Castle Falkenstein (role-playing game)

Castle Falkenstein (abbreviated CF) is a steampunk-themed fantasy role-playing game (RPG) designed by Mike Pondsmith and originally published by R. Talsorian Games. The game is named for a legendary unbuilt castle in the Bavarian Alps. Players play the roles of gallant adventurers, facing the intrigue and derring-do of Victorian adventures such as The Prisoner of Zenda.

Rules and setting are presented in the form of diaries of a number of characters within the game, the main being the author's alter-ego "Tom Olam", a game designer from our world magically transported in New Europa.

Awards

System

The game's system uses playing cards instead of dice to simulate action. The system is geared towards live action role-playing, and players are required to keep an in-character diary instead of using a character sheet.

Falkenstein

Falkenstein or Falckenstein ("falcons' stone" in German) may refer to:

Places

Austria

Germany

Castles

Austria

Czech Republic

France

Germany

Falkenstein Castle (Lower Austria)

The ruins of Falkenstein Castle (German: Burg Falkenstein) is located in the Weinviertel region of Lower Austria, about 55 km north of Vienna near the border to Czech Republic.

The castle was used as a "Reichsfeste", for the protection of the HRE Reich with an overview over nearly all of Moravia. It was founded around 1050 by Emperor Henry III. 1106 Leopold III, Margrave of Austria purchased the castle, from then on it was owned by the rulers of Austria. 1572 Maximilian II sold Falkenstein to the Baron (later Count) of Trautson.

In 1645, in the last period of the Thirty Years' War Falkenstein was conquered by Swedish forces, but not destroyed. Its decay began at the end of the 17th century, when the castle was dismantled by the owners themselves in order to re-use the material.

During the summer season, the inner ward is turned into an impressive site for medieval feasts and theatre plays.

Coordinates: 48°43′27″N 16°34′44″E / 48.72417°N 16.57889°E / 48.72417; 16.57889