Monarchies of Mau – purrrfectly new through Mon 24 Nov

Through Monday, November 24 we present the all-new Monarchies of Mau Bundle featuring Monarchies of Mau, the science-fantasy RPG of feline and rodent adventure compatible with Pugmire, published by Onyx Path Publishing in cooperation with designer Eddy Webb at Pugsteady.

Untold centuries after the Ages of Man, dogs and cats have inherited the world. Changed (“uplifted”) to use tools and language, the animal nations are rediscovering the world they inherited. Some seek the leftover technology of humanity, which they believe to be magic. Others envision an ideal civilization based on ancient, fragmentary lore. The Pugmire setting juxtaposes the tropes of high fantasy with our relationship with domestic pets. The characters are pioneers who explore lost ruins in search of relics and knowledge. Civilized animals have a moral code that classifies some as “good” and others as “bad,” although not “evil” – that’s reserved for insane monsters that seek destruction and chaos. Enemies can either be monstrous or simply other misunderstood peoples, such as the mice and lagomorphs of the Underneath. The world is dangerous and mysterious, but good dogs and clever cats will persevere.

Where Pugmire sniffed at the world of anthropomorphic dogs, the standalone companion game Monarchies of Mau aims the red dot at the felines of this world. Though the six feline Houses have existed for centuries, only recently has Trillani Persian von Mau, May All Her Lives Be Long, herded these Monarchies into a unified state. Tensions and conspiracies still exist: Mau is a realm of secrets and conspiracies, curiosity and exploration. Armed with swords, wits, and magic, your cats get involved in politics, hunt for relics, or fight against the horrors of the Unseen.

To build a Monarchies of Mau character, you pick a Calling (Champion, Footpad, Mancer, Minister, Tracker, and Wanderer) and a House (Angora, Cymric, Korat, Mau, Rex, Siberian, or the restless Shadow Bloc). These give access to unique Secrets (special abilities). Mau uses the same streamlined OGL-based system as the rest of the Realms of Pugmire line (d20 + modifiers vs. a target number), augmented with a fortune system for rerolls, damage types, and conditions. Mau‘s magic will be catnip to those who enjoy evocative spells and rituals.

A companion campaign setting, Squeaks in the Deep, adds a new realm and new Callings. Rats and mice live in the margins of the empires of dogs and cats. Their homes connect to the Underneath, a vast labyrinth of warrens, tunnels, caves, and other hidden places, full of unexplained phenomena and terrifying creatures, but also the wonders of ages past. The rodents believe Man was part of something called Science, a way to learn power through study, observation, and experimentation. Seeking Science, the Deep Dwellers and Field Rodents of the Underneath (including Analysts, Psychics, Strategists, Tricksters, and Ruffians) contend with twisted monsters, the Cult of Labo Tor, and even sapient weapons of the ancient past. Rather than sorceries, these rodents have access to an extensive array of Psionics, from Bodywarp to Empathic Rebuke, Mindscan to Willfinder. From dark alley-cat plottings to digs that go too deep, Guides have a wealth of shiny campaign options dangled before their eyes.