TTRPG WITH JOHN BALTISBERGER: Dark Tides and Darker Tidings

A Look at the Damned Hermit’s Grimoire for Mork Borg

Among the order of goodies I got from Pitt Trap Shop, Nohr’s online store, was a small 18 page Zine called “A Dark Tide”. Worth mentioning, I went into grabbing this completely blind, with no idea what I would find within. This is worth mentioning because I feel like this is how ever Mork Borg zine should be approached. The zine lays out an archipelago to the north of the main landmass of the Dying Lands, and details several of the islands’ inhabitants making it a mini-setting within the world.

Physical Product: 7

A simple zine for sure, it’s full color, but the color is used sparsely, mostly black and white pages with splashes of yellow or red as a means to create contrast. I would say the materials are mid-quality. It doesn’t feel premium, but it also doesn’t feel cheap or “budget”.

Art: 9

The art is very on point for this book, it looks and feels like Mork Borg, embracing the “art-punk” and black metal aesthetic. Striking and bold, the book is striking as hell, and when I brought it in my wife pointed at the angler fish on the cover and asked “Oh who’s this friend?” Honestly I had to go back and check to make sure Nohr and Pelle hadn’t worked on the book directly.

Writing/Editing: 8

Again, if I didn’t know better, I would have thought the original creators of Mork Borg had worked on this one. It’s very on brand for the game and the writing flows perfectly well.

World/Fiction: 8

• Design: As I mentioned above, this is a mini-setting, and as such it is designed in such a way that it gives itself to creating new stories and it’s capable of playing host to other products like 7 Aboard the Shackle by Zac Goins. It feels like a horrid little grouping of islands off the cost of norway swallowed by the blackness.
• Originality: Not much here, honestly, it’s a great supplement that slots perfectly into the already extant Mork Borg setting.
• Engaging: Only 18 pages long, you can absolutely read through this in one sitting, and the contents will absolutely have your mind buzzing with possibilities and cool shit you can do.
• Mechanics: As this is a supplemental zine, there aren’t many new mechanics, but I would like to shout out the mechanics for Malechar, the Bone Caster. And there is a new class in the back of the book.

Overall: 8.3

Final Thoughts: I found out AFTER reading this it is the second in a series, so now I need to get my hands on the first book. Look, here’s the thing. Mork Borg can’t make up its mind if it’s a real game, an art object, or just some random setting writing scratched into the wall of an asylum. And that’s what makes it great. A Dark Tide is a fantastic addition to your collection and will absolutely be a fantastic setting for any Mork Borg adventures you want to have. Also, it could probably be used in conjunction with Pirate Borg, so … double the use!

Get your own copy here!

John Baltisberger loves TTRPGs and Kaiju. He is an author of speculative and genre fiction that often focuses on Jewish Elements. Through his writing, he has explored themes of mysticism, faith, sin, and personal responsibility. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and his daughter.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.