The 7th Sea RPG is set in a world that draws direct influence from the literature of 17th century Europe. Each country in the world can be compared to a European kingdom but is an exaggerated representation. Sorcery is a large part of the world with many types available to players. The dominant religion in the world, the belief in Theus and his prophets, is based on a form of Gnostic Christianity and features a parallel of the Spanish Inquisition. There are also references to the Knights Templars, Masons and the Invisible College of scientists.
All major European powers have their representations in Théah. Avalon (England), Castille (Spain), Montaigne (France), Eisen (Germany), Ussura (Russia), Vendel/Vestenmanavnjar (Netherlands / Scandinavia) and Vodacce (Italy) are the main cultures of the game. There is also Inismore (Ireland), Highland Marches (Scotland), the Crescent Empire (Ottoman / Arab), Midnight Archipelago (Caribbean and North Africa) and the secretive Cathay (China / Korea / Tibet).
Originally 7th Sea materials were published using a d10 (roll-and-keep) dice system. The game was fairly well received.:101 Some of the game's later supplements included information about the game's world that dramatically affected its flavor, including an extensive and rather Lovecraftian background to sorcery. Some people felt that the later supplements were unbalanced and broke the mood of the game.
In 2004, Alderac switched to the d20 System and re-branded the game Swashbuckling Adventures:104. After poor sales of the three Swashbuckling Adventure d20 books, a series of hybrid books were published which supported both systems. Alderac no longer publishes books for the system:105 although a series of electronic books has been released by volunteer writers through the AEG website.
7th Sea books and downloads available
While the game line itself is out of print, some of the books can still be bought directly from AEG at conventions or through eBay. AEG has released a number of books in Adobe PDF format at www.drivethrurpg.com.
7th Sea Player's GuideThe basic core rulebook for the game. It contains information on character creation and the basic rules system.
7th Sea Game Master's GuideThe second basic core book. Much of the book is information on the world that is superseded by the nation books. However it does also have a selection of rules systems for the Game Master, such as chases and poisons.
7th Sea Game Master's ScreenA gamemaster's screen and an adventure called 'The Lady's Favour', which is the first part of the 'Erebus Cross' series of adventures.
"7th Sea Compendium" (PDF). This book was a free supplement designed to fill in the gap between the first and second printing of the two core rulebooks. The second printing contained quite a few additions, which are provided here for those with the first printing.
Each of these books details a particular nation, expanding the culture and potential characters to be found there. There is also a lot of detail on the various non-player characters (NPCs) that can be found in the country as well as their secrets.
The Pirate NationsDetails the selection of pirate captains roaming the seven seas. This was the first book to go out of print, but mainly because the information in this book is superseded and repeated in
Waves of Blood.
AvalonThis country is much like England. It has a strong 'Arthurian' feel and the land is also populated with strange creatures of the Fay.
Montaigne7th Sea's version of pre-revolutionary France. It includes detail on the noble families and life in the corrupt courts of the time of the Sun King.
EisenThe mud soaked and war scarred version of Germany during the Thirty Years' War is detailed here. It also contains a wide selection of new sword schools.
CastilleThis country is much like Spain during the Reconquista and ruled by a boy-king. The book contains additional information on the Vaticine church and the lost Fire sorcerers.
VodacceThis Venetian/Italian group of city republics was the original basis for
7th Sea. Politics and poison are the order of the day here; this book expands on the rules for poison and Sorte.
UssuraOne of the most often forgotten countries, Ussura is much like feudal Russia. The politics and areas of this vast country are detailed here along with expanded notes on Pyerem shapechanger sorcery.
Vendel/VestenAlthough this group of islands is technically one country it is ruled by two cultures. The Vendel are much like the Dutch traders of the Renaissance or the Hanseatic League, and they live next door to the old guard of Nordic Vikings. The tensions between the two groups are fully detailed here.
7th Sea is also full of secret societies. Each of these books expands the information found in the Gamesmaster's book and adds several new abilities and schools for player characters.
The Knights of the Rose and CrossThis order of knights is based heavily on the Templars, mixed with the flair of The Three Musketeers.
RilasciareAn order of revolutionaries in several different shapes and sizes.
Die KreuzritterA secret order of knights that were supposedly destroyed several hundred years ago. Their powers of shadow weaving and the secrets they have unearthed are detailed here.
The Invisible CollegeWhile the church used to encourage scientific experimentation, the rise of the Inquisition has put a stop to it. This book for the order of underground scientists contains detailed rules for crafting and conceiving new inventions.
Los VagosOne man can make a difference. The mysterious Zorro-like figure of the vagabond El Vago has more than a few assistants. His order of spies and helpers is expanded upon in this book.
Sophia's DaughtersThis secret order of women seem to know more about the world than anyone else. In this book their secret sorceries and Sidhe connections are laid bare.
