The World of Synnibarr

The World of Synnibarr (sometimes referred to simply as Synnibarr) was a multi-genre role-playing game published by Wonderworld Press and written by Raven c.s. McCracken.[1] A second edition of the game, co-written by Bryce Thelin, was published in 1993. It is noted largely for its exceptionally poor design.[2]

The World of Synnibarr
The World of Synnibarr, 2nd edition
Designer(s)Raven C.S. McCracken
Bryce Thelin
Publisher(s)Wonderworld Press
Publication date1991 (first edition)
1993 (second edition)
Genre(s)Multi-genre
Websitesynnibarr.com

The game features an unusual amount of variety in play. It combines elements of fantasy, science-fiction, super-hero and other genres and does occasionally lend itself to power gaming.[3]

A third edition of the game (tentatively known as Synnibarr Invicta) was funded by a Kickstarter in 2013, which was expected to be released in 2014-2015, but remains only partially complete as of June 2020.[4]

Setting

Synnibarr is actually Mars 50,000 years in the future, hollowed out and turned into a spaceship to take humanity to a safe place after the Earth had been destroyed. Civilization is beginning to be rebuilt after a series of disasters and technology is practiced as a religion. Synnibarr is also noted for bizarre monsters, including the Giant Mutant Fire Clam and the Flying Grizzly (capable of shooting laser beams from its eyes). Guilds and organizations play a major role in the Synnibarr 'Worldship'. Mortals are often able to interact with immortals, demi-gods and even the gods themselves.

System

Most rolls are of percentile dice (d100) though some are additive while others use a roll-under mechanic. The third edition game mechanic replaces the previous percentile system with a streamlined skill-based system, where resolve and experience create cogency levels that are pitted against opposing cogency levels for determining results.

McCracken and a group of other people have been playing and developing Synnibarr since the mid 90s. In December 2012 a Kickstarter was launched to publish a new edition. The project was expected to span three books, an "Ultimate Adventurer's Guide", a "Worldship Atlas", and a "Book of Fate".[4] The "Ultimate Adventurer's Guide" was published in August 2018, but as of December 2019 backers had received neither books nor updates for some time.[5][6]

Reception

Some consider it a bad example of a role playing game.[7]

Reviews
gollark: ...
gollark: ++delete LyricLy's sentences
gollark: Ħººººº...
gollark: This satisfies nobody whatsoever.
gollark: > The Rømer scale (Danish pronunciation: [ˈʁœˀmɐ]; notated as °Rø), also known as Romer or Roemer, is a temperature scale named after the Danish astronomer Ole Christensen Rømer, who proposed it in 1701. It is based on the freezing point of pure water being 7.5 degrees and the boiling point of water as 60 degrees.

References
  1. McCracken, Raven c. s. (February 2011). Eat Butterflies: Tales of Vampire, Mages and Mutants. Swooping Grizzly Publications. ISBN 0-615-45124-1.
  2. MacLennan, Darren (2001-08-03). "Review of The World of Synnibarr by Darren MacLennan". Rpg.net. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  3. Mier, Roger (2004-08-20). "Review of The World of Synnibarr by Roger Mier". Rpg.net. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  4. "Republishing: The World of Synnibarr". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  5. McCracken, Raven c.s. The Ultimate Adventurers' Guide: The World of Synnibarr. Ascensionnw. ISBN 978-0996417303.
  6. "Republishing: The World of Synnibarr (Comments)". Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  7. Hale-Evans, Ron (2011). Mindhacker: 60 Tips, Tricks, and Games to Take Your Mind to the Next Level. Wiley Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-118-16641-3.
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