Paul StJohn Mackintosh – Unbound Publishing

So dear reader, please allow me to indulge myself with a little story, one that harkens back to the airy days of late 2022, when half asleep and somewhat saddened by the prospect of travelling to work, your erstwhile reviewer was drawn once more into the world of quaint mysteries and curious ghost stories. We all know the story, an innocuous Facebook post, the lightest of clicks on a seemingly innocent link and the next thing you know you’ve suddenly added yet another book to your already overgrown RPG library… sigh…damn you DrivethruRPG!

Now, while, I know that little scenario was a little facetious, in this case at least, it does act as an appropriate lead into my experience of purchasing the wonderful The Predestination Engine & Other Stories; a collection of six scenarios by Paul StJohn Mackintosh and Tobias Cooper for Mr Mackintosh’s much respected Casting the Runes. That said, while my alter ego seems as if he was somewhat fooled or coerced into this purchase, I was overjoyed to delve once more into a new supplement for this fantastic roleplaying game.

For those of you who might not know of Casting the Runes, it is a game I’ve waxed lyrical about previously (see my review here). However, to save you time, let me reiterate my quick introduction with the following: Casting the Runes (or Casting the Runes: Occult Investigations in the World of M. R. James, to give its full name), is an impressive implementation of Pelgrane Press’ GUMSHOE open game system, set against the world of M R James’ unique late Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories. Of course, for some of you, the writings of Montague Rhodes James might not ring too many bells, but rest assured, if you’re a fan of horror, you will have most definitely felt his (indirect and direct) influence in everything from modern fiction, television, movies, and more. In fact, M R James’ stories are so much a part of the British ethos that even today his tales are still regularly being brought to life through a variety of media old and new.

…It began, like all these stories do, with a brief message from a friend. This note was simple enough, and at the time one could little expect it to have as much an impact on my life and future as it would. So it was with little concern or trepidation that I clicked on the link provided in the aforementioned communique, expecting to find within it nothing more than a spark of light entertainment or, at worse, a selection of humour that one would find reluctant to share in one’s workplace. Imagine then, dear reader, my despair to discover that this link did not only lead me deep within the internet but would also reveal a dark and mischievous plot dedicated to parting your humble author from his hard-earned coin… yet another RPG Kickstarter!

Casting the Runes is a roleplaying game of Edwardian¹ ghost stories and mysteries, written by Paul StJohn Macintosh, and published by The Design Mechanism. Based on the works of M R James, an English scholar and weird tale author of that period (whose style I have so ham-fistedly attempted to replicate above), it uses the GUMSHOE mechanics to reproduce investigative mysteries steepled in British graveyards, sprawling mansions, and occult practices.

For anyone who knows me, it will come as no surprise that this sort of setting and system are right in my wheelhouse, so much so that I’ve even attempted to do my own version of a gaslit GUMSHOE game once or twice in the past. The core book was funded via Kickstarter in early 2020, and I received my copy of the deluxe edition hardback a few weeks ago ². Given the myriad of other Kickstarter games and items I’ve backed in the past, you have to be impressed by both the speed and quality of this crowdfunding campaign (although I believe at the time of this writing, the last of the North American backers are yet to get their copies – not long now, Covid impacts I believe!). I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised at such a professional approach to the crowdfunding campaign, as the talent behind The Design Mechanism, Lawrence Whitaker, and Pete Nash, are top blokes, but in this day and age, even the most successful of publishers seem to be beset with delays and issues (only some of which, I reluctantly mention seem to be outside their influence).

Tag: Paul StJohn Mackintosh

Quaint Mysteries & Curious Ghost Stories: A Review of The Predestination Engine & Other Stories

A Study in Quaint Horror: A Review of Casting the Runes