph and then a fluff one.
Story Complications has ways that the sea could reshape the world, again with ten examples consisting of a descriptive paragraph and a fluff one.
Worldbuilding Prompts has how the sea alters more than just the coast. Once again, there are ten examples, each with a descriptive paragraph and a fluff one.
Adventure Hooks has ten adventure ideas, each with a descriptive paragraph and a fluff one.
Sea Omens: A Narrative Analysis in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. The Contents is to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. Navigation is good. The text maintains a single column format and appeared to be mostly free of errors. There are no illustrations. Presentation is adequate.
The title of this supplement is a bit misleading; if you are expecting a list of omens related to the sea, you will be disappointed. Instead, the supplement has various different ideas for using the sea to shape the game, world and characters, with descriptions to explain and fluff as an example. The supplement will probably not be to everyone’s tastes. Sea Omens: A Narrative Analysis can be found by clicking here.
Leave a Reply