 Cover art by Stephen Daniele | |
| Designers |
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|---|---|
| Illustrators |
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| Publishers | Exile Game Studio |
| Publication | 2006 |
| Genres | Pulp fiction |
| Systems | Ubiquity |
Hollow Earth Expedition is a pulp fiction role-playing game published by Exile Game Studio in 2006 that is set in the fictitious Hollow Earth. The game was nominated for several industry awards.
Hollow Earth Expedition, inspired by the pulp fiction of Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Rice Burroughs [1] is a role-playing game set in 1936 in which everything on the surface of Earth appears normal, but an entirely different world replete with dinosaurs, Amazons, 18th-century pirates, [1] Atlantean artifacts, and deadly flora lies beneath the Earth's surface. There are many hidden entrances to the Hollow World, but far fewer exits. [2] The player characters, who represent pulp fiction heroes, must fight malevolent forces, as they seek to enter and explore the wonders of the Hollow World and then successfully exit back to the surface world. [3]
Two such antagonistic organizations are outlined: the Terra Arcana, an esoteric society dedicated to keeping the Hollow Earth a secret; and the Thule Society, based on an actual organization associated with the Nazi Party during World War II, who seek the powerful ancient weapons they believe are in the Hollow Earth.
The book provides rules for character generation, a gamemaster's guide to the Hollow Earth, some sample characters, notable non-player characters, and a bestiary. [3]
An introductory adventure is included that pits the heroes against a Nazi group racing to enter the Hollow World and recover a lost treasure. [3]
Hollow Earth Expedition uses a system called Ubiquity that was created by Exile Game Studio. To determine success of an action, the player must roll a dice pool and score a number of even numbers that is greater than the rated difficulty of the task; odd numbers count as a null result. [3]
Hollow World Expedition was designed by Bruce Baugh, Brannon Boren, Patrick E. Bradley, Eric Cagle, Jason Carl, Jeff Combos, Jim Cook, Tyler Running Deer, Chris Goe, Ed Matuskey, Melissa McNally, M. Sechin Tower, and Steve Winter, and was published as a 256-page hardcover book published by Exile Game Studio in 2009 with cover art by Stephen Daniele and interior art by Daniele, Mike May, Aaron Nanto, Mark Selander, and Jeff Slemons. [2]
Exile subsequently published several supplements and sourcebooks to support the game.
In Issue 12 of Black Gate , E.E. Knight admitted that "HEX had me when I leafed through and saw dinosaurs, lost cities, zeppelins, and Nazis." Knight commented, "The game is equally suited to a long campaign, where even getting to the Hollow Earth involves several tense sessions, or one-to-three shot shorts. Suggestions [in the book] for setting up and running either style are helpful." Knight's only complaint was the lack of an Athlete archetype during character creation. Knight concluded, "the fast-paced, pulpy fun of Hollow Earth Expedition is as good as it gets in single-volume roleplay." [3]
Pyramid notes that although other pulp role-playing games try to encompass "every Pulp aspect and archetype, bringing together costumed adventurers, men of science, private eyes, barnstorming aviators, and big game hunters in a mix never destined to gel, Hollow Earth Expedition takes only those suited to the one Pulp sub-genre: that of the lost world." [1]
Hollow Earth Expedition
Hollow Earth Expedition GM Screen
Secrets of the Surface World
Mysteries of The Hollow Earth
Perils of the Surface World