''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. A second edition of the game, co-written by Bryce Thelin, was published in 1993. Historically, the 1st edition was noted largely for its complex design. However, the 3rd edition revamped the mechanics and has evolved into an "amazing" game. The game is referred to as a "gonzo" game and features an unusual amount of variety in play. It combines many elements of

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

, superhero and other genres and does occasionally lend itself to power gaming. A third edition of Synnibarr was funded by a Kickstarter in 2013, which was expected to be released in 2015. The Kickstarter project was completed and satisfied in 2021/2022. In 2022, it was announced that there was an "easter egg" hunt in the new edition. To date, the it had not been solved.

Setting

''Synnibarr'' is set on

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...

50,000 years in the future, hollowed out and turned into a spaceship to take humanity to a safe place after Earth was 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, the latter being capable of shooting

laser beam A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The fir ...

s from its eyes.

Guild A guild ( ) is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area. The earliest types of guild formed as organizations of tradesmen belonging to a professional association. They sometimes ...

s 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 (aiming to roll below a target number on the d100). 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". The "Ultimate Adventurer's Guide" was published in August 2018, and as of March 2022 rewards have been fulfilled.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Of Synnibarr Fantasy role-playing games Role-playing games introduced in 1991 Science fiction role-playing games Science fantasy role-playing games