Adventures and campaigns
There are a few published adventures and one large city campaign. The Erebus Cross campaign is a campaign that takes the characters across the whole of the world of Théah. It is published in three parts. Each of the books of the Erebus Cross also contain information on the Explorer's Society.
Scoundrel's FollyThe Erebus Cross Part 2 takes the characters to an island full of monsters.
The Arrow of HeavenThe Erebus Cross Part 3 takes the characters to a final showdown in Vodacce.
Mightier than the Sword2 unconnected adventures can be found here. One involves a violinist in Montaigne, the other a voyage across the sea following clues from novels.
Tangled StrandsThis mini-campaign takes place over four adventures. Each is designed to slot between other adventures or be run one after the other.
FreiburgThis huge boxed set contains complete detail on the city of Freiburg. It covers all manner of areas and characters across the city. Included in the box is also a campaign of several adventures called
Hammer and Tongs.
Villain's KitThis book rather defies categorisation. It was very expensive as it included membership to the now-defunct
7th Sea fan society "NOM". However the book itself is quite useful containing essays on creating villains and a short adventure.
When the nation and secret society books had been completed, AEG redesigned the cover style of the game line. These blue books are still designed for the Roll and Keep system but don't follow any form of series like the others.
Crescent EmpireThis book is for the Arabian area of the game world and details the four nations there in much the same way as the nation books.
Waves of BloodThis book brings the card game plotline and detail in line with the RPG with a complete history of the card game's storylines. It also updates and repeats all the information in
The Pirate Nations.
The Montaigne RevolutionNot just for Montaigne, this "
7th Sea Almanac" details the game's meta-plot for the year 1668. It includes the Montaigne revolution, but also the changes in Vodacce and the smaller plots from all the other countries.
The Church of the ProphetsThis book offers information on all the forms of Christianity in
7th Sea. It includes the Vaticine (Catholic) church and its schism with the Objectionists (Protestants). It also details the Ussuran faith.
Swordsman's GuildThis book on duelling and the guild contains a wide array of new sword schools. It also details several important NPCs and the history and agenda of the Swordsman's Guild.
AEG added d20 system statistics to the later books of the 7th Sea line in an attempt to increase its popularity. The first three releases were pure d20 books to bring d20 players up to speed. The line then continued with dual statistics for both rule systems.
Swashbuckling AdventuresThe d20 core book detailing the basic world of Théah and the various character classes and new feats available.
Heroes, Villains and MonstersThe second pure d20 release, an NPC book detailing many of the previously noted NPCs in d20 format as well as several monsters from the world of Théah.
Swashbuckling ArcanaThe third and final pure d20 release details the various sorceries and magics available in Théah.
Islands of Gold: The Midnight ArchipelagoThis book details the general area of the Midnight Archipelago and offers extensive detail on a few of the various islands.
Explorer's SocietyThis secret society book for a not very secret society is much like the other secret society books.
Strongholds and HideoutsThis book is a collection of areas to be found around Théah. Some are mystical (such as Lawrence Lugh's temple in Avalon) and others are quite mundane (such as the Rye Grim hideout in Montaigne).
Cathay, Jewel of the EastAnother nation book, much like the Crescent Empire. The Chinese lands of Cathay are detailed here.
Ships and Sea BattlesThis book concentrates of everything Waves of Blood missed. There is less emphasis on pirates, more on harbours and trading.
The Sidhe Book of NightmaresA complete book on the Sidhe, including new creatures and even Sidhe as player characters.
Knights & MusketeersThis book is a collection of new and previously mentioned knightly orders, from the Montaigne Musketeers to the Knights of Elaine to the O'Bannon's guards.
Rapier's EdgeThis final printed book for the line is a collection of adventures for every nation and society. It also includes detail on the meta-plot timeline up to 1675.
The fans and writers of the line continued to work on the game long after AEG stopped printing it. Several e-books have been produced along with adventures, which can be found on fan sites and the AEG website.
"Adventurer's Society of Luthon" (PDF). : An Avalon society of gentleman adventurers to rival the Explorers."A Murder of Supplication" (PDF). : An epic adventure set in Ussura and resolving one of the major plotlines."The Alchemist's Guild" (PDF). : A short e-book on a guild of alchemists."The Jenny's Guild" (PDF). : Detail on the history and characters of the guild of prostitutes in Théah."A Legacy of Faith" (PDF). : Information of two Crusader-era locations in the Crescent Empire."The Fall of Derwyddon" (PDF). : Adventure that was cut from Rapier's Edge that sets up the Sidhe War."Novus Ordum Mundi" (PDF). : A secret society book for a group so secret the player's guide doesn't even mention them."Noblesse Oblige" (PDF). : Detail on the courts of Théah and the politics of nobility. Includes new reputation and social combat rules.