Tales From The Floating Vagabond

Originally published in 1991, Tales from the Floating Vagabond was one of the first comedic RPGs. Long story short: There's this interdimensional bar in an asteroid, see, and people from all over space and time get yoinked into it, and this naturally causes them to drink heavily and have adventures. Now, that's a concept you can take to the bank.

Back in the day, although not many people had played TFV, everyone had heard of it and knew the story. Like Toon, TFV asked a lot from its Game Master. (Improvised comedy is hard. Staying ahead of a roleplaying group is harder.) But in the right hands, it was an engine for fun.

The game was originally published by Avalon Hill. After an IP dispute about which I wish to know as little as possible*, the rights reverted to designer Lee Garvin. Tragically, Lee met with medical problems and died with the second edition still incomplete. But TFV lives on, thanks to the dedication of Kira Woodmansee, who pulled together the people, resources, and chicken-fried newts to realize Lee's vision. It's now available at DriveThruRPG.com.

If this sounds like your cup of tea**, you should read all the words, starting with the legal stuff at the bottom of Page 2. That's all I'm going to tell you about Page 2, except that there are llamas.

-- Steve Jackson

* Because I do not like to wake up screaming.

** If you actually order a cup of tea in The Floating Vagabond, you deserve whatever you get served.