Yes and no. JTO is a solo tabletop roleplaying game. Unlike most roleplaying games you do not need a gamemaster or dungeon master to narrate the game or control the events and encounters for you character. The game rules, game cards and game map take care of all of this for you.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

JTO is a solo game which means it is designed to be played alone. While it is possible to play “with” another person where each of you create characters and travel alone or together on the same map, you do not play “against” each other. Instead all players would play against the game and its events or encounters.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

JTO is an open ended game which means that play continues from one game to the next. These games are called “sessions” and a typical session will last about an hour. You can end a session whenever you get to a point in the game where you want to stop and continue the next day. Usually however a session will consist of ‘one game week’ as you do game management (i.e. shuffle cards, pull new events, update stats).

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

Yes. In JTO characters have statistics that can go up “or down” over time depending on things that occur in the game. The primary means of increasing statistics is Experience Points which a character gains for doing certain actions or surviving certain encounters in the game. As you gain experience points two things will happen. First you will go up “levels”. Levels give you a rough idea of how strong or successful your character is. Each level increase also brings with it certain benefits or rewards. In addition to increasing in levels your accumulated experience points are “banked” over time and can be “spent” to purchase “Skills” or “Advanced Skills” that improve your character and give them new or special abilities.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

Yes and no. You will need a miniature (or token?) to represent our character and show where he is at on the map. In addition there are a lot of NPC or Non Player Characters in the game that you may choose to represent with miniatures but you do not have to. In addition many of the events or encounters in the game will allow NPCs to join you and travel with you and assist you. You may wish to represent these NPCs with miniatures as well.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

The first thing you do in JTO is create your character. The rules will guide you through this process and explain your options and where your character will start play. Once you character is created you will be able to “equip” them meaning buy them weapons, food and supplies (i.e. lantern, rope, boots, etc.). Once you are equipped your “first day” will begin. The first thing you must do is draw a Weather Card. The weather for the day may affect your options like whether or not you can travel. You will also pull one Event card. Event cards last the whole week and explain an event in the Overland that affects everyone – including you. At this point you have a lot of options. You can immediately set out on one of the Objectives outlined in the game but for most new characters it is recommended that you simply travel and gain experience. You can also seek work or a job in the town you are in. Or you can choose to try and meet with the Town Mayor or walk around and obtain News and Information. If you do travel, you will first “roll for getting lost”. The Overland is a big place and if you have not traveled in an area before there is a big chance you will get lost and have to travel in a random direction. Whether you get lost or not you will then roll ‘For An Encounter’. An encounter is a chance of meeting someone or something happening while travelling. If you have an encounter you will pull and “encounter” card. The card will explain what happens next and what your choices are. After the encounter, if you survive, you must eat if you have food and rest for the night. If you have no food you can try and hunt for food if you are in an area where is hunting is possible. If you do not eat you will get weak and lose Endurance points until you eat again or are healed. When you sleep it is preferable to sleep indoors however you can sleep outside if you have no choice but there is a chance you will be “robbed” during the night and lose all of your possessions and equipment. After eating and sleeping the “next day” begins with a new Weather Card and your turn to choose what you will do that day.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

I created JTO between 1984 and 1987 while in high school. Some of my favorite games during that period were BARBARIAN PRINCE by Dwarfstar Games, LONE WOLF AND MAGNUNMUND, by Joe Dever and DRAGONQUEST by SPI. I was also a big CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Marvel Comics fan as well as THE WARLORD comic series by DC Comics.

Last updated: February 10, 2014 16:29

The Journey To The Overland rulebook is 294 pages. The rulebook contains five sections:

Section One Mechanics of Play - 135 pages Section Two Town and Castle Activities - 78 pages Section Three Combat - 40 pages Section Four Areas In Overland - 16 pages Section Five Elite Outfits - 25 pages

In addition to the rulebook the game will come four decks of cards:

23 Quest Cards 21 Events Cards 32 Weather Cards 130 Encounter Cards

There is also a 3’ x 3’ map and a 6 page 8.5” x 11” Character Sheet and Adventure Log as well as one counter sheet containing counters for Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Archers and Pikemen.

Last updated: February 12, 2014 06:34