#RPGaDay2016, Day 16 - Historical person you'd like in your group. What game?

For my answer, I'm creating a fantasy that Edgar Rice Burroughs is proficient in GMing RPGs. He runs a campaign in which we all discover Pellucidar for the very first time. Using the Hollow Earth Expedition RPG.

There. That's my answer.

Hollow Earth Expedition - favorite RPG setting

August is the month that various gaming geeks post blog articles that follow the #RPGaDay2015 list (see the image at the bottom). This was my choice. Porting it over to this blog as well.

Hollow Earth Expedition is my favorite RPG setting.

There is a list of reasons:

• Dinosaurs
• Nazis
• Hollow Earth
• Mars
• 1930s
• Pulp
• Secret Societies
• Unique and light-ish system
• High quality production value
• Excellent art
• Excellent fan support
• Friendly fans

This hits all of the tropes that get me going. Ever since I got into the Indiana Jones films, 1930s pulp has been such a favorite! And there has been no lack of it in RPGs. One thing that makes this game unique is that it isn't a pulp setting for a game system trying to cover all the bases. It is a pulp game that fully tackles one major pulp trope. The Hollow Earth theory.

The Hollow Earth theory is a literary setting that caught my interest when I veered away from Tarzan and John Carter in my Burroughs obsession several years ago. I had discovered Pellucidar! I was also getting into old back issues of DC Comics Warlord. As I wrapped my head around the concept and particularly what the effects of time in the Hollow Earth were, I was completely hooked and still am. I've even created a blog that allows this obsession to vent occasionally.

Other things I like about this setting is it is not grim-dark. This is an aspect of many settings that I fear sells well these cynical days. No need for it. Too much of it anywhere else. I also like that it isn't at all inappropriate for kiddos. As a geek dad, I do desire to foster the interest in this hobby to my littles and this remains a pretty safe game to do that with. Also, plenty of elements that may appeal to my parents, who also want to share in the kiddos gaming occasionally.

So that's my choice. Hollow Earth Expedition. It's a good one.

My wife says the only thing missing from this most excellent game is Nathan Fillion.

Hollow Earth Expedition RPG

In 2006, Exile Games released the Hollow Earth Expedition-  a fine 1930s pulp RPG. Since then HEX has been nominated or for several Origins and ENies awards and has seen a nice collection of expansion. The current list of products are:

• Hollow Earth Expedition (available in French and German)
• Game Master Screen
• Secrets of the Surface World
• Mysteries of the Hollow Earth
• Miracle Stone of the Amazon and Frozen City of Terror, both from the Perils of the Surface World series of pdf adventure modules
• Ubiquity Dice
• Ubiquity Style Chips for each of the three sourcebooks
• Quick Start Rules and adventures for Free RPG Day 2008-2010

Exile Games created the game system for the system which uses a binary dice pool method. Special dice were produced and are available, but not necessary to play the game.

Danger Magnet is an online fanzine resource for HEX.

Later this year an additional supplement is to be released taking the game in a whole new direction- Revelations of Mars.

The following are reviews from the YouTube series, Game Geeks...