Freelance Traveller

The Third Imperium: Sword Worlds

reviewed by “kafka”

This review originally appeared on rpg.net in September 2011 and was reprinted (inadvertently without the prior publication credit) in the May/June 2025 issue of Freelance Traveller.

The Third Imperium: Sword Worlds. Bryan Steele.
Mongoose Publishing https://www.mongoosepublishing.com
126pp, PDF
US$14.99/UK£11.19

Editor’s note: This is for the version released for Mongoose Traveller First Edition. There is a revised version available for Mongoose Traveller Second Edition.

Mongoose has introduced yet another layer of understanding upon the Marches by doing their take on the Sword Worlds or Swordies as the text likes to call this pocket empire. Although, this polity was described in the main book of the Spinward Marches – this new supplement takes a new and innovative glance by emphasizing the Viking roots of the Sword Worlds.

To that end, it does establish some new careers that are specific to the Sword Worlds and modifications to existing standard careers to run a campaign in the Sword Worlds. Therefore, those players can take their existing characters and see if they could fit the Sword World stereotype. I don’t know, if I like this idea too much, as it speaks too much of railroading to me. And, why would Agents not be allowed to work for the Sword World Confederacy and only companies? It strikes me that too much thought was taken from fantasy Viking campaigns rather a game with interstellar politics being the prime focus. As I see it all interstellar powers would employ spies and find nothing dishonourable about the practice. The new careers of Aesir priest and Berserker/Jager Kommand are a little contrived but do fit well with the rest of the writing in the book.

Next up we have history up to the present, shy of the Fifth Frontier War. I found this to be good but different than what I remember from the GURPS product. Which is true or canon, depends upon your taste and campaign. I would go with the Mongoose product and use the GURPS product to fill in details. Why? For as much, as I love Hans’ work, it lacks a certain je ne sais quoi…about it. Much more of the conflict between the Swordies and Darrians is more fully explored in the Mongoose volume – not sure, if this is because Swordies are touted as Dwarf surrogates or not (if so, N-o-o-o-o-o! Do not go that route Mongoose) to the Space Elves.

After a mini Library Data of things specific to the Sword Worlds, we move onto the worlds section. The worlds are varied while not as detailed as the GURPS product (i.e. no world maps) – they are nicely done in presenting the unique worlds that make up the Sword World Confederation. And, with so many variations of the Spinward Marches floating around – I dare not raise the spectre of canonicity just consider fitting the rest of the tone of this book, ‘nuff said.

We have a brief discussion of how different Sword Worlds’ technology is than the Imperial norm – think rugged, durable and fixable/flexible. Also, think lower tech…although, just marginally so – just not the expectation that there will be plasma cannons but more nukes on the battlefield. Embedded in this chapter is also a discussion on the philosophy toward technology than from the Imperial standard. This was one of the most interesting parts and sadly was not illustrated.

This being a Mongoose Traveller product, there are of course deckplans and ship descriptions. And, deckplans are for really interesting looking ships which is part of my complaint – I wanted to see what all those nice ships looked like from the outside. Guys, I thought we on a roll with Zhodani having nice deckplans and excellent ship illustrations (akin to the main rulebook ship illustrations). So, hopefully some talented individual can take these interesting deckplans and invert them to give a cool image to what these ships ought to look like. One illustration that is included merely sates the appetite for more.

Concluding the book is a set of common encounters and random patrons’ seeds. These are well thought out and fit well with the rest of the book for an adventure on the fly, as they both highlight the uniqueness of the Sword Worlds’ psychology and sociology. Also, there is sampling of animals that one might encounter whilst touring the different worlds that make up the Confederacy. And, lastly as an appendix there is a nice section for Referees only – which highlights some of Classified Information “secrets” of the Sword Worlds – funnily enough, I really liked this section, as it takes what was written up before and warps it somewhat thus challenging Referees not to think inside the box.

The art, where exists is excellent and really first rate. It leads me to wonder why every time there is a quasi-fantasy theme, as it was with Darrians, is the art better in the Traveller products (although, what’s with the Swordy battling the demon). Do artists like just doing guns with fantasy outfits. If that is the case bring on the babes in chainmail bikinis firing off SMGs and naval pilots looking like Erik… Also, amusing was the cover, an outstanding piece of work save it depicts an Imperial Marine. However, if the Sword Worlds and the Imperium are supposed to be adversaries – one can assume that he is attacking Swordies unseen. Although, it is a stretch, it could be part of Arkadium Freicorps (although that is stretching it a bit). Nevertheless, I cannot complain too much, as I would very much like a poster-size print of that cover. I also saw the inclusion of proof reader in the index and it does show, it is not perfect, but it would be hard to find one that is. So, some of the most heinous ones have been dealt with. I just wish that there was also a comprehensive glossary at the back of the book containing all the terms used, as my futuristic Icelandic/Sagamaal is a tad rusty and a glossary would make quick reference and a functional vocabulary easier.

It is a product that does owe much to the GURPS product (I even spotted a few GURPS Starports codes slip into the text) and as a result it is somewhat schizophrenic. As a Mongoose Traveller, it is nominally set in the time before the Frontier War to end all Frontier Wars yet this product wavers back and forth between describing that backdrop and the aftermath – most crucially in describing the Border Worlds which were set up as an Imperial Client State – after the said conflagration – why Brian could not simply decide to set it afterwards is beyond me. For Mongoose is probably get around to doing a supplement on Wars with Fifth Frontier War or even MegaTraveller’s Rebellion being the prime case study…so why not let this product foreshadow that future product.

I know, the question that has been plaguing the reader throughout this review – is it as good as the GURPS product of the same name? …the simple answer is not really but it is a marvelous product in its own right. The GURPS version tried to straighten out canon and the GURPS product shows loving attention to detail and trying to make canon work.

Whereas, the Mongoose product is all about having “Vikings in Space” and playfully uses that concept throughout the book. Both products, I would say complement one another, for the Mongoose product made me think of Swordies how I originally thought of them when I read about them the first time in JTAS and adds layers upon that that original gut feeling.

Despite the fact that, the GURPS product is an excellent product (one of the best in the GURPS Traveller line), like Rim of Fire, it neuters the Swordies making them more into the pastoral agriculturists which the historical Vikings were rather than bloodthirsty raiders bound by a mysterious honour code which is the commonly accepted fantasy trope for the Vikings. Historical versus Fantasy – it is a tough call. So, I guess… it is still a matter of preference:  if one needs interesting NPCs replete with a different mindset than the Imperium and who think like ferocious and principled Vikings warriors – go for Mongoose alone. Want an intrinsically detailed polity that respects canon and wants to fully explore the Sword Worlds – then stick with GURPS.

Mongoose Darrians and Zhodani, in mind my set a new standard for Mongoose Alien Modules, is this book in the same league then. It is very good but not there yet. In all fairness, it is not a full blown alien module but nor is it just a mundane supplement. It is better than Vargr and Aslan but does not blow you away. Had Bryan wanted to explore some deeper motivations of why the Swordies would go to war, as was done in Zhodani or really tried to explore canon in a creative way then this would be a better product, as such, it is very good but not excellent.